The Deadliest Institution Collection

by Holly Copella

  “And miss the town fair?” Timon gasped playfully then smiled. “At least allow me to buy you a snow cone.”

  Jacey could hear part of the conversation between Maxwell and Angela at the stand just behind her.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to walk around the fair?” Maxwell asked Angela. “We could play some carnival games and win cheap prizes.”

  “Quite childish, don’t you think?” Angela snapped coldly with obvious disinterest in the entire spectacle.

  Jacey half turned and noted the embarrassed look on Maxwell’s face and the way Angela was glaring at her. Jacey then realized that Angela was actually upset by the way Timon and Brian were fussing over her.

  “Come on, Jacey,” Brian whined with a teasing smile and practically pulled her into his arms. “Let’s go play some games and have some fun.”

  Jacey was slightly surprised by Brain’s embrace. She gently pulled away from him and backed up several steps. She attempted to smile, though she was losing patience with him.

  “I really need to finish that article for the paper,” Jacey announced firmly. “It’s due Monday morning.” Jacey backed up another step and bumped into Maxwell. She spun nervously and forced a tiny smile. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “I’ll help you with your research,” Maxwell said softly. He then forced a tiny smile. “Research is my life.”

  Jacey looked at Maxwell with some surprise and smiled more naturally. “You’ll help me?”

  He nodded. Angela’s eyes narrowed sharply.

  “Thank you, Maxwell. I’d really appreciate any help you could offer.”

  Angela linked onto Maxwell’s arm, apparently surprising him, and smiled sweetly. “I’d like to visit this library myself.”

  “Libraries?” Brian scoffed with a frown. “I’d rather play with fire ants. You three enjoy yourselves.” He playfully smacked Timon on the chest. “Let’s see who can be the first to dunk the mayor.”

  Timon eagerly left with him.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The archives was located in the basement of the library. Despite the extensive lights, the basement remained dingy in appearance. There were aisles of bookshelves containing old books, magazines, and racks of newspapers. An older desktop computer was located in the back of the archives surrounded by bookshelves. Jacey sat behind the computer as she looked up several articles and printed the ones that interested her while Maxwell and Angela wandered around the shelves of old newspapers.

  “Most libraries won’t allow you in their archives,” Maxwell remarked to Jacey from several aisles away.

  “As a part-time employee,” she announced simply, “I’m entitled to full access of their property.”

  The two scientists returned to the cluttered room she occupied. Jacey removed several folded papers from her pocket and straightened them out on the table. Angela peered over her shoulder and burst out laughing.

  “Are those your notes?” Angela asked with a smile that mocked her.

  Jacey turned back to the computer and avoided looking at the snobbish woman she’d come to loathe. “I never said I was very organized,” she muttered and began her healthy dislike for the woman all over again. She wondered if Angela just felt she was beneath her, or did it have something to do with the other scientists taking an interest in her. Maybe it was just Maxwell’s attention that bothered her.

  “I guess not,” Angela laughed.

  Maxwell removed the papers from the printer and scanned through the printed articles from archived newspapers. “All this happened in this town?”

  “In a matter of three days,” Jacey replied without looking at him. “This town took a bad situation and made it into something even worse.”

  “Persecution of the innocent, curses, and legends back from the dead,” Maxwell commented with a soft snort. “I heard Asher speak of his turmoil.”

  Jacey sighed gently. “He would know too. He was a victim ten years ago and every day since.”

  Maxwell removed a hi-lighter from the desk and began hi-lighting parts of the article.

  “I don’t suppose there are any science magazines in this place,” Angela huffed while folding her arms across her chest as she looked around.

  “The next room over,” Jacey replied dryly without looking at the woman.

  Angela walked away without further comment. Maxwell sat on the edge of the desk and sifted through the small stack of papers. He hi-lighted several more items.

  “Do you believe your friend killed Hal Burgess?” Maxwell asked softly and interrupted the silence.

  Jacey stopped typing and looked at Maxwell with surprise. “I certainly don’t,” she remarked curtly.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said gently.

  She sighed softly and looked back at the computer. “None taken,” she said sadly. “I’m just getting a little tired of listening to people put Asher down.”

  “And not being able to defend him,” Maxwell stated gently. “I’ve gathered that you try to keep your friendship with him a secret.”

  “It’s his request,” she said timidly and frowned while staring at the computer monitor. “He doesn’t want the town to alienate me as well.”

  “Maybe he just needs to make some new friends,” Maxwell said simply. “Tomorrow night is the formal party at the institution. It’s supposed to be celebrating the new foundation, but they’re generally for public relations and grants. I’m sure Brian’s already invited you, but I thought that maybe you’d like to bring Asher. He’d probably enjoy socializing with that crowd. He seemed to enjoy scientific talk the other night.”

  Jacey spun in her chair and looked at him with surprise. “Do you mean it?” she asked excitedly. Her enthusiasm didn’t even have anything to do with Asher’s request to be invited to the institution. “I’m sure he’d love the opportunity to talk with people who don’t know or care about his reputation here in town.” She couldn’t contain her smile. She was suddenly very happy. “He’ll be thrilled to hear. He can be my date.”

  Maxwell smiled lightly and held back his chuckle. “I think Brian might object to that.”

  Jacey casually stood from her chair and sat on the desk near him. “Brian never mentioned the party,” she replied simply. “He never asked me to go with him; therefore he has nothing to say about it.”

  Maxwell appeared surprised and gently tilted his head. “I really thought Brian had asked you already.” He then smiled lightly and stood. “It probably just slipped his mind. He never remembers the formal parties. They’re usually rather boring.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Jacey said cheerfully as she stood. “I’m just thrilled that you thought to invite Asher.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him happily. “You really are a wonderful man.”

  Maxwell uncertainly returned the embrace. She slowly pulled away, placed a hand on his face, and smiled happily.

  “If there’s ever anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  Maxwell stared into her eyes. Neither said a word. Jacey’s bright smile became light and shy as she stared into his dark eyes. She gently bit her lower lip and ran her hand along his face before allowing it to drop to his shoulder. Maxwell smiled with apparent embarrassment.

  “You could save me a dance,” he said softly and touched her hand that still rested on his shoulder.

  Her body shuddered from the sensation of his fingers running down her bare arm. Jacey felt her cheeks become hot and red. She allowed her gaze to stray to his mouth then quickly returned her eyes to his. Maxwell held his breath then gently touched her cheek with the back on his fingers. It was an intense moment. He slowly lowered his mouth to hers. Her heart pounded with anticipation.

  “Maxwell,” came a bored female voice from the next room.

  They jumped apart seconds before Angela entered the archives. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned in the doorway with a look that easily conveyed her emotions.

  “Maxwell, I’m bored and hungr
y,” Angela retorted. “Let’s go for something to eat.”

  Maxwell breathed rapidly and a broad, nervous smile crossed his face. “Yes, of course.” He turned to Jacey with an embarrassed smile. “I’ll, uh, get these papers back to you tomorrow night. I’m sure I can find more information for you on my computer as well.”

  Angela groaned impatiently. “Come on, Maxwell. Before I die of boredom.”

  Maxwell hurried across the room and joined Angela. They could be heard walking up the stairs.

  “Honestly, there’s nothing above a fourth grade reading level in this ancient library,” Angela could be heard commenting as they vanished up the steps.

  Jacey slowly sank back onto the desktop and stared after him until he was gone. A strange smile crossed her face. She wasn’t sure what it was about him, but he certainly had her attention. Sadly, he already had Angela in his life. She heard someone on the basement stairs and immediately sprang to her feet. She sort of hoped it was Maxwell returning--without Angela. She attempted to act casual as she caught a glimpse of someone entering the area she occupied. Her heart sank when she saw Deputy Jameson. He appeared surprised to see her and offered a charming smile.

  “I was wondering who was down here,” he announced. “I saw those two scientists leaving and wasn’t sure what to think.”

  Jacey flopped into the rickety, old chair behind the computer and returned to her article. “No, it’s just me,” she announced. “They were helping with some research for my article on the institution.”

  He rolled his eyes and groaned. “Hasn’t there been enough articles on that rattrap the last decade?” Jameson sat on the edge of the desk and again smiled. “Why don’t you do an article on the talented and handsome officers of the Stony Ridge police department?”

  Jacey attempted to hold back her laugh. He never gave up. “I think Brenda did that already.”

  He suddenly appeared uncomfortable and straightened where he sat on the desk. “You do realize you’d already dumped me when Brenda and I went out.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that,” Jacey replied and tried to concentrate on her article, although his hovering made that difficult.

  “So what’s the problem?” he asked while leaning closer to her from where he sat on the desk.

  She glanced at him and knew he was talking about them getting back together, but he was always so vague, he made it difficult for her to turn him down.

  “There’s no problem,” she replied and returned to the computer.

  His closeness was starting to bother her now. They got along better being friends, but there were times he just liked to double-check that she still wanted it that way. Jameson smiled and finally stood.

  “I’d better patrol the fair before Monroe checks up on me,” he replied. “See you later.”

  Jacey finally looked at him and offered a polite smile. She looked away to avoid watching him leave. As if on cue, he looked back before disappearing out of her view. If he even thought she was looking at him, he’d take it as a sign of her interest in him and possibly step up his ‘wooing’. At times, she felt bad that she didn’t feel the same for him as he felt for her, but then she’d remember his possessive, controlling behavior and the guilt would vanish. It was sad too. Jameson was exactly what she was looking for in a man. Handsome country cop, cowboy appeal, and horse lover to boot. She just couldn’t get past his smothering personality.

  †

  The streets of the fair were alive with activity early that evening. Monique and Coleen each carried large stuffed horses Professor had won for them. All three ate ice cream cones as they walked the slightly crowded streets. Professor looked more like a big kid now than a respected and highly intelligent scholar.

  “This is the most fun I’ve had at a town fair,” Coleen chirped. “We got to win ribbons with the horses, play games, eat junk food for supper, and spend the evening with Professor.”

  Monique raised her stuffed horse. “And don’t forget Professor winning us these stuffed animals.”

  “Here, here,” Coleen chanted and they clicked ice cream cones together as if they were wineglasses.

  “It’s been fun for me too,” Professor announced cheerfully. “I didn’t realize how much fun I’d been missing all these years. My work became my hobby, but I forgot there was an entire world full of simple pleasures--like having an ice cream cone.”

  “You need to come out riding with us again,” Monique suggested.

  “Oh, I’d love too,” Professor announced cheerfully. “If we lose the stiffs, maybe this time we can gallop a little.”

  “You’ve got it,” Coleen said with a laugh. “We’ll race you on that big stretch of dirt road.”

  Brian and Timon joined them while carrying large plastic cups of beer. Both men appeared to be enjoying themselves as well. Brian had a small teddy bear, and Timon proudly carried a goldfish in a plastic bag.

  “Quarter drafts,” Timon said with a chuckle. “I could get used to these fairs.”

  “They make up for it on all those games you lost,” Brian teased cheerfully.

  Timon petted Monique’s stuffed horse. “Nice horsy. How’d you win it?”

  “Professor won them for us,” Monique said excitedly.

  “Darts,” Professor said and made a throwing motion. “I’m really good at darts.”

  “It doesn’t matter how good you are,” Brian snorted. “They’re fixed with weights.”

  “Not anymore,” Professor said with a sly smile.

  Timon laughed heartily. Jill lunged before them and startled all five. Timon clung to his goldfish to protect it. She glared evilly.

  “It’s because of you our town will suffer the curse,” she announced boldly. “You’ve poisoned this town with your presence. You’ll see! You’ll see when people die!”

  Timon looked at his watch then back at Jill. “Aren’t you late for a witch burning somewhere?”

  Jill pointed a warning finger at him. He again clutched his goldfish bag. “You’ll see! I promise!”

  “You’re the only curse on this town,” Brian announced with raised brows. “Get a life, lady.”

  All five walked past her without further comment. None were concerned with what had just happened.

  “So,” Professor announced to his fellow scientists while grinning slyly, “which of you idiots is taking Jacey to the formal tomorrow night?”

  Timon and Brian looked at Professor with some surprise. “Formal? What formal?” Timon asked.

  “That’s next week, isn’t it?” Brian asked with a look of surprise on his face.

  Professor chuckled lowly in his throat while grinning. “Uh, no, that’s tomorrow night.”

  Both men looked at each other then turned and ran down the crowded street. Professor seemed to take some perverse pleasure in watching them trip over each other to find Jacey first.

  †

  It was nearly dusk. Monique, Coleen, and Professor joined Doc, Maxwell, and Angela by the stand for the unveiling of the new statue. Brian and Timon soon returned as well. Monique and Coleen became bored during Mayor Norad’s speech and swatted each other with their stuffed horses. Brenda approached the scientists’ stand, posed almost seductively, and smiled sweetly at them. Brian and Timon were immediately taken by her beauty.

  “I heard you’d arrived a week early,” Brenda announced with plump lips brightly glossed with red lipstick. With her milky complexion and raven black hair, her lips practically jumped off her face.

  Brian and Timon fumbled over each other to greet her with grins and extended hands. She politely shook their hands.

  “I’m Brenda Heinz,” she announced. “Journalist for our local paper.”

  “Oh,” Professor announced cheerfully from alongside Monique and Coleen. “We met your colleague the other day.”

  “Colleague?” she said while snorting a laugh. “You mean Jacey? I’d hardly call her a colleague. She cleans up around the press and occasionally writes a blurb here and there.”
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  Monique and Coleen glared at the woman and immediately took a step forward about to speak. Professor casually placed his hand over both their mouths with his arms wrapped around their heads to hold them back and silence them.

  “I was hoping I could do an interview with you regarding your plans for the institution,” she announced sweetly.

  Brian and Timon both raised their hands to volunteer. Brenda grinned her approval. Howard Norad finally finished his speech. Brenda removed her cell phone and took video of the unveiling. Everyone looked toward the covered statue as Howard removed the canvas. Roseanne lie dead and bloodied while draped in the statue’s arms. Her head hung back to reveal the deep gash across her throat, and her eyes and mouth remained opened with a fixated look of horror. Several cameras had flashed then instantaneous stopped as the crowd gasped aloud. Several women screamed. The mayor stared at the dead women, unable to speak. Sheriff Monroe and Deputy Jameson ran onto the platform to cover the body quickly. Brenda clutched her cell phone and pushed her way through the crowd. She’d gotten her story!

  Jill could be heard shouting above the crowd. “It’s the curse. They’ve returned to punish us!”

  †

  Jacey finished typing her rough draft on the computer and sat back while it printed. She could hear a commotion from the crowd outside and assumed they were upset about something in the mayor’s speech, since she hadn’t heard any clapping. A floorboard suddenly creaked from upstairs, startling her. It had been unusually quiet in the library due to the fair outside. Jacey stood and walked toward the stairs. She listened a moment then, when she heard nothing; she went back to the printer and removed her papers. She typed five separate stories with different themes about the institution. She heard another creak from upstairs followed by thundering footfalls on the steps. Monique and Coleen ran down the stairs with Professor, Timon, and Brian close behind. Both girls hugged Jacey.

  “Oh, Jacey,” they cried out while clinging to her. “It was horrible!”