“Harlan, wake up. I’m going to miss my flight,” she insisted firmly.
Harlan woke and looked around with some disorientation, possibly hungover then sat up. “What happened?”
“Nothing. You promised to take me to the airport. We have to hurry, or I’ll miss my flight,” she said and rushed into the bathroom.
Harlan muttered something. When she came out of the bathroom, Harlan was sitting on the sofa with the phone in his hand. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.
“Yeah,” he moaned into the receiver. “She’s here, Lyle. We were just leaving now. Meet us at the airport.”
Sidney hurried back into the bedroom and removed her dress from the back of the chair in the corner. She had no choice but to change back into her dress since it was all she had to wear, and rushed into the living room. Harlan appeared from the bathroom looking only a little fresher.
“We have to stop at the hotel for my things,” Sidney announced and searched the floor for her shoes.
“I talked to Lyle on his cellular phone,” he informed her. “They’re at the hotel. Trisha’s getting your bag.” He then eyed her as if she was holding things up. “Are you almost ready?”
Sidney nodded and found her shoes then looked at him. “He has one of those cellular phones?” she finally asked. “If you were able to reach him through that phone, why didn’t you give me that number instead?”
He stared at her a moment then grabbed his car keys from the coffee table. “I didn’t want you disturbing them,” he insisted. “Do you want to make your flight or not? I’m not driving you back to Marilina.”
§
Harlan drove over the speed limit the entire way to the airport. Fortunately, they weren’t pulled over. He parked the car at one of the drop-off metered spots in front, and they hurried into the terminal. The plane was already boarding. Thankfully, it wasn’t a big airport, and there wasn’t a long line through security. Lyle stood alongside Trisha and the woman collecting tickets at the gate.
Trisha saw her and waved the tickets. “Sidney!”
Harlan hurried her to the gate. Trisha gave Sidney her ticket, waved to Lyle, and then boarded the plane.
Sidney turned to Harlan and responded warmly. “Thanks for everything, Harlan.”
“It was good seeing you,” he announced while offering a gentle smile.
“We have to board the plane now, ma’am,” the attendant at the gate announced.
Sidney waved to Harlan and approached the woman before the gate door. As she handed the woman her ticket, Sidney paused and considered something. She turned and hurried back to Harlan, surprising him.
“Did you forget something?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
Sidney placed her hands on Harlan’s shoulders and kissed him quickly on the mouth. She pulled away, backed up a step, and smiled while blushing.
“Just something I was unable to do eight years ago,” she replied then turned and hurried for the attendant at the door. The woman hid her grin, although obviously touched by the sediment. Sidney claimed her ticket and hurried into the skywalk without looking back. Sidney rushed through the plane and collapsed in the seat beside Trisha. Her heart pounded, and she felt hot and flushed. She sighed softly and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she realized Trisha was staring at her with an angry look.
“I can’t believe you went back to his apartment with him,” Trisha growled lowly. “What if he had killed you? Do you even care that I was worried half to death?”
Sidney straightened in her seat and snorted a laugh while glaring at her friend. “Yeah, you were so worried,” she scoffed. “That’s why you were at Lyle’s when I tried to call you and let you know I wasn’t dead.”
“I had no choice. I didn’t know where to find Harlan’s apartment,” Trisha snapped hotly. “I called the hotel from the club. When there was no message from you, I went with Lyle to his apartment. He promised he’d call Harlan when we got there.”
Sidney cocked her head and raised a suggestive brow. “So why didn’t he ever call?”
“He did,” Trisha launched with hostility. “He called twice, and I called at least ten times. I kept leaving messages on his stupid machine. Why didn’t you pick up?”
“The phone never rang,” Sidney insisted and knew she didn’t imagine it. “Lyle must have given you the wrong number. When I called Lyle’s apartment, I got his machine. Harlan said Lyle always put the machine on while he was entertaining.” She gave her friend a demanding, dirty look.
Trisha suddenly gasped while staring at her with wide eyes. “We’ve both been had!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Lyle said the same thing about Harlan. Both bastards turned off their phone ringers so the phones wouldn’t ring.” Trisha shook her head with disgust and folded her arms across her chest. “Perverts were just trying to get us in their beds.”
Sidney chuckled at the irony. “Well, it worked.”
Trisha glared at Sidney as her eyes widened. “You didn’t!”
“I slept in Harlan’s bed, and he slept on the sofa,” Sidney replied with a cheap smile then eyed her friend. “What did Lyle pull?”
Trisha sank into thought then looked back at her friend. “Nothing, actually. He kept trying to convince me you were safe with Harlan. Between phone calls, we talked,” she said then grinned as some color entered her cheeks. “He was rather nice.” She then frowned and became embarrassed. “He must think I’m horrible after the way I acted.”
Sidney noted her friend’s interest in something other than her obsession with Emily Fisher. She leaned on the armrest between them and hid her smile. “So what did you talk about?”
Trisha turned halfway in her seat and appeared eager to talk. “Nothing important,” she announced while swiftly changing the subject. “What did Harlan have to say?”
Sidney felt her heart sink. She had hoped Lyle sparked some feelings inside Trisha, but her friend seemed to have a one-track mind. It was no use.
“He was very vague,” Sidney replied, losing her interest in the topic. “He really didn’t tell us much more than what we knew before.”
Trisha continued to glare at her. “You’d better tell me what he said, or I’m telling your father you spent the night in Harlan’s apartment.”
Sidney rolled her eyes and groaned. “Oh, all right,” she snapped lowly then drew a deep breath and held it a moment. “Harlan said Miss Fisher was a slut.” She saw the shocked look on Trisha’s face and forced herself to continue. “He also said she was having an affair with Mr. Malcolm.”
“What!”
Sidney turned with embarrassment and placed her hand over her eyes as several heads turned toward them.
“I don’t think the pilot heard you,” Sidney muttered and looked at the staring passengers.
They eventually minded their own business.
“I don’t believe that for one minute. She hated that man with a passion,” Trisha snapped hotly. “It’s obvious Harlan was lying to cover his own suspicious ass.”
Sidney turned to face her friend and pointed a demanding finger at her. “Look, you started this, Trisha,” she snapped. “If you want to play detective, then you’d better be a little more open-minded. You need to listen to what people are saying, weigh the facts, then make an intelligent deduction, but so far you’ve been completely closed minded.” She drew a deep breath and held it a moment. “If she were sleeping with Mr. Malcolm that puts him in a very awkward position with his career and his home life. He could very easily be a suspect. Mind that word, Trish. A suspect is suspected not accused. You have absolutely no grounds to accuse anyone of anything, and you’d best remember that in the future or no one will tell you anything.”
Trisha stared at Sidney in silence then turned and looked out the window. “I think I understand,” she replied timidly then eyed her friend. “What’s our next move?”
Sidney raked her fingers through her hair
and sighed. “Why can’t you just let it go?” she asked softly.
“I can’t,” Trisha whispered while staring at her friend. “At first I was just traumatized by the brutality of her death and the way we found her. But after the trial, I kept asking myself why he’d do such a thing to someone so special.” She tensed then fidgeted. “About two years ago, I started investigating the murder; I mean really investigating it. I gathered information and studied the articles and reports. When I discovered Alex may have been innocent, I nearly went to pieces. I helped put him behind bars. I sent him to prison for life. I don’t know about you, but I can’t live with that burden. I think he’s innocent, and I just can’t live with the thought of him being in prison while the real killer was allowed to simply walk away.”
Sidney drew a deep breath. “If Alex is innocent, I don’t want to see him rot in jail either. We can question some of the others involved and see what they remember. We’ll start with Mr. Malcolm. But if you want my help, you’ll have to promise to let me handle it my way. You already have everyone on the defensive.”
Trisha nodded. “Yes, I know I’ve stepped on some toes. They wouldn’t listen, so I made them.”
“Now it’s my turn,” Sidney replied simply.
Chapter Seventeen
When they reached the airport terminal, Sidney stopped in the bathroom to change out of the evening dress and into something less conversational. By the time they reached Marilina, both were hungry from the long flight, since neither felt like eating during their layover. They stopped at Sam’s Tavern for something to eat since it was the first place they reached. Trisha’s mother was working at the diner that evening, but Trisha didn’t want to hear another lecture about her actions. Sam’s was never very busy on a Sunday evening. Around noon, the church crowd roamed in for lunch, and it was a respectable place until ten o’clock.
The newly added dance club portion brought more income for Sam, but it also drew in some undesirable people from neighboring towns. Sam had the night off, so they wouldn’t be able to ask him anything about the day of the murder. None of the regulars were there on Sunday evening, at least not any of those who were allowed to drink eight years ago. Most of the people at the bar were barely twenty-one.
After a leisurely dinner, Trisha leaned back in her chair and groaned. “I suppose I should go home. If I’m lucky, I’ll be asleep before my mother gets home,” she remarked. “She was upset about the trip to California.”
“My parents were still asleep when I slipped out,” Sidney remarked. “I assume they got the note I left. I’ll probably be grilled on where I went.”
Trisha stared at Sidney and appeared interested in something other than the murder for a brief moment. “So what did you think when you saw Harlan for the first time in eight years?”
Sidney studied her friend’s expression then shifted uncomfortably. “He’s a little rougher than I remember. He lost his boyish charm, that’s for sure.”
“Like most men, he’s become too serious,” Trisha said simply. “What’s he now? Thirty-five?”
Sidney pretended to think about it. “Yes, I suppose he’s around that.”
“Any old sparks?”
She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “That was a long time ago, Trish. I had a childhood crush,” Sidney replied dryly.
“Say it enough times, and you may even convince yourself it’s true,” Trisha muttered then eyed her friend. “Think you’ll ever call him?”
“No,” Sidney stated firmly. “We both have our own lives, and they certainly don’t involve each other.”
Trisha stared at the table and played with her spoon. “You know what I miss most about our childhood?”
Sidney tilted her head and listened.
“I miss you and me,” she said softly. “We used to tell each other everything. Now we’re lucky if we call each other twice a year just to say hello.” Trisha looked up with tears in her eyes. “We were robbed of our best years. When Miss Fisher was murdered, a small piece of us died with her.”
Sidney knew it was true. Nothing had really been the same after that day. They remained friends throughout high school, but they were both distant and withdrawn. It wasn’t the same.
§
Sidney drove Trisha home, although neither spoke on the short drive. They said their goodnights, and Sidney returned to her parents’ house. As she walked to the porch, she could hear her parents arguing from inside. Apparently, they hadn’t heard her pull into the driveway. Sidney remained on the porch and listened to their heated discussion when she heard her name mentioned.
“It’s all Trisha’s fault,” Herb proclaimed in anger. “She’s a bad influence--with the way she’s been acting lately.”
“I’m just happy to have Sidney home,” her mother scolded. “I don’t want you shooting off your mouth, keeping her away another five years. She’s a grown woman now. Did you expect her to return home and not think about it ever again?”
“You make it sound as if it’s my fault she left in the first place,” Herb snapped harshly.
“I never said that but you can’t be playing the overly protective father anymore,” her mother remarked. “She can do as she pleases without answering to you.”
“Do as she pleases?” her father gasped. “Everyone in town thinks Trisha is completely mad. I don’t want them saying the same thing about my little girl!”
Sidney had heard enough for one evening. She left the porch and took a walk around the surrounding development. The streets along the residential area were well lit with street lamps on each block. The evening was pleasantly warm, so there were several others with the same idea. She was a couple of blocks from her house when she saw Mrs. Randall and a much younger man approaching from the opposite direction. Mrs. Randall waved to Sidney as they drew near. She then realized the man was Billy Randall with his grandmother. He looked a little older, but he was still the handsome, quarterback heartthrob she’d remembered. He stood an impressive six-foot-two with broad shoulders, a big chest, and massive arms, though his light brown hair was now shorter with a more professional look.
“Sidney,” Mrs. Randall announced cheerfully. “I’d heard you were back in town. It’s been a long time.”
Billy Randall’s eyes swept over her, and a bright smile crossed his face. “You’ve certainly grown up. You look fantastic,” he marveled while studying her. “I never should’ve gone away to college.”
Sidney felt herself blush with embarrassment.
Mrs. Randall clung to her grandson’s strong arm. “My Billy’s a doctor now,” she announced proudly.
“You’re a doctor?” Sidney gasped with some surprise.
Billy nodded. “I’m doing my internship at the hospital in Brighten. I traded my football jersey for a scrub suit.”
Sidney forced a tiny laugh. “That’s wonderful. I never knew you were interested in medicine.”
“When my knees began to give out on me, I realized I’d never go pro,” he said with a soft laugh. “I had to make Grandma proud somehow.” He swiftly changed the subject to her. “I heard you went away to college also. What do you do?”
“Not much in comparison, I’m afraid.”
“Listen, I have to get Grandma home before the nine o’clock movie,” he announced while grinning. Mrs. Randall patted his arm and smiled thoughtfully. “Grandma and I just moved to this development last year. I’d really like to talk to you some more. Why don’t I give you a call sometime tomorrow, and we can go to Sam’s Tavern one of these nights.”
“Sure. Trisha and I were there tonight, but it was kinda dead,” Sidney announced. “I’m told it can get pretty wild most nights.”
“Trisha?” he asked with a note of concern then managed a smirk. “Yes, I forgot you two were close friends.”
“Still are,” Sidney added gently.
“Of course,” he said while attempting to remain cheerful. “It’s just that Trisha’s been on some crusade lately. She hasn’t been acting nor
mal.”
Mrs. Randall elbowed Billy. “I don’t like hearing that kind of talk about that sweet child, especially from you.”
“Sorry,” he replied gently to his grandmother. He looked back at Sidney. “I didn’t mean any disrespect, Sidney.”
Sidney knew she couldn’t defend Trisha’s behavior herself. “She’ll be fine in a couple of weeks. She’s already coming around,” she easily lied.
“That’s great. Perhaps I could get Denny Phillips to join us,” Billy announced. “The four of us will have a great time. I’m sure Trisha could use a night on the town.”
Sidney knew that was the truth. “Yes, I think that would do her a world of good.”
She knew Trisha had a crush on Billy several years back. Maybe an evening with him would stir some emotions.
“Billy, I’m going to miss my movie,” Mrs. Randall said firmly.
He patted her hand linked onto his strong arm. “We won’t miss the movie, I promise.” He raised his brows to Sidney with mockery. “Would you like to join us at Grandma’s house? We could rehash old times and talk about school.”
It would have been the perfect way to find out more on Mr. Malcolm, but she was too tired even to consider being clever.
“I’d love to some other time,” she said gently. “I’ve had an extremely long, tiring day, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on Mr. Malcolm sometime.”
He laughed at the comment. “Malcolm, now there’s a work of art. That’ll be a marathon conversation in itself,” he teased. “Let me know when you have a couple of hours.”
“I’ll do that,” she said with a soft laugh.
Mrs. Randall began to pull on her huge grandson. “It’s a really exciting movie, Billy.”
“I guess I’d better get Grandma home or she’ll have a coronary. Wouldn’t want to practice my CPR tonight,” he teased. “I’ll call you later.”
Sidney nodded and watched Mrs. Randall practically drag Billy along the sidewalk. Sidney laughed softly. She wondered how he lived with that woman all those years. It was a known fact that his grandmother practically raised him after his parents were killed in a fire when he was just ten years old. She watched them a few minutes longer then turned and headed back home.
The Deadliest Institution Collection Page 75
