Random Acts of Deceit (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 2)

  Random Acts

  of Deceit

  Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries,

  Book 2

  By Christy Barritt

  Random Acts of Deceit: A Novel

  Copyright 2015 by Christy Barritt

  Published by River Heights Press

  Cover design by The Killion Group

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The persons and events portrayed in this work are the creation of the author, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  All Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

  Other Books by Christy Barritt

  Squeaky Clean Mysteries

  #1 Hazardous Duty

  #2 Suspicious Minds

  #2.5 It Came Upon a Midnight Crime

  #3 Organized Grime

  #4 Dirty Deeds

  #5 The Scum of All Fears

  #6 To Love, Honor, and Perish

  #7 Mucky Streak

  #8 Foul Play

  #9 Broom and Gloom

  #10 Dust and Obey

  #11 Thrill Squeaker (coming soon)

  The Sierra Files

  #1 Pounced

  #2 Hunted

  #2.5 Pranced (a Christmas novella)

  #3 Rattled (coming soon)

  The Gabby St. Claire Diaries (a tween mystery series)

  #1 The Curtain Call Caper

  #2 The Disappearing Dog Dilemma

  #3 The Bungled Bike Burglaries

  Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries

  #1 Random Acts of Murder

  #2 Random Acts of Deceit

  #3 Random Acts of Malice (coming soon)

  #3.5 Random Acts of Scrooge (coming soon)

  Carolina Moon series

  #1 Home Before Dark

  #2 Gone By Dark

  #3 Wait Until Dark (coming soon)

  Suburban Sleuth Mysteries

  #1 Death of the Couch Potato’s Wife

  Standalone Romantic Suspense

  Keeping Guard

  The Last Target

  Race Against Time

  Ricochet

  Key Witness

  Lifeline

  High-Stakes Holiday Reunion

  Desperate Measures

  Hidden Agenda

  Mountain Hideout (coming soon)

  Dark Harbor (coming soon)

  Standalone Romantic Mystery

  The Good Girl

  Suspense

  Dubiosity

  The Trouble with Perfect

  Nonfiction

  Changed: True Stories of Finding God through Christian Music

  The Novel in Me: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing and Publishing a Novel

  Dedication:

  This book is dedicated to all those who grieve. I understand your pain. Prayers for comfort and peace to you.

  Acknowledgments:

  A special thanks to Deena Peterson and Mary Ann Hake for their help with this book.

  CHAPTER 1

  My heart skipped a beat as Chase Dexter stared at me on my front porch.

  Or maybe I stared at him? Which was probably against some kind of ladylike etiquette. In fact, I thought I’d read in one of my books on manners that I should play hard to get, but playing hard to get really wasn’t my style.

  No, Chase Dexter made me feel warm and fuzzy all over, despite the late-night chill around us. When he took my hand, pulled it to his lips, and softly pressed a kiss there, I felt like warm honey filled my chest cavity with its ooey-gooey goodness.

  “As always, I had a great time tonight, Holly,” he said.

  “I had a pretty good time also,” I told him.

  He raised his eyebrows, his eyes dancing with mischief. “A pretty good time?”

  I nodded, keeping my expression demure. “I don’t want to give you an ego trip or anything.”

  He chuckled, the tone deep and low. The sound was almost more of a rumble that echoed from deep inside of him. I found it glorious and soothing. One day I really should record the gentle laughter because it could cheer me up on the grayest of days.

  “You’re one of a kind, Holly Anna Paladin.”

  I offered him a half shrug, trying to play it cool while making it obvious that I was playing it cool. I was a confusing mess like that sometimes. “I take that as a compliment.”

  He shook his head, his eyes locked on mine as he swiped a stray hair behind my ear. “You just did it again, you know.”

  “I did what again?”

  “That little thing you do.”

  “There’s a little thing I do?” I had no idea what that thing was, but it sounded intriguing.

  A smile played on his lips. “You tilt your head, pop your hip out, and get that coy I-have-a-lollipop-and-you-don’t look in your eyes. You remind me of someone from the fifties doing a cover shoot.”

  “Interesting.” Maybe I was better as this whole flirting thing than I thought, which was strange because I’d always considered myself a complete and absolute failure in that department. Then again, maybe Chase just brought out another side of me.

  Chase stepped close, the look in his eyes moving from playful to smoldering. The look made my stomach flip forward, backward, and every other which way possible. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  I nibbled on my bottom lip as his gaze swept me away. So many endorphins were bursting inside my head that the moment should set some kind of record for warm fuzzies. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  His hand cupped my neck, and his thumb rubbed my jaw. He started to lean forward, to draw me closer, but then took an abrupt step back. We were supposed to be taking it slow. Very slow.

  He seemed to remember that at the same time I did, and, instead, he took my hand and kissed it again.

  With one last glance, he stepped away. “Good night, Holly.”

  “Good night, Chase.” My voice sounded so dreamy and lovelorn that I almost wanted to smack myself. I’d never swooned over someone before. But every time I was around Chase, I definitely swooned so much that I could mentally hear Elvis singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in the background.

  With that, I stepped into my house, and the comforting scent of orange, rosemary, and vanilla filled my senses. This was actually my mom’s house, but I was living with her for the time being. The situation was win-win for both of us.

  Since Dad had passed away almost two years ago, I’d sensed that Mom needed someone. Plus, being a social worker didn’t equate to earning great money, so I was saving all I could. I had confidence that when the time was right, I’d instinctively know I needed to find my own place. Until then, I was going to bloom where I was planted. Right now, that was my childhood home.

  I flipped on the lights, and an empty house came into focus. A Tudor style with hardwood floors and immaculately stylish decorations, it was located on the outskirts of an area of town that used to be much sought after. However, through the years this part of the city had become only a shell of its former glory. My mom was one of the few who held on to the hope that the area could still be revitalized one day.

  Mom was at a fund-raiser gala tonight. She attended at least one a week. She probably organized about one a month. That was my mom—a social butterfly and certified community mover and shaker. No cause was too big or too small for her to conquer.

  I set my keys on the marble-topped t
able in the entry and hung my coat in the hall closet before hurrying upstairs to my room. I loved getting dressed up—the girlier the outfit, the better—but I also loved cuddling up in my favorite pair of comfy pajamas. I’d change out of my dress, come downstairs for a cup of Earl Grey, and listen to some of my favorite music—probably some Ella Fitzgerald tonight. Maybe “Someone to Watch Over Me.” It had been running through my head all day.

  It would be the perfect ending to the perfect evening. The perfect evening with Chase. We’d been officially dating for a couple of months now. Since then, I’d felt like I was walking on air and like nothing could possibly go wrong. I was having my moment in life, the one romantic movies liked to highlight, singers liked to sing about, and card companies made millions from. I was irrefutably in love.

  I reached beyond my door to flip the light switch in my room. Though my fingers connected with the plastic lever, nothing happened. The space remained dark.

  Strange.

  Had my overhead light burned out? That seemed most likely.

  I crossed the room, my haven with its shabby chic decorations of white and black base colors mixed with lace and floral accents. I had to reach the lamp on my nightstand. Five steps across the floor, I heard a movement and froze.

  My throat instantly tightened, lodging a panicked scream.

  Had I been hearing things? That had to be it. I mean, why would anyone be in my room? In the dark?

  They wouldn’t be, I told myself. I was hearing things. Of course.

  I let out a nervous, airy laugh and took another step.

  “Holly Anna Paladin,” a deep voice said.

  I gasped and twirled around. The voice had come from the dark recesses of what was supposed to be my sanctuary.

  Someone was in my room!

  A stranger. Who had broken in. And people only broke into homes to do devious things, right? Or random acts of kindness, as I’d done in the not-so-distant past. But that was an exception, and a not-so-wise one at that, to the otherwise steadfast rule of stranger-in-the-bedroom danger.

  I started to reach for the lamp, desperate to see with my own eyes whom I was up against. I hadn’t recognized the voice. Nor was I expecting any late-night visitors. Especially not in my bedroom.

  “Leave the light off.” The man sounded authoritative. A certain hardness in his voice let me know, without a direct threat, that there would be consequences if I didn’t do as he said.

  My entire body tensed. My mind raced. My heart beat out of control.

  I lowered my arm back to my side and turned fully toward the voice. “Who are you? How’d you get in here? What do you want?” As the words vomited from my mouth, my eyes flickered, desperate to adjust to the darkness. It was no use. Everything was still pitch black around me.

  Based on his voice, I sensed the man was a few feet away, maybe near my window. The depth of his pitch indicated he could be large. The intensity and unwavering undertones made me think he was strong. The fact that he’d somehow gotten into my house let me know he was devious.

  All in all, I realized I was in big trouble.

  The man chuckled. Unlike Chase, though, the sound wasn’t soothing. It was cold and methodical. “So inquisitive, aren’t you, Ms. Paladin? What you don’t realize is that you’re not in a good place to ask questions.”

  Despite his warning, I asked, “What do you want?”

  His chuckle faded fast. “I need you to listen closely and do exactly as I tell you. There’s a man, and he’s going to ask you out soon. You’ll say yes.”

  Of all the threats I’d imagined he’d make, this was not one of them. “Someone’s going to ask me out? I’m dating someone.”

  “You’ll break up with Detective Chase Dexter.”

  My heart froze, and I almost laughed. Why in the world would I break up with Chase? That made no sense. We were perfect together. “I don’t want to break up with Chase.”

  “Listen very carefully, Ms. Paladin.” Agitation grew in his voice. “You don’t have a choice. If you don’t end things between the two of you, there will be serious consequences. You will need to be convincing in order to make this work.”

  My head swirled as I tried to process what the man was telling me. Serious consequences how? What exactly was this leverage the man thought he held over me? “What . . . what do you mean? I’m really not following this here.”

  “I mean that I’ll kill your little lover boy if you don’t do as I say.”

  I gasped as soon as the word kill hit my ears. He’d kill Chase? I needed to buy some time in order to process this. “Don’t you think that seems a little extreme?”

  “I repeat myself, Ms. Paladin. You’re not in a good place to ask questions. You’re just to do as I say or face my wrath. The latter won’t be pretty.”

  I tried to think this through instead of allowing my emotions to dart up to Irrational Land, the place where my reactions got the best of me and panic ruled. There would be time for that later.

  “So, break up with Chase and go out with a strange man. That’s it?” The words escaped my lips as if I’d just been given instructions about running an errand.

  I had to think all of this through. There was a way out of this. There had to be. I’d simply tell Chase, and he’d handle this. End of story. It could be that easy . . . right?

  “That’s it.”

  “How many times do I have to go out with him?”

  “You’ll know when it’s done.”

  “And then I can date Chase again?”

  “In a manner of speaking. You think you can handle this?”

  In a manner of speaking? What did that mean? Again, I’d have to think about that later. I had more immediate objectives that needed my attention.

  “I repeat: Do you think you can handle this?”

  “Since you threatened death, I suppose I’ll have to,” I mumbled, trying to placate the man.

  I squinted. My eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and I could make out a faint silhouette near the window. But the man’s features were darkened. He must have been wearing a ski mask or something.

  “There’s more,” the man rumbled.

  My heart lurched. How could there possibly be more? The man had dropped a major bombshell, one that was rocking my world. And it was going to get worse?

  Dear Lord, what am I going to do? This has to be a joke, right?

  “Chase Dexter lives at 1809 Bradshaw Avenue in the Clifton area of town. He awakes every day at 6:00 a.m. sharp. He eats a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and a protein shake before doing his morning workout in the basement. His knee has been hurting lately, but he hasn’t wanted to tell anyone, since he’s new to the police force here in Cincinnati, I assume.”

  “Really?” Chase had never told me that, but I had seen him rubbing his knee earlier tonight when we were at dinner. Why hadn’t he mentioned anything to me?

  “As far as I can ascertain, you’re his one weakness,” the man continued. “Although he is a recovering alcoholic, so drinking is like a phantom that is always lingering close just looking for the opportunity to gain its control. You make him want to be better.”

  His words only deepened the chill that pricked my skin, my body, and my heart. This man knew a lot about my boyfriend, things that a stranger shouldn’t know. How had he found all this out? Was he a friend? A colleague on the police force? A neighbor?

  “How do you know that information?” My voice cracked as fear pushed its way to the surface.

  “I do my homework, Ms. Paladin. It’s only wise in situations like these.” He took a step closer. “That said, I should let you know that cameras are hidden in his house and yours. Maybe in other places also, but I wouldn’t test me if I were you.”

  I shivered at his implications, at the feeling that my privacy and Chase’s had totally been invaded. Even worse, I wasn’t sure there was much I could do about it, and I deplored feeling helpless.

  “There’s also a bomb that’s been placed in one of the air
shafts in Chase’s home. If I discover that you’ve told him about this conversation—and I will discover it—then Lover Boy will be blown to smithereens. Do I make myself clear?”

  I stared at his silhouette, my heart pounding in my ears. This man was no joke. If I didn’t listen to him, he was going to destroy my life. If I did listen to him, he was also going to destroy my life.

  What was I supposed to do?

  CHAPTER 2

  The image of Chase dead, his body ruined with fire, his skin . . . I couldn’t bear to picture any more. Each mental image made my heart feel like it had been pummeled with a hammer. Then placed in a blender until it was mush. Unmendable, irreparable mush.

  “Do I make myself clear?” the man repeated.

  “Yes,” I whispered. My earlier assumptions that I’d figure a way out of this disappeared faster than my homemade cookies at the homeless shelter.

  “What was that?”

  I cleared my throat, trying to nudge my voice into action. “I said, ‘Yes.’”

  “Smart girl. Now, you’re going to turn around and walk back into the hallway. I want you to go downstairs and check the locks on all your doors. A girl can never be too careful, especially living in the city as you are. It’s a scary world out there, Ms. Paladin. Very scary.”

  “O . . . okay.”

  My knees trembled as I took my first step. Don’t give out on me now, I prayed. I was almost to safety, to a place where I could run and escape. To a refuge where I might be able to think clearly.

  Or was this a part of his evil plot? Was he waiting until my back was toward him in order to knock me out? To shoot me? To do some other terrible thing?

  My footsteps quickened as I got nearer the door. When I was close enough to the hallway, I burst into a run. I didn’t stop running until I reached the front door.