Random Acts of Deceit (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 2) Page 16

  “You sent that?”

  I nodded with a frown.

  He shook his head, but just for a second. “Okay, I’ll address that later. Say the first part again.”

  I slowed down as I repeated the beginning. “But then he broke into my home, stuffed my mom in the closet, and set up another explosive device at Ralph’s. I knew he was serious and that if I didn’t listen, everyone I loved would be hurt. Not to mention the fact that he killed Mark Reynolds.”

  “Mark Reynolds?”

  I poured out the whole story. From the man who’d given me the ultimatum right up to Mark Reynolds.

  Chase reached forward, and his hand covered the side of my face. I instinctively leaned into the action, relishing his touch. “Oh, Holly . . . you should have told me.”

  “And gotten you killed? I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you because of me.”

  He hooked a piece of hair behind my ear. “So who’s this guy who asked you out?”

  “His name is Benjamin Radcliff. At least, that’s who I thought it was, but Jamie and I followed him. Well, I followed him—” I stopped myself, realizing I was being entirely too long-winded. “Long story short, it turned out he’s opening an online dating service for people who are married. I think he may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, because he wasn’t the right guy.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because today Henry Tell asked me out.”

  “Henry Tell?”

  I sighed. “He works for my brother.”

  “And now you think Henry is the person behind this?”

  “I can’t help but think there are two people. I mean, the Shadow Man—”

  “The Shadow Man?”

  “That’s the name I gave to the man who broke into my house. He just seems to always be in the shadows and know what I’m doing at all times.” I looked around. “Maybe even now.”

  He glanced around also. “There’s no one here, Holly. It’s just you and me.”

  His words gave me the confidence to keep going. “He said someone would ask me out and I had to say yes. That makes me think that he’s working with a partner, or at least someone he’s using as a pawn in this twisted little game.”

  “I say it’s time to stop playing by his rules,” Chase said.

  “You think that’s possible?”

  He nodded. “I do. I’m going to do some research. This guy can’t hack into the police computers, so he won’t know that I’m looking into him. My search will be untraceable.”

  “Thank you. That would mean a lot.” I paused, soaking in his strong features as the sunlight hit his face. I was so thankful he’d come here for me. “I have to wonder if you’re the target here. I mean, could this be someone from one of your past cases?”

  “It’s a possibility. I can’t think of anyone who’d go to these extreme measures to get back at me. Most of the really dangerous guys I’ve put in jail are still in jail. The rest of them don’t seem this clever. They’re more the types who would just outright shoot me rather than play a game like this.”

  “I would love to hear a profiler’s version of what this could all mean. None of this feels typical, not even for a killer.”

  “I agree.”

  “But, Chase, I think it’s best that I stay away from you until this is resolved. If I lost you . . .” My voice caught.

  I put my hand on his chest and hoped he could see my affection for him in my gaze.

  Based on the way his eyes widened, he did. “You’re probably right. It would be for the best if we act like we’ve broken up. In the meantime, I’m going to send someone to your place. He’ll appear to be an exterminator, but I’ll have him look for any cameras or bugs.”

  “Won’t you need to have that approved by the police department?”

  He shook his head. “I won’t go through them. I know someone who will do it for me. I won’t have him remove the cameras. That would be too obvious. But at least we’ll know if this man is telling the truth. Also, have your computer checked for malware, okay? Maybe have Ralph check everyone’s computers.”

  “How can I update you?”

  “We’ll go through Jamie. How’s that sound?”

  I nodded, part of the weight that had been pressing on my shoulders disappearing. “That sounds like a great plan. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that we talked. I’m . . . I’m so sorry for hurting you.” Tears pricked my eyes again. “I’d give anything to plant a huge kiss on your lips right now. But since I can’t do that, we’ll have to take a rain check, okay?”

  His gaze was so full of tenderness and concern that my heart welled with gratitude. I didn’t take this man for granted, not for one minute. “Okay.”

  “One more question. How did you know about my pseudo date with Benjamin?”

  “Someone sent me a picture.”

  Of course. The Shadow Man had thought everything through, hadn’t he? He wanted to ensure that Chase and I didn’t end up together.

  As soon as I reached my car, I heard the phone ringing inside. I wanted to ignore it. But I couldn’t, especially not when I saw Ralph’s number. I asked Chase to wait one minute.

  “I’m coming back to work. I just had to do something,” I started.

  “It’s not that. Holly, I just got a call from the police. Apparently there was some kind of explosion at my house. I’m on my way there now.”

  ***

  I let Chase leave before me; then I followed five minutes later. By the time I pulled up to the scene, there were two fire trucks, an ambulance, and three police cars at my brother’s. I parked on the street and hurried toward the crowd of onlookers.

  I supposed the good news was that Ralph’s house was still standing and, to my knowledge, no one had been hurt. Had the bomb gone off because the Shadow Man knew I’d been talking to Chase? Was this another warning?

  I found Ralph and joined him on the other side of the police line. The worry that had lined his face earlier had only deepened.

  “This had to have happened because of someone who opposes me,” Ralph said low enough not to be overheard.

  I blinked with surprise for a moment. Of course, that was a natural assumption, and I had to leave it at that. He had no clue about what was actually going on. “You really think one of your critics would take it this far?”

  “I’ve gotten numerous threats, Holly. Someone wanted to prove that he or she was serious.”

  “This is crazy.”

  “You’re telling me.” He shook his head. “We live in a crazy world. Add politics into that, and you have an even more volatile mix to contend with.”

  I spotted Chase in the background. He exchanged a quick look with me and waved at my brother.

  Ralph gave him a nod. “I really think you made a mistake when you broke up with him, Hol.”

  “I never took you as one who was that concerned with my love life,” I told him, surprised by the subject change, especially in the face of what had happened to his house.

  A frown puckered his face. “I just hate to see you throw something good away. But you have your reasons, right? You’re a big girl.”

  “That I am. Besides, maybe you should worry about your own love life. When was the last time you went on a date?”

  He laughed. “It’s been a long time. Too long. It’s even more complicated now with this new job.” He glanced at me. “Speaking of which, did I hear you’re bringing Henry with you to the wedding?”

  Unease sloshed inside me. “Maybe.”

  Ralph raised his eyebrows. “Maybe? That’s not what he said.”

  “He talked to you about it?”

  “Henry seemed to be gloating. I’ve noticed him watching you over the past week or two, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  I barely had time to let that sink in when Chase approached us. “It’s still too hot to go inside, but the investigator said that early indications point to the basement as the source of the exp
losion. I told him you don’t have gas lines in your house. Is that correct?”

  Ralph nodded. “I just have electric. I have no idea what may have caused this.”

  “Did you store propane or anything in the basement?”

  “No way. All of that kind of stuff is in the shed out back. My dad taught me better than that.”

  Chase scribbled on his pad. “They’ll keep investigating, of course. But until then, we’re both going to have to find somewhere else to stay.”

  “I’ll probably stay with my mom. She has enough rooms. You could probably stay there too.” Ralph cut a quick glance at me, probably expecting to see disapproval.

  “I’ll figure something out,” Chase said. “Until then, I’ll be in touch. And, Ralph? Watch your back. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I don’t like it.”

  CHAPTER 24

  I needed a break from doing work on my computer, so I decided to open the file I’d received at the task force meeting. I skimmed the contents and refreshed myself on all the details on the missing persons case.

  Almost everyone concluded that Tom had killed his wife, hidden her body somewhere, and then killed himself. But where was her body? And Tom was the one having the affair, so did he kill his wife just to get her out of the way? The thing that bothered me was that the police didn’t press charges, so Tom should have been home free. Why would he take his own life when there were no impending consequences? Had he done so out of guilt?

  The interview with his girlfriend didn’t provide any answers. She claimed Tom would never kill his wife or take his own life.

  However, there was one thing that I found suspicious. Hidden cameras had been found in their home.

  One of them—either Tom or Deborah—had been spying on the other. Had Deborah suspected an affair and tried to find some proof?

  I didn’t know. I really needed to examine all of this more. But, before I could, someone leaned against my desk with palms planted flat against the stacks of papers beneath them. “Hey there.”

  “Jamie? What are you doing here?” She’d startled me, to say the least. I’d been in my own world, thinking about my own problems.

  “I was in the neighborhood. You said your door was always open.”

  “And it is. Of course. What can I do for you?” I prayed she wouldn’t try to talk too openly, especially considering that Henry was right next to me. I was more certain than ever that he was eavesdropping on everything I said. Wasn’t that convenient? No wonder the Shadow Man had been able to keep tabs on everything I was doing. He had his own personal spy within arm’s reach of me every day.

  “I was wondering what you thought of my new lipstick?” She puckered her lips and turned toward the side for a better angle.

  I stared at her a moment. That question was so unlike Jamie, who liked looking nice but not in an overly done, makeup-loving type of way. I went along with her line. “It’s lovely.”

  “I made it myself using coconut oil.”

  “I shouldn’t be surprised. You do love your coconut oil.”

  “It keeps me young and healthy. What can I say?” She paused, something unspoken shifting in her gaze. Her voice remained normal, however. “Besides that, I heard about Ralph’s house. Is everything okay?”

  “You’re not coming to get the scoop for a newspaper article, are you? Under the guise of showing me your new lipstick?” I didn’t really think that’s what she was up to, but there was more to her visit here than this chitchat.

  “I would never do that. I am truly worried.”

  “Well, no one was home when it happened, we have no idea at this point what exactly did happen, and things could have been much worse. Much.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay. You know I can’t rest if I think something happened to my bestie.” She straightened. “All right. I’ve got to run. You take care of yourself.”

  “Thanks for stopping by, Jamie.”

  As she walked away, I looked down. There was a folded piece of paper where her hands had been.

  I smiled. She’d just passed me a note, I realized.

  My best friend was brilliant.

  ***

  I waited until I could slip into the bathroom before reading the note. “I talked to Chase. He told me to convey to you that there are no past cases he dealt with that he can tie to all of this. He doesn’t think this is about him. P.S.—This note will self-implode in five seconds. HAHAHA. But seriously. Destroy it.”

  If this fiasco wasn’t linked to Chase, then who was it linked to? Me? Why would someone possibly want to threaten me this badly? That didn’t make sense in the least.

  I sighed, ripped up the note, and flushed it down the toilet. I was probably overreacting, but, seeing how Ralph’s house had just been blown to smithereens, I couldn’t take any chances.

  I composed myself and stepped into the hallway, nearly colliding with Ralph. “You’re back,” I muttered.

  “There was really nothing else I could do at the house. I’m waiting to hear from the inspectors. I can’t even go inside right now. I figured I’d be better off keeping my mind occupied at work.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “There’s talk of the protests starting again, Holly.”

  I jerked my head back. “What? Is that what Chase said?”

  “I just got off the phone with the mayor. There are rumblings that someone’s trying to organize something a few blocks from here. The police are trying to maintain a high presence there so things won’t get out of control. But I’m keeping my eye on it in case we need to evacuate. I can’t have anyone getting hurt again.” He frowned at me.

  Instinctively, I touched my wound. I was taking regular pain pills since it happened, and my discomfort was minimal. Still, I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I had. “Sounds wise. Keep me updated, okay?”

  He nodded, but his face looked taut. “Okay.”

  My cell phone rang just then, and I saw Mom’s number. I answered quickly.

  “Holly, did you really send an exterminator over?”

  I smiled. Chase hadn’t wasted any time, a fact that I appreciated. “That’s right. I did.”

  “Why in the world did you do that? You know I have someone come out every quarter to spray.”

  I thought quickly. “But I saw a spider.”

  “A spider? One spider?”

  “That’s right. It was kind of big. It freaked me out, so I called another company. It happened so fast that I forgot to mention it to you.”

  “I’d say.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m paying for this.”

  “Good to know. I hope that spider is worth eighty-nine of your hard-earned dollars, though.”

  Oh, it would be. Definitely.

  ***

  There were disadvantages to my brother moving back home. For example, he knocked on my door at 3:30 a.m. I was less than ladylike as I stared at him with sleep in my eyes and my hair rumpled.

  “The riots started again,” he told me.

  I ran a hand over my face. “Okay . . .”

  “I want to schedule a press conference for this morning.”

  I blinked, trying to kick my brain into gear. “You want me to start on this now?”

  “Actually, yes. I want to be ready first thing. The riots are even worse this time. A building was set on fire. Another officer was injured. It’s getting really ugly.”

  “I thought you said the police were prepared for this.”

  He shook his head. “Rioters struck at a different part of town and totally threw everyone off guard. It’s weird, but it’s the same thing that happened last time. Everyone thought the riots were being organized in one place, and instead they happened closer to the business district.”

  It was strange how someone seemed to have the upper hand.

  “What do you want to say at this press conference?” I asked.

  “I want to ask the people of this city to consider the safety of others, to be careful, and to r
emind them that violence is never the answer, no matter what side of the law you’re on.”

  “Is violence the answer if someone pulls a gun on you?”

  Ralph shook his head. “What?”

  “That’s what the press is going to ask, Ralph. Is violence never the answer? Or is it always a last resort? The people rioting consider this a last resort, the only way their voice can be heard.”

  “Are you on their side?”

  “No. I find all of this maddening. But I can understand desperation and fighting for what you believe in. The issue isn’t as black-and-white as people make it out to be, and I agree you need to speak, but understand that there’s nothing you can say that will make things better.”

  “I’ve been accused of being a racist.” He ran his hand over his face.

  “I know you’re not, though. You know you’re not. I know you’re a man of principle. Stand strong.”

  He nodded. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

  “I’ll start jotting some ideas. Then I’ll send it over to Thea, and she can take over from there.”

  “Thanks.”

  I showered, dressed, and then sat down with my laptop to begin working on Ralph’s project. When I opened my computer, the reminder popped up that tonight, in less than twenty-four hours, was Alex’s bachelorette party. I’d nearly forgotten. Thank goodness I’d sent the invitations two weeks ago.

  There was so much going on lately. Ralph was in the middle of these riots. Alex had her trial starting—today, as a matter of fact. Mom was planning the wedding. I was trying to juggle a psycho’s threats with my work, love life, and friends.

  It looked like no one in this family had time for a wedding. And that was just simply unacceptable.

  CHAPTER 25

  The day had started with a headache, which only increased as the hours went on. First of all, Ralph’s office had again moved to its temporary location for the day because of the less-than-peaceful protests going on. The press conference was slated to begin anytime now, and, as an official conflict hater, I dreaded what a spectacle it might become. Add to that the fact that Alex’s big trial started today of all days, and what did you have? You had a Paladin family circus on TV. Every time the news came on, someone in my family was mentioned.