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

  “I mean, does William make you a better person? Does he challenge you? Does he make you grow?”

  She let out a scoffing grunt. “That’s so not what marriage is about, Holly. If it was, I’d marry my counselor or Preacher Dan. For that matter, I’d marry self-help guru Tony Robbins. That doesn’t mean I’d be happy, though.”

  “Well, that’s the advice Dad gave me.” Yes, I’d pulled the dad card. I knew there was no better way to get her to listen, since coming to her own conclusions hadn’t been as effective as I’d hoped. Now it was time to use our father’s wisdom to guide her. Of course, it was always easier to apply this wisdom to other people’s lives instead of my own. That was one of the ironies of life.

  “Dad told you that? When?”

  “When I almost married Rob. Don’t get me wrong. I think there’s more to it. I think you should be compatible and attracted to each other. But I think marriage has a much deeper meaning than we often give it credit for. It can make us stretch and grow.”

  “Dad told you that?” Her voice clearly indicated she didn’t believe me.

  “We had a long talk in the study one day. Ella was singing in the distance—”

  “Who’s Ella?”

  “Fitzgerald, of course. Don’t you know me at all?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You and your music. I should have known. Continue.”

  “Anyway, Dad had a heart-to-heart with me about Rob.”

  “But Rob broke up with you. So you’re saying that Dad gave you that advice, and before you could apply it, Rob called things off and left you heartbroken?”

  When she put it that way, it didn’t make a lot of sense. I had to regroup a moment. “And Rob breaking up with me was the best thing that could have ever happened. I know it sounds harsh, but Rob was just a guy who fit every requirement on my list. There was a connection we were missing, something that can’t be spelled out on paper. And the fact that he bailed on me when Dad got sick just went to prove his character.”

  Her gaze locked on mine, and I could tell she was truly listening, truly searching. “But then you had Chase, and you let him go.”

  I frowned. “Have I mentioned that it was complicated?”

  “Several times.”

  I shrugged. “I’m really hopeful that things between Chase and me will work out. There are just a couple of unresolved issues that need to be fixed first.”

  “You’re pretty smart for a little sister, you know.”

  I punched her arm, because I was a nerd like that. “You’re pretty smart yourself.”

  Before we had any awkward Hallmarkesque moments, I straightened. “Now, let’s get you home. You need your sleep before the big weekend ahead.”

  CHAPTER 27

  It was midnight. I’d been up for way too long, and I felt like I was losing my mind as I stared at the cakes in the oven.

  I’d gotten Alex home and then briefly met up with Jamie, only long enough to give her a rundown on the bachelorette party and to pass her a note to give to Chase. I let him know about all the developments that had happened today. Until I knew if I was being bugged, I had to play it safe, and this was my best bet right now.

  Then I’d come home and started baking. My first attempt at the cake had been a flop. The middle had sunk, and the cake was crumbly. Why had I ever agreed to this?

  The timer dinged, and as I pulled new cakes from the oven, my cell phone beeped. Who in the world was texting me at this hour? With a sigh and a wipe of my flour-dusted hands, I grabbed my phone from the counter.

  Meet me at Sixth and Vine Street. Bring five thousand dollars. Come alone.

  The Shadow Man, I realized. After my initial alarm, I replied, “I don’t have that kind of money.”

  Yes, you do. In the safe in the library.

  What? How did that man know that?

  Then I remembered the cameras. How long had they been set up? Just a couple of weeks ago, I’d added more cash into the hidden strongbox. Had the man seen that?

  I liked to keep cash on hand. I knew it sounded crazy, but sometimes I liked to gift people with money. It was easier to do it with cash so I could stay anonymous. I usually kept around five thousand dollars in the safe. That money had helped people pay heating bills, buy groceries, and purchase new cars.

  I’d been saving up to help one of Ralph’s staffers, whose husband was battling cancer. I’d planned to give the family some money next week, after the wedding was over and I could think more clearly.

  If I gave that money to the Shadow Man, the other family would miss out.

  “What if I don’t?” I whispered aloud as I texted him back.

  There will be consequences.

  My fear was turning into anger. I mumbled under my breath as I responded, “Why are you doing this?”

  That’s not for you to know.

  I closed my eyes, another headache coming on. That, mixed with my exhaustion, was making me more emotional than usual. I texted him and asked him when he wanted to meet.

  In 30 minutes.

  Thirty minutes? Great. He wanted me to go downtown in the middle of the night with five thousand dollars. What exactly was he setting me up to do? It seemed like nothing but trouble would come from this.

  As if to confirm it, a picture popped on my screen. It was of Alex sleeping in her bed. There was an alarm clock behind her. I read the numbers there: 12:05.

  I gasped. That man was in my sister’s room. He was going to hurt her if I didn’t do as he said.

  My companions, rock and hard place, joined me again. I texted him back:

  Fine. I’ll be there.

  But I wouldn’t like it.

  ***

  I stood on the street corner, unease overtaking my entire body to the extent that I felt light-headed.

  This was a bad idea on so many levels, I realized. Not just because I was downtown while riots were going on only a few blocks away.

  It was in the middle of the night. I had a lot of cash. And no one knew where I was.

  I was giving this bully, the Shadow Man, a lot of leverage.

  Somewhere I’d heard it was a bad idea to negotiate with terrorists. I felt like that was exactly what I was doing right now. I was negotiating with someone who only wanted to ruin people.

  As a chilly wind swept through the downtown streets, I pulled my overcoat closer around my neck. I’m in a life-threatening situation, and all I have to protect me is this lousy coat. I could design a new bumper sticker and capitalize on that saying.

  The good news was that the riots were several blocks away. Every once in a while, I could hear a loud pop in the distance. But for the most part I felt insulated from that scene.

  A couple of guys who looked like they were up to no good walked by across the street. Their jeans sagged way below their waistlines, they had an urban swagger, and cigarettes dangled from their lips. As they let out some catcalls, I wanted to shrink and disappear. Instead I remained on the corner with a bag full of cash and a spirit filled with uncertainty.

  A light fog hung around the street, reminding me of a spy movie. Only, in movies you knew things would turn out okay. Too bad that wasn’t the case in real life. In my moments of doubt, I wondered if the bad guy was going to get away with all of this while I suffered.

  I shivered and pulled my coat closer. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. Yet whenever I looked around, I didn’t see anyone—other than those rough-looking guys who’d just turned the corner. Everyone else was sleeping, like normal people did at this hour.

  Speaking of hour, it was past 12:30. Where was this man? Was this all part of his plan somehow?

  As I stood there, I had a startling realization: What if this wasn’t about Chase? What if it wasn’t about me either? What if I was just a means to an end?

  Instead, what if this whole upheaval was about someone else?

  Someone like . . . Alex.

  In an instant, I felt more alert. I could be onto something. I mean, my s
ister was in the middle of an emotionally charged trial. Someone had been in her bedroom tonight. Maybe that food poisoning had been meant for Alex, not everyone else.

  And every episode that was connected with me was somehow connected with her. When Mom had been left in the closet or Ralph’s house exploded . . . those things had affected Alex as well as me.

  But why? What purpose would all this serve? My thoughts raced a mile a minute.

  Maybe if Alex was taken out of the trial because of all these personal challenges, then the prosecution would suffer. Maybe the bad guy wouldn’t be put away. Maybe this was all a case of manipulation.

  My theory wasn’t much to go on, but it was something.

  It was the best lead I had right now.

  Footsteps sounded behind me, and I twirled around. A man in an overcoat, wearing a fedora pulled down over his already shadowed gaze, approached me. I gripped the bag with the money, sorrowful about many things, but especially sorrowful at the moment about not being able to use this money as I’d wanted.

  Kim and Steve could have used this.

  Instead, I was letting someone else control my life. It seemed pathetic. And desperate. And so much against everything I believed in.

  Just then, the man flicked his head up, and light from an overhead street lamp grazed his face. I sucked in a deep breath when I recognized him.

  CHAPTER 28

  It was . . . Henry?

  His steps slowed when he spotted me, and a moment of uncertainty washed across his face.

  What was he doing here? He frowned as he approached. When he stopped in front of me, he shifted awkwardly, remaining distant as if afraid to get too close.

  “I need the money,” he muttered.

  Anger surged in me, heating my blood. “Have you been behind all this?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He glanced down at my hands and licked his lips. “I just need the bag.”

  I shook my head. He needed to realize exactly what he was doing here. If he didn’t know it already, I was going to inform him. “I was going to give this money to Kim, you know. They have so many bills. And instead, you’re taking it from me? You’re taking it from a family who’s struggling with cancer. The disease isn’t just affecting them healthwise, but this disease has made it so they’re close to losing their house. You’re spineless.”

  Henry sighed. “There are other, more important matters at stake here.”

  “More important than a man’s life?” My voice was full of judgment, and I didn’t care. I wanted him to feel the guilt he so rightly deserved.

  Henry’s eyes darkened with annoyance. “Just give me the money, Holly.”

  I remembered the video of Alex sleeping in her bedroom and thrust the bag into his hand. I supposed there was more than one life at stake here. I’d give this to him now, but I’d do my fighting best to get it back. “I hope you can live with yourself.”

  Just as his hand connected with the handle, men encircled us.

  “Police! Hands up!”

  I sucked in a deep breath. What in the world was going on here? Who had called the police?

  And what did this mean for Alex and the man watching her sleep?

  ***

  I sat in an interrogation room, going over everything that had happened for the forty-seventh time. The detective talking to me had left ten minutes ago, and I’d been sitting alone ever since.

  “Holly?”

  I turned around and saw Chase standing in the doorway.

  “Hey there.” My greeting was Academy Award worthy.

  Not.

  He handed me a cup of coffee. I unwrapped my arms from across my chest—I’d practically been hugging myself—and gratefully took the warm drink. I was desperately tired, to the point of feeling achy and cranky.

  “Thank you.” Again, our dialogue was riveting. I just couldn’t quite set my mouth in motion and say anything graceful, thoughtful, or thought provoking.

  “I heard what happened. How are you?” He squeezed my arm, the warmth in his gaze making me flush.

  I shrugged, reality slamming into my mind again. “I don’t know how I am anymore. I’m just tired and confused and wishing I’d been able to convince you to take that trip to Hawaii that I mentioned not long ago.”

  A smile curved half of his face. “Now, that conversation is starting to make more sense.”

  “I was hoping I’d have the chance to explain myself sooner rather than later.”

  Any amusement left his gaze as he lowered his voice. “You shouldn’t have gone alone at night like that. Especially with the riots and everything that have been going on lately.”

  “I know. But that man was in my sister’s bedroom. How could I not risk it?” My voice caught as my inner struggle continued.

  “You were risking your own life by going out there tonight, Holly.” Chase’s voice was a mix of scolding and concerned, of affection and worry. I wanted to both storm away and give him a kiss.

  Instead of doing either of those things, I chose to go a different direction. I really had to remain focused on figuring this out and stay away from my emotions. Stress and lack of sleep had clouded my thinking. “I wonder if this is about Alex, Chase. Has anyone gone to check on her?”

  “An officer just stopped by. She’s fine. Confused, but fine. Why do you think she’s the target here?”

  I explained my earlier thoughts to him, including the food poisoning last night, the camera in her bedroom, and her delayed honeymoon. I thought I’d sounded rather convincing. Chase must have agreed because, when I finished, he nodded slowly.

  “You could be onto something. Although, I have to say that your entire family has reasons why someone would want to threaten them.” He was silent a moment and stared off into the distance. “Maybe it is tied in with this Arnold Pegman trial. Let me do some digging.”

  “That would be great.” I took a sip of coffee, trying to gather my thoughts. The brew was bitter and strong, but I swallowed anyway and attempted not to let my disgust show on my face. “What did Henry say? Can you tell me anything?”

  Chase rubbed his chin. He looked tired. All of this was taking a toll on him also. “He claims he’s being manipulated and someone made him meet you and collect the money.”

  Was that true? Or was Henry working with someone and in on this whole plan the entire time? Henry was a smart man. He could have definitely concocted a scheme like this, all the way down to the last detail. “What kind of leverage does he claim someone is holding over him?”

  Chase shook his head. “He won’t say. He said he was being threatened and that it’s random and he’s just as much of a victim as anyone else.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  “I think he knows more than he’s letting on. The detectives are still questioning him, though.”

  I began pacing, trying to sort my thoughts. “There’s one other thing: How did the police know to show up tonight?”

  “That’s the strange part, Holly. An anonymous caller let us know that a shady deal was going down at 12:30 on Sixth and Vine. That’s why the police questioned you as well. It wasn’t clear exactly what was going on.”

  “The only person who knew we were meeting was the Shadow Man. What if he called in the tip?”

  “Why would he do that?”

  There was only one reason I could think of. “To frame Henry.”

  CHAPTER 29

  I leaned back against my chair, trying to process that thought.

  Someone had set Henry up, made him play this twisted game, and then called the police. The Shadow Man was obviously done with Henry and whatever part of the plan he’d needed him for.

  Was that what the money was all about? Was it just a way of making Henry look bad?

  “What are you thinking, Holly?” Chase asked.

  “I feel like I’m so close to finding answers, yet I’m so far away. Someone has planned this down to the last detail.”

  “I think we’re deali
ng with a very dangerous individual,” Chase said. “This person is smart. He has a background that allows him to go in and out of houses, to plant bombs, and to manipulate people. His motive still isn’t clear, but all of this almost seems like it’s building up to something.”

  “Like the Arnold Pegman trial?”

  “It’s a good guess. I can’t imagine what else it would be. You’re right. Alex could be involved. Maybe this is all about witness intimidation and trial tampering.”

  A moment of silence fell as I absorbed those thoughts. If this was about someone associated with Arnold Pegman, then the whole pool of suspects would become larger. Who knew what kind of people were linked with him?

  In fact, he’d been military at one time. Maybe that would give him connections with people who knew about bombs and using manipulation and violence to get what they wanted. It wasn’t that everyone in the military was like that. Not by any means. But the wrong person in the military could use the skills they learned to do horrible things. Didn’t things like that happen every day? People went crazy?

  I needed to process this. Chase was my best bet as far as finding answers. He was going to look into the trial. He had access to information about who was involved.

  I looked up at Chase, who was waiting patiently for me to continue. “What about the exterminator? Did he find anything?”

  “He found ten cameras. They’re the size of a quarter, and they’re very well hidden. Of course, he left them there. Taking them would be too revealing.”

  My stomach clenched again. “That’s not comforting.”

  “It shouldn’t be. I need you to know how dangerous this is.”

  “I do, Chase.” I glanced around the interrogation room for a moment. “Do you think they’re going to let me go or that I’ve implicated myself in all of this?”

  His gaze flickered toward the door, and he sighed. “I’m fairly certain they’ll let you go. I’m sure they already gave you a stern talking-to about what you did and the importance of allowing police to help in matters like these, right? Going at it alone is never a good idea.”