Random Acts of Deceit (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 2) Page 20

  Minutes stretched on. I could hear a scuffle outside the closet door. The shouts continued somewhere in the distance. A gun fired.

  My insides felt like they died when I heard that sound.

  What if Chase had been shot? What if he needed my help?

  Tears rushed to my eyes. The image of Chase lying on the floor with blood around him and no one to help crushed my heart. Then I imagined the crowds kicking him in his weakness. Of them taunting him.

  And I couldn’t take it anymore.

  I cracked the door open, fully expecting to see the scenarios that had played out in my head. Inside, I saw smoke clogging the air. I pulled my cardigan up higher over my mouth and nose, blinking as my eyes began to sting.

  As the smoke began to settle, a lone figure came into view.

  It was Chase.

  But he wasn’t lying there hurt. No, he was standing guard at the door.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded.

  “I thought you might be hurt.” I glanced around. “Where is everyone?”

  “It appears they’ve scattered. For now. We’ve got to get you out of here.”

  I nodded, in no position to argue. I reached his side, and he rushed me toward the door. Only halfway across the room, Chase froze.

  One of the inner-city teens involved in the riots lay on the floor. He was obviously injured, based on the look of excruciating pain on his face. When he spotted Chase, he sneered.

  “Don’t hurt me,” he warned.

  Chase knelt down. “I won’t. What’s wrong?”

  “I think my leg got broken when my friends took off.”

  Chase took one look at his calf and nodded. “I think you’re right. You’re going to need to get to the hospital.”

  “I ain’t got no money for that.”

  “We’ll make sure you’re taken care of. You can’t let this go untreated. You’ll never walk normally again if you do.”

  The kid stared at him in contemplation. “Why are you being nice to me?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” Chase asked.

  “Because cops ain’t like that. You’re all out for us.”

  “I’m sorry you think that way. But I took an oath to protect everyone in this city, not just the people like me.”

  If God made us, each and every one of us, then everybody is important. Everyone. Not just the ones society deems worthy. Wasn’t that the lesson God had been reminding me of lately? Chase was living that out right now, and my heart couldn’t help but swell with gratitude for this man.

  “Holly, can you give me a hand?” Chase asked.

  I nodded, and together we helped the youth to his feet.

  “What’s your name?” Chase asked.

  “Booker.”

  Booker? I hadn’t even recognized him. He’d been a part of the peace talks.

  With an arm around each of our shoulders, we led him outside. Two other officers met us as we emerged onto the street.

  “We need an ambulance,” Chase told them.

  While one of the officers called on his radio, Chase turned to the other. “I need you to escort her home.” He nodded toward me.

  “But—” I started.

  “Holly, if you’re here, I’m not going to be able to focus. Just go home and stay there until morning. Please.”

  I wanted to argue, but I didn’t. Instead, I nodded. “Okay.” I turned to the teen. “I hope your leg feels better, Booker.”

  With a final wave, I walked through the broken bottles, past cracked bricks, by smashed car windows and dented car hoods and abandoned picket signs.

  It was time to go home and try to stay out of trouble.

  And to get ready for Alex’s wedding.

  ***

  I fully expected Ralph to have heard a rundown on everything that had happened, and so I expected to receive a lecture the next day. But when I stopped by work for just a few minutes at lunchtime, Ralph didn’t say anything to me.

  I glanced around, thrown off by the rather pleasant environment around me. No one was pointing fingers or sneering or looking at me like I’d messed up.

  That all seemed suspicious within itself.

  One person was missing this morning. Henry. I wondered what had happened with him.

  Ralph stuck his head out from his office. “Holly, can I talk to you a minute?”

  I knew it! Here came the lecture. I nodded and went into his office. I shut the door and sat across from him, just waiting for the anti-fun to begin.

  “Did you hear about Henry?”

  I swallowed my surprise. “Henry?”

  “He was caught taking a bribe,” Ralph started. “Apparently, he was acting as an informant to the rioters. He’d been telling them what the police were planning after he overheard me talking to law enforcement. That’s why the rioters were always one step ahead of the authorities.”

  “Henry? Why would he do that?” This was the last thing I’d expected to hear.

  “His brother was killed by a police officer about five years ago. To talk with Henry about it, he seemed fine. But I guess deep down inside, he wasn’t. He felt like his brother’s death was wrong, even though his brother tried to run over an officer. The guy was drunk at the time, and the officer, by all accounts, had done the right thing. The officer would have died otherwise.”

  “So this was some kind of revenge?”

  “Apparently. Anyway, I guess the wrong person found out what he was doing and threatened to come forward with the information that Henry had divided loyalties and was sharing sensitive information. This person blackmailed him into doing some shady things. I haven’t been given the details of exactly what those things were yet, though.”

  “Wow. I can’t believe that.” So Henry, in one way, had been set up? That whole money exchange thing last night had just been part of a game that some evil mastermind had planned.

  “Me neither. I try to be really careful about whom I trust, but I’m down two for two right now.”

  His former campaign manager had turned out to be trouble as well.

  “You couldn’t have known. None of us did.”

  He nodded. “I suppose. But at least there’s good news.”

  “What’s that??”

  “Apparently, Chase saved Booker Jones during the riots last night. The kid had a broken leg and was bleeding out pretty badly. Some of the media caught everything on camera, and reporters decided to promote peace instead of inciting violence, for once. It’s amazing what one little act can set in motion.”

  I glanced at the newspaper headline. Sure enough, there was Chase with Booker. I was on the other side of the boy, but two officers blocked me, which was fine.

  “I guess one little act started all of this, and now maybe one will end it also.”

  Ralph smiled. “I just wanted to share. You’re not staying here today, are you? Aren’t you and Alex getting your hair and nails done or something girlie like that?”

  I nodded and glanced at my watch. “I have to be there in an hour. I guess I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll see you then, Holly.”

  At least, I hoped I’d see him then. Because, despite the good news about the riots, my gut was churning with some kind of instinctual feeling that something else bad was going to happen. Something really bad.

  And I had no idea how to stop it.

  CHAPTER 33

  “So, what are you going to do about your dress?” Heather asked my sister as the stylist tugged on her hair.

  All the food-poisoning victims still seemed a little weak, and none of them wanted to talk about food, but otherwise they seemed okay. Apparently there was nothing that a little pampering couldn’t cure. The doctors had instructed them to drink water and eat a BRAT diet—bananas, rice, apples, and toast. That didn’t stop most of them from sipping on some bubbly, though.

  “I have a new dress that’s supposed to be in by tomorrow morning,” Alex said. “That’s what the boutique says, at lea
st. They put a rush on it and insisted it will even be altered on time.”

  “That’s cutting it close, wouldn’t you say?” Sarah, her snooty college friend, said.

  “I’d definitely say. But what else am I supposed to do? I still can’t believe the seamstress wrote down my measurements with such gross negligence. It’s insane.”

  It was kind of crazy. Even I had to admit that.

  My sister and her friends moved on to talk about senseless things as they had their hair fixed. Sometimes I participated in such mindless conversations, but not today. Today, I had too many other things to think about.

  “I heard Chase may have single-handedly saved the city from future riots.” Alex’s gaze zeroed on me.

  I snapped back to the conversation. “Yeah, I heard that also.”

  “You mean that hunky police officer who was photographed and on the news this morning?” Heather’s eyebrows rose with intrigue.

  I nodded. “He’s the one.”

  “You know him?” she continued.

  I nodded again. “I do.”

  “Ooh la la. Do you think you could introduce me?” She wagged her eyebrows.

  I scowled, my claws starting to come out. Claws were never ladylike, however. A quick wit was much more valuable than acting catty. But before I could formulate a reasonable response, Heather’s phone rang.

  She scrunched her face after a moment of talk and turned toward me. “It’s for you, Holly.”

  She looked confused, but thankfully I knew exactly what was going on.

  I took the phone and slipped away from the woman trying to smooth my hair. “Thanks.”

  I stepped toward the back of the spa. I’d given Heather’s number to Chase. Calling my own cell phone seemed too risky, especially until I knew if my calls were being monitored.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “I just thought I’d let you know that I’m looking into this guy who sent you the letter. He’s been suspiciously absent from his job the past two weeks.”

  Fire rushed through my veins. “Really?”

  “Really. We’re looking for him now. But you could be onto something, Holly. I just wanted to let you know.”

  “Thanks, Chase. I heard about Henry. Ralph told me.”

  “He has no idea who the person behind this is,” Chase said. “He got anonymous calls and threats. We’re running the phone numbers, but we don’t expect to find anything. Whoever is behind this is smart. Maybe too smart. So be careful, okay?”

  “I will.”

  “I wish I could be there with you tonight.”

  My shoulders drooped with regret. “Me too, Chase. Me too.”

  I hung up. Before joining the ladies again, first I ducked into the bathroom for a moment to compose myself. Just as I did, the phone in my hand buzzed.

  Forgetting the phone wasn’t my own, I glanced down and saw a text message. The message nearly made me have a heart attack.

  Even though I shouldn’t have done it, because a woman of grace was never nosy, I read the message.

  Have fun being pampered. I hope the rehearsal dinner goes well tonight, and I’m really glad we’ve reconnected.

  I knew I shouldn’t do what I was about to do. But I did it anyway.

  I clicked on the message feed, and the entire conversation came up.

  Unlisted:Alex still stressing out about the trial?

  Heather:Yes. She’s preoccupied with the wedding. Too much going on at once, I suppose.

  Unlisted:Hopefully her big day will go on without a hitch from here out.

  Heather:You can come as my date. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? LOL, I’m just kidding. Exes at weddings are too awkward.

  Unlisted:I’m glad we’ve been able to reconnect. It’s been years since I’ve heard from the old college gang. By the way, how are you feeling?

  Heather:Still reeling from food poisoning. Can you believe it?

  Unlisted:Sounds like a classy joint. Sorry you’re sick. :-/ Do you have my gift?

  Who was she talking to? Brandon?

  I swallowed hard. Why would Heather be texting my sister’s ex? And teasing about bringing him to the wedding? My number one duty as maid of honor was to protect my sister’s big day. Heather just might be my biggest challenge.

  When I had a chance, I’d ask Heather about it.

  I slipped back into the room and handed her the phone.

  “Who was that?” she asked.

  “Chase. Sorry about the mix-up. It’s a long story.”

  “How’s the hot detective?” she asked, her eyes wide and almost hungry.

  Wit, Holly. Use wit.

  However, nothing witty was coming to me except “Keep your claws off him.”

  Heather stared at me. That’s when I realized I’d said the words aloud. Oh. No.

  “Holly?” Alex said, looking as taken off guard as I felt.

  I fanned my face. I had to recover, and fast. But I had no clue how to, so I let out a laugh instead—a laugh that sounded pretty stinkin’ fake. “Just kidding! I mean, Heather already has a date to the wedding. Right?”

  I was usually better than this. But I was operating on hardly any sleep and way too much stress.

  Everyone stared at Heather, waiting for what she would say next. She opened her mouth but shut it again. Was she speechless now?

  “Not a confirmed date.” She gave me a pointed, seriously unhappy look.

  “I heard everyone was going to be really shocked when you showed up with him.”

  “Holly, can we talk for a minute?” The next thing I knew, she’d slid off the chair and grabbed my arm.

  We stepped outside. Figurative steam shot from Heather’s ears. I’d practically asked for this confrontation, but that didn’t mean I was happy about it.

  “What are you doing?” she demanded. Her hair was half-curled and half-straight. The Shirley Temple–like roller curls on her left side made her look slightly crazy and off balance.

  I placed my hand on my hip, ready to take her on. “I just happened to see a text message about Alex’s wedding. It raised a few red flags.”

  She glared. “That was none of your business. I had no intentions of actually bringing him to the wedding.”

  “Who exactly is he?” This was it. The moment of truth.

  Satisfaction flashed in her eyes. “You don’t know?”

  “Why would I know?”

  “Because you think you’re so smart! It’s Brandon.”

  My mouth dropped open. I hadn’t wanted to believe it, but I couldn’t deny it now that I’d heard the words leave her lips. “You’re hitting on my sister’s ex-boyfriend?”

  She sighed and stared off into the sky for a moment. “We’ve been talking about getting together. I didn’t bring it up because I didn’t want to put a damper on Alex’s day. I feel fairly certain she would be fine with it, but I do try to be considerate—unlike some people.”

  I wasn’t going to play into her guilt game right now. “But you brought Brandon up at the bachelorette party. Were you feeling her out to see if she would mind?”

  She glared again, nostrils flaring this time. “Yes, are you happy now? I wanted to know if she was truly over him.”

  “So, is he coming to the wedding?”

  She shrugged and raised her chin stubbornly. “No, he had something come up. So there’s no need to mention any of this to Alex. I don’t want to upset her.”

  I thought about it a moment and nodded. Maybe it was classless—maybe it wasn’t. Either way, Heather’s love life had nothing to do with the fiasco in my life.

  CHAPTER 34

  Overall, the rehearsal had gone well. There was only one little hiccup: Heather didn’t show up.

  She’d called and said she was getting a migraine and that she’d be late. We started without her and ran through the ceremony, but there was still no Heather. Everyone had fully expected she would show up by the dinner, at least.

  To make matters worse, she wasn’t answering her phone
.

  “I’m sure she’s fine,” I told Alex. Even as I said the words aloud, I realized they might not be true. It was one thing for Heather to be a no-show because of a migraine. It was another thing entirely for her to stop answering her phone and not to check in. That phone was practically glued to her hand.

  The rehearsal dinner was held in an elegant restaurant located on the Cincinnati hillside overlooking the river. It was on the outskirts of town, away from the craziness of the busy downtown area. The place had low lights, white linen tablecloths, and a strings trio playing in the corner. The menu of ribs, chicken, and salmon seemed to appease everyone.

  I’d forced my dinner down and now stood by the window, staring down at the river, my thoughts gloomy. As much as I tried to stay positive, the situation was wearing me down.

  A part of me felt like I was getting so close to the answers. In my gut, I felt like they were within my grasp. But I’d felt close before only to have any resolution slip away. This wasn’t over yet; I felt sure of it. But what was the man planning next?

  “You doing okay?” Ralph asked, joining me by the window.

  “Yeah, just hanging out over here solo.” Chase should have been here with me, which only caused my resentment to grow.

  “I know what that’s like.”

  Maybe Ralph and I were more alike than I thought. Mom was busy being a social butterfly. Alex was charming everyone and making them feel welcome. Then there were Ralph and me, choosing to be wallflowers for a minute. While everyone else was partying, we were reflective.

  For a moment, I didn’t feel like such an outcast in my own family.

  I remembered what he’d said. I know what that’s like to be alone. He understood not having a plus one.

  I nudged him with my elbow. “Thea was asking me some questions about your love life the other day . . .”

  “Thea? Really?” He pulled his face back in surprise.