Random Acts of Deceit (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 2) Page 3

  I frowned and nodded. “When you’re afraid to try new things is when you start losing part of your youth. I need to hold on to as much as I can.”

  That seemed to appease him.

  We said a quick prayer together, and afterward I began picking at my food while Chase heartily indulged. My mind traveled back to the man in my room last night.

  Did Chase have any idea there were cameras in his house? Or a bomb in his heating shaft?

  There was so much that could go wrong, and the stress of having this burden placed on my shoulders felt like too much to bear.

  “Holly?”

  I snapped my head toward him. “Yes?”

  “You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

  My hand froze, fork in midair. “What? Do I?”

  He tilted his head. I was toast, a goner, in trouble, and probably the worst person to have to pull off something like this.

  Which was why I couldn’t do it.

  I was calling chicken. This man wouldn’t pull me into his twisted game. I was putting my foot down.

  “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to talk about? Did you have another doctor appointment?” Concern etched his gaze.

  I shook my head, needing to put that fear to rest. “Not since last week. I’m doing fine. The medication worked like a charm, and all my symptoms have cleared up.”

  A few months ago, doctors thought I had an incurable cancer. Instead, I had a unique form of panniculitis. Once physicians were able to treat the underlying cause, a bacterial infection, I went back to feeling like my old self. It was a gross misdiagnosis, but I was thankful to be healthy and to have the rest of my life ahead of me.

  Suddenly, an idea hit me, and it was a brilliant one at that. I straightened as adrenaline zinged through me. “We should go away for a while.”

  He squinted, his head jutting forward ever so slightly. “What?”

  I nodded, a little too excited for my own good. But I had a plan that could mean everything would work out, that could put the kibosh on my inner struggle. “Somewhere far away. Maybe the Bahamas. I’m not sure.”

  “Are you okay, Holly?”

  I nodded again, another surge of adrenaline and self-identified brilliance making me feel giddy. Why hadn’t I thought of this before? “I’m fine. More than fine. I think this is a great idea.”

  He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “You think you and me going on vacation together is a great idea?” He said the words slowly and in disbelief.

  I brought my excitement level down a bit. “I know it seems sudden. But wouldn’t that be fun? Just getting away from everything for a while? Maybe go somewhere sunny. The beach. Yes, there definitely needs to be a beach. And there need to be smoothies. Some pineapple would be nice, also. Hawaii, maybe?”

  “I can think of so many reasons I’d love to but even more reasons why we shouldn’t.” He rubbed his lips together before thoughtfully pausing. “Besides, even if it was a good idea, I just started at the department. I don’t have that much vacation time.”

  He couldn’t get out of this that easily. “Well, I can’t think of a single reason why we shouldn’t. Not even one.”

  “How about the fact that you just started working on your brother’s staff? And it wouldn’t be wise for either of us to use our savings on this. Not right now. Trips like that take planning and saving, and do you really think your family would approve of the two of us going on vacation alone?”

  I frowned. He had some valid points, but he obviously wasn’t seeing the whole picture here. If only he knew all the facts. “Don’t you want to just throw caution to the wind sometimes?”

  “You threw caution to the wind not long ago, and it almost got you killed. Do I need to remind you about all those details?” He raised an eyebrow as his tone remained warm.

  I let out a sigh, and defeat dragged down my shoulders. Logically, I didn’t expect him to say yes. But it would be such an easy solution if he did.

  “What’s going on, Holly? It isn’t like you to talk like this.”

  I glanced around the restaurant. There were no cameras here. There was no way Shadow Man would know if I told Chase the truth while sitting here. Besides, the restaurant was noisy. Silverware clattered, Zen-like overhead music whined, and lunchtime conversation rumbled. We were away from any windows. The man probably didn’t even know we were here. Certainly, he had better things to do than track my every move.

  I cleared my throat, knowing if I was going to say something, I had to do it before my nerves got the best of me. “Chase, I don’t know how to say this.”

  “You can tell me anything, Holly. You know that.” He sounded so stinkin’ sincere.

  “I know. I do.” I shifted, trying to find the words. “It’s just that—”

  Before I could finish my sentence, an explosion sounded outside. The whole building shook. Windows shattered. Diners were thrown onto the floor. In an instant, Chase was on his feet.

  “Stay there, Holly,” he told me as he rushed toward the street.

  Of course, I didn’t stay where I was. I was too curious. I ran toward the broken windows, careful not to step on any of the patrons who lay on the floor with blood on their foreheads and cheeks. I’d help them in a moment.

  I felt bile rise in my throat when I looked outside.

  It was just as I feared: Chase’s unmarked police sedan had been blown to smithereens.

  CHAPTER 4

  I knew the paramedics were on the way. Until they arrived, I helped to sort those injured into groups of critical and triage. Staying busy helped to keep my thoughts from going haywire.

  That bomb wasn’t a coincidence. But how had the man known I’d been about to blather everything? Was there a bug on me? Was someone listening to my every word?

  I didn’t know.

  I’d have time to worry about that later. Right now I just needed to help the injured.

  Thankfully, most people had only cuts and bruises. But one man appeared to have a broken arm, a college-age girl was having breathing problems, and another man had hit his head pretty hard. All in all, this could have been worse.

  Were these people’s injuries my fault? If I hadn’t attempted to tell Chase what was going on, would that bomb have gone off?

  I wanted to cry at the thought. Hurting other people was the last thing I wanted to do. That’s what made all of this so difficult.

  There was just no way to win.

  I found a man moaning in the corner and shoved a small table off him. Blood gushed from his shoulder. Some shrapnel must have gotten him.

  I knelt beside him. “It’s going to be okay. Help is on the way.”

  He only moaned in response.

  I pulled off my jacket and pressed it over his wound, trying to stop the bleeding. My throat ached when I saw Chase step back into the restaurant. He’d been manning the scene on the street. Sirens wailed in the distance, and I knew help was close.

  Our gazes connected. I remained where I was, trying to keep the injured man in front of me lucid until the EMTs arrived.

  Chase and I didn’t have to say anything to each other to communicate how we both felt: disgust. Disgust that this had happened and that people had been injured and that the crime had been so senseless.

  He only stayed in the doorway a second before going back to the street and directing people away from the carnage that was left of his car, the surrounding vehicles, and several buildings.

  That could have been his house.

  He could be inside when the explosion occurred.

  There would be no way anyone would survive something like that.

  A small cry escaped from me as I thought about that scenario playing out. It seemed more real now than ever.

  Thankfully, paramedics rushed in. I waved them over, and they took charge.

  As they did, I dragged my feet back toward the table where I’d left my purse. My phone was buzzing.

  As I pulled it out, I saw a text message there.
>
  This is your fault. Heed my warning.

  ***

  I felt like I could throw up when I stepped outside a few minutes later. I found Chase talking with a group of his colleagues near the epicenter of the explosion—his car. Immediately, he was by my side, squeezing my arm, and assessing me with his gaze. “You okay?”

  I nodded, hoping I didn’t puke on his shoes. That’s how real it felt. “I think I’ve done all I can. Paramedics seem to have a good handle on everything inside. I’m going to get cleaned up and head back to work.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay. That could have been much worse. If that blast had been just a little stronger . . .”

  He didn’t have to finish. He didn’t need to because I knew. I knew it could have been devastating.

  “Let me walk you to your car.”

  We started down the street, ducking under the police line and pushing through a crowd of onlookers.

  What if that man was in the crowd? What if he was watching right now? Would my car explode next?

  I forced myself to keep moving down the sidewalk. Shock seemed to be taking control of my body, though, and my head swam with sickening reality. There was a psycho toying with my life, the lives of the people I loved, and the citizens of the city I called home. None of this was cool.

  “So the bomb was under your car?” I clarified, not sure I wanted to know.

  Chase put his hand on my elbow. That’s just how he was, always the gentleman. But I was so glad for his support right now because otherwise I might sink to the ground.

  “That’s how it appears,” he said. “The bomb squad is investigating. We should know more by tomorrow.”

  “I’m so glad you weren’t in the car when that happened, Chase.” Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up. Internal anguish had a tendency to make me want to vomit. It was one of my not-so-adorable qualities.

  “Me too. Just one more thing to be grateful about.”

  We crossed the parking garage, climbed one set of stairs, and reached my car. I pulled the keys to my ’64½ powder-blue Mustang from my purse.

  “Be careful, okay?” My voice caught as my gut squeezed again.

  You should break up with him. Right now. Just get it over with. Do what’s best for everyone.

  But I couldn’t. The words wouldn’t leave my lips, even after what had just happened. Was it my stubborn nature? Was I being selfish? Or was it simply fear that I’d lose the man I loved? I wasn’t sure.

  Chase kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you later.”

  I nodded and watched him walk away. Then I climbed in my car. I waited until he was out of sight and then got out again. I knelt on the ground and looked under my car. I didn’t know what I was looking for—blinking lights or unusual wires or a black box. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

  Just to be safe, I also checked the engine. Again, I didn’t see anything that looked out of the ordinary. But did that mean anything? I could be looking at a bomb and not know it. My bachelor’s degree in social work hadn’t exactly prepared me for this.

  I sank back into the front seat. Eventually, I was going to have to crank the engine. I couldn’t stay here in the parking garage all day. And I couldn’t tell anyone that a homicidal maniac was blackmailing me and could have put a bomb in my car.

  Why was everything so complicated? I didn’t do complicated. No, I was the girl who longed for simpler times. Who tried not to be consumed with busyness. Who desperately wanted peace and serenity.

  My phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was my best friend, Jamie. Talking to my friend seemed like just the right medicine. In the least, it seemed like a way to delay the inevitable act of possibly discovering or detonating a bomb.

  “Hey, girlfriend. What’s up with you?” Jamie said, her voice tinged with urban undertones.

  “Chase’s car just exploded,” I blurted.

  She paused. “Come again?”

  “We were having lunch, and his car literally exploded on the street by the restaurant.”

  “I just heard about an explosion downtown. You’re telling me Chase’s car was involved?”

  “I wish that wasn’t the truth, but it is.” I closed my eyes as flashbacks rippled through my memory in aftershock-like trembles.

  “Has the whole world gone mad?”

  I leaned back in my seat. “Sometimes I think, yes, it has.”

  I longed to pour everything out to my friend and get her advice. I just couldn’t think clearly. But I couldn’t take that chance. Not when lives were on the line. Somehow that man must have known I’d been about to blurt everything to Chase.

  “Not to change the subject from the horrific to the ordinary, but are we still on for dinner tonight?”

  “Yes.” My life had to continue on as normal, even if I felt anything but. What other choice did I have?

  “Great. We’ll catch up more then. In the meantime, stay out of trouble.”

  As soon as I hung up, I stepped out of my car again, feeling like a nervous wreck. What was I going to do?

  I kicked the tire in frustration, and immediately regretted it. My toe ached something fierce.

  “Car problems?”

  I twirled around at the voice behind me. A man in a business suit stood there and nodded at my car. The man was lean with an oversized head. His thick, brown hair, which was neither long nor short, emphasized the fact. It almost had a helmet effect. He was older than me, possibly by several years, but right now his eyes were as wide as a child’s on Christmas morning.

  I felt myself starting to stutter. “No. Well, yes. Kind of. I don’t know.”

  “Beautiful car.” He ran his finger across the hood. “They just don’t make them like this anymore, do they?”

  I let out a shaky, nervous laugh. “No, they sure don’t.”

  “Is she having problems starting?”

  “Yes . . . I suppose she is.”

  “Let me try for you.”

  Before I realized what was happening, he took the keys from my hand and slipped into the driver’s seat.

  “No, you don’t want to do that—” I started.

  Before I could finish, he cranked the engine. I held my breath and waited for the blast of fire I felt certain would come.

  CHAPTER 5

  I blanched, instinctively drawing away from the car. I held my breath, bracing myself, waiting, anticipating the blast.

  “There you go. This baby is purring like a kitten,” the man said.

  I pulled one eye open, saw nothing had happened, and relaxed my shoulders. “Would you look at that?”

  He ran his hand down the dash. “Whoever restored this did a great job. It’s amazing. And the fluffy, pink dice are a nice touch.” He tapped them and grinned.

  “Um . . . yeah. My dad restored it. He liked to do things right.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Liked? Past tense?”

  I licked my lips. “He passed away two years ago.”

  “I know how hard that can be to lose a loved one.” He stepped out of my car and straightened his suit, suddenly appearing professional and businesslike again. The boy-like fascination left his gaze. “I probably shouldn’t have jumped in your car like that. I guess I couldn’t resist the chance. Sorry. I can be a little impulsive sometimes. My mom insists that it will be my downfall.”

  “I can’t imagine why.”

  He glanced at his watch—a big, expensive-looking one. “I’m going to be late for my meeting. Take care and enjoy that car!”

  With that, he was gone, disappearing into the stairway with his tie flapping over his shoulder.

  I stood there, dumbfounded. I’d felt that way a lot within the past twenty-four hours. Surprises kept sweeping in and knocking me off balance.

  On a positive note, at least I knew my car wouldn’t explode when I started it.

  But what a strange, strange encounter. A man had just hopped in my car and started it. Who did stuff like that?

  I climbed into Sally—th
at’s what I called my set of wheels—and started back to my house, still feeling dazed. I called Ralph and told him what had happened. There was no way I could go back to work looking like this. I had smut on my face and blood on my dress, and my hair was disheveled.

  Speaking of which, that man hadn’t even given my appearance a second glance. The realization was strange and disturbing. Most people would be taken off guard if they ran into someone who looked like they’d been through a war zone.

  Not even Peggy Lee blaring “I Don’t Know Enough About You” on my radio could make things better. The only thing that could possibly help would be erasing the past sixteen hours, and that was impossible.

  Thankfully, Mom wasn’t home when I arrived, because I didn’t think I could handle seeing her. She’d take one look at me and go into a tizzy. I desperately feared experiencing a weak moment where I spilled everything.

  With most secrets, the consequences weren’t deadly. This one could be.

  I paused in the entryway, replaying last night. I stopped only a minute into my mental movie. I didn’t want to dwell on it. Replaying the man in my bedroom would do no good.

  Yet, at the same time, my whole house felt like a not-so-safe place now. This morning before I’d left home, I’d searched everywhere for any hidden cameras. I didn’t find any. If that man was telling the truth and there were devices hidden around my house, he’d done a masterful job concealing them.

  And that really didn’t make me feel better as I went to shower and change clothes. In fact, I felt like I was back in the girls’ locker room in gym class, trying to keep everything covered at all times while still effectively cleaning myself.

  I was finding it difficult to deal with an unseen foe with unknown motivation and unbearable possible consequences.

  I had no idea what I was going to do. Had I mentioned that yet?

  ***

  I sat at my desk at work and absently tapped my pencil against the desk while staring at the paper in front of me. I’d scribbled notes there, trying to sort out my thoughts, until it was time to leave.

  Possible solutions:

  Number one, convince Chase to get out of the country, with or without me. My first attempt at that hadn’t worked.