A Dozen Deadly Roses (24 page)
# # #
A short time later, Jade sat on the couch in the hotel room her father and Mona shared. Donnie sat on the bed watching cartoons.
“Aye lassie, you really had me worried. I wish you’d a told me about this stalker fella when it started.”
Jade waved her hand at her dad. “I didn’t want you to worry. Besides, you know I’m too ornery to let some creep get the best of me.”
“I think it’s dreadful a monster like that is walking the streets,” Mona said. “You’ve been through so much.”
Mac twisted the cap off a bottle of water. “Our next order of business is to figure out the best way to get Jade home in one piece and not put anyone else in danger.”
Jade frowned, crossing her arms in front of her. “I already told you I’m not going home until my father is a happily married man.”
“Daughter, don’t be silly. Mona and I can get married another time.”
“Yes, dear. Angus is right. We’ll get married once this nasty business is all over,” Mona said.
Jade shook her head. “That’s silly. You came here to get married and we’re all here. The arrangements have been made. Let’s just do it.”
“Jade, you’re the one being silly,” Mac said. “This guy has already made one attempt on your life and was brazen enough to show up at the hospital and leave another box of two dead flowers. Do you want to give him another shot at it?”
Mona grabbed the remote control and snapped off the television. “Donnie and I are going to go downstairs and get some ice cream. We’ll be back in a little while.” She quickly ushered the child to the door.
“Wait for me, darlin’” Angus called after her. “I’m feeling like a wee bit of something sweet myself.”
Mac waited until the door was safely closed behind the trio before he spoke.
“Jade, you’re acting like a fool.”
Her eyes blazed green at him. “I’m not about to let some jackass run my life. My father and Mona came here to get married and I intend to see they do.”
“Even if you, or someone in your family gets killed in the process?”
There was a slight hesitation before she spoke. “He’s not after my family. He wants me, and if he really wanted to kill me, he’d have done it in the hospital. He certainly had the chance.”
Mac’s face turned to granite. “You don’t get it. Right now he’s toying with you. He just wants to scare you, but make no mistake – he’s serious. I’m sure Callie Lasko’s murder is his doing.”
Jade stuck her chin out. “Captain Kincaid seems to think you and I are likely suspects in Callie’s death.” She gave him a pointed look. “I know where I was and what I was doing before we left for Vegas. There’s probably videotape of me making a purchase at a drug store.” She got up and began to pace. “I do find it interesting that as soon as I was out of the house a lieutenant who obviously had the ‘hots’ for you winds up dead - in your bed, no less.”
Mac’s features, already stony, hardened. “So you think I’m capable of murder? I’d like to shake some sense into you, but I doubt it would do any good.”
“I don’t
know
what to think! Right now I think we’re probably running neck and neck in the ‘who killed Callie’ pool. But I can’t take anymore.” Large tears started to roll down her cheeks. “I’m tired of being worried. I’m tired of being stalked. And I’m tired of being afraid.”
He ran a hand roughly through his hair. “One thing you don’t have to be worried or afraid of is that I’m telling you the truth. I didn’t kill Callie Lasko. I have no idea how she wound up dead in my house. But frankly, she’s dead and there’s nothing I can do about it. Right now, my main concern is to get you back to L.A. where I can get some help keeping an eye on you.”
“I’m not going back to L.A. yet. I will not live my life according to the schedule of some psycho kook.”
Mac sighed. He knew he wasn’t going to win this battle. She was scared, but he realized Jade felt like her life was out of control. Hell, it
was
out of control. She was just trying to get back to a position where she was calling the shots. He knew that cops, more than anyone, hated to be told what to do, and if he continued to make decisions for her, she’d just dig in deeper.
“Okay, let’s make a deal,” he said. “You agree that we all change hotels, we get your Dad married, and then we go back to L.A.”
She took a moment to consider his offer. “I don’t like the idea that we’re changing hotels again, but it’s the smart thing to do.” She extended her hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Standing in the vestibule of the chapel at the new hotel, Jade straightened her Dad’s bow tie.
“Nervous?” she asked.
“Nah,” he assured. “Well, maybe just a little. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a wife.”
“It’s probably like riding a bike - you never forget.”
Angus stopped Jade’s fussing with his clothes by clasping her hands in his. “You know, I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn’t for you.”
“Oh Dad, don’t-”
Angus raised an eyebrow at her. “Let me finish, lass.” He indicated they should sit on a small tufted bench along the wall.
“It was your threats of calling in the authorities to take you away from me that pulled me out of the bottle.” The old man nodded in remembrance. “Yes, indeed. There you stood, your hands on your hips, your hair pulled into a horse’s tail and tellin’ your weak old Dad that you’d rather live with strangers than live with a drunk.”
“I’m sorry, Dad, you-”
“
Please
, let me finish daughter. Anyway, although you were just turnin’ into a young woman I said to myself, ‘Angus you old geezer, this girl loves you. You’ve already lost her dear Mama, don’t let your little girl slip away too.’” Tears filled the older man’s eyes. “It was that very day I called A.A.”
Jade was crying too.
“Oh Dad, it was all a bluff. I’d never leave you!”
Angus shook his head. “No, daughter, you meant every word you said. You always have. And your determination gave my life back to me.”
Angus drew Jade into a hug and kissed her temple.
“Now, lass, here I am, a cranky old geezer fixin’ to tie the knot. And what a fine woman I’ll be marryin’.”
Jade nodded. “You’re very lucky. And Mona is lucky too.”
She laughed when her father blushed.
Suddenly, the chapel doors opened and the minister came out.
“Mr. Donovan, are you ready? I’ve met with your bride, and may I say she’s lovely.”
“Yes, lad, I’m burstin’ with pride I am.” Angus leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Jade’s forehead. “I’m guessin’ this is it.”
Jade squeezed his hand. “I’d better go check on Mona.”
“Don’t be lettin’ her run away or anything.”
“I don’t think there’s any fear of that,” she said over her shoulder as she moved to the bride’s dressing room.
# # #
“Come in,” called Mona, in response to Jade’s knock.
Opening the door, Jade couldn’t help her sharp intake of breath on seeing the bride. Mona’s statuesque beauty was on full display, highlighted by the classic lace, form-fitting, long sleeved gown. A vintage hat, with a short net veil, reminiscent of the golden age in Hollywood, sat upon her grey- streaked blonde hair, swept into a sleek up-do.
“Wow, Mona. Dad’s eyes are going to fall out of his head. You’re gorgeous.”
The elder woman’s eyes crinkled as she smiled. “Thank you, dear. I’m the luckiest woman in the world and so proud to become Mrs. Angus Donovan.” Mona moved to a small settee and sat down, patting the seat next to her. “Please sit down for a moment, won’t you?”
Jade sat next to her soon-to-be stepmother.
Mona took Jade’s hand in hers and looked deep into Jade’s eyes. “I know you haven’t always approved of the relationship Angus and I share.”
Jade looked away. It was true. She couldn’t really imagine her father married to anyone, much less Mona. Mona was so sophisticated and worldly. Angus was a man who’d spent much of his life drifting from job to job while climbing in and out of the bottle.
“I know you must have had a horrible childhood, Jade. I know that because my own weakness with alcohol made me an unfit mother. To the point my children asked to go live with their father. I get a call from them now and then, and a card every Christmas. But, in their minds, I’m no longer their mother.”
“I’m sorry, Mona. I had no idea.”
Mona shook her head. “I don’t want your pity. I want your acceptance. I’ve no intention of trying to replace your deceased mother, but I’m hoping we can be friends. You see, I love your father, Jade. He’s a good man now. We make a good team. With every fiber of my body, I know he loves me and that love is enough to keep him sober. And there’s no way I’d risk losing your father for a sip of alcohol.”
Mona released Jade’s hand and smoothed the lace of her wedding gown. “I think we’d best be going,” she said, standing. “Angus is probably cursing a wild streak about women-folk always fussing with their hair.”
Jade smiled and stood. She reached out to her father’s bride. “Mona, my father has been so happy since he met you. My reservations about your relationship are more about my insecurities of his ability to stay sober than a reflection on you. It’s silly on my part, considering he hasn’t slipped once since he met you.” Just then there was a tap at the door.
“Come in,” Mona called.
Mac stuck his head into the room. “Are you ladies about ready? I’m not sure who’s more of a handful, Donnie or Angus.”
Jade gave him a knowing smile. “We’re on our way.”
Mac nodded and retreated, closing the door behind him.
Jade started to move toward the door, but Mona grabbed her arm. “You know, Jade, Mac Stryker is a good man. I bet the love from a good woman would keep him sober too.”
# # #
The wedding went off without a hitch. Jade stood as Mona’s maid of honor and Mac stood up for Angus. Donnie’s role was that of ring bearer.
Tears formed in Jade’s eyes watching her son, his face so solemn, walking down the aisle carrying the white satin pillow holding two plain gold bands.
Jade glanced at Mac. He was smiling broadly at the child he did not know was his son.
Donnie paused and looked first at Jade, then at Mac with a big ‘see I’m doing good,’ smile on his face. Jade made the decision she would tell Mac tonight he was Donnie’s father. An immediate sense of relief came over her. She must be making the right decision.
“Do you Angus Elmer Donovan take Mona Celeste Spaulding to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“Aye, I do.”
“And do you, Mona Celeste Spaulding take Angus Elmer Donovan to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.” Tears slid down Mona’s face.
Jade swallowed hard and tried to blink back the droplets threatening to roll down her own cheeks.
“By the power vested in me by Clark County in the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride.”
Angus pulled Mona into a tight embrace, kissing her with enthusiasm.
“Congratulations, Dad,” Jade said, hugging and kissing her father. “Welcome to the family,” she said, moving to embrace Mona.
Mac extended his hand to Angus, who pumped it with gusto. Mac offered his hand to Mona who pulled him close and gave him a squeeze.
“Mama, does this mean Mona is my grandma now?”
“Yes, Donnie. How does it feel to have a new grandma?”
“It’s okay I guess. Will she still make me and Grandpa lunch and give us snacks?”
“She’d better, boy’o,” Angus said, as he took his bride’s arm, “or our next trip will be to Mexico for a quickie divorce!”
“Dad! Can’t you just celebrate the moment?”
After a handful of wedding photos were taken, the group walked through the hotel where they’d all relocated.
Mac and Angus had decided they shouldn’t take any chances and make it as hard as possible for the stalker to find Jade. They’d chosen one of the most expensive establishments on the strip, figuring that a tattooed gang member would immediately garner the attention of the vigilant security staff.
They’d enlisted the help of the Las Vegas detectives and checked in under an assumed name. After the detectives from both agencies had gone through Mac and Jade’s personal belongings from the suite, their clothes and toiletries were released back to them.
The pillared hotel and casino was named Southern Comfort. Built to resemble an antebellum mansion, the resort boasted the finest food and service to be found in Las Vegas. The scent of magnolias filled the air.
The tuxedoed maître d’ ushered them to their table, reserved in a secluded corner of the dining room of General Grant’s Steak House. Located at the far end of the room, their table waited behind a cloistered arch. Rich navy brocade drapes were pulled back on each side of the opening. Each curtain was secured with a gold-fringed tie that could be released to provide more privacy for the diners.
The waiter appeared with champagne, stating the sparkling wine was compliments of the house to the new bride and groom.
Jade couldn’t help but notice Mac’s eyes lingering on the dark green bottle. Her own words echoed in her mind. ‘Once a drunk, always a drunk.’
“Thanks, but we don’t drink alcohol,” she told the server in a cool tone.
Unfazed, the steward smiled. “Perhaps a sparkling cider would be more appropriate?”
“Fine, laddie, that’s just fine.” Angus said, grinning at Mona. “Meanwhile, I’ll be a dancin’ with the lovely lassie I just married.”
From the main dining room, strains of a string ensemble reached their sheltered haven.
Angus stood in front of Mona and gave a slight bow.
Blushing, she shook her head at her new husband and placed her hand in his. They slowly waltzed at the side of the table.
“Hey, Champ, let’s get you situated here,” said Mac to Donnie. He pulled out a chair covered in hand-stitched needlepoint and secured a booster seat brought by the waiter.
As Mac lifted him into the chair, Donnie asked, “Mr. Stryker? Why do mommies and daddies get married?”
