Bodice of Evidence (18 page)

Anton jumped forward and grabbed me. I kicked and yelled, but he wrapped his big hand around my mouth and I struggled to breathe as he dragged me into the back of the furniture restoration shop. The smell of varnish was so intense it made my eyes water and nearly took my breath away.

I kept struggling, but Anton was strong. He pushed me into a chair and leaned in close to my ear. “You can scream all you want, no one can hear you. The buildings on either side of me are empty.”

When he took his hand off my mouth, I screamed anyway and pushed to my feet. He smacked me hard, making my eyes water, and shoved me back into the chair.

“Why did you kill Eva?” I said to distract myself from the pain. “What did she do to you?”

He pulled up a chair across from mine. “I did not hate her, if that is what you imagine. As mother-in-laws go, she was fine.”

“Then why?”

“Eva was not firm enough with her son. Vlad is lazy and no good, and yet Eva kept giving him money. Vidalia works hard—very hard. She saw nothing from her mother. Eva kept saying Vidalia didn't need anything.” He sat down. “But you see, it is not the need for money. It is recognition of how hard my wife and I work.”

“But Eva gave Vidalia sole ownership of the bridal shop, isn't that recognition?” I asked as I noticed my surroundings. There were several work benches with chairs on top in various stages of repair. The strong smell of varnish emanated from a nearby table that appeared to be freshly coated. Tools were scattered about. I noted several that might help me should I make my move.

“That is where she crossed the line.” Anton spit on the floor beside him. “Eva had been talking about how she felt guilty for not giving Vladimir one last chance to redeem himself—by letting him share in the workload of the shop.” He sneered. “As if the lazy brother would actually do the work. I knew he would ruin it all. All the work my wife has put into the shop. I urged my wife to speak to her mother. Eva kept talking about making the change to her will and said she had to do it, that it was the right thing.”

“Vidalia didn't talk to her mother about it, did she? And you couldn't let Eva change her will, could you?” I
said. “You couldn't let Vidalia lose half the shop to Vlad's wasteful ways.”

“No, I could not let that happen. A man looks out for his wife.”

“Why didn't you just talk to her?”

“I had finally convinced Vidalia to speak to her mother. I wanted to be there to ensure my wife did not back down. Eva was a strong personality. Vidalia respected her mother. It was difficult for her to push for what she deserved.”

“That's why Vidalia had the third coffee,” I said, putting things together. “You were supposed to meet with her that day.”

“Yes, after your appointment,” he said. “But I couldn't wait. I had a bad feeling that Vidalia would back down, again. I knew Theresa was out that day. When Vidalia went to get coffee, I stopped at the bridal shop to see Eva. I intended to scare her a bit, before Vidalia returned. I wanted to make sure she knew that there would be consequences if she didn't listen to my wife.” He paused, dragged in a heavy breath, and stood. “But Eva said she would call the police because I had threatened her.” He started to pace. “Worse, she said she would tell Vidalia. I couldn't let her do that. I couldn't lose my wife and all we'd worked for.” I could tell from his body language that he was getting worked up and that frightened me. I kept one eye on Anton and another looking for a way out before things went very bad.

“Why did you have to kill her?” I pushed. My body started to shake from fear. I put my hands in my jacket
pockets to hide the trembling and realized that I had the poppers in my pocket.

He grabbed a roll of metallic duct tape from the top of one of the work benches and walked toward me, his manner suddenly cold and purposeful. “I grabbed her to shake some sense into her, but she fought back. I had taken the knife to scare her, but she went too far. I couldn't have it. I refused to let her ruin everything.”

“So you killed her,” I said, and watched his emotionless approach.

“And now I will kill you, to save everything. It is not that I wish you harm, Pepper Pomeroy, but I cannot let you ruin things.”

When he leaned toward me and ripped the tape from the roll, I pulled a popper out and broke it, pushing the explosive streamer into his face.

He shouted and put his hand over his eyes. I didn't waste a moment. Anton stood between me and the back door, so I headed toward the front of the shop. The place was a typical workshop with band saws, workbenches, and tools everywhere. There were pieces of furniture in various stages of repair scattered about. My panicked mind grew frustrated at the obstacle course.

I pushed aside a chair, skirted around a table, and headed toward the front door. Anton recovered quickly. I could feel him right behind me. My heart pounded. My eyes were focused on my escape.

Do not look back. If you look back, you waste time. It was the biggest mistake movie heroines made. I shoved
chairs and end tables behind me, hoping they would slow him down.

“Stop!” Anton shouted.

It felt like forever, but I battled my way to the front door. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I grabbed the handle, but the door was locked with a bolt. My hands shook as I struggled to unbolt the door.

“You won't get away,” I heard him say. His voice was so close.

There was a cast iron coatrack near the door. I grabbed it and shoved it at him. Then I threw open the bolt and ran out screaming. “Fire!”

My brain remembered the weirdest things and I kept shouting. “Help! Fire!” I had read somewhere once that people respond to shouts of
Fire!
better than to someone yelling
Help me!

There was a couple at the end of the block who turned at the sound of my shouting. “Call the police,” I begged. “Call the fire department.”

I looked behind me. Anton was steps away. I sprinted toward the couple.

“There is no fire,” he shouted to the couple. “She is crazy. Do not listen to her.”

I got behind the young man and held on to him. “Please help.”

Thankfully the young guy, who was a nice sturdy size, blocked Anton from grabbing me.

“Dude, whatever is going on here, stop. I'm not going to let you get to this girl,” the young man said.

“I've got 911 on the line,” the girl he was with chimed in. She stepped behind both me and the man she was with and put the phone to her ear. “Yes, we are at 345 Brocton. We need police now!” Her eyes went straight to Anton. “Yes, I feel as if I'm in danger.”

Anton stopped short. “This is none of your business,” he said to the couple, his gaze shifting from one to the other. I could see him trying to figure out how to get to me.

My instinct was to run, but I knew if I left the couple, Anton might be able to outrun me. If I stayed here, it meant he was really close, but I had witnesses.

“I'm making it my business,” the young man said, and crossed his arms over his chest and stood with his feet spread wide. “Clearly, she does not want you to touch her.”

“What's going on?” A second man came out of the shop we were in front of. “Is everything okay?”

“It's fine,” Anton said.

“There's a fire,” the woman said. I smiled at her. Her blue eyes sparkled with intelligence as she continued to stay on the line with the 911 operator. “I've called 911.”

“There is no fire,” Anton said, his gaze wild. “This is none of your business. Pepper, come with me.”

“No!” I said, and grabbed the back of the young man's shirt and hung on. “He killed Eva.” I pointed at Anton.

Sirens could be heard in the distance. Anton panicked and ran off. The young man started after him so I let go. The shopkeeper ran after the man and Anton. The young woman and I watched as they disappeared into the nearest alley.

Shaking, my knees gave way and I sat down hard. Two police cars screamed to a halt beside us. The fire marshal was not far behind. The first two policemen got out of their cars and raced off in the direction of the men. The young woman squatted next to me.

“Are you okay?” she asked. “Are you hurt?”

“No, no, I'm not hurt.” I shook my head. “He scared me.”

“My name is Amanda,” she said. “I'll stay with you. Is there anyone I can call?”

I managed to get my phone out of my pocket, but my hands shook too hard to dial. “Here,” I handed her my phone. “Please call my parents. They are listed under my emergency numbers.”

She quickly flipped through my phone to the emergency contact numbers and dialed my mom. Amanda put the phone on speaker and handed it to me as soon as it started to ring.

“Thanks,” I said.

The second set of policemen approached, followed by the fire marshal. “What happened?” the first cop asked.

“Hello?” my mom answered her phone.

“Hi, Mom,” I said as the young girl stood and stepped to the side to explain why she had called 911. “I need you and Dad to come down to Bridal Dreams.”

“What's the matter?” Mom asked, and her tone was troubled so I knew I did not sound good.

“Thad didn't kill Eva. Anton did.”

“Who is Anton and how do you know this?” Mom asked.

“Anton is Vidalia's husband,” I said wearily.

“Oh, Pepper, what have you gotten yourself into?”

“I have to go, Mom, the police are here. Please come down. I'm in no shape to drive home.” I hung up.

The fire marshal hunkered down beside me. “Are you hurt?” he asked. His eyes were a soft light brown and his skin golden olive. Black curly hair peeked out from under his uniform hat.

“I don't think so,” I said. “Mostly scared.” I tried to get up.

“Stay where you are until the paramedics can check you out.” He put his hand gently on my shoulder.

“Okay, miss,” The policeman came over after he finished speaking with Amanda. “You were yelling fire, is that right?”

“Yes, I heard it is better to yell
fire
than
help
. People respond faster. All I could think to do was yell fire.”

“Okay, that's fine,” he said. “Is there a fire?”

“No,” I said, and apologized to the fire marshal. “There is no fire. Anton kidnapped me and I got away and wanted someone to help me.”

“Okay,” The fire marshal nodded and patted my shoulder. “I'm going to leave you in the hands of Officer Grumpki. The EMTs are pulling up now. Do not move until they can check you out. Okay?”

“Okay.” I took a deep breath and hugged my knees to my chest. I looked at the officer. “Anton killed Eva.”

“Let's start from the beginning,” he said, his gaze flat and serious. “Tell me what happened. What is your name?”

“Pepper Pomeroy.”

“All right, Miss Pomeroy, what happened here today?”

I explained what happened from the time I left the coffee shop until I escaped from Anton. When I got that far, I saw that the first two policemen had emerged from the alley with a cuffed and dirty Anton. The young man and the shopkeeper followed, looking fierce.

My parents' car shrieked up onto the curb. “Pepper,” Mom said as she and Dad rushed to my side. “Oh, thank goodness you are okay.” She threw her arms around me and I started crying.

The EMTs approached and cautioned me to remain seated. They did a quick check of my pulse and my breathing and asked if I was in any pain. All the while my mom held my hand. Dad had gone over to where the policemen were interviewing the shopkeeper and Amanda's young man.

“Looks like a simple case of adrenaline overload,” the EMT pronounced and handed me an ice pack. “Put this on your cheek. You're going to have a bit of a shiner for a few days.” He stood and addressed my mom. “Her pupils look okay so I doubt she has a concussion. It might still be good to keep an eye on her. If she has any further symptoms, take her to the ER right away.”

“Okay,” Mom said and squeezed my hand.

“Anton hit me,” I said, and placed the ice pack on the side of my face.

The paramedic continued to talk to Mom. “Take her home and see that she gets rest.” Then he turned to me; his blue eyes and blond hair looked good against his dark blue
uniform. “When you have that kind of scare, injuries can remain hidden for a while. If later tonight you have any problems like sharp pains or headaches, I want you to go to the emergency room immediately. Do you understand?”

“Yes, thank you,” I said, and he helped me to my feet. It took a moment to get my balance, but then I was okay.

Mom wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, sweetie, I'm glad you are all right. Let's take you home.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I said, and let her lead me toward the cops and my father. The car with Anton left and a strange sadness engulfed me.

Dad looked grim as he approached us. “They said we could take you home. I have Officer Grumpki's card. He'll be calling in the morning to ask you more questions.”