Deadly Magic (13 page)

“
Why couldn’t you sleep?” Ethan asked with concern.

“
Just thinking.”

Ethan
looked over at Kyle and looked at the door. Taking the hint, Kyle jumped to his feet, making an excuse of making a pot of coffee.

“
Did you learn any more from Straker after I left yesterday?”

Grace smil
ed. “Only that the deli has been short-changing him for the last year. Have you filed the complaint, yet?”

“
Yeah, I’ll get right on it.”

“
Think of the attorney’s fees. There’s probably a class action lawsuit there. You can take that deli for all the pastrami, ham, and turkey it has.” She yawned again, suddenly very tired.

He look
ed down at her, his brow creasing. “You look exhausted. I hope this investigation or whatever Straker’s has you doing isn’t upsetting you. Maybe you should step back from it. Leave it to the professionals.”

She shook her head.
“I’m fine. Just tired. Besides, the professionals think she committed suicide. Straker and I are the only ones that really think otherwise.”

He sigh
ed heavily, before dropping into the chair in front of her desk. “You both could be wrong, you know.”

“
But, we’re not.”

“
Have you learned anything else since we last talked?”

“
Well, I learned that Jackie from downstairs is a liar. Never believe anything she says.”

He smil
ed. “I see you’re making a lot of progress.”

She ran her hand through her hair, pushing it back from her face.
“None of it makes any sense and we still don’t know how she was killed. Dragovich told the cops that he didn’t see anyone else up there with her.”

“
He could be lying.” Ethan reached down and opened his briefcase. Taking out a legal pad and a pen, he crossed his leg and balanced the pad on his knee. “Why don’t we sit down and think this through logically. We’ll write out a timeline, starting with when you went backstage. Describe everything you saw and did, in detail. You must have seen something—”

“
But I didn’t.”

“
You must have,” he insisted, “otherwise you wouldn’t be so certain she was murdered.”

Grace look
ed over at the handsome man sitting in her office, his pen poised to write down her every word. Smiling, she gazed up at him. “I have a better idea. There’s a new exhibit at the history museum on fourteenth century—” The shrill ring of her desk phone interrupted her.

They look
ed over toward the ringing phone. Ethan reached out a hand and helped her to her feet. Hopping over the discarded board games, she picked up the phone and let out a cheery greeting.

No sound.

She repeated her greeting once again and waited. Giving up she hung up the phone.

“
Wrong number?”

Grace star
ed at the phone and then at Ethan. “I keep getting these weird phone calls. They don’t say anything and it doesn’t happen all the time, but it seems like once a day someone calls my direct line. It happened at home this morning, too.”

“
It’s probably nothing.”

“
Yeah, you’re right. It’s probably nothing,” she said, trying to interject some confidence in her voice.

♣ ♦ ♥ ♠

Grace leaned against the break room refrigerator. She couldn’t wait to go home and go to sleep. She reached in and pulled out a bottle of water. One for herself and one for Kyle. She was just about to exit the break room when she heard Allen yell.

“
You!” Allen pointed an accusing finger at her. “It’s you!”

“
What?”

“
You’re the thief. You’re the one who’s been stealing the water. I bet you’re the one who broke my dolls yesterday, too. I told Straker it was you, but he didn’t believe me. Just admit it. You’re mad because I took over your collection, aren’t you?”

“
Yes, Allen. In my fury, I’ve decided to raid the refrigerator. Have you lost your mind? Straker provides bottled water for us. Remember the snack food strike of ’06. Many toys disappeared that day and were never seen again. Like that vintage set of the Mighty Man Space Commando Space Station. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“
I had nothing . . . Prove it. Besides, that’s irrelevant. You’re stealing.”

“
We all agreed that if Straker gave us unlimited bottled water and cookies, we would stop designing toys that look like food.”

“
It wasn’t unlimited. Only one water bottle per day. Not two.”

“
I’m getting one for my assistant.”

“
What about the dolls?”

“
They don’t drink water,” she said patiently.

Grace could practically see the steam come out of
Allen’s ears. “The interstellar dolls,” he said, carefully enunciating each word. “Why did you break them?”

Grace set the bottles down on the table.
“What happened to my dolls?”

“
Pretend all you want, but I know it was you. Just like I know you had something to do with Lily’s death.”

“
How do you figure that, Sherlock?”

“
Everyone knows you were backstage. What were you doing back there?”

“Louisa asked me to go with her.
”

“I doubt that. Louisa was in her seat next to Mr. Straker when the show began.”
Allen smiled. “You knew Lily had been in town over a week and you—”

“
Wait? What do you mean over a week? As far as I know she arrived that day.”

“
No. She had been staying at Dragovich’s.”

“
How do you know that?”

“
Unlike you I make it my business to know what is going on in this company.”

“
That’s comforting.”

“
Just like I know you and your, uh,
assistant
were playing around up in the attic earlier today.” He shook his head in disgust. “I bet you two planned it together.”

Suddenly, they heard the sound of a door slam. She follow
ed Allen out into the hallway. Furious shouting could be heard coming from Daniel’s office. Grace jumped back as Louisa threw open the door. “Fix it!” she shouted over her shoulder.

Daniel lean
ed against the door jam. “Louisa, it’s fixed. It was just a glitch. The money’s in there, honey, I promise.” He caught Grace’s eye. Flushing, he stepped back into his office and slowly closed the door.

“
Well, Sherlock, you know so much, what was that about?”

Allen
hesitated.

“
Or don't you know?” she asked sarcastically.

“
Of course, I know,” he spat out.

“
Well?”

“
Louisa’s worried about the company. She was probably going over the accounts and saw how much sabotage Daniel allowed Lily to get away with over the last year.”

“
Sabotage?” Grace scoffed.

“
Lily was trying to destroy the company. She knew she wasn’t going to get anything in the divorce because of that prenup, so she was trying to bankrupt the company before she asked for a divorce. All so she could hurt Mr. Straker and Louisa. Louisa knew what she was up to. She warned Daniel, but he wouldn’t do anything about it.” He sneered at Daniel’s door. “He doesn’t care, but he should. This company belongs to Louisa. Her husband should be trying to protect her inheritance, but he’s too busy for that.”

Friday, December 9th

11:15 p.m.

Grace look
ed through
her peephole. Belle was standing on the other side. She must have heard Grace on the other side of the door because she smiled widely and waved.

Wearily, Grace laid her head against the door.

“Grace, it’s Belle,” she said, ringing the doorbell again.

Grace unlock
ed the door and opened it, stepping aside to let the other woman through.

To Grace’s surprise, Belle stay
ed put. She twisted her hair around her fingers as tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry for coming so late, but I needed to speak to you.”

“
Is everything okay?”

“
No, not really.” Belle pushed her blonde hair out of the face. “Things have been rather crazy tonight. My dad and I had a bad fight and I really need some help. Would you help me?”

Taken aback by Belle’s tears, Grace imm
ediately offered her help.

Smiling
, Belle turned to the side and leaned down. “Oh, thank you so much Grace.” Belle stood up and quickly walked through the threshold carrying a rabbit cage and dragging a suitcase behind her. “You are a life saver. I knew I could count on you.” She dropped the suitcases on the floor and turned around in a circle. “Oh how cute. This is so cozy. I love it. It’s perfect. It’s very . . .” she hesitated trying to come up with the right word, “Spartan.” She looked over at the crates that were acting as end tables to the two folding chairs sitting in front of an old antenna television set sitting on the floor.

Still frozen by the door, Grace managed to squeak out, “Yes, that’s what I was going for.”

Belle set the cage on the card table. Abry was inside, nibbling on a piece of rabbit food. “So how much is my half of the rent?”

Grace slowly clos
ed the door. “Your half?”

“
Yes. You need a roommate, correct?”

“
Um. Yeah. How did you know?”

“
Franklin. Oh, well, Mr. Straker told me how you need a roommate.”

“
Straker? How did he know?”

Belle shrugg
ed. “When I told him about the argument I had with my dad, he told me about your situation. He thought this would be a perfect solution to both our problems. You get a roommate and I get a place to live.”

Surprise must have been written over her face, because Belle’s eyes quickly began to water again.
“Oh, it’s not, isn’t it? I’m so sorry.” She bent down and picked up her suitcase. “I’ll leave. I shouldn’t have come. I’ll go back to Franklin and tell him he was wrong about you—”

Grace quickly shut the door, wondering what Straker was up to. Walking over to the distraught
woman, she assured her that it wasn’t necessary to bother Straker tonight. “He’s probably sleeping. I was just surprised. I figured you were living in some swanky apartment somewhere.”

Belle wip
ed her tears away. Walking over to the couch, she said softly, “I was.”

Grace pick
ed up her neglected cup of tea. After brewing another cup for Belle, she rejoined the other woman on the couch. “What happened?”

“
Papa doesn’t want me to work at the toy company. He just won’t accept that I don’t want to be a magician.”

“
So, he kicked you out?”

Belle nodd
ed. “He’s a big proponent of tough love.” She shook her head. “When Lily was around we never had to worry. She would always help out.” She looked at her cup sadly, before saying. “I don’t care. I don’t need his money. I’m making my own now. Frank—Mr. Straker, said that if everything keeps going well, I’ll be getting a big raise in a few months.”

“
Really?” Grace picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. “How nice.”

“
Yes. Mr. Straker is so kind.”

Grace
choked on her tea.

“
I’ve never met a man quite like him.”

“
Hmm. Neither have I,” Grace said, desperately trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

“
Can you keep a secret?”

Grace nodd
ed.

“
Franklin has asked me to marry him. That’s really what my father is so angry about.”

“
And you’ve said . . . yes?” Grace asked hesitantly.

“
Of course! Wouldn’t you?”

Not
quite sure how to answer that question, Grace’s head wobbled around between a nod and a shake.

“
Please, may I stay?” Belle asked hopefully. “It would only be for a few months. Just until I get married.”

Grace wanted to say no, but she glanced at the bills piling up on her desk. She needed a roommate. She couldn’t keep turning people away and she doubted it would be a wise career move to turn the boss’ future wife away.
“Sure. I could use the help paying the rent, actually. There’s just one problem.” Grace pointed to the empty cage. “My apartment doesn’t allow pets.”

“
Oh, that’s not a problem. My brother will be taking him back soon.”

Grace’s head swung back to the empty cage.
“Where’s your rabbit?”

Belle lift
ed a hand to point to the cage before drawing it back suddenly. Standing up, she strode to the cage, and pulled on the locked door. “I don’t understand how he keeps getting out.”

“
He escaped?” Grace asked, glancing toward the kitchen in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the errant bunny.

“
I know my father, somehow, taught Abry how to get out on his own, but,” she said, lifting the cage up and looking underneath it, “I just don’t know how he’s doing it.” She set the cage on the floor and opened the door. “He’s a little show off. Once he realizes no one is paying any attention, he’ll climb back in and go to sleep.”

Grace gave up looking for the bunny.
“When will your brother be released?”

Belle look
ed at her in surprise. “Released?”

“
Wasn’t he in a Columbian jail?”

“
Yes. Yes, of course,” she stammered. “It was all just a silly misunderstanding.”

“
Good. So, he’s back in New York?”

“
No. He’s in Russia. He lives there. He has a little farm. It’s nice. I think I have some pictures somewhere.” Belle reached into her suitcase. She dug around in the suitcase for a while before sighing. “It must still be at home.”

“
Well, would you like the tour? It’ll only take a minute, but,” Grace said throwing open a door off the kitchen. “This will be your room.”

Belle follow
ed her through the door. “Oh, nice. I was worried, but this is perfect for me. I was afraid you would already have furniture here.” She walked back out into the living room with its folding table and chairs and ancient television set. A small, sparsely decorated Christmas tree stood in the corner. “Did you just move?”

“
No. I’ve been here for three years.”

“
Do you just not like furniture?”

Grace smil
ed. “My roommate got married two months ago. She took her furniture with her when she moved. I just haven’t had a chance to redecorate.”

“
Well, I can help with that.” She turned to the other door off the living room. “What’s this?”

“
My room.” When Belle pulled her hand away, Grace quickly said, “You can see it if you like.”

Belle smil
ed and opened the door.

Grace heard a gasp and oohs coming from the other side.
Smiling, she walked into her bedroom. Belle was standing next to the open closet, holding up a dark green satin evening gown by its hanger, against her body. “This is absolutely beautiful.”

“
Thank you.”

“
It must have cost you a fortune.”

“
Actually. It didn’t cost a thing.”

Belle gasp
ed. She laid the green dress down and pulled a pink silk dress out of the closet. “Is this real silk?”

“
As far as I know. Are you planning on staying here tonight?”

“
Yeah. Is that okay? I can sleep on the floor in my room tonight. Do you think you could help me move tomorrow?”

“
Well, I have a date—”

“
Let’s see, I have my bed and dresser.” She walked out into the living room, still clutching the pink dress. “But we also need a sofa, two end tables, a couple of chairs, a bed—oh, I bet my Hepplewhite dining set that would fit here perfectly,” she said, turning to the dining room area.

“
Are you sure you want to bring all of that? I thought you were only staying a couple of months. It seems like an awful lot to move for only a couple of months.”

“
Oh, no, it’s all furniture that I was going to give away.”

“
You’re not planning to keep your furniture?”

“
Well, I’m not going to need it when I move in with my husband.”

“
Won’t your father miss it?”

“
No. We’re in the process of redecorating. We were going to give the furniture away eventually.” She walked up to the wall and looked at the battleship gray walls. “Do you like this color?”

“
No, I don’t,” Grace said quickly. “I’m just not a painter.”

“
Michael’s really good at painting. I’ll see if he can help us. I miss Lily. She was always good at picking colors. She was good at everything.”

“
Yeah, she was perfect,” Grace said distractedly by the possibility of free furniture. Furniture that someone else was going to be responsible for moving into her apartment. “Who were you planning on giving your furniture to?”

“
No one in particular.” Belle held up Grace’s pink silk dress in front of herself. “I absolutely love pink.”

“
I bet it would look beautiful on you,” Grace assured her. “You’re not giving it away to friends or relatives?”

“
No. Most everyone I know has furniture. To be honest, it’s a bit old and out of date. Do you mind if I borrow this for my date with Franklin tomorrow night?” she asked, holding out the dress to Grace.

“What are roommates for?”
Grace pushed the dress back. “Share and share alike I say. You know it seems such a pain to move everything here and then move it out when you leave. I mean, just to turn around and give it to a perfect stranger.”

“
Yeah,” Belle agreed. “Hey, would you like to keep it?”

“
Me?” Grace restrained herself from dancing. “Sure. I’d be happy to take it off your hands.”

“
The dining room table wobbles a bit. My idiot brother broke the leg playing football in the dining room one day.”

“
We’ll stick a book under it. It’ll be fine.”

“
That’s great. Michael promised he would help and I offered to pay Kyle if he would help . . .” She hesitated. “I just spoke to them. I figured you wouldn’t say no. But I don’t want to do anything without your permission.” She sighed disappointedly at the empty rooms. “Well, I guess we could wait until next weekend.”

“
What about Sunday?”

She shook her head.
“Church and then dinner with my father. He’s not too happy with me moving out, but I think it’s time.” She smiled ruefully. “Lily would have agreed.”

“
I’m sorry, Belle, I don’t think I’ve offered my condolences yet—”

“
It’s just so senseless.” Belle’s face darkened. “Franklin told me that you think she was murdered.”

Grace nodded
, wondering if he had also roped Belle into helping search for Lily’s killer. “What do you think? Do you think she committed suicide?”

“No,” Belle said sharply. “Not Lily.
I don’t care how upset she had been the last few months. She wouldn’t kill herself. Someone pushed her off the scaffold that night and they tried to pin the blame on my father. I just don’t know who or why? But I’m going to find out. They are not going to get away with this.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how close you and Lily were.”

Belle smiled sadly at Grace. “You didn’t see us at our best that night. I know it didn’t seem like we liked each other that much, but . . . Lily was just in a bad mood that night and taking it out on the rest of us. She was just nervous. She didn’t always act like that. She could be very sweet and kind. You know, she took care of my family and me after my mom’s accident. I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

“Do you have any idea who would have wanted to hurt her?”

Belle shook her head. “She could be difficult, but I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to murder her.”