Double Booked for Death (8 page)
Read Double Booked for Death Online
Authors: Ali Brandon
“Uh, sir, if you don’t mind?”
This interjection came from the bodyguard, Everest.
“I need to check it out first, sir, just to make sure no fans will see her and try to get in that way.”
This interjection came from the bodyguard, Everest.
“I need to check it out first, sir, just to make sure no fans will see her and try to get in that way.”
“The space is hardly large enough to fit a mob,” James responded, “and the gate locks from the inside.
But I understand your concern.
You are welcome to make your inspection.”
But I understand your concern.
You are welcome to make your inspection.”
“Jeez, I’m sorry, I forgot that Grandma Everest sees danger lurking behind every lamppost,” Valerie said with exaggerated politeness.
Then, giving him a proprietary pat on his beefy arm, she added, “Just kidding, Ev.
Come along, if you must, but for Chrissakes make it fast so I can hurry up and suck down a bit of nicotine, okay?”
Then, giving him a proprietary pat on his beefy arm, she added, “Just kidding, Ev.
Come along, if you must, but for Chrissakes make it fast so I can hurry up and suck down a bit of nicotine, okay?”
Led by James, the odd couple made their way to the back of the store.
Darla could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from everyone—herself included—in the wake of Valerie’s departure.
What she definitely
did
hear, however, was a single soft word: “Bitch.”
Darla could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from everyone—herself included—in the wake of Valerie’s departure.
What she definitely
did
hear, however, was a single soft word: “Bitch.”
Muttered in an unmistakable baritone that seemingly was meant only for her ears, the descriptive made her jump .
.
.
not so much because she disagreed with the sentiment, but because it had come not from Koji, but Mavis.
She—or, rather, he—shrugged a skinny shoulder.
.
.
not so much because she disagreed with the sentiment, but because it had come not from Koji, but Mavis.
She—or, rather, he—shrugged a skinny shoulder.
“I call them as I see them,” he explained in the same soft yet manly tones as he began packing up his gear again.
While Darla struggled a moment in uncomfortable silence—had anyone else heard or noticed what had just happened?
—Lizzie shook out the folds of her black cape and brightly proclaimed, “All righty, then.
Why don’t I bring out some of those refreshments, like James suggested?”
—Lizzie shook out the folds of her black cape and brightly proclaimed, “All righty, then.
Why don’t I bring out some of those refreshments, like James suggested?”
“Good idea,” Darla said with a grateful nod in the other woman’s direction.
To Hillary and Koji, who were pulling on black cloaks of their own, she added, “I’m going to give my folks outside the heads-up that we’re almost ready to begin.
Can I get anything for you?”
To Hillary and Koji, who were pulling on black cloaks of their own, she added, “I’m going to give my folks outside the heads-up that we’re almost ready to begin.
Can I get anything for you?”
“You might want to grab that stopwatch,” Hillary answered with a sour little smile, while Koji blinked nervously.
“I can guarantee that if you don’t, she’ll ask about it.”
“I can guarantee that if you don’t, she’ll ask about it.”
Could be worse
, Darla told herself as she headed to the front.
At least Valerie hadn’t asked for a bevy of male strippers and a tub of M&Ms with all the yellow ones picked out.
She peered out the door only to wince as the fans’ Valerie chant began anew.
, Darla told herself as she headed to the front.
At least Valerie hadn’t asked for a bevy of male strippers and a tub of M&Ms with all the yellow ones picked out.
She peered out the door only to wince as the fans’ Valerie chant began anew.
“Almost ready,” Darla yelled to a waiting Jake.
“Give us five, okay?”
“Give us five, okay?”
Having apparently blessed the miniscule courtyard as being safe for his charge, Everest had now returned to his post.
A few minutes later, Valerie also returned, trailing a noticeable odor of cigarette smoke after her but looking surprisingly cheerful.
Settling into her chair, she said to Darla, “That’s one cute kitty you have out there.
We had a nice little chat.”
A few minutes later, Valerie also returned, trailing a noticeable odor of cigarette smoke after her but looking surprisingly cheerful.
Settling into her chair, she said to Darla, “That’s one cute kitty you have out there.
We had a nice little chat.”
“You mean Hamlet?”
she asked in dismay.
How in the hell did the little bugger get out?
“Solid black with green eyes, about the size of a small horse?”
she asked in dismay.
How in the hell did the little bugger get out?
“Solid black with green eyes, about the size of a small horse?”
“That’s him.
What a sweetheart.”
Glancing over at her assistant, she added, “Mavis adores cats, too.
May, darling, you really should go out and take a look at him.
He’s a cutie.”
What a sweetheart.”
Glancing over at her assistant, she added, “Mavis adores cats, too.
May, darling, you really should go out and take a look at him.
He’s a cutie.”
Valerie’s smile was genuine, and Darla reluctantly found herself revising her opinion of the woman.
If she liked cats, she couldn’t be all bad.
Then again, she was talking about Hamlet .
.
.
maybe the pair of them had simply recognized kindred evil spirits and had bonded over some secret blood ritual.
If she liked cats, she couldn’t be all bad.
Then again, she was talking about Hamlet .
.
.
maybe the pair of them had simply recognized kindred evil spirits and had bonded over some secret blood ritual.
“Sure, maybe later,” Mavis agreed with a hint of a smile and in a soft soprano that made Darla do a mental double take.
Surely she hadn’t imagined the masculine voice that had come from the assistant just a few minutes earlier?
“Excuse me, Valerie,” Lizzie interjected, a stack of the author’s books in her arms.
“James asked if you’d sign a few of these for the store real quick while we queue up the first group of readers.”
Surely she hadn’t imagined the masculine voice that had come from the assistant just a few minutes earlier?
“Excuse me, Valerie,” Lizzie interjected, a stack of the author’s books in her arms.
“James asked if you’d sign a few of these for the store real quick while we queue up the first group of readers.”
“Sure, sure.”
Flipping open the first one, Valerie scrawled her name in sharp letters.
Lizzie, meanwhile, expertly ran through the rest of the stack, tucking each dust jacket flap like a bookmark at each title page so that the author didn’t have to fumble for the right spot in the book to sign her name.
As for James, he had pulled a camera from his vest pocket and clicked away while Valerie wielded her pen.
Lizzie, meanwhile, expertly ran through the rest of the stack, tucking each dust jacket flap like a bookmark at each title page so that the author didn’t have to fumble for the right spot in the book to sign her name.
As for James, he had pulled a camera from his vest pocket and clicked away while Valerie wielded her pen.
Always get the author to sign some store copies first
, James had reminded them both earlier in the day.
Otherwise, if you wait until the end of the event
,
your author invariably has writer’s cramp and the signatures are almost illegible.
, James had reminded them both earlier in the day.
Otherwise, if you wait until the end of the event
,
your author invariably has writer’s cramp and the signatures are almost illegible.
Which made sense, Darla thought.
After three hours of dashing off one’s name, it was inevitable that the quality control would go down.
Despite James’s disdain for genre fiction, he knew the value of a signed first edition to fans of a particular author.
Valerie finished signing the last one with a flourish and then set down her pen.
She frowned a bit at Lizzie, who stood clutching the signed stack, an expectant look on her face.
“Was there something else?”
After three hours of dashing off one’s name, it was inevitable that the quality control would go down.
Despite James’s disdain for genre fiction, he knew the value of a signed first edition to fans of a particular author.
Valerie finished signing the last one with a flourish and then set down her pen.
She frowned a bit at Lizzie, who stood clutching the signed stack, an expectant look on her face.
“Was there something else?”
Lizzie gave an eager nod, though it seemed to Darla that her expression had taken on a strained air.
“Actually, I wanted to see if you remembered me.
I’m Lizzie Cavanaugh.
We took an Intro to Novel Writing class together back in college.
Professor Jardin’s night class.”
“Actually, I wanted to see if you remembered me.
I’m Lizzie Cavanaugh.
We took an Intro to Novel Writing class together back in college.
Professor Jardin’s night class.”
“I recall the class, but I’m afraid I don’t remember you.
Did we ever talk?”
Did we ever talk?”
“I sat right next to you.
We were in the same critique group for the class project.”
When Valerie continued to stare blankly, Lizzie persisted in a sharp tone, “You read my work in process, about a girl who breaks up with her fiancé and decides to go to the police academy.
I’m sure you remember that.”
We were in the same critique group for the class project.”
When Valerie continued to stare blankly, Lizzie persisted in a sharp tone, “You read my work in process, about a girl who breaks up with her fiancé and decides to go to the police academy.
I’m sure you remember that.”
“If you say so, Lisa,” the author agreed with a careless shrug, while Darla cringed a little on her employee’s behalf, “but I’m afraid I don’t recall your book, or you.
Of course, that was quite some time ago, and it was a large class, wasn’t it?”
Of course, that was quite some time ago, and it was a large class, wasn’t it?”
“It’s Lizzie.
And, yes, twenty people .
.
.
really large.”
And, yes, twenty people .
.
.
really large.”
Head high and cape swirling, Lizzie marched over to the register and tucked the signed books under the counter.
Recalling their earlier conversation about her college days, Darla could imagine that if Valerie had treated Lizzie the same casually cruel way when they were students together, no wonder Lizzie had a chip on her shoulder about the woman.
Recalling their earlier conversation about her college days, Darla could imagine that if Valerie had treated Lizzie the same casually cruel way when they were students together, no wonder Lizzie had a chip on her shoulder about the woman.
Valerie merely blinked, and turned to her publicist.
“For Chrissakes, what are we waiting for?
Let’s get this show on the road.”
Let’s get this show on the road.”
Darla didn’t wait for further encouragement.
Grabbing up her own black cape and pulling it on, she propped open the store’s front door and called down to Jake and Reese, “We’re ready.”
Grabbing up her own black cape and pulling it on, she propped open the store’s front door and called down to Jake and Reese, “We’re ready.”
Spontaneous applause rose from those closest to the front of the line, and though it was not meant for her, Darla felt a small thrill sweep her anyhow.
So this is what it’s like to have a fan base
, she thought with a grin.
Maybe being famous wasn’t a half-bad gig after all.
So this is what it’s like to have a fan base
, she thought with a grin.
Maybe being famous wasn’t a half-bad gig after all.
From her post at the top of the stairs, Darla could see the movement begin at the rear of the line and ripple forward.
The sight reminded her of the train station scene in the old Hitchcock movie where Cary Grant’s falsely accused character disguises himself as a redcap and disappears into a veritable sea of scarlet-hatted porters, to the dismay of the police in pursuit.
She could picture a teen on her cell phone trying to get hold of her BFF to let her know where she was this night.
The sight reminded her of the train station scene in the old Hitchcock movie where Cary Grant’s falsely accused character disguises himself as a redcap and disappears into a veritable sea of scarlet-hatted porters, to the dismay of the police in pursuit.
She could picture a teen on her cell phone trying to get hold of her BFF to let her know where she was this night.
Hey, Tiff, I’m here in line at the bookstore.
You’ll find me, no problem.
Look for the girl wearing a long black cloak and red lipstick.
You’ll find me, no problem.
Look for the girl wearing a long black cloak and red lipstick.
But as the whooping and laughing fans began rushing toward the door, Darla realized with a jolt that perhaps she’d made a tactical error in not getting out of the way sooner.
Everest, however, had obviously done this kind of thing before.
Before she could move, he had slid into place in front of her.
At more than six feet tall and well over three hundred pounds, his mere presence was enough to halt the girls at the threshold.
Everest, however, had obviously done this kind of thing before.
Before she could move, he had slid into place in front of her.
At more than six feet tall and well over three hundred pounds, his mere presence was enough to halt the girls at the threshold.
“Ladies, show me your bracelets,” he ordered, getting what looked like a Black Power salute in return as the front of the pack simultaneously raised their fists to display the bands in question.
“Thank you.
Now, we’re going to do this quietly, and in order.
You young ladies walk inside in a nice line, hear?”
“Thank you.
Now, we’re going to do this quietly, and in order.
You young ladies walk inside in a nice line, hear?”
They heard.
As soon as Everest stepped aside, the girls marched into the store with almost military precision, walking two abreast to the register to pay, and then winding through the maze toward the table where Valerie awaited.
Darla saw him doing a head count as well, allowing in perhaps forty of them before cutting off the procession at the threshold.
As soon as Everest stepped aside, the girls marched into the store with almost military precision, walking two abreast to the register to pay, and then winding through the maze toward the table where Valerie awaited.
Darla saw him doing a head count as well, allowing in perhaps forty of them before cutting off the procession at the threshold.
“You’ll have a maximum occupancy here, ma’am,” he told her with a professional nod, his single diamond earring catching the light.
“Don’t want any problems with the fire marshal.”
“Don’t want any problems with the fire marshal.”
Darla gave him a grateful smile and went inside.
The air of orderliness that Everest had imposed continued to hold, though within half an hour the noise level had risen substantially.
That was to be expected, so she grinned and bore it.
Lizzie and James were working the table, passing books down to Valerie with almost automated precision, while the constant camera flashes lit up the place like a disco.
Mary Ann played the register with professional panache while chatting up the teens, several of whom proposed to buy her dress on the spot.
The elderly woman smilingly declined all offers but passed out business cards with her brother’s store’s website so they could join her special vintage clothing email newsletter.
The air of orderliness that Everest had imposed continued to hold, though within half an hour the noise level had risen substantially.
That was to be expected, so she grinned and bore it.
Lizzie and James were working the table, passing books down to Valerie with almost automated precision, while the constant camera flashes lit up the place like a disco.
Mary Ann played the register with professional panache while chatting up the teens, several of whom proposed to buy her dress on the spot.
The elderly woman smilingly declined all offers but passed out business cards with her brother’s store’s website so they could join her special vintage clothing email newsletter.
“Oh yes, I’m quite the social networker,” Darla overheard her tell one teen who had expressed surprise that someone of Mary Ann’s generation had an email address, let alone actually communicated in that fashion.
And so, with all positions filled, Darla was left with little to do but supervise.
“I’m going to go check on Jake and Reese,” she called to Mary Ann, and then squeezed her way through the caped throng to the door.
A cool breeze swept her like a literal breath of fresh air, and she inhaled deeply.
Though her black cape was but a cheap knockoff, it made a pretty effective blanket .
.
.
nice out here in the early autumn night, but stifling in the crowded store.
At the bottom of the stairs, she spied a familiar pink backpack and waved to Callie, who jumped up and down and waved back.
With a final smile for the girl, Darla turned her attention to the rest of the line.
Though her black cape was but a cheap knockoff, it made a pretty effective blanket .
.
.
nice out here in the early autumn night, but stifling in the crowded store.
At the bottom of the stairs, she spied a familiar pink backpack and waved to Callie, who jumped up and down and waved back.
With a final smile for the girl, Darla turned her attention to the rest of the line.
While it seemed that Hillary and Koji—stopwatch or not—were keeping things moving in the store, the line here on the street didn’t seem to be getting much shorter.
Though the barricades still remained in place, it appeared from Darla’s vantage point that the blue sawhorses had steadily shifted.
The line was no longer a neat, single file affair, but rather an untidy column three and four abreast in some spots.
Though the barricades still remained in place, it appeared from Darla’s vantage point that the blue sawhorses had steadily shifted.
The line was no longer a neat, single file affair, but rather an untidy column three and four abreast in some spots.
Moreover, a new wrinkle had been added to the festivities.
The Lone Protester had abandoned her post across the street and was now walking up and down the line of Valerie’s fans, her sign held high.
That one-woman demonstration was not going unnoticed by the faithful, for Darla could hear a few vulgarities being shouted over the general backdrop of noise.
The Lone Protester had abandoned her post across the street and was now walking up and down the line of Valerie’s fans, her sign held high.
That one-woman demonstration was not going unnoticed by the faithful, for Darla could hear a few vulgarities being shouted over the general backdrop of noise.
She barely had time to tell herself,
Trouble waiting to happen
, when it did.
Trouble waiting to happen
, when it did.
SIX
TWO OF THE FAN GIRLS REACHED OVER THE BARRICADE and grabbed at the Lone Protester’s poster.
The tug-of-war that ensued was over almost before it began, however, for Jake was already headed in that direction.
The tug-of-war that ensued was over almost before it began, however, for Jake was already headed in that direction.
As Darla watched in relief, the woman swooped down upon the girls and promptly broke up what might have turned into a small melee.
Darla was too far away to hear what was said afterward, but from the resulting pantomime, it was clear that Jake was laying down the law to the two who’d instigated the incident.
As for the protester, Jake didn’t let her off unscathed, either, but was pointing her back toward the opposite side of the street.
Darla was too far away to hear what was said afterward, but from the resulting pantomime, it was clear that Jake was laying down the law to the two who’d instigated the incident.
As for the protester, Jake didn’t let her off unscathed, either, but was pointing her back toward the opposite side of the street.
Let this night be over, and soon
, Darla found herself praying to the gods of literature.
, Darla found herself praying to the gods of literature.
She waited awhile longer to see if any other disasters might befall the crowd.
When relative peace seemed to be reigning, however, she went back inside, only to discover that the earlier snail-like pace of the line had slowed to positively glacial.
The party atmosphere, however, had not abated.
She noticed with an inner grin that Callie, who was now halfway through the line, was busy snapping a covert picture of her sister, who had bent to look at another fan’s tattooed ankle.
When relative peace seemed to be reigning, however, she went back inside, only to discover that the earlier snail-like pace of the line had slowed to positively glacial.
The party atmosphere, however, had not abated.
She noticed with an inner grin that Callie, who was now halfway through the line, was busy snapping a covert picture of her sister, who had bent to look at another fan’s tattooed ankle.
“Why did the line quit moving?
Is everything okay?”
Darla asked Mary Ann.
Is everything okay?”
Darla asked Mary Ann.
The older woman nodded.
“Ms.
Baylor said she needed a break.”
“Ms.
Baylor said she needed a break.”
She glanced around to see if the girls nearby were paying attention; then, in an exaggerated stage whisper, she added, “I think she went out back to have a smoke.”
“She just had one!”
Darla pointed out and shook her head.
If Valerie was going to take a smoke break every hour, it would make an already long night longer.
Darla pointed out and shook her head.
If Valerie was going to take a smoke break every hour, it would make an already long night longer.
She headed toward the back and found the signing table abandoned except for James.
As for Lizzie, Darla thought she saw her at the front of the line, chatting with a couple of the teens.
Of course, since everyone was cloaked and hooded, it was hard to know for sure.
Neither Hillary nor Koji were anywhere to be seen.
Probably on a bathroom break while the boss lady was doing her thing, she guessed.
Mavis had vanished as well .
.
.
hiding upstairs away from the crowds?
Darla stood tapping her foot for a few minutes longer.
Tempted as she was to head out to the courtyard and drag the author back inside, she knew that tactic would not go over well.
Better she head out front again and let Jake and Reese know they might be in for a longer stint than they’d anticipated.
As for Lizzie, Darla thought she saw her at the front of the line, chatting with a couple of the teens.
Of course, since everyone was cloaked and hooded, it was hard to know for sure.
Neither Hillary nor Koji were anywhere to be seen.
Probably on a bathroom break while the boss lady was doing her thing, she guessed.
Mavis had vanished as well .
.
.
hiding upstairs away from the crowds?
Darla stood tapping her foot for a few minutes longer.
Tempted as she was to head out to the courtyard and drag the author back inside, she knew that tactic would not go over well.
Better she head out front again and let Jake and Reese know they might be in for a longer stint than they’d anticipated.
As she opened the door, another welcome breeze swept past her, carrying with it the familiar shrieks of laughter and waves of chatter.
Passing traffic and the incessant flash of phone cameras lent a strobe effect to the scene.
Darla was reminded of those horror movies deliberately filmed to look like home videos taken by someone with a bad case of the shakes.
She could feel a headache coming on; fortunately, she had an almost full bottle of aspirin tucked under the counter.
Passing traffic and the incessant flash of phone cameras lent a strobe effect to the scene.
Darla was reminded of those horror movies deliberately filmed to look like home videos taken by someone with a bad case of the shakes.
She could feel a headache coming on; fortunately, she had an almost full bottle of aspirin tucked under the counter.
Darla had just popped two tablets and squeezed her way past Everest, when over the ambient noise, she heard a single, earsplitting squeal of rubber.
It took her only a heartbeat to realize what that sound meant.
By then, a small passenger van was stopped about halfway down the block on the side of the street closest to where Valerie’s fans were gathered.
Behind it, half a dozen other cars had plowed to a halt, horns blaring.
Reese was sprinting from one direction toward the van, while Jake was rushing from the other.
Vaguely, Darla was aware that the crowd noise had faded to a murmur, while the sound of her heart beating double time seemed suddenly louder than even the honking horns.
She was running toward the van now, while a frantic voice in her head cried,
Don’t let it be that, dear God, don’t let it be that.
By then, a small passenger van was stopped about halfway down the block on the side of the street closest to where Valerie’s fans were gathered.
Behind it, half a dozen other cars had plowed to a halt, horns blaring.
Reese was sprinting from one direction toward the van, while Jake was rushing from the other.
Vaguely, Darla was aware that the crowd noise had faded to a murmur, while the sound of her heart beating double time seemed suddenly louder than even the honking horns.
She was running toward the van now, while a frantic voice in her head cried,
Don’t let it be that, dear God, don’t let it be that.
Some of the teens had spilled over the barricades, and Darla had to shove her way through them.
Only then was she close enough to see what the light from the van’s one unbroken headlamp revealed upon the asphalt.
Her step faltered.
For a moment, she feared she might sag to the sidewalk.
Only then was she close enough to see what the light from the van’s one unbroken headlamp revealed upon the asphalt.
Her step faltered.
For a moment, she feared she might sag to the sidewalk.
She managed to keep her balance by focusing her attention on Jake, who had her cell phone to his ear and was shouting something into it.
Darla noted that the van’s front two doors had sprung open, with the driver and several passengers now huddling behind the twin shields of steel as if warding off the sight before them.
Darla didn’t blame them.
Just like them, she didn’t want to gaze at the motionless figure tangled in a long black cape that lay sprawled a few feet in front of the van, one limp arm pointing toward a rectangle of white cardboard farther down the pavement.
Darla noted that the van’s front two doors had sprung open, with the driver and several passengers now huddling behind the twin shields of steel as if warding off the sight before them.
Darla didn’t blame them.
Just like them, she didn’t want to gaze at the motionless figure tangled in a long black cape that lay sprawled a few feet in front of the van, one limp arm pointing toward a rectangle of white cardboard farther down the pavement.
A few girlish screams promptly rose from those closest to the scene.
The cries echoed down the length of the line and were punctuated now by the repeated pulse of a police siren, no doubt courtesy of the traffic-control cop.
One of the caped fans, more responsible than the others, had already leaped into the street to check on the fallen girl.
Reese pushed the fan aside and knelt beneath the headlight’s harsh gleam.
After a quick check, he glanced back up at Jake to give a swift shake of his head.
The cries echoed down the length of the line and were punctuated now by the repeated pulse of a police siren, no doubt courtesy of the traffic-control cop.
One of the caped fans, more responsible than the others, had already leaped into the street to check on the fallen girl.
Reese pushed the fan aside and knelt beneath the headlight’s harsh gleam.
After a quick check, he glanced back up at Jake to give a swift shake of his head.
Darla stared in disbelief.
Shouldn’t he be giving her mouth-to-mouth or chest compressions or something?
But when Reese scrambled to his feet, she realized that the girl must already be past saving.
Shouldn’t he be giving her mouth-to-mouth or chest compressions or something?
But when Reese scrambled to his feet, she realized that the girl must already be past saving.
She watched as he stripped off his black denim shirt, revealing a tight black T-shirt printed with the words NYPD and POLICE, as well as a gold badge that dangled from a lanyard around his neck.
The sight spurred her back to action.
She shoved her way to the curb and caught his eye.
The sight spurred her back to action.
She shoved her way to the curb and caught his eye.
“Can I help?”
she called in a tremulous voice, hoping she could be heard over the hubbub.
she called in a tremulous voice, hoping she could be heard over the hubbub.
He shook his head but tossed his long-sleeved shirt in her direction.
She caught it and tucked the garment under one arm, not sure whether to be insulted or relieved that apparently her only role in this catastrophe would be to serve as valet.
She caught it and tucked the garment under one arm, not sure whether to be insulted or relieved that apparently her only role in this catastrophe would be to serve as valet.
Reese, meanwhile, raised his badge at the crowd, the metal gleaming as it reflected the van’s single headlight beam.
“Quiet down!”
he commanded, his free hand making the universal take-it-down-a-notch gesture.
“This is now a police investigation.
I need everyone to back up and take a seat on the sidewalk.
No talking above a whisper, and remain in line until we say you can go.
Anyone who saw the accident or what happened beforehand, we’ll be coming by in a bit to take your statements.”
he commanded, his free hand making the universal take-it-down-a-notch gesture.
“This is now a police investigation.
I need everyone to back up and take a seat on the sidewalk.
No talking above a whisper, and remain in line until we say you can go.
Anyone who saw the accident or what happened beforehand, we’ll be coming by in a bit to take your statements.”
He swiftly moved down the line repeating the same instructions, his voice all but drowned out by the shriek of still more sirens and the occasional blast of a horn from someone who hadn’t yet figured out that traffic wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Luckily, the majority of the fan girls appeared too stunned by what had just occurred to do anything other than obey orders.
Sitting cross-legged and tightly wrapped in their cloaks—the evening had taken on a distinct chill now—they huddled in small groups.
Luckily, the majority of the fan girls appeared too stunned by what had just occurred to do anything other than obey orders.
Sitting cross-legged and tightly wrapped in their cloaks—the evening had taken on a distinct chill now—they huddled in small groups.
Jake, meanwhile, was dragging some of the barricades from the sidewalk to block off the accident site.
Tying Reese’s shirt around her waist, Darla rushed to help her.
Tying Reese’s shirt around her waist, Darla rushed to help her.
“I can’t believe this happened,” the older woman exclaimed in a low tone as they maneuvered another sawhorse into place.
“I sent that girl back across the street not ten minutes ago.
What in the hell was she doing back on this side?”
“I sent that girl back across the street not ten minutes ago.
What in the hell was she doing back on this side?”
“It’s not your fault, Jake.
You told her to stay away.
It was her choice to come back,” Darla protested in a voice that was little better than a gasp.
You told her to stay away.
It was her choice to come back,” Darla protested in a voice that was little better than a gasp.
The small exertion of hauling the barricade combined with her earlier light-headedness, so that she felt as if she’d just run a marathon.
She felt perilously close to collapsing onto the asphalt in a puddle of tears.
Jake, who likely had seen such reactions around accident scenes before, took note of Darla’s faltering composure and promptly pointed her back toward the shop.
She felt perilously close to collapsing onto the asphalt in a puddle of tears.
Jake, who likely had seen such reactions around accident scenes before, took note of Darla’s faltering composure and promptly pointed her back toward the shop.
“Kid, you’re not going to do me a damn bit of good if you pass out here on the street,” the woman told her, not unkindly.
“Get your butt back inside and let Valerie and her people know what’s happened.
They can finish up with the girls already in the store, but we’ll be shutting things down after that.
Besides, more help than we’ll ever need will be here in a minute.”
“Get your butt back inside and let Valerie and her people know what’s happened.
They can finish up with the girls already in the store, but we’ll be shutting things down after that.
Besides, more help than we’ll ever need will be here in a minute.”
Right on cue, a pair of highway patrol cars with their distinctive high-rise light bars on their roofs nosed past the stopped traffic and joined the first police vehicle parked now alongside the van.
A minute later, two motorcycle officers roared up, the rumble of their Harleys echoing off the buildings.
Thankfully, they’d all shut off their sirens, but their blue and red lights continued to strobe off the rows of brownstones on either side of the street.
Their headlights further illuminated the area, so that the entire accident scene now was visible in harsh relief.
The ambulance hadn’t yet arrived, but under the circumstances, there was no big hurry .
.
.
not anymore.
A minute later, two motorcycle officers roared up, the rumble of their Harleys echoing off the buildings.
Thankfully, they’d all shut off their sirens, but their blue and red lights continued to strobe off the rows of brownstones on either side of the street.
Their headlights further illuminated the area, so that the entire accident scene now was visible in harsh relief.
The ambulance hadn’t yet arrived, but under the circumstances, there was no big hurry .
.
.
not anymore.
Darla took a deep, steadying breath and nodded.
“I’m okay now,” she insisted.
“But you’re right.
I’ve got to tell them what’s going on.”
“I’m okay now,” she insisted.
“But you’re right.
I’ve got to tell them what’s going on.”
She headed at a quick pace back toward the shop, hearing behind her the sounds of the uniformed police taking control of the situation, while still more sirens howled in the distance.
Pushing her none-too-gentle way past the girls camped out on the steps, she all but stumbled into Everest, who was still keeping guard at the door.
Pushing her none-too-gentle way past the girls camped out on the steps, she all but stumbled into Everest, who was still keeping guard at the door.
“Bad news, ma’am?”
he asked in a resigned voice that said he already knew that answer.
he asked in a resigned voice that said he already knew that answer.
His height, combined with his position on the stairway, would easily have given him a bird’s-eye view of the accident scene.
Darla glanced back in that same direction to see another police car had arrived, while the ambulance was now at the end of the block.
The boxy vehicle eased its way through the street with the occasional pulse of its siren to clear the way.
She noted that the news truck, which earlier had been parked across the way while the reporter interviewed the waiting fans, had returned.
In another fifteen minutes, news of the accident would be all over television, not to mention the Internet.
Hell, doubtless most of the girls in line were already Tweeting comments and pictures that were being read and seen by millions.
Darla glanced back in that same direction to see another police car had arrived, while the ambulance was now at the end of the block.
The boxy vehicle eased its way through the street with the occasional pulse of its siren to clear the way.
She noted that the news truck, which earlier had been parked across the way while the reporter interviewed the waiting fans, had returned.
In another fifteen minutes, news of the accident would be all over television, not to mention the Internet.
Hell, doubtless most of the girls in line were already Tweeting comments and pictures that were being read and seen by millions.
Darla bit back a few choice curses.
Horrible as she felt at the knowledge that a young woman had died almost on her doorstep, she couldn’t suppress an equal surge of dismay at the realization that all this was going to be very, very bad for business.
Death had a way of scaring off paying customers.
Why in the hell hadn’t the girl pulled her stunt over at Barnes and Noble?
Horrible as she felt at the knowledge that a young woman had died almost on her doorstep, she couldn’t suppress an equal surge of dismay at the realization that all this was going to be very, very bad for business.
Death had a way of scaring off paying customers.
Why in the hell hadn’t the girl pulled her stunt over at Barnes and Noble?
Tamping down that unworthy thought, she turned back to Everest and nodded.
“The girl who was protesting the autographing was hit and killed by a van.
I need to tell Valerie and the others.
Don’t let any more fans go inside the store, okay?”
“The girl who was protesting the autographing was hit and killed by a van.
I need to tell Valerie and the others.
Don’t let any more fans go inside the store, okay?”
Everest grunted his assent, his stern dark features settling into grim lines.
No doubt he figured this was bad for his business, too, no matter how peripherally he was involved.
Leaving him to stand guard, Darla slipped past the door and into the shop.
No doubt he figured this was bad for his business, too, no matter how peripherally he was involved.
Leaving him to stand guard, Darla slipped past the door and into the shop.
Mary Ann was right there, and her small soft hand promptly clutched Darla’s arm.
“My gracious, what’s going on?”
she whispered in alarm.
“We heard all the sirens and could see the flashing lights through the windows.”
“My gracious, what’s going on?”
she whispered in alarm.
“We heard all the sirens and could see the flashing lights through the windows.”
In fact, the emergency lights still flashed like blue and red lightning beyond the glass, while the muffled sounds of a distant siren and the brief bark from a bullhorn could be heard even inside the store.
“I’m afraid there was an accident,” she replied, gently prying the old woman’s fingers from her wrist.
“Come with me, and you can hear the details when I tell Valerie and her people.”
“I’m afraid there was an accident,” she replied, gently prying the old woman’s fingers from her wrist.
“Come with me, and you can hear the details when I tell Valerie and her people.”
Sidestepping the maze, she took the direct route toward the back of the room, swiftly assessing the small crowd as she passed them.
The fans murmured restively as they waited in line, aware that something was amiss but not knowing what.
Darla spotted Callie, looking very young in her severe black cape as she clutched her copy of Valerie’s latest novel.
The official entourage had returned from their respective breaks, and everyone was in his or her proper place around the table.
The only one still missing was the author.
The fans murmured restively as they waited in line, aware that something was amiss but not knowing what.
Darla spotted Callie, looking very young in her severe black cape as she clutched her copy of Valerie’s latest novel.
The official entourage had returned from their respective breaks, and everyone was in his or her proper place around the table.
The only one still missing was the author.
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