Moonshadows (17 page)

“I just think we need to stop seeing each other for a while. We were spending too much time together.”

“But I was looking forward to spending more, not less. Besides,” he said and gave a sheepish grin, “I was going to ask if we could go back up to
Heather Dow—
”

“No.” Her voice cracked and she lowered her head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Why not? You act as if it’s out of the question. All I want to do is have another look around, maybe spend a little more time than before. The book’s really taking off and I’d like to see the mansion and the shot tower again.” He laughed. “I can’t always trust my memory, and my notes look like a foreign language.” He stepped closer to the door and away from the rain that was splashing the legs of his trousers. “Come on,” he said with a grin, “say we can go.”

“I’ can’t talk about this right now. Goodnight, Stephen.”

Janet shut the door before he could reply. She stood with her hand on the latch and fought against the urge to call him back, to have him explain away all her suspicions. But the rumble of thunder and the pounding of the rain only increased her sense of danger.

After a light supper she burrowed into the covers of her bed and tried to concentrate on the new Nora Roberts novel she’d started. But images not on the printed page kept floating in front of her eyes: Stephen’s face when he first saw
Heather Down
, his enthusiasm for the shot tower, his love of old cars. But she couldn’t forget the other things: riddles on the phone, a mountain road covered with snow, a dead rose. The phone rang and broke her concentration.

“So tell me,” Chelsea said, “how did the cashbox get in your locker?”

“Seems to me it had to be put there by the same no-account rascal who had it last.”

“Stephen.”

“The same. By the way, he was here. I wouldn’t let him in.”

“Didn’t he think that a little strange?”

“He seemed confused.”

“Do you think he suspects you’re on to him?”

Janet gave a harsh laugh. “Lordy Chels, I have no idea what he thinks.”

“What are you going to do?”

Janet threaded her fingers through her tangled hair.

“I don’t know. He wants to go back up on the mountain.”

“You’re kidding. Janet, you’re not going to?”

“How can I? Hell’s bells, Chelsea, we broke into his apartment and found the torn photograph and all the other things, so we know he’s not who he says he is. Then, like the miserable rat he is, he tried to frame me with a handful of coins.”

“How did he do it—get in the library to put the box back?”

“He picks locks. Remember?”

Chelsea remained silent, as if words were beyond her.

“And now I can’t even let him in my house, so how can I go to that isolated place with him? What would you do, Chels? You know as much about the situation as I do.”

“Same as you—I don’t have a clue. Two crime solvers, we’re not. Just be careful, Janet. Don’t trust anybody—well, maybe me, but that’s all.”

“You’re right. But I’ve got to get my mind off this whole mess or I surely will be a candidate for a rubber room. Want to see a movie on Sunday?”

“Can’t. Got a date with Ethan.”

“Well, maybe I’ll go alone. I really want to see that new thriller.”

“Don’t. Ethan and I already saw it and believe me it’s not a movie you want to see by yourself.”

“Okay, how about the new Disney movie? Do I have your permission to catch the matinee?”

“You may. We saw that, too.”

“You’re seeing a lot of him, aren’t you?”

Chelsea laughed.

“Is it anything serious?”

Janet could hear Chelsea take a deep breath. “Serious? Now that you ask, I guess it is. At least on my part.”

“And Ethan?”

“Who knows,” Chelsea said. “Who the heck ever knows anything about men?”

Janet chuckled. “Certainly not me. Later, ’gator.”

“You too,” Chelsea said and hung up.

Janet lay awake for most of the night. Around three she padded to the kitchen and made a cup of hot cocoa. Just before daybreak she drifted off to sleep.

S
unday morning Janet slept late. Her body and brain were exhausted and she needed the extra fuel the rest would bring in order to get up and running. It was around noon before she stirred enough to toast a bagel and warm over day-old coffee. She sat on the sofa and ate from a paper napkin. As she nibbled, she glanced around the room and was surprised at the neglect surrounding her. When had she allowed the hateful events taking over her life to affect her natural inclination for tidiness?

She hopped up and whirled into action. An hour later, furniture gleamed and the carpet look fresh-vacuumed. Now all that was left was the menagerie to groom. She carried the tiny figurines to the kitchen and placed them into the sink she had lined with a towel. Keeping a running commentary, she apologized for her thoughtlessness while she washed and rinsed and polished. Then she returned each one to its designated place.

“Now,” she said to the sparkling little faces, “with your permission I’m going to have a quick snack and then trot myself off to the movies.” She smiled. “I’ll see you guys later.”

At three-thirty she gave her hair a cursory whack with a brush and ignored any need for lipstick. She pulled a jacket on over her jeans and drove five blocks to the mall. Praying silently that she wouldn’t run into anyone she knew, she bought her movie ticket and stood in line for popcorn and a drink. She was trying to decide which size bucket of popcorn she wanted, when a hand touched her shoulder.

“She’ll have the large,” said a voice behind her.

Janet turned and looked into the smiling face of Sebastian.

“Thank you, kind sir. I always hate to make decisions.”

“First rule—you must be bold; second rule—and this is the most important—you must be daring.” He glanced at the boy behind the counter. “Make that an extra large with butter. We’ll share.” Then he pointed at the drink dispenser. “And two medium Cokes.”

Janet forgot all about her less-than-perfectly groomed appearance and was just happy to let Sebastian take charge. He held the huge tub between them during the movie and when they reached the bottom they ended up tossing the old maids at each other.

When they left the theatre Janet felt like a new person. Seeing the film with Sebastian had revitalized her.

“Want to come by for a while?” she asked as they walked through the parking lot. “You could play the piano for me.” She glanced over at him, slightly perturbed at his frown. “Or not. We could just talk, maybe watch a little television and then I’ll fix supper—stir-fry over wild rice and a pretty fair wine.”

“Sorry,” he said. “Other plans.”

“I’m sorry, too.”

“There’ll be other get-togethers. You’ll see.”

Janet laughed. “Okay then, you’re forgiven—this time. But I’ll hold you to your promise and I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” he said and gave her cheek a light peck.

Janet hummed on the drive home. She parked the car, automatically looking for the Mustang, and felt a little sad when it wasn’t in its space. As she walked up the sidewalk she glanced across the courtyard. Stephen’s apartment looked deserted.

She pushed the door inward and flipped the wall switch against the twilight gloom. There was an uneasiness about the room and just the slightest alteration in the odor of the air. Then Janet saw the destruction. Her menagerie—the wee creatures she had just washed and polished, were now little piles of jagged reflecting light. Broken and smashed, they lay upon the mirrored shelves, each one crumpled into its own glittering heap. It was as if they had, in some way, been offensive.

Using a cardboard circular from the newspaper, Janet brushed the pieces onto a navy satin pillow, carried the pillow to the coffee table, and gently laid it down. She sat on the sofa and looked at the prisms of red and green and blue, a rainbow of color—a rainbow that had been destroyed.

She sat engulfed in sadness, until a light tap at the door interrupted her mourning for the little crystal family she had spent years putting together.

“Janet,” Chelsea called out. “It’s me.”

Janet opened the door and Chelsea took one look at her face and seemed to know that something else had gone terribly wrong. Another tragedy. Janet led her to the table.

“Oh, no. Unnie?”

“All of them.”

Chelsea’s eyes widened. “How can you be so calm? Janet, you’ve got to call the police.”

Janet shrugged. “It’s almost like I was expecting it to happen.” She gestured to the mound of crushed crystal. “Maybe not exactly this, but something.” She looked at Chelsea, her eyes dulled with pain. “You know, Chelsea, it’s astounding when bizarre actions become commonplace in your life.”

Chelsea picked through the broken pieces and found the golden horn and tiny body that went with it. “Can I have him?”

“It’s hard to imagine what kind of evil witchery would do such a thing—especially to a unicorn.”

“They’re magical, you know,” Chelsea said as tears glazed her eyes. “So, can I have him?”

“He can’t be repaired.”

“I know. I just want to keep him to remind me how easily a thing of beauty can be broken.”

“Maybe you can heal his pain,” Janet said. “Oh, I know he’s not real, but I’ve had him so long, he seems real to me.” She gave a weak smile. “Take him. Let beauty heal beauty—or something like that.”

Chelsea frowned. “Are you okay?”

“If you mean am I cracking up—the answer is ‘no.’ I’m just saddened by all this. God, I wish Grandmother hadn’t died.”

“It does seem like that’s when your life took a turn into the unpredictable.”

“Speaking of unpredictable,” Janet said, “what are you doing here? I thought you had a date with Ethan.”

“I did. We went to an early dinner then he had to leave for a business meeting.” Chelsea’s rosy face glowed with an inner radiance. “I had news that couldn’t wait. But now doesn’t seem to be a good time.”

“Now’s the perfect time. If I ever needed to hear anything, it’s good news that simply can’t wait.”

Chelsea held out her left hand and twisted to the top of her finger what she had been hiding.

“Wow! Would you look at the size of that rock,” Janet said.

“Ethan asked me to marry him.”

“And you said:
no but I’ll just take this pretty little bauble and run along
. Was that the way it went?”

“I said ‘yes,’”

“Come here, you.” Janet grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug. “Tell me all about it and don’t you dare leave anything out—not even a comma.” She turned Chelsea loose and frowned at her. “Do you love him, Chels? Do you love him with all your heart?”

Chelsea blushed. “He’s what I’ve waited for all my life.”

Janet laughed. “You’re right for each other. He’s the only man I know who’s good enough for you—but just barely.”

“Will you be my maid of honor?”

“Will I? Just try stopping me.”

Chelsea kissed Janet on the cheek. “Oh, I do love you so.”

“I love you, too,” Janet said. “When’s the wedding?”

“In the spring. Around Easter, I think.”

“There’ll be gobs of stuff to do. But not to worry, I’ll help. You need something old, something new, and so forth and so on.” She snapped her fingers. “And you can have part of it tonight—the something old part, anyway. I know just the thing.”

Janet took Chelsea’s arm and pulled her up from the sofa and down the hall.

“Grandmother’s diamond and emerald brooch. I know exactly where it is, and I want you to have it.” She laughed. “I never could seem to find the right occasion to wear it. But for you—perfect.”

In the bedroom, Janet reached for the leather and brass jewelry case sitting on top of the lingerie chest. She slid out the top drawer and felt along the underside for the key.

Chelsea laughed. “How original.”

Janet sat down on the bed and placed the case on the spread beside her. She patted for Chelsea to sit.

She fit the key into the tiny lock. “Wait ’til you see this.”

The hinged lid lifted to show rows of satin-lined compartments. She picked up an antique pin and the old gold glistened in her hand. A filigreed platinum rose formed the center of the pin and held a round diamond. The petals were pear-cut emeralds that swept out to form the leaves on the stem. She held it out to Chelsea.

Chelsea took it in her fingers. “It’s exquisite.”

“Just like you.”

“It must mean the world to you. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Janet closed the lid on the chest and held it on her lap. “You’re going to make a killer bride—” Suddenly she stopped and turned the chest around and looked at a small button stuck to the back. “What’s this?”

“What?”

“This thing stuck on the back of my jewelry box.” Janet tugged the button off and held it in her hand. She turned it over. “Chelsea, do you know what this is?”

“If I didn’t know all the stuff that’s been going on, I’d not have a clue. But since I’ve started looking at everything with a certain amount of suspicion, I’d say it’s an electronic listening device?”

“A bug,” Janet spat.

Chelsea nodded. “I do believe it is.”

Janet dropped the metal button as if it had scalded her fingers. “Some unbalanced human knows everything that’s gone on in this apartment.”

“Someone who wanted to keep tabs on you pretty badly.”

“Why would they creep around and go to the trouble of planting bugs when they can just waltz in and out of my apartment on a whim? They can leave dead roses and crush innocent little animals and anything else that may cross their evil minds.”

“They?”

“
They. He. It.”
Janet gritted her teeth. “The nerve of it all.”

“What a hateful, hateful thing,” Chelsea said. She laid a hand on Janet’s arm. “Do you think there’s more bugs around?”

“More? It’d probably take Terminix to get rid of them all.”

“Janet, your phone may be tapped too?”

“Hell’s bells. You know it is.” Janet frowned. “And you’re right—it is time to bring in the police.” She picked up the bug, tossed it into the air, and snatched it back again. “I think they’ll be interested in seeing this little baby.”

“Are you going to call them right now? Do it now Janet, while I’m here and can tell them exactly how it was you found it. I can tell them about all the other stuff too.”

“Huh-uh. I’m going to wait until morning; tell them in the daylight in case they want to check around outside—you know, for footprints and such. After all, he did jimmy the back door and lord knows what else.” She took Chelsea’s hand. “Will you come back and be here with me when they come?”

“Why don’t I just stay the night? You have the guest room.”

“No.

“You need me.”

“But Chels, you can’t protect me. I appreciate your offer but I can’t weigh you down with my problems.”

“Okay then,” Chelsea said. “I’ll go. But I’ll be back by, say, eight o’clock.”

Janet nodded and walked with her to the door. “Thank you,” she said.

“I’m so sorry about your wonderful little friends. But we’re going to find out who’s doing these awful things.”

“Damn straight,” Janet said.

Chelsea smiled. “Thank you for the brooch.”

“You’re welcome, in more ways than one.”

After Chelsea left, Janet went to bed. She expected not to sleep, but she did. Then the phone woke her.

“Janet, I have to see you right away.” The voice was clipped and urgent.

“Stephen, is that you?” She shoved back the halo of hair. “You don’t sound like yourself.”

“I’m at
Heather Down
.”

“You’re what!” Janet rubbed her brow. “What time is it?”

“Just after midnight.”

“And you’re where—
Heather Down
? Just what the crap you doing up there?”

“I told you I had to come back. When you wouldn’t come with me, I came alone. Janet, you need to get up here now. I mean tonight.”

“Get up there!” She held the receiver at arm’s length. “What do you think I am, crazy?”

“Calm down. You’re letting your emotions get the best of you. I know about everything that’s been going on—I know it all.”

“And just what
has
been going on? Tell me. And while you’re at it, tell me your part in the whole scheme of things?”

“Don’t ask for explanations over the phone. It’s a long and complicated story. Sheriff Wiley’s on his way out here. He can help explain it all. Just get up here and we’ll straighten this whole mess out.”

“Don’t take me for a fool, Stephen.”

“That’s just it, I don’t. I know you for the brave and honest person you are.”

“I’m not brave. I’m a full-blown coward with a marshmallow backbone.” She shook her head. “Oh God, I don’t know what to believe.”