Tin Angel (23 page)

She planted her hands on her hips and scowled at him.
It’s not funny
, she mouthed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hear her.

He laughed, spoke briefly to the man beside him, then headed her way.

“Having fun yet?” he asked.

“Way more than I could ever have imagined.”

“Aw, come on. It’s not so bad. The people are nice.” He looked at the potholders spread across the table. “Most are, anyway, and it makes you feel good to volunteer, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, of course.” For more than fifty years, she’d helped out. The proceeds were used to help local projects such as the Silvercreek Emergency Center, providing food and shelter for the homeless. She was well aware their work today was for a good cause. It was the questions she hated. But she had to admit that so far the day hadn’t been as bad as she’d expected. Very few people had brought up Alice. She hadn’t let her guard down, but she was beginning to relax.

“I’m headed to the kitchen for coffee. Would you like a cup?”

Jack must have read her mind. That was exactly what she needed—caffeine to keep her going. “I’d love some. Just cream, no sugar.”

“You’ve got it. I won’t be long.”

Alice watched Jack make his way through the crowded room out into the hall, and she noticed she wasn’t the only woman with her eyes on him. She wasn’t surprised. He was so handsome. But instead of feeling insecure, she was proud that such an attractive man was interested in her.

Wait a minute. Should she pinch herself to be sure she was awake? Not long ago, she was worried about a waitress flirting with him and Taryn sitting too close on the piano bench. When had she blossomed into this self-assured woman? One who wasn’t worried about getting hurt. She didn’t know when the change occurred, and she didn’t care. All that mattered was she trusted Jack and felt good when she was with him.

* * *

“We need to talk.”

Jack finished pouring the cream in Ally’s coffee, stirred it twice, then popped on a lid. He grabbed his coffee along with hers and turned to face Pastor Riley. “Sure. You have somewhere in mind?”

“My office.”

He’d had a feeling the pastor was going to say that. What he wanted to discuss with Jack was private.

They skirted around people eating hot dogs and fries and left the kitchen, heading for the steps that would lead them upstairs.

One would never know the noise and chaos of the rummage sale was only one floor below, for the sanctuary lay quiet. Jack followed the pastor down the center aisle, their footsteps muffled by the plush red carpet. To the left of the altar, the pastor unlocked the door to his office. He ushered Jack inside, closing the door behind them.

The pastor rounded a large wooden desk. Behind it, built-in bookcases lined the wall. The room smelled of old leather and parchment.

“Have a seat.” The pastor sank into a swivel chair, while Jack sat on a red leather armchair across from him. He set the coffee cups on the desk and waited for the pastor to bring up the topic of the grifters.

Pastor Riley leaned forward to place his arms on the desk and fold his hands together. “Are you as concerned about Alice as I am?”

“Of course.” Jack knew exactly where this conversation was headed. “But Ally would never harm anyone.”

The pastor raised a bushy brow. “How can you be sure? Have you spoken to Alice recently?”

“No, but—”

“Has Ally? If that’s even her name.”

Jack had the same doubts about her as the pastor, but to hear someone else voice them didn’t sit well. “I can’t know for sure whether she has or hasn’t.”

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with her. What have you come up with? Anything we can take to the police?”

Jack sat back in the chair and shook his head. He thought of the missing tin angel and the Venus statue, but he had no proof Ally had taken them. “Nothing that would make them suspect her of anything criminal. Maybe she really is just here for the holidays, and Alice will be back after the New Year.”

“I’d feel a lot better if I thought you really believed that. I know your head doesn’t, but your heart…well, that might be another story.”

“I gave you my word I’d get to the truth, and I have every intention of doing just that.” His words came out sounding harsher than he’d intended. “I’m sorry. I’m on edge. I want to know Alice is okay as much as you.”

“I know you do. But she’s not the only one I’m worried about. You might be in too deep, Jack. Be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I appreciate your concern, but everything’s under control.” Jack hoped that was really true. When he was with Ally, she had a way of making him think she was the most wonderful woman on earth, even when things about her didn’t add up.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Don’t worry. I can handle her.” Despite his words, he knew he hadn’t fooled the pastor…or himself.

* * *

Alice scanned the room for Jack. He’d been gone awhile. How long could it take to get two cups of coffee? The crowd had thinned a little, and she was able to see across to his table without any difficulty. She was beginning to think maybe he’d forgotten her and had gone back to his post selling sweaters, but he wasn’t there. Maybe one of those women who’d been admiring him earlier had him cornered somewhere. She smiled when she thought of him trying to make a polite getaway. He might need rescuing.

Alice glanced over at the elderly woman seated at the table beside her, who was eating a doughnut. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me, since we’re not real busy now, would you mind watching my table while I go grab something to drink?”

The woman wiped the corners of her mouth with a paper napkin. “Sure, honey, you go on.”

Alice grabbed her handbag, slipping the leather strap over her shoulder. “Thank you so much. I won’t be long.”

“Take your time,” the woman said between bites.

She hurried past the more than thirty tables of miscellaneous new and used items on her way to the kitchen. Her heart sank when she discovered Jack wasn’t there. Where could he be? And what could he be doing? It wasn’t like him to keep her waiting. Something must have happened. But would he leave without telling her?

Her steps were leaden as she walked upstairs. Jack had parked his Acura on the street in front of the church. She would know in a minute if his car was still there. Pushing open one of the heavy front doors, she peered outside and spotted the silver coupe immediately. Thank goodness. That meant he was around somewhere, and she was bound to find him sooner rather than later. The church wasn’t that large.

Alice pulled the door shut, then turned to go back downstairs, but her attention was drawn to the sanctuary. Its elegant harmony invited her in. She stepped through the center doorway. Spacious stained glass windows reflected the sunlight in a rainbow-like pattern, illuminating the alter. A memory of long ago staggered her, and she clasped the back of a pew for support. She’d planned to marry Tom here. It seemed like only yesterday that they’d anticipated spending their lives together, when in fact more than half a century had passed.

She’d be joining him soon, though, she thought, but it wouldn’t be in matrimony. A deep sadness tightened her chest, and she was surprised at the feeling. She should be joyful at the prospect of reuniting with her beloved. Her life had been long and lonely. It was time for her to move on. Besides, she wasn’t leaving a family behind.

Through the blinding sunlight, a figure emerged from the side of the altar. She blinked back the tears blurring her vision. Tom?

She took a step forward. His mane of raven hair glistened in the light, and his dazzling blue eyes held hers in an unwavering stare. Jack! She nearly choked on her joy-filled sob.

He smiled as he walked toward her. “I’m sorry to have taken so long, but I didn’t forget your coffee.” He held up a Styrofoam cup.

It took all her willpower to keep from racing into his arms. “I came here to clear my head.” She wasn’t about to tell him she’d searched the building looking for him.

“Time slipped away from me,” he said, glancing at his watch. “And our shifts are up.”

“But I didn’t get to drink my coffee,” she joked.

“Aw, I’m sorry. It’s probably cold anyway.” He looped his arm across her shoulders. “Come on, I’ll make you a fresh cup at home.”

* * *

The sun beat through the window, warming Cassandra’s face. She closed her eyes. Now that she was back with Daryn and content, it was easy to fall asleep. She wasn’t sure how long she dozed, but the footsteps on the front porch and Ally’s voice jolted her awake. In a flash, she crossed the room. At the end of the hallway, she called, “Daryn, she’s home. Come on. We have to get out of here.”

Daryn charged down the hall. “Where is she?” he hissed.

“On the front porch. And she’s not alone. I think Jack’s with her.”

“Great. Is there time to get out the back door?”

“I—” As Cassandra was about to respond, the front door burst open.

Daryn looped his arm around her waist and pulled her into a coat closet. He closed the door silently as if he’d done this a thousand times before. “Not a word. Not a noise,” he whispered.

She nodded her agreement, but this was close. Way too close for comfort. All she had to do was sneeze and it was all over for them. She sucked in her breath and wondered how Daryn planned to get them out of this. She listened for voices and footsteps, hoping for a clue as to where Jack and Ally might be. A few minutes later, she heard noises in the kitchen. Dishes rattled, and then the loud wail of the teakettle.

“This is it,” he whispered. “We’re outta here.” His fingers curled around her arm and tightened like a vise as he pulled her out of the closet and toward the front door. Her heart pounded against her chest, and it felt like it would burst right through. It was only when they were outside and making their way down the porch steps that she was able to breathe normally.

Suddenly, Daryn spun her around. It happened so quickly it nearly knocked the wind out of her, and the next thing she knew, they were headed back up the steps and onto the porch. Ally stood in the doorway, a silver tray in her hands. She stared at them through the storm door.

This was Cassandra’s worst nightmare. Caught red-handed. Her mind went blank. She had no idea how they were going to get out of this mess. Her life flashed before her eyes and ended with a picture of a jail cell.

“Hello. I wasn’t sure if you were home,” Daryn said to Ally. His voice echoed in Cassandra’s ears. The porch began to spin, and everything started to go black. As her knees buckled, Daryn caught her in his arms, holding her steady on her feet.

“Are you okay?” Ally set the tray on the hall table and came outside.

“I—I’m fine,” Cassandra stuttered, but her parched throat felt like she hadn’t had anything to drink in days.

“Well, you don’t look well. Come in and sit down,” Ally said, placing her hand on Cassandra’s arm.

She looked at Daryn for reassurance, and he nodded. “Okay. Thanks,” she croaked.

Ally led them through the foyer and into the parlor. Daryn helped Cassandra sit in a big overstuffed chair while Ally poured a cup of tea from the silver service. She began to relax. It appeared that Ally hadn’t seen them leave the house. Thank goodness Daryn was such a fast thinker and was able to make it look like they’d just arrived.

As Cassandra took a sip of tea, she realized that Ally’s eyes were focused on her neck—specifically on the locket she wore.
Ally’s aunt’s locket.
And then to make matters worse, she lowered her gaze to Cassandra’s hand—to the ruby-and-diamond ring. Cassandra nearly choked on the tea. “I—um…”