Chapter Thirty-Five
The goodbye with Chase was quick and painful. Chase and Detective Burrows had made sure Todd was not sitting outside the house. The tears fell freely down Jena’s face as they made a speedy exit.
“It’s gonna be fine, little lady.” The detective did his best to comfort. “You can’t show any tears when you see this fella, you understand? He’s got to believe every word you say.”
“I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes to put him away,” Jena said with renewed determination.
“Good. Is your housekeeper working today?”
“Yes. I talked to her this morning. She’s staying with my niece.”
“Is she the shotgun-wielding one?”
Jena smiled at the comment. “Yes, she’s the one.”
“That’s what we need, someone with some spunk. Suppose she’d live in for a while?”
Jena shrugged. “I don’t know. Her sister has been ill. We can ask, but I really…”
“Don’t say you’ll be fine,” he glanced over with a warning look.
“Okay, I won’t. I was going to say I don’t need a babysitter.” Her confidence became non-existent when she saw Todd’s car sitting in her driveway. “He’s there, in the driveway.”
“Don’t panic. We’ve got this. Just follow my lead, understand?”
Her mouth went dry and her hands trembled. She didn’t know what he was capable of. If he found out this was a setup…
The detective pulled in the driveway. “He’s not in the car. He must be inside. What if he’s figured us out?” Panic threatened to bubble over. “Mrs. R. doesn’t know about any of this.”
“I had Chase phone ahead and fill her in. She knows. Now, come on. We have work to do.”
He nonchalantly walked up the driveway to the door and waited for Jena to open it.
“Where have you been?” Todd asked in a menacing tone.
“Does he always talk like this to you, girl?” Uncle Fred asked angrily.
“No, Uncle Fred,” she said softly.
“If it’s any of your business,” he directed to Todd, “I took my niece to breakfast and we had a talk about you and your
plans.
”
“I thought I recognized you,” Todd’s voice raised. “You were at the rock singer’s house. How is it you know him,
Uncle Fred?
Jena’s heart pounded with fear. Todd had figured them out already.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” Uncle Fred challenged.
“I do believe it is. Jena and I are engaged. She is my business.”
Detective Burrows considered him for a moment before responding. “I was paying a visit to the person I believed to be Jena’s flame. He’s an old family friend. I didn’t know she switched gears.” He looked to Jena with disapproval.
Jena bit her lip, but said nothing.
“I like Chase,” Uncle Fred directed at Jena. “He’s a good man. I don’t approve of his career choice, but I like him. Why’d you turn him in for this snob?”
Jena tried to hide the shock and play along. “I…um….I…”
“She came to her senses. That’s what happened,” Todd said shortly.
“That remains to be seen,” Uncle Fred grunted.
“So, how long will you be visiting, Fred?” Todd asked impatiently.
“That’s Mr. Shea to you. I’ll be staying a week.”
Jena’s eyes shot directly to the detective. Mr. Shea? That caught her off guard. She glanced at Todd who was eyeing her with a look of suspicion. She had to do something. Todd was smart…really smart. If he suspected anything this could blow up in their faces. She had to come up with a story he would believe, and fast.
“Todd, can I have a word with you alone on the front porch?”
His eyes narrowed and he answered slowly, “Sure.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, girly, until I get to know him better.”
“I’m a grown woman, Uncle Fred. I’ll only be a moment.”
Jena led Todd through the front door and onto the porch. She turned to him and sighed. “I understand this wasn’t in the plan, Todd, and I’m sorry.”
“Throw him out,” Todd said through gritted teeth.
“I can’t do that.”
“Jena,” he warned, “I won’t have anyone ruining my plans for our future.”
“He has control of my inheritance,” she blurted. Money was the one thing that Todd cared about. She worked with him long enough to know his motivation was the almighty dollar.
“Your inheritance? What inheritance?”
She had his attention. “My parents left me a great deal of money, but I don’t inherit until I marry. Uncle Fred is the trustee and he has to approve my choice. If he doesn’t, the money stays in trust.”
“That’s absurd. We’ll fight it.”
“I’m a lawyer, Todd. Don’t you think I’ve tried? You’re going to have to get on my uncle’s good side.”
He sighed, putting his hands on his hips. “How much money? Is it worth it?”
“A lot of money. I’d never have to work again.”
His eyebrow rose in question. “Okay,” he agreed cautiously. “You realize this doesn’t change my cut-off date, right?”
“Cut-off date?”
“We’ll be leaving next Friday. I already have the plane reservations…for two. So make sure you figure out something to do with that niece of yours.”
“You can’t give me a little more time? With Uncle Fred here I don’t have time to tie up all the loose ends.”
“Next Friday, Jena. I’ll leave you to your uncle. We’ll have dinner this week. I’ll turn him around,” he replied with arrogance.
“Okay,” she whispered.
Todd leaned in and kissed her hard on the lips. It took every ounce of strength not to slap him in the face. “I’ll call you later.” It sounded more like a warning. She waited for him to leave, wiped her hand across her mouth with disgust, and went in the house to face the detective. She had a feeling he wasn’t happy with her.
“That was really slick, little lady. You’re lucky he didn’t grab you and throw you in the car. Don’t pull a stunt like that again, hear?”
“I told you this was a bad idea,” Mrs. R. said, coming from the kitchen. “That pretty boy can’t be trusted.”
“I don’t trust him,” the detective said loudly. “If she follows orders, she’ll be safe. Uncle Fred’s on watch.”
“Well, meet Aunt Bessie,” Mrs. R. replied with authority.
“He knows you’re the housekeeper,” Jena reasoned.
“Yeah, well, I’ll be lurking in the shadows with my friends Smith and Wesson,” she promised.
“What did you say to him?” the detective questioned.
“He was getting suspicious. I know him, so I made up a story.”
His eyes narrowed. “What kind of story?”
“Let’s say I took advantage of his love of money. He thinks I stand to inherit a lot of money, but you have to approve of my husband.”
Detective Burrows considered what she said for a moment. “It might work,” he conceded, “but don’t try that again.”
“I had to give him something else to focus on besides the unexpected arrival of an uncle I never talked about. He’s no dummy, Detective.”
He nodded in agreement and changed the subject. “Do you have any writing samples of this guy? Something I can send into the lab? I’d like to see if there’s a match to the note from the burger joint.”
“I have a client file upstairs. He helped on the merger. There might be something in there. You don’t think…”
“Think what?” Mrs. R. interjected.
“I want to see if his handwriting matches the note on Chase’s truck,” he explained to Mrs. R.
“What note?” The housekeeper looked from one to the other.
Jena gave her an impatient look at the interruption. “You don’t think he has anything to do with my sister’s disappearance, do you?”
“I’m not saying your sister’s alive,” he said honestly. “Let’s take one step at a time. Could you go check that out? And I’ll fill in Mrs. Nibby Nose.”
“Don’t get cute, Sherlock. I want to know what’s going on around here.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “Is that such a bad idea?”
“I’ll leave you two at it,” Jena smiled before hurrying up the stairs.
She went directly to the roll top desk in the corner and slid it open. The file was sitting on top. Leafing through the pages, she found what she was looking for. The note wasn’t long, just “Jena, check page twenty-three.” She hoped it was enough. Closing the file she rushed toward the stairs.
“Have you lost your marbles?” she heard the housekeeper say.
“Now, Ellen…”
Ellen?
When did they become on a first name basis? She stopped on the steps to listen.
“You listen…I’ve become very fond of that girl. I won’t have her used as bait. There has to be another way.”
Jena shifted her weight and the step creaked. She squeezed her eyes shut in frustration and said loudly, “Found what you’re looking for.”
Detective Burrows and Mrs. R. met her in the foyer. Neither one looked suspicious as the detective took the note.
“Is it enough? That’s all I have.”
“Should be.” He turned to Mrs. R. “You going to be around? I’d like to get this to the lab.”
“I’m on watch.”
“I don’t need a babysitter, “Jena said with a huff.
The detective ignored her. “I’ll be back soon.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jena made an excuse about being tired and escaped to her room. Her thoughts drifted to her sister. What if she was alive? She thought back to Andrea’s conversation. Was she talking to her mother that day? Was that why her niece showed no grief?
She sat on the window seat and silently gazed out the window. She couldn’t allow herself to get her hopes up, but she would do whatever it took to find the truth. The phone ringing jarred her to the present.
Jena walked across the room to retrieve the phone from the nightstand. “Hello,” she answered.
“Hello, Jena. I’m calling to confirm we have reservations tomorrow night at La Maison.”
Attempting to hide the disgust that flowed across her skin, she questioned, “La Maison?”
“We’ll wine and dine your uncle. He’ll see that I can take care of you and agree to the marriage.”
She hesitated. “I’m not sure he’s a French cuisine eating kind of guy.”
“Am I supposed to impress him by taking him to Chuck E. Cheeses?” he asked snidely.
“Of course not. I’ll get him to agree,” she promised. She couldn’t wait until this was all over with.
“I hope you’re using your time wisely.”
“I am. I’m working on Jasmine’s paperwork. What are you up to?”
She hoped she sounded like she was making conversation.
“Buying some insurance.”
His statement sounded ominous. “Insurance?”
“I’ll let you go. Our dinner reservation is for seven. I will be there to pick you both up at six. Please see to it that he doesn’t wear one of those Hawaiian shirts, will you?”
“I’ll try,” was all she said before hanging up with a quick goodbye. Insurance? What was he talking about? Her mind raced with all kinds of explanations. Was he taking insurance out on her? Was he planning to kill her? Or maybe, he was speaking of some other type of insurance. He was going to hurt Chase. No, she wouldn’t allow it.
****
Chase called Jena’s phone ten times and sent a text message. “Damn! Why doesn’t she answer?”
“Trouble in paradise already, Chase-man?” Braden said while opening the refrigerator.
“Why don’t you eat at your house?” Chase grumbled.
“I’m going to have to. The cupboard’s bare, Dude.”
“This is Jena, please leave a message.”
Chase sighed loudly as he paced. “Jen, this is Chase. Please call me. I’m going out of my mind worrying here.” He hung up and tossed the phone on the counter.
“You two fighting about something?”
Chase wiped his hand down his face. “No. The woman I love is engaged to another man who happens to be a psycho. Her sister might not be dead and this guy might be behind it. To top it off, Jen’s playing detective with the P.D.”
“Yeah, well, you lost me at ‘she’s engaged to another man.’”
Chase went through the whole story. Braden sat motionless as he listened. “Sounds serious. We need to reschedule the meeting. You’re not going to want to go anywhere tomorrow.” Braden grabbed his phone.
Chase nodded and thanked his best friend. He picked up his phone and looked at the blank screen. Why wasn’t she returning his calls? He could hear Braden discussing the meeting. He didn’t care. All he cared about was making sure Jen was safe.
“All taken care of,” Braden interrupted his panic.
“Thanks, man.”
“You have it bad, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Bad,” Chase agreed with a scowl.
“Well, better you than me. I believe in sharing the love.”
Chase faced him. “One day you’ll eat those words.”
“Maybe, but you’ll be too old to remember any of this conversation. So, what are you going to do?”
“About?”
“About your girl out there with some nut job?”
“I promised to let the police department handle it.”
“Seriously?”
“What?” Chase said impatiently.
“Well, I never knew you to sit back and let someone else handle your dirty work.”
“I’m not. This guy needs to be in jail. If I get in the way, he could walk. I have to think of Jena.”
Braden shrugged. “Okay.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. It’s cool.”
“Out with it.” Chase’s temper was getting the better of him. He was worried sick about Jena and this dance routine with Braden was getting old.
“I don’t know…if I cared about someone that much, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.”
Chase sighed. He knew exactly what Braden was talking about. He had spent the last hour berating himself for agreeing to this idea. The only problem was, Jena was stubborn and independent—no one told her what to do. If he argued she would dig her heals in all the more. Damn! Why hadn’t she called? He picked the phone up again. He nearly dropped it as it rang in his hand.
****
“Chase, it’s Jena.”
“Oh baby, I’ve been out of mind. Why haven’t you called?”
She sighed. She knew what she had to do. He had called ten times….TEN times! She couldn’t have him calling her while she was sitting with Todd. “I shut off my phone.”
“Why the hell would you do that?”
She struggled to hold back tears. “I didn’t want to talk to you.”
“What?”
“I’ve had some time to think.” She squeezed her eyes shut and willed her voice not to break. “I’m going back to Ohio with Todd.”