Carolina Heat (29 page)

Mark held up his hands in a time-out signal. “Not to deprive you of your fun, but did you consider that pissing off law enforcement officials isn’t the best way to ensure their cooperation?”

If a little embarrassment made them aware of their shortcomings so they never overlooked this sort of thing again? It was worth it. “It’s not like I’m going to rent a billboard advertising that if they’d done their job my brother wouldn’t be in a hospital bed right now. But they repeatedly turned a deaf ear to Ralph, and as a direct consequence, this murderer had the opportunity to almost kill again.”

“I’m not discounting that. However, civility has been known to open doors which would be otherwise closed in the face of hostility.”

“Wow, your Southern is showing again in a big way.”

“Fact is, that’s how things work down here. And it isn’t a completely foreign idea to you. Remember, I’ve seen you turn on the charm. You’re letting your personal feelings get in the way of getting the job done.”

Annabelle sucked in a breath. “Low blow, Dering. Accurate, but painfully low. All right, I hear you. When we go in tomorrow morning, I’ll be professional and pleasant, bordering on charming.”

“You won’t regret it.”

“Don’t be so sure. Regardless, I’m still calling Ralph Paxton. He has a right to know. We’ll use a two pronged attack; sweetness and light on my end, and Ralph’s righteous wrath on the other.”

“Be sure you get over there first thing in the morning. We don’t need officers tracking you down in the middle of the ball,” Jillian said.

Annabelle smiled in reassurance. “Don’t worry. I know how much hard work you’ve put into this event. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything to disrupt it. I’ll check on Jonathan as soon as visiting hours start, and then we’ll head straight to the station.”

“I appreciate it. If the slightest thing goes wrong tomorrow night my mother will have a heart attack.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Annabelle said, only half in jest. “I suddenly have the urge to bring in a stripper pole and some dancers.”

“What on earth?”

“Let’s just say your mother and I didn’t hit it off too well. Especially once I mentioned that Mark’s my date for the ball.”

“Oh.” Comprehension dawned, and Jillian wrinkled her nose. “Sorry about that. She told you Mark and I are all but engaged?”

Ashby’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he said nothing.

“Something like that,” Annabelle answered dryly. She wasn’t sure how much to say about her altercation with Madelaine Beaufort. Family connections were tricky at best, and she didn’t have enough background on Jillian to know for sure how she might react. Her caution turned out to be unfounded, when Jillian pealed with laughter.

“If I showed up nine months pregnant, a man by my side and a wedding ring on my finger, I swear my mother would still ask me how things are going with Mark. She is relentless. And it’s
your
fault,” she said, jabbing Mark on the leg.

“Me? What did I do?” he asked, as he swatted her hand away.

“You were always unflaggingly polite to her; very unlike the other boys who came round. There is such a thing as making
too
good an impression, you know.”

“Hey, I’m polite,” Ashby protested. “If that’s what it takes, why doesn’t your mother fawn over me?”

Mark jumped in before Jillian could respond. “Consider yourself lucky, and don’t ask any questions. This whole conversation is making me twitchy. Jilly, can we please move on to a topic besides our imaginary relationship?”

“Not yet.”

Mark dropped his head back and let out a groan. “Why can’t you let this go?”

“Because I want to apologize to Annabelle. Obviously you didn’t warn her about what to expect from my mother, and no one should go up against her unprepared. We’re all used to her snippy officiousness, but it’s no excuse. I’m terribly sorry she made you uncomfortable,” she said to Annabelle.

“Don’t worry about it. I figure I’ll make her more uncomfortable tomorrow night when I plaster myself all over my man here.” She crooked her elbow around Mark’s neck to pull him in for a big kiss. “Petty? Unquestionably. But fun? Undeniably.”

“Oh, I’m putting my money on Annabelle. This is going to be a treat to watch. Don’t start without me in a ringside seat,” Ashby pleaded.

“And on that note, it’s time to regroup.” Mark stood and paced the grass behind Ashby. “Jillian, how soon can we get into the DOC mansion?”

“You lost me. Why do you want to get in before the ball? It’s going to be absolute chaos tomorrow.”

“Sorry, I forgot we haven’t had a chance to bring you up to speed. We found a copy of the book that’s apparently the lynchpin to this entire mystery. It’s on loan to the museum at the Citadel.”

“Terrific!” She beamed at Annabelle. “I can’t believe you tracked it down so quickly.”

Annabelle tried for an air of nonchalance. “Dig enough holes and you’re bound to find something. Pretty much a universal truth, in everything from archaeology to investigation.”

“No modesty between friends. All the credit goes to Annabelle’s persistence,” Mark insisted.

“It isn’t modesty. This whole experience is just another day at the office, except for the remarkable fact you’re all helping me.” Annabelle shook her head in astonishment at how well she’d adapted to having a team. “It’s very strange, relying on other people, but it seems to be working. Which means I need everyone to dig deep and help with this final push.”

“You know we’re here for you, whatever you need. And I’m happy to let you into the mansion tomorrow morning as early as you like. But I don’t understand what it has to do with the Citadel?” Jillian persisted.

“A little undercover work of the less than straightforward variety. Maybe it’s better if we don’t tell you too much.” Mark’s voice dropped to a dramatic whisper.

“Do you need to blindfold me before I let you in? Take an oath in blood?” Jillian whispered back, playing along.

“Might help.”

“Too late now for the cloak and dagger routine,” Annabelle remonstrated. “The three of us talked about this on the drive back to Charleston. We need to get access to the book, and for more than the two minute glimpse we’d get walking past the display case. The problem is Mark tells us the Citadel isn’t historically friendly to reporters, so my press pass won’t necessarily open any doors.”

“I don’t know anyone who went to school there, so we can’t work the inside connection,” Mark added.

“I thought if I called the Citadel from the DOC headquarters, posing as a member, they might grant access. The story is the book would be a special display at tonight’s ball. As two organizations which both honor the South’s history, their cooperation should be a lock,” Annabelle explained.

“You may be right,” Jillian said slowly. “But how attached are you to this plan?”

“Right now it’s all we’ve come up with, unless you have a better idea.”

“I may.”

“I can practically see the wheels grinding behind your eyes.” Ashby squinted at her in suspicion. “What are you cooking up?”

“It so happens that you do have an inside track to the Citadel. You see, my daddy and his two brothers went there, and my granddaddy before. My family has so much history with the place my mother’s on the capital campaign committee. I can walk you straight in with a single phone call.” Jillian leaned back and crossed her ankles, a smug grin on her face.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a ringer!” Ashby reached forward to give her a high five.

Mark’s reaction, however, was a bit more reserved. “Are you sure, squirt? I mean, your dad passed away years ago. Does your mother still have that kind of clout?”

“Oh my gosh, yes. But I wouldn’t bother asking her. She’s been a basket case since she got back from visiting my aunt. Hasn’t had a single kind word to say about all the extra work I’ve done to cover for her with the DOC. Communication about anything besides the ball for the next twenty-four hours would be impossible. I think her head would fly off.”

“Well, if not your mother, then who?”

“My Uncle Rex. He’s on the Board of Trustees. A few words from him will open the display case and put the book in your hands for as long as you need.”

“Jillian, I can’t begin to tell you how much it would help. Thank you.” Annabelle’s head was a maelstrom of emotions. She was excited and grateful and still reeling from what happened to Jonathan. Every instinct told her this was a turning point in the investigation.

“Do you have time to take us over there tomorrow?” Mark asked.

“Not a single spare moment!” she laughed. “You won’t see me until I come by with your costumes. But I’ll call Uncle Rex first thing and make the arrangements. Mark, I assume you’ll want to go along with Annabelle?”

“Of course. But I’m glad you asked, because it brings up a good point. Safety in numbers, kids. No one goes anywhere alone. Ashby, can you stick with Jillian tomorrow?”

“Now wait just a minute. I’m hardly involved in this at all. I seriously doubt some crazed killer cares about me,” Jillian protested.

Annabelle was actually relieved Mark had made the request. It didn’t guarantee anyone’s safety, but it at least gave them a better chance at it.

“Not what you said a few hours ago. What happened to the girl who begged me not to leave her alone in a scary old mansion?” Ashby reminded her.

“Sounds like an interesting story. Spill,” Mark ordered.

A flush stained Jillian’s cheeks. “The point is I don’t need a watchdog assigned to me. Besides, I’ve a hundred things left to do to get ready for the ball.”

“Jillian, don’t be naïve. There’s every chance you’ve been connected to us.” Mark ticked items off on his fingers. “You were there at Charles Towne when we were shot at, and now you show up at the hospital right after the attempted poisoning? Annabelle’s convinced we’re being watched, which means you’re definitely on the bad guy’s radar.”

“There will be dozens of people at the mansion,” she protested. “I won’t be alone.”

Ashby shrugged. “Already planning to be there anyway. You asked me to be on hand to help, remember?”

“Well, that was before I knew how many hours you’d put in today. You’ve done more than your fair share. I certainly don’t expect you to come back in the morning.”

“Like I said, it’s already on my calendar.”

“Consider yourself rescheduled. I’ve imposed upon our friendship enough,” she said stiffly.

The only sound was the slap of the water against the riverbank. The awkward silence grew and grew. Ashby and Jillian exchanged a very obvious and very uncomfortable look, but said nothing. Annabelle’s feminine intuition kicked into high gear; something very new was going on between Ashby and Jillian, and the last thing they needed was Mark sticking his nose into it.

“Jillian, why don’t you consider it a personal favor for me? If I know Ashby is with you I won’t worry quite so much.”

Jillian shot her a grateful smile. “I suppose I can put up with a babysitter if it will put your mind at ease.”

“Get off your high horse. Damn it, don’t you see that it’s for my protection as well?” Ashby surged to his feet and towered over her, hands fisted on his hips. “There’s less chance of an attack on two people than one. It’s flat out common sense, woman!”

Mark waved his arms in a time out gesture. “If I let you two keep at it, you’ll kill each other and we won’t have to worry about your safety.”

“She’s got all the street sense of a five year old,” Ashby complained.

Mark rounded on his friend. “Don’t think I don’t know this is all your fault.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You kissed her. That’s what we call a game changer.”

Annabelle choked back a laugh at the priceless look of utter shock on Ashby’s face. She was equally surprised by the news, but didn’t want to get him any more worked up. It was safer if his fury was directed solely at Mark.

“How the hell do you know about that kiss?” Ashby stabbed an accusing finger in Mark’s face.

Mark backhanded the finger away. “Heard Jilly here tell the nurse in the ER. If you want something kept a secret, don’t blurt it out in front of half of Charleston.”

“Don’t snap at each other.” Jillian stood and brushed grass from her legs. She tightened her ponytail, smoothed her shirt, then hooked her thumbs into her pockets. The small movements betrayed her nerves.

“After repeated attempts to flirt the pants off of Ashby, tonight he finally succumbed to my wiles and kissed me. He’ll probably blame it on the heat or exhaustion from my working his tail off all day to set up for the ball, but whichever version you prefer, the fact stands that we kissed. Just as things were getting interesting, his mother called and we rushed to the hospital. End of story.”

“Thank you so much for airing our dirty laundry to our friends,” Ashby spat out.

“You get downright ornery when you’re interrupted making time with your woman.” Mark stepped back a few paces, giving Ashby room.

“She’s not my woman.” Ashby swung around to face Jillian. “I don’t know what this is.” He waved his hands back and forth between them. “Maybe we started something tonight. Maybe we’re both wound a little tight with the ball, Jonathan’s poisoning and chasing down a murderer. So we aren’t going to settle anything right now. We’re going to table it until I’m not looking over my shoulder every damn second for a murderer!” He was at a yell by the time he finished, and a chorus of frogs ribbited their displeasure at the noise.