Authors: L.A. Kelley
Stephanie stormed out, declaring, “The thief won’t be working here much longer.”
Whoever swiped the candy obviously snuck unnoticed in and out of Stephanie’s office. Rosalie didn’t know whether to be tickled or concerned. She decided on tickled when Marissa dropped by the counter later and let her know Stephanie demanded all the assistant managers cross-examine their employees.
She winked. “Of course, I told her none of my people could possibly have any knowledge of such a nefarious crime. Besides, no one can get into her office. She has the only key.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing, but I heard later she ordered security to change the locks on the door. I hope the thief keeps his head down,” she called over her shoulder. “Stephanie’s out for blood.”
Rosalie shook her head in amusement. All that fuss over a chocolate bar. She fingered the note in her pocket. Still, the writer would be in big trouble if Stephanie tracked him down. Not that she had any reason to believe the writer was male. Marissa thought so, but the writer could easily be a kindly female employee like Miss Lu. Rosalie’s cheeks flushed. Only, she hoped not
.
There…she finally admitted the truth to herself. Rosalie glanced around the store, mentally reviewing all the employees. Who was the mysterious writer? No one came immediately to mind, although the person had to be someone who worked late. The notes always appeared first thing in the morning.
The writer needed a warning Stephanie was on the prowl. Rosalie fished out the sticky pad and wrote.
Thanks for the candy, but don’t swipe any more. Stephanie knows you were in her office and is looking for you. Be careful.
She took a deep breath and added a P.S. at the end.
What’s your name?
With shaking hands she slipped thely slippe notepad back under the counter.
She didn’t sleep well that night. When morning came, Rosalie darted over to Penrose’s. She was the first employee through the door when security arrived to open up. With mounting anticipation, she scampered over to the customer service counter and peeked underneath. Her note was gone, but in its place was another.
Rosalie, thanks for the warning. I left the candy and instead deleted all Stephanie’s emails. She really shouldn’t write her password on the blotter where anyone can see.
Her heart skipped a beat when she noted the signature at the bottom.
David.
David? Who was David? She mentally ran through a list of Penrose’s employees and didn’t come up with a single one. A vague unsettled feeling drifted down on her shoulders. Was this guy using an assumed name? Instead of an admirer did she have a stalker?
The hairs on the back of her neck rose up. She didn’t see or hear anything, but with complete conviction, Rosalie knew someone watched her. She froze in place, not daring to breathe. Without warning, she spun around, dashed to the return rack, and yanked at a handful of hanging clothes. She heard a gasp and felt a sharp tug from a lady’s Christmas sweater. Abruptly, a puff of air hit her face. With an
eep!
she stepped back. The sweater fell to the floor. Rosalie peered into the shadows.
Nothing was behind the rack except the empty wall.
Chapter Four
Grace strode briskly up to the medusa in charge of the maximum security wing of the prison. “I’m here to see my husband.”
At her side, Sadhri growled. “Don’t give us any attitude, Carlos.”
“Don’t give me any of yours,” he snapped back. “I don’t like Brian here any better than you do.” The braids on his head quivered.
Grace stepped between the two. “Carlos, please. Tempers are running a little high right now, but nobody blames you.”
His stance softened. “I’m sorry, Grace. I’m only doing my job.”
“I know. May I see him, please, or did the Baal forbid visits?”
“Dominic can kiss my ass. The Baal may be in charge of the prison, but he still has to follow protocol and protocol says Brian may have family visits until convicted. I’ll see to that.” He led them down a narrow corridor to a small cell. Brian jumped up from the cot at the sight of his wife. He would have rushed the bars, but Carlos cautioned him back. “The manacles don’t allow you to touch. They...well…they’ll really hurt.” He glared at Sadhri before she could say something. “Again, the Baal’s orders, not mine.”
“Can you give us some privacy?” Grace offered a weak smile. “I promise we’ll be good.”
Carlos’ eyes softened. “Sure. Screw the Baal and his rules. You have ten minutes.” He turned to Sadhri. “Come on, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee and we’ll discuss your personality disorder.”
“My disorder,” she sputtered, stomping after him down the corridor, “there’s nothing wrong with me. But while we’re on the subject, let’s discuss the complete lack of social graces in a medusa.”
“Shivas and medusas,” Brian chuckled, “nice to know some things never change.” He eyed Grace lovingly, “Damn, you look good.”
Grace wanted to reach out through the bars and pull her husband close, but didn’t dare. While the manacles didn’t affect a human like her, they’d cause Brian agony. Despite his easygoing grin, she knew he suffered. His shoulders sagged with fatigue.
“You look awful,” she cried out.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s good to see you, love. You’re my only visitor except for Carlos and Dominic.”
Grace drew herself up. “What did the almighty Baal, Dominic Schiller, want?”
“Rules state he may question me once a day. Not that I have squat to tell him. Any news from David?”
“Nothing.”
“He knows something or he’d be here.”
Grace’s eyes flew open. “You don’t possibly believe the rumors—”
“That he had something to do with the robbery? Of course not. That’s the Baal talking. David is following the link. I’m certain.”
“You have no clue where The Book is?”
“No. When David received the responsibility for protection when he came of age, the link transferred to him. Hey, cheer up. I still sense the connection wasn’t completely severed with the family. Something else bothers you, though. What’s wrong?”
“They sent Billy.”
“We knew they’d put a hellhound on the trail, but Billy’s assignment is good news. They’re friends. He won’t be out for blood.”
“Which won’t prevent him from dragging David back. It’s only a matter of time before Billy tracks him down. If David doesn’t have The Book with him, you’re both screwed.” Grace pressed close against the bars. “I won’t stand by and do nothing. Something else is going on. I’ll find out what.”
Brian eyed her tenderly. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to keep out of Integral business.”
“Hah. Like you ever could.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall as Carlos and Sadhri approached. “I’m sorry,” the medusa called out with regret. “Time’s up.”
Without warning, Brian pressed his face to the bars and kissed Grace lovingly on the lips.
Grace pulled back. “You shouldn’t have.”
Brian winked at Carlos. “A kiss from a beautiful woman is worth any price.”
****
Marissa suggested one of the Sneaky Shoppers was the writer. “After all, they’re supposed to be sneaky. I still can’t figure out which customers they are.”
“Me, neither. Although, lurking behind clothes racks is a bit much for even sub-human bottom feeders like them.” She ran a hand through her hair. “My imagination is playing tricks. Behind the rack is a wall. There’s no place to hide.”
“Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” Marissa offered kindly. “The stress of always looking over your shoulder for the next Sneaky Shopper is exhausting. I’ll cover for you.”
“No. I’m fine.” The pom-pom on the elf hat jangled annoyingly as she shook her head. “You’re the one who needs rest. Stephanie doesn’t call me twenty times a day to handle another crisis she caused herself. Thank God tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’ll have twenty-four blessed hours of peace.”
“Are you still coming to Ross’s for dinner? Alex wants to see you.”
“Absolutely. Miss Lu will bring pie.”
Marissa’s cell rang. She glanced at the display and wrinkled her nose. “The she-devil summons and I must obey. Later.”
Rosalie’s concentration wavered all day. What she didn’t mention to her friend was while wrestling with the clothing r Che ="juack for an instant she had the impression of piercing green eyes that stared in surprise from the shadows.
She tried to talk herself out of the crazy idea. Solid wall with no door…the lighting is terrible…the mind plays tricks. Yet, the eerie sensation of being watched rattled her enough to constantly check the dark corner.
“Ahem.” A middle-aged woman wearing red-framed eyeglasses rapped her knuckles on the counter. “A little service, please. I’ve waited several minutes already.” Red-faced, Rosalie stammered an apology, grateful Stephanie didn’t see she ignored a customer.
By morning break time, Rosalie couldn’t stand still any longer. She ditched the elf hat under the counter and ambled around the store, trying to appear nonchalant. All the while she peered into the face of every shopper in search of a pair of piercing green eyes. By the time Rosalie reached Linens on the third floor she had generated more than a few curious stares. She caught a hostile glare from a mother in the towel aisle. The woman clutched her child close to her side as Rosalie gave them the once-over.
Her expression forced Rosalie to think again about aimlessly prowling through Penrose’s. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered to herself. “You’re frightening small children. Get back to work.” She halted in mid-stride and made a u-turn back to Customer Service.
The young man who followed her from one aisle over pulled up short in surprise. Piercing green eyes met hers. For a moment time stopped. “David?” she gasped in a choked whisper.
“Excuse me!”
Startled, Rosalie jumped back. The middle-aged woman with the red glasses shot Rosalie an irritated glance as she squeezed past. “You’re blocking the way.”
“Sorry, I—”
A puff of air hit Rosalie’s neck. She spun around in search of the young man, but he had completely disappeared. Impossible, her mind blared. Where could a person hide? She craned her neck, peering down the aisles in bewilderment.
Rosalie chastised herself all the way back to Customer Service.
You’re totally mental—probably an allergic reaction to the elf hat. Teensy poisonous green fibers embedded in your skull and are now burrowing into the brain causing very vivid green hallucinations. Next will be leprechauns.
At lunch time in the break room she found her name at the top of the Motivation Memo again. Rosalie was inattentive to customers. Rosalie walked through the store without the elf hat.
She stormed off, her appetite gone. Marissa was right. The mysterious David was a Sneaky Shopper. He spied on her and wrote the notes to mess with her head. Stephanie probably paid a premium to any Sneaky Shopper who reported an employee. He wanted to distract her and make himself look good. How dare he play with her emotions like that? Who did he think he was?
Her hands balled into tight little fists. She was so ready to kill him. The elusive David would regret ever setting foot in Penrose’s.
****
Heart pounding, David dashed-away from Rosalie to Penrose’s roof. He ran his hand roughly through his hair and groaned. He began the day with such good intentions. How had it all gone so horribly wrong?
He thought back to this morning. His hand had paused over the sticky pad, before impulsively signing his name. He hadn’t planned to. He intended to remain strictly anonymous, but couldn’t see the harm.
After all, Rosalie sent the warning about Stephanie. If he didn’t sign a name, the notes might look like they came from a stalker. She wouldn’t smile anymore.
David enjoyed thinking about her great smile even while arguing with himself. Penrose’s was only a temporary stop. Once The Book was found, he’d return to his duties in New York never to see Rosalie again.
Yup. Never again.
The thought was oddly disconcerting.
Wrapped up in his musings, David had been brought back to reality by approaching footsteps. He darted behind the portable clothes rack and peeked out, his spirits lifted by the sight of Rosalie at the counter. She glanced around and then reached underneath for the sticky pad. He couldn’t see her expression, but heard a soft chuckle. He filled with sudden warmth. Rosalie smiled.
He never expected her to suddenly dart toward the clothes rack, and yank at the hangers. Startled, David had shoved a fistful of women’s wear in front of him. He caught a glimpse of her determined face before dashing-away across the aisle to Sportswear. Crouched behind a display of jackets he breathed a sigh of relief. Rosalie was too close. He cast an admiring eye as she fruitlessly rifled through the clothing rack. Nice smile, he had thought, and gutsy as well.
David knew right then he should leave the store to get some rest, but instead lingered on the first floor, furtively watching Customer Service. Rosalie acted perturbed, constantly checking behind the clothes rack. Even Marissa’s visit didn’t cheer her up. One middle-aged lady with garish red glasses got short with her for having to wait for service. David’s conscience prickled. He hadn’t meant to upset Rosalie or make her life more difficult.
When Rosalie’s break came, she stuffed the elf hat under the counter. David again prepared to dash-away, but instead of heading for the break room Rosalie wandered out into Penrose’s. She wasn’t alone. From David’s position, he glimpsed Red Glasses obviously following behind. Intrigued, he tagged along.
Rosalie roamed the store oblivious to her two tails. She acted oddly, staring at everyone she passed. Red Glasses kept her under close scrutiny. When they reached the Linen Department, the woman whipped out her phone. David snuck up as close as he dared and eavesdropped.
“Yes, Ms. Crowder,” he heard her say. “She kept a customer waiting at the service counter while she wasted time in the back… Now she’s walking around the store without the elf hat… Yes, I’ll keep watch… Oh, no, I think the hats are adorable… Yes, very festive.” She hung up and dropped the phone back in her purse.