Wish of the Heart (8 page)

“Who is this?”

“Macie. Macie Connor.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess you haven’t heard.”

“Haven’t heard what?” Macie braced for the bad news she sensed coming.

“My uncle. He’s in the hospital.” The woman’s voice wobbled. “He had a stroke.”

“What? I’m so sorry.” Macie was stunned. She imagined Cruz waiting at home with his dog and coffee.

“I’m on my way out now,” the woman explained.

“I won’t keep you. Thank you for letting me know.” Macie hung up, stunned. She’d never considered a backup option. “He’s in the hospital.” She turned her shocked eyes toward Rylan.

He took her hands. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll figure out something else.”

~ * ~ * ~

Rylan walked Macie into the lobby of her office. Building security was tight. No one was admitted to the elevator bank without an employee picture ID. Guests signed in at the security desk.

They’d debated all during breakfast the advisability of Macie going in to work. Rylan wanted her to call in sick. Macie thought it would look too suspicious.

Macie snapped her fingers. “The security desk. Of course.”

Macie walked to the security desk and Rylan followed in her wake. “Hey, Dave.”

“Hey, Ms. Connor. Looks like a nice day today, doesn’t it?” Dave was a friendly sort, but he took his job seriously.

“It does. You know, Dave, a week or so ago, a client dropped by our office for an appointment. There were so many people in and out that day, I can’t recall his name and honestly,” her voice lowered to a whisper, “I’m embarrassed to ask my boss.”

Dave nodded. “You want to see the security log? He would have produced ID and signed in.”

“Dave, you would be doing me such a favor.” Macie tried to look suitably grateful.

“No problem.” He lifted the thick, black binder onto the ledge. Ragged edged papers crammed the rings.

Macie flipped back to the day she received the threatening note. Her finger scanned down the list of names, stopping as a familiar one jumped out.

“Thanks, Dave.” She knew it. Macie only wished she’d thought of the log before now.

“You found what you needed?” Dave asked.

“Yeah.” Macie gave him a big smile.

Macie turned and whispered, “Jerry was in the building that day.”

“Who’s that?” Rylan asked.

“My sister’s boss.”

~ * ~ * ~ 

Macie searched for Petry’s card. It was somewhere in her purse, but her purse was a jumble of items that seemed to rearrange themselves of their own free will. Her fingers found the edge of the cardstock and pulled it free.

Detective Petry had written a cell number on the back, and she dialed it.

“Petry.” His clipped voice came over the line.

“Um, this is Macie Connor,” she stammered. Somehow she didn’t think Petry would be as understanding as Cruz, and she’d expected a thorough scolding from Cruz.

“Ms. Connor, what can I do for you?” Petry didn’t seem surprised to be hearing from her.

“I have some things I need to discuss with you.” She didn’t want to try to explain on the phone. It would be easier to show him.

“About your car?” Petry asked.

“Yeah.” And more, Macie added silently. Much more.

“Do you want to come to the station?” Petry offered.

“If you could meet me, that would be better.” Macie crossed her fingers.

The sound of papers shuffling came through the line. “Shall I come to your apartment?”

“No, I’m staying at the Crestview.” Macie was tired of the tiny hotel room. She’d be grateful to get back home.

“You’re staying at a hotel?” Petry asked.

“Yes.” Rylan squeezed Macie’s hand.

“Any particular reason?” Petry sounded curious now.

“I’ll tell you when you get here, is that all right?”

“Yeah, okay. I have a few things I need to take care of, but I can be there in a couple hours. Does that work?”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.” Now that a breakthrough was so close, waiting was unbearable.

Macie turned to Rylan. “It’s done.”

“Now we wait.”

Chapter 12

Macie bolted out of the police station. The detectives had no further information yet. At least, none that they would tell her. According to them, they were interviewing pertinent people and collecting records. They wouldn’t comment specifically as it could compromise the investigation. It would take time, but the evidence would eventually point to someone.

It wasn’t the outcome Macie wanted. She was impatient. After all this time, more waiting seemed intolerable, but she knew Rylan would help her through it. He’d been nothing but supportive, and she hoped to show him exactly how much it meant to her.

As she walked, Macie didn’t pay attention to her surroundings. Her shoulders were hunched, and her eyes focused on her feet. The other people on the street didn’t even register in her consciousness. They were just a colorless blur.

Someone touched her shoulder and Macie swung around, startled to see a familiar face. “Rose? What are you doing here?”

“I heard about Jerry.” Her voice was oddly flat.

“What about him?” Macie asked.

“The police questioned him. They’re asking questions again.” Her fingers fluttered in the air.

“I imagine they’re probably going to talk to everyone.” Macie shook her head. “I’m sorry, Rose. I have to get going. I’m not really up for chatting right now.”

“That’s unfortunate, because I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist.” Rose grabbed Macie’s arm so hard she left marks on the skin.

Macie pulled away and stepped back. “What?” She rubbed her arm.

Rose put her hand in her pocket and showed Macie the butt of a gun.

“What’s going on?” Macie’s struggled to make sense of Rose’s actions.

“This isn’t going any further. You’re not going to poke your nose into anything anymore. Everything was fine and then you had to stir it all up.” Rose’s free hand balled into a fist.

“Wait. I don’t understand.” A heavy weight settled in Macie’s chest as a suspicion began to form.

“What did you think would happen when you turned on the computer? You stupid bitch. The tracking software sent me an email immediately. I was the one who suggested installing the software for the whole department in the first place. Imagine my surprise when the attachment was a photo of you, snapped by the webcam.” Rose shook with the force of her anger.

“Rose …” Macie held up her hands in a placating gesture.

“You’re going to be quiet now. You’re going to do exactly what I say. Step to the street and hail a cab.” Rose gripped the gun inside her pocket, and Macie could see the outline of the barrel through the fabric.

Macie moved to the edge of the sidewalk, raising her hand as the traffic passed by. In a moment, a cab available for hire pulled to the curb.

Rose poked Macie in the arm with her finger. “Get in the cab. Don’t say a word. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for something happening to the driver, would you?”

Shock rendered Macie mute. She opened the door and slid across the seat.

Rose got in behind her and gave a Brooklyn address to the driver, keeping her hand in her pocket.

Macie avoided looking at Rose and tried to quell her shaking. Gray dots danced in front of her and she inhaled deeply. Her hand reached for the door handle and then jerked back.

Out of the corner of her eye, Macie could see Rose rocking slightly on the seat. She hummed softly to herself.

Macie’s mind ran through the possibilities for escape. She could jump out when they were stopped at a light, but Macie believed Rose when she said she would hurt the driver. She’d been strangely intent.

After a lengthy drive, the cabbie pulled up in front of an old brick warehouse. “Is this the right place, lady?” He showed impatience, likely annoyed that he wouldn’t find a fare back to the city in this neighborhood.

Rose was startled out of her reverie and looked around. “Yes. This is the place.” She took money out of her pants pocket and gave it to the driver.

Macie moved to open the door and Rose nodded, sliding across the seat after Macie got out. Rose stood in place until the driver departed.

As the car drove away, Macie wondered if she’d missed her only chance. Abandoned buildings lined the street and the stench of rotting garbage filed her nose. The streets were deserted.

Rose examined Macie’s pale face with satisfaction. “It looks like you’re finally getting the message. I’m in charge.”

Please consider what you’re doing, Rose.” Macie balanced on the balls of her feet, prepared to take her chances.

“I know what you’re thinking, but if you run, I’ll shoot you for sure. I’m an excellent shot. My father used to take me to the shooting range regularly. He always wanted a son, but I was as interested in guns as any boy.” Rose stared off for a moment, lost in her memory. She snapped back to the present. “If you do what I say, maybe you’ll live.”

Macie couldn’t believe what she heard. This was a Rose she could never have imagined.

Rose’s feverish eyes were unblinking. “Let’s go inside. I don’t want to stand here anymore. After all, someone might see.” She laughed and motioned toward the door.

Macie shuffled on her feet and advanced toward the heavy metal door that marked the entrance. She prayed for a passerby.

Rose strolled after her with an unconcerned air and fluffed her hair with her fingers.

Macie examined the door. It was a solid piece of metal, heavy and rusted. She pulled the handle. It didn’t budge, and she stepped back.

“Oh no, you don’t. Go inside. Now,” Rose ordered.

Macie braced her weight against the door and heaved it open. The interior was dim and debris littered the floor. Light entered through broken windows on the far side, illuminating the floating dust in the air.

“It’s quite lovely, isn’t it?” Rose asked. She giggled at her own joke.

Macie remained silent, her eyes scanning the room for a way out. The windows were too high on the wall and there were no other obvious exits from this room. Doorways opened off the room with no indication of whether they were dead ends.

“I know it’s old and run down, but it has charm. Look at those beams. And the wide plank floor. All original.” Rose laughed again and kicked a stone across the room.

Macie tried to put distance between them, taking small, slow steps toward the more shadowed area.

Rose fixed Macie with a sharp gaze. “I have this feeling you’re going to be difficult like your sister. So much alike, you two. Always in one another’s pockets. Always sharing everything. But she didn’t share the most important thing with you, did she?” Rose continued, nudging small pieces of brick with her toe like a child kicking stones on a playground.

Macie gasped. “What are you talking about?”

“The cause of her death.” Rose sounded matter of fact, as if she were discussing the weather.

Macie raised her hand and pointed at Rose. “It was you, wasn’t it?” Her finger shook with fury.

“Not exactly,” Rose mused. She swayed from side to side.

“How can you not exactly murder someone?” Macie demanded, taking a step in Rose’s direction.

Rose waved her hand dismissively. “Murder? Frankly, what happened was her own fault.”

“Her own fault?” Macie retorted, her voice rising.

“Yes. Your sister was simply too good at her job. Too nosy. Too curious. She couldn’t let things go. I tried to reason with her, but she wouldn’t listen.” Rose spoke as if the subject was lunch instead of murder.

“You killed Karen,” Macie spat. After all this time, Macie finally knew and it didn’t help at all.

“We argued. I pushed her. She fell. That wasn’t my fault. She shouldn’t have had so much clutter around. It’s hazardous.” Rose smirked and played with the buttons on her shirt.

Macie flexed her fingers. The desire to hit Rose grew within her. “It wasn’t your fault? How can you say that?”

“You don’t think I feel bad about what happened? I do.” Rose pouted her lips. “After all, it’s caused me no end of inconvenience.”

“You’re crazy.” Macie calmed herself. Anger wasn’t what she needed to get herself out of this.

“That isn’t a very nice thing to say.” Rose’s eyes bulged and she took a step toward Macie.

Macie stumbled back, almost tripping on a stray brick. “What would you call it?”

“I was so careful. So clever. I really never thought anyone would find out.” Rose’s eyes glazed over.

“You weren’t nearly as clever as you thought.” Macie searched the floor for anything that would help her—a pipe, a piece of board.

Rose shrugged. “Apparently not. However, all that really matters is that people stop asking questions. I needed the money. You have to understand that.”

“You took a life over money?” Karen’s life had been priceless.

“It’s not that simple,” Rose explained, as if it were possible to convince Macie she was in the right.

“It’s exactly that simple. You’re a murderer.” Macie located nothing of use on the floor—broken bricks and rubbish didn’t seem much use against a gun.

Rose shook her head. Her eyes narrowed. “I really wish you wouldn’t use that word. I don’t like that word.” She took another threatening step toward Macie.

“That’s all you have to say? You don’t like the word murderer?” Macie kicked a piece of brick toward Rose. It was only a small rebellion compared to what she wanted to do.

Rose took the gun from her pocket and examined it. “Don’t use that word.” She aimed at Macie, then lowered the gun with a smile. “We’re getting off track here. What I want to know is what you found.”

“Why? So you can try to cover your tracks?” Macie knew she needed to stop goading Rose, but she couldn’t seem to control herself.

“Precisely. See, I knew you were as clever as your sister. Unfortunately, cleverness can be bad for your health.” Rose smiled around clenched teeth.

Macie held back the tirade she wanted to unleash on Rose.

“I’m going to ask you again,” Rose said firmly. “What was on the computer?”

Macie considered before answering. It really made no difference if Rose knew. “Files. Spreadsheets. They show someone embezzled funds.”