Czytaj książkę: «For Her Eyes Only Part 3»

Chapter Nine Continued

Stone Richardson slammed his butt into the seat of his car and jammed the key into the ignition. He never had liked Mondays.

“Good morning to you, too,” Jack Stryker said.

“Buckle up,” Stone muttered, but it sounded too much like “shut up” for Stryker to argue.

His partner continued as if nothing was wrong.

“Okay, we know that the last word out of Olivia Stuart’s mouth at the hospital was ‘coal.’ And we’ve got a map detailing the area where the consortium’s lease for strip mining is expiring. We’ve got an agenda—try and see if there is any connection between the mayor’s last word and the business to which she was so opposed. If we find that, we might find her killer. Now all we need is an attitude adjustment.”

Stone started the car, yanking it in gear and leaving rubber behind as he peeled out of the parking lot.

Stryker glanced at his partner, then down at his watch.

“So, it’s gonna be like this, is it?” When Stone didn’t answer, Stryker glanced at his watch and slid a little further into the seat. It was going to be a hell of a long, silent day of police work.

* * *

“Easy does it, Miss Hanson. One more stitch and they’ll all be out.”

Jessica squinched her eyes shut, wincing against the tug to her scalp as Dr. Howell removed the last stitch.

“And that does it,” he said, dropping the bit of stitch, as well as his instruments, into a nearby pan. Moving her hair aside, he swabbed alcohol on the area. Peering closely at the results of his handiwork, he gave her a pat on the arm. “Except for the haircut, you’re good as new.”

She blinked and thrust her hand into her hair in embarrassment.

“Oh, I didn’t mean your new style. I meant the cut I gave you.” Noah flicked the end of a straggly lock away from her ear. “Yours is quite fetching.”

He stepped back and looked at her more closely as his nurse moved in, swabbing the healing wound with a last dab of disinfectant. “You know…that hairdo really changes your appearance. You remind me of someone, but I just can’t think who.”

The nurse looked up to see for herself. “Hmm, you know, Dr. Howell, you’re right. It really did change her appearance.”

Jessica resisted the urge to stick out her tongue. She already felt like a sideshow freak, and now they were speaking of her as if she wasn’t even there.

Noah suddenly snapped his fingers and a smile spread over his face. “I know. I know. You remind me of Charlize Theron”

Jessica smiled. “Thanks.”

Defeated by the past week’s events, as well as by and the fight she’d had with Stone early yesterday morning, Jessica slumped where she sat.

“If only the rest of Grand Springs could see me like that. All they see is some crazy witch.”

Noah frowned. He’d heard the gossip about Jessica Hanson, and about her visions coming true, and while he’d like to think it was nothing more than that, he’d been far too close a witness to her first correct prediction to scoff. Olivia Stuart did have a needle mark on the back of her leg, just as Jessica had proclaimed. Olivia’s death was not natural. Someone killed her.

“You know, an old professor told me something once that I’ve never forgotten,” Noah said. “He said, as long as you know who you are, it doesn’t really matter what the rest of the world thinks about you.”

Jessica sighed. “I guess that’s my problem,” she said softly. “I don’t know myself. Why would I expect the rest of the world to get a grip when I’ve lost my own?”

“I could recommend some therapy, if you think it would help.”

She grinned wryly. “Unless your shrink has a crystal ball on his desk, I don’t think we’d have much to say to each other.”

He almost laughed. “You’ve got a good attitude. I’m sure everything will work itself out.”

Jessica left the doctor, minus her stitches, but still carrying the wound Stone had left in her heart. And, after a week off at home, it felt strange to be going back to work. Her nerves tightened as she turned into the parking lot at Squaw Creek Lodge. Mr. Dolby knew she was due in today, but she dreaded the confrontation. Yet when she walked in her office, the familiar surroundings went a long way toward helping her relax.

As she hung her jacket on a hook, she couldn’t help but glance down. One thing had changed, and for the better. The bloodstain on the carpet was gone. And it looked as if whoever they’d called in from temporary services hadn’t moved a thing. There was no work stacked on her desk, nothing seemed out of place. She started to relax. Maybe for once, something was about to go right.

A bouquet of fresh flowers was on the corner of her desk. She lifted the card, a smile of appreciation spreading across her face as she read. It was a “welcome back” bouquet from the staff. She leaned forward, inhaling the aroma of sweet peas and roses and baby’s breath, then looked up as the door suddenly opened.

It was Sheila, carrying a cinnamon roll and a fresh cup of coffee.

“Shoot,” she said. “I didn’t know you were already here. I was going to surprise you.”

Jessica pointed to what Sheila was holding. “If that’s for me, I’d be glad to go out and come in again.”

Sheila giggled. “You better not. It smells so good, I might break down and eat it before you got back.”

“Then, thank you,” Jessica said as Sheila set it down on her desk.

There was a long pause as the two women looked at each other, each remembering how Jessica had a vision of Sheila’s kitchen on fire and alerted Sheila so fast that the firemen were able to save the house.

Finally, Sheila waved her hand. “Eat. Drink. You’ll need sustenance to prepare yourself for Dolby’s new do.”

Jessica thought of the manager’s last hairpiece and grimaced. “Don’t tell me he’s changed it again.”

Sheila arched an eyebrow. “I won’t have to. When you see him, believe me, you’ll understand.”

It was nearly noon before Jessica had a chance to see what Sheila had been talking about, and when she did, she was heartily glad she’d been forewarned.

Jeffery Dolby was strutting as he came toward her. Jessica knew she was staring, but it was impossible to stop. He’d dyed his eyebrows to match the new hairpiece. Wiry and yellow, it sat on his head like a straw nest on the forked branch of a tree; firmly planted, but out of place. Jeffery Dolby had gone blond.

“Miss Hanson, welcome back, welcome back!” Dolby said, and thrust out his hand, engulfing hers within his grasp. “Sheila said you were here, but we’ve been so busy this morning, I haven’t had time to welcome you personally.”

Jessica bit the inside of her mouth to keep from grinning and fixed her focus on the bridge of his nose, rather than what was above it.

“Thank you, Mr. Dolby. It’s good to be back. Oh, and the flowers are beautiful. Please give everyone my thanks.”

He smiled and pointed to her head. “I see you got your stitches out.”

She fingered the edge of her hairline and the small scar that would soon be concealed with a new growth of hair.

“Yes. This morning. And I can’t say I was sorry to see them go.”

He patted his hair and then did a little two-step, as if shifting gears before moving on.

“I trust all was in order in your office when you returned.”

She tried looking at his chin instead of the fuzzy blond hair above his nose, but it was no use. No matter how hard she tried, her gaze kept moving back to the changes in Dolby’s appearance. When she met his gaze, she realized he was still waiting for her reply.

“Oh! The office! Yes! Everything was fine, and thank you for giving me the week off to recuperate.”

His eyebrows wiggled like yellow caterpillars on a fishhook. “Think nothing of it. If you find yourself with slack time, don’t hesitate to take the occasional early day home until you feel you’re back to normal. You’re a fine employee. We’d hate to lose you.”

She nodded. The idea of going home early now and then might be wise, especially until she got back in the swing of a regular routine.

“Well now,” Dolby said, patting the front of his suit. “I’ve a luncheon meeting. I mustn’t be late. Again, welcome back.”

He strode away, leaving Jessica alone in the hall. Only after he was completely out of sight did she let herself react. She smiled, then chuckled, and then laughed outright. And she was still giggling to herself when she turned the corner and walked straight into Stone Richardson’s arms.

“Oh!”

Her gasp was as much from surprise as from the unexpected contact. When his fingers curled around her arms to steady her, she found herself wanting to throw her arms around his neck and give him a welcome he wouldn’t forget. But then she remembered the way that they’d parted, and all her joy in seeing him again was tempered with reserve.

Inside, Stone was scared half out of his mind. The last thing on earth he could face was losing Jessie Leigh.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She searched the intensity of his gaze. He looked as miserable as she felt, and she reached out and touched the side of his face.

“And I didn’t mean to scare you, either.”

At that moment, both knew they were no longer referring to their near miss in the hall. They were talking about Saturday night and the unexpected way in which they’d parted early yesterday morning.

“Forgive me?” Stone asked.

“If you’ll forgive me.”

Stone kissed the side of her cheek, and then took her in his arms and stole the breath from her lips. Someone whistled at the end of the hallway. Stone groaned beneath his breath as he broke their connection, then smiled down at her, noticing as he did that something had changed.

“Your stitches are gone!”

“Out this morning. Now all that’s missing is some hair and…” She hesitated. She’d almost said “a few brain cells,” but after the other night, making jokes about her dreams was no longer funny.

Stone knew what she’d been about to say, and while he didn’t like to think about the consequences, he knew better than to tell her she was crazy. She’d already proved them wrong on all counts.

“I won’t forget what you told me,” he said. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

She laid her cheek against his heartbeat. Like Stone, it was steady and strong.

“I like a man who keeps his promises,” she said softly.

He held her close, cherishing the trust, as well as the love, that she’d given.

“I hate to kiss and run, but Jack’s waiting for me out in the car. We’re on our way to Hal Stuart’s office, and then out to run down some more leads.”

Jessica ran her hand along the front of his jacket, and when she felt the bulge of his shoulder holster, she gave it a comforting pat.

“Call me.” There was more question than request in her words.

Stone grinned. “No way, honey. When I ‘reach out and touch someone,’ I want to do it the old-fashioned way. I’ll see you tonight.”

He left her standing in the hall, which was right where Sheila Biggers found her.

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over. Do you still want to do lunch? I’m starving.”

Jessica’s heart was lighter as she followed Dolby’s administrative assistant out the door.

And the days crawled toward the end of the week.

* * *

It was Friday afternoon, less than thirty minutes to quitting time, and none too soon for Jessica. Nowadays, she lived for the nights and Stone’s arrival at her house. While nothing more had been spoken between them with regards to their future or lack thereof, Jessica was holding on tight to the bits and pieces of himself that Stone was willing to share. And every time she thought of his ex-wife, she fought an urge to curse. That woman had done a number on him he couldn’t seem to forget.

Tonight, though, the routine was going to change. Stone was going to cook, and at his apartment. She wasn’t sure whether it meant he was tired of pretending her cooking was great, or if he was just being the gentleman and paying her back for all the meals he’d scrounged at her house during the week. All she had to do was drop the monthly reports by Mr. Dolby’s office and she was through for the day.

Her steps were hurried as she started down the hall. Her hand was on the doorknob to Dolby’s office when the door suddenly swung inward and a woman started out.

“Oh, Jessica! I didn’t see you there.”

Jessica grinned at the tall, dark-haired woman. “That’s because the door was closed.”

Nina Lindstrom managed a smile. And Jessica returned it easily. She and Nina had known each other for years.

“I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor,” Nina said.

“That’s about all that’s still where it belongs,” Jessica muttered, more to herself than to Nina, and followed the other woman into the hall.

Nina glanced at her friend, and Jessica could tell that she was wondering how much of what she’d heard was true, and how much of it was just gossip.

“So, how have you really been?” Nina asked. “I heard you were a victim of our famous storm.”

“That’s a kind way of putting it,” Jessica said. “But, enough about me. How are you doing?”

Nina’s shoulders drooped. “Not so good,” she said. “The diner has closed for repairs, and it’s pretty common knowledge that the Olsens aren’t going to open it back up.”

Jessica frowned. She knew Nina’s life had been tough since her husband’s death, but losing her job as a waitress at the Olsens’ diner would hit her hard.

“How are the kids?”

Nina smiled, although her voice sounded a bit shaky. “Exactly how you would expect three kids under the age of nine to be. Rowdy and loud.”

“Were you applying for a job?” Jessica asked.

Nina nodded. “But there aren’t any openings, and I need something now.” She shook her head and looked away, unwilling to let on how desperate she really was.

“Maybe something will turn up,” Jessica said.

“I don’t know. Grand Springs is in such an uproar over the mayor’s death, and businesses aren’t doing so well right now.” Then Nina put on a brave face and smiled. “If you hear of something, will you let me know?”

“Of course,” Jessica said, and touched Nina’s arm in what was meant to be a comforting way.

But at the moment of contact, everything changed. Images flashed in and out of her mind, like slides on a screen. One after the other, in rapid succession without any explanations in between. And with each one she saw, her impression grew that Nina Lindstrom would soon experience a drastic change of pace.

Nina tensed. “Jessica, are you all right?”

Jessica jerked, blinked, and then took a deep breath as her hand dropped to her side. She looked up at Nina with an angelic smile on her face.

“Don’t worry. I have a really good feeling that something is going to turn up…and soon.”

Nina sighed. “I hope you’re right. I could use some good luck for a change.”