Deception (23 page)

Dr. Fitzwilliam bustled into the room. “Ms. St. Regis, I’d like to start running a few tests. You can leave now. I’ll give you a call.”

Mia backed out of the room, sending a silent prayer in Kayla’s direction. Maybe Kayla could fly home to Phoenix and walk off the plane on her own.

Maybe she could tell Dylan who gave her the cookies, and Mia could feel safe again in her hometown.

Slumping in a chair in the hospital lobby, Mia pulled out her cell phone and called Dylan. He seemed out of breath when he answered. “Busy day?”

“You could say that. Now the mayor wants a meeting with me this afternoon.”

“You know I found out from Dirk Fielder that the city gets the house if I die. So no one person would benefit from that.”

“That’s interesting—good to know. You’re still at the hospital?”

“I am, and I have some good news. Kayla is showing some signs of life. She made some noises and she moved her eyelids. Dr. Fitzwilliam is running some tests right now.”

“That’s great news. What about the transport back to Arizona?”

“It’s all set to go, but I’m sure Dr. Fitzwilliam will want to keep her here if she keeps showing signs of improvement. I can fly Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford out here instead. If I’m still leaving tomorrow, I want someone out here for Kayla.”

“You
are
still leaving tomorrow, bright and early, and I’ll look after Kayla until her parents get here. Her friends are still in town, too.”

“All right, all right. I know you’re not budging on that.”

“Where are you headed now?”

“Is it okay if I have lunch?”

“Wish I could join you but duty calls. Where are you going?”

“I think I might just have to go back to the Whole Earth Café and have some of those sweet potato fries.”

“Don’t leave the hospital until you see Baxter in the parking lot.”

Mia crossed her legs at the ankles and tapped her sandals together. “Isn’t he getting a little tired of shadowing me today?”

“Are you kidding? He’d rather be driving around town than pulling over kids on bikes for not wearing helmets or settling some domestic dispute.”

“Well, then send him on over. I’m starving.”

Mia watched for the familiar black-and-white squad car out the window. When Baxter pulled up to the curb, she exited the hospital and waved to him on her way to her car.

He followed her back to Main Street, and Mia sauntered to his car after she parked in a metered space on the street. He powered down the window at her approach.

“I’m grabbing a bite to eat at the Whole Earth. Do you want something?”

“No, thank you, Ms. St. Regis. I’m meeting my girlfriend for a sandwich in the park.”

“Aww, that’s sweet.” She gestured toward the restaurant. “I’m sure Chief Reese will be letting you know your next assignment after lunch. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize. This is an easy gig for me today.”

He watched her walk into the restaurant and then took off for his own rendezvous.

Mia surveyed the crowded restaurant for a friendly face but got a few blank stares and sideways glances in response. Everyone must’ve read the article by now. Didn’t anyone want a park?

“Table for one?” The hostess smiled sweetly but Mia saw signs of pity on her face.

“Yep, that’s me, dining solo.”

The hostess led her to a table by the kitchen. After Mia sat down, she pulled the
Coral Cove Herald
out of her bag. She shook out the paper and read the front-page article. Holt had made it sound like she was tearing down some beloved gathering place instead of the town eyesore and local haunted house.

He sure knew how to whip up negative public opinion. Maybe
he
had some stake in keeping the drama swirling around the house.

The waiter stopped by her table almost as an afterthought, and Mia ordered the sweet potato fries along with a diet soda—had to balance out those calories somehow.

When her order came, she folded the paper and stuffed it back in her bag. She dragged the basket of fries in front of her and plunged in.

“To die for, aren’t they?”

Mia glanced up at Linda Davis, all gussied up in a pink suit and hovering near her table.

“They are heavenly.” She jabbed a fry in Linda’s direction. “You look nice.”

“Thanks. Showing a house later.” She placed a hand on the chair across from Mia. “Mind if I join you? The place is packed.”

Mia scanned the crowded room, buzzing with activity. “Sure, if you don’t mind the noise from the kitchen.”

“Not at all.” She pulled out the chair, waved down the waiter and ordered a sandwich and an iced tea, which was delivered seconds after she sat down.

“Does the mayor’s wife always get such quick service? I swear that waiter has been hard to find since I sat down.”

Linda rolled her eyes. “One of the small perks, the very small perks. Maybe you’ll find out when you’re the police chief’s wife.”

Mia brushed her fingers together and took a sip of her soda. “Is that the buzz in town?”

“That and your plans for the park.”

“Oh, you saw that, huh?”

“You’d have to be living under a rock not to.”

“I hope you don’t mind too much, Linda. I know we discussed the renovation and you went to a lot of trouble the other day helping me with the inventory.”

She fluttered her manicured fingers. “Don’t even think about it. I was happy to have a look around, and Tyler is thrilled with the park idea.”

“Good. I’m actually headed over there after lunch to finish up the inventory. I’m going to strip the place before I have it demolished.”

Linda had been dumping a pack of sweetener in her iced tea and she dropped the little blue envelope in her tea. She fished it out with her spoon. “I’d love to join you. I’m heading that way for my listing on Coral Cove Drive.”

“Perfect. I just have to let my police bodyguard know where I’m going next.”

“Your police bodyguard?”

Mia held a finger to her lips. “Shh, don’t tell your husband. Noah Baxter is on patrol, and Dylan keeps sending him to follow me from place to place.”

“I didn’t see a black-and-white out front.”

“Oh, he just escorts me to my location and then takes off until I’m done. He’s having lunch in the park with his girlfriend right now.”

Linda thanked the waiter for her sandwich and began slicing off the crusts with a knife. “And why exactly do you need a bodyguard? Because of that rock thrown at you during the protest?”

Mia waved to get the waiter’s attention for a refill on her soda and gave up. “I guess news doesn’t travel as fast as I thought it did in a small town. I was attacked last night in the parking lot of the hospital.”

Linda’s eyes widened and her lip twitched. “Oh, my God. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but Dylan wants me under lock and key before I take off tomorrow. I’m surprised Tyler didn’t tell you. He seems to have his pulse on everything that happens.”

“I didn’t see my husband this morning, and you must know the new chief doesn’t keep the mayor as informed as much as the previous chief did.”

“Yeah, Dylan likes his independence.”

“A man like Dylan Reese will never be controlled.”

“Oh, I know that, and I’m okay with it.” Mia hid her smile behind her napkin. No wonder Tyler liked to flex his muscles as mayor. He probably didn’t get the opportunity at home.

Linda took a delicate bite of her sandwich and dabbed her lips with a napkin. “I hope you’re carrying some kind of protection. A girl can’t be too careful, even in a small town like this.”

“I have some pepper spray. That’s how I got away last night.”

Linda patted her bag. “I keep a small gun with me at all times.”

“Really?”

“Just started this summer when we had that serial killer on the loose.” She tapped Mia’s empty glass. “Are you ready to go over now?”

“First I need to activate my bodyguard service.” She dug her cell phone from her purse and called Dylan. “I’m heading over to Columbella House now.”

“Okay, I’ll get Baxter over to meet you at the restaurant. I can’t talk now. I’ve got a busy afternoon.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll have company at the house.” She winked at Linda.

“I’ll get Baxter on the radio. Take care.”

Mia crumpled her napkin and dropped it on the table. “My police escort is on his way.”

“Does that mean you’re done with these?” Linda held up the basket of fries.

“Knock yourself out. Now if I can just get that waiter to bring me my check.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pick it up.”

“Thanks. Let me know what I owe you when you get to the house.” Mia slung her bag over her shoulder and left the restaurant. Poor Noah wasn’t there yet, probably still enjoying lunch with his girlfriend.

Mia leaned against her car and called the hospital. Kayla had made a few signs that she was coming out of her coma, but the doctor hadn’t finished his tests yet. If Kayla could identify the person who gave her the cookies, Mia wouldn’t have to rush out of town.

She didn’t want to leave Dylan—not now, not ever.

Noah’s car cruised to a stop in front of the Whole Earth, and Mia waved and slid into her car. On the way to Columbella, Dylan called.

“Baxter’s there?”

“Right behind me.”

“I don’t like the idea of you shuffling around that old house by yourself. I can’t ask Baxter to stay because he needs to be on patrol.”

“Don’t worry. I told you. I’m going to have company. I’m meeting Linda Davis there—and she carries a gun. Did you know that?”

“I knew she had a conceal-and-carry permit. Just don’t open the door to anyone, and maybe by the time you’re done I’ll be off and I’ll give you my own private escort.”

“Mmm, that sounds good. Kayla continues to make progress.”

“That’s good to hear. I gotta go. You have a meeting with the mayor’s wife and I have a meeting with the mayor.”

They ended the call just about the time Mia turned off the highway. She passed the house for sale with Linda’s sign out front and then pulled into the driveway of Columbella—maybe for the last time.

Noah idled at the curb and Mia approached the car. “I think you’re good to go, Noah.”

“The chief told me to wait until Mrs. Davis shows up.”

Mia pointed to Linda’s black Mercedes pulling in front of the house for sale. “She just did. Thanks for your help today.”

He took off, and Mia picked her way up the walk. Linda waved from across the street and pointed to her listing. Probably had a few things to do there first to get ready for her showing later.

Mia’s key slid easily into the new lock and she stepped into the foyer. She breathed in the musty smell of the house and sneezed. No amount of renovation could make this place right again.

For the next twenty minutes she wandered around the house, taking notes of the pieces. Columbella was still a treasure trove.

The knock on the front door startled her into dropping her notepad. She rushed to the front window and peered out. Linda stood out like a pink marshmallow on the dreary porch.

Mia opened the door and ushered her in. “You should’ve changed into something grungier.”

“I don’t mind getting a little dirty.”

“I tallied a few more items.” She held out the notepad to Linda. “Maybe I should have an estate sale or something before the teardown.”

“If you’re talking estate sale, we need to go through that basement.”

Mia wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. “I hate it down there.”

“It’ll be okay with the two of us.” Linda reached into her purse and withdrew a dull gray handgun. “The three of us.”

For some reason, the sight of the gun sent more chills racing down Mia’s back. “Y-you know how to use that thing, right?”

“I sure do.”

On unsteady legs, Mia led the way to the basement door. She pushed it open and flicked on the lights. She descended a few steps and cranked her head over her shoulder.

“These steps are not the safest.”

Linda placed a hand on her back, and at first Mia thought she had stumbled. “Be careful.”

“No, you be careful.” Linda gave her a hard shove down the stairs.

Chapter Sixteen

Dylan sat in the mayor’s office, tapping his foot. Mayor Davis had called this meeting and he couldn’t make it on time? He glanced at his watch again. Baxter had touched base to let him know Mia was at Columbella with Linda Davis…and Linda had a gun.

Hope she knew how to use it better than Mia knew how to use that pepper spray.

He eased back in the comfortable leather chair and propped his feet on the mayor’s desk, littered with pictures of him and his wife. The two had never had children.

His gaze scanned the photos—all vacation pictures. Mia had mentioned the two traveled every summer, usually to some exotic locale, although they’d had to skip this summer because of all the trouble.

Dylan zeroed in on one picture, a shot of Linda with an expanse of beach and blue sea behind her. He sat up and reached for the photo. The place looked familiar. A white, domed building gleamed in the background. Where had he seen that building?

His heart banged against his rib cage.
Marissa’s postcards.

He scrambled to the other side of the desk and hunched over the photos, picking up each one and holding it close to his face. This could be Cote d’Azur, this could be the Costa del Sol, this could be Nice with that lighthouse in the distance. The same lighthouse on Marissa’s postcard.

Dylan dropped the last frame and it clattered on the mayor’s desk. What did it mean? Had the Davises been sending Mia phony postcards from Marissa all these years? And if so, why?

He didn’t have time to hang around here and ask Mayor Davis. Mia was at Columbella alone with Linda Davis…and Linda had a gun.

He lunged for the door and ran across the old linoleum floor of City Hall. He burst out the front, nearly knocking over the city treasurer. He gunned his squad car and raced out the back way, but didn’t flip on his siren. He wanted to take Linda by surprise—if there was any reason to take her by surprise.

All those trips could just be a coincidence. But the city got the house if Mia died. Mayor Tyler Davis
was
the city. What it all had to do with Marissa and those postcards he didn’t know, but he planned to find out.