The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) (13 page)

She grinned. “He sure does.”

CHAPTER 14

Reginald woke with a raging, searing pain in his head. Opening his one good eye, he glanced around to see it had gotten even darker. With his good ear, he could hear slight rustling in the woods behind him. Ever so slowly, he sat up. Waiting for his brain and vision to acclimate, he attempted to get to his knees. He wobbled a bit but was able to stabilize himself with his arm. Remembering the tussle with Delilah, he realized she had probably taken the only flashlight with her. They had only gone up half of the trail, so getting back down to his car wouldn’t be too difficult. At least she had left him the use of his arms and legs, but his damaged ear felt like it was on fire, and the distortion of his hearing was maddening. He felt like his shirt was wet, and when he raised his hand to his neck, he realized she must have jabbed him with that foolish file again. He raised his hand to his forehead and found two very large lumps in need of icing. His damaged eye was useless and caked with dried blood. His first priority was getting to his car, going home, taking some pills for the pain, and icing his wounds. Then he would plan his revenge or leave town.

He reached out and grabbed at a thick dead tree limb lying on the ground beside him. He could use it to balance or defend himself if the need arose. He slowly stood with the assistance of the limb and began the slow trek down the path. When he began to get his bearings, his steps quickened. After twenty minutes or so, he reached the parking area. He stood with mouth agape when he realized his car was gone. He patted down both of his pockets and growled, “That cold-hearted bitch!”

He began the long walk home and realized the predicament he was in: there was no way for him to leave this town, as he had so many others. That is, without stealing a vehicle. When he approached the streets, he kept to the shadows and crept between homes until he was at his house. For all he knew, Delilah could have reported his behavior to the police already.

When he could see the house he was renting and noticed the car wasn’t there either—but neither were police cars—he let out a sigh of relief. He then realized that Delilah couldn’t report his behavior, because her behavior had been just as warped. He grinned, and the discomfort of his lower lip reminded him—the little vampire had bitten him.

He pushed in the door of his home and went straight to the freezer, grabbed a dishcloth, filled it with ice, knotted it off and applied it to his aching head and eye. He then went to the bathroom, took a prescription pain pill, and stuffed a cotton ball in his damaged ear. He tried to wash some of the blood from his face, but found it hurt too much and gave up. He dragged himself to the living room, lay down on the sofa, and began to drift off.

He heard from the darkened bedroom: “Nighty-night, don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

He spat back, “Shut up!

He only heard a demented chuckle in response.

***

They pulled into Fran’s driveway to see her exiting the barn after herding the livestock inside for the night. She waved to them, and Delilah cut the engine. Adam had pulled in behind them; he jumped from Reginald’s car and yelled, “Frannie, I need a screwdriver.”

They heard, “Okay, I’ll be right with you.”

Delilah turned to Maurice. “Father, we need to stay in town until Monday evening. We cannot leave for home Sunday evening. I have business to attend to in town all day Monday.”

“Is this business dealing in town profitable and important to you?”

She wiggled her eyebrows at him and said, “Yes, and yes.” Delilah had access to her trust fund now and was about to make her first investment.

He sat back with a satisfied grin on his face and replied, “I will see to our accommodations for one more evening in this quaint little town.”

Adam tapped on Delilah’s window; she lowered it, and he asked, “Is Reginald dead yet?”

She heard Maurice chuckle and responded, “Mostly.”

Adam winced and looked to the side to see Maurice ignoring him, but his shoulders were shaking. “Come on, Delilah. Is he dead or not? Frannie wants to know.”

Delilah sighed. “I could not deny Fran the joy of disposing of that piece of filth.” She watched Adam smile and rush over to Fran to relay the news.

Glancing at her watch again, she growled, “Chop-chop, Adam! We have to come back here to make plans with Fran for tomorrow anyway!”

They watched Adam startle and rush to Reginald’s car. He slid beneath it, unscrewed the tracking mechanism, and squirmed his way out from beneath the vehicle. When he stood, they watched him toss the device far into the grazing field.

Maurice commented, “I do believe our Adam would have made a fine baseball pitcher if he had applied himself.”

Delilah agreed and started their car. They waited until he pulled out of the driveway and backed up to follow him out of town. They drove approximately twenty miles until they came to an ideal spot. When they saw Adam turn his directional signal on, Delilah pulled over to the side of the road and waited. After situating Reginald’s vehicle in the proper position, he put it in park and exited the car with the engine still running. He rummaged around for a thick stick and jammed it in the seat so it ran all the way to the gas pedal. The engine roared, and they watched Adam use his sleight of hand again and slip the transmission into drive and leap backward. The car tires spun, and the vehicle blew straight through a barrier and down into the ravine below. Adam raised his right hand with his forefinger pointed at the sky and yelled, “Wait for it!”

Delilah giggled and braced herself for the impact and explosion. It didn’t take long before they heard the collision and watched as the bursting flames rocketed to the sky.

Maurice commented, “It just warms the heart, doesn’t it, dear?”

Delilah smiled as she watched the entertainment. “It surely does, Father.” She sighed in contentment.

Adam returned to the vehicle and took over the driver’s seat. He grumbled as he adjusted the seat, and Delilah moaned because she had to sit in the back. Once settled, Adam asked, “Where to first, boss? Do we go to Fran’s, or do we check the hiking trail?”

Maurice sat admiring his recently manicured nails. “I think we should give our friend Reginald time to drag his sorry backside home. I do believe Fran’s would be the most prudent of moves.”

Adam put the car in drive, did a U-turn, and headed back the twenty miles they had just driven. When they arrived, they sat in Fran’s kitchen and discussed the following day’s plans. Before leaving to check the hiking trails, they warned Fran to bolt and lock the doors and windows. She was also to keep a weapon at her bedside and her binoculars handy. She agreed to all of it and kissed Adam good night. He promised he would come by first thing in the morning and then again later to pick her up on time for the wedding.

They pulled out and headed straight down Main Street toward the hiking trails near Myrna and Tom’s. Adam grabbed a flashlight, and Delilah guided them up the path. They noticed the site of the struggle and the bloodied rock that Delilah had used, but there was no sign of Reginald. Adam picked up the rock and tossed it further into the woods, off the trail. Maurice nodded in satisfaction, and they turned and headed back to their vehicle. Reginald knew about the wedding the following day and would want revenge. The sorry sot had no way to leave town. That was all Maurice cared about.

CHAPTER 15

Chief Hanover addressed the oncoming shift. “I don’t care what it takes today. I don’t want any trouble happening in this town! If we are denied cannoli from the bakery, I will have myself an all-out shit fit the likes of which you’ve never seen! I want the town patrols done double time. Do you understand me? You don’t have to worry about Robert’s restaurant on Main Street; I’ll be attending the wedding, and I’m bringing a side arm.”

The officers agreed, and one stated, “I don’t want to be denied them either, Chief. You have our word that this town will be buttoned up tight today.”

The chief put his hat on, did an about face, and left the police station to go and get ready for the wedding.

***

Reginald woke rather late in the day Friday and realized the pain pill he’d taken must have been too strong for him. It was a good thing that Fran had given him the day off in order to attend the wedding because there was no way he would have made it into work today. He mumbled as he went to the front windows of the house and stared at the streets. He saw police cruising on patrol, more so than usual, and grimaced. He slowly walked to the bathroom and felt a new pain reveal itself. It was the left side of his ribcage. When he lifted his shirt, he touched his side to find it tender and aching. With his good eye, he focused on the area and noticed a deep, dark bruise. He inhaled as deep a breath as he dared and blew it out of his cheeks slowly.

Trudging to the bathroom, he glanced into the mirror above the sink and once again tried to clean his wounds. As the pain blossomed anew, he bellowed to the ceiling in agony, tossed the washcloth to the side of the sink, and gave up. Instead, he took two aspirin with a glass of water, changed his shirt, and stood post at the windows of his rented home.

He kept watch on the clock; every half hour or so, he noticed a new set of patrol cars going up and down the streets. It dawned on him that it was because of the wedding. He knew Myrna was close to the police department, but shit, this meant he couldn’t steal a car in order to get out of town today. Option number two was revenge. He was trapped. What better way was there to wish the happy couple a long and healthy life together than to turn it into a bloodbath? He couldn’t think of one, so his decision was made. He would go into the restaurant and slice Delilah’s throat in front of all those attending the illustrious affair. It was already three o’clock, so it wouldn’t be long now.

***

The guests had arrived and were seated in the banquet room by the ushers. Myrna could hear the murmuring of the crowd about the decorations and flower arrangements. Everyone attending was in awe of the fairy-tale décor of the banquet hall. The room had been transformed, and she could hardly wait to see it. Robert was commenting that he might just keep it decorated year round. When all the guests had arrived, the double doors closed and the wedding party waited anxiously in the adjoining dining room. The restaurant was closed to the public that evening, and Adam was currently guarding the front doors. Myrna was in the ladies’ room, preparing herself as her bridesmaids fussed with their makeup and hair. Tom was in the men’s room with his father, Liam, and Artie. Wally and Alice Dumont were late.

Adam looked at Fran, who was sitting at one of the tables with her eyes glued to the front of the establishment. She looked gorgeous. Her red hair fell in soft waves and framed her pretty face. Her dress was a long-sleeved, leaf-green number, and she wore the sexiest pumps Adam had ever seen. She wore some makeup, but not enough to look garish.

“Stop staring at me and do your job, you piece of hot Italian bread.”

Adam let loose a chuckle and said, “I can’t help it, Frannie. You look so pretty today.” He watched her blush and grin, but her eyes never left the front of the restaurant. She abruptly stood and growled, “Heads up.” She then proceeded to the men’s room door, knocked once, and said, “It’s time, Maurice.”

Maurice exited the men’s room and slowly walked to Adam. “Guard the ladies’ room. No one is to exit.” Adam moved locations and stood guard. He knocked on the men’s room door once and said to Tom as he peeked through: “Get in the banquet hall and tell the guests we’ll be delayed by…” He checked his watch. “Twenty minutes. Guard the doors and let no one pass. First priority is to get Liam in there.”

Tom asked, “What about the women? What about Myrna?”

“I’ll keep watch over them.”

He watched Tom drag Artie and Liam into the banquet hall and shut the doors behind him. He could hear him calming the guests and explaining the delay. Myrna poked her head out of the ladies’ room, and Adam shoved it closed. He spoke between the crack, “Don’t come out here. We’ve got a twenty-minute delay.”

He heard Myrna through the door. “What’s the problem?”

He grunted, “It’s a surprise.”

Robert was in the kitchen prepping when he noticed Maurice Gillette move to the front of the dining room and stare out the windows. Then he saw the reason. Reginald Denning, bloodied and broken, was dragging himself inside the restaurant. He was waving a carving knife around as if it were a flag. He watched Fran O’Connor step back from the door and said, “Fran, get in here!”

She shook her head and growled, “Not on your life.” Her stance was firm as she braced herself for whatever action was about to happen. Maurice stood and smirked as though amused.

As Adam guarded the ladies’ room, he pulled out his handgun from his shoulder holster and checked his suit coat pocket for his set of picks. With everything in place, he waited for the boss to order him to do something. He stood with gun in hand and arms crossed before him at the wrists.

Reginald wrestled with the front door and got it open. The moment he took one step inside, Maurice was on him like a tick. He grasped Reginald’s neck, lifted him inside, and pinned him up against a wall. Fran approached, wrenched his knife-wielding arm, and forced him to drop the carving knife. She grasped the handle of it as Maurice held him in place. He calmly turned his head to Adam. “Please get us two banquet-sized tablecloths.”

Robert heard the request and handed the cloths to Adam through the window with his eyes bulging and his mouth agape. He could not believe the calmness that Maurice displayed or his strength; he held Reginald by the throat as he gurgled, and the man displayed no signs of tiring or exertion. Maurice glanced at Robert. “Please take Adam’s place and guard the ladies’ room until we make a clean exit. I’m assuming you have a back door?”

Robert nodded and left the kitchen and did as he requested. He watched as Adam holstered a handgun and went to his boss with the tablecloths. Maurice displayed a tight smile to Adam. “Wrap him tight, head to toe.” Fran still held the knife at Reginald’s ruined left eye, and Maurice chuckled, “There is nothing sweeter than a mother’s love, Frances.”

She gave him a terse nod and sneered, “There is nothing finer.”

“Frances, I must ask, have you ever been on vacation at the beach?” Fran looked at him with an expression of befuddlement.

As Adam knotted off the tablecloths, he chuckled. “I love how you make plans in advance, boss. I do.” He stepped back and admired his work. Reginald was wrapped like a mummy.

Robert was standing guard and in shock. He ran a hand down his face and felt something pushing at his back. He clenched his fist and punched the door. “Not yet!”

Maurice glanced at Adam. “I think we’ve upset Robert, so the sooner we take care of the matter, the better.” He looked out onto the street for traffic and didn’t see any. It was highly probable that most of the town was inside the banquet hall for the upcoming nuptials.

“I agree, boss. I’ll take the top, you take the bottom.” He moved Fran back, slid his arm behind Reginald’s upper torso, and wrapped his arms around him tightly. Maurice bent and grasped the lower half and lifted it with ease.

“Frances, if you would be so kind, please go through the kitchen and get the back door for us.” She moved quickly and raced to the kitchen as each of them moved in unison. “Now, reach into Adam’s right-hand pocket and remove his set of picks. Then hide that knife you’re wielding.” She did so without hesitation as the men held Reginald up in the air like a rolled carpet. After she slid the carving knife up the sleeve of her dress, Maurice turned his head back to Robert and said, “Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter. I assure you, we’ll be no more than ten or fifteen minutes.”

The moment they exited his restaurant through the back door, Robert slumped against the ladies’ room door. When he raised his head, he watched Alice and Wally Dumont pull up in front of the restaurant and rush in the door. Alice began apologizing for being tardy, and Robert just stared at the couple dressed in all their finery. He waved a hand before him. “It’s okay. Just do me a favor and go in the ladies’ room. Calm Myrna down and tell her everything is fine. We’re just delayed for a few minutes.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“You don’t want to know.” He staggered into the kitchen, opened a chilled bottle of wine, filled a glass, and downed the entire thing.

Wally Dumont leaned in the window between the dining room and kitchen. He chuckled, “Let me guess, the town’s at it again?”

Robert filled the glass again, drank half, and muttered, “Like nothing I’ve ever seen.” He took another sip, pointed at Wally, and said, “And I’ve seen a lot of shit, Wally.”

Wally laughed and turned to help his wife with the women as she let them out of the ladies’ room and sat them at tables. She peeked into the banquet hall and motioned for Liam to come back into the dining room. Tom would not be allowed to see Myrna until she entered the banquet hall.

Myrna glanced at Delilah. “What is going on?”

Delilah looked nonplussed and answered, “If Father is involved, it’s better that we not know. He’ll take care of everything. He always does.” She patted Myrna’s hand and then held it in hers. “I wish I had a mother like you.”

Myrna replied, “Well, pretty soon you’ll have me as a sister-in-law. Then we can work on finding Maurice someone special.”

Delilah spoke in a hushed tone: “He liked that woman at the artisan shop, but I sensed something off about her.”

Myrna smirked. “Your senses are keen, Delilah.”

***

Entering the bakery was easy enough; Adam was swift of hand as he picked the lock to the back door and helped carry Reginald into the kitchen. Fran ran for more tablecloths and spread them out on the stainless steel prep table before the men placed Reginald down. They then donned chef aprons as Adam unwrapped Reginald’s head and neck, leaned over him, and said, “You’re in for some fun, you piece of scum.”

Maurice leaned over on the other side of Reginald and shook his finger back and forth. “You’ve been a naughty boy, Reginald. I fear I have to hand you over to the mother of one of those women you slaughtered and left in pieces under an overpass.”

Reginald’s face was already bloodied and broken, but he opened his mouth to speak and gurgled, “I’ve got…”

Maurice slammed his hand over his mouth and tapped his nose three times. He finished his sentence for him: “Nothing to say.” He looked up at Adam. “Get some clear tubing and a large bucket from the store room. Don’t forget to disable the surveillance device and grab the disc while you are in there.”

He turned to Fran. “Please turn on the hot tap. We must be swift. This is a special day for me and my family.” When Adam returned with the tubing, Maurice took the knife from Fran, nicked Reginald’s jugular, and jammed the tube inside. The other end drained into a bucket on the floor. “Say your piece now, Frances O’Connor. Tell this poor unfortunate soul how he shattered your heart the day he murdered your beloved daughter.”

She approached Reginald and pinched the tube closed so he would stay alive until she spoke to him. She reached for the knife Maurice had left beside Reginald and held it in her hand, tip down toward Reginald’s mouth. She snarled, “I don’t know what corrosive womb you climbed out of, but I’ll be the one sending you back!” She raised her arm and thrust the knife home inside his gaping maw.

Adam leapt back and clapped. “That was an epic line! And holy shit, that blade went right through to the back of his skull! Did you see that, boss?”

Maurice chuckled. “Yes, Adam. I was standing right here.” He snapped his fingers. “Now, quickly. Our remaining time is waning away. You know how I like to be punctual. Bring the car around the back, Adam.”

The hot water was still running, and Maurice went to the bucket to see that there were approximately ten pints of blood inside, the perfect amount for a man of Reginald’s weight and stature. He removed the tube from Reginald’s neck and threw it in the sink. “Frances, please rinse that out for Adam, would you?” He proceeded to pull the rose boutonniere from his tuxedo lapel and jam it inside Reginald’s mouth.

She stood in shock, but when he spoke, she jolted into action again and did as he asked. With the tube removed, he wrapped the tablecloths beneath Reginald, around his body and head, and secured them. When the back door opened, he and Adam carried the carcass to the trunk of the Escalade, which was lined with a tarp, and dumped him inside. Fran heaved the bucket of blood into the large sink and poured the contents down the drain. She then ran some bleach down the drain and rinsed out the bucket with hot water and bleach. She turned to the prep table and doused it as well and wiped it down. She cleaned the carving knife and placed it on a magnetized rack above the stove. She gathered their chef aprons and handed them out the back door to Adam. By all inspections, no one would ever guess they had ever been there. Maurice and Adam returned and inspected the kitchen, and once Adam gave it a seal of approval, they locked the back door of the bakery.