All the World (16 page)

              Dr. Lindegaard pushed himself to his feet and wiped the blood from his nose and lips. “You brought all of this upon yourself, Nickolas! You are a selfish, spoiled brat who has had a silver spoon in his mouth since the day he was born! You don’t deserve a single penny of the Lindegaard fortune! Audrey’s family was foolish to leave all their money and estate to you!”

              Nickolas was gasping for air. “Who put the silver spoon in my mouth? It’s certainly not my fault! What are you talking about? Mom’s family gave everything to her and Dad, not me!”

              “Your mother was drawing up a will and planning to leave everything in her family to you! It’s a ridiculous idea! Luckily, it hasn’t been finalized! Her money should go to a good cause!”

              Lexie was absolutely disgusted. “You want Nickolas dead for
money
?”

              Nickolas glanced at Lexie and considered her comment before speaking to his uncle in a low hiss. “Is money why you killed your older brother?”

              A manic light shown in Dr. Lindegaard eyes. “No. I killed Aleksandar for Audrey! Murder got me what I wanted the first time, so why not try it again?”

              “You’re already rich! Your family has always been rich! Why do you need someone else’s money?” Lexie asked.

              Dr. Lindegaard locked eyes with Lexie and he laughed. “Don’t be a foolish child! There will never be enough money to help all the psychologically damaged people in the world. My reasons are not misguided and selfish this time. Maybe they were when I killed Aleksandar because all I wanted was his wife. But she loved and wanted me, so I just got rid of an obstacle.”

              Braedon snorted with disgust. “Does she know how you got rid of the ‘obstacle?’?”

              “No, but she is happier with me than with any other man!” Dr. Lindegaard faced his nephew. “Had you not been born, she would have divorced Aleksandar!”

              Flashes of blue suddenly lit up the sky. Lexie whirled around to see three police cars driving up the street. Their appearance caused everyone to fall silent. They made a semicircle around Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard. Braedon touched Lexie’s arm with his phone. Lexie couldn’t bring herself to smile, but she was elated that Braedon had enough sense to call the police while everyone was distracted. He had been so sly that Lexie hadn’t even seen or heard him make the call.

              Five policemen made their way to the Lindegaards, and a female officer walked over to Lexie and Braedon. Her eyes were a unique shade of jade and her auburn hair was pulled back into a chignon at the nape of her neck. She had an intimidating bearing, more so than Dr. Lindegaard.

              “Are you Braedon Horaz?”

              “Yes, ma’am,” Braedon answered politely.

              “I’m Officer Reading, the new chief of police in Vernon Hills. The deputy you spoke with told me you have proof of the murder of Aleksandar Lindegaard. I need proof before I can take Dr. Phillip Lindegaard into custody.”

              “He just tried to poison Nickolas Lindegaard, but he made a mistake and accidently poisoned his wife. The syringe is over there in the road,” interrupted Lexie.

              The officer peered at Lexie for a moment before looking over her shoulder. Her eyes landed on the needle. “Portman, get that syringe and bag it for evidence!”

              A male deputy who looked as though he were of Italian descent hurried to do as his captain bid before joining his comrades around Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard.

              Officer Reading turned her attention to Braedon. “Where’s the proof that Phillip Lindegaard murdered Aleksandar Lindegaard?”

              Braedon held out his phone. “I have his confession recorded. After listening to it, I think you will be able to charge him with more than just the murder of his brother.”

              She took the phone, hit the button, and the confrontation between Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard blared from the speaker. Lexie swallowed and stepped away. She had no desire to hear everything again. Instead, she paced up and down the walkway until the phone went silent. Then she went back to Braedon.

              “Well,” said Officer Reading briskly, “thank you for this evidence. I’m afraid we will need to take your phone and transfer the confession to our database. Is there another way we can reach you?”

              Braedon faltered and then gave her Nickolas’s number since his phone was still inside.

              The officer wrote down the information and informed Braedon and Lexie that the police would be in contact soon.

              Unfortunately, it appeared that Nickolas was being taken to the police station along with his uncle. Lexie supposed it was because he had attacked Dr. Lindegaard, but that charge could easily be dropped. Nickolas could plead self-defense, and he had two people who would fully back up his story.

              Lexie looked up at the sky and said a silent prayer of thanks. The tragedy of
Hamlet
would not come to pass.

Chapter Fourteen: Clover in the Water

              “Are you sure you don’t want to come to the hospital with me? Nickolas wants me to check on his mom. Maybe Flora will be awake.”

              Braedon was peering at Lexie from the driver seat of the car. His face was passive and eyes tired. Lexie was shocked that the man was still able to function. Sure, she had been put through the wringer the last few days, but Braedon and Nickolas had suffered much worse. Emotions that had been repressed for many years had finally surfaced, shedding new light on the pasts of three members of the Lindegaard family. The truth had been harsh, violent, and raw. The Lindegaards had been like a second family to Braedon, so he had been hit nearly as hard as Nickolas. Lexie wondered if Dr. Lindegaard would have proceeded to kill Braedon if he had been successful with Nickolas.

              Lexie shook her head. “I have a few things to take care of here. Maybe I’ll drop by later. Can you do me a favor, though?”

              “Sure.”

              “Let me know if Flora needs anything. Tell her I’m thinking about her and will be by to see her very soon.”

              Braedon nodded. “Of course.”

              “Thank you so much,” Lexie whispered.

              “Text me if you get a call from the police. I’ll give you a call if they contact me,” Braedon said gently. “I’ll head down to the police station after I leave the hospital. Maybe they’ll only need one of us. Get some rest, and don’t worry too much. Flora is in a good hospital.”

              Lexie smiled at him as she pulled herself out of the car. She ached all over and just wanted to lay down for a minute.

             
I don’t even want to sleep. I just want to collect my thoughts and figure out how I can help Pierre.

              “See you later.” Braedon shifted the car into drive.

              “I hope Mrs. Lindegaard is okay,” Lexie told Braedon before he drove away, leaving Lexie standing outside her apartment.
I know she isn’t alright, but maybe the doctors have an antidote. Braedon said it’s a good hospital, so they should be able to do something.

              The Piazza Café was almost empty. The only people there were Mr. and Mrs. Terrace and Mr. and Mrs. Rose. They weren’t sitting at the same table, but they seemed to be sharing an important conversation. All four were holding coffee mugs and scones.

              “At least they are alive,” Mrs. Terrace sniffled.

              Mr. Terrace wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “We are fortunate that they were caught on the security cameras at the train station in D.C. If I hadn’t seen the video, I would have thought Giulia and Theodore were dead.”

              “How can you be so pessimistic!” shouted a scandalized Mrs. Rose.

              “You read the note!” Mr. Terrace snapped. “They sounded suicidal!”

              The families fell silent when the door to the café closed with a soft whoosh. Four sets of eyes locked on Lexie. She stared back for a few moments before dropping her gaze to the floor.

              She was thrilled that the young lovers were alive and, presumably, happy. After dropping Theodore and Giulia off at her apartment, Lexie had been too preoccupied with her own issues to think much on the teenagers. She had stopped them from committing suicide, but she hadn’t been able to stick around to make sure they got away safely. Apparently, they had left Vernon Hills without any problems.

              “I’m just heading up…” Lexie’s voice trailed off, and she nearly ran to the stairs. Her footsteps echoed in the silent café, and she could feel the eyes of the Roses and Terraces burning holes in her back. She didn’t have the energy to care what they thought. If the families knew that she had kept their kids alive, they would be showering her with gratitude.

             
I don’t need anyone to thank me.
Lexie jammed her key in the lock and turned, sending pain through her hand and up her arm.

              It was strange being in the apartment without Flora. Lexie knew the apartment was just as much hers as it was Flora’s, but something just felt wrong about resting there while Flora was stuck in a psych ward.

              Lexie made it to the living room, and then she collapsed onto the sofa. Her room was too far away. She could go no farther. The couch would have to do.

              What would happen if Pierre failed to contact Guillaume Garland? What would happen if he did make contact but the billionaire blew him off as a crazy theatre fanatic? Would Vernon Hills become a circus town? Would things continue until everyone finally died? What if everyone moved so Pierre was the only person officially living in Vernon Hills?

              The questions revolved through Lexie’s head as she stared at the ceiling. She couldn’t answer a single one, and it made her feel useless.

             
Maybe I should have gone to the hospital with Braedon.

              Braedon had been smart to record the conversation between Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard. He had been clever to call the police without anyone, including Lexie, noticing. Without that recording, there would be no proof that Aleksandar Lindegaard was murdered by his own brother. There was, however, proof of Dr. Lindegaard trying to kill his nephew.

              Lexie wished she had thought to record what had happened with Cesare in town hall, though she doubted it would have been possible.

             
At least one bad guy will go to jail. I wish I could somehow put Cesare behind bars.

              Lexie racked her brain for any way she could prove Cesare’s guilt. The only other witness was Mayor MacDougal. He probably wouldn’t cooperate since he had his own ass to save. If the mayor decided to confess and spill all of Cesare’s secrets, he would be forced to admit that he and his wife had murdered Mayor Leer. Then the news reporter had said that all the surveillance in town hall had been shut down, so there were no recordings at all.

             
There is no proof.

              If Lexie had been holding something, she would have chucked it across the room. Everything frustrated her so much.

              She ran both hands over her face and sighed. Lexie didn’t know what to do. She closed her eyes and reached around on the floor for her fallen phone. If Pierre wasn’t going to contact her, Lexie was going to give him a call. Her hand closed around the cold form of her phone.

             
I’ll feel less useless if I give him a call.

***

              Lexie was jolted awake by the sound of knocking on the apartment door. She stretched, slowly swung around so both feet were on the floor. Her phone was sitting on the coffee table, and Lexie felt a twinge of guilt in her chest. She’d fallen asleep before even dialing Pierre’s number.

             
So much for being productive.

              Her entire body was sore, and Lexie regretted not sleeping in her bed as she hobbled to the front door. Each step she took sent pain radiating through at least two parts of her body at once. She considered just answering the door and heading straight to the hospital. Her trip to the hospital wouldn’t be for Flora or Audrey Lindegaard; it would be for herself. Lexie had pushed her body too far since the car accident. When she first left the hospital, only her shoulder and arm caused her pain. Now, Lexie could hardly walk.

              The knocking grew louder, and Lexie rolled her eyes. “I’m coming! Be patient!”
Who wants to talk to me so badly?

              Her hands froze on the lock. Was it possible that the person on the other side of the door was not a friend? Cesare could be waiting outside, prepared to actually kill her this time. Vinny, Dr. Lindegaard’s steroid-infused henchman, might have been sent with orders to get her out of Vernon Hills. She was a valuable witness in both cases, and, honestly, Lexie wouldn’t be surprised if either of those men were standing feet away from her.

              “I can’t stay locked in here forever,” Lexie grumbled.

              Lexie cracked the door and was just about to peek out when it was thrown open. Lexie tumbled backwards and caught herself on a small table by the door, almost knocking over a wine rack. She grabbed the bottle of Merlot, relieved that her kitchen floor was not stained burgundy.

              “Lexie!”

              Thin arms were suddenly wrapped tightly around her shoulders, and blond hair was pressed against her cheek. The scents of sweat and stale vomit filled her nose. Lexie winced at the initial contact before she realized who was giving her such a fierce hug.

              “Flora!” she gasped. “Flora!”

              “It’s me!” her friend whispered before pulling away. “Pierre brought me home.”

              The man in question walked in and closed the door. He gave the two women a smile that did not reach his eyes, and Lexie noticed how tight his grasp was on his phone. He tapped his fist lightly against his leg and shook his head.

              “You’re a miracle worker!” Lexie told Pierre. “First Nickolas, now Flora. How did you manage it? I
know
they wouldn’t release Flora so easily.”

              Pierre’s voice was strained. “Let’s go sit down first.”

              “Great idea,” Lexie answered with a shaking laugh.

              “I can’t believe I’m home!” Flora’s eyes took in everything. “Here I find so much Queen Anne’s lace.”

              Lexie felt her heart break when she heard the flower riddle. “Flora?”

              Her friend turned around, and Lexie saw that the glaze of madness had not yet left Flora’s eyes. Pierre was holding back tears as he dropped onto the sofa. Flora took a seat in the old recliner, and Lexie joined Pierre.

              “She’s still cursed,” he whispered, “and she will remain so until the key is found.”

              Lexie nodded dejectedly. “I guess I thought she’d be better since Dr. Lindegaard is going to jail. He can’t hurt Nickolas now.”

              “You stopped him?” Lexie could feel hope radiating from Pierre.

              “He and Nickolas had a fight outside Braedon’s house. Braedon recorded their conversation and called the police. You were right about Dr. Lindegaard using a poisoned needle as his weapon. He tried to give Nickolas a shot, but he missed and stuck his wife. She’s in the hospital,” explained Lexie.

              “Dr. Lindegaard is skilled with deception,” Flora murmured. “He secretly grows yellow snapdragons.”

              Tears were in Lexie’s eyes. “You don’t need to worry about him, Flora. He can’t hurt you or Nickolas now.”

              Flora tilted her head to the side and studied Lexie. “Did your gardenia come from Braedon?”

              “The riddles are shorter, but she isn’t any better!” Lexie whispered tearfully to Pierre. “How did you convince them to let her out?”

              Pierre balled his hands into fists and then opened them slowly. “Let’s just say that it’s a good thing Flora has a rich boyfriend.”

              “You bribed the doctors?”

              “There was a bit more to it than that,” Pierre said defensively. “I realized that we need to work together. One of us can’t stay at the hospital all the time if we are to succeed. Honestly, I think it was mostly luck that got Flora out of the psych ward.”

              “Bells of Ireland and clover were with you…” Flora’s voice faded away before she could finish her riddle. She looked between Lexie and Pierre. Then she started crying.

              Lexie got up and went to her friend. She sat on the edge of the recliner and pulled Flora into a hug with one arm. She fought to hold back her tears because she couldn’t let herself fall apart when Flora needed her. Lexie had shed enough tears recently, and it was time for her to be strong.

              “I’ve been gone for such a long time!” sobbed Flora. “I’ve been so confused and scared! Where is Nickolas? I thought I saw him at the hospital!”

             
Maybe Pierre is wrong. Flora might not be cursed anymore!

             
“You are safe at home. You aren’t lost now,” Lexie reassured her friend, ignoring Pierre’s huff of protest. “Is there anything you need?”

              Flora wiped her eyes with her fingers. She sniffed and dropped her hand back to her lap. “I smell terrible.”

              Pierre snorted. “I imagine sponge baths aren’t very effective.”

              “You mean I haven’t actually bathed since I went to the hospital?”

              “Well,” Pierre rubbed his neck nervously, “you had some…issues with water.”

              “You can take a shower now if you want,” suggested Lexie. “Pierre and I aren’t going anywhere. We’ll still be talking when you get out.”

              Flora, gripping Lexie’s hand, climbed to her feet. “You really won’t leave?”

              Flora’s voice was gutted and dead. Lexie felt her throat constrict, and she tightened her hold on her friend’s hand.