Dead Heat (13 page)

“Well, I can think of something we can do to kill some time.” Paige looked up at Cole’s wolfish smile and felt her shaky nerves start to shoot fire. All she could think of was feeling alive again. She had the added benefit that if it was anything like last night, maybe she could go a little longer than five minutes before she looked at the clock.

Chapter Nine

Contrary to what Paige had feared, the morning flew by. The whole town had heard of the shot fired at her this morning and had come out in force to hear the story straight from the source. John Wolfe had been the first person in her shop followed quickly by Miss Edna. Miss Edna took it as a personal slight that John scooped her, and had left as soon as Paige had told her what happened. According to the people who came into the shop after that, Miss Edna was taking a slight lead on the number of people she regaled with the story.

The bell tinkled again and Paige looked up from the gift she was wrapping for one of her customers. Paige couldn’t keep the smile off her face if she tried. Mrs. Beauford Wyatt teetered in on her cane. Mrs. Wyatt had been in her eighties for as long as Paige had known her. The best way to describe Mrs. Wyatt was that she was born into the wrong century. She should be parading around a veranda back before the Civil War. Similarly to those times, Paige didn’t even know Mrs. Wyatt’s first name. Once she married her husband, Beauford, she became Mrs. Beauford Wyatt.

She was dressed in a billowy white muslin dress. A special order large brimmed black hat that Paige had made for her covered her white hair. Mrs. Wyatt never left the house without her ‘face on’ as she called it. She powdered it with white powder and applied layers of bright red lipstick. Her cane was black with a silver horse head on top. Her cane was more for show than necessity. She liked to be able to give someone a good thwack if they got in her way or ticked her off.

“Paige! Bless your heart and twice for good measure. What is all this distressing news I have heard about you getting shot at?” Mrs. Wyatt shooed some of Paige’s customers out of the way with her cane as she made her way, slowly and stately, to the counter.

“Mrs. Wyatt. It’s so good of you to come all the way into town to check on me.” Paige handed the gift wrapped package to her customer and walked around the counter to kiss Mrs. Wyatt’s wrinkled cheek.

“Nonsense. I had to check on the most famous and sought after hat maker according to the latest
Town & Country
magazine.” Mrs. Wyatt reached into her enormous purse and pulled out a copy of the magazine.

A model with long black hair stood on the front cover in a tight black dress and a scarlet red hat that Paige had made for the Derby. Paige opened the magazine cover and flipped to the cover story about her hats. There was a picture of her shop and a picture of her at the Derby with Mo accompanying the story about how she makes her hats. Pride and quite a bit of astonishment filled Paige as she looked over the story on the up and coming hat maker from Kentucky.

“Thank you so much for bringing this in, Mrs. Wyatt! I had wanted to see it, but it’s not on newsstands yet.”

“I have a subscription, so I get it before the general public. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to bring it down here.” Mrs. Wyatt hefted her purse back onto her shoulder and fixed Paige with a hard stare. “Now, tell me what’s going on young lady. Are you quite alright?”

“I am fine. Please don’t worry. There have been some close calls. But with Chuck and Cole around, I am really quite safe.”

“That’s good to hear. I was so worried about you, my dear. Now that I know you are being well looked after, I can tell you my good news.” Paige smiled as she waited for Mrs. Wyatt to continue. “My granddaughter, Katelyn, is arriving in two days!”

“That’s wonderful news. I am sure you and Beauford will be thrilled to have her here. How long is she staying?”

“That’s the best part. She’s decided to open a veterinary clinic and is moving here permanently!”

“That is wonderful news. I look forward to getting to know her. Bring her by the shop once she gets settled. How did she decide to open her practice here?” Paige almost kicked herself for asking when she saw the smile on Mrs. Wyatt’s face fade.

“Well, that no good mother of hers, bless my daughter’s heart, has run off with husband number seven to some country in Europe. When Katelyn graduated from Auburn Veterinary School, she had no home to go to. But, maybe I can make up for whatever I did that turned Sylvia into such a weak minded person when it comes to men with Katelyn.”

“I am sure Katelyn will love being here with you and Beauford.” Paige set the magazine on the counter and started to flip through it as Mrs. Wyatt started in on stories about Maggie, Floyd, Bart, and Fancy, who were just a couple of her racehorses.

“Well, Fancy took to the starting gate faster than any... Damn!” Mrs. Wyatt stated as if it was part of the conversation. Paige looked up from the magazine and saw Kandi Chase-Rawlings strutting towards them with her husband, Bill Rawlings, meandering behind her.

“Oh, you poor dear!” exclaimed Kandi.

Paige raised an eyebrow at the strange, yet shrill comment. She had given up long ago trying to figure out what Kandi was talking about.

“It only took a couple of weeks to run this one off already.”

Paige saw Kandi glance around the room as if making a point. Kandi turned and smirked at Bill, her domination complete over Paige. The bell over the door rang and the three white haired Rose sisters walked in, clucking at each other in half sentences that only the triplets could understand. Paige smiled as they stopped in their tracks and stared at the sight of Kandi smirking. She saw them take in the black spandex mini skirt that barely covered her ass, the cropped ribbed tank top that left her belly exposed, and then to the massive dangling earrings that reminded Paige of Coke cans. She knew the sisters well enough to know they were salivating at the thought of watching another showdown between her and Kandi. Their showdowns were legendary in Keeneston.

“I head upstairs for just a moment to make you something to eat and the shop fills up. I guess I am no good for business,” Cole chuckled as he walked down the stairs with a small tray in his hand.

Paige enjoyed seeing Kandi’s smirk slide from her face and watched as Bill’s normally self-assured confidence took a hit in reaction to seeing Cole walking down the stairs, dressed in a black t-shirt that fit tightly over his muscled chest and jeans, which were hanging low on his slim hips. Bill looked like a car salesman in a brown suit, orange shirt, and some kind of modern twist to a paisley tie. He also looked like an out of shape football player with his flabby belly and thinning hair. Ignoring Kandi and Bill, Cole walked past them, put the tray on the counter, and kissed her possessively on the lips.

“Missed you,” he whispered as he placed a kiss on the soft skin under her ear. “Oh, hello Cindy.”

Paige heard the snickers and a snort that came from one of the Rose sisters who were now openly staring at the scene alongside Mrs. Wyatt. Kandi’s face flushed red as she grabbed her husband’s hand and stomped out of the shop.

“Hello ladies.” Paige hugged each of the sisters and felt a slight blush creep up her face when they all started talking about Cole at the same time.

“Bless your heart, whoever you are, that was the most entertainment I have seen in years. I can’t wait to get home and tell Beauford about it.” Mrs. Wyatt smiled at Cole and gently patted his arm.

“Mrs. Wyatt, this is Cole Parker, Cole, this is Mrs. Beauford Wyatt.” Cole lifted Mrs. Wyatt’s white laced gloved hand and pressed his lips to it.

“A pleasure.” Oh, he was good. Paige had never seen Mrs. Wyatt blush before and she was pretty sure the Rose sisters were about to swoon.

“Well, unless you’re going to welcome all of us like that, let’s get down to business.” Miss Lily paused until she had everyone’s attention. “We heard things were going down this afternoon in New York and we wanted to know how it went.”

Paige couldn’t decide if she should be surprised or not. As she stared at Cole’s slightly open mouth and momentarily stunned face, she decided it would be more unusual if they didn’t know about it. She smiled; all was right with the world.

“Have you ever considered working for the Bureau? We need people with your sources on the ground overseas.” Cole shook his head in disbelief. Before he could question the sweet, innocent looking sisters, the bell over the door rang again as Red, Dinky, and Noodle sauntered in.

“Hey. How did the sweep go in New York?” Noodle asked with his slow and smooth southern accent.

“Christ. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about this?” Cole raked his hand through his raven hair. Paige just grinned. It felt safe, comfortable, to know the whole town knew about it and were just as concerned as she was.

The bell over the door rang again as Dani’s parents entered with Mo’s parents, along with Henry Rooney and John Wolfe. Dani and Mo’s mothers clung to each other with nervous fear and the amusement Paige had been feeling vanished. This wasn’t just about her. Dani and Mo’s parents needed to know if the men who were behind Dani’s attempted murder were caught.

“Take a deep breath, King, no news yet.” Miss Violet patted Mo’s father’s arm and Paige worried for a second if she was going to pull him into her pillowed bosom to try to comfort him. He had deep worry lines around his mouth and on his forehead. Apparently the King had developed a soft spot for his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Paige was glad for Dani. It had been a rough start between the two of them.

“If you have any nervous energy you need to work off, I can help with that.” Henry slid up to her and placed an arm around her shoulder. His dentist white smile sparkled and Paige felt herself relax. Henry had gone to school with Miles and Marshall. Even though they would beat the crap out of him if he ever touched her, he always did make her laugh.

She looked up when she heard a snarl and found Cole shooting silver daggers at Henry. Apparently Henry saw it too and pulled her closer, testing Cole’s reaction. Before Paige could put an end to Henry’s teasing, the bell rang again and Henry practically pushed her away from him as her brothers and parents walked in.

“Scaredy cat,” she whispered to him as he jumped away from her.

The room was pulsing with voices at various levels and tones. Paige leaned against the counter and took in the rhythm of the room. In the melody of conversation, a cell phone rang. She checked hers and saw many other people doing the same. As soon as the group figured out it was Cole’s cell phone a hush fell over the room. Her mother and father, trailed by her brothers, made their way to her side. She felt her mom’s arm wrap around her waist and Miles’ hand clasp her shoulder in silent support.

“Yes, Sir. I will fill everyone in.” Cole paused, “Um, yes, everyone as in the twenty people staring at me right now. Of course I didn’t tell them. You have no idea the type of intelligence network they have in this town. Okay, I will see you Monday.”

Cole hung up and Paige felt like she hadn’t taken a breath in five minutes. He looked up from his phone and into forty anxious eyes. Paige squeezed Miles’ hand and tried not to shout at Cole to hurry up with the news. Her stomach was in a tight knot and she couldn’t tell if she wanted to sit down out of exhaustion or run ten miles because of the nervous energy coursing through her veins.

“Spit it out, young man. I think that traitor Sherman marched on Atlanta quicker than this,” Mrs. Wyatt drawled. Cole smiled and then put on his cop face. Paige hated the cop face. Oh, this couldn’t be good.

“There’s good news and bad news. The bad news. They are not in jail right now.” Paige felt like she was going to collapse. How could they not be jail?

“The good news. They found all the evidence they will need for a trial. They found the bodies of twenty-three girls out on Bob Greendale’s property and found tire marks that match Senator Bruce’s government issued Suburban. As soon as the first body was found, my boss called the agents surrounding the houses and they moved in on the subjects. They were all taken to jail, finger printed, and had their passports confiscated. They are under house arrest until an indictment by the Special Grand Jury can be handed down on Monday.

Ahmed apparently made sure to call the press a couple of minutes before he walked to the door of Bob Greendale’s house. By the time the agents and Rahmi Secret Service arrived at the police station, the media was a block thick. Due to the high profile of the case and the unimaginable details coming out, the press is eating this up. The Mayor and Governor are under considerable pressure for a quick trial and a harsh decision. As a result, my boss is faxing Red two Grand Jury Subpoenas for Dani and Kenna. Kenna will be expected to fly to New York, Dani will give her testimony via video conference.”

“I better get to the office and pick those up. I wager they need to be served immediately.” Red, Dinky, and Noodle said their goodbyes and headed for the station. Taking their cues, the shop began to empty and the crescendo of voices faded into the night.

“You okay?” Cole stopped in front of her and ignored her brother’s protective glare.

“I guess. I was just hoping for something more definitive. Couldn’t they arrest them, charge them, and try them all tonight? I would feel a lot better knowing they were in jail for the rest of their lives.”

“Soon enough. With the media coverage and the political ramifications, the higher ups will move this along quickly, regardless of the high powered attorneys the defendants will hire.

There is something else. I need to go to New York and testify as well. Would you like to go with me to lend some support to Kenna? I know Will is going to go with her, but sometimes a friend is good to have there too.”

“Yes, I would like to go with you. Anything to help Kenna.” She felt Miles drop his hand from her shoulder and pull out his phone. He typed into the small keyboard and waited for a moment. His phone vibrated and he tucked it back into his pocket.

“It’s all set. Cy will meet you there and help with security. When will you be arriving?”