Deadly Intentions (10 page)

Creak.

Jolene woke in a cold sweat, her heart pounding.
 

A dream. It was only a dream.
 

She lay still with her eyes squeezed shut while she waited for her heartbeat to return to normal. Her eyelids were as heavy as the lead sinkers she used for fishing and it was only a few minutes before she was drifting off to sleep again, the nightmare all but forgotten.

Creak.

What the hell was that noise? She burrowed into the soft bed. Just one more hour of sleep would be perfect.

Creak.

Jolene pushed an annoyed breath out through puffed out cheeks as she flipped on her back, her eyes still shut, willing the annoying noise to stop so she could get some sleep.
 

Creak.

“Can’t a girl get a nap around here!” she shouted into the empty room. She considered pounding on the ceiling to get it to stop, then her eyes flew open wide.
 

The noise was coming from the attic. Someone was up there.

Who would be in the attic? One of her sisters? Jolene didn’t think so. Although they’d made the trip up there on more than one occasion during the past few years, they’d always had a good reason and even though they’d found quite a few treasures up there, the attic still seemed creepy to Jolene.
 

They’d all been warned by their mother when they were little not to go there, and even though they’d
had
to go up in recent years, they still had an unspoken pact that they’d let the others know if they were going up.
 

So, it couldn’t be one of her sisters. Which left only one other person.
 

Aunt Eliza.

Jolene reluctantly got out of bed. She was still dressed in her usual outfit of t-shirt and capris. She’d taken off her shoes for her nap, but didn’t bother to put them on. It would be easier to sneak up on whoever was in the attic that way.
 

She made her way to the third floor and started picking her way through the maze of boxes and furniture. The creaking had sounded like it was right above her room, which meant Eliza, or whoever was up there, was in the far corner of the attic.

Her photographic memory had catalogued the areas on the floor that creaked on one of her previous trips up there and she avoided those areas now, moving along silently. Not that she was planning a sneak attack or anything, but if Eliza didn’t know anyone else was up there, Jolene might have a better chance of figuring out what she was up to.

Eliza was in the very back of the attic, bent over, her head inside a large box, her silver-white hair hanging down around her like a curtain. Items, presumably discarded from the box, were piled up around her. It was obvious the woman was searching for something.

“Looking for something?” Jolene kept her voice friendly. She wasn’t sure what her aunt was up to—maybe she just wanted to look through old family things. Jolene didn’t want to jump the gun and accuse her of anything, but her gut instincts told her to remain cautious.

Eliza jerked her head out of the box. Her ice-blue eyes were as large as dinner plates. Her hand flew up to her throat. “You scared the bejesus out of me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Jolene had come up close to the box and she leaned over to peer in. Inside was old clothing—really old. So old that it was deteriorating to dust almost before her eyes. Clutched in Eliza’s hand was a cedar trinket box. The cover sat open. It was empty except for the cobalt blue velvet lining inside.

Belladonna came trotting over and started sniffing around the items piled on the floor.

Eliza snapped the box shut and nestled it gently back into the pile of clothing. “I was just rummaging around. I used to come up here a lot when I was a kid. Just stirring up some memories.”

Eliza’s hawk-like stare unnerved Jolene, making her feel like she was the one being watched—the one that shouldn’t have been up there.

“Oh. Mom always warned us about coming up here.”

“Mine did, too. But I never listened.” Eliza looked around the attic, then back at Jolene. Her eyes softened. “I hope it’s not a problem.”

“Not at all,” Jolene said. “I just heard someone up here and wanted to investigate. This stuff is as much yours as it is ours, really. If you want something, just ask.”

Eliza clasped her hands together. “Right. Thanks. Much appreciated.”

“No problem.” The two women stared at each other awkwardly, then noises drifted up from downstairs.

Eliza cocked her head to the right. “What’s that?”

Jolene glanced at her watch. “Must be Morgan and Fiona home from work. We should join them, don’t you think?”
 

Jolene stepped aside and indicated for Eliza to precede her. Eliza smiled and brushed past Jolene. Belladonna trotted past both Jolene and Eliza, taking the lead down the narrow aisle that lead to the stairs.

So much for that afternoon nap
, Jolene thought as she followed Eliza down into the kitchen.

Chapter Fourteen

“Were you two up in the attic?” Morgan’s forehead creased as she looked between Eliza and Jolene.

“I was just looking around up there,” Eliza answered. “So many memories.”

“Mew.” Belladonna had raced over to her empty food dish, batted it with her paw and sent it skidding across the black and white tile floor.

“Are you hungry?” Fiona looked down at the cat who glanced up at her in disdain as if she was the stupidest creature on the planet. Of
course
she was hungry.
 

“Right. I’ll get your food.”

Morgan laughed as Fiona marched straight to the cabinet where they kept Belladonna’s food. “We were just going to order pizza. Are you guys in?”

“We are,” Celeste and Cal chimed in from the doorway.

“Oh you guys are home.” Morgan stated the obvious. “Great.”

“I’m in,” Jolene said, then turned to Eliza. “What about you?”

“Oh, thanks, but I’m actually meeting someone.” Eliza looked at the clock and grimaced. “I better get going. Can I borrow someone’s car?”

“Just take my truck.” Fiona bent down to pour kibble into Belladonna’s dish. “You still have the keys?”

“Yep. Thanks, I really appreciate it.” Eliza started toward the front door. “I’ll fill up the tank for you.”

“Okay. Thanks!” Fiona shouted down the hallway.

The sounds of Fiona’s truck starting up drifted into the kitchen and Morgan leaned back to get a clear view of the front door, then said “Does anyone else think it’s weird she was in the attic?”

Celeste shrugged. “Kind of, but I guess it makes sense. I mean, this is her family’s stuff. She’s probably just taking a trip down memory lane.”

“True,” Jolene said. “She was looking at a box way in the back. The really old stuff.”

“That would be the most valuable,” Cal cut in. Cal had been a family friend for decades and recently kindled a more intimate relationship with Celeste. He was also an antique expert. His family owned an antiques and pawn shop and the sisters had often used him to evaluate and appraise the various treasures they’d found in the house.

Morgan frowned. “I guess I could see why she’d be interested in that stuff. Our ancestors are her relatives, too. But I have a funny feeling … especially after what Luke told me today.”

“You mean about his boss’s warning?” Celeste asked.
 

“Yep. He stopped by the shop today and told Fiona and me that his boss said we might be in danger and we should be extra careful.”

“He stopped by and talked to Jake and me, too. But he was really vague.” Jolene said. “Did he tell you anything specific?”

Morgan shook her head. “No, but he’s coming by tonight, so maybe he can tell us more.”

“Tell you more about what?” Luke asked from the doorway. Luke had practically grown up at the Blackmoore house and had been accustomed to just walking in when they were kids. Even though he’d been away for a long time, old habits were hard to break and he’d been walking in ever since he came back and started dating Morgan again. Jolene loved to tease him about it.

“More about your boss’s mysterious warning,” Jolene answered, then added. “I must be getting hard of hearing … I didn’t hear you knock.

Luke smirked at her. “I’m afraid I don’t know much more about the warning.”

“Hey, let’s take care of business first.” Fiona held her cellphone in her hand, her finger hovering over the number for the pizza place. “What kind of pizza do you guys want? Pepperoni?”

Everyone murmured their assent and she pressed the button and put in the order.

“We should talk about what you girls plan to do to protect yourselves,” Cal said, draping his arm around Celeste and pulling her close.
 

“Do?” Jolene looked at her sisters. “We don’t really need to
do
anything. We have skills.”

“Yeah, but are you in control of them?” Luke asked

“Sure … well, I think so.” Jolene pressed her lips together. After the sisters had discovered their unusual gifts, they’d made a pact to try to practice and hone them so they’d be able to use them better.
 

The last time they’d had to defend themselves, the gifts were rather unwieldy and Jolene knew they would have been more effective if they’d been able to harness them properly. They had practiced a little, but then life had gotten in the way and they’d stopped. Jolene knew she could control her paranormal skill better than before, but was it good enough?

The four sisters glanced sheepishly at each other and Jolene knew the other three were thinking the same thoughts. Luckily, they were saved from answering by a knock on the front door.

That’s probably Jake,” Fiona said, then yelled down the hall. “Come in!”

“At least he knocks,” Jolene slid a teasing glance at Luke.

“Anyway, I think it’s best if you guys don’t go anywhere alone,” Luke continued. “We all know your powers are enhanced when you are together.”

“What?” Jolene screwed up her face. “That’s gonna seriously cramp my style.”

“Yeah,” Celeste added. “Buddying up might work out okay for Morgan and Fiona since they go to work together anyway, but for Jolene and me, it’s just not practical.”

“What’s not practical?” Jake asked as he sauntered into the kitchen, casting a disappointed glance at the counters. “I thought you said there was going to be pizza?”

“It’s on order,” Jolene answered. “And what isn’t practical is us buddying up and sticking together. We still have our individual jobs to do.”

“Oh, you’re talking about the warning? What’s that really all about?” Jake turned to Luke.

Luke sighed. “All I know is the big boss, Dorian Hall, is very concerned. She’s sending some people out to keep an eye on things.”

“Sending people out?” Fiona raised a brow. “You mean like last time with those nasty pirates?”

“Yep.”
 

“Great, so we’ll have someone watching our every move?” Jolene fisted her hands on her hips. She prided herself on being able to handle her own safety and hated having anyone watch over her.
 

“If that’s what it takes. In fact, she said she’s had a few in place for a while and, of course, I’m supposed to keep an eye on you guys, too,” Luke winked at Morgan who look more annoyed than pleased.

So, someone
has
been watching me
, Jolene thought.
 

But they weren’t doing a very good job if those guys had gotten to her at the storage facility. She wondered if those were the ‘bad guys’ Luke was talking about and, if so, why had they let her go? She debated mentioning it, but decided against it—if Luke and Jake knew, they might insist on making sure none of them went anywhere alone.

“Well, great then. If someone is watching us, we don’t need to buddy up,” Jolene said hopefully.

“I think you still should,” Luke said. “If Dorian is involved, that means it’s serious and whoever is behind this is ruthless. They’ll stop at nothing to get what they what. Whatever that is.”

Jolene frowned. “Good question. What
do
they want?”
 

Luke shrugged and spread his hands at his sides. “Dorian was pretty vague about that.”

Jolene had no idea what this evil person might want. She wondered if the attack at the storage place and on Barnes’ boat had anything to do with it. Glancing at Celeste out of the corner of her eye, she could see her sister was thinking the same thing about Barnes’ boat. Jolene gave her head a subtle shake. She didn’t want to tell the others lest it restrict their freedom even more.
 

Celeste gave a slight nod in return and Jolene relaxed, knowing her sister understood and agreed not to tell.

“So, you think this person could be more ruthless than Goldlinger?” Fiona asked, referring to the maniacal thug who had descended on them to try to steal a three-hundred-year-old treasure dating back to the time of Isaiah Blackmoore.

The treasure had been hidden on their property unbeknownst to the Blackmoore sisters and the girls had almost been killed defending it. In the end, they’d had to summon the forces of their powers to defeat Goldlinger’s henchmen. That’s when they’d learned the true power of their gifts.

Luke shrugged. “Yep. This guy is even more powerful and even more of a badass. In fact, our sources tell us Goldlinger is just one of his henchmen.”

“So, are they after treasure again? Or something else they think we have?” Jolene glanced up at the attic thinking about the journals they’d discovered that had led them to the treasure.
 

Was that what Eliza had been looking for?
 

They’d never fully deciphered all of the journals—maybe there was more in there and that’s what this guy was after.

“I’m not sure. I get the impression it’s more personal than that.”

“Personal?” Celeste asked.

“Yes. So there is an immediate threat to you girls. And you probably can’t trust anyone,” Luke answered.

“Which brings me to your Aunt Eliza,” Jake cut in. “What do you girls really know about her?”

“What are trying to say?” Morgan shrugged one shoulder, a sour look on her face. “She’s our
aunt
. She got into some kind of fight and left a long time ago and is now back for a visit.”