In His Sights

Suddenly she stopped reminiscing. The body had been buried ten years ago. The skeleton could be one of us, she realized. She pulled her PDA from her bag and started a list of classmates and who she’d known in the photos, along with the issues of the newspapers. She hoped someone’s picture or name would leap out at her and remind her of the mystery caller’s voice. She noticed another photo of Josie and Payton and added them to her lengthy list.

After an hour of skimming through several old newspapers, Dee wondered if she should skip the search and call the police with her list. Then again, Detectives Anderson and Rivers had pretty much dismissed her when she reported the flames over their reunion picture. Dee was hesitant to go to them again without strong proof. She still couldn’t believe she’d accidentally deleted it from the server. Without actual evidence, the police didn’t have anything to work with.

As she picked up another newspaper, her stomach growled. Dee checked at her watch and considered running to get a bite of supper, but decided that by the time she walked to her car, drove over to Burt’s Pizza, then back, she’d waste at least an hour. The library didn’t close for four more hours, and she knew she wouldn’t sleep a wink if she didn’t figure out who had called. She hated to let this go even another day. She’d find a snack machine and see if they had something semihealthy to get her through another hour or two.

Dee headed up the back stairs on her search for food. The hallway was dim and quiet, reminding her again why she’d never studied here. She liked noise, felt a sense of security in crowds. The soft voices and pages turning here did nothing to soothe her nerves.

Neither did the dark-haired woman in the black sweatshirt standing outside the main entrance.

Was that the same person I saw outside? From this angle, she couldn’t tell for sure if the woman’s sweatshirt was hooded. The woman didn’t seem to notice Dee, so she hurried back to the lower level—chocolate bar and a bottle of iced tea in hand, annoyed at her own paranoia.

The research section seemed emptier than it had been when she arrived. The library assistant was nowhere to be seen, or heard. Dee clutched her purse a little closer and opened the next newspaper.

Soon she was distracted by a feature article on Edgar. She forgot about the lack of noise and barely heard footsteps at the next table. She glanced up to see a young woman set a book on the table and sit down to read.

Dee glanced quickly at the picture of Edgar with longer hair and moved on to the article. No wonder she’d never met him in college. He had come to the United States as a missionary of sorts. His church had sponsored his trip to the States and he’d lived off campus with the pastor’s family.

She thought back to the reunion, when she’d finally met Edgar….

“Lauren Owens, I’m glad you could make it tonight.” Edgar had greeted them as they came in the door. He smiled at her sister, but his eyes caught Dee’s and he paused.

Lauren smiled back and flung her arms around his broad shoulders. “It’s not like I came all the way from Brazil for the reunion! What are you doing now, Edgar?”

“I’m living here in Magnolia Falls, for starters. I’m in the process of naturalization.”

Dee had intervened. “You’re the assistant director of admissions, now, aren’t you?” She’d seen his picture in the Gazette a while back. It was impossible to miss a picture of Edgar, ten years ago, or now. She’d seen him on occasion at business events, but somehow their paths hadn’t crossed in school or now.

He glanced at Dee and offered his hand. “I am. You must be Lauren’s sister. Lauren, why didn’t you ever introduce your sister and me?”

“Didn’t I?” Lauren pretended to be puzzled, but Edgar simply laughed.

“I wouldn’t have forgotten someone so beautiful.” Edgar’s grasp was warm and firm, not bone crushing like most men she worked with. He kissed the back of Dee’s hand, and she couldn’t help but smile.

Typical Brazilian, suave and macho, wrapped in a to-die-for package. Too bad he’s wasting all this charm on me. I’m tired of the love-’em-and-leave-’em type.

Lauren leaned close to Edgar and whispered intentionally loud enough for Dee to hear. “That’s because she doesn’t like to be noticed for her looks. Dee is a brilliant public relations specialist.”

“She exaggerates,” Dee said with slight embarrassment.

“Forgive me for noticing the obvious, Dee. Lauren used to tell us you couldn’t join us on Sunday nights because you were studying. She was always very proud of you.”

Dee had stopped going to church after the pastor mishandled counseling family and friends through her best friend’s illness. She recalled how, after calling in the pastor, Annie’s parents had refused treatment for her cancer, insisted if they had enough faith, God would heal her. She’d watched Annie fade away. Dee had been angry at the parents, at the church members for not intervening, and at God. Surely God hadn’t given doctors the wisdom to heal if He’d meant for humans to turn their back on medical care. She let out a sigh and felt the familiar old emptiness. Her sister had tried to convince her that being a Christian didn’t mean using one’s faith as a crutch. That had been a decision made by one family. Everyone made mistakes, she realized.

Before Dee could respond, Jennifer Pappas joined their group. “I’m sorry to intrude. Edgar, Dee, it’s so good to see you both here. Lauren, could you help me with something?”

“We’ll catch up later.” Lauren gave Edgar another quick hug then dashed off to the foyer of Moss Hall, leaving Dee awkwardly alone with him.

“It’s good to see everyone again.” Edgar’s gaze settled on Dee. “Could I get you a drink?”

Why hadn’t she taken her chance to escape with Lauren and Jennifer? She’d never known him in school, and now it would be awkward to just walk away and leave him there alone. Edgar seemed nice, but…there was something she just couldn’t quite figure out about him.

“I’d love some mineral water.” She heard herself say.

“With a lemon?” Edgar said.

“With lemon would be wonderful.” Dee followed him, surprised that Edgar had left his assignment on the welcoming committee. “I understand the school will be conducting a search for a new director of admissions soon. I presume you have put your name into the running?”

Edgar shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I’m still thinking on the subject. There’s much to consider before taking such a position.”

“So you aren’t interested?” Dee inquired, noting that his English was so proficient that she’d forgotten it was not his native language. It didn’t make sense that Edgar would pass up an opportunity like that when he already had a foot in the door. “Director would look very good on a résumé, even if it is at a small college. Magnolia College has an outstanding reputation nationally, which I’m sure you’re very aware of.”

Edgar smiled with an overdose of confidence. “I am, but I’m more than happy that you share my opinion. What did you like most about Magnolia College?”

Little had she known that their chance meeting would end up landing her a job with the college weeks later. She’d definitely enjoyed the evening. They’d eaten dinner together and continued their conversation.

Edgar had proved a puzzle to Dee, and she regretted her initial opinion of him. In one respect, he was no different than most of the businessmen she met—out to sell and charm. In her line of work, the majority of the men were more concerned with appearances than they were sincerity or honesty.

With Edgar there was a difference, though. He could pour on the charm, but she still sensed his integrity. He believed in Magnolia College, heart and soul.

In the weeks since, he had both surprised and disappointed her. At first, she thought she’d felt a personal interest from him, but there again, she’d been wrong. It appeared now that he was only interested in her professional expertise. In that regard, his determination had been overwhelmingly flattering. He had called her a month after their reunion, asking her if she would come to the college to discuss the skeleton incident and give her opinion on reversing the damage. Next thing she knew, he’d managed to get her hired on a temporary contract, not an easy feat with all the red tape of a college. And then his flirting had ended.

She missed it.

Dee closed the article on Edgar, understanding his love for Magnolia College a little better. It had given him the chance to succeed in America and the means to provide a better life for his family. Yet the more Dee learned about Edgar, the more she wanted to get to know everything about him. And despite him pushing her away, Dee was determined to figure out why.

FOUR

“What are you doing here this late?” a man whispered.

Dee gasped, startled from her reverie. Who was talking? Where was he? She spun around, not seeing anyone; she realized just how alone she was in the library basement.

“Over here.” A man’s eyes shone through the books on the other side of the shelf.

She dropped the yearbooks and ran toward her table.

The man stepped out of the next aisle and blocked her escape. “Dee, it’s just me, Edgar. Did I really frighten you?”

Her hands were bunched into fists as she looked up. “Edgar,” she whispered. She nearly collapsed from the relief, steadying herself against the heavy oak chairs. “I didn’t hear anyone come into the room.” She felt her face warm. “I was just…” Her voice faded away.

He wrapped an arm around her and she let out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry. I really did scare you, didn’t I? I thought you’d seen me. Forgive me, please.” He held her close. “Your heart’s beating like crazy. What’s happened?” he asked.

Dee pushed herself away from him as she inhaled the scent of his spicy aftershave. “I’ve just been…” She couldn’t tell him she’d been reading, let alone daydreaming, about him. Her attention went to his strong shoulders—usually hidden beneath a suit jacket—now straining against the fabric of his polo shirt.

“You were just, what?” He studied her intently. “Are you sure you are okay?”

“Oh, yeah,” she said, freeing herself from his warm embrace. “I’m a little on edge tonight, I guess. I was just looking through old yearbooks.”

“Need a few laughs, huh?”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. Slowly, she added, “I wish it were just that. No, I was looking for someone who has been on our missing alumni list.”

Edgar touched her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

Dee shrugged. “Nothing, really. Did you get my message about the ideas Steff and I came up with?”

Edgar looked puzzled. “Did you leave it at the office?”

She didn’t want to appear needy or weak. “Yes, but we don’t need to discuss it tonight. We can go through it Monday,” she said stubbornly backing away.

“Whatever it is, it’s upset you.” His dark eyes sought hers. “Dee, what happened?”

Between thinking of him, the phone call, and the suspicion that someone had followed her into the library, she felt frazzled and confused. “I’ll be fine,” she stammered. “It’s nothing I need to bother you with. We’ll discuss the ideas Monday.”

“Edgar,” a young woman called out. “I can’t find anything on the existence of…” The young woman’s voice sounded familiar. Then again, so did the caller from earlier. Dee turned, surprised to see his younger sister, Christiana. She felt like she really was losing it tonight.

“Last-minute homework,” Edgar said with a shake of his head.

Christiana saw Dee and smiled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were talking with Miss Owens.”

Relieved it wasn’t the woman in the dark sweatshirt, Dee answered, “Hello Christiana. What are you working on?”

“Where Magnolia Falls got its name.”

Dee forced a laugh when she really wanted to cry tears of relief. “If you find out, let me know. I’ve always wondered that, too.” They spent a few minutes surmising how the founders had come up with the ill-fitting name for a town with no falls. Dee felt the emptiness in her stomach. “I’d better call it a night. It was good to see both of you.”

Edgar must have read her mind, for he grabbed her wrist as she rushed past. “Dee,” he said. He suddenly turned to Christiana. “Honey, go get your books. We’re going to run out of time to take you to Julia’s house if we don’t get going.”

Dee tried to ignore the warmth of Edgar’s hand gently holding hers. Before she’d been hired, she’d briefly daydreamed of him holding her hand, sharing dreams, laughing together. But that had quickly come to an end. Edgar was all business. They hadn’t had a personal conversation since they’d begun working together.

Christiana glanced at her watch. “We have an hour.”

“Then why don’t we go to Burt’s for pizza. Dee, we’d love for you to join us, wouldn’t we, Christiana?”

“Of course. I’d like to talk to you more about public relations. I saw you on the news the other night. You make it look so easy. Do you think the police know who the killer is?”

“Later, Christiana,” Edgar reminded her, tapping his watch.

Dee took a deep breath and waited for Christiana to get out of earshot. “I appreciate the invitation, but I should get home.”

“What I want to say is that you shouldn’t be walking around campus at night by yourself. You’re putting yourself in great danger. Everyone wants to know what you know, Dee. And apparently, they think we at the college know everything that’s going on. You should be more careful.”

She couldn’t hide her surprise. “Don’t pretend to be concerned for me, Edgar. You couldn’t even stand to stay through the press conference.”

“What?” he exclaimed as he spotted Christiana. “I don’t want to talk about this in front of my sister, but we need to clear this up.”

“That can be done on Monday,” she said. Right now, she wanted to get to her car and go home where she could relax.

Dee was about to leave herself, when Edgar gave her one of his to-die-for smiles. “And who is walking out now?”

FIVE

Edgar realized he shouldn’t have been so blunt with Dee about the danger of her walking outside alone, but she shouldn’t be running around at night, not after all that had been happening. “I’m sorry, Dee.”

“Thank you, but…” she began, then turned away. “I’ve had a long day, and I’m sorry I snapped at you. It’s not really you I’m upset with.”

“Wait for us so we can walk you to your car,” Edgar said. “Christiana, are you ready?”

Christiana sent him a puzzled look. “As soon as I check these out.” While his sister waited in line to check out her books, Edgar led Dee to a far corner, so they could talk quietly.

“I’m not sure what is really going on Dee, but something has clearly been bothering you since the press conference. At least now I know what I did to upset you.”

She looked at Christiana, then back at Edgar. “You hired me to spin the damage, but then you couldn’t stand to stay and listen. Why couldn’t you have put up a united front for the press, or at least be supportive?”

“You’re a professional, you’ve never seemed like the type to want someone to hold your hand while you did your job. I knew what you had to report—and I trusted you to do that without watching over you.”

He was right. And it annoyed her even more. She took a step closer and tilted her head toward his. “I’ve never had to spin the attempted murder of my friends, either,” she whispered through tight lips. “Not to mention I still think the attacks on my sister a few weeks ago and the vandalism at my own carriage house are related to this mess somehow. But I’m supposed to make the school look good, so I did my best. One friendly face would have helped. But you’re right, I am a professional, and I will take care of business. Alone.”

He’d never realized that Dee was struggling with this. Edgar wanted more than ever to take this beautiful woman into his arms and protect her. At the reunion, he was sure they’d made a personal connection. But he never mixed business with pleasure. “It’s complicated, but it had nothing to do with how you’re handling the job, Dee. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression.” He briefly touched her arm, then let his hand drop to his side. Dee was still angry, but whether it was at him or something else, he wasn’t sure. “So, before Christiana gets back here, what’s happened tonight? And don’t tell me that it’s nothing.” He placed a finger on her chin and turned her to face him.

He could see moisture in her eyes as she blinked, trying to hide her reaction. “It’s probably just my imagination,” she said hesitantly, until he leveled her with a look of reproach.

“Don’t lie.”

She turned her head, forcing his hand away. “Steff and I spent the entire afternoon coming up with ideas on how to pull in the alumni to help recruiting. I was waiting for you to return my call when I received a very strange call.”

“About what?”

Christiana stepped up to the counter and the clerk began processing her books.

“There isn’t time to go into detail now. I’m sure you don’t want to talk about the skeleton, assault, vandalism and attempted murder around your sister.”

“No, I don’t, thank you. If you can wait until I drop Christiana at a friend’s house, we’ll be able to talk it all out. I know this is getting complicated.”

Dee nodded. “I just can’t help but wonder if the woman was someone I knew. When I was leaving the office, my phone rang. I hoped it was you, so I went back inside and answered it. We had a bad connection, and I couldn’t make out everything she said, then we were cut off. I waited a while, in case she called back. I walked over here to do some research and I was sure I saw someone hiding in the palmettos…then you startled me. You know how creepy these live oaks get during a storm with the moss swaying and all.”

He smiled sympathetically. “All the more reason you shouldn’t be out by yourself tonight. Whether you eat anything or not, you’re coming with us and I’m going to make sure you’re home safe.”

She looked like she was going to put up a fight, then suddenly agreed. “Okay.”

He was surprised. “Good. Then maybe I can make up for not showing my support the other day. Whether or not you believe me, I do feel responsible for getting you involved. I’m the one who begged you to be our public relations spokesman. I pushed you into this role, and if that brings you harm, I won’t forgive myself.”

“Oh! That’s it!” Dee burst out, making everyone nearby look at them. “Of course! Thank you, Edgar.”

He held out his hand to hush her, then whispered, “Why are you thanking me? If someone is following you…”

“No, that’s not what I mean.” She lowered her voice. “About that weird phone call I received earlier tonight. I thought the person called me because of the Web site. I couldn’t figure out how she knew to call me, why she didn’t just e-mail the Webmaster. But of course, she must have seen me in the news conference on Monday.”

“What was this call about?”

Christiana returned with her books loaded into her backpack. “I’m ready.”

Edgar forced a smile and wrapped an arm around both Dee and Christiana, saying a silent prayer for God to protect these women when he couldn’t. “So, what kind of pizza do you ladies desire?” He didn’t want to worry his sister any more than these scandals already had.

“I like any kind. Where should I meet you? Burt’s?” Dee asked, her independent nature a reflex for her.

Edgar shook his head. “I think you should ride over with us, then we’ll bring you back to your car.”

“That’s not…”

Dee just was not going to adjust easily to letting someone help her. From what he had learned from Lauren, Dee had been a driven and independent woman even in college. Time hadn’t changed that. “I won’t have it any other way,” he countered sternly. “With all of the warnings the campus police have issued about not walking across campus alone, I think the administration needs to follow those rules as well. Safety in numbers. Remember that.”

Dee glanced at Christiana, and quickly agreed. “You’re right. This is so difficult to change the way I do everything. So Christiana, what grade did you get on the career-shadowing project?”

“Pretty good, I ran out of time with writing my report, but I still got a B+. I had so much I wanted to say about what a cool job you have.”

Dee laughed and raised a brow to Edgar. “And what is this new project about?”

As they walked out of the building, Christiana told Dee all about her history research. Meanwhile Edgar kept an eye out for anyone who may have been following Dee. The rain had tapered off to a light drizzle. Dee was right, rain did make an old campus seem a little more frightening on a dark night.

He noted a couple of people walking alone, but no one looked out of place. And no one seemed to be watching Dee. He sincerely hoped she was imagining things, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.

After a lighthearted meal, filled mostly with Christiana and Dee’s chatter, Edgar invited Dee to come by his condo to discuss work.

“Why don’t we talk Monday?” she suggested instead. “I’m sure everything will seem less dramatic in the daylight.”

Edgar escorted Christiana and Dee to his black sports car and opened the door for his sister, closing her inside.

“I’m worried about you,” Edgar said quietly.

“You shouldn’t be,” Dee argued. “You offered to take me to my car. I appreciate that, and I’m not arguing the point.” She reached for the handle of the front door.

His hand pressed firmly against hers, holding the door closed. “If you won’t come by my condo, let me follow you home, please. I need to know more about this phone call, Dee.”

“If Monday’s not early enough, then tomorrow,” she begged. “I’m exhausted. And I know you don’t want to worry Christiana.”

Edgar took hold of her free hand. “It’s not only my sister I’m concerned about. Jameson King never found out what Scott Winters called him about, and the next day, Scott was dead. Strange things are happening in Magnolia Falls. Tomorrow may not come. Tonight would be far better.”

“You’re being cruel.”

“No, I’m being realistic,” he said.

Fear, stark and vivid, glimmered in her pale blue eyes. She yanked her hand out of his, pushed him away and climbed into the car.

SIX

Up the street from Burt’s Pizza, the watcher stared in confusion as Dee argued with some hunk outside his black sports car while a young woman sat in the backseat. What’s wrong, Dee? Lover’s spat, or are you afraid of little old me? Pulling up the hood of the sweatshirt, she looked both ways before slipping out of her hiding place in the alley. She pushed the black-framed glasses up on her nose. What on earth were you looking for in the library, you nerd? You always did have your nose in a book. The watcher glanced up the street to the library. If only they hadn’t put in that stupid security system, I could get inside and figure out what you’re onto. The last thing I need is you sticking your nose in my business. I’ll make sure you keep your mouth shut, and I know just how to do it.

Dee watched as Edgar walked around to the front of the car minutes after scaring her back to her senses with his “I’m being realistic” comment. She wasn’t too happy with him.

Christiana sighed. “I hate when Edgar gets like this. Our father was very protective, too. It’s a genetic flaw in Brazilian men.”

Dee couldn’t help but laugh at Christiana’s analysis of her brother. “It’s as endearing as it is annoying, but in this case, he’s right. We all need to be extra careful,” she said, clipping her comment as Edgar opened the driver’s-side door and sat down.

“Christiana, we’re going to take you by Julia’s, then I’m going to make sure Miss Owens gets home okay. I want you to call if you need anything. I don’t care how late it is.”

“Whatever,” she said, as if he were punishing her by making her stay at a friend’s house. Dee expected Christiana to argue, but she didn’t.