Deadly Valentine (39 page)

Tess knew eventually he'd have to find out for sure if he was Delia and possibly the Senator's son, but it didn't have to be now.

"Maybe I'm wrong about the fire; it could be a really strange coincidence. In that case, Shelby is at the top of my list."

"She has an alibi," Jack said using air quotes around alibi.

"Not anymore," Tess said.

"Really? Someone came forward? Philip?"

"I can't go into it. Attorney client privilege," Tess explained "But Detective Johnson knows."

 Jack snorted. "I'm not sure how much good that will do. All of Daniel's buddies seem bent on me being the murderer."

Tess could feel herself wanting to defend Daniel.

"That's the problem with everyone involved in this case especially Deputy Dan. He's related to them for Christ sake. Isn't there a law about that?"

"He's not on the case-"

"Come on, Tess." Jack released her hand, turning from her to look out the window. She felt the movement like rejection.

"Things have changed." She wished she could tell him about Sarah. And about how Detective Johnson was taking a good look at everyone, including Daniel. Instead she watched and waited, hoping the situation wouldn't push Jack away.

He moved back to her bedside. "The point is that Tom, whether you think he was capable or not, took the computer. Daniel and his buddies have to know this. And Tom had to have taken it after Asa was murdered. Which means he did it or he was first on the scene and didn't raise the alarm. Why not?"

Tess knew he was right, but she couldn't believe Tom was a murderer anymore than she could believe Jack was. Tom had to be protecting Asa or someone else. "I wonder if he went out the back the door and was the one who left it open."

"Maybe. He took the computer and didn't want to risk being seen so he went out Asa's door."

"But he couldn't come back in that way without it being suspicious, so he came in the front door where you saw him."

"It's possible he heard you entering Asa's office," Jack said.

Tess didn't like to think that Tom would have allowed her to walk into a death scene. Or that he could have seen her sprawled on the floor and done nothing. "But he was attacked too," she said. "It takes the focus off of him."

"If he wasn't attacked. Would the police be considering all this?" Jack asked.

"We can't think about 'what if's'," she said. "I can tell you that the police have broadened the investigation."

"But I'm still at the top of the list."

She didn't respond.

"And now that things are good with us, Daniel will try to sabotage that again."

She shook her head. "No. I think he and I have come to an understanding. He's a good guy, Jack."

"Is that why you were going to go live with him?"

"What?"

"The doctor came in while you were resting and wanted to know when Daniel would be back so he could go over your care when you went home with him."

"Oh. That."

"Yeah. That."

"I didn't agree to stay with him."

"That's not the impression the doctor had."

"He and Daniel decided, but I never actually agreed to it." Tess shifted, pulled Jack's hand closer to prevent him from moving away.

"But you would have gone." It wasn't like Jack to feel insecure or jealous, so Tess wasn't sure why he was pushing it.

"Probably. I had nowhere else to go."

"He would have tried to win you back."

"That's why I didn't agree to it."

"Worried you might give in?"

Now she was annoyed. "Maybe."

His eyes widened in surprise.

"You were right, I don't want to come to the end of my life and be alone. And since you were out of the picture..."

"So you do love him."

"I care for him. It's not the way I love you."

"I see."

"No, I don't think you do. Before you got here today, it felt like the only choices left in my life were to be alone or be with someone that was safe, who I knew would be good to me. But once you showed up, I got third choice. The only choice. There is no contest."

He studied her and she hoped he could see the truth of her words in her eyes. He moved in close to her, nearly nose to nose. "Do you know what you do to me?"

"Drive you crazy?"

"Yes." He kissed her. It was rougher, edgier than the earlier kisses, but it still made her mushy inside all the same.

"You know, this situation isn't all that different from you and Cora," Tess pointed out. "She doesn't think I'm good enough for you."

"That's not true-"

"And I'm sure after I hurt you, she's got some voodoo priest making up a Tess doll."

"That may be true," he said with a laugh. "But as long as you keep me happy, she won't use it."

"You don't want to have to choose sides and I don't either. I understand why you feel the way you do, but he and his family are a part of my life, just like Cora is a part of yours."

"Fair enough," Jack said.

"Of course, if we can figure this thing out, we won't have to worry about Daniel."

"So what's your theory about Shelby?" Jack asked taking them back to original topic.

"I supposed the only thing is that she had Philip lie for her to give her an alibi."

"And why would she do that if she wasn't guilty?" Jack finished her thought.

"Right. Clearly she was doing something wrong, but was it murder?"

"What else could she have been doing that she didn't want anyone to know about?" Jack asked.

"I don't know."

"Maybe drugs," Jack suggested. "She looks like someone who could have a drug problem. She's got the dark circles under her eyes, gaunt face, and is way too thin."

"What'd you say?"

"Drugs. Maybe she was shooting up or whatever drug addicts do."

"No, after that. Dark circles-"

"And too thin," Jack finished.

"That could be it…" Tess let her voice trail off as the considered.

"Care to share?"

"Remember our date."

"I sure do," he said with a waggle of his brows.

"I mean while we were at the restaurant. We saw Shelby."

"I remember that too."

"And then I ran into her in the bathroom. She'd been sick, but didn't want me to tell anyone about it. And she had a toothbrush."

"Maybe she was thinking she'd get lucky with another man."

"Maybe. Or maybe she knew she would be sick."

"How do people know when they'll be sick?" Jack asked.

"If they make themselves sick. What if she has an eating disorder? On the night of the murder, it was right after dinner that she went upstairs. Maybe she went up to … purge."

"I can see why people would want to keep an eating disorder under wraps unless it could clear you of murder," Jack said. "Why not just fess up. Why get Philip to lie?"

"Probably because Asa would have cut her off." Tess looked up as Helen hesitantly approached the bed.

"Helen."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company," Helen said not hiding her disappointment or disapproval at Jack's presence. Clearly Daniel hadn't warned her about Jack's return. Tess sighed, resigned to the tension that was building.

"How's Tom?" Tess asked hoping it would diffuse the situation.

Helen's face softened as she turned her eyes on Tess. "He's doing much better. He's awake now. Finally. But has no clue what happened or who did it."

Tess wanted to ask if he'd been interviewed about the computer, but determined it wasn't the time or place. "At least he's going to be fine."

Jack moved away from Tess so Helen could come closer. She took Tess' hand. "Yes. And so are you. When I heard what happened, Tess, I was so worried. I owe you an apology. You're like a daughter to me and I shouldn't have turned on you like that."

"I understand why things happened the way they did."

"It doesn't excuse my behavior. Tom was livid. You should have heard him railing on me and Daniel about little Tess."

Tess had thought she'd outgrown the name Tom had often called her. At the same time, it was comforting to know he still used it.

"He was right, as always. I hope you'll forgive me." Helen gave Tess' hand a squeeze.

"Of course. And I'm sorry too."

"I can't imagine who'd do such a thing to Tom and you," Helen said with a glance to Jack. To his credit he didn't respond. Not even a flinch.

"That's what we were just talking about," Tess said.

"You think Shelby murdered Asa?"

"We were pondering why she lied."

"I wasn't kidding about Asa cutting off her allowance. He spent a fortune to have her sent to a spa last summer to cure her."

"So she does have an eating disorder?" Tess asked.

"I would think it was obvious. I swear you can't see that girl when she stands sideways. It's so sad really. Why women kill themselves to keep a man is beyond me."

"Did you say allowance?" Jack asked taking a step towards them. "Maybe it’s the feminist in me, but what twenty-first century woman needs an allowance? Why would Asa give her one?"

"Control," Tess said. Jack was rich now, but he grew up in a different world. In her and Helen's world, money was power and it was used to manipulate and control people. Even family members. "But why would Asa care so much about Shelby's illness? Why would he want to control that?" Tess asked.

"Grandchildren," Helen responded. "He was obsessed with having them."

"That doesn't sound like Asa," Jack said. Tess had to agree. Asa did not have the temperament to be a grandfather.

"To be more specific, he was worried about the future of the company. Everyone knows that Philip doesn't have what it takes to run the company. And Daniel wasn't going to do it no matter how much browbeating Asa did. So he thought that if he had grandchildren, he'd have 20 or 30 years to mold them and make them ready to take over. Just like he did instead of my father."

"But he didn't have 20 or 30 years," Tess said.

"He didn't know it when he concocted the plan," Helen said. "I'm certain that's what the gathering was about that night. He'd come up with a new plan now that he was dying. Who knows, perhaps he found a long lost cousin or something. The only thing that all Worthingtons agree on is that the company needs to remain a family run business."

Tess thought about Delia and Senator Worthington, and their son. She looked to Jack and could see he was thinking the same thing.

"Shelby knew that too. And she knew that Asa was the one to keep her rolling in the money. So she wouldn't have killed Asa. She liked money more than she disliked Asa."

"I guess that puts us back where we started," Tess said.

"I still don't understand about lying. If Asa was dead, then why would Shelby need to cover up the illness?" Jack asked.

"Asa has all sorts of crazy provisions in his will," Helen explained. "No doubt there is one that Shelby needs to stay healthy. She probably gets a big bonus for the first grandson."

Helen cast another glance at Jack and then patted Tess' hand. "The police will figure it out. They'll find the killer and we'll all be safe. In fact, I just left Detective Johnson with Tom. They were talking about some computer. Until the killer is found, you can count on Daniel and us to keep you safe."

Tess gave Helen's hand a squeeze. "Thank you."

"Do you need anything? I see you got the clothes Regina I picked up."

"Thank you for that."

"I couldn't get you any of those six-hundred dollar French garments you like so well, but I think they'll do,"

"They'll be fine," Tess said.

"The clothes are nothing special either, but you can't leave here in one of those hospital gowns with your tush hanging out."

Tess laughed. "That would be a sight."

"Well, I need to go check on Tom." She gave a disapproving look to Jack, then turned back to Tess. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"Yes." Tess said this time being the one to pat Helen's hand. "I'll be fine."

Helen took her time releasing Tess' hand and moving away, as if any minute Jack might pounce. "You call me or Daniel if you need anything."

"I will," Tess assured her.

"She thinks I'm a danger to you," Jack said after Helen disappeared out the door.

"You picked up on that too, huh?"

"The only thing you're in danger from me is having you model that backless tushy-showing hospital gown."

Tess smiled. "Not now, I have a headache."

Chapter Forty-Three

During the late morning and early afternoon, Tess rested with Jack at her side. Occasionally, she'd doze and wake up worried it was all a dream. But then she'd feel him next to her, whispering to her, and all was right with the world again. The doctor stopped in mid-afternoon and satisfied with her living arrangements, agreed to discharge her.

It took some time, but finally she was drugged, dressed and loaded into Jack's car.

"I want to go by my house," she said as he pulled out of the parking space.

"Tess, you need to rest. We can drive by tomorrow."

"I want to see it now. I need to see it."

He cast a quick glance her way. He didn't say anything, but he made the turn on Cavalier Avenue towards the center of town. As neared her home, he slowed the car, but didn't stop. Tess realized he was planning to just drive by.

"Park here," she said.

"Tess, it's starting to rain."

"Just for a minute. I need to see it."

He didn't argue as he pulled up to the curb across the street from her house. She looked out the window at the charred remains of her home. Her roof had fallen in the area that had been her bedroom. Black streaks reached out from window frames. The glass had broken or melted away.

Tess pulled the lever to open the car door. Jack grabbed her arm. She thought she was going to argue this too, but instead he said, "Let me help you."

She nodded and waited for him to exit and come around the car. Every movement getting out of the car sent sharp stabbing sensations to her side. She tried to ignore it. The thin line of Jack's lips told her she wasn't doing a very good job.