Until I Die Again [On The Way To Heaven] (Soul Change Novel) (13 page)

Hallie couldn’t keep in the inhalation of surprise. She couldn’t imagine spending fifteen million dollars on anything, especially on one stone. “Did you buy it for your wife?”

He laughed, glancing at Jamie. “No, no. I’m not crazy enough to be married, and especially not to spend that kind of money on a woman. I bought it to, well, to show it off. Mostly to enjoy looking at it, but I have to admit I liked showing it off a little. I had a thick luciteLucite case made, and it was protected by an alarm system that utilized laser beams. I’d had it for about two months when someone broke in, disabled the alarm, and made off with it.”

Her look of shock went deeper than just hearing Dave’s story. She remembered something: Mick asking where the gem was. Where she’d hidden it. And didn’t Joya say that she and Jamie had dinner there the night before? Holy crap, Hallie and Mick had stolen Dave’s gem.

“She really doesn’t remember,” Dave observed by the expression on her face. “This all happened about two months ago. On your last trip here.”

She composed herself. “You must have been upset.”

“Upset? I was heartbroken. Then, to top it off, the insurance company just informed me that they’re not going to pay off until they’re absolutely sure someone broke in and stole it. They think I masterminded the theft to get the insurance money. Hell, I’d rather have the Manderlay than the money. I can replace the money, but I can’t replace that stone.”

“You know,” Jamie said, removing his legs from the empty chair across from him. “I’d like to take a look at the crime scene, so to speak. The last time I was there the police wouldn’t let me in until they were done with the investigation. By then I had to get back home.”

Dave shrugged, making the wisps of blond curls on his chest play hide and seek beneath the collar of his shirt. “Why not? Maybe you’ll see something I didn’t.”

Hallie swallowed, hoping that they wouldn’t. She needed time to figure this out.

Dave’s house was not more or less impressive than Theresa’s, but it was vastly different. Ultra modern was obviously his thing, from the odd shapes of his lawn ornaments and statues to the strange angles of his house.

They walked through a circular archway before they reached double doors that matched the arch in shape, painted in vibrant blue. Dave punched in an alarm code, then walked in the house without using a key. Hallie could see how easy it was for her former self to gain entrance. The combination was 16372. Sixteen for her sister Bernice’s age; three for her shelties; and seventy-two, for the year her first car was made, a Camaro.

Gleaming white carpet, black furniture and lots of shiny brass made the house seem more like a furniture showroom than a home. An elaborate entertainment system took up one whole wall, its glass shelves arranged with an assortment of crystals in natural form. The large television in the middle looked like a square eye.

The carpet squished beneath her feet, attempting to swallow them up as she quickly walked toward tile and refuge. Beyond the six sliding glass doors, an hourglass-shaped pool shimmered in the morning sun, surrounded by a maroon deck.

Nestled perfectly in a square nook, lit from above by a single halogen bulb, was a brass pedestal. The empty stand looked pitiful beneath the glare of the light. Sealed over the base was a Lucite case with a round hole cut into the side, large enough for a fist to fit into. She glanced down at her tensing hand. Yep, it would fit all right.

“This is where it was,” Dave said with a sigh. “Whoever did it disarmed the laser beams with this panel and was then able to cut through the case to get to the gem.” He pointed to another alarm keypad. Hallie had probably looked over his shoulder there, too, and memorized the combination. Dave had no reason to distrust his friend. Or his friend’s wife. Too bad.

“You’re too trusting,” Jamie said, as if reading her thoughts. “How many times have you punched in those numbers in front of Hallie and I without making us turn away?”

“But that’s the two of you. My mother, a friend or two. It’s a natural instinct to turn away when someone punches in their password or alarm code. I’ve seen you do it. Everybody does.”

Jamie narrowed his eyes. “Maybe not everybody. It looks like an inside job.”

“The cops checked friends, acquaintances, workers. My cleaning lady checked out, then quit in disgust for being a suspect.” He put his hand on his chest. “As if I had pointed a finger at her. I felt bad that they even asked where you were that night.”

Jamie shrugged. “They can’t write off anyone. I didn’t take it personally. I was sound asleep when it happened, didn’t even wake up until noon.”

Hallie wondered how thorough their investigation into Jamie and his wife had been. He had been asleep, but obviously Hallie hadn’t. Maybe she’d drugged him so he wouldn’t wake and miss her.

“You look deep in thought, Hallie,” Dave asked. “Any ideas?”

“Mm? No, just wondering. The police don’t have your combinations, do they?”

“No. The alarm monitoring company does, but they checked out, too. It’s baffling.”

Hallie couldn’t relax once she knew the truth. Even through a mildly enjoyable lunch of fajitas at Dave’s, even with Jamie being somewhat pleasant toward her, she was tense far beyond the comfort level.

The emerging realizations were burying her in quicksand. If she was caught, she could go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit.
 
Would a jury believe her story? Doubtful. The best case would be that they would rule her insane and put her in an asylum. Jamie would hate her, Joya probably would, too. Everyone would, except Mick. The thought made her cringe.

After lunch, she bid Dave good luck with finding the thief as sincerely as Jamie did. When they reached the end of Dave’s driveway, Jamie made the Porsche a convertible with the push of a button. Fresh air and sunshine spilled in, washing away the pounding worry of being a convict. The wind blew his blond hair around, and the sun lit it with a golden aura. She held her hair back in a ponytail with her hand.

He pointed to the gloveglove box. “You used to keep hair bands in there.”

She smiled at his thoughtfulness as she pulled a red band out and tied up her hair. “Thanks.”

He nodded but kept his eyes on the road, the wall between them as impenetrable as if it were solid. She crossed her arms over her chest and scooted down in her seat, allowing herself a few minutes of pouting. Obviously his stubbornness had won over the demons that led him to hold her hand in the planetarium.

She took a deep breath of salty air, then looked at him. “This would be a great day to go to the beach.”

“I’m sure it is.”

The hoped for invitation didn’t come forth, nor did any other words. Undaunted, she said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to take a long walk down the beach?”

“You’ve got a car, bathing suits at the house. Go.”

She pursed her lips in frustration. He was treating her like a spoiled brat who wanted her way. She ventured further. “Actually, I was thinking that maybe you could come with me.” She brightened the last few words, hoping to inject more optimism than she felt.

He gave her a stern look, adding to her feeling of being a child. “I’ve got business to take care of today. And don’t use that look you got me to the opera with. It won’t work anymore.”

“The opera wasn’t that bad. Okay,” she added when she saw his surprised look. “The opera itself was yucky, but we didn’t stay for the whole thing. Don’t tell me that you didn’t enjoy the laser show.”

“It was fine.”

She was more disappointed by the sight of Theresa’s driveway looming just ahead. Little time left with him before he escaped from her.

“Can I come with you?”

“Oh, no. I never get anything done when you’re with me, between you talking to your friends and buying stuff.”

“Jamie, I don’t remember any of my friends. And I won’t buy one thing, I promise.” That wasn’t a problem because she had never been much of a shopper.

They sat in silence as he pulled up in front of the house. She hoped he was considering her promise. And her company. His calm expression belied his next words.

“You know, Hallie, you should call Mick. After all, you wanted to leave me for him. He must mean something to you. You should explore that.”

He got out of the car and closed the door, heading toward the separate garage. She leaned on her knee and called after him, “I don’t want to see Mick! I want to be with you.”

He turned back. “I don’t believe that.”

She felt the frustration seep into her voice, choking it. “Why? Why don’t you believe me?”

“Because,” he said with that smug smile of his. “He was the one you remembered in the hospital. Not me or anyone else, but you knew him.”

In her attempt to pretend to be Hallie and remember, she had sabotaged herself. “I didn’t remember him!” she called in a last ditch effort. “I only guessed who he was after hearing you talk about him!”

If he heard, he pretended not to and kept walking. A few minutes later a black Cadillac sped past and down the driveway. She was so angry, so sad, that even Theresa’s presence, standing in front of the double doors, couldn’t upset her any more. But her comment, as Hallie walked passed her, did.

“Why don’t you go back where you belong?”

Hallie paused, then turned to meet the short woman’s blazing blue eyes. She saw love there, and protection for her son. For his heart. Hallie could no longer be angry at the woman. “I wish I could. But where I belong is too far away.” She glanced toward Colorado. “Much too far away.” Then she continued walking up the stairs.

Hallie reminded herself that Theresa’s hatred toward Jamie’s wife was justified. But it was also directed at the wrong woman. No one would understand that, however. She barely did herself.

Remembering Joya’s strange last name, Mellondorf, she got her phone number from information and gave her a call. Once the maid got her friend on the line, Joya squealed with delight.

“Ha-allie! I’m so glad you called, sweetie. Is everything all right?”

“It’s fine. I have some questions I think you can answer. What are you doing this afternoon?”

“I have unchangeable plans to lie out at the beach all day and get positively brown today. You, my dear, can join me. It’s been forever since we’ve laid out and drank margaritas together. Why don’t you come pick me up?”

“Sounds fine. Where do you live? And, Joya, give me directions like you would for some out -of –towner.”

Joya detailed directions complete with landmarks and assorted memories to go along with them, like, “That was the place we used to hang out for Sunday afternoon happy hours.”

When Hallie found a bathing suit and cover, she slipped down the stairs and out the front door, trying to avoid Theresa. An afternoon with Joya wouldn’t be as nice as one with Jamie, but it was definitely preferable to one with his mother.

Joya lived in La Jolla; Hallie smiled at how similar the two names sounded. Knowing Joya, that’s probably why she lived there. Straight ahead was Soledad Mountain and the white cross perched atop it. The Mellondorf Residence sat on top of a hill overlooking the ocean, like Theresa’s, only closer. Much more pretentious this place was, with its austere white columns flanking the huge double door entrance, its white shutters and Rolls Royce parked out front. Hallie’s best friend had done quite well for herself. She was not impressed.

Before she got to the stairs leading up to the entrance, Joya appeared around the far corner of the house. After an air kiss, Joya said, “Hi, sweetie! Come on back with me so I can say bye to Stan.”

Rap music pounded through the air, and Joya rolled her hips and shook her shoulders to the beat. The back yard was filled with huge, stately trees, flower beds and spongy green grass. Hallie followed her up to the white deck surrounding the pool. White statues were randomly situated throughout the yard. Joya was still several yards from the long back porch when she waved at the man who sat in a lounge chair.

“He has to stay out of the sun since he’s had skin cancer.”

Hallie waved to him, and Stan hesitantly waved back before returning to the newspaper he held. “Does he not like me?” she asked.

She shrugged. “Ah, he doesn’t particularly like us hanging around together. Something about us getting into trouble. He’s not my father, and he doesn’t tell me who to hang around with. Besides, his friends are all old farts.”

Hallie glanced back at him. “Well, he
is
a bit older, Joya.”

She flipped her hand in his direction. “So? It’s all in the mind. You know what he’s listening to up there in those headphones? Classical music. Phooey.” Then she waved again. “Bye, pumpkinpuss! Be back in a while.”

“Pumpkinpuss?” Hallie repeated, but Joya didn’t comment.

When they walked to Hallie’s car, Joya pointed down toward the ocean. “See that string of palms down there? That’s where we’re going.”

A few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot with the palm trees. The beige sand beach was huge, dotted with slick, shiny bodies. It curved around as it turned into cliffs. Hallie followed Joya down the sidewalk until they ran out of cement. She felt the soft sand between her toes, avoiding the clumps of seaweed washed ashore. Joya settled her chair into the sand, situated her towel and sat down with a flourish. Hallie flung her towel over the unsettled chair and flopped down.

In a matter of seconds, Joya was covered in tanning oil and barely anything else. She tossed Hallie the bottle of coconut-smelling oil. “Whoo, this is great!” She turned and poured two glasses of yellow liquid from the large thermos into two cups and handed one to her. Hallie watched Joya lick some of the salt off the rim before taking a deep drink and followed suit.

“I am so ready to go out dancing.” Joya’s chair was nearly tipping over with her movements. “Let’s go out Saturday. It’s been too long. Even when you flew here several weeks ago, you were too serious to go dancing. Let’s have some fun!”

“Well, wasn’t I leaving my husband then? I would think such a decision would make one somber.”

Joya shrugged to the beat of the music. “What’s to be somber about? Happens all the time.”