Carol Steward - In His Sights

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.”