Knock, knock... Read online

  She'd come specifically to see how the death of the headmaster affected that balance. And to find out if there was some underlying negativity she had missed before.

  That's what really bothered her. One death related to one of her many projects was sad...but that could be considered normal. Two deaths among her project leaders could be very sad but still be thought of as normal, considering how many people and projects she dealt with. Everyone knew, life happened. So did death.

  As long as there was nothing ugly floating under the surface at either location where the deaths had occurred.

  She walked into the office. The secretary was on the phone. Another worked at a computer in the back. The door to the headmaster's room was closed. Lights out.

  The vice principal's door was open. Lights on.

  With a smile to the busy secretary, Shay walked toward the vice principal. The Stephen Mortimer nameplate on the door matched her files. She presumed he'd be the one to step into the headmaster's shoes, but she couldn't be sure. A charity like this one had board members to satisfy.

  She knocked on the open door. Stephen looked up and frowned. Interesting.

  "Can I help you?"

  "Yes, I'm Shay Lassiter of the Lassiter Foundation. I'd like to speak with you for a few moments."

  Awareness shot into his gaze, but so did something else. Wariness? Fear? Or maybe just a hint of insecurity? He rose, stretched and walked around his desk to shake her hand. "Please, have a seat. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you."

  "No reason why you would. Normally, I met with Robert."

  "Yes." He ran his fingers through his hair, leaving it more than a little rumpled. "It's been a difficult few days. We closed the school on the day of his death, but reopened it the next, knowing that's what he'd have wanted."

  "Good. I came to see how everyone is coping."

  He smiled. "I think we're doing fine. Robert was a good man…but he was intense. That must have affected his health. I can't tell you how many times we warned him to relax a little and ease up on the stress in his life."

  Shay nodded sympathetically. "Funny, we're all told to do that, but hearing it and then acting upon the advice, well––"

  "Exactly." He added, "Robert was also extremely overweight. He had a heart condition already, so although his death is a great loss, it's not a great surprise."

  Anyone overweight would be prone to such health conditions. And Robert had been obese. "Have funeral arrangements been made? I'd like to attend."

  He busied himself with a stack of notes on his desk. "I spoke with his wife this morning. I believe his funeral is scheduled for next Wednesday." He quickly wrote down the name and number of Robert's wife and handed her the note. "Here is her name and number should you want to call her. I can also send you the detailed information when I get it myself." He brought up his calendar and jotted down another note.

  An obvious list maker. Shay watched him keep himself organized. His actions appeared normal, assured. No nervousness or strain evident.

  She opened her inner vision and checked out his aura. Agitated. Nervous at her surprise visit. Disturbed at the unexpected workload now on his shoulders and a little angry at Robert for dying and even a bit angry at himself for feeling that way.

  All normal. And this reassured her.

  Finished, he looked over at her, "Do you want to see the progress on the renovations?"

  She smiled. "That was going to be my next request."

  The next hour was spent going over the plans, highlighting the progress and difficulties with upgrading the old school. By the time she took her leave, the kids were close to exiting their classrooms for the day. She picked up the pace. The place would be overrun with kids soon.

  The dismissal bell rang as she reached her car.

  While Shay drove home her mind was on the school. Everything had looked great, on the surface and beneath – not that she'd expected anything different. She didn't want to find something wrong. But so often, where money was involved, people's motivations became a little muddy.

  However, so far, she'd found nothing suspicious. The headmaster's death appeared to be unrelated to the project – for that she was grateful.

  She needed to check in with Stefan.

  An hour later, she got him on the phone. "Now two people, both spearheading two charities that my foundation is heavily involved in, have died. Apparently of heart attacks. Both dropped dead, one at home and one at work. No signs of a struggle. No damage at the office. Nothing missing. No foul play suspected."

  "But...?" he prodded.

  She shrugged and shifted her cell phone to the other ear. "I don't know. I just can't quite feel comfortable about these deaths. Yet I have no reason for this uneasiness." She sighed and stared out at the water outside her window. It was a strikingly beautiful summer day with blue sky and a warm breeze off the ocean. "There is a lot of money involved, but the money has been parceled out for big renovations, salaries, upgrades. It's not like anyone is going to be able to steal the money and walk away without someone knowing. And if money isn't the motivator, what could be?"

  "You're presuming foul play in both cases?" he asked.

  "Maybe and maybe not. I'd feel better if I could rule it out."

  "And how would you do that?" Stefan said. "You're not the police and don't have access to the their personal financial records or know the status of their health or marital situations."

  She frowned. "No, but I can ask Ronin to rule those out, I suppose."

  "If it's bothering you to that extent, I think you should. Ronin understands. Not everything, but he's been a big help to me over the years. Remember to listen to your instincts though. If something feels wrong, then chances are it is wrong – somehow." He coughed slightly then cleared his throat. "Energy doesn't lie; people can only deceive until you look deeper and see the truth of the energy currents. Don't go in to confirm your expectations, go in looking to find what isn't fitting together."

  "Right. I know that." So what was the matter? "I think what's underlying this is the series of odd and seemingly unrelated issues. Like what I saw in Bernice's eyes at the end." Shay paused to take stock. "The black circle on David. The deaths of not one, but two prominent people involved in two of my projects."

  Stefan listened and then said, "Speaking of Bernice. Dr. Maddy contacted me this morning. I'd asked her to take a look at Bernice after I spoke to you. Remember I said there was something I couldn't figure out? Anyway, she found something odd in Bernice's energy.

  "Odd?" Shay said sharply? "How odd. And did she know Bernice?" Then again Bernice, and Dr. Maddy knew many people so it wasn't surprising to hear.

  "A friend expressed concern about Bernice's death so she took a quick look." His voice deepened. "According to her, there was a new hook into her root chakra and the energy drained very quickly. Maddy felt it was deliberate but didn't go so far as to say Bernice was murdered."

  Shay gasped in shock. "Oh no."

  "She also believes the person visited Bernice in the hospital, either in astral form or by hitchhiking on another person's energy."

  Silence. Shay in the process of standing up, collapsed back down on her couch. "That is so not good."

  "But we can't rush to the wrong conclusion. First Bernice. Then Cummings. Now the headmaster… One of those events would be fine, two maybe, but because there are too many unusual occurrences, you're afraid they’re connected and that they signal a big negative. Not everything that is 'wrong' has to be very wrong. Maybe the victim took too much of his heart medication. An accident. Maybe your personal perspective was skewed by the loss of Bernice and that affected the vision you had. If you can explain away one or two of the occurrences then the others pale in significance."

  His voice changed, detaching as if called away. "I need to go. How about we meet for dinner on Saturday, and we can discuss it further?"

  She smiled wryly. "Except I actually have a date."

  Silence. Then Stefan's amusement r
ippled through his warm voice as he said, "Wow. I'm delighted to hear it. May I...?"

  "You probably already knew. It's Roman, Gerard's grandson and Ronin's brother. We've emailed off and on for years, but now... He just moved here from the East Coast to take over Gerard's business until the board gets through its big power struggle."

  "Oh, yes." His voice lightened, warmed. "I do remember him." An odd silence filtered through the phone.

  Shay sighed. "What do you know that I don't?"

  "Uhm. Maybe you should take a closer look yourself."

  She leaned forward. "I did, and came up against a huge wall. So I stopped." She wrinkled her nose and sighed. "Okay, give. What did I miss?"

  This time there was no mistaking the laughter in Stefan's voice when he said, "He's safe, but I think you'd better take a closer look. He certainly is."

  And Stefan rang off.

  ***

  Knock, knock…

  It's me again Shay. Too bad you didn't see how easy my last trick was. That was like pulling wings off a fly. An activity that had lost its appeal a long time ago. Time for change.

  It was quite possible that the police would never connect the deaths to Shay. Maybe an anonymous phone call would tip them off? Send them in the right direction. Sad that they might need that.

  Still, the three deaths all related to Lassiter Foundation. They should be able to make that much of a connection. To finger Shay, as a suspect, would only be a short hop away after that.

  Experts said that revenge was often best served cold, but for her…after having waited a year…a little fire added to the flames would be even better.

  Time to move up the agenda.

  Chapter 7

  Friday morning…

  Shay stood at Bernice's gravesite, Pappy at her side. He held her arm tightly against him. Dressed in black to satisfy her grandfather's sense of proprietary, she kept her focus on him and his needs. He looked so frail, so broken.

  Gerard didn't look much better. Roman stood at his side.

  It was early yet, but already hundreds had arrived for the ceremony.

  Long limousines and fancy cars lined the roadway, bringing even more people. The weather had cooperated, ushering sunshine and blue sky to the ceremony. Shay shifted the roses to the other hand.

  Bernice had loved gold roses. The area was festooned with them, and a single gold rose lay on the ornate casket. Bernice, being who she was, had picked out her favorite funeral details long before her death. She'd also chosen to be buried in a gown that matched the roses.

  The minister, another old friend of Bernice's, brought tears to everyone's eyes as he spoke of the blessing of having known her. She'd been such a major presence, a force, that no one could ignore her. No one wanted to. She'd been a light for them all.

  For all her best intentions, Shay felt tears well up in her eyes. She was going to miss the old lady.

  Pappy squeezed her arm. She smiled mistily at him and said, "It's a beautiful day for her."

  He smiled gently and whispered, "Yes. She'd have loved it."

  I am loving it, said Bernice irritably.

  Shay started, her gaze widening in shock. She looked over at the familiar shimmering energy of her old friend. Bernice stood between the two old men, clear and crisp as if she were there in person – except she was present only in astral form.

  You can see me, can't you? Bernice stared at Shay in delight. How come you can, but no one else can?

  Shay rolled her eyes. Like she was going to be able to answer that question. She shrugged, motioning to the side. Then, slipping her arm free from Pappy, she excused herself for a moment as if to go and speak with someone else. And she was going to do just that, but her grandfather wouldn't understand how she’d converse with Bernice.

  She walked behind the crowd and off to the side. Turning around, she came face to face with Bernice. "Oh!" Shay jumped back a step.

  How come no one else can see me? Bernice complained. I wanted to talk with Charles and Gerard again.

  "They can't see you," Shay murmured.

  Obviously, Bernice snapped. Why not though? I want them to see me, too.

  "How would I know? I doubt many people can." She hesitated, and then whispered, "Why are you here?"

  I don't know. Bernice looked around. I don't think I want to be here. But there's something...

  Shay waited for her to finish the sentence. When no more was forthcoming, she prompted, "But there's something...?"

  Bernice looked worried – the edges of her form wavered, thinned, I don't know. There's something that has to be done. But I don't know what. But something has to be stopped...

  "Something you need to say to someone, or something that you meant to do? Something you started and wanted to see finished?" Shay tried to prompt the other woman's memory.

  Doubt and a tinge of fear crossed the older woman's features. I don't remember. But there is a reason I came here. But what?

  "If we can figure out what that is and see it done, then you can leave."

  Leaving would be good. I don't like this, she cried out. And disappeared.

  "Wait––"

  Shit. Bernice was gone.

  Shay looked up to find Roman staring at her from only ten feet way.

  Double shit.

  ***

  Roman watched Shay as she stood off to the side. Though she was wearing all black, she was too dynamic to fade into the crowd. He had no idea why she'd separated herself from the group and he couldn't stop himself from checking out what she was doing.

  Shay appeared to be talking to someone. Except she was alone.

  Giving an excuse to his grandfather, he moved out of the crowd and slipped to the back. Shay was still several feet off to one side. He thought he heard her say something like ‘wait!’ but when he looked around, she was alone.

  Had she been alone?

  The crowd was huge. Perhaps what he heard was her talking to someone on her cell phone. That would explain the one-sided conversation. Was her cell phone in her hand?

  Or was this something else altogether?

  ***

  Shay managed a wry smile as Roman approached. Of course it would be him. Had he heard her talking to Bernice? Wouldn't that be perfect? First guy in a long time that interested her – okay more than interested her – and now he’d think she was nuts. Hell, she probably was. "Hi. How is Gerard doing?" she asked as he drew closer.

  Roman glanced back at his grandfather who sat with his head resting on his hand. "It's a tough day for them."

  "Yes. Pappy is heartbroken. He'd love to join Bernice, I think."

  Roman smiled at her, the obvious warmth and the caring doing crazy things to her insides. "I'm sure grandfather has similar thoughts right now. Funerals are for the living to say good-bye. In this case, neither of the men want to do that. They'd rather have gone with her."

  "What a trio."

  "I have dinner reservations for Saturday." He tilted his head and studied her face. "I'll pick you up at 7:30 pm. If that works for you?"

  She nodded, trying to keep her face neutral, masking the surprise and pleasure that lit her up from inside. She hadn't forgotten, but she had wondered if he might. She’d even thought he might want her to forget about it so he didn’t have to follow through. Apparently not.

  "That's perfect. Thank you. You know where I live, right?" And it was perfect when he nodded. Delight unfurled inside only to become tinged with nervousness about taking this step with this man of secrets. And the apprehension she felt should be enough to stop her from moving forward with Roman. If she'd learned her lesson, it would have. But...

  "Shay! Roman!"

  A call came from the center of the crowd. Gerard was waving at them to come closer. "It's Charles."

  "Uh oh." Shay raced over to find Pappy, pale and shaky, leaning on Gerard's shoulder. He looked so frail right now. Her heart squeezed with fear. "Come on Pappy, time to go home."

  "There's a reception at the Foundation
Center, though," her grandfather protested.

  "That's nice. After you've had a rest, we'll see about stopping in. But first, home," she added, firmly.

  Grumbling the whole way, Pappy allowed Shay to lead him to her Audi. They said a quick good-bye to the other two men, then Shay drove her grandfather home.