Premeditated Mortar Page 15

  “You do. Either way, you’ll need to wear masks and goggles. But the happy trade-off is clean air.”

  “Yeah.” I sighed, knowing that some of my guys would rather suck in the toxic particles than wear those restrictive masks. I would have to talk to Wade and Carla about it.

  Several of my guys were already at work up here, their ladders fully extended as they scraped paint off the tops of the walls and the ceiling. Sure enough, large flakes of paint and bits of plaster drifted in the air and would eventually settle on the floor.

  “We should be wearing masks right now,” I realized. “These particles can be awful if you get them in your nose or mouth.”

  “We don’t have to stay long,” Chloe said. “I just wanted to see what was going on up here.” Glancing around, she absently picked up one of the empty spray bottles and twirled it around her fingers. “I know you have a long way to go, but it’s obvious to me that by this time next year, Jane will have a fabulous, elegant, and very unusual five-star hotel to show off to the world.”

  “It’s going to be amazing.”

  She stared up at the ceilings. “All this space is fantastic, isn’t it?”

  I smiled. “It really is.” I refrained from breaking into my research riff on the theory of tall ceilings as therapy.

  She used her phone to snap a few more photos, then slipped it into her pocket. “Eric should be here any minute, so let’s go down and meet him. Then we can check out your pit of bricks, or whatever you call it.”

  “Pit of despair. Brick hellhole. Pit of hell. Take your pick.”

  “Sounds very colorful,” she said with a laugh as we headed downstairs.

  When we reached the first floor we saw Jane walking our way. “There you are,” she said, and ran to give Chloe a hug. “How are you?”

  “Couldn’t be better,” Chloe said. “I absolutely love this place. Or I will, once you’re farther along.”

  “Thanks, Chloe.” Jane looked at me. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better, thanks.”

  “I’m glad.” But then her sweet expression morphed into anger. “Did you watch the news last night?”

  “The segment about the Gables? Yeah.”

  Jane huffed out a breath. “I recognized that doctor who worked here. She was my mother’s doctor.”

  My mouth fell open. “You’re kidding.”

  “No.” She pounded her fist against her palm. “You know, I always suspected that she was cruel to my mom. And after seeing her on the news last night, I totally believe it. I’ve never met a colder human being.”

  “Jane, are you sure?” I touched her arm. “Did you ever witness her doing anything specific?”

  “Well, yeah.” But she screwed up her lips in frustration. “Okay, for one thing, she made it clear that she didn’t like the patients’ families to visit.”

  Chloe frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” I said. “I should think she’d be supportive of family visits.”

  “But she wasn’t.” Jane’s eyes sparked with fury. “I remember this one time we were sitting out on the lawn and I was braiding my mom’s hair. That witch came over and told my mother—right in front of me!—that having me visit her was disruptive to my mother’s well-being.”

  “That’s horrible,” Chloe said.

  “And you know, she was speaking real softly so that nobody else could hear. But Uncle Jesse was right behind her and he laid into her.”

  “Good,” Chloe said. “What happened?”

  “The woman gave him a look that could’ve peeled skin. She finally turned and stomped off.”

  I wanted to cheer. “If Jesse were still with us, I would give him a big hug. He was right and I’m glad he stood up to her.”

  “For someone like her, in a position of authority, to say that?” Chloe shook her head. “Your mother must’ve been really upset.”

  “She was, and I think that’s why I remember it so vividly,” Jane said. “Because right before Uncle Jesse and I left that day, Mom started crying. Maybe it didn’t have anything to do with the doctor’s warning. Maybe she just wanted to come home. But seeing her cry like that? It really shook me up. I cried, too, all the way home.” She winced. “Poor Uncle Jesse had to deal with two sobbing females that day.”

  I gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m so sorry.” There didn’t seem to be much I could say since I’d had the same impression of Dr. Fairchild. Still, I wanted to say something that might help. “Maybe the doctor was overwhelmed by having so many really sick people to deal with.”

  Jane glowered. “That’s no excuse.”

  “You’re absolutely right,” I said, holding up my hands. What was the point of being a Pollyanna with my friends when the truth was right there for all of us to see? “She’s obviously just as smug as she always was.”

  “Smug is such a good word,” Jane fumed. “How dare she tell a fragile mother that her daughter shouldn’t visit her? It was just so painful.”

  “It’s downright malicious,” Chloe said.

  “There’s no excuse for it.”

  Chloe said, “Is there anything we can do for you, Jane?”

  “No.” She rubbed her arms to get rid of the chill she must’ve felt. “Until I saw her on TV, I was hoping she was dead.”

  “She’s very much alive,” I murmured. “And still arrogant.”

  Jane bared her teeth angrily. “I hope she never shows her face around here.”

  I frowned. “But she was right here yesterday, talking to reporters.”

  “Here?” She gaped at me. “I saw the interview but I didn’t realize where it was. She was here?”

  “Yeah, out in front of our building.” It was my turn to frown. “You didn’t see her.”

  “No.” She scowled. “And that’s probably a good thing. I might’ve shoved her right off the roof.”

  * * *

  * * *

  “Wow,” Chloe whispered. “I’ve never seen Jane so riled up before.”

  Jane had just hurried off toward the foyer to meet one of her vendors, and the two of us stood there frowning at her back.

  “I haven’t, either,” I admitted. “But I don’t blame her for being upset. That was such an awful time for her.”

  We walked more slowly in the same direction Jane had gone. Eric would be meeting us outside the front door.

  Chloe was still worried. “Do you think that doctor will come around here again? She sounds like a tyrant.”

  “I was here for her speech yesterday and she was clearly on a power trip.” I grimaced. “Actually, I couldn’t figure out why she was here to ‘answer questions.’ Her day is done. This isn’t a hospital anymore. I wonder if she thought she’d be able to recapture that feeling of power by coming around here.”

  “So you saw her in person and then you watched her on the news last night?”

  I shrugged. “Mac wanted to see the interview and I wanted to see it again. Afterward, he said she reminded him of Nurse Ratched. Do you remember that character?”

  “Of course. I had nightmares after we watched that movie. She was scary.”

  I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “You know we were too young to be watching it.”

  “No kidding. Oh, there’s Eric.” Her voice rose as the hunky police chief walked toward us. She ran to meet him and he caught her and kissed her soundly.

  I stood by the doorway grinning. But then I saw Mac turn the corner and walk into view. And I went running.

  He wrapped me in his arms and gave me a warm kiss.

  “Best thing in the world,” he murmured, hugging me closely. “How are you feeling?”

  “My muscles are a little achy, but my head is clear. No headache, no dizziness.”

  “Good.” He kissed me again.

  �
��I didn’t know you’d be coming here today.”

  “I was talking to Eric and he mentioned that he was headed over here, so I thought, what a good idea.”

  “I’m so glad.” I glanced at my sister and Eric, and I realized how lucky we all were to be so happy. And despite that, I still needed to ask Mac my question about the future. This wasn’t the time, but soon. “Hey, did you finish your chapter?”

  “Uh, not yet. Am I in trouble?”

  “Not with me,” I said. “But if your editor finds out . . .”

  “Please don’t tell her,” he begged. “I promise I’ll make it up to her.”

  “You’d better. She’s pretty tough.” His editor was a pussycat.

  He grabbed my hand. “Let’s do this.”

  Eric came up beside us and said, “You lead the way, Shannon.”

  “Okay.”

  We traipsed down the hallway and through the passageway under the staircase. When we reached the back hall, I saw Niall standing near the brick wall with two of his guys. Everywhere along the wall were stacks of bricks four and five rows deep.

  “Wow, you got a lot done,” I said, as we approached.

  “I knew you wanted to get to that door, so we’re clearing the way. Have a bit more to go.”

  I patted his massive shoulder. “I really appreciate it.” And nodded at the two helpers. “Thanks a lot, guys.”

  “It was a good morning’s workout,” one of them said with a grin.

  “Aye,” Niall said. “No need for a gym membership, working for me.”

  Everyone chuckled, and then the two helpers went back to work, pulling bricks from the antechamber and piling them into stacks. It was slow going.

  At that moment I realized that Chloe had never met Niall. “Chloe, this is Niall, my fantastic stonemason.”

  “Hi, Niall,” she said. “You had just started working for my sister when I was in town doing my TV show.”

  “Yes, I was told we just missed each other.” He shook her hand. “Lovely to meet you, Chloe.”

  “He’s also engaged to Jane,” I added.

  “That’s wonderful,” Chloe said with a bright smile, then gave me a look that said, I’ll need the full story.

  And I gave her a look that said, Later.

  I switched my gaze to Eric. “While they clear away more of the brick, we can look inside these rooms for any signs of life.” I indicated the eight doors on the other side of the hallway.

  Eric nodded. “So you think your attacker might’ve been hiding in one of them.”

  I didn’t like the idea, but had to keep it real. “It’s possible. And I don’t know how they could’ve sneaked up on me otherwise.”

  “Then let’s check ’em out,” Mac said.

  He and Eric headed for the first door down the hall on the left and Chloe went with them.

  I started to follow, then stopped and pulled out my cell phone. “I’m going to give Jane a quick call to let her know we’re doing this. Otherwise, she might smother me in my bed.”

  Mac turned back, looking amused. “Really?”

  I frowned. “She’s not having a good day.”

  We were about to start on the first door when Jane jogged down the hall. “I’m here.”

  Niall looked up from his work. “And what a lovely treat it is to see you.”

  I watched her melt on the spot, then walk over and wrap her arms around him.

  “I’m a sweaty mess, love,” he murmured.

  She shook her head. “I don’t care.” After a long moment, she stepped back. Glancing around, she met my gaze. “I’m fine.”

  I didn’t need an explanation, just nodded. “Okay.”

  I knew she wasn’t really fine, but she was doing all right for now. And we would talk about it again. Especially if the dreaded Dr. Fairchild showed up anywhere on the Gables property.

  Niall’s cell phone buzzed and he answered, spoke quietly for a moment, then ended the call. “I’ve got to go out to another site, but I’ll be back.” He gave Jane a smacking kiss and jogged off.

  “Let’s do this,” Mac said, nodding toward the first door.

  Each of the first four rooms was big enough to hold four patients—or four nurses, or staff, or whoever had been assigned to this area back in the day. But there hadn’t been anyone inside them for decades. They were musty and dusty and the cobwebs had cobwebs hanging off them.

  I refused to believe that they might’ve housed patients in these rooms because they were interior rooms with no windows. According to Dr. Jones’s philosophy, that was a no-no. I would insist on installing a really powerful air conditioning and air filter system if Jane planned to use these rooms at all, but I knew they wouldn’t become guest rooms. Maybe meeting rooms. Jane would agree.

  “I’m sorry it’s so filthy in these rooms,” Jane said, holding her hand over her mouth. “I’m afraid to breathe too deeply.”

  “It’s not your fault, Jane.” I gave a quick glance around the room. “There’s nothing in here. Let’s take a quick break in the hall and breathe in some cleaner air before we check out the next one.”

  “Good idea,” Chloe said.

  “You all can take a break,” Eric said. “I’ll keep going.”

  Mac nodded. “I’m good to go, too.”

  “We’ll just be a minute,” I said.

  Jane leaned against the wall.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” She smiled weakly. “My sinuses are about to rebel. There’s no way these rooms can be turned into guest rooms. I’ll use them for supplies or something.”

  “Regardless, we should all be wearing masks at all times,” I said. “It’s my fault. I didn’t think to bring some with me.”

  “Not your fault,” she said, repeating my words as she patted my back. “Let’s just get the rest of the rooms done and then check out your hidden doorway.”

  “Good plan. But if you feel like waiting out here, we’ll only be another couple of minutes. There’s nothing in these rooms.”

  “But I still want to see them and figure out what to do with them eventually.” She pushed off the wall and followed me to the next room. Mac and Eric were already inside exploring.

  I walked in, saw their expressions, and knew. “You found something.”

  “Don’t touch anything,” Eric warned.

  “Over there.” Mac pointed to the far corner.

  I moved closer to get a better look, and frowned. “It looks like a yoga mat. A little thicker, maybe.”

  “They’re doing yoga in here?” Jane said.

  Chloe chuckled. “I doubt it, but I love that image.”

  “Probably used the mat to sleep on,” Mac explained.

  “You think so?” Jane said.

  “Yeah.” Eric nudged something with his foot. From here it looked like a crumpled-up wrapper. “Someone ate dinner in here.”

  “Is that recent?” I asked.

  “Yes.” He used his pen to lift it close enough to smell it. “You can still get a whiff of barbecue sauce.”

  “Eww,” Jane muttered.

  I cringed in agreement. “Too bad you can’t go around sniffing everyone’s breath.”

  Mac chuckled. “Yeah, do a breathalyzer test for barbecue sauce.”

  “They’ve probably brushed their teeth by now,” Chloe said with a grin.

  Along one wall was a skinny door that probably opened to a closet. “Did you look inside there?”

  “Don’t touch it,” Eric warned. “Need Leo to dust for fingerprints.”

  I met Mac’s gaze and knew he wanted to whip that door open and look inside as much as I did. I figured Eric wanted to do it even more, especially if it held any clues to the identity of whoever was haunting our project.

  “Somebody was living in here,” I said, glancing aro
und.

  Eric frowned. “For a few days at least.”

  I walked over to the door leading out to the hallway. “This was the perfect room to hide in because, look, it’s right across from the brick wall.” I walked out and straight over to the short wall. I looked around but didn’t see Niall.

  “The former brick wall,” Jane corrected.

  “Yeah.” I turned back to Eric. “All they had to do was walk a few feet and shove me right over it.”

  Eric already had his phone out and was calling the police dispatcher. “Hi, Ginny. Send Garcia and Payton up to the Gables. Tell them to meet inside the main hall of Building Seven.” He listened for a few seconds. “Good. Thanks. Oh, and get Leo up here, will you?” he added. “We’ve got ourselves a suspicious situation.”

  He finished the call and glanced at the rest of us. “I’ll be closing off this hallway to give Leo room to work.”

  I pressed my hands together. “Would you mind if we just take a quick little peek at the hidden doorway before you kick us out of here?”

  “Please, Eric,” Jane said. “I think we’ll all go insane if we don’t find out what’s behind that door.”

  At the word insane, Chloe gave me a quick look. I raised my shoulders in a shrug. What could I say? Words like that—insane, loony, crazy—were ingrained in our language and they were usually harmless, unless they were being used to hurt or insult someone. I would have to keep that in mind and mention it again to Wade and Carla. I wouldn’t want any of our people to accidentally hurt the feelings of someone who had once spent time here.

  With Chloe giving Eric another pleading look, he relented. “Make it quick.”

  “All right!” I glanced around, then leaned and peered over the short wall. Seeing complete darkness down there gave me a chill, but I shook it off. I realized that the light tree had been turned off and moved farther down the hall. I pulled my cell phone out and aimed the flashlight into the antechamber. “It’s still full of bricks,” I announced, my disappointment obvious.

  “Niall said he’d be back,” Jane said, “but I’m going to call him to find out what the situation is.”

  She made the call, talked for a minute, then hung up. “He and his boys were called to an emergency,” she explained. “A retaining wall fell over up on Coral Ridge Road. It trapped a carful of kids and their mother.”