Dying To Teach Part 33

"That might work, she doesn't know who I am."

The realization appeared to make Jarvis feel better. They went into the hallway where Kiana was just leaving one of the interrogation rooms. The relief in her movements told Angie that Jose had indeed carried through on his promise. Kiana rushed to her. They hugged. Angie noticed that Kiana didn't use her right arm. "Go home. Take painkillers and a nap. I'll see you at seven."

"What'll you be doing?"

"The same thing," she lied.

"Do you know why the janitor dropped the charges? He seemed so angry before and now... I can't figure it out."

"We'll talk extensively later. Right now, I have to go. Do you need a ride home?"

"They said they'd take us back to Evan's bike."

Angie hugged Kiana again. "Go rest. I'll see you later."

Angie stood in the entry at Farina's. Cilla hadn't arrived, which was good. It gave her a chance to select the best table for optimum safety. Across the room, she spotted Jarvis and another man, probably an officer. Jarvis gave a small nod at a booth near the door. She took it and sat facing the entrance. But Jarvis was gesturing for her to change seats. Angie didn't think facing away from the door was the wisest thing but she moved anyway.

The waitress approached and Angie said she was waiting for someone. Was Jose there too? She cast a covert glance at the tables in range but didn't see him.

He must've sat far away. Cilla probably already knew him.

Priscilla Philmore arrived five minutes later. She dropped a burgundy leather handbag on the booth seat and slid across, bringing with her the scent of vanilla and spice. "Hi."

"Hi. Good to see you."

The waitress arrived and they ordered coffees. Angie's stomach growled so she added a bowl of clam chowder too.

Angie decided to get the conversation off with a bang. "So, how're things going with Josh?"

"Better, I guess. He's agreed for us to go away next weekend. I made reservations at the Marriott in New Castle."

"Lots to do there."

Cilla shrugged and grinned. "I really don't plan on leaving the room."

"That works too!"

The waitress arrived with coffee. When she left, Angie asked, "What do you do with the shop while you're gone?"

"I'll put a sign on the door." Cilla doled a teaspoon of sugar into her coffee.

"You don't have any employees?"

"No, I-"

Cilla never finished the sentence. She what? Couldn't afford help? Or was afraid an employee might figure out what she was up to? More than likely that was the case. An employee would see inventory sheets, and unpack bags of donations.

"I see you're wearing the pendant."

"I love it." Seeing an opening, she added, "I don't suppose you have another. I'd love to have a garnet...or even an amethyst. Of course, I'd expect-demand-to pay for it this time." Then Angie realized that might not have been the best thing to say. She didn't think Cilla was in this for the money. The shop was a way to cover her disease.

Cilla sipped from her cup then set it down in the saucer. "I might have one."

Angie feigned great interest; she set down her cup and widened her eyes. "Can I see it?"

Cilla's surprise caused her to nearly tip over her cup. "I-I... What if we do it in the morning? That way the show will be out from under you, and you can take time to look around. I saw you admiring those paintings. He's a local artist."

Angie fingered the sapphire. "I really love this stone. I hope you have a similar setting. Where did you get this one?"

"Er, ah, I can't really remember." Cilla picked up the cup, then set it down. "Yes, now that I think about it, I do recall. A neighbor died. Her family brought most all her things to me."

The waitress brought Angie's soup. As she deposited the bowl on the table Angie didn't miss Cilla's slight nod at something over Angie's shoulder. At the same time, she slid across the vinyl upholstery as though making room for someone to sit. Angie glanced up to see that Josh had arrived. As he eased in beside her, Cilla threw Angie an I'm sorry glance that didn't fool her for a second.

"Good afternoon, Angie," Josh said.

His voice sounded friendly but his eyes told her danger loomed. Thankfully Jarvis and company were near. Unfortunately, they couldn't see Josh's face, or hear his words.

"Nice to see you, Josh."

"Sorry to intrude on your girl party. I was pa.s.sing and thought I'd come say h.e.l.lo to my wife."

"You're welcome to join us."

Josh waved off the waitress. Once she was out of hearing range, he said, "It's no use making small talk. I know you're on to Cilla."

What could she say?

"We want to make a deal."

"A deal?"

"To buy your silence." Josh raked a hand through his hair. Then he grasped Cilla's hand, lying on the table beside her cup. "You realize she's got a disease, don't you?"

"There are treatments."

"She's been through all that. Psychiatrists...digging into her head, into our private lives. We've been trying, on our own, to lick this thing."

"What sort of deal would you offer?"

Again, his fingers pushed through his hair. "We own a cottage-in the Berkshires. It's yours. Or money. We don't have a lot but I could scrounge some."

Angie pretended to consider the offer. "What if you bring me a couple more of these?"

"No!" came Josh's sharp reply. "We're trying to keep her from any more...of that."

Angie understood the kind of love that formed Josh's emotions. And his offer. Total and complete desperation to keep his wife out of jail. It would also cause the personality changes that had Cilla so upset. Upset enough to think he might be cheating.

"Where is the cottage exactly?"

"In the mountains. It's small and secluded. No neighbors. Fireplace, with all the bells and whistles."

Angie again thought as she finished the rest of the now-cold coffee. "I am truly sorry for your troubles. I know how these things can get out of hand. I really think you should seek out professional a.s.sistance. Yes, it's intrusive but it's a method that works. Trust me." When neither Philmore reacted to her statement, she said, "All right, Mr. Philmore. I'll take your deal. Do you want me to sign something, to swear not to open my mouth?"

"That won't be necessary. You have an honest face. I can just sign over the deed to you."

Angie unzipped her handbag. Josh's hand shot out to stop her. "The meal's on us." As she stood up, so did Josh. He took hold of her hand. His was very cold and sent shivers up her arm. "We appreciate this, really."

As Angie left, she pa.s.sed Jose on his way into the restaurant. She pretended not to know him.

FORTY-ONE.

After leaving the wire off at the police station, Jarvis took Angelina back to the hotel to change clothes and pick up some pain meds. He would've liked to stay a bit longer in the great penthouse suite and explore new horizons, but they were short on time so he didn't bring up the subject. Plenty of time for that starting tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, he would do what he could to bring their relationship to the "next level," though he wasn't entirely sure how to go about it. Perhaps new scenery. No, no, he'd tried that plan last month and it nearly got them both killed.

No, what they needed was a new outlook. A plan for the relationship itself. Angelina thrived on order and symmetry; she would be up for a discussion on this topic. Yes, a hike up Mount Major. There was a perfect spot near the crest. He'd bring her favorite lunch-veggie wraps with herb dressing. And he wouldn't mention marriage. All he would talk about was their overall relationship, that it was good but what could they do to make it better, closer, more simpatico, between them?

Angelina came out of the bathroom wearing the new dress she'd gotten at Cilla's shop. It was-well, there were no words to describe how she looked. With her hair twisted up on her head, it left her shoulders bare and begging to be touched. Still he didn't make a move. Did she look disappointed?

He grinned inside. Yes, let her stew a little.

They stopped for dinner at a small, quiet restaurant where, several times, she accused him of "being in outer s.p.a.ce." He'd smiled knowingly and kept eating as tomorrow's plans churned and grew in his mind.

With bellies full of pasta, they headed to the school for the final show. He had to admit, she'd done a great job. The relationship Angelina had developed with the kids came as a complete surprise to him. And possibly to her also. Many times over the year and half he'd known her, she'd said how she and kids didn't get along. That lack of rapport was the real reason she never wanted children. But time and again, over the last week, he'd seen how she handled problems, settled disputes, organized situations. And bonded with the kids-particularly with Kiana Smith. It was amazing.

Suddenly Jose's words boomed into Jarvis's head. "Right now, I'm zoned in on Kiana Smith as the killer." Jarvis himself couldn't see it, but...what if it turned out to be true? That would blow Angelina all to h.e.l.l.

A few cars were in the lot. He recognized many of them as belonging to the kids.

Inside the dressing room-that still smelled like a locker room, and would smell like a locker room even if a million air fresheners hung from the ceiling-people bustled back and forth in normal pre-show excitement. The excitement was like a physical thing. It was almost as though he could see it. He could tell Angelina felt it too. Of course she would. She straightened up and dove into the crowd.

Evan stopped to say h.e.l.lo. He had on the costume for his first scene-black jeans and a leather jacket that reminded Jarvis of his one-time appearance on stage. The boy looked calm and well rested.

"How's it going?" Jarvis asked.

Evan read the correct meaning into his words. "I'm coming to terms with things. Kee is helping."

"You really like her, don't you?"

"Yeah, but I know there's no future for us."

"Not sure what you mean."

He threw up his hands. "Look at her! She's got it all, looks, intelligence. And she's focused-determined. What would she see in somebody like me?"

"Want to know what I think?"

"Sure." His eyes said he wasn't just being polite; he really did want to know, so Jarvis said, "She cares for you more than she wants to show."

He didn't ask how Jarvis knew. He didn't ask why she wouldn't show it. He did ask, "How do I get through to her?"

"Just keep doing what you're doing."

"Whatever it is." Angelina's voice sent tingles up his arms as she stepped up beside them, "he's right. Keep doing what you're doing."

"Did you hear what we said?" Evan asked.

"No. But if it comes from Jarvis, it's good advice. By the way, I'm sure you know Kiana's starting work at Prince and Pauper on Monday."

Evan nodded. "That'll really help toward her scholarship."

"My partner and I are in the midst of a new production. We're having a terrible time with the musical score. We wondered if you might agree to come help us with it."

"You're kidding, right?"

"If you don't want to, that's fine. We'll understand."

"No! I want to. I just-why would you-oh, never mind. I'll be there after school."

"We'll have to work something out because of the distance you have to travel. It wouldn't make sense to drive every day. Probably what we'll do, if it's okay with all your parents, is have you come and stay for the weekends."

This announcement had Jarvis's head swinging around so fast he almost hurt himself. Had she just offered to bring two strangers-teens nonetheless-into her a.n.a.lly neat home? He must've misheard.

When she added, "My partner has generously offered to let you stay with him," Jarvis relaxed. His senses hadn't gone totally off-kilter.

One of the stagehands ran up to them. "Does anybody know where the box of jewelry is?"

"It was on the table over there." Evan pointed across the room.

"It's not there."

Angelina gestured to a line of wooden benches between the rows of lockers. "It was over there last night."

"Thanks." They all turned and watched the boy hurry there and bend, back to them, and begin tearing through the mile-high stash of stuff.

Angelina's, "Oh. My. G.o.d," got Jarvis and Evan's instant attention.

Jarvis couldn't stop the wide grin that broke onto his face. Which made Evan frown. In most people's worlds, those words would bring worry or all-encompa.s.sing fear.

"What's so funny?" Evan asked.

"Not funny. This is great! It means she's figured things out. Put the puzzle pieces together."