Authors: Rachel L. Vaughan
Braedon hugged her back and rested his chin on her head. “It’s okay. You don’t need to worry about me. How are you?”
Lexie shrugged and felt Braedon tighten his arms around her. “I’m going to tell the police about town hall.”
“They’re so desperate for information that they will listen to you. Don’t be afraid,” Braedon whispered soothingly.
“Why are you over here?”
Braedon let go of Lexie and led her to a bench. “I’m waiting on Nickolas. The police consider his assault on Dr. Lindegaard an act of self-defense, so he’s being released.”
“That’s great news!” Lexie exclaimed.
Pierre sat down next to her. Lexie looked over at him and was surprised to find a small smile on his face. She quirked an eyebrow and waited for him to explain.
“So, Horatio finally gets the girl,” Pierre murmured in Lexie’s ear. “He deserves her no matter who represents him.”
Lexie blushed and looked down at her hands.
Flora would love to see this.
“Have you heard anything else about Audrey?” Lexie asked Braedon.
He shook his head. “No, but she was in bad shape when I left. Dr. Lindegaard’s man is staying with her. I think his name is Vinny.”
“Yeah,” Lexie said, thinking back to the giant who had roughly manhandled Nickolas. “He’s an employee at Lindegaard Counseling and Therapy. I’m not sure exactly what he does, but I’ve seen him there. He could be taken in for questioning.”
Pierre crossed his arms. “He probably thought he was doing his job as an employee. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Nickolas is treated at his uncle’s practice.”
“He is, but why does that matter?” asked Braedon.
“It doesn’t matter, but we know that Vinny will remain loyal to Dr. Lindegaard,” said Pierre. “He’s a loyal soldier.”
“A corrupt soldier,” Lexie snipped.
“No one is more corrupt than Phillip Lindegaard.”
Nickolas stepped into the lobby, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. He reached out and clasped Braedon’s arm and nodded at Pierre and Lexie.
“The police have enough evidence to put your uncle away,” Braedon assured his friend. “He won’t be able to hurt anyone else.”
“Does my mother still live?”
“Yes, but barely,” Braedon said. “We should get to the hospital.”
Lexie looked at Pierre and whispered, “I’m going to talk to the police about Cesare. Do you want to stay or would you rather go with them to check on Audrey? I’d appreciate someone waiting for me after I’m done.”
“You’re making the right choice,” Pierre murmured back. He glanced once at Braedon, who was in a quiet conversation with Nickolas, before adding, “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind Braedon waiting for you, would you?”
“He’s Horatio, so he’ll stay with Nickolas’s Hamlet,” Lexie replied, deflecting Pierre’s question.
“I’m just worried about leaving Nickolas and Braedon alone while they are still cursed,” explained Pierre as he turned away so the two men could not see or hear what he was saying.
“But Dr. Lindegaard is locked up, and I doubt anyone could hurt Nickolas while he’s sitting by his mother’s bedside.”
Pierre clasped his hands behind his back. “You said Vinny is an employee of Dr. Lindegaard. Doesn’t Lindegaard Counseling and Therapy have employees at the hospital?”
Lexie struggled not to slam her fist down on the bench. “Yes, and you think Dr. Lindegaard might have paid off people to kill Nickolas, right?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he had, and Nickolas did run away from the hospital.”
“Is it a good idea for him to even go there?”
Pierre sighed and tilted his head back and forth. “Probably not, but he deserves to see his mom. I don’t think she’s going to make it.”
A shadow fell over them, and they looked up to see Vinny approaching. He met the gaze of each person. Finally, his eyes landed and locked on Nickolas. The young Lindegaard didn’t flinch as the giant studied every inch of his face.
“I’ve just come from the hospital,” Vinny rumbled. “Your mother has died.”
Nickolas didn’t react at first. He merely stared at Vinny as though he had not heard a single word the man had said. Then his brows knit together, his mouth went thin, and his eyes darted around the room. No one knew what to do. The manifestation of Hamlet had caused Nickolas to become even more volatile than usual. Any sudden movement could send him into a rage.
“Do you know what poison my uncle used to kill her?”
Vinny shook his head. “Dr. Lindegaard didn’t kill your mom. She had a reaction to the sedative that was meant for
you
.”
“That syringe was filled with
poison
meant for me,” Nickolas retorted. “Uncle Phillip told me he killed my dad and wanted to kill me!”
“I’ve worked for Dr. Lindegaard for five years. He loved Audrey and would never hurt her.”
“He didn’t mean to hurt her, but he did! His decision to kill me was selfish and stupid!” Nickolas started marching away from his friends. “I want to be the one to tell him he murdered his own wife!”
“That’s a bad idea,” Braedon warned.
The curse seemed to have a numbing effect on the officers and deputies at the station. Lexie expected to be denied access to Dr. Lindegaard. It wasn’t protocol to allow more than one person to visit an inmate at a time. However, all of them were allowed through after Nickolas angrily demanded that he wanted to see a blood relative.
“Hamlet is a prince, so he has control over soldiers,” Pierre said when Lexie asked about the lax police policy. “The deputies are like soldiers here.”
“That’s not too comforting,” mumbled Lexie. “Maybe I can talk to Officer Reading when I tell them about town hall. She didn’t seem cursed, and she said she was new.”
“Maybe her residency hasn’t been officially changed. Since she’s already met you, Officer Reading might be more willing to believe your story.”
“If she asks why I didn’t come immediately, I’ll tell her I got caught up in what happened with Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard. It’s the truth. Nickolas and Braedon found me wandering on Avon Road after it happened.”
Lexie, Nickolas, Braedon, and Pierre were led to Dr. Lindegaard’s cell. They fanned out into a line, staring at the blond man leaning against the bars of the cell. He looked very calm considering that he had just been locked up for murder and attempted murder.
“You might as well leave if you’ve come here to frighten me,” Dr. Lindegaard said firmly. “I don’t fear petulant children.”
“We aren’t children!” Nickolas growled, moving forward until he was inches from his uncle. “I have something to tell you.”
Dr. Lindegaard crossed his arms. “You couldn’t come alone?”
“Mom is dead.”
Nickolas spoke the three words in a steady, quiet voice. There were no signs of the aggression that had been in him moments before. His hands were linked together in front of him and his shoulders were loose. Though his exterior was cool and collected, Lexie was certain that a massive battle was raging within.
“I-I don’t believe you,” Dr. Lindegaard said in a quivering voice. “I would have been told if she had died.”
“You’re being told now,” Nickolas replied quietly.
Dr. Lindegaard’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “Where’s Vinny? He took her to the hospital. Where is he?”
“He’s in the lobby. We can go get him if you like, but he’ll tell you the same thing,” Braedon interjected. “I was at the hospital, and she was in very bad shape when I left. The doctors couldn’t find anything to counteract whatever you gave her.”
Dr. Lindegaard backed away from the bars and turned so the others could not see his expression. He ran a hand over his face and through his hair. “How did this happen? I loved her!”
“You poisoned her!” Nickolas shouted, causing his companions to jump.
So much for staying calm.
“It was meant for you!” snarled Dr. Lindegaard. “You as good as killed your mother!”
Nickolas grabbed the bars of the cell. “Don’t you
dare
blame her death on me! I didn’t bring a poisoned needle to Braedon’s home! Do you even have a conscience?”
Dr. Lindegaard spun around and slammed his hands against the bars right above Nickolas’s head. “Do you know what you are, Nickolas Aleksandar Lindegaard?”
“A selfish, spoiled brat who has had a silver spoon in his mouth since the day he was born!” Nickolas repeated the insult his uncle had given him outside Braedon’s house. “I know what you think of me!”
Dr. Lindegaard clapped his hands together with sarcasm. “Very, very good, Nickolas! Well, now you are a spoiled, talentless orphan! You inherited your father’s weakness! It’s a pity that Audrey and I didn’t have a son! He would have been far superior!”
“Nickolas isn’t talentless!” Braedon snapped, forcing Dr. Lindegaard to look at him. “You just say that because you are actually threatened by him. You always have been!”
When Dr. Lindegaard spoke, his voice was quiet and almost respectful. “Braedon, I always believed that you were a good man, but now I see that you have been corrupted by my nephew! You’re not much more than a lapdog. I hope you remember how to think for yourself again!”
Nickolas grabbed his uncle’s shirt. “Don’t say such things to Braedon! He’s more family to me than you ever were!”
Dr. Lindegaard removed Nickolas’s hand. “I can speak to your friends in whatever manner I please. Now, let me see…Ah, Lexie.”
Lexie stiffened and crossed her arms.
He’s just a murderer. It doesn’t matter what he says.
“You are a meddlesome girl who can’t separate her heart from her head! If you want to become a great therapist, I suggest you figure out how!” Dr. Lindegaard snarled. “Pierre!”
The only part of the solemn man that moved were his eyes. He boldly met Dr. Lindegaard’s glare and waited.
“You are a foolish man who embodies all the pathetic stereotypes of an actor and artist. Why can’t you live in the real world instead of on the stage? Maybe you would have a
real
occupation if you stepped out of the theatre!”
“I respect your honestly,” Pierre replied, “but I care little for your opinions.”
“I care little for yours!”
“That is
extremely
obvious,” muttered Lexie.
A sad, grey gleam lit Nickolas’s eyes. “I loved you once. I used to get so excited when Mom and Dad would tell me you were coming to stay the weekend. I really, truly adored you, Uncle Phillip.”
“Shut up!” bellowed Dr. Lindegaard, sending spit flying from his mouth.
“What is going on?” Officer Reading stormed into the room. Her green eyes were narrowed with suspicion and her mouth tight with frustration. “Why are all of you in here? This is not proper protocol! Who let you in without my approval?”
“Umm…” Pierre hummed.
“We didn’t catch his name,” added Nickolas.
Lexie stepped forward. “Officer Reading, I have information about what happened in town hall. I don’t know if you remember me, but we met when you arrested Dr. Lindegaard.”
“Like I said, you are a meddlesome girl!” Dr. Lindegaard shouted.
“Shut up and let her speak! You have details about the murders in town hall?” Officer Reading’s attention was focused solely on Lexie. “Why didn’t you come earlier?”
Lexie looked down at her feet for a moment, collecting her nerves, courage, and thoughts. “I was threatened. He said he would pin everything on me and my friends. I was scared.”
Lexie felt her friends come up behind her. Though their presence was comforting, she still could not stop trembling. Pierre patted her arm, and Braedon lightly gripped her elbow. Nickolas looked at her from the other side of Braedon.
“What man? The man we found unconscious?”
“No,” Lexie’s voice was shaky and squeaky, “the man is Cesare Garland.”
Chapter Sixteen: Truth and Help
The table vibrated, sending ripples through the bottle of water, when Officer Reading placed the recorder down. She pushed a button and a red light blinked on. The red dot was still and steady like the sight on a sniper rifle. Lexie’s eyes flickered around the interrogation room as though she expected a gunman to be lurking in one of the corners. When her eyes finally found their way back to Officer Reading, the policewoman was watching her closely.
Am I a suspect?
Lexie couldn’t blame the officer for being suspicious. She had waited a long time before admitting that she had information about the murders. Had their roles been reversed, Lexie would have been skeptical as well.
“Ms. Stanley,” began Officer Reading, pen poised over her notepad, “you are here as a possible witness in the Vernon Hills town hall murder investigation.”
“Yes, Officer.”
“You said you waited to give us information because you were threatened by Cesare Garland. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Do you accuse Cesare Garland of murder?”
Lexie nodded. “Yes, but I don’t have much proof. Mayor MacDougal saw some of what happened, so he can attest that Cesare Garland was in town hall. He fainted before-before Cesare smashed Bella Leer’s head in with a tape dispenser!”
Lexie inwardly cringed as she listened to her voice grow squeaky and tight with panic.
I just want to get it all out!
Officer Reading held up her hand. “Let’s start from the beginning. Start with why you went to town hall.”
“I’m friends with Pierre Triste who used to help run the Stratford Theatre. An important personal item was left in the theatre, and he wanted permission to go through the rubble. Cesare refused to answer his calls, so I agreed to help since I dated Cesare in college.” Lexie noticed that Officer Reading was opening her mouth to make a comment, so she quickly added, “I broke up with him, and he was fine about it.”
“Okay,” Officer Reading seemed embarrassed that Lexie had realized the remark she had almost made.
Lexie shifted in her chair. “I called his office in Benton Junction, and a secretary named Emily told me Cesare was in Vernon Hills.”
“You thought it would be easier to talk to him face to face, right?” Officer Reading pressed.
“Yes,” replied Lexie, “and I didn’t want to drive all the way out to Benton Junction. Instead, I went to town hall, and Scarlet MacDougal opened the door to let me in. She looked like she was falling apart. Her clothes and hair were messed up, and she kept saying strange things.”
The officer frowned. “Strange things like what?”
Lexie pressed her lips together as she considered the question. “‘Out, damned spot. I see spots on my hands.’ It looked like she was hallucinating that blood was on her hands.”
“Was there any blood?”
“No. I think it was a manifestation of her guilt. Later, she admitted that she and her husband murdered Mayor Leer.”
Officer Reading’s eyes widened. “The previous mayor of Vernon Hills?”
Lexie nodded.
She rubbed her eyes and continued, “Scarlet said that she and Mayor James MacDougal poisoned Mayor Leer with a medication given to them by Bella Leer. All the fighting started after she announced that to the room.”
“Let’s go back to after Scarlet MacDougal let you inside. What happened next?”
“I walked down the hallway and stopped outside an office when I heard voices. I peeked inside and saw Cesare Garland, Mayor MacDougal, Bella Leer, and Donna Leer. I didn’t go in, but I could still hear them talking. They were discussing the Vernon Hills budget. Then the conversation changed to the scandals surrounding the last election. Apparently, there are videos and pictures of the Leer sisters using sex to garner support for Bella. The sisters started fighting about the evidence. Then Cesare brought up the death of their younger sister Dahlia Leer. He said Bella and Donna killed her.”
“When was this?” Officer Reading scribbled on her notepad. “When did Dahlia Leer die?”
Lexie shrugged. “I don’t know. I just moved here.”
“That makes two of us. Please continue.”
“Cesare said he had videos and audio footage of them talking about pushing Dahlia down the stairs. Bella and Donna starting blaming each other. Then I was knocked into the room by Scarlet.”
Lexie reached forward and grabbed the water bottle. The water felt like a razorblade as it scraped down her raw, dry throat. She barely managed to keep from shuddering as the cold liquid hit her stomach like lead.
Officer Reading put her pen down. “Do you need a break?”
“No!” Lexie breathed in deeply. “I just want to finish.”
Lexie wasn’t sure how long she sat in silence. Her eyes were fixed on the table, studying the old ring marks from cups and bottles. She wondered how many people had been interrogated in that room. How many murders had taken place in Vernon Hills?
“Scarlet was still rambling,” Lexie finally continued, “but she eventually said that she and her husband poisoned Mayor Leer with the help of Bella. That made Donna really mad, and she started fighting with her sister.”
“Fighting or arguing?”
“Both. Bella slammed Donna against the desk, and a letter opener pierced through her chest.” Lexie’s voice started trembling. “I had to watch as she bled to death! It was horrible!”
“I imagine so, and you are a very strong woman for telling me everything,” encouraged Officer Reading.
Lexie nodded. “After Donna died, Bella was overcome with grief or guilt or something along those lines. She blamed everything on the MacDougals. Scarlet was wandering around the office, and Bella grabbed her. Then she snapped her neck, and Mayor MacDougal fainted.”
“So, the mayor
did
witness the murders of Donna Leer and Scarlet MacDougal.”
“Yes, but he didn’t see Cesare kill Bella!” cried Lexie. “Bella ran at Cesare and they struggled for a bit. Then he smashed her head in with a tape dispenser. She fell to the ground and died. Maybe you can find fingerprints on the weapon.”
Lexie went silent again. It was time to show Officer Reading the only physical proof she had. She pushed her hair away from her neck to give the policewoman a full view of the handprints on her neck and throat. The bruises were a nasty mixture of blue and purple, and Lexie ruefully remembered the comment made by Cesare about victory robes.
“Cesare gave you those?” Officer Reading’s voice was calm, but Lexie detected anger in her jade eyes.
“I don’t know why he didn’t kill me too,” Lexie muttered.
“Earlier you told me that he threatened you. Perhaps he believed that he scared you enough to keep you away from the police.”
“Well, he kind of did.”
Officer Reading’s lips tugged upward. “You eventually came to us and told the truth. He didn’t win in the end.”
“Cesare said he was going to tell you that my friends and I were behind all the murders. We didn’t kill
anybody
!” Lexie implored.
Officer Reading looked away, sighed, and muttered, “What is going on in this town? What about the fourth victim? She was an employee of Garland Corporation.”
“Cesare’s secretary showed up right before I left,” explained Lexie. “She gave Cesare the story to tell to the police. Cesare threatened me, and I left. Maybe he killed her too. After what I saw him do, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Is there anything else you need to tell me?” Officer Reading asked gently.
Lexie thought back to the massacre at town hall. There wasn’t anything else the police needed to know. She had Officer Reading’s trust, and Lexie was positive that she would lose it if she mentioned the legend of Shakespeare’s magic keys.
Her mind flickered back further. Although, Dr. Lindegaard was already locked up, more accusations could be placed on him. He needed to take responsibility for the car accident that had killed two men and landed Lexie in the hospital with a screwed up shoulder and arm.
Shouldn’t it be enough for me that he’s getting put in jail?
“Ms. Stanley?”
“Not about town hall, but I think the car crash I was in was planned by Dr. Lindegaard. He thought Nickolas was in the car. There’s no proof unless he admits it. Maybe you can ask him about it during your interrogation.”
The officer nodded slowly and scribbled something on her notepad. “I’ll be sure to look into it. Thank you for all of your help. Now, get some rest. Expect us to be in contact soon.”
Both women left the room in silence. Officer Reading marched down a hallway of offices while Lexie made her way back to the lobby. She had no clue what to do next. She didn’t even know if anyone would be waiting for her.
“Are you alright?” Pierre was standing in the middle of the lobby.
Lexie smiled and approached him tiredly.
“Did you tell her everything?”
“Yeah, but nothing about the curse.” Lexie frowned and twisted her mouth quizzically. “I thought you were going with Nickolas and Braedon. You said they could be in danger at the hospital.”
“I think those two can handle themselves,” Pierre answered. “I spoke with Braedon, and he said you told him about the curse.”
“I did, but I don’t think he believes me,” Lexie said as they left the police station.
“Well, I think he does or, at the very least, he’s starting to. That’s why I let him and Nickolas go to the hospital alone. Braedon said he’d keep an eye out for anything unusual,” Pierre explained. “We can trust him. We’ve been able to trust him all along. Plus, he has a thing for you.”
And I have a thing for him too.
“I feel horrible for Nickolas. He’s lost so much.”
Pierre nodded. “It’s very sad, but he still has people who care about him. Personally, I believe Flora and Braedon love Nickolas more than his mom and uncle ever did.”
Lexie didn’t reply. She had been thinking the same thing for quite some time.
“We need to get to the theatre,” Pierre said abruptly, yanking Lexie out of her angst-filled thoughts.
“Why? It’s a pile of rubble now.”
Pierre looked down, seeming to watch as his shoes slapped against the sidewalk. “I know, believe me.”
“Why are we going back if you know nothing helpful is there?” Lexie asked with confusion.
“Actually, there is something we need. I didn’t think about it until a few hours ago.”
Pierre picked up the pace, his long legs eating up the pavement with ease. Lexie managed to keep up with him, but the speed jarred her body. She couldn’t keep the grimace off her face.
“You’re still hurt,” Pierre stated.
Lexie touched her arm. The muscles were taut and bruised. “Obviously, and I haven’t really had time to recover. Now, why are we going to the theatre if your key isn’t there?”
“We need a lock to put the key in once we find it. The lock it fits into is a padlock—”
“You said the key operated the clock.”
“Yes, but it also unlocked the door leading to the clock tower. I had two locks made for the key. One is a padlock.”
“You want to get the padlock.”
“We have to have something the key will fit in.”
“That won’t be enough, though,” added Lexie. “We don’t have a theatre in Vernon Hills anymore.”
Pierre smiled slightly. “Actually, we might.”
“Really?” Lexie asked incredulously. “I know I haven’t been here long, but the only theatre I noticed in this town was the Stratford Theatre. Unfortunately, it’s no longer in operation!”
“I’d hardly call what I’m thinking about a theatre, but it is used for plays and musicals. The rendition of
Romeo and Juliet
I saw there was insulting. William Shakespeare probably cringed in his grave. Such mediocre acting and—”
“Where is this theatre?” interrupted Lexie.
“It’s the Vernon Hills High School auditorium.”
Lexie laughed. “No wonder you weren’t impressed with the performance. They were just high school students.”