Read aterovis_bm_reapthewhirlwind.p65 Online
Authors: Arlene Chance
I wondered if she had been taking lessons from Derrick. She was wearing a form-fitting, ankle-length black dress with a black satin wrap and strappy black shoes.
Her blonde hair had been pulled up into a sophisticated chignon and her gold jewelry was simple and elegant.
Without a word, she slipped her hand into the crook of my arm and smiled as if she had been attending high society social functions all her life.
A camera flashed from somewhere but by the time I turned around, I couldnt tell where it had come from.
Before I could think about it anymore though, someone caught me by the other arm and asked me about a painting I had done of an old shack in Worcester County.
They were sure that the shack was on their grandfathers 198
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property on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I told them how impressed I was that they could recognize it from my painting. I felt a little guilty for lyingfor at least two seconds.
The evening wore on, and by the time people began to leave, my arm was sore from all the handshaking and my face ached from all the smiling. I took a good look around and was surprised to see that all the paintings were still here. I couldnt believe that I hadnt sold a single painting. As soon as I saw an opening, I pulled Nikki aside. Before I could say a word, though, she cut me off.
Can you believe this night? Its been more successful than I dared hope for.
Butall the paintings are still on the wall, I said in confusion.
Nikki laughed. Of course they are. Didnt I explain that to you? They dont take the paintings home tonight.
They put their name down for the pieces they want, and then we deliver them later, after they are paid for.
Oh I said, feeling about as bright as a burned out light bulb. How many did we sell then?
Oh, Will, I hate to disappoint you, but you know tonight was more about exposure than sales, she said with a concerned expression on her face. We sold
ALL OF THEM!
Wha? All? was my witty comeback.
Every last one is spoken for, she said with a huge grin. Gone! And the critics were impressed too.
Critics? I said weakly.
I didnt tell you, because I didnt want you to be more self-conscious than you already were. There were critics from the local paper, plus the DC and Baltimore 199
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papers, and at least two major art magazines. They came because they all knew my father and they respect the gallery very highly. I cant guarantee what they will write, but we should know something Id say at least by next weeks Sunday edition.
Review? I repeated dumbly. I was starting to feel like I had just stepped off one of the centrifugal rides at the carnival.
Youre starting to sound like a parrot, Will, Nikki said. She spun me around and pointed me toward a corner of the room where Aidan, Adam, Killian, Asher, Laura, Gabe, and Caitlin were talking in a small group.
Now be a good bird and go tell your little friends the good news. She sent me off with a pat on my leather-clad bottom.
I walked over to the group in a kind of daze. They jumped toward me as one person, all of them chatter-ing and jabbering at once.
We sold all the paintings, I said.
All the chatter stopped for a second then they erupted into a chorus of cheers, congratulations, high-fives, and back thumping. I was glad everyone else had left.
Youre a star for sure now! Asher exclaimed.
You sure look the part anyway, Killian said with an appreciative glance at my outfit. Asher delivered a sharp elbow jab to Killians side.
Yeah, Will, Caitlin chimed in, I didnt get a chance to tell you earlier, but you really do look great.
Youre the one who looks great, I said. I guess thats why you waited so late, so you could make an entrance.
Not to break up your little mutual appreciation party, Adam interrupted, but I need to get home.
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Before I leave though I wanted you to know that at least one of your paintings is going to a good home and you are more than welcome to come visit it any time you want.
You bought one? I asked in surprise.
Of course! I thought Id better buy a Will Keegan original before your prices went through the roof.
I would have painted you one anytime.
Well then I couldnt say that I bought one at your very first show, could I? he said and left after telling Killian not to be home too late.
Laura suggested the rest of us go somewhere for a celebration. Nikki overheard and shooed us out before I could protest. We walked down the plaza to an ice cream parlor that kept late hours.
So, Laura began once we were all crowded into a corner booth with our ice cream, I dont think I know everyone here really.
Im Killian and this is my boyfriend, Asher, Killian spoke up. Im Aidans cousin, and Asher is Wills cousin.
Ive heard of you guys, Laura said. Im Laura, one of Wills oldest friends, and this is my boyfriend, Gabriel.
Call me Gabe, Gabe said as he shook Killians and Ashers hands.
And this is Caitlin, I said to Laura. Laura looked confused, not an expression one usually sees on Lauras face.
And Caitlin is
? she said.
Iknew Joey, Caitlin said, choosing her words carefully.
Laura looked even more confused. You must not 201
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have known him long, she said bluntly. I know Im out of the loop here, but this is ridiculous, Will. Are you two dating?
No, were not dating, I said. Were just friends; we met at a party and found out we have a lot in common.
Laura gave me a look that let me know that she knew there was more to this story and she expected to be filled in completely later. I nodded almost imperceptibly.
Not to change the subject, I said to change the subject, but since everyone is here that I wanted to talk to I might as well get it all over with at once. I have something I need to tell you all. That got everyones attention. Everyone watched me now as they ate their ice cream. Last week I got a package in the mail. Inside the package was Joeys necklace and a note that said, It wasnt an accident.
Five spoons stopped in mid-air. Only Aidan kept eating since he knew the whole story already.
Laura was the first to snap out of it. She dropped her spoon with a clatter as she leaned toward me over the table. I thought she was going to grab me by my shirt and drag me across the table, but instead she planted her hands palm down and said in a deadly calm voice,
What?
Is this some kind of sick joke? Caitlin asked, looking very pale all of a sudden.
Who sent it? Gabe asked.
What wasnt an accident? Killian asked, looking very lost.
Asher didnt say anything. He just looked like he knew what was coming and didnt like it one bit.
I dont know who sent it; there was no return ad-202
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dress, I told Gabe, then I turned to Killian. I think whoever sent me this note was trying to tell me that Joeys death wasnt an accident.
You mean that he was murdered, Laura said in a tight voice.
Oh my God, Caitlin whispered.
Did you go to the police? Gabe asked.
Yeah, and they just passed it off as some college prank. I havent been able to dismiss it so easily.
So youre taking this seriously then? Laura said sounding a little more like her usual self.
I just cant stop thinking about it. The person that Joey had become these last few weeks wasnt the real Joey. If someone killed him, then I cant just let the murderer walk away. No matter what happened between us, he was still my best friend for eighteen years and I cant just write that off.
Laura nodded. I knew she of all people would understand.
So what are you suggesting? That we try to catch the killer ourselves? Gabe asked.
Wait, Asher interrupted before I could answer. I dont mean to be insensitive or anything but what does this have to do with Killian and me? We didnt even know Joey. I mean, Im sorry for your loss and all, but
Well, Aidan told me about how you caught that killer in your town, the one that killed your friend. Since youre the only people I know who have actually had any kind of experience in this area, I was hoping youd help me out, I said feeling silly. Killians eyes lit up immediately. Asher blanched a whiter shade of pale.
No way, Kill, he said quickly. You remember what it was like last time. We almost got killed. Besides, 203
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theres no way Adam would let us get involved in something like that again.
But Killian was already hooked. Who said Adam would have to know? And besides, this wouldnt be like last time. We dont really know any of the people involved so we wont really be at risk.
Asher let out a low moan and pushed his ice cream away, as if hed lost his appetite.
You know, Will, Laura said softly, Ive been meaning to call you because I knew you were probably blaming yourself for Joeys death. I started to deny it, but decided that there was no point, Laura knew me too well. She went on, I dont think Joey ever really told you about his dad? I shook my head. As close as you guys were that seemed to be the one thing he could never talk to you about. I think he was jealous of your family.
I opened my mouth to argue but she held up a hand and I stopped. No matter how bad your family may have seemed to you, you know Joey idolized your dad and part of him always wanted his dad to come back so they could be a family like yours. His dad was an alcoholic, a bad one. He didnt just disappear as Joey always said; his mom kicked him out and told him to never come back. Joey was four at the time and saw the whole thing. As far as I know, he never came back. You know Joey always drank too much at parties, but it got worse when he started college. You didnt drive him to drink, Will. Hes always been looking for an excuse to do just what he did, become his father.
I was quiet for a moment while I thought about what Laura had said. Thank you for telling me that, I said finally, but that just makes me want to find the person 204
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who did this to him all the more, because now hell never be able to prove to himself that he wasnt his father.
I want to help, Laura said firmly.
Where Laura goes, I go, Gabe said.
You know Im behind you, Aidan said, laying his hand gently on the back of my neck.
Im in, Killian said cheerily.
Ashers head thumped as it landed on the table. A muffled Count me in too emerged from him in the form of a resigned sigh.
Everyone except Asher turned to Caitlin.
The only reason Id want to find Joeys killer is to congratulate them on a job well done, Caitlin spat out.
Lauras eyes grew wide and her head swiveled toward me, Okay, she said carefully. I could tell she was fighting not to deck Caitlin right there in the ice cream parlor. Im ready for the rest of the story now.
I sighed. Caitlin is pregnant.
Wonderful, Laura bit off. Ill buy the cigars. Go on.
The baby is Joeys, Caitlin said defiantly. When I told him, he told me to get an abortion. And I would have too, if it hadnt been for Will.
I see, said Laura. And how exactly is Will involved?
I told you, we met at a party, I jumped in before things got out of hand.
The night Joey was killed, Caitlin filled in helpfully.
Lauras eyebrows jumped. And what were you doing at the party?
I went to see Joey. We had an argument. Caitlin and I started talking andwell, I offered to help.
Help how? Lauras eyes flashed between Caitlin 205
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and me. Caitlin finally seemed to grasp how dangerous Laura could be and had fallen silent, leaving me to answer her question. Aidan had suddenly found searching for Reeses Pieces in the bottom of his sundae completely engrossing. Killian was hanging on every word while Ashers head was still resting on the table. I wondered if he had fallen asleep and, if so, I was terribly envious. Gabe just looked as if someone had dropped him onto the set of a soap opera and failed to give him a script.
I knew I had to answer carefully or Laura would fly off the handle. Despite that knowledge I opened my mouth and horrified myself by saying, Im going to help raise the baby.
For an eternity no one around the table moved. Then in a flash Laura was on her feet and leaning across the table, Youre what? she yelled.
The few other customers in the place looked over at us as if we were on drugs or something and the owner looked at us suspiciously.
Laura, sit down, Gabe hissed.
She sat, but it was obvious that what she really wanted to do involved beating me senseless with the napkin dispenser. William Spencer Keegan, she seethed. Uh-oh, she was pulling out the full name. What do you know about raising a baby?
Suddenly I was mad too. I leaned in toward her intensely, catching everyone by surprise, including myself. I know just as much as any first-time father. Im reading books so I can be prepared. Im even going to go to Lamaze class with Caitlin, so do not give me a hard time about this, Laura. Ive made up my mind and its really none of your damn business. I want to do this 206
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more than Ive ever wanted to do anything in my entire life. Do you have any idea how important this is to me?
This is all I have left of Joey; this baby is a part of Joey.
And I care about Caitlin, too. Shes become my friend and I gave her my word. So this is final, Laura. Im going to be a part of this babys life and, if you dont like it, then you wont be a part of mine.
I sat back, my breath coming in gulps. No one moved or even seemed to breathe for a long time. Finally, Laura spoke first, Youre right. Its your life and it really isnt my business. Except that even though I havent been there for you lately, you are still my best friend and I love you. For what its worth, I want you to know that from now on I will be here for you and Ill support you whatever you decide. Now that Joeys gone
Her voice broke and she started again. Now that Joeys gone I dont think I could bear to lose you, too.