Deadly Intentions

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Authors: Candice Poarch

BOOK: Deadly Intentions
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Praise for Candice Poarch
“
Long, Hot Nights
is a must read!!”
—Urban Reviews
“This should keep readers on the edge of their seats.”
—The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers on
Long, Hot Nights
“Poarch presents a multifaceted romance that diverts to a thought-provoking mystery without losing its romantic feel.”
—
Romantic Times
on
Golden Night
“Through all that's going on, Gabrielle and Cornell find themselves drawn together in a relationship that's filled with passion, mystery, crazy relatives, a priceless family history, and most of all, love.”
“A definite keeper!”
—
Romantic Times
on
Bittersweet
“
Discarded Promises
is a must-read that blends the perfect amount of suspense with romance.”
—The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
“Candice Poarch has returned to the bustling rural town of Nottoway, Virginia, introducing yet another delightful couple who will steal your heart and warm your reading hours with their cozy story.”
—
Romantic Times
on
Intimate Secrets
Also by Candice Poarch
Island of Deceit
Long, Hot Nights
Golden Night
Bittersweet
Discarded Promises
Family Bonds
DEADLY INTENTIONS
CANDICE POARCH
Kensington Publishing Corp.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
P
ROLOGUE
“How are you feeling tonight, Ms. Anna?” the man asked.
“Very well.” Anna Price was eighty-seven and she enjoyed visitors. Any man under sixty was young as far as she was concerned. She served the young man iced tea and a slice of her sister's peach pie. Her memory wasn't what it used to be. She hoped she'd remembered to add sugar to the tea. Sometimes she forgot things.
She'd sent her niece, Gabrielle, out. It was Valentine's night and a young lady had no business hanging around home with an older aunt who'd had and lost the love of her life. She'd wished she hadn't when a visitor from the B&B stopped by. But he was gone now and she felt better.
“If you need sugar, let me know,” she told the young man. “Some people like it sweeter than others.”
“I know it's perfect,” he said. He tasted it and smacked his lips in satisfaction.
Anna smiled and took the seat across from him and dished up a piece of pie for herself to go with the tea. She tasted the tea. It was sweet enough.
“Is that your family's bowl?” he asked, nodding to the bowl on the side table.
Anna nodded. “I have to put it up. It's very valuable and I took it out when one of the guests at the B and B asked to see it. He's been coming around here for a long time and I thought it was safe to show it. But he wants to buy it. I won't sell it,” she said. “It's a family heirloom. I can't take a chance on him stealing it, either. I was going to wait until Gabrielle returned and have her put it up for me.”
“Of course you can't sell it. Do you want me to store it somewhere for you?”
“That would be nice. I have a nice little hiding place for it.”
“Tell me where you want me to put it. I'll store it and then we can enjoy our pie and talk. But first may I have a little sugar?”
“Of course.” When Anna went to the kitchen for the sugar the man slipped something into her drink and stirred. When she returned, it had completely dissolved and he was standing, ready to help her with the bowl.
After storing it for her, they returned to the living room and completed their snack.
“I'm feeling very tired,” Anna said.
“Why don't you stretch out on the couch and take a little nap. I'll stay until Gabrielle returns.”
“That's mighty nice of you,” she said around a yawn.
As soon as Anna started to snore, the young man carried the dishes to the sink, washed them and put them away. All traces of his visit were erased.
He peeked in on Anna again. She was still knocked out cold. He retrieved the bowl from its hiding place and let himself out the door, making sure it was locked.
Anna would never know that he stole the bowl.
Fourteen months later
Lisa Claxton was on a mission. Jordan Ellis had hired her cleaning service to clean his huge house. It took two maids to get through it, but he had enough money to pay for regular weekly service.
Leaving her helper cleaning upstairs, she crept downstairs to his spacious office and gingerly went through his things. Pulling out the drawers to his desk, she looked in each folder searching for information.
She didn't worry about getting caught. He was out of town. But she didn't want the maid to find her searching through his things and spread the word.
Not that she'd get in trouble. Jordan was engaged to her cousin, Alyssa. And anyway, Lisa wasn't going to steal anything. She only wanted information.
It took nearly half an hour to find what she was searching for. Jordan had discovered one of four people who might have her family's heirloom golden bowl. She found a list of names inside one of the files. A star was placed beside one of the names. He'd mentioned that he'd talked to the others, but Mr. Knight was in Africa and wouldn't return for months. Lisa couldn't wait that long. She was going to have a look.
The Knight household was located in Virginia Beach.
1
As far as Lisa Claxton was concerned, there was nothing worse than shopping while broke. Not that long ago, she would have spent the week's grocery money on clothes and mooched off her grandmother and mother for food until the next paycheck. Maybe even hit her dad up for gas money.
Window shopping and wishing for items she couldn't afford was no fun either. She should never have let her cousin Jackie talk her into shopping. Nothing but temptation. But so far she'd resisted the urge to buy anything.
“What else do you have to get?” Lisa asked, desperate to leave the mall.
In lieu of an answer, Jackie Claxton quickened her pace down the spacious concourse dotted with kiosks in the center. With the recession, the mall wasn't nearly as crowded as it used to be.
“There she is.” Jackie had obviously spotted someone.
“Who?” Lisa asked.
“The woman over there. I found this new fortuneteller. She's really good, Lisa. You're gonna like her.”
Lisa dragged Jackie to a stop. “I'm not wasting money on that junk. She doesn't know any more than you or I do.”
“That's not true. I've gotta see her today. The jackpot's so huge it'll take care of me for the rest of my life. Over fifty mil. I've got your back, too. All I've got to do is play the right numbers.”
That's all anybody had to do. “If that woman knew the right numbers, she'd play them herself. Psychics would be the only ones winning. Why would she give them to you?”
“You don't understand,” Jackie said impatiently. “It doesn't work that way for them.”
“Listen to yourself . . .”
“Besides, I've gotta make myself some luck. I don't have a rich sister to give me everything I want.”
“Jackie, I'm sick of you saying that. I work my tail off. My sister doesn't . . .”
“The girls are leaving. Let's go.” Jackie raised a hand. “Magdelena, we're here.”
Two teens left Magdelena's side and she turned toward Jackie and smiled. Everything about Magdelena resembled a psychic. She was in her late thirties or early forties and wore a long flowing skirt with a colorful orange, turquoise, and black jacket. Black hair peeked beneath the turquoise turban. She reminded Lisa of the artsy type. But her smile was warm, serene, and inviting—maybe even trusting. No wonder Jackie was hooked.
“She shouldn't be harassing clueless kids,” Lisa whispered. Lord knew she herself wasn't any paragon of virtue, but she drew the line at messing with teens' heads. They were screwed up enough as it was.
“She's giving them good advice. Helping them to stay out of trouble.”
“Pu-lease,” Lisa scoffed. “She's conning them. They'd be a lot better off listening to their mamas.”
“Like you ever listened to yours.”
Jackie did have a point. Besides, the woman probably took a few dollars the kids would have spent on an extra pair of shoes to clutter their rooms. What harm was there in a little useless information?
Everybody had an angle.
The striking, light-complexioned woman's skin was flawless and she wore a motherly smile on her heart-shaped face. Like someone's mother or trusted aunt. Her experience seemed older than her years.
Jackie dug out some bills from her purse and pushed them into Magdelena's hand.
“Sit, sit, ladies,” she said, stuffing her booty into her small purse and glancing around, obviously looking out for the security guards. Mall management frowned on psychics combing the hallways for customers.
The two of them sat on the bench. Lisa was glad to sit. She'd cleaned a house that morning.
“This is my cousin, Lisa. I told you about her,” Jackie said, stuffing two loaded bags between Lisa and herself.
“Hi, Lisa. What a beautiful purse,” Magdelena said.
Jackie scoffed. “Her rich sister gave it to her for Christmas.”
Magdelena nodded, but quickly got down to business. “You understand there's too much interference here to get a good reading. I can only reach the fringes. You should come by my home. The readings would be more detailed there,” she assured them.
“You can pick up something though, can't you?” Jackie asked.
“I'll try,” she said, extending her hands palms up. “Give me your hands, Jackie.”
Eagerly, Jackie inhaled a deep breath and placed her hands on top of Magdelena's.
Lisa smoothed the skirt of her black designer suit—another gift from her sister.
A power suit,
she'd said,
so you'll look like a businesswoman when you meet your clients
.
Lisa wished Jackie would stop leading every reference to her things with “your rich sister.” Yes, Vanetta was rich. And she was generous. She tried to give Lisa advice about her new business. But Lisa didn't take advantage of her. At least she hoped people didn't think of her that way.
She knew Jackie was jealous, but things weren't as easy or cut and dried as Jackie thought. Lisa was under a lot of pressure because she didn't want people to get the impression she was freeloading.
She sighed. Wasn't a thing she could do about what people thought. She began to itemize the chores she had to do after her meeting with the bartender later on. She glanced at Jackie and the psychic. The woman's eyes were closed, as if she were concentrating hard.
Boy, she sure had her act together. They weren't gullible teens anymore.
She should be home getting some of that work done right now instead of waiting for some charlatan to give her spiel.
“I can feel the two of you going in separate directions, but unwilling to acknowledge it yet,” Magdelena finally said. “You aren't as close as you used to be and don't have the same goals. You aren't ready to acknowledge it yet.”
Lisa barely stifled an eye roll. What a revelation. Listening to Jackie's outbursts about their friendship would tell her that much. Maybe Lisa should set up a weekend tent on a corner. She could pretend to be psychic, too. Bring in a few extra bucks.
Jackie smiled back at Lisa. “We've been friends forever and we'll stay best friends.” She focused on Magdelena again. “You sure you're reading us right?”
Magdelena smiled sadly. “The truth is hard to accept sometimes. But change is inevitable, dear.”
The woman
was
making sense, Lisa thought uneasily. Her list of “things to do” flew to the back of her mind. Maybe Magdelena had a little insight or she was picking up vibes from earlier sessions with Jackie. At least she wasn't trying to con Jackie so far. But Lisa was going to reserve judgment.
“You have a few trials to go through before you get to the positive side of your aura, Jackie. But in time it will happen. I sense some positive changes not too far in your future. You do have a friend and that friend will help you.”
Jackie's eyes lit up. “What about the jackpot? Am I going to win the big one this time? 'Cause that's the real reason I came here. I've got a hunch about some numbers. I want to make sure they're the right ones to play.”
Jackie had completely ignored the bit about the friend. What would Jackie need help with anyway, except money? She wasn't on drugs or anything. She just hated to work.
“Come on, Jackie.” Lisa touched her arm.
Magdelena jerked and so did Lisa and Jackie in reaction. Her eyes closed and she moaned a keening sound that drew the gazes of passersby.
What the hell was going on?
Lisa wondered.
“I'm getting a reading,” Magdelena said.
“What is it?” Jackie asked, leaning forward. “What do you see? Lord, let it be the jackpot. Come on. Let's see if you're reading the same numbers I'm reading. How about a twenty-six?”
“Things are changing in your life. You've already taken the beginning steps, but you're afraid. I see a man. A tall man. Very soon, he'll play a significant role in your life.”
“Is he rich?” Jackie asked. “I've had it with broke ones. I need myself a rich man.”
“Lisa. This is about Lisa.” Magdelena smiled. “He's quite handsome and you can trust him. He has your best interest at heart.” She was silent for thirty seconds before she continued. “You won't trust him in the beginning. But he's different from the other men in your acquaintance. And he's never met anyone like you. Both of you will be moved by your experience together.”
Lisa scoffed. Now she knew it was a bunch of hocus-pocus. Since when did a man ever do anything good for her? She touched Jackie's arm. “Let's go.”
“Wait. I paid for my reading. What about me, Magdelena? Is there a man in my future? Is something good going to happen to me?” Jackie asked. “What about my lottery number? Tell me if my numbers are going to hit the jackpot.”
“Good things will come to you if you're patient. It won't happen immediately. Be careful who you trust. Let your heart guide you to make wise decisions.” She gazed at Jackie sadly. “I'm afraid the lottery isn't in the cards for you right now. Don't despair. There was a divine purpose here today. Things don't just happen. I believe you brought your cousin here for a purpose.” Magdelena patted Jackie's hand. “I'm sorry there isn't anything for you, dear. Maybe next time you'll be receptive to the reading and it'll come smoother.”
Weren't psychics supposed to tell you what you wanted to hear and come up with an excuse about why it didn't work out when you complained about it later? They weren't supposed to leave you on the hook like this. Or was this a ploy? This would surely bring Jackie back.
“Lisa?” Magdelena entreated, capturing her gaze.
Lisa glanced at her.
“Jackie mentions you often. She says you're on a quest. Be careful, please. And come with Jackie to my home so that I can give you a clearer reading. I'm thrilled to meet you finally.”
“What about me?” Jackie asked.
“I'll have a clearer reading for you, too. Remember, the easy path isn't necessarily the right one.”
More than a little spooked, Lisa grabbed Jackie's arm.
Lisa
had
begun to make changes in her life. And she was afraid of failure.
“Let's go,” Lisa said, piqued. Jackie must have revealed her secret.
Jackie snatched her arm away, grabbed her bags, and angrily marched ahead of Lisa all the way to the car. Lisa didn't open the door right away. They glared at each other over the roof, that same obstinate look on Jackie's face that Lisa had worn when life had beaten her and she had nothing to look forward to.
It was a comfortable spring day. Lisa loved the springtime most of all. The weather was good. She could grill on her deck. But she had to do something about her yard.
And then, too, springtime meant summer was close by. Now that she owned her own place, she could go out for a swim in the ocean some afternoons. Even invite Jackie to go with her. But Jackie was too angry now to give her the time of day.
“Can't you see through her ruse?” Lisa asked.
“What's wrong with you? You used to go to psychics with me. We
used
to have fun together. I
used
to be able to talk to you. But you've changed, Lisa.”
“I haven't changed.”
Jackie nodded her head stubbornly. “All that money has changed you.”
“All what money, Jackie? I don't have any money. I live paycheck to paycheck. I have to clean houses to pay the bills. Even though I work fifteen-hour days, I don't make enough off the business yet to earn a living.”
Jackie scoffed. “Like your sister is gonna throw you out of your house if you miss a mortgage payment.”
“I'm
not
missing one. I can't. This is . . .” Lisa swallowed hard around the lump in her throat and took a deep breath. She wanted her cousin and closest friend to understand. She'd made this change, this decision because she was tired of going through the motions, feeling like the world was passing her by and she was just a bystander waving it on while others got all the blessings. She wanted to
live
her life, not wish for it.
“This is my chance to prove to myself and everybody else that I can be more than a screwup,” Lisa said finally. “I get tired of folks looking down on me all the time, don't you?”
“I don't give a damn what people think. They gonna think what they want no matter what. I ain't sucking up to nobody,” Jackie said. “You're just like one of those church women who suddenly find God and get on their bandwagon.”
“I'm not preaching to you. Just . . .” Lisa stopped. She started to say it wasn't about sucking up or being on some bandwagon, but reaching for something better—something different than the same old thing that never worked out. But that's when she realized this was all about her and not about Jackie, and her dreams didn't make a lick of sense to anybody but her. Jackie couldn't understand. She was at another place in her life. Not that Lisa's was any better, just different. Her sister had warned her about people's reactions, especially relatives'.

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