Deadly Magic (35 page)

Steve’s naturally ruddy complexion flushed even more. “I never intended to be a cop. I just wanted to take the test. I didn’t fail by the way. But if you want to talk about failure, let’s talk about your last movie. I hear that you lost so much money on it that you can’t get a picture deal out of Hollywood. The studios won’t even return your calls anymore. I also heard that you’re in debt up to your curly little head.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you here? You’ve been telling me for the last month how you’re a big detective in Denver. So, why have you been hanging around our small little town?”

Steve shrugged. “Why has a big time Hollywood director been hanging around our small little town?”

“I grew up here.”

“So did I. In fact, I’ve decided to move back. I plan on moving my business here.”

“Oh my gosh! Isn’t that exciting?” Beth asked, reaching across the table to get Grace’s attention. “Oh, Grace, isn’t that just the most perfect timing. You were just saying how you wanted to move back here. Think about it, you two could work together.”

Grace looked at Beth in confusion, silently praying that Beth wasn’t thinking of playing matchmaker, not with her and Steve Mattingly. Steve and Grace had never gotten along. He had always had an annoying habit of attaching himself to any group outing or activity, usually without having been invited. His manners were atrocious. He was arrogant, rude, generally unpleasant and had a tendency to behave like a sexist lout. As far as Grace was concerned Steve was not romance material, for anyone.

Making a face, Steve turned to Grace. “Yeah . . . Thanks. I hate to disappoint you, but I’ve got a secretary.”

“Oh, that’s just too bad,” Grace said sarcastically.

“If you want, you can submit a resume. You know, in case anything opens up,” he said with a shrug.

“Yeah, like anyone in their right mind would work for you.” Adam reached for Grace’s hand. “How would you like to dance with me?”

Grace quickly accepted his invitation. There was no sense in hiding any longer. Most of her friends had already seen her dress. Might as well try to enjoy the rest of the night, she thought, as she followed Adam to the dance floor.

Grace laid her head on Adam’s shoulder, sighing contentedly as his arms encircled her waist. The last two dances had been fast. She had been out of breath by the end of the first song, and was ready to pass out by the end of the second one. She was relieved when the band switched to a slow song.

“I was afraid you weren’t going to show up tonight,” Adam whispered into her ear.

She leaned back so she could look up into his hazel eyes. “I almost didn’t, but I’m really glad I did.”

He smiled, his eyes crinkling up in the process.

“I’ve never seen a show quite like that before. It was very entertaining. Have you two been fighting like that very long?”

Adam smirked. “I never did like him. He’s such a blowhard.”

“You could have fooled me. I remember you two hanging out at one time.”

“Only because we were in the drama club together. We had no choice.”

Grace tilted her head. Standing directly under one of the overhead lights, she could make out a rather large bruise on Adam’s temple. “Have you been in a fight?”

Adam smiled at her. “No. Why?”

“Your head’s bruised.” Bringing her gaze down, she noticed a black smudge on his collar. “What have you been up to?”

Adam reached up and gingerly touched his face. “I don’t know why it would be bruised. I haven’t hit my head on anything,” he said, confused.

Grace shrugged and told him he might want to take a look at it in the bathroom.

Promising her he would, he asked, “You aren’t going to work with Steve, are you?”

Grace shook her head. “Of course not! Why would I?”

“Good. I wouldn’t hire you if you were working with him.”

“Hire me? Are you serious? You really want me to be in one of your movies?”

Adam laughed. “No. I need your help on another project. I spoke to Beth last week, and we got around to talking about you. She told me what you’ve been doing up in New York. I could really use your help.”

“Oh?” she asked skeptically. “How can I possibly help you?”

Adam looked over his shoulder. “We’ll work out all the details tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy tonight.”

Shrugging, Grace laid her head back down on his chest as he led her across the dance floor. A few moments passed while her mind wandered peacefully until a sudden tearing sound shattered the mood.

Grace giggled. “Kyle, you’re stepping on my dress.”

“Adam.”

“What?” Distracted, Grace carefully lifted the edge of her dress off the floor. She bent over and ran her fingers across the six-inch tear running along the hem and up a seam. She straightened quickly when she felt her inner slip begin to slide down her hips.

“My name is Adam.”

Dropping the hem back to the floor, Grace smiled in confusion. “I know that, Adam. Come on. We’d better go back to the table. I think my hoop is about to come undone.”

Grace weaved passed the other dancers, gripping her skirt tightly, as she felt the inner slip start to sag to the floor.

Temporarily averting embarrassment, she gratefully sank back down into her seat, wondering how she was going to make it to the bathroom in order to remove the dress’ slip without tripping over it. Grace smiled at Adam as he took the seat next to her.

“See, this is what happens when someone watches too much TV. When Thomas and I have children, they are not going to be allowed to watch TV. I don’t want them getting ridiculous notions.” Speaking directly to Grace, Crystal said, “At least, you finally came to your senses and decided to come home.”

“Eventually,” Grace said sarcastically, wondering what Crystal was babbling about.

“About time you two finally got back,” Steve said. “We’ve been waiting here for the last thirty minutes while you and Hitchcock have been tripping the light fantastic.”

Grace looked at the table of expectant faces.

“Well?” Steve demanded rudely.

“Well, what?” she asked irritated. It was clear that they all had been talking about her in her absence. With the way she was dressed, she rather expected that, but she couldn’t understand the hostility that was coming from Steve.

“Is it true? Are you planning on staying here?”

She leaned back in her chair, wondering why he seemed to care. “Yeah, for a little while.”

Grace watched as beads of sweat formed on his brow. “Are you going to open up your own business? Look, sweetheart, I don’t think that’s a good idea. This is a small town—”

“What’s the matter, Steve,” Adam asked, “you afraid of a little competition?”

“I don’t understand this.” Crystal pushed her hair back away from her face, her large sapphire and diamond heart wedding ring catching the light. “Weren’t you selling toys or something?” Her tone of voice making it clear what she thought of such an occupation.

Grace shook her head. “No, not exactly.”

“That’s what I thought, too,” Melodie said.

Beth shook her head, clearly upset. “Grace, tell them. They won’t believe me.”

Frustrated, Grace asked, “About what, Beth? What are you all talking about?”

Beth, clearly exasperated, dropped the camera she had been holding onto the table. “That you’re a detective, of course.”

“Ah,” Grace said, shaking her head. So that was it. Last December Grace had jokingly told her little brother about her new job duties as the toy company in-house detective tasked with the responsibility of discovering the boss’ wife’s killer. Beth must have overheard Jeff discussing her predicament with his friends. It also occurred to her that must have been what Adam had been alluding to out on the dance floor.

Crystal rolled her eyes. “Here comes Hope. Maybe she can straighten this out.”

Tom, who had been alternatively looking down at the table or glaring at Adam and Steve, suddenly stood up at the mention of Hope's name. “I’m going to make myself a drink.”

Before Tom could completely stand up, Crystal said, “Excellent idea, honey, get me some punch.”

“I would love some, too. That is, if you’re offering?” Hope asked as Tom walked away.

It didn’t escape Grace’s or anyone else’s notice that Tom took the long way around the table to get to the drink area. “Was it something I said?” Hope asked.

Grace sighed. Well, that wasn't too painful.

“Hope, isn’t Grace a private detective?” Beth asked.

“A private detective?” Hope’s lips started to curve up.

“I knew it,” Steve gloated. “I knew you weren’t a detective. A trained professional can spot a fake a mile away.”

“Is that why you were sweating over her setting up shop just a few minutes ago,” Adam pointed out.

“Really, Grace.” Crystal's voice became pitying. “I knew someone at this reunion would pretend to be something that they’re not, but I didn’t expect it to be you.”

Laughing, Grace shook her head. “Listen. There’s been a mis—”

“Would all of you leave her alone? If she says she is a detective, then she is. I've always known Grace to be truthful,” Mr. Collins said, sweetly smiling at Grace.

“Here.” Steve reached into his wallet, pulled out twenty dollars, and laid it on the table. “I will bet you she is not a detective.”

“Fine, I’ll take that bet,” Adam said, turning to look up at Hope. “Is it true?”

Grace looked up at her sister. To her surprise, Hope answered in the affirmative.

Adam smiled as he pocketed the twenty, while Grace raised a hand to her suddenly pounding head.

Diana, apparently having enough of the show, stood up. “All right, everyone. You got your answer. Now leave her alone. Why don’t you guys go get some food?”

“Yeah, that’s right. You should see the feast I had prepared just for my wonderful classmates,” Melodie said, getting up from the table and dragging Crystal with her. As everyone left the table for the buffet located at the front of the gym, Hope sat down next to her sister.

“What are you doing? I know this is your first time lying, but let me give you some advice. If you are going to lie, start small. Let it be something within the realm of reality. Like you could have pretended you had just been promoted head doll maker, or whatever it is that you do.”

“Just exactly how is my being a detective beyond the realm of possibility? Besides, I didn’t tell them I was a detective. Beth got the idea into her head and ran with it.”

“All right, I’ll go along with you on this. Just tone it down. Try to make the story a bit more believable,” Hope whispered as she stood up.

“There’s no reason to go along with me on this. As soon as everyone gets back to the table, I’m going to explain to them that it’s all a big misunderstanding.”

“Oh, please, don’t embarrass me tonight,” Hope whined. “You’ll just look foolish if you go back on your lie now. Besides, what harm is it going to do? You’re not the only one embellishing their life here tonight. Sabrina Matthews has been running around, telling everyone she is a doctor, but I have it on good authority she dropped out of med school and is working at a restaurant somewhere in Virginia. Just stick with the story for a little longer.”

Grace groaned. “Fine. Are you going to get something to eat?”

“No, I've lost my appetite.” Hope stood up and looked around the room. “I see some of my cheerleading squad. I think I’ll go visit with them for a while.”

“I'll go with you.”

“No, you stay here. I want to know everything that Crystal and Tom say.”

“I'm a fake detective, not a fake spy, Hope. Get someone else,” Grace whispered as Hope turned and walked to the other side of the room.

Grace debated between following her sister anyway, or going to the buffet. The reunion was in full swing now. Couples were swaying to the music. Almost every table was full, and people were just starting to line up at the buffet table. The food did look excellent, and smelled even better. Melodie spared no expense on tonight: stuffed mushrooms, beef wellington, herb roasted chicken, and garlic-mashed potatoes lined the tables. Grace took a deep breath, and felt one of her back buttons pop off.

Well, this is just great, she thought. Grace carefully turned around in her seat. With one hand, she felt around her back. Please don't be a top button. Her hand reached the middle of her back and continued down. There, near the ribbon. Good. Hopefully, it's not too noticeable. She twisted around and looked on the floor behind her. With any luck, the button can be reattached. Where is it? Grace turned back around, and carefully looked under the table. Spotting the button a few inches away, Grace leaned under the table and reached out a hand.

“Grace, what are you doing?” Adam asked from somewhere above her.

Startled, Grace banged her head on the table. Seconds later, she felt Adam’s hand wrap around her arm and pull her up.

“Clearly living up to her name.” Grace heard Crystal say.

Everyone was slowly returning to the table, plates full of food in hand.

“I’m sorry, Grace. I was just having some fun earlier.” Steve said, appropriately conciliatory. He must have gotten an earful from one of the others. “Who knows maybe we can work together in the future.”