Chapter 31

The next thing I knew, I was in a hospital room. My hands were in some kind of warm mitts. My feet were bandaged and raised slightly by a pillow under them. I was in a hospital gown and my arm was throbbing and also bandaged.

“Welcome back,” Jasper said. He sat beside me. “Do you need anything?”

“Water?” I said, wincing.

“Sure thing.” He opened a bottle of water. I tried to take it before I gave up. The mitts were still warming my numb hands and too big to hold anything.

“I can’t.”

“Here, I’ll help.” He put his arm around my shoulders and lifted the bottle to my lips. I drank a few sips before he took it away. “Okay, that’s enough for now. How are you feeling?”

“Pain.” I closed my eyes. “What—” I licked my lips. “What happened?”

“I came to pick you up and your room was wide open. You were nowhere to be seen so I called Gordon. He took a look at the camera footage. It didn’t take long before we figured out where you were. By then we’d heard gunshots.”

“Rachel and Evie tried to kill me.”

“Yes.” He tucked my blankets around me. “Gordon tells me when they arrived on the scene you were kicking the heck out of Rachel. Evie was down for the count with a chair busted over her.”

“Evie had a knife and Rachel had a gun,” I said. “They were both crazy.” I licked my parched lips and tried to curl my fingers. Relief washed over me as I discovered my fingers moved just fine. But my feet were still numb. “They forced me into the freezer. They wanted me to confess to killing Chef Wright and then make it look like I killed myself out of remorse.”

“It’s okay,” he said, patting my shoulder. “You’re safe.”

“I need to talk to her,” Ian said as he strode into the tiny room. The room was filled with the two important men in my life. Both were handsome and strong. Both looked grave. It made me fear that I looked really bad at the moment. I tried to lighten the mood.

“I’m not exactly wearing an interview outfit.”

Ian’s expression softened. “Why don’t you go tell the nurses she’s awake,” he said to Jasper.

“Sure,” Jasper planted a quick kiss on my forehead. “Be right back.”

“How are you feeling?” Ian asked. His tone had softened somewhat.

“Things hurt a bit,” I said. “But I suspect they will hurt more tomorrow.”

“You have a nice black eye.”

I placed my fingers on my cheekbone and found one eye was twice as puffy as the other. “Great, no need to wear eye shadow. I’ll just make my own.”

“What happened?” he asked.

“There was a knock on my door. I thought it was Jasper come early for our date. I glanced out and saw Rachel so I opened the door.”

“We saw in the hall video that she grabbed you and pulled you down the hall, but then we lost you.”

“She took me through the cellar and out another door. Then we crossed a garden and went in the back of the Orangery.”

“That’s what took us so long. We didn’t know if you were in the apartments of the palace or someplace else. I sent security down all the public areas. We finally saw her take you into the Orangery. By that time there were gunshots heard.”

“Thankfully, the Orangery closes at four PM and no one was there,” I said.

“Except you were there,” he said. “It looks like you were gazed by a bullet.”

“I had no idea,” I said. “I just knew I had to do something. Evie had a knife and I went for her first. Then, Rachel. I’m sorry if I hurt you. I didn’t know it was you and I was just trying to survive.”

“I’m fine.” He touched a black and blue spot on his chin. “You have a heck of a punch.”

“Who knew?” I laughed. “Rachel killed Wentworth. She said she poisoned him with artificial nail remover. Wentworth was trying to blackmail her and Evie.”

“Neither woman is talking,” Ian said. “Detective Chief Inspector Garrote will be in to talk to you. Right now we have them on kidnapping and assault.”

I shook my head. “Evie told me she killed Chef Wright. She really thought if she got pregnant he was going to leave his wife for her. I think she might have gone through a sperm donor to get pregnant.”

“Chef Wright made it well known he wasn’t having any more children.”

“She killed him when he told her he wasn’t going to leave his wife. She had gone through so much to please him.”

“Did you get any of this on tape? Or is there any way to confirm this?”

“No,” I said. “My phone was in my room. I didn’t even have my shoes on.”

“It’s okay. I’m certain the Inspector will work it out. The information you gave will help us to find clues that support your allegation.”

“That’s nuts,” I said with a shake of my head. “They confessed to me.”

“Without proof of that, it will be your word against theirs,” Ian said.

“Well that stinks.” I closed my eyes. I was suddenly very tired.

“Carrie Ann, are you okay?” Penny said.

I opened my eyes to see her and Jasper at the door to the hospital room. “I’m alive,” I said with a small smile. “A little banged up is all.”

“Thanks for talking to me,” Ian said. “We’ll do some looking into the basement area you spoke of so that this won’t happen again.”

Ian left with a nod to Jasper.

“You look terrible.” Penny gave me a quick hug that hurt my arm. I sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, sorry,” she said, grabbing a seat next to me. “I got home to see security all over the hallways and blocking your open door. I about had a heart attack. What happened?”

I gave her a quick outline of Rachel and Evie’s plan.

“Yikes,” Penny said. “That’s crazy.”

“What’s really crazy is that Ian thinks the police won’t be able to charge them with anything more than kidnapping and attempted murder.”

“But you said they admitted to killing Wentworth and Chef Wright.”

“It will be my word against theirs.”

“Well, shoot,” Penny said. She held onto my hand. “I’m sorry I got you mixed up with them. If they were in this together, why did Rachel get mad at me for texting Evie?”

“I don’t know,” I said with a shake of my head. “I think they’re crazy.”

“Maybe they are bonkers,” Jasper said. He stood beside Penny with a tall cup of ice water with a straw. “Here, drink some of this.”

I took the cup from him and sipped. It felt good. My throat was rawer than I thought.

“I’m sorry I ever introduced you to those two,” Penny said.

“At least we know who the killers are,” I said. “So the tabloids should leave my reputation alone.”

“Yes, my guess is that by tomorrow no one will even know your name,” Penny said.

*   *   *

The next morning, I was discharged with stitches on my arm and my feet wrapped and in slippers because of minor frostbite. Lucky for me, Penny brought me one of her fit-and-flare dresses. There was no way I would have gotten my bandaged feet into a pair of my slacks.

Penny pushed my wheelchair out into a mob of reporters. I blinked at the flashing of the cameras. “Chef Cole! Chef Cole!” It was as if a mob called my name. I didn’t know where to look. Penny brightened at the attention and I didn’t blame her. She looked gorgeous, with her hair in an effortless updo and her perfectly done cat-eye makeup. I hadn’t done more than put mascara on my eyelashes in case Jasper showed up. I’m pretty sure I looked wan, and I didn’t want to think about the fact that I’d only brushed my hair and pulled it into a low pony.

“Chef Cole, how are you?”

“What was it like to be kidnapped?”

“Did you know your kidnappers?”

“Where did they take you?”

“Did you really run toward the gunwoman?”

“What kind of gun did she have?”

“Did you tackle Evie Green with a chair?”

“Why are your feet bandaged?”

The hospital administrator came out and leaned toward me. “Do you want to make a statement?”

“Why are they here?” I asked, perplexed.

“You’re a hero,” the administrator said with a smile. “They are calling you the American cowboy chef because you took on two killers—one with a gun!”

“Oh, boy,” I said under my breath.

“Come on, Carrie Ann, say something,” Penny encouraged me while she smiled and preened for the camera like a pro.

“Hello,” I said as the cameras flashed and video cameras rolled. “I would like to thank Kensington Palace security for coming to my rescue and to the doctors and staff of the hospital for taking such good care of me.”

I paused and the questions flooded back to me. I felt like a deer in the headlights. “That’s all, thank you.” With a quick wave, Penny rolled me away from the cameras and toward a car. Jasper stood beside the open back door.

I smiled as he helped me inside. A second quick wave to the paparazzi and Jasper drove Penny and me off.

“Wahoo, did you see that?” Penny asked with a happy smile. “We’re famous.” She glanced in the side mirror of the car. “I hope I looked good.”

“You look amazing,” I said. “Did you know that was going to happen?”

“I had no clue,” Penny said. “Or I would have worn something super wow.”

“Wish I knew what they wanted me to say.” I drummed my fingers.

“You did a great job,” Jasper said, winking at me from the driver’s seat.

I put my head in my hands. “I’m going to be on all the tabloids. It’s the opposite of what I thought. What will the duchess say? What will Mrs. Worth say? It’s the opposite of everything they were teaching us in the employee handbook class.”

“They will be worried for your health, of course,” Penny said.

“I’m afraid they will be worried for the family’s health,” I said. “Things haven’t exactly been calm since I’ve been on staff.”

“They love you,” Penny said. “Everyone loves you. Isn’t that right, Jasper?”

“Yes,” Jasper said with another wink and I felt the heat of a blush rush up my cheeks.

“Oh my gosh, Agnes!” I said as we pulled up to the palace. “I forgot Agnes. She needs to go be with her family. Please tell me she has not been in charge of the kitchen this whole time.”

“Actually, the duchess has been cooking for her family while you were in hospital,” Jasper said.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“She had me bring her veggies from the garden.”

“What if she decides she doesn’t need me?” I pressed my hands to my face as we parked in the parking lot across from the kitchen door.

Jasper opened my car door and helped me out. “She needs you. She loves your work. It’s going to be okay.”

“I can barely walk,” I said. “The cold blistered my feet.”

“It will be fine,” Jasper said. He put his hand around my waist and practically carried me to my kitchen. It was nice to be snug up against all those muscles. I barely felt the ground beneath my slippered feet.

“You can cook in slippers,” Penny said with a giggle. “We’ll get you some pink bunny slippers.”

“No!” I felt horror at the idea of pink bunny slippers in my kitchen.

“Just kidding,” Penny said as she followed us up the hallway to my apartment. “Really, you have no sense of humor.”

I opened my door to see my place exactly as I left it. There were borrowed shoes near the door. My phone was on the counter. My bedroom was wide open with clothes in a small pile near the bath. My bathroom light was left on.

“Let me take care of your bed,” Penny said.

“No, don’t,” I said. “I’d rather be in the living area. I’m okay, really. It’s just my feet.”

“No,” Jasper said. “The doctor said you should be in bed for at least another day. So off you go.”

“But!”

“No means no.” He picked me up and held me against him with one hand and used the other to whip the covers back. Then he plopped me in the bed. Penny pushed pillows behind me so that I could sit up.

The things that were on the bed tumbled to the floor, and I blushed again at the thought of Jasper manhandling me so well.

Penny took one look at my face and said, “I’ll go make tea.” And she was gone.

I was alone in my bedroom with Jasper. He sort of filled the room with male muscle. “Well.” I put my hands in my lap. “I’m sorry I ruined our date.”

He put his hands on his hips and let out a laugh that made me giggle as well. “You were busy engaging in hand-to-hand combat staving off a knife-wielding crazy woman and a live shooter, and all you can say is that you’re sorry about missing our date? Who are you, James Bond?”

“I’m glad you aren’t upset.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “I do have one question.”

“What?” He took my hand.

“Evie told me you were married. She said I wasn’t any better than she was because you are married. Is that true?”

“Would I ask you on a date if I were married?” His gaze turned serious.

“I hope not,” I said. “Are you married?”

“No wife, no kids to spring on you,” he said.

“Why would Evie say that?”

“Maybe to get you questioning yourself,” he said. “Who knows?”

“And you’ve never been married?”

“Once, a long time ago, but it’s been over for a very long time.”

“And you are divorced?”

“I’m divorced. Do you feel better now?”

“I do,” I said. “Will you ever ask me out again?”

“We’ll go once your feet are healed.”

“It could be a couple of weeks,” I said with sadness.

“You’re worth the wait,” he squeezed my hand. “I’m going to go now so you can rest.” He planted a kiss on my forehead and walked out. I closed my eyes. What a crazy life.

*   *   *

The next day I was called into the security offices to speak to Detective Chief Inspector Garrote.

“Chef Cole,” he said, shaking my hand as I walked in. Today I wore a denim skirt and a white pullover. On my feet I had gel-soled soft slippers. “Thanks for seeing me today.”

“I’m happy to help when I can,” I said. “You know that.”

“Yes,” he said with a nod. “Please sit. I was hoping to go over the details of your kidnapping.”

“Okay.” We went over what happened.

“You’re telling me Rachel admitted to killing Wentworth Uleman?”

“Yes,” I said with a nod. “She said she poisoned him with artificial nail remover.”

“Indeed.” He looked at his notes. “I did some research into artificial nail remover. It seems that it can turn into cyanide in the body.”

“Oh,” I said. “That’s why the cause of death was—”

“Not immediate,” he said. “It can take a few hours after ingestion for that to happen.”

“So how did she ensure it killed him?”

“That’s a question we don’t have answers to yet,” he said. “Evie told you she killed Chef Wright?”

“Yes, she said they had an argument. She wanted him to leave his wife for her. He said he would if she got pregnant. But he had a vasectomy years ago.”

“She wasn’t going to get pregnant.”

“No,” I shook my head. “She wasn’t going to get pregnant, but then she took matters into her own hands. She thought it would cement their relationship.”

“He didn’t agree.”

“She said he laughed at her.”

“So she killed him.”

“She told me she was suing Mrs. Wright for part of the insurance money to support her and her child.”

“Did she say how she killed him?”

“She had a knife.” I drew my eyebrows together. “I assumed she stabbed him in the back.”

“The knife she used on you was not the murder weapon,” he said. “Thank you for coming down and giving me your story.”

“Ian—Chief Gordon—tells me that you can’t charge them with murder even though they confessed to me.”

“Right now it’s hearsay,” he said. I do have one more question for you.”

“Sure.”

“Why do you think they kidnapped you?”

“They told me they wanted me to confess to the murders and then they would make my death look like a suicide.”

“I see. Why you?”

“The tabloids suspected I was having an affair with Chef Wright.”

“Were you?”

“No,” I said. “I wasn’t, and I had no intention of doing that. I’m here to create good, home-cooked meals for the family.”

“You’re not dating anyone?”

“I’m seeing Jasper Fedman.”

“And how long have you been dating?”

“We had a few quick drinks,” I said. “Saturday was to be our first fancy date.”

“A young, vibrant woman like you has not been dating anyone?”

“I just broke up with a long-term boyfriend,” I said. “I don’t see what any of this has to do with what happened.”

“Just trying to flesh out details, Chef Cole.”

“That’s all I know,” I said. “Can I go?”

“Yes, of course.”

I stood and carefully walked toward the door, then paused. “What will it take to bring justice for the murdered men?”

“Leave that to me,” he said with confidence.

“Right,” I muttered and went to push the door open when he stopped me.

“Chef Cole,” he said.

“Yes?”

“I will bring your attackers to justice, too.”

“Thanks.”

*   *   *

Later that afternoon, right before tea, I had an appointment to see Mrs. Worth. I arrived early. I was getting used to moving around on my blistered feet. The bandages and slippers helped. It was still a bit strange to wear slippers in such a proper place as the household offices. But it was all I could wear for the next week.

“Mrs. Worth will see you now,” the secretary said.

“Thanks,” I said and made my way down the short hall to the office door. I knocked.

“Come in,” she said. “Ah, Chef Cole. Please take a seat. How are you doing?”

“I’m a bit sore, but good,” I said. “I’m looking forward to getting back to my kitchen.”

Mrs. Worth’s brown hair was pulled back. She wore only the smallest amount of makeup. Her proper suit was of brown tweed.

“Good,” she said. “The duchess has asked about you. I am happy to report that she is looking forward to your return as well.”

“Oh, good,” I said with relief.

“I’m sorry you had to go through such an ordeal. The necessary parties have been dismissed and I have tasked security with ensuring even more stringent background checks so that we don’t have these issues in the future.”

“Great,” I said.

“You are new to the palace and therefore don’t have much vacation or personal time built up.”

“No, but I can get back to work tonight,” I said.

“With slippers on your feet?” She gave me a pointed look.

“I’ll find shoes.”

“You can find shoes tomorrow. The duchess and I want to know that you are well and healthy. It will extend to your work.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I tried not to be too disappointed. “Thank you for believing in me enough to keep me as the family’s chef during this trying time.”

“It wasn’t my choice,” she said sternly. “The duchess loves your work and believes in you. Don’t let her down.”

“I won’t,” I said. Getting up, I made my way to the door. The first thing on my list was to get a comfortable pair of kitchen appropriate shoes. That meant I needed to go shopping. Not my favorite thing to do in the world, but sometimes it had to be done. This was one of those times.

*   *   *

“What are you doing?” Penny asked. She popped into my kitchen just after tea.

“I’m shopping online for shoes that are comfortable, yet kitchen appropriate. I need them if I’m going to go back to work tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you go with me? I’ll take you shopping. I know this great shoe store.”

I bit my lower lip. “Do you think that we can get there without any paparazzi? The last thing I need is more exposure in the tabloids. The one thing I got out of the first two employee handbook trainings is that we aren’t supposed to draw attention to ourselves. Mrs. Worth let me know that she didn’t approve of me.”

“Really?”

“She said I was lucky the duchess liked my work or I wouldn’t be working here.”

“Ouch,” Penny said.

“You work with the duchess,” I said. “Does she blame me for having to cook for herself the last two days?”

“Oh, no,” Penny said. “Kate loves you. Trust me. With her schedule she is so glad to have someone she trusts feeding her family.”

“Oh, good,” I said.

“Come on,” Penny said. “I get off in an hour. Come out shopping with me.”

“All I’ve got for my feet is slippers,” I said and raised my feet to show off the soft, fluffy footwear.

“No one will notice,” Penny said with a wave of her hand. “Trust me, there are people wearing worse out there.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll meet you at the parking area in an hour.”

“Yay!” Penny clapped her hands. “I can’t wait to show you my secret shoe shop.”

I met Penny in the parking lot at the designated time.

“Normally I would walk,” she said. “But with your wounded feet, I asked Cameron to drive us.” She opened a car door and I slid inside.

“Hello, ladies,” Cameron said. “Welcome. Where are we going?”

“Cameron is a driver for Prince Harry,” Penny said. She blew him a kiss. “He had a free hour and will take us to the shop. It’s on High Street.”

“Thank you for taking us,” I said. “Are you sure you won’t get in trouble?”

“It’s all good,” he said with a quick grin as he drove us out into the street. “It’s really only five minutes, and I’m not scheduled until after dinner.”

“Yay!” Penny clapped her hands again. “Look, we’re here.” She pointed out the window. It felt like we only went a few blocks. Cameron pulled to the side and got out to let us out of the car.

“I’ll be back in thirty minutes,” Cameron said. “Be ready.”

Penny threw her hands around his neck and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “You’re the best.”

He grinned and stepped back into the car and was gone.

“This is my favorite shoe shop in London.” Penny put her arm through mine. We walked into Burks.

“How fun,” I said. “My first London shop.” We went in. I was fitted and out in no time with a pair of nice black shoes that cradled my bandaged feet.

We stepped out onto the street. It was a busy evening. We looked up and down for Cameron. A car pulled up and the window rolled down. It was Beth Branch. I found myself taking a visceral step back. Penny was bent down to see who was in the car. After I recognized Beth, I saw the gun in her hand.

“Penny!” I grabbed Penny, pushing her to the ground and out of the way.

The sound of a gunshot filled the air. People all around ducked. I felt my heart rate spike. Anger surged through me. “No!” I tore the door open and reached in, startling Beth. I grabbed the lapel of her dress and yanked her out of the car and into the street. The car lurched forward hitting the car stopped in front of it.

People stopped and stared. Some people took video with their phones. I must have surprised Beth. She was half in and half out of the car. I kicked her hand that was holding the gun so that the weapon spun into the gutter. Beth grabbed my pant leg and pulled me to the ground. I could feel her trying to pull me into the car. I kicked and screamed.

Men came running. Suddenly arms grabbed me and yanked me from her grasp. Other people held Beth down. Police sirens rang out. “Why did you tell Ian to question me? Everything was going as planned. Evie and Rachel should have been the primary suspects. Everything was going as planned until you. I should have killed you first,” Beth shouted. “I should have sliced you like I did Don.”

“Wait, you killed Chef Wright?” I asked. “But Evie told me—”

“Don’t be a fool,” Beth seethed. “Evie didn’t admit to anything. She wouldn’t kill Wright. She was in love with him.”

“But, if you killed Chef Wright, why?”

“He found out I was stealing recipes. He threatened to have me fired.” Her eyes flashed. “He threatened me.” She lunged at me and the men pulled her back.

“Don’t let her near anyone,” I said.

“You should have never pushed Ian Gordon to question me,” she sneered. “Who do you think you are? They had Evie cold for this case until you got involved.”

After those words, it seemed like everything happened so fast. The police came and took control of Beth. The crowds were roped off. Penny and I were sitting in the shop doorway hugging each other.

Cameron called Penny. She put the call on speakerphone. “I can’t get to you with the traffic,” he said. “I’m sorry but I have to take the boss out to a state dinner.”

“No problem,” Penny said. “We’re kind of in the middle of things here. We’ll get a taxi home.”

“Okay,” Cameron said. “Are you okay?”

“We’re safe,” Penny said.

I saw Detective Chief Inspector Garrote walking toward us. He had on a fancy overcoat and was dressed as if he had a dinner date. “What happened?”

Tears came to my eyes. “We went shopping and Beth Branch … I’m sorry,” I said. Penny pulled a tissue out of her purse and I dabbed the tears in my eyes.

“We have it on video,” Penny said with more calm than I felt. “We came out of the shoe store and Beth pulled up beside us. I didn’t realize what was going on. She rolled down the window and called out so I went over.”

“I saw the gun and pushed Penny out of the way,” I said. “I don’t really remember what all happened after that.”

“Carrie Ann grabbed her and knocked the gun out of her hand,” Penny said. “The crowd got involved.”

“Did anyone get hurt?” Detective Chief Inspector Garrote asked. He was taking notes.

“I don’t think so,” I said. “Some bruises but that’s it.”

“There was some sort of traffic incident?” He asked as he looked at the cars.

“I pulled Beth from the car to knock the gun out of her hand and the car lurched forward.”

“I see.”

“What I want to know is why.” Penny hugged me tight. “This is the second time someone tried to kill Carrie Ann. Why is this allowed to go on?”

“We were close to an arrest,” he said. “I didn’t expect her to lash out.”

“She said she wished she had killed me like she killed Chef Wright,” I said. “We have witnesses and I think some people got it on their phones.”

“Our techs are reviewing all the video footage now,” he said. “The most important thing is that you are all right.”

“Can we go home now?” I asked.

“Yes,” He said. “But I may need to speak to you tomorrow. Do you have a ride?”

“Our ride couldn’t get here,” Penny said.

“I’ll have a constable take you,” he waved over a police officer. “See these ladies get home safely.”

“Yes, sir.”

We rode in silence back to the palace. Penny clung to my arm as if I was going to keep her safe. Or maybe she was afraid I was going to disappear.

We showed our badges at the gates and got into the palace before tears started running down my cheeks. I guess the adrenaline had worn off. Penny hugged me.

Ian met us at the palace door. “I heard what happened. Are you all right?”

Jasper came running up. “I’ve been going crazy. Are you okay?” He put his arms around me, and I melted into his warmth as the sobs started.

“Beth Branch almost killed us,” Penny said. “It was horrible, but Carrie Ann was amazing. She pushed me out of the way and opened the door. Beth was surprised. Next thing I know Carrie Ann had Beth halfway out of the car and kicked the gun out of her hand. People were videoing and others got involved. It was chaos.”

“We didn’t know if shots were fired or not,” Jasper said. “There were rumors that one or more of you were dead.”

“Come on,” Ian said. “Let’s get you inside away from prying eyes.”

He opened the door and ushered us into the hall. I glanced over my shoulder to see that the press had gathered outside the gates and were snapping pictures.

“Beth said she killed Chef Wright. She screamed it in front of the crowd. People have it on video.”

“I really thought Evie killed Chef Wright,” I said with a shiver. “I guess she never really admitted to murdering Chef Wright. I just assumed. I should never assume.”

“It’s easy to make assumptions when faced with a killer,” Ian said. “Don’t beat yourself up.”

“I think Evie and Beth have done enough of that already.” We laughed and walked up to our apartments. “Why don’t you all come to my place,” I said. “I’ll make tea.”

I opened my door and they settled in while I started the electric kettle.

“You’re bleeding,” Ian said. He stood by the counter and pointed to my arm.

“I might have pulled out my stitches.” I touched the spot where the stitches were. It was seeping. “I’ll go put on another shirt.”

“I’ll go with you and check it out,” Penny said.

We ducked into my bathroom. I had indeed popped a few stitches.

“Darn,” I said.

“Looks like you need to go to the clinic,” Penny said.

“I’ll take her,” Jasper said outside the door.

“Good,” Penny said. She helped me get into a short sleeve shirt. “Off you go.”

“But we were going to have tea.”

“No worries. I’m exhausted. I’ll head off to bed.”

“But it’s early.” I pointed to the clock, which read nine-thirty PM.

“I’m fine. I think a little quiet will be nice for me.”

“I’ll let you know when I get back,” I said. “You can stay with me if you need anything.”

Penny smiled. “You can stay with me, too.”

“It’s pretty bad when a girl can’t even go shoe shopping safely,” I said.

“Oh, you do have your shoes, right?”

“I have my shoes,” I said, pointing to the shopping bag near the door. “I managed to keep a hold of it.” It was important to me that I would be able to go back to work in the morning—busted stitches and all.

Jasper walked me out to the car and drove me to the clinic.

“I’m surprised they didn’t check you out at the scene,” he said as he pulled into the now quiet streets.

“The officers asked, but we thought we were fine.”

“Well, you aren’t fine.” He held my hand. “I’m sorry this is happening to you, Carrie Ann.”

“There’s never a dull day in the palace,” I said. “I guess it can’t all be glamour.”

He laughed a loud hearty laugh. “I guess not.”