Chapter 6

Jessie’s bags were packed and waiting at the door. Katie had already called to let her know she was ready to go, too. All they needed now was Matt and a cup of coffee from Joe’s to fortify them for the trip. It was a cold morning. Matt had called her earlier and told her to wait in the house. He would come to the door and get her. She smiled. That had been her plan all along so that Matt could carry her suitcases.

What a fun weekend. Dylan, Kip, and Kenny had helped her at the store along with Katie and Molly. The store looked great and was full of laughter as they worked. It was just as she had envisioned it would be every time she dreamed of owning a bookstore.

The highlight of the weekend was her date with Matt on Friday night. He had arrived with a bouquet of red roses and treated her to a special evening at the Chowder House. He had managed to secure the best table in the restaurant, one with a beautiful view of the cove. They sipped wine as the evening sun slowly set and fuchsia tinted with orange light sparkled on the water. A moonlight ocean drive followed their meal, and they parked near the beach and talked. After a few memorable kisses—she could still feel the heat of them just thinking about it—he brought her home, and they sat on the couch. They spent the next few hours watching an old movie together, huddled under a comfy throw. If he’d asked her to marry him then, she would have forgotten her resolve and said yes. She scrunched her face. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold out against his charm campaign.

The light tapping on the door startled her. “Good morning.” She smiled up at him.

“Are you ready?” The condensation of his breath rose like fog in the chilly morning air.

“I’m packed and ready, sir.” She smiled at him and saluted.

He went to get her suitcase as she grabbed her laptop. “You’re only going for a week, right? What do you have in this thing?” He grimaced as he picked it up.

“I only have clothes and a few necessities.” She laughed when she saw his puzzled look. “Oh, and a few books of course.”

“I knew it had to be more than clothes.” He opened the door for her and followed her out.

“I’m taking Grams some books from the store and naturally I have to have some reading material.” Jessie gave him a guilty smile. Matt would find out soon enough Katie’s suitcase was heavier than hers.

****

The trip into JFK went fast. Katie chatted the entire way. Before they went through security, Matt pulled Jessie aside.

“Keep your eyes and ears open, sweetheart. If you need me, call.” He held her close and spoke softly.

“It’s just a simple vacation, Matt.”

“Honey, nothing is simple when it comes to you.” He looked at her expression and laughed. “You know it’s not, so just do what I told you.”

Her eyebrows arched. “How would you like a few of those imaginary points I added taken off again?”

“If it keeps you safe, I don’t care.”

“Come on, Jessie, just give him a goodbye kiss, and let’s get going.” Katie was tapping her foot, letting a few people get in front of her in line.

Jessie looked at Matt. “I need to go. I’ll keep my eyes open.” She turned to leave, pulling out of his hold, but he held fast to her hand.

“That’s good enough. Hey, where’s my goodbye kiss?” He brought her back close.

“You mean right here, now?” She bit her lip to keep from laughing.

“I sure do. Katie told you to give me one.” He kissed her soundly. “I’ll be here to pick you up on Sunday night.”

“Thanks.” She waved at him and got into the security line with Katie.

“Where do you think Sadie is taking us?” Katie edged her suitcase along as the line progressed.

“I have no idea. She hasn’t let any details slip. I have a feeling Matt knows but he’s not giving anything away. He always seems to be one step ahead of me.” Jessie removed her shoes placing them in the tray.

****

Matt had arranged to meet Jeremy in the city at Mike’s Delicatessen for lunch. With Jessie safely on her way, it was time for him to get to work. Matt ordered the hot pastrami on rye and Jeremy had the corned beef.

“Did you find anything for me?” Matt took a bite of his sandwich.

“I looked back over the archives of Jessie’s stories. A couple of things stood out to me.” Jeremy scrolled on his phone to his notepad. “Jessie did a series of articles on the subject of living with mental illness. One of the reports was on notorious crimes committed by people in society with compulsive tendencies and those with a sociopathic personality disorder. They were folks who appeared normal but weren’t. I’ve copied a few of those articles to read. She interviewed a few who seemed to function well in society, but ultimately, they used people for their own ends.”

“And this is a problem? Why?” Matt looked over the articles Jeremy handed him.

“The articles weren’t a problem, but what happened afterward was. It exposed a man who had been abusing people on the job. His co-workers were afraid to turn him in out of fear of losing their jobs. He was their supervisor. Jessie received a few threats after he lost his employment.” Jeremy looked over his notes. “Don’t get me wrong, she found a lot of people functioning well in society with mental illness. It was more that society itself didn’t know how to deal with the problem or to treat the mentally ill. Needless to say, many don’t get the help they need.”

“There’s no doubt about it. Most people in the field will tell you the same thing.” Matt took a bite out of his pickle. “Mental health is an issue we sweep under the rug.”

“You’ll find that the article on the sociopath tells a different story. Reading over the traits and symptoms that she wrote about reminded me of the words he wrote. This guy, whoever he is, seems to fit it to a tee.” Jeremy took a bite of his sandwich.

“Not what I wanted to hear. I’m far more concerned about this than she seems to be.” Matt studied the article in front of him as he ate the rest of his sandwich. “This looks informative. It could be our suspect was angry over this article, but how does it tie her to Adriana?” Matt frowned in concentration.

“Jessie was interviewing one of the professors at NYU on this subject at the time when Adriana had the problem with a stalker. The professor quoted one of his favorite studies in one of her articles. It centered on the traits which a sociopath and a stalker have in common. They often have a narcissistic personality.”

“It’s difficult to see that as a big enough issue to create a problem.”

“You need to read the whole article. I think you’ll see what I did.” Jeremy finished the last bite of his sandwich. “I’ll put together what I found out about the two men who you told me to look into and send it all over to you. I’m still waiting for some information.”

“I appreciate you doing this for me, Jeremy. My gut tells me it started in New York somewhere, and it’s just catching up to her now. It doesn’t make sense otherwise.”

“I’ll keep digging. We’ll find it while she’s gone. Do you think she’ll be okay?”

“I’m hoping so. I want to believe getting her out of Blue Cove is the answer.”

“But?” Jeremy’s brow rose.

“If he’s watching her then he knows she’s gone, doesn’t he?”

“Hell, I didn’t need to hear that. I think I need to bring her back to New York to live.” He gave Matt a crooked smile. “She was safer here.”

“Give it up, Jeremy. You know I’m never going to let that happen.” Matt shook his head and wiped his fingers on his napkin. “I’m going to do everything I can to keep her safe, though, that’s for damn sure.”

“I’ll be right there with you—and many others I’m sure. Jessie has a way of stealing your heart while driving you crazy at the same time. Is it too soon to ask what you’re thinking about this so far?”

“It’s in the early stages, but I believe they are linked. Adriana’s abduction and Jessie overlap. She’s either the bait to get Jessie involved or a way of throwing her off the trail. The one who sent the note knows them both, and he probably is a sociopath. There are others involved as well. I think one of those men at the bank may have given information willingly or unknowingly to the suspect. Also, someone knows enough about voodoo to scare some deputies in their precinct. That’s what I know so far, but before this week is over, I hope to know a whole lot more.”

“Wow. That’s a lot to digest in a few days.” Jeremy looked thoughtful. “What are we going to do?”

“We? Does that mean you’re going to help?” Matt watched Jeremy’s face as he answered.

“Damn right I am. When do you want me in Blue Cove?”

“Just as soon as you can get there,” Matt answered him.

“I’ll be there the first thing tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Jeremy. The more heads we have to think on this, the better, as far as I can see. It wasn’t my case until Jessie received that note. It was out of my jurisdiction, but not anymore.”

“I’m going to check out a few things tonight. I hope to have some more answers for you tomorrow when I get to Blue Cove. Not to change the subject, but did the girls get on their way okay?” Jeremy sent a text off.

“They were just going through security when I left them. They should be in the air by now.” Matt scrolled through his messages on his phone.

“They are. Katie just responded to my text saying that they were somewhere over Ohio. Do you have any idea of their destination?”

“Palm Springs is what Sadie told me. They’ll find out as soon as they meet up with her. She gave me the resort name and number last night. It’s a beauty.” Matt gathered up his stuff and stood up. “I guess I had better head back to the Cove. I’ve got some small petty stuff the guys are working on, and Gary’s checking the store for any bugs or video equipment.” They talked as they walked out of Mike’s together.

“Do you know the guy who owns Joe’s? Have you ever met him?”

“No, why?” Matt’s eyebrow arched.

“Jessie had to deal with him when she was buying the store. I remember her telling me he was from New York. I was just wondering if you should check along the wall that connects with his store. At least it’s something to think about.”

“He’s from New York. What are the odds of that? I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Matt shook Jeremy’s hand and drove back to Blue Cove.