Assumed Identity(26)
Was he reading about the Ghost Rescuer in the Journal, and Jake’s silver-white hair had stood out against the black fire escape and caught his eye? Or was there something more personal, more sinister about the man’s curiosity?
Stretching his arms in a mock show of casual unawareness, Jake got up and closed the window. He jogged to the kitchen sink to wash his hands and splash water on his face and neck before pulling on a clean shirt and slipping out of the apartment to get a better look at just who might be fool enough to spy on him.
* * *
ROBIN PATTED EMMA’S bottom as the baby cooed contentedly in the sling Robin wore over her uninjured shoulder. Holding her daughter close to her chest, Robin leaned over the counter and turned to another page in the flower arrangement catalog.
She pointed to one of the pictures, hoping the middle-aged couple she was waiting on would see a little reason. “I could hang smaller sprays on each of the church pews if you want more color. But I think adding garland along the railing will make it look like the holidays, not a renewal of your wedding vows.”
“Hmm.” Chloe Vanderham tapped her hot-pink lacquered fingernail against the image of pastel spring flowers and sighed again. Then she turned to the balding man checking an app on his smart phone beside her. “What do you think, Paul?”
“That’s fine.” He raised his head without pulling his gaze from the phone. “Whatever you want, darlin’. This is my gift to you.”
Chloe wrapped those shiny nails around her husband’s chin and demanded his full attention. “This is supposed to be a celebration of our twentieth anniversary, Paul. Not just mine.” She turned his face toward the catalog. “I like this arrangement. But with red roses. Long-stemmed ones spilling down like a waterfall at the front of the church.”
“Do you really think red is appropriate, given the recent events in town?” He pulled her fingers from his jaw and gave them a placating kiss before releasing her. “You look so lovely in pink.”
The suggestion didn’t seem to please her. Robin thought she might even have heard the stamping of a platformed heel. “I had red at our first wedding. I’m not going to let that awful man dictate how I celebrate my own anniversary. I won’t have it.”
With his patience already overtaxed by coming to the shop with his wife in the first place, Paul made no effort to mask his frustration. He tucked his phone inside his suit jacket and pleaded to Robin. “Bail me out here, please.”
Silently forgiving them for not knowing she might have been the most recent victim of the Rose Red Rapist’s attacks, Robin searched for a resolution that would keep these two from walking out the door in an angry huff. She’d built a successful company out of giving customers what they wanted. Mediating disputes like this one, and helping her clients reach a decision, was all part of the business. Even if it was a chore to deal with when she’d rather be napping, looking at her accounting reports with fresh eyes or finding answers to the mysteries that lingered from last night. Who had attacked her? Why? Who was Lonergan? Why had he almost kissed her? Why had she been so foolishly ready to kiss him back?
Fighting back the curious heat that warmed her skin, Robin offered both the Vanderhams a reassuring smile. “Chloe, you said your original bouquet had red roses in it?”
“Yes. Red roses and white carnations.”
“Why don’t we re-create that bouquet and feature the red there? That would draw everyone’s attention to you, especially if we use softer tones and smaller arrangements for the decorations.” Plus, she wouldn’t risk over ordering stock and having a supply of the bloodred flowers on hand to tempt the infamous rapist.
Paul winked his gratitude and Chloe smiled. “You are a woman of excellent taste, Robin.”
“I try.”
Chloe twirled the cluster of diamonds and white gold on her ring finger. “I know it’s short notice, with the ceremony just a week away, but can you get everything ready?”
“I’ll need to check with my vendors to make sure we have what we need available. But at this time of year, it shouldn’t be an issue. And my staff works quickly once we have the proper materials.” She called to the blonde assistant stocking hydrangea bunches in the refrigerated display case. “Hey, Shirley. Would you run to the back and see if Leon has left to make his deliveries yet? If he’s still here, ask him to bring me the stock manifest for the flowers that came in this morning.”
“Will do.”