Flora gripped her coffee cup, inhaling the aromatic scent. “I think I’d rather the killer was Luella French. At least we’d know who and why even if we didn’t know where she was hiding out.”
“I may have some information on that,” Laurie said. “Six months after she threatened you, Luella was arrested on prostitution charges in Montana. I don’t have any information about her after that, but I have a call lined up tomorrow with the arresting officer in the Billings Police Department. I’m hoping he can give me some details that will help me track her down.”
“What about the baking club Joy and Lilith founded?” Flora asked. “Is it possible there’s some connection there?”
“The Stillwater Dozen? I’ve spoken to most of the members, but my inquiries didn’t lead anywhere,” Laurie said. “You know, Flora, the Dozen would be a great way to get involved in the community. I even go along to meetings myself sometimes. They’re holding a bake-off next week at the memorial hall to raise money for the new school sports field.”
As she finished speaking, her cell phone buzzed. She took the call, listening intently for a few minutes. When she finished, her expression was grim. “Rajiv Laxman has been attacked.”
Flora felt her world tilt off balance. “Is he...”
“Don’t worry. He sustained only minor injuries. I’ll have more details when I’ve spoken to him.” Laurie got to her feet. “It looks like Leon’s theory could be correct. Maybe the Ryerson Center is the real target.”
Flora wrapped her arms around herself as she began to tremble. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Chapter 14
In the midst of the madness, Eve Sloane had been a ray of sunshine. Within hours of starting work at the Ryerson Center, she had the reception desk and appointments system running like a charm. Despite the shock of Jennifer’s death and the ensuing police investigation, Eve’s pleasant personality and organizational skills had enabled the other staff to focus on their work.
The next morning, she arrived at the same time as Leon and Flora, looking slightly mussed up. “Let me guess.” Leon held the door open, so she and Flora could enter the building ahead of him. “Scape?”
He already knew it was a safe bet.
“Isn’t it always?” Eve sighed as she brushed a few leaves from her hair. “He ran off just as I was about to leave this morning. Luckily, I managed to get him back after a short chase through the trees.”
Although Eve rolled her eyes when she shared hilarious stories about her troublesome pet, it was obvious she was as fiercely attached to him as Leon was to Tiny.
“I’m not a goat expert, but couldn’t you leave him to find his own way home?” Leon asked.
“Goats are supposed to have a strong homing instinct, but, for some reason, Scape doesn’t have that ability.” Eve shrugged off her jacket as she spoke and took up her position behind the reception desk. “I’m always worried he’ll get lost.”
They had arrived early at the center in response to a request from Laurie. The police chief had asked Eve to contact all Ryerson Center employees and get them to attend a meeting. With impeccable timing, she walked through the doors with her husband at her side.
Cameron’s expression was concerned as he approached Flora. “How are you?”
Her smile was tight. “I’ve been better.”
He nodded. “Your safety, and that of the other staff, has to be the priority.”
They went through to the conference room, where most of the other employees were gathered. Since the seats around the large, central table, were already occupied, Leon, Flora, and Eve stood at one side. Laurie and Cameron took up a central position where they could be seen by everyone.
Before they started to speak, the main doors opened, and Flora gasped. “Raj! What are you doing here?”
“The same as you.” He only managed half a smile because of the bruises and swelling to the right side of his face. “I work here, remember?”
Flora crossed the room to his side. “Will it hurt if I hug you?”
“I’ll risk it.” He held out his arms and they exchanged a quick embrace. Leon caught a glimpse of emotion on Raj’s face and guessed he was hiding just how much the attack had affected him.
The nurse gave up her seat for Raj, and he eased carefully into it. Leon studied the other man’s face. There was a deep cut across his right cheekbone with vivid bruising around it. That side of his face was so swollen that his eye was completely closed.
“Is everyone here?” Laurie asked Eve.
Eve consulted a checklist. “Everyone except Dr. Vivien McAuley. I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer so I left a voicemail message.”
Laurie glanced at Cameron. “I think we should start and bring Dr. McAuley up to speed later.” He nodded, and she turned to address the assembled group. “This meeting is not intended to alarm you, but I feel it is only fair to inform you that I am linking the attack on Dr. Laxman to the murders of Jennifer Webster, Joy Valeski, and Lilith Bronson.”
There was a murmur of surprise and consternation around the table. Laurie waited for a moment or two to allow the impact of her words to sink in. “There is a possibility we are dealing with a killer who has a grudge against the Ryerson Center.”
“Does that mean we are all in danger?” The question came from Julie Ricks, the physiotherapist.
“I can’t rule out that possibility.” Even though Laurie never shied away from the harsh messages, her calm manner made them less frightening. “But I called this
