The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) Page 4

  “Donuts?” She chuckled, arching a brow at him.

  “Stereotyping us cops?” He grinned back at her. “Actually, coffee and a breakfast cookie.”

  “Uh-huh.” She wasn’t convinced.

  “They’re amazing—healthy too. You should try one.”

  “I know. My mom used to make them for us when we were growing up.”

  “Oh, I forgot.” He looked a little embarrassed. “Your mom used to run this place.”

  She nodded. “She and Ramey.”

  “By the way,” he began, “I wanted to offer my condolences again. Your father was a good man.”

  “Thank you. Yes he was.”

  “After the funeral and all,” Michael continued, “if you’re sticking around town for a while, why don’t we get together? Have dinner or something. I’d love to catch up.”

  “Hey, Baxter!” his partner called from the doorway.

  Michael’s gaze shifted to the other officer.

  “I’ve got the stuff,” his partner said. “Now, we’ve got to get going.”

  Michael looked back at Jenessa and raised his eyebrows, apparently waiting for an answer.

  “Yeah, sure. I’d like that,” she said. “Give me a call.”

  He smiled and gave a casual wave as he strolled out the door.

  Through the window, she watched her old friend and his partner climb into their cruiser. Shoot, I never gave him my phone number!

  “Oh well.” Jenessa shrugged, hoping to run into him again as she watched as them drive away. She took a seat at the small table in the corner and waited for Ramey.

  “Here we are.” Ramey set the coffee and cinnamon roll down in front of her, then sank down on the chair opposite Jenessa. “Did you talk to Aunt Renee this morning?”

  “Yes, she phoned me.” Jenessa took a small sip of the hot coffee. She explained that she hadn’t found her father’s burial instructions yet and she was headed to his office, after stopping in at the newspaper to inquire about the reporter position.

  “Charles McAllister is the person you want to see at the paper,” Ramey said. “He was in here last week talking about the position being open, asking if I knew anyone who might be interested. I didn’t at the time, but now…” She gestured toward Jenessa.

  “Thanks for the tip. After I finish this scrumptious cinnamon roll, I’ll head over there.”

  “Well, I’d better get back to work,” Ramey said. “I probably shouldn’t have come in today, maybe stayed with Sara and Aunt Renee, but I needed to keep busy. Besides, somebody had to do the baking this morning and help Rosie with the morning rush.” Ramey smiled wistfully, then stood. “I’ll leave you to your breakfast.”

  ~*~

  The bright summer sunlight bounced off the sidewalk as Jenessa stood outside of the newspaper office, smoothing her fitted skirt and running her hand lightly over her hair. She pulled in a quick breath and plastered a big smile on her face before pushing the glass door open. Wanting to dazzle Mr. McAllister with her experience and her wit, she hoped he couldn’t smell the scent of desperation on her. She needed this job, badly.

  She waltzed into the building and up to the receptionist’s desk. “I’d like to see Mr. Charles McAllister, please.”

  “Do you have an appointment?” The gray-haired woman peered over the top of her glasses.

  “No, sorry. I’m here about the reporter job.”

  “I see.” The woman raised a wrinkled finger, signaling for her to wait a moment. She picked up the phone receiver and punched a few buttons on the console. “What is your name, dear?”

  “Jenessa Jones.”

  The elderly receptionist turned her attention back to the phone. “There’s a young lady here to see you about the reporter job. Says her name is Jenessa Jones.” The receptionist paused, listening to the response on the other end of the line. “All right.”

  She slowly hung up the receiver and brought her gaze back to Jenessa. “Please, have a seat and Mr. McAllister will be out in a few minutes.” The woman pointed toward a small cluster of chairs against the opposite wall.

  Jenessa did her best to smile sweetly at the woman, wondering how long she had been with the newspaper—from its opening, perhaps. “Thank you.”

  She took a seat, and a few minutes turned into thirty before Charles McAllister emerged from his office and strolled up the hallway to the reception area. He was a tall, average-looking man, late thirties maybe, with thick, medium-brown hair and hazel eyes. “Ms. Jones?” he asked.

  Jenessa stood and took his extended hand.

  “Charles McAllister,” he said, smiling and giving her hand a light shake. “I heard you’re here about the reporter job?”

  “Yes. Do you have a few minutes?” She offered him her resume.

  Taking it, he did a cursory review of it. “Sure, why don’t you come back to my office?” He turned and began to walk away. “Alice, hold my calls, please.”

  Jenessa followed him, close behind, down a hall lined with small offices. There was a large door at the end of the hall, which she assumed led to the printing area. Mr. McAllister stopped at the doorway to his office and ushered her in.

  “Have a seat,” he said, following her in, leaving the door ajar. He took his place behind a large desk that was covered with piles of paperwork, files, and stacking wire trays. He looked down at her resume again. “I thought I might hear from you today.”

  “You did?” That was odd. “How did you—”

  “Your aunt. She phoned me first thing this morning, said you’d be coming in and I’d be a fool not to hire you.”

  “You know my aunt?”

  “Everybody who’s anybody in this town knows your aunt.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I have to apologize for her—” Jenessa’s cheeks flushed hot. She was more than a little embarrassed that her aunt had stuck her nose in the middle of things, but at this point, any extra help should be appreciated.

  “No, don’t be silly,” he said with a slight wave of his hand. “We need someone, and, according to Mrs. Giraldy, you’re a hard worker with lots of in-depth experience at a large newspaper.”

  “Yes, that’s true, but don’t forget I was once the assistant editor of the Hidden Valley High School paper.”

  He looked at her oddly, then laughed. “I see you have a sense of humor, too. That’ll come in handy.”

  Jenessa wasn’t sure what to make of that last statement. “Sorry?”

  “You’ll have your hands full with a myriad of stories. Of course you’ll cover the police beat, although it’s not like what you’ve been used to in Sacramento. Yes, there has been a slight increase of crime in Hidden Valley, with the times being what they are, but it isn’t as glamorous as the big city stuff you’re used to. You’ll mostly be covering weddings and social events, human-interest stories—things like that.”

  “If you don’t mind my asking, who’s been handling those things up until now?”

  “Priscilla Mosely, but she’s pregnant and the baby’s due next month. As far as I know, she isn’t planning to come back. I’ve been trying to take up the slack where I can, because she hasn’t been able to work as many hours as she used to, but as you can see,” he gestured with a broad sweep of his hand over his desk, “I have my own work to do. We’ve been looking for someone for the past couple of months, but we’ve had no takers. The pay isn’t that great and the hours can be long.”

  “The long hours I’m used to. The pay, well, I’ll adjust.” Her mother’s words, beggars can’t be choosers, rang again in her ears.

  “So, when can you start?”

  Chapter 6

  Did he just offer me the job? Jenessa leaned forward in her chair. “I don’t know if you heard, but my father died yesterday.”

  “I did hear about that, David Jones, the attorney, right?”

  “Yes.” She sat back and loosely crossed her arms. “I wouldn’t even have come in to see you today, with my father’s passing and all the funeral arrangements t
o be made, but Aunt Renee urged me not to wait, in case the job got snapped up, right out from under me.” Apparently it could have waited.

  “Let me say that I am sorry for your loss, Miss Jones. I didn’t know him personally, but your dad had a good reputation in town.”

  “Thank you for that. And please, call me Jenessa, especially if we’re going to be working together.”

  “Jenessa, it is.” His large black leather chair squeaked as he leaned back in it. “So, when do you think you can begin?”

  “Let’s see, today is Tuesday…” She worked through what had to be done, deciding that the funeral would likely be Friday or Saturday. “I’m guessing by next Monday.”

  “All right, but if you find your schedule frees up any sooner than that, please let me know. The news doesn’t wait.”

  Exhilarated, Jenessa almost danced out of the newspaper offices. She got the job! Finally, some income.

  Though she was grateful for her aunt’s meddling—this time—she hoped it wasn’t a harbinger of things to come.

  ~*~

  Jenessa strolled a couple of blocks over to her father’s law offices. She entered the grand foyer, admiring the polished, gray marble floors and ornate mahogany walls, and then took the elevator to the second level of the old two-story office building. She stepped off and was greeted by an attractive young woman, likely not long out of high school, seated behind the glistening granite reception counter. The names Jones and McCaffrey were emblazoned in bronze on the rich wood-paneled wall behind her.

  “May I help you?” the young blonde inquired.

  Jenessa confidently strode up to the counter. “Yes, I’m Jenessa Jones, David Jones’s daughter.”

  “Oh, Miss Jones, I am so sorry about your dad. He was such a nice man. I was here when they—”

  “Thank you,” Jenessa interrupted. “Do you think I could speak with Mr. McCaffrey for a few minutes?”

  “Sure. Let me see if he’s available.” She placed a phone call to his office, then turned her attention back to Jenessa as the main phone began to ring. “Yes, he can see you. Just down the hall and to the right.” The young woman snatched up the phone again. “Jones and McCaffrey, how may I direct your call?”

  Jenessa followed the woman’s instructions and knocked on Mr. McCaffrey’s door. She hadn’t been to this place in quite a few years, but she remembered attending an open house launch party when the two men first went into business together and moved into these offices.

  “Come in,” she heard a deep male voice say. She opened the door and Mr. McCaffrey shot out of his chair, stepping toward her with his hand extended.

  Dressed in a well-tailored suit, Ian McCaffrey was a bit older than her father, his hair mostly gray, but he appeared to be in good health and he had a strong grip.

  “So good to see you again, Jenessa. I wish it was under better circumstances.” His voice was warm and sounded sincere. “Here, have a seat.” He nodded toward the two club chairs sitting opposite his desk before returning to his seat.

  They sat and exchanged pleasantries and small talk for a few minutes before diving into the real reason she was there.

  “I’ve searched Dad’s home office for his burial instructions, but I haven’t been able to find any. Would you know anything about that?”

  “We have his Will here and there might be something in the file with it.” He pushed the intercom button on his desk phone. “Kathleen, can you bring me the file for David Jones’s estate plan?”

  “Right away,” the female voice answered over the speaker.

  “Do you have any idea when the funeral might be?” he asked.

  “Not yet. We’d like to find out what his wishes were before we give the coroner directions on where to release the body. That’s why I’m here.”

  “By we I’m assuming you mean you and your sister?”

  “Yes, and Aunt Renee.”

  “Ah, yes.” His eyes lit up and a mischievous smile curled on his lips. “Renee Giraldy.”

  Jenessa wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Had he had some kind of personal connection with her in the past? It wouldn’t surprise her if he had.

  “My guess is that the funeral will be Friday or Saturday,” she said. “I’ll let you know.”

  “How long are you staying in town?”

  “Actually, I’m moving back. I got a job at the Hidden Valley Herald, and I’ll be staying at my folks’ house for a while.”

  His assistant knocked lightly, then entered with a folder that she handed to her boss.

  “Thank you, Kathleen.”

  She walked out and quietly closed the door behind her.

  He opened the folder on his massive cherry desk and stuck his glasses on. “Let’s see.” He flipped through a few pages and pulled out a document. “It says here he wants to be buried beside his wife. Apparently, he had already purchased the plot when he buried your mother.”

  Under the big elm tree.

  He handed her the sheet of paper and she scanned over it. Everything was detailed from the coffin model to the church where her dad wanted the funeral service held, listing the pastor he had chosen to preside and the music he wished to be played. That had been her father, disciplined and orderly, carefully orchestrating his perfect, neat little life—including what would happen at the end of it.

  “So considerate of him to think of everything,” she said, her voice sounding a bit sarcastic. She hadn’t meant for it to betray her underlying feelings.

  Mr. McCaffrey frowned quizzically. “I know he didn’t want you girls to be burdened with it,” he said. “Oh, and by the way, his car is still in the parking lot.”

  “I thought it might be. As soon as I get the keys from the coroner’s office, I’ll come by and pick it up.” She folded the paper and tucked it in her purse. “Is there anything else I should know?”

  “Like what?”

  “His finances. How can I find out if he’s current on the house payments and car payments? You know, that sort of thing.”

  “Both the house and car are paid for, so no worries there. He was very disciplined—he hated owing anyone anything.”

  ~*~

  Once Jenessa left the law offices, she drove over to her aunt’s house to share what she’d learned and to spend some time with her family. Sitting around the breakfast table, Sara and Aunt Renee were anxious to get the ball rolling on the arrangements.

  Jenessa took a seat beside her aunt. After she explained what she had found out, Aunt Renee’s shoulders dropped and her face seemed to relax, obviously relieved that her brother had left what was tantamount to step-by-step instructions.

  “You haven’t mentioned a word about your job interview, dear,” Aunt Renee noted. “How did it go?”

  “It went terrifically,” she beamed. “I start on Monday.”

  “Oh, Jenessa, I knew you could do it,” Aunt Renee gushed.

  Jenessa rested a hand on her aunt’s forearm. “You didn’t warn me you were going to call ahead and lay the groundwork for me.”

  “I knew you’d tell me not to, and I wanted to help.”

  “I appreciate it, really,” she said, pulling her hand back. “But I would like to think I could have gotten the job on my own.”

  “Of course you could have, dear, but there’s nothing wrong with a little nudge from the right person. Nepotism goes a long way in this town.”

  “What do you mean?” Jenessa asked.

  “You don’t think Logan Alexander would be doing as well as he is without his father opening doors for him, do you?”

  Jenessa thought about Grey Alexander, unquestionably the most powerful man in this town. Besides having been the mayor not long ago, he was the president of one of the town’s banks, as well as owning a real estate company, a mortgage company, and the Hidden Valley Herald. He had become her father’s biggest client shortly after they moved to town, and now he was her employer. That last fact caught in her throat and made her cough.

  “Are you okay, d
ear?”

  Jenessa swallowed hard and crossed her arms. “I’m trying not to think of Logan Alexander—if I can help it.”

  “I’ll bet.” Sara rolled her eyes, her voice bordering on accusatory.

  Jenessa fixed her eyes on her sister. “What does that mean?”

  “I know you chatted with him at the café yesterday. Spark any old feelings?” Sara pressed, narrowing her eyes.

  What was Sara’s attitude about? Regardless, Jenessa wasn’t about to admit what running into that man had sparked in her. “Logan and I are old news. Just leave it at that.” Jenessa raised her eyebrows and cocked her head, hoping Sara would catch the hint.

  Lifting her wrist, Jenessa peeked at her watch. “We should head down to the coroner’s office and pick up Dad’s effects before it gets too late.”

  “I’ll drive,” Sara snapped. “I don’t trust that rattle-trap you’re driving.”

  Jenessa shot her sister a sideways frown. Sara was right, of course, but that was her rattle-trap, thank you very much. Not wanting to argue, Jenessa shifted her attention to her aunt. “Dad’s keys should be among his personal effects, don’t you think?”

  “Should be,” Aunt Renee replied. “Why?”

  “Because his car needs to be picked up from the office. Plus, I’m hoping the key to the lap drawer of his desk at home will be on his key ring.”

  “Why don’t you girls go take care of that, and I’ll call the funeral home to start making the arrangements,” Aunt Renee suggested. “I think I’ll feel better getting the plans nailed down.”

  “Okay,” Jenessa agreed, “and I’ll write the obituary when I get back and send it in to the newspaper. By then maybe you’ll have an idea of when and where the funeral will be and I can include it.”

  The girls waved good-bye as they stepped out the front door.

  ~*~

  As suspected, their father’s keys were among the personal effects the girls picked up from the coroner’s office. After they retrieved everything, Sara drove to the parking lot of their father’s office and Jenessa climbed out.

  “I’m going to take Dad’s car home and hang around there for a while. I have another drawer I want to go through. I’ll see you and Aunt Renee for dinner.”