It was Thursday evening. Jackie was in her room getting ready for bed. Usually, she wouldn’t go to bed before eight, but she had to get up early in the morning. Gabriella and Jodi were fluttering around in her room like giggling teenagers.Nick had called Jodi earlier that morning and asked her to pack certain types of clothes for Jackie. Jodi swore up and down that he didn’t say where they were going. He also instructed Jodi not to let Jackie see what was in the suitcases. Jackie wasn’t happy about it, but Jodi had said Jackie should enjoy someone else taking care of the little details for a change. Jodi had hidden the suitcase in the hotel. Jackie had spent an hour trying to find it. No luck.“Get into bed,” Gabriella said to Jackie. “We don’t want you to have circles under your eyes when your el novio guapo picks you up in the morning.”“Her what?” Jodi asked with a confused expression.“Hunky boyfriend and he’s not my hunky boyfriend,” Jackie said. Jackie’s Spanish was terrible. T
Jackie was surprised when she saw the black sedan and driver. She asked Nick what was going on. He smiled and told her that it will become clear as the trip went on. Gabriella and Barbara hugged Jackie long and tight like she was going away for six months. Jodi hugged her and whispered to her to relax and keep an open mind.Jackie realized that the sedan was taking them to Phoenix. After that, it didn’t take her long to realize that they were going to the airport. While at the airport, Jackie learned that they were going to Aspen. Jackie had never been to Colorado, and she told Nick she didn’t know how to ski. He didn’t seem to mind and said he would teach her if she wanted to learn. If not, there were other activities they could do.They flew first class. Jackie knew Nick paid for it with the money he inherited from David and Danielle’s estate. She didn’t know how much he got, but she didn’t want Nick wasting it on her, and she told him so during the flight. He patted her hand and sa
Nick and Jackie laughed as they walked back into the cabin. They skied most of the evening. Jackie found the experience exhilarating – freeing. It took two hours for her to get the hang of it on the beginner slopes. Nick convinced Jackie she was ready to upgrade to a bigger run.They took off their gear at the door.“You were great out there,” Nick said as he put his scarf on the hanger.“I was trying to keep up with you,” Jackie said breathlessly. “That was fun.”“I’m going to start a fire,” he said and brushed the back of his hand on her cold cheek.Nick got a fire started as Jackie struggled to take her ski boots off.“Need some help?” he asked with a smirk.She took a deep breath. “Yes,” she admitted.“Lean back,” he said.Jackie lay down on the couch. She put her foot in the air for him. “I can’t feel my feet. Maybe that’s why I’m having so much trouble.”“Brace yourself,” Nick said and took hold of the boot.They struggled, but Nick got it off. Once he did, he lifted both her fe
Nick opened a bottle of champagne and Jackie poured it into glasses. Nick started a fire in the fireplace in the living room. They kicked their boots off and sat down on the white furry rug and talked about their day as they sipped champagne.The cold air from the sleigh ride had sobered Jackie up, so she figured another glass or two wouldn’t hurt. It was 11:30 p.m. Jackie was about to say something when the clasp broke on her tennis bracelet.“Oh, no,” Jackie said. She picked the bracelet up off the rug.“Normally, I would try to fix it, but it looks expensive,” Nick said.“It’s okay. I saw a jewelry shop in town. Maybe I can take it there tomorrow. I wanted to do a little shopping tomorrow anyway. Pick up some souvenirs for everyone back home,” Jackie said and stood. She placed the bracelet on the end table.“Oh?” Nick said.Jackie smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to drag you with me. I know men don’t like to shop.”Nick grinned. “It usually depends on the circumstances. In your
Nick had carried Jackie upstairs and made love to her again. He couldn’t get enough of her. By the way she was responding, Jackie felt the same way about him.In the morning, they made love in the shower. They didn’t leave the cabin until noon. They went to the jewelry store first. The jeweler said he could fix the clasp on her tennis bracelet and it would be ready for pick up in two hours.They walked through the village sightseeing and going in and out of shops. Jackie bought several shot glasses with the words Aspen, Colorado on them. She purchased Aspen T-shirts for herself, Jodi, and Gabriella.They stopped at a coffee shop for coffee and a snack. They headed back to the jewelry store.“Hello again, Ms. Garvey,” the jeweler said. His name was Robert Warren. He was middle-aged and bald on top of his head. He had a little bit of dark hair around his temples.“Hi, Mr. Warren. Is my bracelet ready?” she asked.“It sure is. Here you go,” Mr. Warren said and handed her the long white b
Jackie didn’t get back to Garvey’s until midnight. They had taken a later flight since they were up late skiing with the Youngs. Skiers had skied with torches during the evening. The light from the torches had illuminated the mountain, making a beautiful sight for onlookers.Nick had also told the driver to drop them off at his house when they had arrived in town around 6 p.m. Nick wasn’t ready to let her go, yet. He had taken Jackie to his bedroom and kissed and seduced every inch of her.Nick had helped Jackie carry her bags into the hotel. Becky was on duty at the front desk. Everyone else was asleep. Jackie and Becky had hugged. Jackie had told her she would tell her everything in the morning. Nick had escorted Jackie to her room and reluctantly left her. He had to be at work at 11 a.m. and he needed his rest.Jackie was peacefully slumbering, dreaming about her trip until she felt someone hop on her bed. Her eyes flew open to Gabriella jumping on her bed like a little kid. “Buen
It had been two weeks since Nick and Jackie’s trip to Aspen, and Nick hadn’t felt this good in over a year. The realtor had called him and said someone made an offer on his brother’s house for the asking price. The couple was from Chicago. They were tired of the big city and harsh winters.Nick had cleaned out the rest of the house two days ago. What he wanted to keep he put in three boxes. Jackie helped him pack up Danielle and David’s clothes. They drove them to Phoenix and donated them to a homeless shelter. They had dinner. Nick had made a little detour on the way back to town. He had parked around some trees off of Route 501 and made love to Jackie in the back of his truck. Luckily, he had a blanket to lay down in the flatbed, but the steel had been hard on their backs and knees. Jackie was the most passionate, loving, honest, and loyal woman he had ever known. Nick shook his head as he thought back to five weeks ago when he had thought she was a snotty, rigid, anal repressive.
If Marty Schaffer wasn’t already dead, Nick would kill him. He sat on the floor of his attic slap jawed from what he read in Danielle’s diary. Marty, the former sheriff, was blackmailing David and Danielle. He had found out that they had sex online for money and threatened to expose them if they didn’t pay him off every month. Marty had saved the proof on a computer disk. They couldn’t let it get out. David was the accountant for the church. He and Danielle were one of the most prominent philanthropist couples in the community. If it got out, David and Danielle would have been disgraced. He was also angry because Bonnie didn’t tell him the whole truth. It was true that she confronted David and Danielle about their side business. What Bonnie had left out was that she was a dominatrix. She had brought men into her home or she would go to them to perform. Nick shook his head at the discovery. Nick read on, We paid Marty another $1
After Juan had left, Cindy had asked Mindy to grab items to put on her Nicolette persona before they left for Phoenix. Cindy wouldn’t tell her why. She had said they were going somewhere that she needed to see and it was a surprise. Five miles outside of Phoenix, Cindy stopped the SUV at a rest area, grabbed a bag out the back, and told Mindy she had to go to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, Cindy returned, but she didn’t look the same. Cindy had on a pile of make-up and a red-wig, and it wasn’t the red wig Mindy had given her. When Cindy got back in the car, Mindy asked what was going on and where were they going. Cindy begged her patience and assured her that everything would become clear. They were in the downtown area of Phoenix. They parked on the street. Cindy walked Mindy to a building that looked like it had glass for walls. They got on the elevator and went to the twelfth floor. There were two businesses on the floor; Grass
It was late Tuesday morning. Mindy was packing a gift basket. She was going to drop it off as she and Cindy rode out of town. Cindy wanted to go shopping in Phoenix. Of course, Mindy couldn’t afford to buy anything but she didn’t mind keeping Cindy company on her shopping trips. Cindy walked in. “Whoa,” she said as she took in the basket on the kitchen table. “That’s a big thank you.” “Well, it is from both us. Can’t have it skimpy,” Mindy said. Cindy shrugged and opened the refrigerator to retrieve a can soda. There was a knock on the back door. “Who in the world could that be?” Mindy asked. Cindy walked to the door and opened it. The man raised his head so they could see his face from under the wide brim baseball hat. “Hey, girls,” Juan greeted. “Juan, come in,” Mindy said with a smile. He darted inside and closed the door. “I parked my car two blocks away and walk
By the time Matt had found out what was going on, it was over. He and Jodi were having a hot romp in the kitchen when Patty tried to call him. He had left his cell in the living room.Two ambulances, the forensics van, two cruisers, and Williamson’s truck were outside. Matt and Jodi walked into Garvey’s bar. “Son of a bitch,” Matt sneered as he put his hands on his hips, taking it all in.Otto was taking pictures of the body on the floor. Goldman stood tall as he was taking notes while Mindy and Cindy Pandock sat at a table talking to him. Juan was sitting at the bar looking like he had never been more relieved in his life as Carter took his statement.“Oh my god,” Jodi said with a shocked look. “I’m going to check on Juan.”“All right, just don’t interfere with the questioning. I’m heading for the lobby to see what else is going on,” Matt said seriously.Jodi nodded and walked away.Matt strode to the lobby doors which were propped open. There was a body on a gurney covered by a shee
Tyrone told Juan how they had tracked Chip down in Chicago. It wasn’t hard. Chip had left a rowdy drunk trail so anyone who wanted to find him could. Tyrone described how they worked Chip over for thirty-six hours. After being beaten for that long anyone would tell what they knew. Chip had given Juan, Sam, and Zeke up. He had even told them where he hid his cut of the money. During the conversation, Tyrone had given the girls more change to play more tunes on the box. Just like before, Chavez had walked with them. When they returned, Ginger got back in the booth and Nicolette remained standing next to a table. She didn’t look as petrified as before. Tucker James had taken a seat at the table with Juan with the gun still on him. Juan guessed he got tired of standing just as much as Nicolette got tired of sitting. It wasn’t hard for Tyrone to track down Zeke either. At least Zeke didn’t lose his mind with the money. He was enjoying a comf
Juan had gotten Tyrone to chat a little. He got detailed about how Sam suffered before he died to Juan, Nicolette, and Ginger’s horror. Tucker even had the nerve to say that at least Sam wasn’t a rat - if it was any consolation to Juan. Now, he was talking to the girls as Nod Ya Head by Will Smith played on the jukebox. Chavez was bobbing his head to the song. “Are you two sisters?” Tyrone asked. “You look like you’re related.” “Cousins,” Nicolette choked out. “Ah,” Tyrone said with understanding. “It’s shame we didn’t meet under different circumstances. You two are cute. Oh, well, back to our friend Juan. So, Juan, where the hell is my twenty million dollars?” Mindy and Cindy’s eyes bugled. “I’ll tell you, but I have to know something first,” Juan said. “Yeah, what’s that?” Tucker said and put the barrel of the gun to Juan’s temple. “How’d you figure out it was us?” Juan asked ask he foug
Tucker had Juan sit down in a chair out on the bar floor. The silence made the situation more terrifying. Tucker pointed his pistol at his chest. How the hell did they figure out it was us? “Ladies, do you want to listen to some music,” Tyrone asked. “Huh?” Ginger said. “Music,” Tyrone repeated. “No reason for the situation to be unpleasant for you because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. What kind of music do you girls like?” Nicolette shrugged stiffly. “Some country and . . . I just started to listen to some hip hop lately.” “Okay,” Tyrone said as he nodded his approval. “What about you, babe?” he asked Ginger. “Same including R&B,” she answered. Tyrone dug into his pocket and pulled out some change. He took Ginger’s hand and placed the change in it. “Play some hip hop. I don’t like country music – oh, and no Eminem, Justin Bieber, or Justin Timberlake. I hate t
It was Sunday morning, and Juan was feeling pretty good despite what had happened last Sunday. No one in town or the surrounding areas knew about Sam being found dead at the hotel, which surprised Juan because he was sure the EMTs would have talked, but it didn’t seem like they had. Juan just thanked his lucky stars.Matt and his team were still working on Sam’s case. Forensics believed Sam’s death was an accident per cloth fibers that were found on his body and the ice bucket bag. Matt tended to agree based on the staff statements and security camera footage from the lobby and exit doors down stairs. He did have Juan come in to look at some of the footage that Matt found suspicious. Juan identified the two blondes Sam had been with. They had appeared to be in a hurry and they went out the side door exit. Juan only knew their first names. Matt had put in the Arizona state police database that they were wanted for questioning, but he didn’t suspect them of foul play. Sam’s valuables ha
Monday afternoon, Juan prepared himself for the verbal assault as he settled in the office with Jodi and Jackie. He had asked Matt not tell the twins about Sam Ellis. Matt had said that it should come from Juan since they still own a part of the business, so they had a right to know. Juan didn’t want them to know because he knew they would blame him somehow. Sam was Juan’s friend not some random guest off the highway. In the end, Juan had refused to call them about it and told Matt to do what he felt was right in regards to informing the twins. “What’s up?” Juan asked. “I think you know what’s up,” Jackie said. “Jackie, what happened yesterday couldn’t be avoided. I don’t know how you think I could have prevented -” Juan began. “Of course, you couldn’t stop it,” Jackie interrupted. “We came here to see how you were and how we can help.” “Yeah. You can’t stop someone who really wants to kill themselves – or partici
The forensics team combed the room over while Matt and Juan waited in a room across the hall, so Matt could take Juan’s official statement. Both room doors were propped open. Otto was able to just walk a few feet to give Matt immediate need to know information.Matt noted Sam’s license information on a pad so his license could stay in an evidence bag. Sam had one suitcase filled with clothes, normal toiletries in the bathroom, a bottle of aspirin, a hundred and fifty dollars in his wallet, a paper bag with eight thousand four and thirty dollars in it, no credit cards, a cell phone, a photo of a woman, a man, and three girls, a key chain with a car key, two regular keys, and a lock key, and a few business cards.“Do you know why he had so much cash on him?” Matt asked.“Sam still lived the life of a drifter,” Juan said. “Plus, he liked casinos. He stopped at a couple in Arizona before he came here. Probably had a good run.” “Hmm,” Matt mused. “Yeah, but to keep that much cash in your