Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Nolan had intended to keep watch over Dana during the night, but at about three in the morning he gave in to his fatigue and crashed on the motel bed. He woke up at six thirty, but not surprisingly, he didn’t feel rested. Getting out of bed, he smoothed down the front of his shirt. He knew where Dana was coming from. Even though his T-shirt and jeans looked clean, wearing them a second day made him feel grungy.
He thought back to their conversation. She’d been firm on not leaving and adamant about him providing her with new clothes. Good grief, the woman was a force. What kidnapping victim refused to leave? And where did she think he would shop for upscale women’s clothing? It wasn’t like there was a mall anywhere in the vicinity. He could still hear her voice saying, “You’ve got your orders now, so get to work. I don’t want to hear any excuses.” There was no allowing for circumstances with her. Apparently, she thought the world would bend to her will.
Narcissist or just extremely entitled? Hard to say.
He went over to the monitor and saw that Dana was still sleeping, one arm thrown over her head, hair splayed over the pillow. The bookstore in River Point didn’t open until nine, so he couldn’t call to get Courtney’s phone number until then. In the meantime, he could run into town and get her a latte and some bakery at the coffee shop he’d noticed on the strip near the grocery store. It might soften the blow of not getting a new outfit. Besides, his cousins weren’t due back until late morning, and he had to do something to pass the time.
Driving down the main drag of the village, he took note of all the local businesses. Insurance company. Barber shop complete with revolving pole. A gas station. Pie shop. All of it passed by in a blur, until he saw a resale shop called Vintage Closet with clothing in the front window.
He swerved to park his car in an angled spot in front of the store and then got out to peer into the display. Front and center stood a mannequin wearing an outfit that he could imagine Dana wearing. The top was a shimmery bronze color with a draped neckline. The skirt was the same color, but lighter and made up of layers, the top one consisting of a shiny mesh. Best of all, three-dimensional monarch butterflies were interwoven into the mesh. Honestly, the whole ensemble was a showstopper. A price tag hung off one sleeve, but it was twisted the wrong way, and he couldn’t see the numbers. What he did see was movement in the back of the store. Despite the early hour, someone was working in the store.
He took a step back and noticed the hours posted on the glass. Most mornings they opened at nine, but on Sundays they were closed. He went to the door and knocked loudly, then waited. When nothing happened, he repeated it, this time knocking continuously. When a young woman with braids approached, she had an irritated look on her face. “We’re not open,” she said, speaking through the glass, and then pointed toward the posted hours like he was an idiot who hadn’t noticed the sign.
“I know,” he said apologetically. “But I was hoping you could help me out.” He put his palms together in a pleading gesture. “If the outfit in the window is the right size, I’d like to buy it.”
She hesitated. “I’m not really prepared to do business. Could you come back tomorrow?”
“I’m sorry, but it has to be today. It’s for a friend. I know she’d love it. If it’s a size six, I promise I’ll be buying it.” She didn’t answer but seemed to be considering, so he added, “Please?”
“Just a minute.” She left the door, and he saw her take the mannequin out of the window and examine the back of the top. When she returned, it was to unlock the door and gesture him inside.
“Thank you!” Nolan stepped inside. “I really appreciate it.”
“The universe is looking out for you,” she said. “Size six. Must be meant for your lady friend.”
“It’s my lucky day.” He’d been dreading facing Dana empty-handed. Even if she hated what he’d bought, at least she might give him credit for trying. It struck him as ironic that he was afraid of her instead of the other way around.
“I’m Olive, the owner.”
“Nolan,” he said. “I really appreciate it.” He nearly bit his tongue, realizing that he’d given her his actual name. Clearly, he was not meant for a life of deception. As Olive took the outfit off the mannequin and carried it to the counter, he took note of the rest of the store. Besides circular racks of clothing, there was a jewelry case with vintage pieces. Farther back were shelves with handbags and shoes. Displays were clearly labeled. Not his type of store, but he admired how well it was organized.
“The two pieces are eighty-six dollars plus tax, which is a deal, believe me, considering the designer.” Olive mentioned a name as if he’d recognize it, which he didn’t. She continued, “The original price tags are still on it. If it’s a gift, I can take off the store tags for you and leave the other ones on.”
“That’d be great.” Nolan was pretty sure Dana wouldn’t approve of previously owned clothing.
Olive folded the clothes, wrapped them in tissue, and gently set them in a box. After setting the lid in place, she wrapped it with a stretchy gold cord. She then put it into a pink shopping bag.
“Thank you,” he said, reaching for the bag. “How lucky that you happened to be here! And that it was a size six!”
“I think your friend is going to be pleased,” Olive said.
He headed for the door, until Olive called out, “Nolan?”
“Yes?”
“You didn’t pay me.”
His heart sank. The last twenty-four hours had been surreal, and he’d been so preoccupied and tired that he was making mistakes. And now she remembered his name and the fact that he’d bought size-six clothing for a lady friend. When all of this came to a head, and it would, his name was all over it. Any prosecutor in the world could get him convicted, while the twins would walk free. “I’m sorry,” he said, walking back to the counter and handing her a hundred-dollar bill.
“Oh,” Olive said, taken aback. “I wasn’t prepared for cash. We don’t keep money in the register when the store is closed. I can go upstairs to my apartment and get your change. It will just take a few minutes.”
He shook his head. “Not a problem. Keep the change.”
She beamed. “Have a great day!”
“I will.” The words came out automatically, but the truth was that his chances of having a great day were nil.
The trip to the coffee shop went without incident. He got himself a coffee with cream. For Dana, he ordered a chocolate croissant and a cinnamon dolce latte, her favorite. He knew this from a podcast interview she’d done the previous month.
Back at the motel, he parked behind the building next to a dilapidated storage shed, relieved to see that his cousins hadn’t arrived yet. He left his coffee in the car and carried the box and everything else to Dana’s door, knocking politely.
He heard her call out in a groggy voice, “Come in.”
Inside, the room was dark and Dana was still in bed under the covers. He left the door slightly ajar and switched on a lamp in the corner. “I brought you a cinnamon latte and a pastry and some clothes, like you asked for.”
She waved a hand toward the table. “You may leave them.”
“I think you’ll like the outfit. It’s a designer brand.”
“We’ll see.”
Her head never even lifted off the pillow. It was amazing that she could sleep so soundly, given the circumstances. She was so self-assured that nothing seemed to faze her. Nolan would love to have a dose of that. He stood there awkwardly for a minute, then said, “Okay then, I guess I’ll leave you to it.”
“Wait!” And now she did sit up, and he could see that she’d slept in her previous day’s clothing. With her face washed clean and her hair mussed, she looked like a much younger version of herself.
“Yes?”
“Did you call Courtney?”
“Not yet. I will as soon as the bookstore is open and I can get her number.”
She yawned. “Remember to tell her it needs to be done pronto. Also, remind her that tomorrow morning she’ll need to pick up the dry cleaning and make an appointment at the salon. And my diamond necklace needs to have the clasp repaired. Tell her to take it in to the jeweler.”
This woman was beyond belief. Even when she was being held captive, she calmly kept track of all the minutiae of her life. No wonder she could write plots with such detailed twists and turns. He ticked them off on his fingers. “Got it. Dry cleaning, salon appointment, and fix your diamond necklace.”
“Oh, and one more thing?”
“Yes?”
“Tell her to let Brayden know I miss him.”
“I will.”