Chapter 1 #2
Lizzy finished texting. “Yes, go to New York. Aunt Penny always loves it when you visit.”
“We’ll see if it’s even worth my time—freelance jobs are so hit and miss.
” I dropped onto the sofa next to my sister and pulled out my phone to see if the city had any short-term work.
There was a photography website that posted jobs.
I started my search with New York City, photography/photographer, events.
There weren’t as many as I’d hoped.
“I found one,” Lizzy said, and her enthusiasm increased my heart rate. She showed me her phone screen. “Haven Corporation needs a temporary photographer for its technology convention at the Grand Lakes Hotel in New York City. It’s this week, so they’d need you right away.”
I looked over the job description. It was just for a day or two, photos of some social events and launch presentations. Easy enough.
“It pays a lot.” I looked up the specifics of the job on my phone. But something else came up in the search results. A newspaper headline.
Haven Corporation’s event photographer killed in accident. Foul play suspected.
A chill ran down my spine.
“That’s ominous,” I muttered as I read over the details. I wasn’t sure what Haven Corporation was, but I’d heard the name before. “You probably didn’t see this when you read the job listing. The previous photographer was murdered.” I handed my phone to Lizzy.
“Wow. Does it say what happened?”
I scanned the details. “Not much to say… it happened… yesterday. Kind of scary. Wait, she wasn’t even at work when it happened. They suspect an ex-boyfriend. There are risks in any city, I suppose. Would you apply?”
“Yes. If her death wasn’t related to her job, I would.” Of course she would. My sister wasn’t reckless really, maybe just brave or highly determined.
I pulled in a breath and sent my resume and portfolio to their contact person. “I’m trying to remember where I’ve heard the name Haven Corporation recently.”
“Not sure.” Lizzy shrugged.
After I sent in my application, I continued my search. “Well, I’m going to keep looking in case this one doesn’t work out.”
Lydia squealed from the kitchen, making my body tense. She and Kitty laughed hysterically about something.
“Dare I ask?” I raised an eyebrow at Lizzy.
“Definitely not. They’re still decorating Dad’s cake, and I’m sure they’re trying to use magic to make it look like it belongs on a baking show.
” She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Since our family ran a bakery, most of us decorated cakes with ease.
But our youngest sisters always went overboard.
“Maybe I should go see if they need help.” I looked toward the kitchen.
“No. It will be fine,” said Mary, making both Lizzy and me jump. We looked to see her curled up in an armchair in the corner with a book. Mary’s fae ability allowed her to blend into the background unless she wanted her presence to be known.
“Oh, Mary! Let us know when you’re in the room. I nearly had a heart attack.” My heart pounded like I’d been jump-scared at an amusement park.
“I’ve been reading here the whole time.” Mary shrugged. “Figured you saw me. Oh, yeah. I forgot I was hiding from Mom. So that's why I camouflaged myself. Sorry.”
“Party time!” Kitty shouted, ending our conversation.
With the help of his walking stick, Dad made it to the dining table. Though there was a limp in his step, and the lines in his face were deep, his smile was as bright as ever. “Oh, what a lot of fuss you’re all making over my birthday.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “You’re going to have to humor us, Dad.”
“Kitty and I decorated your cake,” Lydia announced, pointing at the towering confection. They had managed some kind of enchantment because they decorated it like a mountainside and included an actual moving waterfall running down the side.
Dad’s eyes widened. “Remarkable. Makes me want to go on another family camping trip.”
“We put something together for you.” I turned off the lights and pushed play on the old projector. To make Dad’s sixtieth birthday party special, Lizzy and I put together a slideshow with pictures of family memories going all the way back to our parents’ wedding over thirty years ago.
Mom laughed at the photo of herself in her wedding dress, smashing cake into Dad’s face.
A photo of Dad swinging Kitty around at a park made his lip tremble and happy tears swelled in his eyes.
He’d been such a handsome young man. I was thoroughly blonde, and Kitty and Lydia landed somewhere between, but Lizzy and Mary got their silky, dark hair and defined jawlines from Dad.
I snapped photos of everyone together, of Dad attempting to blow out sixty candles, and of him opening his gifts. Whenever I had a spare moment, I stole a look at my phone to see if I’d gotten a response about the job. Since it started in two days, I’d need to know immediately.
Despite the festivities, Dad wasn’t entirely himself. His exhaustion seeped across the room and into my soul. He thanked everyone, smiled, and promised to read the mystery book I gave him, but he didn’t joke like he used to. After an hour, he was ready to lie back down.
Lizzy and I walked back across Austen Heights together to our basement apartment, the cold air biting into our cheeks and noses. She was quieter than usual, and of course, I sensed her feelings. I wished so desperately that instead of simply experiencing others' pain that I could carry it for them.
“You’re worried about Dad, aren’t you?” I asked as we crossed a street and entered Regency Meadows Park, where trees lined the brick pathways, and thick fog blanketed the ground. The sun had set, but lampposts lit the area well enough for it to be safe.
Lizzy nodded. “Yes, I’m worried about Dad… and everyone else, even Mom.”
“Agreed.” I silently scolded myself for wanting to move out of town. I could never.
We made it out of the park and down a cobbled street to the cottage where we lived.
I pulled my coat close against the cold as Lizzy fished her latchkey from her handbag.
Having a place of our own, despite the cost, was one of the best decisions we'd ever made.
My phone dinged as we walked inside and unloaded our coats and bags.
The sitting room and kitchenette were lit by Charlotte's homemade candles, scented with pumpkin spice.
I took a minute to curl up on the sofa with a soft cream afghan before looking at my phone. There was a message from Haven Corp.’s human resources department. “That was fast. Interesting.”
“Hmm,” Lizzy nodded and headed to the kitchenette to turn the kettle on.
I read it aloud.
“Jane, thank you for your interest. We would love to have you come shoot at our convention. We have an immediate opening this Thursday if you are willing to travel to the Grand Lakes Hotel. Regards, Armond Moreau, CFO, Haven Corporation.”
For a moment, I stared at the screen, wondering if I’d read the message correctly. They didn’t even need to do a quick phone interview, apparently.
“You're right. That was a fast response.” Lizzy said. “You should do it.”
I paused, then sat down at our kitchen table. "It's creepy that someone murdered their last photographer." But I really, really need the money, and I think a hotel with a lot of people should be safe, right?”
“I’d think so, and you said her ex was a suspect. I mean, the Grand Lakes is pretty upscale. Just stay out of trouble.” She brought over a couple of mugs of warm apple cider and sat next to me.
“It’s unnerving, isn't it?” Something wasn’t quite right, but I couldn’t let vague feelings stop me. I needed the job.