Part 10 (1/2)
”Don't be ridiculous. No one's in love. We're simply attracted to each other,” Genny admitted. ”Besides, I'm pretty sure he has a problem with my, er, my sixth sense.”
”He knows that you're-”
”I had another vision...a premonition about Cindy's death. Only I didn't know it was Cindy.”
”Oh, G.o.d, Gen, how'd you make it there all alone-oh, you weren't alone, were you? This Dallas guy was there with you.”
”He was very kind, but he didn't understand why I was so exhausted or why I was saying the things I said. I think he believes I'm either crazy or a phony.”
”And he's attracted to you anyway?”
”I don't know.” Genny shook her head. ”Probably not by choice. Besides, this is the wrong time for him to get involved romantically with anyone. He's come here looking for answers. He's searching for his niece's killer.”
”And he thinks the person who killed Susie and Cindy is the same guy who killed his niece?”
”He thinks it's possible.”
”What does Jacob think?”
”He's undecided, but he has an open mind on the matter.”
The phone rang. Jazzy eyed the Caller ID.
”Jamie again?” Genny asked.
”He's called half a dozen times today.”
”Want me to answer it?”
”Just let it ring.” Jazzy grasped Genny's arm. ”Come on, let's go get some coffee and pie.”
”I've put in an order for soup and sandwiches with Gertie. I thought I'd have supper with Jacob and Dallas before I head home.”
”Why don't you come stay with me until this killer is caught? I hear there's safety in numbers.” They exited Jazzy's office, leaving behind the telephone's insistent ringing.
”I'll be all right. I have Drudwyn. And I can usually sense when someone is coming.”
Before they reached the dining room, Misty Harte rushed toward them. ”That crazy old r.e.t.a.r.d, Wallace MacKinnon, is here and he's making a scene. He wants to see Genny. I had no idea when he asked if she was here that he'd go nuts. He says he has a message for her from Brian.”
Jazzy laughed. ”Come home, Gen. You'd better soothe the savage beast. Poor old Wallace has probably been frantic if he tried to contact you and couldn't.” She turned to Misty and said, ”Go tell Wallace that Genny is coming out to see him right away. And, Misty, never again refer to Wallace as a r.e.t.a.r.d.”
When Misty hurried off in a huff, Jazzy said to Genny, ”Wallace appointed himself your guardian angel when you were a kid, and he takes his job of protecting you seriously. I swear, I don't know what it is about you that makes men idolize you and want to take care of you. All they want to do is f.u.c.k me.”
Genny grinned. ”Jazzy, you're outrageous! You want everyone to think you're really bad. You've cultivated your bad-girl image and won't let anyone see through the facade to the real you.”
”You see through.”
”Yes, but I've known you since we were in diapers.”
”And you know better than anyone that being a bad girl is only partly a facade. I'm not lily white and we both know it. I've done more than my share of stupid things. Case in point-Jamie Upton.”
”You loved Jamie. He's the one who's stupid for not appreciating what a wonderful person you are.”
The sound of Wallace's nearly hysterical voice echoed down the hallway.
”You'd better get him quieted down before he scares off what few customers I have out there,” Jazzy said.
Genny hurried into the dining room. Wallace was going from table to table, searching for Genny, shouting her name.
”Wallace,” she called to him in a gentle yet loud voice.
He stopped halfway across the room, turned, and smiled broadly. Wallace had the sweetest, kindest smile. Like the smile of a small child. And in many ways, that was exactly what he was. A small, loving child living in the body of a large, physically strong man of seventy.
He came barreling toward her, grinning, chuckling to himself, with his arms open wide. When he reached her, he lifted her off her feet in a bear hug, knocking her coat off her arm.
”I was so worried about you. I went out to your house and you weren't home.”
”I came into town today,” she told him.
”That's what Brian said. He said Genny's probably in town. Go over to Jazzy's and ask her. She'll know.”
”Put me down, Wallace,” Genny said, keeping her voice even and calm.
He did as she requested, then picked up her coat off the floor and handed it to her. ”Brian has been worried about you, too. He said to tell you so.”
”It was very sweet of you and Brian to worry about me, but as you can see, I'm fine.”
”Brian likes you.”
”I like Brian, too.”
Wallace's smile widened. ”He's a good man. Not like he used to be. He's always nice to me now. He even talks to me.”
”That's nice.” Genny laced her arm through Wallace's. ”Why don't I take you home? It's nearly suppertime and I'm sure Miss Veda will send Mr. Farlan out looking for you if you aren't home by dark.”
Jazzy whistled to get Genny's attention. ”Take him home in my Jeep. It's parked out back.” Jazzy reached into the pocket of her jeans, pulled out a set of keys, and tossed them to Genny, who caught them in midair.
”Are we really going to ride in Jazzy's red Jeep?” Wallace asked.
”Yes, we are.” Genny led Wallace through the kitchen, out the back door, and into the alley where Jazzy's sleek late-model Jeep Liberty awaited them.
”Care for some coffee?” Jacob asked. ”I can make a fresh pot.”
”No, thanks,” Dallas replied. ”Look, I realize there's no reason for you to cooperate with me, but if I'm right and this killer is the same one who has been committing a series of five murders in various states these past eight years, then I probably know more about him than anyone. And just between us”-Dallas looked right into Jacob's eyes, taking a chance on trusting him-”I have an FBI profiler who is working up a profile of this guy for me.”
”Unofficially?”