Page 32 of Deadly Peril

Chapter 9

The next morning, Jana meandered around the library with rays of sun lighting the windows. Her bare feet sank into the thick carpet. She adored the room with its polished wood shelves and plush furniture. It was a cozy space where she could hide and think.

She wrapped her hands around her cup of tea and gazed at the books. She’d read many of them, even reread some. The smell and feel of books was a passion of hers. When it snowed outside, and she huddled indoors, it was a welcome respite to get lost in a book.

Along the surface of a low table were framed pictures. She ran her fingertip along the edge of the wood, taking time to study each photo. There were some of her as a youth with her grandparents and several of them together.

The love between her grandparents was reflected in the photos. Jana had adored her grandfather. He’d taught her so much, and he’d loved her dearly. She missed him so much, and wished he was with her during this stressful time. He’d know what to do, as he had so many times before.

A few of the pictures were of her parents. She’d been so young when they died that she didn’t remember them. Although she loved them and wished they’d had more years together, her grandparents had been more like parents to her.

Her life had been filled with challenges, most of them athletic. There had been the personal trials of her marriage and volatile relationships between competitors in sports. But she couldn’t think of who might harbor hatred toward her. Who would want her dead?

Then her grandmother came in, dressed for the day and looking attractive. She looked that way whether she was going out or not. It was just her style. “Good morning,” Eva said. “Am I interrupting you?”

“Not really. I was just thinking.”

“Care to share?”

Jana sat in an armchair, and her grandmother took the sofa. “Oh, I just can’t conceive of who is doing this to me.”

“I can’t either, dear.” Eva folded her hands in her lap. “Anyone who knows you loves you.”

Jana smiled. “You’re biased. I can tell you that’s not true.”

“Name one person who doesn’t.”

“My ex…Rakel. He’s one,” Jana said.

“He’s just bitter. He loves you.”

Jana shook her head. “Well, he has a funny way of showing it.”

“It must be a stranger, someone you aren’t close to,” Eva said.

“I’m not so sure. Thaddeus seems to think that most crimes are committed by people who are intimate with the victim.” Jana took a sip of tea. “I’m inclined to agree, because I can’t understand why a random stranger would attack me.”

“I just don’t know, but I hope this gets resolved soon.” Eva sighed. “I’m very worried.”

Jana couldn’t very well tell Eva not to worry. She was just as concerned.

“Shall I make breakfast?” Eva said.

“No, thank you. I’m not hungry,” Jana said. “And I have to go out.”

Eva raised her brows. “I didn’t know you had an appointment.”

“It’s just with the accountant. Routine stuff…boring.” Jana didn’t have the heart to tell her grandmother that the accountant had called a special meeting. That couldn’t be good.

“And Thaddeus is going with you?”

“Yes, he is.” Jana smiled. “He goes everywhere with me.”

“As well he should. That’s what he was hired to do.” Eva stood up. “Having him to protect you is the only thing that puts my mind at ease.”

Jana was already dressed, so she put on her shoes and grabbed her purse. Thaddeus was waiting in the hall, right on time. “Sorry about breakfast. I have an early meeting,” Jana said. “But we’re meeting Coley right after I’m done. We’ll eat then.”

Thaddeus nodded. His expression was stern. Jana found no warmth in his eyes, as she had the evening before. It was as though it hadn’t happened. Since he was pretending it hadn’t, then she would too. Her Viking sidekick was back to assuming his role as her professional bodyguard.

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