The Naughty List Read online

  The writer needed a warning Stephanie was on the prowl. Rosalie fished out the sticky pad and wrote. Thanks for the candy, but don’t swipe any more. Stephanie knows you were in her office and is looking for you. Be careful. She took a deep breath and added a P.S. at the end. What’s your name? With shaking hands she slipped thely slippe notepad back under the counter.

  She didn’t sleep well that night. When morning came, Rosalie darted over to Penrose’s. She was the first employee through the door when security arrived to open up. With mounting anticipation, she scampered over to the customer service counter and peeked underneath. Her note was gone, but in its place was another. Rosalie, thanks for the warning. I left the candy and instead deleted all Stephanie’s emails. She really shouldn’t write her password on the blotter where anyone can see. Her heart skipped a beat when she noted the signature at the bottom. David.

  David? Who was David? She mentally ran through a list of Penrose’s employees and didn’t come up with a single one. A vague unsettled feeling drifted down on her shoulders. Was this guy using an assumed name? Instead of an admirer did she have a stalker?

  The hairs on the back of her neck rose up. She didn’t see or hear anything, but with complete conviction, Rosalie knew someone watched her. She froze in place, not daring to breathe. Without warning, she spun around, dashed to the return rack, and yanked at a handful of hanging clothes. She heard a gasp and felt a sharp tug from a lady’s Christmas sweater. Abruptly, a puff of air hit her face. With an

  eep! she stepped back. The sweater fell to the floor. Rosalie peered into the shadows.

  Nothing was behind the rack except the empty wall.

  Chapter Four

  Grace strode briskly up to the medusa in charge of the maximum security wing of the prison. “I’m here to see my husband.”

  At her side, Sadhri growled. “Don’t give us any attitude, Carlos.”

  “Don’t give me any of yours,” he snapped back. “I don’t like Brian here any better than you do.” The braids on his head quivered.

  Grace stepped between the two. “Carlos, please. Tempers are running a little high right now, but nobody blames you.”

  His stance softened. “I’m sorry, Grace. I’m only doing my job.”

  “I know. May I see him, please, or did the Baal forbid visits?”

  “Dominic can kiss my ass. The Baal may be in charge of the prison, but he still has to follow protocol and protocol says Brian may have family visits until convicted. I’ll see to that.” He led them down a narrow corridor to a small cell. Brian jumped up from the cot at the sight of his wife. He would have rushed the bars, but Carlos cautioned him back. “The manacles don’t allow you to touch. They...well…they’ll really hurt.” He glared at Sadhri before she could say something. “Again, the Baal’s orders, not mine.”

  “Can you give us some privacy?” Grace offered a weak smile. “I promise we’ll be good.”

  Carlos’ eyes softened. “Sure. Screw the Baal and his rules. You have ten minutes.” He turned to Sadhri. “Come on, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee and we’ll discuss your personality disorder.”

  “My disorder,” she sputtered, stomping after him down the corridor, “there’s nothing wrong with me. But while we’re on the subject, let’s discuss the complete lack of social graces in a medusa.”

  “Shivas and medusas,” Brian chuckled, “nice to know some things never change.” He eyed Grace lovingly, “Damn, you look good.”

  Grace wanted to reach out through the bars and pull her husband close, but didn’t dare. While the manacles didn’t affect a human like her, they’d cause Brian agony. Despite his easygoing grin, she knew he suffered. His shoulders sagged with fatigue.

  “You look awful,” she cried out.

  “Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s good to see you, love. You’re my only visitor except for Carlos and Dominic.”

  Grace drew herself up. “What did the almighty Baal, Dominic Schiller, want?”

  “Rules state he may question me once a day. Not that I have squat to tell him. Any news from David?”

  “Nothing.”

  “He knows something or he’d be here.”

  Grace’s eyes flew open. “You don’t possibly believe the rumors—”

  “That he had something to do with the robbery? Of course not. That’s the Baal talking. David is following the link. I’m certain.”

  “You have no clue where The Book is?”

  “No. When David received the responsibility for protection when he came of age, the link transferred to him. Hey, cheer up. I still sense the connection wasn’t completely severed with the family. Something else bothers you, though. What’s wrong?”

  “They sent Billy.”

  “We knew they’d put a hellhound on the trail, but Billy’s assignment is good news. They’re friends. He won’t be out for blood.”

  “Which won’t prevent him from dragging David back. It’s only a matter of time before Billy tracks him down. If David doesn’t have The Book with him, you’re both screwed.” Grace pressed close against the bars. “I won’t stand by and do nothing. Something else is going on. I’ll find out what.”

  Brian eyed her tenderly. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to keep out of Integral business.”

  “Hah. Like you ever could.”

  Footsteps echoed down the hall as Carlos and Sadhri approached. “I’m sorry,” the medusa called out with regret. “Time’s up.”

  Without warning, Brian pressed his face to the bars and kissed Grace lovingly on the lips.

  Grace pulled back. “You shouldn’t have.”

  Brian winked at Carlos. “A kiss from a beautiful woman is worth any price.”

  ****

  Marissa suggested one of the Sneaky Shoppers was the writer. “After all, they’re supposed to be sneaky. I still can’t figure out which customers they are.”

  “Me, neither. Although, lurking behind clothes racks is a bit much for even sub-human bottom feeders like them.” She ran a hand through her hair. “My imagination is playing tricks. Behind the rack is a wall. There’s no place to hide.”

  “Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” Marissa offered kindly. “The stress of always looking over your shoulder for the next Sneaky Shopper is exhausting. I’ll cover for you.”

  “No. I’m fine.” The pom-pom on the elf hat jangled annoyingly as she shook her head. “You’re the one who needs rest. Stephanie doesn’t call me twenty times a day to handle another crisis she caused herself. Thank God tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’ll have twenty-four blessed hours of peace.”

  “Are you still coming to Ross’s for dinner? Alex wants to see you.”

  “Absolutely. Miss Lu will bring pie.”

  Marissa’s cell rang. She glanced at the display and wrinkled her nose. “The she-devil summons and I must obey. Later.”

  Rosalie’s concentration wavered all day. What she didn’t mention to her friend was while wrestling with the clothing r Che ="juack for an instant she had the impression of piercing green eyes that stared in surprise from the shadows. She tried to talk herself out of the crazy idea. Solid wall with no door…the lighting is terrible…the mind plays tricks. Yet, the eerie sensation of being watched rattled her enough to constantly check the dark corner.

  “Ahem.” A middle-aged woman wearing red-framed eyeglasses rapped her knuckles on the counter. “A little service, please. I’ve waited several minutes already.” Red-faced, Rosalie stammered an apology, grateful Stephanie didn’t see she ignored a customer.

  By morning break time, Rosalie couldn’t stand still any longer. She ditched the elf hat under the counter and ambled around the store, trying to appear nonchalant. All the while she peered into the face of every shopper in search of a pair of piercing green eyes. By the time Rosalie reached Linens on the third floor she had generated more than a few curious stares. She caught a hostile glare from a mother in the towel aisle. The woman clutched her child close to her side as Rosalie gave them t
he once-over.

  Her expression forced Rosalie to think again about aimlessly prowling through Penrose’s. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered to herself. “You’re frightening small children. Get back to work.” She halted in mid-stride and made a u-turn back to Customer Service.

  The young man who followed her from one aisle over pulled up short in surprise. Piercing green eyes met hers. For a moment time stopped. “David?” she gasped in a choked whisper.

  “Excuse me!”

  Startled, Rosalie jumped back. The middle-aged woman with the red glasses shot Rosalie an irritated glance as she squeezed past. “You’re blocking the way.”

  “Sorry, I—”

  A puff of air hit Rosalie’s neck. She spun around in search of the young man, but he had completely disappeared. Impossible, her mind blared. Where could a person hide? She craned her neck, peering down the aisles in bewilderment.

  Rosalie chastised herself all the way back to Customer Service. You’re totally mental—probably an allergic reaction to the elf hat. Teensy poisonous green fibers embedded in your skull and are now burrowing into the brain causing very vivid green hallucinations. Next will be leprechauns.

  At lunch time in the break room she found her name at the top of the Motivation Memo again. Rosalie was inattentive to customers. Rosalie walked through the store without the elf hat.

  She stormed off, her appetite gone. Marissa was right. The mysterious David was a Sneaky Shopper. He spied on her and wrote the notes to mess with her head. Stephanie probably paid a premium to any Sneaky Shopper who reported an employee. He wanted to distract her and make himself look good. How dare he play with her emotions like that? Who did he think he was?

  Her hands balled into tight little fists. She was so ready to kill him. The elusive David would regret ever setting foot in Penrose’s.

  ****

  Heart pounding, David dashed-away from Rosalie to Penrose’s roof. He ran his hand roughly through his hair and groaned. He began the day with such good intentions. How had it all gone so horribly wrong?

  He thought back to this morning. His hand had paused over the sticky pad, before impulsively signing his name. He hadn’t planned to. He intended to remain strictly anonymous, but couldn’t see the harm. After all, Rosalie sent the warning about Stephanie. If he didn’t sign a name, the notes might look like they came from a stalker. She wouldn’t smile anymore.

  David enjoyed thinking about her great smile even while arguing with himself. Penrose’s was only a temporary stop. Once The Book was found, he’d return to his duties in New York never to see Rosalie again.

  Yup. Never again. The thought was oddly disconcerting.

  Wrapped up in his musings, David had been brought back to reality by approaching footsteps. He darted behind the portable clothes rack and peeked out, his spirits lifted by the sight of Rosalie at the counter. She glanced around and then reached underneath for the sticky pad. He couldn’t see her expression, but heard a soft chuckle. He filled with sudden warmth. Rosalie smiled.

  He never expected her to suddenly dart toward the clothes rack, and yank at the hangers. Startled, David had shoved a fistful of women’s wear in front of him. He caught a glimpse of her determined face before dashing-away across the aisle to Sportswear. Crouched behind a display of jackets he breathed a sigh of relief. Rosalie was too close. He cast an admiring eye as she fruitlessly rifled through the clothing rack. Nice smile, he had thought, and gutsy as well.

  David knew right then he should leave the store to get some rest, but instead lingered on the first floor, furtively watching Customer Service. Rosalie acted perturbed, constantly checking behind the clothes rack. Even Marissa’s visit didn’t cheer her up. One middle-aged lady with garish red glasses got short with her for having to wait for service. David’s conscience prickled. He hadn’t meant to upset Rosalie or make her life more difficult.

  When Rosalie’s break came, she stuffed the elf hat under the counter. David again prepared to dash-away, but instead of heading for the break room Rosalie wandered out into Penrose’s. She wasn’t alone. From David’s position, he glimpsed Red Glasses obviously following behind. Intrigued, he tagged along.

  Rosalie roamed the store oblivious to her two tails. She acted oddly, staring at everyone she passed. Red Glasses kept her under close scrutiny. When they reached the Linen Department, the woman whipped out her phone. David snuck up as close as he dared and eavesdropped.

  “Yes, Ms. Crowder,” he heard her say. “She kept a customer waiting at the service counter while she wasted time in the back… Now she’s walking around the store without the elf hat… Yes, I’ll keep watch… Oh, no, I think the hats are adorable… Yes, very festive.” She hung up and dropped the phone back in her purse.

  David narrowed his eyes. “Well, well, Sneaky Shopper,” he muttered to himself as the woman wandered off. “I think I need to leave Rosalie another note about you. Let’s see how inconspicuous you’ll be once your secret identity is broadcast to all the employees…and those red glasses are just plain goofy-looking.” He made a promise to himself. That smile will be back on your face tomorrow, Rosalie.

  Good intentions. That’s all it was…

  Pleased, he looked around for the girl and locked gazes with a pair of stunned brown eyes not more than six feet away.

  “David?”

  Oh, shit.

  He dropped to the floor and dashed-away. Now he stormed across Penrose’s roof. “Bright, David. Really bright.” He had spooked her. She’d report him to security. They’d check the cameras at night.

  Shit, again.

  David stood in a funk. Rosalie was on guard now. He couldn’t search Penrose’s unnoticed during the day and continued to have no luck at night. He rubbed his weary eyes. The frustrating search wore him down, and the link g Cnd durrew fainter every day.

  Maybe he should talk to the girl. He could apologize for upsetting her and explain his mission. Rosalie knew the store. She could tell if something was altered or moved. If he explained about The Book and the importance to all of humanity…

  David groaned. “She’ll call the cops or the nearest loony bin. Either way, I’m so screwed.” He squared his shoulders. “Suck it up, David. She’s your last chance to find The Book.”

  Her address wasn’t hard to track down. He dashed-away into her car and pulled out the registration. The big question concerned the best method of approach. David sighed. Talking to girls had never been his strong suit. For a moment he wished Billy was with him. The hellhound would come up with a good line. Not that Billy needed one. When you’re six foot three and built like a man-god, talking was largely unnecessary.

  Perhaps if he came bearing gifts?

  David found Rosalie’s apartment and used the last of his cash to purchase Chinese take-out from a restaurant called the Golden Palace across the street. He waited inside and watched out the window while practicing lines.

  “Hi, Rosalie. I’m not a stalker.” Oh, God.

  “We’re all in terrible danger.” Seriously?

  “I know Santa.” Shit.

  Rosalie parked her car and entered the apartment building. David bucked up his courage, picked up the take-out bag, and followed her inside.

  ****

  Grace looked up as Sadhri entered the room. “Anything?” she asked the shiva.

  “Not much. If anybody knows squat about the theft, they’re not talking. How about you?”

  “The same, except I discovered one curious little tidbit. Dominic made the rounds of the lower level demons.”

  “Interesting. He’s supposed to keep in touch with his constituents, of course. Not that he cares about anyone who doesn’t use their powers to draw a six-figure salary.”

  “He met with Latisha last week.”

  “Really? Dominic never had any use for the Fury before.”

  “I need to find out what changed.” Grace grabbed her handbag. “I already called. She’s expecting us in her office.”

  The head of
the clan fury worked as an investigator for the Office of Domestic Violence in the Department of Social Services in New York. Latisha had a cramped cubby up on the third floor. She was on the phone when they arrived and motioned them to sit. “I got it,” she barked into the receiver while scribbling furiously on a pad. “I’ll chat with him. Don’t worry, Angie. I guarantee he won’t show up there again… No, don’t call the police. I’ll take care of it…Uh-huh…You’re welcome… Goodbye.” She hung up the phone.

  “Problems?” asked Grace kindly.

  “Not for long. My client’s ex-boyfriend tracked her down and threatened to kill her if she didn’t come back. He and I will have a word.” For an instant, the woman’s delicately manicured fingernails lengthened into razor sharp talons before Latisha forced her emotions under control. “What may I do for you two ladies?”

  Grace dropped her voice. “You know what happened, of course.”

  Latisha’s voice went from cold to compassionate. “Of course, I’m so sorry. What they did to Brian is awful.”

  “Thank you. Latisha, I think something else is going on.”

  “Like what?”

  “I heard you met with the Baal.”

  “You wonder what Mr. Personality wanted with a low level demon like me.”

  “I mean no disrespect, Fury.”

  “None taken. You and Brian always treat everyone square. I swear Dominic’s uncle, the previous head of the baal clan, never speaks to anyone who isn’t a golfing buddy.” She furrowed her brow. “The meeting was odd, actually. Dominic is supposed to keep tabs on the demon population, but this is the first time he ever called me in to ask about the other furies—are they satisfied with how things are handled…that sort of thing.”

  “Is that all he wanted?”

  “Yup. Like I care about politics,” she snorted. “I think he’s all bent out of shape because of talk again about putting a human warden on the council. Now that I think about it, maybe he wanted my opinion.”

  Grace’s eyes shot open. “A human warden? This is the first I heard about it.”