Fifty Recipes For Disaster Read online

  “I’m fine,” I assure him. “Thanks to you, all I had was a headache and a sore shoulder. I really appreciate you showing up, and I don’t mean to be rude, but I really do have to leave. There’s a problem with my financial aid, and I have a meeting with the Administration Board in less than an hour. If I miss it, I’ll lose my scholarship. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, you know that. I’m more than halfway through school. I have to finish. And to do that, I need them to reinstate my aid.”

  “What if you didn’t have to depend on the aid?”

  “That would be great, but that’s not going to happen. I promised Jenny that I’d help her get back on her feet. I signed a lease on our apartment three days ago. I’m going to have to work full time along with going to school or we’ll be out on the street in a matter of months.”

  “You could come work for me,” Paul suggests slowly. “Patrick put his notice in a few weeks ago. He’s opening his own restaurant, but he agreed to stay on until I find his replacement. You could take the job, I’ll pay you what I’ve been paying him. I won’t be out any extra money, and you can pay your tuition.”

  “I can’t very well be your full-time sous chef and get through school.”

  “Yes, you can. I’ll flex around your class schedule. I need to spend more time in the kitchen anyway.”

  I hesitated and looked at my phone again. There’s no way I can make it to the meeting on time. I should have left the apartment earlier, but Jenny’s still healing and needs so much attention right now. “I don’t know, Paul. With our history, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to work together. And with Chase working as your apprentice… things could get unnecessarily complicated.”

  “Look, I know we’re over. And I know that’s my fault. But I feel responsible for bringing Robbs into your life. If I hadn’t chosen him for that damn competition, none of this would have ever happened. I should have looked in to his background before letting him in to my kitchen. Let me make it right by helping you out. I promise I won’t try anything inappropriate. And if you and Chase want to be friends, I’ll stay out of your way.”

  This is a horrible idea. There’s no way this will end well. But what choice do I have? I have to keep a roof over our heads. And if I’m working at Fission, we can live comfortably instead of struggling week to week.

  I eye Paul carefully. “You never told me what you were doing in New York that night. How did you end up at my apartment at exactly the right time?”

  “Chase was at work when you called to tell him about Jenny. I overheard his side of the conversation, and I asked him to keep me updated. When he told me that Jenny was flying home a day before you, I got nervous. I didn’t like the idea of you being alone and vulnerable in the city. So I got on a plane and flew out to check on you. I got to your apartment and heard you and Robbs fighting on the other side of the door. So I kicked it in.”

  “If I come back to work for you, you have to promise not to hover over me. I appreciate you saving me that night, but it doesn’t give you a free pass to show up unannounced whenever you’d like.”

  “Understood, I’ll treat you like any other employee. I’ll always care about you, and I’ll always want you to be safe. But I know that I can’t watch over you twenty-four seven.”

  “All right,” I sigh. “When should I start?”

  “Come in at nine in the morning. Bring your class schedule, and we’ll figure out your work schedule around it. And bring me your tuition bill. I’ll take care of it up front and deduct a little from your check each week.”

  “Thank you, Paul.”

  “Like I said, it’s the least I can do. If I could go back in time and erase Robbs Martin from our lives, believe me I would. Do the cops have any leads on him yet?”

  I shake my head. “No, but that reminds me that I need to call Delco back. He left a message this morning. He said that they didn’t have any new leads on Robbs, but that there was something else he wanted to talk to me about.”

  “I hope everything’s all right. I’ll get out of your way, see you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be at Fission at nine. Thanks again. The job really will help me out.”

  “You’re welcome. I know you’ve got people in your corner, but I want you to know that I’m here for you if you need anything.”

  I give Paul an awkward hug goodbye and walk back into the apartment building. The elevator carries me to the third floor, and my phone chimes as the doors swing open. I look down and read the text.

  Kiara, it is vital that I speak with you ASAP. I’m not at the precinct so call me on my cell.

  I know I need to call Detective Delco back, but I just can’t bring myself to dial the number. Since Jenny and I have been back in Austin, we haven’t talked much about what happened in New York. I’ve enjoyed living in our bubble of denial, and I’m not quite ready to pop it. I decide that what I need is a hot bath and a long nap. I’ll wake up in a better, braver mood, and I’ll return Delco’s call then.

  ***

  “Okay, so if everything goes as planned, you’ll have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I can cover lunch and dinner shifts on those days. When will you know if the school’s accepting your transfer?” Paul asks. It’s nine-thirty, and I’ve been back at Fission for almost an hour.

  “I don’t know. With everything that’s going on with my scholarship, I forgot to put in the transfer request until yesterday. I called after I missed my meeting with the Admin Board. They rescheduled me for next week. The receptionist said we’d discuss my transfer then, so for now my schedule is completely open.”

  “I’m sure that the meeting is just a formality. You’ve had a rocky year, Kiara. They probably just want to check in and make sure that you’re getting your life in order. At the most, they’ll put you on academic probation. You’ll show them that you’re stable, and they’ll reinstate your aid.”

  “I hope you’re right. I know I’ve been a pain in their asses. First I bounced back and forth between campus and the apprenticeship. Then there was that god awful scene Robbs caused in New York. I really won’t blame them if they toss me out.”

  “Speaking of Robbs, have you heard anything from the cops?”

  “I still haven’t returned Delco’s call,” I confess. “After my nap yesterday, Jenny and I cooked dinner together and watched a movie. She was in a good mood, and I didn’t want to bring her down by mentioning New York.”

  “Kiara, you have to know what’s going on! Robbs could be on his way here right now! I insist that you call him back right now.”

  “Paul, you’re overstepping. We’ve talked about this. If I’m going to work here—”

  “I’m not overstepping. I’m being reasonable. Call Delco back, and I’ll go start prepping for the lunch rush.” He stands and makes his way to the door. “I have his card, Kiara. If you don’t call him, I will.”

  I pull out my cell as he leaves the office. Delco answers on the first ring.

  “Kiara, is everything okay?”

  “Yes, Jenny and I are fine,” I quickly assure him.

  “I’ve left you several messages. When you didn’t return my call, I got worried.”

  “I’m sorry, Detective Delco. We’ve been so busy getting settled in…”

  “It’s fine, Kiara. I know that you want to forget everything that happened here, but until Robbs is behind bars, I need you to keep in touch with me.”

  “I’ll do better,” I promise.

  “Listen, I called because the tech team finished processing your apartment. I’m afraid that they found something quite… concerning.”

  “What is it?” I ask, bracing myself for more bad news.

  “There were several small surveillance cameras hidden in the apartment. Robbs must have planted them there when he broke in the first time. They were cheaply made, low-range spy cams. He probably picked them up at Shaper Image or somewhere like that.”

  “You’re saying that Robbs was watching me for weeks?” I ask in dis
belief.

  “It seems so. We also found a camera in the lobby of your building. It was pointed right at the elevators. The bastard could have been in your apartment when I stopped by to get your things.”

  “Did you find anything that would suggest where he’s going next? Is there any chance he’s finally gotten discouraged and decided to disappear for good?”

  “There’s always that chance, but it’s miniscule. People like Robbs see obstacles as challenges, not detours. The harder we make this on him, the more he’ll want to prove himself. We didn’t find anything to suggest where he’s going next, but we have to assume that he’s on his way to Austin, if he isn’t there already.”

  “Jenny and I took an apartment across the hall from my friend Chase. Another neighbor works from home, so I think we’ll be safe there. Someone will always be watching.”

  “Since you’ve been back in Austin, have you noticed anything suspicious?”

  I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I haven’t seen anything, but I’m pretty sure that Robbs has interfered with my financial aid.” I tell Delco what’s happening at the college.

  “So they didn’t give you any indication of why your aid was revoked?”

  “No, they said that we’d discuss it at the meeting, but I wasn’t able to make it. They rescheduled me for next week. I’m not positive that Robbs was involved, I haven’t been the most dependable student lately. But I’ve kept my grade point up, and I did well on all of my exams.”

  “If your gut’s telling you that Robbs is behind it, you’re probably right,” he assures me. “I wish that there was something that I could do about your scholarship, but I’m afraid my hands are tied there.”

  “You’ve already done more than enough. If Robbs was behind it, he’ll be discredited as soon as he’s arrested. I’m at work right now. It’s my first day back, and I need to get off the phone, but I promise that I’ll keep in touch from now on.”

  “All right, Kiara. Call me if you need anything.”

  I end the call and stow my phone in my purse.

  The bastard was watching me. He saw me sleeping, changing clothes. God I hope there wasn’t a camera in the closet.

  Knowing that Robbs had an unfiltered view into my life is almost more than I can bear. I’ve never felt so violated, so exposed. I break into a cold sweat as I picture him hovering over a computer, watching my every move. I jump when I hear a knock on the door. It opens slowly and Paul peers into the office.

  “Is everything okay?” he asks, his voice full of concern.

  I quickly gather my composure. “Yes, everything’s fine. Delco just wanted to make sure that Jenny and I were getting settled. He doesn’t have any new leads on Robbs.”

  “He’ll slip up eventually and the police will find him,” Paul assures me. “And until then, we’ll keep you safe. Are you ready to get to work?”

  “Yes,” I reply honestly. With everything that’s going on in my head, work is exactly what I need to distract me.

  “Then I guess all that’s left to do is give this to you again,” Paul says with a smile. He opens the closet door and pulls out my chef’s jacket.

  “How many times have we passed this back and forth?”

  “I don’t like to think about that. Let’s just get to the kitchen and do what we do best.”

  ***

  Jenny sits at the kitchen table in her new apartment, studying job ads on the Internet. She’s felt helpless and depressed since she lost baby Maggie, but she knows that it’s time to start putting her life back together. Kiara has been great about paying rent and all of their deposits, but Jenny feels like a burden and is determined to help out.

  Jenny has had a lot of time to think about the mistakes she’s made and what she wants for her future. All she’s certain of is that she doesn’t want to be a chef anymore. Winning her spot in the apprenticeship competition was the worst thing that had ever happened to her. Jenny takes that as a sign that she is meant to do something else.

  Jenny’s first passion had always been theater, but her conservative parents hadn’t seen acting as a suitable career choice for their daughter. Culinary school had been a compromise. Cooking gave Jenny the artistic outlet she craved, and her parents thought it would be a great way for her to find a husband. They were certain that as soon as their daughter found the right man, she’d settle down and be a proper housewife.

  But when Jenny got pregnant out of wedlock, her parents had disowned her. There was nothing to stop her from following her dreams, but she had a long way to go before she’d be ready to break into the industry. She needed to take some refresher acting classes and put together a portfolio, not to mention the fact that Austin wasn’t the place to land any starring roles. Jenny would need to move to California or back to New York. And all of that would take money. As she considers the job ads in front of her, she’s startled by a noise at the window.

  Jenny jumps up from her seat and instinctively backs away from the window. She remembers that she’s on the third floor and cautiously approaches the glass and parts the curtains. The parking lot below her is dark, and she can’t find the course of the noise. She pushes her face to the glass to get a better look and jumps away when a rock bounces off the window.

  Jenny can’t see Robbs, but she knows that he’s there. She turns off all of the lights in the apartment and peeks out the living room window. Finally, she spots him. He’s standing close to the building, directly under the kitchen. Jenny grabs her cell phone, rushes out of the apartment, and knocks on Sherman’s door.

  “Jenny, are you okay?” he asks when he opens the door. His gray eyebrows furrow in concern on his mocha forehead.

  “I’m sorry, Sherman. Can I come in? Robbs is outside, or he was at least. He threw rocks at the window.”

  “He’s outside! Get in here, I’ll go take care of this.”

  “No! Please don’t leave me. I came here because I’m afraid to be alone. I’m calling 911, please just stay. He could get past you, or he could hurt you, and I’d be all alone. He’ll kill me, Sherman, please.”

  “Okay, okay, child,” Sherman answers soothingly. He steps back into his apartment and Jenny follows him. “I’m not going anywhere, and no one’s going to hurt you. Let’s call the police and then I’ll call Chase and Kiara.”

  “Thank you,” Jenny sobs. She collapses on Sherman’s couch and dials 911.

  Chapter Four

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Chase asks. We’ve just worked our first full day together in the Fission kitchen and it went better than I’d ever expected.

  “It was a blast. You’re really becoming a fantastic chef, Chase. I like working with you.”

  “I have to say, Paul was more pleasant than I expected him to be. Does he know that you and I…?”

  “He knows that we’re friends and that I care about you. And he knows that he and I are over. He doesn’t know that we slept together while I he and I were still dating.”

  “Yeah, I figured he was in the dark about that one or otherwise I wouldn’t have a job.”

  “I hope Paul doesn’t become a problem. I really need the sous chef salary right now, and I’d never be able to make this much anywhere else. I’m going to start looking for a car next week, so you don’t have to keep chauffeuring me around.”

  “I don’t mind at all. It’s easy since we work together. But I know you want your freedom back.” Chase pulls into the parking lot of our building. We round the corner and immediately spot blue lights bouncing off the windows.

  “Shit, what’s happened now!” I gasp. A single cop cruiser is parked in front of the entrance. Chase pulls up next to it, and I jump out of the car.

  “I’m Kiara Sands,” I tell the uniformed officer who’s standing next to the cruiser. “Has something happened to my roommate? Her name is Jenny Foster. We just moved in to the building. Is she the one who called you?”

  “Yes, Ms. Sands. My name is Officer Jones, and my partner Officer Marquez i
s upstairs with Ms. Foster. Robbs Martin paid her a visit this evening. He didn’t get into the building. He just bounced rocks off of the window. We see this type of thing a lot. I’m sure it’s just a harmless case of harassment, but we’ll keep an eye on the building tonight.”

  “A harmless case of harassment?” Chase demands. I turn to see that he’s parked the car and is moving to join us. “I thought that Detective Delco from the NYPD alerted you all about Robbs. He’s tried to kill both of the girls, Officer. There’s nothing harmless about him.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr…?”

  “Chase Abbott,” Chase replies, extending his hand.

  Officer Jones accepts it and gives him a firm shake. “I’m sorry, Mr. Abbott, I’m unaware of the history of the case. We responded to the 911 call because we were in the area. My partner went upstairs to take statements. Since Mr. Martin had caused trouble in the parking lot, we decided I’d stay here and keep a lookout in case he comes back.”

  “You think that he’ll come near the place if he sees those lights flashing?” Chase asks impatiently.

  “No, I don’t, Mr. Abbott. That’s why the lights are flashing, to keep him away. Once Marquez finishes up with the statements, we’ll go back to the precinct and file the official report. We’ll review the information from the NYPD and get back with you as soon as we have a plan on approaching the case. Your restraining orders against Mr. Martin did pop up on the cruiser’s laptop, so we’ll charge him with violations.”

  “Thank you, Officer Jones. If it’s all right, I’d like to go check on Jenny now.”

  “Of course, Ms. Sands, here’s my card. It has Officer Marquez’s number listed as well. We patrol this neighborhood regularly, so if Mr. Martin makes another appearance, give us a call.”

  “Thank you,” Chase tells him. He opens the door for me, and I race into the apartment building. I don’t have the patience to wait for the elevator so I bound up the staircase with Chase trailing behind. I reach the third floor landing and find Jenny in the hallway with Officer Marquez.