Bylines & Skylines (An Avery Shaw Mystery Book 9) (11 page)

“I guess that’s a possibility,” Sandy said. “I can’t help but feel as if it’s something else, though. Before you ask, I have no idea what that something else would be. She just … didn’t fit in here, yet she refused to leave. That’s all I can tell you.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, smiling. “Thank you for your time.”

“Don’t mention it,” Sandy said. “I love seeing a strong woman in the real world rather than playing one for everyone else to ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ over. I can tell you’re strong.”

“How do you know that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Because this one is terrified of you,” she said, jerking her thumb in Marvin’s direction. “Also, that one over there is supposed to be working, but he can’t stop staring at you.”

I glanced over my shoulder in the direction Sandy indicated and found Eliot watching me. He had a thoughtful expression on his face. “That’s my boyfriend. He’s running security.”

“Well, you’re lucky,” Sandy said. “He loves you for who you are. Here, people only care because they think you’re someone else. What you have is refreshing.”

I’d never thought about it that way before. “Thank you again.”

“No problem.”

I moved to leave Sandy but Marvin was reticent to follow. I shot him a probing look. “What are you doing?”

Marvin held up a finger to still me and remained focused on Sandy. “So where did we land on you telling me where the lesbians hang out?”

Oh, good grief!

“
D
id you get it
?”

“I got it,” Fish said. I could hear him typing on his computer keyboard on the other end of the phone call. “Where is the story on the fan day for the convention?”

“Marvin is in charge of that,” I replied, scowling. “It’s all going to be quotes from big-breasted women. I hope you’re aware of that.”

“There’s nothing wrong with his approach,” Fish said, and I could practically see him grinning like a madman. “He got photos, right?”

“You are a sick man.”

“I’m also your boss,” Fish reminded me. “What are the highlights on this?”

“The sheriff’s department is being tightlipped,” I answered. “We know she was strangled and stabbed in the throat. If I had to guess, the manual strangulation didn’t go as fast as the killer wanted, but Jake isn’t confirming that.”

“I’ve been monitoring the other websites and you have a lot more than anyone else,” Fish said. “How did you wrangle that?”

“Jake refused to release the name of the victim until his conference but Marvin somehow got it,” I explained. “I’m still not sure how he did it. He thought he was hitting on a female Klingon and it turned out to be a man and … .”

Fish cleared his throat to interrupt me. “Stop right there. You’re going to make my head explode.”

“Do you even know what a Klingon is?”

“No, but I’m sure it’s an alien or something,” Fish said. “I don’t care for the specifics – especially if it involves body parts where they’re not supposed to be. As long as Potts gets the story, I don’t care how he got it. Since you had a head start on everyone else, that allowed you to question people early. Does Sheriff Farrell know?”

“He knows,” I said. “He was there when Marvin delivered the information. He wasn’t happy … but he’ll live.”

“Yes, well, he has a soft spot for you, too,” Fish said. “That always helps. How much longer does that thing go on?”

“It’s shutting down right now,” I answered. “Eliot is allowing Marvin to file his story from here – although I have no idea where Marvin is, so I’m not sure if he’s already working on it or still working on picking up his tongue from the floor – but they’re clearing everyone else out.”

“And your world-class manipulation skills win out again,” Fish intoned. “I don’t know why anyone ever underestimates you.”

“I don’t know either,” I said. “It’s a complete waste of time.”

“And you humility knows no bounds,” Fish said, chuckling. “You’re such a catch for that poor Eliot guy. You’re lucky to have him … and he might be stupid for having you.”

“Hey! He’s lucky to have me.”

“Who is lucky to have you?” Eliot asked, taking me by surprise when he walked into the office. His eyes were keen when they locked with mine. “Who are you talking to?”

“I’m just checking to make sure Fish got my story.”

“Uh-huh.” Eliot didn’t look convinced. “Who were you talking about?”

I had a choice. I could lie and pretend he misheard us or own up to the discussion. It’s not as though he’d be angry. It might expand his ego a bit – which I didn’t want to deal with – but it wasn’t the end of the world to be caught talking about my boyfriend. It would be the right thing to tell the truth. “I was talking about Marvin,” I said, making my decision on the spot. “I was explaining that he was lucky to have me explaining all of this convention stuff to him because otherwise he’d be lost.”

“That poor bastard,” Fish clucked. “You’re lying to him and he treats you like a queen.”

“I’m not lying to him!” I realized my mistake too late. Eliot stared at me, his expression expectant as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Crap. You’re the worst boss ever sometimes. You know that, right?”

“I’m having it etched on my tombstone,” Fish replied. “Tell Marvin to file his story as soon as possible. If I have any questions on yours, I’ll call you. Make sure you stop in the office tomorrow morning so we can make a plan of attack. Don’t go straight to the convention.”

“You said I could coordinate the coverage.”

“Yes, but I need to coordinate you because you’re power hungry and crazy at times,” Fish said. “Don’t make me regret putting you in charge.”

I had a feeling he already regretted it. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I blew out a weary sigh as I disconnected. Eliot remained exactly where he was, his eyes contemplative as he studied me. “What?”

“What were you talking about with Fish?” Eliot asked. “I know it wasn’t about Marvin. Your inability to think before you speak is a great benefit sometimes. I might’ve believed that Marvin lie if you hadn’t blown up when Fish called you on it.”

“Yes, well, I’m not great under pressure,” I grumbled. “I fumble faster than a Detroit Lions wide receiver.”

Eliot grinned. “That was cute, but I’m not letting you get away with it. Tell me what you were talking about.”

“Fish just said I was lucky to have you because you gave me an office to work out of and saved me time,” I explained. “I said you were lucky to have me, too.”

“I am lucky to have you,” Eliot confirmed. “You’re a real pain in the butt sometimes – heck, you’re a real piece of work half the time – but I’m happy you’re you at the end of the day. Was that really all you were talking about?”

I nodded.

“Then why lie?” Eliot pressed. “You could’ve told me that. I would’ve been happy to hear it and there’d be no reason to cover your tracks … unless … are you still angry about earlier?”

“I am not angry about that,” I said, hating how shrill my voice sounded. “I was just … putting on a show for everyone’s benefit. You’re the one who benefitted most, of course.”

“Yes, I feel privileged,” Eliot deadpanned. “I wasn’t checking her out.”

“You were so.”

“Fine, I was checking her out a little,” Eliot conceded. “It wasn’t a lot, though. I have no interest in a
Star Trek
nurse. I prefer a
Star Wars
geek.”

I didn’t want to smile, but I couldn’t help myself. “I’m not angry. I was just … miffed.”

“Ooh, cute word,” Eliot said. “I think you were a little more than miffed, but I’m going to make it up to you, so everything will be fine.”

I was intrigued. “You’re going to make it up to me? How?”

“It’s a surprise,” Eliot said, his smile mischievous. “You have to stay here while I clean this place out, though. Don’t get in any trouble.”

“The surprise involves this place?”

“Yes,” Eliot said, nodding. “I’ll make sure the place is empty and locked down and then come back for you. Do you need anything to entertain yourself until then?”

“Just a slush and a magazine … and maybe a naked dance.”

“Consider it done.”

“Oh, and can you find Marvin and make sure he’s not molesting an alien?”

“He’s still here?” Eliot didn’t look thrilled with the task. “I’m on it, but now you’re going to have to do something later to make it up to me, too.”

“Does it involve nudity?”

Eliot snorted. “It involves … being you. Give me fifteen minutes and then I’ll make all of your dreams come true.”

“I don’t know if that’s possible,” I said. “I have big dreams.”

“And we’re going to tackle them together,” Eliot said. “I just need fifteen minutes. Time me.”

“
I
CAN’T
believe
you did this.”

I’m not a person who is easily touched. In fact, a lot of the schmaltzy things I see on television and in movies irritate me to no end. Take the end of
Titanic
, for example. Everyone else thinks it’s so romantic that Jack sits there and holds Rose’s hand so she’s not alone while he freezes to death. Me? I want him to smack her so she’ll make room on the piece of wood. I mean … how selfish can you get? When I’m marveling at the selfishness of others, well, let’s just say it’s mind-boggling.

“It’s not a big deal,” Eliot said, his cheeks turning crimson in the limited light of the now-closed convention center. “It’s just a picnic.”

It was a big deal to me. He wasn’t good when I gushed and I wasn’t good about gushing. I sat down on the simple blanket he set out on the planetarium’s floor and grinned. Because the convention was held at the college, they already had a room in use for a planetarium. Eliot had cleared out the convention center and then set up a picnic in the planetarium – complete with rotating planets – and surprised me when he finally came to the office to get me.

“Holy crap!” I gasped when I realized this wasn’t an ordinary planetarium program. “Those are
Star Wars
planets. I recognize them from those glasses I bought for when we have a new bar.”

“I know,” Eliot said, grinning. “When I heard they were switching it over, I knew you had to see it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.”

“Good point,” I said, my interest piqued when he settled on the blanket next to me and opened the small picnic basket. “What did you get?”

“Well, one of my favorite things about you is that you’re not picky about food,” Eliot said. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, you like things a certain way. You always order the exact same breakfast, for example. You’re not someone who needs sugar-free … or gluten-free … or vegan offerings. You’re happy with the simple things.”

“Which is why I settled for you,” I teased, worrying briefly I’d taken it too far, but Eliot appeared happy with the joke.

“Exactly,” Eliot said, kissing my cheek. “I give you hot dogs, onion rings, elephant ears, a slush and … chocolate cake for dessert.”

I giggled at his dramatic flair, even as my stomach growled in anticipation. “This is the best picnic ever.”

“I thought you’d like it,” Eliot said. “I charmed the girl at the food booth into keeping it warm for me.”

“You charmed her?”

“Oh, don’t make this a thing,” Eliot muttered. “I’m trying to have a relaxing evening.”

“I’m not going to make it a thing,” I said. “I just … Fish is right.” I changed course mid-thought. “I am lucky to have you.”

“Oh, geez.” Eliot pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “You’re so weird sometimes. There are days I’m afraid your ego is so big it won’t fit through the front door. Then you have strange bouts of self-doubt.”

“Just part of the joy of living with me?”

“I guess so,” Eliot said, placing the container of onion rings on the blanket between us. “We’ll both eat them so we won’t care if our breath stinks.”

“Awesome,” I said, grabbing an onion ring. “You outdid yourself.”

“I kind of felt as if I owed you,” Eliot admitted, selecting his own onion ring. “I think I might’ve embarrassed you earlier … or somehow made you feel bad.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” I said, waving off his concern. “I overreacted. Marvin thinks it’s because everything is moving so fast and I’m panicking.”

Eliot arched an eyebrow, surprised by my admission. “What do you think?”

“I’d like to think I’m better than that, but we both know I’m prone to histrionic fits,” I replied. “I just … I don’t feel as if I’m panicking. Marvin has a point, though. I overreact and you talk me off a ledge. That’s how it’s been for months.”

“And are you okay with that?”

“I don’t see why I wouldn’t be okay with that.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m excited about moving in together, but I’m terrified that as soon as we do you’re going to change your mind. I don’t know why I feel that way, but … I can’t help myself. I have no idea why you put up with me.”

Eliot pursed his lips as he tilted his head to the side, his expression serious. “I don’t want you worrying about things like that,” he said finally. “That’s not going to happen. I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time. I didn’t tell you earlier because I thought you might panic, and that was the last thing I wanted.

“The truth is, I’m happy,” he continued. “I like that you’re off-center and you never think before you speak. Sure, I wish you’d stay out of trouble and occasionally look at someone as a threat instead of a challenge, but those are things I can live with. I’m pretty sure I’ve somehow become addicted to you and can’t live without you … so I’m not leaving.”

“That’s probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“Have half of my onion ring,” Eliot said, breaking a large one in half. “Now I said something even sweeter.”

His joke had the desired effect and I couldn’t stop myself from chortling. “For what it’s worth, I don’t mean to be obnoxious all of the time,” I said, momentarily sobering. “It’s only intentional maybe fifty percent of the time.”

“I know that.”

“I’ll try to keep myself from panicking.”

“I’ll be there when you panic,” Eliot said. “I don’t care about the panicking. I expect it.”

“I really am lucky to have you.”

“You are,” Eliot agreed. “As payment, you have to promise to tell your mother we’re moving in together at this week’s family dinner. I can’t take living in limbo like this.”

I stilled. “Um … .”

“Avery.” Eliot’s voice was low and full of warning. “It has to be done.”

“You said you would do it,” I protested.

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Eliot cast me a challenging look, practically daring me to argue with him. “I’m doing it this Friday, though. If she freaks out … well … we’ll live with it. She might surprise you and take it well.”

“She won’t surprise me.”

“Why not?”

“She’s set in her ways.”

“So are you,” Eliot pointed out. “You still manage to surprise me all of the time. Today, for example, you surprised me when you said you were worrying about panicking. The old you never would’ve admitted anything of the sort.”

“That doesn’t mean my mother is going to somehow get a personality transplant between now and Friday,” I argued.

“No, but she wants you to be happy,” Eliot said. “She’s a pain in the ass and a total bully – you had to get it from somewhere – but she still wants you to be happy.”

I was pretty sure that was an insult. “When she yells and screams, I’m going to say ‘I told you so.’”

“I can live with that.”

We lapsed into comfortable silence for a few moments and then I leaned over and kissed his cheek, leaving a trace of crumbs from the fried onion ring batter. “Thank you for telling her.”