Can't Keep a Brunette Down (32 page)

"Bad guy," Marion corrected. "Gilda thinks there's only one killer."

Mick sat in the chair across the desk from Thayer and stared him down. "And we think she's right. There may only be one killer, but he might have an accomplice."

Gilda held back and kept her mouth shut. She'd been inside the police station too many times this month alone.

"I see." Thayer didn't appear convinced. "Do you think I'll believe whatever you have to say? I have evidence against both Mick and Razi. Either one of you could've killed those black belts. In fact, you both could have done it. You both have things to gain with the others gone."

"Like what?" Mick asked. "I have more to lose than I have to gain."

"In reality," Thayer said, "all you have to do is knock off Yoshida—and you own it all."

Mick folded his arms across his chest. "If that were the case, his would've been the first body found, and I would've shut down the school and disappeared weeks ago."

Even if the school closed, Mick would make a living flipping houses and betting on ponies. He and Razi would train elsewhere. Gilda had the most to lose: her job, her house, and her pride. She'd either end up working for Happy, selling booze in his store, or leaving town to move in with her mother.

"Gilda, you look like you have something to say," Fabio said.

"Nope, I'm good." She blinked away her tears.

Marion put her hands on her hips. "Seriously? You don't think Gilda would kill those men, do you? She'd never hurt anyone. Well, except Thayer, and that was fun to watch."

A small smile lit Mick's face, and he bowed his head.

Gilda put her hands on her hips. "Not that I want to be pegged as a murderer, but I'm not as sweet and innocent as everyone around here seems to think."

Thayer grinned. "Yeah, we know. I'm the one who caught Mick in your house wearing nothing but underwear, remember."

"Wait a sec. I never heard about that." Marion's eyes widened, and she gasped. "Gilda, honey, you and I need to have a long chat over that bottle of wine later."

Fabio doubled over laughing. "This sounds like a story I'd like to hear too."

"No, you don't," Mick said. "Either of you."

"Perhaps we should allow the ladies to leave." Razi didn't bother to hide his smile. "Sensei Mick and I have all the information and evidence we need to convince the officers."

"Works for me." Gilda scowled. "Come on, Marion. Let's go get that wine. There are so many stories I have to tell you."

Mick lunged for her so fast he knocked over both chairs in front of Thayer's desk. He wrapped his fingers around her bicep. "Don't you dare."

"Let me go, or I'll scream." She lowered her voice.

"What do you want, Gilda?" Mick asked. "Are you expecting me to bribe you? I can't give you a raise if we go out of business, you know."

"I don't want a raise. I already quit. I just want out." Tears rolled down her face in a steady stream she couldn't wipe away fast enough. "I'm tired of finding bodies. I already have nightmares about finding you and Razi dead under the shrine."

Mick cradled her face in his hands. "You're exhausted."

"Of course I am." She nudged him away. "I'm exhausted, I'm scared, and I've quit so many times this week alone, I've lost count."

"Then go home, babe." Mick tried to give her a hug. "I'll call you later."

"No." Gilda pried his fingers from her arm and pushed harder. "Don't call me. Don't text me. Don't include me in your stupid meetings. I'm done. You can deal with Yoshida and the police all on your own. I quit." Sobbing, she headed for the door.

"Razi, give Thayer the papers," Mick said. "I'll be right back."

"Just let her go, Mick," Marion said. "She needs time to cool down."

"Alone with you? Oh, I'm sure that'll help." He followed them out of the station into the sunshine, leaving Razi with Thayer. "I just need to talk to her."

Gilda sighed and wiped her face. "Marion, go to Happy's and pick out a bottle of wine. I'll be right there."

"But what if Mick—"

"It's okay. He won't try anything." Gilda wiped away the last of her tears. "He could've already killed me more times than you know, and didn't."

Marion backed away, keeping one wary eye on Mick while she headed to Happy Harvey's Hangover Hut. "Okay, but if you don't show up in five minutes, I'm coming after his sorry hide."

"Ten minutes," Mick said.

"Five. Starting now. Talk fast." Marion tapped the face of her watch then disappeared through the front door.

"You heard the lady." Gilda folded her arms over her stomach. "Talk fast."

"There aren't many people who scare me, but she's definitely one of them," Mick said. "Why the need for a bodyguard when you're a green belt?"

"Because she's my best friend, and she wants to help." Gilda avoided his gaze, afraid her resolve to quit her job and stay away from him would crumble. "She's also been involved since I found Walter's body."

"Look, Sherlock, she's right about one thing," he said. "You should go home, have a glass of wine, and lie low. Razi and I will handle things."

She winced. "Things. You mean the cops and Yoshida. Why did you want me to meet you at the café then drag me to the police station if you don't want me involved?"

"Because I'm selfish." Mick sighed. "You were right. You quit, and I need to respect that. You're safer staying away from me."

Was he trying his hand at reverse psychology, or being honest? She searched his face for any sign he was toying with her but found none.

"Then I'm leaving. I'll be at home." She didn't bother to add
if you need me
. The last thing she wanted was for him to need her.

He hugged her hard. "Stay safe, Sherlock. I'll be at the school if you change your mind. If you want to train or talk. Whatever."

When Marion emerged from Happy's with a paper bag, Gilda left Mick alone in front of the police station and followed her to the nearby Chinese restaurant for takeout. Fifteen minutes later, they carried containers of sesame chicken, fried rice, egg rolls, and beef with broccoli back to Gilda's and poured large glasses of wine.

After a large gulp of wine, Marion blurted out, "Okay, now I want details, lady. You kissed Mick before today and never told me."

Gilda didn't bother playing dumb. "Yes."

"What were you thinking?" she asked. "Never mind. I know what you were thinking. Just tell me everything."

"We went for a swim late one night." The wine steadied her hands but not her nerves.

"How romantic." Marion wiggled into a more comfortable position.

"Not really. He was walking me home after…" She hesitated. "After a staff meeting, we took a walk along the beach."

"Anything that involves that man wet and naked sounds romantic. You were naked, right?" Marion asked. "You couldn't have had bathing suits unless you planned to go there ahead of time."

Gilda squirmed. "The meeting was in Razi's hot tub."

"So Mick planned ahead." She burst out laughing. "Are you kidding me? Why didn't you call me? I like a man with a hot tub as much as the next girl."

The chicken was sweet and crunchy. Gilda tried to focus on the flavors rather than her discomfort. "I didn't know where we were going until we got there. For all I knew, Mick and the others were setting me up."

"Others?" Marion's eyes widened as she leaned closer. "Was this before the murders?"

"After Erik's."

"Oh, wow." She fanned her face and took a long sip of wine. "Was that the same night as Mick running around your house in his underwear?"

"No."

Marion whooped and fell back against the couch. "Mick was in your house wearing his skivvies, and Thayer caught him? He's probably so jealous he can't focus on the case. I can't believe the poor sap's still in love with you. He's not very good at taking a hint, is he?"

"He wants to get back together because he says we were a good team." Gilda sighed, warm from the wine and the spices in the food. "I wish you could've seen his face when he saw Mick half-naked in my hallway."

"Wait. Mick wasn't in your bedroom?" Marion asked.

"Not at that point. You want the whole story?" Gilda set her food aside. "The other morning, I woke up with Mick lying beside me in my bed. He was hiding from Chloe, who kicked him out of his condo and changed the locks. And from Gary, whom he owes a lot of money to because Chloe made a bogus bet in his name. And from the killer who wants the black belts dead."

Marion's mouth dropped open. "You woke up with Mick Williams in your bed, and you didn't do anything about it?"

She winced. "I kicked him out."

"Honey, that man is hot." Both of her eyebrows shot upward. "Are you nuts?"

Gilda sipped her wine. Apparently, she was.

"I thought I was seeing things at first, but I saw the way he looked at you in the café today," Marion said. "Mick is crazy about you. He doesn't want you around to get hurt, but he doesn't want to let you go either. That's why he won't let you quit and won't let you go. You're more than just some boring old receptionist."

Gilda's phone buzzed. Mick.
You ok?
Less than a minute later, another text.
Call me when she leaves. We need to talk.

"Is that Mick?" Marion asked. "Text him back. You need to tell me if it's juicy though."

Five more texts in the next two minutes to say he wanted her to meet him the next day. She guessed he either wanted a distraction or ideas of what they needed to do about Yoshida. Mostly, it seemed he wanted to spend time with her.

She punched him up on speed dial on the way to the kitchen, her fingers too clumsy from the wine to text back. "I'm drinking wine with Marion. Copious amounts of wine. I'm not going anywhere tonight. As a matter of fact, I'm never setting foot in the school again."

"You don't mean that," Mick said. "You're still just mad."

Gilda huffed. "Darn right I'm mad. You and Razi treat me like a little kid even though I'm the one who put all the clues together."

"Either you're in or you're out. Are you quitting, or do you want to help us solve our friends' murders?" he asked.

He had a good point. She'd quit her job then showed up at the school anyway. She'd kicked Mick in the groin then sent him mixed signals. While she was determined to avoid Mick, Razi, and the police, they'd all encircled her like beefy, egotistical planets.

Mick broke the silence. "We need to pull together to stop Yoshida. Help me catch him, and I'll make sure you and your job are safe."

Gilda leaned against the cupboard, no longer able to keep the tears at bay. "You'd want to keep the school going in spite of everything?"

"Yes, but I can't do it without you and Razi," he said. "Don't you want to keep your job at the school with me?"

"No. How many times do I need to quit before you get that?" She threw up her hands. "You're just as dense as Thayer."

"At least thirty more before I'll actually believe you." He chuckled. "I have to make some calls tomorrow morning, and then we can work out or go for a run. Meet me at the school at ten."

She hung up and bowed her head to hide her tears. "Please tell me you're not still living in the school."

"My condo. Chloe gave the keys back, and I changed the locks."

"We need refills. Are you okay?" Marion paused in the doorway with both wineglasses. "I was right, wasn't I? He's crazy about you. Did he profess his undying love to you?"

"Worse," Gilda said as she hung up. "He wants me to meet him tomorrow. How am I supposed to train or go for a run when I have a nasty hangover? He's such a jerk."

"Sounds like that's an actual option." As Marion topped off their glasses, she sang, "Mick loves Gilda. Mick loves Gilda."

"You say that like it's a good thing." Gilda grimaced.

"Oh, give the guy a chance. Go with him tomorrow and see what he wants."

Gilda reached for the wine bottle. "What if I do, and he's the next to die?"

Marion shrugged. "At least after what happened in the police station today, Thayer still won't suspect you."

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

 

Gilda woke that morning with her phone clutched in one hand. The screen showed she'd received four texts in a row from Mick in the past ten minutes. She buried her head beneath the pillow while her phone chimed three more times. When she still didn't reply, he called.

She grabbed the phone and snapped, "Go away."

"Meet me at the school," he said.

"Why?" She pulled the blankets over her head but kept the phone to her ear.

"Because you and I both need to vent. We could spar or go for a run or something."

Gilda rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, afraid of what "or something" meant. "I vented last night."

"I meant physically," Mick said.

The way he said it sent a pleasant chill over her body. Within seconds, her entire torso tingled. She hung up and burrowed beneath all the blankets and pulled the pillow over her head. Again, the phone rang.

"Gilda? Are you sure you're okay?" Mick asked.

She huffed. "I don't want to talk to you. Stop calling me."

"Then come to my place. We don't have to talk if you don't want to."

More shivers. What was he trying to do to her? She hung up again.

When he called the third time, he didn't give her a chance to speak. "What is wrong with you, lady? Get your sorry butt over to the school, or I'll knock your door down, throw you over my shoulder, and haul you out like a caveman." This time he disconnected first.

She let off a string of expletives. "He is such a jerk."

All the way over to the school, Gilda's head pounded, and her eyes throbbed behind her sunglasses. Her feeble attempt to keep up with Marion drink for drink last night hadn't paid off. She needed a vat of coffee far more than she wanted to train.

She tugged on the front door of the school, dismayed when it opened. After their earlier conversation, she prayed he'd invited other students as well, or things could get weird. From the lack of voices, she guessed she was the first student to arrive.

Either that or there was another dead body in the dojo.