Crazy About You (15 page)

Her turquoise eyes were huge and glassy, like her mind was far away. “You should probably stay away from me, before something happens to you, too.”

“Hey, what’s going on in that head of yours? Are you trying to scare me?” His tone was half-joking, his mind whirling to put together incongruous bits of information into some semblance of working narrative. He sorted through the facts.

Number one: the name Tony Lenzi set off warning bells in his head yesterday. Number two: Vito was Tony’s cousin. Number three: Vito visited Emma this morning with some sort of warning. Number four—and this was important—Vito washed up dead on the shore.

It didn’t add up to anything that made logical sense. Except that Emma was probably in way over her head.

Jim returned to his desk, juggling three cardboard cups. After placing them on the only clear space on the desk’s surface, he dug into his pocket. A handful of creamer and sugar packets plunked next to the coffees. “I didn’t know how you wanted your caffeine so I brought along the fixings. Help yourself.” He sat and grabbed one of the cups and three packets of sugar for himself.

Chase watched Emma stare at the steam swirling from the coffee, still lost in her own world. He nudged her elbow. “A warm drink might help.” He handed her one of the cups and watched her take a tentative sip. Some color returned to her cheeks, a good sign. He grabbed the last one for himself, and turned to look at Jim’s computer. “So do we have a picture yet?”

“Yep, and an arrest record a mile long.” Jim scrolled through a document on one side of his screen, while a Division of Motor Vehicles mug shot stared out from the left half.

Emma’s eyes fixed on the photograph. “That’s him. That’s the man I met this morning in front of the bead shop.”

“The driver’s license says Lorenzo, but the rap sheet says it’s an alias, one of many. His real name is Vito Lenzini.” Jim clicked to another page where Vito stared back at them from an actual mug shot, complete with a number board at the bottom. “He’s part of the Lenzini family, a crime syndicate based out of New York City. Arrested multiple times on suspicions of fraud, prostitution, drug charges, and racketeering. He’s done time for the drug offenses both in New York and Massachusetts, a few short stints here and there.”

The rest of the color drained from Emma’s face. “So they really are mobsters.”

Chase reached over and took the cardboard cup from her trembling hands before the hot coffee spilled in her lap. “It’s going to be okay.”

Her eyes filled with unshed tears. “How can it be okay? That man is dead because of me. Because I had lunch with you yesterday. God knows what’ll happen if he finds out about dinner!”

Both Jim and Chase stared, not understanding the connection. Chase asked, “If who finds out—Tony? Why does he care if he’s not your boyfriend?”

“Maybe we should start at the beginning.” Jim took out a fresh piece of paper to jot notes.

Chase listened in silence as Emma recounted a short but threatening conversation with Tony from the night before, and her run-in with Vito at the shop the following morning. He stroked his hand slowly along her arm, worrying at how cold her skin felt beneath his fingers, but glad she was allowing him to comfort her. Watching her tremble as she told her story kicked his protective instinct into high gear. They might have just met, but he wasn’t letting anyone hurt her.

The policeman asked a few clarifying questions but for the most part kept busy scribbling notes. When she finished, the officer turned back to his computer, banging on the keyboard. “Let’s see what the database can tell us about this Tony Lenzi character. If that’s his real name.”

She snorted. “Of course it’s his name, Jim. I’ve known him almost a year, worked with him on deals.”

Chase perked up at that. “What kind of deals?”

“Fundraising-type stuff for the mayor’s pet project, Eco Dawn.”

The name pricked something in the back of Chase’s mind but before he could put a finger on what bothered him, Jim gave a triumphant cry. “It’s his name, all right, and your friend’s got a rap sheet. Possession and boosting cars in his youth, bar fights and petty theft as he got older. Minor stuff for a gangster I guess, and no jail time to speak of.”

Shock registered on her face. “Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like the same Tony I know. He doesn’t act like a criminal, for goodness sake.”

Jim swiveled the monitor so they could see the mug shot on the split screen. Chase recognized the dark-haired New Yorker who’d stuffed money in his pocket to replace his cell phone. “That’s the guy,” he agreed.

Emma’s body stiffened. “Okay, so he’s been in bar fights. Having a police record doesn’t necessarily tie him to the drowning victim.”

“But it also might mean he’s more than an insurance agent,” Jim pointed out. “We know his cousin had ties to organized crime. What’s the Eco Dawn thing you said he’s helping with? Is it related to his work?”

She shook her head. “It’s an environmental initiative the mayor is promoting. Eco Dawn is a start-up company with new ideas on urban trash recycling. Tony has been helping me get donors on board as investors.”

Jim frowned. “Why would a gangster care about the environment?”

A shudder passed through Emma. Chase gave Jim a hard look. “She’s exhausted. Is there something more, or can I take her home?”

He pushed the chair away from his desk and stood. “Nah, I think that’s enough for now. Why don’t you get some sleep, Emma? I’ll be in touch tomorrow. Just don’t go leaving town.” He turned his steely gaze on Chase. “That goes for you as well, Dr. Anderson.”

Chase’s eyes widened. “But I have a boat booked for the morning, and plan to drive back to New York City after we dock.”

Jim shook his head slowly, not breaking eye contact. “Change those plans. We’ll need to see you both back here at the station later this morning, after we get the M.E.’s report.”

“What’s the Medical Examiner going to tell you that you don’t already know? The guy obviously drowned.” Chase knew his words sounded harsh, but he couldn’t help it. He had an important project to finish, a presentation for an international audience to prepare, and an intern with no sense of urgency. How could he trust Todd to finish the work alone? Impossible.

His glance landed on Emma, still fixated on Tony’s image staring back from the computer screen. She looked fragile and he felt his anger at the situation slip, replaced by that earlier protective sensation. Emma needed him right now. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, releasing the frustration as Jim’s words cut through his thoughts.

“I’m telling you not to leave town. Are we going to have a problem?”

The presentation wasn’t until September. The CDC already had the most critical of the information they’d gathered. Todd could handle a day alone on the water. Sometimes there were more important things in life than work. “No problem. We’ll be back here tomorrow morning.”

Jim dismissed him with a curt nod and turned to Emma, his demeanor shifting to big brother mode. “Listen, I know it’s a pain. But murder is serious. Until we know how the guy died or if your friend Tony had anything to do with it, it’s not safe for you to go back to New York.”

“Not safe?” Emma echoed the officer’s words, her eyebrows drawn together with a puzzled frown.

“At least until we know what we’re dealing with.”

She nodded, looking shell-shocked by his words, the reality of the situation still sinking in. A man was dead. She might be in danger. “How long?”

“We’ll know more later in the morning. Do you need a ride home?” He oozed more of that brotherly concern, and it was starting to get under Chase’s skin. The guy might remember Emma from high school, but damned if he was taking her home, even if it was only a ride in the squad car.

“I’ll make sure she gets home safely.” Chase took Emma’s hand and helped her to her feet. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

She nodded without saying a word, her face still pale. She followed him through the station and out the front door. The smell of salt laced the cool night breeze, the sky an even darker shade now that the moon had settled low on the horizon. Pinprick stars twinkled overhead, reminding Chase that the night had started with so much promise, before taking such a tragic turn.

Dead body on the beach. Friend who turns out to be a jealous mobster, and quite possibly a killer. His research put on indefinite hold. He blew out a breath and put his arm around Emma’s waist. She snuggled against him, and his heart clenched. At least one thing went right tonight. And he didn’t want to lose her.

Chapter Seventeen

Emma woke the next morning feeling like she’d been hit by a truck. Her head pounded a jackhammer beat, every muscle in her body aching from the combination of tension and lack of sleep. The few times she managed to doze off, the image of Vito’s corpse covered with scurrying crabs shocked her awake, leaving her gasping for breath.

She lay in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about Tony. He might be one of her best friends, but how well did she really know the guy? They’d met at her first fundraising event for the mayor’s office, soon after starting her new job. She couldn’t remember who brought him to the party, but they’d hit it off. Initially, she thought he was interested in dating her, but nothing remotely sexual ever happened between them. Ever. After she got to know him better, she thought she’d figured out the reason for that. His jealous rage this week confused the hell out of her.

A rumble of male voices drifted through the open window. She rose and looked down on the outside patio where her father and Chase sat at the picnic table with coffee mugs in-hand. She couldn’t make out their words and hoped Chase wasn’t getting the third degree, but smiled anyway, glad he agreed to stay in the downstairs guest room after he walked her home. His sizzling goodnight kiss almost weakened her resolve, but in the end she climbed the stairs and slept alone in her own bed.

The night had initially been headed in an entirely different direction. Heat pooled between her legs, remembering the way his kisses made her yearn to be even closer, the way his hand slid under her shirt to caress her bare skin, his fingers trailing fire in their wake, her nipples rock hard, straining against the silky fabric of her shirt, the way she wanted to push him down on the sand and find oblivion together under the stars…

And then the screaming started. That changed everything.

She slid open her closet and pulled out another of her old broomstick skirts from high school. Tiny mirrors sewn into the folds of the skirt reflected the sunshine coming in through the windows, sending shimmers of white light dancing across her bedroom walls. Slipping on a pale raspberry tank top with the logo of her favorite ice cream shop emblazoned across the front, she wondered what her dad thought of finding Chase at the house this early in the morning. In the same clothes he’d been wearing last night.

She headed downstairs, taking the steps two at a time. Poor Chase. She might have some explaining to do after all.

She stepped outside with a mug in one hand and a fresh pot of coffee in the other. “Good morning! Anyone need a refill?”

Her dad gave her an easy smile, the lines on his face not quite as deep as the night before. He didn’t look overly stressed about finding a strange man in his guest room. A good night’s sleep seemed to have done well by him. “Good morning, sleepyhead. I was hoping you’d be up before I leave.”

“Leave?” She topped off his coffee.

“I’m headed back to Boston with fresh clothes for your mother and brother, remember? In fact, I meant to leave earlier but wanted to make sure you were feeling okay before I hit the road.”

Chase sipped his coffee, staring at her over the rim of the mug, eyebrows raised. “I told your father about last night, and how shaken up you were.”

She braced herself for the onslaught of questions about her involvement with Vito and the inevitable I-told-you-so’s about her friend Tony being a mobster. Instead, he turned away, carrying his mug into the kitchen. She frowned, turning a questioning look to Chase. A shiver ran through her at the intensity she saw in his eyes, a fierceness she could almost feel. Was that emotion there for her, or caused by the situation?

She took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts away, realizing it was probably job-related and had nothing to do with her. He’d been so upset last night when Jim insisted he couldn’t leave town, not even to go out to sea. “Did you call Captain Wilbur?”

Chase nodded. “I did one better and went down to the wharf a few hours ago, right before dawn. Incredibly, Todd was there on time without a hangover and without my prodding. I explained and sent them out with detailed instructions. I think they’ll be able to finish mapping the area and gathering samples without me, but Todd knows to call if he has any questions.”

“Was Captain Wilbur…” She left the question unfinished as her father came outside, duffle bag in hand. She didn’t want to accuse his friend of drunkenness on the job after he’d recommended the other man to take his place.

Chase caught her meaning and nodded again. “Perfectly fine.”

Her father looked from one to the other, frowning. “Is something wrong with Wilbur?”

“No, Dad. I was afraid he might be feeling…under the weather,” Emma said, grasping for an explanation. “There’s a killer summer flu going around.”

He frowned. “It wasn’t summer flu that murdered a tourist, that’s for sure. Em, I’m not sure how you got mixed up in the investigation, but Chase here promises he’ll stick by your side. I don’t like to think of you here by yourself, but I can’t leave your mother up in Boston to deal with the doctors on her own.”

“Dad, I’ll be fine, no worries. Go take care of Mom and Sean.”

“Chase says he’s using the coolers at the Center for Coastal Studies to store the samples they collected yesterday. The two of you should head over to the CCS lab so he can get some work done while you wait for the M.E. report. He’s on a deadline, you know.”

Emma bristled at her father’s suggestion. “I know Chase has work to do, but I don’t need a babysitter. What about Mom’s shop? Her artist consignments?”