Mission to Murder (17 page)

And if there had been something worse than breaking into The Castle grounds for an after-school party, Sadie would make Nick do the right thing and confess. There wouldn’t be any hiding behind lawyers. Nick would tell the police everything. I hoped his good sense had kept him from ruining a perfectly good life.

When I reached the house, I set my sandwich on the table, let Emma out, and picked up the phone. The kid needed a friend.

“Jimmy Marcum’s office,” a cheery receptionist answered.

A few hours later, my phone rang. I didn’t even look at the display. Greg would be hot because I hired Jimmy. I might as well face the music.

“Grab your purse and come with me.” Aunt Jackie’s voice surprised me.

I turned off the television. “Where are you?”

“In your driveway. Come on, I found out where Craig’s crate is stored.”

I stood and opened the front door. My aunt waved at me from her open window. “Come on,” she said into the phone.

I held up a finger, then let Emma outside, tucked my camera into my purse, and locked up the house.

When we’d reached the highway, I asked, “So, who told you about Craig’s crate?”

“Brenda was in the shop last night.” Jackie whipped the sedan around a slow-moving truck that had been going the speed limit. I gripped the door handle. “The girl talks up a blue streak when you let her.”

I watched out the window, thinking about how calm the ocean looked today, knowing under the smooth surface a whole ’nother world existed. Just like small towns. “I’m thinking it’s probably locked.”

“There’s a hidden key, according to Brenda. Or at least there was one. She kept one just in case so she didn’t have to drive back to South Cove if she forgot to grab Craig’s when he sent her for items.” Jackie grinned. “People like to tell me things. They think I’m like a bartender, advice central.”

We listened to Jackie’s all-Sinatra, all-the-time station, and by the time we’d arrived, even I was feeling mellow. Frank could do that to a girl. We parked near the harbor and headed toward the docks. Shipping containers sat in a fenced area, a guard station at the gate. I raised an eyebrow, but Jackie approached the security guard without any hesitation.

“Crate four-five-nine. We’ll be fast.” She smiled and waved at me. “Or we will be if my niece will stop dawdling. You’d think she’d never visited a shipping yard before.”

“Sounds like you know where you’re going, then.” The security guard tapped his baseball cap and then went back into his shed. I heard the televised voices of sports announcers talking about the upcoming baseball game that evening.

“You are amazing,” I whispered as we got out of hearing distance.

Jackie grinned at me. “Look like you’re supposed to be somewhere, and everyone leaves you alone. How do you think I get into all the best parties, by invite?”

I was learning more and more about my aunt. Some things I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

Finally we found the correct crate. Jackie looked around the dusty metal container as long as a long-haul truck body. She picked up several rocks, abandoning them one after another, then slid a key out of the bottom of the last one. “And you doubted me.”

We unlocked the door, and I cringed at the loud creak. Jackie pulled a flashlight out of her Dooney & Bourke tote. She clicked it on and the beam illuminated the dark crate. Piles of furniture, tapestries, and oil paintings in frames. Antiques. Just like you’d expect to find in a collector’s crate.

Walking through the narrow walkway, I reached out to touch a tapestry, only to have my hand slapped. “Don’t touch. Fingerprints!”

I glanced around the crate. “I don’t see anything here that shouldn’t be here.”

Jackie sighed. “Me, either.” She shined the light onto the ceiling. Nothing. “I guess I thought maybe this was the clue.”

“It was a good thought.” I heard voices outside the crate. “We better go before your security guard realizes we’re not at crate four-five-nine.”

Jackie relocked the crate, hid the key in the rock, and as we walked toward the gate, seemed thoughtful. She looked at me. “I just can’t figure out why someone would want Craig dead.”

“Besides the obvious, you mean.” I turned and saw the fake rock still in my aunt’s hand. “You probably should leave that here.”

She glanced down at her hand. “Oh, I hadn’t realized.” She turned, but I stopped her.

“I’ll take it back. Meet you in the car.” I grabbed the rock with my sweatshirt. “Fingerprints, right?”

“Just hurry. I need to get back and relieve Toby.” Jackie turned back to the car, and I watched her for a few seconds. She seemed so disappointed that the idea hadn’t brought any new information. But it was one more place we’d checked. Soon the mystery had to be solved. I walked back to the crate, but heard voices before I turned the corner.

“He had a fake rock somewhere around here, I know it.” Ray Stewart stood, yanking on the lock we’d just clicked. A big man stood near him.

“Maybe you took it so you could come back later,” the man growled.

Panic made Ray’s eyes widen, and I almost felt bad for the man. Almost. It was nice seeing the bully get what he gave. “I promise, Sarge, I wouldn’t do that.”

I stepped back away from the crate and sprinted to the car. Even though Jackie and I hadn’t seen it, the clue had to be in the crate. We’d come back this weekend and search the items from top to bottom with gloves. I tucked the fake rock into my purse and made my way to Jackie’s car.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I hadn’t been seen.

We’d found the reason for Craig’s death, we just didn’t know what we were looking for. Yet.

G
reg picked me up right at five-thirty Friday evening, his usual jeans and uniform shirt replaced with black jeans and a button-down shirt, collar open to show a touch of his tanned chest. I opened the door and motioned him in. “I can’t find my black clutch.”

I turned back to sprint back upstairs when I felt him grab my arm and swing me into his arms. He held me close, one hand on the low of my back and the other sweeping my hair off my neck. Then he kissed me, long, hard, and sweet. I leaned into the kiss, smelling the freshly showered skin, the scent of his soap still lingering.

“Wow,” I breathed when he let me go. I felt his gaze drop and then rise again to meet my own. I was glad I’d chosen the black dress with the
V
neckline. It clung to my curves without being too slutty. Sometimes that was a fine line.

“You sure we have to chaperone?” He smoothed back a curl that had fallen into my face.

I touched his cheek. “She’d kill me if I let her go alone. Although it might be worth the trouble.”

He smiled. And the slow, sexy smile almost changed my mind. “We haven’t had a lot of time together the last few weeks. It’s too bad we have to spend the little time we do with your aunt and her star-crossed lover.”

“Don’t let her hear you say that. She’s livid she even has to go. Something about prostitution being illegal.” I nodded to the stairs. “So can I go get my purse?”

Greg crossed the room, flipped on the television, and sank into the couch. “Just don’t take too long. We still have to pick up your aunt and drive into the city. Josh made the reservations for seven.”

“If I don’t find it in a few minutes, I’ll bring a different one.” I kissed him on top of the head and started up the stairs.

“Why don’t you use the one you can find?” he called after me.

Emma followed me up the stairs and stood watching as I dug on the top of the shelves. “He doesn’t understand girls, now, does he?”

Emma cocked her head as she watched. I think maybe she agreed with Greg. Ten minutes later, I had the right purse, finished the makeup painting and jewelry selection, and was ready to go. I padded back down the stairs barefoot, my pumps in my hand.

“Ready.”

There was no answer from the couch. I could see the back of Greg’s head, but he didn’t turn. I spun around to show him the final product, pulling on the last shoe as I started the turn. “Greg?”

Still no answer. Then I heard a gentle snore. I couldn’t believe he’d fallen asleep. I stomped over to the front of the couch and shook his arm. “Greg, wake up!”

All of a sudden I felt myself being pulled onto his lap. He pushed back my curly hair, set in a wild, untamed look, and kissed me again. This time, I didn’t even question the contact, I just enjoyed.

He peered at me and finally slapped me on the butt. “Seriously, you have to stop kissing me. We’re going to be late picking up your aunt.”

“Hey, buddy, you started it.” I laughed and stood, pulling him to his feet.

“Not the story I’m telling.” Greg whistled to Emma. “Okay if I put her in the back?”

“Perfect. She’d hate to be locked up all evening while we’re gone.” I walked around closing windows and was waiting at the front door when Greg returned. He took my keys and locked the dead bolt as we left the house. I scanned the sky, but it seemed cloudless. We might just have a nice evening in store.

Jackie was waiting on the sidewalk when we pulled up in my new car. She glanced at Greg in the driver’s seat as she slipped into the back. “I guess I should be thankful I’m not riding in the back of the truck.”

Greg flashed her a grin. “Well, my other car is the police cruiser and Toby’s using that tonight. But I guess we can track him down and trade if you want. I think he’d love chasing down speeders in Jill’s new ride.”

I slapped his arm. “You are not letting Toby drive my new car.” I glanced at my aunt. “Sorry, I guess I should have considered passengers when I bought a new car.”

Jackie shook her head. “Stop treating me like an old lady. I can climb into the back as easily as either of you.”

Wait, hadn’t she just complained? I glanced at Greg to see if I was the only one who saw the irony. I wasn’t. He bit his lip, then headed the Jeep down the highway. I keyed the address into the GPS system and leaned back, willing to let Greg drive and the mechanical female voice I called Dora do the navigating.

We were on the highway when Greg said, “So Jimmy Marcum stopped in the station when we were questioning Nick last night.”

My heart stopped for a beat or two. “Oh?” I stared out the window, not able to look Greg’s way.

“Yeah, he said he’d been hired to represent the kid, but funny thing, neither Sadie nor Nick had called him.” I could see Greg through the reflection in the window glass, staring straight ahead, not looking at me.

The car got quiet. Finally I saw him turn and look at me. “You know anything about that?”

“Would you be mad if I said yes?” I didn’t want to turn.

“Oh my God. Would you two talk directly? Jill, tell him you called Jimmy. Greg, get off her back for it. She was trying to protect the kid.” Aunt Jackie leaned forward. “How do you guys ever have a conversation? This seems more like a dance.”

“Aunt Jackie.” I glared at her.

She glared back, her stare hard, and then she nodded at Greg.

“Fine. I called Jimmy. I knew Sadie wouldn’t hesitate to have him admit to anything if it was the truth. And he needed someone who knew the law on his side. Truth or not.” I settled back in the seat and crossed my arms.

Greg took one look at me and laughed. “I knew it was you. You’re the only person in town who has Jimmy on speed-dial.”

He didn’t sound mad. I pushed for more information. “Tell me Nick didn’t kill Craig.”

“Nick didn’t kill Craig.” Greg turned off the highway following Dora’s instructions.

I turned in the seat to look at him. “Seriously? But Toby said Nick was upset over what he did for Lisa. What did he do?”

Greg seemed to consider his answer for a long second, and I could feel Jackie’s attention focused on him, matching my own scrutiny. “I guess it’s not confidential, especially since the district attorney has decided not to file charges. He helped her cut the fence on the back of The Castle property so a group of kids could sneak in to swim.”

I laughed. “That’s all?”

Greg pulled the car under the screen and a valet approached his door. “The kid was pretty upset. He felt it violated his moral code. He said he might even have to surrender his Eagle Scout badge.” Greg handed the keys to the valet and walked around to the passenger door, where he opened the door for me. Then he helped me out, holding my hand until I got steady on my too-high heels. As he reached back to offer his hand to Jackie, I watched her consider slapping it away, but she accepted his help. Finally we were on our way through the entry door.

Josh sat on a bench next to a tank filled with live lobsters, a bouquet of cut flowers in his hand. He glanced up at the door as it closed, then jumped up when he saw it was us. Pointedly looking at his watch, he approached us. “You’re late.”

“Traffic.” Greg put his hand on the small of my back and started me forward toward Josh. “How are you feeling?”

Josh glared at him. “Fine, no thanks to your department. I take it you haven’t found my attackers?”

“Not yet,” Greg growled.

“Pretty flowers,” I said, trying to change the conversation.

Josh glanced down as if he’d forgotten he held them. He shoved them at Jackie. “These are for you. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

Jackie nodded and gingerly took the flowers like he’d offered her a live snake. A hostess approached.

“Oh good, you’re all here. The table is ready.” She held our menus in her arms and led us deep into the restaurant. When we stopped at a table set by the window overlooking the bay, I sighed. I loved even looking at the ocean. I didn’t understand Amy’s surfing obsession, but I could sit on the beach and watch the waves for hours.

“Nice,” Greg commented. Jackie harrumphed and quickly sat before Josh could pull out the chair. He squeezed into a space next to her and the wall, no view for him. I was starting to feel sorry for Josh since my aunt was being a total pill and he seemed lost in her female charms. If he liked her now, rude and obnoxious, I didn’t know what would happen if she was actually nice to the guy.

We ordered a round of drinks and appetizers. Greg and Josh kept to soda, but Jackie and I both ordered a glass of wine. The restaurant specialized in seafood with a nice listing of fresh fish items. Since we’d ordered crab dip and stuffed mushrooms to share around the table, I decided to go with a blackened halibut for my main course. I couldn’t help notice my aunt ordering the lobster. I guess she thought if she had to be here, she was going to get what she wanted, no matter what the cost.

“My shop’s doing well this quarter. I’m so glad I made the move to South Cove. My receipts are up fifty percent from my location in the city,” Josh bragged. I glanced at Greg and noticed his eyes glazing over. Out of the three double dates we’d had in the last month, the only one where he’d enjoyed the company was when Justin and Amy had come over to the house. And that hadn’t even technically been a date.

I owed him big. Again. I reached under the table and found his hand. I rubbed the palm, as I answered Josh. “South Cove is known for quirky shops. I’m sure Antiques by Thomas will fit in fine. It’s nice having you as our neighbor.”

“So what kind of business does your shop do? You pull in anything close to your expenses?” Josh shook his head. “I can’t believe you make enough to afford two employees.”

Greg squeezed my hand. He knew I wanted to inform Mr. Thomas that asking what kind of money a store owner made was rude. And frankly none of his business. Instead of the things I wanted to say, I finally came up with, “We do all right.”

“I don’t know how. And this new Cloaked in Mystery campaign. Really? You think anyone will even show up if they don’t know the draw? And at the beginning of July? People have lives, you know.” Josh kept pushing.

Jackie’s face grew darker, but she didn’t respond.

I put on my sweet, usually-saved-for-the-mayor smile and answered, “We see it as a great way to escape the summer heat and get your beach read autographed by a famous mystery author.” I nodded to my aunt. “Besides, the praise needs to go to Jackie. This is her brainchild.”

Josh glanced at Jackie and his face went white. “Of course, I don’t know anything about book marketing or coffee stuff. Just normal sales, I guess.”

“And books and coffee aren’t normal sales?” Jackie asked, acid in her tone.

Josh was saved by the drinks arriving and, a few seconds later, the appetizers. When everyone started eating, the salads arrived. The waitress kept our table moving from one course to the next. And I noticed, Aunt Jackie’s wineglass got replaced and refilled several times. She’d be a blast on the way home. I hoped she’d fall asleep rather than rail the entire trip.

Just as we were considering the dessert menu, Greg’s cell rang.

“Sorry, I told them I was off the clock.” He stood and answered. As he walked away, I heard him greet Esmeralda. She worked the late shift on Fridays and Saturdays so she could schedule readings during the day for her clients. The woman had a knack for telling people want they needed to hear to keep coming back. Many of my drop-in customers were heading toward Esmeralda’s house for their weekly readings.

“I’m trying the chocolate liquid cake. Molten Chocolate? Yum.” I glanced at Jackie. “What are you getting?”

“Besides a headache?” she grumbled, then sighed. “Fine, I want the pumpkin caramel cheesecake.”

“Bring two.” Josh smiled at the waitress. Then focused on me. “What would Officer King want?”

“Greg, just Greg tonight.” I studied the menu. He loved his chocolate, so I ordered him the marble cheesecake, knowing if he didn’t want it, we could trade.

We added a pot of coffee to the mix and then the table went silent. I’d just thought of a conversation topic when Greg sat back down.

“Look, I’ve got to go to the harbor.” He glanced at Josh. “Can you give the ladies a ride home?”

“Jackie,” Josh offered. “My Porsche doesn’t have a backseat.”

“Besides,” I countered with my fork covered with the chocolate cake just delivered, “you drove my car. Or did you forget?”

Greg considered me. “You have to stay in the car. With the doors locked. No tramping over the crime scene.”

I took a bigger bite of the cake. “Scouts’ honor,” I mumbled around the food.

“Did someone else get killed?” Josh appeared stricken. “Craig had a crate down at the harbor. Did someone break into that?”

“Sorry, can’t go into details.” Greg regarded my almost-empty plate. “You ready yet? Or do you want to take my cheesecake, too?”

“Great idea.” I waved down a waiter and asked for a to-go box. When the desserts were safely ensconced in pretty boxes, I kissed Jackie on the cheek. “Have fun.”

“Wait, you’re leaving me here?” Jackie seemed like she’d just woken up. She leaned toward me and whispered, “I told you something was off about the crate.”

“I’ll call you later,” I whispered back, then I nodded to Josh. “He’ll see you home.”

As we walked away, I heard my aunt call after me, “This wasn’t part of the bargain.”

Greg chuckled as he opened the door for me. He gave his number chip to the valet. “I thought I’d have another crime scene to clean up back there.”

I climbed into the Jeep and pulled off my heels, slipping into some flip-flops I kept in the backseat. “She deserves it. The man was being nice, or at least as nice as Josh knows how to be, and she was a grump. Maybe on the ride home she can learn some manners.” What I wasn’t saying was that maybe Jackie could find out why Craig was paying Josh thousands of dollars over market rate for appraisals.

“If Josh isn’t our killer.” Greg shut the door and walked around the front of the car, tipping the valet.

I waited for him to pull away from the parking lot before I spoke. “You don’t think Josh could—I mean, he loved Craig. A bit too much, if you ask me.”