Murder in Paradise (Paradise Series) (22 page)

“I’d rather sell it to you than dump it on another dealer out of state. It’s been detailed inside and out and is ready to go, service up to date. The repair and paint an A+ job.” He shoved papers across the desk. “Sign by the Xs.”

“What happened when Bruno came out and found the Hummer missing?” I asked as I signed.

“Little shit assumed it got stolen, but didn’t tell anyone. He finally fessed up to his mother. She called screaming, worrying over that grown brat’s psyche. I suggested she stick both her feet up Bruno’s ass and we haven’t spoken since. The good thing to come out of it, I gave my wife an ultimatum: my sister or me. That ended the conversation and we haven’t had a single fight since. Wish I’d thought of that sooner.”

 “Based on personal experience, if Bruno had the big ones to come here and steal a car off your lot, he’ll be back.”

“I’m one step ahead of you. That little bastard has been banned from here.” Brick’s eyes were black and hard.

I finished signing, double-checked, and handed back the contract.

Brick opened a side drawer and pulled out an 8x10 photograph. “Can you believe what a makeover can do?”

“Vanilla?” The knockout statuesque, now brunette, in a string bikini and heels, long tan legs, smiled back at me. Her hair pulled into a ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup.

“Vanilla became an overnight club sensation. Turns out the combination of her small boobs and long legs are quite the turn-on. Gone is the frightened-deer look, a little confidence and she’s quite charming. There’s a fragility about her that sets her apart from my hardened pros. I told her no pole for her, she hostesses and makes as much as the dancers.”

“You have a little crush?” I asked.

“Maybe a little. I’d never act on it. We sat and had a long talk. She needed someone to give her a chance at a life, not be on the run from her psycho brother who sells road kill. Vanilla is under my protection as long as she works for me, just like the rest of my girls. She doesn’t know this, but Quirky’s been relocated to Mississippi. My guys gave him a choice and he left town.” Brick handed me the keys.

“If you hadn’t hired her, she’d have been out of options and forced into life on the street or to go back to Quirky.”

“Who names their kid Quirky?” Brick snorted.

“Stoners.” I stood up, keys in hand. “Thank you.”

Brick winked. “I didn’t lose money on the deal.”

I laughed. “Of course you didn’t.” I wore a silly smile all the way downstairs.

Fab sat on a concrete bench, babbling in French. I unlocked the passenger door of the Hummer, leaving it open, and went around to the driver’s side to start the engine.

Before Fab got in I said, “Not one word about how awful my driving is, get in and close your eyes like I do.” I pointed to the passenger seat.

“Do you have pictures of Brick with farm animals?”

“A straight-up business deal.” I refrained from squealing the tires out of Famosa Motors and screaming out the window, “It’s really mine!”

CHAPTER 30

My bedroom door opened, and I rolled over. It must be morning, since sunshine streamed through the window.

“Wake up, sunshine, I don’t have all day.”  Creole didn’t look happy. Filling the doorway with a black T-shirt stretched over his abs, I thought to myself that he certainly knew how to fill out a pair of jeans.

“How did you get in?” I wished I could have this confrontation after coffee.

Creole’s blue eyes were angry, his hands behind his back to stay in control, perhaps. “You think Trouble across the hall is the only one who knows how to pick a lock?”

Fab’s bedroom door banged against the wall; she wasn’t happy. “Keep your voice down.”  

Creole turned to Fab. “Oh good, you’re awake. Saves me from the special wake-up call I had in mind.” He turned to me. “Coffee’s ready downstairs. Five minutes.”

“Fifteen!” I yelled after him. A quick shower and I’d be ready with evasive answers to his questions.

One good thing about living at the beach: pulling on a skirt and a top, sliding my feet into flip-flops, and tying my hair back in a ponytail, and I had my uniform ready for the day.

* * *

“Did you bring breakfast from The Bakery Café?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen.

“Where’s your friend?” Creole growled.

“I’m right here.” Fab walked in and headed to the coffee pot. She took a sniff and put it back down.

“Your favorite is in its usual place in the refrigerator,” I said, knowing she’d be out the front door in a second and leave me to answer to Creole.

“I feel like a latte and I’ll get you a pecan roll,” Fab said to me, heading to the door.

Creole cut her off and pointed to a chair at the island. “Sit down.” Not quite a yell, but damn close.

“Stop yelling or...” I hesitated, not being able to think of anything. “I’ll tell Mother.”

I glanced at Fab and gave her a stern look; more antics would push him over the edge. Fab could care less. I thought she would laugh.

Creole fished his phone out of his pocket. “Catch.” He tossed me his phone. “I dare you to tell Madeline the two of you snuck onto a private island where you could’ve been arrested.”

“Mother will only be mad she wasn’t invited. And arrested for what? We were invited guests,” I said.

“Give me their name and number,” Creole demanded.

Fab stood up. “What do you want? I have a busy day!” she yelled back at him.

Creole looked like he wanted to strangle us, Fab first. “What were the two of you doing out on the island?”

“I wanted to check out the scene again. You’d do the same thing. How did a simple grand theft turn into murder with no suspects except for me?” Fab flipped her hair, and then stuck her nose in the air. “Where was the widow that night? Surely, you got around to asking her. You seem like the kind of guy who would ask after sex.”

I tried hard to choke back a laugh and, instead, a weird sound came out of my mouth. They both stared.

Creole stepped in front of Fab, inches from her face. He stood close, towering over her with his over six-foot frame, his body wound tight. Fab straightened and glared right back at him. “I’d bet my left...uh, that you found that damn briefcase of Gabriel’s. Tell me now what was in it and anything you else you found. Don’t bother with one of your suck-ass lies. We have you on hidden camera entering his condo. You know, the other crime scene, the same one I told you explicitly to stay away from. Then you rigged the system and went through the place, not leaving a clue behind as to what you did. You’re good, I’ll give you that.”

“Next time you break into my house, bring breakfast,” I said to Creole, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Creole whipped his cuffs from the back of his jeans. “You’re both under arrest. I’ll hold you,” he said, and pointed to me, “until Fab tells what she knows. Fab wouldn’t save herself. But you? In a minute,” Creole said.

“And we could shoot you, too,” I threatened and took a couple of steps back.

“Are you threatening a law enforcement officer?” Creole’s arm snaked out, pulling him to me, feeling my lower back.

“My Glock’s upstairs so don’t go looking anywhere else,” I snapped and jerked away. “You broke in without a warrant. Shooting you would be self-defense.” I’d been to jail once and had no desire for a return visit; but Creole would get a taste of how a girl fights before I let him cuff me.

His mouth twitched slightly. “You two are interfering with a damned murder investigation.”

Fab stuck her chin out. “Is banging the widow part of your investigation?” Her voice dripped in sarcasm.

If Fab got us arrested, I’d force her to deal with Mother.

Creole leaned across the counter. “Did it ever occur to you that your friend here is hiding what she knows even from you?”

Fab gave a quick nod behind his back.

I leaned in so that we were nose to nose. “No, it hasn’t,” I said, knowing chances were she was doing exactly that.

We stared at one another, a snap of chemistry, and he pulled away. “Damn you.” He turned. “Where did Fab go?”

I stood and carried my coffee mug to the dishwasher, looking out the kitchen window. “Fab just drove out. Zach would’ve parked behind her.” I turned and faced him with a smirky smile.

“Listen very carefully, Madison.” Creole’s hands gripped me tight.

My heart raced as I stared into Creole’s angry face. I wanted to step back but I had nowhere to go.

“You set me up, knowing I’d be distracted by your lips.” Creole pushed my back against the sink, forcing me to look at him.

Creole grabbed the back of my neck, slamming his mouth against mine. Erotic need rushed through me with every flick of his tongue. His lips ravished mine, unmercifully. I moaned in his mouth, which increased the assault.

He broke the kiss, pushing me away. “I’m going to get the info I need. Keep in mind, there’s a double murderer walking around,” he said, slamming the front door.

CHAPTER 31

My cheeks burned, lips swollen. I had surrendered willingly to his lips, letting his hands roam over my body in an intimate way. I enjoyed being trapped by his feral body, his mouth clamped on mine. Much to my embarrassment, the more his lips lashed mine, the more I moaned in his mouth.

I jerked up my briefcase and keys, pushing Fab’s number on the speed dial. It went straight to voicemail. I waited to unlock the door when I heard a car pull into the driveway.

Peeking outside, Slice had his arm around Zach’s shoulder hauling him out of his pickup truck, Zach’s face black and blue, his right arm in a sling.

“Good, you’re home. He’s all yours.” Slice rolled his eyes, looking ready to run.

I held the front door open for him. Zach shuffled past me and made himself comfortable on the couch.

 “Doctor says I need someone to keep an eye on me for the next couple of days,” Zach said, “make sure I don’t develop any symptoms. I’m supposed to avoid anything that requires concentration or complicated thinking. I promised the doctor I would stay with someone while I’m still seeing double.”

“What the heck happened?” I looked at Slice; he stood ramrod straight, arms across his chest. His face told me he’d like to strangle Zach.

“In a hurry to get to a meeting, I cut some guy off, didn’t pay attention when he maneuvered in behind me and slammed my left quarter panel, sending the Escalade into a spin. The guardrail was the only thing stopping me from a nosedive into the water. The SUV came to rest on its side. The bastard drove off, but another driver saw the whole thing, stopped, and helped me out.”

“And you didn’t bother with your seatbelt,” Slice said.

“Did you go to the hospital?” I asked.

“The paramedics insisted I go to be checked out. The double vision factored into my decision to cooperate. You don’t mind my coming here do you?” Zach asked.

“Of course not.” I gave him a lame smile. “At least you’re not bleeding this time.” Last time he’d been a terrible patient and he’d been shot. Prescribed to just rest, he’d be a pain in the butt.

“Can I get a couple of real pillows?” He jerked one of the couch pillows out from under his head.

I could run out like Fab, forcing Slice to play nurse. My aunt Elizabeth left me with a well-stocked linen closet, full of towels and sheets. It took me awhile to clean and organize, and I’d replaced all of the lumpy flat pillows. The hardest part had been getting rid of the mothball smell. I washed every single item and if it retained the hideous odor, out it went.

Halfway down the stairs, Zach called out, “Can I get a blanket?”

“Anything else while I’m upstairs?” Who in the hell wanted a blanket when it was hot outside?

I came back with a blanket and pillows. The first thing I noticed, was that Slice had bailed. “Where did Slice go?”

“He had to go back to the office to do my job and his.” Zach’s cell phone pinged a couple of times, letting him know he had messages. “I’m not supposed to be left alone.” He wiggled his fingers, motioning me to hand him his phone.

If he were really sick, he’d be quiet and want to be left alone. No wonder Slice raced out of the driveway. “I have an electrical inspection that demands my appearance. I’ll get Mac to come and stay with you.”

Unless I decided to run away from home.

“You’re always complaining that we don’t spend enough time together. Besides, Mac’s nuts.”

“One hour tops, well, maybe two. Take a nap and you’ll never know Mac’s here.” I couldn’t miss this appointment. It’s my job to sign off on every last detail.

The front door opened. “Honey, it’s your mother!” she yelled.

“We’re in the living room,” I said.

“I’m ready for some fun.” Mother walked into the living room and tossed her purse onto the chair. “Who kicked the crap out of you?” She smiled at Zach.

I hugged her and whispered, “Be nice.”

“Car accident. Slight concussion. Madison’s nursing me back to health.” Zach didn’t look happy.

“Can you stay with him for an hour while I go to an electrical inspection?” I asked Mother. “He might be your pretend son-in-law if we move in together. You two can use the time to bond.”

“Can you get me a bottle of water?” Zach asked. “Where are you going? When will you be back?”

I ignored Zach’s questions and walked into the kitchen, I knew they were just beginning.

Mother, hot on my heels, whispered, “He’s going to drive you crazy because he’s not sick and will make a nuisance of himself.”

“This carwash project is important to me; I gave my word it would come in on time. Then I’ll hurry home.” I unscrewed the cap on the bottle and took it to Zach.

“What the hell are you talking about? What carwash project?” Zach demanded. “I thought it burned down.”

Mother smirked, reveling in the fact that she wasn’t the last person to know this time.

“You know the carwash got torched on my watch, so to speak. I agreed to oversee the renovations, making sure everything is up to code. My budget doesn’t allow for my guys to sit around and do nothing. If there’s downtime, I’ll have to let them go; they’ll move onto other jobs and I’m left to find another crew.”