Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set (50 page)

Chapter 16

I called Emily around eight the next morning, but she didn’t answer. I left a message for her to call me back.

She was going to flip when I explained the situation with Linda.

Max climbed out of the shower, his toned body glistening with moisture. “Did you get a hold of Emily?” he asked, eyeing the cell phone in my hand.

“
She didn’t answer. If she doesn’t get back to me in a few hours, I’ll try her again.”

“
I’ll be busy most of the day, but if she wants us to remove the cameras tomorrow, that would work for me.”

“
Thanks. I’ll find out and let you know.”

“
Don’t worry, Sarah. You’re very close to figuring things out. If there’s one thing you’re good at, it’s deductive reasoning.”

“
It appears the only thing I’m good at is knowing how to botch an assignment.”

“
Look, I gotta run.” He slipped a cotton t-shirt over his head and zipped up his jeans. He kissed my cheek as he slipped past me. “I’ll see you tonight, okay? Don’t worry about Emily. She’ll understand.”

When Max left, I decided to go for a run to kill some time, carrying my cell phone with me in case Emily called back. Fort-five minutes later, she still hadn’t called.

I tried to convince myself she was just sleeping late. If she’d left the house, she would have had to walk through the kitchen to get to the garage door. The surveillance confirmed she hadn’t.

By 9:45, I was officially worried.

I decided to drive to her house.

* * *

Hector’s red pick-up truck was parked in front of Emily’s house again. I drove past the house to get a glimpse of the backyard. No Hector. I circled the neighborhood once, came back, and parked across the street.

I checked my phone again: 10:13 a.m. and still no call from Emily.

I lowered my window and examined the property, searching for the elusive landscaper.

Was he inside using the facilities?

Should I sit in my car and wait, or go knock on the door?

I was going to dial her number when I heard a sound and looked up. Emily’s front door opened and Hector walked out, yet I didn’t see Emily at the door. I sunk down in my seat as Hector continued up the walkway and hopped into his truck.

I had the good sense to take a few snapshots of his license plate as he drove off.

As soon as his truck was out of site, I rushed to the front door and depressed the doorbell.

I waited.

Then I knocked.

I reached down to try the doorknob. It was unlocked so I opened the door and peeked inside.

“
Emily? Are you here? It’s Sarah.” I waited a few seconds with no reply. “Emily? Hello?”

I heard a sound.

Emily’s face came into view and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“
Sarah?” She walked toward me, wrapping the robe around her.

“
I’m sorry to barge in like this. I was really worried. I called you several times. The door was unlocked.”

Emily motioned me into the house. Her eyes were red, and her skin blotchy. “I’m sorry. I just woke up. Paul must have forgotten to lock up when he left for work this morning.”

“
You just woke up?”

“
I heard you yelling my name. I was still in bed.”

“
Sleeping?”

“
Yes. Why do you ask?”

“
Well, I noticed the landscaper was here. I just saw him walk out your front door.”

“
You mean he was inside the house?”

“
You didn’t let him in?”

“
I had no idea he was even coming to work today. I thought he was done. Anyway, he probably just needed to use the bathroom.”

“
So it doesn’t bother you that he just waltz’s into your house to use the facilities without asking?”

“
Don’t worry, Hector wouldn’t steal anything.”

 
“
I didn’t say he would.”

“
Is there a specific reason you stopped by?” she asked, but then her eyebrows shot up in fear. “Oh no. Did you see something on the surveillance? Did Paul—”

“
No,” I interrupted. “Nothing yet. This has to do with Linda.”

“
What about her?”

“
She knows the real reason you hired me.”

Emily blinked a few times. “What? How?”

“
I’m sorry. Linda is very good at reading me. She sort of figured things out. She called me up yesterday, all excited because she thought she’d found Benjamin. So she made dinner reservations at a place in Cambridge. I had to play along.”

“
So it wasn’t him?”

“
No. He was African-American.”

Emily walked to the counter and grasped the edge as if she might pass out. “Well, this is not good. Linda might say something to Paul.”

“
She promised not to.”

“
What do we do now?”

“
Do you mind if I take a look at your tea?”

“
My tea?”

“
I’d like to see if its been tampered with.”

“
I … I guess so. It’s right over there in the basket.”

I picked up the box of Liver Detox Herbal Tea, but noticed the plastic wrapping was still intact. “This box is brand new?”

“
Paul must have picked up another one at the store last night.”

“
Great.”

Emily eyes widened. “You think he put the acetaminophen inside of the tea bags?”

“
I don’t know. But there’s no way to prove that now.”

“
So what does this mean?”

“
Either your husband is innocent, or he’s extremely savvy.”

She sighed. “In other words, we’re back to square one?”

“
At this point, I only see two options. If you really feel like your life is in danger, leave this house as soon as possible. Go stay with your parents.”

“
What will I tell him?” she asked.

“
Tell him you need a change of scenery.”

“
And option number two?”

“
Just ask him.”

“
Ask him what?”

“
Look into his eyes and ask him why he’s hurting you. You’ll catch him off guard.”

“
Why would he ever admit it?”

“
He won’t have to say a word. You’ll see the truth in his eyes.”

“
Isn’t there a third option? I could just tell Paul I don’t like tea anymore.” Her fragile smile confirmed she was joking, but the dismal tone in her voice nearly broke my heart.

“
Sure,” I said. “You could continue living in fear, but you’ll always wonder what his next trick will be.”

“
How about the police?”

“
You could get them involved, too, but without any hard proof, they can’t do anything to Paul.”

She nodded. “You’re right. I should call my parents. I made a promise long ago never to ask them for help. Now, it seems I have no other choice.”

I hung my head. “I wish I could have helped you find some answers.”

Emily touched my shoulder. “You did everything you could.”

“
Max says he can come back first thing tomorrow to collect the cameras. Will that work for you?”

“
That’s fine. I’ll need another day to get my affairs in order.”

I wanted to reach out and hug her but I got the sense she wanted to be left alone. With nothing more to propose, I said good-bye.

Chapter 17

Had I done everything I could do to help Emily?

There was still something nagging me; an idea that wasn’t fully developed.

We’d spent so much time focused on Paul, I hadn’t even considered the fact that someone else might be involved.

I retrieved my cell phone from my purse and called Carter.

“
Hello, Sarah.”

“
I need another favor,” I said. “Can you look into someone for me? I only have a name and a license plate number.”

“
Who is this person?”

“
Emily’s landscaper. There’s something not right about him. Emily doesn’t even know his last name. Apparently, Hector and Paul barter services between them.”

“
I’ll see what I can do. Should have something for you in a few hours.”

“
Thanks. By the way, we’re done with the surveillance. Martha is ready to come home.”

“
If Paul is parked at his office, I’ll go get her right now. Where are you?”

“
I’m still in Emily’s driveway, but I’m heading to the mall for a few hours. I need to clear my head.”

“
Alcoholics drink … you spend money.”

“
It’s my only vice.”

“
Don’t take your troubles out on the credit card, Sarah.”

“
Thanks. I’ll take that under advisement.”

The New Chester Mall was an upscale indoor shopping plaza housing delicatessens, coffee shops, and my favorite clothing stores. I enjoyed going there in the winter months, walking around for hours while gazing at all the things I wanted, but couldn’t afford. I’d been on a tight budget since my divorce, but it didn’t hurt to look. Well, sometimes it hurt a little.

I parked outside Macys. As I was getting out of my car, a black sedan pulled into the spot next to mine.

I made my way toward the department store, passing by the vehicle. The fact that it was a Cadillac didn’t register at first, but when I noticed the driver wearing a baseball cap, my stomach clenched.

I kept walking, wondering if he’d follow me.

As I approached the store’s double doors, the reflection in the glass confirmed my fears. I opened the door and slipped inside, then made my way through isles of clothing. I got to the infant department, stopped and looked around, and felt utterly foolish for my paranoia.

The guy was nowhere to be found.

That’s when I heard the voice.

“
Hello, Sarah Woods.”

I spun around. He was standing next to a rack of baby dresses. At first I didn’t recognize his face, but then pictured him without the baseball cap. It was the pilot I had met in the emergency room after stealing the tapes from Gavin’s house. “Hey, it’s you,” I said
[JG2]
 
.

He smiled and pointed at my foot. “By the speed you’ve been walking, I assume those dog bites have healed up just fine?”

I was too stunned to speak.

His eyes flickered with amusement. “I’m glad you’re okay. I was concerned about you.”

I looked down at his hands. “What about your finger? I don’t see any bandages.”

He raised both hands in front of his chest. “Okay, you got me. I never cut my finger.”

I took a few steps back and glared at him. “Then why were you at the hospital that night?”

“
Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

“
I appreciate the offer, but I have a boyfriend.”

“
I know.”

I blinked. “How? I never mentioned it.”

He maintained that boyish grin, then held out his hand. “Excuse me, how rude. I’m Dylan McCormick.”

I ignored his gesture. “Have you been following me?”

“
Please let me explain. You might be interested in what I have to say.”

“
You can say it right here.”

He shrugged. “Fine.” He crossed his arms over his bulky chest. “I know you’re involved in an insurance fraud scheme.”

I almost laughed in his face. If this was a new pick-up line, I was out of the loop. “Insurance fraud? For what?”

“
You and a handful of others will be taken in for questioning over the next few days. It shouldn’t be too rough as long as you cooperate.”

“
Cooperate with what?” I asked. “I haven’t filed any bogus insurance claims.”

“
Maybe not, but you’re an accessory.”

“
Excuse me? What the hell are you, an undercover cop?”

“
Care to have that coffee now?”

I followed him to Starbucks and we found an empty table.

“
Care to see some photos?” Dylan asked, handing me his tablet phone. “The camera likes you, by the way.”

I looked down and gasped in disbelief. “How the hell did you get these?” I looked back up at him.

“
What were you doing at Gavin Cole’s house that night?”

My mouth fell open as I scrolled through the pictures: there was a shot of me limping away from Gavin’s house, clutching the backpack, one of me getting into Carter’s Buick, a shot of Carter’s license plate, me walking into Gavin’s bar. There were so many, it left me feeling sick to my stomach. “You’ve been following me the whole time? Why?”

“
I work for Liberty Atlantic Insurance Company. We’ve been investigating Gavin Cole for about two weeks now. We have reason to believe he’s been filing bogus claims for items supposedly stolen from his bar, The Rusty Nail.”

“
Like what?”

“
Scotch.”

“
I have no knowledge of that.”

“
When I first saw you and your partner breaking into his house, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I figured you were somehow involved.”

“
I didn’t conspire to screw any insurance company out of their money. All I know is that Gavin Cole is a sex offender. He takes advantage of women, some of them under age. So I guess it doesn’t surprise me that he’s a scam artist, as well.”

Dylan searched my face, probably trying to decide if I was telling the truth.

“
Why were you in Gavin’s house?” he asked.

“
You have the wrong idea. I’m not a thief,” I said. “I can explain these pictures.”

“
Okay, fine. Why were you in there?”

I saw no other option but to fess up. “Look, we were working a case. Our client hired us to get some sex tapes back.”

He looked confused. “Sex tapes?”

“
He video-taped himself having sex with several women. They found out, and wanted to get the tapes back. He was planning to sell them. That’s all I know.”

 
“
There have been numerous complaints filed against his business in the past few months: health code issues, money laundering, illegal gambling on premises … the list goes on and on. At some point, his world is going to crash down around him. I’m only concerned with the insurance fraud. Would you be willing to help me?”

“
How?”

Dylan retrieved a small device from his inside pocket. “Mind if I tape this conversation?”

“
I guess.”

“
Now, if my notes are correct, you were in his house for about fifteen minutes? You claim to have retrieved sex tapes, is that correct?”

“
Yes.”

“
Did you get a good look around the house?”

“
I was in a hurry, but I got the gist.”

“
Did you notice any bottles of liquor?” he asked.

“
There were all kinds of bottles laying around the kitchen. Most of them were empty, though.”

“
If I were to show you some pictures, could you confirm they were the bottles you saw?”

“
I’ll give it a shot.”

He scrolled through his phone and found what he needed. “These are the five bottles he claims were stolen from his bar. Each bottle of scotch retails for a thousand dollars or more.”

“
A thousand dollars for one bottle of scotch?”

“
And that’s on the lower end of the finer labels.”

I examined the photos. “I can’t be sure I saw all of them, but yes, they look very familiar.”

“
How sure are you?”

“
About eighty percent sure.”

He returned his phone and recorder to his pocket and smiled. “Look, here’s the deal. I want to nail this guy, but you were in his house illegally. I can’t use this information. However, there is another way you could help.”

“
So, let me get this straight, either I help you, or you report me?”

“
In a nutshell.”

“
Okay, I’m listening.”

“
We need a recorded confession.”

“
A confession?” I laughed. “How do you expect me to do that?”

“
Isn’t this what you do for a living?”

“
I appreciate the vote of confidence, but why would Gavin tell a stranger that he’s been stealing from his own bar to collect insurance money?”

“
Who says you have to remain a stranger? You already met him the other night. From what I could tell, he seemed quite taken with you.”

I thought it over. “The big issue is trust,” I said. “That doesn’t happen overnight. You’re not suggesting I sleep with him, are you?”

Dylan shook his head, clearly offended. “No, but if you made him believe you were willing---”

“
This is insanity. You know that, right? What about Danielle? She knows who I am now.”

“
You let me know the plan and I’ll deal with her.”

“
A plan? I don’t even have a clue.”

“
That’s fine. Take a day to think it over.” Dylan pulled a card from his pocket and set it on the table. “Here’s my number.”

“
Can’t you find a better way to nail him?” I asked.

“
Look, I’m in a bind and I need your help. If you can get me what I need … Gavin will be arrested and I’ll keep my job.”

“
What do I get?”

“
The satisfaction of knowing you helped put a creep behind bars.”

“
Look, I should discuss this with my partner before I commit.”

“
Sure, but call me soon. If Gavin finds out he’s being investigated, this whole thing could go bust.”

“
Okay,” I said. “By the way, Carter ran the plates on your Cadillac. Why is it registered to a Muriel Durgess?”

Dylan smiled. “She’s my next door neighbor. She let’s me use her car when I’m in the field. In return, I mow her lawn.”

“
Sounds like a fair trade.”

I was no longer in a shopping mood after Dylan left me sitting alone at Starbucks to ponder our conversation. His proposition had my head spinning.

I called Carter and asked him to meet me at the diner for lunch.