Undue Competition

by R A Wallace

  Undue Competition

  An Indigo Investigations Cozy Mystery

  R. A. Wallace

  2019

  Book Five

  Author’s Note

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, dialogue, places, technologies, references to code, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, technologies, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Material in this book is not intended as a substitute for legal or medical advice from qualified professionals. The author has no connection to any software or website mentioned.

  © 2019 R. A. Wallace. All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Brandi McCann www.ebook-coverdesigns.com

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Books by R. A. Wallace

  Chapter One

  “I’ll be honest. I don’t envy you the task but that’s why I’m paying you so well to do it.” Zane Ramos studied Greyson from across the expansive desk in his home office.

  “I appreciate the confidence you have in me, but I’m not sure I’m the man for the job,” Greyson said, not for the first time.

  Zane waved his right hand sporting a thick gold signet ring on his pinky finger. “Nonsense. I was there. I suspect I’m one of the few people who truly knows your actual abilities. If not for your quick thinking, our country would have suffered through another tragic loss at one of the highest levels of our government.”

  Greyson considered another argument but was stopped before he could begin.

  “Ah, and here’s my lovely wife.” Zane stood and walked around the desk to greet the young woman.

  Greyson knew the woman who entered the room was younger than he was. According to what he had been able to find once he’d gotten the call to meet with someone well-known in political circles, the relatively new Mrs. Ramos was twenty-eight. She was attractive, as expected, but also was rumored to hold her own in a political conversation. Greyson didn’t flinch from her dark, assessing eyes as he stood.

  “This is the man you told me about?” Alexis held out her hand.

  Greyson reached out and briefly shook her hand, not surprised to find that her grasp was firm.

  “He is,” Zane confirmed. “I wouldn’t trust my precious daughter to anyone else.”

  Greyson managed to keep his face impassive even though the man had just spent twenty minutes regaling him with some of his daughter’s more over-the-top hijinks.

  Alexis didn’t bother to mask her amusement. Her eyes shot to her husband’s. “I suspect your friend has seen the headlines talking about some of the outrageous situations your precious daughter has been involved in.”

  Greyson hadn’t. That was, not until he’d gotten the call asking him to meet regarding a sensitive security matter. What he’d found online had surprised even him.

  “I understand she’s still young,” Greyson said.

  “Your diplomacy would serve you well in our circles.” Alexis moved to the large doors on the outer wall of the study. The glass panes allowed an easy view of the back lawn leading to the canal that ran behind the house. The large pleasure boats at the long dock fronting their lot were minutes away from the bay with direct ocean access.

  Greyson knew the temperature was already climbing outside to near stifling. Inside the luxurious home, one of several owned by Zane Ramos in various parts of the country, the temperature was kept an almost frigid cool.

  “She is still young,” Zane agreed. “Like my beautiful wife.”

  Greyson knew there was only about seven years between the two women. He focused on Zane Ramos. The man looked younger than his sixty years.

  “I was just explaining that I may not be the best man for the job,” Greyson said. He heard Alexis make a noise that sounded like an unexpected laugh. It happened so quickly he wasn’t sure.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone say no to my husband.” Alexis turned around to face them again, a smile pulling at her lips.

  “And you aren’t hearing it now.” Zane crossed over to his desk and lifted the check he’d tried handing Greyson earlier. “I’ll double the amount at the end of the job.”

  Greyson was about to decline when he saw the look in the other man’s eyes.

  “She may be difficult, but she’s my only child.” Zane continued to hold out the check. “I don’t want anything to happen to her while we’re gone. Please. It will only be for a short time and you won’t be required to remain with her at all hours. Just whenever she’s in a potentially vulnerable situation outside of these walls. The regular security detail will ensure her safety here.”

  As Greyson walked through the multilevel mansion on his way out with the check in his pocket, he passed a glass wall that afforded a view of the in-ground pool behind the house. He saw a lone figure doing laps and paused to watch for a moment. The figure reached the closest end of the pool and stopped.

  Makayla Ramos was even more beautiful than the pictures he had found online. Her face gave nothing away as she stared back at him momentarily before pushing off the wall to make the return lap to the far side of the pool. He wondered if he’d imagined seeing her chin notch up in that brief moment their eyes had locked, as though accepting some sort of challenge.

  ***

  Leslie Indigo ran her fingers through her blonde hair before pulling it back into a short tail. The house was quieter than she liked. With both children now grown, they had their own lives and their own schedules. She was the one who hadn’t yet grown accustomed to this new phase in their family. She moved quietly through the house until she reached the kitchen. She found her husband working at the sink.

  “I wondered where you were.” Wade rinsed a tomato and began slicing it.

  Leslie went to the fridge and pulled out the pitcher of iced tea. “I was putting away the rest of the laundry.”

  “Doesn’t seem to take as long anymore.” He turned and looked at her.

  She held up a glass. “Tea?” At his nod, she poured a second glass for him. “You would think I’d be happy to have the extra time to myself now that Blake and Ariana are both grown and out of school.”

  His wry smile matched hers as he took the glass from her. “Empty nest syndrome?”

  “Ya think?” She leaned against the counter and set her glass of tea next to her. “Not that our kids were really that much trouble. Both Blake and Ariana have been doing their own laundry for years.”

  “Ariana just graduated from high school. Blake just finished another year of college. I think we’re entitled to a small pity party to commemorate,” he said as he returned to his work at the sink.

  “You would think with as much experience as we have with children growing up and moving out on their own that it wouldn’t be so hard now. Both Gemma and Callie have been on their own for years.” She lifted her glass of tea and stared into it, as though it might offer up some wisdom.

  “When Gemma moved out, we still had the other three. Even when Cal
lie left, we still had Blake and Ariana,” he pointed out.

  “I know. I understand what you’re saying. Ariana is our baby.”

  “Our baby who still lives here along with Blake. Neither one is gone yet.”

  She straightened a bit. “You’re right. They are. Maybe we could get them to plan some family time together. While it’s still possible.”

  “We might have more success if we tell Blake he can bring his new girlfriend.” Wade finished slicing the vegetables and carried the plate to the table.

  She considered it for a moment. “That actually sounds nice. I like Joanie.”

  “I do too.” He took a seat at the table.

  “Okay. We’ll do that.” She took the seat next to him. “I always loved Sundays. I liked the late breakfasts we would all have together. The different activities we would plan.”

  “Maybe you and I could make some new memories together with just the two of us.” He began assembling a sandwich.

  “Like what?”

  “We could take up a new hobby together.” He paused as he considered it. “We could take one of those dinner cruises out on the water.”

  She reached for the bread. “I like the sound of that. I guess now would be a good time to do some traveling. If it’s just the two of us, we don’t have to coordinate as many schedules.”

  He nodded as he cut his sandwich. “Around their school schedule, their sports schedule, or their work schedule.”

  She smiled. “I see what you’re doing here.”

  He looked sideways at her. “Is it working?”

  “It is.” She reached for a section of the Sunday paper.

  “Good. So our pity party is over?” He bit into his sandwich.

  “Mm hm.” She unfolded the section and laid it in front of them. “I’ve been seeing this ad everywhere. It’s in the paper every day.”

  He glanced at it and frowned, but remained silent as he continued eating.

  She looked over at him quickly. “Do you know who it is? I swear I’d never heard of Gallagher Aluminum and Roofing until about a year or two ago. Now their name seems to be everywhere.”

  Wade shrugged. “Another competitor. There are a lot of aluminum and roofing companies in Florida.”

  Her brows pulled together as she turned to him again. “It’s not taking away from your business, is it?”

  He stood and went to the fridge. “Like I said. There are a lot of companies that do the same thing. More tea?”

  ***

  Callie bent over and picked up the pile of papers she had gone through. She straightened and put them back into the box and slid the lid in place. The knock on the cabana door to her sunroom startled her. She turned to find one of her neighbors looking at her through the glass.

  “Dex. What’s up?” Callie smiled a greeting.

  “Greyson is thinking of a little landscaping around his house. He figured I should ask to see if you want me to do yours too.”

  Callie opened the cabana door and stepped outside with Dex. The thirty-something was dressed in an old tee shirt and jeans. He had a folded colored kerchief tied around his head to catch the sweat as he worked. She could see the sweat drops on the dark buzzcut hair on the top of his head.

  “Shouldn’t you have a hat on?” she asked.

  “I left it over at Greyson’s,” he said as he led her around her house. He stopped when they were between the houses. The back of Greyson’s house was on one side of them. The back of Callie’s was on the other. “I’ll put a stone barrier back here and put some plants in there. The automatic sprinklers will take care of watering them, so they won’t be a problem that way.”

  Callie followed Dex around Greyson’s house. “Anywhere else?”

  “Over here on this side.” They stopped in the front of the house. “And up here, in the front. I’ll probably have several rows of blocks to build it up about a foot or so.”

  Callie understood why. “The lawnmower service tends to cut everything down with the weed whacker unless it clearly looks like it’s protected somehow.”

  “That they do,” Dex agreed as Greyson pulled into the drive. Dex and Callie waited until Greyson joined them.

  “What do you think?” Greyson asked.

  Callie looked at Dex. “Well, if you’re going to do his anyway?”

  “Do you want to pick out the plants?” Dex asked.

  Callie wrinkled her nose.

  Dex grinned. “I’ll handle it.”

  “Sounds like we’re all set,” Greyson said. “I’m going to change. I have some fish to grill if you two are interested.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Callie said. “I have a salad made.”

  Greyson turned to Dex and raised his brows. “Dex?”

  “No, sir. You two have a good dinner.”

  Greyson waved before letting himself into his house to change. As Callie watched Dex walk back to his own house, she thought about the way Dex always called Greyson sir. Although they weren’t that far apart in age, she knew that it was Dex’s background in the military that made him do it. For whatever reason, he automatically recognized Greyson’s senior position. She wondered which branch of the service Greyson had served in.

  Chapter Two

  He felt it first, that heaviness in his lungs. He knew what was coming next even without seeing the dark mist approach through the woods near their community. The fog rolled in slowly, overtaking everything in its path. Soon he could see only a few houses ahead of him as he walked the streets filled with mobile homes very much like his own. Periodically a small dog could be heard barking from within one of those homes. They knew he was out there. They heard his footsteps, even though he walked in the middle of the road as quietly as he could, certain that no human could hear him.

  Dex liked the early mornings, especially during the hot months. It allowed him to get in some exercise before the heat of the day overcame them. Although he often saw other members of his community also walking around, they were just as eager to enjoy their quiet time as he was. Other than a nod or quick hello, they passed each other and continued on their way.

  He sensed the presence coming before he heard the sound of heavy footsteps behind him. He’d been expecting it. Instead of a leisurely walk, his new neighbor preferred a morning run. Greyson was often out before it was light and returned long before many were even stirring. Dex timed it each morning just right. Greyson slowed as he approached him from behind. By the time he reached Dex, he was walking next to him.

  “Another hot one,” Greyson said.

  “That time of the year,” Dex agreed.

  “See anything unusual lately?” Greyson asked.

  Dex made a noise indicating no.

  “Well, keep an eye out for me.” Greyson split off to walk up his driveway.

  “Yes, sir. Always do.”

  ***

  Ariana set her tumbler of iced coffee on her desk as she slipped her purse into one of the drawers. She reached for her computer to turn it on before walking through the rest of the office to flip on lights. The air temperature was set to adjust automatically for the workday. It wouldn’t take long for the environment inside the office to adjust to the new settings, allowing Ariana to forget about the dampness outside that would soon be chased away by the morning sun.

  After checking out the rooms on both sides of the office, she returned to the computer on her desk to log in. She heard voices a few moments later as the others began to arrive. She enjoyed her new job, especially the part that allowed her to spend more time with her half-sister. Although Callie had lived with them through her teens, the age difference between the sisters had been too great. They had never connected.

  That was especially true for Ariana and her oldest sister, Gemma. With two decades between them, they had never shared any of the things Ariana assumed sisters would growing up. Although Gemma and Callie had always been close, they were only now beginning to invite Ariana into that circle. Lost in her thoughts, the presence that appeare
d suddenly in front of her caught her by surprise.

  “Oh! Mrs. Brzeski. I wasn’t expecting you.” Ariana reached for her iced coffee.

  “I told you to call me Clara.”

  Ariana was aware of the messy tail she had managed with her hair earlier when she looked at the sixty-something woman in front of her desk. Every blonde hair on Clara’s head was neatly in place. Ariana’s free hand automatically reached up to her own hair. She pulled the band out and tried smoothing her hair back a little better before once again sliding the band into place.

  “What brings you in so early?” Ariana glanced at the time on her computer.

  “What can I say? I’m a morning person.” Clara pointed at the space behind Ariana. “I thought I could help with your records some more.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’ve been going slow but steady. It’s getting done. I figure I have all summer.”

  Clara studied the young woman in front of her. “I thought you wanted to do field work? Not be stuck at a desk all day.”

  It was true. “I’m not sure there’s any cases that I could help with at the moment.”

  “Still, you want to be free when the time comes,” Clara pointed out.

  She definitely did.

  “Besides, your summer class at the college starts soon, right?” Clara lifted her own cup of iced coffee and took a sip.

  “In a few weeks. I’m still trying to get used to not having to go to high school.”

  “Oh, that becomes a distant memory faster than you might think. Before long, you’ll be struggling to remember the names of the kids you went to school with.”

  Ariana couldn’t imagine that. “I was going to start on a new folder today.”

  “Sounds great. I’ll help scan the pages and you can figure out what keywords to enter into the computer for them.”

  Ariana smiled her agreement as she heard Callie and Greyson enter the other side of the office.

  “Good morning.” Greyson appeared in the doorway connecting the old office space with the new office space. “Oh, hello Mrs. Brzeski. I didn’t see your car.”

  “I parked farther down the street.”