“Do you mind if I let him out?” I asked.
She nodded at me as she plopped down on the loveseat across from us and crossed her long, toned legs. Then she turned her concerned gaze to Will, biting her lip. “You look like you have bad news.”
I hesitated, still trying to figure out if her nod meant, ‘Yes, go ahead and let him out’ or ‘Yes, I mind if you let him out.’
“I’m afraid I do.” Will tugged on his tux jacket. He seemed uncomfortable.
I frowned. That was new. He always seemed so confident and at ease.
Will cleared his throat. “Peter Vanek was discovered in his home a bit ago … deceased.”
We both watched her carefully.
She stared at us for a moment and then shook her head, her eyes darting back and forth between us while her expression stayed frozen. “What do you mean, deceased? Like, dead?”
“Yes.”
“What? How?” Her complexion had paled, the glow she’d had before now morphed into pink blotches.
I was trying not to be secretly happy. Maybe she was an ugly crier. A sound by my foot startled me. The water inside one of the discarded water bottles sloshed around. Oops! I glanced at Will but he wasn’t paying attention, thank heavens.
Mortified at the thoughts running amok in my head, I pushed them aside. Not to mention the loss of control of my water magick. Unacceptable. I’d have to examine where this darkness was coming from later, because I didn’t like it one bit. It made me feel sticky and dirty inside.
Will was saying, “There was no obvious trauma. It looks like a heart attack, but we won’t know for sure until the autopsy. Miss Jennson, how well did you know Peter Vanek?”
The puppy was scratching furiously now and had started a low, frustrated growl. I decided it was better to let him out so he wouldn’t be such a distraction. I unzipped the carrier.
Rachel Jennson dabbed at the tears that were now falling like drops of crystals rolling off her waterproof face. Not an ugly crier then.
“Pretty well. I’ve worked with him for five years so we’d become good friends. He always said I was his muse. Most of my modeling portfolio is his work.” A soft sigh punctuated her words. “I can’t believe he’s … gone. Who am I going to trust with my career now?”
The puppy hopped from the carrier, crossed the room and began scratching at her legs and whining. She scooped him up absentmindedly with one hand and settled him on her lap.
I checked her hands, no engagement ring. So, it wasn’t her hand in the vision. Unless she didn’t wear the ring all the time. It was pretty big. Either way, the puppy must have gotten attached to her before she gave him to Peter. It also didn’t escape my attention how elegant her perfectly manicured French nails made her hands. I hid my bitten nails under my legs and forced my thoughts back on track.
Why did she get a puppy if she didn’t want one?
Will had leaned forward. “Did Mr. Vanek have any medical conditions that you were aware of?”
She shook her head and flicked her long hair over one shoulder. “No. He was a health nut actually. A vegetarian, very active. In fact, we often worked out together.”
Yeah, I bet you did. I mentally smacked myself.
But Will must’ve had the same thought because he asked, “So, your relationship wasn’t purely… professional?”
“Like I said, we’d become friends over years of working together. But, nothing romantic if that’s what you’re asking. He wasn’t my type. Too short on both looks and money.”
At least she was honest.
“Did he have any personal problems? Girlfriend? Enemies?”
“Well, my boyfriend, C.J., didn’t like him. He was jealous of all the time we spent together. I tried to explain to him how important it is for a model and photographer to have a partnership, not just a business arrangement. The rapport is essential. We had to be comfortable around each other. I had to trust him to shoot me in the nude, to see me as a work of art and not a naked woman. You know, classy stuff, not porn.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, C.J. says no man can look at a naked woman and not see a naked woman. He tried to get past it. He’d been doing better controlling his jealous streak, but he really flipped when I gave Petey this little guy.” She motioned to the puppy curled up against her flat stomach and stroked his head with one knuckle. “It was C.J. who gave him to me.” She glanced up. “But, anyway, he wouldn’t have killed Petey over it, if that’s what you’re asking.”
I glanced over at Will and frowned. He seemed to be studying the dog intently. Or was it the toned body the pup was curled up against?
Pushing aside these new disturbing thoughts and emotions with effort, I cleared my throat. “Ms. Jennson, the puppy seems really attached to you. Why did you give him to Peter to find a new home?”
Glancing down, she sighed softly. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a cute little guy. And the photo shoot we did with him came out amazing. But I travel so much, I just can’t have a pet. I mean, I hadn’t even had time to think of a name for him. I leave for Paris in a week, and I’ll be traveling for two months.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t really a smart gift for C.J. to give me. I think he was trying to appeal to my maternal side, honestly. He’s been bugging me lately about settling down and marrying him. Maybe when I’m too old to model anymore, like thirty. But right now, I’m at the top of my game, making a ton of money, traveling the world, in control of my own life. No man is worth giving that up for.”
She threw a conspiratorial glance my way, but I couldn’t relate to making “a ton of money” off of my body, so I just forced a polite smile.
Will was tapping his foot. “Was there anyone else, besides your boyfriend, who might’ve had a problem with Mr. Vanek?”
She thought for a moment then shrugged. “His neighbor’s suing him. Petey was pretty upset about it, said it would ruin him financially if he lost. Something about damage to the neighbor’s boat. The guy is a real creep, though. Always ended up in the yard when I was there, watering his plants in just his shorts. Like he really waters his own plants. Give me a break.”
“Do you have a name for this neighbor?”
“Petey just called him the Jerry the Jerk.”
“Okay, thank you.” Will scribbled in his notebook. “We’ll talk to him. Also, I’d like to speak with your boyfriend, C.J., and anyone else that was an acquaintance of Mr. Vanek.”
I glanced at Will. I was really surprised he was going this far in the investigation already. I mean, what if the poor guy did just have a heart attack? Then I remembered the missing camera. It didn’t just get up and walk out of the house by itself. Something was fishy.
“Sure. I’m actually having a party Monday night. Sort of a going away party. You should come. C.J. will be here and a lot of the other models Petey worked with and other industry people he hung out with. It’s here at six.”
Will nodded. “I’ll stop by. Thank you.”
“Actually, we’ll stop by, if you don’t mind,” I blurted out. No way Will was going to a party full of models without me.
“Oh.” She flicked her gaze from Will to me and shrugged a sculpted shoulder. “Sure. It’s casual dress.”
I felt Will’s curious glance aimed at me. Then he stood up. “I guess we’ll see you Monday night. Thank you for your time.”
“Such a shame.” She rose and walked over, the puppy clutched to her chest. Then she placed her well-manicured hand on Will’s arm.
I fought a growl.
“You’ll let me know if you find out anything before then, won’t you, Detective?”
“If I can.”
“Thank you.” She gave the puppy a kiss on the nose and maneuvered him back in the carrier. “You be good now, so these nice folks can find you a home.”
I glanced at Will waiting for him to tell her it shouldn’t be our job to find the puppy a home. But he didn’t. He just shook her hand, thanked her again and we left.
; Guess it was our job now.
CHAPTER FIVE
“What do you think?” I buckled my seat belt and slipped off the high-heeled red sandals Sylvia had ordered to match our dresses. I’d had enough of them and my ankle was throbbing. “Do you think she was telling the truth?”
“She seemed sincere.”
I eyed Will’s profile. He was chewing the inside of his cheek and seemed distracted. Which, I guess would be normal in the middle of a death investigation, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he was more distracted by the bikini.
“She was real pretty,” I ventured, still staring at him.
“Yeah.” He signaled and changed lanes. As he did, he caught my stare.
Was I squinting? I made an effort to smooth out my expression.
“What?” he asked.
“So, you think she was pretty?” What was I doing? Of course she was pretty. Beyond just pretty, she was perfect. What was he supposed to say? I wanted to take the question/accusation back, but there was some new force controlling my mouth. One I didn’t like at all.
“Yes, she was pretty. She’s a model, sort of a job requirement.” He laughed and then glanced back at me. “Wait a minute … are you jealous?”
I felt my face heat up. “No, of course not. Who would be jealous of her?” Tears pricked my eyes. I blinked in surprise. What in heaven’s name was wrong with my body? Sanity had left the building.
Will rested his hand on my knee. “Darwin, you have to know I’m not that shallow. To me, you’re the most beautiful girl in the universe.”
I sniffed and smiled despite knowing he was lying to make me feel better. “Liar. You don’t even know all the girls in the universe.”
“Doesn’t matter. Besides your outer beauty, you have an inner beauty, kindness and light that is very unique. You’re a special person and I’m glad you’re mine.”
“Oh I’m yours, am I?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
A deep chuckle rumbled in his throat as he squeezed my knee. “Yes, ma’am.”
It worked, until I suddenly got an image of me and Zachary Faraday on the dream beach.
Whoa.
Against my will, the first night Zach had invaded my dreams played out all over again in my head.
The air shimmered around me like a desert mirage. Sugary sand warmed my bare feet, water circled me. Large white caps rose beyond the sandy shore, moving toward me and crashing at my feet. They lulled me, and I felt my body swaying as if responding to some beat I couldn't hear. What I could hear, over and above the crashing sea, was a rumbling. I could also feel it beneath the sand. I squinted through the gauzy air toward the looming mountain, gaining more detail as I stared. Like a sudden fireworks display, fluorescent red spewed from the mountain, igniting the air.
I took a few steps back and stumbled, landing with a soft thunk in the sand. A figure began to shimmer and solidify in front of me. I gasped. Zach.
He reached down and held out his hand. I stared into the depths of his dark eyes as I placed my hand in his, feeling the familiar sensation of heat spread through my body. He pulled me up to stand before him, releasing my hand but instead of letting me go, he slid it to my waist and pulled me closer. My hand went to his bare chest and laid there. A soft gasp escaped my lips. I glanced down at the tattoo on his chest and felt the sudden need to trace it. As my finger moved around the symbols, down toward where his pants hung low on his waist, he moaned. The symbols changed from black to fluorescent red. The same color as the lava shooting through the air behind us.
"Darwin." He whispered my name and it echoed all around us. His index finger tilted my chin up to meet his eyes once again. His mouth came down softly to touch mine. Heat spread to my core as he deepened the kiss. Lost. I was lost in him. Lost to him. His arm tightened around me, pressing me against his chest until I felt nothing but pressure, heat and passion. His grip, his kiss, his dark, hungry eyes clearly said "mine."
I tore my mouth from his with effort that almost made me black out. "No." I breathed. I watched his glistening lips turn up in a half smile.
He nodded. "In time."
I forced myself back to the present and rested my heated forehead against the cool window. Why did my thoughts want to derail me at every turn today?
The puppy’s scratching caught my attention. I glanced into the backseat, glad for the distraction. “Well, I guess I’m fostering this little guy until I can find him a new home. Can we run by Peter’s house so I can grab his food and whatever else he needs?”
“Sure. I need to check on the progress at the scene anyway and have a word with the neighbor.”
My phone vibrated in the console. I picked it up. “Sylvia! You all right, hon?”
“Darwin, I’m so sorry. This is such a disaster. Don’t bother coming back to the gardens, the wedding is off.”
Off? Wait, what? “You mean postponed right?”
“No. I told you this would happen. My mother believes the photographer having a heart attack is um sinal de Deus. God’s way of telling us that the wedding is a mistake. I cannot have a wedding without my mother’s support. To start a life with someone that way. It would never work out.”
I pressed my palm against my forehead and closed my eyes.
Think, Darwin. Think. Should I try to talk Sylvia into getting married without her mother’s blessing? No, Sylvia has a point. Her mother’s disapproval might cause resentment and eventually drive a wedge between Sylvia and Landon.
My eyes popped open. “Okay, listen, Sylvia. Your mother believes the photographer’s death was God’s will, right? Because Peter died from natural causes?”
“Si.” She blew her nose.
“Well, what if he was actually murdered? An act of evil. Wouldn’t that be the Devil trying to sabotage your happiness?”
She sniffed and then was silent for a moment. “Si, Maybe. But was he murdered? Who would want to kill my wedding photographer?”
“It’s a possibility, and I don’t know who or why. We just need a few days to prove it.” I caught Will shaking his head out of the corner of my eye. I ignored him. “Here’s what you need to do. Ask Frankie if she can get the Vinoy to extend your family’s rooms for a week. She’s got connections. Convince them they need to stay. Just a week. Tell them why and we’ll get to the bottom of this for you, and then you can have the wedding with your mother’s blessing.”
Sylvia groaned and mumbled something I couldn’t understand. “I don’t know, Darwin. My mother, she’s pretty stubborn when she makes her mind up about something. And the Sunken Gardens are booked up months in advance. I can’t just change the date.”
“But if the real cause of death is not natural, this’ll change her mind and we can have the wedding, right? I mean, you can get married anywhere, it doesn’t have to be at the Gardens.”
Sylvia sighed. “Si. I think that would work. I can talk them into staying for a week if they can keep their rooms. But, how are you going to prove this one way or the other in a week?”
“You leave that part up to me and Will.”
When I hung up, I glanced over at Will. He was smirking and shaking his head.
“What?”
“You know what you just promised her is impossible.”
I adjusted myself in the seat so I was facing him, and gave him my most imploring puppy dog eyes. “Impossible? Where’s your faith, Will? We have to do this. We have to prove that someone killed Peter Vanek in a week or the wedding is off for good. Sylvia and Landon’s future depends on us.”
“Us? Darwin, look, I know you want to fix this for them. But, I’m in the middle of helping Vice set up a huge drug sting involving one of my arson suspects. And even if I had nothing else on my plate, I can’t just solve a murder in a week.” He pulled up to a red light and turned to me. His shoulders fell when our eyes met, then he rested a hand on my knee. “You know I’d do anything for Sylvia and Landon. Anything within my power. But, a week? An investigation just doesn’t work that fast even i
f I wanted it to.” The light turned green and he sighed as he pressed the gas pedal. “Besides, we don’t even know that Mr. Vanek didn’t just have a heart attack.”
I crossed my arms, my frustration and worry mounting. “I know you don’t think he just had a heart attack or you wouldn’t be starting your investigation already. We have to try. Please?” He shook his head slightly. I could tell he was thinking about it. “Please, Will.”
He sighed and mumbled something as we pulled up to Peter’s house. “Fine. We’ll try. I’ll see if I can get the autopsy pushed up. No promises.”
Feeling a mixture of relief, gratitude and worry, I leaned over and pressed a kiss on his cheek. “Trying is all I ask.”
CHAPTER SIX
Luckily for me, Peter’s body had already been removed by the time we got back to his house.
While Will spoke with the officers who were just wrapping up, I let the puppy out of the carrier to go potty. He seemed more interested in rolling in the grass and chasing a tiny green dragonfly. I had to smile. He was a cute little thing.
After hopping after him on my sore ankle, I put him back in the carrier so I could gather his things from the house, including hopefully a harness and leash. If not, I’d have to stop by the pet boutique that Sylvia and I co-owned and grab one.
I kept my dog’s food in the kitchen, so I tried there first. The kitchen was beautiful. It had black and gray marble countertops, shiny kitchen toys like a juicer, food processor, even a wheat-grass press. Proof that Rachel wasn’t lying when she said he was a health nut. I felt more secure in my belief that this guy didn’t have a heart attack.
I opened the pantry. Bingo. A bag of dried food and a stack of wet food cans. I didn’t want to change his food and upset his stomach. Finding a couple of cloth grocery bags, I loaded them full of the dog food. What else? Peter probably also had a bed for him. I wandered down the hallway and found the master bedroom. Sure enough, there was a small round dog bed next to the dresser. I tucked it under my arm and then noticed a small basket of toys. I grabbed that, too.
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