For the same reason dogs chase cars that they have no chance in hell of catching. They’re stupid. Maybe the guy had already forked out the cash and was just getting a head start on his investment. A naked woman in bed has a tendency to overpower a man’s good sense. Hell, come to think of it, that’s assuming men have any sense at all, good or bad.
Maddy pondered that for a moment. “Okay, let’s assume Bernardi hooked up with our mystery lady recently and was just having a testosterone reaction when he saw some guy grab her tush. That would explain why he ended up pounding the living crap out of the other guy, but it wouldn’t tell us why his killing went down the way it did that night.” She stared down at the picture of Bernardi. “Why would someone go to all the trouble of carrying out this execution at the station in a way that would frame me? If they’d have waited one more day, they could’ve killed him in the parking lot of a bar somewhere. Or at his apartment. Seems to me that would’ve been a whole lot easier. So why am I in the mix?”
“Yeah, we’re definitely missing something,” Kate said before glancing at her watch. “I have to be back at the hospital in an hour, Maddy. Is there anything else we need to talk about before I leave?”
Maddy sighed, knowing her sisters would all flip out when they found out that Bernardi had actually been at her house when her daughter was alone. She stood and walked to the cabinet and reached for the vodka on the top shelf. “I need something a little stronger before I tell you the next part.”
When the others eyeballed the half-empty bottle of vodka, there was a collective cheer around the table.
“Now you’re talking,” Lainey said, as she shoved her glass toward Maddy. “Hit me.”
“Dammit!” Kate said. “Sometimes it sucks having a job where people’s lives actually depend on you.” She refilled her glass with juice only. “I have to say, Maddy, I’m getting a little nervous about why you need alcohol to tell us something. You hardly ever drink—and never before dinner.”
Maddy poured a small amount of vodka into her juice and sat down with the manila folder she’d grabbed from the counter. After downing a big gulp, she opened it and slid the picture across the table.
Lainey was the first to react. “Oh my God! When was this taken?”
“A few days before Bernardi was arrested.”
“What in the hell was he doing at your house?” Deena asked, unable to hide the horrified look on her face. It was just the reaction Maddy had expected.
“He was looking for Alan Foxworthy. Thought the man lived here.”
“Should that name ring a bell with us?” Kate asked.
Maddy blew out a breath. “He’s the guy who fought with Bernardi at the bar—the one who was in the cell next to him and was also shot.”
“What? That makes no sense,” Lainey said. “And isn’t he the guy who positively identified you as the shooter”
Maddy nodded. “I’ve wracked my brain trying to figure out a reason why he’d say that. He was in on the plan to frame me or the person that shot him was disguised to look like me somehow. Either way, it would’ve been a lot easier to wait until Bernardi was out of jail before killing him.”
Who took the picture? Tessa asked.
“I don’t know. The cops found it in Bernardi’s apartment when they searched it after he was killed,” Maddy responded then remembered the others hadn’t heard the question. “Tessa wanted to know who took the picture.”
“Okay,” Lainey said, shoving the photo back across the table. “Sounds like it’s time we have a little chat with our mystery barfly.”
“Already on it,” Maddy said. “I have her address, and I thought I’d run over there this afternoon to see if she can shed some light on all this. Who’s with me?”
“Can’t,” Kate said, scrunching her lips in a pout. “I always miss out on all the good stuff. Hope to hell I make it all the way through my residency so these eighteen-hour days will be worth it.”
“I can’t, either.” Deena poured herself another screwdriver. “I’m working from home today so it doesn’t count as a sick day.”
Maddy made eye contact with Lainey as a huge grin flashed across her face.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. My curiosity is killing me. Besides, I need to bone up on my investigative skills. Anchoring the six o’clock news on the weekend doesn’t exactly stimulate my journalistic mind.” She looked around the table. “What about you, Tessa?”
Oh, hell yes. Seeing my two sisters go after that poor defenseless ho will make my day.
“It’s settled then. Tessa’s in, too. We’ll plan on meeting back here again day after tomorrow and go from there. We’ll report everything to you, Deena, so you can add it to the notes. That way, they’ll be all together when—” Maddy stopped abruptly when the doorbell rang, nearly causing her to jump out of her skin.
Scrambling from her seat, she walked quickly to the door, wondering if the wallpaper samples she’d requested before this fiasco started had finally arrived. A lot of good they’d be to her now since there was no way she could afford any more improvements on the house.
“Have you checked my references yet?”
Up this close to Jake Matthews, Maddy noticed how blue his eyes were and how the nice citrusy smell from his body tickled her nostrils. “I’ve started, but I’m not finished yet,” she lied.
Actually she’d had Tom Rogers do a complete criminal background check on him the day before. To her surprise Jake Matthews was an ex-cop who now worked for an insurance company that catered to the world’s wealthiest clients, insuring all their high-dollar toys and assets.
“Didn’t find any dirt on me, did you?” He leaned against the door frame, never once taking his eyes off her face.
“Not yet,” she said, trying desperately to show him that his gaze didn’t faze her. “If there’s something there, trust me, I’ll find it.”
She met his stare with an intense one of her own, wondering how a decorated cop like him—according to Rogers’s information— could leave law enforcement altogether and be satisfied working for an insurance company.
And what exactly did an ex-cop do at an insurance company, anyhow?
Jake broke eye contact first, then pulled out his wallet and handed her a check. “Like I said, I’ll only be in town for a short time. Here’s two thousand dollars for a couple of months rent plus an extra thousand as a security deposit. That should just about cover it for both rooms upstairs, right?”
Maddy stared at the check in his hand. It was way more than she’d ever intended to charge. More importantly, it was more than enough to reach the ten grand she needed for her lawyer’s retainer fee. She wanted so badly to reach for it and have all her money problems go away for a while, but something held her back.
She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “Why’d you leave the San Antonio Police Department?” She didn’t care if it was out of line and dangerously skirting the none-of-your-business range. If she was seriously considering letting this guy live in her house with her ten-year-old daughter, she had to know he wasn’t a danger to them. “And don’t lie to me because I’ll find out soon enough.”
His eyes flashed anger before a glint of mischief replaced it. “Been checking up on me down at the station, I see.” He lowered his head and shifted the weight from one foot to the other before glancing back up at her, a look of sadness now on his face. “I lost my partner in a drug bust. After that I questioned why I was a cop. I became a liability to anybody who was unfortunate enough to partner with me.” He took a deep breath then let it out slowly, sending the unmistakable whiff of alcohol her way.
Warning flags popped up in her head like weeds in a flower garden.
fourteen
“You’ve been drinking,” Maddy accused. “And it’s not even noon yet.”
“I could say the same thing about you,” Jake fired back.
She slammed her hand over her mouth, remembering the two vodka screwdrivers she’d imbibed only moments
before. He was right. Who was she to judge when she was guilty of the exact same thing she’d just chastised him for?
But she wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily.
“The difference is I’m not trying to rent a room where there’s a minor child. The report on you says you have a drinking problem. I need to know if it’s true.”
He lifted his chin and stared her down. He was definitely nervous, and it was her experience that when someone was uncomfortable, there was usually a good reason why. She was pretty sure his had everything to do with alcohol.
“I won’t have an alcoholic living in my house.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. No drinking while I’m here. You can throw my sorry ass out—no questions asked—anytime you think I’ve fallen off the wagon. You can even keep all the rent money on top of the security deposit.” He paused to study her face. “So will you at least consider renting me your upstairs rooms?”
Before she could respond, all three of her sisters rushed over to stand behind her.
“And you are?” Lainey asked, stepping in front of Maddy as if to protect her, a maneuver that didn’t go unnoticed by Matthews.
His eyes crinkled and he held out his hand. “Jake Matthews. I’m trying to rent a room here for a few months.”
As Lainey shook his hand, Maddy heard Kate’s sharp intake of breath when she stepped forward and got her first look at the ex-cop.
“Kate Garcia, Maddy’s youngest sister,” she said, emphasizing the youngest part.
“I’m Deena Hernandez, also her younger sister.” She made a sweeping motion with her arm. “Come on in, and we’ll talk about it.”
I hate being dead, Tessa said, standing so close to Jake it was a wonder he didn’t feel a chill. This guy is freaking gorgeous. I’m suddenly reminded that sex is like air. It’s only important if you’re not getting any.
Maddy held out her arm to stop Jake from coming in. She wasn’t ready to deal with it yet, not with all the other things on her mind. “My sisters were just leaving. I have your card, Mr. Matthews. I’ll be making a decision sometime today, and I’ll call you.”
She closed the door quickly before she changed her mind. The check in his hand was too tempting and she had to really give it some thought. Her decision would be more rational if she made it away from those searing blue eyes.
“Are you nuts?” Deena asked. “Aren’t you desperate for money? You’re turning away a guy who wants to pay to use the rooms upstairs for a few months—the rooms that are currently vacant, I might add? The least you can do is check him out.”
“I already have,” Maddy said, nudging her sisters back into the kitchen. “He’s an ex-cop.”
“That’s perfect,” Lainey said. “Not only will you have extra money but the guy looks like he could hold his own in case someone decides to pay you a little visit.” She picked up the picture of Bernardi and Jessie and pointed at the dead guy. “Need I say more?”
“I know,” Maddy said. “And I’m considering it, but I want to mull it over a little while longer. It’s a big decision to open up your house to a perfect stranger.”
“Want me to get Colt to vet him?” Lainey asked.
“What? No,” Maddy responded quickly. “Rogers has already started the process. Besides, you’d have to admit to Colt that you were over here when you met him, and you and I both know your husband would see right through that. Then the nonstop lectures about us butting out of his investigation would commence.”
Lainey slapped her hand to her head. “Oh dear God, yes. I forgot about that. Tom Rogers can do it just as easily as Colt.”
“Well, guys, I hate to break up this party, but I really do have to run. I’m already late,” Kate said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.
“Me too,” Deena said, following her. “And make sure you call Kate and me the minute you two get back from the bar girl’s house. Then we’ll meet in a few days and plan our next move.”
When Lainey and Maddy were finally alone, Lainey asked, “Have you heard any more from your lawyer?”
Maddy shook her head. “Only that he’s coming up Friday with some of his team to discuss my case.” She swallowed. “He’ll need the retainer then.”
“Do you have it?”
“Most of it.”
Maddy thought about how many problems would be resolved if she just allowed Jake Matthews to rent her upstairs. What could it hurt? Rogers had already done a thorough background check and had all but confirmed there were no problems. Other than the fact that he’d left his job a year ago, possibly because of his drinking. Most importantly, nothing in his history indicated the slightest hint of issues with young girls. Jessie might even be safer with him around.
But what worried her most at the moment, if she closed her eyes right now, she knew she would still see him standing at her doorstep. She could visualize his light blue shirt opened at the neck just enough to allow a peek at the few chest hairs poking through, the faded blue jeans that looked like they were made especially for him. Even though she knew Lainey was right about having him around for protection, the fact that she was even thinking about stuff like that scared the crap out of her.
She was jarred from her thoughts when her phone rang, causing her to gasp. After glancing at caller ID, she made a face at Lainey before answering. “Hey, Colt, what’s up? Tell me you have good news.”
She hoped he didn’t pick up on the guilt in her voice for sneaking around behind his back. Knowing her brother-in-law the way she did, he probably would. She braced herself for his reprimand.
“I’m at the hospital with Flanagan,” he said before muttering to someone else, “Don’t let anyone in that room until after forensics gets here.” There was a slight pause before he continued talking to her. “Sorry, Maddy, I’ll make this quick because I have a lot of things to do before—”
“You’re at the hospital?” Maddy interrupted. “Is everything okay?” Silently she prayed that it was. After receiving a call a few years back telling her that Jessie had fallen and broken her arm at school, she now dreaded it whenever someone called from there.
“Foxworthy’s dead.”
“What? I thought he was getting better.”
“He was,” Colt said. “But if my gut is correct, someone decided to hasten his demise.”
“You’re saying he was murdered?”
“We won’t know that until we get the autopsy report, but it looks like a hospital employee may have been involved.” He paused. “Gotta go. There’s the ME now. I’ll call when I have more information.”
Maddy disconnected, her mind racing with all the possibilities about who would have killed the man who had positively IDed her as Bernardi’s killer and thanking her lucky stars that she was nowhere near the place when it happened.
“What did he say?” Lainey’s face twisted with concern. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Her gaze shifted upward. “Sorry, Tessa.”
“He’s at the hospital. He thinks someone killed Alan Foxworthy.”
As much as I’d like to say I’m sorry to hear that, Tessa said, I can’t. It means they won’t be able to use his testimony. This calls for another drink, sis. It just might be the best news we’ve heard since that scumbag Bernardi took a bullet to his head.
_____
He drove past her house just as two women exited and made their way to the cars parked out front, whistling under his breath when he got a closer look at the one who looked younger. Dressed in green scrubs that didn’t hide the outline of a hot little body underneath, she wore her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, making her look like an innocent schoolgirl. He felt a familiar stirring below the belt. Even though the last thing he needed was to be noticed, he took his foot off the gas pedal and slowed for a better look.
“Caramba!” he muttered under his breath.
She looked to be in her middle twenties, and although he usually didn’t go for chicks that much younger than him, he would definitely make an exc
eption in her case.
His eyes moved to the other woman, and instantly, he decided this one wasn’t his type. Her hair was disheveled and she could stand to lose at least fifteen pounds. A closer look at her face left no doubt she was the cop’s sister, and he guessed the looker walking beside her was, as well.
He remembered the first time he’d seen a picture of Madelyn Castillo and thought what a waste of a gorgeous female. It was a crying shame she’d have to rot in a jail somewhere, although he was sure there would be a lot of happy inmates when the prison bus pulled up and the lady felons got their first look at her. Just thinking about it warmed his insides—as well as a few other places.
But sending the cop to jail had never been his intention. He figured with her being a police officer and her brother-in-law as the town sheriff, more than likely she wouldn’t see jail time. A slap on the wrist or even probation with community service maybe, but he hadn’t thought they’d actually prosecute her for killing a douche bag like Bernardi.
After making a U-turn at the end of the block, he eased the car to the curb and waited until both cars were gone before driving back up the street past Castillo’s house. Deciding there was nothing more to see, he turned left at the stop sign, glancing one last time over his shoulder at the cop’s house in time to spot two more women coming down the sidewalk. Although he was too far away to be a hundred percent certain, it looked like one of the ladies might be the cop herself.
His curiosity piqued, he decided he had nothing better to do before heading back to Dallas, and he pulled over into a discreet spot where he watched the women climb into an SUV and head his way. Ducking down low enough so he wouldn’t be noticed, he waited until they passed, then quickly turned around and followed. In case either of them had noticed his car passing the house earlier, he kept three cars between his black Land Rover and the SUV. So far everything had gone as planned. The last thing he needed now was to arouse the cop’s suspicions.
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