Thinking Cam called, I answered without looking at caller ID. “Hey, I sure hope you can make it tonight. I need a foot rub. Maybe more.”
Silence. Dang. “Cam?”
“No, but I wish I were.”
“Oh, uh, hi, Travis. What’s up?”
“Nothing that will get relieved on this end without you, that’s for sure.”
I caught myself smiling then shrugged and grinned. It felt good hearing a horny teenager’s comment from an old boyfriend. His gibe reminded me of when he’d teased me about my determined virginity while we’d dated.
“I’m so not going there.”
“You sure know how to hurt a guy.”
My smile faded. “So. You called, why?”
“Just wanted to see how you’re doing.” His tone dropped. “I’m glad you’re still answering your phone in person.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Anything new on the case?”
“Not officially. I haven’t been called in for more questioning, which I guess is a good thing.” My fatigue and our renewed camaraderie had me blurting my concerns. “It’s just, I don’t know, I think there’s more to these murders than anyone is seeing.”
“Really? Why’s that?”
I shouldn’t have said more, but my internal censor had shut down. “Well, Katie and Ginger are helping me look into some gossip we’ve heard. It seems that Clarice had been involved with Nicole somehow.”
“Maggie, no. Don’t go there.”
The alarm I heard in his voice caught my attention. “No worries, Travis. Katie dates the lead investigator. She’ll keep him informed.” If not, I figured Dirk had his own ways of ensuring Katie stayed straight.
“I’m not kidding, Maggie. Two people have been murdered. Our classmates. People we knew for years. I’d hate to attend your funeral, too.”
“Nothing bad will happen from checking out a few rumors, but if I don’t…well, I could end up in jail.”
I heard his soft breathing in the pause before he answered. “I’d hate that, too, Maggie.”
“Look, I know you’re involved in the financial community and this is a small state for all that it reaches from the Atlantic to the Appalachians. Would you do me the favor of letting me—or the investigator—know if you hear anything pertinent about Nicole or Clarice? They had connections with big money investors, we think.”
“You know I believe you’re innocent, Maggie, but you should be careful where you poke around.”
I heard his long exhale. “What do you know?”
“Nothing. Not really. Whenever big money is involved, things can get dicey. Promise me you’ll stop investigating on your own.”
“Why won’t you help me?”
“Warning you off is the best help I can give.” He sighed then silence fell. “I’ll tell you whatever information I can find, for old time’s sake, okay?”
“Great. Thanks, Travis. I appreciate your help.”
“Just be careful. Big money plays by different rules than the rest of us.”
“I will. Thanks again.”
Hanging up, I turned and saw Cam leaning against the living room doorway. He frowned. “When were you going to tell me?”
My foggy brained warned me to stall. “Tell you what?”
“Travis. You told me that ended years ago and you hadn’t picked it up again. Did I get that wrong? ’Cause I don’t share girlfriends.”
“Cam, no. I wouldn’t two-time you.” Not like his last girlfriend who shredded his heart when she broke their engagement last spring and eloped with another man. All in the same night. I’d heard she’d even kept his ring.
“So he just happened to call.”
“That’s right. I hadn’t heard from him after he left the spa. I’m as surprised as you are.” I figured I’d better not mention I’d thought the call came from Cam and my subsequent request for a foot rub. I thought we’d gotten past his jealousy, but it remained understandable, given his romantic history.
His jaw loosened but his eyes still sent a glare that could refrigerate a food warehouse. “You shouldn’t leave the door open with a murderer loose in town.”
“I did?”
He nodded. “When you didn’t answer, I tried the door.” His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. “I worry about you. Even more after what I heard you say on the phone.”
Thinking back to the foot rub comment, I wondered when he’d arrived. “How much did you hear?”
His eyes narrowed. “You and the girls. Looking into rumors. Knowing you’re hanging with the Demonic Duo is enough to give any man a heart attack. I saw Katie’s kitchen after the murderer hit it.” He shook his head. “But then you ask your ex-boyfriend for help. What the hell Mags? Aren’t you in enough trouble already? Am I not smart enough to help you?”
“If I don’t help myself, I’ll end up giving the warden weekly chair massages. Not my idea of running a business.”
“You wouldn’t have money worries if you’d move in with me.”
What did he say?
“Did you hear me? I said I want you to move in with me.”
His direct look told me he didn’t joke, but I hadn’t heard those sweet words that would get me jumping in his lap. Not to mention I still had niggling concerns about our age difference. I closed my mouth and swallowed my pique.
“So you hear me talking on the phone with a male friend and now you want me to move in with you?” I planted my hands on my hips. “Talk about trust. Not.”
“I trust you. It’s the guys you attended school with that I don’t like. Plus, I hate that you worry about everything. I can make life better for you. Let me help.”
“Kind of like a brother, is that it?”
“Brother? Where the hell did you get that idea?” He moved closer. “I don’t have sibling thoughts about you.”
He placed his hands on my shoulders and gently shook. “I love, love you, you goof ball.”
My mind raced, but I choked on an honest response. Instead, I voiced the first coherent words that made it through the blur. “Did you lock the door behind you?”
“Damn right I did.”
“Good.” I eliminated the tiny distance between us, wrapping my arms around his waist. Tugging him closer, I stood on tiptoe and covered his lips with mine. “I’m sorry.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Sorry? Why?”
“For making you worry.”
“So you’ll move in with me?”
I eased back. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”
“Right now, or right ever?” He ran his fingertips over my cheek, and his thumb pressed against my lips. “I want you safe. What I heard you say on the phone, well, I think you’re headed into danger. That scares me, Mags.”
We exchanged long looks.
“I know you don’t like Travis, but I think he’s innocent. Well, not totally innocent.”
“You’re in over your head.”
“It’s my life.”
“Yeah, you’ve made that clear.”
“Cam, it makes no sense for me to move in with you when my next residence might be a cot at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.”
“You’re innocent. Tell Dirk what you know, or suspect, about Travis. Make sure Katie tells him what the three of you have figured out. Promise me you’ll call him tomorrow.”
“Katie is bringing Dirk up to speed. And we haven’t learned much, yet.” Not that the rumor mill wouldn’t give us the information we needed, and soon, or Ginger missed her mark. “Besides, I think someone murdered Nicole and Clarice for personal reasons. We didn’t share social connections, so the killer won’t mess with me.”
He stared at me until what I’d just said penetrated my thickness. The killer had messed with me all too well. First by using my work area for his dirty deed with Clarice, then implicating me in Nicole’s death.
“Yeah, okay, so I just said something dumb.” I rethought my position. “Still, I think the firs
t murder could have been a mistake, or someone taking advantage of circumstances. I’d been set up for Nicole’s death because it made sense—I was already a suspect.”
“Yeah, you keep thinking that someone—a killer—doesn’t have it in for you.” He clenched his fists. “You’re safe here all by yourself when the sociopath comes to call.”
Put like that, I wanted to crawl up next to him and leave without packing. Just grab a toothbrush and go. But I also knew that I’d been framed for two murders and no bodyguard, regardless how delicious, could have prevented that happening. I needed room to move, and living with Cam would hamper investigation. No psychic sense needed to infer that truth.
I hugged Cam, my hands moving up his back to his shoulders. “You are a special man. I appreciate you, but I can’t live with you, not until I’m cleared of murder.”
“Then let me help you. I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
I rubbed his shoulders. “Oh, I can think of something I need right now. And you’re my pick for the job.”
His lips quirked. “Oh, yeah? You want me for my body again, right? Why not my mind? Huh. Never thought I’d say that.”
After our laughter faded, I pulled his head down for a kiss. “Actually, I could use a foot rub and a snuggle session. I’m beat.”
That’s when Cam proved he’s not just a pretty face and gorgeous body. I fell asleep spooned in the arms of a man who rubbed my feet like a professional. Finally, I got a full night’s sleep. And more of my niggling concerns about our relationship melted away.
****
“Promise me you’ll think about my offer.” Cam’s hands moved over my stomach and hips early the next morning. If he moved a little lower, I’d agree to anything. Even without coffee first.
“Okay.” My body relaxed under his continued ministrations.
Movement stopped. “I mean it, Maggie. You’d be safer living with me.”
I lay there comfortable and disinclined toward argument but the truth loomed clear. If a murderer wanted to hurt me, I couldn’t really stop him. Besides, as long as I remained the number one suspect, I counted as too important to knock off.
We performed our morning ablutions, detoured several times because of proximity. My rental house had just one teeny bathroom. After a sexy bout in the shower and another caused by toweling each other off, Cam finally left for work. Not that I felt sorry about the delays. They just provided more food for thought.
I was falling in love, and the fact scared the bejeezus out of me.
****
I didn’t have enough on my mind or plate, so when I opened the door on my way out, I received another jolt. Detectives Dirk Johnson and Matt Pulaski stood on my porch.
“Dirk. Matt.”
Dirk answered for the pair. “Maggie. May we come in?”
As if I’d hold a conversation with two cops on my front porch when my neighbors were salivating for the next installment of the “is Maggie guilty” saga. “Sure.” I stood aside and they filed past.
We got settled, and although Matt unobtrusively sniffed the coffee-scented air, I didn’t offer them java. They hadn’t come on a social call.
With a sigh, Matt pulled out his notebook and a pen. He settled into my sole club chair. Dirk perched alongside me on the couch.
“So should I call my lawyer?” I held myself stiff at the edge of the cushion.
“Maggie, relax, we just need clarification on some prior testimony. Go ahead and call your lawyer. We can wait.”
Maybe they had time to spare but I already ran late. My shoulders dropped and I inhaled. Even though Jenkins had counseled me to phone no matter what, it sounded like they were just checking my prior statement. I may as well get past their questions sooner than later. I couldn’t think of anything I hadn’t already told them.
“Go ahead. For now.”
“We,” his hand gesture indicated he and Matt “are hoping you have information you haven’t shared.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know anything I haven’t told you. Besides, I thought you were here to check prior testimony.”
Dirk remained still, watching me. “No new information gathered through the grape vine? I hope you’re not holding back evidence, Maggie. If so, you’d have an obstruction of justice charge to answer.”
I thought for a moment. “I have nothing further to say.” Jenkins would be proud of me. Damn it all. I really should have called Tom, regardless of piling up more billable hours I couldn’t pay.
“Okay, I have a question not related to the case. You don’t have to answer. What do you know about the politics in this town?”
My shoulders crept up toward my ears. “The mayor gets his way with the City Council because he’s broadened the tax base by luring the Charlotte commuters here. Old timers aren’t too happy with him. They preferred Granville Falls as a smaller and friendlier town.” I shrugged. “What do you mean?”
Dirk leaned toward me. “Everyone knows you, Katie, and Ginger are asking questions. By the time Katie clued me in on your actions, I’d already had multiple calls from the mayor’s secretary, his deputy, and the man himself. Along with a slew of concerned citizens.”
He rubbed one finger across his forehead. “They all wanted to know when “those girls” had been deputized.”
I shrank against the couch back. “We just wanted to help.”
His calm demeanor dropped away. “What the hell are you women thinking? You’re in over your heads. There’s a murderer loose in town and he’s targeted you, Maggie.” His eyes narrowed. “Either that, or you’ve done a hellava job convincing your friends you aren’t a killer.”
All the emotions I’d been repressing flooded my body. Combined they resulted in anger. “Well, dang, thanks for the vote of confidence.”
He nodded at Matt. “We’re investigating all aspects of this case in depth. If you learn something about the murders, tell your attorney or us as soon as possible. We need to hear all the facts. Even the gossip.”
“We didn’t mean to make your job more difficult, it’s just...well, we know you’re under pressure and the mayor’s on your case.” I caught his gaze. “I don’t want to go to jail, Dirk.” My head spun with the course of this conversation.
“You don’t give the GFPD much credit, Maggie.”
My face heated.
Dirk pinned me with a glare. “We’re looking for a killer or killers.” Dirk rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “A case could be made that you’re asking questions to divert suspicion.”
Dang. His words made me feel guilty, and I knew I hadn’t committed murder. I gulped.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I didn’t kill anyone?”
Dirk’s quiet answer sent my pulse wild. “Words don’t make it so, Maggie.”
Dirk and Mat’s impassive faces stared back at me. I had no friends in the room. For all I knew, they’d cave to pressure and come for me when I least expected their arrival. I stiffened my spine. Asking questions around town, no matter how dangerous, could be my only chance of survival.
“Nothing I’ve heard sounds like checking prior testimony. I’ll be calling Tom Jenkins now.”
Dirk stood and Matt copied his lead. “No need. We’re leaving.”
They stomped out, and I concentrated on pulling in oxygen. I waited until I saw them pull out, then grabbed my day’s supplies and headed for the door on shaky legs.
Either I waited for the cops’ help or I took my life, and possibly my friends’ lives, in my hands. I didn’t like either option. I suddenly felt like a catnip toy between the paws of a bloodthirsty feline.
Then I opened the door on another surprise.
Chapter Sixteen
“So Dirk stopped by to put the fear of God in you, right? I figured he’d show after Brad suggested a reward for information yesterday.” Katie handed me a tall coffee to go from Java the Hutt then stepped across my threshold. “Did you call Tom Jenkins?”
I grabbed the cardboard contai
ner like manna from Heaven. “Fear of God? No, they were checking my prior statement. I didn’t think I needed my lawyer for that.” I wouldn’t tell her about Dirk’s implied threats, but the additional stress had my stomach churning. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
Katie plopped onto the couch in the same spot Dirk had occupied a few minutes earlier. “I’ve got to run out to a job site and drop off updated plans. Lucky me, huh? Thought I’d stop by before you left for work.”
“And you just happened to arrive right after Dirk left?”
“Yeah, my timing could use some work, huh?” She grinned. “So what did he tell you?”
“We’re in over our heads.”
“Guess Dirk forgot I starred on the swim team in high school.”
Tears pooled in my eyes. I blinked them back. “You’re my star now and always. You and Ginger. I don’t know what I’d do without your friendship.”
Katie squirmed. She still hadn’t learned to accept compliments very well, but at least she hadn’t begun blustering.
“Speaking of Ginger, wait until you hear what she discovered.” She rubbed her hands together and cackled.
“Why do I get the feeling you didn’t share this info with Dirk?”
She sipped from her cup, savoring the buildup, “Actually, I did, earlier today. He’s having someone check it out.” She leaned toward me. “I wouldn’t suppress information that will prove your innocence. If Dirk doesn’t listen, we’ll check the stories ourselves.”
Given my recent discussion with her lover, I knew he wanted every tidbit he could get.
“Anyway, you know how Brad’s mom is always bragging about her son?”
“Yeah, but we always figured she built him up to make herself feel better. It couldn’t have been easy having a known dweeb for a son and a former jock as an ex-husband.” I’d felt sorry for the drab woman who’d driven her nerdy offspring to school every day. Well, as sorry as a shallow teenager can be on the few occasions her situation occurred to me. “Besides, how were we to know she told the truth?”
“The reason why Brad succeeded remains in question. Anyway, Ginger investigated.” Katie stopped and sipped.
“And?”
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