"Speak for yourself," Tom said belligerently.
"Cool it, Evans," Bryan snapped. His jaw clenched, and one of the veins in his neck began to throb. "Excuse me," he said, abruptly rising from the table. "I need a minute." He stalked toward the edge of the patio and stepped out into the sand.
Tom rose, too. "I told you to leave him alone," he said, glaring at me before taking off after his buddy.
I watched them go and then let out a frustrated breath. I should have known I wouldn't be able to talk to Bryan with Tom around.
"Don't let Big T get to you," Freddy said, catching my eye. "He has a hard time leaving his job on the field."
I nodded. Not only did Tom protect Bryan and the other running backs on the field, but now he'd charged himself with running emotional defense for my ex, too. I couldn't fault him for following his instincts—after all, he had a right to be wary of me, considering I was there to try to determine Bryan's possible involvement in his girlfriend's murder.
"How are you hanging in there, Kaley?" Freddy asked. "You're the one who found Val on the beach, right?"
"Yeah," I said lamely, not sure what else to say. After a pause, I added, "Mia and Emma were there too."
"Yikes." Will's mouth set in a grim line. He reached across the table and took my hand, squeezing it gently. The gesture went a long way toward putting me at ease. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. It must have been pretty traumatic."
I grimaced. You have no idea.
"How did she die?" Freddy asked.
It was an odd question, and my gaze snapped to him. "Huh?"
Freddy gave me a sheepish look. "Sorry. Morbid curiosity, I guess. I just wondered if you could tell what happened." He leaned forward, watching me with an intent expression.
"Come on, man," Will groaned. He ran a hand over his close-cropped hair. "That's messed up."
I held up a hand. "It's okay," I told Will. I pushed my sunglasses back on top of my hair and looked from one man to the other. "I'm not sure how she died," I said honestly. I swallowed, picturing the blood darkening the sand beneath her temple. "But I think it might have been a head wound of some kind—like maybe someone hit her with something." My brows pinched. "But who could have done something like that? And why?"
Freddy laced his hands behind his head, his expression turning thoughtful. "Well, I don't know if this is relevant since we're all the way across the country, but there is one guy who comes to mind that might have wanted to hurt Val. She had a stalker for a while back in Atlanta."
I felt a visceral tug in my gut, and my ears perked. "A stalker?"
Freddy exchanged a glance with Will and then met my eyes. "There was this guy," he said, shooting a furtive look over his shoulder toward Bryan and Tom. They were still standing near the edge of the patio, arguing. Freddy faced me again and lifted a menu to shield his face from their view. He lowered his voice. "So, a few weeks ago, I spotted Valentina heading to her car when I was leaving practice. There was this dude following her—like, he was obviously watching her, and when she got into her car, homeboy hopped in one a few rows over and followed her out of the parking lot. I went back to the locker room and told Bryan about what I saw. He got all huffy but said he'd handle it. The next morning at practice, I asked him if he'd managed to catch up to the guy. All he would tell me was that Val was all right and that I shouldn't worry about it."
Goosebumps pricked my arms. The idea of an obsessive stranger following Val around gave me the creeps. "Did you ever find out who the guy was?" I asked.
Freddy shrugged. "No clue. Bryan never mentioned him again, and I didn't ask Valentina about it. I didn't want to freak her out."
"My guess is that he was just some overzealous fan," Will said. "Some guy with a thing for cheerleaders, maybe." He shrugged. "At least it seems like Bryan chased him off before things could escalate."
But what if he didn't? I wondered, darting a look at Bryan, who was heading back toward the table with Tom. What if Val's stalker had followed her to Aloha Lagoon?
"Don't ask him about it," Freddy whispered just before the two men reached the table. "He's got enough on his mind. There's no point in upsetting him further, right?"
I nodded my understanding.
"Sorry about that," Bryan mumbled as he dropped back into his chair. He avoided my gaze by picking up one of the menus and perusing the first page.
Tom took a seat beside him. Though he said nothing, his eyes fixed on me, narrowed with mistrust.
"It's okay," I told Bryan. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just wanted to pay my condolences." I swallowed. "I know we're not on the best of terms"—okay, so that was a massive understatement—"but I really am sorry for your loss."
"Thanks." Bryan rubbed his hand over his face. He sighed. "I know it's early, but I could sure use a stiff drink." He lifted a hand to flag the nearest server.
Seeing my window of opportunity, I pounced on it. "They only serve a handful of premixed drinks here at the café," I told him. "Though if you want a specialty cocktail, the wait staff can run over to The Lava Pot and have the bartender whip one up—once they open, that is." I made a show of glancing around the table, making eye contact with each of the guys. Everyone except Tom, anyway. "Have any of you dropped by The Lava Pot yet? They serve some of the best drinks on the island."
Freddy shook his head.
"Nope," Will replied.
Bryan didn't answer, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw his shoulders stiffen. When I tried to look him in the face, he turned away from me. "Screw it," he said, rising from the table. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet, tossing a couple of bills onto the table next to his iced tea. "I'll just go upstairs and grab something from the mini bar." He started to turn away from the table but paused, lowering his shades. His gazed was fixed just past my shoulder. "Huh," he muttered, a frown creasing his face. "Your purse looks just like Val's."
"What?" My stomach dropped as three other pairs of eyes shifted toward the bag hoisted over my shoulder. It hadn't occurred to me that Bryan might recognize it. I had to give the purse to Detective Ray as potential evidence—so I couldn't let my ex-hubby know that it really did belong to his girlfriend. "Oh, this?" I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I got it from the boutique where I work." I gave them what I thought was a breezy smile as I discreetly adjusted the purse so that it was obscured from view by my large tote bag. "Employees get a hefty discount—one of the perks of the job."
"That's nice," Bryan said, though I couldn't tell from his tone whether or not he believed me.
I was literally saved by the bell as my new phone sang out from the depths of my tote. "Just a sec," I murmured, riffling through the bag until I located it and tapped at the screen. There was a new message from Emma:
Emergency!
My heart gave a lurch. Maybe saved had been the wrong word. "You stay," I told Bryan, rising quickly to my feet. "I'll go. Emma needs me."
"Is everything all right?" Freddy asked.
I gave a little wave. "I'm sure it's fine. Probably just wedding planning duties. Nothing the maid of honor can't fix." I said goodbye to the guys and made my way back through the café. As I hurried out into the lobby, I nearly collided with a man who suddenly stepped into my path. I gave a startled cry and jumped back.
"Oh! Gosh, I'm so sorry, ma'am," the man drawled in a Southern accent. "I should pay more attention to where I'm walking."
"It's all right," I replied, flustered. I eyed the man curiously. He was of average height with a round frame and chubby face hidden behind several days' worth of graying stubble. His beady green eyes sized me up in turn, his thin smile suggesting that he liked what he saw. Something about the man seemed vaguely familiar, though I couldn't place it. Must be the accent, I thought, trying to shake off the icky vibe he was giving off. Reminds me of the South is all.
I excused myself and stepped around the man, dialing Emma's number as I walked briskly through the lobby. "I just got your text," I sa
id as soon as she answered. "What's the emergency?"
"Oh, Kaley. I don't know what to do!" she wailed.
"Do about what?" I demanded. "Em, what's wrong? Where are you?"
It was no use. The rest of her words sounded like unintelligible groaning mixed with sobs. Consumed by worry, I dropped my phone back into my bag and quickened my pace. I rounded the corner to the first hallway of rooms, making a beeline toward our door. Stepping inside, I found Emma huddled in Dante's arms on the love seat, sobbing into his sleeve as Mia and Coco looked on with twin looks of pity.
"What happened?" I demanded. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat as I rushed to Emma's side.
She looked up at me and wiped her eyes. "Detective Ray called," she said, her voice quavering under the weight of her tears. "He said that until they get to the bottom of what happened to Valentina, he doesn't want anyone from the wedding party to leave the island." She began to cry all over again. "We have to cancel our flight home tomorrow, which means we won't make it back to Atlanta in time for the ceremony. Our wedding is ruined."
CHAPTER TEN
My heart sank. Noa had been right—and I'd been so wrapped up in trying to prevent this very thing from happening that I hadn't even thought to warn Emma that it was a possibility.
"Oh, Em," I murmured. "I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could do." I chewed my lip, looking from my distraught friend to her somber fiancé, trying to think of how I could possibly fix their predicament. The only way to clear the wedding party to leave the island would be to catch Valentina's killer.
Coco stepped forward. "Don't worry, Em," she cooed, grabbing the other woman's hand. "I'll help you call all the guests and let them know we're postponing the ceremony. I'm sure it'll only be by a couple of days at most." She cast a snide look in my direction. "And if Kaley can't get off work to fly to Atlanta, I'm happy to step up and be your maid of honor. We are about to be family, after all."
Emma sighed. "Thanks for the offer, Coco. I just wish there was some way we could get to the wedding on time."
"Wait a minute." An idea came to me in a brilliant flash, and I snapped my fingers. "If you can't make it home for your wedding, why not bring the wedding to you?"
Emma dabbed at her eyes again and looked up at me, blinking. "Huh?" She glanced at Dante, who looked equally confused.
I grinned. "What if the two of you got married right here on the island?" I began to pace the room as I worked through my plan in my head. "There are several chapels near the resort—or we could even hold a private cliffside ceremony." Ideas were sparking through my mind so fast that I could barely spit them all out. "My friend Jimmy is close with a photographer here on the island—and I know a couple of bakers who could whip up the perfect tropical wedding cake. I'd be happy to find dresses for you and the girls at the boutique, and Aunt Rikki may know where we could find tuxedos for guys."
"Or the groomsmen could wear matching aloha shirts," Mia chimed in, nodding her head excitedly.
Emma and Dante looked at each other. "What do you think?" Dante asked softly, stroking his bride's cheek.
She squeezed his arm, and her lips stretched wide—it was the first time I'd seen her smile since before we'd found Valentina. "I love it," she said, meeting my gaze. "A destination wedding. Kaley, you're a genius!"
"Sure. Go with her idea," Coco muttered bitterly.
I ignored her. "Great," I breathed. Relief flooded through me. "We could even go to the boutique to try on dresses right now, if you like. Jamie's working this morning, and I'm sure she'd be happy to help us." I beamed at the engaged couple. "And when we're done there, I've still got a reservation for us at the resort spa. A little retail therapy followed by some pampering would do us all some good right about now."
"That sounds perfect!" Emma's smile was radiant. She hopped to her feet and threw her arms around me. "Thank you," she whispered, squeezing me tightly.
I caught Coco scowling at me from over Emma's shoulder. I suppressed the urge to stick my tongue out at her. Her gaze lowered to Val's purse, which was still draped over my shoulder along with my tote bag. She flinched, and a wrinkle creased her forehead. I felt a jolt of alarm. Does she recognize the bag, too? I stepped away from Emma, subtly pushing the purse behind my back and out of Coco's view.
We said our goodbyes to Dante as he excused himself to join the guys for an afternoon at the pool. Emma took a few moments to freshen her makeup and announced that she was ready to head over to the boutique. As the other girls filed out into the hallway, I paused to search the room for a place to stash Valentina's purse for safekeeping until I heard from Detective Ray. I opened the bottom drawer of the little bedside dresser and shoved it inside. Then I hoisted my tote bag higher on my shoulder and hurried out of the room to join the others.
The Happy Hula Dress Boutique was empty of customers when we arrived a few minutes later. Jamie and one of our sales associates, Rose, were keeping themselves busy by tidying the jewelry display at the front counter. They looked up when we stepped inside, and Rose's brown eyes lit up at the sight of potential customers. She pasted a warm smile on her face and strode toward us, no doubt eager to earn a commission.
"Hi, Kaley," Rose said cheerily, looking from me to the other women. "Can I help your friends find anything in particular?"
I beamed at my pretty, ebony-skinned coworker. "You sure can." I gestured to Emma. "My friend is getting married here on the island, and she needs a dress. The bridesmaids will need something to wear as well," I added, pointing to Coco and Mia. "The three of us."
"And Jamie," Emma piped up. She sent a shy look toward the slender blonde behind the cash register. "If you don't mind stepping in, I mean."
Jamie's blue-green eyes went wide with surprise. "Really?" she asked, her excitement evident in her tone. "I'd love to."
Emma clapped her hands and gave an excited squeal. "Perfect!" she gushed. She turned her attention to Rose. "So, we'll need matching dresses for all four bridesmaids—something tropical, with a floral pattern, maybe. And for me"—she paused, rubbing her chin in thought—"do you have anything in white linen?"
Rose grinned. "I know just the thing," she said, taking Emma by the elbow and guiding her toward a dress rack near the back of the store. Mia and Coco followed.
I hung back and waited for Jamie as she stepped out from behind the counter. "Seems like I missed a lot this morning," she said, lowering her voice so the other girls couldn't hear. "Since when are Emma and Dante tying the knot on the island?"
"Since Detective Ray banned the wedding party from leaving Aloha Lagoon until Val's killer is caught," I replied in the same hushed tone. "Em was crushed that she was going to miss her own wedding, so I did the only thing I could think of and suggested that she and Dante hold the ceremony here in Hawaii."
"Good thinking," Jamie said, bumping my fist. "How can I help?"
I thought for a moment. "Emma likes the idea of a cliffside wedding, but we still need an officiant, as well as a photographer and someone to bake the cake. Could you contact the Blue Hawaii Chapel and see if Pastor Dan is available for the day after tomorrow? And I'll call Jimmy Toki and see if I can get in touch with his photographer friend, Amy."
"Autumn," Jamie corrected me. "Her name is Autumn Season."
"Whoops." I made a face. "Right, sorry. I'll try to get in touch with her and see if she's free to snap some wedding photos. Then we'll just need to see if Liam Bentley and his grandmother can whip up a cake, and we should be all set. Aside from the dresses, of course." I gestured to the back of the store, where Rose was holding up a pink and green flowery halter dress in front of Mia.
"Sounds like you've got everything worked out," Jamie remarked. "But what about Val's murder? Pick up any new leads?"
"You're not going to believe it," I whispered.
"Ooh." Jamie leaned forward, her expression eager. "Give me the deets."
I shook my head. "Not out here."
She grabbed my arm. "Then let's
take this somewhere a little more private." Jamie tugged me toward the back of the store. "Come on, Kaley. Your aunt brought your credit card and spare keys," she said loudly as we passed Emma and the others. "They're in the office."
"Be right back, Em," I called.
Emma didn't respond, too preoccupied with riffling through a rack of linen tunics.
Jamie and I hurried down the hallway that led to the stock room and the little office that I shared with Harmony and Aunt Rikki. I knocked once before opening the door and poking my head inside, relieved to find it empty.
"I think Rikki and Harm are in the stock room unpacking that new shipment of Donna Karan wrap dresses," Jamie said from behind me.
We stepped into the office, and I sank into a chair as Jamie closed the door and then folded herself into the seat facing mine from across the desk. "Your passport, credit card, and spare house key are in the top left drawer," she said. "Rikki told me where she put them in case you dropped in while she was at lunch." She crossed one long leg over the other and leaned forward. "Now, spill. What did you find out?"
"I'm not even sure where to begin," I said, thinking back over the morning's events as I opened the desk drawer and retrieved my belongings. I deposited them in my tote bag and then looked up at Jamie. "Let's see. I guess I'll start with the voice mail I received from Gabby LeClair. Noa brought my new phone over this morning, and I had a message from Gabby that she'd left yesterday." My stomach clenched as I recalled Noa's awkward reaction to my accidental declaration of love—which wasn't an actual declaration of love, I swear!—but I forced it to the back of my mind and pressed on. "She said that Koma had found my purse on the party bus and that she was holding it for me in her office."
Jamie frowned. "But your purse—"
"Was found on the beach with Valentina," I finished for her, nodding. "Right. Apparently, Gabby didn't get that memo. When I showed up to claim the bag, she gave me Val's purse, thinking it was mine." I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess neither she nor Koma checked inside the bag to look for an ID since they assumed it belonged to me. It's the same color and style as the purse I'd asked them to look for."
Handbags & Homicide Page 10