Something had to break and soon.
* * *
“I can’t believe she had the nerve to show her face here,” Jenna hissed from her perch on the couch, her gaze sweeping the room full of people and zeroing in on one particular woman. “She has absolutely no respect.”
Leann looked around, confused for a moment as to whom Jenna was referring to, but then she saw Nicole Quincy placing a pie on the dining room table. Dressed in white pants and a peach blouse, the brunette was quite pretty. Leann didn’t remember seeing her last night at the reunion.
“That was fifteen years ago,” Leann reasoned. “I think it’s actually kind of nice that she stopped by to pay her respects. I’m sure she’s moved on from having a crush on Drew.”
It didn’t appear that Jenna had though from the way she was seething, her eyes following Nicole’s every movement. “She slept with my husband.”
Only kind of true.
“Drew wasn’t your husband then. He wasn’t even your boyfriend at the time. You two had broken up over some reason that I bet you don’t even recall. You went to the homecoming dance with someone else too.”
Reasoning with her friend wasn’t going well. Jerking her gaze away from Nicole, Jenna rounded on Leann. “Traitor. Are you taking her side?”
Jenna was emotionally overwrought and obviously not thinking clearly. Leann remembered homecoming night well and Jenna had been in the back seat of a Camry with another boy.
“Are there sides to take fifteen years later over one school dance? You and Drew sowed some wild oats and then you settled down together. He chose you and you chose him. The fling they had that night can’t compare to the life you and he had.”
A fresh spate of tears rolled down Jenna’s cheeks and Leann pushed the tissue box closer.
“You just don’t understand.” Jenna shook her head, dabbing at her swollen eyes. “You’ve never loved or been loved by a man. If you had, you would be on my side.”
Ouch. That was unnecessarily cruel.
Her friend was grieving so Leann wanted to be considerate. Understanding. Gracious.
“You shouldn’t let something that happened so long ago mar your memories of Drew and the life you built together. No one can take those from you.”
Shrugging, Jenna grabbed another tissue from the box. “Like I said before, you really don’t get it. Maybe someday you will.”
Mentally counting to ten, Leann took a deep breath. It wasn’t worth pursuing and none of this was about her, anyway. But it did remind her why she and Jenna had drifted apart after graduation.
“This is a lovely turnout,” Leann said, wanting to change the subject. “Drew was certainly well thought of in Tremont.”
“Someone hated my husband enough to kill him,” the widow said sharply, her eyes narrowing as she took in the room full of people. “Someone looked him in the eye and then killed him.”
Jenna had always been something of a drama queen but considering the circumstances Leann was willing to give her friend a huge amount of latitude. If Jenna wanted to scream and stomp her feet that was fine with Leann.
“That’s…true,” Leann conceded cautiously. Was Jenna planning to confront someone right here at the wake? “But dwelling on it isn’t going to make you feel better. I’m sure Zach will have the guilty party behind bars very soon.”
Jenna blew her nose again. “Everyone thinks it’s Troy or Darrell but I have another theory. I think it’s one of the kids that Drew used to bully. They came to the reunion to kill him as revenge. That’s why they killed Carole and Bitty too.”
Leann didn’t like to speak ill of the dead but Drew had played some nasty jokes on several of the so-called “geeks” in high school. Carole and Bitty hadn’t done anything overtly cruel but certainly someone might have taken their actions as a slight.
“Whoever it is, Zach will find him,” she said in her most soothing tone. “This isn’t his and Jason’s first murder case. Not even close.”
Bursting into tears, Jenna buried her face in the crumpled tissue. “Nothing is going to bring him back.”
Wrapping her arm around her friend, Leann tried to comfort Jenna as best she could. What the woman said was true. Drew was gone.
“Go ahead and cry,” Leann urged, patting Jenna on the back. “Get it all out. I’m here for you. We’re all here for you.”
A whole room full of people just to support Jenna. And one of them might just be the killer.
Chapter Fourteen
‡
“How would you like that cooked?” the waiter asked Leann as he retrieved the two menus from the table and tucked them under his arm. She and Zach were dining on a Saturday night at one of the better restaurants in Tremont, which meant that the place was packed. The sound of voices and the tinkling of glasses drifted in the air as well as the aroma of freshly baked bread and spices. Her stomach growled in anticipation and she placed a hand over her abdomen, hoping that the din of the other diners drowned it out.
“Medium, please,” she replied and he hurried back into the kitchen, leaving her and Zach on their own. He’d called while she was at Jenna’s with an invitation to dinner and she had been happy to accept. Her thoughts had kept turning to him all day long. She was so used to having him around that when he was gone it seemed strange.
“A woman who orders a steak and potato…I like it,” Zach approved with a grin. “Let’s make a pact that no matter how full we are from dinner we’ll definitely order dessert.”
“They make a terrific chocolate mousse here. You should try it.”
He had let her pick the restaurant after revealing he was starved because he’d missed lunch. This steakhouse had some of the largest portions in a three-county area.
“I will. Now tell me all about your day.”
It sucked.
“I want to hear about yours. I’m sure it was much more interesting.”
Zach shook his head. “I don’t know about that. How about we take turns? You first?”
Taking a deep breath, Leann wasn’t sure where to start. “That sounds like a fair deal. I went over to Jenna’s today, along with half of Tremont it seemed like. I feel so terrible for her. She’s angry and depressed. A little scared too. She was even mad about one of Drew’s old girlfriends coming by to pay her respects.”
Now that she’d sat with Jenna’s remarks for a few hours, they’d hurt more than she realized. Leann was well aware that in her friend’s state of mind she was going to hit out at the nearest target – and it didn’t matter who it was.
Zach’s brows pulled down as he fumbled with his phone and scrolled through a document or list. “Who was that? Wait. Was it Nicole Quincy?”
“It was. How do you know about her?” Playfully, she tried to get a look at the screen of his phone. “Do you have some sort of cheat sheet on there?”
Laughing, he tucked it back into his jacket pocket. “I was reading through the statements from the reunion guests today and she was mentioned a few times. Apparently she and Drew had a fling in high school and he dumped her. A few people thought she might want revenge.”
Frowning, Leann took a sip of her red wine. “That wasn’t how I remember it. They had a fling on homecoming night. After which she immediately started dating some super hot guy from a neighboring high school. Then she moved away during Christmas holidays and spent several years abroad from what I heard. I don’t think revenge was ever on her mind.”
It was funny how people could have wildly different perspective of the exact same events.
“She’s back in town now and I’ve added her to my list to talk to. I didn’t see her at the reunion last night so the entire conversation might be for nothing. You said she was at the wake today?”
Leann nodded. “She was and Jenna was beside herself with anger, but then she was super-emotional about everything. I think if something burned in the kitchen she would have had a meltdown. She was never one to hide her feelings, which in this case I think is a good thing.
She’ll get it all out and won’t be bottling things up in an unhealthy way. Did you stop by there today?”
“I meant to but the day got crazy. I figured that it was probably better that I put my nose to the grindstone and find the killer. That’s the only thing that’s going to give her any closure. So what else did you do?”
She rubbed her fingers on the hem of the cloth napkin. “I saw some of my family. Mom wanted to make sure I was coming to Sunday dinner tomorrow. Which of course means you’re invited unless you decide to send me with one of the deputies.”
“I’d love to go. Your mother is an excellent cook and I think the deputies can have a day off tomorrow. You’ll be with me.”
His voice had deepened at the end and his tone was positively possessive. Looking into each other’s eyes, there was so much unsaid between them. The attraction wasn’t something she’d imagined. It was a real, palpable thing. Whatever reason he’d pulled back it wasn’t because he didn’t find her attractive. His warm gaze had swept her head to toe tonight and the appraisal had been all male appreciation. He’d liked what he’d seen. A warm glow radiated from her middle all the way to the tips of her fingers. It had been too long since she’d met a man that interested her this much.
The waiter slid their salads in front of them.
Zach lifted his wine glass. “Here’s a toast to finding killers and your mother’s amazing cooking.”
Clinking her glass on his, she smiled. “I’ll drink to that. Now if I could just get my brothers to stay out of my business things would be perfect. They tend to stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Zach choked on his wine and she almost jumped out of her chair to slap him on the back.
“Are you okay?”
Holding up his hand, he nodded, clearing his throat several times. “I’m okay. It just went down the wrong pipe. It’s fine.”
She signaled to the waiter. “Let’s get you some more water. Do you need anything else?”
Shaking his head, Zach chuckled, picking up his fork and digging into his salad. “Really, it’s all good. Did you do anything else today?”
* * *
Zach had almost choked to death when Leann mentioned her brothers meddling in her business. It reminded him that West didn’t want him getting too close to his sister. With Zach’s growing attraction to Leann, that directive was getting much more difficult to follow. All of his instincts were telling him that this woman was special and he’d be a fool not to pursue a relationship with her.
Honestly, it wasn’t West’s business and clearly Leann would be livid if she knew about his meeting with her brother this morning. Zach wasn’t about to tell her, either. He might not care if West Anderson liked him dating his sister but he also wasn’t one to run and tattle, either. At least Jason had been realistic about his baby sister and dating.
“I had some coffee and pie at the diner with your brother Jason. He’s going to do some of the research on Drew and the attendees. Criminal records and the like.”
A graceful brow arched in question. “Are you looking into my background?”
“You have an airtight alibi. Me. But I am interested in if you saw anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. Did anyone’s behavior surprise you?”
Their entrees were placed in front of them and they both dug in unashamedly. The steak was cooked to perfection and his stomach was growling.
“Darrell and Troy were a surprise but then again, not really. They were both loose cannons back in high school and known for pushing the boundaries. Darrell always had a big mouth and Troy was always in one scrape after another. What about you? Did you see anything you thought was strange?”
He liked that Leann wanted their conversations to be a back and forth. Zach had spent time with too many women who only wanted to hear the sound of their own voices.
“Nothing that stood out. No one appeared to be casing the joint or separating themselves from the crowd. That’s what I was mainly looking for. I think this killer feels isolated and betrayed.”
“By us?”
“You, his family, his friends, the world. I think this person has a victim complex. Whenever anything bad has happened to them it’s always someone else’s fault. Because of their self-delusion it would be difficult for them to have a true and close relationship. They’d have superficial friendships and romances but real intimacy would be a struggle.” Zach laughed and took another bite of his steak. “I could be completely wrong, though. I’m still quite new at profiling.”
“It makes sense from a psychological standpoint,” Leann replied. “If a person feels like they’re always the victim and never at fault that’s going to impair their interpersonal relationships. I’ve actually seen this in my practice of marriage counseling. The couple looks and acts totally normal to the outside world. Usually the partner who feels they are a victim has managed to learn to mimic proper loving behavior, but eventually they come to resent having to act that way as they feel that their partner has received, and I quote, ‘more than their share’ of the love in the marriage. It’s like they’re keeping score in their lives. There’s a great deal of the blame game in a relationship like that and often the other partner learns to simply take the blame to keep the peace.”
Zach pulled out his phone and tapped a note into it. “I’m making a note of that. Keeping score in their lives. That’s interesting. When I’m questioning suspects I can bend the conversation to see if that’s how they feel. That’s fantastic, Leann. You’re a big help in this. Maybe you should be the profiler.”
“Maybe Jason would give me a job,” she laughed. “But I’m still impressed. For someone without a psychology background you seem to have a handle on behavioral analysis. Do you have any more hidden talents?”
He pretended to ponder her question, stroking his chin. “Not that I can think of. Oh wait…there is one other thing…I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue.”
Giggling, Leann covered her mouth with her napkin. “Evidence. I want evidence.”
“Not here.” Grinning, he looked around the restaurant. “Everybody will be jealous and wish they were me.”
“I’m holding you to this. I have to see this feat of physicality.”
“It’s basically a stupid human trick, like a seal balancing a ball on its nose, but I appreciate the enthusiasm. I promise I’ll show you sometime.”
“I have one, too.”
The fork paused halfway to Zach’s lips. “Pardon?”
“I have a stupid human trick, too. You’re not the only talented one sitting at this table, Zach.”
He hadn’t had this much fun on a date in ages. Maybe ever. Where had Leann been all these years?
It’s not a date.
It could be. She’s into me. I’m into her.
What about West?
Fuck him.
“Are you going to share?”
Straightening in her chair, she appeared inordinately proud of herself. “I can rub my stomach and pat my head at the same time. You can ask my brothers. They’ve seen me do it. None of them can, though.”
No wonder she was proud of herself. It couldn’t have been easy to grow up with all that testosterone in the house. It would have been shocking if she hadn’t moved away after college. She’d needed a place to shine for herself and not for her family name.
“Will you show me?” Zach asked. “Not here, of course.”
“I will. Prepare to be amazed.”
The buzzing of his phone made him groan out loud. With an open murder case, he couldn’t ignore it no matter how much he was enjoying himself tonight. It might be the crime lab or the medical examiner.
“I’m so sorry but I have to take this.”
Nodding, she continued eating. “It’s okay. I get that you have a lot going on.”
The call was from the night shift supervisor.
“Gibson. What’s going on, Ledell?”
Zach’s heart sped up as he listened to the officer’s news. There
would be no time for chocolate mousse tonight.
“Thanks. I’ll be right there.” He gave Leann an apologetic look as he ended the call. “I’m not sure how much you heard but they’ve found Troy and brought him in for questioning.”
“That is important but I’m sorry you’ll miss the dessert.” She looked at him from under her lashes. “Maybe another time?”
Was she hinting that she wanted to go out on another date? Hell, yes. West could kiss Zach’s ass. Jason at least was supportive, and even if he wasn’t, after tonight Zach wouldn’t have cared.
“It’s a promise,” he replied, signaling the waiter for the check. “We can get that chocolate mousse to go. I’ll drop you at Dizzy’s while I’m questioning Wallace. I can have a deputy watch the house for a few hours.”
“I can get a–”
Reaching across the table, he caught her hand, so small and delicate compared to his own.
“I’ll drive you to Dizzy’s where I know you’ll be safe. Questioning Wallace won’t take long. Then I’ll come by to get you. You’re still staying with me. If anyone wants to hurt you they’re going to have to go through me.”
“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” She finished the last bite of her dinner. “I can’t wait to hear what Troy has to say about where he’s been since last night.”
“You and me both, Leann.”
Chapter Fifteen
‡
Leann had quickly visited the ladies’ room while Zach paid the check. She was sorry to see their evening end so early but the case had to come first and she understood that. He’d made it clear there would be other nights so it was all good.
Too bad there wouldn’t be a kiss at the end of the evening.
Still no kiss. She was getting impatient but now at least she was hopeful. He wanted to kiss her too. She could feel it.
“Leann!”
Reunited With Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 6) Page 9