by Diane Bator
Gilda sagged to the floor and groaned. "No, not again."
"I'll call the police." Marion seemed suddenly sober. "You'd better call Mick."
With Marion's help, Gilda found Mick on speed dial. Her hands vibrated so badly she couldn't even hold her phone. In the end, she got a recorded message. "Mick, where are you? Someone broke into my house again. You need to get over here."
Before she'd hung up, there was a knock at the door. Fabio stood on the porch, a team of forensics people behind him.
"That was fast." Marion's eyes widened. "Were you parked around the corner waiting or something?"
Fabio helped Gilda to her feet. "Actually, yes. We just wrapped up another call a few doors down. It seems whoever trashed your house also hit one of your neighbors' homes. Are you ladies okay?"
"Fine." Gilda's throat clogged with tears. "We were at The Cove for dinner and just got back to…"
"Out for dinner." He frowned. "Don't you normally work evenings?"
She glanced around the room. "Mick gave me the night off. I hurt my shoulder and he wanted me to get some rest and not do anything stupid, so Marion and I went out for dinner. It was strange, though. Someone paid for our meals."
"Who?" he asked.
Marion led Gilda out to the porch swing and handed her a blanket. "We don't know. Henry wouldn't tell us."
Fabio nodded. "Who else knew you were supposed to be home tonight?"
"Everyone at the school," Gilda said. "Mena was supposed to cover the front desk so I could stay home and rest my shoulder."
He raised his eyebrows. "Who knew you and Marion were going out for dinner?"
"I only texted Mick." Gilda tugged the blanket around her shoulders.
Marion sat next to her. "We did see Kane and Mena at the restaurant, though."
Fabio met Gilda's gaze. "Did they know you were going to be there?"
"Not unless Mick told them after I texted him," Gilda said.
If only she hadn't picked up Charlie's necklace from the beach. What if the key belonged to whatever Charlie might have hidden at her house? Might have. She headed toward the kitchen to hand it over to Fabio, but Thayer steered her back to the porch swing.
"But I have something I need to give Fabio," she said.
"Later." Thayer draped the blanket around her. "You're in shock. You can talk to him when we're done with our investigation."
She huffed as he walked away. Handing over Charlie's necklace would apparently have to wait until all the activity settled down.
A few minutes later, Mick came running up the sidewalk to the front porch. "Gilda, are you okay? I just got your message. What happened?"
"She's fine." Marion waved a hand. "So am I, thanks for asking. I was here too."
He nodded. "Glad to hear you're okay, Marion. Did you guys just get here?"
Gilda stood and hugged him with one arm. "Yeah. I opened the front door and found…" She paused to clear her throat. "This time they broke things and cut cushions open."
He hugged her to his chest. "At least you weren't home. We can replace your things. You needed a new couch anyway."
"That's not funny."
Gilda met Mick's gaze. "I thought you were teaching class."
"I was." Mick kissed her. "When I heard my phone going off, I had a gut feeling and got Razi to take over so I could check my messages."
Gilda's stomach sank. "Was Kane in classes at all tonight?"
"No." He frowned. "Well, he came in, but when Mena didn't show up to cover the front desk, he said he'd go find her. He said he needed to settle some stuff with her."
"Wait," Gilda said. "She told me she was at the school and crashed the computer."
Marion's jaw dropped. "Well, I don't know what they settled. Kane looked like he was ready to jump across the table to choke her."
"What makes you say that?" Mick asked.
"Mostly the bulging veins sticking out of his neck and forehead," she said. "And the fact his knuckles were white."
Gilda tilted her head. "You saw all that when you walked past to go to the bathroom?"
Marion blushed. "Actually, I snuck out the other door and walked right past their table. Mena was giving him heck for flirting with Gilda. She also wanted money for some shipment she got at her store, but he told her to take a hike. Even though they broke up ages ago, apparently she won't leave him alone."
"He does call her his stalker." Gilda wiped her eyes with the blanket. "What's the deal with them anyway?"
Mick shrugged. "I don't know. She likes hanging out with fighters. Wherever Kane goes, Mena goes, and she hits on every guy she meets. She planned to open her own business, but I haven't been by to check it out yet."
Gilda sighed, unconcerned with Mena's business activities for the moment. She was more bothered by the abundance of fingerprint powder and the overall mess in her house. One thing that stuck in her head, however, was the likelihood Mena was the person who'd paid for her and Marion's dinners. Had she been trying to keep them away from Gilda's house even longer? Either Mena or Kane could have searched her house while she and Marion were preoccupied.
"I know that look." Marion folded her arms. "What's wrong?"
Gilda shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just overwhelmed."
"No, you're thinking about the murder and trying to figure things out again." Marion stomped her foot. "That's it. Gilda, you're coming home with me. First that guy bumps into you, then we find your house ransacked. I don't think you're safe here."
"What guy?" Fabio asked from the doorway.
Gilda told him what little she could remember then broke down in tears.
"It's okay," Mick said. "I'll stay with her tonight. She'll be fine."
"And what if whoever did this comes back?" Marion asked. "No offense, but she needs more protection than just you, Sensei."
Gilda wiped her eyes. "He's a black belt in two different martial arts. What more do you suggest I do? Hire a bodyguard?"
Mick glanced at Marion. "Actually, I think you're already stuck with two bodyguards, babe."
Fabio snorted then began to chuckle. He didn't stop until he disappeared through her front door into the house.
"Something I said?" Mick raised his eyebrow.
Gilda looked around the yard then noticed Gary's dark sedan up the street. She left Mick and Marion standing on the porch to walk across the street. If anyone was in a position to hear rumors about any recent crimes, it was Gary.
He rolled down his window, flicking a cigarette butt into the street. "How bad is it?"
"Worse than the first time." She clutched her blanket closer and got to the point before anyone else joined them. "What do you know about Kane and Mena?"
He raised his eyebrows. "You think they had something to do with this?"
Gilda glanced over her shoulder. "If not, I think they stalled us for whoever trashed my house. On our way back from The Cove, some guy in dark clothes walked right into me on the sidewalk. I'm not sure if that was the culprit or if he was covering for someone."
"I'll ask around," he said. "Are you staying at Mick's tonight?"
"I should, but… somebody wants something they think I have. Probably something that belonged to Charlie Hunt." She paused. "I want to know who and what."
He nodded. "Then I shall keep an eye on things out here for the night."
"What if Fabio wants to leave a car out front?" she asked.
"Then his officers and I will have to coexist, because I will not leave my post." Gary grinned. "Even under the threat of being arrested."
Gilda smiled. "I appreciate that, thanks. I'm sure my dad would applaud your loyalty."
Once the police left, Mick made Gilda a cup of herbal tea. She sat in the armchair out of the way while Marion tidied up and took some blankets from the hall closet.
"Since Gary's parked out front and Mick's sleeping with you," Marion said, "I'll crash on the couch. I guarantee no one's going to get past me. I'm a light sleeper."
"Even
if you do snore like a truck driver." Gilda smiled.
Mick rolled his eyes. "Thanks, but you really don't have to stay, Marion. The chances of someone coming back to the scene of the crime now are zilch. Besides, what are you going to do if anyone does break in?"
She walked into the kitchen and returned with a rolling pin in one hand and a flashlight in the other. "This ought to cover things for now."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to run into you in the dark."
"That's the whole point." She grinned.
While Mick and Marion worked out a plan in case the burglar returned, Gilda ducked into the kitchen and realized she'd forgotten to give Charlie's necklace to Fabio. She opened the cutlery drawer and reached into the back corner. The necklace and key were still in the same place she'd left them earlier.
She closed the drawer and glanced around the kitchen. With Marion's help, she'd cleaned and painted every inch of the house when she first moved in after her breakup with Thayer. They'd even taken all the drawers out of the cupboards to clean and refinish them. In all that time, she'd found nothing Mildred Palmer's relatives had left behind but mice. Gilda assumed Charlie had been among those who'd removed Mildred's belongings and would have been free to take whatever he'd stashed there.
It seemed someone in Sandstone Cove wasn't aware of that.
CHAPTER TWELVE
After Marion made an early coffee run to Café Beanz the next morning, she hugged Gilda good-bye. "Make sure you stay with Mick, or at least be around other people as much as possible today. Call my cell phone if you need anything. I'll stop by after work later, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks." Gilda swallowed hard. "I mean, thanks for being here. I thought I was going to lose it last night when I saw everything scattered all over the place. I'd hoped the first time was a fluke, but…"
"But you still think someone's after something Charlie might have left in your house," Marion finished.
Her chin quivered. "Yeah. Don't you?"
"Big time. At least the police dusted for prints this time and talked to your neighbors," Marion reminded her. "Why don't you just take it easy today? Go to the beach, sit in the sunshine, and read a trashy novel."
Gilda smiled. Sitting still was the last thing she wanted to do. She needed to get to the bottom of things. Soon. "That's a great idea. Maybe I'll grab a latte and a new book. I haven't been to the bookstore in ages."
"Good to hear." Marion gave her another hug. "Then that's what I'm going to tell myself you're doing today. In reality, I know you'll go back to the school and stick your nose where it doesn't belong, and I'm okay with that." She held up a hand. "Just don't tick off the guy with the sharp swords. He's gorgeous, but boy is he scary."
"I'm not interested in him. I'm with Mick, remember," she said just as Mick emerged from the bathroom, his hair wet and uncombed.
"Uh-huh. Lucky girl." Marion grinned as she backed toward the front door. "And Mick knows I'm counting on him to keep you out of trouble today."
"Don't worry, I will." He fastened her sling around Gilda's neck and elbow then placed a hand on her shoulder. "But, first, I have a meeting. Gary and I are going to see some acquaintances who may have some information about what's been going on around here."
Marion narrowed her eyes. "You're ditching her already? I haven't even left yet."
"What do you mean?" Gilda asked. "Information about what?"
Mick waved toward Gary's car and held up an index finger. "Let's just say Charlie didn't always do things other people, mostly those in the legal professions, approved of. I want to find out exactly what he was up to before he died and who he was messing with this time."
"Uh-huh." Gilda scowled. "Who's getting in trouble now?"
"Ha, ha." Mick kissed her. "I have a legitimate reason, and I also know the right people to ask. You're just nosy, Sherlock. I'm afraid to ask, but what are you two doing today?"
"I'm off to work," Marion said.
"Oh." He frowned. "I'd hoped you were off today and could take care of Gilda."
"Why are you two acting like my parents?" Gilda snorted. "I can take care of myself."
Marion waved her off. "Don't worry. I'll stop by at lunch and check on her then come back after work. I'll even bring comfort food for dinner. Probably pizza or fried chicken."
Gilda sighed in resignation. "And I've got some cleaning to do."
"Leave it for later." Marion waved a hand. "I'll give you a hand and we'll take care of everything. Like I said, go to the beach, sit in the sunshine, and read a trashy novel."
Mick grinned. "I agree. Stay out in public. No work. No clean up. No worrying. We'll get to the bottom of all this nonsense. Just stay out of trouble and stay out of the house. I'll let you know what we find out."
Once Mick hopped into Gary's car and they took off, Gilda had a quick shower and kept her word. She wandered up the street with a specific destination in mind. The police station.
She sat next to Fabio's desk, staring at her shaking hands. "Why would someone break into my house? I don't have anything worth stealing."
"Are you sure there's nothing someone might want?" He handed her a cup of herbal tea.
"My TV's older than I am, I have a cheap laptop Mick bought me for work, and my cell phone is always with me. I certainly don't have any money lying around." She sighed. "The most valuable thing I own is my house and a pair of designer shoes my mother gave me last Christmas that I can't stand wearing."
Fabio smiled. "Have you seen Gary del Garda lately?"
"Gary? Yeah, he was watching my house last night then took off with Mick this morning." Gilda frowned at the jump in conversation. "He doesn't have anything to do with the break-ins, does he?"
"People around here know you and he are close." He hesitated. "Maybe someone figured out they could get to him through you."
She burst out laughing. "I doubt that. Gary's got his own problems. He doesn't have time to watch over me day and night forever."
"He did before."
"That's when he was worried I'd get hurt or…worse." Gilda sat back and sipped her tea. "But why now? I had nothing to do with Charlie's death. I never even found the body. I certainly haven't been nosing around like I did last time."
Fabio seemed to agree. "And I really hope you'll keep it that way. The best I can offer for now is to have an officer drive past your house a bit more often. Aside from that…"
"I'm on my own."
He nodded. "You're on your own, Sherlock."
Once she'd left the police station, she strolled across the street to Café Beanz and ordered a cinnamon latte then walked into the bookstore a few doors down. The musty smell hit her the second she opened the door. She clutched the latte, temporarily losing her troubles in the rough-hewn wooden shelves and dusty novels. On one shelf sat a variety of martial arts books, including a picture book of ancient Japanese swords. She slid it off the shelf and fingered through the pages. Kane would love it.
With a gasp, she returned the book to the empty spot. What was she thinking? Rattled, Gilda settled on a couple of cozy mysteries and left the shop. She closed her eyes and took a long gulp of her latte.
"Hey, Gilda, I guess great minds think alike." Gary strolled toward her with a cup of coffee in one hand. "Did you find anything worth reading?"
She shrugged. "Brain candy. Just something to read to take my mind off all the craziness going on around here. I thought you were going somewhere with Mick this morning."
"I am." He touched the sling just above her hand. "So I never did find out what happened to your arm."
"Yoga class gone wrong." Gilda grimaced. "I made a bad move and pinched a nerve between my shoulder blades."
Gary shuddered. "Sounds dangerous. I think I'd rather learn how to use all those swords your buddy Kane has."
She raised her eyebrows. "You've seen Kane's swords?"
Was it her imagination or had Gary flinched? He sipped his coffee. "Um, yeah, Mick and I…" He paused. "Oh, there
he is. I've got to go. We should grab breakfast later this week. Knowing you, you're already on the murder case with the cops and have some sleuthing to do anyway. I'll give you a call."
"Okay." Gilda's eyes widened as he pushed past her and walked toward his car.
Sure, Mick and Gary had a past. Gary as a loan shark Mick needed to take a loan from in desperation. To think they'd gone to Kane's place for some unknown reason, and seen his sword collection, made her cringe. If Gary refused to tell her why, maybe she'd be able to find out from Mick.
Gilda headed toward the Phoenix school. Why was Mick keeping secrets from her? His meeting with Gary didn't seem to be just a friendly visit between old friends. Her step faltered and she slowed her pace. Gary and Kane weren't old friends. Not unless Gary had met Kane in his dealings with Charlie.
Whatever was going on, she needed to approach things like a crab, scuttling in from the side for answers, rather than barging in and asking all the wrong questions. Maybe talking to Kane would be a better start. While Mick would be suspicious, Kane didn't seem quite as smart.
Gilda paused to take a deep breath before she opened the heavy door. The first sounds she heard were the clanging of swords and voices. Razi and Kane, to be precise, with several clangs in between exchanges of words.
Kane snorted. "What makes you think I know anything?"
"You know exactly what happened to Charlie, and you should go to the police," Razi said.
Kane barked a laugh. "Dude, if I knew who killed that desert rat, I would've told the cops days ago. I don't owe anyone my silence."
"Not even your girlfriend?" Razi asked.
The sudden quiet was deafening.
Gilda had a strong urge to peek around the corner to see what was going on but was afraid they'd see her. Or, at the very least, hear her heart hammering at her ribs.
"What are you saying, mate? Whatever you think you know, you're wrong. Now stay out of my business, or else."