Riddle Me This (Detective Kate Rosetti Mystery Book 2)

by Gina LaManna

  I leaned forward against the desk, straining to hear the response. The response was muted, however, and I couldn’t make out the mumbles coming through the line.

  Ms. Karp set the phone down in its cradle and gave me a prickly smile which didn’t bode well. “I’m sorry, but he’s not available to see you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “But—”

  “If you aren’t happy with my response,” she continued, “I am supposed to give our lawyers a call.”

  “That’s a bit harsh,” I said, raising my hands in sarcastic surrender. “Well, let him know I stopped by, then.”

  “Sure thing, detective.”

  I turned from the desk, puzzled. Was Gem avoiding me? The bit about the lawyers was an odd touch, and I wondered if it was something the receptionist had concocted on her own because she didn’t like me... or if she really had been given instructions not to allow me upstairs.

  Not that I had much choice; I’d been turned down, and I couldn’t barge into Gem’s office and claim a murder investigation as my cause. In reality, the only thing I had on Gem was a loose connection to a woman named Brandy who may or may not have been involved with Harry Brine. Not exactly a rock-solid case.

  As I retreated across the lobby, I turned toward the small atrium at the end of the hall. It was a replica of the larger one that spanned the length and width of the impressive Gem Industries lobby. I shifted my jacket off and sat on the bench to think.

  Last time I’d been here, a Christmas tree had glittered in all its glory. The tree had been replaced by a flock of live doves that dipped and dived and tittered inside of a golden cage. The fixture dangled on sturdy chains from the ceiling and was surrounded by a greenhouse-like array of climbing plants that covered the glass walls. A beautiful, peaceful conservatory amid the flurry of bustling businessfolk just beyond the doors.

  I stared at the doves. Something about my visit to Gem Industries felt off. Why had I come here? Sure, in search of Brandy Lee, but there was something more. Was it really to dig under Gem’s skin and see what he knew of Brandy and Brine, or was I worried about the unfinished business hovering between us? Or maybe, it was my gut telling me something else was wrong entirely, and I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

  I stood, still puzzled. If Gem wouldn’t see me on business, maybe he’d answer his private line. Dialing, I held the phone to my ear as I waited for him to pick up. Eventually, his answering machine clicked on. I stared at the phone.

  Then I dialed again. And waited. This time, it went to the answering machine after two rings. I left a message and asked him to call me back. On an impulse, my thumb hit dial for the third time. After this, I’d leave—I swore to myself. But my interest in Gem was bordering on an obsession at this point. Maybe nothing was wrong at all... except me.

  Third time was a charm.

  “Detective.” Gem’s gravelly voice didn’t ask a question, nor did he sound pleased to hear from me. “Can I help you with something?”

  “I—uh,” I stuttered. “I’m actually here, in your building.”

  “I’m aware.”

  I suddenly felt stupid. I was talking to Alastair Gem, one of the richest men in the country. Obviously, he knew I was here on his home turf. Obviously, he knew I wanted to see him. If he wanted to see me, too, he would have.

  “I came here on business,” I said. “But I was hoping we could talk—off the record.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Has there been a development on your case?”

  “Not exactly. At least, not the one you’re thinking of.”

  I waited for Gem to speak, but he didn’t.

  “I was just hoping—”

  “I have another meeting,” Gem said coolly. “I’m going to let you go. I think, for the time being, it would be a good idea if you didn’t use this number.”

  Before I could comprehend, let alone react, Gem hung up on me. My mouth parted in surprise as I watched the screen on my phone until it went black.

  Something was definitely not right. While it was possible Gem had a busy day with meetings and no time for a personal chat, the way he’d spoken to me was all wrong. Cool, indifferent. The complete opposite of the playful man who I’d seen every other time we’d interacted. I considered as I stepped out of the atrium and made my way into the main drag of Gem Industries.

  “Move it or lose it,” a voice called from behind me. “You going up?”

  I glanced over my shoulder, surprised to find a man standing there, looking annoyed.

  “Me?”

  “Give me a hand with this, will you?” A man dressed in black slacks and a white shirt handed over a tray of food. “Your first day, too? Lookin’ a little lost.”

  “First day...”

  “For the catering company.” The man adjusted a second tray of food so it rested better on his palm. “I’m Dean.”

  It dawned on me then. My black slacks and white shirt very nearly matched the attire of what appeared to be a catering company working inside Gem Industries. I began to explain that I wasn’t a member of the staff, when a much better idea rolled around.

  “Sure,” I said. “First day. My name’s Jane.”

  “Jane, nice to meet you. Ever met Gem before? I hear the penthouse is something wicked.”

  I couldn’t believe my luck. I followed Dean to the elevator and climbed in, desperately hitting the Close Door button before another member of the catering staff could join us and start asking questions.

  “No,” I said. “You? What’s the event again?”

  Dean looked at me like I was an idiot. “How am I supposed to know? We just show up with the food. I’m assuming it’s some big meeting, or else they wouldn’t be catering it.”

  “Right, duh. Need more coffee.”

  As the elevators ascended, I found my palms sweating. I hated breaking rules of any sort—but it wasn’t entirely my fault. Dean had needed a hand, and I’d given him one. If he’d assumed I was one of the catering staff...

  I didn’t have time to rationalize my decision any further because the doors opened to the penthouse level before I could put any real weight into my argument. The familiar floor spread before me, but it was completely different than the last time I’d stepped foot inside.

  The furniture had all been rearranged to the sides to allow for one long glass conference table in the center of the room. Sleek black chairs were pushed against it, and in those chairs sat a variety of businessmen and women, all of them dressed to impress. The women wore sleek power suits or pencil skirts while the men were all neatly groomed in suits and ties.

  Except for one.

  Alastair Gem sat at the head of the table. He wore jeans and a white button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He also wore a look of amusement on his face, which I realized a beat too late was directed at me.

  “Are those the crab legs?” Someone beckoned me over the second I stepped off the elevator. “You’re late.”

  I couldn’t think of anything to do except keep acting like I worked for the catering company. I scurried along, finding the name tag on the table that said Crab Legs. I set down my fare behind it, all the while making a huge effort not to lock eyes with Gem.

  Suddenly, everything seemed wrong. I was in the middle of trying to back out of the room when I bumped into another server carrying a tray full of empty coffee mugs. One of them tumbled to the floor and shattered, earning me a dirty look from the girl holding the tray.

  “So sorry,” I muttered, shooing her along. “I’ll take care of this.”

  “Who are you again?” The girl pursed her lips, throwing a hand on her hip. “Carl never told me he hired anyone besides Dean for this shift.”

  “Excuse me.” A low, rumbling voice sounded from over my shoulder. “Is there a problem?”

  The poor girl holding the tray of mugs made an unintelligible noise in her throat before scooting out of the room like her
tail was on fire. I turned around slowly, my heart sinking at who I knew I’d find standing behind me.

  “Sorry about the mug,” I said with a grimace at Gem. “It’s my first day on the job.”

  “Ah.”

  His eyes twinkled, but he didn’t seem completely amused. His expression didn’t bode well for me.

  “I’d like to speak with you upstairs,” Gem said. “I have to arrange lunch for my guests, get everyone situated. Trudy will take you to my office. If, of course, your new boss will understand.”

  I swallowed hard. “Um, sure. Carl’s a great guy—or so I hear.”

  Gem returned to his guests without so much as a smile. I stood, holding an empty tray, when a woman I vaguely recognized approached me with a nod of her head.

  “Hello, I’m Trudy,” a petite woman said with a polite smile. “Mr. Gem’s personal assistant. He’d like me to show you upstairs.”

  “That would be excellent.”

  Trudy wove through the room like an expert. I followed her like less of an expert.

  When Trudy reached the corner of the room, I followed her up the circular flight of stairs to the elevated office that was Alastair Gem’s personal space. His office wasn’t easily forgettable. The view from Gem’s windows was something else entirely.

  The top of his building was in the shape of a diamond—fitting, all things considered. From this vantage point, I could see both Twin Cities—Minneapolis, tucked underneath us, and Saint Paul—a sparkling snow-covered paradise in the distance. From this height, I couldn’t see the brown tint to the snow or the piles of slush along the curbs that gobbled hungrily at boots as teeny tiny people strolled below.

  I was still staring out the window when Trudy spoke.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “It sure is.”

  “Can I get you anything? Coffee or tea?”

  “Coffee would be great,” I said, more to halt the conversation and to get her out of the room than anything else. “Thanks.”

  “Please, take a seat.”

  Her request was more of a command, so I took a seat at one of the tables tucked near the windows—a high-top with stools near a wet bar. However, the second Trudy left, I popped back to my feet and began a casual stroll around the room.

  It wasn’t snooping, I told myself. I was simply taking in the view. It just so happened I also took in the view of Gem’s desk. He had a large mahogany setup along one end of the room. On it was a monitor that seemed to hover in thin air, a mouse and keyboard that had no wires attached, and a chair that looked like it was equipped to be strapped into a rocket and fired into space. It was a far cry from my dinged-up desk and clunky computer setup at the precinct. I was willing to bet that Gem didn’t have to kick his tower to get his monitor to turn on.

  It was the one imperfection on his desk that drew my eye. An envelope tucked just underneath the edge of his keyboard. I gave the keyboard a nudge, and it happened to slip away just enough for me to see where the envelope had been licked and sealed, then opened.

  There was no name on the side pointed upward, and although Gem had already opened the envelope, it was easy to see that when it had been closed, the imprint of a set of lips had been pressed against it. Sealed with a kiss in bright red lipstick.

  A jolt of surprise raced down my spine. I had been wrong. Maybe the reason for Gem’s sudden distance was due to the fact that he’d gotten himself into a relationship. I kneaded my forehead thinking I was quite the idiot.

  I hurried to shove the note back under the keyboard, wondering if I could slip out of Gem’s office before Trudy returned with the coffee. I should have left Gem alone like he’d asked.

  “I’ll need to get your recipe for crab legs,” Gem said from the doorway to his office. “Because they smell incredible.”

  I spun around, an expression of guilt on my face.

  “You’re hilarious,” I muttered. “I was just thinking—I should be going. This whole thing was a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry for what? Snooping in my office or impersonating someone from my catering staff?”

  “Both?” I asked weakly. Then, “I wasn’t exactly snooping.”

  “What were you doing?”

  “Enjoying the view.”

  “Of my desk?”

  “It’s a nice desk.”

  It only took a second for Gem to read the guilt plastered on my features. His eyes traveled to the desk I’d supposedly been admiring. His gaze landed on the envelope.

  “Did you like what you saw?” His voice turned crispy in a second.

  “I’m sorry, Gem. I had no idea. You can’t even imagine how stupid I feel.”

  “For being caught snooping? Or for smashing one of my coffee mugs?”

  At that moment, Trudy burst in with a smile on her red-painted lips, and for a moment, I wondered if she was the kissing bandit who’d sealed Gem’s envelope with a smooch. Then I pushed it out of my head because it was none of my business. Gem was a grown man, and he was allowed to have secret—or not so secret—admirers.

  Trudy took in the awkward silence with professional ease and slid gracefully over toward the table I’d recently vacated by the window. Expertly, she set up two coffee cups, a creamer jug, and dainty sugar cubes, along with beautifully monogrammed napkins with the Gem emblem on them.

  “If there’s anything else,” Trudy chirped. “You know where to find me.”

  Gem looked toward me and gestured at the table. “I have a feeling I’ll need coffee for this.”

  We took seats next to each other before the window. The coffee smelled so heavenly, I took a moment to pour myself a cup and drop in a few sugar cubes and a splash of cream. I might as well get a good cup of coffee out of my series of unfortunate events. I had the feeling Gem was two shakes away from tossing me and my crab-leg-scented shirt out the door.

  “When you came to talk to me the other day at the coffee shop, then on the plane, I thought it was something work related,” I said, stirring the sugar into my coffee. “I didn’t realize... I mean, I don’t know why I didn’t assume it was something personal instead. I just—” I cut myself off and took a sip of coffee. It was boiling hot and burned my tongue, but it was incredible. “This is amazing coffee.”

  “I have it flown in,” Gem said simply. He obviously wasn’t going to help me through my mucked-up explanation.

  “You have every right to date who you want, and you don’t have to tell me,” I said. “I’m happy for you, I genuinely am, and...”

  I watched Gem’s face morph from complete confusion to utter amusement, and finally, a sort of understanding.

  He nodded along sympathetically. “I see.”

  “You do?” I exhaled in relief. I couldn’t handle any more embarrassment. My cup had already runneth over.

  “I’m not seeing anyone.”

  I blinked. “You’re not?”

  “No. And I didn’t come to you out of personal interest at the café that day, believe it or not.” Gem leaned closer and wrapped his hands around his cup. “Believe me, love, you’d know if I was flirting with you.”

  “I-I’m not sure if that’s true. I’m notoriously oblivious to such things.”

  Gem sat back, laughed. “I suppose I can vouch for that.”

  “If you’re not seeing anyone...” My eyes betrayed me, flicked over toward the desk. “Secret admirer?”

  “You could say that.” Gem’s voice went dry. “Of sorts.”

  My heart thumped. “An unwanted secret admirer?”

  “You’re getting warmer.”

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “I tried to, but the timing wasn’t right.”

  “This could be a police matter. You shouldn’t have waited.”

  “You have a lot on your plate. Just because we have somewhat of an entangled history doesn’t mean I get first priority to the police.”

  “Why didn’t you want to see me today?”

  Gem’s
face melted, and he reached forward, rested his hand gently on mine. “Let me be clear about something, Kate. The reason I donated the use of my plane yesterday wasn’t solely out of the goodness of my heart. Nor was it due to a soft spot for the police department. It was an excuse to have a day with you.”

  I looked at his hand on mine and decided in a snap to leave it there. I couldn’t say why, but it felt right. “I see.”

  Gem withdrew his hand of his own accord and used it to spoon one sugar into his coffee. He barely seemed to notice what he was doing. “I decided it would be prudent not to involve you in my personal matters after everything I saw and heard yesterday. The easiest thing I could come up with to keep you away was to... act the way I did.”

  “It didn’t work.”

  “Obviously not.”

  “But... why?” I repeated. “I want to help you.”

  “I can’t stand the thought of putting you in danger.”

  “I’m a detective. It’s part of the job.”

  “But this—my problem—isn’t part of your job. You work in homicide, and thankfully, there are no dead bodies.” He gestured toward himself. “I’m alive and well, dashing as usual, wouldn’t you say?”

  His flippant comment gave me a smile, but it was undeniably hollow.

  “I want to help,” I insisted. “And you were obviously tempted to ask me for assistance because you tried twice. Give me some details, and we’ll go from there. It’s just talking right now.”

  Gem expelled a breath. He stood, made his way over to the computer. He slipped the envelope out from underneath the keyboard and tapped it against his palm. Studying the ceiling, his face flickered like a movie projector with a procession of emotions. It finally landed on something close to resignation.

  “This is the latest,” Gem said, sliding it across the coffee table to me. “Go ahead.”

  “I should be wearing gloves.”

  “I already had it dusted for fingerprints,” Gem said. “All of them. There’s nothing.”

  “You had it dusted for prints?”

  “I have money,” Gem said. “Money buys me things.”

  “I’d say so.”

  Trying to touch as little of the envelope as possible, I flipped it open and slid out a card from inside. It was a standard Valentine’s Day card, something that could be found at Target or Walmart or the Dollar Store—virtually untraceable. It gave me a flashback to my own love note from Wilkes.