“We all make mistakes. We’re only human, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah. But the Baxter case! Of all cases, this isn’t going to go away quietly. You know, just because the wrong fluid was in the brakes, doesn’t necessarily mean homicide.”
“Technically, you’re correct. Let me rephrase. This formulation is no longer used in vehicles. Therefore, if it were put into the Baxter’s SUV by mistake, it’s manslaughter and if done so on purpose, homicide.”
“Who do you think would want them dead? Their two children inherited everything.”
“And why would their children kill them? They both had everything they needed. They knew they would one day own the company. Why run the risk of getting caught?” River asked.
“Good question.”
“I don’t believe either of the children murdered them. If the kids killed their parents, why would they ask me to find out who killed them? It makes no sense. They were home free.”
“I know. You’re right. Just wanted your take on it. Now that the case is reopened, I’ll be searching for the killer. I suppose Blake and Garnet won’t need your services any longer.”
“Then you would be wrong. I’m still being retained by them.”
“They still don’t trust us to figure it out?” Hamlin asked. “I guess I can understand that. Do you have any theories?”
“Now, Detective Hamlin. You know I work for the Baxters, not the Seattle PD.” She flashed him a quick smile.
“Just thought you might like to cooperate.” Hamlin got up from the chair. “I won’t take up any more of your time. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.”
Detective Hamlin smiled and gave Cassie a slight nod as they passed one another.
“Who’s the hunk?” Cassie asked.
“Down girl. It’s Detective Hamlin.”
“Hm. In all your conversations about him, you failed to mention how sexy he is,” Cassie said.
“True. But he’s also got an ego the size of Texas.”
“You on your way out?” Cassie asked.
“Yes, I have an appointment at Baxter Imports.”
“Darn it. I was hoping we could go to lunch. Shay and Maile are both tied up.”
“Let’s try and all get together for dinner one night this week. Gotta go.”
“River, sorry to keep you waiting,” Blake said, as he greeted her in the waiting room directly outside his office. “I can hardly keep up with the calls. Everyone has heard Mom’s and Dad’s case has been reopened.”
“You’re not giving out any details, correct?”
“No. You told me not to. I’m very vague in my explanation about new information coming to light.”
“And Garnet?”
“I explained it to her and told her not to tell anyone what you discovered. I know you want to get a feel for the company and meet as many people as possible. I decided the best way would be a tour, so we’ll go through the place department by department.”
Two hours later Blake and River were heading for their last stop, the finance department, to meet everyone Garnet worked with on a daily basis. River was disappointed not to find Ellis in the IT Department. She wanted to get a firsthand impression of the man in Garnet’s life.
Blake greeted each employee as they walked through the department on their way to Garnet’s office. When they reached her door, Blake knocked twice and opened it without waiting for a response. River got her wish. Garnet was wrapped in the embrace of a tall man. They separated as the door opened.
“Blake, your timing is perfect,” Garnet said.
River immediately noticed the huge smile on Garnet’s face.
“Look.” She held her left hand out to her brother, diamond ring sparkling.
Blake flashed a disapproving look, which he immediately disguised with a smile.
“You’re engaged? When did this happen?”
“Ellis just proposed to me. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“A little unusual. I don’t see your office as a romantic setting.”
Interesting, River thought. She didn’t think Blake appeared too thrilled with Garnet’s choice of men, despite his past comments.
“I know, you’re right,” Ellis said. “I planned on waiting until this weekend and taking Garnet out for a wonderful evening. But she’s just been so upset over the past two months, and now with the reopening of your parents’ case, I thought a positive influence would help her cope. Blake, Garnet told me you believe your parents’ accident was a homicide—that’s a cruel blow for anyone.”
Blake glared at his sister. River stood quietly soaking in the interaction.
“Garnet, you were not to tell anyone.”
“I know. I haven’t told anyone else. I assumed you couldn’t possibly mean Ellis.”
“What part of no one confused you?”
River could see anger and betrayal on Blake’s features.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Ellis,” she said, as she stepped forward.
“And you are?” he asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I assumed Garnet would’ve informed you about me. My name is River Nightingale.”
“Yes, yes she did. I’m a bit surprised to see you here in the offices.” His voice was thick with annoyance.
“And why would that be?” Blake asked.
“I wouldn’t think you would want your employees knowing about your private investigator.”
“Then you would be incorrect. It’s because of my private investigator that our parents’ case has been reopened.”
Blake turned directly to his sister.
“Don’t forget about tonight. River is joining us for dinner at the house.”
“Oh, I nearly forgot. Well, I’m sure Ellis is welcome to join us,” Garnet said, as she reached out and took Ellis hand.
“No, Garnet. Only family.”
“I’ll be family soon enough,” Ellis said.
“And then you will be welcome to attend family dinners.”
Chapter Five
“What’s the urgent rush, Garnet? You have your entire life ahead of you,” Blake said.
“We don’t plan on getting married tomorrow,” Garnet said. “It’s nice to be able to count on unconditional support from someone.”
“What in heaven’s name does that mean? I’ve been your support since the day you were born.”
“I know. But you’re my brother.”
“So my support’s not good enough?”
“That’s not what I meant. Stop putting words in my mouth, Blake. I just want Ellis to move in with me. We won’t get married until the case is settled, I promise.”
“I don’t understand why you are in such a damn big rush?”
“Ellis made a good point. If he’s here with me, you can move back to your place and have your own life.”
“So this entire moving in thing is Ellis’s idea?”
“I didn’t say—”
“Tell me it wasn’t.”
“Okay, he mentioned it first. But I’d been thinking about it.”
“Like hell you have. And you can forget about me moving out. I’m here to stay until this whole mess is over.”
Blake’s and Garnet’s voices echoed through the foyer as their butler led River to the formal living room.
“Sir, your guest is here,” the butler said. “Shall I ask her to wait in the study?”
“No need,” Blake said, as he walked over to greet River. “Sorry, you caught us at a bad moment. We seem to have more of those lately.”
His eyes tracked back to his sister. She blushed and looked away.
“Don’t think another thing of it,” River s
aid and smiled at her clients. “You’re both dealing with a tremendous amount of stress and uncertainty. It’s only natural to let it out in the confines of your own home.”
“Which is yet another reason Ellis shouldn’t move in,” Blake said to his sister, and then refocused on River. “Will you join us for a drink?”
An hour later the three sat at one end of the largest dining room tables River had ever seen. They chatted about River’s days in Montana and her decision to move to Seattle and become a P.I.
“What do you think about Ellis moving in with me, River?” Garnet asked.
“The more people who know a secret, the more likely it will no longer be a secret. Nothing against Ellis, or anyone else, it’s just a matter of human nature. You want me to locate your half-sister. It’s going to be more difficult to discuss updates if Ellis is living here.”
“Ellis is a good man. He’s my fiancé. He’s not going to say anything to anyone.”
“You haven’t told him, have you?” Blake asked.
“Not about our sister, no. But the house is large. He could stay in another part of the house when we discuss her.”
“This is between the two of you,” River said.
“Let’s drop it for now, please,” Blake said.
Garnet shrugged her shoulders and picked up her water glass.
“Have you found anything more in your mother’s belongings?” River asked.
“Nothing more than what we found in her safe. I went through Dad’s home office and their bedroom. I found nothing there either,” Blake said.
“Do you have any idea who might have wanted your parents dead?”
They both shook their heads.
“How about people either of them might have had disagreements with? I’m speaking both professionally and personally.”
“Of course they had disagreements. It’s part of life,” Garnet said.
“Let’s do this. Let’s get a sheet of paper for each of you and without discussing it make a list. I’m not saying it’s a list of people who might’ve caused them harm. It’s a place for me to start,” River said. “Also include how they knew your parents and why they may have disagreed with them.”
They all got up from the table and Blake lead them into what he called the study. River would have used another term, such as the main library in Bear Creek. The siblings sat at opposite ends of the room, while River entertained herself with the unbelievable collection of first editions including authors like Beatrix Potter, Edgar Allan Poe, and H.G. Wells.
When they both finished their lists, she took them and placed them inside her purse.
“Thank you both for all your input and the wonderful dinner. It’s getting late and I have a very busy day tomorrow,” River said.
Garnet said goodbye and headed to the stairs. Blake walked River to the door.
“I’ll keep you updated,” River said.
If it’s before ten when you finally finish your work day, swing by my place. We’re all here having a drink, not the same without you. Love, Shay.
River pulled the note from her door, walked down two doors and knocked.
“Yes, you made it,” Maile said, and threw her arms around her friend as if she hadn’t just seen her this very morning.
Cassie lounged on the sofa and Shay poured a glass of red wine.
“Geeze girl. We started this business to be in one another’s lives, among other things,” Shay said, as she handed River the wine. “Seems like now, we only see each other’s backs.”
“And we should consider ourselves extremely fortunate. Think about it. We’ve moved to a new city, changed careers, and started a new business that will be in the black before the year is out,” River said.
“I know. You’re right. But O.M.G., being successful is sure tiring,” Shay said.
“And here’s to being eternally tired,” Maile said.
The four of them clinked their glasses together.
“I suggested to the girls that we should probably set a weekly Monday meeting now that we are picking up speed. Give us a chance to check in with everyone and keep Cory up-to-date,” Cassie said.
“I think that’s a great idea. Emails are fine, but meeting in person is better. Tomorrow’s Friday. I’ll make sure to tell Cory to get it on her schedule. Is eight good? Gives us an hour before our doors open,” River said.
“Okay, but we want to hear about your case right now, River. What’s with the hunk who wandered through our agency the other day? Is he single?” Shay asked, laughing.
“If you’re referring to Detective Hamlin, I have no idea. We definitely rub one another the wrong way.”
“Sounds like the beginning of a wonderful relationship,” Maile said.
“Yeah right, only if he never opens his mouth.”
“So, your case, what’s going on?” Cassie asked. “It’s certainly bringing us some attention.”
“This is not your average case. It’s certainly peaked my investigative instincts and kept me on my game.” River told them about the Baxters, their accident, and how she had a feeling the first time she saw the car what might have taken place. “Their attorney has petitioned the court and the case is reopened.”
“Ouch, no wonder you and Detective Hunk are like oil and vinegar. You stomped all over his little ego,” Maile said.
“So, are Blake and Garnet keeping you on to find their parent’s murderer?” Shay asked.
“Yes, but that’s not even the best part. Trudy and Wade, their mother and father, kept a family secret from them.” She explained about the note found in their mother’s safe.
“How awful,” Maile said. “I don’t understand how she could love a man who wouldn’t accept her child.”
“Love, pain, guilt. I can’t say, and I certainly can’t judge. I’ve given it much thought over the past week. If I were put in the position, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I’d like to think I’d take all three of my children and leave,” River said.
The room went quiet as a cemetery. All four of the women stared into their glasses and contemplated life’s twists and turns. Shay rose from her chair, picked up the newly-opened wine bottle, and topped off their glasses.
“What’s your next step?” she asked.
“I had Blake and Garnet make up a list for me of everyone they knew who’d ever crossed either parent. Thought I’d start researching each person on their lists in the morning. I’ll most likely be in the office all day.”
“What about the half-sister?” Maile asked.
“I’m going to start digging into her tomorrow, too. No real suspects yet. A couple of employees sparked my interest. And then there’s Garnet’s fiancé, who proposed to her in her office just this afternoon. Blake and I walked in on them.”
“What? If my boyfriend proposed to me in my office that would be the end of him! Really! Cheap jerk,” Maile said.
All four of the women broke out in laughter. They chatted and laughed for another hour, as comfortable around each other as lifelong friends.
“Well ladies, I hate to do this, but if I don’t get at least seven hours beauty sleep, I’m worthless the next day,” River said.
River stood in line at the Starbucks one block from the Miss Demeanor Agency. She needed a venti caramel latte if she wanted to make it through her research today.
“Good morning,” said a low sexy voice in her ear.
She spun around and looked directly into a charcoal-grey tee-shirt. This wasn’t any old ten-dollar cotton tee. It fit its owner’s well-defined pectorals like a second skin and looked like it was made of cashmere, sophisticated and stylish without trying. She balled her hands into fists to keep from reaching up and skimming her palms down the shirt and its occupant. River’s gaze glided past the pecs to the vee in the s
hirt and up into the enchanting indigo depths of Gage’s stare. He quirked one side of his mouth. Today he wore a well-groomed beard and moustache. Man, her friends were spot on. This guy was sizzling hot.
“Good morning. Undercover work?” she asked, as she focused on his beard.
“Good guess.”
He winked at her, actually winked. Dammit, focus, River; get a grip, she chided herself.
“Are you stalking me?”
“I was on my way to your office when I saw you cross the street.”
“You do realize we don’t open for another hour.”
“I know. I have to go back out on my case, and I hoped if I played nice, you would see me early.” He attempted to ingratiate himself with a dazzling smile.
“I know that look. You want something.” She scowled at him.
“What can I get you?” the barista asked.
River rattled off her drink.
“Anything else?”
“I’d like a venti black coffee. My treat,” Hamlin said, and winked at her again.
“Now I know you want something.” She squinted at him and tried for her best serious look.
They got their drinks and strolled toward the agency.
“I’m hoping we could share information,” he said.
“We’re not on the same side. I work for my client, not for SPD, Detective Hamlin.”
“I realize that. But we are on the same side. We both want justice for the deaths of Wade and Trudy Baxter. And for the love of all that’s good, would you please call me, Gage.”
“I know what’ll happen. This information sharing will be a one-way deal, and the recipient will be you.”
“No, it won’t. I’m more than willing to work with you. My butt is on the line here. I just want to find the bastard who did this, and throw his sorry ass behind bars.”
P.I. I Love You (Miss Demeanor Suspense Series Book 1) Page 3