Truth Is Found

by Morgan Kelley

  Breakfast was supposed to be simple, wasn’t it?

  As they took a seat beside the other guests, they all looked hung over. It appeared that they had drunk a little too much wine. Now they were hitting it again.

  That couldn’t be good.

  Then Tori noticed something. One of the guests was sober. Roman Remington appeared to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. That was interesting since they’d watched him drink last night.

  But that wasn’t all…

  He also had mud on his shoes. Tori noticed it the minute he walked into the room.

  That was odd. If he’d come from his room upstairs, why was he sporting the dirt? His partner wasn’t. Mitch was pristine in his dress shirt and khakis.

  Hmmmm…

  “We’re going to be taking a tour of the wine room,” stated Daniel Nelms. “I hope you’re all ready to taste more wine.”

  Julian wanted to groan, but he knew he had to take one for the team. At least his wife was going to be able to focus on the case.

  “I can’t wait,” stated Mitch Pettigrew. “We’re dying to get in there. I want to learn how wine is made. Maybe we can make some at home, honey.”

  Roman agreed. “We can try. I love seeing how things work.”

  “Yes, it’s a fascinating process,” stated the owner.

  Just then, Sheila stormed in on her stilts in a tizzy. She was pissed, and it was clearly written on her face.

  Angrily, she pulled her husband aside and lowered her voice, so only he and Romeo could hear.

  Unfortunately for her, Tori had really good ears. She could clearly hear the conversation from behind her bowl of Raisin Bran.

  “I can’t find Pearlie. She was supposed to do the tour this morning. I went to her room to get her, but she wasn’t around.”

  Julian couldn’t hear them, so his wife softly whispered what they were saying. They probably shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but it was second nature.

  This was their job.

  So, they continued to listen.

  Daniel let his wife vent, and he looked worried. “Is her car here?”

  “Yes,” Sheila said, glancing over at the dining guests. “I can’t cover for her, Danny. You know I have an appointment with my yoga guy. If I don’t keep my workout schedule, he’ll drop me to fill my slot. He’s the only thing that keeps me centered. I don’t need any more stress.”

  Romeo started laughing at the whole thing. “I don’t know why you’re worrying. This isn't the first time she’s gone out at night and forgotten to come home. Don’t worry. As soon as the guy she’s with gives her a tip, she’ll catch a cab.”

  Daniel smacked his son on the back of the head to shut him up. “Don’t talk about your sister that way, and since you’re being rude, you get to do the tour.”

  The young man didn't look happy.

  “But I have something to handle.”

  Neither cared, and they pretty much told him so. Romeo tried to smile at their guests but it was strained.

  Yeah, Romeo looked about ready to spit fire.

  Interesting.

  It appeared he was forced to carry more of the weight between the siblings, and he didn't look like he enjoyed it.

  Sheila murmured something in her husband’s ear before giving him a kiss on the cheek. Then she was off.

  “She’s in a hurry,” Julian stated.

  Yeah, Tori noticed.

  “We have to split up,” she whispered to her husband. They were about to dive into their job.

  “Why?” he asked, feeling his gut knot. The last thing he wanted to do was let his woman wander around.

  “I’m going to follow Sheila. She’s up to something.”

  “What makes you think that? She has an appointment, and likely isn't into the whole winery thing. She hit on everyone here last night.”

  Tori didn't disagree with her husband’s assessment, but she pointed out the call Beau had told them about the previous night.

  Two and two always equaled four, and she’d seen this type of behavior before. In fact, Tori would bet her brand new SUV on the outcome.

  “Let’s just call it a hunch. You’ll have to take the tour and nose around. I’ll call you if I find anything.”

  He didn't like the idea that they were splitting up, but they were down a team member. In reality, they didn't have much choice in the matter. This was why they always took two couples on away assignments. One could follow the people, and one could chase the details.

  Now they were on their own.

  Pulling his wife to his lips, he kissed her. “Be careful,” he warned, making sure she looked him right in his eyes. “Take my gun,” he added, referring to the weapon tucked in the holster at his back.

  Tori grinned. “You’re funny.”

  He didn't get what was so amusing.

  “Like I don’t have my own? Momma-to-be is packing, Jules. You should know better.”

  He gave her the look.

  “Victoria Rose, we discussed this,” he muttered. Normally, Julian didn't carry, and he loathed when his wife did.

  Now he’d be even more freaked out. Tori was running around with a sidearm.

  Great.

  She patted him on the cheek as she acknowledged the warning. Tori was accustomed to Julian and his weapon worries, and in most cases she went with it.

  Now…yeah, it wasn’t going to happen.

  They were working alone.

  “You need to relax,” she stated, getting up from the table to excuse herself.

  “I love you.”

  She winked and mouthed the same words in return. “Watch your ass too.”

  With that, she headed out.

  All the way to her vehicle, Tori pondered the situation. Granted, she might be wrong about Sheila, but the odds were in her favor. She had that gut feeling, and there was no way she was going to ignore it.

  This woman was up to something, and Tori didn't buy that it was concern for her stepdaughter’s whereabouts. She also didn't buy that she was heading to an appointment to workout. She was in full makeup, dangly earrings, and the wrong attire--unless she was doing downward dog at the end of a catwalk.

  Tori was calling bullshit on this one.

  As a woman, this didn't settle right. While Julian may not have noticed Sheila was dressed to the nines to get sweaty, she did. Before the day was out, Tori knew she’d find something.

  She just knew it.

  As she followed Sheila Nelms to her car, Tori suspected that the real adventure was about to begin.

  Julian wanted them to dig…

  Well, she was going to do just that.

  Chance were, she was going to find something that no one wanted the world to see.

  That’s how it always worked out.

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  He was nervous as hell.

  Every day that those bodies were hidden on that vineyard, he wanted to be sick. At first, he honestly believed that placing them there would be a good idea.

  After all, who would look?

  Now that the vineyard took off and was making plenty of money, he was screwed. If they ever decided to expand, he was up the creek without a paddle.

  He could kick his own ass.

  When the chance came to buy the old run down place, he should have done it. Then at least his secret would be safe. But no…he reassured himself that no one would buy a rundown monastery. The money pit had no future.

  It was idiocy.

  It was insanity.

  Then it happened.

  Not only had someone found value in it, but also things started happening there to draw attention. It was bad news. The last thing he needed was someone stealing or sabotaging the place. If they did, the truth would come out.

  The world would see.

  With each passing day, there was more and more risk that someone would find out what he’d done those many years ago.

  He was a monster, and he knew it.

  Only, he couldn’t stop
himself from snatching up the forbidden fruit.

  If they found the bodies, his horrible secret would come out and he’d be screwed. When he took them, he couldn’t help himself.

  He was sick.

  When he buried them…

  He was out of control.

  Now…

  He was distraught over being found out, but he didn't know what to do.

  Even when he ended the priest’s life, he knew that there was a cancer growing in him. That was the last life he took, and so far, he’d kept his vow never to do it again.

  Even though he didn't touch another girl since the last one, he knew he was at risk. Now he needed to decide if they had to be moved or if they were safe.

  He was going to watch them.

  He was going to plan better this time.

  All he could hope was that the business went under. Then he’d scoop it up. They were having problems, and he took it as a sign from God.

  He was forgiven.

  He had to be.

  Now, it was time to watch and wait. If the time arose, he’d handle it. This was his mess, and he needed to fix it.

  His sins were coming back to haunt him.

  And he didn't stand a chance...

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Town

  Late Morning

  Tori trailed Sheila all over the place.

  First, the woman grabbed an ungodly sized Frappuccino at the local café. It was covered in whipped cream, chocolate, and calories.

  Tori was jealous.

  She wanted one very much, but it wasn’t happening. The caffeine in that drink was enough to pickle her fetus. There was no way Veronica was getting a coffee infused wakeup call.

  Instead, she made notes and snapped some pictures to get her mind off it. Tori knew how important it was to document everything.

  If Daniel wanted details later, they’d be able to give them to him. Sheila’s day would be mapped out for the man to see.

  She didn't want to miss a second, because Tori knew Sheila was lying about yoga.

  Who drank something that large and full of calories before working out?

  No one.

  Then, if that wasn’t enough proof for Tori, the woman went into some boutique that sold risqué lingerie. Tori could see her picking out quite the leather concoction through the glass windows.

  Yoga her ass.

  Instead, someone liked playing mistress.

  Yeah, that was strike two in her book.

  As she paid and headed out, Tori was giving her one more chance. If the woman headed back to the vineyard, she’d wasted her time.

  If she didn't…

  As they drove through the town, Tori tailed her right to the local motel. It was the same one her brother was staying at. Apparently, the woman had been here before. She was in and out of the office with barely any effort.

  Yeah, strike three.

  Normal people didn't hang out at seedy hotels for yoga lessons. It appeared Tori had been right. All that was left was for her to sit back and wait.

  She needed to see who was joining Sheila for a little ‘tie me up’ fun.

  Tori kept documenting everything, snapping pictures as time passed. When a Mercedes, with tinted out windows, pulled into the lot, she grinned manically.

  Here came the sugar daddy.

  Tori zoomed in on the plate and snapped the photo. It looked like Christina was going to be digging through the DMV for this guy’s identity.

  “Thank you very much,” she muttered to herself.

  This little secret rendezvous wasn’t the first time they’d done this, because he didn't hesitate when heading toward the door.

  With a look around, he knocked.

  Tori scooched down in her seat and didn't stop snapping pictures.

  “Come to the door,” she muttered as she waited for Sheila to open up. When the woman did, she was dressed, and there was no doubt that yoga wasn’t on her mind.

  In fact, she grabbed the man by the front of the shirt and kissed him.

  Tori snapped photo after photo.

  Yeah, score another one for intuition.

  As Sheila finished the oral assault on her ‘yoga’ partner, Tori didn't miss a shot. When the woman tugged him inside, and the door slammed behind them, only then did she stop.

  “Gotcha, Sheila. You’re a liar.”

  Pulling out her cell, she sent off a text. Surely, Julian would be as entertained as she was. They were hired to find the person sabotaging the winery, and instead they caught another murder mystery with a side of hanky-panky.

  Only in their world.

  ‘I followed Sheila to a motel. She’s dressed like the queen of bondage, and right now she’s spanking some guy who isn't her husband.’

  Tori waited for Julian to reply.

  As she did, she timed them on the clock. A normal yoga class was ninety minutes max. Sheila had already burned fifty of them getting coffee and her getup. It would be interesting if they wrapped up in time.

  Her phone chimed.

  ‘Please tell me you got pictures to document it.’

  She grinned wickedly.

  Boy…had she ever.

  ‘You know this isn’t my first day, right? I have it all documented. She left the lingerie store and headed right to the hotel. If they’re doing yoga, then I’m signing up for that class.’

  Her phone chimed immediately, and honestly, she wasn’t shocked.

  ‘VICTORIA ROSE! You absolutely will not be taking that class! Not unless it’s with me.’

  She couldn’t help but laugh.

  Tori loved when Julian was all stirred up. It was her favorite past time.

  Now her job was mostly done. All she had to do was sit and wait. When they came out from their little bondage interlude, she’d be waiting.

  To follow…

  * * * L i t t l e m o o n * * *

  Same Hotel

  Different Room

  Since she woke up, they barely moved.

  Nyx was afraid to leave Beau’s side. It had been so long since she’d had this kind of silence. If he didn't mind staying there, she was okay with it too.

  Screw being shy or embarrassed.

  At that moment, she could think, and that was one hell of a precious gift.

  Besides, being in bed with him wasn’t a bad thing. Covertly, she was checking out his body. There was no doubt in her mind that he had been a soldier. His tattoos were indicative of someone who had fought for his country.

  There were patriotic ones.

  Gun ones.

  Plus, the skull and crossbones wearing the Army Ranger beret was a dead giveaway.

  And his is physique?

  It was something she could stare at for hours. Being next to him was both cathartic and making her crazy all at the same time.

  Maybe it had something to do with the lingering scent of his aftershave on the shirt she was wearing. Then again, it could have something to do with the fact that he’d stripped her and redressed her too.

  She should probably be embarrassed, but she wasn’t. Beau Christensen was calming.

  He definitely had a gift.

  The way he was watching her, Nyx knew it was only a matter of time before he started hitting her with the tough questions.

  She should probably get it over with, and soon.

  “Go ahead and ask. I can hear you thinking. The room is humming.”

  Beau brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, and the intimacy of that simple motion struck him hard. His heart flipped the second his fingers touched her petal soft flesh.

  He did have questions.

  Lots of them.

  For the last hour, he’d wanted to say something, but his tongue was tied in knots. He didn't have a lot of experience with women, and he was trying to do this right.

  She was obviously hurting, and he didn't want to damage her further.

  “Okay, why did you do it? Is it so bad that you can’t stand life?”

  T
here was no judgment in his voice, and since he’d dove in after her and pulled her back from the brink of death, he deserved a reason.

  “He’s in my head. Your brother won’t leave me alone. The screaming all day long is draining. I just wanted it to stop.”

  “Is he hurting you?” Beau asked, his voice now full of concern.

  “Yes. Trey is relentless. When I go to bed, he starts. When I’m trying to eat, he’s there. He’s persistent. I’ve never had a spirit this angry, or this hell bent on my full attention.”

  “You delivered the message. He should stop.”

  Nyx laughed. “Yeah, they don’t have morals on the other side, Mr. Christensen.”

  “Beau. I saw you naked, so it’s only fair.”

  “Yeah, about that,” she began.

  “In my defense, you did just try to off yourself, and I promise that I tried to keep my eyes closed the whole time. If anything, I’m a gentleman.”

  Yes, he certainly was. They were in bed together, and not once did he try to take advantage of that.

  That trust wasn’t easy to find in the opposite sex, and Nyx knew it.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he promised.

  She swallowed, and then noticed he was grinning at her. The easiness of his smile helped her relax.

  “Okay, Beau. I believe you. I don’t know why, since we don’t even know each other, but I do.”

  “Thank you for that, Nyx. How about you tell me what he’s doing to you? Maybe I can help.”

  “He’s angry, and he’s getting stronger. I’m helpless to him. I can block out the voices most of the time, but not him. I can’t stop Trey. He’s pretty stubborn.”

  “Okay, tell me what to do.”

  She stared at him.

  “What?” he asked, noticing the look she was giving him.

  “Why would you want to do that, Beau? I’m a complete stranger. You owe me nothing,” she stated. “I can’t figure why you risked your life and jumped into that water after me. That’s crazy.”