Here was the proof.
Julian listened, and he offered up what he knew. “They had nothing sexy in their bedroom. It was more like some five star hotel room--bland, white, and pristine.”
Tori thought about it. “That’s interesting. She obviously likes to get her kink on. She was dressed like a dominatrix.”
“Yippee,” he teased, only to be kicked in the shin. “I was kidding,” he offered, rubbing his leg. “Touchy.”
“Pregnant. There’s a big difference. One will get you bruised, the other killed.”
He winked at his wife. No woman would ever catch his eye but her. She was his other half.
Julian flipped, and then whistled. “It appears that she’s really into this. She put a lot of time and planning in to this little rendezvous.”
“Yeah, and he left smiling. He wasn’t complaining that she wanted to play some games.”
“We need to find out who he is.”
Tori was well aware.
“I figured we can call Christina, and she’ll do some research. I know where he was heading,” she began, getting ready to drop the bomb.
“You followed him?”
Julian didn't look pleased.
“Yep, and you’re going to be glad I did. He returned to AngelCake vineyards after his midmorning delight.”
He stared up from the phone and his lunch. “What?”
Tori told him everything. “He’s not a guest. He’s part of that place. He parked in the back, keyed in a code at the side door, and headed in without even batting an eyelash. He’s an employee of some sort. From the vehicle, I’d say he’s upper management. Sheila wouldn’t waste her gold digging skills on a busboy.”
He agreed.
Even if Julian was irritated that she followed him alone, he had to admit it. “This is great work, Tor.”
She smiled. “Yeah, well, it’s in the blood.”
Julian waited until his wife was finished eating. “Wait until you see the photos I pulled. I hope you don’t puke.” He knew his wife, and they were going to put her over the edge. She got pissed when women, or in this case--girls--were objectified.
Tori flipped through the pictures, and when she stared up, her mouth was open in outrage.
At first, she simply sputtered.
Then she got it out.
“She’s just a child! Eighteen-year-old children shouldn’t be sending porn via their phones. Our daughter is grounded before she’s born!”
Julian laughed. At least they were on the same page with this one.
“I thought the same thing. I pulled the cell number out of her phone, and then I wiped it clean. I don’t want my fingerprints all over it. Now quick! Delete those pictures. I feel like a pervert having them in my cell. I only want naked pictures of my woman.”
Tori couldn’t help but bust his ass. “Jules, you lost your phone twice last year. I’m not sending you pictures that someone else will see when they happen across your cell. Dream on.”
She probably had a point.
“Let’s keep working then,” he offered.
So, they went over the rest of the pictures.
“I saw Beau at the motel.”
Julian finished eating his burger and slid his fries toward his wife. She picked one up and hesitantly ate it.
“Okay, and? We knew where he was staying. Why are you surprised?”
“Keep flipping.”
Julian scrolled through the pictures. “Ohhhh, he was there with Nyx Nightingale, and from the timestamp, it was likely all night.”
“Yeah, and he’s grinning like Trey used to when he’d scored after a night out with some random woman. I know my brothers. They were gentlemen, but that’s the Christensen man leer.”
Julian patted her hand. “Tori.”
“What the hell is he thinking?” she asked, getting even more agitated. “We’re going to be heading out after his case. He shouldn’t get involved with anyone he’s working with or babysitting. It’s going to get him hurt!”
Julian began laughing.
“What?” she asked.
“Really? If I remember correctly, Special Agent Victoria Christensen, you were working a case and partnered up with me. That’s how this whole ride began. Had you not fallen into that hotel bed with me, what do you think would have happened?”
She was well aware of their first time, and how it led them down this path. “Jules.”
He leaned over and kissed Tori to shut her up.
“You’re going to be an excellent mother. You’re already grounding our fetus, and you’re worried about your brother. You’re quite the mother hen, but in this case…it’s not warranted. Beau doesn’t need a mommy. He needs his sister, and she should understand.”
Tori shook her head. “You’re right. He’s a grown man. He’s seen combat. Beau doesn’t need me playing mommy to him. He has one.”
Despite her neutral face, Julian heard the pain in her voice. There was no doubt that every time she looked at her younger brother, she was reminded that their mother chose him over her and Trey.
It had to sting.
“I love you, Tori, but you need to let him make his own choices. He’s in his thirties. Beau, I’m sure, has been in relationships before.”
“You’re right. Thank you for talking me down off this cliff.”
Julian looked around. “I’m writing this day down on the calendar. My pregnant wife told me I was right. This may never happen again.”
She laughed. “I love you too, Jules. Do you think we should tell him about what happened to her?”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
“But…”
“If he’s starting something with her, he needs to navigate this on his own. I had to take that road too. It’s harder, but it’s more important that he find out who she is. It strengthens the relationship. Besides, how would you have felt had someone told me your personal issues before you opened up to me?”
“You’re right again.”
He went to open his mouth but she was giving him the look. Instead, he kept the comment to himself and went with something safe.
“I have sisters. I’ve watched this go down before. You don’t get between a woman and her potential suitor. It can be deadly.”
Julian recalled when Claire brought home her outsider boyfriend, and Liana stole him away. It was hellish for their family, and the men all learned a valuable lesson.
Girls could be dangerous.
“Okay. You have a point. I’ll let this go.”
He pointed at the picture of the shoebox full of money. As Tori inspected it, Julian threw down cash to pay the bill.
“What do you think?”
“It’s not from a bank,” she stated, pointing out the rubber bands. “In fact, they look like hair ties. I’m betting this is his cash from around the place.”
“Theft?”
She shook her head. “Not sure, but he’s a twenty year old man who lives with mommy and daddy. He likely gets a salary, since his old man doesn’t mind throwing money at him. He doesn’t pay rent, and the cars are likely dad’s toys. He might have extra cash lying around, and instead of a bank…”
She had a point.
“I love your mind.”
“Yeah, yeah. I love your body. I’ll be the honest one here.”
Julian grinned. “Let’s call Christina. I need to check in for the day, and I want her to run your license plate, and my pervert’s cell number.”
“Works for me,” she said, taking his hand. If they were going to make a call, it wasn’t going to be in public where everyone could hear them on speakerphone.
In their SUV, Julian used the dash system to call his business. When Lena answered, she put him through to Kane and Christina’s office.
“Hey, bosses!” the woman chimed.
“How are things?” Julian asked, jumping right into work. He knew if he got Christina started, that would end up badly. The woman liked to go off on tangents, and they did
n't have time. They were behind when it came to finding the person destroying the vineyard, and they had dead girls to locate.
“Well, we’re working on paperwork, so you won’t be buried, Lena is handling the calls, and booking the appointments for new client meetings, Claire and Beckett are in the field, and…”
There was one name missing.
“And my brother?” Julian asked.
“No show. In fact, Vivian showed up looking for him. It seems that he didn't come home last night, boss. She’s worried sick.”
That couldn’t be good, and Julian knew it.
“We’ll handle that when we’re off the phone with you. Right now, we have some research, and we need our pro to do it.”
“No problem. Just give me a second. Kane is coming back into the room now. He had some issues out front.”
Tori didn't like the sound of that. She knew before they left, the media was circling them like vultures on a carcass. “What’s going on?”
“Shelby is parked across the street in her car and has been all morning.”
“What? Why?” Tori asked. The team knew she wasn’t allowed near the building. She was public enemy number one.
“Well, not to stress you out, but she’s been telling everyone who will listen that you’ve kidnapped her son.”
Julian started laughing. “He’s an adult. We didn't kidnap him. It’s called traveling for business. That’s what gainfully employed people do when they earn a living.”
“Yeah, we know that but the media likes a mess, and this outburst is definitely creating one. Kane has to keep going out there to kick them off the property.”
“I hate her,” Tori stated.
That statement didn't shock anyone.
Julian had definitely been wrong on this one. He had made the mistake of telling his wife to forgive her, but she’d been right all along. Shelby Christensen had been out for money, her fifteen minutes of fame, and to make Tori’s life hell.
So far, they were ahead of the game.
The woman wasn’t able to get near Tori or Beau. That was how they were going to play this out. If she was dying, they’d bide their time.
Eventually, they’d have the last laugh.
“I can scare her away,” Kane offered, willing to protect the people he loved. They were a family, and when Tori hurt, they all hurt.
“No, that’s exactly what she wants. After the last case, she disappeared from the media when we solved that case. Now she’s looking for a way to get the world’s attention. Ignore her. Please.”
“Will do, boss.”
“Let’s get down to business, shall we?” Tori asked, needing to change the topic. “Have we found the names of the potential girls on the Missing Child database?”
Christina wished.
“I have forty two names, and they’re all in the parameters you gave me. If you want more, you’re going to have to narrow it down some.”
Which was what Tori expected was going to happen. “I’ll make an appointment with my spirit guide. Bethany will be able to help.”
As if on cue, the air conditioning turned on.
Julian hated when Bethany did things like that. In fact, he hated knowing she was watching them.
It creeped him out.
“How about the list of guest names we gave you?” she asked.
“I ran all six of them, and I found some interesting things.”
Julian had to urge her on. He knew Christina liked the dramatic. “How about you share them before I’m old and gray?”
She laughed. “Sorry, boss, it’s an old habit. Elizabeth used to like to ask. Sometimes I forget.”
They completely understood.
“I started with Cara and her hubby. She’s indeed who she said she is, and Mrs. Wirth runs a matchmaking business. She’s so rich that it’s hard to put a number on her assets.”
“Gino, her husband, is younger.”
“That’s not shocking. He’s not the first notch in her husband belt,” Christina stated. “She’s had a collection of failed marriages in her past.”
“How many are in that collection, Christina?” Tori asked.
“He’s lucky number four.”
Julian started laughing. “Well, I feel much better now that she told us that we weren’t compatible, and she wouldn’t have put us together.”
“What?” exclaimed Christina and Kane together.
“You heard me.”
“She’s dead wrong, boss,” Christina stated. “You two are perfect for each other. You fit together like two snuggling graham cracker bears right before they get dunked in the milk.”
“You didn't eat yet, did you?” Tori asked, laughing at the silly analogy.
“Nope. My Kane-ykins didn't bring me food. I think he’s getting tired of food runs for me and the little mini-kins.”
“Chrissy! Work names, please! In my defense, I feed you nonstop. You’re bottomless.”
There was a gasp of pain, and then an apology.
“I meant…”
Julian laughed, sympathizing with the man. “We understand.”
“How about the rest?” Tori asked. “We need to get our work thing on, so spill it.”
“Do you want the weird or the bad? I’ll let you choose,” Christina offered.
“Weird,” they said together.
“Well, Allene and Brandon Bunchen don’t exist. I’ve checked everything we have, and they aren’t real. They aren’t in any database. That sends up red flags for both of us. So, more than likely, you have spooks.”
Christina didn't mean the ghost kind.
The two were likely spying.
“I knew something was up,” Julian stated. “They were continually asking about that stolen wine formula.”
“Do we have anything?” Tori asked.
“I've run Allene through everything, thinking that her name is distinctive enough that she’d pop, but she hasn’t. The DMV records didn't even pull anything. That’s totally weird. Even if she didn't drive, she’d have a state ID, but nothing is coming up.”
They agreed.
“Okay, hit us with the bad.”
She didn't hesitate. “It has to do with the last couple. Your gay men have some secrets.”
Julian wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. With Christina, that could mean just about anything. It might be sexual, or who knew what?
“What?”
“Well, Mitch Pettigrew is who he says he is. The man likes clothes, and we found his social media site. He’s a storeowner, and he pushes his own style of dress in a boutique in Houston. He’s known for his two patterned shirts.”
They waited for it.
“He’s on the up and up.”
“But?” Julian asked.
“The partner? He’s the issue. Roman Remington is his name, but gayness isn't his game. He’s the red herring in the group.”
Julian glanced over at his wife. “What is that supposed to mean? Is that FBI code?”
Tori grinned at him. “She’ll explain.”
And Christina did.
“I Googled his name, and it came back with a long list of web searches. I didn't even have to run him through any of our databases. He’s a reporter, and what are his favorite stories to run? He’s a lover of the crime beat. You have the media in your midst. I’m willing to bet that you’re the topic.”
“Shit,” muttered Tori. “That sucks.”
It definitely did.
“He can’t be dogging us,” Julian stated, “not if he’s doing the crime beat.”
“Why not?” Tori asked.
“Because no one knew we were going to be here. This trip wasn’t announced, it didn't leak, and no one mentioned it outside our office. There’s no way he’s working on us. That means only one thing.”
The monastery.
Christina agreed. “I’m thinking he’s more focused on the dead padre, boss. He likes stories that go bump in the night, and Tori has got some ghosts up her sleeves. I wouldn’t
let that one out around him.”
Yeah, they couldn’t.
“This priest’s murder isn't solved, and he might be there to get to the bottom of it. While there, he might have noticed that you two are on vacation, and that piqued his interest. The two of you garner attention.”
“Yeah, we noticed. They’re all over us and asking lots of work related questions.”
“He can’t know about the dead girls, can he?” Tori asked.
Julian shook his head. “I doubt it.”
“That’s all we have, bosses. Do you need anything else from us?”
In fact, they did.
“Can you run this plate number through the DMV?” Tori asked, before reading it off.
On the other end of the call, they could hear typing.
Finally, Christina spoke, “It’s registered to a Jerrel Roderick.”
“Great, now cross that name with anyone who works for AngelCake, please.”
There was more typing.
“We have a match. He’s listed as the office manager and head of hiring. I guess you could call him human resources at the winery.”
“Bingo,” she muttered.
“Who is he?” Kane asked.
“He’s sleeping with Daniel Nelms’s wife. She’s having an affair with the competition.”
“Uh oh,” stated Christina. Rule number three in their line of work was that infidelity was never a positive sign. “That can’t be good, can it?”
They laughed. “Not for them, but for us, it’s a good place to start digging. We were running low on leads, and Mrs. Nelms handed us a few to start on.”
“She could be sabotaging her husband. If there’s a prenup, maybe this is her only way out,” stated Tori.
Julian was well aware. “Cheating might exclude her to the payout, but if she wants to dissolve the relationship due to financial hardship, she might get something in the settlement.”
“Yeah, he’s going to be pissed.”
No one could blame him.
“Anything else?” Christina asked.
“I need a cell number ran.”
He gave her the digits, and again, they could hear furious typing on the other end of the phone.
“Got it. I did a reverse search, and it belongs to someone named Richard Woodbury.”
That made total sense. He was the ‘R’ in Pearlie’s phone. “Can you find anything on him?”
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