by Diane Bator
Razi’s eyes widened. His face reddened then he rifled through the papers and frowned. “I would understand if Shihan Yoshida wanted to open a school in Detroit, but why destroy the school here? We are doing well, are we not?”
“I would have thought so,” Marion said. “The school’s busy and you have half the town on your roster. Unless he wanted to do something to this school to get the insurance money.”
Gilda filled them in on the bottles of gasoline and the kanji she and Mick had found on each body. “If the murderer is following the pattern, Xavier will have ‘Loyalty’ in his casket, but why? What made him disloyal to Yoshida?”
“I do not think things are so simple.” Razi stirred his tea like a form of meditation.
“Well, what do you think?” Marion asked. “Stop leaving us in suspense.”
“Keep your voice down and listen.” Gilda placed a hand on her friend’s arm.
Razi cleared his throat. “The Four Possessions of the Samurai are not merely suggestions. For the samurai, they were requirements every man lived by or they would dishonor their fellow samurai and shame their families.”
“What happened if they did something to dishonor themselves?” Gilda asked.
“They would commit seppuku.” Razi stabbed at his stomach with his teaspoon then trailed it across his torso.
“They’d gut themselves? Eww! That’s nasty.” Marion winced.
Gilda bit the inside of her cheek. “If Yoshida thought the black belts had dishonored him then it makes sense, on some warped level, he’d take matters into his own hands. Why not just reprimand them? Why not expand the business and give everyone what they wanted rather than torch the place?”
Razi rubbed his eyes. “Like Miss Yearly said, money. Insurance money, to be precise.”
Gilda shook her head. “But the school’s doing well. Although, I’m sure we’ll lose students after everything that’s happened lately. It’s creepy to train in a school where people have been murdered. Not all our students will stay.”
“Greed?” Marion asked.
“Yoshida gets a cut of all earnings, plus he gets paid for seminars,” Gilda said.
“Lust?” Razi asked.
Intrigued, Gilda sat back. “How do you figure that one?”
“Easy.” Mick slid into the booth next to Razi. “What’s she doing here?”
Marion scowled. “I’m here to protect Gilda and let your students know what the hell’s going on, so start talking.”
Mick grimaced then glanced to Gilda and Razi. Gilda shrugged, but Razi’s face turned strawberry red. Finally, Mick blew out a sigh. “It all comes back to Jade Levy. She’s the one who started this whole mess.”
Marion gasped. “Walter’s wife?”
“Jade?” Gilda asked. ”Are you sure? How?”
“Jade’s a flirt. She likes having guys fawn over her, which drove Walter crazy. For her, Yoshida was a challenge,” Mick said. “He wouldn’t so much as look at her the first few times she flirted with him.”
“What changed?” Razi asked.
Mick hesitated then pointed a finger at Marion. “Don’t you dare tell anyone what I’m about to say or I’ll drag you into class by your bottom lip and spar you myself.”
“Are you kidding me? You could kill me with your pinky finger. She pretended to zip her lips shut. My lips are sealed. I won’t say another word.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” Mick ordered coffee and pie. “Yoshida’s wife went back to Japan for six months last year. He thought it was the best time to invite us to train at his school in Erie. We all went to dinner after. He and Jade spent a lot of time talking and pouring Walter sake.”
“They did much more than that, as I recall,” Razi said. “I had to drag Walter home since he was drunk. Jade stayed behind with you and Shihan Yoshida.”
When Marion opened her mouth, Mick shot her a glare. She clapped one hand over her mouth before she met Gilda’s gaze. “This is going to be torture.”
Gilda turned back to Mick. “So Jade spent the rest of the evening alone with Yoshida. I assume it wasn’t a one-time thing.”
“No,” Mick said. “They saw each other a lot after that. Mostly in hotel rooms.”
“Hotel rooms with king-sized beds and Jacuzzi tubs. The same thing he asked for when he was here for the workshop.” She dropped her head back against the bench. “How could I be so stupid? You covered for them, didn’t you?”
“What?” Marion seemed to forget about her vow of silence. “How could you do that to Walter? I thought he was your friend.”
“Keep it down.” Mick scowled. When the waitress set a coffee cup in front of him, he added cream and sugar then sighed. “Walter knew how much we relied on him. He wanted more money, more classes, and either a share of the school or his own school. Yoshida wouldn’t budge. Not as long as Jade did everything he wanted.”
“Assuming he’s the killer, why did he get rid of Walter?” Gilda asked.
“When Yoshida’s wife returned, Walter told her about Jade. She took his money and went back to Japan. My guess is, that’s when Yoshida got greedy. He wanted Walter gone and Jade for his wife, without another messy divorce.”
“But why kill the other black belts?” Gilda asked. “They had nothing to do with it.”
“For a quiet lady, you have many questions,” Razi said.
“Yeah, you’re good at this interrogation thing.” Marion nudged her arm. “You should be a cop, not Thayer.”
“Partly, to clean house. Partly because greed’s a great motivator.” Mick lowered his voice so Gilda and Marion had to lean forward. “The government came after Yoshida for back taxes. If he files for bankruptcy, it’ll follow him for years. If the school burns down, there’s an insurance payoff and he gets everyone off his back. He has as many legitimate reasons for his prints to be in the school as the rest of us.”
“Did the police check the bleach bottles for fingerprints?” Gilda asked.
“They will, but he’ll have some longwinded story and somehow be able to prove he was in Erie. Unofficially, though he’s a butterfly in the breeze,” Mick said. “My guess is he’s hiding out with Jade.”
Gilda thought about the man in the yellow robe she’d seen in the Levy home. “How do we prove he’s a killer?”
Mick sipped his coffee. “We set him up and make him confess.”
“I’m in,” Marion said.
Razi didn’t look happy. “If he kills me, Mick is the only one left. If he kills Mick, the school closes. I will not be happy to be the only black belt.”
“What do we have to do?” Gilda asked.
“We have to talk to the police,” Mick said.
“No way. I’m not talking to Thayer.” She shook her head. “I already quit working at the school twice. I don’t even know why I’m even here.”
“I do.” Marion stood then glanced at Razi and Mick. “Come on, Gilda. Let’s go back to your place and figure out career options.”
Gilda followed her out of the booth. Marion was right. No matter how charming Mick could be, she needed to move on and get out of harm’s way. “First, I’ll bring Happy my resume. Maybe he’ll let me start work next week.”
“Please stay.” Mick got up and wrapped his arms around her. When he kissed her, Marion let out a whoop and Razi chuckled. “I need you.”
Breathless, she pulled out of his grasp. “No, you don’t. You need therapy.”
“You’re so easy to fluster,” he said.
“It’s about time.” Marion nudged Gilda. “Definitely call me later, unless he’s still at your house, in which case, I’ll talk to you tomorrow for details.”
Gilda turned, ready to call Marion back until she noticed Chloe at the counter. Chloe lowered her chin and flared her nostrils. Her gaze bored right through to Mick.
“Wait. I’ll come with you.” Unable to face anyone as heat continued to surge through her body from Mick’s kiss, Gilda bowed her head and followed Marion to the door. She kept her gaz
e averted from Chloe. Could this day get any worse?
Chapter 37
“Are we going to your house first?” Marion asked as they left the café. “I can’t imagine you carry around an extra resume just for times like this.”
“Yes. Just you and me and a big bottle of wine.” Gilda folded her arms across her chest. “Maybe Happy has some application forms handy.”
Mick grabbed Gilda’s hand. “Not yet. First, we go to the police. We need help.”
“No, you need help.” Gilda peered over Mick’s shoulder to Razi and mouthed, “Help.”
Razi shook his head. “Do not worry. I will not make you go alone.”
“Me neither. I’m not about to miss a second of this.” Marion grinned.
Gilda would have preferred they rip her away from Mick and walk her home so she could lock herself and Marion away from the world. Instead, Mick gripped her hand so tight her fingers turned white as he marched her across the street to the police station.
“Hey.” Fabio glanced up. “It’s Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.”
“Oh, brother. Now what?” Thayer snorted and slammed his coffee cup onto his desk. Splatters of brown liquid dotted the paperwork scattered around the surface. “Who do you people think you are? I thought we all agreed you’d step aside and let Fabio and I solve the murders and you guys would look after the karate school. Gilda, do you really think you’ve solved the murders and can catch the bad guys? Oh, good. Now I can take a vacation and sleep at night. Hallelujah!”
“Bad guy,” Marion corrected. “Gilda thinks there’s only one killer.”
Mick sat in the chair across the desk from Thayer and stared him down. “And we think she’s right. One killer, but he might have an accomplice.”
Gilda held back and kept her mouth shut. She’d been inside the police station too many times this week alone.
“I see.” Thayer didn’t appear convinced. “Do you think I’ll believe whatever you have to say? I have evidence against both Mick and Razi. Either one of you could’ve killed those black belts. In fact, you both could have done it. You both have things to gain with the others gone.”
“Like what?” Mick asked. “I have more to lose than I have to gain.”
“In reality,” Thayer said, “all you have to do is knock off Yoshida and you own it all.”
Mick folded his arms across his chest. “If that were the case, his would’ve been the first body found and I would’ve shut down the school and disappeared weeks ago.”
Even if the school closed, Mick would make a living flipping houses and betting on ponies. He and Razi would train elsewhere. Gilda had the most to lose. Her job, her house, and her pride. She’d either end up working for Happy or moving in with her mother.
“Gilda, you look like you have something to say,” Fabio said.
“Nope, I’m good.” She blinked away her tears.
Marion put her hands on her hips. “Seriously? You don’t think Gilda would kill those men, do you? She’d never hurt anyone. Well, except Thayer, and that was fun to watch.”
A small smile lit Mick’s face and he bowed his head.
Gilda put her hands on her hips. “Not that I want to be pegged as a murderer, but I’m not as sweet and innocent as everyone around here seems to think.”
Thayer grinned. “Yeah, we know. I’m the one who caught Mick in your house wearing nothing but underwear, remember.”
“Wait a sec. I never heard about that.” Marion’s eyes widened and she gasped. “Gilda, honey, you and I need to have a long chat over that bottle of wine later.”
Fabio doubled over laughing. “This sounds like a story I’d like to hear too.”
“No, you don’t,” Mick said. “Either of you.”
“Perhaps we should allow the ladies to leave.” Razi didn’t bother to hide his smile. “Sensei Mick and I have all the information and evidence we need to convince the officers.”
“Works for me.” Gilda scowled. “Come on, Marion. Let’s go get that wine. There are so many stories I have to tell you.”
Mick lunged for her so fast he knocked over both chairs in front of Thayer’s desk. He wrapped his fingers around her bicep. “Don’t you dare.”
“Let me go or I’ll scream.” She lowered her voice.
“What do you want, Gilda?” Mick asked. “Are you expecting me to bribe you? I can’t give you a raise if we go out of business, you know.”
“I don’t want a raise. I just want out.” Tears rolled down her face in a steady stream she couldn’t wipe away fast enough. “I’m tired of finding bodies. I’m tired of having nightmares about finding you and Razi dead under the shrine.”
Mick cradled her face in his hands. “You’re exhausted.”
“Of course I am.” She nudged him away. “I’m exhausted, I’m scared, and I’ve quit so many times this week alone I’ve lost count.”
“Go home, babe.” Mick tried to give her a hug. “I’ll call you later.”
“No.” Gilda pried his fingers from her arm and pushed harder. “Don’t call me. Don’t text me. Don’t include me in your stupid meetings. Don’t show up at my house. I’m done. You can deal with Yoshida and the police all on your own. I quit.” Sobbing, she headed for the door.
“Razi, give Thayer the papers,” Mick said. “I’ll be right back.”
“Let her go, Mick,” Marion said. “She needs time to cool down.”
“Alone with you? Oh, I’m sure that’ll help.” He followed them out of the station into the sunshine, leaving Razi with Thayer. “I just need to talk to her.”
Gilda wiped her face. “Marion, go pick out wine at Happy’s. I’ll be right there.”
“But what if Mick—?”
“He won’t try anything.” Gilda blinked away more tears. “He could’ve already killed me more times than you know and didn’t.”
Marion backed away, keeping a wary eye on Mick as she headed to Happy Harvey’s Hangover Hut. “If you don’t show up in five minutes, I’m coming after his sorry hide.”
“Ten minutes,” Mick said.
“Five. Starting now. Talk fast.” Marion tapped the face of her watch then disappeared through the front door.
Gilda folded her arms over her stomach. “You heard the lady. Talk fast.”
“There aren’t many people who scare me, but she’s definitely one of them,” Mick said. “Why the need for a bodyguard when you’re a green belt?”
“Because she’s my best friend and she wants to help.” Gilda avoided his gaze, afraid her resolve to quit her job and stay away from him would crumble. “She’s also been involved since I found Walter’s body.”
Mick ran a hand through his hair. “Look, Sherlock, she’s right about one thing. You should go home, have a glass of wine, and lie low. Razi and I will handle things.”
She winced. “By things, you mean the cops and Yoshida. Why did you want me to meet you at the café then drag me to the police station if you don’t want me involved?”
“Because I’m selfish.” Mick placed his hands on her shoulders. “You were right. You quit and I need to respect that. Besides, you’re safer staying away from me.”
Was he trying his hand at reverse psychology or being honest? She searched his face for any sign he was toying with her but found none.
“Then I’m leaving. I’ll be at home.” She didn’t bother to add if you need me. The last thing she wanted was for him to need her.
He hugged her hard. “Stay safe, Sherlock. I’ll be at the school if you want to train or talk. Whatever.”
When Marion emerged from Happy’s with a paper bag, Gilda left Mick alone in front of the police station and followed her to the nearby Chinese restaurant for takeout. Fifteen minutes later, they carried containers of Sesame Chicken, fried rice, egg rolls, and Beef and Broccoli back to Gilda’s then poured large glasses of wine.
After a large gulp of wine, Marion blurted out, “Okay, now I want details, lady. You kissed Mick before today and never told me.”
<
br /> Gilda didn’t bother playing dumb. “Yes.”
“What were you thinking?” she asked. “Never mind. I know what you were thinking. Just tell me everything.”
“We went for a swim late one night.” The wine steadied her hands, but not her nerves.
“How romantic.” Marion wiggled into a more comfortable position.
“Not really. He was walking me home after...” She hesitated. “After a staff meeting, we took a walk along the beach.”
“Anything that involves that man wet and naked sounds romantic. You were naked, right?” Marion asked. “I mean, you couldn’t have had bathing suits unless you planned to go there ahead of time.”
Gilda squirmed. “The staff meeting was in Razi’s hot tub.”
“So Mick planned ahead.” She burst out laughing. “Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you call me? I like a man with a hot tub as much as the next girl.”
The chicken was sweet and crunchy. Gilda tried to focus on the flavors rather than her discomfort. “I didn’t know where we were going until we got there. For all I knew, Mick and the others were setting me up.”
“Others?” Marion’s eyes widened as she leaned closer. “Was this before the murders?”
“After Erik’s.”
“Oh, wow.” She fanned her face and took a long sip of wine. “Was that the same night as Mick running around your house in his underwear?”
“No.”
Marion whooped and fell back against the couch. “Mick was in your house wearing his skivvies and Thayer caught him? He’s probably so jealous he can’t focus on the case. I can’t believe the poor sap’s still in love with you. He’s not very good at taking a hint, is he?”
“He wants to get back together because he says we were a good team.” Gilda sighed, warm from the wine and the spices in the food. “I wish you could’ve seen his face when he saw Mick half-naked in my hallway.”
“Wait. Mick wasn’t in your bedroom?” Marion asked.
“Not at that point. You want the whole story?” Gilda set her food aside. “The other morning, I woke up with Mick lying beside me in my bed. He was hiding from Chloe, who kicked him out of his condo and changed the locks. And from Gary, whom he owes a lot of money to because Chloe made a bogus bet in his name. And from the killer who wants the black belts dead.”