Cougar Mom

by Eve Langlais

  Given she was partway up the fence, he dribbled some solution on the gloves so he could climb up to her without sticking. Then, once he reached her, he sprayed her hands and feet. She’d bolted barefoot with a swimsuit, a coverup, and nothing else.

  He couldn’t help but mutter. “I’ve seen dumb things…”

  “I panicked, okay.”

  “You ran off without the slightest clue.”

  “And failed. Thank you so much for pointing that out.”

  “Get ready,” he said as the solvent loosened the bond between skin and the gate.

  She shoved away from the barrier and fell the short distance to the ground where she managed to land on her feet instead of in a heap. That, plus her actions earlier, made him revise his opinion of the woman. She wasn’t as defenseless as she appeared.

  Yet her expression as she stared at that body… The devastation appeared so real.

  She grimaced as she flexed her fingers. “Gross.”

  Odorous, as well. He peeled off the gloves but could do nothing about the scent clinging to his clothes. “I think we could both use a shower.”

  “You can do what you like.” Her chin tilted. “I’d like to leave. If you would please open the gate.”

  “We both know I can’t do that,” he stated firmly.

  “If this is about the body in the pool, then it was self-defense.”

  “I know it was, though that’s only part of the reason you can’t leave.”

  “What’s the other reason?”

  “For one, you need to shower and change.”

  “I’m fine.” She tugged the sheer wrap tighter.

  “I can see you’re fine. I mean, walking miles barefoot is totally doable.” He eyed her feet.

  She curled her toes. “I’ll grab some shoes and some clothes first before I go.”

  “Where? I thought you didn’t remember anything.”

  “I don’t. But staying here isn’t helping. So, I’m going to town. There must be a hostel or shelter where I can spend the night.”

  “We discussed the fact that they’re dangerous. Even if you survive in one, what will you do? Wander around and see if anyone recognizes you?”

  “I don’t know,” she exclaimed. “I guess I’ll find a job. I just can’t stay here.”

  “If you’re worried about the body, don’t be. Gerome will have it handled.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? I thought you said you called the police.”

  “I lied.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I am not in the mood to deal with them.”

  “But the body in the pool—”

  “Will be handled. And before you ask, the less you know, the better. If questioned, you were napping this afternoon. You saw nobody.”

  “You’re going to cover for me?”

  “Why wouldn’t I? Unless it wasn’t an accident.”

  She stared at him. “There is something seriously wrong with you. You should not be this calm about the fact that I killed someone.”

  “It happens.”

  “Not in my world, it doesn’t,” she sputtered.

  “How would you know?” he countered slyly.

  “Argh,” she yelled. “You are impossible.”

  “Why so upset? We’re just talking.”

  “It’s never just talking with you.”

  “What else would it be? My lips are moving. Sound is coming out.”

  “You do it on purpose to drive me nuts.”

  “If you’re getting offended, then that is your own fault.”

  She pursed her lips. “Just who are you?”

  “Hugo Laurentian.”

  “What are you?”

  His lips quirked. “Not a very nice man.”

  For some reason, that caused her to frown. “Why would you say that?”

  “You’re the only one who has ever called me a hero. Most choose less flattering terms.”

  “And do they have a reason to dislike you?”

  “Most definitely.” Hugo wasn’t one to back down when things got ugly. Especially since he was usually the one causing the ugly.

  “All the more reason for me to leave.”

  “Or to stay. After all, if I am a dangerous man, then perhaps leaving would be worse. You know my secrets now.”

  “What secrets?”

  “You tell me.”

  “Not the spy thing again,” she huffed. “I haven’t been anywhere near your office.”

  She hadn’t, and yet…something about her triggered a sense of warning. Caution. “Would you like to see my office?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure? I have a very nice desk. Big and sturdy.” He intentionally baited her, and she fell into the trap.

  She waggled a finger at him. “That’s enough. I’m on to the innuendos. I see what you’re doing, and you will stop.”

  “And just what am I doing?”

  “Flirting with me so I’ll sleep with you. I’m telling you right now, it won’t happen.”

  “And you got all that from me offering to show you my office? Don’t flatter yourself, Ariel.” But he had been teasing mostly to gauge her reaction. Hot and hotter. Even now, as she argued against her attraction, he could see the flush of her skin.

  “I might be married,” she declared.

  A claim that discomfited. “Would that stop you?”

  Rather than reply too quickly, she took a moment, her brow knitted as if she concentrated. “I’m going to say it would. I don’t think I’m a woman who would cheat on someone.”

  “That would be a rarity,” he mumbled as he swung back into the driver seat of the cart he’d driven over in.

  “You had someone betray you?” She stood alongside him.

  “More than once. Meaning, I’m sure the problem lies with me.” He didn’t think he asked for much of his partners. Discretion. Loyalty in and out of bed. That they have some semblance of fondness for him. But at the same time, he wanted them to have a mind of their own. He hated yes people. A true partner wouldn’t be afraid to argue.

  “No one should ever be cheated on,” Ariel hotly declared. “It’s the ultimate betrayal.”

  “I would agree.” He also counted his blessings that in the case of one of those cheats, he’d found out before the wedding. Janet had fooled him thoroughly. “And to put your mind at ease, I will reiterate my promise to not lay a hand on you. You shall be the one to decide if and when it happens.”

  “Never.”

  He almost laughed at the too-vehement reply. “Never say, never, Ariel.”

  “I’m not a floozy.” She tossed her hair.

  “Nothing wrong with knowing what you want and taking it. Sexuality isn’t a crime.”

  “But cheating on a partner is.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you’ve not done anything that would break any vows.” Not yet, at least. “Come back to the house,” he said, gesturing to the seat in the golf cart beside him. “We’ll figure shit out, and if you still want to leave, I’ll make sure you have money and a place to go.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t take your charity.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it wouldn’t be right. Not to mention, I shouldn’t involve you. Obviously, there’s something wrong with me. Why else would someone attack me?”

  Hugo could have mentioned the possibility that the person had been sent to kill him, but instead, he said, “The good news is, that person is now gone.”

  Her lips turned down. “Because I killed them.”

  “Better them than you.”

  “True.” She sighed and finally flopped onto the seat beside him. “Despite what you think, I should come clean with the police. It will be better if I’m honest now rather than later when they uncover the truth.”

  “What makes you think I won’t just get rid of the body?” The thought had crossed his mind.

  “Did you?”

  “No.” Because all it took was an accomplice who’d
videoed any of the action, or for a traitor in his midst to reveal what had happened. “But don’t worry, Gerome will have arranged the scene by now and ensured that you aren’t implicated.”

  “Who are you?” she asked again suddenly. “And don’t feed me a line about being a businessman.”

  “So, you want me to lie?”

  “Business guys don’t even think of staging a murder scene for the cops.”

  “Don’t be so sure. Let me ask, do you really want to try telling Pierrot the truth? What would that accomplish?”

  “Maybe the police could help find out why that person came after me.”

  “Because they’ve shown themselves to be so adequate thus far.”

  Her lips pursed. “Good point. But here’s the problem, what if I lie and they find out?”

  “They won’t,” he assured.

  She eyed him. “This doesn’t make sense. Two days ago, you accused me of trying to get close to blackmail you somehow. Now, you’re helping me hide the fact that I murdered someone.”

  “Hard for you to blackmail me when I have evidence that could put you in jail.”

  Her eyes rounded, but rather than lambast him, she laughed. A deep, throaty sound. “Well, I’ll be damned. That’s actually brilliant.”

  “I know.” He spun them around and trundled the cart back to the house. “A few things to ensure we pull this off. Before you shower, put your suit and wrap outside the door. We’ll have them cleaned so there’s no evidence you were near that pool or the body. And remember your cover story.”

  “Napping all afternoon. Saw nothing.” She heaved out a deep breath. “I don’t know why you’re so calm about this or helping. But, thank you.”

  “Thank me after we’ve gotten rid of Pierrot.” A feat that would likely require him to sponsor a new car for the fleet.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The golf cart stopped by the house where they separated. She quickly made her way to her room, encountering no one on the jaunt. The staff was discreet, and there were fewer about than expected. But despite the lack of real eyes, she was conscious of the electronic ones tracking her. All providing more evidence of her crime.

  It discomfited to know that Hugo basically owned her. That he could demand anything of her in return for his silence.

  I should ask Tanya to wipe his security footage.

  She blinked. Who was Tanya? The knowledge of the name slipped through her grasp.

  The door to her room slammed shut behind her as her irritation manifested. She hated these glimpses because they only served to highlight just how much she’d forgotten.

  She quickly stripped, leaving her sticky garments outside the door, doing it discreetly lest anyone see her naked body. She didn’t dare use a clean towel just in case she left some residue. Because who the heck turned their gate into some kind of giant-sized fly trap?

  The shower and some soap removed the gross film on her skin. The hot water soothed some of her tension, but it couldn’t erase what she’d done.

  She’d killed someone. The horror of it remained, but so did her analysis of the situation, which clearly indicated that she had no choice. That person in the utility coveralls had attacked her. It was kill or be killed. If she had to, she could plead self-defense.

  If it came to that.

  Hugo claimed that it would look like an accident that wouldn’t involve her at all. Could she trust him? She didn’t understand his motive in helping her. Not with covering up the death, or the fact that he brought her to his house in the first place.

  If his plan was seduction, then shouldn’t he have tried harder by now? Perhaps he enjoyed stringing her along. Or maybe she read the situation wrong, and he wasn’t attracted to her at all.

  The summer frock she chose had a sweet innocence to it with its frilly white edging and pastel floral pattern. She left her hair loose and soft with a slight wave from only blow-drying it partially and then letting it air-dry.

  A knock at the door wasn’t unexpected, yet she let out a squeak. A little high-strung. She should have indulged in a glass of wine to relax.

  The sharp rap came again. “Ariel, it’s Gerome.”

  Indeed, opening the door showed Gerome hulking in the hall.

  What did one say to the man who’d just covered up a crime scene for her? “Hi.”

  “Hey. I heard what happened. You okay?” The man’s concern appeared sincere.

  She nodded. Physically, yes. Mentally, she was a hot mess.

  “Everything is going to be fine. Boss will make sure of it.”

  “Your boss must be remarkably well-connected if he can guarantee that.”

  “He’ll do right by you.”

  “Hopefully, he doesn’t have to do anything at all.”

  “Guess we’ll see. The superintendent wants to see you,” Gerome stated.

  “Of course, he does. How come he’s always the one to investigate? Shouldn’t he have like underlings handling stuff?” she asked as she joined Gerome in the corridor.

  “Pierrot could and should, but he takes a special interest in the boss.”

  “Because of the money.”

  “More because the police force is understaffed, overworked, and underpaid. While the boss might grumble, he doesn’t actually mind helping out. A safe island with a low crime rate is better for everyone.”

  She paused in the hall and whispered, “Did he believe it?” She didn’t elucidate on the it part.

  “Why wouldn’t he?” Gerome said easily. “Poor maintenance worker must have gotten tangled in the cord and fallen in. I was horrified when I found the body. The boss immediately called for help while I turned off the power. Alas, we couldn’t resuscitate.”

  She blinked at him. “Wow. That is actually a believable scenario.”

  “Because that’s what happened. You saw nothing,” Gerome reminded. He put a finger to his lips and continued on his way, leading her into the mysterious office she’d yet to see. Upon entering, her gaze immediately went to Hugo, who stood at a window rather than behind the massive desk. The wood was some striated light and dark masterpiece that probably cost more than she’d like to imagine. The chair behind it was lush and leather-covered.

  From more leather club seats facing the desk, the superintendent stood and sketched a partial bow. “Mademoiselle, a pleasure to see you despite the wretched circumstances.”

  “I just heard. How utterly awful.” She hoped she didn’t overdo the wide-eyed shock. “To think I swam in that pool just yesterday.”

  The notepad emerged. “Were you by the pool today?”

  She nodded. “For a while, just after lunch. Then it got too hot, and my head started to hurt, so I went to my room.”

  “Do you recall seeing anyone?”

  She shook her head. “No. Sorry. First I heard of it was when Gerome fetched me and said you wanted to talk.”

  “You showered,” Pierrot remarked.

  “Who can help but shower a few times a day in this humidity?” She wrinkled her nose and fanned herself.

  “Better than the rains,” Jacques declared. “Would you mind looking at some pictures of the victim?”

  Hugo’s tone was sharp as he said, “She already told you she didn’t see anyone.”

  “Maybe not today. But could be she recognizes them because the person we fished from your pool does not work for the maintenance company.”

  “You mean someone came here on false pretenses?”

  Did Pierrot hear the mocking tone in Hugo’s voice?

  Ariel hastened to intervene. “I’d be glad to look at pictures. Anything to help.”

  “You might want to sit. They are a little shocking.” Pierrot indicated the seat alongside his, bringing her close, and then he moved in closer still to angle his phone.

  “Showing her dead bodies? Really?” Hugo snapped.

  “It’s okay. I’m sure I can handle it.” She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

  “Ready?” Pierrot held out his phone. �
��Just tell me if you recognize them.”

  She briefly eyed the splayed figure on the screen, the overalls shapeless and neutral in appearance. The face that of a stranger.

  She shook her head. “Nope.”

  “Are you sure?” Jacques swiped and offered her a close-up of the face, the features forever frozen because of what she’d done.

  A violent recoil saw Hugo heading for her and barking, “Enough. Can’t you see you’re upsetting her?”

  “My deepest apologies,” the police chief said, a statement lacking sincerity despite the deprecating expression on his face.

  “I’ll be fine.” She let Hugo place his hand on her shoulder. She needed some steadying.

  “One has to wonder why a person who wasn’t an actual maintenance worker would go to the trouble to trespass and somehow fall into the pool.”

  “It is not my job to wonder why criminals do what they do. It is yours,” Hugo replied.

  “And part of that job is deciphering motive. What possible reason could they have for being here?”

  A sneer pulled Hugo’s lips. “Look around. Pretty obvious, I’d say.”

  Before things got ugly, Ariel stood and wrung her hands. “This entire thing is just highly upsetting. First, someone tries to kill me at the hospital, then a burglar dies in the yard of the house where I’m staying. I don’t feel safe at all.” She laid it on a bit thick, but Jacques acted as if stung.

  In a sense, he was. “We do an excellent job staying on top of crime. Perhaps the problem is your remote location. Given the new circumstances, I’d like to reiterate my offer for accommodations.”

  Hugo wasn’t about to let her agree. “There’s no reason for her to leave. It was merely an unfortunate accident.”

  “A lot of those lately, it seems,” Jacques stated, tucking away his notepad.

  “Too many,” she agreed. “Which is why I would never dare accept your offer and inflict the troubles plaguing me on you. I need you at your best to do your job and find out who I am.” She smiled to take the sting out of the rebuke.

  The superintendent still bristled. “In that case, I shall leave you so I may go and continue my investigation. If you remember anything, though…”

  “Actually,” Hugo said, holding up his hand.