by Debra Jupe
“Let me have another look at it.”
She retrieved the damning evidence from her purse and handed the plastic bag to Jack.
“Open your jeep door. I need some light.” He turned the bag over, weighing it in his palm, seemingly stifling a gag. “This is blood on the blade.” He returned the baggie to her.
“Blood?”
“Hazel was stabbed,” he said in a quiet voice. “Far as I know, they haven’t discovered the murder weapon.” He stared directly at her. “I’m wondering if this is it.”
Chapter 8
Katie stood in front of her bathroom mirror, doing her best to maintain a normal Sunday morning routine. She dipped a brush into her facial mask mixture, and then she spread the homemade goop over her forehead, ignoring little upsurges of nausea she contributed to nerves.
Her thoughts drifted. The strange knife…could it be the instrument that killed Hazel. Then the police interrogation and Jack…she sighed. No matter how she tried to keep her life in check, normal wasn’t going to be possible. Sleep throughout the night barely existed.
She stirred the concoction and grazed even portions across her cheeks, wet the brush again, and raked the soft bristles gently over her chin and neck to finish off her treatment. After she was done, she picked up the bowl and put everything under the facet to rinse away the remaining ingredients.
A rap from outside interrupted her.
Her heart leaped into her throat. Visitors on Sunday morning? Perhaps it was someone from condo’s main office. She’d rung them earlier to ask about viewing their videos, but because of the weekend, she’d gotten the answering machine. She left a message, and explained a condensed version as to why she needed the tapes without giving too much away. Maybe they were bringing her the cartridge now.
She rushed down the stairs and toward the knock. Skidding to a stop, she gazed at the tip of the plastic lying beneath her purse on the coffee table, leaving the blade’s edges visible.
What if this was the weapon that killed Hazel? What if her intruder alerted the police? They’d gotten a warrant and were here to search her home or had come to arrest her? She didn’t understand the particulars involving a search warrant. Could she refuse to allow them inside, or make them wait until she had a lawyer present? She blew out a long rush of air wishing she hadn’t procrastinated on calling Cruz.
Should she hide the evidence before she answered? Then again, if they were able to legally go through her place, they’d find it hidden. There was no point in concealment.
The knock came again, this time louder.
She hurried to put an eye to the peephole and then jerked away. “You’re kidding me.” Katie stared at the door, fists planted on her hips, and debated whether she should open it.
“Katherine? Are you home?”
Katie heaved a sigh and reached for the knob. Vanessa sauntered past Katie, her arms stretched round a cardboard box. She stopped in the middle of the room and whipped around.
“Come in.”
“I hope I’m not disturbing you. I realize it’s Sunday and new jobs are posted. I assume you’re searching for employment.” She smiled. “Or maybe you’re seeking a reasonable attorney?” Vanessa raked a gaze over her. “Or not.”
“And you’re here, why?”
“I’ve saved you a trip downtown. I packed up your belongings and am dropping them off. I’m sure under the circumstances the process would be painful for you.” Vanessa paused before she moved into the dining area to sit the box down onto the table. She gave the carton an extra shove. “And inappropriate.”
Katie’s mouth clamped shut. She held her breath to restrain from screaming. The idea of Vanessa going through her personal things infuriated her. Why was she surprised? Of course this vile woman would clear out her large, corner space with the window, facing a nearby park. She’d probably already moved in, on the road to force her way into Hazel’s private office.
“How kind of you, Vanessa.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm.
“I do what I can to help. You’re holding up—.” She glanced around the loft, before she faced Katie, and flashed another fake smile. “Well, your place is nice. I hope you’ll be able to afford it now that you’re out of work.”
Katie returned Vanessa’s phony smirk with one of her own. She gulped back the bile as her stomach rolled. “Thank-you for the concern, but I made a good income throughout my time at Weddings Fantastic. I’ll be comfortable for quite a while.”
The money jab evidently hit home, the smug expression on Vanessa’s face soured, though for only a moment. “Hmm, isn’t everyone in your family wealthy—except you?” Vanessa let go a tinkling laugh. “It must be wonderful to depend on others for financial support during leaner times. Wish we all had such an easy life.”
Katie’s blood simmered. “My family’s finances are none of your business.” She grasped the opened door and yanked it to widen the gap. “Thank you for bringing my stuff.”
Vanessa sneered as she walked toward the exit. She halted near the doorway and spun to face Katie “I didn’t bring everything.”
“What did you want to keep a souvenir to remind you how you’ve helped wreck a company and several careers? Mine in particular?”
A gleam flashed in her eyes. “The police went through the entire building. They took the spare suit you’d left. And your shoes. I’m thinking they’re checking for DNA.”
Ah, the real reason for this unwelcomed visit. Vanessa hadn’t just dropped by to goad Katie over her job loss, or a need for a lawyer, but she came to gloat.
Since day one, the woman had done her best to bring Katie down, and now she reveled in her impending collapse.
“I’m sure you were helpful in directing them to my office,” she stopped. “You showed them where my personal items were located? This also means you knew where I kept my things. You’ve snooped through my stuff.”
“I do my best to cooperate. Of course, I researched for information to keep the authorities informed. It’s the law, Katherine. I not only want Hazel’s killer caught, I expect her to be punished for this horrible crime.”
“Yes, and we all know you—wait they took my Bruno Magli pumps? Those cost me an entire commission. They’re returning them, right?”
Vanessa lifted a slim shoulder. “I would imagine they’ll be considered evidence. Besides, you’re going to need to get over your silly shoe addiction. They won’t allow you to wear anything but generic sneakers in prison.”
“While I think it’s wonderful you’ve convicted me without a shred of evidence, let me inform you I’ve never killed anyone,” Katie grinned, “yet.”
“Huh. That sounds like a threat.”
“More like a promise.” She pulled at the door again. “Now that you’ve polluted my home with your antagonism, will you please leave?”
“You must admit you have a powerful motive.” Her gaze drifted toward her coffee table and settled on her purse.
Katie’s heart pounded. She should’ve put the damn knife somewhere out of sight. Anxiety gripped her tighter. Katie turned away from her uninvited guest and released a long, internal shudder. Once again, she wondered how the chef’s knife mysteriously got inside her home and if it was the murder weapon. Someone put it there. Someone as in the real killer? She swung toward Vanessa. Was she the culprit? Suspicions churned as memories wafted to the unlocked door.
Katie gulped hard. “People get fired from their jobs all the time,” she said, doing her best to keep the tremble out of her voice. “Few kill their former bosses over termination, unless their mentally off balance. I definitely don’t fall into that category.”
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t play coy, Katherine.” She stepped closer and pointed a finger close to Katie’s face, who resisted the urge to slap it away. “It wasn’t only the job you lost, but you stood to lose the entire company. You knew Hazel was going to make some major changes and that’s why you killed her,” Vanessa hissed. “Let me tell you, you were too lat
e. She rearranged everything before she died, and you’re out. No más. I made sure the police is aware your animosity over this, too.”
Katie’s brow puckered. “What are you talking about?”
“Katie?”
She swirled around. Her heart tightened. Jack stood in the opened doorway of her loft, his emerald eyes darting. His dark hair looked like he’d jammed his fingers through it repeatedly.
She didn’t even stop to wonder why he showed up this morning, she was glad he was here. He stepped through the entrance his surprised gaze bounced from her to Vanessa. The sight brought a thin frown to his lips, his features appeared worried.
“Jack?” Vanessa’s brief stunned guise evolved into a flirty smile. “I didn’t realize you knew Katherine.”
Jack glanced at the woman and then stared at the floor. “We go way back,” he mumbled.
“Tara mentioned she went to school with you, and Katherine attended your high school too, didn’t she?” She displayed a spiteful glimpse at Katie. “I can’t imagine the two of you even being acquaintances.”
Katie spoke through gritted teeth. “Jack is friends with my brother.”
“That explains the connection. I seem to recall Tara saying something about you being an athlete, Katherine. I’m guessing a guy like Jack wouldn’t run in the same circles with a “female” jock.”
Jack looked up, a serious gaze fixated on Vanessa. “We didn’t have a lot in common. Katie comes from a normal loving family. I didn’t grow up in the best of circumstances. My mother deserted me when I was twelve, and I’ve never met my father. The Drapiers took me in instead of allowing me to go into foster care. I’ll always be grateful.”
“Hmm, how fortunate for you that Katherine has such wonderful parents.”
“Vanessa, I appreciate all you’re efforts, but Jack and I must attend to some business. I’m sure you have a list of others to terrorize this morning, and I’d hate for you to get behind.”
Vanessa ignored Katie, flipping a lock of hair over her shoulder. She strolled to Jack. “I’m glad you called the other night,” she said to him in a whispery voice. “I had a great time at the pub.”
Katie’s mouth dropped, her arm collapsed and smacked her outer thigh. Jack had phoned Vanessa. He’d asked her out and she’s obviously accepted. Like she wouldn’t.
Katie glared at him. He fidgeted nervously.
“Well, I’ll leave you two to your—,” Vanessa self-assured grin widened as she ambled into the hallway. She twirled to face them, “meeting. Let’s get together again, Jack. Soon. And Katherine…”
Katie slammed the door. She swirled round to Jack, who now appeared to have gathered his faculties. She glared at him. Her arms folded across her middle, her mouth formed a straight line. Jack and Vanessa had met the other night. As in a date?
Jack’s lips slightly curved, but his gaze darkened with concern. “I’m not going to even ask what that was about.” He walked to the counter and gestured toward the empty wine bottle. His brows rose. “She drove you to drink?”
Katie dropped her arms and shook her head, her throat thick from agitation. “You see an empty bottle, I see a Saturday night.”
A side of Jack’s mouth lifted. “Touché.”
She struggled to keep her emotions in check. Speaking with Jack always unnerved her. No matter how hard she tried not to, they ultimately ended up in a fight, and she wanted to avoid that. Needing something to do, she stepped to the bar and snatched the empty wine bottle, prepared to throw it in the trash. Her fingers curled around the neck of the decanter. A large, warm hand covered hers.
“Katie,” he said softly. “Calm down. She’s gone.”
She raised her eye to meet a penetrating gaze. Neither spoke. A burst of white-hot shudders ignited in the pit of her stomach. The tension upped a hundred degrees. The spark in Jack’s stare generated Katie’s heart to give a steadfast thud, as an ocean of water formed inside her mouth. His solid, muscled chest moved up and down slowly, demanding her attention.
As always, his presence captivated her, forcing her to overlook her anger, and forget about everything except for the man holding her hand. The essence of what his touch implied roasted her insides to the point she shook with desire. Anything and everything else happening in her life escaped her. Fearing she was about to pass out, she broke eye contact, catching a glimpse of the box sitting on the table.
He squeezed her hand. “Katie?”
There gazes met again. A blast of reality cerebrally smacked her in the head.
He’d been with Vanessa. And knowing her, the situation wasn’t innocent. Instant agitation had Katie ready to explode. To the point of kicking him out of her loft. Except she wanted to know the reason for this surprise visit.
She released the bottle and broke free of his grip. “I’m calm.”
“I can tell.” His gaze remained on her, his mouth slowly turned up. “So I’m too curious not to ask. What was the purpose of Vanessa’s visit?”
Katie sighed. He wasn’t going to give her the explanation she wanted, but she had to let this go. Their relationship went slightly beyond professional. Realistically she didn’t own Jack. He was allowed to date whomever he chose. Besides Vanessa, there was a little matter in their past that kept jabbing her.
She motioned at the box, sitting on the table. “She cleaned out my desk.”
“Ouch.”
“I know, right. The police were at the office. They took my extra suit I kept there and this great pair of pumps I’d only worn, like twice.”
“Oh no. They took your shoes. That leaves you with what, nine thousand other pairs.” He folded his arms over his chest and nodded. “Shoe stores better stock up.”
She opened her mouth to retort, but the words jammed inside her throat. A palm flew to her to her abdomen. A rapid wave of nausea rolled through her gut.
The other hand gripped the back edge of a chair. She could almost feel her skin turn green. Poised to run to the bathroom, she took a step and then came to an abrupt halt. Sweat dotted her forehead. She swallowed, forcing a sudden surge of queasiness away as she deeply inhaled several times. Thankfully, the sickness faded.
“A little hung over are we?” Jack observed her. His intense look was blatant reminder of her ratty shorts and an old t-shirt she’d put on first thing this morning.
“Jules stopped by after I got home the other evening. We shared a couple of bottles of wine, and I finished off what we didn’t drink last night. I’m not a drinker. I guess those last few glasses did me in.”
“Best to not become a pro, no matter how bad the situation.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” Katie asked sharply.
“I’ve recently developed an expertise in professional drinking.”
“You know booze never solved any problems.”
“Neither does milk.” Jack stepped into the kitchen. “Do you have tomato juice?” He didn’t wait for her to answer, but opened the refrigerator and bent to peer inside.
“Bottom shelf, side door.” She watched him warily. “That’s an odd question. Did you come over here to borrow juice?”
“No, I came over because I forgot to give you Cruz’s phone number. We kind of drifted into some uncharted waters last night when discussing the knife, and ignored any solutions.” He turned to her. “Glasses?”
“Top cabinet left of the sink.”
He went to the indicated cupboard and removed a tall glass. “I also wanted to let you know the police called me this morning. They’re collecting evidence from everyone who worked with Hazel and witnesses from the crime scene.”
“Why?”
“They want the clothes we wore that day for DNA testing. Either to omit that person, or,” he stopped and shrugged. “That’s the reason they wanted your things. Vanessa wasn’t giving you the whole story.”
“Bitch”
Jack laughed and rotated to face her, his palm resting on the counter. “Now go wash, and I’ll make you my hangov
er cure. Guaranteed you’ll feel good as new in no time.”
“Wash?”
“You’ve got—,” he circled his face with a forefinger, “stuff. I can’t have a serious conversation with someone who has blue crap spread over their face. I prefer to see someone’s expression.”
“Oh, my mask.” How could she forget her facial was still in progress? Heat grew under the thick pack as she hurried upstairs toward her bathroom.”
“Katie?”
Katie froze, her entire body tensed.
Jack gazed at her with a sharp look. “We need to talk.”
Chapter 9
He didn’t want to get involved. If he stayed another second, he would end up regretting it. Jack should say, “see ya”, walk away, and let Katie figure things out.
Yet here he was, in her kitchen, preparing a hangover cure.
Adding pepper to the brew, he searched the drawers until he found a spoon. He stirred the concoction until the mixture blended. Utensil in the sink, he carried the glass into the main area, and sat the drink on a coaster before he relaxed onto the couch. Since he didn’t get much of an opportunity yesterday, he took advantage of his alone time, and studied her living space. The place, painted in various shades of green, came off warm and open, the furniture was overstuffed, comfortable. Better than what those overpriced designers were doing at the guesthouse, even if Katie’s décor seemed a little too feminine for his taste. Still everything was neat. Tidy.
Elbows resting on his knees, he swiped a palm across his face. He used to be well-organized. Until his life plummeted to the proverbial rock bottom. Then he ceased to care anymore. Jack dropped his hand and slouched into the cushion. Don’t think about the past.
He inhaled deeply and straightened. He turned his nose upward, sniffing again. A sweetness lingered. Pleasant. Dangerous. Coming from—he swung his gaze to the floating staircase. Katie quietly descended, clean, and fresh faced.
Then it hit him. Like a thousand pound piece of steel collided into his head. The wonderful fragrance belonged to her.
Golden eyes captured and held his as she gently stepped over the tiled floor. She sat across from him, dressed in running shorts and a tight fitting t-shirt, a pair of bright, lime green socks covered her unshod feet. Her skin gleamed from scrubbing. She’d pulled her thick, auburn mane into a loose ponytail, and she let it cascade down a shoulder.