by Debra Jupe
****
Jack and Cruz entered the plush offices of Affairs Amore. A receptionist with a trendy haircut wearing a chic ensemble glanced up from her computer as soon as they walked through the door. “May I help you?”
“We’d like to speak with Rhett Oaks.” Cruz told her. “Is he here?”
“Do you have an appointment?” she skimmed an opened scheduling book spread across her desk.
“No,” Jack said. “We’re not—.”
“You’re a first,” she interrupted excitedly. “We’ve never done a ceremony for a gay and interracial couple.”
Jack raised his brows. “What?”
“Everyone says Rhett is the best.” Cruz nudged him.
“He’s got about ten minutes to spare right now.” She rose from her chair, eagerly. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”
“We’re a couple?” Jack hissed after she disappeared.
“Chill. We’re whatever it takes to get us through the door.”
The room wasn’t decorated as Jack imagined a wedding planner’s agency to be. He expected a lavish extravaganza full of frills and lace. Instead this resembled his law offices.
The woman returned moments later, her face beaming like she’d just discovered fudge. “Mr. Oats will meet with you in the conference room. Follow me.”
Cruz grinned at Jack. “Follow her, sweetie.”
“Shut up,” he muttered.
Rhett waited for them inside a neutrally decorated board room. Brochures and photographs were displayed over a long table. His welcoming smile faltered the moment his guests crossed the threshold.
“Kinsley,” Rhett admonished the young assistant. “You’ve made a terrible faux pas. These gentlemen are not a couple.”
Jack smiled. “But we are interracial.” His expression turned stern. “Sit down, Rhett. We’re here to have a discussion.”
A clearly nervous Rhett slowly lowered to his seat. Jack sat on one side while Cruz took a chair on the other.
“What’s the story on you buying Weddings Fantastic?”
Hands clutched in front of him, Rhett shook his head. “No story.” His tone even. “A rumor circulated that the company was to be placed on the market. I inquired about a private sale and made an offer. A good one, mind you. Hazel Nutt’s daughter accepted my bid. Papers have been drawn up and signed. All nice and legal.”
“Not so,” Cruz informed him. “Hazel’s will was forged. The business wasn’t supposed to be for sale. I don’t know what you paid, but you might be out some cash, and in possibly some legal trouble, to boot.”
Rhett shot up from his chair. Hands on his hips he shouted, “That little bitch. I knew I shouldn’t trust her.”
“Vanessa King?” Jack asked.
“Of course, Vanessa King.” A pale Rhett walked over to a credenza and opened the cabinet. He brought out a decanter filled with an amber liquid. He poured a generous portion into a small glass, gulping most of it in one swallow before he refilled. As almost an afterthought, he spun to his guests. “Sherry?”
Both men shook their heads. “I’m guessing you were unaware Vanessa had a duplicate, phony will made?”
Rhett brought his refilled glass to the table and returned to his seat. “Vanessa came to me the day after Hazel was killed. She said she had an inside track on the Weddings Fantastic fate. Hazel’s daughter wanted to sell the company as soon as possible. Vanessa was aware I’d been looking to expand from when she worked for me. She offered to put me in touch with the offspring and act as a go between if I were willing to pay her a fee and make her Weddings Fantastic manager after the sale was complete. I was interested in acquiring the business for several reasons, so I agreed to her terms.”
“That’s it,” Jack said doubtfully.
Rhett nervously adjusted his tie. “I may have paid Vanessa to get hired by Hazel and to destroy her establishment from the inside so that I could buy Hazel out.”
Cruz’s brows dropped. “You fired Vanessa for taking kickbacks, correct?”
“I did. She begged me for a second chance. My goal was to run Hazel out of business for some time. For Vanessa’s redemption, I suggested she convince Hazel to employ her at Weddings Fantastic and utilize the same tactics. Common knowledge Hazel loved to pinch pennies and would love the corrupt concept. She’d even find a way to justify it.”
“So you paid her to institute a bribe policy,” Jack said grimly, thinking now it was clear why Katie lost her position.
“No, I compensated her to bring Hazel and Weddings Fantastic to a point where she needed to sell and I could purchase. She was doing a fantastic job, I might add.”
“I suppose Hazel’s death fit right into your plans,” Jack commented.
Rhett nearly smiled. “It certainly didn’t hurt.”
“How come you didn’t contact Hazel’s daughter yourself?” Cruz wanted to know.
Rhett sighed. “Although Hazel and her offspring were at odds, her girl still held some kind of perverse loyalty to her mother. Since I’m Hazel’s bitter enemy, her daughter considers me a foe also. She would never speak directly to me without a go between.” He shrugged. “It’s how things are.” Rhett hesitated. “So now what?”
Jack eyed Cruz across the table, getting that Cruz was feeling the same as him. Vanessa had duped Rhett. “It’ll be for the courts to decide.”
Cruz rose from his seat as Jack got to his feet. They headed toward the door, but Jack stopped and turned to face a paled Rhett Oaks. Jack put a finger to his lips. “On the QT. If Vanessa finds out we’re onto her, we’ll know where it came from.”
“I’d piss on a hotwire before I lift a pinky to help that woman.”
Chapter 24
Jack entered the guesthouse from what seemed like forever. He wrestled out of his jacket, and tossed it at a nearby peg, missing the hook by a mile. Leaving the coat rest in a heap on the floor, he dodged sawhorses, and paint cans to get into the kitchen.
He wished it felt good to be home, except the mess the laborers left prevented any elation. He hoped they’d complete the work before his return. Aaron assured him they scheduled only minor renovations, but this job had grown into a full blown makeover.
Even with the chaos, this night would be his first in total solitude in a while. He looked forward to privacy and contemplation, especially since he’d completed his obligations.
He and Cruz took Hazel’s authentic and phony wills to the authorities as soon as they’d left Rhett’s. The rest laid in homicides hands. He received word the detectives picked up Vanessa for questioning, and they hoped for a confession by the end of the evening. After he dropped Cruz off, he’d gone to Jed and discussed the payment over his trip with Katie. Once they finalized their transaction, he headed home.
He walked to the freezer, took out a frozen pizza, and shoved the pie into the microwave, then opened the refrigerator for a beer. His mouth watered as he twisted the cap. The first he’d had in days. Drink to his lips, he stopped, and sat the beverage on the counter. He’d made a number of recent changes, no sense in backtracking. Keep moving ahead. He retrieved a water bottle and looked around the room. Next change. Find a different place. Stop freeloading. Start living his life again. Or maybe living for the first time.
Katie. He could no longer ignore his emotions. For a guy who kept relationships at bay, he was in an unusual spot. He didn’t normally think beyond phase one, because there wasn’t a phase two. Even with Jenna, who he thought he might have feelings, were not close to what he’d experienced with Katie. With her, he wanted to push his trust issues aside and discover the next chapter and beyond.
Except she was out of his league. He hadn’t needed Jules’s recap, although now he couldn’t forget. If they could overlook their differences, he’d messed up beyond repair. Katie would never forgive him. With Vanessa on the verge of an arrest, she was in the clear. She didn’t need him anymore. Time to fast forward.
The microwave dinged, but his hunger had disappeared. Restless, he
needed to get away from the restoration clutter and the confusion inside his head. Outside, he got his duffle from his truck, and returned to dig out his favorite running shoes.
Into the evening, Jack did his best to unwind, eager to run, although the sun had set. He focused on exhaling each time his right foot slapped the walkway. His head cleared, all problems faded as his pace strengthened. Sweat poured from his skin. He pushed himself to go faster.
Hugging the corner, he entered Hazel’s neighborhood. A first since he’d discovered her dead. He soared around the block, trying to keep his mind free of the bloodied memories. The recollections became too strong. He slowed as he approached her house, stopping when he reached the front. Hundred year old oak limbs clicked above him, propelled by the cool breeze. Streetlamps lit the sidewalk, lights beamed from the surrounding homes, but this one sat dark. Other than a piece of crime tape blowing in the wind, Jack would have thought the owners were out for the evening.
A furry, flash of gray darted in front of him. Jack caught himself before he tumbled to the cement. He laughed. His feline friend was up to its old tricks. The kitten batted an object, tingling over the concrete. A glimmer from the kitty toy grabbed Jack’s attention. He scowled. The cat whacked the play thing in his direction, hitting the toe of his shoe. It came to a stop in front of him. The feline scampered away, ducking underneath a hedge.
Jack bent to pick up the sparkly object and turned it over several times.
Something familiar…a memory from the murder scene flickered though his mind.
Especially in such a brutal fashion. How would...? He pocketed the item took off for the run of his life.
****
Katie carried her belongings through the parking garage, glad to be home. Her mother insisted on taking her to dinner, since her father had some business to attend. They’d had a nice, long visit. Now with a full belly, she wanted to take a hot bath, and sleep for a week. Then she’d move on to plan B. Although, she didn’t want to consider the future, since she wasn’t sure about the present. The police may arrest and charge her again for Hazel’s murder, but Martin assured her the possibility had lessened and most likely wouldn’t occur.
Then there was Jack. She still couldn’t fathom his coldness at the restaurant, or he’d taken money from her father to go on the run with her. Or worse, he dined with her arch enemy at her best friend’s place. She should be relieved after everything, but all she could feel was sadness. And used.
She tugged her things down the hallway, parking her luggage by the entrance while she searched her bag for keys.
“Katie?”
She swung around. “Tara?”
Tara pushed her glasses up her nose and smiled. “I’ve come at a bad time.”
“No, you’re fine,” Katie lied. The last thing she wanted was company, especially someone from Weddings Fantastic, but since Tara was here, she didn’t have much choice. “Just let me unlock and get my stuff inside.”
Tara picked up a couple of Katie’s bags and helped her haul them in after Katie pushed the door open.
“Set everything to the side,” she instructed Tara. “I’ll put them away later.” She led Tara to the living area and motioned for her to sit. “I’m happy to visit.” she paused. “But it is late and it’s been a long day.”
“I understand you’re exhausted after your ordeal, therefore I won’t take up much time.” Tara removed her coat and undid her scarf before she took a seat. “I’m not sure if you’re aware—Rhett Oats has purchased Weddings Fantastic.”
Katie blinked in surprise. “No, I hadn’t heard. Certainly a quick turnaround.”
“Yes. Some ongoing legal issues are being debated about the sale, although Rhett assures me he’ll prevail.”
“Legal matters?”
Tara waved her hand. “Nothing you should be concerned about.” She crossed her leg and tugged at her skirt. “The reason I’m here is because Rhett wants to offer you a position—as manager of Weddings Fantastic.”
Speechless, Katie’s brows shot up. Manage her former company. Would going back to work for them nullify her old contract? Did she want to return?
“This is a lucrative post, and you’d maintain full control of the office,” Tara continued.
Katie put a hand across her chest. “I’m so surprised.”
Tara rose. “Take some time to think it over.” She placed a card on the coffee table. “You can call Rhett at your convenience and discuss the particulars.”
Katie stood too. “You’re working for Rhett, I assume?”
Tara nodded as she picked up her coat. “Yes, I’m his personal assistant. The same job I did for Hazel, only making a lot more money.”
Katie took a moment to process this information. She remembered the meeting Jules mentioned not so long ago. Another thought hit her. “What about Vanessa? Is she working for Rhett too?”
Tara’s smile widened. “You’ve been out of the loop.” She walked around the table coming to a halt next to Katie.
“I don’t understand.”
“Vanessa is at the police station speaking with detectives. They believe her to be the murderer.”
Katie’s pulse zoomed. She stared at Tara, overwhelmed by this second piece of staggering information in the matter of seconds. “Homicide thinks Vanessa killed Hazel?”
Tara advanced toward the door. “She tampered with Hazel’s last will and testament. Actually, she had a new one made where she would benefit. Pretty ingenious. You must admit she worked hard to point you out as the killer.”
“I thought she had it in for me all along. But to alter an official document. Not too bright on her part.”
“No. The will is Rhett’s problem, although he’s confident he’ll resolve the difficulty.”
“How’d they discover Vanessa’s meddling?”
“Funny. Your -,”Tara stopped to clear her throat, “friend Jack and Cruz Zapata found the evidence. Took it to the cops and the rest as they say, is history.”
Jack. He’d helped her. The huge catch in her chest released a smidgen. More questions mounted, but she’d save them for later. Katie grinned. “You’ve given me the best news, Tara. Thank you so much.”
“You deserved some goodness for a change.”
“This is so wonderful. I always figured Vanessa was a troublemaker. Did you know she broke in here and planted some incriminating evidence in my sofa for the police to find?”
“Not surprised.” Tara turned to the door and touched the knob. “The woman has no conscience. I’m glad everything worked out.”
Katie chuckled. “You and me, both.”
Tara laughed too. “I bet you panicked when you discovered that chef’s knife.”
“Yes, I about…”Katie froze. “Wait. How did you know it was a chef’s knife? Few people were privy to the information. The report was never made public.”
Tara dropped her hand and circled to face Katie. “I guessed.” She shrugged. “I mean she was stabbed. Makes sense, right?”
Katie stared at her former coworker. Anxiety gripped her chest. She wanted to believe Tara, that she’d put two and two together, but her instincts gave her a solid shove.
“Oh, Katie.” Tara slowly walked toward her. “I wish you weren’t so smart.”
“You.” Katie backed away. “You murdered Hazel. Why?”
“Do you have to ask?” Tara stopped. Arms out to her side, she lifted a shoulder. “I mean, isn’t it enough that some people just need to be killed?”
“That’s your reason?”
She drew a loud breath. “I drove Hazel home the day she fired you. As usual, I asked her if I should prepare dinner. She said she wasn’t hungry, but wanted me to make a tuna salad sandwich for later. She also requested her customary vodka tonic. On her third drink, she started rambling about company problems, how clients kept choosing Rhett over her. Nothing uncommon. She always did this after a downing few. She was despondent your termination, and had second thoughts. Then she switched gea
rs. She’d discovered earlier her computer had been hacked, and she’d decided someone was working for Rhett from the inside, which was how he gotten to so many of her potential customers. All of a sudden, she accused me. She claimed I had the technological knowhow to perform the treason.” Tara’s eyes went misty.
“You do,” Katie said quietly.
“How could she believe I’d do such a thing? The woman had no concept of devotion.”
“Did you sell her information to Rhett?”
“Of course not.” Her voice vibrated. “I retained access to her info. That was my job. I never did anything other than what was expected of me. Which I told her, concluding with her precious Vanessa was the one doing the dirty deed. I even had proof. And you know what she did? She went off on me, wanting me to explain my motives for not coming to her with the details before.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Tara smiled. “Because Vanessa paid me via Rhett not to.”
“Let me see if I understand. Vanessa worked for Rhett to—I presume to ruin Hazel and you knew. Rhett rewarded you financially to keep quiet, yet you still consider yourself loyal?”
“That was Hazel’s response.”
“What was your answer?”
“She paid me squat and I needed the money.” Her grin faltered. Beads of perspiration formed across her brow. “Then she fired me. Right in the middle of making her tuna salad sandwich.” Her expression turned sheepish. “I might’ve lost it a little after that.”
“A little?”
“I suppose I need to watch my temper when I have a knife in my hand.”
“And you’ve been trying to frame me for killing her all along.”
“Nothing personal, Katie. You were the logical choice.” She picked up a large decorative pot.
Katie forced herself to sound calm. “I suppose I was.” She backed away. “I won’t tell, Tara. She let me go, too. I’m not sweating her death, especially with Vanessa taking the fall.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I wish I could believe you.” She bolted toward Katie with a lunge and swung the urn.
Katie ducked her head, and sidestepped Tara. The vase hit the wall and smashed into tiny pieces. Katie backed around the sofa, her eyes never leaving Tara. Tara bolted toward her again. She jumped aside, and bumped into the coffee table. Her body tipped sideways. Tara used her instability to her advantage, rammed into Katie, and knocked her to the floor, falling on top of her. The much heavier woman pinned her to the ground. Tara pressed her legs into hers. Katie’s arms flailed. Her only defense was to slap. Tara slightly raised and balled a fist, punching Katie in the face. Blood splattered from somewhere, pain reverberated throughout her, stunning her.