Heard it Through the Grapevine

by Lizbeth Lipperman

  After he called and worked it out so Maddy could be with Denise when she told her kids, Colt thought back on Phil’s last words.

  Was the dead man trying to tell them something, or was it simply the head injury talking?

  _____

  “They’ve arrested Roxy Moretti,” Maddy said as soon as Lainey answered.

  “Do they think she’s the one who blew up the guest house?”

  “I don’t know about that, but she killed Jerry.”

  “What?”

  “So far, they don’t really have any evidence except a bottle of cyanide they found at her house,” Maddy said. “She swears she’s never seen it before.”

  “Do they think she killed Tessa, too?”

  “That will be hard to prove. There are no prints on anything.”

  “What does Colt say?”

  “I’m not sure. There’s so much going on down here right now it’s hard to know what he’s thinking.” Maddy paused. “Do you remember Phil Romano? He was a couple years older than me, married Josie Caruso’s younger sister.”

  “Kinda, why?”

  “He works here, next in line under Colt. Anyway, he had a heart attack and wrecked his car.”

  “Dear Lord, what else can happen? Is he okay?”

  Maddy’s voice softened. “He died about a half hour ago. Colt’s there now with Phil’s widow. I’m on my way over there to be with her when she tells her kids.” She sighed. “Phil was a good man.”

  “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Sounds good, Lainey. I gotta run. Someone’s hollering for me.”

  Lainey disconnected but held the phone in her hand, trying to get used to the idea that Roxy Moretti had killed her sister. Was it the money or was she afraid Jerry was still in love with Tessa? Neither would surprise her.

  She turned on the TV and tried to get interested in Dr. Phil ripping apart some guy who was a habitual cheater. The guy was a jerk, smiling like he thought he was a rock star. She flipped it off and walked into the kitchen for a snack, even though she wasn’t the least bit hungry. After staring at the inside of the refrigerator, she slammed the door shut and grabbed her purse and car keys.

  The rental company had towed the old car after the explosion and delivered a brand new one this morning. Lainey climbed into the driver’s side and tugged at her sling until it was over her head. She threw it into the passenger seat and switched on the ignition. At the gate, she turned down the road that would take her into town.

  _____

  Roxy stumbled as the two cops led her into the police station.

  “Come on, Jeff. Are these really necessary?” A woman she recognized as one of Tessa’s sisters leaped from her chair to grab Roxy’s shoulders and keep her from falling.

  Roxy attempted a smile as the bigger of the two cops, the one the other lady had called Jeff, removed the handcuffs. She wiggled her fingers trying to get feeling back into them, skeptical that one of the Garcia women would act like anything other than a bitch. She hadn’t met the doctor and the other sister, but if Lainey and Tessa were any indication, those two would be high and mighty, also.

  Since the first time Jerry had introduced Roxy to Tessa, the woman had acted like she needed a gas mask to stay in the same room, like she was some kind of lowlife.

  What was the difference between having sex in front of the camera and screwing around with everything that walked?

  She would never understand what Jerry had seen in that whore.

  “Sit down, Mrs. Moretti,” the shorter cop instructed. “Colt’s on his way from the hospital now.”

  “Is Jerry there?”

  He glanced up at his partner. “He went straight to the morgue.”

  She waited for him to explain further, but he apparently wasn’t about to enlighten her.

  “I need to call a lawyer.”

  “Nobody’s asked you any questions yet.”

  “I still want my call.”

  “Tom, let her use your cell phone,” Jeff said. “I’m waiting on a call back.”

  Roxy dialed the number she thought she would never have to use again. She cringed as soon as she heard her former producer’s voice. When she married Jerry, she thought she’d never have to deal with the filthy leach again.

  “Monty, this is Roxy Moretti. Roxy Delight,” she corrected, wishing she could wipe the smirk off the short cop’s face. “Do you still have that friend in Dallas who does all your legal work?”

  “Yep. What kind of trouble have you gone and gotten into now, sweet cheeks?”

  Roxy hesitated, not really wanting to give any details, then deciding she had no choice. “They think I killed my husband.”

  Monty laughed, infuriating her. “So now, after all these months when you wouldn’t return my calls, I’m supposed to jump in and rescue you?” He paused. “How about I do that and in return, you take a look at this new script that just came across my desk this week. Your fans are still clamoring for more Roxy.”

  Damn him! He could make you feel dirty right out of the shower.

  “I know you’ll love it. It’s got a great plot.”

  Great plot, my ass! There was never any plot—girl meets boy, girl fucks boy, girl fucks another girl, both girls go down on boy.

  She truly believed she’d never have to stoop that low again.

  “I’m waiting, doll face. You say the word, and I’m on the phone to my guy. I don’t care if you did off your old man, he’ll have you back in your own bed for a before-dinner nap.”

  Roxy bit her lower lip. God, she did not want to do this, especially now that the entire vineyard and winery was about to be hers—at least half of it.

  She smiled to herself. Getting Lainey’s half wouldn’t be too hard. She already had a plan in motion.

  “Okay,” she agreed, thinking she could back out after this mess was behind her. “I’m at the Vineyard Police Station. Tell him to hurry.”

  She handed the phone back to Rogers. “I’ve got a lawyer on the way,” she said just as Colt Winslow walked into the room.

  Now there’s a man I wouldn’t kick out of bed.

  “Too bad about the lawyer, Roxy. All I wanted to do was have a little talk about Jerry. I realize you don’t even have a motive since he left his half of Spirits of Texas to Tessa and her heirs,” Colt said.

  Roxy shot straight out of the chair, and all three cops reached for her. She shrugged off the tall cop’s hand on her shoulder, but eased back down in the chair. “You’re lying.”

  Colt smiled as he shook his head and threw a legal document in front of her. “See for yourself. Seems you’ll be lucky to get the house and the cars.”

  “God damn that prick!”

  She didn’t realize she was squeezing her fists so tightly until the pain from her fingernails digging into her palms shot up both arms. “He promised I’d get the vineyard,” she said, unclenching her hands.

  “Apparently, he lied,” Colt sat down opposite her and leaned across the table. “Did you kill your husband, Roxy?”

  “How stupid do you think I am, Sheriff? Even if I did, would I really make it this easy for you?”

  “Things would go a lot smoother if you did,” he said. “The DA is always looking to cut a deal and save the taxpayers some money.”

  “You can kiss my ass,” she said, glaring at him.

  “I’ve seen a lot of guys do that already,” the taller cop said, his smile irritating the hell out of her.

  Colt shot him a look, and the smile disappeared.

  “We’re waiting on a call from the lab right now. My guess is, we’re gonna find out Jerry’s little blue pills were covered with cyanide. Not too many people had access to those.”

  “Why would I kill him in my own bed?” She tsked. “Really, Colt, you don’t give me nearly enough credit.”

  “Should I?”

  “Jerry had his prescription refilled the other day. Maybe you should be checking out the people at the pharmacy.”

  “Why would
anyone at the pharmacy want him dead?” Rogers asked, bending over the table toward her, close enough she could tell he’d had tuna for lunch.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he was a jerk to everyone in this town.”

  Colt stood as his cell phone rang, turning his back as he talked. When he faced her again, he smiled. “That was your lawyer. He’s driving up from Dallas. Doesn’t want us talking to you until he gets here. I guess we’ll have to wait to finish this conversation.”

  She couldn’t keep from smiling. Watching the disappointment on their faces, especially the one who’d make the catty remark earlier, was worth the price she’d have to pay. Even the god-awful blow jobs Monty would squeeze out of her before it was all over couldn’t compare.

  She folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in the chair, sliding two fingers over her lips to imitate a zipper. All three cops glared before they made their exit.

  When she was alone, her smile faded as she thought about what Colt had said. How could that SOB leave everything to his bitch of an ex-wife?

  Roxy had known all along Jerry was still in love with Tessa, even suspected he might be doing her on the side.

  But to leave the whole damn fortune to her?

  Burn in hell, you slimy bastard. You got just what you deserved.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  LAINEY LEFT VINEYARD MALL with several bags draped over her good arm. She still needed a few personal items, but a trip to Target would fix that.

  She glanced at her watch. Target would have to wait another day. It was after six, and she was exhausted. Since she couldn’t use her left arm, she’d already made several trips to and from the car with the stuff she bought to replace everything lost in the explosion.

  Thinking about her narrow escape, Lainey remembered her promise to her sisters at lunch today. With the news of Jerry Moretti’s death and Roxy’s arrest, Tessa’s killer, or killers if it turned out the two of them had been in cahoots, was no longer a threat to her. Maybe now Tessa could get the peace she deserved.

  A gush of sadness washed over her as she thought about the wasted years between her and Tessa. Hearing her sister’s story had cleared up a lot of questions. All this time, she’d believed Tessa had seduced Colt to spite her, only to discover she’d been wrong. Her older sister had been a humiliated, frightened young girl who thought sex was the only way she would be noticed. When she found herself with no way out, she turned to the only person she trusted—Colt.

  Hell yes, what she did to him was absolutely unconscionable, but as Tessa had argued, his life hadn’t exactly been horrible because of it. He loved being a cop and lived for his baby girl.

  That was another thing on Lainey’s mind. Should she tell Colt what Tessa had confided the other night, or should she keep it close to the vest? And could she live with herself if she did?

  She was still agonizing over what to do when her cell phone rang just as she turned onto the road to Colt’s house.

  “Hey, Henry, what’s up?” She knew why her agent was calling. She’d been avoiding him all week after missing the interview in Florida a second time.

  “What’s the story, Lainey? I got a call from the station manager in Tampa a few minutes ago. They can’t hold that job forever.”

  She pursed her lips. She’d given this a lot of thought since Dan went back to Savannah. For the first time in her life, she wanted something for herself, not something everyone else wanted for her.

  “I’ve decided to stay in Dallas.” She held her breath waiting for his disapproval.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No,” she answered quickly. “I’ve been away from my family for too long.”

  She heard papers shuffling on the other end before her agent got back on the phone. “Somewhere on this desk is a memo I got this week with available anchor slots around the country. There may be an opening in Dallas.”

  “I don’t want to anchor.”

  “Why the hell not? That’s always been your dream.”

  She heard the catch in his voice. He’d been her agent since she graduated from college. “Sometimes dreams change,” she said, hoping he didn’t pick up on the uncertainty in hers. “I’ve decided to get involved with the winery, at least part time. My sister loved this place. I want to find out why.”

  “You love being in front of a camera. You can’t just walk away because of someone else’s dream. You’d be bored in no time.”

  Perhaps Henry was right, but she had to give it a try. She owed it to Tessa for trusting her, to Gracie who had already lost so much when her mother died. “You’re probably right, but it’s something I have to find out for myself.”

  “I can’t change your mind?”

  She smiled, knowing she was making the right decision. Having her sisters ten minutes away whenever she needed them was worth more than any high-profile job in a city where she didn’t know a soul. “Sorry, Henry. I appreciate everything you’ve done, every extra dollar you’ve squeezed out of KSAV for me, but it’s time to go in another direction.”

  “Hold on now. Don’t go thinking about breaking our contract. What about if I put out some feelers to see if any of the morning shows in Dallas are in the market for a host? Maybe even a co-host?”

  She hadn’t thought about that possibility. She could spend a few hours every morning in Dallas, then come back to Vineyard and take care of the winery in the afternoons.

  “Can I take your silence as a yes? A maybe?”

  She laughed. “You can talk an Eskimo into buying air conditioning.” She paused, trying to decide. “I think I might like that. Go ahead and check it out.”

  “Fantastic! I’ll get back with you after I investigate the market.”

  After she hung up, Lainey had the unmistakable feeling she was finally coming home. Now that she’d reached a decision, there was so much to do, so much to learn. The first thing she needed to do was figure out how she would run the winery with Jerry dead and Roxy in jail. She hoped Carrie would stay on. With her wealth of knowledge of the winemaking business, she’d be invaluable.

  Lainey made a quick U-turn and headed back the other way. It was already dark, but she wanted to swing by Spirits of Texas and see if she could take home the books to get a feel for the financial end of it. It would be like homework and fill up the days until she found a permanent place to live.

  She couldn’t stay at Colt’s much longer, not if she truly wanted to move on. Being so close to him, knowing he could never love her the way she wanted was way too hard. It was time to make a clean break.

  As she pulled into the parking lot at the winery office, she noticed both Jerry’s and Carrie’s cars still there. They’d probably have to have his car towed to his house.

  She called Colt’s cell phone and left a message that she was staying in town a few more hours at the office. Now that she was living in his house, she didn’t want him to worry if she got home late.

  She exited the car gingerly, careful not to bump her left arm which still hurt like hell when she moved it the wrong way. Opening the door, she heard Carrie and Roxy in Jerry’s office screaming at each other.

  What the hell is Roxy doing out of jail?

  Both women turned when she entered his office. It was only then that Lainey noticed the biggest gun she’d ever seen in Roxy’s hand pointed directly at Carrie.

  _____

  The investigation was driving Colt nuts. Every time he thought he was on to something, someone died. He was losing prime suspects left and right. Maybe it was time to call in the Feds, but then he’d have to reveal Phil Romano’s involvement. He wasn’t ready to do that yet.

  First off, they had no real proof Phil was involved, and it made no sense to hold up his death benefits while they investigated. Denise and the kids had enough on their plate already without a delay in the insurance money. If they discovered definitive evidence proving Romano was dirty, then he’d call IAB.

  The loud growl in his stomach reminded Colt he’d s
kipped lunch. After finishing the paperwork from Romano’s death, he’d gotten so absorbed in searching for a link to connect the murders, he’d forgotten to eat, and it was already after six.

  He’d dropped Gracie off at the skating rink for a birthday party. He had no doubt she’d pig out on pizza and cake and wouldn’t be hungry when she got home. Thinking ahead, he decided he’d pick up a couple of steaks to grill for him and Lainey. Maybe he’d add a loaded baked potato and a couple ears of sweet corn.

  He smiled, knowing Lainey would complain the whole time about all the calories while devouring every bite. She was the only woman he knew who could eat like a lumberjack and still look amazing in tight-fitting jeans.

  He’d noticed how his pulse quickened when he thought about her, which seemed to be constantly since they’d spent the night together. When he’d undressed her the night of the explosion, it had taken every bit of his self-control to keep from ravaging her again.

  If he didn’t stop thinking about that, he wouldn’t be able to walk out the door without embarrassing himself.

  Lainey was off limits for several reasons—the most important being she was probably involved with another man. He still hadn’t asked about Dan, knowing he wouldn’t like the answer.

  Throw in the fact she was Gracie’s aunt, and all kinds of warning bells went off.

  Still, when he’d held her in his arms, it had felt right.

  He squirmed in the chair as his lower anatomy responded to his musings, and he smiled to himself. Maybe he should bring home some dessert, too. That way, they’d both be so full, sex would be the last thing on their minds.

  Did he just think about another go-round with Lainey?

  Jeez, Winslow. What the hell’s the matter with you?

  The dessert idea was probably the way to go, he thought as he pulled out his phone to call and make sure she hadn’t already eaten. Noticing a voice message, he wondered why he hadn’t heard it ring, then remembered he’d been on the phone with Mark Lowell about the lab results and had ignored the incoming call. He’d used Mark as his sounding board on most of his cases, but this time, the CSI boss was as clueless as he was.