Murder, Malice and Mischief

by Quinn, Lucy

  Evie let out a sigh. “I was so looking forward to a little blunt trauma. Might have improved Brian’s attitude toward women.”

  Sunshine let out a yap of agreement as the hulking man pulled Evie’s door open and leaned in to take a look at them.

  “Jock?” Evie asked. The man’s smile became a lecherous grin as he made no attempt at hiding the fact he was scanning Evie’s assets in her red dress. “Unbelievable,” Evie scoffed. “And to think I bought your misunderstood-for-your-appearance act. You are the thug everyone thinks you are.”

  He grabbed Evie’s hand to help her out of the car and bit his lower lip once she was standing and he could get a good look at her. “And your story doesn’t pan out either. You’re every bit the sexpot I expected.”

  “Ugh, I definitely should have swiped no-way-in-hell on your dating profile when I had the chance.”

  During Evie and Jock’s exchange, Dora managed to get herself out of the car to stand next to her friend. Brian pulled the door to the dry cleaners open and waved his gun at the women before he said in a tone dripping with sarcasm, “Ladies, after you.”

  Dora and Evie were led to an office, and Brian instructed them to sit in the two chairs. Dora went to sit behind the desk where there was a chair with roller wheels, but Brian waved to a plain stationary chair with no arms and barked out, “Over here.”

  Evie took the rolling chair, and Sunshine jumped out of Dora’s arms to sit in Evie’s lap, making her think the little dog knew which seat would be better equipped for breaking them free.

  “Now,” Brian growled out. “If Dora here can tell me where to find the flash drive, this can be a painless experience.”

  Dora jumped when she heard the rip of duct tape being pulled from a roll and saw Jock bite off a long strip. She said, “If I had it, I’d give it to you, I swear.” She needed to buy time and added, “You got Billy’s mail bag. If it wasn’t in there, then maybe it will be in Monday’s mail.”

  Brian glared at her, but Dora could see he was considering what she’d said, which was good because the way things were headed, she thought she just bought Evie and herself two more days of life. But as she looked over at Evie and took in her skimpy red dress, she remembered what they’d been doing out of hiding in the first place, and it occurred to her that Billy might not have the same amount of time.

  Chapter 14

  “You’d better hope that flash drive is in Monday’s mail,” Brian said to Dora. He leaned in so close that she could smell the garlic on his breath, and it made her stomach turn. “Because I got a good look at the security tapes from Two to Mango, and it seems like you killed Steve Franklin.”

  “But she didn’t!” Evie cried.

  Brian stepped back from Dora and grinned at her before he looked at Evie and shrugged. “Along with a cop’s expert testimony, no jury would have a reason to believe otherwise.” He sneered at Dora. “You’ve got yourself in a pickle, young lady. But you can make this nightmare for you and your friend go away. All I need is the flash drive.”

  Real tears burned in Dora’s eyes, because she was going to jail either way. Without that flash drive as evidence, she had no doubt Marco would pin her for the money laundering scheme instead of Steve’s death. She whimpered and then repeated, “If I had it, I’d give it to you. I swear!”

  It was not the answer Brian was looking for, and he barked out to Jock, “Restrain them.”

  Jock approached Evie first, and Sunshine growled. Brian said, “Do the mutt, too.”

  Evie gasped and clutched the dog tighter. “You can’t use duct tape on Sunshine! It’ll rip her fur out.”

  “She’s right,” Dora said. “You can’t possibly be that cruel. There must be another way.” She glanced around the room, panicked for the little dog, and spotted a necktie laying on a filing cabinet. “How about that tie? You can loop it through Sunshine’s collar and then tie her to the leg of the desk. She won’t be able to go anywhere then.”

  Jock said, “She’s right boss.” He tilted his head at Sunshine, who did the same to him, and in that universal dog voice nobody would ever expect from a guy like Jock, he said, “I won’t hurt you, little cutie wooty.”

  Dora managed to cover her snort of laughter with a cough, while Evie eyed Jock with skepticism.

  Brian rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Just restrain them.”

  Five minutes later, Dora and Evie were taped to their chairs and Sunshine was on a short leash.

  When the men left them, Dora yanked on her arms and legs with the hope the tape would give, but after struggling for a few moments all it proved to her was that she wasn’t getting free. “Evie, can Sunshine bite the tape on your arms or ankles?”

  The dog strained against her collar, but she’d been tied to a front leg of the desk and couldn’t quite reach Evie. Dora’s hope was deflated, and she let her tears fall in hot streams down her cheeks. She’d been so determined to save Evie and herself she hadn’t let frustration take over. But now… “Evie, I’m so sorry.” A sob escaped before she got control again. “You’ve been the best friend ever. Nobody else would have stuck through this with me, and I”—she hiccupped—“I can’t believe we’re going to end like this.”

  “You don’t think they’re going to kill us, do you?”

  Dora sniffed, “Not yet, but how are we going to get out of this one?”

  “I don’t know, but I do know that giving up is not the answer,” Evie said with authority. “Don’t you wimp out on me now, Dora Winslow.”

  Dora didn’t want to. She was used to being the strong one, although, Evie was just as strong in her own way. While she usually let Dora be the bossy one, she had proven she could take the lead when necessary.

  Evie gasped. “We may not be able to escape, but I know how we’re going to get some information. Sunshine, it’s time for doggy and me yoga.”

  “What?” Dora shook her head. “Look, I know you think communing with your inner chi or whatever might provide insight, but you aren’t seriously going to make your dog practice yoga right now, are you?”

  “Yes,” Evie said with authority. “And let me tell you why. Fred loved to spy on me. See that TV screen on the wall?”

  Dora glanced over her shoulder at the screen that was across from the desk where Evie was seated. “It’s not on.”

  “No, but the remote for it is on the desk.” Evie winked at Sunshine. “Are you limbered up?”

  Sunshine let out a little growl as a yes.

  The controls were on the desk. Neither of them could reach it, and Sunshine couldn’t jump up on it because she was tied to the table leg. Dora shook her head, unable to fathom how Evie expected to get to the remote. “But—"

  “Mountain pose,” Evie commanded. The dog lifted her front legs up to extend like a standing human. “Very good, Sunshine. Someone’s been practicing. Dora, can you see this?”

  “Evie, please.” Dora pleaded.

  “Right. Sorry.” She returned her gaze to the dog, who wasn’t tall enough to see the top of the desk. “Reach for the sky and hit that remote.”

  The dog lifted her front paws up over her little head and dropped them down onto the desk. One hit the remote, and Dora noticed the word audio pop up on the screen before the dog landed back on all fours and the controls went skittering across the room.

  “Darn it,” Evie said.

  But Dora heard something else clatter and shook her head. “Shhh.”

  Brian’s voice came through the television speaker. “—Miss Morris. This is getting ridiculous.”

  Jock said, “You know I don’t do animal cruelty. It’s in the contract.”

  Brian let out a noise of disgust. “That’s something. A goon with morals.”

  “You got a problem with that?” Jock challenged.

  Brian sighed. “No, you jackass. But you get to keep the dog. I already have enough to deal with.”

  Evie’s wide eyes told Dora they were thinking the same thing. Jock may be keeping the dog because D
ora and Evie would no longer be able to. And she didn’t think it was because they were going to be out of town.

  For a moment, Dora wondered who Miss Morris was, but she didn’t have time to ponder it because Brian said, “I’ll stake out Evie’s house for Monday’s mail. We’ll keep them alive until I get the flash drive… just in case.”

  “Whattaya want me to do with the mailman?”

  “Billy?” Brian chuckled. “The gator will run out of food Sunday night, and come Monday there won’t be a scrap of him left.”

  Evie’s lower lip trembled as she and Dora stared at each other in fear for Billy, the kind mail carrier. And it occurred to Dora that she now knew where the mailman was. An alligator park was one of the businesses that had been in Marco’s files of cooked books. But a fat lot of good it did them if they couldn’t escape in time to save him. Or themselves.

  Chapter 15

  At some point in the night, Dora and Evie dozed off, and Evie woke to the sound of someone rustling around in the main lobby of the dry cleaners. She determined Brian and Jock were gone when she heard the new girl, who must have taken her place, talking to herself as she ran through the opening checklist.

  “Lights on,” the girl said. Evie looked over and noticed Dora was awake too. She heard the girl also say, “Unlock the clerk safe for my cash drawer.” Fred had a small safe for the clerks to keep the register drawer. The deposit at the end of the day went into a slot in a bigger safe that only Fred had access to.

  The girl continued, “One to the right, two to the left and… Wait. What’s the next number? Darn it. One, two…?” There was silence for a moment, and it made Dora want to shout ‘three’ to her. But then the girl giggled. “Brain fart. Where was I?” She blew out a long breath, apparently trying again. “One to the right, two to the left, and three to the right. Yes!” They heard rattling that was likely change in the plastic drawer, and then the girl said, “Unlock the door. Huh? What’s this? I guess I’m supposed to read Fred’s note. Hmpf. That’s not on my opening check list.” She let out a big sigh as if reading a note was a burden. Which Evie assumed might be for her. “Dear New Girl. Really? Fred doesn’t even know my name?” She huffed. “Personality disorder therapy has begun in the office next door. Ignore anything you hear.”

  Dora gasped. “She’s not going to believe that bull, is she?”

  Evie raised her eyebrows. “Her safe combination is one, two, three, and she couldn’t remember it.”

  “Good point,” Dora conceded. “There goes the calling-for-help idea.”

  Evie watched as Dora’s eyes filled with tears, and her heart ached for her friend, who seemed to be giving up hope.

  Dora’s voice was shaky as she asked, “What is your biggest regret in life?”

  “What?” It was worse than Evie had feared. Dora had given up and was sure they were going to die. “No, Dora –”

  “Not having children,” Dora interrupted. “I think I would have been a great mother.”

  Evie took stock of her best friend. Tears were running down her face with streaks of mascara marking the trail. She’d been strong and capable until they’d been restrained last night, but now she was falling apart. Evie knew her friend had cried herself to sleep too. And who could blame her? In the span of three days, Dora had discovered a money laundering scheme, accidently killed her boss, gotten a mailman kidnapped, done a lap dance that would make a real stripper blush, and was now duct taped to a chair. But even so, it was heartbreaking for Evie to see her best friend give up hope.

  Evie said, “You will be a great mother one day. I can just see little number-crunching chefs telling my free-spirited musician kids what to do at playgroup.”

  The bell to the front door jingled, and Evie stopped talking to listen. The new clerk might believe the ridiculous therapy excuse, but maybe a rational customer wouldn’t.

  “Thank god you’re open,” said a familiar voice.

  Dora gasped. “Is that—”

  “Luke,” Evie said as she recognized the voice and listened.

  “Hey!” The clerk yelled. “You can’t—”

  “My chef’s jacket is back here somewhere!”

  “Here!” Dora cried out, hoping her volume was loud enough to lead him to the office.

  The door burst open, and he rushed in and slammed it behind him. He yelled, “Found it! Be out in a minute.”

  “Oh. Okay,” the girl said in a chipper voice as if all was well. “Hey, do you think you could watch the front for me while I run to Starbucks?” Her voice turned dramatic. “I’m just dyyying for a coffee.” Before Luke could answer, she said, “Be right back!”

  Luke rushed over to Dora and grabbed her face. “Are you hurt?”

  Fresh tears were in Dora’s eyes, and Evie suspected they were from relief as her friend shook her head.

  “I’m going to get you out of here. Hold on.” Luke moved over to the desk and yanked open drawers, items clattering as he searched for something to use to release them.

  Evie asked, “How did you know we were here?”

  “I heard the gunshot last night as I was leaving the adult toy shop, and when I noticed the man talking to you, I hid behind a dumpster and watched the whole thing.” Luke grabbed a pair of scissors and went to work cutting at Dora’s restraints. “I’ve been outside waiting for my chance to come get you. Whatever trouble you’re in, Dora…” He paused, and it was a movie moment. At least it felt that way when his voice turned steely as he added, “I’ll get you out of it.”

  Dora’s hands were finally free, and she placed one on Luke’s cheek. “You’re going to save me?”

  While the moment was certainly touching and definitely the kind of thing Evie was happy for her friend to experience, she’d been stuck to her chair for far too long to be patient, and she asked, “Any chance you could save me too?”

  Luke finished cutting Dora free and moved to Evie. She couldn’t help noticing how well he filled out the black T-shirt that hugged his muscular chest in all the right ways as he said, “My car is out back. I’m going to take you to my place where we can regroup and figure out a plan.”

  Evie’s stomach grumbled. Knowing she was going to squeeze into the tight red dress to go to the strip club the night before, she hadn’t eaten much dinner, and poor Sunshine was probably starving for breakfast. “Can we hit that Starbucks drive thru on the way?”

  Luke chuckled. “Do you think I’m going to allow that? I’ll make you the best darn cappuccino this side of the ocean once we get to my place.”

  “And scones?” Dora asked. “Please tell me you’ll make those cranberry orange scones I tasted last week because they were soooo good.”

  Evie twirled her hands to make sure her wrists still worked as she watched Dora’s transformation from accepting her impending death to flirting with chef Luke. It was one she was happy to see. Once Luke untied Sunshine, Evie scooped her up, and they followed Dora and her knight out the back door.

  Chapter 16

  Dora wrapped the white button-down shirt of Luke’s a little tighter around her body and tucked a leg under her bottom as she perched on a bar stool at Luke’s kitchen island. The best cappuccino she’d ever had warmed her hands as she held the cup. She’d taken a long hot shower at his place and even washed her hair using his shampoo, which meant she now had a lingering woodsy scent she associated with him surrounding her. It was comforting and something she never expected could make her feel so good. Letting a man take care of her wasn’t a luxury Dora was used to.

  Bacon sizzled in a pan, and the scent of cranberry orange scones wafted from the oven as Luke made breakfast for them. Sunshine was chomping on a bowl full of dry dog food Luke had gotten from a neighbor, and Evie was taking her turn in the shower. It gave Dora time to explain the mess she’d gotten them into.

  “It all started with a job that was too good to be true.” She gazed into Luke’s sapphire-blue eyes as she told him how she’d discovered the money laundering scheme and snuck the f
lash drive of files into Evie’s package just before the accidental shooting that had sent her running in fear.

  She explained how Billy had been intercepted and kidnapped, and that the flash drive was actually in a package on its way to New Orleans. She told him about Brian’s deception. And then she told him a condensed version of searching for Billy at the strip club before running into him at the sex shop. She had just finished her story when Evie emerged from the bathroom in a blue shirt like the one Dora was wearing.

  Luke set two plates down for the women and remained standing on his side of the island to face them. “So, you need to get to New Orleans undetected to get the flash drive,” he said. “Once you have it, you can take it to someone you trust and prove your innocence and uncover the whole scheme.”

  “That sounds about right, but there’s one more thing,” Dora said. “We’ve got to save Billy first.”

  “And we know where he is,” Evie added. She bit into a piece of bacon and let out a moan of satisfaction.

  “He’s at an alligator park the Franklins—well, Marco Franklin—owns, and he’s safe until the gators run out of food tonight,” Dora said.

  Luke pulled a phone out of his back pocket, and Dora had a moment of panic, not sure she could trust him. He was a man she’d just confessed to after all. “Wait!”

  He frowned in question for a second and then seemed to understand. He gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m just calling my assistant to let her know I’m not coming in to work tonight. I think you ladies need my help.”

  Dora relaxed, and warmth filled her heart at his kindness. But then a chill took over. “I can’t let you do that. It would put you in danger too.”

  “I believe rescuing you from the dry cleaners already has.” Luke winked at her and hit Call on his phone.

  He was right, and it made Dora’s stomach knot up. She couldn’t believe she’d managed to involve another person she cared about in her situation. While Dora picked at her eggs, Evie chowed down. She wasn’t quite sure Evie had a grasp on the fact they’d barely escaped losing their lives, but she wasn’t about to ruin her friend’s appetite. At least someone could make use of the energy Luke’s breakfast provided.