by Quinn, Lucy
“You got it, cutie,” Matt said in that overconfident voice men tended to get when they were sure they were well on their way to scoring some action. “How about you give me your number, and I’ll make sure all of this gets swept under the rug.”
Dora gritted her teeth and didn’t miss the flash of annoyance in Evie’s gaze. But it was there one moment and gone the next. Dora was certain Matt didn’t notice. He was too busy staring at Evie’s chest anyway.
“Sure, doll,” Evie purred in a fake voice. Then she rattled off a phone number Dora didn’t recognize. “Can’t wait for that date.” Evie winked and jerked her head at Dora. “Let’s get out of here before Officer Matt gets chastised for flirting with the troublemakers.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Dora said, striding past Matt and slipping her arm through Evie’s. “I desperately need a shower. Let’s go.”
Matt whistled to himself as he made his way back into the alligator park, while Evie and Dora made their way across the parking lot, an uneasy silence settling between them. Dora had no idea what to say to her friend. What if something had happened to Sunshine while she’d been the one holding the little dog? The thought was too horrific to even entertain. She wrapped her arms around herself and slumped against Luke’s car while they waited for him to show up.
Dora closed her eyes and tilted her face toward the sun, hoping the bright rays would warm the chill that had taken over her body. Despite the hot afternoon, after the incident in the gator enclosure, Dora’s insides had turned to ice.
Dora could hear Evie murmuring to Sunshine that everything was okay now. A moment later, Dora heard footsteps, right before she felt a pair of thin arms come around her and hold on tight.
“Oh my god, Dora,” Evie said. “I was so scared for both of you. Thank god you’re both okay.”
Dora let out a small sob and hugged her friend just as tightly. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry, Evie. I don’t know how I lost control of Sunshine. If anything had happened to her—” Dora’s throat closed, and she was unable to finish her apology.
“No. I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to you and gotten a better dog carrier.” A full body shudder ran through her as she pulled away. “I can’t stop picturing her in the jaws of one of those beasts.”
Dora pulled back and squeezed Evie’s hands. “She’s okay. I’m okay. And you were brilliant with Officer Matt. Try not to stress too hard about this, okay? We can hit the drive-thru ice cream place and get triple scoops of chocolate caramel with zero guilt. As soon as we figure out where Luke is.” She really hoped he hadn’t skipped out on them, although she wouldn’t blame him. She had a sinking feeling he had because she was used to men letting her down. Dora pulled slightly back from Evie and said, “Okay?”
Evie nodded and wiped at her damp eyes. “That sounds good. With hot fudge and extra whipped cream.”
Dora chuckled. “Obviously.”
“What’s this I hear about ice cream?” Luke’s voice sounded from behind them, and Dora’s heart soared.
“We need a pick-me-up,” Evie said, raising her chin and blinking back the last of her tears.
Luke nodded, and without hesitation he strode over to Dora and gathered her in his arms. His breath was warm on her ear as he asked, “You doing okay, Dora?”
She was now. Whoa, did his arms feel good around her. She felt the tension she’d been holding ever since she’d followed Sunshine into the enclosure vanish. Sagging against him, she had a flicker of guilt over believing Luke had ditched them once the going got tough. She whispered, “I am now. Did you find out anything?”
“Yes.” He pulled away, much to Dora’s disappointment, and then lowered his voice as he added, “Billy’s in there. But we need to wait until later to get in. Let’s get you two back to my place where you can clean up, and then we’ll come back to stake out the place until we see an opening. What do you say?”
Dora swayed on her feet, the lack of sleep and stress finally overwhelming her. As much as she didn’t want to leave the gator park knowing that Billy was being held inside, she just couldn’t see how passing out from exhaustion would help anyone. “Okay. Can I borrow a pillow for a few hours?”
“Me, too,” Evie said, rubbing at her red eyes.
He let out a low chuckle. “Two gorgeous women, both asking to use my pillow. You think I’m going to say no to that? In fact, I’ll do you one better. How about you both make use of my bed, and I’ll rustle up something for lunch?”
“Hero,” Dora whispered and gave him a small smile. Just the thought of a nap had turned her into a walking zombie, and without another word, she climbed into Luke’s sedan, rested her head against the window, and promptly fell into a fitful sleep.
Chapter 17
Dora woke with a start. A sound from outside the bedroom had her on edge and she strained to listen, her heart pounding against her breast bone.
“What is it?” a sleepy Evie said from beside her.
They were lying on Luke’s bed, where he’d deposited them after they’d bathed Sunshine and showered off the stink of the alligator enclosure. “Nothing,” Dora said, patting her friend on the shoulder. “I probably just heard Luke milling around in the kitchen. Go back to sleep.”
Evie mumbled something and tightened her arm around Sunshine. Within moments her breathing had deepened, and Dora knew she’d fallen back to sleep.
Dora got up, anxious to talk to Luke about what he’d seen at the gator park. She found a clean T-shirt and jeans in the bag of clothes they’d purchased at Target and made her way down to the kitchen to find Luke.
He was sitting at his kitchen bar, his pen gliding over a piece of paper. She shoved her hands into her pockets and said, “Hey.”
His head jerked up as if she’d startled him, but a small smile claimed his lips. “Hey, sleepyhead. Did you get enough rest?”
Dora shrugged. “I don’t know. Coffee would be good, though.”
He popped off his stool and headed straight for his cappuccino machine. “Have a seat. I’ll have this right up and then I’ll heat up something to eat for you.”
Dora sat on the stool next to his and rubbed her eyes. It had been a heck of a couple of days. Her vision was blurry after she pulled her hands away, and she blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the paper he’d been doodling on. The cappuccino machine buzzed, and she picked up the paper and waved it at him. “What’s this?”
“A map of the alligator park. I figured Evie and you’d both want to understand where we’re headed when we break in to get Billy tonight. It’ll be good to know where all of the exits are.”
“You seem… experienced at this kind of thing,” Dora said not sure if she was serious or teasing. “Have you rescued a mailman from an abduction before, Luke Landucci?”
He snorted. “Hardly. My specialty is in rescuing damsels in distress. Especially really gorgeous ones who insist on using me for my bed.”
Dora laughed for what felt like the first time since before that gun had accidentally gone off. “Thanks. But you probably need an eye exam if you’re calling me gorgeous.” She’d meant her comment to be lighthearted and self-deprecating, but Luke’s grin fled as his eyes darkened with something that looked an awful lot like irritation. “I mean—”
“Don’t do that, Dora,” he said softly, making his way back over to her with the cappuccino in his hand. “You are gorgeous. I mean, look at you. Tall, curves in all the right places, shiny dark hair, and full pink lips that… um.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway. My comment was a compliment. I wish you’d just accept it and say thank you.”
Dora swallowed, rather impressed and a bit curious about his assessment of her. Like he’d given it some thought. And that had her thinking… She nodded. “Thank you.”
“There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” He grinned at her and handed her the mug of cappuccino.
She watched him walk back into the kitchen and had to fight to keep from whispering, yes. It wasn’t everyday
a man complimented her. That was more Evie’s lane. Just accepting it graciously was something Dora would have to work on. But since she and Evie would be leaving town, it wasn’t something she’d have to get used to soon. She eyed the paper, studying it. “You’re a pretty good artist.”
“Thanks.” He pulled a bowl out of the refrigerator and popped it into the microwave. “Is it clear? Can you tell what the room looks like?”
Dora stared down at the paper, and almost chuckled. How could she not. It was so detailed he’d even drawn a likeness of Billy tied to a stool inside a plastic diver’s cage. But as soon as she locked her eyes on Billy’s hopeless expression, all traces of humor died in the back of her throat. “He looks so… like he’s given up.”
The microwave beeped and Luke removed the dish, placing it in front of her with a fork and napkin. “He’s been there for almost twenty-four hours now, Dora. I’m sure he’s exhausted.”
“I know. I just feel… this wouldn’t be happening if I hadn’t dragged everyone into it. He’d be home, watching a football game or Jeopardy. Instead, he’s going to be gator food.”
Luke clasped his hand over hers. “Not if I can help it. We’ll get him out tonight. One way or another. That’s a promise, Dora.”
“Thank you.” She stared down at the bowl of pasta he’d set before her. It looked and smelled a lot like fettuccini in a lemon, cream and garlic sauce, a recipe of Luke’s she’d sampled before. It should have made her salivate in anticipation of the mouth-watering flavor, but her stomach was so jumpy she wasn’t sure it was wise to try it.
“Eat,” he ordered. “You need your strength.”
Not wanting to offend him or appear rude after he’d gone to the trouble to make her pasta, she scooped up a forkful and shoved it into her mouth. Then she closed her eyes and moaned as the combination of cream, lemon and garlic exceeded her expectations. “Oh, Luke. This is wonderful.”
When she opened her eyes, he was grinning and said, “I remembered how much you liked it. It’s foolproof way to get you to moan.”
In case Dora didn’t get his double entendre, he winked. And it was all she could do to nod her agreement. She dipped her head to hide her flaming cheeks and focus on eating more, forgetting all about her jumpy stomach.
He sat beside her. “How well do you know your neighbor, Brian?”
Dora stopped eating, and her fork hovered in midair as she answered. “A few days ago, I’d have said pretty well. He is my neighbor after all. But now?” She shrugged. “I have no idea. I always thought he was one of the good guys, but it’s clear he isn’t. I guess I’m easy to fool.” She slid pasta off her fork with her teeth to eat it.
Luke turned to eye her. “You’re no fool, Dora. If you were, you’d already be in custody.”
She swallowed her mouthful of food. “Thanks for that, but I think it’s sheer dumb luck.”
“You have your theories and I have mine,” he said kindly. His brows knit together as he studied the map he’d made. “I just don’t get it. What makes a guy like that get into bed with money launderers?”
“I’d imagine he’s getting a cut of the profits,” Dora said.
Luke turned to her. “That’s what I would’ve thought, too, but doesn’t he drive a ten-year-old car and live in his grandmother’s house?”
“Yeah.” Dora put the fork down and blinked at him. “He also does all the home repairs and yard work. And on his days off, he wears blue jeans and T-shirts.”
Luke nodded. “Not the lifestyle of a guy with plenty of money, is it?”
Dora thought back to Steve and Marco. Those two always wore suits, picked up a new lease on a luxury vehicle every two years, and weren’t shy about flaunting their money. “Nope. Not the ones I know.”
“It doesn’t make any sense.” Luke shrugged. “Not unless he’s being blackmailed.”
Dora blew out a breath and shook her head. “Maybe he’s socking it all away for a mail order bride or plans to buy a small island once his criminal days are behind him.” She scooped up another forkful of pasta. “Or maybe he’s smart and making sure he appears as someone who lives on a cop’s salary.”
“All possibilities. But something about him isn’t quite adding up. What makes a cop turn shady, and why didn’t he just take you to Marco right away if he’s in so deep with the Franklins’ operation?”
“Because he wanted the evidence,” Dora reasoned.
“He could’ve gotten that without you,” Luke said.
He had a point. Brian could’ve gotten a warrant to get the information off the computers himself. “Okay. Say that’s true. Maybe he just likes me and didn’t want me to come to any harm.”
Luke raised one eyebrow. “Dora. He’s a cop. He knows how dangerous it is to let you roam around with the knowledge you have. Any reasonable criminal would’ve had you in front of Marco as soon as possible.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he just has more of a conscience than the rest of them. He did sign up to be a cop after all.” Dora sighed. She knew what she was saying didn’t make sense, and something was niggling at her when it came to Brian. She recalled he mentioned someone named Morris when they overheard him at the dry cleaners. But she hadn’t had enough sleep in the past two days to make sense of it, and her brain was starting to hurt.
Luke put a warm hand on her shoulder. “I know you like, or did like him, but I think there’s more to him than meets the eye. It doesn’t hurt to remain curious, right?”
“Right.” Dora pushed her almost empty pasta bowl away as the urgency to do something hit her, and she got to her feet. “I’m going to wake Evie. We have a mailman to save.”
“I’ll make her and Sunshine something to eat,” Luke said, and he pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
Dora’s stomach flipped at the gesture, making her feel like a teenager again, and she was sure her lips were curved into a small, happy smile as she climbed the stairs.
Chapter 18
“Luke’s right,” Evie said, finishing off her own bowl of pasta. “Brian is definitely up to something more than just trying to protect the Franklins. Look at him. He appears to be about two more beers away from homelessness. That’s not the way a man who is laundering money looks.”
“How would you know?” Dora asked as Luke took Evie’s dish away.
“I know people,” Evie said defensively.
“Sure, Evie,” Dora said. “I still say he could be really good at this and just be making it seem like he doesn’t have any money. He did a great job of making me think he was a nice guy.”
Evie choose to ignore her flippant attitude. Dora hated to be wrong, and this whole situation was pushing that button big time for her friend. Besides, nobody likes to think they trusted the wrong person.
There was something else about Brian she’d just remembered. Something he had said a week ago when she’d run into him over at Dora’s that had stuck with her. He’d complained about people interfering with their elderly relatives’ finances and how disrespectful they were. He’d been so angry Evie had thought he might pop a vein. It was the type of anger that made a person lose control. Evie had been super anxious in his presence, and all she’d wanted to do was change the subject.
But when she’d asked him if he was a volunteer at a senior living place, he’d barked that his grandfather was at one and then stalked off muttering something about how they were going to be surprised when they’d been cut out of the will. At the time, she’d thought he’d just been rambling, but what if it was something more? Had his grandfather been taken in some old folk’s home scam? And if so, did it have something to do with the Franklins?
“Earth to Evie,” Dora said, snapping her out of her trance. “We’ve got to go. Get Sunshine and get your butt in the car. It’s time for Operation Rescue Billy.”
“Right.” Evie let out a soft whistle and called, “Come here, Sunshine. It’s time for the next step in Operation Save Dora’s Ass.”
“Hey,” Dora said.
&nb
sp; “Yeah?” Evie looked up from the map Luke had drawn.
“Thanks.”
The word was spoken simply and clearly, but that didn’t stop Evie from cupping her hand behind her ear and saying, “What was that, Dora? Did I just hear you say thanks?”
“Stop.” Dora rolled her eyes. “You know that’s what I said. You heard me the first time.”
Evie blew her a kiss as she walked out Luke’s front door and headed for his car. “Sunshine calls shotgun!” she cried out, trying and failing to put it out of her mind that they were about to break into the alligator park… again. She glanced down at Sunshine and added, “Be good this time, girl.”
Once they were in the car, Evie glanced over at Luke and back at Dora. She blew out a big breath. “We’re doing this, team. Got it?” she asked, more to pump herself up than anyone else. Her stomach was jittery, and it wasn’t because the pasta she’d eaten was bad. Oh man, so not bad, Evie thought as she recalled the flavor that made her mouth water just thinking about it.
Once they’d hit the road, Dora scooted forward on her seat to insert herself between Luke and Evie. “Do either of you know somebody named Morris?”
Evie searched her brain, and amazingly couldn’t come up with one person she knew who had that name. And she knew a lot of people. Although… “There was a guy in high school who had Morris as a middle name,” she offered. “We teased him so bad. He was the craziest runner, all arms and knees, and one day someone called him Chicken Morrister. It stuck and he was known at Chick Morrister for the rest of the year. Aren’t kids awful?” She knew it wasn’t helpful, but it was all she had. And Dora was strung so tight right now she needed to lighten the mood.
Luke chuckled. “All I’ve got is a cat. One of my cooks adopted a cat named Miss Morris. Apparently, the old lady who’d had her thought it was a boy and named it Morris, but then she found out it was a girl.”