"So to recap, this is what we got." He pointed to Lily’s column and said, "Lily. She’s too old to be George’s daughter, so it was a scam. She’s having an affair or some kind of relationship with Jake. She’s got some connection to VW Guy. Her mother died under her care. And she’s got the motive of wanting George’s money and covering up her scam."
He moved on to Jake’s column. "Jake was pilfering money from the trust fund. George was breaking up the partnership. And he was fooling with George’s daughter. His motives are covering up his embezzlement, the insurance money and covering up his affair with Lily."
He tapped on Maggie’s column. "And the missus knew George was leaving her for another woman, and she stood to lose her marriage, her position and probably a lifestyle she didn’t want to give up. Motives are obvious - jealousy, revenge and money."
He moved on to VW Guy’s column and frowned. "Mister so called 'VW Guy' is the mystery. We don’t know who he is or why he’s involved. But he was seen outside my place after I was robbed and attacked, then later on, outside the hospital when I was in the emergency room. And was last seen moving into Lily’s apartment building. As to motive, it’s anybody’s guess, but I suspect if he’s living in Lily’s building, he has a connection to her." He motor-boated his lips. "Could be doing her bidding for all we know."
I groaned and threw up my hands. "But what does it all mean? Any of them could’ve done it. What we need is a way to exclude some of them."
The room fell silent, as each of us consulted our own thoughts. We'd done a good job of unearthing a lot of suspicious facts, but there was no smoking gun. And the D.A. would be more likely to press charges against us for our methods in obtaining the information than to charge Lily or any of the others.
Zelda looked at Eric. "I still think George left us something. In those files."
Eric sucked the inside of his cheek. "I've got a guy who maybe can crack the encryption. I'll know more tomorrow." He scratched his head. "I’m starting to wonder if George had access to NSA software or something — I’ve never seen anything like this."
Ted frowned. "But you had no trouble cracking the password on the phone?"
"Right, it was a piece of cake."
Ted held out his hand. "Can I see the phone?"
Eric shrunk back. "What? Why?"
Ted shrugged. "Because it’s an anomaly. He left a phone that took a few minutes to crack and a flash-drive that the Pentagon can’t crack. Doesn’t make sense. Especially since there was nothing on the phone but a video."
Eric looked away and stammered. "It’s not here. It’s in a secure location." Curious faces turned to him. He shrugged defensively. "After the break-in, I moved the more sensitive stuff."
"So where is it then?" Joe asked.
Eric stared at his shoes. Zelda elbowed Eric gently. "Come on, tell us."
Despite Zelda's prodding, Eric refused to reveal his secure location — probably because it was where he kept all his other secret hacker stuff.
I stretched and yawned loudly. "Okay then, meeting adjourned? When Eric cracks the files, he'll tell us." I frowned. "But let's face it, for all we know, there's nothing in those files."
Eric raised his head and said, "Nah Scotti, I think you're wrong about that. Nobody goes to that kind of trouble for nothing." He lowered his voice, "But we need to be more careful. Jake, Lily, the cops — they're out there. I sense these things." He got up and looped an arm through his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. "Ted, I'll text you when I know something."
Zelda scrunched her face. "Ted?"
"He's logistics central, right?" Eric said.
Ted nodded, took out his phone and started texting. "Right."
Zelda volunteered to walk Eric out to his car, claiming to be security central since she always carried pepper spray.
Joe and I went to the kitchen for coffee and a nosh. The coffee pot was empty, and the cupboards were bare. "I can make a pot and Zelda probably has a package of cookies in her backpack."
Joe stretched and yawned. "Don't bother yourself, time for this old country boy to get his shut-eye."
Ted wandered into the kitchen. "Not yet."
I looked toward the front room. "Where's Zelda?"
"She's outside sucking face with Eric." To Joe he said, "I think we can narrow our field of suspects."
I started toward the front. "She’s making out with Eric?"
Ted put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Focus recruit." He led us outside to the back patio and closed the slider. "Here's the plan…"
I wrapped my arms around my torso. "Why are we out here?"
Ted looked around the darkened yard then back to us. "Eric’s probably right, we’re still being watched. So I'm thinking, how about we take advantage of it?"
Joe scratched his chin and nodded. "I’m listening."
Ted lowered his voice. "We do a classic fake out. Pretend we’re worried about security, load up some boxes and have them hauled away." He grinned. "I’ve got one of my guys heading over now."
"Boxes of what?" I asked.
Ted grinned. "Nothing." I raised my brows. "But they won’t know it’s nothing. They’ll think we’re moving important documents. And if they think it’s important then...”"
Joe chuckled. "Then maybe they’ll follow your guy and we’ll get a look at them?"
Ted shrugged. "Sure, in a perfect world. But I doubt they’d be that obvious. But I’m pretty sure it will make them act. Do something that might expose themselves. Make a mistake? See what I mean?"
It was worth a shot and simple enough to do, so we gathered up some banker boxes and loaded them into the truck when it got there. The three of us made a point of giving instructions to the driver and cautioning him to look for tails, then sent him on his way. If someone was watching, then maybe they’d take the bait. If not, then Ted paid overtime for a driver to haul empty boxes for him.
Joe said his good nights and left us standing out front. "Where’d Zelda get to?"
Ted put his arms around me. "Where do you think?"
I shook my head and laughed. "I still can't believe those two hooked up."
His kissed the top of my head. "Love is a many splendored thing."
Surprised, I looked up at him. "Love? You think they're in love? No, don't answer that." I leaned against him. "Take me home?"
Ted nuzzled my neck. "Sure, your place or mine?"
Chapter Fifty-Five
My arms and legs stretched out like a starfish but something felt wrong — too much bed beneath me. Eyes open, I squinted in the dim light to get a clue of my surroundings. Rain tapped at the windows and from above warm air hissed into the room. Bolting upright, I threw back the covers. An extra large camo tee shirt served as my night gown and my brain caught up with the math.
The night before I hadn’t wanted to interrupt Zelda and Eric, especially if living room furniture was involved, so I stayed at Ted's. Vague recollections of pizza and wine in front of a roaring fire floated through my mind. Thunder, lightning and rain pounding the roof seemed a good excuse for snuggling. Which led to a handsy make out session. And then...nothing. No recollection vague or otherwise.
The room reflected Ted well — masculine but not knuckle-dragging manly. How could I have slept with him and not remember it? Had I slept with him? I bent down and sniffed the sheets but the results were inconclusive. I stared at my hairy legs and groaned at the thought of Ted getting an eyeful of that. Out of reflex, I pulled up my knees and tented the tee shirt over them. Scanning the floor and overhead lighting, I was relieved to find no bras or panties suspended. My clothes were neatly folded on a reading chair near the window. Had that happened before the sex I couldn't remember or after?
At the foot of the bed lay a freshly laundered bathrobe, topped with a clean towel, a plastic wrapped tooth brush and a new bar of soap. Nothing says good morning like a hotel style care package.
The shower provided plenty of hot water, and I soaped up with my new bar, whil
e searching my memory for the missing details of the night before. The fire crackled and roared as Ted and I lay tangled together on the floor. His warm breath on my neck. His body, lean and hard against mine. Hands explored. Gasps and sighs melted into a heavenly blur. His smell and the way he tasted. His lips and tongue. And then...nothing. I fell back against the tile wall and lifted my face up to the water to pound the head fog away.
When the hot water ran cold, I stepped out, and cracked the door to make sure I was alone. Pulling on the robe, I went back to the bedroom. On top of my folded clothes was a note that read, "Coffee in the kitchen." I dressed, finger-combed my hair and stepped out to the hall. Coming down the stairs I called out, "Ted?" No answer. At the bottom of the staircase, I looked toward the darkened living room where nothing stirred but the tap of rain against the windows. The floorboards creaked as I followed the aroma of coffee.
A coffee maker with a half-pot on its warming plate awaited me at the counter. Laid out next to it were a white porcelain mug, teaspoon, cream and sugar. I helped myself and then retraced my steps to find Ted.
The house was a sprawling craftsman, with many rooms that I didn't feel like exploring. "Ted, where are you?"
"Back here in the den." I followed his voice to a room on the other side of the house. Seated at a large oak desk, Ted hunched over his computer keyboard — mug of steaming coffee to his left, yellow notepad to his right. Without looking up he said, "Morning gorgeous, I'll be right with you."
I don't know what he was writing, but he banged on the keyboard like he was driving nails. From the doorway I said, "Remind me to never lend you my kitchen knives."
He flicked me a look and gave me a ghost of a grin, then went back to his computer. "How'd you sleep?"
I inched into the room, wondering what was on that computer screen. But more concerned about what I couldn't remember from the night before. "Okay, I guess. Thanks for the tee shirt."
He grinned without looking away from his keyboard. "You wore it well."
What did that mean? "How did you sleep?"
He kept pounding on the keyboard. "Like the dead."
"We had quite a night, huh?" I stepped further into the room. "Don't you think?"
A mischievous look bloomed on his face. "I enjoyed it."
I stood behind the tufted visitor chair in front of the desk. "Yeah, me too. What was your favorite part?" I cringed at the utter stupidity of the question.
He finally looked away from the computer and gave me his eyes, which twinkled. Keeping his eyes on me, he reached for his coffee and took a sip, then set it down. Resting an elbow on the desk he tapped his chin with his index finger and looked up to the ceiling. "I don't know, let me think." I bit my lip waiting for confirmation of a bawdy, sex-filled night, that I didn't have the decency to remember. He chuckled then curled a finger to draw me near. "Come here, honey."
I edged around to his side of the desk, the heat rising in my cheeks. He took my coffee mug and set it on his desk, then took my hand. "I promised you moonlight, champagne and roses, didn't I?"
I nodded like a preschooler. "Uh-huh."
He swept out his arm. "See any moonlight, champagne or roses anywhere?"
"So, we didn't...?" He shook his head. "Then how did I...?"
"When you fell asleep, I carried you to bed and tucked you in."
I raised my arms heavenward. "Thank God!"
Ted pretended hurt feelings. "You don't have to sound so relieved."
I bent and kissed his forehead. "I'm just happy I didn't miss it. That's the kind of thing I'd like to remember."
"I guarantee when that happens, you won't forget."
I laughed. "Is that a money back guarantee?"
He pulled me into his lap and planted a tasty good morning kiss on me. "You betcha."
My insides quivered, and I went in for another, but his eyes were back on the monitor.
I glanced at the computer. "Is there a problem?" I turned to get a full view of the screen, but he swiveled his chair and gently moved me off his lap. "What's going on?"
His jaw worked back and forth as he stared at the screen. "Nothing — work stuff."
I tried to look without looking like I was looking. It was an email and the subject line had the word emergency in it. "Is it serious?"
He tapped a few more keys, then hit SEND. Click, click, click and then he powered down the computer. He pushed away from the desk and forced a grin. "I've been playing hooky for a few days. And when the boss is away the little mice play way too much."
Since I was the poster child for respecting others' privacy, I couldn't insist he spill his guts. But whatever the problem, I knew it wasn't casual or simple. The worried eyes and jutting jaw was not Ted's happy look.
A text came in on his cell, that he quickly answered, then he stood up. "Sorry baby, I'd love to take you to breakfast, but I need to get to the shop. I'll drop you at home and call you later. Dinner? Tonight?"
I nodded and let him rush me out of the room. Five minutes later we were in his car. He drove a lot more like Zelda than himself, and I was glad when we got to my place without having to file an accident report.
"You sure I can't make you a breakfast? Zelda and Eric must be decent by now."
He gave me a peck on the lips. "Not today, honey. I'll call you later. Okay?"
I nodded, climbed out of the car and closed the door. We traded waves and I watched as he sped down the hill.
Chapter Fifty-Six
When I walked through the door, Boomer threw himself at me like I’d been gone for years. I scooped him up, let him lick and wag until the trembling stopped, then set him back on the floor. Muffled voices and giggles came from the kitchen, and I found Eric and Zelda hunched over coffee and doughnuts.
Zelda looked up and waved her fist in the air. "The conquering hero returns." She pushed out a stool with her foot. "Sit."
"Hey guys. How was your night?" I poured a coffee and ponied up to the butcher-block. They looked at each other and giggled. Ted was right, love is a many splendored thing. "That good, huh?"
Eric slid off his stool and bussed Zelda's cheek with his lips. "I'll call you later."
I pouted. "You're not leaving because of me I hope."
Eric smiled shyly. "Nah, you don't scare me. I gotta go meet a guy. Zee will fill you in." His eyes whispered a secret to Zelda, then he shuffled out of the room. A few seconds later, the door opened and closed, and we were alone.
Zelda beamed and I laughed. "Wow, girl you got it bad."
"I'm so glad you're home. I missed you."
I smirked. "Obviously, you didn't miss me too much."
Zelda stared into her coffee cup and shrugged. "It just kind of happened."
I gave her ponytail a yank. "Like one day you were minding your own business and the next day you were humping Eric in the jeep?"
Zelda smacked me in the head with her open hand. "Are you kidding? I finally found a guy I like and you call it humping?"
I stopped laughing. "Oh. So this is...for real?"
Zelda slid off the stool and went to the sink. "Is that such a stretch for you? That this might be real?" She scraped the leftovers into the trash and stacked the dishes, then filled the sink with hot soapy water. “I’m not a total loser.”
I went to her and patted her back. "I'm sorry. No it's not a stretch that a great guy would swoop you up. But you're always so flip about everything that I figured you were fooling around."
Zelda immersed the dishes into the steamy water then looked at me shyly. "I really like him, Scotti."
My eyes got a little dewy and I hugged her. "I'm so happy for you, honey."
Zelda only tolerated the hug for a few seconds, then nudged me back. "It's good, huh? Both of us having a guy at the same time?" She dried her hands on a dish towel. "And how was your night?"
"Okay."
She dragged me back to the butcher-block. "Okay? Bullshit. I want details."
I rested my arms on the counter. "Actua
lly, I fell asleep."
Her mouth dropped open. "You didn't do the dirty?" I shook my head. "Nothing? Not even a little something-something?" I looked up at the ceiling and blushed. "Okay, that's what I'm talking about. Go Ted! So, give."
I pulled out a stool and sat. "No."
Zelda smirked. "Okay, fine, I'll go first."
I held up my hand. "No! Too much information. Besides, we have other stuff to discuss."
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