Who are we kidding? This is no budding romance. More like a seriously offensive senior moment.
A deep groan comes from Jasper as if he were mortally wounded.
“The two of you were going on a date?” His brows hike as he inspects my father first and then his mother.
Dad nods with that wide-eyed charm. Thankfully for him, he was born with a face that no one could really stay mad at.
And Gwyneth looks as if she’s the cat who ate the canary.
“Mom?” Jasper shakes his head at the woman who can’t seem to contain her devilish grin. “No offense to Nathan, but he has a reputation for being extremely fond of the ladies.”
Gwyneth frowns heavily at her son. “I should hope so. I happen to fall in that category. Nathan, please excuse my son. He’s a bit overprotective of me.”
Jasper grunts as he looks to my father, “And I have two brothers that are just as overprotective.”
Camila chortles to herself as she sits back and watches my worst nightmare unfold.
She coos over at him, sparkler front and center. “Jasper is quite protective of those he cares about. That’s what I miss about you most.” She all but blows him a kiss. “Don’t give Gwynie such a hard time. It’s nice to know that romance doesn’t die once you crest the other side of the hill.” She runs her hand along my father’s arm and his brows hike up, amused by this young temptress by his side. “And I can see the lure. It’s safe to say, Gwyneth, you’ve managed to snag yourself the stud of the bunch.”
Gwyneth goes rigid as she looks to the girl she was so quick to upsell to her son. It looks as if the medicine doesn’t go down as easily as she was willing to dole it out.
How do you like that, Gwynie? Camila is trying to simultaneously steal my man and yours. Now there’s a reality check.
Dad clears his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable for the first time in his life.
“So Jasper?” He leans his way. “Rumor has it, there’s been an arrest in the case. Let me guess, disgruntled ex?”
“No, actually.” Jasper offers me a silent apology with his eyes. “It was Nessa Crosby.”
“Little Nessie?” Dad leans back. “Are you sure about that?”
Jasper ticks his head to the side. “We had an eyewitness come forward that placed her at the scene of the crime. And forensics confirmed it was her weapon that killed the victim.”
I catch his eye. “Who was the eyewitness?”
He pauses a moment and glances around the table. If we were alone, I’d tell her who it was. “I’m sorry, Bizzy. That’s confidential at the moment. But I’m sure it’ll all come out in the wash.” Luke was skittish to begin with. I should be the last person whispering his name—especially in front of three other people.
Luke.
Luke Parker, Shelby’s boyfriend.
Actually, that’s not right. Chelsea let me know Shelby cut him loose right before she was killed. He placed Nessa at the scene of the crime?
“Bizzy”—Dad interrupts my thoughts—“didn’t you grow up with Nessa? She’s no killer, is she?”
“Yes and no. I can promise everyone at this table she’s not capable of such a thing.”
Camila averts her gaze. “Believe me, even the tenderest of souls can be driven to the brink of madness.” I should know. I’m almost there myself. Although, even I would have to contest the fact I have a tender soul.
Gwyneth gives a wistful shake of the head. There’s been a man or two I would have gladly helped to the other side. Of course, I would never be silly enough to get caught. Murder is the kind of thing you need to give serious thought to. I’d make arrangements to have someone else take the fall. It would be an expert move. No room for a sophomoric blunder. All things would have to be considered from every angle. The target would need to have lots of enemies. The poor soul I’d pin the crime on would have to be an easy target themselves. Perhaps lots of angry ex-wives. She raises a glass to my father before taking a quick sip of her drink.
Dear God, my father is in mortal danger around this woman.
Although, she does bring up a good point. If you were going to pin a murder on someone, they’d have to be an easy target.
Nessa was an easy target. Nessa was angry with Shelby. That wasn’t a secret. Everyone knew she worked at the inn. And if she were there, her gun would be, too.
Camila shakes her head at me. “What makes you think Jasper arrested the wrong person?”
My mouth falls open as I look to Jasper. “That’s not what I said.”
Camila tips her head my way. “But that’s what you meant, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but—”
Camila leans in, her eyes locked over Jasper’s. “Not once did I question your acumen for doing your job. Bizzy, are you suggesting he’s less than capable?”
“No.” It comes out crisp and a touch too loud. “I’m suggesting that people, science even, can make mistakes. They can be deceived. I think whoever killed Shelby used Nessa because they thought she was an easy target.”
Gwyneth straightens. “That’s what I would have done,” she declares with a touch of surprise.
Dad leans my way. “Bizzy, do you feel safe at the inn? That’s two homicides back to back right here in Cider Cove—at your inn.”
“I’m fine,” I say. I’m about to extrapolate on the fact when Gwyneth looks to Camila with a touch of horror.
“My goodness, Camila, do you feel safe at the inn? It never occurred to me not to feel safe there.”
Camila chortles a dark laugh. “I have a concealed carry permit. I have my special little friend with me wherever I go. I feel more than safe.”
Camila has a gun? And she wasn’t sorry that Shelby was dead? Maybe I should revisit these pictures Shelby suggested she take. Huh.
Jasper offers me a hint of a smile just as dinner arrives.
Perfect, he muses. We can eat and get out of this mess. I’ll talk football or golf, or the moon landing with her father until it’s time to hit the door. I just hope Bizzy speaks to me after this disaster.
I nod over to him, reassuring him I would.
And Jasper does just that. He and Dad talk about everything under the sun—or should I say moon, while Camila and Gwyneth exchange odd catty little barbs that are almost worth the price of admission.
Who knew a twist of events would lead a man to wedge himself between these two scheming vixens? And to think that man is my father. Actually, that doesn’t surprise me all that much. He’s been known to cause a kerfuffle or two amongst the fairer sex.
Dinner wraps up and my father and Jasper each drop a wad of bills onto the table—and honestly, none of us can get out of here quick enough.
We pass Leo and Mack on the way out, both of which are staring deeply into one another’s eyes.
I think Leo is getting lucky tonight.
Here’s hoping, he says. By the way, your meal looked exhausting. I hope you get some rest, Bizzy.
Thank you. My night can only go up from here.
And it does. Gwyneth and Dad go for a stroll down Main Street while Camila stalks off in a huff.
And soon enough, it’s just Jasper and me.
I wrap my arms around this tall, strong, and far too handsome man by my side.
“For the record, Detective, I don’t believe for a minute that you’re less than capable.”
His lids hood low as a wicked smile crests his lips.
“How about we go back to my place and I show you just how capable I am?”
“And how would that be?” My eyes widen as I tremble out a short-lived laugh.
“Maybe I should demonstrate.” He lands a kiss to my lips.
“Okay. I’m in.” I run my finger down his tie. “I’m sure you’ll show me how capable the rest of you is soon enough.”
He gives a crooked grin. “You just gave me something to look forward to.”
“Me, too.”
We head back to his place—mostly because it’s lacking three pairs of ro
ving eyes and Jasper makes good on his word.
And he is very, very capable with his mouth.
With his career? I’m not so sure.
The only thing Nessa Crosby is guilty of is being an easy target.
And I’m about to prove it.
Chapter 13
It took less than sixty seconds of convincing to have Leo Granger join me in heading over to the Harris Financial office building.
I wasn’t kidding when I told him that I would be looking for his help. And thankfully, he’s not hesitating in giving it to me.
Leo gives an unwarranted grin out at the tall building paneled in mirrors. He’s ditched his deputy wear for a monkey suit and looks surprisingly dapper. I’m sure he’ll garner more than a few glances from the women inside.
“I scoured all of Shelby Harris’ social media sites and didn’t see a single picture of Luke anywhere,” I say. “Don’t you think that’s weird?”
“No.” Leo looks bored by the idea in general. “I went over her stuff, too. She liked pretty things. Luke is a dude. Dudes aren’t pretty.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. From what I could tell, most of these influencers had a handful of pictures snuggling with their boyfriends. I just find it odd that he was nowhere to be seen. Something doesn’t sit right about this. Shelby had her entire life on display. Why not her shiny new boyfriend?”
“Let’s ask the shiny new boyfriend.” Leo goes to open his door and I land my hand over his arm to stop him.
“Not so fast, Deputy Granger. Now that I have you alone in the privacy of your truck, I want you to tell me about the other transmundane classifications.” I still can’t wrap my head around the fact I’m something called telesensual. It sounds dark and mysterious, two words I’d hardly use to describe myself.
Leo relaxes back in his seat. “Okay, keep in mind I gleaned all this from my aunt—she’s dying to meet you, by the way. She and Georgie are fast friends.”
“Lovely. I can’t see a single thing that can go wrong with this.”
He chuckles at the thought. “Okay, there are the visionaries—people who can see things that are about to happen, have happened, or are happening somewhere outside of their current location. I don’t know much about them. Then there are the sibylline—those who have a knowing about things that are about to transpire. And the most interesting in my book—the supersensuals. People who can communicate with the dead.”
“The dead?” I all but shout the words. Good call on having this little talk in the safety of his pickup.
“I agree with you there.” He gives a little wink, acknowledging the fact he just read my mind. “Don’t worry. It’s not a catching condition. I’ve done some research and no one has two gifts, let alone all. We’ve got what we’ve got.”
“I won’t complain. Although, it’s not always a gift, is it?”
He offers a morose smile. “No, Bizzy. It’s not.”
I sigh as I look out at the building before us. “Let’s head on in.”
He pauses a moment as if he were rethinking the entire plan. “What would Jasper say if he knew what we were doing?”
“Not much, because he’s never going to find out. I’ve sworn you to secrecy, remember?”
That smarmy grin he’s been wearing like a Halloween mask glides off his face. “I’d like to advise against that.”
A laugh gets caught in my throat. “I bet you would. In fact, I bet that’s the real reason you agreed to come out with me. You just can’t wait to stir the pot between Jasper and me. What is it with you two anyway that you just can’t stand to see him happy?”
His head inches back a notch. “That’s not true. I’ll be the first to admit what happened between Camila and me was a big mistake. I wasn’t thinking straight. She assured me they were over. I should have cleared things with Jasper. Instead, I took a risk and it didn’t pay off. I lost my best friend over nothing. Jasper and I were closer than brothers.”
“That’s funny, he said the very same thing about you. And you should know—you were there prying into his mind just like I was.”
His chest rises and falls with his next breath. “Well, it’s true. And believe me, I’m going to fix this mess. It will take time, but if we can get even halfway to where we once were, I’ll take it. There’s nothing worse than being frozen out in no man’s land. Which brings me to the point I was making. If you don’t tell Jasper what you were doing with me, you’re taking the same risk I was.”
The thought sends a chill through me. In no way do I want to end up in the outs with Jasper.
“Fine. I’ll tell him. As soon as the real killer is apprehended. Someone is setting Nessa up, but he’s too stubborn to hear it. And that’s exactly why I have you here. We’ll go up like we talked about and ask to speak with Luke about a loan for a boat.”
“A boat. Right.” He gives a tug at his lapels. “After you, Mrs. Granger.”
“No, no.” I swat him on the arm. “I can’t be Mrs. Granger. Jasper will come after you with a hatchet for making me pretend to be your missus. We’re just—dating or something.”
Leo shakes his head as we head into the warm building and step onto the polished elevator.
“Fine”—he says—“we’re just dating or something.”
“Hey, Leo? Did you know Camila has a concealed carry permit? She has a gun with her at all times.”
“Yup.” He nonchalantly nods at a woman walking past us.
“Did you know she knew Shelby Harris? And that she wasn’t all that sorry she was dead? She mentioned something about Shelby connecting her to a photographer. Do you think that’s somehow connected to why she didn’t care for Shelby?”
He stops in his tracks, his eyes staring off into some unknown horizon. “I never heard anything about this. But Camila isn’t a killer.”
“How do you know?” I pull out my phone. “How can I find the photographer? Or even the pictures she took? I bet Chelsea Ashley might know. Or maybe I should just google Camila’s name.” I do just that and Leo scoffs.
“You’re not going to find the photographer that way.”
“You’re right. It’s just a bunch of links to her social media profiles and school functions through the Sheffield School Dist—” I don’t even finish my sentence before I hit pay dirt. “Oh my, wow.” A laugh bubbles from me as I follow the link at the bottom. “Ms. February Gear Head calendar, the naughty school mistress, Camila Ryder.”
“What?” Leo leans in as I hold the phone up where he can see it for himself. There she is in full color, leaning over a desk with a pencil in her hair. She’s donned a short plaid skirt and has her white button-down blouse cinched in a knot just above her belly button.
Leo moans and shakes his head. “I’m not touching this one. You’re on your own if you want to bring this up to her. This is recent. I bet Jasper doesn’t know about it either. Just remember, she has a gun.” A playful smile blinks on his lips. “But she didn’t kill Shelby. My guess is she’s hoping this goes unnoticed and eventually goes away. This is something she could lose her job over. I don’t know what she was thinking.” The elevator opens up and we step inside. “Let’s focus on this right now.”
“Fine. I’ll take care of Camila later.” On my own.
The elevator vomits us out into a spacious, bright environment with a white enameled reception desk ready to greet us. A garland of silk fall leaves lines the counter, along with a witch sitting on a pumpkin and a couple of mesh ghosts that look as if they’re about to topple over.
A brunette with a bright blue jacket and matching framed glasses sits up at attention. There’s a gold nameplate on her chest that reads CAROL in all capital letters. And as soon as we let her know we’re here to see Luke about a loan, she rolls her eyes.
I lean in. “Not a lot of faith in the guy, I take it?”
She gives a quick glance over her shoulder. “It’s not that. It’s just he’s sort of a scumbag.” She mouths those last few words out. “But you’re in the rig
ht place. He’s a genius at directing people where to go. He hasn’t been in the loan biz all that long, so I guess you can say he doesn’t quite have the hang of it.” She squints over at Leo for a moment. “Come to think of it, you’re the first people who have ever asked to speak with him in person.”
She stands and motions for us to follow along. “Usually I call ahead to see if they’re busy, but with this bozo, I think we’ll just surprise him in his natural habitat—video games.”
We hit the end of the hall and she swings the door open wide. “Got a client!” she honks out and he freezes.
There he is with his blond hair rumpled, socks sitting on top of his desk, a game controller in his hand, and his laptop opened, blaring music as if it were a heavy metal concert.
“Geez.” He quickly steps into his shoes and slams the laptop shut just as Carol entombs us inside the room with him. “Hey.” He motions for us to take a seat. “What can I do for you?” He extends a hand to each of us and we’re quick to shake it.
There’s something boyish about Luke in general with his wavy, sun-kissed hair, his round, clean-shaven face.
Leo presses out a wide grin. “My girlfriend is finally letting me get a boat.”
“Finally?” I lean back, not amused with the unfavorable light he’s chosen to paint me in.
Leo shoots me a look. “Don’t start getting on my back again.” He shakes his head over at Luke. “Women, right?”
Luke barks out a laugh. “I feel ya. In fact, I think we’re going to get along just fine.”
I tap my knee to Leo’s. Why did you have to go in that direction?
What? His lips twitch with a sly smile. You said you didn’t want to be the missus. Besides, most girlfriends are not big proponents of being replaced with a large water vessel.
I avert my eyes at that one.
Luke examines us both. “A boat is a beautiful thing. In fact, it’s the next toy on my list.”
Leo nods. “So your wife won’t mind.”
“You know what they say—what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” He pulls out a couple of forms from the filing cabinet.
Hey—I’m back to tapping Leo’s knee with mine—he doesn’t have a wife. He had a girlfriend.
Country Cottage Mysteries Boxed Set Page 31