by Everett, Ann
“Tizzy?”
“Shhh,” she whispered, kissing him just beneath his ear. She ran her fingers through his hair. “I love your hair,” she said, claiming his mouth again.
Ridge moaned.
Next, she ran her tongue along the line of his collar bone. “This is my second favorite part of your body,” she breathed in his ear.
“Tizzy, you’re killing me.”
She crawled over, positioned herself between his legs, leaned low, and kissed his chest.
“What are you doing? I thought you said we couldn’t have sex.”
She smiled down at him as she started her descent, her long hair sweeping across his skin. “I said I couldn’t. I didn’t say anything about you.”
Moving two more kisses south, she eased her fingers inside his jockeys, slipped them down and got serious.
Ridge sucked in a deep breath. “Oh yeah, that’s my girl.”
She clutched his hips, her nails biting into him, his body rocking against her mouth in rhythm until she heard him moan, felt his body quake, until the siege ended.
She trailed kisses back up his body and nuzzled at his neck. “Are you okay?”
Still struggling for air, he spoke in short gasps. “Okay? I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
Tizzy sat up straight. “Don’t ever say that. Don’t you understand? Even if I had the comfort of knowing you were in heaven, I’d never see you again,” she said, tears spilling from her eyes.
He gathered her in his arms. “Just a figure of speech, darlin’, but I won’t say it anymore.”
“Okay. I’m sorry. I promise this is the last time I’m gonna cry tonight.”
“On a change of subject, let me ask you something . . . hypothetically. Do you think a man could be having sex with two women and neither one knows about the other? I’m talking long term, not a one night stand now and again.”
“Hypothetically?”
“Yeah,” Ridge said.
“No.”
“That’s it? No reason, explanation, rant, questions?”
“I’m assuming this hypothetical is about the case. So, we’re talking about Carl. Right?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Really, Ridge? We’re in bed together naked and you’re gonna play the Ranger card?”
“Point taken, Miss Smarty-Pants. Yeah, it’s about Carl. So what do you think?”
“Carl and Marlene didn’t sleep together, but they still had sex, and I’m pretty sure Carl has been having an affair with Leah for a long time. You wanna know if Leah knew about Carl and Marlene?”
“How the hell did you know Carl and Marlene didn’t sleep together, but still had sex?”
“Good grief, Ridge. Boone lived with them for years.”
“Oh yeah, I keep forgetting. How do you know about Leah and Carl?”
“It’s pretty hard for a woman to hide her feelings about a man one hundred percent of the time. I’ve seen how they look at each other.”
“Well, women seem to possess a sixth sense about that stuff. You picked up on Ava from a slight scent of her perfume on my shirt. Ava picked up on you by my body language. So, you don’t think there’s any way Leah wouldn’t at least suspect Carl was having sex with his wife?”
Tizzy gave the question some thought before she answered. “It’d be a little harder in Carl’s case. After all, he was married to Marlene. He lived with her. He wasn’t sneaking around. She was in the house with him, in the car with him, at the bank with him. In public, they appeared to be a loving couple. They sat close. They touched each other. They were affectionate.”
Tizzy paused. “But knowing Marlene, that’s just the kind of thing she would have taken pleasure in. She wouldn’t tell her outright, she would drop subtle little hints. She would want to torture Leah with doubt.”
Tizzy ran her hand back and forth across his chest. “I saw the board.”
“What?”
“The suspect board. I took your laundry home this afternoon and I saw the entries under my name. Marlene died from an insulin overdose and that puts more suspicion on me because I work at the clinic.”
Ridge pulled her closer. “You know I don’t believe you did it, right?”
“It’s okay. If I didn’t know better, from the looks of that board, even I would believe I did it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ridge walked all around the red corvette, leaned in, opened the door, and took a closer look.
“Whattaya think? She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Tizzy asked.
He closed the door, took out his handkerchief, and wiped his handprints away. “Yeah, whose is it?”
“What would you say if I told you it was mine?”
“I’d say anything this beautiful suits you. Is it yours?”
She crossed the porch, ran her hand along the top, and patted the hood. “Yep, she was Boone’s pride and joy.”
Ridge pulled her body away and wiped the prints she’d left behind. “What model?”
She turned to face him, leaned against the door, tugged his body tight against hers, and kissed him.
Taking her two steps away from the car without breaking the kiss, he wiped the prints again.
“Really, Ridge? You’re kissing me and cleaning the car at the same time?”
“I’m sorry, Tizzy. We might scratch the paint. You didn’t answer my question. What model?”
“Men,” she mumbled, shaking her head. “The Golden Anniversary 2003 model. I think they only made a limited number of them. I don’t actually remember. Boone talked about it so much, I tuned him out. Apparently, you’re just as taken as he was.”
“She’s beautiful.” He walked all around the Vette, running his hand along the smooth lines, then made another circle with the handkerchief. “I wonder how fast she’ll go.”
“One-twenty-one.”
“You’re kidding. You’ve clocked this thing at one-twenty-one?”
“No. Lord, no. I’d never drive that fast. I’m not an idiot.”
He tipped his head down and rolled his eyes up. “So, Boone was the idiot.”
“That’s my opinion. I’m pretty sure you don’t agree. As a matter of fact, I imagine right now in your head you’re thinking about hitting one-twenty-one yourself.” She smiled and hugged him again. “But, in my head, I’m having sex with you on the hood and you’re not worried about scratches, prints or smudges.”
“Oh brother, here we go. Am I gonna have to put up with that in my head stuff all week-end? It drives me crazy . . . in a good way.”
“Would you like to go to Dallas in her?”
Abruptly, he broke her hold causing her to stumble. “Hell yeah! Do I get to drive?”
She steadied herself. “Only if you promise to drive the speed limit.”
He ran around the car, slid in behind the wheel, adjusted the seat, and moved his hands up and down the steering wheel. He rubbed his hand across the leather seat, leaned forward and looked out the window. “Well, get in.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“What?”
“Luggage?”
“Oh yeah. Luggage.”
* * * * *
Ridge punched in the four-digit code necessary for entry into Sherwood Apartments, and two large wrought iron gates automatically swung open. The complex was made up of single-story buildings with covered parking that stretched across the front of each section.
If Ridge had to describe his one-bedroom apartment, sparse and orderly would come to mind. Other than exercise equipment occupying the living room, the place appeared as if no one lived there. Across the hall into the bedroom was a bed, an overstuffed chair with a reading lamp, and a flat screen television sitting on a foot locker which had been turned up on its end for extra height.
Ridge appeared in the doorway with the luggage and cleared his throat, causing Tizzy to close the bedside table drawer. Seeing her embarrassment from the contents, Ridge smiled.
“I gu
ess we’re a little late with that discussion.”
“What?”
His smile widened. “Protection.”
“Oh.”
“Since my divorce, I’ve never had unprotected sex, not until you. And according to my sources, I’m the first man you’ve had sex with since Boone.”
“Your sources?”
“Yeah. Bubba and Lauralee.”
Tizzy broke into laughter. “Bless your heart. You think Bubba and Lauralee keep tabs on my sex life?”
“Bubba’s connected to Rayann, and she’s connected to you, and I think Lauralee knows everybody who’s having sex. Am I wrong?”
“I’ve had sex,” she mumbled.
He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight, and whispered in her ear. “I meant with another person.”
“Oh . . . well, in that case, your sources are right.”
He pushed away and smiled down at her. “Then we’re good, right?”
“Disease wise, we are, but what if I could get pregnant?”
“And that would be a bad thing?”
“Are you crazy? I’m old enough to know better. Besides, I’ve had one baby without the benefit of a daddy, and I don’t want to do that again.”
Ridge took her hands in his. “Who said this time it would be without the benefit of a daddy?”
“Isn’t it almost time for you to meet with Captain Reynolds?”
Her sudden change of subject told Ridge that she was uncomfortable with the topic, so he moved on. “Yeah, I’m no closer to solving this case than when I started.”
* * * * *
Captain Reynolds raised his eyes and looked over the top of his glasses. “Take a seat, Cooper. I’ve been going over your case.” He took his glasses off and pitched them down on his desk. “Anything new to tell me?”
Ridge tried to appear calm. The last thing he wanted to do was show his lack of confidence. “Both Leah Trammell and Carl Weston furnished solid alibis for each other. Norma Harkey was Marlene’s lover and the last one to see her alive. Kyle Richmond has a flimsy alibi from a woman he sleeps with on occasion, but I’ve questioned her twice and she hasn’t changed her story. Plus, I don’t see a motive for him. No hard evidence connecting any of them to the crime. Unless something changes, I’m afraid not. I’ve followed every possible lead and hit a brick wall each time.”
The Captain stroked his jaw with his hand. “Well, I agree there’s little to go on. Practically no physical evidence. All circumstantial. I‘m assuming you‘ve ruled out some suspects, including Tizzy Donovan.”
Ridge leaned forward in his chair. “No way she did it. She doesn’t fit the profile. She doesn’t have an alibi, but . . .”
Captain Reynolds stopped him short. “Hell, boy, you don’t need to convince me about Tizzy. I’ve known her since the day she was born. The girl hasn’t got an evil bone in her body.”
Apparently, he’d never seen her in a bar fight.
Reynolds eyed him and leaned back in his chair. “How well do you know her?”
Ridge’s stomach churned and guilt twisted in his chest. “Well enough to rule her out as a suspect. Given the victim’s dislike for Tizzy, I don’t think Marlene would agree to meet her at the cemetery, and I don’t think Tizzy could have killed her somewhere else and been able to move the body without some help. She’s not physically capable.”
“It’s unusual for a small town to have so much crime in a short period of time, and she’s been in the middle of it. Finding a dead body, then the incident in the bar. Is she doing okay?”
“Yeah, she seems to be doing fine,” Ridge said, quickly changing the subject. “Can you make any suggestions about the case?”
“No. I think you’ve followed every lead.”
Ridge breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Captain Reynolds picked up his glasses and chewed on the ear piece. “But most cases are solved by the little things, not the big ones. I’m gonna give you two more weeks to wrap this up. That’ll give you some time to try and break the alibis of the Trammell woman and the husband. And maybe something new will come to light to incriminate the lover or the Richmond guy. If you don’t come up with anything, I’m pulling you. I thought this case, because of its location, would be open and shut. I was wrong. Whoever did this thought it out and covered the tracks.” He leaned forward resting his arms on his desk. “Two weeks, Cooper. Then you’re done. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. Two weeks.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Ridge swung by the apartment and picked up their luggage and drove to the mall to meet Tizzy. He found her waiting on a bench just inside the entrance. “Wow, it looks like you went on a shopping spree,” he said, picking up her packages.
“I did. I had the best time. I got some clothes for Gracie, some candy for Rayann, and I even got you something.”
“You shopped for me? What’d you buy me?”
“It’s a surprise.”
His mouth curled into a grin. “I have a surprise for you, too.”
Once inside the car, Tizzy asked, “Oh, how did the meeting go?”
“He gave me two weeks to close the case.”
“Two weeks, huh?” She stared out the window, and her eyes began to mist.
“Yeah. But hey, let’s not let that ruin the rest of our week-end. We’ve got tonight and most of the day tomorrow before we head home.” He poked her on the shoulder. “Okay?”
“You’re right,” she said, noticing their surroundings. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to your apartment.”
“Part of the surprise for you. We’re not staying there tonight.” A few minutes later, he wheeled into the Radcliff Hotel.
Tizzy became excited. “Oh my gosh! We’re staying here? I’ve always wanted to stay in this hotel. They have real swans swimming in a pond inside?”
“They’re black swans,” he said.
“You’ve stayed here?”
“No. This is where Marlene stayed when she came to Dallas.”
“What about our luggage?”
“I took care of everything. Let’s get checked in, and later you’ll get the second part of your surprise.”
Ridge gave the valet attendant extra instructions concerning the car,then stood motionless, staring until it was out of sight.
Up in the room, Tizzy twirled around and fell onto the bed. “Look at this room. It is
so-o-o beautiful.” She stood up, walked to the desk and took out the leather-bound hotel information. “Let’s order room service.”
“Tempting as that is, it won’t fit into my surprise. I made dinner reservations.”
She ran her hands around his neck and kissed him. “When we get back to this room, I’m gonna be on you like a chicken on a June bug,” she said.
He began to laugh. “That’s funny . . . and strangely erotic.”
Ridge’s heart raced as he watched Tizzy step into her black form-fitting dress. She turned around and lifted her hair for him to fasten the one top button of the little backless number. He slipped his arms around her, pulled her tight against him, kissed the back of her neck, and fought the urge to tell her he loved her.
* * * * *
The hostess led them toward a small secluded area in the corner of the restaurant, where two couples were already seated. Tizzy leaned into Ridge and spoke without moving her lips. “Oh God . . . please tell me those people are not your family.”
Ridge tightened his hold around her waist. “Relax. You’ll be fine.”
“No, I won’t,” she whispered as she cemented a smile in place. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have worn something different.”
“What are you talking about? You look beautiful.”
She spoke through her frozen grin. “You don’t understand. This dress doesn’t say I want to meet your mother. This dress screams ‘I wanna get in your son’s pants!’”
“Hey, when we get back to the room, these pants are gonna let your dress have its way.” His hand slip
ped to the small of her back. Feeling bare flesh, his skin warmed. When they reached the table, he pulled out the chair for her. “Tizzy, I’d like for you to meet my mom Hazel Martin and her husband Charles, my sister, Erica Bentsen and her husband Robert. Everyone, this is Tizzy.”
Tizzy sucked in a deep breath. She sat down, and her leg started to bounce nervously beneath the table.
Erica smiled sweetly. “Ridge tells us you’re in the banking business, too.”
Tizzy shifted in her seat. “I am, among other things. My mom and aunt own a bakery, and my dad owns a bar, and I work part-time at both. Actually, I spend very little time at the bank.”
Erica’s husband, Robert, leaned forward. “I researched your bank. Your deposits are quite substantial for its size. Apparently, it’s being managed well.”
“Thank you. I’ll pass the compliment on to our president.” Her pulse quickened. “So, did y’all happen to be in Dallas this week-end?”
“No, dear. Ridge invited us. He wanted us to meet you,” Hazel said.