by J R Pearson
“I guess someone called the cops.”
Police cars swarmed into Cha Cha’s parking lot, including a familiar black truck. Why is he here?
Mandy gripped my arm.
“Is that who I think it is?”
Caleb’s tall frame got out of the vehicle, his steely eyes scanning the area before locking on to me.
“Run, Meatball! Run!”
As the cozy glow of Greenville came into view, Mandy slowed the car.
“I’m never letting you talk me into doing that again,” she said.
Hell, me neither.
I rested my head back and closed my eyes. That was a close one. I was pretty confident Caleb hadn’t recognized me in my ridiculous disguise. Which reminds me…. I instructed Mandy to pull into the Donut Hut and turned on the interior light. I wasted no time shucking off the death traps people called high heels. Whipping off the matted wig, sweat plastered my hair to my skull. Weirdly this was the tamest my curls had ever been. I tossed the disguise in the dumpster and slipped on my flats. No point in changing into my regular clothes. I’ll wait till I get home to trash the skirt and top and just snuggle in my pajamas.
Except Mandy had to.
“Shoot, you have a movie date to get to.” I glanced at her ensemble.
“It’s okay. I’ll keep it on. I want to see the look on Josh’s face when he gets a load of this.” She shimmied her shoulders.
“I’m sure he’ll love it.” I removed a beer nut from her wig. Josh, wherever you are, brace yourself. “While we’re here, how about I treat us to a donut?” I offered.
“That’s the best thing you’ve said all night.”
The Donut Hut had another forty-five minutes before closing. The owner, Diana, a jolly round older woman, was kind enough to make a fresh batch of glazed donut holes and surprised us with a fresh cup of coffee on the house. I’d known Diana since I was a kid and proud to say she was the reason for my sugar addiction. The second we first met, I knew I wanted to be her when I grew up, making and eating fried dough for a living. I know, I know, it’s not healthy, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, she was like the town’s aunt, bearing tons of advice at the ready. And right then I had a feeling she knew Mandy and I had a crazy night.
“I really needed this, thank you,” I said, taking a sip.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Diana smiled, her cheeks like apples. She began to sweep the floor. “You remind me of myself thirty years ago.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “Stumbling through the door, no shoes, thick makeup on. Panties nowhere to be found and the word guilt written across my forehead. Though I only looked like that the morning after, if you know what I mean.” She winked.
Mandy fist-bumped her.
Oh, what a night.
When Mandy dropped me off in front of our apartment, I told her to have a good time on her date and to take it easy on Josh.
“Those heels are deadly,” I reminded. She laughed, then drove away. I rode the elevator up, my keys ready. Halfway to my door, I imagined soaking in a lovely lavender-scented bubble bath. A glass of—
Suddenly, a heavy hand grabbed my shoulder.
I let out a scream and swung my purse around like a blindfolded kid trying to find the piñata. I hit the target and heard whoever it was grunt.
“What’s in that thing? Bricks?! Jennie, it’s me!” Caleb dodged, apparently amused but red-faced.
“Jeez, don’t do that. You scared the shit out of me,” I snapped, laying a hand over my galloping heart.
“I’m sorry.” His eyes took in my outfit. “I must be seeing things,” he said rubbing his chin. “Tonight I saw a woman wearing the exact same getup.”
Play it cool, I ordered myself.
“I guess me and whoever you saw shop at the same store.” I shrugged. Yeah, Sluttys R Us.
“I saw her at a dive called Cha Cha’s. Heard of it?” he asked, watching me closely.
“Uh, yeah I have. Not a fun place. You shouldn’t hang around there,” I said, briefly examining my nails.
Caleb shook his head.
“That’s not all. She also had the same beautiful green eyes.”
A voice in my head shouted, Retreat! Retreat!
“So do lots of other people on the planet.”
“No.” Caleb brushed his fingertips along my wrist. Despite the cool air-conditioned hallway, his touch sent warm zings up my arm. “Not like yours. They darken when you’re hiding something. Like right now.”
“Sounds magical but realistically, it must be the beginning of an infection. I should go call my doctor.” I turned toward the door but ended up blocked by his arm.
“There’s more going on here, Jennie.”
“Then it’s probably gas. Might not want to stick around,” I warned.
“Fine.” He leaned away.
Jackpot! I’m actually pulling this off.
“But know this,” he began again.
Crap! So close….
“Yeah?” Our eyes locked, seconds ticking.
“You look really sexy with red hair.”
Sexy? Never heard that word before. I mean I have, but not involving me with appearances. I, myself, have used it only when describing a macho grande beef burrito.
“Thanks. Although, I don’t think I’d actually dye my hair that color. It’s so bold, but the wig lets me imagine what it would be like—” Realizing my mistake I quickly shut my mouth.
Caleb smirked.
Busted.
“You see, it’s actually a funny story.” I was deep in a hole. Maybe I could somehow climb out of it? “It’s also a long story, and I don’t want to bore you with the details.” I tried laughing. Humor was always good to smooth things over.
“Go ahead.” Caleb frowned.
I guess not.
Putting space between us, he crossed his arms, arching a brow. Not a laugh line in sight.
“I’m listening.”
I sighed and then told him everything.
Chapter Thirteen
“Unbelievable.” That was the only coherent word he’d used since I finished confessing my sleuthing quests. There was a lot of mumbling and cursing and him looking none too pleased. “I recall telling you to not get involved.”
“No, no. Your exact words were not to worry about it.” I lifted my chin.
Caleb roughly raked his hands through his hair, strands sticking up in different directions making him look even more adorable.
“Okay, here’s a new one. Back the hell off,” he pressed.
Folding my arms, I fired away.
“What about you answering all my questions last night? Hmm? Remember that?”
“That was just to keep you satisfied. I was hoping it would last until the end of my investigation. Clearly I was wrong.”
“Yeah, clearly. But did you listen to anything I said? Anthony had a girlfriend—”
“I know about Maria Sanchez. I’ve already talked to her. I was tagging along on the call to Cha Cha’s to ask a few more questions.”
“Is she a suspect? Is it true Anthony named her as a beneficiary in his will?”
“I’m not going to ask how you know any of that and yes, he did.” He sighed, rubbing his face.
Mrs. Genova was right.
“Maria told me she was visiting her parents during the time of the murder. Is that also true?” I ask.
“Her alibi checks out.”
“Okay, what about Mrs. Genova? Where was she? She had several good reasons for killing her husband,” I pointed out.
“She’s been ruled out too. Though, she didn’t make it easy for me,” Caleb revealed.
I snorted.
“That’s not a surprise. The woman nearly ran over my toes—”
“What?”
“Nothing.” I smiled innocently.
Caleb shook his head, mumbling under his breath again. I caught the words “crazy town” and “stubborn woman.” Switching major gears, I let my fingertips trail up his arm.
“Neve
r mind that. Seeing as you’re the smartest detective I’ve ever met,” I cooed, coating my words oozing charm, “no doubt you know about Anthony’s side job.”
Caleb grinned, catching my hand.
“I may have a few leads,” he said softly.
“What—” My question evaporated when he pressed his lips to my skin. My blood boiled. In the dream and now this. Is it weird to be jealous of your own hand?
“And since you’re the most meddlesome woman I’ve ever met, you must know too.” He nipped a knuckle.
I snatched my hand away from the chuckling detective.
“You’re right. I do know. And it involves Luca,” I bluffed, totally winging it.
“What do you know about Luca?” Caleb frowned.
Interesting reaction.
“That he and Anthony have lots of money. Enough money for Luca to afford a new house and Anthony to buy expensive jewelry for his mistress.”
“And?”
“Annnnnnd… I got nothing else,” I confessed.
Caleb tapped the tip of my nose.
“Nice try,” he teased.
I dropped my head back on the wall, groaning.
“Give me something. That’s all I’m asking. How am I supposed to watch my back when I don’t know what to look out for?” I threw my hands up. “Or maybe I did get myself into this and just forgot.”
“You have nothing to do with what Anthony and Luca were involved in,” Caleb said firmly, and I immediately pounced.
“In what? It’s big, isn’t it? My gut told me this was more than a wife finding out her husband was cheating. I mean come on, those round-trip cruise tickets had to be ten thousand dollars each. No way could a small-town manager suddenly become rich and afford that unless—” I stopped. A chill surged up my spine as I looked up at Caleb, my heart slamming against my chest.
“Unless he acquired the money someplace else,” he supplied, voice hardened.
“Illegally?” Watching Caleb’s jaw tighten, I got my answer. Anthony Genova certainly wasn’t perfect.
Unfaithful, yes.
But a criminal?
I heard the elevator moan to a stop. Its doors opened, and Mandy walked out alongside a handsome man with stringy shoulder-length hair. Her eyes ping-ponged between Caleb and me. I didn’t realize how close our bodies were until I stepped away.
“Sorry for interrupting, but someone”—Mandy pointed to her companion—”bought tickets for the 9 a.m. movie instead of the 9 p.m. showing.” The handsome man poked her side, sending her into a fit of giggles. “Anyway, Jennie, this is Josh.” She smiled, hugging his long arm. She practically had little hearts swirling around her head.
“Nice to finally meet you,” I said, then introduced Caleb. The two men shook hands.
“Wow, a cop? Far out.” Josh nodded.
“No, babe, cops are not far out,” Mandy snapped.
“Right, right. Bummer, dude,” he said.
Caleb placed a hand on my lower back. Close to my ear, he whispered, “Is this guy for real?”
“Pardon us,” Josh said, walking up to the door. “The sugar dumpling and I are going to snack upon that which is round, enticed of saltiness, and filled with fluffy cream.”
I looked to Mandy for translation.
“He means the caramel crème cookies I bought the other day.” She glanced at Caleb. “Or we can go somewhere else….”
“Nonsense, cupcake. They can join us.” Josh stepped on his loose shoelace and bumped into the door, causing it to swing open. “Whoa, you keep your door unlocked?”
Mandy and I shared a frown. Instantly, I went on alert.
“We don’t.” I moved forward, but Caleb stopped me.
“Stay here,” he ordered the three of us. I zeroed in on the gun in his hands. He pointed it low and then straight out as he entered the apartment. I linked my arm through Mandy’s as we waited. After what felt like hours, Caleb returned looking grim, the gun now gone.
“If you don’t mind waiting in my car, I’ll call this in,” he said.
Beside me, Mandy erupted.
“What are you talking about? Call what in?” She rounded on me. “Jennie, tell your boyfriend to speak in civilian language.”
“Please do as I say,” Caleb urged.
I shook my head.
“I’m not moving until you tell me what the hell is going on.” I glared at him.
Mandy pushed past me.
“Screw this. I don’t have time for cryptic talk and intense gazes,” she snapped, ducking around Caleb. “I’m a tax-paying citizen, and I have the right to see-Oh no! Our apartment!”
I dashed through the doorway. Stopping short, I gaped at the scene before me. It was like a family of tornados had a reunion. The living room couch was completely turned over, its cushions thrown across the room. Every drawer visible lay on the floor, our belongings littered everywhere. I walked into our small kitchen.
“Don’t touch anything,” Caleb advised from behind me. Food from the fridge and pantry also scattered the floor, milk and juice spilled.
“The bedrooms!” We raced into our rooms. I’d hoped the intruders were too tired to trash my room and bathroom.
Wrong. They saved the best for last.
Complete disaster.
I joined Mandy in the hallway. Her bottom lip trembled, and I felt mine do the same. Without argument, Caleb guided us outside to his car, then called the station. Josh comforted Mandy, who cried softly. I wrapped my arms around my shaking body and stared at the place I’d called home for five years.
Now violated.
The murders and now this. It has to be connected.
“Here.” Caleb draped his suit jacket over my shoulders, then pulled me close. I pressed my face into his chest. I didn’t have a problem with footing the bill for his dry cleaners since I was getting gunky makeup on his shirt.
“The lock didn’t look damaged. A pick may have been used,” he said, rubbing circles on my back. “I’ll question your neighbors and find out if they heard or saw anything.”
“Okay.”
“Yo, cop dude!” Josh shouted. “Those bastards destroyed my woman’s cookies! I demand justice!”
Two hours later, men wearing dark blue jackets and gloves finished scouring the apartment for evidence, dusting for prints. Conveniently, there were no witnesses to the crime. Officers took our prints for elimination, then helped us clean up. While cleaning, we didn’t notice anything had been taken. By midnight the apartment was decent enough to call it a night. I thanked everyone for their help as they left. Josh managed to lift Mandy’s spirits by departing with a kiss and a promise to buy a truckload of caramel crème cookies. He was definitely a keeper. Caleb left to go pressure the lab to speed up with any results. I helped Mandy to bed and set a hot mug of raspberry hot chocolate on the nightstand. Thankfully the intruders didn’t destroy our stash of cocoa powder.
“I’m so sorry,” I said to my friend. “I should have never gotten us into this.” If only it were yesterday again and somehow I’d obtained the power of seeing the future.
“It’s okay. It just means you’re getting closer.”
After a long shower, I changed into a cotton tank top and shorts covered in smiling frogs. My hair knew I was in a crappy mood and behaved enough to let me put it up in a high ponytail. I ended up looking like I had a bunch of curly fries on my head. I was prepping a mug of hot chocolate for myself when I heard a knock at the door. I froze.
My phone buzzed. On screen was a text from Caleb.
-I’m outside. Can I come in?-
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Now if only my heart would quit racing for an entirely different reason.
Chapter Fourteen
I let Caleb in and offered him coffee.
“Yes, I’d appreciate it.” He dropped onto the couch, his suit wrinkled and eyes tired.
I brought our mugs over and sat.
“The—”
“Has—”
&
nbsp; Our words collided again, just like they had that morning in Sweeney’s, though this time it didn’t end in laughter.
“Go ahead,” Caleb said.
“Has the lab gotten any results?” I asked, fingers crossed.
“I’m glad to say they have.” Caleb swiped his phone, then held it out to me. “A set of prints matched up to this man.”
“That was fast.”
“He’s listed in Greenville’s and West Emily’s criminal database. His prints are already filed. Cody Johnson. Seen him before?”
I did. Though not as Cody Johnson. In the picture, he had a mustache and goatee. With or without the facial hair, I still recognized the pale blue eyes.
Tyler Cunningham.
Lost dog, my ass.
I told Caleb about Tyler, a.k.a Cody Johnson, asking me to help find his aunt’s dog earlier that day. In the end, I felt stupid. I’d just confirmed where I lived to Cody/Tyler, making his job easier to later trash the place. Though how would he know I wouldn’t be here?
“Did he say anything else to you?” A vein protruded from Caleb’s forehead.
“No, he didn’t-wait! He gave me his number.” I dug the little scrap out of my purse, handing it to Caleb. “Maybe you could track his number and find him,” I suggested.
Caleb shook his head.
“No good. Guys like Johnson have throwaway phones.”
“Right. Why was Cody in the criminal database to begin with?”
“He’s been arrested a few times.”
“No kidding. What for?” I frowned when Caleb hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” I inched closer. His fingers twitched before intertwining them with mine. Earlier Caleb kissed my hand, and now he joined them together. I didn’t think anything of it. This could all be the heat of the moment, and he was just trying to comfort me. However, that didn’t stop me from feeling a tad disappointed over the possibility.
“I don’t want to get you involved further,” he says seriously.
“I understand, but two hours ago, this couch looked like it was trying to do a backflip and failed terribly.” I smiled weakly. He returned it, dimple showing. “I’m in deep. Starting the day I found Anthony.” Although it’d happened just a few days ago, it felt like a whole week had flown by.