Amber Reed Mysteries Volume One: Romantic Comedy Mystery Series Box Set (Amber Reed Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency Mystery Box Set Book 1)

by Zanna Mackenzie

  “Charlie no!” I yell, seeing my life flash before my eyes. I remember being told off by my mum for always having a messy bedroom as a kid. I still have a messy bedroom, it’s just in my own little flat now instead. I remember moving away to go to college. I remember my first kiss. It was like kissing a vacuum cleaner and took place in the woods behind the school with a boy called Darren Riley.

  Covering my eyes as though it will make everything bad go away I hold my breath, waiting for the moment when the car will surely launch itself into the air plunging us both to certain death. Bizarrely my mind flicks to Charlie. I wonder what it would be like to share a deep, meaningful kiss with him.

  Oh, flipping great, where did that come from? I can’t allow myself to be attracted to Charlie. I’m trying to persuade him to take me seriously and let me stay involved in this investigation.

  I force thoughts of Charlie’s attractiveness from my mind and instantly I’m back in the car facing certain death again. I’d rather go back to thinking about Charlie – it’s marginally less dangerous.

  It feels as though everything is in slow motion. The sound of the dumper truck is roaring in my ears but I daren’t open my eyes to see what’s happening. I try to breathe and distract my thoughts from the here and now with something else but it seems my brain, at this moment in time, only has two things it’s prepared to think about. Death and Charlie.

  I glance across at Charlie, concentrating on his driving. He could be the last person I ever see before we plunge off the edge into the abyss.

  At least it’s a nice last sight.

  I close my eyes again and brace myself for the sensation of flying through the air, then impact and darkness.

  It doesn’t come.

  I risk opening my eyes.

  Miraculously the car is still bumping along the track I realise with a rush of relief. We’re almost at the end of it now and about to turn onto the country lane out of the quarry. I look behind and the dumper truck has stopped a hundred metres or so back down the track.

  A moment later we’re safely on the road and I want to kiss Charlie more than anything in my life. I have no idea how he got us out of there safely but he did.

  He swiftly accelerates the car away from the quarry. “You OK?”

  “I think that just took ten years off my life,” I say as I let out a long breath.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have let you go up there with me,” he says all matter of fact. “I did say you should have stayed out of this but you said it was what you wanted to do. What you’d promised Ennis.”

  “I pretty much forced myself on you,” I admit, then cringe slightly as I realise I could have selected a better turn of phrase. “So I’m the one who is to blame,” I hastily continue. “Though when I wanted to come up here with you I didn’t realise I was going to end up in a life and death car chase with a dumper truck. They could have killed us.”

  “They could but they wouldn’t. They were just trying to scare us off.”

  “From what?” I finally uncurl my fingers from the edge of my seat.

  “That,” he replies with a hint of a smile and another racing-car-driver style gear change, “is what I intend to find out.”

  “If they had something to hide surely it would have made more sense to keep their heads down, answer the questions and hope all the police go away. Employing scare tactics, a warning, just makes us think they’re hiding something. Doesn’t it?” I try to settle back in my seat. “So what happens next?”

  “I’ll come back when nobody is around and do a spot of digging. On my own next time,” he adds pointedly. “Anyway I thought you said bringing a local with me would make them more amenable. Remind me never to listen to your advice again.”

  “Perhaps they were more amenable,” I reply. “If I hadn’t have been with you maybe this car would be smashed to pieces at the bottom of the quarry by now. Thought of that?”

  “Nah.” He shakes his head. “They might have been tempted but that wouldn’t have happened. For two reasons.”

  “And those would be?”

  “One, I’m too good a driver for that, and two, they don’t want crash scenes in their quarry as well as more dead bodies, meaning the police would be sniffing around even more and for far longer.”

  “When are you going back?” I ask, feeling my bravado resurfacing again now my near-death experience is over.

  “Like I’m going to tell you,” he says with a laugh and a shake of the head.

  “Are you going to break in?” I persist. “Is that what all those questions to Liam about what security the quarry has were really about? Is breaking and entering allowed under the CCIA rules and regulations?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Of course not, as the answer to which question?”

  “To both.”

  “What does that even mean?” I ask, feeling frustrated.

  He looks across at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road. “You’re full of questions aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Am I going to get any answers?”

  “Nope. Not yet. I’m thinking the less you know at the moment the better.”

  “But I thought we’d agreed, we’re a team.”

  “Not team as such. More helping each other out from time to time on this case.”

  “Charlie!” I start, worried he’s about to backtrack on our deal.

  “Relax,” he says, holding up a hand. “I’m a man of my word.”

  I heave a sigh of relief.

  “Are you sure you’re all right? I mean, after the dumper truck incident. You look a bit shaken,” he says as we arrive back at my car.

  “Of course I’m shaken!” I almost laugh at the absurdity of it all. “I’ve never had a huge truck try to drive me off a quarry ledge before.”

  “I realise that but…”

  I hold up a hand. “Yeah, I know, you did try to stop me getting involved. It’s OK. I’m fine.”

  He nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Good job he can’t tell my knees feel all wobbly.

  Before I close the door behind me I add, “Great driving back there by the way, Stirling Moss.”

  A smile flickers around his lips. I decide smiling suits his face – it lights up his eyes and softens his features.

  “See you later.”

  I drive back into the village, my mind in a whirl. Thankfully my car had still been in one piece. Not vandalised by quarry thugs, not squashed as flat as a pancake by errant dumper trucks. Checking the time I realise I have a few hours before I’m due at the pub for my evening shift behind the bar. Juggling two jobs can be tricky at times but I’m grateful for the money to help pay the mortgage on my tiny new flat.

  Closing my eyes I attempt to calm my breathing but visions of deep quarry ledges and dumper trucks crowd into my mind so I open them again.

  I’m stunned Charlie has agreed to let me accompany him on this investigation. I have just seen him in action up at the quarry and I’m more than a little impressed. A part of me is excited about helping out on the case. I’m also a little worried as well though. Can I do this? Am I really cut out to cope with the kind of dangers investigations might involve? I have to be. I promised Ennis.

  Ennis. I wonder how he’s doing. I have time to drive up and see him before I start work. Then I can combine checking in on him with telling him the news I’m officially on the case.

  Looking in the rear-view mirror I notice I’m even paler than usual. Nature always teams my hair colouring (strawberry blonde my mum described it as when I was growing up) with pale skin. Finding some tinted lip gloss in my bag I smooth a layer on and tidy up my ponytail. I want to look calm and composed when I see Ennis. He’s got enough to worry about without having concerns about me and my involvement in finding the truth about what happened to Joel.

  When I turn off from the road on the outskirts of the village up to where Ennis lives I notice another vehicle behind me. It looks familiar. Pulling up at the security gates at Ennis’
house I open the car door to walk across to press the buzzer on the gate’s intercom. People adept at manoeuvring cars manage to pull up just right so they can lean out of their window and press the buzzer. I am not one of those people.

  The other vehicle pulls in behind me. It’s Charlie.

  Has he been following me or is this just a coincidence, him turning up here at the same time as me?

  Before I can reach the gate’s intercom the huge metal panels start to slide open anyway. I turn and look at Charlie, still in his car, and making an after-you gesture towards the open gates. Ennis must have given him a spare remote control buzzer to automatically open the gates. Feeling embarrassed I race back to my car and pull away. Except I’m in the wrong gear and it stalls. My cheeks flush red as I turn the key and eventually lead our little convoy up the drive and round towards the parking area. By the time I’ve parked up and got out of the car my cheeks, thankfully, are no longer the colour of a Royal Mail post box. That’s another thing which goes with the red hair and pale skin – blushing easily.

  Charlie gets out of his 4x4 and walks towards me.

  “Why are you following me?” I ask, aware I don’t want to ruffle his feathers now he’s agreed I can work with him. Well, sort of work with him.

  “I’m not following you,” he replies easily.

  “Oh, right, you just happened to be calling round to see Ennis at the same time as me.”

  He holds my gaze. “No. I’m not just calling to see Ennis. I live here.”

  “Here? In the house? Since when?” I’m surprised Ennis is letting a stranger stay here but maybe he wants Charlie close by so he can keep an eye on him too.

  “Yes here, no, not in the house.” He inclines his head to the building behind us. “I’m staying in the separate guest wing and have been since this morning. Any other questions?”

  I shake my head. “No, not at the moment. I’m just going in to see how Ennis is getting on.”

  “Good, tell him I’ll be in to see him soon, just got some calls to make first. I want to update him on progress with the case.”

  “Will do. So what happens next? I mean, with the case. Now that we’re working together you’ll keep me informed of our next move won’t you? Let me give you my mobile number.” I dump my bag on the bonnet of the car and ferret around inside for a notepad and pen. Charlie watches me, an amused expression on his face. “I know I have a notepad in here somewhere.”

  “Looks to me as though you’ve got everything but the kitchen sink in there. Why don’t you just tell me your number and I’ll key it straight into my phone?”

  Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? We exchange phone numbers.

  “So we’ll speak soon?” I say, wanting him to confirm he’ll be in touch.

  “We’ll speak soon,” he confirms, flashing me a smile before heading off towards the guest wing.

  I ring the bell on the back entrance of the house and wait. Ennis’ house is grand but not palatial. Compared to the kind of homes you see some actors living in I suppose this one is actually pretty modest. It’s been here for around a hundred years and is built in art deco style.

  Moments later I’m relieved to see that it’s Ennis who opens the door, not Siobhan. “How are you?” I ask, taking in the haggard look on his face.

  “Not bad considering,” he replies, beckoning me inside. I follow him down the hall and into the kitchen.

  “Want a drink?” he asks, nodding towards the kettle.

  “No thanks. I just wanted to call round and check on how you were.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  He shakes his head, a brief flicker of amusement in his eyes. “I’ve known you too long and too well. I can see you’ve got something to tell me so come on, out with it.”

  “I’m on the case,” I blurt out. “Charlie has agreed to let me shadow him for the duration of the investigation.”

  “I knew you could do it! Should have just let you work your feminine charms on him in the first place. That’s brilliant news, Amber, thanks so much. I really appreciate it.”

  “Like I said before, anything I can do to help I will. To be honest I’m amazed he said yes. Unsurprisingly he caught me trying to follow him and he knew straight away who I was. He said I couldn’t work with him at first but then he changed his mind.”

  “Probably fancies you,” Ennis says. “Anyway, I’m just glad he’s agreed. So have you been out with him whilst he’s been working today?”

  I nod. “Yes, up at the quarry. Nothing new to report yet though. We met with Liam but I don’t think it was much use.”

  Ennis sighs and pushes a hand through his hair. “Still, I’m grateful, Amber. I know it’s early days but we need to find some answers before the police make their official statement about Joel’s death and the newshounds from hell descend on us.”

  I place a hand on his arm. “We’ll find out what happened, I promise you.”

  “I still can’t believe he’s dead,” Ennis says, slumping into a chair. “I can’t help thinking it has something to do with me. I’m feeling paranoid about going out, about Siobhan being out and about. What if whoever did this is targeting my family?”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing like that.” I pause, wondering whether to say what I’m thinking. “Speaking of family, have you spoken to your parents yet?”

  “No. Mum and Tony are on their holidays this week. I don’t want to ruin it for them. They’ll be back before the news is out there and then I can go and tell them in person rather than over the phone. I don’t want to tell my dad before I’ve told mum so, for now, I’m keeping quiet. I’m praying we’ll have some answers by then as well. I can tell them everything at once.” He looks across at me. “I’m dreading it, Amber. They’ll be devastated and my dad will blame me. Joel died whilst he was visiting me.”

  I step towards him and put my hands on his shoulders. “Of course they won’t blame you.”

  Ennis pushes to his feet and envelops me in a fierce hug.

  “Oh, sorry.”

  We turn to see Charlie standing in the doorway.

  “Didn’t mean to interrupt, I’ll come back later.”

  And with that he disappears.

  “I must have left the back door open when I let you in,” Ennis says.

  There’s the murmur of voices in the hallway and then Siobhan walks into the room. Her expression clouds over at the sight of me. Probably not helped by the fact Ennis still has an arm around my waist. I slowly step away from him.

  “Siobhan,” I smile. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine,” she replies.

  “Good, good, I’m glad. I just called round to tell Ennis that Charlie has agreed to let me follow him around during the investigation.”

  She nods. “That’s good news.”

  “Well, I’d better make a move. I’m working at the pub later and need to go home and get changed first.”

  On the way to my car I see Charlie standing outside the guest wing as though he’s waiting for me.

  “Leaving already?”

  I walk over. “Yes, bit of a flying visit. I have to go to work soon.”

  “Right, working at the pub. So, you and Ennis huh?”

  “What?” I take a step back. “Oh, that hug you just saw in the kitchen? No, you’ve got it all wrong. We’re just friends.”

  “I didn’t mean that hug. I meant about you and Ennis dating when you were at university. You neglected to tell me that little snippet earlier.”

  “So how did you know?” The pieces start to fall into place. When I just said I was working later he said I would be working at the pub. I never told him I worked at the pub, just the newspaper. I didn’t mention Ennis and I used to be an item, but he knows.

  He’s run a background check on me.

  I turn to face him. “Somebody has been doing their homework.”

  “Of course.” He shrugs as though checking up on people is an everyday occurrence for him. Actually
, it probably is. “So why didn’t you tell me you two dated?”

  “It was ten years ago. Nothing to tell.”

  “I beg to differ,” he says.

  “I didn’t think it was relevant. What difference does it make now?”

  A door slams behind us and we both turn to see Siobhan flounce towards her car, she spots Charlie and me. Smiles at Charlie and then glowers at me. What did I do now?

  “Want to come inside a minute?” he asks. “Might be better to finish this conversation somewhere more private. You’ve got time?”

  I follow him inside as Siobhan’s car disappears down the driveway with a screech of tyres and shower of gravel.

  The guest wing is every bit as amazing as I thought it might be. I’ve visited the main house many times but never the guest wing. Downstairs there’s an open plan living space complete with log burner for those chilly nights. The kitchen is a glossy red with all the top of the range appliances and sitting off to one side there’s a huge oak dining table that would easily seat ten people. The whole thing is overlooked by a glass and steel mezzanine, off which I presume are the bedrooms.

  Charlie leans against a kitchen countertop. “Look, there’s no easy way to say this but your involvement with one of the suspects…”

  I cut him off mid-sentence. “Suspects? Ennis isn’t a suspect!”

  “I’m afraid he is a suspect. Joel died whilst visiting Ennis. It’s common knowledge the two of them didn’t get on. Joel’s wayward behaviour attracted a lot of bad press and media attention, both things Ennis is keen to avoid. It’s not a huge leap from there to think he could have been involved in Joel’s death.”

  He’s speaking so calmly, so matter-of-fact but I feel anger bubble up inside me at his words. “No.” I shake my head. “Ennis would never do something like that. Absolutely not. I mean, think about it logically. Why would he hire the agency to solve the case in double quick time if he was the one who killed Joel? He’d have let the local police deal with it, not bring in specialists.”

  “Could just be calling our bluff,” he reasons. “He hires us so it looks as though he’s desperate for answers, and it means we’re reporting to him as well as to the authorities. Then he ensures he’s kept even more in the loop about progress on the investigation by asking you to help him out and shadow me. Saying it’s because he’s concerned about my trustworthiness. Now, he’s got you feeding him insider stuff too, so if necessary he can take whatever measures he needs to in order to ensure he keeps his part in the death a secret.”