“Yes, I would have wondered why you hadn’t told me what exactly you did.”
“I told you I was a cop. And as soon as I was assigned directly to Keith’s case, I should have asked to have it given to someone else.”
“It doesn’t matter now, does it?” She shook her head as she selected more blooms from a large plastic bin in the professional-grade refrigerator at the far back of the workroom. She shut the heavy door with her hip and the latch automatically clicked shut. “Stop watching my hips, Rio. It’s distracting.”
“Yes, ma’am. And for the record, it does matter. Because we still obviously have some chemistry between us.”
“Chemistry isn’t enough to make something work when one partner is always gone. You disappeared in the middle of our, our...” She pursed her lips as she clipped away at unwanted leaves on the stems of some kind of purple flower.
“Our affair?”
He loved watching the color rise from her chest, bared by her crewneck, up her neck and across her cheekbones. It reminded him of the other ways, one in particular, that he’d made her blush so profusely.
“Whatever you want to call it.”
He laughed. “Kayla, you are hands-down the most complicated woman I’ve ever known.”
“Thank you, I think?” She put her gloved fists on her hips. “Rio, I understand that you’re here because you’ve probably been assigned to keep an eye on me. You and I know I’m nothing more than a witness—I wasn’t involved in the murder. Do what you need to do to get your job done. But don’t think you have to sugarcoat it with fancy coffee and polite conversation. We’re not supposed to be talking to each other, remember?”
“We can’t discuss your brother’s case, that’s all. And I’m not a sugarcoating kind of guy, Kayla. You know that. I’m here because I want to be. You can have SVPD cops checking in on you, but the regular presence of uniformed police in your shop probably isn’t the best thing for business, is it?”
“My customers aren’t afraid of the police, if that’s what you’re asking. Your colleagues crawled all over my shop at Christmas, after I delivered the flowers to Zora from the Female Preacher Killer. It didn’t hurt business then.”
He had to level with her.
“We’re watching the new mayor closely.” He watched her as he explained. “You mentioned that his wife frequents your shop. And now, with the wedding this weekend, it’s a good opportunity to try to learn more about them.”
“You’re using my business as your cover?”
“Not exactly. We need you to help us out.”
“I already told you, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.”
“That’s good, Kayla, but I need you to be careful. If the mayor is who we think he is, associated with the kinds of people we suspect, he’s a dangerous man.”
“Which is why his assistant is dead, I presume?”
“Maybe.” He hesitated, knowing he shouldn’t share everything with her, but somehow needing to. “Kayla, I suspect that whoever is behind your brother’s civil suit may be tied to the mayor, as well. I can’t say much more, but trust me when I tell you there’s a chance that as we delve into this murder investigation we may uncover some ugly facts.”
“Any chance the facts could clear Keith?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m hoping for, but again, I can’t promise you anything. You know that if Keith’s case goes to trial I’ll be stating that I don’t believe the charges against him are valid. And I shouldn’t say any more.” She looked so damn hopeful and he hated putting the encouragement out there when he, more than anyone, knew it could end up being a long haul. “I can’t say anything else about Keith, Kayla. And trust me when I tell you that the people on the other end of this, the persons I suspect the mayor may have ties to, are wily and loaded. It’s an uphill battle. Their coffers run deep and money keeps otherwise nonsensical claims alive in court.”
She snorted as she clipped the stems of several daisy-type flowers.
He watched as her tongue darted out to moisten her lower lip. “Kayla?”
“You think Keith’s innocent, too. Don’t you?”
He looked at her. Knew he shouldn’t do what he was going to do, what he’d wanted to do since he’d walked into her shop. Since he saw her last night, shivering in shock at the barn. Since he’d last made love to her, four months ago.
Her eyes were tired; she’d been up most of the night, as had he. But they reflected the same spark of attraction that he felt, the combustible chemistry that was making him hard. He reached out and cupped her jaw. “You’re beautiful, Kayla.” He didn’t have to pull her to him—she leaned in for the kiss.
When their lips met there was no pretense of it being a first kiss again, or a simple affectionate gesture. Her mouth pressed against his with equal force and when he slid his tongue between her lips she met it with hers. Rio stopped thinking and let Kayla’s moist breath, her soft gasps, her urgent caresses against his upper arms, take him away from the gravity of the case.
Her arms went up around his neck and he took the opportunity to cup her breasts as they kissed, then moved his hands to her firm butt and gently pressed her against his erection. Her work counter was up against his back and he used the support to take most of her weight, forcing her onto her tiptoes.
“I want you, Kayla. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”
Her reply was a quick nip to his lower lip before he felt cool air against his face. He reluctantly opened his eyes and found her stare unnerving.
“We aren’t supposed to be doing this, Rio.”
“I know.” He stroked the distinctly feminine curve of her lower back and watched as she bit her lower lip, trying to hold back the moan he wanted to hear.
“Stop, Rio.”
He lowered his arms and she took a step back. Her face was as bright pink as the tulips on the worktable and he couldn’t miss her hard nipples as they pushed against her shirt.
“I’m sorry, Kayla. When I’m around you my dick does the thinking.”
“That’s all it is, Rio?” Her tone cooled as quickly as he’d heated up during their kiss.
“We never lasted long enough to find out if it could be more.”
“Your career is your first priority.” She sniffed and picked up a bunch of green stems with fluffy leaves.
“And you don’t want to date a cop. And you can’t trust me, right? We’re back to square one.”
“Not exactly.” Challenge lit her expression. “We both want my brother’s name cleared. And I want to see this mayor get his due if he’s a bad guy. So do you. Let me help out as much as I can with the Charbonneaus.”
“No heroic measures, Kayla.”
“Fine, but if I get a chance to dig up dirt, I won’t stop.” They both grinned at her unintended pun.
Rio held out his hand. “Friends? For now?”
She grasped his hand and shook, nodding. “For now. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get these bastards, whoever they are. My brother is a gifted firefighter and law-enforcement officer. He needs to be doing his job.”
“Trust me, Silver Valley needs him to be doing his job.” He let her hand go only when he had to. Otherwise he would have tugged her back for another kiss.
CHAPTER 6
“You’ve done a lot this morning.” Jenny stared at the dozens of arrangements placed strategically across every spare inch of floor, counter and shelf space in the workroom. Kayla followed her gaze, realizing she hadn’t stopped since Rio had left over an hour ago.
“I couldn’t sleep. I—” She stopped herself. She couldn’t mention last night. “I, um, guess it’s catching up to me.”
“Want me to start putting them in the van?”
“Yes, thanks. The list is over there.” She motioned to the bulletin board, where she
had each day’s deliveries tacked in neat piles.
“Got it.” Jenny lifted two of the smaller arrangements and went out the back door. Kayla watched her and used the time to stretch. And tried to ignore the warmth that still lingered from Rio’s visit. Rio was like that—he filled whatever space he entered with positive energy. She’d never gotten much out of him about where he was from, or his childhood, but she assumed he came from a loving family since he had so much warmth under his cool cop exterior.
The silent vibration on her phone alerted her to the shop’s opening time. She made her way to the front of the building, flipping on the lights as she went. The bright blooms inside the shop’s refrigerated display case brought a bit of a smile to her face, even the morning after she’d witnessed a brutal murder.
Before she had the sound system turned on, the bell over the door announced a customer.
Gloria Charbonneau. The attractive woman sauntered into the shop as if it was her domain and not Kayla’s.
“Good morning, Kayla. How are you today?”
“Good morning to you, too, Gloria.” She forced a smile and didn’t dare call Gloria “Mrs. Charbonneau,” as she’d been rebuffed by Gloria when she’d addressed her as such over the phone.
“I thought we’d better do an in-person chat rather than another phone conversation. I am so sorry about my call yesterday. I sounded so frantic, didn’t I? But when Cynthia announced she was getting married and threatened to elope to Las Vegas—” Gloria said the words elope and Las Vegas as if they were coated with venom “—I had to make sure that didn’t happen. I mean, if she’s going to elope she should pay homage to her roots and go to Atlantic City, right?” Gloria chortled at her own joke. “No matter now. I’ve calmed her down, and she decided to give us almost two full weeks to plan a nice affair for her.”
Kayla wanted to point out that it was already Wednesday, and they actually had only a business week to plan.
“Next weekend is much easier than this weekend would have been, with Passover and Easter at the same time this year.”
“I thought so. Who wants to compete with the Easter Bunny, after all?” Gloria’s face was perfectly composed as she flitted about the shop, made up with what Kayla suspected was a cosmetics chest full of ultra-expensive lotions, creams and serums. Gloria couldn’t be much older than Kayla but acted as if she was of her husband’s generation. Tony Charbonneau was at least twenty years her senior. As polished as Gloria appeared, Kayla saw the nervous tic over Gloria’s right eye and how tight her hand held her car keys while a wristlet dangled from her arm. No amount of makeup could hide her tension.
Was she here to find out if Kayla had gone to the barn last night?
“Your home decor items are precious!” She held up a frog statuette. The green tchotchke contrasted with Gloria’s black clothing. She was decked out in the finest yoga gear and her figure screamed the hours she must spend in the gym. Kayla and she were the same age, but Gloria could pass for much younger.
Save for her overbearing, overcontrolling manner. That usually took decades to cultivate.
“I was wondering, did you have a chance to go by the barn last night?” Innocent enough, if not for the tic that continued to twitch over her eye.
Kayla swallowed. “No, I’m afraid I couldn’t swing it. I plan to go today.” Thank God Rio had told her how to handle this in advance.
“Great! I mean, I’d hate to have you waste your time. We’ve decided to have the wedding ceremony at our home. We’re getting a minister now, and the vows will be said in our garden. I’m having a tent put in next to the gazebo in case of inclement weather. We’ll have the reception at the same venue as the rehearsal dinner.”
Kayla surreptitiously bit the inside of her lower lip, a nervous habit she meant to break. Holy crap! Maybe Gloria was involved in the murder. At the very least she knew something. She’d changed the venue that she’d sounded so definite about last night. Before Meredith had been killed.
Kayla’s cell phone rang and she tried to appear casual as she looked at the caller ID. Rob Owings, owner of the Weddings and More Barn. She sent Gloria a quick glance.
“I’m so sorry, Gloria, but I have to take this. Why don’t you take a look at my wedding-idea file while I do?”
“Of course.” Gloria accepted the tablet computer from Kayla without protest.
“Tap on whichever suits your fancy, and we’ll come up with something together. I’ll be right back.”
Kayla moved to the far rear of the shop, where she could keep an eye on Gloria but still have some privacy.
“Kayla here.”
“Kayla, it’s Rob.”
“I know.”
“Oh, you have a customer. Look, I’m not sure if you know what happened at the barn last night—did you ever make it out there?”
“I drove by and saw the police cars. I found out someone had died from one of the SVPD and decided to go home. I didn’t call you because I knew the police would have to be in touch with you. I didn’t want to interfere.” Lying was easier than people claimed, she decided. Still, it stung that she couldn’t be open with Rob.
“I’m so glad you weren’t there, Kayla. Someone was murdered.” Static on the line indicated he was probably moving about as he spoke. “I know I’m being selfish but it’d kill my business if the news got out. It’s going to hit the papers soon enough, but I don’t need the town gossip mill going over it before that even happens.” Rob’s shaky inhalation wasn’t like him. “Anyway, I wanted to give you a heads-up that the mayor’s wife’s assistant just called and canceled the venue. She didn’t seem to know anything about last night, only said that they’d decided to move the ceremony to their home. I’m sure she’ll be in touch with you soon.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Rob.” She couldn’t say anything more.
“I’m sure we’ll get to work together again soon, Kayla. Without all of this craziness.”
“I’m sure we will, too.”
“Just answer me this, Kayla—you got there after that woman was killed, right? Or did you see something?”
Chills ran down her spine and across her forearms. Rob’s prying wasn’t unusual for him; he was a friendly guy. But after Rio’s warnings, she felt ambushed.
“No, as I said, I saw the cops and after I talked to a friend from SVPD, someone I recognized, I went home.” Her exhaustion was paying off in that her voice didn’t waver.
Rob breathed an audible sigh. “I’m sure glad of that. You could have been hurt—you never know about people, do you?”
“No, no, you don’t. Thanks for letting me know, Rob,” she said again. “I have to go, I have a customer standing in front of me.”
“Understand. I’ll be in touch.”
Kayla stared at Gloria as the woman’s perfectly manicured fingers tapped through wedding photos, but her mind was on Rob. His shape was a little round, his voice was low and gravelly—like the murderer’s, from what she’d heard and seen in the darkness. But it hadn’t been Rob—Rob didn’t have a mean bone in his body.
“Do you see anything you like?”
Gloria smiled, her expression so practiced that Kayla wondered if she did mirror exercises.
“These are all very sweet, but I have my own ideas. Can you come with me to the house?”
“Sure. Let’s set up an appointment. You said you want to have the wedding next week, on Saturday?”
“Yes. Thank goodness I calmed Cynthia down and she agreed to give me one more week to plan.”
“Why don’t we set up a time when she can be there, too?”
Gloria’s eyes widened. “That’s a little difficult. She’s in her last semester of law school and is taking a weekend to get married before her exams. It’s a lot to ask her to drive back and forth for the planning.”
“She mu
st be very smart to be able to take the time from her studies to get married before she finishes.”
Gloria shrugged. “The bar exam is the hard test, I’m told. Not the law school finals.”
Kayla didn’t argue, but personally thought getting married during any kind of final exam would be difficult at best.
“When can I stop by?”
“In two hours? I’ll provide lunch.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there.”
* * *
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, sweetheart. How’s my girl?” Mayor Tony Charbonneau stood to greet his daughter. Cynthia was a full head shorter than her father, but her face was a feminine mirror of his, albeit far more attractive.
Rio watched the affectionate display with the detachment that years of police work had given him. Nothing was ever as good as it seemed. Rio’s own father had been killed in Mexico, working as a DEA agent to take down a dangerous drug cartel. Rio wanted to believe every father was as honest and self-sacrificing as his own, but he knew from his work that was not the case.
Especially with Tony Charbonneau, who oozed slick politician the way a Bengal tiger stalking its prey oozed predator.
“Who are you?” Cynthia spotted Rio only after she’d stepped back from her father’s embrace.
“Detective Rio Ortega, Silver Valley PD.” He watched her open expression with the ferocity of a cornered badger. He gave her points for maintaining her composure, however, as she held her hand out to him.
“Cynthia Charbonneau.” He took her hand and noted that her grip was firm and practiced. As if she knew how to shake a man’s hand. Not all women did. “I suppose you’re here because of what happened to poor Meredith?” She looked from Rio to her father, her concern...proper. As expected.
“Yes, Detective Ortega was just finishing up, weren’t you?”
“Actually, no. If you don’t mind I’d like to continue to ask you a few more questions, and also ask Cynthia some if that’s okay, Mayor.”
Tony Charbonneau’s throat turned red and the flush crept up his heavy jowls, but he kept his smile pleasant, his demeanor casual. “Of course.” He motioned to the chairs in front of his desk. “Why don’t you sit down for a bit, Detective?”
Harlequin Romantic Suspense March 2016 Box Set Page 72