Harlequin Romantic Suspense March 2016 Box Set

by Carla Cassidy

  “Why don’t we turn these files over to our data analysts for now? You both have work to do and our time is dwindling.”

  “What, exactly, am I supposed to do at the rehearsal dinner and wedding, besides observe?”

  Claudia motioned to the seats in front of her desk. “Keep talking, and listening.” She pressed a button somewhere on her computer and within two heartbeats her receptionist was in the office with them. “Take this to IA and tell them I need a full summary of their findings ASAP. This op has priority.”

  “Sure thing, Claudia.” The young woman disappeared through the thick, soundproof door. Kayla knew that IA was Information Analysis, the busiest department in Trail Hikers. There were analysts trained in varying levels of cybersecurity, intelligence and data analysis, along with dedicated database experts. Rio had mentioned that if SVPD had an iota of the power that existed in the Trail Hikers IA department, there’d be little chance of any criminal ever escaping justice in Silver Valley—or all of Central Pennsylvania for that matter.

  “Kayla, we brought you in here because we trust you, and you have the perfect background to handle the kind of cases the Trail Hikers take on, due to your upbringing overseas. We ran background checks on you because of your proximity to the Female Preacher Killer case, so we know you’re able to hold a clearance. Since you’ve found yourself in the middle of the murder of the mayor’s assistant, it’s useful to us that you can stay close to the family in your role as a florist. We believe that both the FPK case and this murder are connected, whether directly or more tangentially, to the infiltration of Silver Valley by the former members of the True Believers. The FPK wasn’t tied to the cult, but the churchgoers who tried to bring charges against your brother were represented by a former cult member. Although thanks to Rio’s concentrated efforts, that’s history now.”

  “You really believe they’re trying to set up in Silver Valley, don’t you?”

  “It’s not what I believe that’s the issue, Kayla. It’s the evidence and facts that tell the story. Rio, what’s your take after looking at a bit of the data?”

  “It looks like simple accounting data. Until IA gets into it, I can’t be certain, but I’m thinking they’re going to discover that the new mayor and a few of his closest confidants have not only been elected illegally, but that former Mayor Donner was kicked out of office on false charges. It will tie back to the True Believers, just like the case against Keith and the SV Fire Department did, though I don’t know how yet. We have to work from what we know of how they operate. The True Believers make it easy for themselves. They don’t try to brainwash someone like you—” he looked at Kayla and Claudia “—or me, but rather, they exploit the weak. Those already on the fringes of participating in regular, everyday society as we understand it.

  “In the case of the Charbonneaus, they’re too strong to ever believe the evil nonsense someone like Leonard Wise preaches. But they are power-greedy and liable to fall for a chance to start a legitimate political career. They wouldn’t hesitate to take funds from them and use their help to get Tony elected. Of course, now Tony owes them.”

  “How did they get residency and set their sights on Silver Valley? Why not another town in the state or back in New Jersey?” Kayla wished they’d never come to Silver Valley.

  “We don’t know all of those answers yet, Kayla, but you and Rio may find them out in due course. What I need you to do is keep listening, keep observing and stay alive. I’d like you wired for the wedding. Rio will handle it. The rehearsal dinner will be too scattered and the venue too noisy, but you may capture some significant conversations while you’re placing the flowers at the house.” Claudia’s face bore no evidence of the long hours this was forcing all of them to put in and Kayla silently wondered how the woman managed to do it. “Where will I get wired? Here or at SVPD?”

  “Here, or even better, at my place. If you’re seen going to and from SVPD by anyone, it will definitely put the Charbonneaus on the defensive.” Rio put his hand on her forearm. “Which could get you killed.”

  Kayla didn’t miss that Claudia noted the personal gesture, but unlike a place such as SVPD, or even her floral shop, it didn’t seem out of place in Claudia’s office. It was as if the CEO of the secret agency trusted her agents no matter how part-time Kayla was to the agency.

  “I’ve got the world’s best training, remember? I understand that it’s preliminary, though, and that I’m not a full-blown agent. I won’t take any unnecessary risks. I’m not going to get killed and we’re going to take these losers down.” She never thought she’d ever say those kinds of words about a wedding, but so be it. Her childhood had taught her to be adaptable in many difficult situations, and her recent training empowered her to continue in the same manner. And if worse came to worst, Kayla had the small pistol she’d wear at both events this weekend.

  CHAPTER 16

  “I’d say it’s been a successful night.” Kayla was next to Gloria, who stood apart from the crowd at the Serenity Inn’s bar. They had moved from the dining room after dinner was cleared.

  “Yes. Thank you again for finding those gavels. Charles was touched. Did you see him smile?”

  She hadn’t, but wanted to keep Gloria talking. “Yes, he’s so happy to be marrying Cynthia.” She thought he was getting screwed, since Cynthia was all about Cynthia, but it wasn’t her concern. “And it’s so nice to see how his children have all accepted her so warmly.”

  Gloria snickered. “Don’t let it fool you. Those kids are all on the fast track to stellar law careers like their father. They don’t like Cynthia but they don’t want to upset their father, and the source of their security.” Gloria’s face was twisted into a shrewish expression.

  “They seem friendly enough to me.” The judge’s children were adults, with the youngest graduating from Dickinson College with a political science degree. Coincidentally, Cynthia attended law school there. Did Cynthia spend time with Blackwell’s youngest or any of the other two kids? She didn’t see it, unless it helped Cynthia get closer to their father.

  Cynthia looked over her shoulder from a rotating stool at the bar and spied Kayla speaking to Gloria. Within seconds she was with them, her makeup still perfect and her low-cut black cocktail dress highlighting the perfectly round shape of what Kayla assumed were C or D cups. Like the rest of her, they’d probably been bought.

  “What are you still doing here, Kayla? We don’t need any more flowers tonight, that’s for sure.” Cynthia took a swig from a drink that looked like a gin and tonic with a lime garnish, but she certainly wasn’t acting intoxicated.

  “I was checking in to see if you need anything else tonight. If not, I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll be at the house by eight to check on the work Jenny did tonight.”

  “Don’t wake us up if we’re still sleeping.” Cynthia took another sip. Gloria looked uncomfortable, as if she’d rather be anywhere else but next to her stepdaughter.

  “Regardless of when you get there, please feel free to come into the house in the morning. I’m having a breakfast and brunch catered up until thirty minutes before the ceremony. Help yourself to a meal and, of course, coffee.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate that.” She had no intention of having a cozy brunch with the Charbonneaus, but she might be able to use the excuse to do additional investigative work inside their home.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go,” Cynthia said, giving Kayla a pointed stare as if to say You need to go, too. Kayla wasn’t sure what bothered Cynthia about her, but something obviously did, right from their first meeting at the mayor’s house. Kayla walked back toward the bar.

  “It’s not you, you know. She’s mean to everyone she works with and even her closest friends.” Gloria spoke as if she’d recited the words several times.

  “I’m sure it’s just wedding jitters.” Kayla wasn’t sure of that at
all, but wasn’t about to express her real thoughts. “I’ll collect the centerpieces and deliver them in the morning if you’d like.”

  “Oh, no, I only want what we’ve planned for tomorrow at the house. I don’t care what happens to these.”

  “Okay, then, see you in the morning.” Kayla had hoped to use cleaning up the flower arrangements as another way to extend her time at the rehearsal dinner. At least she could ask Molly if it was okay to leave the flowers on the tables. As she walked past the bar toward the kitchen’s swinging doors, she took note of who was still at the function. Charles Blackwell was at one corner of the bar with a few men and their wives, all about the same age. She’d seen his children depart right after the cake had been cut. Cynthia held court with her bridal attendants, who were mostly her age and from New Jersey. Gloria stood next to Tony, at the end of the bar with Mickey, Sylvia and a few other people Kayla figured were extended family members.

  Molly was in the midst of cleanup in the kitchen, looking frazzled. She smoothed out her expression when she saw Kayla approach. “What can I do for you?”

  “Nothing, I just need to know if you can use the flower arrangements. They don’t want them and I’d hate to see them go to waste.”

  “Yes, we can definitely use them for a catered tea tomorrow. It’s a ninetieth birthday celebration and since the local assisted-living facility is throwing it, they’re on a tight budget.”

  “Wonderful. Do you need me to move them to another room?”

  “You don’t have to. One of the busboys can do it in the morning.”

  “No, really, I’d like to. You’ve been so nice to work with, as always.” Kayla was thrilled that she’d garnered more time on site. At least this way she’d be obviously doing a real job instead of loitering.

  “Well, then, okay. If you place them on the banquet table in the other room, we’ll get them on the tables in the morning after we put the linens down. Good luck with the wedding tomorrow. They’re an interesting family to work for, aren’t they?”

  “Very much so. Anything crazy happen while you’ve been here?”

  She nodded. “Crazy is the theme for this entire event. It was such short notice, which is fine, but then Mrs. Charbonneau kept calling with different requests for food and table placement. For a rehearsal dinner! I can’t imagine how nuts it’ll be tomorrow.”

  “So you dealt mostly with Gloria?”

  “No, not entirely. Cynthia was here a few times, and one thing she asked that no one else ever did was how late we’re all used to staying after an event. She was concerned that the party would go too late. I guess she’s worried about people being hungover at the wedding tomorrow.”

  “It doesn’t look to me like anyone’s over-imbibing.”

  “No, but if they stay here another hour, they definitely might. They’ll probably be on their way soon enough, though.”

  “True. Thanks again for your support, Molly. I’ll get the flowers moved.” Kayla left the kitchen and noticed the people at the bar had left. Only the mayor, Cynthia and Charles remained. She wondered where Gloria was, but simply made a beeline for the first two flower arrangements, not wanting to draw attention.

  She lifted one heavy arrangement in each hand. Once in the dimly lit corridor between the event rooms, she took care to keep from spilling the water out of the shallow dishes.

  The other room was equally dim and she set the arrangements on the long rectangular table nearest the door. As she turned to leave, she heard murmurs and froze. They weren’t the overspill of voices from the bar. Someone was in the room.

  She turned around and surveyed each corner of the room. Empty. But off to the left, beyond the buffet table, was an alcove that she remembered led into the kitchen a different way. Since there was no event in this room, no one was using that entrance to the kitchen.

  Almost on tiptoe, she walked closer, straining to hear voices.

  “You haven’t looked at me once all night.”

  Gloria. And it had to be Mickey with her. Kayla squatted and got underneath the full-length tablecloth. Under the table and behind the linen, she was virtually invisible to anyone who came in and out of the room. Crawling as close to the end of the table as possible, she sat still and forced her breathing to be quiet.

  “It’s not the time for us to be doing anything, Gloria. We can’t take a chance now. There are too many eyes around.”

  “What are you worried about? Tony’s not going to be charged with the murder, and you didn’t have anything to do with it. Right, Mickey? You weren’t lying to me, were you?”

  “No, I would never lie to you.” Silence and then smacking noises. Kayla had to work on not making a disgusted noise. Quite the demonstrative “secret” couple, they were.

  “Oh, Mickey, I just want to have our regular schedule back. It’s been hell with the wedding.”

  “It’ll all be over tomorrow, don’t worry. After that we’ll get back to what we both like best.” More stomach-churning noises of Gloria and Mickey’s kisses floated to Kayla. She wondered if she should get out from under the table while she could, when no one would see her here. She didn’t want to get stuck and risk someone seeing her crawl out from under the structure.

  As the sounds became more intense, she made her move to escape. Getting out from under the table was easy enough, and she had her hand up to push open the door to the small hallway when it opened and Cynthia came barreling into the room. They collided with one another and Kayla’s first thought was to reach for her weapon, which was securely strapped to her thigh. But Kayla didn’t want Cynthia to know about the gun, and as they stepped back from each other, Kayla realized she needn’t worry. Cynthia had a distracted look on her face.

  “What are you still doing here?” Flashing eyes and a furrowed brow reflected her ire.

  “I’m moving the flower arrangements for the inn. Then I’ll be on my way.” Kayla was very aware of Gloria and Mickey in the alcove. Did Cynthia know they were there, too?

  “I’m looking for my father. Have you seen him?”

  “At the bar with you, a couple of minutes ago. Maybe he’s in the restroom?” Cynthia acted as if she didn’t hear her as she looked around the room.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Maybe he went out for some air. It was getting a little overheated in the bar.”

  Cynthia assessed her and Kayla saw a vision of the attorney she’d be in a short time. Hard. Intense. Unforgiving. Then the usual mask of supreme perfection was back and Cynthia nodded. “You’re right. He’s probably in his car, waiting for Gloria.”

  “She might be with him.” Kayla looked to see if Cynthia’s expression changed, but the girl was made of granite. “Maybe. I’ll go check.” Cynthia turned and left the room. Kayla followed but headed past the bar and into the larger event room instead of the exit.

  She thought of shouting a “you’re welcome” over her shoulder to Gloria and Mickey. She’d just saved them a nasty moment with Cynthia.

  When she took the remaining arrangements into the room, there were no more murmurs, and she purposefully placed the flowers at the end of the table, where she was in full view of anyone in the alcove. It was empty. Gloria and Mickey had left in the short time since she and Cynthia had been here.

  By the time she’d finished ten minutes later, only Cynthia and Mickey were at the bar. Charles had called it a night, she’d heard Cynthia telling him that she’d call him when she got in and for him to go on home “for your last night as a bachelor.” Kayla didn’t think a grieving widower truly classified as a bachelor and wondered if Charles would even have looked twice at Cynthia had he been in a clearer emotional state.

  Mickey and Cynthia seemed to be enjoying a last nightcap together as she walked out, with no sign of the mayor and his wife. She hoped she didn’t have to hear or see any more of Gloria
and Mickey in the throes of their forbidden lust.

  She shook her head to herself as she headed out to her van. Those two were going to get caught sooner or later, and it wasn’t going to be pretty. Uncovering an affair between Gloria and Mickey had simply been collateral information gleaned during this case, however. She still had her sights on finding out who had killed Meredith Houseman and who had tried to kill her.

  A dark figure stood next to her van and she paused, reflexively reaching under her skirt for her weapon.

  “Relax, it’s me.” Rio emerged to stand under the parking-lot light, his hand light on her arm. “You okay?”

  “I was fine until you just scared me half to death. But I’m good, really. How long have you been here?”

  She saw a flash of white as he smiled. “Since dark. We have a couple of plainclothesmen in the restaurant and they let me know when dinner was almost over. I caught a ride with the car that’s taking them back to SVPD headquarters.”

  “If I’d known you were here I could have left sooner.”

  “No, you couldn’t. Let’s talk in the van.”

  * * *

  She drove while Rio took notes on her observations. It was intimate in the darkness as they talked. Whenever she was near him, she was hyperaware of her surroundings. It was her defense mechanism to keep from thinking about what they’d done on her stairs, what she wanted to do again with him.

  “Hiding under that table was smart, but I hate to think of how long you could have been stuck there if you didn’t get out when you did.”

  “Or what else I would have heard. Yuck.” She glanced over at him for a brief moment. “I had already decided I’d pretend I’d lost an earring and was looking under the table for it.”

  “And you would have gotten away with it. Me, I don’t have any piercings.”

  “You never would have fit under the table. You’re too big.” Desire settled between her legs as she verbalized what she’d fought to keep her mind off the entire time she’d been staying with Rio. Him. His body. Their bodies together.