Now, sitting before the computer, she thought about the Heaven Scent Launch Party she had to attend later that night. She was not looking forward to playing the part of a seductress. She hadn’t enticed a man since she began dating Evan, over six years ago. Flirting should come naturally to just about any woman. I can do this. She looked at herself in the mirror and encouraged her inner temptress. “Emily Parker, you can do this.”
Chapter 5
After her unproductive meeting with the condo manager, Emily had phoned Delia and explained what she knew so far, which was basically nothing. She had no clear evidence yet that Ricardo had been unfaithful, but she would do as Delia asked at the launch party that night.
Dressed in an elegant strapless black evening gown—the only evening gown she owned—Emily had piled her golden curls on her head in an elegant twist. Cubic zirconium drop earrings and a matching necklace completed her look as she stepped into the role of temptress and through the doorway leading into the event.
Camille had done an amazing job turning the convention hall of the Heaven Scent building into a glitzy Hollywood-glamour theme. There was a forties-style big band playing and it seemed to be a huge hit with the crowd. The event was in full swing and quite a few couples were already taking a turn on the dance floor. Emily felt suddenly uncomfortable as heads turned toward her. This was not a look, or a role, she was use to.
Emily’s eyes darted around the room. Where was Delia? She spotted her redheaded friend giving orders and directing members of the wait staff. Camille stopped talking and froze, her mouth dropping open for a moment when she caught sight of Emily. Quickly, she gave a couple of short directives to the staff and cut her way through the crowd toward Emily.
“You look fabulous, Em,” Camille gushed. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
“Delia invited me.”
“Oh, that’s right, the case.”
Emily scowled and caught Camille by the arm, pulling her over to a private corner. “How do you know about that?” She was not happy that her undercover role was not so undercover.
“Maggie told me,” Camille answered, pulling her arm free.
“That blabber-mouth,” Emily scolded, peering around the room to make sure no one heard her. She leaned toward Camille and whispered in her ear, “It was supposed to be kept hush-hush.”
“I won’t say a word, I promise,” Camille assured her, “but I need to get back to work.”
“Me too. Remember, Cam—hush-hush.”
Emily surveyed the room again and found Delia this time, greeting a distinguished-looking gray-haired couple. With her dark hair floating around her shoulders, Delia looked stunning in a flowing, red, one-shoulder gown. When she was free from her guests, Emily approached her.
“Hello, Delia.”
“Emily, you look gorgeous!”
“Thank you, so do you,” Emily said, returning the compliment. “So where is your husband hanging out?”
Delia glanced around the room and spotted him at the bar. “Looks like he’s getting another drink.” She nodded in his direction.
“I see him,” Emily said. “I think I’ll go get a drink too.” She smoothed her dress, leaving Delia to watch.
You can do this, Emily. She wandered over to the crowded bar and casually made her presence known, lightly brushing her breasts against his arm as she squeezed up to the counter.
“So sorry,” she said to Ricardo, touching his arm seductively. She leaned in to the bartender and spoke, capturing both men’s attention. “Can I get a drink?”
“What can I get for you, ma’am,” the bartender asked, smiling broadly.
“A white wine spritzer, please.” Emily felt Ricardo’s body turn toward her and she swore she could feel the heat of his gaze too.
“Do I know you?” Ricardo asked in a deep and sexy voice. His dark brown eyes lit up, looking at her like a hungry wolf might eye a piece of prime beef.
“No,” she answered, looking into his handsome face. She understood Maggie’s attraction. “I don’t think so. I would definitely remember you.”
“Well, let’s get acquainted. My name is Ricardo.”
“I’m Emily. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, holding his gaze for a moment, then looking back to the bartender as he set her drink down on the counter.
“What a beautiful name,” he said. “Are you here with anyone?”
“No, flying solo tonight.”
“I know you don’t work for Heaven Scent—I’m pretty sure I know all the lovely ladies that work there.”
“No, I don’t. I’m a friend of the caterer.”
“Ah, a party crasher,” he chuckled. “Well, I won’t tell anyone. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, I am, especially the big band.”
“Would you care to dance?” he asked, taking her hand before she had a chance to answer.
Emily felt a tingle when he touched her fingers. The combination of his charm and sex appeal was undeniably magnetic. This guy is good.
“Mr. Vega,” a young woman’s voice called out from Ricardo’s other side. He instantly dropped Emily’s hand and turned to face the woman. Emily caught a quick glimpse of her and recognized she was Delia’s assistant.
“Anna,” Ricardo said, “what can I do for you?”
“I need to talk to you,” she said in a serious tone.
Emily turned away so as not to be recognized, and she slipped away into the crowd. She found Delia and reported to her. Keeping her voice low, she explained that her husband was starting to flirt with her, but they were interrupted by her assistant, Anna.
“Did she see you?” Delia asked.
“I don’t think so. I tried to hurry away before she noticed me.”
“What did she want with my husband? I wouldn’t think she’d be discussing business tonight.”
“I couldn’t tell from what little I heard, but she sounded serious. I didn’t think I should stick around to find out.”
“That’s probably best,” Delia agreed. “Do you want to have another go at it?”
Emily looked across to the bar, but she didn’t see Ricardo or Anna there any longer. She glanced around the room. “Do you see him anywhere?”
Delia surveyed the crowd at the bar as well, but shook her head. At six foot four, he would have easily stood out. Her gaze shot around the room, “I don’t see him.”
“Do you think maybe he left?” Emily asked.
“He better not have.” Her red-painted lips tightened over her clenched teeth.
“Well, I can go take a look around to see if his car is still here. If it isn’t I can check my GPS monitor to find out where he went.” Emily looked down and appraised her outfit. “Although I suppose I’m not really dressed for surveillance. Rookie mistake,” she laughed, “I should have packed something more comfortable—just in case.”
“Thank you, Emily. I’m really grateful you’re here tonight.” Delia gave her a quick hug. “I have a clean set of workout clothes you can wear. I’ll take you to the en suite in my office. You can change there.”
Emily smiled with relief. “That’s perfect. It’s a little hard to be inconspicuous in an evening gown.”
“While you change I can look around to see if Ricardo is in his office. Although I can’t imagine him working on a night like tonight.” Delia’s warm brown eyes grew moist as she said it. She was clearly hurting from her husband’s apparent infidelity. Even though she had said earlier that finding out if he was stealing money was more important to her, it was clear the thought of him cheating cut her twice as deeply.
Delia unlocked her office and showed Emily into the en suite bathroom. It was nicer than Emily’s en suite at home. Although, she shouldn’t have expected anything less from what she knew of Delia so far.
She pointed to a closet in the corner. “I have a selection of yoga pants, t-shirts, and sweatshirts in there. Help yourself to whatever you want.” She glanced down at Emily’s feet. “Size seven?”
Emily nodded.
“Perfect. There are some sneakers in there as well. They’re seven and a half but they should do the trick.” Delia let out a long sigh. “I’m going to look around the offices. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done then we’ll go from there.”
While she waited for a call from Delia, Emily changed into a pair of black yoga pants and a long-sleeved Heaven Scent logo t-shirt. She found a pair of slip-on sneakers and sat down on an overstuffed chair in the corner to wait. Her thoughts drifted to the odd silver key she had found hidden in Evan’s clothes. She had tucked it into her change purse, wanting to keep it close in case she figured out what it unlocked.
She fished it out of her purse, held it up to the light. It was then that she noticed three faint letters stamped on the other side of it. She hadn’t seen them before in dimmer light of her closet at home. The letters were BOI. I wonder what those letters mean.
BOI was a common abbreviation for Boise, so it could represent a lot of places in the Boise area. A locker at the train or bus station, the Boise YMCA or another fitness place—maybe a PO Box, private mailbox, or even a safe deposit box—her mind ran through the list.
Just then her cell phone began to ring, jolting her out of her thoughts.
“Emily, this is Delia. I’m back at the party, and I haven’t been able to find Ricardo anywhere. I think it’s time you track him down.”
“I’m on it, Delia.”
“Can you find your way back out, or do you want me to come back and take you?”
“I’m pretty sure I can find my way, thanks. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
Emily made her way to the parking lot and hopped in her vehicle. She flipped the GPS monitor on and watched for the indicator as she drove away. This should be easy. It looks like he’s back at the same condo. She drove toward downtown Boise, keeping an eye on the monitor for any movement and sure enough, she found Ricardo’s car in the same condo’s parking lot where she had followed him before. Emily parked across the street so she’d have a good view of the entrance and with her camera ready in hand, she waited.
* * *
Ricardo had been visiting her for the last six months, and she hoped to make his stay there permanent. This place had been their little love nest, hidden away from the rest of the world and she dreamed of him moving in, being able to wake up in each other’s arms every morning. She loved him ardently, and she was certain he felt the same. Only one thing stood between her and her dream—his wife.
That night, at the launch party, she had convinced him to steal away from the event to be with her. She’d told him his wife would be so preoccupied with working the room and mingling with the guests she wouldn’t even notice he was gone. He had eagerly agreed and followed her home.
After making wild, passionate love he told her it was time he returned to the party before it was over and he was missed. He quickly dressed and she followed him out to the living room in her silky pink nightgown.
As he picked up his tuxedo jacket to leave, she put a hand on his arm to stop him.
“Do you love me, Ricardo?”
“Of course. You know I do, Anna.”
“Then when are you going to tell Delia about us, and divorce her?”
“I’m working on it, but this is not the right time.”
“It seems like it’s never the right time.”
“If I left her now, I’d walk away with nothing. Be patient, Babe, it’ll happen. I just need more time.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “I have a plan, you’ll see. Then we can be together.”
“What plan?” Anna looked at him, suspicious. Was he simply holding out another carrot just to keep stringing her along?
“I can’t tell you, but it’ll be soon. I promise.”
“You’re running out of time,” she said with steely seriousness. She looked down at her hand as she patted her stomach.
“What do you mean?” He grabbed her by both arms.
“I’m pregnant.”
* * *
Emily watched Ricardo as he left the condo building alone. She snapped another time-stamped photo of him. At least she could show Delia where her husband had gone, even if she hadn’t found the other woman yet.
She sent Delia a text message. “R went 2 condo again. Nothing else 2 report.” Then she tailed him back to the launch party and watched him go inside. Her work was done for the night and she headed home.
As she cruised down one of Boise’s main streets on her way to Paradise Valley, her mind wandered back to the key. What did it unlock? Passing shopping centers and big box stores, she drove down the wide and well-lit street. There were a few banks scattered among the retail shops and she wondered again about the key being for a safe deposit box. Wells Fargo Bank, Home Federal Bank, and then she passed Bank of Idaho, and it hit her. BOI—Bank of Idaho. She decided she’d have to check that out in the morning.
It was still early for a Friday night, about a quarter to ten, so Emily decided to call Isabel to see if she could come over. She hated being at odds with her friends and thought it best to mend her fences.
“Hello,” Isabel answered.
“Hey, Isabel, it’s Emily.”
“Emily, did you get my message? I’m so sorry we upset you.”
“Yeah, I was wondering if you guys are just hanging out, maybe I could come over.” Emily heard a man’s voice and a muffled giggle, like Isabel had put her hand over the phone.
“Um, right now is not a good time,” Isabel said. “Stop that.”
“What?”
“Not you, Em—I gotta go. Why don’t you come over for a barbecue on Sunday,” there were more giggles, “say six o’clock?”
“Aha. I see...you and Alex are preoccupied. Sure, a barbeque sounds great, I’d love to come.”
“Okay. Bye.” Another giggle followed by a click.
Although Emily was happy her friend had someone in her life that made her happy and kept her satisfied, it reminded her of her loss, made her feel lonely. Maybe her friends were right. Maybe it was time she moved on, opened up to the possibility of another relationship. After all, Evan had been gone for six months and he wasn’t ever coming back.
Chapter 6
The next morning Emily called Delia and elaborated about what had happened the previous night.
“I’m sure the person in the condo is not a business connection he’s making,” Delia said. “He wouldn’t have left in the middle of our company’s launch party to make a business deal.”
“Did you ask him last night where he went?” Emily inquired.
“No, I was so angry I could spit nails. I would have probably ended up saying something I’d regret.”
“Good call.”
“Besides, I don’t want to tip my hand just yet.”
“I understand. Just phone me the next time you want him followed. I’m going over to a friend’s house tomorrow evening—the one I mentioned who works for the FBI. We’ll put together a plan to review your financials and see if there’s anything hinky going on. If there is, Isabel will find it.”
After downing a quick glass of orange juice, Emily headed over to Bank of Idaho to investigate her own mystery. She had called to make sure they were open on Saturday mornings and the cheery female voice that answered confirmed they were.
Plagued by suspicion, Emily was anxious to see if that skinny silver key might unlock a safe deposit box, and even more anxious to see what might be inside if it did. No matter what the key unlocked, it meant Evan had hidden something from her.
“I’d like to speak to the bank manager, please,” Emily told the bank assistant who greeted her.
“Have a seat, please, and I’ll see if he’s available to meet with you,” the assistant replied, motioning toward the group of chairs in the corner. “What is your name?”
“Emily Parker.”
“I’ll be right back.” She turned sharply to go and find the manager.
After a few minutes, a portly, b
alding man of about fifty, wearing a gray-pinstriped suit walked into the waiting area. He had to be the bank manager.
“Emily Parker?”
“Yes,” she replied as she stood up.
He extended his hand to shake hers. “I’m George Johnson, the branch manager. What can I do for you today?”
“I’m hoping you can help me with something.” She pulled the key out and showed it to him. “Does this key go to one of your safe deposit boxes?”
“Yes, it looks like our keys. Does is have the letters BOI stamped on one side?”
“It does. Although very faintly, and the number four-zero-seven.” She turned the key over and showed him.
“How is it that you have it, but you don’t know what it belongs to?” He looked more curious than suspicious.
“It was my husband’s key, but he died a few months ago. So I guess now it’s mine.”
He asked for her husband’s name and went to a computer nearby to see if the number on the key matched his name. It did. Then he asked for proof that she was his wife and that he was dead. Emily figured it might be required, so she had stashed both their marriage license and Evan’s death certificate in her bag before she left the house. She pulled them out and handed them over.
He looked at the papers. “I’ll be right back.”
Is there a problem? She hoped not. She was too eager to see what was in the lockbox—maybe her grandmother’s diamond ring.
“Right this way.” He turned and walked toward the back as she followed. “I had to get the bank’s key to this box. You’ve got to have them both to open it, you know.”
Relieved, she followed him all the way to a heavy steel door at the back of the bank, which he unlocked by punching a code into the keypad. Once inside, he went directly to box number 407 and held out his hand for her key. He took both keys and unlocked the small door housing the box. He pulled the rectangular metal box out and placed it on the bare table in the center of the room.
“I’ll leave you for a few minutes so you can open the box in private, Mrs. Parker.”
The Scent of Lies Page 5