“I said I’m sure she is anxious to know.”
“I doubt she would be very happy that I’m here telling you both about this, so if we could keep that on the down low, I’d appreciate it,” Colin said.
“Absolutely,” Alex responded. “Our lips are sealed.”
“Well, I have to shove off. We’ll have to wait and see where this new info leads. It was nice seeing you again, Emily.” He looked directly into her eyes, holding her gaze momentarily.
Her breathing stopped for that moment, and she felt him peering right into her heart. When he was out the door, she began to breathe normally.
“Listen, Emily, I know I told you I didn’t want to share that information with the police just yet—what could I do?” Alex shrugged. “Colin came here and shared it with me, which rather took me by surprise. I didn’t tell him I already knew about it.”
“I guess that’s good for us in a way. No one can accuse us of withholding evidence.”
“So, tell me, what have you found out today?”
“Actually, I had a lengthy discussion with the housekeeper. She didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I asked her about Harry Andropov, the guy in the car—she claimed she didn’t know him or that there was anyone parked out there.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes, actually. I talked with Delia to see if she recognized the man’s name or if she knew about the parked car. I didn’t detect any recognition in her eyes or her facial expression, so I don’t think she knew anything about it.”
“That’s good to know. I’d hate to think I was defending a murderer.”
“It gets better, though. I found out who the mysterious woman was that visited Ricardo before he was murdered, the one he was having an affair with.”
“Okay, spit it out, Em.”
“It was Anna Petrova, Delia’s assistant.”
“Are you kidding me?” Alex exclaimed in surprise.
“I know. Big shock, huh?”
“Does Delia know?”
“Yes, I told her.”
“How did you figure that out?”
“I began to suspect Anna because she kind of looks like Delia, only younger. When the neighbor said he saw Ricardo and Delia fighting, it occurred to me that he might have seen Ricardo arguing with someone who looked a lot like her. Today I walked into Delia’s office and thought it was her with her back to me, but it wasn’t. It was Anna.”
“That’s how you put two and two together.”
“She even said people mix them up from time to time. That’s what got me thinking. So I asked Delia to call her accounting department and get Anna’s home address. Turns out it was the same as the condo I’d followed Ricardo to a couple of times. Guess I can call Isabel off from searching that info for me.”
“Speaking of Isabel, she did a background check on Ricardo and couldn’t find any records on him going back any farther than when he moved here to Boise a few years ago.”
“That would mean Ricardo Vega was probably not his real name.” Her mind immediately jumped to Evan. I wonder if Evan Parker was my husband’s real name.
“Makes sense,” Alex agreed. “Isabel’s going to dig a little deeper and see what she can find. She might need to get some fingerprints from the house.”
Maybe Isabel could discover Evan’s true identity, while she’s at it. Emily cleared her throat to refocus. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem. Delia will be as anxious as we are to learn his true identity. You know, this could open a whole new can of worms. Think about it – it could reveal why he was murdered, if he was running from the police, or hiding from someone, or—” Emily’s mind raced through the possibilities, forcing more questions.
“Or what?” Alex pressed.
“Or if he had anything to do with Evan’s murder, if somehow the two were connected.”
“What? What are you talking about? How did you make that leap?” Alex scratched his head and stared at her. He had not been privy to Emily and Isabel’s recent conversations about Evan and the secret safe deposit box. He looked puzzled by Emily’s sudden leap to tying Ricardo’s murder to Evan’s.
“It’s a long story, Alex.” She hoped that response would be enough. She really didn’t want to get into it further.
“Sounds like an interesting one.”
“Puzzling one is more like it,” she said. “But if you have to know the whole scoop, ask your wife, she can fill you in.” Emily was reticent to rehash her painful suspicions, but rather she desired to focus on the business at hand. “Let’s get back to talking about the dubious Anna Petrova.”
“Do you think Anna could have killed Ricardo?” Alex asked.
“I don’t know,” she answered, shaking her head. “She’s certainly a possible suspect. We need to show the Assistant District Attorney that someone else could have done it, because you know that Allison Laraway, she’s like a bulldog. She’s convinced Delia is guilty and won’t let go of it until we bring her hard evidence pointing to the real killer.”
“Then let’s find it and bring it.” Alex slumped back into his big leather chair.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep digging. In the report, the housekeeper said she heard Anna leave and she heard Ricardo shut the door. However, I was thinking—the house does sit on a corner, so it is possible Anna could have gone around the corner and snuck back into the house without anyone noticing, and then left the way she came in.”
“That’s a good theory,” Alex commented, “but how do we prove it?”
“That, my friend, is the million-dollar question.”
“Well, you stay at it and remember to keep me in the loop,” Alex ordered, “and I should let Colin know what we found out about Anna, since he came to me so quickly with info on the mystery man.”
“No, no, Alex. I know you have a lot on your plate.” Emily stood to leave. “I’m happy to make the call for you, one less thing for you to have to do.”
“I appreciate that, Em. Are you sure? I know you don’t like him very much.”
“Well...I’ll do it for you,” she said as she backed out the door.
* * *
The second Emily was in her car she phoned Colin.
“Detective Andrews.”
“Colin, this is Emily,” she said, wondering if he could hear the smile in her voice.
“Emily...I thought I might hear from you.” She definitely thought she detected a smile in his.
“Very clever, Detective Andrews, going to Alex before I did, making it sound like you discovered the information at the same time I did. It certainly saved my bacon and I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Well, I do have some other information for you now, with Alex’s blessing, so I thought maybe we could meet at the coffee shop again and discuss it.”
“I have a better idea. Why don’t we discuss it over dinner? My treat.”
“Dinner?” Why was she surprised by his invitation? He had asked her once before, and she was able to casually wave him off. This time it was different—it felt real, like something she wished to say yes to. She swore she heard the door creaking shut on her life with Evan. Then, in her heart, she felt the screech of the size-eleven shoe again, abruptly sticking a wedge in the door to keep it from closing all the way.
“Yes, dinner. You know...that meal that comes after lunch.”
“Ha ha, you’re so funny,” she replied sarcastically, shifting in her seat, twisting ringlets around her finger, like an infatuated teenager.
“Let’s say I pick you up at your house at six o’clock.”
“You don’t know where I live.”
“I have my ways of finding these things out. They don’t call me a detective for nothing.”
His comment made her giggle. “Where are we going?”
“Let me surprise you.”
“But you don’t know the area very well, yet.”
“That’s why it’ll be a surprise.”
“All right, I
’m game,” she laughed, giddy as a school girl.
Chapter 15
At the stroke of six, the doorbell chimed. Emily looked herself over one last time in the entry hall mirror, checking her lipstick and running her hand down her little black dress to make sure it fit smoothly. Perfect.
She peeked out of the small glass windows at the top of her front door and saw Colin standing on the porch of her bungalow, handsomely dressed in a dark sport coat, a white button down shirt and jeans. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.
He rang the doorbell again.
Swinging the door open wide, she noticed his eyes light up when he saw her.
“Hello, Colin. Come on in,” she invited.
“You look stunning, Emily.” Colin stepped inside.
“Thank you, so do you—handsome, I mean.” She cleared her throat and felt her face flush. It felt awkward starting to date again. She had looked forward to this evening, as she dressed and did her make-up and hair. It reminded her of the first time she went out with Evan. Unexpectedly a prick of guilt jabbed at her, making her wonder if it was too soon to begin dating again. Too late now, my date is here.
“Let me grab my purse from the bedroom and I’ll be ready to go.” She left him standing in the living room.
“Don’t forget your shoes,” he called after her.
“What?” She turned around.
“Your shoes,” he repeated, pointing toward her feet.
She looked down and saw her bare feet. “Oh, my,” she gasped in embarrassment, and darted into her bedroom.
“Mind if I get a glass of water?” he asked.
“Help yourself,” she called from down the hall.
Emily arrived at the kitchen as Colin held the old photo of Evan and the unknown woman. It had been on her dining table. He was looking at it, but he switched his gaze to Emily when she walked in.
“Who’s this?” he asked innocently.
“My late husband,” she snipped, plucking the photo from his hand and tossing it in a drawer. “I’m ready.” She was sure her face no longer held the glow it had when Colin had arrived.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” he apologized.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go,” she answered as she headed to the front door, hoping to avoid having to explain her brusque reaction.
“It didn’t seem like nothing,” he replied, following close behind.
“Please drop it, Colin,” Emily implored as she turned before opening the door. “I want to have dinner with you and enjoy myself tonight. I’m afraid dredging up the past will put a damper on our evening. I don’t want to do that.”
“I get it,” he said, looking down into her eyes, “but I hope you’ll trust me enough one day to open up and share your past with me.”
Returning his gaze, she almost wanted to leap into his arms and tell him everything she was going through—everything she was fearing, thinking, and suspecting—just not tonight. This was their first date and she didn’t want to screw it up. She wanted it to be memorable because something deep in her heart was telling her this relationship might lead somewhere special.
“Someday I will,” she nodded, “someday.”
* * *
Colin pulled his red Jeep Cherokee to the curb outside of DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant in the heart of Paradise Valley. His co-workers had recommended it as a local favorite. It was located in an old brick bank building from the late 1800s, one of the first buildings to be constructed in downtown Paradise Valley.
“Good evening. Table for two?” the young hostess asked.
“Yes,” Colin answered. “I made reservations. Andrews for six-thirty.”
“Yes, I see it,” she noted as she crossed through his name. “You’re a little early, so it will be a few minutes before your table is ready. Would you like to wait in the bar?”
“Sure,” Colin said, looking at Emily. She nodded.
The hostess motioned to the bar area. Colin put his hand lightly at Emily’s waist as they turned and stepped through the nearby doorway. The place was outfitted with a long hand-cut wooden bar with what appeared to be its original brass foot railing. They stopped briefly to read a yellowed newspaper article with a grainy photo that was framed and hanging on the wall, telling how the antique bar had been rescued from an old saloon as it was being demolished in Old Boise.
Colin and Emily barely had time to find a seat at the bar before the hostess called his name. She escorted them through the dining room, which was decorated with Italian plastered walls, low-light Tuscan wall sconces, and plush, richly colored padded booths. The vase of fresh flowers and flickering candlelight added to the intimate ambience at their cozy table.
“Your waiter will be right with you. I hope you enjoy your evening,” she said, leaving them to peruse the menu.
“I hope you like this place,” Colin said. “Ernie and Stella recommended it.”
“Ernie and Stella?”
“Ernie’s a police officer at my station, an old friend of my dad’s, and—”
“Old friend of your dad’s? Is he the one you said told you about the job in Paradise Valley?”
“Yes, that’s him, and Stella is an admin that works in the office. They’ve both been around here a long time, so I figured they’d know the best places.”
“They were right. DaVinci’s is one of my favorites.” She smiled at him then looked down at her menu. “Wasn’t Ernie one of the cops at Delia’s house the night Ricardo was killed?”
“Yes, he was.”
“So—”
Colin cut her off. “Let’s not talk shop tonight, okay?” He looked at her for a moment then he returned to reading the menu.
She thought back to the recent incident at her house when he’d asked her about the photo, he clearly saw how quickly she could turn and wanted to stay away from any conversation that might ruin their evening.
“You’re right,” she agreed, flashing him a quick smile.
Their waiter appeared and took their orders.
“I think I’ll have the Veal Parmigiana,” she decided, laying her menu down.
“That sounds good,” he said, following suit.
Before long, their food arrived and they took pleasure in every bite. The conversation was kept light and near the surface, tiptoeing around topics that might change the enchanting mood.
“I seem to recall there was a small dance floor in the bar area.” He tilted his head, listening to the music playing. “Would you like to dance?” He stood up and put out his hand to her. She took it and he led her back into the bar.
Soft, slow music was playing through the sound system, and he pulled her into his arms. They swayed to the beat, her body melting against his. She rested her head against his chest and noticed he inhaled deeply. She made a mental note that he seemed to like the sweet scent of rose and vanilla she wore.
When the song ended, he didn’t let go of her, although she did let go of him then took the smallest step back. “Why don’t we get out of here?” she proposed.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Why don’t we go to my house for dessert?” she suggested.
“Really?” he said, raising his eyebrows in question, as if he was not sure what she was getting at.
“Really. I have some rich Pecan Praline ice cream in the freezer. Then we can sit and talk.”
“Oh, okay,” he agreed. “Pecan Praline.”
“Yes, what did you think I meant?”
Chapter 16
Emily and Colin walked up the steps to her charming bungalow. Her home looked cozy and inviting with the lights casting a warm glow from inside. She unlocked the door and they went in.
She kicked off her high heels, just inside the door, and walked barefoot toward the kitchen with Colin right behind her.
“If you’ll grab a couple of little bowls out of the cupboard, I’ll get the ice cream and scoop.”
“Got it,” he laughed. “Do you always go around barefoot?”
<
br /> “I’m just a country girl at heart. Those high heels might look pretty but they’re murder on the feet.”
“A country girl?” He seemed amused.
“Yes, I grew up in Virginia on a small farm.” She scooped the ice cream into the bowls. “Why don’t we go in the living room? It’s much more comfortable on the couch.”
As they sat on the sofa and ate, she told him a bit about her experience living on a small farm and going to school in town.
“What about you?” She took another spoonful, letting the rich creamy dessert melt on her tongue.
“I grew up in Central California, in Modesto. My folks didn’t have much money and couldn’t afford to send me to college, so I decided to go into the military and go to school on the GI Bill. I spent four years in the Marines—saw some action in the Middle East—then I went to the university in Sacramento when I got out.”
“You were in the war?” She imagined him in all his gear, scouring the harsh desert countryside for the Taliban.
“Yes, for a while. Then after I graduated from college, I was hired by the San Francisco Police Department, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“So why did you decide to leave San Francisco?”
His face turned pensive and he stared at his bowl for a long time before speaking. “I needed to get away from there and make a fresh start.”
Between the look on his face and the way his Adam’s apple shifted when he swallowed hard, she could tell it affected him deeply. She probably should have left it alone, but curiosity won out. “Get away from what?”
His eyes glistened with unshed tears and he looked away, feigning a cough.
“I’m sorry. I knew I should have left it alone.”
“No.” His hand snaked out to touch hers. He held it there and didn’t let go. “It’s all right. You might as well know.”
Her spoon hung suspended between her fingers as her gaze remained riveted on his face, his lips, waiting. What could it be?
“I was engaged to a girl. Her name was Miranda. She was a rookie cop at the time.” He drew a deep breath and looked away. “She was killed in the line of duty.”
“Oh, Colin.” Emily dropped her spoon into the bowl with a clink so she could place her other hand on top of their entwined ones. “I’m so sorry.”
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