The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery)

by Debra Burroughs

  The DDA briefly raised one hand. “Not yet. You can be sure we will give you full disclosure before your client’s trial. We’ll be charging him with involuntary manslaughter, five to eight years.”

  “We’ll need a few minutes alone to confer with our client,” the other lawyer said.

  Grey leaned over and whispered something into the lawyer’s ear, then he muttered something to the other attorney as well. The two attorneys leaned behind Grey’s back and conferred quietly.

  “Are you sure?” one of the lawyers asked Grey.

  Grey nodded with an air of defiance.

  “Mr. Alexander does not admit to anything. He’ll take his chances in court.”

  “Let me remind you, Mr. Alexander,” the DDA said, “we have two witnesses that can put you with Lucy St. John at your lake house at the time of her death.”

  “That’s what you keep telling me,” Grey said, “but I want to know who those witnesses are. For all I know, this is nothing but a bluff.”

  Rodriguez and Provenza eyed each other.

  “Wait here,” Provenza said. “Give us a few minutes and we’ll be able to tell you.”

  The detective and the DDA walked out.

  Seeing the two men head for the door, Jenessa and Michael scooted out of the observation room before they could be spotted by the DDA. They were casually talking in the hall when Provenza and Rodriguez exited the interrogation room.

  “We’ve got him by the short hairs, people.” Provenza said as he stopped to speak with Michael and Jenessa, while the DDA kept walking. “Now, Michael, as soon as Mrs. Alexander is brought in, escort Mr. Alexander and his lawyers into the observation room. I want to make sure Grey has a front row seat for the show. Wait for my signal.”

  Before long, Provenza radioed Michael to move Grey and his entourage. Jenessa stepped into the observation room while Michael did as he was instructed. She hurried to the farthest corner of the dimly-lit room, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, keeping her eyes focused on the two-way glass.

  “What’s going on?” Grey grumbled when Michael told them to come with him into the observation room.

  “We need to use this room for just a little while, sir,” Michael said. “Then we’ll have you come back in. We appreciate your accommodating us, Mr. Alexander.”

  Once Grey and his legal team were in the observation room, Michael made sure the speaker was on. “It’ll just be a few minutes, everyone.”

  At the sound of voices emanating from the speaker, they all turned and watched as Detective Provenza escorted Lauren Alexander in and asked her to take a seat.

  “Why did you have me brought down here, Detective?” Lauren asked as she sat.

  “I have a few questions for you about Lucy St. John’s death.”

  “Do I need a lawyer, Detective?”

  “We haven’t arrested you,” Provenza replied. “You’re here as a possible witness.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “We have reason to believe you and your husband were, let just say, in the vicinity when Lucy St. John was killed. Is that correct?”

  “Who told you that?”

  “We have a witness. Now don’t get your knickers in a twist, I’m just trying to get my facts straight. Tell me, is that correct?”

  Lauren crossed her arms over her ample chest and leaned back in her chair, her lips firmly clamped shut.

  “Well, what if I told you that your husband has already corroborated that fact?”

  “I said no such thing!” Grey shouted at the glass.

  “I don’t believe you,” Lauren said to Detective Provenza.

  “My witness said that there was arguing over money and then a physical struggle took place with Lucy losing her balance and hitting her head. Is that correct?”

  Jenessa listened to the exchange between Lauren and the detective, but her gaze was riveted on Grey Alexander and his responses.

  “You have a witness? How could—” Lauren caught herself. She paused for a moment, eying the detective, obviously thinking about what she would say next. Her arms relaxed and her hands drifted down to her lap as she leaned forward. “Yes, that’s right. It was an accident.” Tears moistened her soft blue eyes. “A horrible, horrible accident.”

  “Shut up, you stupid woman!” Grey yelled from behind the window.

  “Calm down, Grey,” one of the lawyers advised.

  “I see.” Provenza stood and moved to her side of the table, sitting on the corner of it. “Tell me more.”

  “Lucy was arguing…with Grey.” Lauren went on.

  “About what?”

  “He didn’t want to give her the money she was demanding.” She folded her hands on the table.

  “Go on.”

  “And then Grey grabbed her by her arms, just to get her attention, of course, and she pulled away. That’s when she stumbled and crashed against the coffee table, hitting her head.” Lauren buried her face in her hands. “There was nothing more we could do for her. It was a terrible accident. He didn’t mean for Lucy to get hurt.”

  “Liar!” Grey shouted.

  Michael glanced back at Jenessa and shot her a knowing look.

  “Grey, silence please,” the attorney reminded.

  Lauren drew in a deep breath and sighed. “I told him we should call nine-one-one, get her some help, but he said it was too late, she was already dead.”

  “She’s lying,” Grey said to Michael. “Can’t you see that? She’s the one who was struggling with Lucy. She made her fall—not me.”

  “Grey, stop!” the attorney insisted. “Detective, isn’t there somewhere else we can go?”

  Michael ignored the lawyer, watching as Grey was riveted to every word out of Lauren’s mouth.

  “If it was really an accident, I still don’t understand why you didn’t call the police and report it?” Provenza asked the woman.

  “Well, Detective, like I said, I wanted to, but Grey said it would be better if we just buried her. He didn’t think anyone would believe us. He said no one would miss her anyway.”

  “I never said that! I swear!” Grey raked his fingers through his hair.

  One of the lawyers put his hand on Grey’s shoulder. “Listen to me. Don’t say another word. You’re not helping yourself.”

  “So you and your husband dug a shallow grave and dumped her body in it?” Provenza questioned.

  “No! His attorney was there too. He buried her after we left.”

  “Then I’ll have to talk to him to get his corroboration.”

  “You can’t. He died last week,” she said smugly, checking her manicure.

  “I see. How convenient for you.” Provenza stood and his gaze moved briefly to the mirror. “You do know it’s a crime not to report something like this.” He took his seat again.

  “It is?” she asked, her words dripping with feigned innocence. “Oh, no, Detective, I didn’t know.”

  Grey let out a low growl.

  “My husband said everything would be fine. We should just go about our lives and no one would have to know. He said no one would even care.”

  Grey pounded his fist on the window, causing Provenza and Lauren both to jump in their seats. “She’s the one who was wrestling with Lucy when the woman fell and hit her head! I wanted to pay Lucy off. It was her—it was all her!”

  Then Grey spun toward the door and bolted out. Michael and the lawyers ran after him.

  Jenessa watched as Grey burst into the interrogation room and lunged at his wife. “It’s all lies. It was you! You’re the one that pushed Lucy and killed her. I agreed to bury her to protect you!”

  Michael and the lawyers pulled him off while Provenza shot out of his chair and hurried around the table to Lauren. “Are you okay?”

  “I think so.” Lauren’s hand moved to the top of her chest.

  “Then, please stand up.” Provenza put a hand on her arm and helped her to her feet. “Lauren Alexander, you are under arrest for your role in the death of Lucy
St. John.”

  “What? But I—”

  Provenza clicked the cuffs on her as the absolute shock on her face melted into a mask of fear.

  Michael nodded at the senior detective and then pulled handcuffs out of his pocket. “Grey Alexander, put your hands behind your back. You are under arrest as an accomplice after the fact in the death of Lucy St. John.”

  Jenessa continued to watch quietly as two uniformed officers entered to take the couple away.

  At the sight of the officers, a pallid look of resignation washed over Grey’s face. Jenessa had never seen him look so small and defeated. She had only known him as a powerful giant, a man who always got what he wanted, no matter who got hurt.

  For Jenessa the rush of victory was sweet.

  One of the attorneys moved close to Michael. “Who is this eye witness?”

  One officer had Grey by the arm, about to lead him out, but Grey whipped his head around to hear the answer.

  Michael smirked. “David Jones.” Then his attention briefly flashed toward the two-way mirror and Jenessa caught his gaze. He motioned to the officers to escort the two out of the room and he and Provenza trailed behind them.

  A moment later the door to the observation room opened and Michael stepped in.

  “We did it!” Jenessa threw her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Before he could fully engage in the kiss, she hopped back. “I don’t know what came over me,” she gasped, relieved they were alone in the room.

  “Whatever it was,” Michael said with a wide grin, “I’d like to see it come over you more often.”

  She moved closer and a mischievous smile tickled her lips. “Tomorrow night maybe?”

  Chapter 44

  Rather than go on their date as planned, Jenessa and Michael joined in a family celebration—a barbecue and pool party at her aunt’s house. Aunt Renee had heard all about Jenessa helping to solve the mystery of Lucy St. John’s death and holding the town’s leading citizens responsible for the crime. She had announced to Jenessa, Sara, and Ramey that she wanted to throw a party to celebrate.

  Everyone pitched in, bringing food, decorations, and inviting additional guests. Jenessa extended an invitation to Michael and Jake, and Ramey invited Charles and Charlie. Sara came alone, claiming she was happy just to be with her family.

  The girls arrived early to get everything set up before the rest of the crowd arrived. The house was a beehive of activity and Jenessa loved it.

  Making last minute preparations, they buzzed around the kitchen cutting up fruit and veggies and laying them on large cut-crystal trays.

  “How did you manage to get Grey Alexander to confess?” her aunt asked.

  Jenessa’s back stiffened. Should she dare tell them what her father admitted to doing? No. What good would it do now? With Grey pleading guilty and implicating his wife, the DVD would never have to be exposed to the public. She sure wasn’t going to bring it up in her article about Grey’s and Lauren’s confessions and the impending sentencing.

  “I had some incriminating evidence that I gave to the police. A sealed package someone slipped to me.”

  “What was it?” Sara asked.

  “Who gave it to you?” Ramey piped in.

  Jenessa glanced at them both, then went back to chopping her vegetables. “Oh, ladies, you know I never reveal my sources.”

  They both groaned but let it go. They knew her well enough to know there was no point in persisting. She wouldn’t change her mind.

  A quick glance at the clock said it was almost six, just as the doorbell chimed, alerting them to the arrival of their first guest.

  “I’ll get it,” Jenessa offered, toweling off her hands and hurrying to the door. She opened it, hoping to see Michael and Jake.

  “Hello, Miss Jones.” It was George Provenza, standing before her in shorts, sandals, and a Hawaiian print shirt, holding a colorful bouquet of flowers. “Am I early? I don’t see too many cars out front.”

  George? “Uh…oh, no, you’re not too early. Come on in.” She turned and led him back to the kitchen. “Our first guest has arrived,” she announced to the others, wondering who had invited him. Michael maybe?

  Aunt Renee came out from behind the counter and greeted him with a warm smile. “I’m so glad you could make it, Detective.”

  Did Aunt Renee invite him?

  He held out the flowers to her. “Call me George, please.”

  Jenessa observed their gazes interlocking. Something seemed to sizzle between them. “Shall I put those in some water for you, Aunt Renee?”

  “Oh, yes, yes…please, dear.” She handed the bouquet to Jenessa, her eyes remaining on the detective. “Would you like something cold to drink, George?”

  Jenessa glanced at Sara and Ramey, both of whom had stopped cutting up fruit and vegetables and were watching the exchange between George and their aunt.

  “Iced tea, if you have it,” George said.

  “I’ll get it for you,” Sara offered from the kitchen. “Why don’t you have a seat at the breakfast bar?”

  The doorbell rang again. “Oh, I’ll get it,” Ramey called out, rushing to answer it.

  Jenessa glanced down the hallway to the front door, wondering if it was Michael. Ramey opened the door to find a smiling Charles and a deadpan Charlie.

  “Did you bring your swimsuits, boys?” Ramey asked as she led them back toward the kitchen.

  Charlie’s face it up at the mention of swimming.

  “There’s a big beautiful pool out there.” Ramey gestured toward the french doors between the kitchen and the great room, where the crystal blue water could be seen through the glass.

  Ramey introduced Charles and Charlie to George, as George knew everyone else.

  “All we need are your boys, Jen, and we can put the meat on the grill,” Aunt Renee said.

  My boys? Jenessa hadn’t thought of them like that, but she liked the sound of it. “I’m sure they’re on their way.”

  Before long, the doorbell chimed again. Jenessa was up to her elbows in cut-up watermelon, so Sara offered to answer the door. “I guess it’s my turn anyway.”

  Jenessa rinsed her hands and forearms as she watched Sara move down the hall. She grabbed a towel and stood in the hallway, waiting with anticipation.

  Sara swung the door open, but because the sun was shining behind them, Jenessa couldn’t quite make out who was standing at the door. Three dark figures—two men and a small boy. If one was Michael, who was the second man?

  She watched as Sara stood talking to them a little longer than Jenessa expected, but soon they all stepped inside and shut the door, approaching down the hall.

  A smile instantly spread on Jenessa’s face as Michael and Jake came into view. The other man was about Michael’s age, his hair more fair and he stood a few inches shorter than Michael.

  “Jenessa,” Michael said, “this is my cousin Luke. Remember I told you he was coming for a few days, thinking of applying for a position with the Hidden Valley Police Department. I hope you don’t mind me bringing him.”

  “Of course not.” Jenessa put out her hand to him. “Welcome, Luke.”

  Luke took her hand and shook it, but his gaze soon shifted back to Sara, who was standing beside her sister, grinning. Sara had that same glassy look in her eyes that Aunt Renee had when she was first introduced to George when he arrived at the party.

  Michael seemed to notice the same thing. When his gaze moved back to Jenessa, she winked at him. “Well, now that everyone’s here,” she said, “let’s get this party started!”

  In a flash, the crowd scattered. The young boys raced to the pool and their dads followed. Ramey got busy putting the meat on the grill.

  Jenessa grabbed a platter of crudité and dip for the guests to munch on. She stepped through the french doors and stood for a moment, watching everyone enjoying themselves. Sara and Luke took seats on a couple of lounge chairs under the big blue umbrella near the pool. They were laughing and seemed p
leasantly engaged in conversation.

  Where did Aunt Renee and George go?

  Jenessa scanned the backyard and found them in the rose garden. Her aunt was showing George her prize-winning roses. They were both smiling and appeared to be enjoying each other’s company.

  A warm feeling of contentment settled on Jenessa. Finally, she was back in the family and loving it. Watching the men playing in the pool with their boys delighted her. Her thoughts briefly flashed to what her own son might be doing on that warm summer evening.

  Jenessa set the platter down on the patio table and stepped back inside. She went to the refrigerator to stack the condiments for the hamburgers on another tray. After pulling a few items out, she bent over and reached toward the far back for the mayonnaise. Without warning, a pair of hands slipped around her waist and she flinched.

  She whirled around to find Michael smiling down at her, a few drops of water dripping from his dark hair, falling onto the tile floor.

  “Jake wants me to throw you in the pool. Are you game?” His toothy grin challenged her.

  Her eyes widened. “Oh, my gosh, Michael—not now. But I promise, after dinner I’ll put on my bikini and you are welcome to throw me in—if you dare. Deal?”

  “A bikini, huh?” He pulled her to him, sliding his hands around her again. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  “You can hold me to anything you like, Michael, just hold me close.”

  He didn’t have to be asked twice. His arms encircled her and he kissed her deeply. She clung to him as her heart pounded and her legs began to go limp, overcome with desire.

  “Daddy?” came Jake’s voice as the little boy stood in the open french doors, wrapped in a beach towel.

  Michael and Jenessa quickly dropped their passionate embrace and each took an embarrassed step back.

  “Hey, buddy,” Michael said as he rushed to his son.

  “I have to go potty.”

  Michael scooped Jake up in his arms and gave Jenessa a shrug and a grin. “Duty calls.”

  Her lips curved into a smile as the aftereffect of his kiss lingered with her, and she grabbed onto the refrigerator handle to steady herself.

  “Where’s the bathroom?” Michael asked.