“Origami?”
“Origami is an ancient Japanese art of paper folding.”
Joshua looked confused. “Right, but what is this? Besides origami,” he quickly added.
“A bird. A raven to be specific. Get it…raven…Ravensong. I’ll have your autograph on an origami raven and it’ll say Ravensong.”
Joshua hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Clever.”
“Always.”
Peyton laughed.
Beside her, Marco made a grunt of discontent.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked, leaning against him.
“I think I’m jealous.”
Peyton smiled up at him. “Don’t worry, D’Angelo, I still think you’re hot…”
“Thanks.”
“For an older man.”
He gave a sarcastic nod of his head and draped his arm around her shoulders. “Always keeping me humble, eh, Brooks?”
“Always.”
Joshua shook hands with each of them, but when he got to Abe, the medical examiner held out his arms. Gamely Joshua let Abe hug him, then he pulled away and walked over to Peyton.
Behind him, Abe held up the autographed raven in one hand and gave her a thumb’s up with the other. Peyton nodded at him and he danced a little jig.
Stopping in front of her, Joshua placed his hands in his jeans pockets. “Are you ready, Inspector Brooks?”
“I sure am.” She glanced over her shoulder out the precinct door. Paparazzi milled about the parking lot. “But we should go out the back way. Marco can meet us on the street with the Charger.”
“Sounds good.”
“What is Marco doing?” Marco said at her back.
“Driving us to the hospital to see Antonio.”
Marco leaned away from her so he could look her in the face.
“Come on, D’Angelo. We don’t have all day.”
“All right. I’ll meet you out back.” He circled around Peyton and headed for the front door.
Joshua wandered over to Captain Defino and held out his hand. She took it with both of hers. “Thank you, Captain, for having faith in your people.” He glanced back at Peyton. “Inspector Brooks here saved my life.”
Captain Defino gave him one of her rare smiles. “She’s a keeper, all right, Mr. Ravensong.”
“Joshua, please, ma’am.”
“Joshua, then.” Reluctantly she released him. “I hope to never see you in my precinct again.”
“So do I, ma’am.” He leaned over Maria’s desk and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Thank you as well, especially for the way you treated my Elena.”
She gave him a sultry nod, then shot a smug look at Peyton. Peyton let her have her little victory. As they walked to the backdoor, Joshua turned and waved goodbye to everyone.
Peyton shook her head. “Enough already. They’re going to faint from all the excitement.”
Joshua laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. “At least you’re immune.”
She looked over at him and caught the simmering look he gave her. She chose not to answer that remark, but oh, was she so not immune.
* * *
The ride to the hospital was quiet after the energy of the precinct. Joshua sat behind Peyton, pensively staring out the car window at the San Francisco fog. Marco was subdued, but then she noticed he usually was whenever they went to see his nephew.
For her part, she was glad the case was over. Once they got Kristin into an interrogation room, she’d confessed to everything. She’d only planned to confront Terry about the affair, but the two of them had gotten into a shouting match. One moment of fury and Terry was dead. Afterward, there was nothing left to do, except call her husband to clean up the mess. Like Antonio’s accident, an ill-fated confrontation had ruined three lives. Not that Peyton was sorry to take O’Shannahan down.
Yes, she was glad to put this case behind her, but she couldn’t help the ache inside at the thought that soon Joshua Ravensong would only be a memory.
“I love this City,” he said in that smoky voice of his.
Peyton looked out at the rising skyscrapers, the people hustling past, a cable car rolling down the hill before them, its iconic red color teasing through the fog. “Yep, I love it too,” she said.
Walking through the hospital was a new experience with a famous rock star who had recently been acquitted of a murder charge. People stopped what they were doing. One guy even dropped the bouquet of flowers he was carrying. Joshua picked it up and placed it back in his hands with an understanding smile. In the elevator, people turned and stared at him and once they reached the floor where Antonio was staying, the nurses couldn’t stop giggling.
“Do you ever get used to it?” asked Peyton as they headed down the hall toward Antonio’s room.
Joshua shook his head grimly. “Never.”
Antonio was sitting up in bed when they appeared in the doorway. Rosa sat in a chair next to him, reading aloud from a book, and Vinnie reclined on a couch beneath the widow. He rose to his feet as Joshua entered and the book tumbled from Rosa’s hands.
“You must be Antonio,” said Joshua, going to the side of the bed and offering his hand.
Antonio’s eyes were enormous as he shook it.
Joshua leaned over and offered his hand to Rosa. “Joshua Ravensong.”
“Yes you are,” said Rosa breathlessly.
Vinnie gave his brother and Peyton a wild eyed stare, motioning toward the rock star with his head.
Marco answered with a short nod.
“I’m Rosa and this is my husband, Vinnie.” She reached back and pulled Vinnie to her side.
Joshua shook Vinnie’s hand, then turned back to Antonio. “I heard you’d been in an accident.”
Antonio nodded. He still didn’t seem able to find his voice. Rosa elbowed Vinnie in the stomach and pointed at one of the empty chairs. Vinnie hurried to grab it and set it behind Joshua.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Ravensong.”
“Thank you.” He sat down and rested his hands on his knees. Peyton noted that the leather armbands were in place hiding his scars. “How’s your leg?”
“Better,” said Antonio breathlessly. “How are you?”
Joshua gave a laugh. “Better,” he answered. “Inspector Brooks told me you have no memory of the accident.”
“None. I’ve tried and tried to remember, but I can’t.”
“I know. Frustrating, isn’t it?”
“You have that too?”
“Unfortunately yes. It’s scary, having that gaping hole in your memory.”
“Yeah, I keep trying to think of things to make it come back, but there’s just nothing there.”
Marco put his arm around Peyton’s shoulders and pulled her back against him. Bending his head, he kissed her on the temple.
“What’s that for?” she said.
“For this. Brilliant idea.”
“I know. I’m good like that.”
“Yes, you are, Brooks, yes you are.”
* * *
Jake pulled two beers out of the refrigerator and let the door close. As he straightened, he saw Marco hand Abe a check.
“I don’t want this,” said Abe.
“Take it. I appreciate what you did, but we’re okay now.”
Abe folded the check back into Marco’s hand. “Then give it to the Miller kid. He’ll need it.”
Marco hesitated, but he finally gave a nod. “I’ll do that.”
“Good.”
Marco gave him a smile, then walked to the couch and sat down.
Abe smoothed his silk shirt. With his tailored slacks and dance shoes, he looked like he was ready for a night on the town.
Jake frowned. “What are you all decked out for?”
“I’m going out with Peyton.”
“I thought you were going to watch the game with us. I ordered a pizza.” He carried the beers over to the couch and handed one to Marco.
Marco took it and screwed off the top, then l
ounged back in the corner of the couch, one foot resting on the coffee table. Pickles lay next to him on his back.
“I can’t be swilling beers and burping all the time with you.” He cast a sultry look at Marco. “Although I’d do just about anything for you, Angel.”
Marco raised his beer and took a sip, then focused his attention on the game.
“Where the hell are you and Peyton going?”
“It’s girls’ night out,” came her voice from the hallway.
Jake turned as she moved into the living room. Her hair was down, curling to the middle of her back in tight spirals; she’d put on make-up and her eyes looked exotic and dark; she even wore a subtle shade of red lipstick and she smelled like jasmine. A little black dress hugged every curve of her petite body and her legs seemed especially long in the ankle strapped black pumps she wore. A silver necklace rested in the low neckline of the dress, showing off a tantalizing hint of cleavage.
Jake stared, his mouth agape.
“Oolala, sexy lady,” said Abe, coming forward and taking her hand, forcing her to spin.
She laughed and her hair whipped around her shoulders as she came to a stop.
Jake sat down hard on the couch next to Marco. “Girls’ night out? You don’t know any girls.”
She gave him a saucy look. “Captain Defino and Maria.”
“You hate Maria and Captain Defino isn’t a girl.” He couldn’t help but let his eyes trail over her again. “Where are you going?”
“Ravensong’s playing a gig at a club in North Beach.”
“Wait. Captain Defino’s going to a gig?”
“Of course, she loves Ravensong.”
“Why’s Abe going if it’s girls’ night out?”
“He loves Ravensong too.”
Abe gave a nod, sending the beads in his hair to tinkling, but he gave Marco a wink. “You’re still my number one, Angel’D.”
Marco lifted the beer in salute. “Awesome.”
She shook out the black wrap she carried and swung it around her shoulders. Jake couldn’t stop staring at her, even though he knew he should.
Marco kicked him in the leg and he jumped.
“What?”
“Stop it,” he hissed.
Peyton caught the exchange and her smile was wicked. She came to the couch and leaned over him to pet Pickles. Her hair brushed against Jake’s chin and he caught his breath, drinking in the floral scent.
“Don’t wait up,” she said in a sexy voice. Then she walked toward the door beside Abe.
Jake shifted on the couch to watch after her as they walked out, but Marco hit him in the shoulder.
“What?” he said, rubbing it.
“That’s my partner you’re drooling over.”
“Yeah, but did you see her?” He turned back around.
Marco clenched his jaw and briefly closed his eyes. His fingers tightened on the beer bottle. “I saw her and if you keep looking at her like that, I’m gonna have to shoot your ass.”
Jake stared at the floor, slowly shaking his head. “But the hair…and the dress…and the legs…”
Marco leaned forward so quickly, he startled both Pickles and Jake. “Shut your mouth, Ryder, or I swear I will shoot you.”
“Okay, okay,” he said, scrambling off the couch. “Want another beer?”
Marco sank back in his spot, reaching over to pet Pickles. “Bring me two,” he growled.
* * *
The house lights came up and the applause died away. Peyton sighed and closed her eyes. She could still hear Joshua’s voice, see the way his fingers danced over the piano keys.
“He’s so very talented,” breathed Defino.
“Gifted,” said Maria.
“And so damn sexy,” said Abe.
They all laughed.
Peyton pushed herself to her feet. “I’ve gotta go to the lady’s room before we go.”
They nodded at her and she made her way toward the back of the club. She was glad Abe was driving tonight because she’d had a few too many appletinis. One thing about Captain Defino, she could drink.
She found the bathroom in a narrow, dark hallway and was glad no one else seemed to be around. Once she was finished, she washed her hands in the sink and reached for a towel. Looking up into the mirror, she had to admit it was fun to dress up for a change. She didn’t get many opportunities to get out since Devan dumped her. Tossing the towel in the garbage, she pulled open the door and started back toward the clubroom.
“There you are.”
She stumbled as she came to a halt and looked over her shoulder. Ravensong reached out and steadied her with a hand on her arm.
“You okay?”
She laughed. “Too many appletinis,” she said, glad she wasn’t slurring.
He gave her his slow, crooked smile and her eyes were drawn to the beauty mark above his upper lip. “I’ve been looking for you. I’m glad you came.”
His shirt was open at the throat, hanging loose around his hips, and she could see the planes of his chest. Oh, this man was trouble and she was too drunk to think straight.
“You were brilliant tonight.”
“I like playing these small clubs. It’s a lot more intimate.”
Intimate? Interesting word.
“Where’s Elena?” Good, remember Elena.
“Home with Tiffany. I wanted them both to come, but she thought it was important I get out on my own again, back to performing. Plus it’s too late for Tiffany to be out.”
Peyton nodded.
He stepped back and gave her a once-over. “If it isn’t out of place, you are looking quite amazing tonight, Inspector Brooks.”
She felt her cheeks flush with heat. “Do you think…” She caught herself, realizing that the alcohol was making her bold.
“Do I think what?”
Peyton licked her lips and his eyes followed the motion. “Do you think that if you weren’t in love with Elena that you and I…”
He moved closer to her and Peyton backed up, bumping into the wall. He braced a hand near her head, trapping her. “That you and I would what?”
She tried to speak, but it was hard with him standing so close to her. She could see flecks of lighter brown in his eyes. “That we would…”
“Have made hot, passionate love to each other.”
Peyton swallowed hard. “Yes,” she said breathlessly.
He leaned closer, his mouth a breath from hers. “Undoubtedly.”
Then he kissed her. Peyton had kissed her fair share of men, but this kiss was dark and sensual, a kiss every woman wants once in her life, especially if it comes from a bad boy, the forbidden fruit. He drew away from her and his eyes searched her face. Peyton realized she couldn’t breathe.
“Thank you for saving my life, Inspector Brooks,” he said, slowly licking his lower lip, then he was gone.
Peyton closed her eyes and slumped back against the wall.
“What the hell did I just see?” came Abe’s voice.
Her eyes flashed open and she straightened, smoothing down her dress. “I have no idea.”
“Yes you do. He kissed you.”
She made a point out of looking around. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re the only ones back here, Abe.”
“Don’t play coy with me, missy. You were just kissing Joshua Ravensong. I saw you.”
She started walking toward the club. “You must be seeing things. Strange. I didn’t think you had that much to drink.”
“I know what I saw.”
Peyton waved a hand at him and kept going.
“Peyton!” he yelled.
THE END
Now that you’ve finished, visit ML Hamilton at her website: authormlhamilton.com for more information on the Peyton Brooks’ mysteries and her other contemporary fiction novel, Ravensong.
If you missed the first two novels in the Peyton Brooks’ mystery series, Murder on Potrero Hill and Murder in the Tenderloin, download them now!
&n
bsp; Then check out her fantasy series, The World of Samar, at worldofsamar.com.
All ML Hamilton titles available at Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.
The Complete Peyton Brooks’ Mysteries Collection:
Murder on Potrero Hill Volume 1
Murder in the Tenderloin Volume 2
Murder on Russian Hill Volume 3
Murder on Alcatraz Volume 4
Murder in Chinatown Volume 5
Murder in the Presidio Volume 6
Murder on Treasure Island Volume 7
The Complete World of Samar Collection:
Emerald Volume 1
The Heirs of Eldon Volume 2
The Star of Eldon Volume 3
The Spirit of Eldon Volume 4
The Sanctuary of Eldon Volume 5
Murder on Russian Hill (Peyton Brooks' Series Book 3) Page 30