“Me, too.”
“I don’t have anywhere to go for two weeks. I didn’t expect to win, but I hoped even if I got kicked off, I’d be able to hang around and watch.”
“You can come home with me.”
He waved a hand. “I would never impose on you like that.”
“Nonsense,” she said. “We’re friends. Of course you’ll stay at my place.”
“What about François?”
“He’s staying with me, too.”
Ronald smiled. “Perfect.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dan toed off his sneakers and peeled his socks from his feet. After dealing with all of his co-workers and the car ride, his head was pounding. He popped a couple of the pills and the pain was slowly receding, but he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and wake up in about fifteen hours. Instead, he had to sit through a meeting where most likely, Kaitlyn’s dreams would come crashing down around her. He hated that more than the bump on his head.
“You should be lying down,” she chided, coming into the bedroom.
“I need to shower first. She closed the door and turned to him. He held out his arms and she stepped into him. She fit perfectly, his other half. He breathed in her scent which was coated with a hefty dose of smoke, but he could still distinguish that unique Kaitlyn smell. She pulled back to look at him and he kissed her. She sighed into him, sinking into the kiss.
He picked her up and she squealed.
“DJ, put me down. You have a concussion.”
“Mild concussion,” he corrected as he carried her to the bathroom and eased her to her feet on the plush white rug. “I need to wash the soot off.” He reached into the shower and turned on the taps. He started to remove his shirt but Kait knocked his hand out of the way and did the job herself. Once he was standing naked and aroused in front of her, she stripped off her clothes. Grabbing his hand, she led him into the stall. The stand-up shower was large enough for two. When he felt better, he definitely wanted to take her against the tiled wall.
They lathered each other, making sure to keep his stitches dry. He might not feel up to it, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t take care of her. He rubbed the soap over her breasts while he kissed her. When his hand dipped lower and he stroked her, she gasped.
“DJ, we can’t…”
“I can’t,” he corrected. “But you can.” He kept up his efforts until she shattered in his arms. He caught her screams with his mouth. She sagged against him and then reached down to stroke him.
“Big Dan wants some attention, too.”
He groaned and closed his eyes. “He can’t have his way this time,” he gritted out grabbing her hand. “You make me feel like my head explodes and it kinda feels like it has already. I really don’t think I could handle it tonight. Raincheck?”
“Absolutely.” She stood on her tip toes and kissed him.
They stepped out of the shower and dried off. They both dressed quickly so they didn’t miss the meeting. He’d texted Detective Hurley and Tyler Redmond but there was no news on any potential accomplice to Ralph Priddy.
“You really should stay in here and sleep.”
“I want to be with you.”
She smiled and kissed him again. Then she took his hand and led him to the great room. Jade and a freshly-showered Logan were relaxing on a love seat. Luke and Alex were clean, too, having bathed here. Taylor had joined Dante. Mason and Abby appeared to be ignoring each other.
They settled on the couch next to Alex. The other four contestants were scattered around looking nervous. For once, there were no cameras filming every single word or movement. That didn’t bode well.
Kendall arrived with Dorian, looking beautiful but sad. “Thank you all for being here,” she started. “I have news to share with you and while it’s not unexpected, it’s hard to hear. The network has officially pulled the plug on Killer Cuisine.”
Gasps and denials sounded around the room. She held up a hand to quiet everyone. “I want to thank you for all of your hard work. We had a great team and I think the show would’ve been a success.”
“Then why cancel it?” Darrin asked. “I feel cheated.”
“None of us are happy about this,” Kendall said. “But the fire was the last straw.”
“I still think it’s Kait’s fault,” Joy grumbled. “Can’t you convince them to try again? I know I have what it takes to win this show.”
“There will be no more discussion. The show is axed. That’s final. You’re allowed to stay tonight, but you’ll be expected to leave first thing in the morning.”
“We have to just pack up and take off?” Keisei asked.
“Yes,” Kendall confirmed. “If you’d have been kicked off the show, you would’ve been required to leave immediately. You’re getting a reprieve tonight so you can get rest. We’ll have several security personnel staying tonight to make sure your last night here is safe. Thank you all for your participation and your hard work.”
Once the meeting broke up, the other contestants grumbled and trudged to their rooms to pack. He turned to see Kait standing in the doorway saying goodbye to her brother. A wave of love hit him so hard, he had to take a couple of steps back to steady himself. All these years, he’d been kidding himself, telling himself that he didn’t love her. He very much did love her, had loved her from the first time he met her.
When she turned and smiled, his heart pounded. Mine. Mine. Mine. She walked to him and he gathered her in his arms. They said goodnight to Mason and Alex, who were staying up to watch a baseball game. The alarms had been activated. They headed to their room and closed the door.
“I’m so sorry about the show. I’ve no doubt you would’ve won.”
She smiled. “Actually, Kendall said that the network liked my audition tape and she wants to pitch a healthy cooking show for me.”
“Kait, that’s wonderful.” He hugged her again and then stilled. “Wait…where would the show be filmed?” He didn’t think he could take it if she moved to Chicago or God forbid, New York City. He didn’t want to end up a poor schmuck like Alex, suffering because the love of his life lived thousands of miles away.
She chuckled. “I don’t even know if they want me, but I hope here. They like to use the houses of the host or hostess but my kitchen wouldn’t work. It’s too small.”
“Luke has an amazing gourmet kitchen.” And he would have, too, just as soon as he called up the builder to get started.
She smiled. “I was planning on asking him. I ended up filming my audition tape there.”
“I hope you get it. They’d be lucky to have you.”
She kissed him. “How’s your head.”
“A little achy,” he told her honestly. “But the drugs kicked in and I’m raring to go.” He reached for her but she danced away.
“Not tonight. Tell Big Dan to give it a rest. You need to sleep.”
“Big Dan doesn’t listen to me,” he grumbled.
She smiled and tugged the sheets down. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, content to just hold her. Everything was right with the world when Kaitlyn was in his arms. She covered his hands with hers and then turned to face him. They undressed between kisses and climbed into bed. He gathered her close and promptly fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Something woke Kaitlyn from her dreams. She was reliving the first time she made love with Dan. Being in his arms brought back those feelings of years ago, when she thought they’d always be together. She’d loved him with the fierce desire of young love. She knew from the moment she met him that they would grow old together.
The clock had been set to go off every three hours so she could check on him. He made her pay a “wake-up toll” which involved lots of kissing and touching. There’d been very little sleep through the night. She’d even checked on Alex a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t having any trouble breathing. Her eyes lit on the clock. “It’s ten.” She punched it to silenc
e it before she realized that wasn’t what woke her. A knock sounded on the door again. Dan was already up and getting dressed. “How do you feel?”
“Good.” He wiggled his eyebrows. She smiled and dressed quickly.
When she was decent, he opened the door. “Hey, Mason.”
“I’m sorry to bother you.” He looked like he hadn’t slept a wink. “The contestants are packed and I have to drive them to their vehicles. I didn’t want to leave without telling you.”
“What else is wrong?”
“I feel like a broken record, but I can’t find Abby. She left after everyone went to bed but she didn’t come back. No call, no text, nothing.” He ran a hand through his hair and from the looks of it, it wasn’t the first time. “I don’t know what to do. She knew we had to pack up to leave the house today.”
“Maybe she felt guilty for making you worry yesterday,” Kait suggested.
“So she disappears again?” He shook his head. Something’s wrong. We aren’t on the best terms but she wouldn’t just disappear on me.” He sank down to the edge of the bed. “At least I don’t think she would.”
“Why don’t you have Alex drive the contestants back. Let me jump in the shower and then we’ll come up with a plan of action.”
Mason stood. “Thanks. I’ll check with Alex.”
As soon as Mason left, Dan held out his hand. “Wanna scrub my back?”
“Shouldn’t we hurry so we can help him find his wife?”
“This will be quick because, honey, around you, I have no control.”
“But your head…”
“Is fine. Big Dan is not.”
Kait dropped the robe and sashayed across the carpet. Dan growled low in his throat and then scooped her up as she squealed. After a quickie up against the shower wall, they bathed in less than fifteen minutes. As they were gathering their bags, Kait said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I invited Ronald to stay at my house for a while.”
“Say what?”
“He didn’t have anywhere else to go. And don’t forget, François is there, too.”
“Great,” Dan muttered. “Two chaperones.”
#
Mason couldn’t believe Abby was putting him through this again. She’d apologized profusely after the last time. Now she turned around and did the same damn thing. He couldn’t sign the divorce papers fast enough.
He had a sneaking suspicion she was having an affair with the man who owned the restaurant where Kaitlyn worked. The guy knew she was married yet he was having an affair anyway. Mason had no respect for him.
He’d hated like hell to knock on Dan and Kaitlyn’s door this morning. He knew Dan needed rest after the ordeal yesterday, but the contestants had been ready to go and he couldn’t put it off any longer. He’d gathered Abby’s belongings and tossed them in her bags. If he missed something, too damn bad.
Alex agreed to drive the others to their cars and return the van so that he could look for his truculent wife. He vowed that this would be the last time. As soon as he found her, he’d tell her he was moving out. Then she’d have all the freedom she so desperately craved.
Kait climbed into the back seat of Dan’s Escalade with Ronald, leaving the front for him. Just for the heck of it, he tried her cell again.
“Still nothing?” Dan asked.
“It rings but then goes to voice mail.”
Before he started the SUV, Dan called Tyler Redmond and put him on speaker phone. “Hey, I need you to get me a location on this cell.” Mason recited the number.
“Give me a second,” Tyler said. “Okay, got it. It appears to be stationary. I’m sending the deets to you as we speak.”
“Thanks, Lightman.” Dan powered on the dashboard computer and brought up a map. He indicated the blinking red dot. “Here’s her phone.”
Kaitlyn peered over the seats. “That’s the address for Fresh!.” Her eyes shot to Dan’s in the rear view mirror, but Mason caught the look. They’d come to the same conclusion. If Abby was at the restaurant, then she most likely spent the night with Dion McArthur.
Dan put the SUV in gear and drove away from the case house. Mason stared out the window, saying nothing. What was there to say? His marriage was most definitely over. Kait gave Ronald a tour as they passed through town. Dan swung by her bungalow to drop Ronald off and she ran inside to get him settled. Dan tried to make her stay but she refused. When she climbed back inside, Dan continued on to the restaurant. It was a short drive and soon, they were turning into the employee parking lot. There were a few cars scattered around, including his wife’s sky blue Prius. Mason jerked open his door but Dan grabbed his arm. “It could be nothing.”
Mason scoffed. “Yeah, right.” He got out and marched for the back entrance.
“Mason, hold up.” Dan was checking the readout on his phone. The signal isn’t coming from there.” He glanced up and around the area, his eyes stopping on the closed dumpster. “It’s coming from there.”
Dread filled his stomach.
“Wait—” Dan said, but it was too late. He took off for the green bin and threw open the plastic lid. He covered his mouth to stop from gagging. Dan reached his side.
“Ah, Damn.”
Abby was indeed inside and she was very, very dead.
And she wasn’t alone.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kait hugged herself, shocked to the core that both Abby Rossi and Amy Warren were dead. They’d been stuffed into a refuse-filled container like yesterday’s garbage. She didn’t particularly care for either woman, but no one deserved to be treated that way. It was undignified and cruel.
After discovering Ralph Priddy had an accomplice, she thought it might be Amy. The woman certainly hated her enough. But now with her murder, they were back to square one.
Mason sat on the curb staring into space for the last half hour. The cops spoke with him but he wasn’t a suspect since he had an iron-clad alibi. He looked so lost and alone. Kait eased down beside him and placed a hand on his knee.
“I’m so sorry, Mason.” He didn’t respond and she didn’t expect him to. “Can I call someone for you?”
“The cops notified my sister in Cincinnati.” His voice was wooden. “I texted her last night so she was already on her way here. She should arrive soon.”
She was glad he wouldn’t be alone. He was in shock now, but when it wore off, the pain would be brutal. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
He sighed deeply. “I’m okay. Really. It wasn’t an easy thing to see.” He swallowed. “I’ll probably never get that visual out of my head.”
She didn’t doubt it. Dan wouldn’t let her look so she could only imagine. “Try not to remember her like that,” she suggested. “Picture her as the beautiful, vibrant woman she was in life.”
He nodded but she could read between the lines: Easier said than done.
She looked up to see Dion talking to one of the cops. She squeezed Mason’s shoulder, reiterated that she was here if he needed anything, and padded over to her boss.
His eyes widened when he spotted her. “Kaitlyn, what happened? Someone said Amy Warren and Abby Rossi have been murdered?”
She led him away from Mason. She didn’t think he’d spotted Dion yet and she wanted to avoid a confrontation, if at all possible. Mason wasn’t in his right mind. No telling what he would say—or worse—do.
When they were out of sight, she turned to Dion. “We found them both in there.” She indicated the garbage receptacle. “Do you know why Abby was here?”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not proud of it, but we had an affair—a one-night stand, actually. She swore to me that her marriage was over and I believed her. It was a moment of weakness. I told her I didn’t want to see her again, but she refused to take no for an answer. My only guess is that she came here to try to change my mind.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. I wasn’t even here last night.”
“Was Abby with you yesterday?” She could’ve added,
“When Mason was going out of his mind trying to locate her,” but wisely held her tongue.
He nodded. “The one and only time we were together. I took her back to the studio. I’d just gone inside to meet with Kendall when the fire broke out. When I saw how she reacted to her husband, I realized she’d used me. She wanted to make him jealous. I told her not to contact me again.” He sighed and scanned the area. “Why did someone kill her? God. And Amy, too? Do they have any witnesses or suspects?”
“I’m not sure,” Kait admitted. “They haven’t told me anything.”
A detective approached and pulled Dion aside to question him. A group of employees were standing in a huddle by the back door. Henry waved and she walked over to give him a hug.
“Is it true? Amy’s dead?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Gosh, Kait, I hated her but I didn’t want her dead.”
“I know. Me, either.”
#
Mason’s sister arrived and whisked him away. Dan handed her his card and told her to call if he needed anything. He also asked to be notified of the services. She thanked him as she guided her much taller brother to her car. The police were towing Abby’s vehicle to the station to process it for any clues.
Luke and Logan arrived and as soon as the police finished interrogating Dion McArthur, they were going to question him about his association with Ralph Priddy.
The bodies had been photographed and removed, along with the dumpster. The cops were finishing interviews. So far, they had nothing. The security camera still didn’t work and no one saw or heard anything unusual.
Dion led them into his office and offered them a drink. They politely refused while he poured himself a shot of whiskey and downed it. He turned to face the trio. “How can I help you?” he asked.
“How did you come to hire Ralph Priddy?”
“I didn’t, actually,” Dion admitted. “I personally hire the chefs and some of the other key positions, but the rest is handled by my manager, Colleen Jackson…or was handled.” His brows furrowed and he frowned.
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