“Uh oh. Don’t tell me you were one of the suspects!” a jolly man across the table said.
He chuckled. “Of course not. I’d like to think I helped her catch the bad guy. Right, Gabby?”
I forced a smile, realizing things didn’t sound all professional between us. “Of course you did.”
“Gabby is like an urban legend back in Norfolk. She’s solved several crimes that the police weren’t able to crack. She’s gotten some notorious criminals off the streets.”
The woman across from me nodded. “Impressive.”
“Gabby, I forgot to mention that my friend Margo here is the owner of Grayson Technologies. They manufacture—”
“—much of the equipment that is used in crime scene analysis.” I smiled. “I’ve heard of you. I’ve even utilized many of your products. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Margo was a blonde with a neat bob and a pear shaped figure. She was probably in her fifties and whenever she looked at the program for the evening, she slid some turquoise colored glasses on the end of her nose.
“Same here,” she responded with a professional smile. “It sounds like you have a good track record. Any professional experience?”
Did being a crime scene cleaner count? I shrugged. “I worked for the medical examiner for a while.”
“What happened?” she asked.
“Budget cuts.”
She nodded. “Looking for a new job?”
“A new job might take me out of state, and I’m not quite ready for that. But I’m keeping my options open.” I remembered my conversation with Riley. “You never know what doors will open or close.”
“We’re always looking for representatives for my company. I’ll give you my card before I leave. Maybe you’d be interested?”
“I’d definitely love some more information.” Maybe this whole I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine thing really did work.
Margo grinned. “Perfect.”
I looked up at Garrett, about to smile and show my gratitude. Before I could, his lips covered mine. Just for a minute. A brief minute. A millisecond was probably more like it. But still. His lips and my lips connected.
A jolt burst through me. A jolt of guilt or a jolt of pleasure?
I hated that I even had to ask myself that question.
CHAPTER 20
Guilt, I decided. It was guilt that flashed through me.
I did not participate in that kiss. I was innocent. I hadn’t cheated, hadn’t puckered in return. I was like a bystander in a drive-by smooching.
Garrett just smiled beside me, as if what had happened was nothing unusual. “I think Gabby would be a great asset to your company. Isn’t that great news, Love?”
“Great news,” I mumbled.
I tried not to look flustered. But I felt flustered. I felt like running from the table.
Which wouldn’t be a good impression for Margo across from me.
So I forced a smile.
Garrett rubbed my shoulder. “I think she’s amazing.”
The rest of the conversation seemed like a blur. All I could think about was that kiss.
Why in the world had the man kissed me? I needed to talk to him, but I wasn’t sure when I’d get that opportunity. I had to force my breathing to remain steady. Force my words to remain calm. Force my brain to stop going the places where it wanted to go.
“Could I have this dance, Love?” Garrett asked. He stood, those British eyes smiling as he extended his hand.
“Of course.”
I took his hand—only because everyone was watching—and let him pull me to my feet. I kept my mouth closed until we reached the dance floor.
I tried to ignore the tingle I felt when his hand went to my waist. Those feelings should only be reserved for Riley. So why was my body disobeying me?
I was about to launch into my spiel when he tugged at one of my curls. “I think I’ll call you Shirleylock. You know, a combination of Shirley Temple and Sherlock. What do you think?”
I ignored him.
“What was that about?” I demanded.
“What was what about?” He swayed to the music, looking totally at ease.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
He nonchalantly looked toward the ceiling. “The kiss, you mean? Oh, that was nothing. I was just going with the moment.”
“Nothing, huh?”
“I have to say that investors do like a man in a steady relationship.”
“But we’re not in a relationship.”
He raised my hand. “I noticed your ring is gone. Does that mean the engagement is off?”
My cheeks flushed again. “It does, but the ending of my engagement doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“So, you’re free now? There are no ugly little lines to cross.”
“Not exactly. We called off the engagement, but we didn’t break up.”
“Called off the engagement but not officially broken up? I think you and I both know that’s not true. We know how it works, no matter how hard reality might be to handle.”
I looked away, determined that his words were false. “You don’t know Riley.”
“I don’t need to. I’m a man. I know how men think. And I think we could be good together, Gabby. As friends. As lovers.”
I cringed, and Garrett laughed, low and rumbling.
“I hate that word,” I reminded him.
He grinned. “I know.”
“You’re terrible.”
“Only in a good way.”
I stared off in the distance, at the other couples swaying happily to the music. I remembered the kiss. I realized I enjoyed Garrett’s leathery scent just a little too much. I enjoyed our banter. I enjoyed the attention, for that matter.
But I also couldn’t rely on any of these emotions right now. So I was going to go with the logical approach. There were so many reasons I couldn’t date Garrett, even if Riley wasn’t in the picture. “You seem like a guy who just likes the thrill of the chase.”
“I do like the chase. Is there something wrong with that?”
“I’m someone who thinks romance is a lifelong journey, not a flash in the pan sprint. Excuse the mixed metaphor.”
He stepped close enough that I could feel his breath on my cheek. “I think when you meet the right one that everything changes.”
My throat tightened. I had to forget about these emotions. “My fiancé and I just broke up.”
“Maybe the best way to get over one person is to be with another.”
The idea was tempting. I hated to admit it. But it was true. Feeling desired had its appeal, especially after being thrown to the curb like a piece of trash.
He took my hand and pulled me toward him. “Gabby, you’d never have to worry about money with me again. I could take care of you. Give you anything you wanted.”
I let myself imagine that for a moment. I’d never been at that place in life before. I’d always lived paycheck to paycheck. The idea of security tempted me more than it should have.
I pushed him back. “I can’t. Not now. Maybe not ever. I don’t know. I just know that I need time.”
He stared at me a moment. The look in his eyes made me want to forget all of my resolutions. Finally, he nodded. “I’m about to say the most unromantic thing ever.”
“I’ve heard some pretty unromantic things.”
The intensity in his eyes remained. “I can’t promise you that I’ll wait.”
That was pretty unromantic. Not the words fairy tales were made of. But I’d stopped believing in fairy tales. “What’s meant to be will be.”
“Excuse me? Garrett?”
I swung my head toward the voice. Lyndsey was here. Garrett’s “assistant.” When had she arrived?
“Yes, Lyndsey?”
“It’s time for your speech to begin.”
Garrett leaned toward me, his gaze locking with mine. “Let’s finish this conversation later.”
***<
br />
As Garrett was making his way toward the stage, my cellphone cried out from the depths of my tiny little glittery clutch. After casting an apologetic glance toward the podium, I put the phone to my ear and whispered hello.
“Gabby, this is Jamie. Holly told me where you were. Sorry to interrupt you, but it’s important.”
I stared at the stage as Garrett took the microphone. Standing here and talking wasn’t an option. I hated to miss Garrett’s big moment, but I stepped away from the speakers and went out in the lobby. A security guard stood by the door, but the only other people out here were a couple of ladies headed toward the restroom and a man working the front door.
“What’s going on, Jamie?”
“You know that website I told you about, the one with the cold cases?”
“Of course.” I wanted to check out the website more when I had time.
“We just got a hit.”
My adrenaline spiked. “And?”
“You may not dig this. That’s why I wanted to call you right away.”
If she was calling me here, it was obviously important. “Okay.”
“Someone left an anonymous message on the site. They said you should look into Garrett Mercer.”
“What?” The words came out louder than I intended. But of all the suspects I expected to hear, Garrett Mercer wasn’t one of them.
“The poster said Mr. Rico Suave was actually in town on the night of the murder.”
“No …” He was at a party. Certainly the police had verified that. Besides, Garrett wouldn’t kill his own family. I refused to believe it.
“I’m just relaying the message. This person also said that three other investigators he hired have turned up dead, not including Perkins.”
A chill spread through me. “Are you serious?”
“I wish I weren’t. This could be nothing, Gabby. I know that. But just in case it is something, I wanted you to know. Especially since … well, you know. You’re with him now and all.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you.”
I slid my phone back into my purse and listened to Garrett’s voice ringing out in the background. The audience laughed, as he no doubt said something that charmed them.
Charm was deceptive and beauty was fleeting. They were the perfect masks to cover up an ugly heart and devious spirit. Just what were those qualities masking about the real Garrett?
I had to make a decision. Did I take a taxi home and hide? Confront Garrett? Call the police?
I wasn’t sure. But I needed to decide and soon.
CHAPTER 21
I leaned against the cool marble wall behind me and let my thoughts simmer for a moment.
I considered Garrett as the killer, along with what his motives, opportunity, and means might be.
Usually one of the first suspects was a family member. Check.
Garrett was in town—possibly—on the night his family died. Check.
Garrett stood to inherit a fortune if everyone in his family died. Check.
He appeared that he wanted to find answers, but other investigators in this case had died. Check.
Garrett was the one who knew I was coming to Cincinnati. He knew a limo was coming to get me. He could have easily arranged for someone to threaten me. Check.
Where I was drawing a blank was when it came to the question of why? Why hire investigators only to kill them? Why threaten me when he could simply take me off the case?
Was he psychotic? Did he get some kind of pleasure out of it? Did he feel like this threw the police off of his trail?
Something else didn’t make sense. Someone had shot at Garrett. The bullet would have hit him if I hadn’t thrown him out of the way.
The questions were enough to make my head spin.
Applause sounded inside. Was Garrett’s talk over? I still hadn’t decided what I would do. Just because someone made a claim online didn’t mean it was true. The accusation could have been made by the real killer as he tried to derail our investigation.
The door opened beside me, and Garrett stepped out.
“There you are!” Garrett reached for my hand. “I thought you’d left.”
“We need to talk,” I muttered.
He dropped his hand and frowned. “Well, yes, I was hoping we might talk again and finish our conversation.”
“About something else. About the case.”
His gaze shifted behind me, to the people who’d wandered out. To ears that could eavesdrop on this conversation.
He looked back at me. “Might we do that later? Not here.”
I knew this was his big night, and I hated to rain on his parade. But those accusations were serious. Especially if they were true. “We either talk now or I start screaming.”
“Screaming?” His eyes narrowed with confusion. Finally, he nodded. “Let’s go somewhere private.”
I shook my head. “We talk here. You were in town the night your family died.”
He looked around, as if to make sure no one was listening. Was he afraid of tarnishing his image? Here, he was a golden boy. Everyone worshipped him. He’d almost had me fooled for a moment, as well.
He lowered his voice. “Yes, I was.”
“You lied to me.” My voice started rising.
“I knew how it would look.”
“If you were innocent, you would have known you’d be cleared.”
He shook his head. “Innocent men go to jail every day, Gabby.”
“Were you there when your family was murdered?” The words tasted bitter as they left my lips.
He grabbed my arm. “Gabby, it’s not like that. I’m not like that.”
“If you lie about one thing, who knows what else you’ve lied about.”
“Nothing, Gabby. I promise you.” His eyes begged me to believe him.
“Why are all of these other investigators turning up dead? Can you tell me that?”
“I have no idea.”
Another realization hit me. “Is that why you hired me? Did you see me as expendable?” I shrugged out of his grasp. “You couldn’t care less if I survived this or not, could you?”
He glanced around again as a couple of people looked our way. “Gabby, I promise you it’s not like that.”
“Then you better start explaining because I’m about to call the police.”
His shoulders sagged as something close to resignation seemed to burden him. “I didn’t want you to think poorly of me. That’s why I didn’t tell you I was here on the night of the murders.”
“You didn’t think I would uncover that information?
“I’d hoped you wouldn’t. The police didn’t.”
“Then maybe you don’t have every confidence in me.” I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my arm.
“Gabby, it’s not very often that I actually care what a person thinks of me.”
“You’re telling me I’m different? That you actually want to put your best foot forward and make a good impression?” I didn’t believe a word out of his mouth anymore.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” His words resounded with an unmistakable sincerity that threw me off guard.
“Why?”
“Because there’s something special about you. You’re not like all of the other women I meet. You’ve got depth and integrity. I like that.”
He wasn’t going to soften me up that easily. “Why were you here? Why lie about it?”
He sighed, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. “I was meeting a girl, that’s why.”
“And why was that a secret?”
His gaze latched onto mine. “Her name was Olivia.”
“Okay …”
“Olivia Newport.”
Realization washed over me. “Vic Newport’s daughter?”
His lips pulled into a tight line. “That’s correct.”
“You were dating?”
“More than that. She was pregnant.”
My eyes widened. And the plot thickened … again. If this plo
t got any thicker, it would need gastric bypass surgery.
“Why was all of this a secret? I’m still not following.”
“Mr. Newport didn’t think too highly of me. I was into partying. Flunking out of college. I went through women like someone with the flu goes through tissues.”
“Okay.”
We scooted out of the way and waited for a small crowd to depart. A few people stopped to chat with Garrett a moment, to thank him for his contributions to the world. If they only knew. As soon as the group passed, Garrett turned back to me, a tortured look in his eyes.
“Before life threw that curveball, Olivia and I were going to break up. We knew it was best for both of us. She wanted to be a fashion model. I didn’t want to be tied down.”
“And then she found out she was pregnant,” I finished. “That could really throw a wrench in your plans.”
“Exactly. Her dad would have been furious. I had a moment of clarity. I was going to, for once in my life, do the right thing. I was going to ask her to marry me.”
“Wow.” That was unexpected.
“We met at a cabin my family owns just across the state line down in Kentucky so we could talk. But her mind was already made up. She said she didn’t want to marry me. She wanted to terminate the pregnancy.”
My heart ached at his words. “And?”
“She left, and I stayed at the cabin for the rest of the night, trying to figure out what to do next.”
“Why didn’t you tell the police?”
“Telling the police would mean owning up to the pregnancy. That was the last thing Olivia wanted. Her father would have gone ballistic.”
“He’s the ballistic type, huh?” I made a mental note of that.
“Some would say. And, of course, staying quiet had its advantages for me, as well. I was at a party the night before. People have faulty memories. They thought I was there longer than I was, and I didn’t correct them. I stuck with my story that I’d driven in that next morning. Olivia never corrected it.”
“What happened to the baby?”
“She had a miscarriage.” He hung his head as if the remembrance pained him.
“I’m sorry.”
He frowned. “Me too. No one ever understood that I not only lost my family that night, but I also felt like I’d lost my future.”
Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 07 - Mucky Streak Page 16