Next To Die

by Marliss Melton

  Luther watched with tolerant interest as she greeted the man responsible for bringing her into the Bureau.

  “Hi, sir, it’s Hannah. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “Not at all,” rasped the Italian American, a legendary peacekeeper who’d put the famed mob boss Tarantello in jail for life. “Just a minute. Let me turn down the music.”

  The opera music in the background dimmed abruptly. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” His once-silky voice now sounded like a rock grinder, thanks to a bullet that punctured his vocal cords last year.

  “Well, I just saw something on the news. I wondered if investigators had made any connections.”

  “What was it?”

  “About the deputy Chief of Staffer who died unexpectedly?”

  “General Fripp,” the agent answered. “I’m working that case right now.”

  “Are you? Then maybe you’ve noticed that his death bears a striking resemblance to some others?”

  A definite pause followed. “I’m not surprised you connected the dots, Hannah, but we have no evidence to suggest that the murders are connected.”

  “But you think they are,” she guessed, shooting a wide-eyed look at Luther.

  “That’s hard to say without a motive or a murder weapon.”

  “What have you ruled out?” she wanted to know.

  “Well, none of them died of the usual. Every autopsy test imaginable has been run without yielding the exact cause of death. Some of the victims died immediately; others appear to have been poisoned over time, but there’s no consistent data.”

  “Have you considered ricin poisoning?” Hannah asked, with a shiver of excitement.

  “Ricin,” Valentino murmured thoughtfully.

  “I don’t believe it’s routinely tested for in autopsies.”

  “No, it’s not,” he agreed.

  “And it can be ingested or injected or even passed straight through the skin if it’s mixed with DMSO.”

  He was silent for some time.

  “Or maybe I’m just grasping at straws,” she added with belated self-doubt.

  “No, I’ll look into that. I don’t suppose you’ve also thought of a motive?” Now he sounded amused.

  “No, sir, I can’t think of one.”

  “So, what’s new down at our Norfolk branch?” he asked, shifting to a more neutral topic.

  “Oh, same old stuff.” Luther’s trying to get me pregnant, she wanted to add, only she was terrified of the impact on her career. Besides, how would news like that affect Valentino, whose three children, not to mention his wife, had been killed by mob retaliation?

  “I’m thinking of taking a break from the office,” volunteered the older agent.

  “What do you mean, sir? Retirement?”

  “No, no, just considering a step down to get back into the field.”

  “That would be cool,” said Hannah, wondering why he’d chosen to park his butt behind a desk in the first place. “Make sure you drop in if you come down this way.”

  “I’ll do that,” he promised. “Thank you for calling.”

  “You’re welcome.” She hung up the phone wishing she called him more often. He never complained of his solitude, yet the loneliness that crept into his voice at times tugged at her heartstrings. “Wouldn’t that be something,” she said to Luther, who was giving her that warm stare that was the first indication of his intent.

  “What?” he asked, pulling her into his powerful arms.

  “Maybe terrorists stole ricin from a government lab in order to poison our military leaders.”

  “I can think of more effective ways to kill the top brass than by poisoning them,” he pointed out.

  “Hmmm, that’s true,” she conceded. But with Luther nuzzling her neck and slipping a hand under her sweater, it was hard to come up with an alternative motive.

  “You know what I want in my stocking this Christmas?” he murmured, finding her nipple and thumbing it into stiffness.

  She hadn’t given a single thought to Christmas except to hope that Luther would be back from his upcoming mission to Southeast Asia. “What?”

  “An EPT with a positive result sign.”

  “You have a one-track mind,” she scolded, sliding a hand up his thigh.

  “Yeah, but the train is headed in the right direction.”

  “I sure hope so,” she replied.

  Any more words of doubt she might have said were cut short by his deep, all-consuming kiss.

  Chapter Ten

  Lia frowned at her reflection in the antique mirror above the marble-top dresser in Penny’s guest bedroom. “To go or not to go?” she asked herself. The fact that she was still home at seven o’clock was a novelty.

  Her beaded jeans, a turquoise camisole edged in black lace, and a cropped velvet jacket were suitable for a night at Peabody’s. Her friends were probably already there, scoping out the guys.

  But Lia didn’t feel like going.

  Her stomach wasn’t settled. Eric was still on the loose, and after what he’d done to Penny the other night, leaving bruises on her arms, maybe it wasn’t smart to leave the house. On the other hand, Penny had a date tonight; she’d probably like for Lia to go.

  “So, I’ll go,” said Lia, making up her mind.

  But then she thought of Mark Minors, who’d groped her at Katie’s Halloween party. He was a thirty-three-year-old stockbroker with a fast car. When he’d kissed her, she’d found herself wishing he was Vinny the SEAL.

  Find me. The challenge that the SEAL had tossed over his shoulder was taunting her. She couldn’t forget it any more than she could forget about that kiss. It was annoying to admit, but the boy SEAL had gotten underneath her skin in an alarmingly short amount of time. She couldn’t get him out of her thoughts.

  A knock downstairs pulled Lia back to the present. She left the room for her first glimpse of Penny’s suitor.

  Like Brad, Penny’s former fiancé, the Navy surgeon was of average height, average build, with brown hair and blandly pleasant features. He bestowed a warm smile on Penny as he stepped through the front door. “I’ve never seen you in civilian clothes,” he commented. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks,” said Penny, touching a self-conscious hand to her shiny hair.

  Nice? thought Lia. Wearing a gold blouse, black skirt, and sheer, sexy stockings, Penny looked better than nice.

  “This is for you,” he added, producing a long-stemmed rose, which he’d held behind his back. It was yellow—for friendship.

  Good choice, Lia conceded.

  “Oh, I love roses,” said Penny, putting it to her nose.

  They both turned their heads as Lia descended the stairs.

  “This is my little sister, Ophelia,” Penny said, introducing them.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you,” said Steven, with annoying innuendo in his voice. His eyes performed a quick tour of Lia’s body.

  “I can only imagine,” she drawled, glancing at Penny to see if she’d noticed her boyfriend’s wandering eye, but Penny was looking at her, not at Steven. “Aren’t you going out?” she inquired.

  “I’m not sure,” said Lia.

  “It’s Friday night. When have you not gone out on a Friday night?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll stay out of your way.”

  “You’re not in the way,” her sister rushed to reassure her.

  “I’m not sure if I want to go out with Eric on the loose,” Lia tried to explain.

  “Oh,” said Penny. “Well, good. I don’t want to have to worry about you, either.”

  “Eric?” Steven asked, looking between the two of them.

  “I’ll explain over dinner,” Penny promised. “Take your jacket off and come on back. Do you like red wine or white?”

  “Both,” he said, trailing after her with one last look at Lia.

  She resisted the impulse to stick her tongue out at him.

  Joe Montgomery had never ogled her like that. In Lia’s book, he got major poin
ts for rescuing her sister. She shuddered to think what might have happened if he hadn’t chased Eric off. He was the man Penny deserved, not that whey-faced surgeon who looked like Brad.

  Scowling, Lia plodded back upstairs. She threw herself across the guest bed feeling discontent, self-critical. It really bugged her that Penny had done so much for her, seeing her through college, cheering her on through rehab. She’d been Lia’s lifeboat when reality had done its best to drown her. Nurturing and committed, Penny had put her future on hold for her sister and lost the man she loved.

  Lia thought back. It was four years ago that Brad had left. She must have really, really loved him not to date any other man since. The realization made her feel like even more like a loser.

  She needed to get a real job. She missed her candles and pillows, her wall art, and her collection of cut glass. She wanted Penny to get a life.

  Vinny’s words reverberated in Lia’s head. Prove it to yourself.

  He had a real job, the little twit. He probably had his own apartment, too. Maybe even a house.

  Scowling, Lia rolled off the bed and stalked out the door. She crossed to the third bedroom, which Penny used as an office. Maybe she’d work on her résumé instead of going out. What would it hurt? She had nothing to lose by trying. The world of news media demanded grit and tenacity, and she had both in spades.

  An hour later, Lia sat back with a sense of accomplishment. The printer hummed as it spat out her résumé, a cut-and-pasted conglomeration of résumés found online. It was two-thirds fact and one-third fiction, but hopefully no one would question the shades of gray or call up the folks she’d listed as references.

  Tomorrow she’d look up the local television stations and send in her résumés.

  Enough for tonight. Lia stood and stretched.

  That same itchy-under-the-skin feeling ambushed her. She wanted something—but what? Another kiss from that boy SEAL would be nice, if only to verify whether it was really as toe-curling as she recalled.

  Find me.

  Oh, she could find him, no problem, the same way she’d found Joe Montgomery’s number, by performing an online search.

  But what would she do once she found him? Her heart beat faster at the thought. Maybe she’d have sex with him, just to see what a younger lover was like.

  With a shimmer of excitement, she sat down again to execute an online search.

  Vinny DeInnocentis had an unlisted number.

  Lia crossed her arms and thought hard. After a moment, her frown cleared. She reached for the phone and dialed Penny’s SEAL.

  “Montgomery,” he answered with a faint western drawl.

  “Hey, this is Lia next door.”

  Silence answered her cheery greeting. She plowed ahead. “I was wondering if you could do me a favor. You know that guy who was here the other day, the Navy SEAL? You think you could find out where he lives?” Adrenaline made her heart race.

  “Why would I do that?” Joe asked.

  “Well, because . . . I have information to give you in exchange.”

  His silence was skeptical. “Like what?”

  “Tell me you’ll find his address first. His name is Vincent DeInnocentis, all one word.”

  “I’ll do my best. What did you want to tell me?”

  “Well, uh . . .” God, was she really going to come right out and say it? Oh, why not? Men loved a challenge, and Penny wasn’t getting any younger. “Penny hasn’t had sex in five years,” she blurted.

  The silence was bottomless this time.

  “Do we still have a deal?” Lia finally asked.

  “I’ll call you back,” he said, hanging up the phone.

  She dropped the receiver in its cradle and came shakily to her feet. Now what?

  Her grumbling stomach prompted her to pad downstairs, where she found that Penny and Steven had finished their dinner of grilled salmon. They sat on the couch with a yard between them, watching a movie on DVD.

  Lia helped herself to leftovers and a glass of wine. The drama in the movie captivated her, prompting her to join the couple. She sat in the recliner, nursing her drink.

  In her peripheral vision, she saw Steven Parks turning his head to study her. She ignored him, drawing her feet up in a visual cue for him to back off. But the retard didn’t get it. And Penny, who was engrossed in the movie, didn’t seem to notice.

  For the next ten minutes Lia tolerated Steven’s stares. How crass could a guy get, ogling his date’s sister right in front of her? At last, she turned her head to send him a warning glare. Back off. To her horror, he winked at her.

  That’s it. Lia pushed to her feet. “Penny,” she said, “send this idiot home. You’re wasting your time with him.”

  Penny gaped at her. “What?” she cried, looking horrified.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t stand the fact that he’s here on a date with you and he’s checking me out!” Lia’s face burned with indignation.

  Penny swiveled a questioning look at her beau.

  The Navy surgeon had the grace to look chagrined. “I’m sorry,” he laughed. “I’m just amazed by how different you two are.”

  “Yes, we’re different,” Lia retorted. “But you’re on a date with her, so stop looking at me.”

  “Ophelia!” Penny cried, obviously mortified. “Do you mind?”

  “Obviously I do mind. He’s not right for you.”

  Penny put her hand over her eyes. “Why don’t you go out?” she moaned. “I’m sorry,” she added to her date. “She says what she thinks.”

  “That’s all right. Listen, uh, I think I’d better call it a night, anyway. I have to work tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I thought you had the weekend off.”

  “No, they need me to step in for Commander Owens. He’s got the flu or something.”

  Lia, who had beat a quick retreat, paused where the stairs turned. She couldn’t tell if Steven Parks was lying through his teeth or telling the truth. Either way, she’d scared him off, ruining Penny’s date.

  She tried to hide in her room, but her conscience wouldn’t let her stay there. Creeping down the stairs again, she found Penny in the foyer, arms crossed, looking pale and taut. She waited for Lia to speak first.

  “I’m sorry,” Lia apologized. “But I swear to you, he was coming on to me. I did you a favor by pointing it out.”

  “A favor?” Penny pounced on the word. “If you do me any more favors, Ophelia, I’ll be single for the rest of my life!”

  “What’s wrong with being single? You have everything you need. At least you have a job.”

  “Is that what this is about? Are you feeling so sorry for yourself that you have to ruin my evening?”

  “I’m not feeling sorry for myself,” Lia hotly denied. “This has nothing to do with me. The guy’s a worm. He’s not good enough for you.”

  “Well, thanks a lot,” said Penny caustically, “but I don’t need you to decide who is or isn’t right for me. That’s my decision. Just like this is my house and this is my life! Mine!” she added, stabbing a finger at her chest.

  A light knock sounded on the door behind her, causing Penny to gasp and whirl. The sisters peered anxiously outside, only to exhale in relief when they recognized their neighbor.

  “Hi,” Penny greeted him, dredging up a ghastly smile.

  Wearing a rust-colored flannel shirt, jeans, and boots, Joe looked just like the Marlboro Man, even with that scar on his face. “Hey,” he said. His dark green eyes took in everything from Penny’s heightened color to Ophelia’s secret smile. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “No problem,” Penny replied.

  “Any word on Eric yet?”

  “No, nothing. The police still can’t find him.”

  “Damn,” he said, shaking his head. He finally caught Lia’s eye and handed her a Post-it note.

  “Thanks.” She glanced down at it, feeling pleased with herself.

  Penny divided a puzzled look between them, but before she could ask, Joe said, “
You look different.”

  It wasn’t a compliment, but Lia saw Penny blush.

  “Did you change the lock on your back door yet?” he added matter-of-factly.

  “Uh, I bought the right kind of deadbolt, but I haven’t mounted it yet,” Penny admitted.

  “You want me to do it for you? Right now?”

  “Oh.” The offer seemed to catch Penny off guard. “Well, sure, if you don’t mind.”

  He glanced at Lia as he shut the door and wiped his boots on the mat. She had trouble stifling a grin. I knew that would get you stirred up, you naughty boy.

  “I’ll get the new lock,” Penny volunteered. “It’s in the garage.”

  As she disappeared into the laundry room, Lia murmured, “Just don’t tell her that I told you.” And then she beat a quick retreat, praying for her meddling to have the best possible outcome.

  “Let me see that Phillips head,” Joe requested, pointing to where the screwdriver lay in Penny’s modest toolbox.

  Her gaze slid over his long, powerful finger as she bent to retrieve the screwdriver. Why was it that every part of his anatomy, from his ears to the size of his feet, was so immensely appealing to her?

  As she passed him the tool, a crisp breeze sighed through the cracked French door, carrying his unique scent into her nostrils. It summoned memories of kneading the dense muscles of his back. Lord, if he knew how much enjoyment she got from touching him, he’d stop coming to his appointments!

  “So, what happened to your date?” Joe inquired, going down on one knee to tighten the screw on the faceplate.

  He must have seen Steven’s car and assumed the rest. “Ophelia scared him off,” she admitted, aware that her disappointment had flown.

  “Your sister’s a trip,” Joe commented.

  “Yes, she is.” Penny lips firmed.

  He glanced up at her disapproving tone. “I heard you two arguing,” he volunteered.

  She cringed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t know if you realize it,” he added, ignoring the apology, “but she looks out for you, you know.”

  “She does?” Had she missed something between Joe and Lia?

  “Yep. She chewed me out good the other day for coming over here to dress you down.”