"Did I miss something? Who's Richard Mayer?"
"Louisa's husband. When The Montgomery changed owners, Richard was up for the job along with Killjoy. It would have been a huge promotion after years of slugging away for the hotel group, but he didn't get the job. Richard was furious. He blamed Louisa. He started drinking heavily, and messing up at work. After all, what was the point? He didn't get the promotion and the opportunity probably would never come up again. Louisa figured with Killjoy gone, she would easily be able to slide Richard into the job. After all, she was going to be the hotel's savior. And the reason it didn't totally sink." All this was gleaned from Maddox, who gave me the lowdown after Louisa finally confessed and started yakking.
"How could she be so sure the board would listen to her? Or that Richard would get the job?"
"Because she would have made sure there were no other suitable applicants for the position." I thought about all the problems Louisa had created. If she'd only put as much effort into helping her husband find a new job... instead of murdering an innocent man to cover her crimes. "Seems kind of a drastic way to get hired, if you ask me."
Lily shrugged, sipping her coffee. "I guess it's the recession."
"Seriously?"
"You're speaking to the woman who has to dress as a cigarette girl later and hand out flyers."
"You really need to get your own club."
Lily grinned suddenly. "The bank came through. With their loan and my parents' investment, I get to go property shopping. I think I found somewhere already."
"No?"
"Yes!"
"I want to be on the guest list for the opening party."
"It's going to be huge. Ruby's going to be my bar manager. Jord said he'll bring all his cop buddies."
"How are things going with my brother?"
"Early days. Can't believe we're finally dating and..."
"And?"
"It's not what I expected. He's nicer, sweeter, than I expected."
"Did he tell you why he finally asked you out?"
"He said he couldn't stand to see me dating another jerk, when I could have him."
We both pondered that. "Men," I said.
"Men," agreed Lily.
"Speaking of which—I have a date with the boss."
"You decide what you're going to do?"
"Yes."
"Whatever you do, I'm here for you."
Best friends were always there for you. Marissa had that, and a new fiancé. Apparently, I was getting a wedding invitation. I had that too, and I hoped Lily knew how much I cherished her.
When I strolled into the Solomon Agency late morning, I was dressed in black pants and a black shirt, with three buttons undone for just a hint of cleavage, and the highest, sexiest, heels I thought I could get away with given my get-up. Lucas and Fletcher were already in the office. Flaherty and Delgado were noticeably absent and Solomon's office door was shut. Through the blinds, I saw him talking on the phone. He met my eyes and nodded. I nodded back. To some, that might have seemed a poor “Welcome home,” but Solomon was never big on gestures. A nod was as good as a hug.
"Is that a picture of your wife?" I asked Lucas, indicating the photo of an attractive woman with long hair on his desk amid his flat-screen monitors.
"Fiancée," he replied, smiling.
"Pretty. You're a lucky guy," I said as I passed him to my desk. After years of temping, I got used to never leaving anything on my desk, unless I didn't mind never getting it back. But I was here to stay for now, a genuine employee. "I thought I might jazz up my desk too. It's looking a little lonely." I pulled a photo out of my leather tote and laid it flat. I fiddled further in my bag and took out a photo frame that I'd picked up on the way in. I levered off the back, finally shoving the photo in and setting it upright.
Lucas flicked a glance at Solomon's office. "You brought a picture of a guy?" he asked.
"No," I said, turning the photo frame around so he could see it. "The guys."
Lucas frowned. “Is that the Army?”
Fletcher wheeled his chair over from the desk opposite, kicking his feet against the floor, rather than simply getting up, and peered at it. "You know someone in the Army?" he asked, his brows knitted together in confusion as he took a long look at the photo.
I pointed to a figure two rows back. "That's me," I said. "When I was in the Army."
"I didn't know you were in the Army." Lucas looked up at me and his expression changed. I thought he looked more respectful, but I could have been imagining it.
"It’s not something I shout about," I said, nonchalantly.
"When did you get out?"
"A few years ago."
"Your time up?"
"Sort of."
"Yeah?"
I leaned in. "Okay. You can't tell anyone. It's like this. I killed a guy."
Lucas’ eyes widened. "Seriously?"
"Maybe," I said. "I'll never tell. Coffee?" I could also lie well enough to confuse Lucas. I smiled as he contemplated me.
"I'll make it," he said quickly.
I rested back in my chair and smiled as I turned on my laptop. Behind me, Fletcher was earwigging. I would give it one day before Lucas or Fletcher told Delgado and Flaherty about my mysterious military past.
Here's the thing though. I was in the Army, but it wasn't the most illustrious point of my life. Like I said, I was engaged and it ended badly. Embarrassed and hurt, I stumbled into a military recruitment drive and signed up, ending up in boot camp shortly after. I got through it okay. I was fit, I could shoot, I didn't totally hate the uniform, but I wasn't up for being shot at or shouted at every day. I could get that at home for free. The Army and I broke up soon after, and I came home, slightly more dangerous, fitter, but a lot more at peace with myself.
Next to the picture of my boot camp buddies, I added a recent one.
"What's that?" asked Fletcher, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Oh, this?" I pointed to the second photo. "It's my commendation from the new mayor for solving a multi-million dollar fraud case with local PD a while back."
"I didn't know that. Cool.”
"I don't like to boast." I got to my feet, trying not to smile as my PR stunt worked. "I have a meeting with Solomon now. Can you ask Lucas to give me a wave when he's back and I'll come out and get my coffee?"
Fletcher nodded, and this time, I didn't get the shoulder brush off. "Sure thing, Lexi."
I knocked on Solomon's door, pleased that I'd given Fletcher an opportunity to talk to Lucas, which at the same time, would involve some gossip about photo number two. If that didn't salvage my reputation with my colleagues, I didn't know what would. I suspected I would have to shoot one of them.
"I've got a job for you," said Solomon, waving me in.
"I'm all ears."
"It's a weekend, so you've got a few days until it starts."
I thought about complaining straight off because I was still stuck in the mindset that weekends were wonderful, glorious things, comprised mostly of sleeping in late, shopping, hanging out in coffee bars, then hitting the real bars later. In reality, it meant the spin class from hell with the instructor from heaven, doing my laundry, babysitting for one of my brothers, and watching whatever TV drama I wished I were a part of. "Go on," I said.
"It's at a spa. Someone's trying to poach the staff and the owner has asked me to send someone in undercover."
"As a therapist? Or a cleaner?" Therapy I couldn't do; cleaning didn’t exactly thrill me either.
"Neither. As a guest."
I perked up. A weekend of sitting around, wearing a luxurious robe and fluffy slippers, while listening in on staff conversations… maybe a massage or two. What a chore!
"I'll look weird if I’m on my own. No one goes to spas alone."
"I can arrange for you to take a friend. Twenty percent," added Solomon when I didn't say anything.
"Are treatments thrown in? It would be the best way to get staff alone." I
knew I was pushing it, but Solomon nodded.
"Sure."
"Okay," I agreed.
He raised his eyebrows as he rocked back in the chair. "You're not going to argue about the percentage?"
For a weekend away, where I could take Lily, and stock up on freebie massages, facials and mani-pedis? And get paid salary as well as a completion bonus? "No."
"And when you come back, I have a dinner I need for you to attend."
"What for?"
"Some old acquaintances."
"Is it a bring–a-date thing?" I had to bite the insides of my cheeks so I wouldn't laugh. "You need a pity date?"
"No, I don't need a pity date,” he replied, with a shake of his hand. “There's a potential job going down."
"Why don't you take Delgado or Fletcher?"
"They both look terrible in a dress."
Well, he got that right. "Fine. You'll have to pick me up, and if it's black tie, I don't have anything to wear." Though, at a push, my sister was roughly my size and had a pre-pregnancy wardrobe to die for.
"Use your company card."
Score! "Email me the details," I said, getting to my feet.
"And one last thing..."
"Yes?"
"That pro bono case." Solomon raised his eyebrows.
I sat down. "Yes, well, uh... it ended up being connected to the hotel case, so you should probably bill them, not Elisabeth Fong."
"I plan to."
I waited. Solomon said nothing, so I rose again, stepping towards the door.
"And the other pro bono case?" he said, the moment my hand wrapped around the handle.
I winced and turned back to him. "You knew about that?"
"I know about everything."
"Then you know it was for my sister, and I did it on my own time."
"Tell me in future," he said, not sounding at all cross like I expected.
"I will," I promised.
"And add all the files to the system; and put your hard copies in the archive box, please. We never know when we might need to draw on that information."
"You're not mad at me?"
"You solved three cases. I'm actually quite pleased."
I smiled. "Thank you."
"And one last thing?"
I sighed. What had I done now? "Yes?"
"You can take one pro bono case a month. Your pick from any case we reject."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. Now go, before I change my mind."
I left, a smile on my face that I didn’t intend to wipe off. I didn’t know why I’d doubted myself. Lexi Graves, PI. I could definitely do this.
~
At home, I put on my favorite jammies and packed my suits away in my closet, crossing my fingers that I wouldn't be stuck in an office any time soon. The spa was a good start. I couldn't wait to tell Lily.
I'd seen Lily and Jord leaving on my way in. Apparently, they were on another date, the kind it was okay to keep secret, but if they weren't going talk about it, I wouldn’t mention it either. I was going to save that knowledge for when I really needed to bribe Lily, or in payback for her getting me to 'fess up my crush on Solomon.
I turned my cell phone off, switched the house phone to “silent,” grabbed a glass of wine, and settled in front of the television with a soppy, romantic comedy, which was about all I could deal with after saving Montgomery from an HR maniac.
Garrett phoned earlier and told me that, given the severity of her crimes and her flight risk, Louisa Moore would be held without bail until her trial. They found her DNA under Greg Conlan’s fingertips to support the murder charge, as well as the gun with her fingerprints. Marissa would be a witness to the sabotage, but she had Edward to lean on, and a solid group of genuine friends to help her through it.
And me? At least, I still had a job, not to mention the spa case to look forward to. I didn't know about Maddox, however. He didn't call me once in almost a week, despite my leaving a couple of messages. It was nice spending several nights in his company, and I was half afraid he was drawing away, perhaps rethinking things after my less-than-honest behavior with him, even though I did apologize.
I finished my wine, ate half a bag of toffee popcorn, and was just needling an annoying bit of corn out of my teeth, while trying not to sob as the credits rolled by, when a knock sounded on my door. I thought sincerely about ignoring it, but then decided maybe Lily wanted to spill the beans about her date.
Shuffling to the door, I pressed my eye to the peephole and frowned. Maddox stood outside. Gone was the suit. In its place were the well-worn jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket. A backpack was slung over one shoulder. Interesting.
"Lexi?"
I squeaked and jumped back, my brain trying to process this. I couldn't take another scene tonight, and if I were going to be dumped, I wanted to look my best, not clad in my bunny pajamas.
"Are you going to open the door?" asked Maddox. “I heard you squeak.”
I opened the door and he looked me over from head to toe.
"Were you in bed?" he asked, a smile spreading across his face, his eyes creasing at the edges.
"Watching a movie."
"Why are your eyes all red?"
"It was really sad."
"You were crying at a movie? You're such a girl."
"I'm a proud, independent woman. I can cry at movies without feeling like I'm letting my gender down."
He ignored that, focusing on my pajamas. "Bunnies?"
"They make me happy."
"I like bunnies." He stepped closer. "Can I come in and play with the bunnies?"
I raised my eyebrows. This was not dumping talk. This was flirty. I liked it. I'd like it a lot more if I'd been wearing my silk pajamas, but what the hell. I held the door open and he stepped inside, sniffing the air. "Do I smell popcorn?"
"Yes. Toffee."
"I like popcorn. I can watch chick flicks too, though I have better ideas for a sleepover." He dropped his bag on the floor and wrapped his arms around me so I had to tilt my chin to look up at him.
"I thought you were mad at me."
"I am a tiny bit, but not mad enough to stay away."
"Oh?"
"In between putting a bad guy in jail and tackling the paperwork, I’ve been thinking. I don't want you to lie to me about your work. I want you to trust me. Things could have been a lot worse. Louisa could have killed you."
He had a point. "Promise me you'll trust me? Promise me you won't get mad if I say that I'm working on something confidential? And I can't tell you about it?" I ran my hands under his leather jacket and he wriggled out of it, letting it drop to the floor.
Maddox's voice was like honey. "If you tell me, I can help you. Strictly off the record, of course."
"How can you help me?"
"I hear stuff. Useful stuff."
"You'll have to do better than that." I heard all kinds of useful stuff from my family and I was building a network of informants. So far, only Lily and Ruby were in my network—and they didn't know about it in so many words—but these were still early days.
"I have handcuffs." There was that sexy smile again. The one that told me he was thinking wicked thoughts.
"So do I."
Maddox raised his eyebrows and I think I heard his mind spontaneously combust.
"I have a gun."
"Got one of them too."
"I say the word and I can have every cop in Montgomery on this doorstep inside an hour."
"Most of them are related to me," I pointed out. "Besides, there's only one cop I want in my apartment."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"If I promise to be more supportive of your job, can I be that cop?"
"Sure, but you have to leave the handcuffs at the door."
"Spoilsport." Maddox scooped me up and carried me into the bedroom.
Thirty seconds later, the bunny pajamas went flying. I hope the bunnies covered their eyes.
About the author
A
uthor and journalist Camilla Chafer writes for newspapers, magazines and websites throughout the world. Along with the Lexi Graves Mysteries, she is the author of the Stella Mayweather urban fantasy series as well as author/ editor of several non-fiction books. She lives in London, UK.
Visit Camilla online at www.camillachafer.com to sign up to her newsletter, find out more about her, plus news on upcoming books and fun stuff including book group guides, playlists, deleted scenes and giveaways.
You can also find Camilla on Twitter @camillawrites and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CamillaChafer.
Other books:
Lexi Graves Mysteries:
Armed & Fabulous
Who Glares Wins
Command Indecision
Stella Mayweather Series (Urban Fantasy)
Illicit Magic
Unruly Magic
Devious Magic
Magic Rising
Table of Contents
Who Glares Wins
Who Glares Wins
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
About the author
Who Glares Wins (Lexi Graves Mysteries) Page 27