“And then some. She was angry that you went with me and not her.”
“Like there was ever any choice.” I scoffed. “So is that it? Johnny, Maria, and Anastasia?”
Jaz frowned and bit her bottom lip. “Well, there is one more? It’s probably crazy, but it is a possibility.”
“Who?”
“Boomer.”
My jaw fell open until I finally sputtered, “Nik’s partner? But he’s a cop.”
“Exactly. He would know how to get away with murder and make me look guilty. He could have killed Darrin for revenge. I think he’s trying to punish me for humiliating him.”
“But you two broke up a year ago. Don’t you think he’s moved on by now?”
“You’ve seen the way he acts around me. He’s so bitter and angry still, and he hasn’t dated since. Every time I date someone new, it gets worse.”
I thought about that for a minute. “He’s handsome enough in his own way, but he wasn’t your typical type of guy. Yet you two seemed so serious for a while. And didn’t you date for nine months?”
“That was the problem.” Jaz looked sad for a fleeting moment, but then her stubborn side won the battle. She downed the rest of her drink before saying, “Boomer had to go and get serious on me. He wasn’t my usual type. That’s what I liked about him. He knew where we stood right up front, but he thought I would change my mind over time. Big lesson learned there: stick with my type.”
“Would getting serious really be all that bad? He seemed great back then.”
“He was great. The problem was me. Men are fun to play with but a whole lot of work to keep. My father was so needy, but my mother was a free spirit like me. Always off to some model gig while he stayed home with me and worked at the bank. He acted content and happy and never held her back, but I could see what it did to him. Boomer looked at me with the same puppy-dog eyes, and I just couldn’t put him through that. I might not be off on some photo shoot, but we both know it would only be a matter of time before my eyes would wander. So I ended it before either of us could get hurt. I just don’t want a serious relationship.” She nailed me with a pointed stare. “Do you?”
“Touché.” I held up my glass of wine and then took a dainty sip. “Wandering wouldn’t be the problem for me. Intimacy would.” I shuddered. “And his beast would always come between us.”
“And that’s a bad thing how?” Her lips twisted into a mischievous grin.
“I meant his dog, and you know it.” I stood up and pulled my sweater tighter around me. “It’s getting chilly,” I said, even though I knew my face was fire red. “We should probably go in.”
“You’re right, but in a minute.” She stood beside me and we leaned over the deck rail, looking out into the yard. I was planning my vegetable and herb gardens, and maybe some olives and grapes—all organic, of course—when she spoke again. “I’m sick of my own house already. Now that we have some suspects, what do we do next?”
I used a page from Detective Steven’s book. “We don’t do anything. You stay far away from this case and keep out of any more trouble.”
Jaz scowled. “I can’t sit here and do nothing, Kalli.”
“We have to eat, right? I will get us some pastries in the morning and have a chat with one Maria Danza for you. We’ll start there.”
“Why do you get to have all the fun? It’s not fair.”
“Trust me. Watching you two go at it would not be fun, or helpful to solve this case. I’m doing this for your own good.”
“Fine, but I’ll tell you one thing. I need some kind of excitement soon, or I’m never going to survive.” She began to pace, so I turned around to face her and leaned back against the railing. She might act all nonchalant like Darrin’s death was tragic but didn’t really affect her. Except I knew her better. She might not want a serious relationship, but she had a heart. It bothered her that she was the last woman he had been with, and essentially in the same room with him when he had died.
“It’s okay to be sad, Jaz. It’s normal.”
A flash of emotion crossed over her face, but then she let out a small laugh. “I’m fine. Besides, I’ve never been normal. You of all people should know that.”
I chose my words carefully. “All your excitement has done lately is get you into trouble. I know you don’t like to hear it, but I think a little boring would do you some good.”
At first she looked taken aback, but then some birds flew out of the bushes in our yard and startled me. She stared off at them for a moment, her eyes widening a fraction, until she looked back at me all calm and innocent. “I think you’re right. It’s time I left the excitement to you. It’s like you said. I’m doing this for your own good.” She stepped through the screen door, but closed it before I could follow.
“What exactly does that mean?” I asked, standing up straight and frowning at her.
“You’ll see,” she said with a cat-ate-the-canary grin, sounding like her old self for the first time since the murder, and then turned the lock with a foreboding click.
Ten minutes later, after relentless knocking to no avail, I was about to gather Prissy and head around front. That’s when I heard the snuffing and snorting behind me.
Miss Priss’s white fluffy hair stood on end, and she bolted to her feet. With eyes wide, she stared at something across the yard, and I was afraid to look. Swallowing hard, I ignored my crawling skin and turned in that direction. I was still terrified but relieved to see that Wolfgang was on the other side of the fence in Detective Steven’s side of the yard. Nik chose that moment to wander out on his deck in jeans and a sweatshirt with a beer in his hand. The dog jogged over to him, whined, and then pawed at the door.
“For the last time, boy. No more treats. Now, go do your business.” He glanced to the side and spotted me, smiled a pleasant smile, and held up his beer in greeting. I smiled weakly back and gave him a small wave. My gaze darted to the sliding glass door, and I choked on my own breath. Jaz had made popcorn, refilled her drink, and was sitting contentedly in a chair, thoroughly enjoying the show.
I gave her an evil look and was about to walk around to the front of the house to get inside that way when Nik spoke.
“Nice evening, isn’t it?” he said.
It was, I thought, but responded, “It sure is, but I think I’ve had enough.”
And that was all it took for Wolfgang to notice my presence. He bolted to the fence, looking over the top while still on all four paws, wagging his tail and whining pathetically. His tongue hung out and dripped saliva while I tried desperately not to gag. I didn’t care how clean they said a dog’s mouth was, that could not be sanitary.
“He likes you,” Nikos said with a knowing smirk.
I couldn’t say the same, so I simply said, “Mmmm, does he? That’s nice. Well, it’s getting late. I’d better head inside.”
Prissy hissed, and Wolfgang froze. His tail stopped wagging, his tongue stopped flopping, and his adoring eyes narrowed with a look that said, Mine! He let out one loud bark, stood on his hind legs, and leaned on the fence. It didn’t take much for that sucker to fall to the ground, and for all hell to break loose.
I screamed as the beast charged into my yard.
Nik jumped over the deck railing and bolted after him.
Prissy let out a yowl and headed for the nearest tree.
“Wolf, heel!” Nik yelled, but the St. Bernard ignored him, blocking Prissy’s escape route.
She shot across the yard in another direction, and he gave chase once more. Nik ran after him, slipping and sliding on the slick grass wet from the recent rain as the dog kept evading him by mere inches. Meanwhile, I ran after Nik and followed Prissy. I almost caught her when she let out one more hiss and bolted up the tree to safety. Relief swept through me until I heard the whine again.
Now that Prissy was out of reach, Wolfgang had turned his attention on me. His enormous tongue made an appearance once more, and his entire hind end moved back and forth with the wag of
his tail. His large paw scraped the ground a couple of times, making him look more like a bull than a canine, and then he charged.
Nik commanded, “Stay!” but once again the beast ignored him.
I shrieked, “Don’t let him get me!” as I backed up against the tree.
Nik slid in between us, and Wolfgang stopped short. “Hop on,” he said. I didn’t hesitate. I jumped on Nik’s back and he held on tight, keeping me behind him and Wolfgang in front. “Heel, Wolf. I mean it,” he said louder this time, and finally the dog obeyed, plopping his fanny on the ground and thumping the dirt with his tail. You are not helping her like us any better, buddy.
“Ya think?” I sputtered.
“Excuse me?” he asked, and I could hear the confusion in his voice.
I cleared my throat. “Do you think he will stay?”
“Sure,” he said confidently. But for how long I have no clue.
“Great,” I said with an entirely different meaning. “You can let me down now.”
“Oh, whoops.” He laughed and set me down, but I could feel his hesitation and regret in his every move as he let go and turned to face me.
Wolfgang jumped to his feet and started his whining again, his massive head trained on me.
I threw myself into Nik’s arms and held on tight.
“Home, Wolf! You want a treat?”
The dog’s ears perked up at the word “treat,” and he ran back to Nik’s sliding door, sitting down and waiting patiently like the most obedient good boy ever. Like he’d known all along it was only a matter of time before the detective would cave. I couldn’t help being a little impressed with the dog’s cunning way of getting exactly what he wanted—he had the detective wrapped around his big ole paw.
Nik’s arms were circled around me gently, and he was rubbing my back. When had that happened? I wondered, but then his words distracted me. “He won’t hurt you, you know.” Dammit, what is it about you? Why do you make me want to protect you so? I don’t need this complication in my life right now, I heard him think.
Just then I realized I was still in his arms, and for the first time in my life, it hadn’t been horrible. I stepped away and took a deep breath as I stared at him in wonder and shock.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.” Everything. Suddenly, I wasn’t afraid that the dog would hurt me, but I had a suspicious feeling that the detective just might.
CHAPTER 6
* * *
Monday morning dawned stormy and cool. Not a good sign for the start of my investigation. Detective Stevens had made it clear he didn’t want Jaz or even me butting into this case. He said it was because he didn’t want us to put ourselves in danger, but I suspected the real reason was he didn’t want us to compromise his investigation. I couldn’t blame him, really. I mean, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I just knew I had to do something.
Sinfully Delicious was busy as always when I walked inside. Half the town stopped by every day for their morning coffee and pastries, both of which lived up to the name. Maria Danza really did have a gift. I ordered a cup of coffee with cream and sugar, as well as several delectable delights to bring home to Jaz. Then I wiped down a table with an antibacterial wipe from my purse, earning me a few odd stares. I ignored the looks, which I’d grown accustomed to, sat down, and sipped my coffee, waiting for a lull to question Maria.
Once the crowd died down, she headed right for my table.
“I take it since you’re still here, you want to speak with me?” Maria sat down, her black hair pulled back in a ponytail—encased in a hairnet, bless her soul—and plump rosy cheeks glowing brighter than ever. She looked cherubic, yet her eyes were full of steel. “I’m not stupid. The whole town has heard what’s happened by now. I know you and Jaz are close, so you must know we’re not exactly on friendly terms. What I don’t get is what I have to do with the situation she’s landed herself in?”
Not exactly on friendly terms? I thought. That was putting it as light as a cream puff. According to Jaz, the whole town had heard Maria vow to make Jaz pay for ruining her life. Well, the whole town except for me. If it wasn’t for Jaz, I’d be completely out of the loop since I wasn’t exactly plugged into town gossip.
“She didn’t land herself in anything,” I responded, finding it really hard not to get defensive, yet I knew that would get me nowhere. I folded my napkin into a perfect square and thought about what to say. “Look, you’re right. I know you two didn’t exactly get along, but that’s not why I’m here. Your shop is right across the street from hers. I was just wondering if you saw anything at all out of the ordinary.” That wasn’t completely a lie, and I sensed that if I didn’t come across as more friendly, then she’d probably never open up.
“Oh,” she said, sitting back and relaxing for the first time since I’d entered her shop. “Well, at that time of night, I was sound asleep at home like most respectable people would be.”
“Alone?” I regretted the words the second they slipped out. I’d simply wanted to verify her alibi, not set off the pressure cooker within her.
Her face flushed bright red, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear there was steam leaking out her ears. “I said respectable, didn’t I?” she snapped.
“Absolutely. I meant no disrespect. I just know you come from a big Italian family, kind of like my Greek clan. Just between you and me, we’re never alone, are we?”
Her face cooled a bit, and she nodded on a sigh. “Ain’t that the truth?” After shaking her head, she frowned slightly. “Back to the floozy. She doesn’t have a big family at all, yet she never lacks for company. I see men there all the time. That night was no exception. I was just getting ready to close up shop when I saw her and some big blonde guy stumble into her place. What is it with her and blondes?” she grumbled, half to herself, then continued. “Jaz has a house, but no no no. It’s bad enough she stole my man, and most of the men in town, but to bring them all back to flaunt right in front of my face is just wrong, I tell you. Flat-out wrong. No wonder she has to turn to outsiders.”
“I don’t think she’s trying to flaunt her men in front of you. She just likes the excitement of her nookie nook.”
“Her what?” Maria raised her eyebrow like she thought I was two donuts short of a baker’s dozen.
“Never mind,” I said, wanting to distract her from Jaz’s secret hideaway. “The point is Jaz bringing a man back to her store isn’t unusual. Did you happen to notice anything else that was?”
Maria shrugged. “I thought I saw a shadow peering into the storefront window, but I didn’t have my glasses on. When I finally found my glasses and looked again, there was nothing there. All I saw was the floozy come back downstairs and lock up. And then I went home.”
“Thank you for your time, Maria. The coffee was great.” I held out my hand, hating this part of my so-called gift. At least she had just washed hers.
“You’re welcome. Anything to help put the scum of this town behind bars.” She grasped my palm, and I tried not to squirm. And by scum I mean the back-stabbing, lying, cheating whore. She deserves to be behind bars. She should have been the one to die.
I pulled my hand away, feeling uneasy by the crazed look of hatred in Maria’s eyes. Attempting to cover my abrupt gesture, I pointed to the back of her shop. “Is something burning? I think I smell smoke.”
Her eyes sprang wide. “My muffins!” She jumped to her feet and bolted to the back without another word—or thought, thank goodness!
Meanwhile, I fetched the hand sanitizer out of my purse, poured a huge amount into my palm, and scrubbed hard. Then I quickly made my escape. Once I was outside in the eerily darkening sky, I pulled my coat tighter and made my way across the street to the front of Full Disclosure.
I played Maria’s words over and over in my mind as I stared through the window much like the killer must have, and then it hit me. If she truly had seen a shadow peering into the store, then looked away, and then looked back t
o see Jaz lock the front door, then it was possible the shadow had already slipped inside. That was why there was no sign of a break-in. Jaz hadn’t locked up immediately. She’d told me she’d gone to her office first to disable the cameras that ran throughout the store. Jaz might like to play out her fantasies in her nookie nook, but she wasn’t a sicko, and she definitely wasn’t into taping her rendezvous.
The person who had slipped inside could have hidden while Jaz finished with the cameras and then locked up. If they’d wanted to rob the place, they could have easily taken whatever they wanted while Jaz and Darrin were preoccupied upstairs and then made their escape with no one the wiser. But the person hadn’t taken anything, except the throw pillow which could have been used to silence the gun. Looked like Jaz had a secret enemy, and I had my first clue.
And after the look I saw in Maria’s eyes, that person could be her.
Midmorning I was returning home to give Jaz her pastries and tell her what I’d discovered when I saw a truck in my spot in the driveway, right next to Jaz’s car. I parked next door in the detective’s driveway because I knew he was at work. I didn’t know for sure whom the truck belonged to, but I had a pretty good idea.
Johnny Hogan.
Unbelievable. Of all the people Jaz could call to fix the fence, she had to call Maria’s ex-boyfriend and her ex-lover. And of course he’d come running, even though it was clearly about to storm. Who in their right mind would start a fence now? He was obviously here for more than just work. Good thing Jaz didn’t have any neighbors, because if Maria found out, she’d kill Jaz for sure.
I knew what Jaz was up to. She might not want a long-term commitment because she’d seen the toll it had taken on her father, but her mother’s actions had done a number on Jaz as well. She craved attention and affection because her mother was always gone and her father was busy working. Jaz hated being alone, but calling Johnny was not the answer, especially after we’d labeled him a possible suspect. Just wait until I got her alone.
Peril for Your Thoughts (Mind Reader Mystery) Page 5