Tahoe Blues

by Lane, Aubree

  The sainted muffin maker laughed out loud. “By the guilty look on your face, I’d say it was a lot more than just a little.”

  The edges of Cara’s lips began to curl into a grin, but lost their momentum when through the glass of Mrs. G’s front window she saw Tanner’s truck pull up behind a police car. A moment later he slammed the door and leaned his tall muscular body against the cab. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his jaw was clenched in anger. “Uh oh,” she frowned. “I think a little bit more spice has just been thrown into the pot.”

  Mrs. Grimes turned and grasped the arms of her chair at the sight of her adopted son. “More like a red hot chili pepper. Does TJ know what Duncan looks like?”

  “Yep.”

  “And he’s standing there watching your ex prance around like he owns the place?”

  Cara nodded her head.

  “Oh dear. I don’t see this ending well.”

  Cara picked up the bottom half of the muffin and calmly peeled off the paper.

  Mrs. Grimes glared at her and pointed out the window. “Don’t you think you should get out there now?”

  Through the muffled sounds of the muffin being consumed Cara replied, “I’ve been ordered, by my lawyer, Duncan’s lawyer, and the police to stay put. Duncan ordered me too, but I don’t listen to him any longer.” She brushed a few crumbs off into the plate and looked up at her neighbor. “I’m afraid this is going to play out without any help from me.” Cara made her way to the window and drew back the curtains. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to watch every single second of it.”

  Tanner Reed glared at Cara’s pompous ass ex-husband. He watched in disgust and wondered why the man wasn’t handcuffed and locked in the back of one of the squad cars. He let out a humph, knowing he already knew the answer, Duncan was an Alexander and that put him a cut above all the rest. Tanner’s eyes narrowed every time the man stomped his foot or railed at his lawyer, and he wanted nothing more than to put the man in his place.

  Tanner assumed the man standing off to the side and checking every item that came out of Cara’s unit was her attorney. Tanner moved over to speak with him and reached out his hand. “Hi, I’m TJ Reed. I own Granite Gates. Cara is one of my renters. Is there anything I can do to put an end to this?”

  Martin shook his hand. “Thanks for the offer, but in this instance, you can’t stop the long arm of the law.” He looked over the top of his glasses at the jerk making a spectacle of himself. “But you could ask him to leave. It is your property after all.”

  Tanner instantly liked the man and smiled. “Do you think he’d go?”

  “Probably not, but if you push a few of his buttons, you might be able to get him arrested for trespassing and creating a public nuisance.”

  Tanner turned around and watched Duncan’s arms fly up in exaggerated outrage. “It seems to me his buttons have already been pushed.”

  Martin shot Tanner a sly grin and planted a seed. “Cara told me about your relationship. I bet there’s at least one more available. That man is so arrogant, he still believes he’s the only man in Cara’s life.”

  Tanner frowned, needing a little more clarification. “And you think I should set him straight?”

  Martin looked up from his clipboard and smiled. “I think you’re the only one who has a chance in hell of getting him out of here.”

  Cara’s attorney was asking him to pick a fight with her ex. Tanner hadn’t been in a fight since high school, but as he watched the show, the idea of punching Duncan Alexander in the face began to appeal to him. He took a step in Duncan’s direction then he glanced back over his shoulder and asked, “When I get arrested, you’re going to get me off, right?”

  Martin patted him on the back and shoved him forward. “I’ll even do it pro bono. Don’t take the first swing, but then feel free to defend the hell out of yourself.”

  He cut Martin a dubious look and received a cherry two handed thumbs up in return.

  Taking a deep breath, Tanner approached Duncan carefully. He wasn’t sure how he was going to go about this, but he didn’t think it would take much to send the red-faced Cascade Bay executive completely over the edge. He tapped the shoulder of Duncan’s expensively tailored suit. “Pardon me, sir, but would you please calm down. You’re disturbing my other tenants.”

  Duncan whirled around and knocked Tanner’s hand off his shoulder. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about your tenants.” He cocked his head in recognition, and his indignation shifted gears. “Aren’t you the guy who kept cutting in while I was dancing with that hot blonde at the gala? She was a nice little piece.” He pressed his index finger hard into Tanner’s shoulder. “I had plans for her, and you messed them up.”

  Tanner closed his eyes and quickly counted to ten. The urge to bust Duncan, A-hole, Alexander in the chops was almost overwhelming. The way he spoke about his baby sister was unforgivable. His fists clenched into a ball. “That hot little piece is my sister,” he growled. His voice was threatening, but Duncan didn’t seem to understand how thin the ice he was skating on truly was.

  “Your sister?” he bounced back. “I don’t see the family resemblance. Your mother must have got around.”

  Before Tanner had a chance to think, his arm flew out and his fist cracked loudly against Duncan’s jaw.

  Duncan wobbled back for a moment. The look on his face before his eyes closed was one of pure shock. He hit the ground and was out cold.

  Tanner turned around expecting to be greeted with a pair of handcuffs. Instead, the officer standing in front of the house shot him an approving smile. Tanner walked back to Martin un-accosted by the twenty or so men in blue who were mulling around the property. “I threw the first punch. Why haven’t I been slammed up against one of those squad cars and frisked?”

  Martin poked his finger into Tanner’s shoulder the same way Duncan had. “It wasn’t exactly a blow, but it was enough. More importantly you shut Duncan up, and we are all extremely grateful for that.”

  “I’m off free and clear?”

  “Probably not.” Martin shrugged. “Duncan will more than likely press charges, but he’ll have to wake up first.”

  Seven hours later at roughly the same time, both Cara and Tanner were taken into custody. Tanner for assault and Cara for fraud and money laundering.

  Residents of the complex had gathered to watch the circus. With her hands cuffed behind her back, an officer escorted her to his vehicle. Cara held her head high knowing she had done nothing wrong, but a million emotions swirled beneath her calm exterior. She heard Mrs. Grimes shouting words of support as she attempted to quell Cara’s humiliation and fear.

  When the officer placed a firm hand on the back of Cara’s head to push her into the squad car, she saw Barbie Blue Bug standing off in the distance. Their eyes momentarily locked. Lisa’s cool poker face revealed nothing, but Cara knew the woman had successfully exacted her revenge for the bare-assed beaded disaster.

  The couple sat side by side with the bars of their individual holding cells separating them.

  Cara chuckled. “I can’t believe you decked him.”

  Tanner reached through the bars and stroked her delicate fingers, whose nails had been bitten down to the quick. “I was defending your honor.”

  Cara’s eyes twinkled with sarcastic delight. “My hero!”

  Tanner laughed out loud. He didn’t know how Cara did that. His previously untarnished arrest record now had a huge blemish smack dab in the middle of its forehead. Knowing Martin Langley was in his corner helped, but it was the beautiful and amazing Cara Lee which set his mind at ease. He was far more worried about her well-being than his own. “How do you think all those incriminating documents ended up taped under the silverware drawer in your kitchen?”

  Cara’s brow furrowed and she bit her lower lip. She thought she knew the answer but she didn’t think Tanner was ready to hear that the assistant he hired was still loyal to Duncan, and that Lisa had just done one hell of a hatchet
job on her. She eased into the conversation and hoped Tanner would come to the conclusion all by himself. “That’s a mystery. I thought for sure when my office came up clean that a box would conveniently materialize at the Alexander family compound.” She shook her head seriously. “Someone invaded my sanctuary. I have never seen those papers, and I know for a fact they didn’t come over with me in the move. Someone gained access into my home and helped Duncan do his dirty deed.”

  Tanner nodded. “Maybe it was one of those kids last night,” he chuckled, trying to make light of their dilemma. “Did you flunk one of them?”

  His lame attempt at humor did not improve her mood. She quickly dismissed the idea. “Jena and Matt were the only ones with me last term. I may have both met Duncan, but Duncan never took an interest in my work, let alone exert the effort involved in remembering one of my student’s names.” She cocked her head and shot him a brave half-smile. “Besides, they both earned very good grades.” Her grin did not last and she turned serious. Tanner was not taking the hint, so she looked him straight in the eye and asked, “Does Barbie have access to the keys of the complex?”

  “Barbie?”

  Cara sucked in a frustrated breath. She raised her hands neck level and pretended to choke him. “Blackjack Barbie. Barbie Blue Bug. Barbie who wore the bare-assed beaded disaster! Tanner James Reed, you know exactly who I am talking about.”

  “Lisa Hill,” Tanner corrected calmly.

  “Fine! Lisa, who fucked my husband, Hill!” With total exasperation Cara went on, “Does Lisa, f-ing, Hill have access to my apartment?”

  Tanner sighed. He didn’t want to believe his new assistant had anything to do with Cara being in this predicament, but Lisa did have access to the keys to Cara’s apartment and he couldn’t dismiss the possibility. “Yes.”

  Cara’s face pinched in anger. “I knew it.” She clenched her fists and pounded the cold hard metal bench. “I knew it was all an act. I knew she couldn’t be trusted. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s still sleeping with him.”

  Wanting to refute her unfounded accusation, Tanner opened his mouth, but he knew she would never listen. Cara had made up her mind about Lisa’s guilt and until the truth was discovered, there was nothing he could do to change her mind. Besides, it would be stupid of him not to at least consider the possibility of Lisa’s involvement. Deep in his gut he believed the young woman was innocent. The story she told how Duncan used her had seemed sincere, but he hadn’t known her for very long and realized she could be playing him. He grabbed the bars which separated him and Cara and made her a vow. “My first order of business when I get out of here is to secure all the keys. Lisa will no longer have access into any apartment.”

  Cara’s eyes shot angry arrows at her target and hit a bull’s-eye. “A couple of days too late for that, don’t you think?” she barked back.

  Tanner knew he had blown it. The moment that officer showed up on the dock, he should have made sure Cara’s home was secure. He shook his head and knew he should have acted long before that, and not just for Cara. He should have never allowed Lisa access to anyone’s apartment until he was positive beyond all doubt that his new employee could be trusted. He hadn’t even run a background check on her. He listened to her sad story and was sucked in. Seeing Cara sitting next to him in the adjoining jail cell, he had to wonder how good an actress Lisa was.

  Tanner was momentarily saved from having to eat crow for his lack of foresight when they heard Martin Langley’s voice talking to a police officer as they walked down the echoing corridor. Martin asked for a few minutes alone with his clients and one set of footsteps retracted.

  A moment later, Martin was standing in front of them. “I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

  Cara and Tanner spoke in unison, “Good.”

  Martin pointed at Tanner. “Duncan has dropped his complaint against you, and you will be released shortly.” He dropped his chin and shifted his gaze towards Cara. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get a bond hearing for you until tomorrow. I think they prolonged the search of your premises just long enough to be able to keep you overnight. If they bring you out for questioning, the only thing you are allowed to say is, ‘I want my attorney present.’ They will have to call me. I have already been extremely vocal on this point, so with any luck they won’t bother you.” He took a breath and added sympathetically, “Try not to worry. I’ve brought in the best investigator I know. His name is David Crandall, and we will be working very closely on this. In time, I’m sure you will be exonerated of all charges and the truth will be revealed.”

  Cara stood up and approached Martin. “Can he meet with me tonight? I want this wrapped up as quickly as possible.”

  Martin shook his head. “Sorry, you will only be talking to me. I will record our conversations for him to listen to. I don’t want any misinterpretations of anything.”

  “I don’t understand. Why doesn’t Mr. Crandall simply talk to me himself?”

  Martin rubbed his forehead and Tanner instantly had a bad feeling in his gut. Martin had a spotless reputation, but he was keeping something about this new investigator to himself. Tanner made a mental note of the investigator’s name and decided that when he ran a background check on Lisa, that David Crandall’s name would be added to the list.

  “He and his children have just recently moved to the area. His wife is still in San Diego wrapping up the sale of their home. I put him to work before he was ready, so he placed a few stipulations on our agreement. One of them was that I conduct the interviews so he can review them while at home with his kids.”

  Cara’s face was worried. “If he doesn’t have the time, I think we should get someone else.” She took hold of the bars and tried to shake them. “I want someone who will devote one-hundred percent to getting me the hell out of this mess.”

  Martin wrapped his hand over hers. “He’s the best man for the job. He is extremely motivated, but if it makes you feel better, I will have someone ready to jump in if David finds he can’t handle both the job and the kids. I promise the back-up guy will be kept well informed,” Martin paused when a light bulb went off in his head. “As a matter of fact, I’ll see if they would be willing to work together.” A small smile crossed his face and his chest puffed out slightly. “I think that might be the best idea I’ve had all week.” He stepped back and pointed at Tanner. “I’ll wait for you out front and give you a ride home. In the meantime, I’ll get my other guy onboard.” He turned and pulled out his cell phone.

  Martin was already making progress by the time he hit the outside corridor.

  Tanner got up and walked closer to Cara. “Martin has everything well in hand.”

  Cara stared at the empty hallway. “Yeah, and the first person I want them to check out is Barbie, Bitch-ass, Blue-bug.”

  Tanner knew Cara was probably going to flip, but he couldn’t resist. “You mean Lisa Hill?”

  Two days later Cara was back in her apartment wearing a new piece of jewelry. The judge had not required her to post bond, but because of her supposed wealth and her alleged ability to flee the country, he decided to place her under house arrest. With an ankle bracelet firmly attached to her leg and the inability to range further than two miles from her residence, the summer session out on the lake with LOLA and her students had been brought to an abrupt halt. The University had no choice but to place her on unpaid administrative leave, and Cara could see everything she worked so hard for begin to crumble down around her.

  What surprised her even more was that Leah left numerous messages of apology on her voicemail while Brett had remained unusually quiet. Cara wasn’t ready to face another conversation with Leah. She had said some pretty harsh things. Cara knew she probably deserved most of them, but Leah had to know that her slights had been unintentional. When Cara thought about how Leah might feel when the new back-up/partner detective, aptly named Hunter Henderson, came to interview her about the possibility of her planting
evidence, Cara kissed any possibility of a reconciliation goodbye. Eventually, she would call Leah and hopefully work everything out, but not now. She needed time to adjust to her new reality. She hadn’t even talked to Mrs. G. Cara’s loveable, nosy neighbor had left a basket of goodies on her doorstep, but had kindly not pushed herself upon her.

  Cara hated the thought that Mrs. G. might somehow be involved in the set-up. When Hunter visited her last night in her jail cell, she had given him the names of everyone she could think of with known access inside her home. Cara had almost left the elderly woman off the list, but something nagged at her to tell all. Maybe she had been watching too many cop shows, but the guilty person always seemed to be the one person you least suspected. Mrs. G. fit that profile perfectly. Knowing how hectic her summer was supposed to be, Cara had given Mrs. G. a key and asked her to keep an eye on the place while she was gone. The woman had total access, as did Tanner, and that husband-fucking bitch he called an assistant.

  Unable to sleep while she was locked up, a million theories about how she ended up in this mess flooded her brain. One had been that the evidence had been planted before she even moved in, and Duncan coerced Beth Rainy into moving and had arranged for Cara to sublet the apartment so he could frame his wayward wife while he absconded with the gala funds. The odds of that were slim, and Cara pitched that conspiracy away along with the one where Duncan’s sister, Drew, unbeknownst to Cara, actually got creative with the gala’s record keeping before Cara handed in her keys.

  Cara was relatively certain the theft occurred under her ex-sister-in-law’s watch when the books were closed out late gala night. Even though Cara hadn’t monitored everything as closely as she had in the past years, she hadn’t completely ignored the accounting and nothing had appeared out of place while she was in charge.

  With a million and one thoughts still swirling around her head, Cara walked into the kitchen and poured herself another cup of coffee. She was a mess. Her hair was twisted haphazardly up in a loose bun with stray tendrils falling every which way. Her baggy t-shirt and boxers were semi-covered up by the rattiest robe she owned. The robe’s tie had long since disappeared, but wearing it felt like home, and right now she needed a bit of down home comfort.