Beauty Secrets Mystery Boxed Set 2

by Stephanie Damore

  “Oh.” Finn straightened up a little more. “That’s actually really nice of them.”

  “I know, and now I’m stuck going through with it. Why couldn’t you have just called!” I demanded.

  “Listen, I know you’ve been worried, but I’m okay and I intend on staying that way,” Finn said.

  “Worried? You think I’ve been worried? More like scared to death that you were lying dead in a ditch or you were shark bait by now.” I kept my head down while talking and rummaged through my purse to retrieve my cell phone. It was much easier to pretend that I was talking on my phone than to myself in case anyone noticed my lips were moving. Despite Finn’s insistence he only had a minute, I pulled out of the library parking lot and turned left. “Where should I go?” I asked him.

  “Will you come with me?” he asked in reply.

  I was about to say yes, but my pride got the best of me. “Where are you staying right now?” I wanted some answers before I blindly tagged along.

  “It’s not safe for you to know,” Finn replied.

  “What the heck is that supposed to mean? You don’t ask someone to come with you and then not tell them where you’re taking them. What are you up to, Finn, and what the heck is going on?”

  Finn didn’t answer me. I pressed on. “You know, everyone thinks you killed Cody. I had to wake up next to his dead body, thinking it was you, and then I find out that you’re missing, and you went to your sister and left me in bed. So, if you want to help me out here, start talking. If not, I can pull over right now and you’re out on your own.” I loved Finn with all my heart, but it was time he started fessing up.

  “I’m just trying to protect you, babe. You know that, right?”

  “Baloney. If you’re trying to keep me safe, you wouldn’t have left me on the boat with a dead body.”

  I saw Finn flinch through the rearview mirror.

  “When I left Cody, he was alive. He was just waiting for me to get back.”

  “That’s a relief,” I replied under my breath.

  “You thought I killed Cody?” Finn asked.

  “I didn’t know what to think. Why did you leave me and go to your sister?” I asked, unable to keep the hurt from my voice.

  “I had to tell her. I thought … well, I thought I had more time until they found me. Trust me, babe, I would never have put you in that situation on purpose. Never. I promise you that.”

  I took a chance at the red light and turned around to stare at my husband. I saw nothing but grief and sincerity in his eyes.

  “What have you gotten us into?” I said, desperation thick in my voice.

  “I got myself into it long before there was ever an us,” Finn replied, just as desperate.

  I broke eye contact at that point and drove forward when the light turned green.

  I couldn’t be positive, but I thought that Mrs. J. might be tailing me again. I told Finn as much.

  “She’s not about to have a murder investigation trump her gala. She’s made sure that everyone, including the FBI and Devonshire, know that.”

  “What did you say?” Finn asked.

  “Mrs. J.’s gone crazy over this gala. She got into it with some pageant organizer over booking her gala on the same date as his event and with the lead investigator on your case.”

  Finn fell silent. I pulled into a gas station and waited a beat to see if anyone else followed or stopped nearby. Not seeing anything, I turned and gave him my full attention.

  “What are we dealing with here? Because you know I’m not about to run off with you and go into hiding. That’s not my style.”

  “I know. But the less you know, the safer you are,” Finn countered.

  “Ha, you have to do better than that. Some chick already tried to break into Aria’s pool house where I’m staying. A little old friend of yours, or so I’m told.”

  Finn’s face drained of color and he mumbled something under his breath.

  I raised my eyebrows in reaction. “Spill it,” I said.

  Finn let out a breath and raked his fingers through his hair before talking. “Here’s the thing, about fifteen years ago a group of us delinquents got together, joined our various skills if you will, and thought we’d strike out. Go for the gold, literally.” I nodded in silence, urging him to continue. “I don’t even know whose idea it was, but we set our sights on The Sugar King.”

  When that didn’t get a reaction out of me, Finn pressed on.

  “We pulled it off without a hitch. The heist was brilliant. Sure, there was some suspicion at first, but nothing came of it. They lost the evidence.” Finn wiggled his eyebrows. I looked at him more annoyed than ever.

  “What type of heist?” I asked.

  “Nicked a couple of paintings,” Finn said nonchalantly.

  “What? How many’s a couple? What artists?” I demanded.

  “Ziva, not the point.”

  “No, the point is that they’re on to you,” I said, a bit huffy with my husband.

  “Only because someone tipped them off,” Finn replied.

  “Who?”

  “Not sure, but now The Sugar King knows who we are, and he’s determined to make sure we all go down.”

  “You mean, like turn you guys over to the authorities?” I asked hopefully even though I knew that wasn’t what he meant.

  “More like play a game of cat and mouse. Each one of us has a price tag on us. He’s willing to foot the bill. Whoever takes us out gets the cash.”

  “Oh sweet sugar. So, you’re telling me you have a bounty on your head?”

  “Well, when you say it that way,” Finn joked.

  “Finn, don’t even kid about this,” I said, not even remotely amused. When Finn didn’t respond, I said, “How does the girl play in?”

  “What girl?”

  I gave Finn the look. He knew darn well what girl I was talking about. In fact, I was getting a very uneasy feeling about this woman. Some part of it wasn’t sitting right with me.

  “Is she just a hired hand?” I asked.

  “I can’t, Ziva. It’s too dangerous. I just want—”

  “To protect me,” I finished. Finn nodded. “Yeah, you said that.” I sighed and fought the urge to pummel my husband. I didn’t like secrets. Whether they were in place to protect me or not.

  “Did she kill Cody?” I took a chance and asked.

  “I think so.” Finn looked down while speaking.

  “Are you looking for her?” I bent my head, trying to meet his gaze.

  “Yes, I am.” He looked up and we locked eyes. “I love you. More than anything in this entire world. You are my world. I would give everything to change my past, but I can’t. So, let me take you someplace safe.”

  “To where Kat is?” I asked.

  “What do you mean?” Finn replied.

  “Isn’t she with you?” I asked.

  “No, she’s just as stubborn as you. Said she could hold her own. What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that she’s been a no-show at work and she’s not at her apartment, but her car is. Randy assumed she left the bar with you.”

  Finn responded with a four-letter word.

  “I have to go,” he said, pleading with his eyes for me to come with him.

  “You know I’m a better asset to you on the outside than hiding someplace. If I go missing, the FBI’s going to for sure bring the force down on you. I don’t think you can hide from a national manhunt,” I said.

  Finn knew I had a point. It was safer for him if I went about my day and life as if everything were normal. Safer for him, but not for me. And that was what he was struggling with.

  “Stay safe,” I said.

  “I’m never far,” Finn replied.

  I tried to find comfort in those words, but they fell short.

  I let Finn kiss me and waited until he disappeared behind the building to allow the first tear to fall.

  I pulled into the parking lot of Sweet Thangs and saw Detective Brandle sitting on a benc
h outside, waiting for me. The flowering azalea bushes lining the street reminded me of the parade float building party that was scheduled for tomorrow. As if on cue, I sneezed three times rapidly into the crook of my arm. Have I mentioned how much flowers make me sneeze? I sincerely hoped Mrs. J. wasn’t planning on using fresh blooms to decorate the float. Please tell me she wouldn’t. If that was the case, it didn’t matter how mad it would make her, but I would not be much help tomorrow at the fire station.

  I put that thought away as Detective Brandle stood to greet me.

  “You holding up?” he asked me, concern evident in his basset-hound eyes.

  “Surprisingly, yes,” I answered. The fact that I had just talked with Finn was partially to credit. Knowing he was alive and now having a mission before me made it much easier to think about tomorrow.

  Detective Brandle held the door open for me as we stepped inside the whimsical sweet shop. It might sound pathetic, but I seriously missed the place while living in Tampa. No one brewed a better cup of chai (or coffee, so I’m told) than Sweet Thangs. Not to mention their sweet treats. If Sugar & Sass ever folded, I was marching right over here and asking Marigold for a job.

  Speaking of Marigold, I was happy to see her working behind the counter. I swapped out her freshly laundered shirt, courtesy of Aria’s butler, for an iced latte and a frosted sugar cookie in the shape of a flip-flop. As promised I picked up Detective Brandle’s order as well.

  “And he’ll have—” I left it open for Detective Brandle to fill in the blank.

  “A skinny latte,” he added.

  I raised my eyebrows in surprise. His wife would be proud.

  “And an oatmeal raisin cookie,” he added with a wink. “I figure it has whole grains and fruit,” he turned and said to me. I wasn’t sure if that made it a health food, but I wasn’t going to argue.

  With our drinks and cookies in tow, we sequestered ourselves at the far end table—the one I usually chose when discussing cases with friends. How weird was that? I’m betting most people didn’t have their own favorite table to talk murder at their local coffee shop.

  “Okay, so here’s what I have for you. Last night a woman attempted to break into the pool house at the Delgado’s where I’m staying. I’ve already showed it to Agent Cooper, but he was less than forthcoming if you know what I mean. Seeing you know you can trust me, I’m hoping you can steer me in the right direction.”

  I handed my phone to Detective Brandle and was silent while he watched it a few times. Instead of talking, I swirled my drink and took some time to just be.

  Finally, Detective Brandle looked up at me and said, “How much do you know about Alexia Denisovich?”

  That was easy. “Not a darn thing.” A name like that I was sure to remember. “Is that her?” I asked, tapping my phone screen.

  “It is. Back in the day, she had her hand in the area crime ring thanks to her family connections.”

  “What type of family connections?” I asked.

  “Her father is Mafia. Think old school Russian Bratva. Alexia learned from a young age the ins and outs of the crime business. Took full advantage of her knowledge.”

  I nodded my head. Okay, I could see that. A lot of people went into the family business, albeit usually on the right side of the law.

  “Was she friends with Finn?” I asked casually.

  “You could say that.” Detective Brandle suddenly looked very uncomfortable. His expression confirmed my uneasiness.

  “Ziva, Alexia was Finn’s wife.”

  “Wait, what?” If anything, I was expecting girlfriend or former flame to come out of Detective Brandle’s mouth, not wife. Forget keeping me safe, I was betting this was partially the reason Finn had been reluctant to talk about who she was.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “As far as I know, she disappeared about the same time as a set of four Rembrandts did. Neither have been seen since.”

  I called on my years of being a Beauty Secrets Representative and not speaking my mind to keep my emotions in check. This further explained Agent Cooper’s pity. Lovely. I tried to mentally regroup.

  “I see the wheels turning. What are you thinking?”

  I wanted to tell Detective Brandle everything—Finn’s suspicion’s, the bounty on his head—all of it, but I couldn’t. One, it implied that Finn was guilty. No matter how many questions I had about Finn’s past, I didn’t want to destroy his future. The fact that he was married before didn’t change the fact that I loved him now. Telling Detective Brandle everything also implied that I’d been talking with either Finn or someone else with inside knowledge. I didn’t feel like trying to explain either one. I also didn’t want Detective Brandle to get charged with obstruction of justice, something I knew Agent Cooper would slap us with if he knew we had information that we neglected to share, or downright lied about, which I would do in a heartbeat.

  I shook my head and got back on track.

  “I was thinking, what if she killed Cody?” I asked.

  “I thought you didn’t know the victim?” Detective Brandle said, picking up on my slip-up.

  I stopped myself from slapping my hand over my mouth. I could’ve lied, but I didn’t. “I don’t trust Agent Cooper. He has it out for Finn and I don’t know why. I don’t want to give him any more ammunition.”

  “Fair enough. So walk me through it. What’s Alexia’s motivation? And why is Finn hiding?”

  Detective Brandle had me there. “Motive? I have no clue. But I could say the same thing for Finn. He had no reason to kill Cody.”

  “What’s Crime Solving 101?” Detective Brandle asked me.

  “Um, always bring donuts on stakeouts?” I guessed.

  “Always look for the motive. Find out who had the most to gain and start there.”

  I nodded in agreement. Of course, Detective Brandle was right.

  “Do I think Finn’s guilty?” he continued. “No, no I don’t. But I don’t know where he’s at and I certainly don’t know what Alexia’s up to.”

  “Me either. On both accounts,” I answered truthfully. Sure, I knew Finn was alive and in hiding, but I didn’t know where. I now understood why Finn wouldn’t tell me. I couldn’t get into trouble because I honestly didn’t know.

  “Here’s a question for you: How was Cody murdered?” I asked. There was blood on my hands, but I didn’t examine the wounds.

  “Gun shot,” Detective Brandle said, picking up his latte and blowing on it to cool it off.

  “And I didn’t wake up? How is that even possible?” I hissed across the table.

  “Silencer?” Detective Brandle offered up.

  I gave him a look that said come on. “Really, you think so?” I loved my beauty sleep, but I didn’t think I was dead to the world.

  “No, I think Cody was murdered and put on the boat. Maybe it was a message to Finn.”

  I blinked a couple of times. A message. From The Sugar King. Yeah, I could see that. I swallowed hard. My sugar cookie no longer looked appealing.

  Oh sweet sugar.

  Now what was I going to do?

  My mom called while I was driving home from chatting with Detective Brandle. I thought about ignoring it again. Horrible of me, I know. But I didn’t.

  I took a deep breath and answered the phone.

  “Hey, Mom. What’s up?” I asked.

  “What’s up? Don’t ‘what’s up’ me, missy. You know very well I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Do you have any idea how many people have been ringing up my phone? Cecelia Smith has not stopped calling me for the past 24 hours. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to tell the President of the Southern Tea Society that my daughter hasn’t even called me? No, I bet you don’t.”

  “Mom, I’m sorry—

  “You’re sorry? I thought I raised you better than this, Ziva. I’ve been sick with worry. What in the heavens is even going on over there? The police wouldn’t even let me come near you.”

  “You were there?�
�� I hadn’t even seen my mom at the docks.

  “Of course I was there. The second I got the call from Mrs. J., I made your father drive me down, but they stonewalled me. Next thing I know, you’re taking off. And did you bother to call your mother? No. No, you didn’t.”

  My mom sounded an awful lot like me talking to Finn this afternoon.

  “Everything is okay.” I said the words even though I knew it was a lie. My mom knew it too.

  “Oh honey, I hardly think so. Your father and I were talking, and we think it’s best if you came and stayed with us for a while.” Notice she didn’t ask me if I wanted to come and stay.

  I opened and closed my mouth a few times like a fish gasping for air while I thought of the best approach for turning my mom’s offer down.

  “That’s really sweet, Mom. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the offer, but I’m already staying at Aria’s.” I could’ve added something about the merits of Aria’s high-tech security system and the plantation guards, but I didn’t think that would help my case. Instead, I thought of something else. “Plus, I have Captain Jack with me. I know how much you don’t like it when he jumps up on your furniture.”

  As ridiculous as it sounded, I knew my mom was rethinking her offer if it included my puppy. She definitely wasn’t an animal lover—well, an animal fur lover. Despite the fact that Captain Jack wasn’t a shedder, my mom broke out the lint roller every time we stopped over. Her perfectionism ran deep. I would argue deeper than our Puerto Rican roots.

  The line was silent for minute and I let the empty air continue. When she didn’t offer a counterargument, I said, “Listen, I promise I will call you as soon as I know something.” When she started to protest, I added, “and I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Okay?”

  Reluctantly, my mom agreed. I let out a sigh when I hung up the phone, more exhausted than I ever thought possible.

  7

  The next morning Agent Cooper called me first thing.

  “The place is yours,” he said by way of greeting.

  “The house is clear?” I asked, making sure I understood him. Understandably, I hadn’t slept well the night before and needed an extra boost of caffeine to get my neurons firing.