Olivia speared a cherry tomato with her fork and ate it. “Yes. I did stay there, until high school actually. And about the time I hit my sophomore year in high school my metabolism changed. I gained weight like you would not believe. I absolutely panicked. All of a sudden, I was dieting like a madwoman. My ballet teacher was giving me menus to follow and exercises to do at home and my parents were sort of pissed off about the whole thing. They kept telling me that I should just quit because obviously I wasn’t the sort of person who was supposed to be a dancer. It was awful.”
Duke felt the oddest urge to reach across the table and touch her hand. He wanted her to know that while he didn’t understand, he could empathize. “Sometimes families don’t necessarily understand what’s going on,” Duke said gruffly. “At least that’s been my experience. They think they know you, but they don’t. And then it just gets worse when they act like it’s your fault they got it wrong because you should have been exactly what family dynamics said you should be.”
“You’re very right,” she murmured. She was gazing at him with such intensity that he could not meet her eyes. He couldn’t do it. He could feel her appreciation though. It was like a live thing between them. “I wonder what happened with your family that you know that first hand because I kind of think that you do.”
“I told you, my sister got married.” Duke could not believe he was going to say this crap out loud. It wasn’t any of her business to begin with, but he felt like he owed her something personal after she had been so very candid with him. “She married a guy who is just a year younger than I am. We were friends at school. Played football and baseball together and that.”
Olivia frowned. “And your sister is younger than you and this other guy too?”
“Yeah, two or three years.” Duke didn’t remember anymore. He didn’t keep track of that stuff because it just didn’t matter. “And this kid comes from a farming family too. But there were a lot of boys in his family. Five, I believe. So, my dad suggests that he come and work at our family farm. And suddenly the farm that I was going to inherit got cut in half. I had to move out of the little house that had once been my grandfather’s place so that my sister and her new husband could move in. I felt like I’d been replaced.”
“What did you do?” Olivia whispered. She was leaning in, her salad forgotten and a look of such empathy on her face that Duke felt it like a physical caress.
Duke shrugged. “I left. I went to the State patrol academy and would up a State trooper for about four years before I got tired of the bureaucrats. About that time, Titus was hiring for the job at Rock Wolf and I applied.”
“And what does your family think about that?” Her expression suggested she already knew the answer to that.
Duke picked up a chicken breast and bit into the juicy piece of meat with gusto. He ripped off a rather large chunk and ate it as though he were nothing more than a caveman. After a moment or two, he could speak without spitting food at her. “They think I’m nuts and that’s about the long and short of it. They don’t understand why I would want to investigate crimes and get a regular paycheck when I could be working a family farm and probably driving a big rig to help make ends meet.”
“That actually sounds like a lot more work for a lot less satisfaction,” Olivia commented wryly. “While I can’t imagine that I would want to be a private investigator, it has to be interesting, especially in this town.”
“What?” Duke winked at her. “This is the big city, angel.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“Call you what?”
“Angel.”
Duke figured he might as well just lay it all out there. “Oh. Because that’s what you looked like on the catwalk yesterday. I swear you could have been standing on the top railing dancing back and forth like some demented angel.”
“Thank you. I think.” She picked through her salad again. “I suppose we should get going. I need to be back at the theater by noon for the first show of the day.”
“It’s almost noon now.” Duke felt a shot of unease. He hadn’t even realized there was an early show. “Should we hurry?”
“No. I’m not all that eager to be there. The staff will run it like normal. I don’t have to breathe down their necks for them to do their jobs. And at least Harvey never shows up to the first showing.”
Duke wasn’t entirely sure that made it okay that he wasn’t there to keep an eye on things when he was involved in an active investigation, but at least he could enjoy the rest of his scrumptious chicken.
Chapter Thirteen
There was something about sharing shitty childhood experiences that really created a bond between two people. Olivia could not help but feel as though she had started to build one of these bonds with Duke Dunbar. As the two of them strode from the parking lot of the Moonrise Theater to the front entrance, she felt as though they were both on the same page. They had broken the ice between them and each knew the other was serious about the case. Besides, they were on a mission—sort of.
Duke stopped just inside the front doors and cast a look up at the catwalk high above the foyer. Then he looked at the four sets of double doors that led to the theater. “The show is still going on, right?”
“Yes.” Olivia wasn’t entirely certain what he was getting at. “I figured we could slip in through the back and take a look.”
“You go ahead if you want to. I’m heading up to the catwalk. When it’s over, I want to see each and every person coming out and I want to make sure nobody is coming inside using the front doors.”
“Wait. You want to make sure there’s nobody coming in?” Olivia was pretty sure none of what he said made any sense to her. Not really. How could it make any sense at all for someone to be coming inside the theater anyway? “Why are you expecting someone to come inside?”
“Because it’s not really likely that a string of thefts spanning six months and ramping up in the last three weeks are being perpetrated by your paying guests.” He was looking at her as though she were a simpleton and Olivia was starting to understand why.
Olivia felt a very blank sort of shock coming on. She knew she was staring at Duke as though she were completely out of touch with reality, but until right now she had not actually considered how the thieves were getting inside. She had thought it was some kind of group. A bunch of people perhaps. That classic ring of thieves that went around and targeted other establishments there in Branson and not just hers. They would get a ticket and see the show and steal watches and purses and jewelry and wallets all right there while Riley Saunders and his animals provided a diversion.
“How did you think the thief was getting into the theater?” There was a frown on Duke’s face now.
Olivia noticed that he said thief—singular—and not thieves. “So, you think that someone is just randomly coming into the theater and picking pockets while people are wandering around before and after the show?”
“That is the most logical possibility, yes.” He started to climb the spiral staircase to the catwalk after essentially stepping over the little barrier and the sign as though they did not exist. “That whole idea of a ring of thieves exists more in television and movies than in real life. Usually, you have one guy—or chick—we are not gender biased towards our criminals, going to try to do this with the least amount of personal output possible. That means high traffic, high distraction factor, and no monetary outlay on their part.”
“They don’t want to pay admission to get to a place where they are then going to be already starting their night’s work in the hole for profit. Is that what you’re telling me?” Somehow, this took all of the romanticism out of it for Olivia. Which was stupid because why would a pickpocket be romantic?
Duke made a face as he started to climb up the narrow, twisting staircase. “The exception to this rule would be a thief who gets a season pass to an amusement park. They don’t mind paying the admission cost because they then have the ultimate hunting ground at their d
isposal every single day of the year. And they will avoid anyone who looks familiar in that park because a regular—a fellow season pass holder—is way more likely to notice and report a case of theft than someone just there for the day.”
“Wow. You’ve made quite a study of this.” But Olivia remembered Duke said he was a State trooper, which had to mean he’d gone to the training academy and then earned his place among the officers. “I apparently have a very different idea of how this is happening.”
“Well, I don’t think that we should discount any theory at this point.” His voice drifted down to her from the catwalk. She refused to crane her neck back to look at him. She was too aware of what he’d said earlier. The impression she’d gotten that he had been impressed with her balance and agility. She didn’t want to change any opinion he might have by making a fool out of herself.
“I’ll just… well, I suppose I’ll head for my office then. I need to check a few things.” Olivia made a noncommittal gesture toward her office and realized that she probably needed to check on the cleaning of a few things. What a distasteful proposition that was.
He didn’t stop her. But why would he, as he was there to do a job and that was it. Olivia wished she felt just a little less silly at that moment. It was hard to project confidence when she felt like a little kid.
Her office was a mess. That part had not been a figment of her imagination. It was even worse in the daylight with the sun spilling through her windows. She grabbed some cleaning supplies that she kept behind her door. She could at least get started on the dirt with a small hand broom and a dustpan.
She wasn’t entirely sure how long she’d been at the task when she heard the squeak of her door and a chuffing sort of laugh coming from the doorway. “Well, I’ve always been one to say that you look far better on your knees than you do on your feet.”
Sergeant Mathias Caprico was the last person Olivia wanted to see. She could not believe he had the gall to show up once again in her office. It was like the bastard had nothing else to do since she’d dumped him.
Olivia did not look up from the pile of dirt she was sweeping off her ancient industrial grade theater carpet into the metal dust pan. “Mathias, don’t you have criminals to go and pester?”
“Actually, it’s funny that you would say that.” The mocking tone of his voice made her want to snarl at him. “Because I am here to pester you for just that reason.”
Now Olivia looked up. “Excuse me? What are you talking about?”
“See, I got this call a few hours ago from a man named Harvey Lightman,” Mathias began. Then he paused as though he was waiting for Olivia to give him a reaction.
She didn’t. She didn’t react at all. She sat back on her heels because being on her knees in front of Mathias Caprico wasn’t appealing in the least. But she did not jump ahead to defend herself or to try to tell her side of the story; that would be too enjoyable for Mathias and Olivia didn’t particularly care if Mathias enjoyed himself these days or not.
Mathias cleared his throat. She’d obviously thrown him off his game. “Harvey Lightman called me personally at the department so I could be apprised of a certain situation where you apparently assaulted him.”
Don’t say a word. She had to coach herself over and over again, not allowing her face to give away anything but a raised brow as though she were suggesting to Mathias that it was time to move onto his next verbal volley.
Mathias cleared his throat again. Now this was getting deep. “Mr. Lightman alleges that you assaulted him with a potted plant.”
For just one moment, Olivia allowed herself to soak up the ridiculousness of that statement. And then she allowed herself to respond. “I’m sorry. Did you just say that Harvey Lightman is accusing me of assaulting him with a potted plant?”
“Yes,” Mathias agreed. “I can only assume he meant the potted plant that you always keep on that shelf right there.” Mathias was pointing to the palm plant, which had been returned to its correct spot, minus the dirt she was trying to get up off the floor.
“So, you are confirming,” Olivia said slowly and deliberately, “that you know the potted plant is always right there on that shelf.”
“Sure.”
“And did Mr. Lightman tell you how the plant came to be in his lap?”
Now Mathias was looking a little confused. “His lap?”
“Well, yes. He was sitting in my desk chair at the time of the incident. And when I walked into my office, I surprised him. He backed up so quickly that he hit the credenza. The hutch bobbled and then the plant fell off the shelf.” She waited to see what Mathias would make of that.
“He alleges you threw the plant at him.”
“I see. And did you say he was treated in the ER for bruising or something?” Olivia was kind of wondering how far this was going to go. “Because you should recognize that pot. You bought it for me. And it’s pretty heavy. Big hand-thrown clay pot. Remember?”
“I remember,” Mathias murmured. He was looking kind of chagrined. “I didn’t—ah—that is to say that I expected the pot to be broken.”
“And it isn’t,” Olivia said firmly, “because I didn’t throw it at him. Mathias, I know you don’t like me, and you don’t have to. That’s fine. But don’t make yourself look like an idiot just to make trouble for me. If you honestly want to go down to the station and we can tell your captain our story and then you can lie to him about the pot or you can tell the truth. I might remind you I have pictures of that day you bought it with the pot in one of the photographs. It’s one of those Silver Dollar City tourist photos and so there’s even a date on it.”
Mathias was looking a little ill. Olivia was pretty sure she hadn’t felt that good about an interaction with the man since the first month they’d been together. It was a huge stride in her own emotional recovery. Not that she really thought Mathias would appreciate that knowledge right now.
“You’re pushing me, Olivia,” he growled at her.
“Can I help you with something here, Olivia?” Duke Dunbar stuck his head into her office, spotted Mathias, and then stepped the rest of the way inside.
All of a sudden, Olivia was looking at Mathias standing next to Duke Dunbar and she could not stop her brain from making the very obvious comparison. Duke was taller, broader, and his handsome features were filled with warmth beneath his stern expression. Plus, his green eyes were laughing instead of permanently hooded and secretive.
When Olivia looked at Mathias, she only saw a dark-haired man with a mean expression behind his beady little eyes and a grasping personality that seeped through his very pores. How was it that she could fall in love with this man? Had he hidden himself so very easily from her? Or had she just been so desperate for anyone to love and care for her that she’d been willing to pretend with what Mathias Caprico had been willing to provide?
Either way, it was all rather pathetic.
“I’m all right, Mr. Dunbar. Thank you. Sergeant Caprico was just telling me that Harvey is trying to say I assaulted him with a potted plant last night,” Olivia could not resist adding.
Duke pressed his lips into a tight line. “Is that right?” Then he turned to Mathias. “And I’m sure you came down here to assure Ms. Houghton that you fully realize the claims made by Mr. Lightman are totally false. Isn’t that right?”
“Actually, I need you to step off,” Mathias growled at Duke. His lips were curled back away from his teeth and he looked like a rabid beast. “This is a police matter, not a matter for some rent-a-cop.”
“Hey now,” Duke said with a mild warning in his language and manner, “you need to be careful. Your captain is perfectly willing to let Rock Wolf work cases alongside the Branson PD. That’s how it works here. There has been plenty of collaboration over the last ten years and I really don’t think you want to be the sole reason that nice bit of cooperation between agencies goes away. Now do you?”
Olivia was pretty sure she had never seen Mathias have to swallow back so mu
ch anger before in his life. He looked as though someone had dunked him in the lake and he’d swallowed one huge mouthful of brackish water.
“That’s what I thought!” Duke said brightly. He clapped Mathias on the back so hard that the sergeant stumbled forward a step. “Now, I think it’s probably time for you to leave since I know Ms. Houghton has lots of work to catch up on. She’s been so sweet about not pressing trespassing charges against Mr. Lightman for being in her office last night without permission, even though he is contractually not supposed to be in there. But you know Olivia, she’s just too easy-going for her own good.”
On and on Duke went as he slung an arm around Mathias and practically dragged him out of the office and over to the front doors of the theater. Olivia wasn’t entirely sure how he had known she was in trouble or that she needed his help. Maybe it had all been a big coincidence. But she did know she would be eternally grateful for Duke’s willingness to step in and at least help her fight her battles when they got a little overwhelming.
Chapter Fourteen
Duke wished he was a little less inclined to be pleased with himself for throwing the useless cop out of the theater. Besides, it wasn’t like they were having a physical battle or anything. Duke opened the doors and shoved Mathias outside. The guy stumbled a few feet, then regained his balance and turned to shoot Duke an angry look that promised retribution if the opportunity ever arose.
It really wouldn’t have been a big deal at all except that Mathias was wearing the blue Branson Police Department uniform and it probably did appear a little odd to anyone who happened to be watching from the outside. Fortunately, there was an awful lot happening on this hot afternoon in Branson, Missouri, far too much for anyone to pay attention to the sight of a police officer getting ejected from a theater for bad behavior.
At least that’s what Duke thought until he spotted a very familiar ginger-haired reporter’s pale, freckled face peeking out from behind one of the support pillars on the other side of the drop-off covered area of the theater’s front façade. Hilary Allenwood was snapping photographs of Duke as though he were a centerfold in the middle of a professional ad shoot. He huffed out a big sigh and walked toward her with what he hoped was a forbidding expression on his face.
Rock Wolf Investigations: Boxset Page 10
