Faux Pas

by Shannon Esposito

  My chest began to tighten. No. No. No. I went to the marble and gold sink and splashed water on my face. You are not going to let him see you fall apart. I pulled my hair up into a knot and tied it, then leaned into the counter and closed my eyes. Taking three deep, cleansing breaths I felt the anxiety begin to subside. Opening my eyes, I stared at my reflection. Surprisingly, he was right. I did look happy. My cheeks were flushed from the wine, and my green eyes sparkled with some joy he had released in me like an uncorked bottle. OK. You’re good. Just enjoy the moment. No hopes for the future means no heartbreak.

  ‘Hope!’ Holding the phone to my ear, I peeked outside to see Devon arranging the food on the table. ‘What’s going on? Why didn’t you call me when Ira got out of jail yesterday? How is he holding up?’

  ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t call, Elle.’ Hope sounded exhausted. ‘I don’t even know what I’m doing right now. Ira is so devastated. He kept himself locked up in his office all night and met with Reed Black, our attorney, today. Reed says despite letting him out on bail, the police have discovered Celeste Green was planning a lawsuit against Ira and are considering that motive. Which means they could upgrade the charges to murder! Oh god, Elle …’ Her words dissolved into sobs.

  Wow, Detective Farnsworth was working faster than Devon thought he would. I fought back my own tears and padded to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Time for some tough love. ‘Listen, falling apart isn’t going to help Ira. You’ve got to stay strong for him, do you hear me?’ Hope blew her nose. I’d take that as a yes. ‘We’re working on a few leads that may clear him. In the meantime, you can help by having Ira think of anyone who might want to frame him for this.’

  ‘Frame him? Everyone loves Ira. What kind of leads?’ Hope blew her nose again.

  ‘Well, I found out it’s really easy to get a hold of Botox. Especially on Moon Key, these women have Botox parties instead of Tupperware parties. So, we’re working the angle that someone else attacked her with Botox when she arrived at the Pampered Pup, after her appointment with Ira. Also, Celeste’s best friend, Billie Olsen, was actually in love with her, and Celeste rejected her right before her death. Devon and I went and spoke with Billie and confirmed this. So, see … there are things in the works.’

  Hope sniffed and then sighed. ‘OK but … please tell me something else is going on between you and that hunk of Irish man other than investigating. I need some good news right now to take my mind off this nightmare.’

  I took a sip of water and checked to make sure Devon was still at the table. ‘Yeah. He kissed me.’

  ‘Whoa, now that’s what I’m talking about. And?’

  ‘And it was incredible. I mean, I’ve never felt this way about anybody. Not even you-know-who. That was a childish crush compared to how I feel around Devon. But …’

  ‘But, you don’t want to lose yourself, I know. But, Elle, that’s part of falling in love. You don’t have to give up who you are, though. Yes, you do go crazy for a little while and eat and breathe each other. Ira and I would fall asleep with the phone to our ear for months because we couldn’t bear to be apart. But that temporary insanity lets you go eventually. And then the love is different, deeper and softer and more sane. And as for the other reason you’re afraid to fall in love … you guys were too young, you need to just let that go. Just let it happen with Devon, Elle. You deserve it.’

  I don’t know why her words brought up tears, but I was suddenly blinking at the ceiling with a lump in my throat. ‘Well, I should go. I’m at his house and dinner’s ready.’

  ‘He cooked you dinner? Elle, I’m going to kick your butt if you don’t let this happen. I mean it. And …’ She took a deep breath. ‘Thank you for giving me something else to think about for a minute and for all you’re doing for Ira.’

  ‘Ditto. Now go give that man of yours a hug and let him in on our progress so far.’

  ‘Everything all right?’ Devon asked when I sat down.

  ‘Yeah.’ I unfolded my napkin and put it on my lap, glancing around at the simple but elegant table of food he had set. Everything he did was so thoughtful. ‘Yeah. Fine. I just had a quick conversation with Hope. She said the police have discovered Celeste’s plan to sue Ira so that motive Detective Vargas talked about …’ I shook my head.

  Devon winced. ‘And with motive comes the murder charge.’

  ‘It’s all so unbelievable.’ Sighing, I took a tentative bite of salmon and closed my eyes as it melted in my mouth. ‘That is just delicious.’ I made a bowing motion. ‘I stand corrected for doubting you.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Looking pleased, he took his own bite and chewed slowly. ‘OK. I’m thinking since this is a time-sensitive investigation, we need to push the suspects a bit. So, next I need to have a chat with Robert Green. Lay out our suspicions to him and see how he reacts. See if he gets defensive. Or better yet … violent.’

  I glanced up at Devon. ‘I agree we need to step up the pace but … you want him to get violent?’

  ‘Sure.’ He shrugged. ‘We don’t want him to stay cool, in control. He’ll never let anything slip that way.’

  I cut my sweet potato in half and fed half to the dogs lying patiently at our feet. They each swallowed their piece without chewing and licked their chops, looking up at me for more.

  ‘You don’t chew either, Petey?’ Chuckling, I lifted my water glass and then looked at Devon. ‘If he even has anything to hide. What about Zebina? I know for a fact she wanted Celeste out of their life. How far would she go to make that happen? And wait … what do you mean you need to have a talk with Robert? Don’t you mean we?’

  Devon mumbled something as he shoved a forkful of salad in his mouth. I kept the pressure on with my glare. ‘I already told you, I’m not staying out of this. Especially now that the death penalty could be on the table. I even agreed to the gun to make you feel better about it.’

  He shook his head and swallowed. ‘Fine. You can go with me to talk to Robert, but you’re not to do any investigating on your own. I mean it, Elle,’ he added when he saw my look of defiance hadn’t wavered.

  I thought about the kiss and my shoulders fell. ‘Fine. But, no leaving me out of it either.’

  ‘Fine.’ He took a swig of his water and grinned at me. ‘Are you sure you’re not Irish?’

  I laughed. ‘What are you trying to say? That I’m hard headed? Isn’t that the kettle calling the pot black? And honestly, I have no idea. Knowing our family history wasn’t a priority in our house. My father was just a name on a birth certificate. He got my mother pregnant when she was eighteen and skipped town when she told him. He was older. I think in his thirties. Probably married, who knows. She won’t talk about him at all.’

  ‘Seems like you turned out OK.’ He smiled at me around a mouthful of food.

  ‘That’s debatable.’ I chuckled. ‘So tell me about Ireland. About how you grew up. What was it like?’

  He set his fork down and leaned back in his chair with a mischievous grin. ‘Well, for starters, while you have Disneyland here in Florida, Dublin has the Guinness brewery.’

  I laughed, thoroughly enjoying his company and excited I was about to learn more about him. ‘Oh really? Go on.’

  We sat there for hours under the stars, sharing stories about our childhood, the dumb things we did as teenagers, our dreams and fears. Wiping my eyes from a hilarious story he told about getting food poisoning in Shanghai, Devon shook his head as he continued. ‘Did you know they had a case of exploding watermelons there because of some chemical the farmers were spraying on the plants to get them to grow faster?’

  I stared at him in horror. ‘Ah. No.’

  He held a hand over his heart. ‘Truth.’ Then he sat back and crossed him arms. ‘All right. I just totally humiliated myself for your entertainment. Your turn.’ His eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

  I groaned and looked to the dogs for help. They were both sacked out on the pavers, oblivious to my plight. Taking one more glance at his expectant
grin, I suddenly knew I could refuse him nothing.

  ‘Fine.’ I covered my face with both hands for a second. Then I sighed at him, feeling my face flush. I knew it was only the liquid courage from the wine allowing me to admit this at all, and I’d probably regret it. ‘My mother is the biggest Elvis Presley fan in the world. So …’ I closed my eyes, deciding to just get it over with. ‘Having Pressley as a last name, she apparently just couldn’t resist. She named me after him.’

  Peering between my fingers again, I watched Devon put it together. Suddenly, he threw himself back in the chair and burst out laughing.

  I tossed my napkin at him. ‘It’s not that funny!’ But, yeah, I knew it was.

  ‘Elle … Elle is short for Elvis?!’ he roared, disturbing the dogs, who lifted their heads just long enough to make sure their crazy humans weren’t in serious trouble. The more he tried to stop laughing, the more he laughed and the more I glared at him. Finally, he got up from his chair and came to kneel in front of me. ‘Sorry.’ He shook his head, but trying to calm down only made him lay his head on my knee and shake with a fresh round of laughter. ‘I’m truly sorry, I’m not laughing at you …’ He lifted his head. ‘Elvis!’ That just did him in. His laughter was out of his control.

  I pushed him to the ground where he lay in convulsive fits. ‘It’s really not that funny.’ But, his laughter was contagious, and I found myself in the clutches of giggling as well.

  He pushed himself up, grabbed my hand and pulled me to the ground beside him. Staring down at me, he wiped his eyes and cleared his throat. ‘Forgive me?’

  ‘Hmmm.’ I pursed my lips, trying to hide my own smile. ‘Why should I?’

  ‘Because—’ he lowered his mouth to mine, placing a soft kiss on my lips – ‘I’m very very—’ another soft kiss – ‘very sorry.’

  I watched the change in his eyes as they darkened and felt his breath grow shallow against my side. His mouth lowered to mine again and this time, he deepened the kiss, letting me feel his hunger for me. When he finally broke contact and met my eyes, I would have forgiven him anything.

  ‘It’s getting late, Devon. I should go.’ OK, even I was shocked that’s what came out of my mouth. Obviously I had intimacy issues even I wasn’t aware of.

  Devon lowered his forehead to mine and whispered, ‘Stay. Please.’

  I let myself run my fingers through his thick hair. God it was soft, like fine silk. ‘Maybe next time.’

  I felt the groan rumble deep in his chest. ‘OK. Come on then.’ He helped me off the ground, but before he released me he slid his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. With one hand behind my head, he gave me the sweetest, gentlest kiss … I nearly melted right there on the spot. ‘You sure?’

  I could only nod. I didn’t trust myself to speak.

  He kissed the tip of my nose and then released me. The emptiness I felt when he walked away was almost unbearable. And that’s what scared me.

  With shaky hands and a raging storm of emotion going on inside, I helped him clean up the dishes and put the leftovers in the fridge. Then Buddha and I climbed into his Jeep for the ride back to the Pampered Pup.

  Devon was quiet during the short ride, and I was a mess inside. There was something seriously wrong with me. How could I be walking away from this when it’s what I desperately wanted? I didn’t need Hope to kick my butt. I was doing a bang up job of it myself.

  SEVENTEEN

  We were meeting Robert at the Moon Key Country Club on Monday between doga classes. I stared out at the water from a table we chose between the tiki bar and beach. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, just pure blue and raging sunshine. As picturesque as the view was, we would’ve been miserable outdoors if it wasn’t for the whirling fans hanging from the thatched roof above us. I had thrown on a sundress, as coming to an elite country club in fur-covered yoga clothes didn’t seem respectful. I was, however, wearing my standard footwear of flip-flops, so the breeze felt nice on my bare toes.

  ‘Remember to be careful, Devon,’ I said for the millionth time since our drive over. ‘Robert and Ira are golf buddies … or used to be. If I’m just being completely naive and wrong and Ira were somehow involved – though I’m not – it could be because Robert used Ira to get rid of his ex-wife. He could have blackmailed him or threatened him. I don’t know what kind of man we’re dealing with here. So, I don’t think pushing him to act violently is a good idea.’

  Devon nodded his understanding as the waiter brought our sparkling water. ‘Kid gloves. Got it.’

  Robert arrived a short time after that. He kissed my hand. ‘Elle, so good to see you, dear.’ And then shook Devon’s hand. ‘Mr Burke nice to see you again as well.’

  ‘Devon, please.’

  The man definitely oozed charm, but cold-blooded killers could be charming. Look at Ted Bundy. I eyed him as he took a seat and ordered a Scotch on the rocks, trying to assess him in a new light. Probably in his mid-sixties, even dressed down in a buttery yellow polo shirt and golf shorts, he exuded confidence as if he had the world by the tail and knew it. I had noted this since working on Moon Key – money came with a large dose of confidence. I was hoping some of it would rub off on me.

  Robert also kept himself in top shape physically. His gray eyes were slightly bloodshot but sparkled with intelligence beneath neatly trimmed gray brows. Devon had done some digging and learned he was a retired defense attorney and successful in the stock market. He certainly was a little intimidating. Could he have threatened Ira into helping him kill Celeste? No. As much as I tried to keep an open mind about all the possibilities, I still couldn’t believe Ira would have had any part in that. Then could Robert have hired someone to attack Celeste in the parking garage, thereby framing Ira? That was certainly a more plausible possibility.

  ‘Do you golf, Devon?’ Robert asked.

  Devon smiled easily. ‘Not very well, I’m afraid. But, I do try now and again so I can drive around on the beautiful green.’

  Robert chuckled. ‘It is one of the finest courses in Florida. Where are you from?’

  ‘Dublin.’

  ‘Ah. I’ve had the pleasure of playing at the Portmarnock course there. Now that was an unforgettable day.’ He took a sip of his Scotch when the waiter brought it. ‘So, Elle, you said there was something important you needed to discuss with me.’

  Right down to business then. ‘Yes.’ I wrapped my hands around my chilled glass to keep them from shaking. ‘I actually have a confession to make. Robert … Devon is a private investigator, and he’s helping me look into Celeste’s death.’

  Robert sat back in his seat and glanced at Devon. ‘I see.’

  I decided not to tell Robert about Devon’s part in Celeste finding out about his affair with Zebina. We needed Robert’s trust. ‘I’m involved because of Ira. He’s a really good friend of mine, as you know, and I’m positive he didn’t kill Celeste. But, he is being charged with her death. Manslaughter as of right now. That may be elevated to homicide.’

  ‘Yes, I know. The police contacted me when he was arrested.’ His demeanor changed from defensive to open. ‘Elle, I know Ira is your friend. And I would have considered him a friend, as well. But, he did treat her with Botox right before she died … from Botox.’

  ‘So, you think he’s guilty?’ I maintained eye contact, though I wanted to look away. I wasn’t used to staring down powerful men.

  ‘I don’t think he killed her on purpose, no. But, even professionals get careless. Make mistakes. And they have to be held accountable for those mistakes. Especially when they take a life.’

  I flicked my gaze toward Devon. He nodded almost imperceptibly. For some reason, he was letting me take the lead on this. ‘What if I told you I found a bottle of Botox in the parking garage at the Pampered Pup, near Celeste’s parking space?’

  Robert’s brow rose and he held his expression carefully neutral. ‘Really? When?’

  ‘The night she was killed. Someone could have attacked her with it in the
parking garage, after her appointment with Ira.’

  ‘Well, that would certainly be something to give to the police. But, that would also suggest someone killed her on purpose. I’ll admit she could be a feisty little thing, but I can’t imagine her angering someone to the degree of murder.’

  Not even the woman who stole you away from her? ‘Did you know she was planning on suing Ira? The police think this is a plausible motive.’

  He waved his hand dismissively. ‘Celeste sued people for sport.’

  ‘What about your fiancé?’ Devon finally chimed in. ‘Elle witnessed more than one fight between Zebina and Celeste. In fact, she had to ask Celeste to come to a different class to avoid them being in the same room.’

  Robert shook his head. ‘Celeste was harassing Zebina, yes. She was bitter about the divorce.’ And the affair, I thought but didn’t say it. ‘But, trust me, Zebina isn’t capable of killing someone. Besides, she was with me the morning Celeste died.’

  Devon and I exchanged a glance. ‘So, you and Zebina are each other’s alibis,’ Devon stated with a smirk.

  Robert folded his hands on his lap and smiled. ‘Neither one of us killed my ex-wife. Elle, Ira is your friend, but the simplest possibility usually prevails. I’m sorry, but a careless plastic surgery procedure wins in my book over conspiracy of murder.’

  Devon took a long pull of his water. Then his line of questioning changed. ‘How well do you know Billie Olsen?’

  Robert took a sip of his Scotch and his shoulders fell as he relaxed. ‘Very well. She and Celeste have … had been friends for decades. She was Celeste’s travel companion.’

  ‘Did you know Billie was in love with your ex-wife?’ Devon asked.

  Robert’s expression suggested amusement. ‘In love? What do you mean?’