Lisa was ready to fight. Harold was determined to tie her to Tempest’s death.
“Calm down, Lisa, or we’ll have to leave,” Douglas warned, putting his arm around her shoulder and squeezing.
She fought the urge to lean into him, and instead shrugged him off. “Listen,” she hissed.
“Did you cut Lisa Kane’s cinch so she would fall?”
“Don’t be absurd. She did it to make herself look less guilty.”
“Creep!” Lisa barked.
“I’m taking you out of here, Lisa,” Douglas said. “I’ve warned you enough and you’re not listening.”
She looked at him as if he had horns. “You’ve got to be kidding! You couldn’t get me out of here if you roped and tied me.”
“Last warning,” he said, and turned back to the window.
“How about your wife’s twin, Storm? Could she have used your computer?”
Harold’s expression turned from anger to shock. “My wife didn’t have a twin. She was an only child.”
“You’re wrong. There is a twin.”
Harold shook his head. “Not so. She would have told me.”
“Storm had been estranged from the family for years, so it may not have occurred to your wife to mention her.”
“But,” he looked around the room, as if unable to believe what the detective said. “She would have told me. She told me everything.” He rubbed his forehead. “Maybe she did say something. A long time ago, right after we were married.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me about her parents dying. I asked if she had any other family. She got real quiet. Then she said, ‘It’s possible.’ But that’s all. She never explained and I didn’t ask.”
“Will the twin claim the trust?”
“Of course she will,” Harold growled. He looked at Detective Ryan. “So where is she? When do I meet her?”
“I think you’ve already met,” Ryan said, watching Wheatley closely.
From behind the window, Lisa held her breath. This could clear her.
“Her name is Jolie. She’s been seen with you on numerous occasions.”
Wheatley’s reaction was instantaneous. If he was putting on an act he was darned good at it. For a moment, Lisa thought he was going to pass out. Ryan shoved a glass of water at him.
“I take it you didn’t know.”
“You must be mistaken.”
“Didn’t you see the similarities?”
Harold had his hands over his eyes, his elbows on the table. If he wasn’t propped up, he might have fallen over. Ryan pushed. “Same build. Facial features similar. You didn’t see it?”
Harold shook his head slowly from side to side. “You’re wrong. Jolie can’t be Tempest’s twin. I would know.”
“Did the two of you plan your wife’s death? Are you in this together?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Where does she live? What last name is she using? It sure isn’t her real one.”
Harold’s head was still going from side to side. When he dropped his hands, his face was one of anguish.
“Collins. Her last name is Collins. She told me she lives in an apartment in the Memorial area.”
Ryan nodded, a signal for his partner to check it out.
Lisa watched him go. But she’d bet anything they wouldn’t find a thing. Storm was too smart.
“I take it you’ve never been there.”
“No. She was always around.”
“Did you date?”
Harold looked at the officer, his eyes full of pain. “I guess you could call it that. She came to my place a few times. We had dinner, sex.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what you call dating these days.”
“Did you talk of the future?”
“Never.” Harold swallowed. “I guess you know by now that I played around, even when I was married to Tempest. I’m not proud of it, but it’s fact. I was just playing around with Jolie.”
“Did she know that? Or did she think the two of you would get serious?”
“I don’t know,” he yelled again, clearly agitated by the questions and by the information he’d just learned.
“If you liked playing around so much, why did you marry Tempest?”
“Don’t. And I mean, don’t answer that,” his attorney warned.
“What difference does it make?” Wheatley asked, clearly unhappy. “I liked her. She was fun, she was beautiful and she was rich. What more could a guy ask?”
“What a jerk!” Lisa said, turning from the mirror. “What kind of guy does such a thing?”
Douglas jerked a thumb toward the interrogation room. “That kind.”
“You’re a real jewel,” Ryan said, rising from his chair.
“Are we through here?” the attorney asked.
Harold sat there, a faraway look in his eyes, as if he didn’t care what happened next.
“I’m through,” Ryan said. “Your client, however, is under arrest for the murder of his wife.”
Harold never stirred or acknowledged the statement.
“You’re out of your mind. My client is innocent.”
“Prove it in court.”
An officer came into the room, nudged Harold to his feet, handcuffed him and led him away.
Lisa felt the room sway around her. “Is it over?” she managed to ask.
Douglas had a big grin. “It is.”
She couldn’t wrap her head around it. After all this time she was free. The worry over being arrested for something she didn’t do would go away. Limp with relief, she leaned against the wall, tried to still her racing heart.
“Are you all right?” Douglas asked.
She managed a nod. She was better than all right. Pulling herself away from the wall, she went to the door. “Let’s go home.”
Darin looked up and down the hall, motioned them to leave.
“Then I guess I’m out of a job,” Ev said a minute later.
“You are,” Douglas agreed.
Darin gave Lisa a high-five. “Knew they’d come to their senses at some point.”
“It’s not completely over. They still have to find Storm,” Lisa reminded them.
“You’re safe now. That’s what’s important.” Douglas beamed.
She smiled at him. Then at Ev. “I am safe, aren’t I?” She took a deep breath. “It feels great.”
“Let’s celebrate,” Ev said. “I’m starving.”
Lisa chuckled. “When are you not?”
“I’ll take you out to eat,” Douglas offered. “Even order a bottle of champagne.”
“Now you’re talking.” Ev grinned.
“Later,” Lisa said. “When we find Storm and this is really over. Besides, I’m too wound up to enjoy a celebration.” Seeing the look on the guys’ faces, she relented. “We can order something in. That’ll work, won’t it?”
“Sounds good to me,” Ev said.
“Let’s go then.”
They met Ryan in the hall and shook hands.
“I suppose Callahan clued you in,” he said when he saw their smiles. “Thanks for your help.”
“Find Storm,” Lisa said. “She took Tempest’s money and somehow is involved in this.”
“We’ll do our best,” Ryan said before he turned to leave.
“I’m headed to the house,” Darin said. “Long day.”
Lisa went to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for your help, Darin.”
He waved her thanks away.
They went outside and piled back into Douglas’ SUV.
“Hope that’s the last of this place,” Lisa muttered.
She opened her laptop, ordered Chinese and told them she’d pick it up in ten minutes.
Looking out the window, she saw Douglas was about to turn toward his house. “We’re going to my apartment, Douglas.”
His mouth tightened in that familiar stubborn way of his and made the right turn.
An hour later they were finished with the food.
Ev cleared the table, put the leftovers in the fridge, then walked over to them. “If you don’t need me for anything else, I guess I’m out of here.”
She went to him and gave him a hug. “Thanks for everything, Ev. You were great.”
Douglas glowered.
“Thank you too, Douglas.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Tell the family you did a great job.” She looked at them. “Both of you can rest easy. Now we can all get some much needed sleep.”
“But…” Douglas began.
“No but’s, Douglas. You said yourself I’m safe. So go home. Tomorrow night I’ll attend the rodeo. After too long a time, I’ll enjoy every second.”
“I’ll take you.”
“There’s no need. I can take myself.”
“I insist. Besides, I haven’t seen a complete show this year.”
She wanted to sit next to him in his SUV with all her heart, but she had to make the break. “If you insist on going, meet me there.”
Ushering both men out the door, she leaned against it and took a huge breath.
How could she make the break she had to make if Douglas kept pushing himself into her space?
****
Douglas couldn’t believe he had been dismissed so casually. His blood heated up. This whole week has meant nothing to her. Nothing.
The two men started down the sidewalk together. “I guess this is goodbye,” Evan said.
“Appreciate your protection, Evan.”
They shook hands. “My friends call me Ev. After all we’ve been through I consider you a one.”
Douglas laughed. Ev. Son-of-a-gun!
Evan put his hand in his pocket as they headed for their cars. “Here,” he handed Douglas the key to Lisa’s apartment. “I won’t need this anymore.”
Absently, Douglas tucked it into his pocket, his thoughts on the woman who had him so twisted inside he didn’t know what to do next.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lisa double checked the lock on the door and went to make a cup of tea. Before she did anything else, she checked in with TJ, who was ecstatic at the news. “How do you feel?”
“Great.”
“Please, Lisa. Don’t give me that. Tell me how you feel about everything? About Harold? About Douglas?”
“Harold is getting what he deserves. After enough time, I’ll get over your brother.”
“Did Harold really kill Tempest? It sounds so unbelievable.”
“I know.” For the next thirty minutes they discussed Harold and his guilt, while Lisa adroitly avoided mentioning Douglas. “For the first time since this happened I feel safe. But there’s still the matter of Storm. She’s not sniffing around Harold for no reason. I’d really like to talk to her.”
“Forget her. All you have to worry about now is getting back to your old self.”
“My body agrees.” Even though she had a broken heart—even though she had to give up the fairy tale, she’d get on with her life. If need be, she’d take an overseas assignment, give herself time to heal.
“I’m so glad this is over, Lisa. Now I can stop worrying so much.”
“About time. You shouldn’t worry anyway. Get some rest. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
As far as Lisa was concerned, Harold may be under arrest, but there were still a multitude of unanswered questions. The most important one being Storm’s involvement. It didn’t matter everyone else thought they should forget about her. Storm was involved.
Going to her desk, Lisa took out pad and pencil, jotted down what they knew of the twin. When she finished, she saw how scanty it was. Storm was adept at disappearing. If she didn’t want to be found, she wouldn’t be.
Lisa tapped her pen on the pad. Where did that leave them? Even if Harold was convicted of his wife’s murder, would they ever resolve the fact that hundreds of thousands of dollars were missing from Tempest’s trust? No. HPD, with no evidence to the contrary, would say Tempest took the money. If Storm had gone in dressed and acting as her sister, she’d fooled everyone.
Lisa wasn’t satisfied. She had to talk to Storm. For Tempest’s sake, she wanted the truth.
She glanced at the clock. After midnight. Even though it had been a long day, her mind was racing. Trying to sleep would be a waste of time, so she made another cup of tea and tried to unravel the mysteries still associated with Tempest’s death.
Every job she’d ever been on had been like this. When the case began to come together, she couldn’t wait to get it solved. She couldn’t rush this one. Either HPD would find Storm or they wouldn’t.
Without going into a long, drawn-out search, HPD would never find Storm’s apartment. Lisa was sure she had lied to Harold, just as she'd lied to her parent’s years ago. They may never find her. Houston was a big city. She could be anywhere: hiding out in another part of town, or along the coast an hour to the south, in the piney woods, or across the Mexican border.
Storm would get away. The thought made Lisa sick to her stomach.
Deep in her heart, she knew there was more to this than HPD had found. She hadn’t wanted to bring any of this up with Douglas or she’d never get him out of here. They couldn’t spend another night under the same roof. She didn’t trust herself. Not for a minute.
Wiping her eyes, she went to bed.
Her heart hurting, she finally slept.
****
Douglas didn’t have that luxury. He prowled his house like a caged animal and saw Lisa in every corner. She should be here with me. Not alone in her apartment.
She was safe now, he reminded himself. But that wasn’t the point. He wanted her here.
Flopping into his easy chair, he turned on the TV. He skipped through several channels, but nothing distracted him. His thoughts were zeroed in on Lisa. They needed to talk. Tomorrow. After the rodeo they would have a chance. He’d make sure of it.
Lisa called him early the next the afternoon.
“The SPCA called. They have a horse I want to look at. I’ll check it out on my way to the rodeo. I may run a little late.”
“I can pick you up. We can look at the horse together.”
“Not necessary, Douglas. I don’t know how long I’ll be. Besides, you’ll be bored.”
Not with Lisa. No matter what she did, he didn’t think he could ever be bored.
Okay, he was pretty good at strategizing; it was part of his job. He’d sit down and plan this out.
An hour later, he thought he had it. Lisa was avoiding him because she was embarrassed. They’d been together for days—he’d kissed her. She’d seen him under abnormal circumstances. Perhaps her feelings were bothering her just as his were bothering him. He could fix that with a conversation.
Slamming his Stetson on his head, he stalked out the door. It was early, but he’d be at the rodeo and catch Lisa before she got involved with her buddies. Besides, he couldn’t wait to see her face, touch that silky skin again. Even more, he couldn’t wait to be with her. Just having her by his side made him feel strangely whole.
As usual, the rodeo crowd was loud and ready to have a good time. Where would he find her? Would she be in her seat? Not this early. Jostling through a milling group of teens and adults dressed in cowboy gear, he kept looking.
Thirty minutes later, he’d made a circle of the stadium and still hadn’t spotted her. He was about to give up and go to his seat when she suddenly appeared. In jeans, cowboy hat, and boots, she made his heart turn over. She was deep in conversation with the same man she’d spoken to yesterday; what was his name? Dell Penn. That was it. Douglas kept his eye on her, as if she’d disappear the same as Storm had. But Lisa was too involved in her conversation to go anywhere.
She looked up, saw him, waved a finger and went right back to her conversation.
The man who held her attention smiled, shook her hand and walked away. Finally.
“What was that all about?” he asked when she came over to him.
“Dell wanted to apologize.” She smiled. “He said he h
ad no idea Harold was involved in his wife’s death.”
“I’ll bet there are more than a few here who are in shock.”
“The majority of the crowd hasn’t a clue. Those that do only talk among themselves,” she reminded him. “Dell told me Harold had been put on suspension. I’m surprised they didn’t fire him, but someone reminded the board that everyone was innocent until proven guilty. I guess they’ll wait and see what happens at trial.”
He took her arm. “I missed you.”
She looked at him. “Really?”
“Really. Are you sure you want to see the performance tonight?" His voice deepened several notches. "There are other things we could do.”
Was he serious? Had Douglas Callahan just hit on her?
She looked into his emerald eyes and saw the telltale gleam. Her heartbeat kicked up. She wanted so badly to follow his lead. It would be easy to leave here and do whatever he wanted.
Be still my heart.
Going home with Douglas wouldn’t prove a thing. It would make it worse. “I talked to Mike. He’s in competition tonight. I promised I’d be here.”
“Fine,” he said.
But his mouth clenched and his smile was strained.
Since she refused to become another one of his many women friends she would ignore his flirting ways. To spend the rest of her life pretending she didn’t care chilled her.
As much as Lisa loved Douglas, she also loved his sister. TJ was a big part of her life. That relationship wasn’t going to change. Plus, she adored the Callahans. Perhaps she’d go to the ranch less often. But she would still go. She’d have to. Not for anything would she hurt Nellie. No. This was between her and Douglas. It would stay between them and not affect the rest of the family.
“Look who’s here? Isn’t that Harold? I thought he was under arrest?”
“Probably out on bail.”
“He doesn’t look happy.”
“No, he doesn’t, and he’s headed this way.”
“I don’t want to talk to him,” Lisa said, turning in the other direction.
They were too late. Harold approached, his hands clenched at his side, his mouth a thin line. “How dare you?”
“Me?” Lisa asked, pointing a finger at herself.
“You. You’ve ruined my life with your accusations. You’re behind Tempest’s murder, but I’m the one under arrest. How did you do it?”
Promise Her Page 19
