His grip loosened. I slid to the side. “What do you mean?”
“Travis didn’t kill Clarice or Nicole.”
He snorted, sounding like the bull I remembered from my uncle’s farm. “Right.”
“I’m sure.” Well, pretty sure. Travis had fooled me before.
“You’re going to believe a pretty face over the evidence?” He rubbed my back. I moved away.
“No, I’m going to believe in an old friend.”
“Someone you haven’t seen in fifteen years. Over me.” He sounded incredulous.
“Maybe.”
We studied each other for a long moment.
“We’re doing it again,” he said. “Going into stand-off mode instead of talking.”
I sighed. “You’re right. You know, you’re pretty smart for a youngster.”
“Youngster? I’ll show you youngster.” He pulled me against his body, his erection proving his point. Pun intended.
After a few minutes of taking evidence, I ducked back into the spa, picked up my belongings, and headed for home. Cam followed me. Purely for security reasons, of course.
****
The next morning, I finally picked up all the newspapers that lay strewn over my front porch. Reading the headlines made me sorry I’d bothered carrying the newsprint inside. I should have walked the rolled-up garbage right to the trash bin.
“School Is Murder.”
“Mayor Slams Police Inaction in Daughter’s Murder.”
“Mayor Forms Reunion Murder Task Force.”
Cam walked in, his hair still wet from the shower. “Hey, woman. Wanna fight again so we can have more make-up sex? You were so hot I’m still steaming. I almost took a cold shower to cool off.”
Our gazes met. He pulled me against his chest. “What’s wrong?”
I held up that morning’s paper. “Police Expect Reunion Murders Arrest Soon.” The sub heading read “Local Businesswoman Lead Suspect.”
Nuzzling my neck, he whispered in my ear. “Stop worrying. They’ll find the guy.”
I didn’t believe him. Although I hadn’t been named in the article, everyone would know the identity of the “unnamed businesswoman.” Dolores wouldn’t be happy. Damned if I did or didn’t, I packed massage supplies for the day and left my bag at the door.
Cam drew on his shirt then grabbed me in a tight hug. “I’m on your side. Always.”
I threw my arms around his neck and held on while he used his lips and tongue to reassure me. His heart beat steady and sure against mine. Unsure what I’d done to deserve this man, I gave thanks for his presence and strength.
I broke the clinch, knowing if I didn’t, we’d both be late for work. My hand cupped his jaw. “You are one special man, you know that?”
“I’m nothing without you.”
We lingered over our parting kiss. I wore a silly-ass grin all the way across town.
Dolores met me at the Lotus Spa’s door with a hug and full schedule. Apparently, the women of Granville Falls either believed in my innocence or they’d decided to live dangerously by having a massage under the hands of a suspected murderer. Either way, making my monthly expenses looked a done deal with cash left over. Phew. Now I just had to worry about avoiding jail and affording my lawyer. Piece of cake.
My attention fully engaged in my clients, the morning sped past, and my lunch break arrived. I headed for the small room that doubled as storage and a place for employees to rest their feet. The space didn’t boast relaxing art or soft furniture like the spa’s reception area, but still offered comfort away from the chatter.
Dolores stuck her head in the room. “How’re you doing, Maggie?”
Returning her question with one of my own on her emotional state sat on my tongue, but I could see she grasped her composure with a tenuous hold. Humor seemed a good response.
“I’m thinking of asking for a private room at the Share Shack. That’ll make it easier to transfer information. No delay in leaving here and driving there. Almost as fast as the Internet.”
“Yeah, and as accurate.”
I laughed. “The Web could take pointers on validating information from our neighbors.”
“You know I can’t let you do that. I’d go out of business pretty quick if Denise added massage. And I don’t mind second-hand news.” The expression on Dolores’s face moved from amused to sad in a nanosecond.
Jumping up, I gathered her into a hug. “You’ve had a rough time, haven’t you?” I swallowed. “Are you sure you want me here right now? I mean, I hope you aren’t taking a hit on my account.”
“Are you kidding me? Bookings are up.” She stepped back and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “No, I haven’t changed my mind.” She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
I put my arm around her shoulders. “It’s something. What’s wrong?”
Dolores shuddered. “No one knows this.”
I closed the door after checking the hallway. Turning back, I patted her shoulder in what felt like an ineffectual gesture. “I won’t say anything if you want to tell me.”
Her lips turned up at the corners. “I know. I trust you, Maggie.” She took a deep breath. “It’s about the spa.”
Only my body’s automatic processes kept my heart pumping. “What about the spa?” My voice sounded hushed.
“Nicole.” I saw her swallow. “I’d been in a spot a few months ago and Nicole helped me out. She didn’t want anyone to know, but she invested in my business.” Dolores sniffed. “We’re partners. Were partners.”
I’m no lawyer, but I thought I saw the problem. “Did you have a partnership agreement?”
She shook her head. “I had one drawn up, but for some reason, Nicole wouldn’t sign. She said she’d give me the money and I could pay it back over time, no interest.”
My hand stopped rubbing her back. “So you’re saying she never signed papers?” That sounded odd, especially because Nicole prided herself on her no-nonsense business head. Her real estate business handled most of the town’s residential sales, along with commercial land. She’d been a partner in several of the new McMansion subdivisions that had attracted Charlotte commuters. Still, Nicole had mentioned needing money to leave town. Perhaps her deals had left her land poor.
I felt Dolores inhale. “Nicole said something about wanting no record of the transaction. Later, after I kept pushing, she said she’d signed the agreement, but I never got a copy.”
“And now you don’t know if she signed for real. And if she did, if the agreement is with her estate papers.”
She nodded. “Or what will happen if her f-father calls the loan.”
“Can he do that?” I rapidly considered the options. “You sure as shoot don’t want him as any kind of partner.”
“God, no.” She shrugged. “I haven’t checked my original copy. Guess I need to do that.”
I hugged her again. “Don’t worry. Most partnership agreements have a clause in case of death.” Geez, Maggie. Put a foot in. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
She finally hugged me back. “It’s okay. We’re both in a tight spot, aren’t we?” She released me. “Ah, Maggie. Now it’s my turn to apologize.”
“Forget it. You spoke nothing but the truth.”
Dolores left and I sat down to finish my lunch, my appetite diminished. Without the spa booking for me, I’d have an even harder time making ends meet.
Besides that, according to Dolores, Nicole had a sweet side I’d never seen or even suspected. Were her hard-assed, man-stealing ways a cover or her preferred way of dealing with most people? Could her generosity with one close friend make up for her general bitchiness toward everyone else? Did the conversations I’d overheard highlight Nicole as a victim or co-criminal?
I didn’t know, and my unwanted mean girl genes complained about having to change my long-standing opinion of a life-long enemy. Or to consider that perhaps Nicole’s fatal backstabbing had deprived her of a chance for change.
Chap
ter Thirteen
“I don’t care if Nicole helped Dolores.” Katie rubbed her forehead with one finger. “She had an angle.” She raised her hand, palm out. “I vote Nicole was up to her stuck-up nose in whatever is going on.”
“Katie, Nicole had friends. She couldn’t have been all bad.”
From Katie’s narrowed eyes, I knew she didn’t agree with Ginger’s assessment, but she kept quiet. Me? I mulled. Thoughts, not wine.
Katie plucked at a crease in her slacks. “Why would Nicole invest money with no record? Sounds funky. We need to get to the bottom of the murders and their cause.”
“I agree,” I said. “But how? Dirk will have your head if you interfere and I’ve got no clue how to investigate anything besides a knotted muscle. Besides, Tom Jenkins has a detective working for him. I’m not putting you two in danger.”
Ginger chimed in. “Yeah, and after our last investigation, Katie, I sure don’t want another chase through a cemetery at midnight.” She caught my gaze. “But I’ll do what it takes so you don’t get railroaded.” She leaned over and put her hand on mine. “Count me in on any T-Cube action.”
“The other thing we need answers about is how Clarice made her money and where it went.” Katie snorted. “No way she consulted at the level she earned. Everyone in town would know it.” She caught Ginger’s eye. “You hear anything?”
Ginger shook her head.
Pointing to me, Katie asked, “You?”
I joined Ginger in the head shaking.
“Don’t you think that’s odd? And worth looking into?”
Sounded like a starting point. “How?”
Katie smiled. “I have a hankering for some truffles.”
Ginger snapped her fingers. “Of course.”
It took me a few seconds but then I tumbled to their grins. The Chocolate Fix.
My keys jangled when I grabbed them. “I’ll drive. If we hurry, we’ll get there before Mona closes.”
We made it downtown in record time. Entering the small storefront, I breathed in the scent that would have revived the Princess Bride’s “mostly dead” hero, Westley. Chocolate, coffee, and cocoa combined with a hint of apple cider, cinnamon, and other spices. All in one place.
The late afternoon sun slanted in the large front window, spilling over the square ceramic floor tiles. We strode directly to the glass-fronted display cases holding a selection of truffles.
“Ladies, good to see you this afternoon.” Mona placed one hand on the counter, the other on her waist. Her generous curves proved if the store’s aroma hadn’t, that she created rich chocolate and didn’t stint on the taste testing. “What can I get for you? I’m still offering triple chocolate malts, but I’m morphing into my fall drink specials. Take your pick. Or did you just come in for chocolates?”
Her smile indicated she knew we’d come for more than a sugar high. Lifted eyebrows seemed to ask why we’d waited so long.
“Mona, we want it all.” Katie held up a finger. “The best chocolate anywhere.” She held up another digit. “Something to drink.” Adding a third finger she said, “Information.”
“Not necessarily in that order.” Ginger said. “Or only for those reasons. You know we can’t go for more than a week without a visit.”
Mona laughed. “I can’t deny two of my best customers. Let’s start with truffles.”
We placed our orders and settled at the small table closest to the counter.
Mona quickly put together our drinks and arranged truffles on a square white plate, carting them to our table on a tray. We made short work of sorting out our confections while Mona flipped the lock and her “Open” sign to “Closed.” She slid into the chair beside me.
Tangy key lime and white chocolate flavors exploded in my mouth. I’d barely emitted the requisite groan of pleasure before Katie asked her first question. “So, Mona, what do you know about Nicole Polk? Or Clarice Dawkins?”
She’d caught Mona in the process of popping half a small truffle into her mouth. Mona licked her fingers then chewed. I sipped at my mocha latte and shifted in my chair.
“Clarice never came in, and I didn’t know Nicole well. She wasn’t a regular customer, but she did order gift boxes for customers on occasion. Never came in, always ordered over the phone.” She snorted. “Some people are afraid they’ll put on weight if they walk through the door.”
Given the heady aroma of fresh ground cocoa beans, I could understand. Not that I’d agree. Ever.
“Did she order for anyone lately?”
Her forehead wrinkled then smoothed. “Father’s Day. Plus she closed on a house or two last month.” Mona sipped her coffee. “I did appreciate her including my chocolates in her thank you baskets she gave people who bought through her agency. I know I picked up new customers.”
Ginger reached for a truffle. “You’d have gotten those customers anyway. You make the best chocolate in North Carolina.”
Mona smiled. “Thanks, Ginger.” Her expression turned serious. “No matter what people said about Nicole behind her back, she aced brokering sales and she always supported local businesses.”
“She had to,” Katie said. “Her father is the mayor.”
“No, it’s not that. I think Nicole wanted Granville Falls to prosper and she planned on riding to the top along with the town.”
“We’re already overrun with Charlotte transplants.” Katie scowled. “I liked us better before we grew. Nicole’s daddy hasn’t done this town any favors.”
Ginger smirked. “But if GFPD hadn’t needed another detective, you’d never have met Dirk.”
Katie stuffed a truffle in her mouth.
Mona watched the byplay, her lips twitching. “Anyway, I didn’t know Nicole very well, except for seeing her around town. But if it’s gossip you’re after, I can give you plenty of that.”
Katie leaned forward. “Did you hear anything about Nicole and Clarice? Or rather, Clarice’s husband? Or what kind of consulting Clarice did?”
Mona held up her hand, palm outward. “Don’t hold back your questions.” She smiled and swallowed a sip of coffee. “If Clarice did any kind of consulting, no one in town knew about it. She spent a lot of time volunteering and hanging with the country club set. You know, the movers and shakers.” Mona put air quotes around the last three words.
Katie opened her mouth but Mona continued without interruption.
“Yes, I heard that Nicole went after Clarice’s husband, and the smart word is that she caught him. Not only in bed but also in business. He joined the group building that last subdivision along with Nicole and another partner. No one knows the silent partner’s identity, but he or she provided the big project money.”
“What does Clarice’s husband do?”
Mona shrugged. “Investment banker? Corporate lawyer? I’m not too sure. Some kind of crook.”
Her crook comment reminded me that Mona hadn’t told anyone much about her past other than her old hippie history. She’d never moved past her dislike of big business, even when approached with Chocolate Fix franchise opportunities. Bankers and lawyers would definitely fit her definition of law-breakers. I wondered if she’d hit on the murderer’s motive.
“We know she talked about her investment and wanting results.” Ginger didn’t mention I’d overheard the conversations.
Katie nodded. “She told us off at the reunion dinner. She said that she couldn’t wait to leave town after her investments paid off.”
Mona turned to me. “And didn’t you tell Nicole that it would have been better if she were dead?”
I squirmed. “Um, yes, kind of.” I inhaled and blew a long breath. “I told her she should have died rather than Clarice.” I knew the words by heart. I’d been replaying them since they popped out of my mouth.
“I’d heard that. Too bad you said it in front of the sexy cop.” She played with her coffee spoon. “I also heard that your ex-boyfriend told Nicole to watch her butt.”
So much had happened in the last f
ew days that I didn’t recall. Travis’s words hadn’t made it to my memory banks. Probably because I didn’t want anything more of his in there.
Ginger tapped her fingernails. “No, I don’t think that’s right.” Her face scrunched in thought. “He said something else.” She raised her hands, palms up. “I don’t recall, but I’m pretty sure Travis didn’t say she should watch her butt.”
“I’ll ask Dirk if anyone mentioned the exchange.”
“No, Katie, let me ask Cam first,” I blurted. “You don’t need trouble with Dirk.”
She grinned. “I told you. That’s not how I get in trouble with him.”
Ginger put her hand over Katie’s. “Let Maggie ask. I have a feeling Cam sees more than he lets on.” She removed her hand. “Besides, Maggie needs to take some action.” She smiled at me. “Right?”
I nodded. Someone had implicated me in two murders, and I wanted them nailed to the prison cell wall. So much for my nice girl genes.
Mona finished her coffee and placed her empty mug on the tray. We took her hint and piled our empty dishes alongside hers before standing.
She looked each of us in the eye. “Be careful you three. Greed is a strong motivator. Could be another motive behind the killings, but I suspect money. Whoever murdered your two classmates won’t be shy about killing again.”
We walked to the entrance. After hugs all around, she shut and locked the door behind us.
My stomach churned. I had strong friends who believed in my innocence, a top lawyer racking up fees I’d never pay off without a huge lottery win, and too many questions to let me sleep a solid eight hours.
“Okay, so thanks to Mona we’ve got a direction, right?”
Katie’s question cut through my absorption. “I’ll speak with Cam tonight. See what he remembers about the interaction between Travis and Nicole at the dinner.”
Ginger said, “I’ll contact the country club set and ask about Clarice.”
We looked at Katie.
“And I’ll check with my boss, Jim, about Nicole’s real estate dealings. He’ll know the rumors about her latest subdivision plans.”
My stomach calmed. Maybe I’d get some sleep tonight after all.
Death Rub Page 11
