She set the kitchen table with plates, water glasses, and silverware. Satisfied that the salmon was done to perfection and the cheese had melted on the potatoes, she took the salad out of the refrigerator and filled the glasses with bottled water.
“Mitch,” she called, “dinner is on the table.”
“Be right there,” he said, and a minute later he appeared in the kitchen. “Umm, this looks good.”
He sat down and she took his plate and served up the salmon, potatoes, and salad.
“These potatoes are delicious,” Mitch said.
“It’s a recipe of my mother’s.”
They ate in silence. Jade wanted to ask him what he had found in the autopsy report, but decided she had better not, knowing he had already told her he wouldn’t tell her anything until he had talked to the Chief of Police.
“I’ll do the dishes,” Mitch said.
“I don’t mind doing them if you need to finish up what you were doing in your office.”
“The rule in this house has always been, the person who does the cooking doesn’t have to do the dishes.”
“Okay. I know how important it is for you to keep rules. That’s what makes you such a good person.”
He smiled as he stood to clear off the table.
“I think I’ll go out and finish pulling weeds. I have most of the flower beds done.”
“After I finish the dishes, I’ll come out and inspect your work.”
Jade went back to the garage and picked up the gloves she had been using. She took a garbage can out to the back yard and loaded it with the weeds she had already pulled.
It took only a few minutes to weed the last flower bed and top off the can with the weeds. Picking it up, she took it back into the garage just as Mitch came out into the yard to look over what she had done.
“Good work,” he said. “I just might keep you on as my gardener on a permanent basis.”
“Do I get free room and board in payment?”
“Are you saying you want to move in here and give up that beautiful apartment of yours?”
“If you clear me of any involvement in that murder, I’ll be happy to be your gardener, your house keeper, your cook . . . you name it.”
“What an incentive.”
“Did you find anything in the autopsy report that might help?”
“I think I might have. But let me talk to the Chief tomorrow and we’ll see what he thinks.”
They walked back into the house together and later when Jade glanced into Mitch’s office as she walked by, the desk was cleared of the documents he had been studying and the large brown envelope was nowhere in sight. He had opened his laptop and appeared to be reading his e-mail.
He gave a loud exclamation and she stopped in the doorway, curious as to what had caused it.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Matt and Amanda are getting married and we’ve both been invited to the wedding.”
Mitch had made an appointment to meet with Grant Castillo to discuss his findings of the previous day. He and Jade had completed their morning run, showered, and eaten breakfast.
They both were anxious for the meeting with the Chief of Police. Mitch wanted to go over the list he had made after reading the autopsy report and Jade wanted to find out if Mitch could tell her about his findings.
Mitch went into his office to get the packet of papers out of his desk. He opened a drawer expecting to see it there. The drawer was empty. Thinking he must have forgotten what drawer he had put it in, he opened another drawer, then another.
“Jade,” he called, “did you take the packet of documents out of my desk?”
She came to the doorway and stared at him in surprise. “I wouldn’t do anything like that without your permission.”
“Well, they’re not in here.”
“Did you take them into your bedroom for some reason?”
“If I did, I’m losing it,” he said, grimly.
He stood from his desk and went into his bedroom. He looked around, opening all his dresser drawers. Even looked under his bed, while Jade stood in the doorway watching him.
“I don’t understand this. Did I lay them down in the kitchen this morning,” he wondered aloud.
Jade went to have a look. He heard her calling him. He hurried into the kitchen.
“What is it?”
“Look,” she said, pointing at the back door.
It stood slightly ajar and Mitch could see by the scratches on the door frame that the lock had been jimmied.
“What the hell?” he asked.
“It looks like someone must have come in while we were out jogging.”
“Don’t touch anything. I’m going to have the Chief send out someone to dust this place and see if they can come up with any fingerprints.”
Mitch put in a call for Castillo. He was relieved when the Chief told him not to worry about the reports. They had only been copies. The originals were still at the police station.
“I had made some notes that I wanted to go over with you. Whoever took the packet missed the notebook.”
“I’m sending Emerson out to dust for prints. Once he is finished, come on in and let’s go over those notes of yours,” Castillo said.
Thirty minutes later, Emerson arrived. In order to eliminate prints which belonged to Mitch and Jade, he had them both give him a sample.
“Can’t find any prints except yours and the model’s,” Emerson told him as he packed up his case. “It’s obvious whoever broke in was wearing gloves.”
“How would he know about the reports I had?” Mitch mused.
“Maybe he was just looking around and happened to run across them. If that was the case, he could have known the value of them as far as someone pointing the finger at the real murderer.”
“So the Chief has told you that neither one of us think Jade is the murderer.”
“Yes, he did,” Emerson said. “And after this break-in, it looks more than ever like she is probably innocent.”
Mitch glanced over at Jade who was standing quietly against the kitchen counter. He could detect the look of relief that settled over her face.
Mitch saw Emerson to the front door and then went back to see if he could do a quick fix on the back one. It took a few minutes, and after doing the best he could, he turned to Jade who was watching him.
“I think we had better move over to your apartment,” Mitch said. “I believe it’s more secure than my house.”
“You’re probably right. But I like being here.”
“Let’s go and we’ll talk about it later. After I’m through talking to Castillo.”
She agreed and followed him out to his car. They drove to the downtown police station and after parking, they went directly to Castillo’s office. Jade sat down in the outer office with the Chief’s assistant, Megan. Mitch was told the Chief was expecting him and he could go on in.
Mitch pulled a chair up to the Chief’s desk and flipped open the spiral note pad he had brought with him.
“Let’s consider your list, one at a time,” Castillo suggested.
“We’ve already discussed and agreed on the fact that Reannan was not going to stand idly by and let Jade slit her throat.”
The Chief nodded.
“According to the autopsy report, her neck was slit right to left, which means whoever did it was left handed. Jade happens to be right-handed.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“I’ve watched her sign her name on checks and make grocery lists. She always does it with her right hand.”
“You’ve certainly convinced me that Jade is innocent,” Castillo said. “Have you discussed this with her?”
“No, I didn’t want to say any
thing until I talked to you.”
“I’ll notify Stephenson. It’s his responsibility to tell her. But in the meantime, I’m worried about someone breaking into your house.”
“That worries me, too. I have suggested that we move over to her apartment where it’s more secure. But now that no charges are going to be filed against her, she can go back to her apartment alone and I can stay at my house.”
“No.” The Chief shook his head. “That won’t work. I want you to continue to stick with her.”
“Why?”
“Doesn’t it occur to you that whoever did it, must be having you followed? I have a feeling he thinks Jade saw him the night of Reannan’s murder. Maybe when he got into Reannan’s car. Probably waiting for a chance to get her alone.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“You stay close. Don’t let her out of your sight. It’s most important that she be protected.”
Mitch nodded his agreement.
“Anything else?”
“I need to ask you for permission to go to my brother’s wedding in Colorado. I’ll take Jade with me.”
“As long as you take her with you and don’t let her out of your sight, I don’t have a problem with that. But don’t let anyone at Sorrento’s know you’re leaving town, not even Giovanni. For some reason, there’s a leak there. Someone appears to be aware of every move you make.”
“What difference does it make if she tells Giovanni? Whoever is following us is going to follow us to the airport. He’ll know we’re leaving town.”
“Yes, but he won’t know where you’re going and when you’re returning.”
“True.” Mitch was thoughtful for a minute. “Jade’s going to want to know about this meeting and what’s been decided.”
“I have every confidence that you’ll think of some way to get out of telling her what we’ve discussed today and what I’ve decided.”
“She’s going to be upset.”
“Is that a problem for you?” Castillo glanced quizzically at Mitch.
“Not really.”
“Sure you’re not falling for her? She’s an awfully sweet girl.”
“I’m sure,” Mitch said, not bothering to tell the Chief he had already fallen for the beautiful model.
Jade looked up as Mitch walked out with Grant Castillo.
“Jade, how are you?” Castillo asked as he reached out to shake her hand.
She stood and took his hand.
“Mitch,” he said, turning to look at the other man. “You and Jade have a good time at the wedding. Jade, I understand you’re from Denver. Will you be seeing your parents on this trip?”
Jade was puzzled. Why hadn’t Castillo said anything about what had gone on in their meeting? It was as though nothing more important than the trip to Colorado had been discussed.
“Mitch just found out about his brother’s wedding this morning,” she said. “With all that’s happened today, I haven’t had a chance to talk to my parents yet.”
“I’ll talk to you later, Mitch,” the Chief said. “I have a call I need to make. Stay in touch and let me know when you return from Colorado.”
“Are you allowed to tell me what you and the Chief talked about?” Jade asked as they walked down the hall toward the elevator.
“No,” Mitch said abruptly, not offering any explanation. “But he does want us to move over to your apartment. He’s worried about the break-in at my house.”
She sighed. “Is that all you can tell me?”
“’Fraid so.”
Jade tried not to let her disappointment show. She hadn’t realized she had put so much hope on the meeting between Mitch and the Chief of Police.
She was silent as they drove back to Mitch’s house in order to pick up her things and the clothes Mitch would need since they would be staying at her apartment.
“At least Castillo has given his permission for me to go to Colorado for my brother’s wedding if you go along,” Mitch said.
Jade knew he was trying to cheer her up.
“Yes, I need to call my parents,” she said. “I would like to go a day early so we can spend one night with them before going up to Boulder for your brother’s wedding. Did he by chance say when the wedding was going to be?”
“No, he said to give him a call tonight and he would have all the particulars for me. I’ll call him and get all the information. Then you can call your parents.”
Jade began to feel better as she thought of the trip to Colorado. It had been a year since she had seen her parents and she was anxious to see them again. She was looking forward to meeting Mitch’s brother and his fiancé, Amanda. Remembering how good it had felt to be in Italy with Mitch, she was glad to think about getting away from LA once again.
“By the way,” Mitch said, “Castillo doesn’t want anything said to Giovanni about going to Colorado.”
“I have to tell him. What if he needs me for a fitting?”
“Isn’t there any way you can get by without telling him?”
“I guess I could say I would like a few days’ vacation and he won’t be able to get in touch with me.”
“That could work. After I find out when the wedding’s going to be, you can tell him with all the stress of Reannan’s murder, you need some vacation time. Be vague about where you’re going and when you’ll return.”
Jade couldn’t help wondering what that was all about but she had a feeling Mitch wouldn’t tell her even if she asked. Didn’t he realize it was her life and she hated all the secrecy?
They stopped by Mitch’s house and picked up not only their clothes, but bagged up some groceries they had recently purchased and his coffee maker and grinder, along with coffee beans.
She dreaded going back to her apartment with its memories of David and Reannan. But she had to admit to herself that she was more worried about the break-in.
They loaded everything into the car and as they drove away, she noticed Mitch kept looking up into the rear view mirror. She turned to see what he might find so interesting, but all she saw was a gray car some distance back.
After they had made a couple of turns, she saw him glancing into his rear view mirror again. She looked back to see what he could be looking at and realized the same gray car was following them.
She didn’t say anything until they reached her apartment and drove down into the underground parking. She saw the same car drive on by.
“Are we being followed?” she asked.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Mitch, something is going on and I want to know what it is. The same car followed us from your house to my apartment. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it parked down the street from your house.”
“I think someone might be following us,” he admitted. “I’ve told Castillo about it. We think that same person must have seen us go out jogging this morning and knew it would be safe to break into my house and search it.”
“This is making me nervous. Why would anyone be following us?”
She could tell he was reluctant to say anything.
“Please, Mitch, I need to know what’s going on.”
“All right,” he said impatiently. “Castillo and I think whoever murdered Reannan believes you saw him the night you went to the warehouse and found Reannan’s body.”
“But I didn’t see anyone. Only heard them.”
“We know that, but the murderer may not.”
“How long has this being going on?”
“Since the first day I met you.”
“Do you think I’m in danger?”
Chapter 10
“I need to go shopping,” Jade said when they returned the next day from their early morning run.
“What
kind of shopping?” Mitch asked.
“I need a dress for your brother’s wedding.”
“Can’t you get something from Sorrento’s?”
“I’m tired of all their fashions. I want something different. Please . . .”
Mitch could never resist Jade when she looked at him the way she was looking at him now.
“When?”
“How about today? The wedding’s just five days away and it might take me more than one day to find a dress. Besides we have to spend one of those days flying to Denver.”
“I’ll take you one time. If you don’t find a dress today, you’ll have to wear one you already have or get something from Sorrento’s.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, and he grinned.
If she only knew he would do anything for her. Even if it meant taking her shopping three or four days, but he wasn’t about to tell her that.
After their breakfast, they both showered and prepared to go to the Los Cerritos Center. Mitch noticed they had their usual tail.
After parking in the large parking lot, which was located near Macys, they went into the big retailer and Jade started browsing through the dresses.
After looking for twenty minutes, she said, “I don’t see anything here. Let’s go to Nordstrom’s.”
Mitch followed her out of the store, past American Eagle Outfitters and California Pizza Kitchen. When they walked into Nordstrom’s, he stopped abruptly, his gut clenching so hard, it just about doubled him over.
Seams of Destruction Page 11
