Would I ever be right for anyone? Would I ever be truly accepted? I let out a deep breath and rested my hand on his shoulder. “I get it, Mason. It’s okay.” Those words tasted like sludge on my tongue. “I would have done the same thing.”
He lifted his head and met my gaze. “No, you wouldn’t have. You would have found a way. You would have made it work. That’s who you are. I just can’t. I was already falling for you. If I stayed, if I put in the effort and tried, I’d fall the rest of the way, and I couldn’t handle having to choose. You’d both own a piece of my heart, and it would never be whole again.”
I rested my hand on his cheek. “You’re a good dad, and a great man, Mason Spencer. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different.”
“So that’s it? I just walk away?”
“Well, we’ve tried dating and working together.” I chuckled at the thought. “Maybe we should try friends.”
Mason turned his head into my hand and kissed my palm. “I’d like that.” He pushed to his feet to tower over me and pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. “Her real name was Dina Short.”
I opened the paper to find a printed copy of all the IDs I’d found with the Dina ID circled. “How?”
“Reed told me what you were working on and I called my old chief and ran her face through facial recognition before we came. Dina Short used to work at the same bank where the museum was storing some rare coins in a safety deposit box. Those coins went missing and she was a suspect. They couldn’t ever pin it on her. The security cameras were disabled, and there was no proof. She even had a solid alibi. They think it was a two-person job, someone on the inside with access to steal the coins and a hacker who took the system down, giving her the opportunity to steal the contents of the box. The coins have never been recovered.”
I glanced down at the paper. “She must have sold some of them. That would explain the cash in the backpack.”
“It gets better. The senator sits on the board for the bank where Davina worked and where the coins were stolen.”
My gaze shot up to his. “Do you think he was in on it?”
He shook his head. “I doubt it. The museum was having work done on their security system, so the curator obtained that box and several others to hold some of their valuables while the workers were in and out of the building. It’s ironic. They’d picked the bank for better security for the precious coins.”
“If there isn’t another tie besides just the senator sitting on the board, then it doesn’t make sense. What’s the connection I’m missing?”
“I’m not sure.” He held my gaze. “But whatever you find, promise me you’ll use that pretty brain of yours and not get hurt.”
“Thanks.” I refolded the paper. “This will help.”
“What are friends for?” The smile didn’t reach his eyes. “They're sending me on another assignment, so I’m on my way out. I just didn’t want to leave before we had a chance to talk.”
“If you have another assignment, then why were you here to begin with?”
“Deputy Director Reed thought I might be able to keep you out of trouble because of our history.”
Our history. I gave him a sad smile and rested my hand over his heart, feeling the strength of each beat. Mason was a good man. He was husband potential, just not mine. I tapped his chest with my fingers. “This is where it matters, Mason. She’s your heart. I was just a passing visitor.”
Mason rested his hand on top of mine as he leaned down to kiss my cheek. “You were far more than that, Blue. Keep in touch.”
“I should be saying that to you.”
“I’ll do better. I promise.”
Mason turned, and with one last smile over his shoulder, he waved before disappearing back inside the hotel.
****
I’d come looking for answers. I might not have been planning to run into Mason, but at least now I knew exactly where he stood. I ran my hands down the black cocktail dress and checked once more for lipstick on my teeth. I wanted to be here, right? I’d chosen to investigate. Why the hell did I even think I'd fit in with this bunch of people, much less figure out who killed Davina?
I threw open the bedroom door to find West lounging on the bed, dressed in his suit, minus the jacket and shoes with a computer on his lap. “The fed came through for you. These priceless coins put a whole new spin on things.”
“Why am I doing this? I’m not a private investigator. I’m not a cop. I’m not trained to deal with this crap.”
West finally lifted his gaze from the computer to look at me. “You do this because helping people is who you are. Why are you having a change of heart?”
I plopped down on the bed and laced my fingers together. “I’m not normal. I mean I live with an almost retired cop and an ex-mobster. Who does that? Nothing in my life is normal.”
West slid off the bed. “Normal is overrated. But you know what is normal? Baking desserts. That’s about as American as your reality shows.”
I met his gaze. “Maybe I should have stayed in the shadows, sent my anonymous letters, and just created desserts.”
He dropped to his knees in front of me and took my hands. “So make this your new normal. This is who you are. You’re smart, and you’re gifted in more ways than making food. You speak for the victims when they can’t. I can’t think of a nobler gift than that. So own it, Lady Blue. Be who you were meant to be and fly your crazy flag for all to see.”
“You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to quit before I solve your case.”
“I’m saying that because not everyone is brave enough to step out of the box and ignore their own fears of other people’s opinions and follow their true path. Be you, no one else.”
“Own it.” I sighed. He was right.
“Be brave,” he added and pushed to stand, holding out his hand.
I took it and let him pull me up. “That’s easy to say coming from the super-secret spy lord.”
“You’re right. Of course, it should be easy for the super-psychic, mystery-solving, recipe-inventing southern belle who talks to the dead. Be you, Cree. I happen to like her.”
A smile split my lips as I looked up at him. “I may embarrass you.”
“God, I hope so.” He leaned down, his lips hovered a breath away. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Confusion clouded my erratically beating heart. “Don’t kiss me.”
His lips twisted at the corners. His eyes sparkled. “I can wait till you’re over the fed.”
He stepped back, giving me room to breathe.
“Maybe I should become a nun. Do they believe in the supernatural, or do you think I’d get shunned there too?”
“I’m not sure. If I ever meet one, I’ll be sure and ask.” West put on his shoes and slipped into his coat jacket. He looked dashing in a 007 kind of way. I bet he had a stick of chewing gum he could use to blow through doors or even a pair of x-ray glasses stashed inside. I wanted to play.
“Are you ready Lord Archer?”
“Absolutely, Lady Blue.”
I laughed as I grabbed my purse and we both headed for the door. The walk to the hotel was cloaked in darkness. Even the moon hid behind the clouds. The path was dotted with circles of light from the few lampposts along the way. The salty breeze from the ocean calmed my nerves and surprisingly made me feel a bit more heightened not only with my crazy emotional roller coaster ride but just deep inside. I could feel the vibrations down to my core getting stronger and grabbing hold.
Visions of an older man lying sick on a bed popped into my head. An older woman was by his side, and a younger man was kneeling bedside. Behind him was a red-headed woman resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Two men stood in the shadows of the castle. I barely saw the glint of the guns.
I slowed to a stop, speechless, as Calinda Sparks reappeared. He must leave now, or he won’t be able to stop it. The time is near.
“When does this happen?”
�
��Cree, are you okay?”
Twenty-four hours near the west corridor.
I shook my head. “Is the prince married?”
“To Katherine. Why?”
“Does she have red hair?”
“Yes. What’s going on?”
“You have to go. We have to get you packed.” I kicked off my heels and grabbed them. Turning, I jogged back to the cabana. I threw open the door and grabbed his suitcase and tossed it on the bed. I was pulling his clothes out of the closet when he walked in.
“What are you doing?”
“Phillip and his dad, the king. If you leave now, you’ll make it in time.”
His eyes widened, and his mouth parted as I hurried into the bathroom and grabbed his toiletries. I sat them on the bed. He stood immobile, still, as if trying to process my words. He didn’t have time to wait. I grabbed his phone and scrolled to the last number that wasn’t local, only momentarily pausing on Freddie’s digits. I scrolled past it and dialed the long distance number as I zipped up the bag.
“West, thank God,” a female answered, her voice barely a whisper.
“Sorry, not West. This is Cree. You must be Katherine.”
“Where’s West? It’s urgent I speak with him.”
“There’s about to be an attempt on your lives. Hang on and let me give him the phone so I can finish getting him packed. Tell him what you know, and he’ll be there soon.”
I handed the phone to West, who looked at it like he hadn’t a clue what to do with it. I rested my hand on his cheek, and he stared into my eyes. “They need you. Now focus.”
He nodded and put the phone to his ear. “Katherine.”
West walked to the window while I hurried around the room, grabbing his things and shoving them into his other bag. By the time he got off the phone, I had him packed and his stuff waiting by the door. I’d drawn a crude map of everything I’d seen bits of pieces around where the men were lying in wait to kill the royal family, but not enough to pinpoint.
“I…”
“You have to go. It’s okay.”
“How will you get back?”
“Don’t worry about me.” I slid his bag over his shoulder and pulled the suitcase handle out and shoved it in his hand. “Just go.”
“How did you know?”
“Stop asking stupid questions. You’re wasting time. Now go.” I shoved my drawing into his hands.
I slipped into my shoes and practically pulled him out the door. “Be careful. I only saw two, but there could be more. I think they’re planning to overthrow Phillip and his family.”
“I can’t leave you.”
“You can, and you will. Now go, or so help me, I won’t help you solve Calinda’s murder.”
Determination filled his eyes seconds before he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. As nice as the kiss was, his warm lips were gone in a flash. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“No promises.”
Chapter 11
I took a deep breath stepping inside the cocktail party being held in one of the banquet rooms. The lights were dim. Soft music filled the air as men and women mingled around the room with drinks in their hands. Men with ear pieces guarded the door and were strategically placed. I didn’t fit in with this crowd. I only knew a handful of people in attendance.
Senator Channing and his wife stood near the orchestra stage talking to a group of people. I headed for the nearest bar, bypassing the waiter carrying what looked to be champagne. To make it through tonight, I needed a clear head. I smiled at the bartender. “Can I get a club soda?”
He filled my order before I found a quiet place to watch my surroundings. A quick glance at my watch confirmed that I had only a few hours before the party would die down.
Glynis caught my eye and smiled, sliding away from the party conversation. “You made it. I was beginning to wonder.” She glanced around. “Where’s your date?”
“He had an emergency and had to leave.”
“Even better,” she said, stopping a passing waiter. She took the drink from my hands and laid it on the tray and grabbed two champagne flutes. “I have some people you’ll want to meet.”
“I’m not here to enjoy myself.”
She leaned in to whisper as she steered me across the room. “You need to get inside the circle to ask questions, right? How about we start with some of Logan’s closest friends? I’ve already been supplying them with shots to loosen their lips.”
“I like the way you think.” I grinned and sipped my champagne as she led me out of the room and into an adjoining room where a younger crowd had gathered. A pool table sat across the room. A couple of men had shrugged out of their jackets and were playing a game while even more looked on. Their laughter carried around the room.
A guy I recognized sat alone at one table. He wasn't a personal acquaintance, but his face was unmistakable. It had been on the cover of Sizzle Magazine. He'd been named one of the internet’s hottest computer geeks who had recently sold his company for a billion dollars.
“He’s one of Logan and Clarissa’s friends. I can introduce you,” Glynis teased. “But he’s not one of the guys you need to talk to.”
“Okay.” I scanned the group she was leading me toward. “Fellas, I’d like to introduce you guys to Cree. She’s new to the island, and her date was unexpectedly called away.”
I watched as their eyes slid down my body. One might have even licked his lips.
“His loss is our good fortune.” The brunette lifted his beer mug, and some sloshed over the side.
“Ignore him. He’ll be passed out within the hour. I, on the other hand, would be honored to be your date,” a man with a beautifully familiar face and blond hair announced.
“Cree, this is Charlie.”
“Have I seen you somewhere before?”
“Have you been to the movies lately?” Glynis asked.
“Not really.”
Charlie held his hand to his chest like I’d shoved a knife straight through his heart. “We’ll have to rectify that.”
“He’s had three box office hits,” Glynis said, sipping her champagne.
“He’s not the man for you.” Dark-hair-with-dangerously-sexy-eyes announced, sliding behind the bar. “He’ll bore you with his acting, but I could make you forget all about your loser date by singing you a song that will mend your heart and melt your panties.”
“Cree, this is Butler Spade, lead singer of Force Fire.”
I was in testosterone overload. “Sorry, I’ve never heard of you either.”
Butler’s mouth parted, and he turned his gaze to Glynis. “Where did you find her?”
“That’s my secret.” Glynis grinned.
Three hours later they’d had several more shots, and our little side party had moved into one of the penthouse suites, complete with stocked kitchen and servants. They were raiding the fridge when I started pulling out ingredients for my favorite cookies and started to whip the recipe together. I’d just shoved them into the oven, and all the guys were taking turns dipping their fingers into the bowl.
Glynis walked behind the guys and point-nodded toward Charlie, the blond actor. “So, Charlie, I heard you were supposed to be Logan’s best man.”
Charlie could hardly focus his eyes. “I knew it wouldn’t last.”
“Why’s that?” I asked, cleaning out the bowl.
“She was stepping out on him,” Butler announced.
“If she was still playing the field, then why were they getting married?”
“Because she played the ultimate ball-and-chain card, the one that screws him for eighteen years,” Charlie answered, propping his head in his hand.
Glynis and I shared a look. “She was pregnant?”
“She even tried to hide it from him at first, but he found the pregnancy stick.”
Oh, Davina. She was a naughty girl. Secret identity, stolen coins, and a hidden pregnancy. Not that I was one to judge. She sounded like her life was a billion times more
interesting than mine.
“I bet the baby wasn’t even his, but enough about her,” Butler said, meeting my gaze. “Tell us about you.”
“Oh, there’s not much to tell. I was just someone’s plus one.”
“Nonsense,” Glynis interjected. “She’s psychic, and she single-handily saved my life.”
“Actually I wasn’t even there.”
“Well, you told my dad who the killer was. I’m giving you all the credit.”
“You’re psychic?” I read the skepticism on Butler’s face. “Prove it.”
I didn’t normally perform on command. Spirits had a way of just giving me enough information to be dangerous, but I’d been ignoring the spirits in the room since we walked in. The timer went off, and I pulled the cookies from the oven and turned it off.
One of the spirits hovered near Butler, holding an old acoustic guitar and wearing a Force Fire T-shirt. “You lost a band member.”
“You could have read that in the paper.”
“Fair enough,” I said and looked at the spirit again. “Did your band member play acoustic guitars? Because that’s what he’s holding.”
“Lucky guess. Reggie played the electric guitar on stage.”
Reggie. I glanced at the player and spoke out loud. “You’re going to have to give me something a bit more helpful.”
Reggie grinned. Tell him the new song, Butcher Block, is in the wrong key and to change it to D major for a better flow. Once he does, he’ll have a new hit single. He also needs to take back the blue baby outfit he bought for his sister and exchange it for pink.
A long time ago I tried to quit making sense out of messages I’d received. I’d be locked away in a looney bin if I let my OCD take over trying to understand all the impertinent nonsense. I relayed the message and watched the suspicion in his eyes grow into intrigue.”
“No one knows about that song or that my sister is pregnant. No one.”
I shrugged. “He does.”
“This is fabulous,” Charlie said, grabbing several of my cookies and passing them out to the others. He took a bite. “Do me.”
Deadly Vows Page 6
