Mascara and Murder (Murder In Style Book 3)

by Gina LaManna

  The second I pulled the door open, however, my plans changed. Before me stood a man with his arm outstretched and a smile growing on his face by the second as he laid eyes on me.

  “Jenna,” Cooper said in a soft, growly sort of voice. “I was just coming to find you.”

  “And give me a heart attack?” I opened the door wider. “Do you want to come inside?”

  “Actually, I was hoping you could come out for a minute.”

  Cooper extended his hand. It felt strange, but I slipped mine into his, and then suddenly it didn’t feel strange anymore. It felt just right.

  “I hope you know that I have to—”

  “I got permission,” Cooper said. “We’ve got an hour.”

  “Permission from...” I trailed off as I glanced toward set.

  There, I got my answer in the form of Cassidy as she winked at me and gave me the thumbs-up. She was highlighted from behind by a slew of floodlights lighting up the street where they were filming. A bunch of actors were on scene. They were still cycling through extras for a background crowd, and I was pretty sure I saw Ethel and her oxygen tank hanging out near the front ranks.

  “Gotcha,” I said. “You know, we might not have a full hour to do... whatever it is you’ve planned.” I cast a sly glance up at Cooper.

  “What do you think I have planned?” he asked mildly. “I’m open to improvising.”

  “I’m sure you are,” I said. “Just so long as there’s food involved.”

  “Hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  “You never did tell me why we wouldn’t have the full hour together.”

  I glanced back at the set, and the commotion that was fading into the distance as Cooper walked me in the opposite direction down an abandoned Main Street.

  “Oh, just that I’m pretty sure the director is about five minutes away from calling you down to haul Ethel into the station in handcuffs.”

  “He’s tried. Three times.”

  “And?”

  Cooper shrugged. “Have you ever tried cuffing a ninety-four-year-old woman who didn’t want to be cuffed?”

  “Can’t say that I have,” I said. “Not super keen to try, either.”

  Cooper laughed. “Good choice.”

  “I’m still a little confused on how you ended up here after I canceled our date,” I said, then added quickly, “not that I’m complaining.”

  “I got ahold of Cassidy.”

  “Ah,” I said. “Did you use your super-stealthy police resources to get ahold of her?”

  “Sure,” Cooper said. “If you mean my legs.”

  When I looked at him confused, he grinned.

  “I walked over and talked to her,” he said. “Politely explained my case, that I’d really appreciate it if they could spare you for an hour, sometime—anytime—tonight.”

  I bit my lip, staring straight ahead. I leaned against Cooper’s arm as we walked under the stars.

  “It’s almost midnight.”

  “I’d be here anyway, trying to arrest Ethel Louise Schroeder. I’d rather be having dinner with you.”

  “Wow, that’s a tough choice,” I said. “But thank you for that sacrifice.”

  “Well, it’s not much,” Cooper said. “But on short notice, it’s about all I could manage. What do you think?”

  We stopped on the street, and I glanced at him. “Think about what?”

  He grinned and nodded toward his truck that was pulled over onto a small side street just off Main Street. I followed Cooper over toward his truck. When we got there, he led me around to the bed of the truck where he’d tossed a mattress, several fuzzy blankets, and a couple of squashy pillows. In the middle, he’d set a round charcuterie-type board, and on top of that sat a pizza box. I could smell the fresh cheese and pepperoni from where I stood. I took a deep inhalation.

  Cooper grinned. “Is pizza okay for a first date?”

  “I couldn’t think of a better first date.”

  Cooper helped me into the back of the bed. At first, we sat opposite one another. But before he cracked open the box of pizza, he shuffled around so that he sat next to me.

  “Hope that’s okay,” he said gruffly as he flipped open the pizza box. “Ladies first.”

  I reached for a paper plate and napkin, then went directly for two slices. I figured there was no sense being shy. If this relationship went anywhere, he’d learn pretty fast that I liked to eat.

  Cooper grabbed two slices as well, then we both leaned back against the pillows. I glanced up at the sky. Usually the stars were easy to see in Blueberry Lake. There wasn’t much in the way of light pollution from big city lights, and the contrast between the inky blackness of sky and the shimmering pricks of starlight were beautiful.

  Tonight, however, the normally untouched night sky was blanketed with the illumination of set lights.

  “Is this what it’s like all the time?”

  I glanced at Cooper. “Like what?”

  “In LA,” he said. “All the lights.”

  I snorted. “No, this would be considered rural out in LA even with the set lights. It’s... Well, let’s just say it’s a lot harder to see the stars out there.”

  “Ironic.”

  “I suppose so,” I said with a glimmer of a smile in his direction. “You’ve never been?”

  He shook his head. “Not my cup of tea.”

  “Do you think you’ll live in Blueberry Lake the rest of your life?”

  “Is that a trick question?”

  “No,” I said. “Why would it be?”

  “I guess I’m just not used to us having a conversation without getting into a disagreement. It’s odd.”

  “Look what we can do when you stop accusing me of murder every two seconds,” I said with a soft laugh. “It’s as if we’re even friends.”

  Cooper’s face went into shadow, and a flash of darkness crossed it. “Friends, sure. But a little more—I hope.”

  Before I knew what was happening, Cooper had set his pizza down. I guessed that I’d set my pizza down, but I hardly remembered doing it. His hands rose, cupped my face, and drew me toward him.

  He pressed his lips to mine, gently at first. Then longer, sweeter, more possessive. His hand curled through my hair, and I found myself forgetting about everything that wasn’t Cooper Dear.

  When we finally parted, he shot me a look of uncertainty. “I hope that wasn’t—”

  “Definitely not too forward,” I said, feeling my cheeks blush. “It was nice.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Cooper took a big bite of pizza and sat back again, looking frazzled. “You know, Jenna, there was a reason I kissed you in the greenhouse.”

  “You like the taste of bubblegum lip gloss?”

  “There is that.”

  “Or maybe the fact that I’m irresistible?”

  “That didn’t help,” Cooper said, a lopsided smile on his face. “But it was more, if I’m being honest. I’d just seen you with Ryan, and I don’t completely know why, but something clicked for me, and I couldn’t... I just had to know. I had to know if there was a chance between us. I couldn’t lose the opportunity. If you were thinking about getting back with Ryan...”

  “That’s sweet of you, but I was never getting back with Ryan.”

  “I’m not sure he’s even the issue,” Cooper said. “It was just the fact that you were with another man. I really wanted that man to be me.”

  “I was just talking with Ryan.”

  “I’m not jealous. Trust me.”

  “Then what are you?”

  He expelled a breath. “I know the two of you have a history. I know you’re working closely together. I’m not jealous of Ryan for one reason: he already had his chance with you, and he lost it.”

  I took a bite of pizza, mostly to keep myself busy.

  “But it’s easy to see he wants you back,” Cooper said. “He screwed up, and I was worried you might consider giving him a second chance.”

  “I wasn�
�t.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Cooper said. “But I couldn’t take that risk. It’s been years since I’ve been interested in someone. And even that doesn’t compare to what I’m starting to feel for you.”

  “What do you mean, Cooper?”

  “I mean that you intrigue me. You’re beautiful; you’re smart; you’re fun and silly. I’d like to keep you in my life. The closer the better.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  “No pressure. If this doesn’t work out, hey—at least we tried. But I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I didn’t fight for it. When I see something I want, Jenna, I go for it.”

  My neck felt all hot and flushed. “That’s really nice of you to say. I don’t know what I did to deserve any of it. Especially since we’ve sort of had our share of disagreements since I moved to town.”

  “We made it through them,” Cooper said. “Though I must say, it’s pretty endearing when you try to argue with me.”

  “Try to?”

  Cooper laughed. “I see you as an equal. I’ve told you before, Jenna. I’m happy with my life. I’ve got a career I care about and a house that works for me. The only thing I’m missing is...”

  I held my breath as he seemed to be searching for the right word to say.

  “I guess I’m missing you,” he said, seeming mystified at the admission as if he hadn’t planned this far into the conversation. “What do you say? Do you feel like giving this a go?”

  I threw my arms around Cooper’s neck. We toppled backward, but luckily, his reaction time was much quicker than mine. He clutched me to him, rolled me over, and we landed, staring into one another’s eyes.

  “I’d love to,” I said, then pressed my lips to his.

  Unfortunately, this kiss was ended by a whistle that was a little too close to the car.

  “Cooper, sweetie, are you in there?” A woman’s voice filtered over the truck bed. “Cooper, honey?”

  I quickly tugged my shirt in place and adjusted my messy bun as I rolled over and pulled a blanket over me, as if that would make me disappear. Cooper sat up, hiding a laugh as he cleared his throat.

  “What is it, Mrs. Maybelle?”

  Mrs. Maybelle was the head of the nursing home. She was fifty-five and terrifying. Her hair was steel gray and always tucked into a low chignon. She ran that place like boot camp.

  “I’m making a citizen’s arrest,” she said, tweeting her whistle again. “I’m bringing Ethel Louise Schroeder back to the nursing home.”

  “You can’t make a citizen’s arrest,” Cooper said. “She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

  “Will you make a real arrest, then? She’s out well past her curfew, and she’s annoying the director.”

  Cooper inched the blanket off my face. He grinned when he saw me laying stiff as a two by four and staring up at the sky.

  “I’ll take care of it,” he muttered. “Give me a few minutes.”

  I could practically feel Mrs. Maybelle’s eyes on me as she gave a sniff, turned her head up, then retreated away from Cooper’s truck.

  “Coast is clear,” Cooper said. “Well, sort of. Mrs. Maybelle is hovering in the distance, and I’m sure she’ll be right back. You do realize she saw you, right?”

  “Yeah,” I mumbled. “I’m sure everyone will know about our little dinner shenanigans by morning.”

  “You’re being generous,” Cooper said. “I’ll bet you a nightcap that Mrs. Maybelle is already on the phone with Angela Dewey. You’ll get a call from your mother before you head to bed. Mark my words.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I said. “You’re probably right. Anyway, I should let you get to business. You’re needed, Chief.”

  “Before we head back...” Cooper reached for my chin and tilted my face so that I looked to him. “Did you mean it?”

  “Mean what?”

  “You want to give us a try?” he asked. “You and me, official?”

  I gave a faux shiver. “Well, when you put it like that...”

  Cooper hesitated.

  “I’m joking,” I said. “Yes, I meant it. If anything, seeing Ryan has given me some much-needed closure. I needed time, moving back here. Time to figure myself out.”

  “I understand.”

  “And seeing Ryan has made me realize that he’s human. He makes mistakes. I’m not bitter at him anymore,” I said. “I’m even a little grateful because if it weren’t for him, I don’t know if I’d be here. And I like being just where I am.”

  Cooper smiled, leaned in, and gave me a soft kiss.

  A throat cleared behind him. Mrs. Maybelle stood stock still, shooing the chief along from her place a few paces away from the truck.

  I sighed. “Well, more on this later.”

  “Just wait for it,” Cooper said. “You’re going to owe me a nightcap.”

  “I’m not holding my breath.”

  We slid down from the truck. Cooper locked his hand in mine, and together, we made our way back toward the set. Thankfully, it looked like filming had wrapped for the day. The lights were still on, but the number of people milling around was next to nothing.

  Of course, Ethel Louise Schroeder was still there, her wheelchair pulled right up to the director. She held a sheaf of paper in her hand that looked suspiciously like a script and was talking the poor man’s ear off.

  “I’ll catch you later,” Cooper said. “Thanks for tonight.”

  Cooper took off toward the director and his overzealous extra. I took off toward the trailer I shared with Cassidy. I climbed the stairs and found Cassidy sitting in her makeup chair staring at the door as if waiting for me.

  “So?” she asked. “How’d it go?”

  I flung myself onto my own chair and pushed back a pair of overalls that flopped into my lap. “Marvelous. Thanks for letting me have the break.”

  “I figured it was pretty important if he was willing to fight that hard just to have dinner with you.”

  “Just dinner?” I shook my head. “That wasn’t just dinner. We are dating. I’m dating! My boyfriend is Cooper Dear.” I clutched the overalls to my chest and flopped back again. “Can you believe it?”

  I was so enthralled with the fact that I had a boyfriend that I hadn’t heard the door to the trailer open again. I also hadn’t noticed the fact that my ex-boyfriend was standing there, watching me.

  “Ryan,” I said, stuttering as I shoved the overalls away and sat up. “What are you doing here?”

  “Was just hoping to talk to you,” he said. “But I can see you’re busy.”

  “Ryan, wait.” I stood, glanced at Cassidy, who just raised her shoulders at me. “I think we need to talk.”

  Chapter 16

  I followed Ryan down the stairs of the trailer. He stood there, shoulders slumped, waiting for me to approach him.

  “Want to go for a short walk?” I asked. “You weren’t meant to hear that.”

  “You’re allowed to date whomever you want.”

  “I know, but I didn’t want you to find out like that.”

  Ryan fell into step next to me as we strolled beneath the floodlights. We exited the filming set and continued down the sidewalk of a deserted Main Street.

  “I was just coming to see you tonight, wondering if you’d get dinner with me.” Ryan shoved his hands into his pockets. “Seems like that’s not happening.”

  “You knew that wasn’t happening even if I hadn’t started dating Cooper.”

  “He only asked you out because he knew I was back.”

  “That’s not true,” I said. “You don’t know what’s going on. You haven’t been around, remember?”

  Ryan looked down. “Right.”

  “Just because I’m not in love with you anymore doesn’t mean I think you’re a bad guy.” I gently touched his elbow and withdrew my hand quickly before he could get any wrong ideas. “I still don’t think you murdered anyone. I still want to help you get out of this mess.”

  “Why?”

  “I told y
ou. I know what it’s like.”

  “Isn’t that a conflict of interest?” He gave a soft snort. “You know, since you’re dating the chief of police.”

  “Cooper just wants to find the guilty party. He’s not trying to pin a murder on anyone.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He glanced sideways at me. “How sure are you about that? It’d be a lot harder for me to date you if I were arrested.”

  “There’s no evidence to arrest you,” I said, “and there won’t be if you didn’t do anything. Just tell me why you went to the car, Ryan. That was the biggest thing that made him look at you.”

  “Emma asked me to, okay?” he muttered. “She was getting her makeup done and said she forgot her purse in the car. She asked me to run and grab it.”

  “That’s it?”

  “That’s it.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

  “Because I didn’t want to throw Emma Lou under the bus. It was nothing.”

  “Okay, well, that’s kind of you, but this is a murder investigation,” I said. “You should tell Cooper that.”

  “Fine,” Ryan said. “But it’s not going to change anything. The chief still doesn’t trust me.”

  “Talk to me about Kiernan and Emma and Tennison.” I changed the subject quickly. “I talked to Kiernan and Emma, and I can’t figure out what’s really happening.”

  “What about them?” Ryan kicked at a rock on the pavement. “I don’t have anything to say about them.”

  I stilled, bringing a finger to my lip in thought as an idea dawned on me. A single light outside of June’s coffee shop burned after hours, casting long shadows around us as we stopped outside her storefront windows.

  “What if it was Emma Lou?” I asked. “She’s the one who sent you into the car.”

  “I just told you it’s because she forgot her purse. She needed something from it. Lip gloss or whatever.”

  “Was her purse really in the car?”

  “Yeah. I grabbed it for her.”

  “But what if she put it there on purpose?” I wondered. “Then asked you to go, knowing people would see you. Knowing it would make you look guilty.”