Get Fluffy

by Sparkle Abbey

  He looked like home in his jeans, black t-shirt and mussed hair, and he smelled like dinner. More specifically, garlic mashed potatoes. My stomach growled.

  “Never leave a soldier behind.” I planted a quick kiss on his mouth.

  The dogs raced through the doorway. Missy immediately headed for her bed. Fluffy had no idea where she was going, but she wasn’t about to be left out. She immediately started her own investigation, starting with the kitchen.

  Grey locked the door for the night, then grabbed my bag and tossed it on the bench in the hallway. “Must be serious. Louis’s heavy.”

  “Mitch brought a wife.”

  He grinned and raised his brow. “He was living a secret life.”

  I nodded. “Nikki Rosa Isabel Espinoza Langston. I can already hear Mama. ‘What kind of name is that? Is she a prostitute? You cannot have an ethnic wedding.’”

  He draped his arm over my shoulders and tucked me close to his side. He was the only man I’d ever dated who could make me feel petite.

  “Poor Mitch.”

  “He’s a big boy. He knew what he was doing. I feel bad for Nikki, she’s very nice. But it’s better for her to know the real Barbara Langston.”

  “She does take some getting used to.”

  “Amen. I’m sorry we’re so late. Have you already eaten?”

  “I waited.”

  We headed for the kitchen where he’d prepared an amazing dinner of grilled salmon, steamed broccoli and those garlic smashed potatoes I already mentioned. In the center of the round glass table sat a bottle of my favorite Pinot Noir.

  I kissed him on the cheek. “I am the luckiest woman alive. It smells delicious.” I washed my hands at the kitchen sink. “Today was kinda wild. You wouldn’t believe it.”

  He pulled out my chair. “Try me.”

  We sat, and Grey poured the wine. His shirt sleeves were casually rolled to his elbows, exposing his forearm muscles. He placed my glass next to my plate, then poured some for himself.

  I rested my chin in the palm of my hands and stared at him. I took a deep breath and savored the moment. “I’ve missed you.”

  He looked over the rim of his wine glass; his eyes promised to make it up to me.

  I shivered. “Stop it.” I tore my gaze away from his face and concentrated on my dinner. “This is so delicious. I just realized I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  “Something kept you away from food?” He chuckled.

  I savored a fork full of potatoes, then launched into my day. “First, Owen summoned a small group to his office this afternoon to inform us Mona was broke. So broke, she’d filed bankruptcy last month.”

  “I’m sorry I missed that meeting.”

  “Liar,” I said around a mouthful of salmon. I swallowed and then continued, “He gave me a copy of Mona’s will. She named me Fluffy’s guardian.”

  “You get Fluffy?”

  “Her well laid out plan of revenge. As her new owner, it’s my job to find her a bodyguard. Interested?”

  His lips twitched. “No. Why does she need a bodyguard now?”

  I pointed a floweret of broccoli at him. “I have no idea.”

  I filled him in on the meeting and explained about the insurance money for both Darby and Fluffy. By time I was finished, so was dinner.

  “How’s Darby holding up?” He leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine.

  “She wouldn’t tell you, but not good.” I placed my utensils on my empty plate and pushed it aside. “I want to tell you something-a number of somethings. But you have to promise not to get upset until after I tell you everything.”

  Grey pushed his plate aside too and sighed knowingly. He looked at me in that way that said he was done arguing. “I’m not sure I want to make that promise.”

  “I didn’t say you couldn’t get upset.” We both knew that was a given. “Just wait until I’m finished. Then you can yell at me.” I shot him a self-deprecating grin.

  I downplayed Darby’s and my excellent adventure of breaking and entering (I used very passive verbs), but I was a good girl and didn’t leave out a single detail.

  The muscle in his check twitched, and his green eyes sparkled with a great deal of irritation. But being the gentleman he was, he didn’t say a word. Yet.

  When I admitted to poking my nose into Malone’s investigation, I thought he was going to explode like Old Faithful. “I promise I’m going to call Malone first thing in the morning and let him know about Cliff’s notebook.”

  “I specifically said to stay away from Cliff.” His curt tone was not for show.

  I had the stray thought that the make up sex tonight would be great. But I didn’t think he wanted to hear that right now.

  “He wasn’t there. I swear.”

  Under the table my legs pumped up and down with a life of their own. “Oh, and I have something I want you to look at.” I hopped up and grabbed my cell.

  Spilling my guts to Grey had been more emotional than I’d expected. To be honest, I hadn’t really given it much thought. Oh, I’d known he’d be upset, but I figured he’d get over it. By the look on his face when I’d left the table, he didn’t look like he wanted to get over it anytime soon.

  I came back with reinforcements-the dogs.

  “You’re not going to stop this, are you?” He gathered the plates and carried them to the sink, clearly upset and exasperated.

  The dogs sniffed the floor beneath the table looking for leftovers. Fluffy was so bold to actually sniff the table. Bad dog.

  “I can’t.”

  “Is this because of Caro?” Grey began loading the dishwasher with his back to me.

  It was a simple question, and I understood why he was asking.

  “Not at all. This is because Darby’s innocent.” I set my phone on the counter and helped him load the dishes. We worked in silence.

  Once we finished, I said softly, “I need your help.”

  “I know.” He leaned his back against the counter and tucked his fingers in his pockets. He wasn’t happy. “I’m more than a little upset, Mel.” I opened my mouth to answer, but he raised his hand for me to keep quiet. “But I know you’re going to do what you want. The only way I can reassure myself you’re not going to run head first into trouble is to do what I can to help.”

  Jubilation exploded like a fireworks finale. I jumped him right there in the kitchen and peppered his face with kisses.

  He finally broke down and laughed. “All right, get off me.”

  I wiggled my eyebrows. “I bet you never thought you’d say that to me?”

  I dropped to the floor and grabbed my cell. I pulled up the photos of Cliff’s paintings. “What do you make of this?”

  I handed my phone to Grey just as his doorbell rang.

  “Got another hot date tonight?” I asked.

  He handed my phone back. “I can only handle one crazy woman at a time,” he said wryly.

  Ironic really, because who was on the other side of the door? Dingbat Tova.

  “I’d like to see Melinda.” Her voice was unrecognizably confident.

  I strolled to the door, guard up. “Hey. How’d you know where to find me?”

  She’d changed out of her seduce-newly-trained-security guard outfit and into a powder blue sweat suit and pumps. “I saw your car. I’ll take the fifteen hundred dollars. A check is fine.”

  Grey looked at me questioningly.

  “I’ll fill you in later,” I said. To Tova I clarified one more time, “I’m not apologizing.”

  She rolled her shoulders back. “I know.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not admitting to the fleas.”

  She sighed, her face pinched into acceptance. “Just mail the check. I’ve already called my attorney to drop the lawsuit.”

  I channeled my gracious winner face. But let’s be honest, inside I was a fist pumping freak. “Will do,” I said, straight-faced.

  Tova turned around and runway-walked back to her Hummer.

 
; I closed the door and let out my second Texas holler of the day.

  “What was that about?” Grey asked amused.

  “I found a way to get her to drop the lawsuit.” I preformed my celebratory dance with a few “whoop whoops” thrown in. I was quite proud of myself.

  “You have been busy. What did you have to do?”

  My party fizzled. “Pay her the original fifteen hundred dollars. But she’s cost me that much in just annoyance.”

  “I’m proud of you, Babe. You’re dealing with an irrational person. That wasn’t going to change. You’d have paid more in legal fees. You did what you had to.”

  I puffed out my chest and shot him a cocky grin. “Thanks, Babe.”

  He held out his hand. “Let me see the phone.”

  I pulled it out of my pocket and found the pictures again. This time my cell rang, interrupting us. “What in the world…” I looked up at Grey. “It’s Tricia. Why would she call me?”

  “Answer it, and let’s find out,” he said.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Melinda?” Tricia wailed over the phone. “I need your help.”

  I headed to the great room and plopped on one of the two couches. Grey and the dogs followed.

  She’s crying, I mouthed to Grey. He looked mildly curious. I just shrugged.

  “This is a little awkward, Tricia. I don’t normally discuss business after hours.” I picked up a decorative pillow and tossed it aside, making room for Grey. I flashed him an inviting smile.

  He sat next to me, and Missy immediately curled up at his feet. Fluffy stayed back and watched.

  “This isn’t about the clothing line,” she simpered. “I don’t know what to do. I’m scared.”

  I rolled my eyes in disbelief. “Scared of what?”

  “Not what. Who,” her tone sharp. “Jo came at me like a mafia wife in the Whole Food’s parking lot tonight.”

  I choked back laughter. “What are you talking about?” I put her on speaker phone so Grey could hear.

  “She was waiting for me at my car. She yelled obscenities at me. Can you believe it? Then she said I’d be sorry if I didn’t help her.”

  A big piece of the puzzle was missing. “Does this have to do with what you two were arguing about in the bathroom?”

  Grey quietly got up and left the room. Fluffy tagged along. Missy readjusted until she was lying on my foot and resumed snoring.

  “Yes.” She sniffed. “She lost something in Mona’s car and wanted to know if I could retrieve it for her.”

  Why would Tricia do anything out of the goodness of her heart for Jo? Unless she owed Jo a favor. “What did she lose?”

  Grey came back to the room with a pad of paper. He’d scribbled one word. Blackmail.

  I looked at him and nodded, impressed. Damn, he was smart.

  “I-I can’t tell you,” she hedged.

  “Is Jo blackmailing you?” I tried to sound caring, but I think it came across as almost an accusation. I needed to work on my delivery.

  There was a moment of silence. “Yes.”

  Ding, ding, ding. We have ourselves a winner. Grey’s eyes widened in triumph. We shared an air fist bump.

  “Is this about your ‘date’ the night Mona was murdered?” I asked.

  “What?”

  Clearly Tricia wasn’t the brainy type. “Are you dating a married man? Is that what Jo’s blackmailing you with?”

  A sigh of annoyance rushed across the phone. “Apparently, you’ve never been blackmailed before. Part of the instructions are don’t go to the police and don’t talk to anyone.”

  “Tricia, you’re smarter than this. You can’t possibly take Jo seriously?”

  “What if she killed Mona?”

  “I thought you believed Cliff or his brother, Ted, killed her?”

  “I’ve changed my mind. I think it was Jo. I didn’t tell you this, but Mona fired her.”

  I sat up abruptly, accidently kicking Missy. She didn’t move. “When?

  “The day of the Fur Ball,” she announced dramatically.

  She enjoyed piecing out her information bit by bit.

  “Tricia, I have to go. You’re going to be fine. First thing tomorrow, visit Malone. Tell him everything you just told me. He’ll help you.”

  I disconnected before she could protest.

  “If she actually goes to see Malone tomorrow, that should help Darby, right?” I asked Grey.

  “Possibly,” he replied cautiously. “Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t go. If Jo really is holding something over her, the shame of being exposed can outweigh the fear toward the blackmailer.”

  “Well, that’s dumb. Tricia shouldn’t have been carrying on with some married man.”

  Grey was reflective. “She never said that’s what Jo was holding over her head. You assumed that’s what it was.”

  Really? I thought about it for a second, and he was right. I’d actually suggested it. “If not that, then what?”

  Grey dropped down next to me and held out his palm. “Let me see those pictures before your phone rings again.”

  I quickly pulled up the photos and showed Grey. “Aren’t those the same ones that were at Mona’s?”

  He didn’t say anything as he flipped back and forth between the pictures. I watched him send copies to his personal email. “Where’d you find these?” he asked.

  “On Cliff’s yacht in his closet.” I rubbed Missy’s back with my foot. “Where’s Fluffy?”

  “She went upstairs,” he answered absently.

  Great. Probably looking for an escape route.

  “How can they both have the same painting?” I asked, looking over his shoulder.

  He handed the phone back to me. “Either they’re both copies or one’s the original, and the other is a copy.”

  “How do we find which one it is?

  “We don’t. I will. You talk to Jo and find out if Tricia was telling the truth.”

  “You think Tricia’s lying?”

  “I think Tricia was groomed by Mona. Tricia has an agenda, and I want to find out what it is.”

  That made sense. First she said she was looking for a contract, then she claimed Jo was blackmailing her. Supposedly for dating a married man. Not to sound callous, but unless that married man is either a celebrity or politician, no one cared.

  Tomorrow would be an interesting day.

  Chapter Thirty

  I’d overslept. While I showered, Grey walked the dogs. Even though he’d poked fun at the weight of my bag, I really hadn’t brought a lot of clothing choices. The weight came from my boots.

  I pulled on my jeans and a tunic sweater. After running a wide-tooth comb through my wet hair, I secured the thick mess in a bun. I grabbed my boots and scurried downstairs inhaling the smell of coffee and burned eggs.

  I found Grey and the dogs in the kitchen. Grey reading the paper, Missy eating her food, and Fluffy… well, I wasn’t sure what she was doing. It looked like she was gazing longingly out the patio door.

  “She’s tracking the neighbor’s cat,” Grey said from behind the paper.

  “Good to know. Got any hot water?” I pulled a travel mug from the cupboard.

  “I left a mug for you in the microwave. Lemons in the fridge.”

  I found my hot water where he’d left it. Some day I’d learn to like coffee like the other grown-ups. “Did any eggs survive?” The non-stick pan in the sink hadn’t lived up to its reputation. Grey had killed it.

  “Nope. I got distracted,” he offered as an explanation for the black mess in the sink. “You wanna grab something in town?”

  I heard the paper rustle behind me. I checked my watch. It was after nine, and I wanted to talk to Jo as soon as possible. “I’m good. I’ll probably just grab a drink at the Koffee Klatch. Dinner?”

  “Are you offering to cook?” He dropped the paper on the glass table.

  He hadn’t overslept. He looked refreshed, clean shaven and dressed for the gallery.

  “No
pe. I’m offering to eat with you.”

  He chuckled. “It’s a date.”

  I gave him a big smooch and agreed to call him later. “Let’s go, dogs.”

  The three of us loaded into the Jeep and sped off to my place to drop off my furry passengers. Then I was off to Caro’s. It was time to get my brooch back.

  Unlike my cousin, I didn’t have to break into her home. I’d taken the liberty of having a copy of her key made. (Now, don’t act so shocked. If we were on speaking terms, you know I’d be the first person she’d entrust with a spare.)

  Once I was certain she wasn’t home, I walked the half block to her place. (I wasn’t so bold that I’d park in her driveway; the goal was to get in and out without being caught.) I unlocked the door and walked inside.

  Dogbert, a rescue mixed-breed, barked his welcome. His bark was definitely terrier. It had that sharp tone that said he was boss. I got down on one knee and pulled out the bacon flavored treats I’d brought just for Dog.

  “Here you go, boy.” I fed him one. Once he’d finished it, he immediately rolled over for a belly rub. I willingly obliged.

  As I gave Dog his rub down, I casually looked around. Her open floor plan was both a blessing and a curse when looking for my brooch.

  Thelma and Louise, her cats, were stretched out along the top of the overstuffed couch sunbathing. Where would Caro have hid it this time? It was possible she had it with her. Probably not. She’d be worried about the gems coming loose.

  I stood and walked into the kitchen.

  Her organized cupboards were stocked with health food. Where’s the sugar, Sugar? I opened the fridge and was equally disappointed.

  “Well, I’m glad you haven’t invited me over for dinner. Yikes. I’m not sure I’d survive on tuna and organic veggies.”

  Thelma and Louise meandered through the kitchen, swishing between my feet checking out what I was doing.

  “Ladies, I brought a little something for you too.”

  I pulled out at pouch of Kitty Kat Kibbles and poured out two small piles on the counter, one for each of them.

  Maybe she hid the pin in her bedroom.

  As I was passing through the living room, I noticed her overstuffed bookcase was even more overstuffed than the last time I’d visited. I didn’t normally notice that type of stuff, but Caro always had interesting books. And a wide variety. Fiction, non-fiction, reference, and her favorite biographies. She loved to read.