Christmas is Killing (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 3)

by Morgan Kelley

  Emma accepted his kiss and let it give her peace and strength to carry on. With him, she could do just that.

  He gave her a few moments to regain her composure. When she was finally ready, he led her hand in hand down the alley until they were where Mary Lou Harwell would have walked.

  “Here’s where I would have taken her,” Croft stated, pointing to the run down garage with covered up windows. “I would have knocked her out and pulled her in here first. Then I would have gone for my car. Leaving it here would have drawn her attention. It would be something new and might spook her. Our killer wouldn’t want that.”

  Emma turned in a circle to scan the area. “Or there’s the possibility that he lives around here.”

  Croft began contemplating it. “It’s possible. We can have Curtis run a deed search and check up on the block residents.”

  “Let’s check the perimeter of the house. Then I want to get inside and look around too.”

  He followed her down the narrow tree darkened path that led to the back yard of the victim’s home. Once they cleared the path, there was a rustle of trees right before a man jumped out.

  Croft moved fast and pulled his gun before yanking Emma behind him roughly.

  She gasped, as his hand hit right on a healing sore spot on her body.

  The man stood there staring in shock with a tire iron in his hand. “Who are you?” he stammered, staring down the nose of the Glock.

  To say that he wasn’t amused by the situation was an understatement. Greyson was mad as hell. “Why the hell are you jumping out at people with weapons? I’m a Fed and she’s a detective,” he raged, knowing how close the man came from being in a body bag. If he wasn’t as aware of his surroundings, he might have shot him. Since he had a tire iron in his hand, it would have been a justified killing too.

  “I’m Leo and I’m in charge of the neighborhood watch.” He still didn’t lower his hands, only because the gun didn't move. “Can you stop pointing that at me? I’m really not that dangerous and scary.”

  “Drop the tire iron first and turn around, placing your hands on the back of your head.”

  When the man complied, Greyson holstered his weapon and quickly patted him down. “What you did was really idiotic. I could have shot you.”

  “We don’t have a lot of crime around here. I thought you were the killer coming back. I saw Mary Lou’s name on the news twenty minutes ago. The killer always returns to the crime scene.”

  “Yeah, as do armed cops that are investigating the crime,” he stated angrily.

  The man understood what he had just risked.

  Croft stepped back, only to notice that Emma was holding her arm. “Did I hurt you?” he asked, feeling rage once again building in his gut.

  Emma dropped her hand. “No, I’m okay, Grey.”

  He wasn’t buying it. In his hurry to protect her, he injured his wife. Gently, he ran his fingers down the arm. He mouthed, ‘I’m sorry, honey’ and she reassuringly patted his arm.

  “Mary Lou was a nice lady. She tutored the neighborhood kids and gave out stickers. The woman was a kind and gentle soul inside and out. I hope you find the asshole that did this to her.”

  “Did you see anything on the day that Mary Lou went missing?” Emma asked, hoping they’d get something from him.

  “No, but I’m watching now. Do you want me to call you if I see anything strange?” he offered.

  Croft handed him a card. “We need to walk through her home. You wouldn’t happen to have a key, would you?”

  Leo nodded. “I do. I water her plants when she’s away.”

  Croft watched the man retreat back into the shadowy shrubbery. “When we do that search, let’s make sure we check really deep on the next door neighbor. Mr. Tire Iron is a little too eager to be our new best friend.”

  Emma whipped out an email to the team. “I’m with you there.”

  When he came back, they began the walk through of her place. The man waited outside the house to stand guard at the door, like some suburban militia man.

  At least they knew where he was at all times.

  The cottage was quaint and well organized. There was a piano and books sitting on the bench.

  “I love pianos,” she said, running her gloved finger down the keys.

  “Really?” Greyson was more than surprised. “Do you play?” Croft asked, wondering why he didn't know the answer to that. It probably had something to do with them only being married a few months and not owning a piano of their own.

  “Yes, I do.”

  That had his attention. “Okay, next question. Do you play really well or just chopsticks?”

  Emma laughed, pulling out the bench and sitting down. When she cracked her knuckles, it made him laugh. She winked at him and began playing some haunting melody.

  The music drifted from the piano, filling the house with the sound of such sweetness and beauty. He certainly didn't expect this.

  Greyson watched her fingers adeptly tickle the ivory keys, as such shockingly poignant music poured from her.

  Emma finished suddenly only to stand up and push the bench back into place. When she said nothing to her husband, he simply followed her with his mouth agape.

  “Okay, wait a minute! Honey, you can’t just do that, and then pretend it didn't happen.”

  She started laughing. “What would you like me to say about it? You asked if I could play and there’s your answer.”

  He wanted to hear her play more, every day and every second of his life. It was amazing to know that music came from her. “Maybe you can tell me HOW you play so well?”

  Emma shrugged. “My mother loved playing. She made Gage and I take lessons. So, I was four and could play chopsticks.”

  “Could your brother play as well?”

  “He was better. No one knew, because he was afraid the vice cops would bust his ass. I just don’t play because we don’t have a piano. I had one when I was in Philly, but I didn't want to make the movers ship it to Celestia. They get out of tune easily if you bang them around.” Emma headed to the bedroom.

  He had no intention of letting this die. There was going to be a piano in their future.

  “I hope I get to hear you play again,” he said softly.

  She stared at him over her shoulder. “I absolutely will play for you, Greyson.”

  His heart skipped in his chest. Whenever he found little gems out regarding his wife, it always made his day. It was a precious treasure he could save as a memory.

  Emma was opening and closing drawers. “Anything?” she asked, as he dug through his own side of the room.

  “Not a sex toy to be found.” Which, she had to admit was a new thing for both of them. “It looks like Mary Lou was a good candidate for being ‘nice’. She was definitely a bedroom saint.”

  Emma went back to her drawer, and something was definitely off. It wasn’t deep enough. “Grey,” she said, pulling the drawer out and carrying it to the bed.

  “Are we going through her panty drawer together?” he inquired, laughing. “Ahhhh, here’s one for the fond memory scrapbook.”

  She slapped him. “No, this is all wrong.” Emma pulled all the neatly folded panties up and tapped the bottom. “First, who folds their underwear?”

  He raised his hand.

  “Oh brother,” she answered, snickering.

  As she continued tapping, he heard it. “There’s a false bottom to the drawer.”

  Flipping it over, he gave it a hard wack with his hand. Out popped the bottom and a stack of letters.

  “Pay dirt! People don’t hide letters unless there’s something in them,” she said.

  Croft agreed as he opened and skimmed it. “Mary Lou had a lover,” he said, looking up.

  “So? Why hide them?”

  Handing her the letter, he watched her get to the bottom. “Ohhhh,” she replied.

  “Yeah, Principal Lee was doing more than playing boss with his teacher. He was having an affair.”

 
“Our killer must not have known that, or she wouldn’t have been tagged ‘nice’.”

  He continued to read the letter and pointed to a specific descriptive line. “If she was doing that, then she was definitely naughty,” he said winking.

  “Oh my. I’m pretty open for anything during sex, but I don’t think I’ve ever thought about doing that.”

  Croft laughed. “Our teacher was taking a walk on the wild side.”

  “Babe, that’s hardly a walk. She was blazing a trail.”

  Emma and Greyson bagged up the letters, intending to take them back to work later in the day. They needed a search done on Harvey Lee and his wife before they even tried to question him. Plus, they wanted the victim’s house pulled apart in case there were more little hidden treasures.

  Calling in his lab team, they arrived and were ready to go. “I know it’s Christmas Eve, so let’s clear this house as quickly as possible. We found a secret stash of letters. I want you to look for anything that’s sex related. Our little teacher had a wild side, and since the man she was sleeping with has a wife, he likely met her here.” Croft sent them in to do their job.

  Emma leaned against their Denali and waited for them to finish. She was deep in thought, wondering what they were going to find.

  “Penny for your thought?” he asked, holding one in his palm.

  Emma smiled, taking it from him. She’d save it in her box of memories that she was creating for them. Greyson always knew how to make her grin or laugh. “Actually, I was thinking.”

  “Me too,” he said, taking the same position she was against the vehicle. “You first.”

  “After reading that letter, I’m wondering what else they’ll find for us. Ms. Elementary School had a wild side.”

  Croft laughed. “That’s not wild. That’s kinky. There’s a difference. Want me to show you?” he purred in her ear, enjoying how she reacted.

  “I could show you,” she whispered back. “In fact, I plan on it tonight.”

  The laughter stopped. Oh, he prayed she would and if he was lucky, repeatedly.

  “What were you thinking about, Greyson?”

  He decided to be honest. “I was dwelling on kids and a piano.”

  She looked over. “What specifically?”

  “I think we should wait for children.” He hoped she wasn’t going to get mad. “I love kids, but I just don’t know if we’re ready for them.”

  Emma didn't respond.

  “Are you mad at me?” A few months ago, they’d discussed getting ready to have a baby. He didn't want her upset if she desperately wanted to have children.

  “No, but I need to be honest with you, and I hope you don’t get mad at me or think poorly of me.”

  He took her hand in his, staring into her eyes. “That will never happen, Em. Go ahead and try me.”

  “I don’t really see myself as a mother. I adore kids, but honestly, Grey, I’m not ready. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready. Some people have them and are good at it. I just never had this desire to get married and pop them out like Tic Tacs.”

  He didn't say anything.

  “I’m not saying that won’t change one day, but for now I’m not there yet. Maybe we should start small and get a dog. Let’s face it, Greyson. We don’t really live a child friendly life. You’re busy, and I work weird hours, and get called out in the middle of the night to do our jobs. Plus, we just got married. I want to be a newlywed for a little while.”

  He tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “I understand.”

  “Are you disappointed?”

  “I thought I would be. I always thought marriage, kids, retirement, and then death, but I don’t think I feel that way right now. I want to enjoy my life with you and see where it takes us.”

  “My biological clock isn’t in danger of stopping. Women have kids into their forties. I have some time yet to contemplate motherhood.”

  He kissed her on the lips. “As long as you don’t decide I’m too old to be a father if you ever become ready.”

  She ran her fingers down his cheek across the scar. “Never. If I were going to pick a man to have my children with, it would be you.”

  “I love you, Em.”

  There was never any doubt in her mind. She could look into his eyes and see it. Her husband was the love of her life. “I happen to be in love with you too, Greyson.” Emma hugged him. Life was too short to not show the people you love affection. “What’s your other question?”

  “How mad would you be if I bought a piano and made you play for me while I drink bourbon after a long day at work?”

  Emma visualized that in her head. “I’m very expensive, can you afford me?” she teased.

  “What’s the price? Name it. I’m willing to shell out cold hard cash.”

  Leaning into his ear, she whispered a few things she’d like instead of cash. By his reaction, she knew she had his attention.

  Croft almost swallowed his tongue. Pulling out his phone, he began searching for information.

  Emma peeked at his tying. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m getting us a piano so I can do that last thing you suggested just now on top of it.”

  She snickered. “You have a very dirty mind.”

  “You should talk,” Croft retorted. “You just offered up every possible male fantasy there is.”

  Before she could say more, they were interrupted.

  “Director, you need to come see this.”

  They hurried across the yard and into the house. Following the agent downstairs into the basement, they were met with a surprise.

  “Holy crap!” muttered Emma.

  Croft was a little speechless too. He didn't expect this. “Bag it all up, guys. We’ll dust it all for fingerprints. It looks like our sweet and innocent ‘nice’ victim had a thing for some wild sex.”

  Emma stared at the whips and chains. “You could say that again. I can’t wait to talk to Harvey Lee. I don’t doubt for a second that he was here getting his bondage on with her.”

  Her husband turned in a circle, taking in all of the things on the walls and tables around the room. “Oh, someone was definitely having some fun down here.”

  “I wonder what else our mild mannered school teacher was doing,” Emma asked.

  Greyson glanced over at her. “Or who.”

  Curtis finally got back to the condominium and there was just enough time to hide the presents like his partner asked. He’d picked up something special for Emma and Greyson too, because his grandma told him to always remember your host. They were more than that to him, and he wanted to show them.

  He had a plan for later tonight.

  Waiting for the women to arrive, he continued his work on Kristopher Karson. He wasn’t really finding all that much. The man was a peeping tom and a stalker, which was obvious from all the photos around the room.

  Blowing up the pictures of the desk, he noticed that the photos of Emma were different. They were newspaper clippings and not actually snapshots. Again, he went back to the pictures on the walls of all the women and saw they were taken unobtrusively.

  It didn't match up.

  It added more to his suspicions.

  Before long, there was a knock on the door. Briggs peeked out the hole before opening it. When he found security there with three women in tow, he let them in to the condominium.

  “Mr. Croft cleared them,” he said, ushering them in.

  “Thank you,” Briggs said, closing the door behind him. The women looked around. “Emma will be back soon. Let me take you to the room she’s going to be using to get ready.”

  “That would be great,” the one woman said. “We need a couple of hours for the works,” she stated, carrying her large box and what appeared to be a folding table.

  “What’s all that stuff?” he inquired.

  “Emma’s getting a massage, her hair done and makeup.”

  Briggs smiled at the idea of her being pampered. If anyone deserved it after the
week that she had been having, it was Emma. “She’s going to love it.”

  “We hope so. Mr. Mason told us to treat her like a queen and give her the star treatment.”

  His partner was slick. His wife was going to be more than excited when she found out what he’d arranged.

  Yeah, if he ever found a woman who he wanted to marry, he was going to be just as Croft-y.

  Greyson got the text describing the three women and informing him they needed Emma for her afternoon of luxury. Now he needed to rush her home to let the fun begin.

  Glancing around, he noticed that his team was finishing up. Croft motioned to Max Pauley to get his attention. When the man rushed over, he patted him on the shoulder. “I have to cut out. Can you handle the rest of this?”

  “Not a problem, boss. I’ll send you a list of anything sketchy we find.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  Emma hopped up into the Denali. “Where are we going now?” she inquired, curiously.

  “Remember me telling you about a surprise?”

  “Yes. Is it time?”

  Croft grinned. “Yes it is. I hope you enjoy it.”

  “Can I have a clue?” Emma questioned, taking his hand in hers. “Maybe a little one?”

  He thought about it.

  “Please, babe?” she pleaded. Maybe being a cop made it hard for her to wait for surprises. Emma always had to know beforehand.

  “It’s all about you and tonight.”

  Trying to figure it out, she was getting nowhere with it. He was either giving her false clues or being so vague that she’d never figure it out. “I don’t know what that means.”

  Croft grinned. “Good.”

  * * *

  Tessa stood from her chair and stretched. They’d finished their work for the day and it was time to cut out. She didn't know what to do with her down time, since they usually worked long days.

  This was all new to her.

  “What are you doing for Christmas?” Paris asked, trying not to watch his partner stretch. It accentuated parts of her that he had no business checking out.