The Ultimate Romantic Suspense Set (8 romantic suspense novels from 8 bestselling authors for 99c)

by Lee Taylor

  "You'll need my help when you hear what I'm about to tell you." He wags his finger, his expression insufferably smug. "While you were flying over the Pacific on your Amelia Earhart roundabout trip, your father and uncle were both begging the police to arrest them for murdering Lillian Spencer."

  A shower of chills blankets me, dropping me halfway to my knees. "Tito Louie did it?"

  "That's what he claims, but when I begged the truth from him, he said he saw you holding the knife." He points straight at me on the word "you."

  "Me?" Blood drains from my head and I stagger, bracing myself with the wall.

  In one smooth move, he sweeps me into his arms and places me on the couch. "Mi amor, don't you worry. Louie asked me to take you away, give you another identity. He's dying anyways and he'll take the blame."

  Louie was there. But why is Cliff accusing me? Unless . . .

  The edge of the memory flickers like a fragmented TV image. Louie's screaming, "Drop the knife." He runs away when he sees my father and I'm crying, "Papa, papa, I didn't see anything. I'm not telling, not telling." I'm holding a knife and my hands are bloody.

  Cliff snaps his fingers. "Vera, we need to leave right away before anyone knows it's you."

  "I can't leave. I haven't even seen my mother." My head feels hot and I shut my eyes, shuddering from the chills running down my spine.

  This is my fault. Everything. I was mad at Zach's mother. She told me Zach went to the zoo, that he didn't want to play with me. It must have been me. Mama told me I shouldn't play with knives, that someone could get hurt. I, who got suspended from school when I waved a knife at the class bully. I, who stabbed my best friend's Miss Piggy doll. And I, who pulled a knife on Zach and the redhead.

  A tornado of horror crashes down on me. "Zach, I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry."

  How can I live with myself? And my poor father and uncle both protecting me, ruining my mother's life, and that of my entire family, including my brothers, both sets.

  I stumble to my feet to get my purse. The phone. I need to call the police. I have no idea where Cliff has gone and I don't care. I can't let my uncle take the blame. They all love me, and what did I do? Destroy their lives.

  Hot tears spill down my face and gulping sobs wrack my body. My finger hovers over the nine.

  "I brought you some water," Cliff says.

  Water? He brings me water at a time like this? I take the glass and place it on the bench. "Will you take me to the police?"

  Cliff steps in front of me and holds my head with both of his hands. "You must go into hiding until all this blows over. Luckily I still have the Cecelia Ping passport and ID cards."

  "No. It's over. My life, everything. Go back to Australia and take care of Dex and Ben and my father's vineyard. Tell them their Ate loves them and that I'm sorry I screwed up everything."

  He kisses the top of my head. For once in his life, he looks sympathetic, his large eyes wet. "Maybe there's a way. Maybe someone else did it. Do you remember anything? See anyone?"

  "I don't know if it's real or a dream. Blue eyes. That's all I remember." Glassy blue eyes staring vacantly at the grey sky. Scary blue eyes piercing through my nightmares. "I saw blue eyes, not brown."

  Chapter 29

  The next morning, I'm sitting outside of the hospital in my car waiting for my friend Maryanne to calm down. She dabs her eyes and sniffs. "I'm sure Zach will still love you."

  "How could he? Even if I killed his mother by accident, he'll never be able to sit across from me and eat breakfast, much less sleep in the same bed with me." I suppress a hiccup, my heart weighed down with grief.

  The dream was too good to last, and fairytale endings are for other people, never me or my family.

  "But you were just a seven-year-old kid," she persists. "Maybe you were playing and you didn't know until it was too late. My brother used to play with knives, act like he's a kung fu master. What if she tried to take it from you and fell onto the blade?" Her shoulders shake with another bout of sobs.

  Wetness seeps from my eyes, threatening my mascara. I reach across the console and hug Maryanne. "You're a good friend. If I'm going to stay strong, I need you to stop crying."

  "Maybe you didn't do it." She swipes her eyes, removing a good bit of her makeup. "Maybe someone left you holding the knife."

  An image of me holding the screwdriver or wrench for my father flashes through my mind. I shiver and bite the inside of my lower lip.

  "Or you found the knife and cleaned it on your dress before you realized what happened. You should ask Dr. Apodaca to help you remember."

  "Maybe, but both my uncle and father are claiming to be the killer, and the police won't even arrest them. They must know something." I'm not about to tell her my memory's returning. I can see the knife in my tiny hand, gleaming with a smear of fresh blood.

  She kisses me and then straightens from my embrace. "I'm calling Owen and Dr. Apodaca. I'm sure they'll figure out some extenuating circumstances."

  "Sure, let me know what they say." I pull out a tissue and clean around my eyes, then check my lipstick. I don't want to tell her I'm not that hopeful. Even if they get me off because of my age, I'll never be able to face Zach again. Why did I allow myself to get close to him? Now he'll be doubly hurt, his heart broken and his life ruined yet again by me.

  Taking a deep breath, I put my makeup away. Now's not the time for hysterics. I have to pull myself together, at least until my mother is stronger.

  Someone raps on the window. It's my niece, Emily. Standing behind her is her father who agreed to drop her off at the hospital so we can bring my mother home.

  "Game time." I give Maryanne's hand a squeeze. "Don't worry. I won't say anything until my mother's better."

  Fixing a smile on my face, I exit the car and give Emily a giant hug. I take her overnight bag from her father and heft it into my trunk. Maryanne steps from the car and gives Emily a hug and a kiss.

  "Glad to see you back," Emily's father says while Emily chatters with Maryanne. "We didn't tell Emily what you went through."

  "Thanks. It's been quite an adventure."

  "Have you spoken to your dad yet?"

  "Yes. He wishes to see Mama but I'm not sure she's ready."

  "If there's anything I can do, give me a holler." He zips up Emily's jacket and gives her a kiss. "Be good to Tia Vera, okay?"

  Emily waves goodbye and skips ahead of me into the hospital lobby. She points at the gift shop. "Can we buy Lola flowers and a balloon? I like the red ones."

  "Sure." I pull out my wallet and pay for a bouquet of red roses with a heart-shaped balloon. "Have you been a good girl while Tia was in Australia?"

  "Oh, yes." She bounces up and down and smells the flowers. "I got to hold Maryanne's baby. I was really careful. She's so tiny and snorts like a frog."

  I rub Emily's head. "That's because she's premature. Bet she'll do triathlon like her daddy when she's bigger."

  "I got to do triathlon. We swam four laps in the pool, then rode our bikes around the school and ran around the track."

  "That's great. Tia missed you so much. I'm so glad to be back."

  Emily wraps the balloon around her wrist and hugs me. "I love you, Tia."

  "Love you too, punch cakes." I lightly pinch her smiling cheek, but my hand lingers as my eyes mist again. What would Emily think about me when she finds out? Would her trusting eyes turn away? Would she still love me?

  She takes my hand and swinging it, we walk through the courtyard and enter the ward, heading toward the patient rooms. After checking in at the nurse's station, I follow the directions they give and turn a corner when I jolt to a stop. Zach cracks a grin at me. He's standing right in front of my mother's room.

  Every muscle turns to jelly, and my heart flutters into my stomach. Zach opens his arms and walks toward me.

  My purse drops from my shoulder when I melt into his embrace. I squeeze him tight, even though I know I shouldn't encourage him; now is not the time to g
et into gruesome details about what I saw or did.

  "How did you get here so quickly?" I keep my voice calm and level. "Did you jump bail?"

  He rubs the side of his face. "Nothing to it. The police didn't have enough evidence so they let me go with the understanding I'd be back if they have a case--which they don't. Vic and Tom gave contradictory statements, and they stupidly called and texted their boss during the time I was on the island, so I'm clear."

  "Their boss? You mean your father?"

  "Nope. He wasn't even in Australia. He's here and he's not leaving until he's finished helping with the investigation of . . . you know."

  "Hmmm . . . well . . ." My voice trails. How can I act normal when it's me they should be investigating? I can't even take a deep breath or he'd suspect. Even though my blood pressure's dropping and my throat's closing, I flash him a smile. "I'm glad you're here."

  He lowers his head. "A kiss for your husband?"

  I glance at Emily who hides her face behind the flowers. Stroking his short beard, I give him a quick peck. "I love you."

  "Same here." He smiles at my niece. "You must be Emily. I'm Zach."

  She giggles and bats her eyelashes, a typical feminine reaction Zach gets with women from seven to seventy. When he winks, Emily looks as if she's gone to heaven.

  "My aunt likes you," she blurts.

  "That she does." He chuckles, taking her hand. "Let's go see your grandmother."

  I'm going to pretend everything's fine until my smile hardens on my face like concrete. I'm going to play it cool for Mama's sake.

  Zach knocks on the door, and Emily pipes excitedly, "Lola, Tia's here."

  My mother's voice is weak, but she beckons for us to enter. I'm sweating, hoping Mama won't notice how destroyed I am. Maybe she'll attribute it to my recent kidnapping.

  Emily rushes to her bedside and puts the flowers on the table. "Look what we bought you. You like red, and red is for hearts. Is your heart better?"

  My mother hugs Emily and kisses her. "My heart got a little tired waiting for Tia, but now that she's here, I'm good."

  "Mama, I came as soon as I could." I wrap my arms around her shoulders. "My flight was delayed and it was too late by the time I got home."

  "It's okay, M'iha. I was so worried when I heard you were kidnapped." She caresses my hair, pats my cheek and examines my face. "Are you feeling okay?"

  "Not too bad. I look worse than I actually feel." I laugh nervously and look away from her.

  "You've been crying."

  "Worried about you." I kiss her on both cheeks and hold out my hand for Zach. "Mama, you remember Zach?"

  She rolls her eyes. "I had a heart attack, M'iha, not dementia." Turning to Zach, she says, "Of course I remember. How are you doing?"

  "Fine, ma'am. I'm glad you've recovered." He beams and slides his arm around me. I can tell he wants to say more, but he's restraining himself.

  "Lola," Emily squeaks. "Look at Tia's ring. She's getting married."

  Oh, crap! Instinctively I cover the ring, but Mama looks from me to Zach, and he's nodding and smiling like it's a done deal.

  "With your permission, of course," Zach says, bowing his head.

  "Oh, don't be silly," Mama snaps. "Her father's back. You might want to ask him."

  She cuts off. "I'm so sorry."

  "Ma'am, it's okay." Zach's voice sounds like a frog's croak. "There's some doubt as to whether he did it or not."

  No kidding. None of them know that the doubt is standing right in front of them. I swallow a softball-sized lump and caress Mama's shoulder. "Papa's innocent, I'm sure."

  "I hope so. I never believed he could do something like that. But why is he lying?" She claps her hand over her mouth when Emily tugs her sleeve, showing her the balloon.

  Mama leans back on her pillow and fans herself. "You getting married will be a happy occasion. Have you two set a date?"

  "Later, once you're better." I'm so good at this cover-up, so smooth I have everyone fooled. "The important thing is you're coming home. Now, let's go. I've got grocery shopping to do."

  "Yay!" Emily hops up and down. "Can we have buko pandan?"

  "Sure, squirtie-pie." I ruffle her hair. "You can help me pick the coconuts."

  The doctor and nurse enter. They remind my mother to take her anti-clotting medicine and sign up for a follow-on class. No more fried foods like lumpia, turon and fried bangus. I'll cook her something light like chicken adobo with Filipino eggplant.

  I walk Zach out of the room while the doctor does one final listen to my mother's heart and breathing.

  Zach holds me close. "Maybe your uncle did it, and your father's protecting him. Or it could have been someone else entirely."

  You can say that again.

  "I can tell you're worried." He kisses my temple. "But, whatever happened back then, it was twenty-three years ago. I just want the truth and then we can move on. Nothing will bring my mother back."

  "I know, I'm so sorry." I hug him tighter. The truth would be too much. No one could love his mother's killer, no matter how big his heart. "Would you be able to forgive the killer?"

  "I don't know. I've been so focused on finding him." His brow is knit and he runs a finger along the left side of my face.

  Something about the way he says 'focused' raises my pulse. "How long were you trying to find him? Did you know all along?"

  "We'll talk later." He lowers his voice. "Right now, you have a niece and mother to entertain."

  I draw away from him and return to my mother's room. My stomach is queasy and I feel like sinking into a hole. When did he know? Before or after he told me he loved me and took me as his wife on the island? Could all of this have been an act to reel my father in? My head spins and I close my eyes, hoping the dizziness won't overwhelm me.

  Dimly, I hear the doctor tell my mother a list of symptoms to beware of and to return for a checkup. When the nurse helps Mama into a wheelchair, Zach takes her overnight bag. Carrying the flowers and balloon, Emily chatters happily with my mother as the nurse pushes her down the hallway.

  Zach tries to speak to me, but I can barely hold myself together, not trusting my voice to give me away. We walk silently, with his arm around my shoulder, and when we arrive in the parking lot, he hands me my mother's bag.

  "Your family needs you right now, but I'll always be here for you." He kisses me lightly. "Call or text if you want to talk."

  I hang onto him, hoping to lose myself in the kiss. But he breaks off and says goodbye to my mother, his charm eliciting smiles from everyone except me.

  ***

  After dinner, Emily and I sing while Mama rests on the recliner. I know she wants to talk, but first, I have to tire out Emily and get her to bed. After reading three chapters from The Doll People, I finally tuck her into her princess bed and kiss her good night.

  Mama retires to her room. I bring her a cup of chamomile tea and she pats the bed for me to sit.

  "What did your father tell you?" She threads her fingers through her hair, a nervous gesture.

  "He didn't do it, but both he and Louie are claiming to be the killer."

  "It's got to be Louie." She sits up straighter. "I always knew he was hiding something."

  I rub her shoulders to calm her. "You just had a heart attack. Maybe it wasn't Louie either."

  My heartbeat accelerates. Is this the right time to tell her? Or will I be responsible for a setback?

  "Huh! Who else would your father cover for? What's his phone number? I want to talk to him."

  "Are you sure you're up to it?" My stomach grinds like a garbage disposal full of chicken bones. "Didn't the doctor say to avoid stress?"

  "M'iha, I haven't seen him in twenty-three years. I want him to tell me he's innocent." Her hands shake and she spills a small amount of tea on her bedspread.

  I cast in my mind for a plan. I need to talk to my father first. Maybe we can tell Mama together. Later, not now.

  "Papa's not changing his story. Can
you let it go until the real killer is found?" I take the teacup from her and set it on the nightstand.

  "I just want to see him." She wipes a tear from her eye. "While I was lying in the hospital bed, I was afraid I wouldn't live to see him again. I'd open my eyes and wonder why he wasn't there, holding my hand or telling me he cares."

  "He says he still loves you." I squeeze her hand. "He's made a lot of mistakes, but he wants you back."

  Mama dabs her eyes with the sleeve of her nightgown. "I've never stopped loving him. But why did he love Louie more? He covered for Louie. All these years we lost. And our sons, dead. I have to ask him why. Will you call?"

  There's no getting away from this. My mother can be very insistent and she'll root it out of me before the evening's over.

  "Okay, I'll call. But promise me you won't get excited."

  "I'll be fine." She rises from the bed and flips through the dresses in her closet. "Let me get dressed and make up my face."

  I walk into my room to make the call. My father answers on the first ring. "Vera, how's she doing?"

  "She wants to see you, but she's going to ask you about the murder." All my vital indicators spike as if hit by a shot of triple espresso over iced vodka. "If you didn't do it, who are you covering for?"

  "It doesn't matter anymore," he says. "Louie confessed. Your mother never liked him. She'll be okay with it."

  My vocal cords seize and blood swishes behind my ears. Can I truly let Louie take the blame? It's tempting, but it won't be right.

  "Vera, you still there? Tell Mama I'll be over in twenty minutes."

  I manage to croak a goodbye, but my heart and pulse are going haywire and a heavy weight presses on my chest. When my father arrives, Mama rushes to meet him before I can talk to him in private.

  There's a moment of stunned silence before they're kissing and exclaiming undying love. I can't stay here and watch while my world is crumbling.

  Instead, I text Zach. This might be my last chance to tell him the truth.

  Chapter 30

  My fingers are freezing, and I rub my hands, walking briskly toward the boathouse at Lake Elizabeth. Going from summer in Australia to winter here is a shock. My breath steams under the streetlamps, and my platform heels clatter on the wooden dock. Zach stands at the end of the walkway near the Fremont Sailing Club. He gathers me in his arms and kisses me.