I didn’t know if I could get my feet to move. ‘But, but … do you think sneaking around his house is a good idea?’
He nodded, already distracted. ‘If someone sees you, just say you’re looking for the toilet.’
Beth Anne was more than excited to be coming on a secret expedition with me.
‘If someone questions us, just say we’re looking for the bathroom,’ I whispered as we slipped through the unlocked sliding glass doors. This side of the mansion was quiet and our heels echoed loudly off the tiled floor. ‘Hang on.’ Balancing myself on one leg, I reached down and removed one Valentino heel and then the other. Spreading my toes on the cool tiles, I sighed with relief.
‘Right. Stealth mode,’ Beth Anne giggled, removing her shoes also. ‘I’ve been here before. The library is amazing. He’s got a glass case full of signed first editions: Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, George Orwell, Robert Frost.’ She sighed. ‘Anyway. Yeah, there’s a bunch of art in there too that he was showing off to Carl.’ She held out her arm and stopped me, then grabbed my hand and pulled me behind a pillar. Holding her finger to her lips, we pressed our bodies against the marble as two women in black pants and white shirts carrying silver trays passed us, talking and laughing. Something on those trays smelled so good, like sweet tomato sauce. Good thing Beth Anne was still holding my hand or in my weakened, hungry state I may have just forgotten about the mask and followed the food.
‘OK,’ she whispered. ‘All clear.’
We stepped out and resumed the trek through the mansion to the library. ‘I think you missed your calling,’ I whispered to her.
She grinned. ‘Does get the blood going, doesn’t it?’
Just when I began to wonder if this was a never-ending hallway, Beth Anne said, ‘Here we go.’ She pushed open the stained-glass French doors and we slipped inside, shutting the doors behind us and flicking on the lights.
‘Wow.’ I took in the room. Massive bookshelves were stuffed full of various-sized books, sculptures were scattered about the room on pedestals and oil paintings hung on the walls between the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. ‘This is incredible. Like a museum.’
Beth Anne stood beside me, her arms crossed. ‘It really is.’ I felt her shiver. It was cooler in here. They probably had a separate temperature control so the Florida humidity wouldn’t ruin the books. ‘So, Oliver admitted to being in Michael’s house on the night he was murdered?’
I lowered my voice and shrugged. ‘Well, he admitted it to me. I doubt he would admit it if questioned by the police.’
‘Right. We need evidence. Let’s find that mask then,’ she said, moving deeper into the library.
My feet padded silently on the glossy wood floor as I tiptoed to the right side of the room where some of the lighted display cases were set up. Peering into each one of them, I saw frail books with feathery pages, opened to show the signatures.
I was squinting into the glass to read a particular flowery inscription when I heard Beth Anne squeal. ‘Elle! Over here.’
My heart fluttered. I was beside her in a few seconds, breathing hard and following her gaze to one of the bookshelves. ‘Is that it?’ she asked. ‘It couldn’t be that easy, right?’
I closed my eyes and brought up the memory of the Beckleys’ party. The mask tilted down to look at me. I opened my eyes and was staring at the same carved wooden face.
‘That’s it.’ I couldn’t believe it. It was just sitting here on a bookshelf. Out in the open. I quickly glanced around. Was this a trap?
‘Should we take it?’ Beth Anne asked, an edge of excitement in her voice.
‘No.’ I pulled out my phone with shaking fingers. ‘We’ll just get a picture of it for Detective Vargas. Then they’ll know where to search for it.’ I snapped a few photos and then backed up so I could get in the whole bookshelf and then the room. Now I felt like I was holding contraband. We had to get out of here. ‘OK, let’s get back.’
We pulled open the doors, adrenaline pumping through both our bodies. Beth Anne squeaked. I took an involuntary step back.
Eloise stood there blocking our path, her arms crossed. She glanced into the room behind us. ‘Ladies? Can I help you?’
I felt Beth Anne stiffen beside me. I opened my mouth to explain but nothing came out. Luckily Beth Anne was better than I was under pressure. ‘Just showing Elle Oliver’s collection of rare books. Hope that’s all right?’
Eloise pushed her tongue into the side of her cheek but didn’t answer. Her eyes just glittered at us behind coal-black lashes.
Beth Anne turned to me. She seemed calm on the outside but I could hear the tension in her higher-than-normal voice. ‘Did you know Eloise is a writer?’
‘No,’ I managed, though my heart was beating so loudly I could barely hear my own voice. Surely Eloise could hear it beating, too?
‘She is. Eloise, Elle’s a big reader. Maybe you could dig up a signed copy of new your book, Winding Roads, for her before she leaves?’
‘Oh …’ Eloise seemed to soften. ‘I’m sure I have one or two left over from the signing.’ She moved past us, flicked off the light and pulled the doors closed behind her. ‘I’ll dig one up for you but right now the auction is about to start.’
‘Bless your heart. That’d be very generous of you.’ Beth Anne smiled and she waved the hand that wasn’t holding her shoes. ‘Yeah, we were just heading back.’
We found Devon already standing among the crowd that had gathered. I slipped an arm around his waist and whispered in his ear. ‘Found it! Took some photos, too.’
He kissed my cheek and then whispered in my ear, ‘That’ll do nicely. I’ll bid on a painting and then we’ll be headin’ out.’
I breathed in the night air and then let it out in a sigh of relief, feeling particularly proud of myself for managing a successful covert operation without giving in to anxiety. That was, until I happened to glance over at Eloise, who had her hand on Oliver’s shoulder, whispering something in his ear. They both turned abruptly and looked straight at us.
I felt Beth Anne clutch my hand. She’d obviously seen them too. ‘I think it’s time to go,’ she whispered.
We all stepped back as casually as possible, slipped deeper into the crowd and then popped out the other side. We hurried along the stone path around the house to the driveway where our limo waited. The whole time I kept waiting for those ninjas to drop down in front of us or for Oliver to grab us from behind.
A fit of giggles gripped me as we slid into the safety of the limo. Beth Anne rested her forehead on my shoulder and joined me, both of us breathing hard. It was either laugh or cry.
‘Good grief.’ She held her stomach. ‘I feel like we’ve just got caught toilet papering the principal’s house.’
Devon and Carl were removing their ties and staring at us sternly, which just made us laugh harder.
‘Can I see the photos, Elle?’ Devon said, holding out his hand.
‘Oh, sure.’ I wiped at my eyes and pulled out my phone to give to him. He showed them to Carl, who nodded.
When I caught my breath, I said, ‘All that trouble for a wooden mask. I really hope he didn’t kill Michael over something like that.’
‘I have a feeling their feud went much deeper,’ Devon answered.
As we rounded the circle drive to make our exit, I happened to glance up. The four garage doors were open. Inside sat a little red sports car … and a black Cadillac.
NINETEEN
M.J. met us at the police station Saturday afternoon with the insurance photos of the mask. We sat in a conference room and waited as Detective Salma Vargas compared the photos M.J. handed her with the ones on my phone from last night.
She nodded and pushed a business card across the table to me. ‘All right. Elle, email me these. I’m meeting with a different judge in person later today. I’ll share this with Detective Farnsworth and we should be able to do a search tonight.’
‘Thank you,’ M.J. said with relief. He tu
rned to us. ‘Let me buy you two lunch for all your trouble – it’s the least I can do. Besides, it’ll give me an excuse to check up on Lulu and make sure she’s stopping to eat. The woman is a workaholic.’
Devon pushed away from the conference table and stood. ‘That’s very kind of you, but I told a friend of mine we’d meet him for lunch.’
‘Bring him,’ M.J. said. ‘Please. I feel bad you’ve put yourselves in danger to help my family.’
Devon glanced at me and I nodded my agreement. It would be nice to see Lulu. ‘All right then. Thank you.’
‘Devon, can I speak to you a moment in private?’ Salma said as we were heading out the door.
I glanced back at them. Salma had a slight smile as she held eye contact with Devon. Don’t react. Was I frowning? I tried to will my face into a neutral expression.
Devon turned his attention to me then rested a hand on the curve in my back. ‘Meet you outside.’
As I waited in front of the station, I tilted my face up to the sun and closed my eyes, pushing away the jealousy that was still trying to take root when it came to Detective Salma Vargas. I’d been avoiding asking Devon about their relationship because I didn’t want him to think it bothered me at all but maybe it was time to ask. Maybe it would put a stop to all the painful fantasy scenarios I had in my head.
After a few minutes had passed, I felt a strong arm around my waist and I was twirled around and kissed vigorously. Catching my breath, I opened my eyes. Devon was grinning.
‘Good news?’ I smirked, leaning back so I could see him.
‘She’s got it. The subpoena for Seaside Boats’ sales records for the year my parents were killed.’
‘Oh, Devon, that’s fantastic news. I hope that leads straight to the second boat.’
‘I hope so too, and hope is something I haven’t had for a long time.’ He squeezed me in a tight hug and then took my hand. ‘Come on – let’s go grab Quinn for a celebratory lunch.’
When we arrived, M.J. had already secured us a table by the window. Lulu was standing at the table in black cotton pants and a snug white T-shirt, one hand resting on her lower back. My eyes automatically went to her stomach where I noticed the slight rounding from the life growing there. She was going to be even more adorable when she popped.
‘Well, hello, my friends!’ She greeted us with an enthusiastic hug and then we introduced her and M.J. to Quinn.
‘Hello.’ Quinn shook hands with M.J. but his eyes were glued to Lulu. He smoothed down his wavy hair and was speechless for the first time since I’d met him. He held out his hand tentatively.
‘Oh, stop, we’re not so formal around here,’ Lulu laughed, hugging him as well. Did he actually blush? I smiled to myself. ‘Sit. Sit. I was just telling M.J. I’ve got a new shrimp chowder lunch special I’d like for y’all to try if you don’t mind. I need some honest opinions.’
‘Sure, we’d love to,’ I said, taking the chair Devon had pulled out for me beside the window. ‘By the way, we got to meet your mother. She was so sweet and very helpful.’
Lulu’s smile brightened. ‘Yeah, she’s a trip, isn’t she? Had nothing but good things to say about y’all, too. OK, sit tight, I’ll have the soup sent right out.’ She whirled and we all watched her flutter around, dropping her magic fairy dust on a few unsuspecting tables on her way back to the kitchen.
M.J. sighed. ‘I don’t think the baby is going to slow her down one bit.’
‘She’s in the family way, is she?’ Quinn said, surprised and maybe a bit disappointed.
M.J. nodded and pride was written all over his face.
‘Yours then?’ Quinn seemed to be looking at M.J. with a new respect.
‘Yes,’ M.J. said. ‘I can’t believe in eight months I’ll be a father.’
‘Congratulations.’ Quinn held up his water glass. ‘Health and a long life to all. Sláinte.’
We clinked glasses and Quinn grinned at Devon and added, ‘Also a toast to good news. May it lead to the truth.’
‘Good news you can share?’ M.J. asked curiously.
‘I suppose.’ Devon’s eyes glowed with renewed hope. ‘Remember I told you about my parents’ deaths? Well, I haven’t been convinced it was an accident, and we’ve just got a way to move forward in the investigation.’ He proceeded to explain the significance of the new subpoena to M.J., who listened with rapt attention.
I stared out the window as they talked since I’d heard all the details before. My mind was going back over Michael’s murder. I should just leave it alone, especially after the tense night at Oliver White’s house, but I couldn’t. The need to know what really happened was like an all-consuming fire in my brain. I could barely think of anything else. Now I knew how Devon felt about his parents’ deaths.
Well, hopefully, Salma would get the warrant to search Oliver White’s mansion tonight and question him. It’d be great if he would just confess, let Breezy off the hook and put this all to rest. I knew that would never happen, though. Then I had a thought. He may not confess to the police but his ego may lead him to confess to me. Just like he did when he boldly admitted to me he was in the Beckley house that night. He thought he was so smart. What if I could get him to confess and record it? There was no way to even try that without putting myself in danger, was there? I would have to get him alone. Then what?
‘Elle?’ Devon placed a hand on my thigh. ‘Where’ve you gone off to?’
‘Oh, sorry.’ I turned my attention back to the table. There was a steaming bowl of soup in front of me. ‘I’m here. Just worrying about Breezy and fantasizing about how nice it would be if Oliver White confessed.’
M.J. ran his spoon through the thick chowder and sighed. ‘Not going to happen. Even if he is guilty, the man is too selfish to confess and give us closure.’
‘Sorry about your da,’ Quinn said, picking up his own spoon. ‘Brutal thing for a family to go through.’
‘Thank you.’ M.J.’s eyes flashed with pain as he glanced up. Then they softened as Lulu came toward us. ‘It is. But Lulu and our baby are all that matter to me now.’
She practically vibrated as she reached our table. ‘Have you tried it yet? What do y’all think?’ She beamed at us, despite the tendrils of sweat-soaked hair sneaking out from beneath her chef’s hat. She obviously loved her job.
We all took a bite and made noises to show our approval. It really was delicious.
As our lunch was winding down, Devon got a text. ‘Sorry,’ he said, then addressed Quinn. ‘Salma would like us to meet her at Seaside Boats in twenty minutes. They’re going in.’ Quinn nodded. Devon turned to me. ‘Elle, do ya mind?’
‘Of course not,’ I said quickly. ‘I can call a cab to get back to the ferry.’
‘Nonsense,’ M.J. said. ‘I’m going back to Moon Key now so you can ride with me.’
Slipping on my sunglasses, I admired the black, cockpit-like interior of the Porsche 911 convertible as M.J. drove us to the ferry. ‘Wouldn’t have pegged you for a convertible sports car type,’ I said.
‘No?’ M.J.’s lip twitched. ‘Well, I’m sad to say it but you’re correct. This is a rental. Lulu is a convertible sports car type and loves to cruise the beach with the wind in her hair.’
I could definitely see that. I was struck again by what an odd couple they were, the wild-child free spirit and the conservative. Maybe she was attracted to M.J.’s stability and rational way of looking at the world? They do say opposites attract. Or maybe it was his bank account? Guilt immediately pinched me. No, she didn’t seem like the gold-digger type. ‘So, how did you and Lulu become friends?’
‘Oh.’ He turned onto the causeway and I felt the powerful pull of the little car as he accelerated. ‘My family’s known her for a decade. Back when we met, we were both in our early twenties. I was immediately smitten. She was working as a waitress at the restaurant, but it was called The Crab Café then and the food was not good. We wouldn’t have ever gone back but Lulu begged us to the next night. Said she
’d have something special for us. Can you imagine refusing Lulu anything?’ He chuckled.
‘No, I can’t,’ I said, and meant it.
‘Even Mom couldn’t resist going back to see how this firecracker of a girl was going to fulfill her enthusiastic promise to make the horrible meal up to us.’
He suddenly stepped on the break as a white Mustang veered into his lane. His face flushed as he hit his horn and yelled, ‘Idiot!’ at the lady on her cell phone. I gripped my bag tighter in anticipation of a confrontation, but she just waved an apologetic hand out the window and M.J. calmed down.
‘Sorry. So, anyway, the owner let Lulu cook us up some authentic shrimp gumbo and we were hooked. He also began to let her spend time in the kitchen after that instead of bussing dirty plates in the dining room. It was win-win. Lulu just became more and more a part of our family every time we came back to Florida. Four years ago my parents bought out the restaurant for her. Of course, she’s insisting on paying them back.’
‘Wow, I know you two have been friends for a long time. What changed that?’
He shrugged. ‘Honestly, I don’t know. I think she’s always known I’ve been in love with her. I even managed to get up the nerve to ask her out a couple of years back, but I guess the timing was never right. This year, she just looked at me differently and said, Let’s give it a shot. You could have knocked me over with a feather. But I’m not questioning it. And now the baby.’ He grinned at me. ‘I am just a blessed man.’
I watched a pod of dolphins gliding through the water below the bridge as we sat in the traffic breathing car exhaust and briny, salty air. ‘And she’s a lucky girl to be so appreciated.’ I wondered if Devon thought that way about me. He did seem to. I guess I was a lucky girl, too.
‘Can you keep a secret?’ M.J. watched me from behind gold aviator sunglasses. The breeze ruffled his usually perfectly combed hair and made him look like a kid.
High Jinx Page 15
