Wharton opened his mouth, then closed it just as quickly, apparently deciding not to push the issue. “I’m just saying you might be a little prejudiced when it comes to your own sister. That’s all.”
“I took an oath when I signed on as a police officer to—”
“If it makes you feel any better, Wharton, I also have experience as a law enforcement officer. I’ll be glad to help Ms. Castillo out with the investigation.” The limo driver turned to Deena and gave her a half smile. ‘I’ll see to it that everyone is treated fairly.”
Maddy looked him in the eye for a second before nodding. “So there you have it. Mr. Hogan and I will lead this investigation.”
“Vince,” he interrupted.
She smiled up at him. “Only if you call me Maddy. If we’re going to be working together on this, we need to skip the formalities.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, noticing the way they’d relaxed somewhat, knowing that another person would be keeping an eye on her and the investigation. It didn’t matter that Vince’s experience might have come from walking the beat at a mall or from a television script. As long as he stayed out of her way, they’d get along. And right this minute, he seemed to be a crowd favorite.
“How will the police know we need help?” Annie asked, completely ignoring Maddy and focusing on Vince. Maddy could have sworn the older woman actually batted her eyelashes at the good-looking, younger man. “We have no phones or cars.”
“Or weapons to protect ourselves,” Theo chimed in and was rewarded with a smile from his wife, who finally tore her gaze from Vince.
Irritated at being ignored, Maddy responded to their question. “I agree. That presents a problem. However, most of us have loved ones who are expecting us to come home Sunday afternoon after lunch. When we don't show up, hopefully, they’ll get worried and try to find out why we haven’t made it home.” She pointed to her younger sister. “Lainey is married to the sheriff of Vineyard, Texas. He’ll know just what to do when he realizes something is wrong. Until then, we can only sit tight while I”—she caught herself and quickly corrected the statement—“while Vince and I do a little snooping around. I can assure you that my sister won’t be given any special treatment in all this. While we wait, I would suggest that none of you venture out alone. Find a buddy.” She turned to Haley. “Exactly how many people are at the spa right now, including the employees?”
Haley rubbed her forehead as if that would help her think. “Counting myself, there are fourteen occupants in the main rooms”—her eyes widened—“Thirteen without Kershaw.” Inhaling deeply, she continued. “With the two chefs, Sergio and Paulina, two waitresses and the busboy, the masseuse, the housekeeper, and the desk clerk, that brings the total to twenty-one.”
“That gives us a starting point. I’ll need a layout of where everyone slept last night.” After Haley nodded, Maddy grabbed Deena’s arm and began to make her way through the crowd.
“Listen up, folks,” Haley shouted. “Since it’s almost lunch time, I’ve asked Sergio and Paulina to fix something light. Let’s relocate to the dining room in”—she checked her watch—“say, an hour. By then we’ll have a chance to calm down a little, and we’ll be ready for some nourishment.”
“Great idea,” Maddy said. She glanced up at Vince. “Can you make sure Kershaw’s room is secured so that we can preserve the evidence for the police?”
She had two reasons for asking him to do that. One, it would show her just how much he knew about police procedures, and two, it would keep him busy while she and her sisters tried to formulate a plan before the cops got there. She’d been able to hold off the crowd so far, but fear always enticed people to do crazy things, and right now, they all were scared out of their minds and convinced Deena was the killer.
He met her stare, and the look on his face gave her the distinct impression that she wasn’t fooling anyone. “I’ll get right on it.”
Then to add credence to her request, she said, “We’re going back to the room to freshen up before grabbing a little lunch. After that, you and I can begin questioning the guests.”
The man knew exactly what she was doing—knew that she’d only asked him to do that so she could get Deena alone to prep her before she said anything that might incriminate herself. To his credit, his expression never changed, even though his eyes crinkled in amusement.
After giving her a two-finger salute, he addressed the crowd. “Anyone have a camera?”
Theo Elliott stepped forward. “We have a small one in the room.”
“Can you get it and bring it to me now?” After Theo turned and scurried back to his room, Vince turned to Haley. “We’ll have to do the best we can so we don’t disturb the body or contaminate the evidence. I’ll need tape, lots of it, preferably blue painter’s tape if you have it, and a key to Kershaw’s room. Two days is a long time to wait, and the body may get a little ripe. I suggest you drop the temperature in that room as low as it will go. Also, a couple of fans and deodorizer for outside his door will be helpful.”
Maddy flashed him a grateful smile right before she led her sisters around the corner to her room.
Now comes the hard part, she thought. Finding out why Deena thought a monster had called out her name before killing Brent Kershaw.
*****
Deena flopped down on the bed and waited until Maddy and Lainey were inside the room and the door was closed before she threw her arms in the air. “Oh my God, Maddy! Please tell me I didn’t kill Brent.” Putting her head in her hands, she allowed the tears she’d fought so hard to hold back to flow freely down her cheeks.
Maddy rushed to sit down beside her, and Lainey scrambled to the other side, encompassing her in a protective cocoon.
“Of course you didn’t kill him, Deena. You catch spiders in a jar and then release them in your garden, for God’s sake.” Maddy rubbed her sister’s head soothingly while Lainey swiped away her tears.
After a few more moments, the sobs subsided and Deena looked up. “Everyone thinks I did it, and when the cops get here, that’s what they’ll tell them.”
Those idiots can say anything they damn well please, but without proof, it’s just petty gossip. None of them were in that room with you or saw the actual murder, Tessa said, appearing out of nowhere and lying down on the bed. No way anyone can prove you killed that dude.
Deena turned to face her, allowing a ray of hope to creep through her desperation. “Were you there?”
Didn’t need to be. I grew up with you, remember? I know about the spiders that Maddy mentioned and about all the goodness in you. I would bet my life on you not being the killer. Tessa slapped her head. Now that wouldn’t be much of a bet, would it?
“So was she there?” Lainey asked, following Deena’s eyes to the pillows where Tessa now lounged with her hands behind her head.
“No.” Deena sighed. “I’m doomed.”
A sudden knock on the door nearly sent Deena to the floor when both Lainey and Maddy jumped up to check it out. There was a collective sigh of relief when Kate walked in, carrying a pitcher of lemonade and a tray of sandwiches.
“Compliments of Paulina,” she said, setting the tray on the dresser before pulling out a pint bottle of tequila from her waistband. “She thought we could all use a little of this to wash it down.”
“God bless Paulina,” Maddy said, grabbing the glasses and setting them in a row for Kate to fill.
“This is called a redneck margarita. The only thing we’re missing is a jelly jar to drink from,” Kate wisecracked, handing the first one to Deena. “Here, Sis. You so need this right now.”
Deena shook her head. “Just lemonade, please. I’m still nursing a pretty good headache.”
“Tessa’s here,” Lainey said, taking a sip of her drink and grabbing a sandwich.
“Hey, Tessa,” Kate said to the pillows where Lainey pointed. She took a bite of her own sandwich, then moaned. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Lainey and Maddy had me down at the pool at the break of
dawn, and we missed breakfast,” she explained to Deena before looking again toward the pillows. “Sorry you can’t eat with us, Tessa. It’s chicken salad—your favorite.”
The ghost frowned. I hate being dead. Turning back to Deena, she waved her hand. Hurry up and get something into your stomach so we can figure out how we’re going to keep your pretty little ass out of jail.
That brought a smile to Deena’s face and almost made her forget about why they were gathered in her room in the first place. “So you think my ass is pretty?” she quipped, taking the sandwich from Kate. “You’ve been known to be critical of my figure in the past.”
“Well, although it’s definitely in the cute category, you’ve still got a way to go to beat mine. I do have to admit that all the Garcia girls have nice butts. She looked Deena up and down. And the major improvements you’ve made look terrific.
“Tessa said we all have nice rear ends,” Deena repeated for her sisters, still not sure she’d heard her sister right. Tessa had never been one to throw out compliments. “And she’s anxious to get started on a plan to keep me out of jail.”
“Here. Here,” Lainey said shoving the last of her sandwich into her mouth and washing it down with the remainder of her drink before reaching for a refill. “Do we need paper and pencil?”
“That would be good,” Maddy said, glancing at her watch. “With a little luck Vince will be preserving the crime scene for another hour or so, and we can get a good head start.”
“Shouldn’t he be here with us since he told the others he’d help with the investigation?” Lainey asked.
“He’s a limo driver,” Maddy said. “Lord knows what he considers police experience. My guess is he walked a mall somewhere.” She made her way over to the desk and picked up the complimentary pad and pen sporting the Tranquility Rock logo. After handing them to Lainey, she turned back to her other sisters. “Let’s start with a list of all the other people here, and everyone can give their first impressions.”
“For starters, I think that Wharton guy is kinda creepy,” Kate said. “And I loved the way you nailed him when he was dissing Deena in the hallway back there.”
“Yeah, I’m a little suspicious of him myself,” Maddy said. “Put creepy and suspicious next to his name, Lainey.”
Lainey did as instructed, then looked up. “And he definitely had a motive to knock off Kershaw before he had a chance to humiliate him again—or worse.”
“Good thinking.” Deena closed her eyes for a second, visualizing all the people from the dinner banquet the night before. “I caught him looking at me in a weird way when we were together during the renovation period. I tried to send him signals to discourage him in case he got any big ideas about coming on to me.”
Eew! Tessa scrunched her nose. The only way that loser will ever get laid is if he crawls up a chicken’s ass and waits.
Deena nearly spit out her lemonade, and when she repeated Tessa’s comment about Wharton, they all had a good laugh. It felt good to be distracted from the seriousness of the gathering, if only for a moment.
“I also remember that he was sometimes as nervous as a cat. I mentioned to Haley once that he must’ve had too much caffeine.” She giggled. ”You know, like that Seinfeld episode when Kramer drank too many espressos.”
“Add nervous to that list, Lainey,” Maddy said, her expression pensive. “If he had a good reason for being that way, we need to find out what it was.”
“Yeah, like he’s just going to come right out and tell you that he was worried about Kershaw and so he offed him in his sleep,” Kate deadpanned. “I’ve always believed that most people carry around a secret or two. Getting them to verbalize it is a whole different story, though.”
“That’s why Lainey and I get the big bucks, little sis,” Maddy said before she frowned. “OK. Correct that. Lainey gets the big bucks. I just get a meager old salary.”
“I could come along when you interview everyone and throw in a question or two to stir things up. I learned early on as a journalist that an angry person usually says things he later regrets,” Lainey offered.
“Another great idea. I could use the help.”
“What about that guy you have preserving the crime scene. Are you going to let him investigate with you?” Lainey asked.
“Oh, yeah.” Deena smiled for the first time since this all started. “I really hadn’t noticed how buff he was until I saw him in his workout clothes outside Brent’s room. It might be fun just to keep him around for eye candy.”
Kate laughed out loud. “Listen to you. Until last night you wanted nothing to do with the male gender, and in the course of less than twenty-four hours, you slept with one guy and you’re checking out another.” She high-fived Deena. “I love it.”
Deena tried to hide another smile, but it didn’t work. She really had come out of her shell since they’d arrived—or at least she’d tried to. “I don't think I slept with Brent,” she confessed.
That doesn’t say much for his sexual prowess if you can’t even remember doing the dirty boogie with him, Tessa said, breaking her silence.
“I know, Tessa, right? But the clues all point to both of us passing out before the party really got started. I woke up in my bra and panties, and Brent was fully clothed. If we had sex, it was probably only in our dreams.”
“That would explain why he was killed completely dressed and you waited till daybreak to sound the alarms.” Maddy frowned in thought for a moment before moving on. “And speaking of dreams, let’s talk about the one you had last night, Deena.” she said, breaking the less-than-serious mood in the room.
Just then there was another knock at the door. This time, Deena got up and walked that way. She was surprised to see Vince Hogan standing there, now in khaki slacks and a blue golf shirt, and she was a little disappointed that he’d changed out of the tank top and shorts he’d had on earlier. She stared at him for a long moment, afraid he might have heard her refer to him as eye candy.
“Is Maddy here?” His expression never changed, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Unable to take her eyes off his smoky brown eyes that suggested a hint of mischief and appeared to be peering deep into her brain, she did the only thing she could. She blushed, before she recovered and opened the door wide enough to allow him to pass. “Yes. Come on in.” She made a sweeping motion with her hand into the room.
“Hey, Vince,” Maddy started. “Did you get the crime scene taken care of?” When he nodded, she continued. “Great. We’re just putting together a list of our initial impressions of everyone here. Want to join us?”
“I have a bit of news myself, but first I’d be interested in your take on the other guests.” He sat down at the desk, eyeing the sandwiches and the tequila.
Deena noticed first and hoped he wasn’t judging them because of the booze before noon. She offered him a sandwich.
Smiling, he reached for the chicken salad. “I haven’t eaten all day. I went back to the dining room after I secured the crime scene, but they’d already closed down the kitchen. I was thinking I might have to call for room service, then decided that probably wasn’t available now that…” His voice trailed off in an awkward silence.
That is one helluva six-pack on that boy, Tessa said, scanning his entire body as he reached for another sandwich. I can see we all need to be hanging out at his mall, wherever the hell that is.”
My thoughts exactly, Deena thought as she continued to watch him inhale the second sandwich.
When Maddy poured him a lemonade, she was surprised as he nodded toward the tequila.
“Getting started a little early?”
“I…We felt like—”
“You don't have to explain, Deena,” Lainey said, narrowing her eyes at the limo driver. “Under the circumstances we thought it would quell our nerves. Maybe even make us a little more thorough when we tried to remember if anything unusual jumped out at us when we got our first look at the guests here.”
He studie
d Lainey for a few minutes before a smile tipped the corners of his mouth. “In that case, do you mind if I add a touch to my lemonade? God knows we could all benefit from getting a bit loosened up.” He turned and nodded to Deena. “Especially you, after the morning you’ve had.”
In that moment, Deena decided she didn’t care if his only claim to fame was as a security guard somewhere. Anyone with that kind of empathy for her in a crowd that wanted her head definitely was welcome on their team. “That’s true, but I’m still paying for last night.” She held up the glass. “Just lemonade, but you go ahead. We’ll catch you up on what we have so far. Unfortunately, it isn’t much.”
As she read from the list they’d started, he slowly sipped the makeshift margarita. When she finished, he set the drink down before addressing them. “That’s a good start. Your observations so far are point on, especially about Annie Elliott. I watched her jog back to her room after Haley dismissed everyone, and then at lunch, she came in a wheelchair. Something is definitely going on there and warrants a closer look.”
“You said you had new information when you first walked in? Is it about the body?” Maddy asked.
He shook his head. “I was about to leave the dining room and nibble on some peanut butter crackers I brought from home when I was approached by Carlene Newman.”
“Who?” they all asked in unison.
“She’s the woman Haley introduced as a potential investor.”
“What’s that got to do with our investigation?” Maddy asked, her face now scrunched in question.
“Nothing, really, except that it’s not the real reason she was so anxious to come to the spa this weekend. Apparently, she’s the one who reached out to Haley and suggested this visit herself. Said it would be free advertising.”
“So? Why do you think that may be significant?” Deena asked, leaning toward him now that he had her full attention.
“Only because she singled me out as soon as I walked into the dining room. Said she wanted to talk to me about Kershaw since she heard me say that I had some law enforcement experience and would help out with the investigation. She wanted to go on record as saying she had proof that she was the illegitimate daughter of the good judge, Brent Kershaw himself.”
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