by Tara Randel
“Um, I never really thought about it.” That sounded terribly cold, even to her own ears. “We aren’t very close.”
He studied her for a drawn-out moment. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t have any siblings, either, but I’d love to have a family that gave each other nicknames and cared about each other deeply. It sounds nice.”
He shot her a questioning look, then shrugged. Resigned, Eloise thought.
“I suppose it’s not so bad,” he allowed.
She laughed and punched him in the arm. “Buck up, Dan Smith. We have to go meet the neighbors.”
He expelled a put-upon sigh. “If we must.”
“It’ll be fun. I can’t wait to have our first argument.”
That brought a smile, just as she’d intended. She hated to see one of her colleagues down in the dumps, Dante even more. He was always up, always full of energy. She wanted that guy back.
“Just don’t leave me out of whatever happens.”
“I won’t.” He bent at the waist and swept out his arm. “After you.”
Captivated by his silliness, she collected the brownie dish from the kitchen and they left the house to join the revelers already gathered in the shady front yard of a neighboring house.
True to the kinds of block parties she’d observed as a kid, sawhorses closed off the road midstreet between the length of two driveways. Picnic tables were lined up for lunch, and another long table held the food. Tablecloths ruffled in the breeze. Kids ran around in the grass in front of one house, supervised by a man wearing a baseball cap, his generous stomach straining against his waist as he blew a whistle. Two younger men carried a large tin basin filled with ice to the side of the food table, where several people filled it with drinks. A festive mood permeated the air and Eloise found herself drawn in.
“This is just like I imagined.”
Dante sent her a surprised look. “You’ve never been to a block party?”
“My parents don’t like the outdoors, or socializing, very much.”
“That’s...different.”
She flushed. “They’re academics,” she explained. Then realized how that sounded. “Not that all academics don’t like to socialize. I guess I should say my parents only like to focus on their students.”
“They never took you to parties?”
“No.”
“How about amusement parks?”
“Never.”
“Vacations?”
“We did the college tour the summer before my high school senior year.”
He shook his head. “When we were younger, my brothers and I terrorized neighborhood parties. Derrick would hide firecrackers and then light them off at dusk, scaring little kids. Deke fashioned bungee cords and sticks to make slingshots so we could launch water balloons, which were my specialty.”
“And what about your other brother? Dylan.”
“He was a cop even when we were kids, running around making sure no one got hurt or securing the situation so we didn’t totally spin out of control. Or worse, he’d rat us out.”
A wave of wistfulness hit her so hard her chest ached with longing. “It sounds wonderful.”
“Yes. It was. Until we got home and my parents doled out punishments. But my dad later admitted he’d known all along what we’d planned and made sure things didn’t get out of hand.”
“You haven’t hidden any water balloons around for today, have you?”
“No, but I confess it did cross my mind.”
She laughed, feeling more lighthearted than she could ever remember. Was this what a real family felt like? Spending time together? Attending parties? Sharing memories? If so, she wanted it with all her being.
“Ellie, dear. Over here.”
She followed the voice to find Martha sitting in a lawn chair in the shade, surrounded by other chatting people. Before long, she and Dante were introduced to so many people she lost count.
“I won’t remember all the names,” she told Martha on the sly.
“We don’t expect you to,” Martha responded with a wink.
The crowd grew and soon everyone sat down to eat. It was like sitting at one long kitchen table with family. She stuffed herself with all kinds of homemade dishes, regretting it as the afternoon grew warmer and she became drowsy. To her absolute delight, Dante held her hand or rested his arm over her shoulders as they talked to people. Okay, it was make-believe, but she’d savor every minute of it to hide in her heart, recapturing the day once the investigation ended.
“Dan. Ellie,” Betsy said as she tugged a man their way. “This is my husband, Steve.”
Everyone shook hands, and before she knew it another couple joined them, then another. And then the questions began.
“How long have you been married?”
“We’re newlyweds,” Dante said, slipping his arm around her waist to tug her closer, wrapping her in the cocoon of his spicy cologne. She fought the telltale shivers she was sure would give her feelings away if Dante noticed.
“I remember those early days,” a woman said, grinning at her husband. “Every year we celebrate at the first place we met. Where’d you two fall in love?”
Eloise glanced at Dante. He met her gaze with a blank look. Oh, no.
“It would have to be at the park,” Dante said.
“At sunset, right, honey?”
His expression warm at her answer, he said, “I’ll never forget the sun setting and the last rays of light washing over the sky while you stood looking out over the water.”
Hot tears gathered behind her eyes. How sweet. If only it were true.
“When are you starting a family?” Betsy asked, a knowing smile on her face.
“Whoa.” Dante held up his hand. “We’re in no rush.”
Eloise ignored the sting in her heart. “Where’s Baxter? He’s such a cutie. I thought for sure he’d be on your hip again.”
“With my folks.” Betsy hooked her arm through her husband’s. “We’ve got a free weekend.”
Eloise blinked.
“You know. Getting someone to watch the kids so we can be together without interruptions.”
“Makes sense,” Eloise replied, not sure how else to respond. She hadn’t been in any serious relationships to need together time, let alone a breather from children.
“You two don’t have to worry about that right now, but once the kids come? You can’t wait for couple time.”
Dante squeezed her. “I think we’re good.”
As the group began to dissipate, Eloise swallowed. All of this seemed so...normal. She’d miss this when she went back to her old life.
As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Dante leaned over to whisper, “Rico’s off by himself.” His breath tickled her ear and the shivers she’d been holding back threatened to let loose. “He’s on the phone. Let’s wander over in that direction.”
She pulled herself together. Right. Work.
He took hold of her hand. “Let’s go.” They slowed their gait as they neared Rico.
Dante started the conversation. Lowered his voice for only Rico to hear. “You know we can’t afford a second car.”
“Then how am I supposed to get around during the day?”
“I told you to drop me off in the morning.”
She threw up her hands. “You know I can’t. That’s when my clients are sending work orders.”
“So save up your money.”
“I pay all the household bills as it is.”
They stopped a few feet from Rico, who had ended his call.
“We had it pretty good in Jacksonville. I had money coming in all the time, then you—” Dante stopped to finger quote “—wanted to get away.”
“Don’t blame me. You wanted to move away from my family as much as I did.”
“Then stop whining about finances.”
“And if I don’t, who will?”
With a very slight nod of his head, Eloise got the message. She glared at him, then stomped off. All they had to do was wait and see if Rico took the bait.
* * *
DANTE LACED HIS fingers together and rested his hands on the top of his head, watching Eloise stomp away. She’d do well in theater if she had a mind to act.
“Hey,” Rico said as he sauntered over. “Trouble in paradise?”
Dante dropped his hands. “Sorry you had to hear that.”
“No big deal. Stella and I fight all the time.”
“We weren’t exactly fighting.”
“I overheard the word money.” Rico slapped Dante on the back. “You were fighting.”
“Ellie wants me to get a second job. I told her I like working for you and don’t want to blow a job I just started.” He shook his head, pulling a perplexed expression. “I don’t know what happened? We got married, and bam, it’s all about the money. Back home it didn’t matter. I had a sweet deal with the guy I worked for. Now...”
He let his sentence trail, hoping Rico would pick up on it.
“What kinda deal?”
“I shouldn’t really say.”
“Look, your cousin told me you liked to do things off book when he suggested you for the job.”
Dante grimaced. “That sounds really bad. I don’t want you to think I’m a crook.”
“No, but you got ambition. I see it by the way you hustle to get repairs done.”
“Ramsey’s been good about giving me extra cars to work on when they come in from the dealership.” He paused. Waited. “If I don’t find something soon, my wife will keep riding me on the issue.”
Rico’s eyes narrowed. Was he thinking or trying to decide if Dante was on the up-and-up?
“Ramsey likes you. Says you fit into the shop.”
Dante laughed. “And what does Mac say?”
“Mac is suspicious of everyone. But he doesn’t have a quota to meet like I do.”
Dante raised a brow. Bingo.
“You into working some overtime?”
“Are you kidding?”
“I have a special deal with a friend. On the down-low. At night. Think your wife will have a problem with that?”
“I don’t care if she does, as long as she quits nagging me about money.”
A little boy ran up to them, locking his arms around Rico’s legs. “Daddy. Come play.”
Rico smiled down at his boy, pride in his eyes. “You got it, son.” He disentangled the boy from his legs. “We’ll talk Monday,” he told Dante, then pierced him with a threatening gaze. “Not a word. To anyone.”
Dante held up his hands. “Hey, no way. I appreciate the shot.”
As Rico passed by, he leaned toward Dante and said in a low voice, “Good, ’cause I’d hate to tell you what happens if you cross me.”
“Message received.”
Rico took off with his son. It was all Dante could do not to fist pump the air in victory.
Searching for Eloise, he found her talking to Rico’s wife, Stella. He was impressed. Apparently Eloise didn’t waste time. He waved at her, and after agreeing to a shopping date, Eloise was beside him.
“How’d it go?” she said in a low voice.
“I’m in.”
A smile that made him feel like a hero spread over her lips. The sun had pinkened her skin and her hair shone in the sunshine. After the victory and having spent the day in close proximity to Eloise, he wanted to kiss her.
The thought shocked him to his core. Kiss her? He’d been dealing with this new attraction, but to take it a step further? Too much too soon.
“I knew you could do it,” she said.
“Saying I’m sneaky?”
“In the best way.” Her grin grew bigger. “I made inroads with the wife.”
He threw his arm over her shoulders and tugged her close, one part undercover, the other part pure selfishness. It was like they fit together, something he’d never experienced with another woman.
“Looks like we’re moving ahead with the case. I’ll catch this guy soon enough,” he said as they strolled back toward the milling crowd.
Eloise’s shoulders went stiff.
“You okay?” he asked against her ear, inhaling the jasmine that always flitted about her.
“You’ll catch the guy?”
“Sorry. Us. Slip of the tongue. It won’t happen again.”
Her stern expression telegraphed it had better not.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A LITTLE MORE than a week later, Dante slipped out of the shadows down the street from the auto garage and into the idling truck. It was after 1:00 a.m. Tuesday night—his “extra” shift was over—but he and Eloise still had detective work to do.
“Did the guys give you a hard time about your ride?” Eloise asked from behind the wheel, waiting for Dante to take a seat before easing the truck forward.
“Nah. Told them I had it under control.” He pointed to the far end of the block. “Park down there. There’s a guy we need to follow.”
Due to the dashboard glow, Dante couldn’t miss Eloise’s outfit. One brow rose in surprise. Her hair, wavy and spread over her shoulders, framed her face. Her dress, a little black number from what he could see in the limited lighting, had him wondering just what other surprises she kept locked away in her closet. “Did I pull you away from a party?”
She tugged the skirt hem that wouldn’t budge past midthigh. “You texted while I was out with the neighborhood girls. They know how to have a good time.” She eased the truck to the curb, making sure to evade the halo of light from the nearby streetlamp, and cut the engine. The normally busy street was notably empty, the other businesses on the block having closed for the night. Buildings were dark, with the exception of outdoor floodlights. The truck motor knocked a few times as it cooled down. Silence, like a blanket, settled around them.
Eloise twisted in the seat to face him, struggling to keep the dress at a modest length, revealing shapely legs. With a huff, she grabbed a wrap draped over the seat back and spread it over her lap.
Dante chuckled. “How’s that going?”
“Slow, but the more I hang around Stella and her friends, the more I pick up tidbits. Mostly about Rico, since nothing in Stella’s life seems to be a secret.” She finished adjusting her wardrobe malfunction with a put-upon sigh. “How about you? Your text wasn’t very detailed, but news sure caught my attention.”
Dante rubbed his hands on his jeans, controlling the rush of excitement he’d managed to contain since discovering this new lead. He’d been working the late shift four nights now, champing at the bit to gain some insight on the operation, and tonight was the first time he’d overheard any useful information.
“I had to send it fast while no one was watching. I figured you’d understand the urgency by using the code word. We were extra busy tonight and I didn’t want Mac to notice. He still doesn’t trust me.”
“Give it time.”
He heard the humor in her tone and smiled.
“Guess everyone doesn’t appreciate my charm.”
She pierced him with an earnest gaze. “What did you learn?”
Dante glanced in the side mirror. No sleek Porsche leaving the garage yet. “Rico’s friend showed up tonight. Slick suit, air of money. He and Rico disappeared for a while, but later came back while we were finishing up. There were more cars to work on than usual tonight. Much higher end.”
“But you still did the same work as the rest of the week?”
“Yeah. I suspect Mac is changing the VIN plates while Rico has me fiddling around with engines. I took as many pictures with my phone as I dared without arousing suspicion.”
“Go
od. I’ll add them to the computer database at home.”
At home. Still sounded weird when either of them said the words.
They’d settled into a routine of sorts, but his work hours had changed. He went in at noon, did the legit car repairs until dark. Later, high-end cars arrived so they could replace the VINs and any other modifications Rico requested. When he saw Dante’s magic at tuning an engine, he’d had Dante work strictly on the high-quality motors, but Dante figured out what was going on. Like Eloise said, time would decide if Rico would trust him enough with the VIN replacement. In the meantime, he still needed to get Eloise more involved in the business. On location, if possible. He had an idea but the right time to approach Rico hadn’t presented itself.
Eloise rolled down the window. Damp night air rushed in, followed by the scent of wet earth and warm asphalt. “Who is this guy?”
“Not sure. Goes by the name Greg. I stayed out of his sights so he wouldn’t notice me, but managed to take a picture of his car tag. I’m hoping you can find out more on him.” He pulled out his phone to scroll through the gallery. “He’s a player, but I don’t think he’s the top guy.”
“What makes you think that?”
“He told Rico the boss wanted to up his quota.”
“His boss. So we’re still looking for the head of the ring,” she confirmed before a frown wrinkled her brow. “Why are we pulled over here?”
“Like I told you, the cars are dropped off, one after another. We do the work, but when I leave, they’re still in the lot. Gone the next day. Tonight I heard Greg mention something about a car carrier. If my guess is right, the more expensive cars will be loaded up and taken away. We follow and find out.”
“Makes sense. And these high-end cars?”
“Mercedes. BMW. Jaguar. Not the usual makes we handle during the day.”
Eloise glanced into the rearview mirror. He followed suit. Still no movement. He glanced at his watch. “Close to one thirty now. There’s no telling when we’ll see some action.”
“Then a stakeout, it is.” Eloise removed her seat belt, then scrambled around to rummage the back seat. “I wasn’t sure what tonight would hold.” She tugged out a bag and settled back, placing it between them. “I stopped for some supplies.”
