The Daisy Dunlop Mystery Box Set: Lost Cause, Lost & Found, Lost Property

by JL Simpson

  Daisy sighed. “Don’t you have some whiz-bang computer program to keep track of all this shit?”

  “I do.”

  “Where?”

  Solomon tapped the side of his head. “However, I also have a spreadsheet we can use, but not today.”

  “No?”

  “It’s getting late, and you’ve had a stressful day. I think I should be taking you home. Besides, we need to be telling Paul.”

  “No, we don’t. If you tell him about me being the target of a murderer he’ll go mental.”

  “And what are you planning to tell him about your missing car?”

  “That it broke down.”

  “And he’ll want to repair it.”

  “It was stolen?”

  Solomon lifted an eyebrow.

  “Okay. I left it at the office, and I’ll collect it tomorrow.”

  “And if the police won’t give it back?”

  “I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

  “You need to tell him, Daisy.”

  “Why can’t you leave it alone? You lied for me before.”

  “That was different; no one was in danger. What if they know where you live?”

  “If we tell Paul, he’ll stop me from helping you. I’m the key to all of this.”

  She waved her arm at the whiteboard. “How can you solve it without me?”

  Solomon smiled. “I’ve solved a few crimes in my time without you.”

  “Not the point. You know I can help.”

  “I still think you need to tell Paul. I’ll run interference and talk him down if he says you have to stop working with me.”

  “What if you can’t? Let’s leave it for now. We might solve this before anything else happens. Surely they’re going to wait and see if the scare worked?”

  “And when they see you still sniffing around they’ll know it didn’t. What if they try to get to you through your family?”

  “That’s a low blow. You’re not playing fair.” She couldn’t risk Sherman and Paul.

  “So you’ll tell him, then?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Solomon ran his hand over his short hair. “If you’ll not see sense, I give up. I’ll change out of this suit and be right with you. Don’t move.”

  She flopped back into her chair and switched her computer off as he disappeared up the corridor.

  * * * *

  Solomon guided his SUV up the driveway at Daisy’s house and pulled to a stop. Even before he’d switched the engine off she’d dived out the door. If she thought he was going to drive away and say nothing to Paul she was fecking stupid. He had the key out of the ignition, the vehicle locked, and was right behind her by the time she’d made it inside. Before she could slam the front door in his face he stuck his foot in the way.

  “Thanks for the lift. See you tomorrow.” She shoved the door harder.

  Paul appeared in the hallway, wiping his hands on a tea towel. “You’re home.”

  Daisy glared at Solomon, before turning to greet Paul. Solomon stepped inside, shut the door behind him, and watched as Paul planted a hot one on his wife.

  When they came up for air, Paul smiled at him. “You’re getting to be a regular visitor. I’m making curry. I’m just waiting for Sherman to get in from soccer practice in about half an hour, and then we can eat. Want to stay for dinner?”

  Daisy shook her head. “He can’t. He has somewhere else to be.”

  “Do I?”

  “You do, remember?”

  She glared at him, and he sighed. If he told Paul he lost her confidence and risked sending himself back to purgatory where she was concerned. If he kept silent and something happened, not only would Paul be devastated but so would Solomon, when Paul kicked him to the curb. What a fecking mess.

  “A beer? Surely the man can stay for a beer?”

  “Aye. A beer would be grand.”

  Paul wandered back toward the kitchen. “Come through.”

  Solomon followed, stopping when Daisy grabbed his arm. “I’m watching you.”

  “You know it’s the right thing to do.”

  “Not your call.”

  “No, but it’s my job,”

  “You’re not my keeper.”

  “Yes, I am, Princess.”

  Paul shouted through, “Are you two coming? I’ve got you a glass of white wine, Daisy.”

  Solomon shook her off and strode into the kitchen, accepting the cool bottle of lager Paul offered him. He pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. Daisy took the seat next to him and sipped her wine.

  Paul stood at the stove stirring his curry, filling the room with its hot spicy scent. “So, how are you two going with finding the missing Lord Toby?”

  “We’re just spinning our wheels, aren’t we, Solomon?”

  “Not exactly. We might be making progress.”

  “I hope you’re not too bored, Solomon. I’m sure heir hunting is not your usual thing. It’s good of you to help Daisy out like this, isn’t it, Daisy?”

  “Oh yeah, he’s a regular Girl Guide.”

  Solomon frowned. “Don’t you mean Boy Scout, Princess?”

  “No, I mean Girl Guide.” She smirked at him. “You’d better drink up or you’ll be late.”

  “No rush. You know how much I enjoy your company.”

  Paul chuckled. “From over here you sound like an old married couple.”

  “I wouldn’t marry him if he was the last man alive.”

  “I’d rather die a single man.”

  Drink in hand, Paul sat across the table from Solomon. “I see you two have really bonded. And there I was thinking you’d kissed and made up.”

  Daisy grimaced. “That reminds me, we need more mouthwash, or maybe I should gargle with bleach.”

  Solomon sighed. She was frosty as hell, and he hadn’t said a word to Paul, yet. Beer finished, he put the bottle on the table. “I’ll leave you good people to dinner. I’ll pick you up in the morning, Daisy.”

  “Why do you need to pick her up?”

  “We have an appointment first thing, so I left my car at the office. It seemed easier for Solomon to drive me.”

  “Easier for who? He lives out the other side of the city.”

  “You know where he lives?”

  “Sure. It’s not a secret.”

  She glared at Solomon, and he smiled. The fact Paul knew something she’d been trying to wheedle out of Solomon would mean the poor man got grief all night. He felt a little guilty about that.

  Solomon got to his feet. Daisy did the same. “I’ll show you out.”

  “He knows where the door is.”

  “It’s the polite thing to do. Besides, it’s on my way. I need a shower before dinner.”

  Paul shook his hand. “Take care, man.”

  “You too.”

  Paul planted a kiss on Daisy’s cheek. “Sherman will be at football practice for another twenty minutes. Do you want me to come up and make you dirty before helping you to get clean?”

  “Paul!” Her cheeks turned pink, and her husband laughed.

  Solomon strode from the room, and Daisy followed. “I’ll be back to pick you up at seven.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  When they got to the front door he glanced back at the kitchen. “Either you tell him after I’m gone, or I’ll do it for you.”

  “No. Now bugger off.”

  She opened the door, and Solomon stepped outside. Before he could say another word she slammed it in his face. With a growl he stomped to his vehicle, unlocked it, and climbed inside. He could see her face pressed to the glass panel in the front door. There were still options; he could call Paul. However, that was a terrible idea. He needed to explain it all, and once Paul heard the words danger and murder he was unlikely to want to hear anything else. Solomon could park close enough to keep an eye on the place and sleep in his truck. Again, not an option he relished. The nights were cold, and he had a lovely warm and comfortable bed waiting for him at h
ome. Back in his army days he could sleep anywhere, but he was buggered if he was going to endure a night of discomfort to accommodate Daisy’s particular brand of paranoia where Paul was concerned.

  He started the engine and reversed out into the road, making a big show of driving off with a roar.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Solomon parked around the corner. He hadn’t done time on covert operations with the Special Forces for nothing. He ducked up the neighbor’s drive and climbed the side fence before creeping along the wall of Paul and Daisy’s house.

  He edged toward the rear yard. Once he got to the back corner he glanced up. The bathroom light was on. He’d take his chances. If Daisy was downstairs in the kitchen he was done for, but if he waited too long she’d be washed and back in the kitchen before he had a chance to act.

  After taking a deep breath to center himself, he snuck around the corner. He passed the kitchen window. A glance inside revealed Paul was alone. Solomon grabbed the back-door handle and stepped into the room. The fact that it wasn’t locked cemented his opinion that telling Paul was the right thing to do. A man couldn’t be on guard if he had no idea he was likely to be under attack.

  “What the fuck?”

  Solomon chuckled. “You’ve gone soft in your old age. There was a time when no one could creep up on you. However, I’ve still got the magic. Oh, and I believe you owe Daisy five pounds for using the F-word.”

  Paul smiled. “Perhaps you should try giving up being a big bad arse and settle down. Maybe a woman could soften your hard edges.”

  “I like my edges just fine the way they are.”

  “Did you forget something? I can get Daisy. She’s only just gone up to the shower.”

  “It’s not Daisy I’m wanting. We need to talk.”

  “About?”

  “Daisy’s not being as forthright as she could be about the investigation.”

  “She’s lying? What about?”

  “Her car’s at the police station.”

  “Did she have an accident?”

  Solomon shook his head and crossed to stand beside Paul. “This will go easier if you just listen. I don’t have much time.”

  Paul turned the heat down under the curry and stood with his arms folded. “Okay. What’s going on?”

  “I think the case we’re working on is connected to some murders being investigated by Dan Maloney. Unfortunately, it looks like the murderer agrees. Someone threw pig’s blood over the bonnet of Daisy’s car and left a severed human arm attached to her steering wheel.”

  “What?”

  “I think she’s come to the attention of a murderer. I have no idea how far they’ll go.”

  “Daisy? My Daisy? In danger?” Paul’s face tightened as he clenched his jaw. “Fuck. Why didn’t she tell me?”

  “Because she’s worried you would react badly. She’s determined to keep working with me and solve the case.”

  “Bullshit. No fucking way. How could you let this happen?”

  “I would say, in my defense, that your lady is not one to be contained. I didn’t think handcuffing her to the desk would go so well, based on how she reacted the last time I chained her up.”

  Paul took a step toward Solomon, his hands fisted at his sides, his jaw still tight, and his eyes blazing with anger. “This is not a fucking joke. You were supposed to protect her.”

  “I had no idea she would be in danger. How was I to know looking for Tobias Wareham would lead to this?”

  “You’re the professional.”

  Solomon stood toe to toe with him. He had never signed up to be her babysitter. Daisy was a bleedin’ liability. If Paul wanted her to be safe he should never have let her out of the house. She attracted trouble like shit attracted flies. “I’m the man you forced to take her on. If anyone’s to blame it’s yourself. That’s why you’re so angry.”

  “You promised.”

  “And I fucked up. Shite happens. So sue me.”

  Paul grabbed Solomon and spun him around, twisting his arm up his back, and pushing him down until his face was pressed against the cool timber of the kitchen table top. “You fucking promised. I saved your arse, and you promised to do this one fucking thing in return. Daisy is my life. All you had to do was convince her to quit and go back to working in an office. What the fuck is wrong with you that you can’t do one simple thing?”

  Solomon struggled and threw Paul off. He turned and raised his fist ready to hit first if it turned into a fight. He hadn’t wanted to work with Daisy to begin with. He was doing Paul a favor in return for the bullet in the arse he took on Solomon’s behalf. The heat of anger surged through Solomon’s veins. What did Paul expect of him? No one could tell Daisy she couldn’t do something. He’d spent all week running around after her instead of solving his case. Given enough time he’d go out of business because of Daisy.

  Solomon reached under his jacket and threw his pistol on the table.

  “What the fuck are you doing with that? You do know you can go to jail for ten years for owning a handgun.”

  He ignored Paul’s comment. He wasn’t there to discuss the dangers of owning a gun. Solomon tugged his belt from its buckle and then unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. As he spun around to turn his back to Paul he dropped his jeans to his knees. Hands resting on the table, he braced himself. “Do it. Go on. Nail me in the arse. Once, one time, and then we can both walk away like it never happened. I’ll be out of your precious life, and you can protect your darling Daisy. See how that works out for you the next time she gets some crackpot idea.” Solomon wiggled his naked butt in provocation. “Do it, you maggot. Give it to me hard.”

  *

  Daisy had changed her mind about a shower and was running a bath instead. Intent on refilling her wine glass, she had been almost at the threshold to the kitchen before the raised voices registered. She stopped in the doorway and stared. Solomon was bent over her kitchen table with his bare arse hanging out for all the world to see, begging to be nailed by her husband. Oh God. What if that was it? What if Solomon was off girls because he was hung up on Paul? Maybe the feminine scent she had smelt on him hadn’t been from a woman at all. He might be a cross-dresser for all she knew.

  Paul glared at Solomon. “If Daisy wasn’t upstairs and likely to hear, I would gladly oblige.”

  She stepped into the room. “What would you oblige him with exactly?”

  Solomon spun around, and she got an eyeful of his junk. She averted her gaze from his nether regions. She didn’t need that picture in her head. “Put it away. It’s unhygienic to have that thing swinging around the kitchen. Besides, you might burn it on something.”

  Solomon turned his back as he scrambled to pull his jeans back up and fasten them.

  Paul crossed the room, but when he put out his arms to hug her, she backed off. “What the fuck is going on?”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “What do I think?”

  Paul shrugged. “I dunno.”

  “Why was he begging you to drill his arse? Is it some old army game you used to play in the barracks at night?”

  Everything stowed away, Solomon stepped toward them. “Tell her, Paul, or I will.”

  “Tell me what?” Daisy gripped the wine glass tighter.

  “We were just arguing.”

  “And this was time to kiss and make up?”

  Solomon chuckled, and she glared at him.

  Paul continued, “No. Solomon told me you were in danger.”

  She turned her attention to the Irish man. “You did what? We agreed.”

  “I never agreed, Princess. I never thought it was a good idea.”

  “So, I’m in danger, and you two decide to do what in my kitchen exactly? Was this some kind of perverse dick-measuring contest?”

  Solomon sighed. “Tell her, for Christ’s sake.”

  “Yeah, tell me, Paul. Whatever it is it can’t be as bad as the things I’m currently imagining.”

  Paul glanced at So
lomon, and then back at Daisy. “Fine. But you’re not going to like it. Solomon owed me a favor because the bullet I took in the arse in Cyprus was meant for him.”

  Daisy frowned. “I knew that already.”

  “How?”

  “You talk when you’re drugged with painkillers. In fact, maybe I should break out the aspirin now.”

  “No. Look it’s complicated. Solomon owed me a favor for the bullet thing so I asked him to take you on.”

  Solomon snorted. “That’s not all you wanted.”

  “Shut the fuck up. I’m doing this my way.”

  “Well, of course you are, because your way has worked so well up to now. Your way got your wife in the path of a killer, and your way has Daisy thinking we’re gay.”

  “You have her thinking that because you were intent on waving your naked arse at me.”

  Daisy slammed the wine glass on the countertop hard enough that it shattered, showering her hand with glass. “Stop arguing and tell me what’s going on.”

  Both men’s focus shifted to her. Solomon stepped closer. “Your husband asked me to take you on and show you how tedious being an heir hunter was so that you’d scurry back to a boring office job.”

  “And he failed. He was supposed to keep you safe.”

  “And the arse thing?”

  “I was wanting him to shoot me.”

  As if to prove the point Solomon lifted a pistol off the table and shoved it in the back of his jeans. When had he started carrying a gun, and why hadn’t she seen it before? She hadn’t noticed it because she’d been too distracted by the sight of a semi-naked man apparently propositioning her husband.

  “Shoot you?”

  “Aye. If he shoots me in the arse we can all walk away. I’ve repaid the debt, and you two can live happily ever after.”