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

by JL Simpson

  “Solomon. Solomon, you bastard. If you don’t unlock these cuffs, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  He shoved the door open, and stopped on the threshold to the room. The semi-naked policewoman had thrashed around so much, the quilt and sheet were tangled around her body. Now they only covered the bits she probably didn’t care about him seeing. The bits she would, upon reflection, probably prefer be covered up, following the outcome of last night’s charade, were left dangerously exposed. No matter what her intentions, good or evil, he wasn’t a man to miss an opportunity to gaze in wonder at the female form. And what a lovely form she had, all lush curves and soft skin.

  He walked around the bed, and placed the cup on the side table. “Coffee?”

  “Undo the cuffs. This isn’t funny.”

  “It is, from where I’m standing, darlin’.”

  “I thought you wanted my help.”

  “I thought I did too. But it seems help wasn’t what you were offering.”

  “What was I offering, then? My body? My undying affection? Don’t flatter yourself.”

  “Says the woman who hid in my bed all but naked, and tried to seduce me.”

  Mavis glared at him, and tugged at the cuffs. “Let me go. I need to use the bathroom.”

  “Not until you tell me what your game is. Who are you working for?”

  “The police. I’ve got the uniform and everything.”

  “Dan wouldn’t stoop so low as to send you into my house, to sleep with me for information.”

  “I thought I would use my initiative.”

  Solomon shifted his gaze down her body, and back to her crimson colored face. “Is that what they’re calling it now?”

  “I need the bathroom. I’m not kidding. Do you want me to wet the bed?”

  “My cleaner’s dealt with much worse.”

  Mavis’s eyes opened wide. “You can’t let anyone else see me like this.”

  “It seems to me I can do anything I want with you.”

  “You wouldn’t. Please, Solomon. I know stuff about the investigation that Dan’s keeping from you. I can help.”

  “What stuff?”

  “Leo Thompson isn’t who he appears to be.”

  “Is he not?”

  “Let me go, and I’ll tell you who he really is.”

  Solomon pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the cuffs, but instead of letting Mavis, go he pinned her to the bed and held her wrists, trapping her arms above her head.

  “Tell me who he is, and the bathroom is all yours.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Daisy pulled the car to a stop alongside Solomon’s SUV. The place looked deserted. Maybe she should have called first? Then again, he was probably still simmering with anger over her antics the night before. Although, if anyone should be mad, it was her. The man spent way too much time kissing her and claiming it was all work related. It was bad enough he did it before she knew his real identity, but now she knew he was Paul’s brother, it was almost incest.

  She shuddered. No matter the crisis, she wouldn’t let Solomon take advantage of her again. Not even if someone pointed a gun to her head. The sooner he got a woman of his own, the sooner he’d lay off using her for kissing practice. Not that he needed any practice. Belinda should finish what she started, so other women would be safe in his presence. He was a ticking sex time bomb.

  “Daisy?”

  She glanced over her shoulder at Evan, who’d chosen to sit in the back and keep, the now sleeping, Molly company. “What?”

  “Where are we?”

  “Solomon’s, but you didn’t see anything, and you will wipe the existence of this place from your memory when we leave.”

  Poppy laughed. “Why?”

  “Because if you don’t, he’ll torture you to death and make the rest of my life hell. He’s very secretive.”

  “Why?”

  Daisy opened her door and climbed out, before ducking her head and smiling at Poppy. “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

  Evan sighed. “Poppy’s got no reason to be scared of Solomon.”

  Daisy unbuckled Molly, lifted her out of the car. The little girl rubbed her eyes with her fists and wiggled to be put down. “Shall we go and find Rosebud?”

  The little girl ran full pelt across the driveway, all evidence of sleep erased by the excitement of seeing her new pet. Daisy pulled the key to the front door from her bag, and followed behind with Poppy and Evan.

  *

  Solomon heard the front door slam shut, and Daisy call out, “Solomon? Are you home?”

  He glanced at Mavis. Despite her promise, she refused to give up Leo’s name. She was either very stubborn, or had been lying about what she knew to get him to unlock her. He might have to let it go for now but he wasn’t done interrogating her. “Five minutes to use the bathroom and meet me in the kitchen.”

  “And what if I want to take ten minutes?”

  “Don’t play games with me. Five minutes, or I call Dan and tell him you spent the night in my bed, spilling secrets he’d rather I not know.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “Is this not my bed?”

  Mavis glared at him. “I haven’t told you any secrets.”

  “But you will, unless you want me to leave you handcuffed to the bed.”

  “Fine. Let me go.”

  He released her hands, and got to his feet. She sat up and pushed off the bed. He watched her, until she stepped into the bathroom and slammed the door. Now he needed to get rid of Daisy, and then he might be able to make some progress on finding out what Lisa had gotten herself involved in.

  Daisy yelled again, and he ran to the top of the stairs. “I’m here. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  “Make sure you’re decent. We’ve got company.”

  Bollocks. He didn’t need company; he needed time alone with Mavis.

  He jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen, scooping Molly up along the way and planting a big raspberry kiss on her neck. She giggled, grabbed his face with her pudgy hands, and rubbed her nose with his. He smiled, and gave her a kiss.

  “I love you, my little angel. Did you have fun with Uncle Paul?”

  “Sherman showed me how to find doggy pictures on his puter.”

  “On his computer?”

  She nodded, and squirmed to get down. Where’s Rosebud?”

  Solomon put her down, and squatted beside her. “In the utility room. Do you know how he ended up in the spare bed last night?”

  “It’s Rosebud’s bedroom. He was tired, so I putted him to bed.”

  “Okay. We’ll talk about Rosebud’s sleeping arrangements later. Why don’t you go into the utility room and find him?”

  She wandered off, into the utility room and he made his way to the kitchen. Daisy was filling cups with coffee. She passed a cup to Cliff, and then to the pretty girl sitting next to him at the kitchen table.

  Solomon frowned. “Have we met?”

  Cliff pushed to his feet. “Solomon, this is Poppy McGuire. Poppy, this is Solomon.”

  He stared at her. The name didn’t ring any bells. “Should I be knowing who she is?”

  Daisy pulled out a chair and sat, before shoveling four spoonful’s of sugar into her own coffee. “She’s Cliff—Evan’s, girlfriend.”

  “Cliff Evans. I thought his name was Cliff Richards?”

  Daisy swallowed a mouthful of coffee, and grimaced. “Apparently, it’s complicated. You’d better sit down.”

  He slid into the seat next to Daisy, grabbed her cup, and took a sip before passing it back. “That’s disgusting, Princess.”

  “I need the sugar rush.”

  “Tough morning?” He chuckled. “Or bad night?”

  “Fuck off, Solomon.”

  “Love you too, darlin’.”

  “Cliff’s name is really Evan. He used to be, or is, Poppy’s boyfriend. Poppy’s parents own the kennels Evan has been working at. They need your help.
Apparently Chester and Candy Mars are going to kill him, if they go to the police.”

  “Your Candy Mars?”

  Daisy nodded. “Yep.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugged. “No idea. I figured murder was more your cup of tea than mine.”

  Solomon turned his gaze on the young couple holding hands at the other side of the table. “Is this going to take long?”

  “If you’re too busy, I’m sure Daisy can handle it.” Evan tugged at Poppy’s hand.

  “I’m not busy, but you said no police.”

  Poppy stared at him. “Are you a cop?”

  The door to the kitchen swung open. “No, he’s not, but I am.”

  Solomon glanced over his shoulder, and sighed. He should have told Mavis to dress. Daisy jabbed her elbow into his side, and he glared at her.

  “Something you want to tell me?” she asked.

  “Like what, Princess?”

  “Like why a policewoman is standing in your kitchen at stupid AM, wearing your shirt from last night and not much else by the looks of it?”

  “Not really.”

  “Well, why don’t you try?”

  Mavis leaned on his shoulders. “Good idea. And make sure you explain why you had me handcuffed to the bed.”

  “You what?” Daisy closed her eyes and shook her head. “You need bromide in your tea.”

  “I don’t drink tea, and this had nothing to do with sex.”

  “Says the man with a semi-naked woman wrapped around his neck.”

  Solomon growled with frustration. “Right. That’s it. Mavis, get upstairs and put your clothes on.”

  Poppy and Evan got to their feet. Evan glanced at Daisy. “We should be going.”

  “Sit.” Solomon glared at them.

  “Best to do as he says when he gets that look on his face.”

  Poppy glared back. “We said no cops.”

  “There will be no cops. Mavis isn’t staying. Now sit.”

  They did as he said. He grabbed Daisy’s arm. “With me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To talk to Mavis.”

  Molly wandered into the kitchen, carrying her tiny dog. “Da, Rosebud pooped.”

  Evan scrambled to his feet. “I’ve got it covered.”

  Solomon glanced at Molly, and then back at Evan. “Keep an eye on Molly, and I’ll help you both.”

  Evan smiled. “Deal.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Daisy shook Solomon off, as they climbed the stairs. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Mavis?”

  “Nothing is going on. I found her in my bed last night. She thought she could seduce information out of me.”

  “What information?”

  “No idea, Princess.”

  “And you resisted?”

  “Is that so hard to believe?”

  “After the way you were behaving last night, yes.”

  He glanced at her. “Behaving?”

  “Forget it.”

  “You mean kissing you? Did it get your engine revving?”

  “No.”

  “So you didn’t get Paul to break out the sextoys then? Not even the blue one shaped like his—”

  She slapped her hand over his mouth. He licked her palm, and she pulled her hand away and wiped it on his sleeve.

  “You’re disgusting. Who told you about that?”

  “You did.”

  “Did not. I don’t talk to you about my sex life.”

  “You do, when you’re drunk.”

  “You got me drunk.”

  “And horny, apparently.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself.

  He laughed, and she punched him in the arm. “Shut up and answer the question.”

  “What question?”

  “Did you resist Mavis?”

  “I did.”

  “Why?”

  “You’ve a very low opinion of me. I don’t have sex with every woman who offers. I’m in the middle of an investigation, have a small daughter to look after, and an ex-girlfriend who appears to be under the impression someone wants her dead. My life’s a little too busy for women right now.” He scrubbed a hand over his short hair and frowned. “Besides, I’m starting to think I’m already taken with another woman.”

  “Does she know? This woman?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve no idea. She might have an inkling.”

  “But you’ve not told her?”

  “No, I’ve not. Now can we get to work?”

  “Do I know this woman?”

  Solomon glared at her. “Work.”

  Daisy sighed. It seemed like he wasn’t going to give her anything more. She’d have to find out who his secret crush was herself. “What’s the plan?”

  “The plan is for you to make sure Mavis doesn’t try to jump me, while I find out what she knows that we don’t.”

  *

  Daisy sat on the end of the bed. Mavis was next to her, now wearing the dress she’d had on at the restaurant the night before. Solomon stood in front of them, arms folded, legs wide apart, and CIA glare focused on Mavis. His blue eyes were ice cold, and Daisy shivered, glad his anger wasn’t aimed at her.

  Solomon took a deep breath. “Right. Before Daisy arrived, you were going to tell me who Leo Thompson was.”

  Daisy frowned. Leo Thompson. The dead guy at Lisa’s house. Nobby said she knew Leo. They spent summers together at Leo’s mother’s kennels. His picture looked familiar when she saw it at the police station. A memory of warm scones, and a board full of photos came to mind. “Chester Mars.”

  Mavis glanced at her. “How do you know that?”

  “Lucky guess? Does his mother know he’s dead?”

  Mavis nodded. “She identified the body yesterday.”

  Solomon took a step closer. “Why was he killed?”

  Mavis shrugged. “No idea.”

  “Why was he living under the name Leo Thompson?”

  “Again, no idea.”

  Solomon snorted. “So all you have to tell me is that Leo Thompson is Chester Mars. Daisy knew that already.”

  Mavis shrugged. “It’s all I’ve got. Have you got anything to share with me?”

  Solomon’s CIA face was replaced by a smile. “How about some advice? No matter what Dan asked you to do to find out what I was up to, he didn’t mean you should sleep with me. He’d never ask that of you.”

  “I was doing what I thought needed to be done.”

  “If you want to be a Detective, you need to work at it. There are no short cuts. You’re not interested in me, but Hastings seems to have a soft spot for you.”

  “He drove me here last night.”

  “Did he know your plan?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Then I suggest you don’t tell him. I’ve no intention of blabbing about handcuffing a cop to the bed. I’ll drop you at the local pub, and call you a cab.”

  “What about Molly?”

  “I think it best I make other arrangements.”

  “What will I tell Detective Maloney?”

  “That I’ve no further use for you. He’ll have to find another way to get to me.”

  Mavis dropped her head, and sniffed loudly. “I screwed up.”

  Solomon squatted in front of her, all evidence of his anger gone. “You’ve screwed nothing, darlin’. I’ll do you a deal. I’m not going to stop looking for the reason Lisa is terrified for her life. If I’ve need of police help, I’ll give you a call. Maybe you’ll get your moment of glory.”

  “Do you know where Nobby Clark is?”

  “You don’t give up. Do you?”

  “I could arrest you for having a handgun.”

  Solomon flashed a lopsided smile. “And I could tell your boss you’ve been fraternizing with the enemy.”

  “Do you hate me now?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Sleeping with you wouldn’t have been a hardship. You might even have enjoyed it a little.”

 
“I’d have enjoyed it a lot, but that’s not the point. I’ll not be taking advantage of you.”

  “Why did you take me out for a drink?”

  Solomon laughed. “I wanted to seduce you for information.”

  “So, it wasn’t such a stupid idea.”

  “It was a terrible idea, and I’m ashamed to admit it. You deserve better.”

  * * * * *

  Daisy had cleaned up the coffee cups, and was in the utility room helping Molly groom Rosebud, when Solomon got back from dropping off Mavis. Poppy and Evan were still in the kitchen.

  Daisy smiled at Solomon when he stuck his head around the door. “Everything under control?”

  He nodded. “Aye. She’s on her way home.”

  “That was really lovely, the way you spoke to her.”

  “That’s me. Lovely.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes. “All evidence to the contrary.”

  “Is Paul working today?”

  “It’s his day off. Why?”

  “We’ll be needing someone to look after Molly. I was wondering if he’d come over for a couple of hours. I’d rather not unsettle her by moving her from place to place.”

  “You need to find a permanent sitter.”

  “I know.”

  “My friend Cherry has a young daughter Molly’s age, and a fulltime nanny. Want me to see if she can help out, until you find someone permanent?”

  He smiled. “That would be grand. In the meantime, could you ring Paul?”

  “Sure. Are we going to talk to Evan and Poppy?”

  “We are.” He shifted his focus to his daughter. “Molly?”

  The little girl stopped brushing the tiny dog, and smiled up at him.

  “Do you want to bring Rosebud through, to watch a movie?”

  “A princess one.”

  “Anything you like.”

  “Mummy’s doggy didn’t like movies. He ated Mummy’s special movie. Mummy got angry, but Uncle Sean tolded her not to hit him.”

  Solomon frowned. “What dog?”