by JL Simpson
Molly shrugged. “A big doggy.”
Daisy helped Molly cradle Rosebud in her arms. “Do you remember the dog’s name?”
Molly smiled. “Stupid bastard. That’s what Mummy called him.”
Solomon groaned. “Never mind. Let’s forget the dog.”
Once Molly was happily settled in front of the television, Solomon joined Daisy, Evan, and Poppy in the kitchen.
“Paul says he’ll be here in about half-an-hour.”
“Grand.” Solomon slipped into the empty chair, and took a deep breath. The clock showed it was only a little after ten, and yet he felt as if he’d been out of bed for hours. All of the new information was a jumble in his head, but he intended to try and make sense of it all before the day was out.
“Right. What is it that has you both thinking Chester Mars is out to kill Evan?”
Poppy clung to Evan’s hand. “It’s my fault. I asked Evan to help me.”
“With?”
Evan took over. “Poppy overheard her dad talking to Chester, six months ago. They were planning to take her prize stud to Europe.”
Daisy frowned. “For a holiday?”
Poppy shook her head. “No. I have no idea what for, but I didn’t want him to travel alone with Dad. He gets distracted, and he’s not good with dogs. When I told him he could only take Maxfield if I came along as well, he went mental and told me Poland was no place for a young lady. There was nothing I could do to stop him, because he was listed as the owner of the kennels and the dogs.”
“I took Maxfield and hid him, but I never took any money.”
“My dad went crazy. I told Evan to stay away until he heard from me, or else my dad would kill him.”
Solomon leaned forward. “But you went back?”
“When Daisy asked me to help with the case I never planned to go and work at the kennels. I figured if she spoke to Poppy she might be able to tell me if anything had changed.”
“And had it?”
Poppy nodded. “My dad left.”
“Left or disappeared?”
“Left. Chester came over about a month ago with another man. They argued with Dad. After they left, Dad packed up and moved out.”
Daisy glanced at Solomon, and then back at Poppy. “What did they argue about?”
Poppy shrugged. “No idea, but Chester was crying and shaking.”
“Why do you think Evan is in danger from Chester?”
“The other man followed me to the kennels. He showed me a gun, and told me he knew Evan had the goods, and if Chester didn’t get them back, he’d track Evan down and kill him for what he’d done. That’s why I couldn’t call Evan and tell him to come back. I thought I saw the same man lurking around outside last night, but he ran off before I could be sure it was him.”
“Why didn’t you go to the police when he first threatened you?”
Poppy chewed her bottom lip. “Dad doesn’t mean to get in trouble. He gets these funny ideas about making money. I thought it would all blow over. If he goes back to prison, it’ll be too much for Mum.”
Solomon leaned his elbows on the table. “What did the other man look like?”
Poppy shrugged. “Ordinary. About the same size as Evan, but fatter. He wore a beanie, so I never saw his hair.”
“Eyes?”
“Brown, I think.”
“Accent?”
“He sounded funny. Not English.”
“Can you be more specific?”
She shrugged. “Not really.”
Solomon shifted his focus to Evan. “What happened to the dog?”
“Maxfield Mayfair is safe.”
“Where?”
He shook his head. “I can’t say.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Won’t. If I tell you and something happens to him, then the months of keeping away from my family, living rough, and pretending to be someone else will have been for nothing.”
Solomon sighed. “Right. We’ll talk about the dog’s whereabouts at another time. Do you have any idea what else they think you took?”
Evan shook his head. “I only took the dog.”
“In that case, I need to keep you both somewhere safe until I can figure out what the feck is going on.”
Poppy frowned. “I can’t leave my dogs. Who’s going to feed them?”
Solomon glanced at Daisy, and she shook her head. “No way. No freaking way.”
He sighed. “Right you are. Give me your keys, and I’ll make sure someone looks in on them once a day. Will that work for you?”
Poppy tugged her keys from her bag, and handed them over. “I guess it will have to.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Daisy fought to hide a yawn behind her hand. The morning seemed endless. She glanced at Solomon, as he concentrated on driving. “Do you think they’ll be safe?”
“Poppy and Evan? Aye.”
“Nice flat.”
He smiled at her. “What you mean is, how do I have access to a flat in the trendy new block, above the hottest nightclub in town?”
“Well?”
He pulled the car into the curb, and put the brake on. “That would be telling. I’ll be right back.” She watched him climb out of the car, slam the door, and cross the street.
She wound her window down, and yelled after him. “Solomon? Solomon?” With a sigh, she wound the window back up. If she had the energy, she’d get out and chase him, to see what he was up to now. Instead, she closed her eyes, and settled in for a power nap.
The car rocked, and she jumped back to consciousness.
“Here you go, Princess.”
She struggled to sit up, wiping the back of her hand across her chin to make sure she hadn’t drooled. “What?”
Solomon handed her a cup, and a white paper bag. “You looked like you needed another coffee.”
She dropped the bag on the dashboard, and lifted the lid of the cup. A soft moan escaped her. “Mocha with cream.” She took a look inside the bag, and smiled. “Double chocolate fudge cake. I could kiss you.”
Solomon turned the key, and flashed a lopsided smile. “You could, but then you might need more than I’m willing to offer. Remember the effect my kisses have on you? And I’ve no sextoys to hand.”
“Git.”
He chuckled. “That’s the girl I know and love. Welcome back to the land of the living, darlin’. Now, let’s go and talk to Nobby.”
Daisy tried to keep her mess to a minimum, as she devoured the cake and coffee. She could only imagine the coronary the crumbs she spilled on the carpet were causing Solomon. She was sucking the frosting off her fingers, as he turned a corner and pulled to a stop. The street looked familiar. One house stood out. A broken down car and empty beer bottles decorated the front yard.
“Why are we at Lisa’s?”
“Let’s go inside, and then you’ll find out.” Solomon grabbed a bag from the back seat, and got out of the car.
She followed him inside the house. Nobby was slouched on the sofa, channel surfing. Her shirt was thrown over the back of a chair, and her feet were bare. Her chest was heavily bandaged beneath her thin undershirt. Daisy glanced down at herself. Even without her favorite red push up bra, there wasn’t a fabric strong enough to hide her assets, if she ever decided to pretend to be a man.
Nobby lifted her gaze. “You’re late.”
Solomon dropped the bag on the seat next to Nobby. “Change of clothes. Tony needs his back.”
Nobby turned her attention back to the show she was watching. “Lovely to see you too, darling.”
Daisy fought back a smile, and Solomon growled. “This is not a fecking game.”
Nobby switched off the TV. “No, it’s not.”
“I kept you safe, as I promised. Now you need to tell us what’s going on.”
Daisy glanced up at Solomon. “Maybe she can start by telling us what Candy and Chester Mars are involved in.”
Nobby shoved to her feet. “I need the bathroom.”
>
Solomon stepped back to let her pass. Daisy watched Nobby climb the stairs. “She knew Leo Thompson was Chester Mars. They spent their summers together as kids. If Chester was into something dodgy, what do you think the chances are Nobby knew about it?”
“I’m not a betting man, but I’d be willing to back those odds.”
Daisy perched on the arm of the sofa, and watched Solomon pace up and down the room, deep in thought.
Nobby stumbled back down the stairs. “I don’t know much.”
Solomon nodded toward the dining table. “Sit.”
Nobby did as she was told. Daisy slid into the seat next to her. Solomon chose to stand instead. He rested his hands on the back of an empty chair, and focused his attention on Nobby.
Nobby leaned closer to Daisy. “This is how he intimidates suspects. I’ve seen him crack stronger people than me with this technique.”
Solomon’s gaze turned icy, as he continued to stare at Nobby. “Shut up. Now what is it that got Chester Mars killed? And what does Candy Mars’s missing dog have to do with it?”
“Her dog’s missing? Really? Which one?”
Daisy shifted her focus to Nobby. “She hired me to find Johnny.”
“Ouch. He was her favorite.”
Solomon growled. “Nobby!”
Daisy looked up at Solomon. Maybe it would be better if she kept quiet.
“Why were those men looking for you last night?”
Nobby shrugged. “They think I have something.”
“What?”
“Something Chester was holding for them.”
“If he had what they wanted, why did he not give it to them?”
“Last time I saw him, he was a mess. He said he’d gotten in too deep. He’d helped some Polish guys bring something into the country. They’d done the run a few times, but this time the parcel went missing before he could retrieve it. He’d been hiding from them for ages, but they finally tracked him down.”
“What was in the parcel?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t have it?”
“If I did, I’d have given it to them. I don’t want to end up like Chester.”
“Did Candy know what Chester was into?”
“Probably.”
“Why was he here, in this house?”
“Someone told him Lisa’s boyfriend, Sean, had been bragging he had the goods. He apparently wanted to do a deal with Chester.”
Daisy frowned. Candy probably hadn’t hired her to find her lost dog because of Daisy’s brilliant detecting skills, as outlined in the newspaper article, but to get close to Lisa’s ex, Solomon. She sighed loudly.
Solomon glanced at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Candy hired me, to get close to you.”
“Have you told her anything?”
“I haven’t been able to find anything to tell her.”
Solomon nodded. “Good. We need to be careful how we tread.” He switched his attention back to Nobby. “Have you got any idea how the goods were getting into the country, and what they were? Drugs? Guns? Illegal immigrants?”
“Something small, and he was bringing them in with the dogs he took overseas to breed.”
Solomon took a deep breath. “Anything else?”
Nobby shook her head. “Nothing, other than I need somewhere else to hide out.”
Daisy frowned. “Why don’t you go to the police?”
She looked at Daisy. “Are you crazy? They can’t keep me safe, and if I tell them about Chester’s smuggling, they’ll want to search my house.”
“And?”
Solomon chuckled. “And Nobby prefers her privacy. Don’t you?”
Nobby smiled. “You know it, sweet cheeks.”
Solomon glared at Nobby. “I’ve a call to make.” He slammed the kitchen door behind him.
Daisy glanced at Nobby. “I don’t think he liked the sweet cheeks comment.”
“Probably not. My guess is he’s sexually frustrated. Eventually he’ll snap, and hump the first woman who offers.”
“Is that how you two…? You know.”
Nobby laughed. “Maybe. We were on a mission together, and were forced to share a bed. You have to do something to pass the time.”
“I don’t think I wanted to know that. Anyway, he’s changed.”
“He has?”
“He’s a one-woman man.”
“Which woman?”
“He won’t say.”
“Won’t or can’t? Maybe the woman he wants isn’t available. Has he been overly affectionate with anyone?”
Daisy shrugged. She had no idea why she was even talking to Nobby about Solomon’s sex life. As to whether Solomon had been affectionate with anyone she could start a list, Belinda, Mavis, and, perhaps, even herself.
“Talking about sex, how’s the lovely Doughnut Dunlop these days?”
“Paul’s fine, thank you.”
Nobby tugged one of Daisy’s curls. He always was a sucker for red hair. Did I tell you I’m a redhead?”
Daisy glanced at her. She guessed she could be. Who could tell? “No, you didn’t.”
“Did you mention me to him?”
The door to the kitchen banged open. “She did not. Paul is no more interested in rekindling a relationship with you than I am.”
“And yet here you are, sexy.”
“Knock it off, you maggot. Get your clothes changed. We’re making a move.”
Nobby got to her feet. “Where are we going?”
“You’re going nowhere.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Daisy sat in the office, playing solitaire on her computer while she waited for Solomon to get back. He’d dropped her off, refusing to say anything other than he was looking for a safe house for Nobby.
Her phone rang, and she pulled it out of her bag and accepted the call. “Paul. Is everything all right?”
“Fine. I just wanted to hear your voice. Molly’s had lunch, and gone down for a nap.”
“She’s a little sweetheart. Isn’t she?”
“Solomon needs to take his childcare duties more seriously.”
“He knows. I called Cherry earlier, and she’s sending me the details of an agency she uses. In the meantime, she’s happy for me to drop Molly off to her, for the rest of the week. Her nanny says she can look after two as easily as one. You don’t mind helping out today though, do you?”
“If I wasn’t babysitting, what else would I be doing? Besides, I always wanted to watch princess movies and make cardboard crowns.”
“Do you ever wish we’d had a little girl?”
“Why would I do that? Sherman’s a great kid. I’ve got no complaints about life.”
“If you’d married someone else, they might have been happy to have more children.”
“I married the woman I love.”
Daisy smiled. “You always say the right thing. I bet you were a lady killer before I met you.”
“I might have had my moments.”
She chewed her bottom lip, as she thought about the conversation she’d had with Nobby. “Did you ever sleep with someone you worked with?”
Paul laughed. “I was in the army, Daisy. You’ve met Solomon. Does he look like my type?”
“No. I didn’t mean Solomon. Never mind.”
“Why are you asking?”
“No reason. Just curious.”
“Well, rest assured I never slept with any of my army colleagues.”
“And you never worked with anyone else?”
“Daisy, is something going on that I don’t know about?”
“No.”
“Where’s Solomon?”
“Out, but he’ll be back soon. Do you want me to get him to call you?”
“No. I’ll catch him later. Shit, I can hear Molly crying. I’d better go. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Paul ended the call, and Daisy stared at her phone. The door to the office swung open, and Solomon stepped insid
e. He paused on the threshold. “What’s wrong?”
Daisy shrugged. “Nothing. I was talking to Paul.”
“About?”
She threw her phone on the desk. “Did he ever sleep with Nobby?”
Solomon shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of. Don’t let Nobby rattle your cage. That’s how she gets her thrills.”
“But you slept with her?”
“I did, once. Now can we put that behind us, and move on?”
If Paul ever slept with Nobby, Solomon obviously didn’t know about it. Short of asking Paul, she couldn’t know for sure, but what did it matter? Unless it was after they were married?
“When did you all go to Morocco?”
Solomon closed the door, crossed the room, and pulled her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest.
“Don’t do this to yourself, Princess. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Paul would never cheat on you.”
“It was after I met Paul, wasn’t it?”
Solomon sighed. “If you really want to know, then I suggest you speak to Paul about it. I’ll not be telling tales out of school.”
Daisy lifted her head, and met his gaze. “I’ll ask him, then.”
“But not until after we get this case solved. You’ll not be wanting Paul to tell you to stop before we’re done.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He’s not a big fan of Nobby’s.”
“Why not?”
“She’s not the sort Paul would want you to be working with.”
“Because they had an affair?”
“No. Because Nobby’s a lying piece of scum, who would shop her mother for a packet of cigarettes. She’s dangerous and unpredictable.”
“So I can’t mention anything about Nobby to Paul?”
“Best not to, unless you want to leave the case to me.”
Daisy frowned. They were so close. She knew it. Once it was all settled, she could tell Paul everything. He couldn’t worry about her safety, after the case was solved and she’d come to no harm. “No. We won’t tell him for now.”
Solomon dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Then we’d best get to work.”
“Whiteboard time?”
Solomon smiled. “Whiteboard time.”
“Do you want some lunch?”
“What did you have in mind?”
