by Zara Chase
“What’s in your mind, babe?” Isaac asked softly.
“Well, the wake. It would be the most natural thing in the world for me to consult Lana about the arrangements.”
“No!” said Isaac and Nick together.
“Forget it,” Isaac said alone, scowling at her.
“You don’t know what I was going to say.”
“Yeah I do. You were going to suggest inviting Lana here and talking to her on your own, trying to get her to say something incriminating.”
“Not on my own. You two big bold protectors could hide in the camera room, just like you did when Melanie and Peter Talbot called round. I’ll be quite safe.”
“That might work,” Nick said.
“No it wouldn’t.” Isaac continued to glower at her.
“It worked with Melanie and Talbot.”
“Eliminating people who aren’t guilty is one thing. If Lana really did kill Ellie then she won’t hesitate to kill again if she thinks she’s been rumbled. It takes a minute to get from the control room to the house. She could do anything in that time.”
“Besides, it would be entrapment,” the lieutenant said. “A decent lawyer would ensure that nothing she said was admissible.”
“Oh!”
“Look,” the lieutenant said, standing up. “I appreciate your help, but leave it to us from now on. Now that we know who we’re definitely looking for, we’ll delve a bit deeper. We’ll start by revisiting some of the people from that restaurant. See if any of the women remember seeing Lana Lowell in the restroom. See if any of the kitchen staff, out the back having a nicotine fix, remember seeing her come out that way.” He shrugged, not looking too optimistic. “Cases have been broken on less.”
“Will you pull her in?” Nick asked.
“Probably not yet. I’ll speak to my superiors, but I suspect they’ll tell me to hold off until we have more to go on.”
“I thought you were under pressure to get a result,” Paige remarked.
“We are, but we won’t achieve that by warning our prime suspect that we’re on to her. She’ll lawyer up, play the part of the wronged, dutiful stepdaughter, and we’ll never get anywhere.”
“I see.”
Paige nodded to both men, and Nick showed them to the door, leaving Isaac and Paige alone. She was acutely aware of him watching her with unnatural stillness. The dark weight of his gaze, the intensity in his expression, unsettled her, compelling her to speak.
“What is it?” she asked softly.
“I think you know.”
Paige didn’t want to understand him and shook her head emphatically. “You’re upset about Lana.”
“I don’t give a shit about Lana. She’ll get what she deserves one way or another.”
“What do you mean?”
Before he could answer, Nick returned and the moment had passed.
“It’s all a bit of a mess, isn’t it?” he asked, topping up Paige’s wine and breaking out fresh beers for him and Isaac.
“I have a horrible feeling that Lana will get away with it,” Paige said, throwing her legs over the arm of the couch and settling moodily into its corner. “It’s so unfair!”
“We can’t do anything else,” Isaac said. “You heard the lieutenant. We have to let him do his work.”
Yeah, Paige had heard him, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.
“Detective Archer was kinda cute,” she said, just to annoy Isaac.
“Not my type.”
“Oh, I think he was mine. Did you see the size of his feet?”
Both men spluttered with laughter.
“Aren’t the two of us enough for you?”
“It’s been so long since I had you that I can’t remember.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Come on, sweetheart. You look beat.” Isaac smiled at Paige. “Time for an early night.”
“Oh goodie!”
“Not that sort of night, greedy. I thought we’d already established that your lovely body needs a break.”
“No, that was your idea, Mr. Bossy. I don’t recall agreeing.”
“Makes no difference.” He bent down and plucked her from the couch, straight into his arms. “Come on, we’ll tuck you in.”
“I’m only here until after the funeral. Why waste time?” Isaac flashed an infuriating grin, like he knew something about her plans that she didn’t. “What?” she demanded.
“Nothing.”
Paige mangled her lower lip between her teeth, determined that he wouldn’t have the last word. “If you don’t want to stay with me, I’m sure Nick does.”
“Sorry, love.” Nick winked at her as Isaac carried her up the stairs and he tagged along behind. “I agree with the boss here. You’re beat.”
“Bah men! Such bullies, all of you.”
“And you love us for it,” Isaac said, dropping her on her bed and placing a chaste kiss on the top of her head, treating her like she was a small child.
“Aren’t you going to undress me?” she asked, slanting him a flirtatious glance.
“Not a chance.” He chuckled. “You’re a big girl. You can undress yourself.”
“Scared you won’t be able to control yourself?”
“Got it in one.”
“’Night, babe,” Nick said from the doorway. “Sleep well.”
“Fat chance of that,” she said, throwing a pillow at the door as it closed behind them. “Talk about dictatorial.”
It was very quiet in the room without her two hunks dominating it, dishing out orders and making her dance to their tune.
She threw off her clothes and took a long soak in the bath, not prepared to admit that her body did need a break, even when the hot water seeping into her pussy and ass made her wince. Her temper cooled along with the water, and when she slipped naked between the fresh, crisp cotton sheets, she reluctantly admitted that Isaac was right, blast him. She did need to sleep.
When she woke the next morning the sun was already well up, pouring into the room through a gap in the drapes. She glanced at the clock. It was gone nine. She’d slept for twelve straight hours, felt refreshed and raring to go.
“I’ll be damned,” she said to herself, stretching her arms above her head, wondering why neither of the guys had come to wake her.
She took a quick shower, pulled on a pair of denim shorts and a tank top but didn’t bother with a bra. If she had her way, Nick or Isaac would soon rip off what few clothes she was wearing anyway, so what was the point?
There was an unnatural stillness about the house, and she knew, even before she got downstairs, that she was alone in it. There was a note on the kitchen surface, confirming her suspicion. Isaac had gone to a client meeting, and Nick had business downtown. They’d both be back after lunch.
“What the hell am I supposed to do until then?” she muttered belligerently, filling the kettle and searching the fridge for the freshly squeezed orange juice Nick always kept it supplied with.
Paige didn’t know why she felt so disgruntled or when she’d started relying on others to keep her entertained, for that matter. She’d never worried about being alone before. Perhaps she was still on edge following Ellie’s death. She was certainly mad as hell at Isaac for presuming to tell her what she could and could not do. She ate a yogurt and some fresh fruit for breakfast, working herself into a foul state of mind. In less than a week the funeral would be over, and she’d be back in London. Isaac wouldn’t be able to dictate her there. What made him think he could do so now? Dominating her in bed was one thing—she was more than happy to play the role of the meek submissive and let him do all those lovely things to her—but in real life, no one told her what to do.
Absolutely no one.
Of course she had to speak to Lana. It would look strange if she didn’t. She should have done it before now anyway, and would have it if the guys hadn’t distracted her. Lana was picking out the funeral home and would arrange the viewings, but they needed to coordinate on the reception.
Before she could think better of it, she looked up Lana’s number and snatched up the phone.
“Hello.” Lana’s voice was clipped, impatient.
“Lana, it’s Paige.”
“Oh, Paige, hello.” He voice softened. “I heard you were in town. I’ve been meaning to call you.”
“Don’t apologize. I should have been in touch with you. It’s just that it’s so awful.” Paige shook her head. “I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
“I know. It’s terrible. And the police don’t seem to have a clue who did it.”
“Don’t they? I was going to ask you about that. I thought you might know something. All the press coverage and speculation seems to have slowed down, and there’s no one I can ask about it.”
“The body’s been released.”
“Yes, that’s what I was ringing about.”
“Oh, the reception you mean? I gather Ellie wanted it to be at her house.” Did Paige hear a note of censure in the other woman’s voice, or was she imagining things? “Such a burden for you.”
“It’s no burden. I’m happy to organize it, but I could use some advice.” Paige paused. “Would you be able to pop over sometime?”
“Well, I—”
“Today would be good if you’re not busy.” Paige heard Lana’s sharp intake of breath and forged on before she could interrupt. Lana couldn’t be expected to drop everything and come over immediately. If she came this afternoon, the boys would be back to watch over her, but it would be too late to stop her. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m really struggling emotionally. Besides, the American way of doing things is new to me, and I’d hate to foul up.”
“I’d be happy to help, but I’m afraid I can’t leave the house today. Joe’s off school with a virus.”
“Oh well, perhaps—”
“Tell you what. If you’re free now, why don’t you drive up to Clearwater, and we can go through things together here? I’ll pull together some names of caterers while I’m waiting for you.”
That wasn’t what Paige wanted at all. “Can we do it this afternoon or perhaps leave it until tomorrow and you could come here then? I want your advice on moving the furniture about,” she added, sounding rather desperate.
“I thought it was urgent. I’ve got something else on this afternoon, but I can make time this morning.” A definite note of suspicion had entered Lana’s voice. “But if you’re too busy—”
“No, it’s all right.” Paige made up her mind. “I’m on my way. See you in about an hour, and thanks, Lana.”
“No problem.”
Paige hung up and swore aloud. Even if she did somehow get Lana to say something incriminating, without the camera to back it up it would be her word against Lana’s. Still, she would go to Clearwater anyway. If nothing else, she’d get some pointers on where to go for the catering. She pushed aside the knowledge that Nick would know perfectly well how to organize things without her help.
Paige didn’t have a car, but Ellie’s prized Mustang was in the garage. How hard could it be, driving on the wrong side of the road? She thought about Isaac and decided she ought to warn him where she was. She rang his cell, but it went straight to message divert. She hung up without saying anything. It was gone ten. They’d probably both be home by noon. If she took it slow, she wouldn’t get to Lana’s until after eleven, and if they felt the need to ride to her rescue, they wouldn’t be far behind her.
Paige scribbled a brief note for the guys, changed into linen trousers, put on a bra and a different top. She sought out Ellie’s keys, squared her shoulders, pulled shades over her eyes, and headed for the door.
Game on!
* * * *
Isaac’s meeting dragged on and finished up with him and Mike hosting a never-ending business lunch. He found it hard to concentrate on the client’s needs, which wasn’t like him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right with Paige. She’d gotten under his skin, become part of him in just a few short days, and it was already beyond him to put anything as mundane as his career before her. If she was doing anything rash, he’d spank that backside of hers so hard that she wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week. He grimaced, imagining that she’d rather enjoy that.
Why he felt she was in sudden need of his protection was a mystery. She was safely at home on St. Pete Beach. He’d be with her again soon. She’d been peeved with him last night, but he’d coax her into a good mood again in no time flat. He smiled as he thought of her outraged expression when he hadn’t taken her to bed the previous night. Little did she know how hard it had been to turn her down, how much trouble he’d had getting to sleep alone. He was only thinking of her, putting her welfare before his own needs. They’d been rough with her. She wasn’t used to it, and he’d die before he intentionally hurt her.
He couldn’t believe she was actually serious about this no-emotional-investment bullshit. Paige Fairfax had a heart the size of Tropicana Field, along with a huge capacity to feel, to give, and to love.
His determination to make her love him surprised Isaac. He sat bolt upright in the middle of his business lunch, almost knocking into the client’s pretty agent, seated beside him and hanging on his every word. Mike shot him a surprised look, which he ignored. Could it be that it had happened at last? Isaac Drake, confirmed bachelor and fully paid-up member of the cynics’ society, had fallen in love. He hadn’t seen it coming but didn’t really see what else it could be. He’d never felt this way about any of the many women he’d dated and had always steered well clear of commitment. But he had to admit that this love business wasn’t so scary when it involved a hot, impetuous babe like Paige.
Impetuosity was the perfect word to describe his fiery, quick-tempered, adventurous bedfellow. Well, she wouldn’t get to be impetuous on his watch. He’d wrap things up here, take her to bed, and keep her there for the rest of the day. Give her all the things she wanted, spank that cute ass of hers, think up a few different ways to fuck her, distract her with his hands, his tongue, and his cock until any thoughts of revealing Lana’s guilt left her head for good.
Isaac listened to the conversation buzzing round him without actually hearing what was being said, still trying to figure out why he felt so uneasy about Paige. Something was definitely off, and it involved her. Isaac had learned to trust his instincts, and right now, they were screaming at him to get home to her. Fast.
He forced himself to concentrate, agreed to terms with his new client less favorable to the agency than he’d normally even consider, once again ignoring Mike when he tried to suggest an alternative. He then asked for the check with a speed that seemed to insult his guests.
Tough!
Isaac screeched to a halt in the drive of the St. Pete Beach home. The garage door was open, and Nick was standing there, looking at the space where Ellie’s Mustang ought to be. Isaac’s heart lurched.
“What’s happened?” he asked, slamming his car door and approaching Nick at a run.
Nick handed him a note, written in Paige’s distinctive hand. “I just got home and found this.”
“What the fuck!”
“Looks like she’s taken Ellie’s Mustang and gone to Clearwater.”
“Get in!” Isaac shouted, running back to his car and gunning the engine.
* * * *
There were two ways to get to Clearwater from St. Pete Beach. The fast way on the interstate, or the scenic route that meandered through the string of barrier islands linking the two cities. St. Pete Beach was at one end, Clearwater twenty miles north. As always when not in a hurry, the roads were clear even on the slow route, and Paige reached Lana’s large beachside home faster than she’d planned to.
Taking a deep breath, she climbed from Ellie’s car and approached the front door, expecting to feel nervous. Instead, calmness and a steely determination enveloped her. No matter what it took she would learn something, anything, to help Weir’s investigation.
Lana opened the door only after Paige rang
for the second time. She pulled it open with one hand, balancing a fractious toddler on her opposite hip. She looked dishevelled, like she hadn’t been getting enough sleep recently. Paige felt at an advantage, seeing the usually glamorous Lana in typical mom mode, more concerned about her ailing child than herself. Standing on the doorstep, beautifully groomed and fresh from her long sleep, Paige wondered if the small surge of one-upmanship she felt made her a bad person. Then she recalled that Lana was almost certainly a murderer and decided that it didn’t.
“Hi, Paige,” she said. “Come on in. Sorry to keep you waiting. This young man can be quite demanding when he’s not well.”
“No problem.” She ran a hand over the child’s head. “How is he?”
“On the mend.” Lana rolled her eyes. “At least I hope he is. I’ll just get him tucked into bed, and I’ll be right with you. There’s iced tea in the kitchen and some caterer’s pamphlets for you to look through. Won’t keep you a moment.”
“Take all the time you need. I’m intruding here.”
Paige wandered into the spacious kitchen and glanced at the pamphlets, raising her brows as she did so. Lana was certainly organized. She poured a glass of iced tea, just to be polite. She didn’t understand the Yanks’ obsession with cold tea and almost certainly wouldn’t drink it.
When Lana rejoined her, Paige was standing with her back to the room, staring at the swimming pool and the sparkling water of the Mexican gulf beyond it.
“Sorry about that,” Lana said.
“No problem. Is he settled?”
“Yes, he’s sleeping. The doctor says it’s just a twenty-four-hour thing that’s been going round. All the kids have had it, apparently. Still, you can’t help worrying.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Let’s take our tea out by the pool,” Lana said, pouring herself a glass. “It’s shady out there at this time of day.”
“Good idea.”
“Okay, Paige,” Lana said as soon as they were settled. “I’ve got confirmation from the funeral home that the service will be on Wednesday afternoon. Viewings Monday and Tuesday.”
