He didn’t answer.
Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized his face. “It has something to do with the security guards, doesn’t it?”
“Why would you think that?” Her astuteness impressed him and he hoped he wasn’t always so easy to read.
“Doug was going to check out the names on that list. Did he find something?”
“Look, it isn’t that I don’t want to discuss the case with you. I’m not sure I can.”
“Fine.” She picked up her plate and took it to the sink. “I’m stuck in the middle of a murder investigation. My reputation is on the line and the police don’t trust me enough to share their information.”
Doug knocked just then and let himself in. “Carolyn, I’m glad you’re here.”
“And I’m glad you’re here. You can take care of Detective Stedman while I run some errands. I need to go over to my apartment.”
“Whoa. Not so fast. You’re the one I need to talk to and as for your apartment, I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Why?”
“You live on 755 Cranberry Drive, right?”
She frowned. “Yes.”
“Gwen Owens is your landlady?”
“Yes, is she okay? Please tell me nothing’s happened to her.”
“She’s fine. We’ve been trying to track her down all day. She went to stay with her sister in Portland until the uproar over Burke’s murder dies down.”
She released the breath she’d been holding. “Thank God.”
“Yeah, well, don’t thank Him just yet.”
“What do you mean?”
He glanced at Michael. “Did you tell her about the security guard?”
“Not yet. I wasn’t sure I should.”
“It’s okay. We had to release information to the press in hopes of finding a witness.”
“I don’t understand.” Carolyn lowered herself onto the sofa. “Are you talking about one of the security guards from the hotel?”
Doug nodded. “The one who was working Saturday night. His girlfriend found him in his apartment. Apparently she got worried when he wouldn’t answer her phone. He’d been shot. It probably happened Saturday. We’re waiting on CSI but it’s looking like someone killed him and took his uniform and security badge.”
“That explains how the tapes were erased.” Michael murmured.
“Why did you want to know where I live? My fingerprints couldn’t have been on that gun.”
“No, but we got a tip saying we should check out your place.”
Carolyn pressed a hand to her mouth. “I’m afraid to ask what you found.”
“The guard’s uniform and the gun that killed him. They were just inside the door.”
“Inside?” Carolyn folded her arms across her stomach.
“There was no sign of forced entry.”
“You mean they had a key, but how is that even possible?”
“Apparently,” Doug said. “My guess is that they lifted your keys at the hotel room.”
“I’d say that’s a good assumption,” Michael said. “There were no keys in your purse when we found you.”
“And the only keys I have now are for the rental. I didn’t realize my house keys were missing.” She stared at her clasped hands. “I’ll need to change the locks. And let Mrs. Owens know.”
“I’ve already taken care of that. I called her and she said she’d ask her nephew to change the locks. I’ll bring you a set as soon as it’s done.”
Michael lowered the foot rest of the recliner and limped over to the sofa and after sitting down, wrapped an arm around Carolyn’s shoulder. Looking up at his partner he said, “You know Carolyn had nothing to do with this, don’t you?”
“Of course.” He frowned and shifting his gaze to Carolyn added, “It makes no sense for the killer to try to implicate you. We’ll sift through the evidence and see what falls out.”
“In the meantime, there’s more fodder for the press.” Carolyn forced herself to walk to the kitchen sink and deposit the dinner dishes into it. The action kept her rising panic at bay, but just barely. She needed to get as far away from this town as possible. She’d already been tried and convicted by the press for the murder of Adam Burke. Now they’d claim she killed the security guard.
Carolyn focused on rinsing the plates and breathing. This couldn’t be happening.
A phone sounded. She jumped, spraying water down the front of her shirt. She grabbed a towel to dry off.
Doug paused to answer his cell. “What do you mean, she’s missing?” The frown lines on his face deepened.
“What’s going on?” Carolyn and Michael both spoke at once.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t believe this. On top of everything else Marla’s gone off the charts.”
“What do you mean?” Carolyn’s heart plummeted.
“She’s missing.” Doug said. “No one’s been able to raise her and she hasn’t checked in.”
“She was planning to interview Trenton, wasn’t she?” Michael ran a hand through his hair.
“Supposed to be.” Doug pinched his lips together. “According to Trenton and his office staff, she never showed.”
“I left her at the Burke’s place when I came here,” Carolyn told Doug. “She was fine then and wanted to talk to Emily and Brian. You don’t suppose….” A sob choked off her words.
“You’re thinking Brian might have something to do with her being missing?” Doug finished the thought for her.
She nodded and told him about her encounter with Brian.
“I don’t think he’d be dumb enough to go after a police officer. But I’ll go by and talk with them.”
Carolyn gripped the counter top, her knees so weak she barely made to the chair. This couldn’t be happening. First Adam, then Michael and now Marla?
Chapter Ten
“It may be nothing,” Doug said, trying to reassure them. “She may be out on a call. We’ll figure out where she is and what she’s up to.”
As much as Michael wanted to believe his partner something in his gut told him Marla was in trouble. He kept the thought to himself. Carolyn was already upset enough.
Doug poured coffee into his travel mug and a few minutes later left to join the search for Marla. Michael’s frustration at being sidelined grew. Nothing in the case made sense. What had Marla gotten herself into?
Carolyn had apparently pulled herself together and reigned in her worries for Marla. She brought him a cup of coffee and sat on the end of the sofa with one of her own.
Michael thanked her and took a sip of the strong brew. He hadn’t had any pain medication for several hours and hoped the coffee would give him a clear head.
“Do you think Brian is involved in Marla’s disappearance?” Carolyn asked.
“He’d be an idiot to go after a police officer. And to be honest, I don’t think he killed his dad. From what I’ve seen and heard, Brian and Adam were close.”
“But he could have.”
He sighed and looked at Carolyn for a long moment before answering. “It’s possible, but would he try something that close to his home?”
“You have a point, but he’s also very angry. I left Marla at his house and he was still there. And probably still angry. If his mother hadn’t intervened, I don’t know what he would have done to me.”
“I’m sure Doug will take all of that into account.” Michael managed to extricate himself from the sofa. He had a little less pain this time as he made his way to the bathroom. Maybe he’d be up to returning to work sooner than expected.
When he returned to the living room, Carolyn smiled at him from the kitchen where she’d apparently washed off the counter. “You look like you’re feeling better.”
“I am.” He grinned back at her. “Up to watching some television? I’m thinking there might be a Mariners game.”
Carolyn raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t into baseball or any sport for that matter but if watching a game made him happy, she was
all for it. “Go ahead. I’ll sit here with you and sketch while you watch the game.” Sketching would take her mind off the craziness whirling through her once tranquil world.
He picked up the remote and turned on the sports channel. Carolyn gathered her pencils and sketch book and began drawing a portrait of Michael. His enthusiasm lasted for about thirty minutes before he dozed off. In a way she was glad he’d gone to sleep, but in a way she missed being able to talk with him. She turned the TV to a music channel that featured quiet, meditative music and continued to work.
At around ten she encouraged him to go into his bedroom so she could stretch out on the couch. Surprisingly, he complied, even to the point of taking pain pills and icing his leg at the appropriate times. She suspected the excitement over the past couple of days as well as his injury had caught up with him. Once she’d gotten him settled into his bed, she whispered good-night. He mumbled something and took hold of her hand, then brought it to his lips. The electricity of his kiss sent shock waves clear to her toes. She backed away uncertain as to how to respond. She needn’t have worried. Michael was already asleep. He was entirely too handsome. Too irresistible. If only they’d met at a different time, a different place. Her world was in chaos and there was no place for a budding relationship.
Carolyn settled onto the sofa but couldn’t sleep. She’d left several messages for Doug and had tried to reach Marla. All of the calls had gone to voice mail. She wanted to go out and look for Marla herself, but leaving Michael wasn’t an option.
After tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, she managed to drift off.
Michael awoke to the smell of bacon. A scent he felt certain was a gift from God. For the first time in days, his leg didn’t hurt. Until he moved. After washing up and getting dressed, he made his way out of his bedroom. As much as he liked having Carolyn with him, he didn’t like the temptation. That wasn’t quite true. He didn’t mind being tempted, he just didn’t like having to resist. His feelings for Carolyn were getting out of hand and he couldn’t afford to let himself fall for her.
He leaned against the wall and watched her pull a pan of bacon out of the oven and place the crispy slices on a paper towels. She lifted the lid off a pan of eggs and stirred them. She must have sensed his presence because she glanced up and smiled. “Hey, you’re just in time. Come sit down. I hope you don’t mind scrambled eggs.”
Michael crutch walked to the table and eased himself into the chair. How great would it be to have this gorgeous blonde make breakfast for him every morning? Nope. Don’t go there. Do not even think about it.
“Did you sleep okay?” she asked.
“I did. I got up once during the night to get a fresh ice pack and pain pills.”
She plated eggs. bacon and toast and brought it to the table. “Are you still in as much pain as you were?”
He frowned. “I’m better. But let’s not talk about me.” He lifted his fork. “This looks great. Thank you.”
She shrugged and set her own plate down. “It’s the least I can do. Would you like to pray over our food?”
“Be happy to.” Michael said grace and added a prayer for Marla and for solving the case. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Carolyn seemed uncomfortable. “What’s wrong?” He asked.
She sighed. “Michael, I don’t feel right staying here.”
Michael understood all too well. He wanted her too much and he’d seen the longing in her eyes as well. “I know. How would you feel about taking a little road trip?”
She tossed him a skeptical look. “What did you have in mind?”
“Let’s go check out the art studio where you wanted to stay. I’m worried that whoever is behind all this will figure out you’re staying here. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not exactly in top form. Maybe Marla is right and you’d be safer tucked away in an art gallery. They have security, right.”
“Sure. Cameras, anyway.” She set her fork down. “Speaking of Marla. Has Doug called you?”
Michael shook his head. “I’ll check in with the station and see if they’ve heard anything. I’m sure Doug would let us know if there was a problem.”
“I feel like I should be out there looking for her”
“Me too, but there’s not much we can do.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She took a bite of bacon.
“She may be fine and we’re worrying for nothing. If not, I’m sure there’s a bolo out and every officer available is going looking for her.”
“She was out at the Burke’s and not far from where you were shot. Do you think she found something?”
“No point in speculating is there? Besides. Her disappearance may be unrelated to the Burke case.”
They finished eating and Carolyn cleaned up the kitchen before they headed out.
Michael stopped at the door. “You might want to put on your wig, though I’m not sure it’s doing any good.”
“Maybe not, but I feel safer in disguise and with the rental car.”
Michael agreed. He thought about the incident at Marla’s parent’s place and the CD. She hadn’t been safe with him before and he doubted the wig and glasses was going to fool the killer.
Once she’d donned the wig and glasses, Carolyn joined Michael at the door. She grabbed her oversized bag from the closet, groped around for the car keys and stepped in front of him. “I’ll pull the car closer to the side walk. He grumbled that it wasn’t necessary, but seemed thankful just the same. He tossed his crutches into the back seat and with difficulty eased himself into passenger seat.
While he adjusted his seat belt, he glanced around the neighborhood. Carolyn had already had a look around before climbing into the car, but then she didn’t know the area.
“Doesn’t look like anyone’s watching,” she said.
“Let’s hope not.” Michael closed his eyes and tipped his head back.
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. You should be resting that leg and you look like you could use some more pain medication.”
“I’m fine,” he grunted. He’d taken an Aleve rather than the codeine. He needed his wits about him.
Carolyn shook her head. Men.
Michael settled back and soon his features relaxed. Glancing over at her, he asked, “So where are we going?”
“The Lakeside Gallery. It’s south of here, nearly to Depot Bay.”
“And you can trust the owner—the one Marla said you could stay with?”
“I won’t be staying with her, just in the loft above the gallery. And yes, I trust her. Katherine Dean is a long-time friend and mentor.”
“How long have you been painting?”
“Ever since I can remember. I did a lot of drawing as a kid and started taking art classes as soon as the schools offered them. Katherine was my art teacher when I was in the 5th grade. I guess she saw some potential and she’s been mentoring me ever since.”
So does this Dean woman display your work?”
“She has about a dozen pieces right now.”
“And is this where you met Burke?”
“No, that was The Pacific View Gallery here in Pacific City.” She hesitated. “I have my work in several galleries and try to do the First Friday art show in Cold Creek once a month.”
“Do you have a job?”
“Besides painting?” Like most people, Michael likely viewed artists as hobbyists at best. “I work as a substitute teacher for the school district when things get slow.”
Several minutes later, Carolyn pulled off the road and into the parking lot of the Lakeside Gallery. Katherine’s car sat alone. She stepped out and went around to retrieve the crutches and help Michael out.
Eyeing the closed sign on the door, Carolyn frowned. “That’s odd. She’s usually open from 10 to 4:30 every day.”
“The door’s ajar. Maybe she forgot to turn her sign around.”
Carolyn pushed open the door and stepped inside. The lights were out. “Katherine? It’s Carolyn.”
Her announcement was met with silence. “Katherine?” Turning to Michael she said, “Something’s not right.”
Carolyn’s heart came to an abrupt halt as she spotted one of her paintings lying on the floor. Slashed. Under it lay the lifeless body of her dear friend.
Chapter Eleven
“Carolyn, stop.” Michael yelled. “Let me have a look. You call 9-1-1. The last thing we need are your prints on another crime scene.”
As carefully as he could he stepped toward the body. He heard a slight moan as he hunkered down beside her. Glancing up at Carolyn he said, “She’s alive—we need an ambulance ASAP.”
Carolyn made the call and the EMTs arrived within minutes. Michael turned his attention away from the victim back to Carolyn. She stood in the same place he’d left her, eyes teary and full of pain. He gathered her in his arms. “Katherine will be okay.”
She lowered her head. “Thank you.”
“Doug is on his way. Since this is a crime scene, you’ll need to wait in the car. I’ll get some more details and join you as soon as I can. Will you be alright?”
She nodded. “Why, Michael? Why would someone do this?”
“I wish I knew. But we’ll find him.” Michael prayed his words would come to pass. Katherine had been roughed up and had been hit in the head, hard enough to render her unconscious for a time. Before leaving in the ambulance she’d come to and been able to talk with him. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to identify her attacker.
Carolyn returned to the car, but not before learning that all of her consigned paintings displayed in the gallery had been destroyed. The vandal hadn’t touched any of the other artwork. Recalling the note and wilted flower that had been left in her hospital room, Michael surmised that whoever was after Carolyn intended to destroy her piece by piece.
While waiting for Doug, Michael settled into one of several easy chairs that had been placed in the gallery for customer comfort. It didn’t take long for his partner to arrive. When he did, Michael filled him in on what had happened.
Doug listened and dispatched the crime scene techs. “It just keeps getting worse.” Doug pinched his lips together in disgust. “Sorry you two were the ones to discover her. You should go. She’ll need some support.”
Deadly Deception (An Artisan Mystery Book 1) Page 9
