Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Martinez

  “I didn’t cancel,” Adam admitted.

  “Why?”

  “Before I had a chance to say anything, she started thanking me and telling me how excited she was. Then she said she went out and splurged on clothes or something. It just didn’t seem right to dash her hopes like that. Everything will be okay, you’ll see.”

  “I hope you’re right, because you’re gambling with someone’s life,” Katie warned.

  “I still have a few days before I fly to Detroit to see my parents off. If something happens before then to make me think her life is in danger, I’ll cancel.”

  “Well, then we’ve wasted enough time today. We better get to work.”

  * * * *

  Detectives Brandon Novak and Eddie Jones were at their desks going over all of the notes they had taken since the murder of Cynthia Westwood. They didn’t have many clues. Both were frustrated.

  “What do you think about the talk we had with Ms. Emerson and Brady the driver?” Brandon asked.

  “Both confirmed the times that Russo gave. The only one who wasn’t sure on times was Ms. Sinclair. I think we have another murder with no leads. He has an alibi for both,” Ed said in frustration.

  “Yeah, pretty convenient alibis, as if he had it planned.”

  “Maybe, but we really don’t have a motive.”

  “Both of his dates ended badly. Maybe he can’t take his reputation being tarnished.”

  “Do you think all of his other dates have been perfect?” Ed asked.

  “From what I’ve heard in the society pages, they have,” Brandon answered.

  “What did you hear about the last two?”

  “Nothing other than where he took them. You’re right, it’s all I’ve heard in the past also, nothing much is said after he gets back.” Brandon shook his head. Other than the coincidence that the victims had both been with Adam Russo, the similarities ended.

  “So, we need to find the mysterious woman who visited Westwood with the wine and the driver who bowled down Beeman.”

  “Novak, Jones my office, now,” the precinct chief called out. Both detectives looked at each other and stood up to go to their boss’ office, neither happy they didn’t have better news.

  “What have you got?” the chief growled after they had each taken a seat.

  “Other than Russo has an alibi for both murders, nothing. We haven’t found a strong motive that he’s behind either one either,” Detective Novak said.

  “Looks like the murders are unrelated then,” the chief stated more than questioned.

  “Yes,” Detective Jones confirmed.

  “Then you have two cases to solve. The mayor wants to have a report first thing in the morning, so you better get your asses in gear. I’m not going to tell him we have nothing.” The chief looked back to his files, dismissing them without a further word.

  * * * *

  Over two months had passed since Adam had visited his parents, so he was anxious to see them. He had been looking out of the window for the last half hour, unable to concentrate on work. Jamie had changed gears to descend, preparing to land at the Detroit airport. The week had passed quickly after the two detectives decided they believed his story and he wasn’t responsible for any wrongdoing. He just hoped there wasn’t some nutcase out there committing the murders who had some connection to him. If there was, then Nan Thomas would be the next target. The whole thing was unthinkable.

  The soft bump of the wheels touching the tarmac brought Adam’s thoughts back to his parents. He smiled as he started to gather his things to wait for the signal from Jamie it was safe to debark. Once the plane had safely come to a standstill, Jamie joined Adam.

  “Boss, I’m going to go in and file the flight plan for Kauai. I’ll have everything ready to go when you get back with your parents.”

  “Sounds good. You take care of them for me, will you? They’ve never been on such a long plane ride. I’m sure they’re both nervous. My dad would never admit any fear though,” Adam instructed.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll treat them as if they were my own parents,” Jamie replied.

  “Katie didn’t tell me what you would be doing. Are you coming back? Or are you going to take a little time off?”

  “I’m going to fly over to Maui for a few days, then maybe the big island. But yeah, I thought I’d enjoy a little R and R. It’s not like I don’t get a lot of leisure time taking you around, but this time I’ll be on my own. I think I’m going to try a little surfing, maybe I’ll pick up a cute little beach bunny.”

  “Just don’t forget to bring my mom and dad home.” Adam laughed at the thought of the mild-mannered Jamie picking up a girl.

  “I’m sure after two weeks of my own company, I’ll be more than ready to come home.”

  “Unless the cute little bunny doesn’t want you to leave.”

  “Maybe I’ll just bring her home.”

  Adam chuckled and left the plane. That would be the day when Jamie brought home a girl. He’d often thought maybe he was gay. In all the time they’d known each other, Jamie had never dated anyone, to his knowledge anyway. It would be something to think about on his way back to New York.

  * * * *

  “Hi, Mrs. Oakman, how are you today?” Katie asked the woman when she entered the office with duster in hand.

  “I’m fine, Missy, although it’s starting to get too cold for my arthritis.”

  Katie felt ten years old again when the woman called her “Missy.” “I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling well.”

  “Now, I didn’t say I was sick. It’s just getting to be that time of the year. Thank goodness the cold hasn’t started to stiffen up my joints.”

  Jeez, must suck to get old. I better take care of myself, like Mom does. “Do you live far from here?”

  “Yes, I can walk. But don’t you worry. I’ll bundle up nice and warm this winter.” The lady bustled around the office, dusting shelves. Katie went back to work and concentrated on the new acquisition reports her father and Adam were talking over.

  “Damn it!” Katie jerked away from her desk right after Jordan whispered “Hey!” in her ear. “Why do you have to do that every time you come in my office? Mrs. Oakman, I can’t believe you let him get away with that.”

  “Sorry, but it’s too funny. You fall for it every time.” Mrs. Oakman laughed.

  “Yeah, if you didn’t jump a mile and get so mad there wouldn’t be any fun,” Jordan said.

  “Fine, from now on I’m not going to make scaring me so fun for you.” Katie hoped she could actually do it.

  “What do you want anyway?”

  “What do you think? I have a package for the great one.” Jordan walked to Adam’s door.

  “It’s unlocked, I needed some files. Just put the box on his desk.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He’s gone to Detroit to see his mom and dad off on an anniversary trip he’s sending them on.”

  “He’s just the perfect son, isn’t he?” Mrs. Oakman asked.

  “Yes, he is,” Katie said.

  “Yuck, I’m out of here. I don’t want to hear all this,” Jordan said on his way out of Adam’s office. True to his word, he just kept on walking out of Katie’s door. The two women watched him go and then smiled at each other.

  “Poor boy. He just doesn’t understand that Mr. Russo is the son every mother wants,” Mrs. Oakman said. “If I had a son, I would want him to be the same.”

  “Do you have any children?” Katie had often wondered, but hadn’t wanted to ask. Since the woman had opened the subject herself, she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to appease her curiosity.

  “No, I wasn’t blessed with any children. An automobile accident took my husband. We wanted to wait awhile before we had a baby, you know, save up. Now I wish we hadn’t.”

  “You didn’t remarry?”

  “I never found anyone I loved as much as I loved my Harry,” the woman stated sadly. Then, without another word, she walked into Adam�
��s office to clean.

  Katie watched the door Mrs. Oakman had just went through and thought how sad her life must be. The poor woman had lived alone for most of her life. She had no one in her old age. All Mrs. Oakman had to look forward to were the two cats she had told Katie about, and cleaning the office building every day. What a dismal existence. Katie made a mental note to get something special for Christmas for her this year. She usually just bought her a scarf, mittens, or something. She’d go all out this year. Her heart ached to think about Mrs. Oakman spending the holidays alone.

  Katie turned back to her computer and she saw a sticky note hanging from her monitor, reminding her to call the newspaper. She might as well take care of the task now before she forgot. She looked up the number in her Rolodex and then dialed. It rang so many times, she thought the call would go to a voice mailbox, but finally a harried voice answered.

  “Hi, is this the society division?” Katie asked. There was an affirmative response.

  “Good. Mr. Adam Russo wanted me to call and ask you to put a little announcement in the paper.” She waited for the response and then continued. “I’m his assistant, Katherine Sinclair.”

  The woman on the other end took the customary details then asked what Mr. Russo wanted announced. Katie rummaged through the papers on her desk. She had thought it had been on top, but it wasn’t. Finally finding it, she read it to the woman.

  “Mr. Adam Russo will be taking a hiatus from any weekend jaunts until after the holiday season. Family and work commitments are the reason for his decision,” Katie finished reading.

  Katie was amazed to find out the woman already had a report about Adam’s plans with Nan Thomas. She wasn’t sure what to say, but thought it best to deny them.

  “He originally had those plans, but he called Ms. Thomas to cancel.” After all, he had called the woman. It wasn’t a lie.

  Finally, the woman agreed to put the announcement in the newspaper. She got a few more details and ended the conversation. Katie hung up the phone with relief. She hadn’t realized what a hassle placing the publication was going to be. Apparently, the adventures of “Mr. Romance” were the highest-rated column and the woman hadn’t been happy about the news.

  Katie spent the rest of the day trying not to think of Adam with Ms. Thomas all weekend. She planned to catch up on some housecleaning so her apartment was ready for holiday decorations. Then in the evenings she had a date with Oscar to watch some classic movies she’d already rented and had waiting by the television. She’d called her friends to have them over for a small cocktail party, but unfortunately she was the only one without plans.

  She sighed as she stared at the picture on the wall of her office and decided the time had come to take a good look at her life. Sure, she’d finally agreed with her friends and family to go back to her old self. And Adam still hadn’t noticed her. Time to move on, cut her losses. No, it’s not, Katie. It’s only been a couple of weeks. The man has been busy with the police and their false suspicions. He already had the plans for his weekend jaunts before your big transformation.

  Katie sighed. Okay, she’d wait until after the holidays. For now, she’d get everything ready for Halloween, her favorite one. She had picked up a few things the previous weekend. They would fit right in with her old decorations. Mrs. Newcomb hated the noise of the treat-or-treaters knocking on the door and calling out. Of course, she pretty much hated to hear a pin drop.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Adam readjusted his position again. Although he was traveling first class back from Detroit, it was by no means the same as being in an area not restricted by a row of seats, no matter how comfortable. Apparently, the pretty flight attendant noticed his fidgeting because she was there in an instant to ask if he needed anything. She’d been giving him looks since he’d boarded the plane. In the past, he would have struck up a conversation with her, but he still couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to do so.

  When he wasn’t worrying about his plans with Nan Thomas causing her some harm, he was thinking of Katie. He thought again how the past several months he’d been noticing things about her. After the holidays and things settled down and the detectives had proven nothing connected him to the murders, he’d talk to Katie and see if she was interested in seeing where a relationship would take them.

  That settled it in his mind. He leaned the chair back to take a brief snooze. It seemed as if he had just closed his eyes when the pilot announced their descent. Brady would be waiting to take him back to his apartment, and wait while he picked up the things he would need for his trip with Ms. Thomas. Then they would go pick her up to go to the Amtrak station.

  Adam couldn’t believe Katie had actually acquired the VIP car on such short notice. He had heard there was a waiting list a mile long. Another thing that held him back from changing their relationship to a more personal one, if things didn’t work out, would they be able to work together? He couldn’t think about that now. He had to concentrate on getting through the weekend with Nan, making sure she didn’t realize what a chore it would be.

  “Thanks, Brady. I’ll only be a minute.” Adam got out of the car to go drop off the bag he had taken to Detroit and pick up the one he had ready for his trip to Chicago.

  “No problem. I saw a meter car back there. I’m going to drive around the block so I’m not double-parked.”

  “That will give me plenty of time. See you in a minute.”

  Adam grabbed everything he needed, which included one bag and his laptop. He usually didn’t bring the computer, but he would plead the necessity of extra work. He would be able to email Katie and find out what happened when she called the newspaper. Thinking of the newspaper reminded him of the article about the murders. He couldn’t take Nan out in good conscience without telling her about the coincidence and letting her make up her own mind.

  “Brady, when we get to Ms. Thomas’ home I’ll be going in for a few minutes before we leave.” Adam settled himself in the back seat for the short trip to Nan’s.

  “No problem. I understand you probably want to make sure she read the paper today.”

  “Do you have ESP or something? I swear it’s creepy how you know things I’m thinking.” Adam shivered. His driver had the ability to almost read his mind. In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if he could.

  “Nope. I read the article this morning and thought if it were me, I’d be making sure she still wanted to go. And, you’re not the type of guy to just blow things like this off.”

  “Sometimes I swear you know me better than I know myself. It throws me when you anticipate what I’m about to say or do.”

  Adam rang the bell while Brady waited. He took a deep breath as the door opened. Nan Thomas was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever had the pleasure to take out, yet he still didn’t want to go. Man, what is up with you?

  “Hi, Nan,” Adam began.

  “Oh, Adam, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to go. It’s going to be just wonderful.” Nan grabbed her bag that had been sitting by the side of the door. “I’d invite you in, but I want to start our adventure.”

  Adam held firm and wouldn’t let himself be pushed back. When she gave him a bewildered look, he motioned her back into her apartment. “Nan, we need to talk before we go.”

  “Uh oh, this sounds serious. You aren’t going to renege on our date, are you?”

  “I’m going to make sure you don’t want to,” Adam answered.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Let’s have a seat for a moment.” Adam led her to the sofa in her living area, noticing as he did the tasteful décor.

  “What is this about?”

  “Did you read the paper this morning?”

  She turned to face him, and he could tell by the look on her face enlightenment had struck. “Oh so that’s what this is, you’re afraid something will happen to me if we go.”

  “Although I don’t think there is a connection, there is the slim chance you could be in danger,” Adam adv
ised.

  “Well, I agree with you, there’s no connection. What happened to those two poor women was a coincidence, I’m sure. Now let’s go.” Nan didn’t wait for him to answer but jumped up from the sofa, went back to the door and waited for him.

  * * * *

  It took Brady less than an hour to maneuver through traffic, get them to the station, and before Adam was ready, they were on the train. How he wished he could have found a way to postpone or cancel.

  The porter took their bags as they entered the private car. Nan followed Adam to the front sitting area.

  “Oh, look at everything. Isn’t this just exciting?”

  “Well...” was as far as Adam got in his response before she continued.

  “I’m sure you’ve been on a train many times before. I’m just going to explore, I hope you don’t mind.” Without waiting for his response, she had gone down the hall to their sleeping chambers and he could hear her exclamations of delight.

  Adam walked up to the bar to pour himself a drink. He wasn’t driving, so he poured himself a double. He had the feeling he was going to need one. The beautiful Nan had proved to be a regular chatterbox.

  “Adam, come see your bedroom,” Nan called from the back of the car.

  “I think I’ll be surprised later this evening when I retire,” Adam called back.

  Nan came back into the main area of the car. She took a moment to look over every inch of the room before she joined Adam at the bar.

  “What are you having?”

  “Scotch, would you like one?” Adam teased, knowing that most women didn’t like the strong liquor.

  “Yes, neat.”

  “Okay, would you like a single or a double?”

  “Single is fine,” Nan said.

  Adam handed her the drink and watched to see if she was just being brave or she really drank scotch. She surprised him by taking a small sip without the slightest grimace. He moved over to the couch and motioned for her to take a seat next to him.