by Rebecca Deel
She stared at him. “I’m not buying myself a ring, Doucet.”
“Indulge me, Elf. Next stop is lunch.” Remy motioned to the hovering salesman.
“Remy, no,” she whispered.
“Trust me.” He smiled at the man who stepped up to help them. “We’d like to see the emerald rings, please.”
“Of course, sir. Excellent choice for the lady.”
Fuming, Lily tried on rings with various designs. Cringed when she saw the price tags. No way she could afford any of these. Besides, these were all engagement rings. She wasn’t buying her own ring. Not that there was much chance of her meeting someone anytime soon. Not only that, the only man occupying her thoughts these days was standing beside her.
Finally, the embarrassing ordeal was over and they left the store to head for a restaurant Remy wanted her to try. “Why did you put me through that?”
“Two reasons, honey. One, our story is that we’re a couple. What’s more natural than to stop at a jewelry store and look at engagement rings?”
“But Christine’s not here. Would some of the doctor’s people check us out that much?”
“Don’t know, but there’s no sense tipping them off too soon. The second reason for the exercise is I wanted to see how the rings looked on your hand, whether or not they would impede your movements on the job.”
She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, her heart thumping wildly. “Remy, this relationship isn’t real. It’s a cover.” No matter how much she might want to say otherwise.
He cupped her chin in his palm, leaned down, kissed her. Long, slow, deep. When he drew back, his gaze locked on hers. “Feels real to me, sweetness. Unless you tell me otherwise, I’m going to continue thinking it is. Please, don’t tell me no yet.”
She didn’t understand him. Weren’t there rules to dating? If so, he must be ignoring every one of them. Shouldn’t she have a say? What if she didn’t want to be in a relationship with him? Lily sighed. Okay, so she did want that, but he could have anyone he wanted. Why choose her?
“Don’t think so hard, Lily. Time to eat. I’ll share what I learned while you were wandering around the store.”
Minutes later, they were seated in a booth. Remy ordered something called a po’ boy for both of them. The waiter hurried off to put in their order.
“Tell me what you found out.” Lily didn’t want to give Remy too much time to drag her into another uncomfortable conversation for a while.
“Christine stopped by Jenson’s Jewelry last Monday. From the sounds of it, she sold them almost all the jewelry she brought from home. Netted her over $100,000.”
Lily’s mouth dropped. “She traveled with that much cash on her?”
“So it seems. The manager of the store said she brought in a black handbag and stuffed the money inside before she left the store. She climbed into the same red sports car Katie mentioned.”
“That’s insane.” She shook her head. “Talk about asking for trouble. If anyone found out she was carrying that much, she’d be prime pickings for robbery.”
“Agreed. I’m afraid that means she didn’t take a commercial flight. I can imagine the TSA eyebrows raised if she went through security with that much cash on her.”
“Great. Z will have a hard time tracking her if she did fly in a private plane.”
“I’ll get him working on it anyway. He or one of the tech geeks might be able to hack into the flight manifests.”
“Wouldn’t do much good, Remy. I guarantee whoever put her on that plane didn’t use her real name on the manifest. Too great a risk someone would find out and track her to their location. By now, I’d say the treatments are under way and her cash has been deposited in the doctor’s account.”
“I’m afraid you’re right, but we’ll check the other jewelry store Christine liked before we go back to the hotel.” He paused, a smile growing. “Unless, of course, you want to do some window shopping.”
Lily scowled at him. “I’ve had enough shopping for the month, thank you.” After a while, the crowds and noise in stores just got to her. Too much of either and she turned cranky.
He chuckled. “That’s what I figured.”
After the waiter brought their food, their conversation centered on mundane topics. Lily asked Remy questions about his childhood, growing up in a house full of brothers. She shared some of her experiences in the Army. The last thing she wanted to talk about was her childhood years in the system. One day, maybe.
Finished with lunch, they joined the crowds streaming down the sidewalk. “Where is this store?” she asked.
“A couple streets over.” Remy’s hand settled at the small of her back, guiding with a slight pressure, also making it clear she was involved with someone.
Lily’s cheeks burned. She didn’t know what was real or not anymore, but this sure felt like the real deal. The idea sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
They rounded a corner onto a quieter side street. Immediately, Lily’s neck started to tingle. She casually glanced around, playing the role of tourist.
“You feel it too?” Remy murmured.
“Oh, yeah. Can’t see him.”
“Me, either.” He inclined his head toward a shop full of wedding dresses. “Go to the window, act like you’re dreaming about wearing one of those for our wedding.”
She flicked him a slitted glance. He grinned at her. Her partner was getting too much enjoyment out of this couple thing, but she walked to the window anyway. Remy shifted position to stand behind her and cupped her shoulders. While staring at the window display, she murmured, “See anyone suspicious?”
“Man dressed in jeans, t-shirt, and a Saints hat.”
Lily’s gaze scanned the area reflected in the window. The man Remy described was standing across the street in full sunlight, supposedly checking something on his smart phone. From the angle of the sun, his screen was pretty much washed out. “Got him. Do we smoke him out?”
“Nope. We’ll let him get good and tired of following the tourists from Nashville around. Ditch him and he’ll know we’re aware of him. Besides, it’s possible it’s a pickpocket looking for a quick score from clueless visitors to the French Quarter.”
“But you don’t believe that.”
“I think Erin was as good as her word and she’s been calling around, asking questions. This is a relatively small, close-knit area. Word’s spreading that we’re looking for Christine. I think someone wants to keep an eye on us.”
Lily sighed. “Jewelry store and more window shopping?”
Remy’s hands squeezed her shoulders. “You’ll survive, champ. You can do power shopping.”
“Bite your tongue, baby.”
He laughed softly. “Let’s keep our boy busy, Elf.”
Holding hands, they wandered down the street, stopping every couple of shops to point out something of supposed interest in windows. The whole exercise was aggravating enough for Lily she decided to drag Remy into three tourist traps. At the third one, he rolled his eyes, but dutifully held open the door for her. Lily browsed the shelves while Remy kept watch on their shadow.
She found a couple coffee mugs she liked, decided to purchase one for her, the other for Remy. He probably had several of his own. This one, though, had the Saints emblem all around the mug. She’d seen him wearing Saints shirts on other operations. She figured he could always use another coffee mug as Fortress operatives seemed to live on the magic brew. High-octane coffee kept all of them alert on long shifts. After the cashier rang up her purchase, she rejoined Remy at the window. “Still there?” she asked.
“Oh, yeah, and sweating profusely.”
“Is it always this hot in September?”
“Great, isn’t it?”
“Sure, if you like needing a bath as soon as you step outside.”
“I’ll bring you back in October. The weather is perfect then.”
Lily’s pulse sped up. Man, Remy Doucet was something else. Did she dare take the challenge
of tangling with the Cajun? Lily knew without a doubt she’d regret it if she didn’t at least try. “I’d like that. It’s beautiful here.”
A quiet satisfaction bloomed across his handsome face. “Good. Hopefully, we’ll get a break from Fortress ops sometime next month. We’ll be tourists for a few days.”
She drew in a shaky breath. Giving this relationship with Remy a try might be the biggest mistake of her life. What if this didn’t work and their friendship fell apart? Yeah, dial it back a notch, Lily. Just think of it as exploring their friendship. Something might develop from that. One step at a time, she counseled herself. He was a good man, the most honorable she’d met in years. He would be worth the risk. If this relationship didn’t work, surely they would be adult enough to work together anyway.
Remy nodded at the bag in her hand. “What did you buy this time? Not more candles, I hope.”
“Coffee mugs. One’s for you.”
A smile. “Thank you, Elf. Can’t wait to see it. You ready to inflict more boredom on our shadow?”
“Lead the way.”
They continued in the same pattern, though Lily spared Remy anymore side trips into tourist shops. Ten minutes later, they reached the second jewelry store. “Same routine?”
“Sapphires this time.”
Oh, man. She eagerly turned toward the shop door. “I’ve always wanted a sapphire.”
“Why haven’t you bought yourself one?”
She shrugged. Didn’t want to admit she wanted someone else to buy it for her, someone who loved her enough to stay. It would sound too pathetic and she didn’t want Remy to feel sorry for her.
Inside the store, Lily browsed the cases while Remy talked to the salesperson. This one, however, wasn’t nearly as cooperative as the one in Jenson’s. Her partner demanded to see the manager. With great reluctance, he asked for his supervisor’s assistance.
While they waited for the manager to appear, the salesman unlocked the case for the sapphire rings and let Lily try on several. She especially loved the sapphires surrounded by small diamonds. Totally impractical with her career choice, but beautiful.
“I think I like these better than the emeralds,” Remy murmured.
The manager strode into the showroom and veered in their direction. “How can I help you, sir?”
Remy handed the middle-aged man his card and presented his ID. “We’re investigating the disappearance of Christine Wilder. We want to know if Mrs. Wilder came here to sell any jewelry in the past week. Your employee was reluctant to give the information we need.”
“Our customers value their privacy. It’s against policy to discuss such transactions.”
He leaned across the glass case, his hands flat on the top. “Did you not hear what I told you?” His voice dropped. “Christine is missing. Every bit of information we gather might be enough to help us find her and maybe save her life.”
The manager scowled. “I only have your word that she’s missing.”
“Got a cell phone on you?”
“Of course.”
“Good.” Remy rattled off James’ cell phone number. “James is Christine’s husband. He will verify that he’s retained me and Lily to find his wife.”
The manager hesitated.
“Call him now.”
The rough tone galvanized the other man into action. Within a couple minutes, James was on the phone and reading the manager the riot act for not cooperating. By the time Christine’s husband was finished, the manager’s cheeks were flushed.
“Mrs. Wilder came in last Monday. She sold us two pieces of very fine jewelry.”
“How much money did you give her?”
“Just over $10,000.”
A sick feeling settled in the pit of Lily’s stomach. That quack doctor stood to gain a lot of money for this treatment. It would be well worth the money if it actually worked. The chances of that happening were almost nonexistent.
“Did she mention anything about where she might be going?”
“No.”
Remy’s face reddened. Lily reached over, laid her hand over his clenched fist. “We appreciate you answering our questions,” she said and urged Remy out the door onto the sidewalk. Spotting a coffee shop a few doors down, she threaded her fingers through his and urged him into the establishment. Instead of hot coffee, she ordered both of them iced coffee. Any more heat and she might melt into a puddle on the sidewalk. Give her Nashville’s hot weather anytime over this muggy soup.
She pressed the cold drink into his hand. “Let’s sit for a few minutes and let our shadow swelter outside.” They found a table near the door and sat facing each other.
She waited until he’d consumed half the drink. “You okay?”
“Thanks for getting me out of there. I was about half a second from yanking him over the glass case.”
“Figured as much. We got what we needed from him despite his reluctance. Your friend must have lit a fire under him to get him to say as much as he did.”
“She and James are going to be out a lot of money for a worthless treatment when they will need every penny to take care of her medical bills and keep Wilder Industries operating. This doctor is taking advantage of people who are desperate for help.”
“We’ll find him, Remy. When we do, we’ll find out whether or not it’s a scam. If it is, we’ll dismantle his organization and make sure the word circulates that he’s a con artist.”
“What if it’s too late for Christine?”
“All we can do is find her and bring her home. The rest is up to her physician.”
Remy held up his hand. “I know. I get it. Doesn’t make me any less frustrated on her behalf. She deserves better than this. All his patients do.”
After they finished their drinks, she said, “It’s time to head back to the hotel. Trina should have come on duty 30 minutes ago.”
They left the air-conditioned interior of the shop and stepped back into the sweltering heat.
Lily glanced around. She nudged her partner. “Hey, shadow man is gone.”
He visually searched the area and said, “You’re right. Maybe we bored him enough he’ll leave us be.”
Somehow Lily didn’t think they would be that lucky. They walked for several blocks and finally emerged on a quieter street. At the next corner, she and Remy stepped into the intersection. An engine revved. Tires squealed. Lily glanced over her shoulder. A silver car with tinted windows raced in their direction.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Remy grabbed Lily and leaped back to the curb with her just as the silver car careened toward them. He swung them both away from the curb. The vehicle raced past with only inches to spare, turned right at the corner and sped away too fast for Remy to catch a plate. “You okay, Elf?”
“Our coffee mugs survived so I’d say I’m peachy.” She drew in a shaky breath, though. “Was that shadow man?”
“Couldn’t make an ID or the plate, but I’d say chances are good it’s the same person. No one else has shown any overt interest in us.”
“Guess we’re making someone nervous. What do you say the good doctor doesn’t want anyone interfering in his money-making scheme.”
“I’d lay money on it if I was a betting man. It’s a sweet gig with easy money as long as no one exposes him as a fraud.” He scanned the street. Incredible. Everyone went on with their activities as if no near accident had just occurred. “We need to corner Trina and get that name.” He wouldn’t be the least surprised if she pleaded ignorance. His jaw clenched. She’d talk anyway.
They walked the few remaining blocks to the hotel. Remy kept an eye out for a reappearance of the car though he suspected the driver had made his or her point. Someone didn’t want them interfering. Tough. The days of reaping profits from their scam were numbered. At the Grand, they returned to their suite for a few minutes so Lily could drop the coffee mugs off in the kitchenette.
When she held up the mug she bought for him, Remy had to grin. “How did you know I’ve alwa
ys wanted one of those?”
Lily laughed. “Right. How many Saints mugs will this make in your kitchen?”
“Five, but this one will hold a place of honor because it’s from you.”
She shook her head with a grin. “Want some water before we tackle Trina?”
“I’ll get it.” He grabbed a couple bottles from the refrigerator. While he waited for Lily to finish drinking her water, he placed a call to Zane. “Anything new?”
“No record of Christine Wilder taking a commercial flight out of the New Orleans airport.”
“I was afraid of that. We figure she took a private plane. Someone picked her up, drove her here, taxied her around town, and dropped her off at the airport.”
“Still no financial activity on her credit or debit cards.”
Not surprising. “Probably won’t be. She sold a boatload of jewelry in the French Quarter for over $100,000 and carried it with her on the plane.”
A soft whistle from Z. “I’ll flag any activity on her accounts anyway. What else can I do to help you?”
“Dig up anything you can find on a woman named Trina who works here at the Grand. I need a fast check on her financial accounts. I want to know if she’s involved in the doctor’s scam by sending clients his way.”
“Something point you in that direction?”
“Trina is the one who gave Christine the doctor’s name. Lily and I will try to get the name from her in a few minutes. I want some leverage.”
“I’ll get back to you.” And he was gone.
While he waited for Z to do his research, Remy called James and gave him an update on what they’d learned to this point.
His friend sighed. “She’ll be devastated.”
“I know. I hope this treatment is legitimate and the money was well spent on a cure.”
“Me, too. But it’s not, is it?”
“Doubtful. This has all the earmarks of a well thought out scam. Still no contact from Christine or anyone else?”
“Nothing.”
