The Heart of Lies, A Paradise Valley Mystery: Book Two

by Debra Burroughs

  “No, but I’m as anxious to come back to Paradise Valley as you are to have me.” He chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Me. I can’t believe I’m actually missing that small town. I never thought I’d say that.”

  Colin had been a San Francisco policeman, then a detective there. He loved the big city—until his fiancée was killed. He had taken the job in the small picturesque town of Paradise Valley to escape her memory. That’s when he and Emily met, and when, according to him, he was captivated by her.

  “I thought it was me you were anxious to return to, not this town,” Emily replied, feeling a little deflated.

  “Absolutely—but I do have to admit that I was becoming attached to that place and the people in it. Before you know it, I’ll be back.”

  “You better be, mister. I’ll admit it. I’m so lonely for you I can hardly stand it.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. I feel the same way.”

  “Oh you do, huh?”

  “Yes, I do.” Colin cleared his throat. “Emily, I—”

  Emily’s attention was jerked away. “Knock, knock! Where are you, Emily?”

  Camille and Isabel entered the house, calling for their host.

  “I’m back here!” Emily shouted from the kitchen. “I’m sorry, Colin, the girls are here for our weekly girls’ night. You were saying something?”

  “Well, I was but…you go have fun with the girls.”

  “All right, Colin. Let’s talk again soon. I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too—love you.” He quickly hung up, leaving Emily staring at her phone.

  What? Did he just say he loved me?

  There had always been a mutual attraction, a strong desire to be together, but neither of them had ventured into the deep waters of “I love you” yet. Before she had time to decide if she’d been hearing things or not, Camille and Isabel strolled into the kitchen.

  “You look like someone just slapped you, Em.” Camille set her hot pan of lasagna down on the stovetop.

  Emily shook her head and put a broad smile on her face. “Uh, no. I was saying good-bye to Colin on the phone.”

  “How’s he doing? I’ll bet he misses you as much as you miss him.” Camille smiled as she rifled through the utensil drawer.

  “I think you’re right.” Emily gave her friend a hug.

  “I brought homemade meatballs,” Isabel proudly announced as she set her crockpot on the counter, lifting the lid to show Emily. She had been taking cooking lessons from Camille and was becoming quite accomplished. Camille was proud of her, but Maggie, the fitness queen, often gave her grief for the extra pounds she carried with her new love of cooking.

  “They smell divine,” Emily complimented. “I can’t wait to taste them.”

  “Grazie,” Isabel replied.

  “Where’s Maggie?” Camille took the foil off her lasagna.

  “Late, as usual.” Isabel stirred her meatballs and fresh marinara sauce around with a large spoon. That was Maggie’s one downfall, being notoriously late for just about everything. “She’ll probably be late for her own funeral.”

  “Hey, I heard that!” Maggie shouted as she came through the door. All heads turned in her direction and the girls giggled. Emily hugged her and took her dinner contributions—a container of strawberry Gelato in a plastic grocery bag hanging from her arm and a bottle of red wine in each hand. “So, what did I miss?”

  “Emily was on the phone with Colin when we walked in,” Camille reported. “She hasn’t said if there was anything new.”

  “Was there? Anythin’ new, I mean?” Maggie asked.

  Emily felt herself blush, and it did not go unnoticed. She hadn’t planned on saying anything, but being put on the spot as she was, she decided to just come out with it. “Well, nothing big.”

  “Go on, Em, spit it out.” Camille’s bright blue eyes were wide with anticipation.

  Emily could feel the heat of all their eyes on her. “Well, just as Colin was saying good-bye—”

  “Out with it, Em!” Camille insisted.

  “He said, ‘Love you,’ and then hung up.” Emily eyed her friends, waiting for a response. “It took me by surprise.”

  “Did he actually say, I love you, or just a quick, love you?” Isabel questioned.

  “What difference does it make, Isabel? He said the L word.” Maggie gave Emily a big hug.

  “It makes a big difference—at least it would to me,” Isabel replied.

  “I’ve decided I’m going to let it slide. I’m going to wait for the real, I love you, Emily, before I say it back.”

  “That’s wise, Em,” Camille agreed. “Just make sure you let us know the second he says it. I’m going to be waiting on pins and needles, my friend.”

  “Maybe not the second he says it,” Isabel added, grinning at Camille.

  “Well, y’all, speakin’ of bein’ in love,” Maggie interjected, all eyes turning on her, “I have some news of my own.”

  “What news, Maggs?” Emily asked.

  “I met a wonderful man online through one of those datin’ services that match you up, and we’ve been talkin’ on the phone and emailin’ for a couple of months now. We’ve even had a few video chats on the computer with that Face Time thang.”

  “How come you never said anything before?” Isabel asked pointedly.

  “I guess I wanted to see if it was goin’ anywhere before I did. I didn’t want to jinx it, y’know? I haven’t had the best luck with men.”

  Maggie had had her share of relationships with men, but none of them seemed to stick, although she was a force to be reckoned with, and as a single mother she held the bar high.

  “Ooh, give us some details, Maggie,” Camille encouraged.

  “His name is Lucas Wakefield, and he’s an investor and land developer. He lives in Colorado and he’s been lookin’ into doin’ a project in this area.”

  “What kind of project?” Isabel questioned.

  “Somethin’ up in the mountains, like a resort,” Maggie replied.

  “That sounds exciting. Does that mean he’s coming here?” Emily asked.

  “As a matter of fact, he is, in the next week or so.”

  “Let us know and we’ll throw a big party to welcome him,” Camille offered.

  “Oh, Cam, that would be fabulous!” Maggie beamed.

  “This is all very exciting, ladies, but the food is getting cold,” Isabel noted. “Why don’t we serve ourselves and we can sit down and talk more while we eat?”

  They happily agreed to Isabel’s suggestion and spent the next hour eating, talking, and laughing. Wine flowed, dessert was relished, and conversation of Lucas Wakefield was thoroughly exhausted.

  “You’ve been very quiet about your work, Em,” Camille noted, licking the last bit of Gelato from her spoon and wagging it at Emily. “Working on any exciting cases?”

  “Ever since I solved the Delia McCall murder case a few months ago, it’s been pretty uneventful.”

  Emily had taken over the McCall case after Evan was killed, and it quickly went from tracking Ms. McCall’s philandering husband to solving his murder. Emily had exposed the murderer, almost losing her own life in the process.

  “That was an excitin’ case.” Maggie poured herself more wine.

  “Since then, it’s just been a handful of suspicious wives hiring me to follow their wayward husbands. Seems like not much happens in this sleepy little town—except maybe adultery.” Emily gave the girls a playful grin.

  “Oh, my,” Camille gasped as a little giggle escaped her. She stood and began to clear the plates from the table.

  “How can y’all say that?” Maggie asked. “We had two murders in the same year.”

  “You’re right,” Camille agreed. “And if Jonathan cheated on me, there’d be another murder in this town, for sure,” she quipped, winking at Emily.

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Emily explained, pouring herself another half glass of wine. “I’m no
t complaining. Believe me I’m not out looking and hoping for another murder to solve. That would be pretty ghoulish, don’t you think?” she asked with a little chuckle. “I’m just ready for a case with a little more meat that I can sink my teeth into.”

  “Well, I, for one, am glad Paradise Valley has remained so crime-free,” Isabel weighed in. “I get enough of investigating criminals for the FBI in other cities.”

  “Okay, okay, enough talk about me and my business,” Emily said, changing the subject as she turned to Maggie. “How’s your new friend doing? Sorry, I forgot her name.”

  “Fiona,” Isabel offered.

  “Yes, Fiona,” Emily repeated. “How’s she doing?” Emily picked up her glass to finish the last swallow of wine.

  Camille stuck the dishes in the sink and hurried back to the table, dropping down in her seat as if she didn’t want to miss a word.

  Maggie explained that her new friend was still looking for a job. “Fiona didn’t think that she’d have any trouble finding one with all her experience as an administrative assistant, but no luck so far.”

  “Well, hon, if we hear of anything, we’ll let you know and you can pass the word on to Fiona,” Camille promised, glancing around the table to the others, who nodded their agreement.

  “I’d surely appreciate that. I know Fiona would, too,” Maggie said. “She’s gettin’ a little discouraged, I think.”

  “When we have the party for Lucas, why don’t you invite her, too?” Camille suggested. “She’ll have a chance to meet some new people, maybe make some connections. Perhaps that’ll lift her spirits.”

  “I think she’d like that,” Maggie replied. “Y’all are just the best.”

  “Enough talk, I need more wine.” Isabel scooted her chair out and went to the counter. “Anybody else?” she offered, holding up the bottle.

  “I guess I’ll be driving,” Camille laughed.

  CHAPTER 2

  Maggie let Camille and the rest of her friends know that she had spoken with Lucas and found out when he was coming for his first visit to Paradise Valley. As promised, Camille planned a lavish party at Isabel and Alex’s beautiful home in the upscale neighborhood of River Woods.

  The next time Maggie spoke to Lucas, he told her once more how much he looked forward to meeting her friends and her brother, and that he hoped she would also invite some others who might like to hear about the new resort.

  “But this is a party to introduce you to my friends,” Maggie moaned.

  “I know, sweetheart, but I’m coming to Paradise Valley to start a new business, and I could use all the help I can get. Don’t you want to see this resort succeed? Then I could buy you all the nice things you deserve.”

  She did like nice things, she had told him so on several occasions. So, Maggie added a few more people to Camille’s guest list, people she knew had money and influence and could be helpful to Lucas’s success. She even spoke to her brother about inviting a few of his friends and business associates, and Emily reminded her to add Fiona to the list, as well.

  ~*~

  The warm weather in late June was perfect for the outdoor party, and Camille had outdone herself with the hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and decorations. She strung little white lights wherever she could so the ambience was enhanced as the sun sank below the horizon. Maggie paid for a local DJ to keep the music playing throughout the evening, encouraging people to dance on the expansive slate patio. She even asked Isabel and Alex to invite their neighbors, also people of means, hoping to avoid complaints of the loud music while adding to Lucas’s circle of influence.

  Maggie had originally wanted a small intimate affair where her friends and brother could get to know Lucas and he could get acquainted with them. The party, however, turned out to be the event of the year, she overhead a number of guests say.

  She introduced Lucas to her friends and her brother first, and then she took him around to meet others. He was tall and handsome with sandy brown hair, highlighted by the summer sun, a strong angular jaw line, and a distinguished cleft in his chin.

  He seemed right at home meeting new people, holding a friendly smile, and shaking hand after hand. They would inquire how he liked their town and he would reply how it was a beautiful place, in great proximity to the new ski and golf resort he was building.

  Maggie watched as most people’s eyes lit up at his detailed description of his endeavor. Even her brother, Sully, seemed captivated by the idea of a new resort nearby.

  In the middle of Lucas’s portrayal of the resort, he paused and flashed a quick smile at her, then went back to the people hanging on his every word.

  As the night wore down, Maggie left Lucas to his conversations and took a chair next to Isabel at one of the round tables Camille had set up around the meticulously landscaped yard.

  An exhausted Emily plopped down on the seat next to them. “Great party, don’t you think?” She ran her hands through her loose curls.

  “Yes, great.” Maggie sat, leaning an elbow on the table, staring at Lucas across the lawn.

  “What’s wrong?” Emily looked into her friend’s pensive blue eyes.

  “Nothin’. Just not what I expected. I wanted to introduce Lucas to my friends and family, but all these other people are takin’ his attention.”

  “He is charming,” Isabel commented, “and it sounds like this get-together is a good thing for his new resort.”

  “You’re right. I’m just tired, I guess.” Maggie propped her head up on one hand.

  “He’ll be here for a while, won’t he?” Emily asked.

  “Yes, and I’ll have him all to myself tomorrow when we drive up to Sun Valley. He said he wants to check out the competition.”

  “I saw your brother is here, Maggs, but I didn’t see his wife with him,” Emily commented.

  “No, Carolyn wasn’t well. She’s got MS, you know,” Maggie said.

  “MS? How awful.” Isabel had a tone of sadness in her voice.

  “Their daughters are off to college. And with Carolyn so sick, my poor brother must be buried under a pile of debt.” Maggie shook her head at the thought, then she shot up straight and put her hand to her lips. “Oh, girls, please don’t tell him I said that.”

  “Hello, Maggie.” Fiona approached their table.

  “Hi, Fiona,” Maggie responded warmly. “I wasn’t sure you were goin’ to make it. You remember my friends, Emily and Isabel?”

  “Yes. Hello, Emily, Isabel. So sorry I’m late. I had a flat tire on the way, but all’s well now.”

  “Flat tire? Oh, how miserable. Well, I’m glad you finally made it.” Maggie reached out and gave Fiona’s hand a light squeeze. “I’m sure there’s still some food left. Camille made enough to feed an army.”

  “I’m not really hungry.” Fiona looked over at Lucas as the small crowd around him began to dissipate. “Is that him?”

  “Yes, that’s my Lucas. Let me introduce you,” Maggie offered.

  “I don’t want to be a bother,” Fiona said.

  “Look, here he comes. His ears must have been burnin’ with us talkin’ about him.” Maggie laughed.

  “Hello, ladies,” Lucas greeted as he approached them.

  “Lucas, I’d like to introduce you to one of my friends, Fiona Merlino,” Maggie said.

  Lucas stuck out his hand and smiled cordially as he shook hers. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Merlino. Have you lived in Paradise Valley long?”

  “No, only a month or so. I’m still looking for a job, actually.”

  “What kind of work do you do?” he asked.

  “I have an extensive background as an administrative assistant,” Fiona replied.

  “Really,” he responded, looking into her deep brown eyes. That was one thing Maggie had noticed about Lucas, he always looked a person in the eye when he spoke to them. She liked that. Her daddy used to tell her that was the sign of a person who could be trusted. “Well, if you’re still looking for a job when I set up my business here,” Lucas
went on, “I’ll have to give you a call for an interview.”

  “You’re moving here?” Isabel asked, sounding surprised by the news.

  “Yes, didn’t Maggie tell you? I’ve decided to set up my office here as soon as possible to start selling the condo units. I’m going to be starting construction soon, once the dirt gets leveled, and I’d like to get the capital coming in to keep the construction moving forward.”

  Isabel and Emily exchanged questioning glances.

  “I’m sorry, I completely forgot to mention it.” Maggie shrugged her shoulders apologetically.

  “You’d like to set up an interview?” Fiona smiled sweetly at Lucas. “Sure, that would be terrific. Maggie has my number.”

  “Now,” Lucas held his hand out to Maggie, “I would like to ask the most beautiful woman at this party to dance. I have ignored her far too long.”

  Maggie’s face lit up as she took his hand. He helped her to her feet and led her to the dance area.

  Emily, Isabel, and Fiona watched as Lucas and Maggie joined the other handful of couples swaying to the beat of a slow song the DJ had just begun to play.

  “Boy, Fiona, that was a lucky connection,” Isabel said.

  Emily nodded her agreement.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Fiona said. “That Maggie Sullivan is a lucky woman.” She turned sharply and went inside the house, leaving Isabel and Emily wearing puzzled expressions on their faces.

  ~*~

  The evening was winding down and most of the guests had left. Camille and Jonathan were busy cleaning up with Emily and Isabel’s help. Alex had been out front for a while directing traffic, making sure the multitude of cars made it away without a scratch.

  Maggie and Lucas were standing on the front steps of the Martínez home, saying good-bye to the last of their guests. Mayor Sullivan was one of the last to leave, and he hugged his sister good-night. He shook Lucas’s hand and promised to make time to meet with him about his exciting new project.

  “I think the resort will be a good thing for this valley. What are you calling it?” he asked.

  “Whitetail,” Lucas replied. “Whitetail Ski and Golf Resort.”