Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2)

by Jerrie Alexander

  “Should’ve called the police,” Linc said. “He’s the type who thinks because he’s got money, rules or laws don’t apply to him.”

  “I’d appreciate it you’d not be disrespectful of my grandmother’s next husband.” Samantha shook sand from her hair and dusted off her backside.

  “You think so?” His eyebrows shot up.

  “I recognized the look. She’s never married an Englishman, so this would be a first.”

  “I guess I should be disappointed that he knocked me out of the picture.” His chin quivered as he faked being crushed. “We’re running out of morning. Come on.”

  Linc jogged to the water, stopping when the waves lapped at his knees. Turning, he held his hand out to her palm up. He had the same look in his eyes that she’d seen in the moonlight last night. Fear and desire hit her at the same time. Her knees threatened to turn to rubber. The corners of his mouth lifted and he returned to her.

  “We should go in, you’ve had enough sun for one day,” he said.

  Samantha breathed a sigh of relief. He recognized her fear and didn’t try to force her. “I do burn easily. I think I’ll go get a shower and start on this hair.”

  He wrapped a towel around his neck and walked with her to the hotel. “Did you tell your grandmother about the break-in at The Cage?”

  “I told her everything. She wouldn’t want to be kept in the dark.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  Samantha stopped just outside of the lobby. “I’ll take a cab and meet you at the restaurant later.”

  “Are you sure. I don’t mind coming after you.”

  “No. I’ll be fine.”

  “Yes, you are.” He winked at her and jogged around the outside toward the parking lot.

  Samantha walked to the elevators, taking the first one that opened its doors. Not once did she consider taking the stairs. She walked inside her room, relishing the silence. She needed time to sort out everything that had happened. After a leisurely shower, she slipped on the plush bathrobe provided by the hotel, and then dried her hair.

  At home, her cell phone was never more than an arm’s length away, but since she’d been in California, she couldn’t seem to remember to turn it on. As if she needed proof her world had spun out of control, there it was. She’d completely forgotten about her phone. Sighing, she retrieved it from her purse and checked messages. She’d missed a few friendly calls and one very important one from the law office. The legal papers were ready for her signature. That news ranked right up there with the invention of toothpaste. She needed to go home and put an end to all this madness. She’d restore order in her life once she got away from the beauty of the ocean and this schoolgirl fantasy about Linc.

  It was normal, she reasoned. What woman hadn’t dreamed of a tall, hot stranger making mad, passionate love to her under the stars on the beach? Limiting her time alone with Linc seemed the logical solution. She requested a taxi, dressed, and then went downstairs to wait. She’d get all the paperwork signed today.

  ****

  “Oh, good grief,” Samantha muttered to herself as she stepped out of the cab and stood looking up at the building. All glass and steel, its size astonished her and sent her nerves jumping. She must’ve been in a daze when Linc brought her to meet Ham the first time. Because they’d entered though the parking garage, she obviously hadn’t noticed how large and impressive the building really was. But this had to be done, so she went inside Coleman Tower and got on the elevator.

  The young woman behind the desk smiled when Samantha entered. “Mr. Davis is expecting you.”

  Samantha walked into Ham’s office, got the pleasantries out of the way, and then told him she had questions. Methodical, professional and prepared, she’d spent some time on the internet learning what she could and couldn’t do.

  “Before I sign a power of attorney, I want to ensure sure I can revoke it and assume control should I deem it necessary. I want to go home and get back to work, but I also intend to make the important decisions myself.”

  “Rest assured control remains in your hands. I don’t want to make your choices for you. You’re retaining my services for advice and guidance through the maze we call the California legal system.” Ham gave her his Santa Claus chuckle as he moved around to sit in the chair next to her, papers in hand. “One of my clerks is a notary. She’ll notarize and my assistant will witness your signature when you’re ready to sign. First, we should discuss the management of the restaurant.”

  “It’s at the top of my list.”

  “Who’s going to run it in your absence? As you know, Linc’s made all the decisions since your grandfather’s death. Since he’ll be returning to work soon, you’ll have to decide who you want in charge of the cash flow, purchasing, and the payroll. I can continue monitoring the process, as I’m doing now, to ensure we remain within state guidelines.” Leaning back in his chair, Ham looked reflective for a moment. “Charlie hoped you’d stay and run The Cage.”

  “So I’ve heard.” She instantly regretted using such an angry tone of voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. Is there any legal reason I can’t leave things the way they are?

  “None. But remember, everything comes with a price tag. Neither Linc nor Dave are paid to make management decisions for the restaurant. Linc has been acting out of his concern for your grandfather. Without him, the business sounds a little unstable. As the owner, it’s a risk only you can decide to take.”

  “I’ll speak with Dave, but I have no idea how much a restaurant manager gets paid.” This was something else to add to her growing list of unsolved problems.

  “If you like, I can gather information on salaries.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  “What’s next on your list?”

  “Charlie’s clothes, car, golf clubs, everything that wasn’t damaged during the break-in must be disposed of.” She had no idea where to start. “This is all my responsibility, right?”

  “Correct. We can help you find someone to handle it for you.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

  “You’ll be travelling back and forth?”

  “When it’s necessary. I’d like to go home as soon as possible.” She’d only been in California a couple of days, yet her organized life had suddenly become complicated and confusing. It wasn’t a position she relished.

  “My dear, you have enough money to live wherever you want.”

  “I want normalcy, if just for a few days.” Samantha wasn’t sure she’d made him understand because his eyes were full of questions. “You’ll handle the paperwork, the property appraisals, and of course, the legal matters?”

  “Absolutely. Please read the document while I gather you a witness and notary.”

  “Okay.”

  Ham disappeared through his office door and returned a few minutes later with two women. After introductions, he handed Samantha a pen. “Sign all three copies when you’re ready.”

  The weight of her inheritance settled onto her shoulders with each stroke of the pen, pushing her deeper into this new life—one she hadn’t asked for. A stranger had made her richer than she’d ever dreamed of being. A stranger who had come out of the shadows only after his death. A stranger who either cared for her or had been driven by guilt. Her hand trembled as she pushed the stack of papers to him.

  “I need to call for a cab.” It was if she had spoken from inside a fog. Almost as if someone else had said the words for her. Struggling to gain some perspective on being a millionaire, she realized that she didn’t feel any different.

  “We’ll do that for you.” Ham nodded to his assistant, and she left the room.

  Ham took Samantha’s hand, patting her as if she were a child. “Charlie and I met at the restaurant, but in time, he discovered my love of golf. Before the cancer made him too weak, we played often. Later we’d watch tournaments on television and critique from our easy chairs. I’m telling you this because outside this office, I�
��d like to be your friend, too.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ham walked her to the elevator. The doors swished open, and for some inexplicable reason, she turned and gave him a hug. Aside from his appearance making her comfortable, his willingness to help gave her reassurance.

  The cab was at the curb when she exited the building. She directed the driver back to the hotel. She’d bring her grandmother up to speed tonight at dinner. If she wanted, they’d go to The Cage.

  The break-in at Charlie’s house and now the restaurant troubled her. What had the two men been looking for? Had they finally found it, whatever it was, in Charlie’s office? The cab stopped and the hotel valet opened her door. She paid the driver and entered the building, still mentally adding items to her list.

  “Ms. Anderson.” The desk clerk waved a finger as she passed.

  “Yes?”

  “You have a message.”

  “Thanks.” She accepted the slip of paper and read the note. Her grandmother wouldn’t be joining her today. She was still at sea with Mr. Smythe.

  “Of course she is.” Samantha laughed. She hurried to her room, mentally adding new items to her ever growing to-do list.

  She didn’t have much time left in California. Her leave was up soon. She shook her head at her own stupidity. There was no reason to return to her job. Besides, there were too many unanswered questions swirling around in her head. The whirlwind trip they made through Charlie’s house and The Cage’s office had gone too fast. She’d planned on searching his file cabinets and drawers. Now they were in shambles, waiting for Leo to sort them out. A plan formed as she brooded. She ordered room service and then called The Cage, leaving word she wouldn’t be there tonight.

  She removed the envelope containing her copy of the will from the drawer, opened the balcony doors and sat in the cool breeze. She opened the envelope and dumped out a ring of keys into her hand. One of them had to open the restaurant. Armed with the knowledge the security system hadn’t been installed yet, she knew exactly what she was going to do. Charlie had left her a lot of money, wrapped in even more unanswered questions. He might not have wanted to know her, but she intended to know him.

  CHAPTER 10

  Linc walked out of the doctor’s office wearing what had to be a silly grin. And why shouldn’t he be happy after receiving the best news he’d had in months? Two more weeks of therapy and he’d be released. He’d have a brief FBI retraining along with his annual weapons qualifications test, and then he’d return to work full duty.

  He put the top down and headed for work. Not even the light layer of smog or the heavy traffic affected his good mood. He’d rehabbed his ass off, and it was worth it. The sooner he went back to work the better. He parked in The Cage’s lot and hurried inside. He walked a little taller and a lot stronger as swaggered through the door.

  “Maggie, my love. You’re glowing today.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head with a loud smack.

  “Hey. Let go of my woman,” Dave barked in false jealousy.

  “Yeah? Well, I’m thinking about running off with your ‘woman’.”

  “Good luck,” Dave scoffed, waving the idea off. “What’s up with your sidekick?”

  “What are you talking about? I haven’t seen her since this morning.” Linc moved around behind the bar and began wiping it down. Interesting, she hadn’t crossed his mind in the last couple of hours.

  “She called earlier. She’s not coming in tonight,” Maggie said.

  “Wednesdays are slow. Why don’t you take off, too? Dave and I will cover after Hector leaves.”

  “I can’t. I might miss something.” Maggie pulled up a barstool and sat. “Didn’t you go to the doctor today?”

  “Yes ma’am, as a matter of fact, I did.” Linc had been about to blow a gasket, waiting to share the good news.

  “So tell us.” Maggie took his bar rag away from him.

  “Two weeks and I’m a free man.”

  “Congratulations, buddy.” Dave walked behind the bar and slapped Linc on the back.

  “You’re not really going back, are you?” Maggie’s cheery smile vanished. “I thought maybe you’d stay and run the business.”

  “If Sam will sell it to me, I’ll ask you two to manage it for me.”

  “Seriously?” Maggie’s smile lit up her eyes.

  “Yes ma’am. Don’t get too excited,” Linc teased. “I’m hoping to be assigned to the L.A. office. Doesn’t mean I won’t be gone on assignment but I’d like this to be home base.”

  “I do appreciate the fact you love law enforcement, but that’s dangerous work.”

  “Not all the time. It’s what I do.” Linc wrapped one arm around Dave’s shoulders and shook him. “Like taking care of this idiot is what you do.”

  “She does that.” Dave winked at her. “By the way, you missed the security company rep. I took him on a tour and put his estimate on Charlie’s desk. He’ll get back to you with an actual layout in a couple of days.”

  “What did you think?”

  “I liked the plan and the estimate.”

  “Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”

  ****

  Even though the restaurant had been busy, Linc couldn’t sleep, so he slipped on a pair of shorts and tennis shoes and hit the beach for a run. His bare feet moved though the sand in comfort and with speed. A full moon highlighted rippling shards of water lighting his way, and the breeze slid across the surface cooling the sweat on his body as it formed.

  He stopped when the restaurant came into view. A soft glow came from the back of the building. He slipped in to silent mode and circled the building, finding no car, no sign of broken windows, and no damage to exterior entries. He tried the front door and found it unlocked. The rhythm of his heartbeat pounded in his head as he crept inside. This, he was good at.

  A slight cough pulled him to a halt. What the hell? It came again. Female? Crap, he shook his head as he walked to Charlie’s office and stopped outside the doorway.

  Sam was sitting in Charlie’s worn out chair studying the contents of a file folder that Leo had stacked into a pile. The desk lamp cast a shadow across her face. He studied the angular lines of her slim face, high cheekbones, and almond shaped eyes. Her bottom lip was a little larger than normal, but the pouty look it gave her drove him crazy. The fact she didn’t know how close she came to perfection catapulted her from pretty to stunning in his eyes.

  He flipped the wall switch on, flooding the room with light. The folder she held went flying and Sam sprang to her feet, banging her knee on the desk.

  “Shit,” she screamed.

  “Kind of hard to read in the semi-darkness isn’t it?”

  “You made me say a word my dad never uttered.” She patted her chest as if to calm down her heart.

  “It’s a widely used term.” Linc laughed at her embarrassment.

  “My grandmother has been known to say it. I can almost hear my father telling her — ‘You had something in your mouth that I wouldn’t have in my hand’ — and with a very stern voice.”

  “These are your files. Everything you see in here belongs to you. Why come so late at night? You can search Charlie’s files anytime you like. If you need privacy, we’ll be happy to leave you alone.”

  “I wanted to go through his things without any distractions.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Take it any way you like.” Her eyes traveled across his bare chest, his muscles involuntarily tightening under her gaze.

  “You should have called me.”

  “I saw no need to impose on you.”

  “Sam.” Linc rubbed his forehead. “Keeping you safe is not an imposition.”

  She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth for a second. “It was foolish. I’m not used to this cloak and dagger stuff.”

  “I hope you never get used to it.” He pointed to the stack of folders. “Find anything of interest?”

  “Nothing th
at would explain Charlie’s death, but take a look at this.” She held a bulging file out to him. “You look different. In a good mood.” Her eyes met his.

  “I am for a fact.” Her smile sent a stab of lust through him. Pulling a chair to the desk, he sat across from her. “What’ve you got?”

  “The history of Charlie’s search for Nana and then me. It looks like he kept everything. These letters from a private investigation firm document their progress. Look at the date on the first one. It’s before Dad died. Charlie began his search in 1990, took him three years to find Nana and connect her to my father.”

  Linc thumbed through the stack of papers. He stopped and read a letter. “I’ll be damned. The PI investigated your grandmother’s parents and their siblings, found Ruth through an aunt. In 1961, your grandmother went to live with her mother’s sister.”

  Sam fell silent as together they studied the dates and findings from beginning to end. Linc stopped long enough to get them a beer, but he could tell this information wasn’t proving anything new.

  “All this just adds more questions and no answers.” She dropped a file on the desk. “I don’t get it. Nana was always at our house for holidays and birthdays. Charlie could have reached out to her if he’d wanted to establish contact.”

  “Maybe we missed something. If the answers are here, we keep looking.” Linc wasn’t ready for the night to end.

  “Why bother? He obviously didn’t want anything to do with me.” She pushed her chair away from the desk. “I also thought I might find something that the burglars missed. They seemed to be desperate to find something.”

  “Let’s keep looking through his records. I’ll sort the stacks while you read.” He moved his chair and to her side of the desk.

  They both jumped when her cell rang. Laughing, she fished it out of her purse.

  “It’s my grandmother.” She put the phone on speaker and set it on the desk. “Nana? Are you at the hotel?”

  “No. I’m sorry to call so late, but I wanted to let you know that my plans changed.”

  “So I gathered.” Sam wrapped a wayward curl around her finger.