He shrugged. “There was another girl here last time. She kept asking questions and acting peculiar. Asked about my car, my job, my jewelry even. Then she left early. Billy wasn’t happy.”
Cora. That had to be Cora.
“Maybe something spooked her.” Maybe someone spooked her. Someone like you.
“I was a perfect gentleman.”
I doubted that. “Anyone here give her a hard time? I mean, why else would she leave early?”
“Good question. Don’t know. Don’t care.” He flicked something invisible from his shirt.
I needed to change the subject before he got suspicious. I raised my glass of seltzer water, trying to look casual. “So you never said how you got rich.”
“We have our ways around here.”
“And what are those ways? Inspire me.”
He shook his head and clucked his tongue. “That will cost you something.”
Oh no, I wasn’t about to find out what that meant. I needed to move on.
“It’s been real,” I said. Raven always said that, and it sounded so mysterious.
It seemed to work now also.
I wandered over to the next group, a set of equally unimpressive men doing much of the same thing as everyone else here. Drinking, talking, lurking.
Before I could initiate a conversation, Billy came over and draped his arm across my waist. “You guys met our guest of honor Joey Darling yet? She’s so graciously agreed to help here. Just for a refresher, she was named as People magazine’s fifty most beautiful stars last year. I’d say they got it right.”
I actually blushed. It didn’t matter how rich or famous I was. Deep inside, I was still the down-home girl from the mountains. I had no game. Not really.
“You brought in the big guns,” one of the men said. “Impressive.”
“I try.” Billy’s hand wandered a little too low, and I spun away from him.
“I need to keep mingling.”
But I felt Billy’s eyes on me as I walked away.
He was more of a snake than I’d thought he was.
I didn’t realize until that moment just how tight my lungs felt. Really tight. Tight enough that I wanted to run from here. I wasn’t part of this world, just like Ariel wasn’t part of the world on the land.
But I couldn’t leave. Not yet. Because I hadn’t found out anything about Cora yet.
Chapter Eleven
Just as I started talking to another cluster of men, I saw one of the women dressed as a mermaid step outside. I excused myself from the conversation, seeing a clear opportunity to dialogue with her. When I slipped through the sliding glass doors, I spotted her near the pool with a cigarette in hand.
“Need a break?” I asked.
The woman’s eyes widened, and she snubbed out her cigarette on the bar-height table beside us. “You’re Joey Darling.”
“I am. And who are you?”
“I’m Amy.” Amy looked to be in her late teens. She had stick-straight, long black hair. Her thin body was accented with numerous tattoos, and she gave off somewhat of a Goth vibe.
“Nice to meet you. I needed a breather also, so when I saw you come out here, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of this earlier.”
“Yeah, there are too many hormones in there. Sometimes, I just need to get away.”
“You sound like you’ve done this before.” I gravitated toward the outdoor heater, already feeling chilled as the wind swept across the cool ocean. It had the same effect as a fan blowing over an ice cube.
She shrugged. “Third time.”
“Is it a charm, like they say?”
She snorted. “That’s not the way I’d word it.”
“How did Billy find you?”
“We met at Willie’s. He asked if I wanted to make some extra money.”
I wondered if that was how Cora ended up here also.
“It feels weird being here,” I said, glancing inside at the partygoers.
“It is. But there’s nothing inappropriate. I guess the men feel more manly if there are pretty women around. And it helps to pay my bills, so why not? Mermaid for hire. That’s me.”
I leaned against the table, trying not to appear overly eager. “Did you meet someone here last week? A girl named Cora?”
She pulled out another cigarette. “Do you mind?”
I hated cigarettes, but I had a feeling smoking would put her at ease. “Go ahead.”
She pulled a lighter from her bikini top and lit up. “Actually, I did meet Cora.”
“Did you hear she disappeared?”
The girl’s eyes widened. “No, I didn’t. I don’t keep up with the news too much. I’m too busy with college. What happened?”
“They don’t know.” I leaned closer. “You don’t think it has anything to do with these parties, do you? That’s all I’ve been able to think about since I’ve been here.”
She glanced around. “I try not to pay attention, you know? I don’t want to know what they’re doing.”
“It’s probably safer that way.”
She nodded. “Yeah, tell me about it. My brother has always said that Billy is trouble. I didn’t tell him I was doing this.”
“You’ve never felt like you’re in danger, right?” I felt the need to step into a big-sister role.
She shrugged, but the action took just long enough that I was uncomfortable.
“Not really. I mean, some of the men are a little aggressive.”
“Then why do you keep doing it?”
“Billy pays well. And it seems innocent enough. As long as I make good choices, you know?”
“I guess.”
She studied me a minute. “You’re really in this area researching?”
“That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”
“Could I steal you away for a minute?” someone said behind me.
I looked over and saw the dark blond from earlier, the one who’d tried to put me in my place. I thought his name was Rupert.
“One second,” I told him before leaning closer to Amy. “If you ever feel like you’re in danger, get out of here. There are other things you can do to make money. Do you understand?”
She quickly nodded. “Yeah. Yeah. Totally. Of course.”
Then she slipped back inside, leaving me out here with Rupert.
“I was hoping you and I might take a walk,” he said. “On the beach.”
No way, Jose. “It’s a little cold for that.”
Something gleaned in his eyes. “I’ll keep you warm.”
“I prefer one of these heaters.” I could tell this guy wasn’t going to take no easily. Fear crept in again.
His hand encircled my bicep. “It’s just a walk. Don’t freak out on me.”
I refused to budge. “We can talk right here.”
“But I don’t want to talk right here.” His words slurred. He’d been drinking too much.
I felt more uncomfortable than a conservative in Hollywood. “No alone time allowed. It’s in my contract.”
“Oh, come on. I hear you like to have fun.” His grip on my arm tightened.
Panic flashed through me. What was I going to do if he didn’t take no for an answer?
Chapter Twelve
“Leave her alone,” someone said behind me.
I looked back and saw . . . Zane? What was he doing here? And wearing such an un-Zane outfit at that? Nice jeans, a rich-looking pink sweater, and loafers instead of flip-flops.
Rupert scowled but let go of my arm. “Your loss.”
He turned and wandered back inside, muttering something I couldn’t understand beneath his breath.
I turned to Zane. “Boy, am I glad to see you. What are you doing here?”
“I figured someone had to keep an eye on you. I’m all for women being independent and all, but I just couldn’t stomach the thought of you being here alone.”
Relief flushed through me, and I nearly fell into his arms. “Thanks, Zane.”
“There are
a lot of troublemakers here, Joey.” He glanced around, his body strangely tense.
“Yeah, I’ve gathered that.” I shivered again and pulled my shawl closer. Not even the large outdoor heater above me was doing the trick.
“And not very many men who respect women for being people. They mostly respect women for being women, if you get my drift.”
I thought I did. “Cora was here, Zane.”
Zane shifted. “What are you hoping to find out about her? You really think these guys are going to help you?”
“I don’t think they’re going to help me on purpose. But I’ve got to figure out a way to find more information.”
He let out a slow breath. “Well, I’m here. I’ve got your back.”
Speaking of back . . . his hand rested on my lower back, on the exposed skin there, and all I could feel was fire.
I liked laid-back Zane a lot. But protective Zane had a lot going for him also.
We stepped back inside, and I gathered the lay of the land again. Across the room, I spotted Siegfried emerging from the hallway. Another man joined him, and the two surveyed the room.
“I need to talk to him,” I whispered.
“You want me to come?”
I remembered the man’s greeting when I’d arrived and decided I would be better off alone. “I’ll call you if I need you.”
“I’ll be here.”
With that, I sauntered over. I quickly observed the two men. Siegfried looked flashy and arrogant. But his friend had almost a nerdy look to him. Maybe it was his sweater vest or oversized glasses. He just didn’t seem to fit in here though.
“Hello, boys,” I greeted them.
Siegfried’s eyes lit again. “Hello again, beautiful.”
“Are you enjoying the party?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Anywhere you are is a good place to be.”
I forced a giggle, even though I hated myself for it. Men like him shouldn’t be encouraged. He was sleazy like Rupert, but also haughty with a god complex.
I glanced behind him. “And who are you?”
The man shifted awkwardly and extended his hand. “I’m Ryan.”
“He’s my brother.” Siegfried raised his bottle.
That was when I noticed the dirt beneath his fingernails. Someone as meticulous as Siegfried wouldn’t have dirt on his hands. My curiosity sparked, but I held it at bay. Fishing for answers might only end up with me being drowned.
I widened my eyes. “Your brother? Is that right? It’s good to see brothers that remain such good friends.”
“I’m enjoying some time off work, so I decided to accompany him here.” Ryan shoved his hands into his pockets and appeared bored.
“Makes sense then.”
Someone across the room motioned for Siegfried, and he excused himself. I heard the men begin a rousing conversation about a golf game they were planning on Monday as they walked away. That was when I turned to Ryan, hoping to get more information.
“You come to stuff like this often?”
He shrugged. “Not really. It’s more Siegfried’s scene than mine.”
“How long have you been in town?”
“Ten days. On business.”
That put them here at last week’s party. They could have met Cora.
I looked at Siegfried. “He seems domineering.”
“He’s always been a go-getter. What can I say. I’m the one who loves numbers and planning. He’s the one who’ll put himself out there.”
Ryan seemed like the most down-to-earth person to get information from. With that thought in mind, I pulled out Cora’s picture from my clutch. “Have you seen this girl, by chance?”
His eyes widened, and he looked away. “She looks vaguely familiar. Why?”
“She’s missing.”
“And you’re asking me because?”
“She was at one of these parties.”
He pressed his lips together, as if in deep thought. “I thought you were supposed to be a hostess here. You sound like you’re a private eye.”
“I’m just asking questions.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, I should go.” He nodded toward his brother. “Take care.”
As he sauntered away, Zane joined me. My insides were wound tighter than Scarlett O’Hara’s corset.
“Did you find out anything?” Zane asked.
“I’m not sure.”
Zane stiffened as Billy started toward us. “Play along,” Zane whispered.
“Zane, you decided to come after all. What brought the change of heart?”
Zane wrapped his arm around me. “Do you need to ask?”
“That’s what I figured,” Billy said. “I’d keep an eye on Joey if she was my girl too. I’m still not sure why she’s here exactly.”
“I told you. Research.”
He rolled his eyes. “You do a lot of researching.”
“Most people only see the glamorous part of my job. They don’t see the behind the scenes.”
“Well, the guys are happy you’re here, so I guess there’s no harm, no foul. But if you talk to anyone about anything that’s happened here tonight, I’ll cut your fingers off one by one.”
I sucked in a breath.
Then Billy started to laugh.
“Just joking. Of course. Have fun, you two.”
I exchanged a glance with Zane. All his laid-back surfer vibes were disappearing faster than eroding shoreline in a hurricane.
“We should get out of here,” Zane said.
“I still don’t know anything,” I whispered back. “I’m under contract to stay for at least two hours. I have no idea what happened here that may have gotten Cora killed.”
“Probably what’s going on in that room,” Zane said, nodding down the hallway.
“What’s going on there?”
“You stay here, and I’ll find out.”
I grabbed his arm. “I don’t want to pull you into this.”
“I’ll be fine.” He leaned closer and kissed my cheek. “I promise.”
He strutted to the back hallway, and I lifted up a prayer. Let him be okay. Please.
Just as he disappeared from sight, the front door burst open.
Police invaded the house like ants on a slice of watermelon.
And Jackson Sullivan stood in the midst of them, staring at me with an expression of disbelief on his face.
Chapter Thirteen
Officers swarmed through the house, along with another detective holding a warrant in his hand. The music had ended, leaving the place feeling deflated and empty. The strobe lights were off, and glaring overhead lights were on.
And Zane was still nowhere to be seen.
“What in the world are you doing here?” Jackson stared at me as I crossed my arms in the corner—the area I’d gravitated to when the commotion started.
“No, the question is: What are you doing here?” If in doubt, turn the tables. My favorite piece of advice yet.
“I’m doing my job. There was a notice about underage drinking here.”
“Underage? Who?”
He nodded in the distance, and I saw the other detective talking to Amy. Billy stood beside them, exclaiming, “She told me she was twenty-one!” Meanwhile, Amy shrugged as if she couldn’t care less.
“We’ve been keeping our eyes on these parties for a while,” Jackson said, lowering his voice and sidling beside me, no doubt so he could have a view of the room as well.
“Why?”
A hand went to his hip. “I’m the one asking questions here, Joey. Since you’re here, maybe you need to go down to the station as well.”
I raised my hands, not wanting to go through that again. Once was enough. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“There’s nothing good happening here. Nothing.” He sliced a hand through the air.
I swallowed hard, looking around once more for Zane. I hoped he didn’t get in trouble because of me. One of the men I’d seen earlier was led away in handcuffs, s
houting profanities as he went.
“There’s an arrest warrant out for him,” Jackson said. “Not only did he embezzle money from his company, but as he was spending thus-said money, he hit a man with his car and fled the scene. We’ve been trying to track him down for a while now.”
“I see.” They’d been looking for an excuse to bust this joint. Amy had given them the ammunition they needed.
“They’re not great people to be around.”
“Cora was at one of these parties last week,” I blurted.
“So you thought it was a good idea if you came also?”
“No, in my defense, I never thought this was a good idea. It was just my only idea.”
His cheeks puffed out, as if all his frustration built up pressure inside him and neared explosion. Finally, he slowly released the air. Shut his eyes. Opened them again. Purposefully. Methodically. Perfectly in control.
“What’s it going to take to get through to you, Joey? You’ve already almost been killed more than once. Do you think you’re invincible?”
My cheeks stung as if I’d been slapped. “Nothing happened here, Jackson. My life isn’t in danger. I was just at a party.”
I remembered Rupert and shivered. This could have turned ugly if Zane hadn’t arrived when he did.
Jackson leaned closer. “Drugs. Gambling. People who are risk takers. Who think they’re invincible. Who think women are objects. That’s who’s here tonight.”
He had a point. This was a terrible idea.
“I only wanted to help,” I finally said. How many times was I going to say that?
“You can help by staying out of it. Understand?”
I nodded. “I understand.”
Before Jackson could change his mind and possibly actually take me down to the station, I found Zane and left.
“I’m still not sure I understand,” I told Zane once we were back at my duplex.
“Those guys are up to no good. They live fast and furious, and they don’t care who gets in the way.”
“But who are they? I don’t understand that party scene. They’re not college kids. They’re grown men.” I paced in my living room, trying to sort my thoughts out.
Safety in Blunders (The Worst Detective Ever Book 3) Page 9
