Tart of Darkness

by Denise Swanson

  “Not really.” When Dani shook her head, making her curls bounce, Spencer was barely able to stop himself from brushing a butterscotch-colored ringlet off her cheek. “And I signed a nondisclosure agreement, so everything I did at my job is considered confidential.”

  “Why would the detective care what you did at your old job in the insurance company?” Spencer reluctantly released her wrist. “Was Mikeloff ever involved in anything having to do with the corporation?”

  “Not that I know of.” Something flickered in Dani’s expression.

  Spencer frowned. What was she hiding, and why she was hiding it? Was it simply a matter of not trusting him or something more ominous?

  Spencer had all four women run through the incident with Mikeloff one more time, then tell him what they knew about Regina and the people who had been at her party. Finally, after finishing his tea and thanking Dani for the best cupcakes he’d had since his mother hung up her apron and retired to Florida, he rose from the table and said goodbye.

  As he jogged back to his truck, a plan began to form. He could use the excuse that the vic was a student at the university and ask for a meeting with the police chief to feel her out about Mikeloff. But before he did that, he needed to gather some intel on the detective.

  He texted his confidential informant requesting a meeting and she replied that she would see him at her favorite bar at seven thirty. It was only a little past six o’clock so he had ninety minutes to kill. He’d spend that time reaching out to a few of his ex-colleagues about Mikeloff.

  Spencer also planned to do some research of his own on Little Miss Cupcake. Had something happened during her previous employment that she wasn’t telling him? He hadn’t pushed her about whatever she was hiding because he damn well knew that arguing with a woman was like trying to read the terms of agreement on the computer. Eventually, he always ended up ignoring everything else and just clicking I AGREE.

  But he still wanted to make damn sure she was innocent of any wrongdoing before he decided to help her. All he needed was to be taken in by another con artist like his ex-wife. She’d left him bleeding money and involved in a long, drawn-out divorce, which is why Dani would have to earn his trust and assistance. He sure as hell was never giving it blindly again.

  Nevertheless, his gut told him that Little Miss Cupcake could worm her way into his heart if he wasn’t careful. Good thing his undercover training had taught him to keep his emotions in check. He might lust for Dani, but he wouldn’t act on it, and he certainly wasn’t going to fall for her.

  He was annoyed with himself at his fascination with Dani. He knew better than to let good-looking females past his defenses. Too many foolish women fell for the badge, not the man behind it. And once they were faced with the reality, they ended up hating the very job that they’d romanticized.

  Still, later that night as he entered the bar where he hoped to find his informant, for one crazy nanosecond, Spencer considered stopping back at the Cook Mansion once he’d spoken to his CI.

  But as he drank a bottle of beer, he reminded himself that he still had no idea what Dani was concealing. His research hadn’t turned up much beyond the basic facts. She was twenty-nine, born and raised in nearby Towanda, and her father worked for a company that manufactured fast-food equipment. She’d graduated with honors from college and accepted a job at Homestead Insurance, where she remained until approximately eight months ago.

  There hadn’t been anything online about why she quit her job. And her social media presence hadn’t even hinted at a current boyfriend. Just as Spencer chugged the last of his Corona, he spotted Vivi O’Hara tottering toward him on impossibly high heels.

  He blew out a frustrated breath at the mystery of Ms. Danielle Sloan, then shoved thoughts of her aside and concentrated on his CI.

  Vivi’s brightly painted red lips curved into a predatory smile as she wrapped her arms around Spencer’s neck. She purred in his ear, “I haven’t seen you in a long time, lover boy.”

  Grabbing Vivi’s arms, he peeled her off him and plopped her onto a stool. The woman was buttoned into McClean County’s underbelly, and she insisted that the only way she could talk to Spencer without putting herself in danger was to pretend they were hooking up.

  “I’ve been out of town,” he lied smoothly. “But I’m back for a while, so how about we move this to one of the booths in the back?”

  “Aren’t you even going to buy a girl a drink first?” Vivi put her hands on her tiny waist and tossed her long, black hair. The wrinkles near her hazel eyes deepened and she said, “Make it a double Jack.”

  “Sure.” Spencer flashed a repentant grin.

  “And get one for yourself.” She winked. “I’m going to ply you with liquor until you think I’m too beautiful to resist.”

  “There isn’t enough beer in Illinois for that to come true,” Spencer muttered under his breath.

  Vivi narrowed her eyes and demanded, “What?”

  “I said you look good in blue.” Spencer forced a smile. “I’ll meet you at the table.”

  It was only a few minutes past eight and the crowd was still relatively quiet. But after another hour or two, with more alcohol under their belts, the noise would be deafening. Spencer planned on being long gone by that time.

  After getting Vivi’s drink and another bottle of beer for himself, Spencer joined her.

  She threw him a flirty smile and said, “You know, we don’t have to meet here. You could come to my place.”

  “Maybe next time.” Spencer gave her the same answer as always.

  Vivi touched a manicured hand to the back of her hair and said, “I’m beginning to think you don’t find me sexy.”

  “It’s not that.” Spencer took a swig of beer to hide his annoyance. He noted the pique in Vivi’s eyes and realized that unless he slept with her, he would lose her as a CI. And since there was no way he was banging her, he needed to make this Q & A a good one, since it might end up being the last bit of info he got from her. “I just don’t mix business and pleasure.”

  “Well…” Vivi sipped her whiskey. “I think at this stage of our relationship, you need to make an exception.”

  Spencer made a noncommittal sound implying agreement, then asked, “So what do you hear about a city detective named Mikeloff?”

  “Nothing.” Vivi dropped her eyes. “I’ve never heard of him.”

  “Why don’t I believe that?” Spencer forced himself to take Vivi’s hand. “A beautiful woman like you knows all the important people.”

  “Well, he’s not really important.” Vivi’s tongue traced her lips.

  “So you do know him,” Spencer said lightly.

  “It depends.” Vivi petted Spencer’s arm with her free hand. “What’s it worth to you?”

  “A hundred?”

  “Make it two.”

  “One fifty.”

  “Okay.” Vivi licked her lips again. “But you definitely didn’t hear this from me.” She glanced nervously over her shoulder, leaned forward, and whispered. “Mikeloff is a mean, crazy bastard.”

  “Is he on the take?” Spencer asked.

  “Well…” Vivi fluttered her lashes. “Not that I’ve heard.”

  “But?”

  “But, he has been known to do people favors.” Vivi finished her drink. “Not for money, but he likes to have people in debt to him.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Rumor has it he enjoys inflicting emotional torture…” She trailed off, then she blinked and added, “And he’s a real stickler for a tooth for a tooth, if you know what I mean.”

  “Cross him and he wants revenge?” Spencer asked.

  “Exactly.” Vivi slid a stack of gold bracelets up and down her wrist. “You don’t want to get on his bad side because he’ll set you up and you’ll end up in prison.”

  “Do you know any
one that happened to, or is it just gossip?”

  “I only deal in certified facts.” Vivi gave a high-pitched laugh and whapped Spencer on the bicep with the back of her hand.

  “I see.” Spencer noticed that Vivi had avoided a direct answer, but he didn’t press her. Instead, he asked, “Is there anyone you know who would be willing to talk to me about Mikeloff?”

  “Hey.” Vivi pursed her lips. “Do you doubt what I told you?”

  “Of course not.” Spencer shook his head. “Just wondering if there was someone he framed that might be willing to tell me the details.”

  “I’m sure that could be arranged.” Vivi’s tone was playful, but her expression was hard to read. “How about you come to my place tomorrow night, and I’ll see what I can do?”

  “That’s not part of my flight plan.”

  “Then think of me as unexpected turbulence.” Vivi stared at him. “Something you have to put up with to get where you want to be.”

  “That won’t work for me.” Spencer knew that if he showed up at Vivi’s condo, there wouldn’t be anyone there but her. “Thanks for the offer, but whatever you’re looking for isn’t something I can give.” Standing, he dug out the money he’d promised her from his pocket, but before handing it over, he asked, “By any chance have of you heard of a Regina Bourne?”

  “Why does that name sound familiar?” Vivi looked at the ceiling for a long second, then snapped her fingers. “Now I remember. Her ex-boyfriend is one of my clients.”

  “Drugs or sex?”

  “A little of both. The first to help the second.” Vivi winked. “He used to complain that she was a spoiled brat and didn’t understand the ‘needs’ of a man like him.”

  “Needs?”

  “Vance likes to be in control and he needs to inflict a little pain to get off.”

  “Interesting.” Spencer wondered if the cops knew about the guy’s tastes. Touching his finger to his forehead, he said, “Be careful, Vivi. Regina was murdered, and nine out of ten times, the killer is the current or ex-boyfriend.”

  Chapter 8

  The girls had gone upstairs to their rooms to put away their books when the doorbell rang. Dani seriously considered ignoring the bell, half-afraid it was Mikeloff, but she tiptoed down the hall and squinted through the window.

  Seeing her ex-boyfriend standing on her porch, she started to back away. Kipp’s sudden appearance after nearly a year was the perfect ending to a crappy day.

  Before she could get out of the foyer, her ex yelled, “I know you’re there.”

  “Go away!” Dani shouted. “We have nothing to say to one another.”

  “Don’t be childish.” Kipp’s voice took on a cajoling tone. “I thought by now you’d have realized that you overreacted when you found out about my fiancée.”

  “Right.” Dani snorted. “It wasn’t as if you were married to her.”

  Dani rubbed the back of her neck. Why was Kipp here? They’d had this conversation when she broke up with him, and he hadn’t seemed all that upset.

  “Look,” Kipp said. “I know your father doesn’t know about your new job, and unless you agree to talk to me face-to-face, I’m telling him that you’ve thrown away your education and are now basically a servant.”

  Shit! Even after she’d broken up with Kipp, he and her father had remained pals. Him getting to her father before she had a chance to talk to him would not be good. All she needed was to have Kipp put his spin on her new career into her dad’s head.

  “Fine.” Dani unlocked the door and stepped onto the porch. No way was she letting her asshole ex inside. “You have five minutes.”

  Dani studied Kipp. There was something off about him. Although he’d never shown any signs of violence, he was emitting such a weird vibe, she wasn’t sure what he’d do. He seemed a lot angrier than the situation warranted, and she was trying to figure out why when suddenly he smiled and tried to take her hand.

  Dani jerked out of his reach and he tsked. “Now don’t to be like that.”

  “Like what?” Dani gritted her teeth. “A cheated-on woman who has no idea why her no-good ex-boyfriend has turned up on her doorstep after nearly a year? Or a woman who’s concerned when said ex-boyfriend refuses to go away and blackmails her into talking to him?”

  “Come on.” Kipp’s smile was flirtations. “The last thing I want to do is to fight with you.” He moved closer. “I broke off my engagement.” Then he gave her that stupid grin of his, the one that might have wiped out her defenses in the past, but now it just annoyed her. “Remember how much fun we used to have making up?”

  “Yuck!” Dani made a face. “That line sounds just as cheesy as the other eight hundred times that I heard it.”

  “Just don’t say I never gave us a second chance.” Kipp shrugged.

  “Well, now that we have that settled, you can leave.” Dani crossed her arms.

  “One more thing.” Kipp paused. “Do you remember that book of poetry that I lent you when you helped me clear out Mother’s house after she died? It was in a box of my great-great-great-grandmother’s things that looked as if it hadn’t been opened in the last century. We only found it because the carton’s bottom broke and its contents fell out onto the floor.”

  “Lent?” Dani raised her eyebrows. “You gave it to me.”

  “Whatever.” Kipp shrugged. “It turns out that Mother promised it to my cousin and she’s been bugging me about it.”

  “What took you so long to ask you for it?” Dani asked. “Your mother died more than a year and a half ago.”

  “My cousin was out of the country doing missionary work and hadn’t heard about Mother’s death.”

  “I haven’t unpacked all my boxes yet, but you can have it when I find it.”

  “I need it right now.” Kipp grabbed her hand and tried to pull her toward the door. “I’ll help you look.”

  “Hold it right there, mister.” Dani jerked her hand from his grasp and poked him in the chest with her index finger. “There are a lot of boxes and I have other plans for the evening. I’ll text you when I run across it.”

  “No!” Kipp yelped. “Get it now.”

  “If you don’t leave this instant, I’m keeping the book.”

  “Fine.” Kipp’s expression smoothed. “Don’t get yourself in a tizzy. I’ll stop by tomorrow to pick it up.”

  “You need to wait for my text.”

  “Don’t take too long,” Kipp ordered and headed down the front steps.

  “With that kind of attitude, I might never find it!” Dani yelled after him.

  As soon as Kipp left, Dani called her best friend, Kelsey Zahler. After her stressful day full of crazy cops, irrational ex-boyfriends, and hot uncles, she needed a sympathetic ear.

  Since Kelsey had gotten married and had a couple of babies, the two women didn’t see as much of each other as they had in high school and college. But when Dani wanted a shoulder to cry on, Kelsey was still her number one choice.

  Miracle of miracles, Kelsey answered on the first ring and suggested that they meet around nine for a drink at their old hangout. By then, Kelsey’s kids would be in bed and her husband would be home to keep an eye on them.

  Dani fed her boarders dinner and told them that she would be out for the evening, then went upstairs to get ready. She was dressed and pacing the floor by eight fifteen.

  Although it was still a little early, she scooped up her purse and headed for the van. She was too twitchy to sit around the house and she could always buzz the gut—cruise around Towanda’s downtown a few times if she got really desperate.

  Climbing into the huge, white vehicle with the Chef-to-Go logo painted on the side, Dani wished for the hundredth time that she had been able to keep her sporty little Audi. But she’d had to sell the Cabriolet to pay for the van. Besides, she certainly couldn’t afford two vehicles.<
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  As Dani drove toward her hometown, she realized that her route took her past the entrance to Regina Bourne’s neighborhood and she impulsively turned into the development. Spotting Chelsea and Trent Karnes’s house, she wondered once again if the couple would still want her to cook for them. After the dessert debacle at the luau when Regina had threatened to ruin Dani’s business, her first thought had been that the Karneses would never hire her to be their personal chef again. And they certainly wouldn’t permit her in their home if Mikeloff spread the word that she was a murderer.

  Groaning, Dani pulled the van to the curb and studied the Bournes’ house. She couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary—not that she’d really expected a neon sign flashing MURDER. Still, something had compelled her to revisit the place. Good thing the detective hadn’t caught her there. Wasn’t it some kind of cop motto that criminals always return to the scene of the crime?

  Suddenly, Dani felt as if someone was watching her and quickly eased the van back onto the street and headed to her hometown.

  Clouds rolled overhead, playing peekaboo with the moon, and the darkness fit her mood. She turned on the van’s radio, searching for some cheerful music. Instead, she found the Beatles singing “Yesterday,” one of the most depressing songs ever recorded.

  Hitting the radio’s Off button, Dani drove the rest of the way to the bar and grill in silence. Dani secured a coveted corner booth to wait for her friend. Unfortunately, it was under a hyperactive ceiling fan and, shivering, she slid along the bench until she found a sheltered spot.

  When a waitress wearing the establishment’s obligatory short shorts and cropped football jersey approached, Dani asked for a pitcher of margaritas. As the girl trudged away, Dani wondered if the bar had ever had a male server, and if so, what kind of equivalently skimpy outfit he’d be required to wear. No shirt and bicycle shorts?

  A few seconds after the waitress returned with Dani’s order, a shapely redhead strutted into the room. When she saw Dani, she ran over, dragged her to her feet, and hugged her.

  “Kel,” Dani gasped. “Need to breathe.”