Murder in the River City

by Allison Brennan

  Her doorbell rang. It was original to the house, a beautiful chime her father had fixed when she first moved in.

  It was late and she almost didn’t answer it, fearing it would be Austin. She didn’t know if she could fake it anymore, the twenty minutes they’d spent together in the bar had drained her. But it was obvious she was home—her car was in the driveway and her lights were on.

  She dragged herself to the door and looked out the small, inset glass.

  Sam.

  Her heart raced even though she didn’t want to see Sam, either. But she opened the door.

  He stood there on her welcome mat, his handsome face long, with a bunch of poppies in his hand—poppies with the roots and dirt still attached.

  “Shauna, I’m sorry. I was wrong. Forgive me.”

  She blinked and her mouth opened, but no words came out. She had nothing to say. No sarcastic comment. No smug victorious smirk.

  Sam stepped inside and saw the roses. “Davis?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  He took the roses out of the vase and plopped the wilting poppies in the water. “Okay?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  He closed and bolted her door, then pulled her against his chest and kissed her.

  Her knees buckled, but he grabbed her ass and held her close, his mouth firmly, expertly claiming hers. She only hesitated for a second before lust replaced shock. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight.

  His hands moved up her shirt, kneading her skin, rough and urgent. His mouth was locked on hers, taking her breath away, and when she pulled back for air, he moved greedily down her jaw to her neck, his tongue leaving wet kisses all the way to her ear. He bit her lobe, hard enough to feel the imprint of his teeth, just below the threshold of pain. She gasped as his hands moved under her bikinis and held her butt cheeks firmly, his fingers deeply massaging her, inching closer to her center. Then he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist and held on as he carried her to the couch in the dining room.

  “My. Bedroom. Up.” She could hardly breathe, let alone talk.

  “Here. Now.” He dropped her to the couch. Her panties fell around one of her ankles and Sam pulled off his T-shirt and unbuttoned his jeans. She took the brief moment of reprieve to try to slow her racing heart, but when she saw his broad, toned chest slick with sweat, she smiled, pulled off the USMC shirt, and knelt on the couch. She splayed her hands across his chest. His heart pounded beneath his rib cage, a powerful rhythm she hoped to mimic in bed. Or on the couch. Or on the floor. Or all three.

  She kissed him, the salty taste reminding her of hot nights on the beach and dreams of a night just like tonight, with this man.

  She should be scared. The feelings she’d had for Sam Garcia for so long should terrify her. But they didn’t. Sex had never felt this right. She’d never wanted to make love this badly. She’d never felt like she needed a man like she needed—craved—Sam Garcia.

  Sam wasn’t going to last long, not this time, not since he’d been in a perpetual state of semi-arousal since their groping kiss the night before that left him with hot promises. He grabbed Shauna’s wrists when her hands started moving south, and he kissed her again. She met him with the same urgency he felt inside, and her passion drove him. He pushed her back down onto the couch, everything about their relationship as volatile and exciting as this full body, fully naked kiss. He wanted to tell Shauna she was the most gorgeous creature on the planet, but when he said her name, she scraped her fingernails down his back hard enough to send a jolt of lust to his already hard dick. She then grabbed his ass like he’d grabbed hers before and squeezed, her fingers getting too close to the sensitive skin at the base of his penis. He adjusted his body so she couldn’t reach him and moved his kisses down to her perfect breasts. He licked one, then the other, going back and forth, sucking harder each time he changed sides, nibbling her nipples until she cried out. He smiled, feeling like the cat that ate the canary at how hot and responsive she was to him—until she rolled him over and he fell on the floor.

  She sat up on top of him, her entire body flushed.

  “Condom,” she demanded.

  “Wallet.”

  She had to turn to find his jeans, and Sam took the opportunity to try to slow his pace. But then she crawled halfway across the room and he saw her from behind and immediately realized slow wasn’t going to cut it. Not the first time. Not when they’d been holding off for so long.

  He crawled after her, grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down beneath him. He kissed her while grabbing his wallet from her hands.

  “I want to do it,” she said impishly.

  “If you touch me, I’ll explode,” he said with a low growl.

  Shauna watched as Sam rolled the condom on. She smiled seductively and said, “I saw three of those in your wallet.”

  “And I’m going to use each one.” He leaned over her and whispered in her ear. “First, I’m going to make love to you hard and fast, because you’ve already driven me to the brink. Then, I’m going to take you upstairs and you’re going to do the same to me. Then, just when you think you can’t move, I’m going to kiss you everywhere. Your mouth.” He kissed her lightly. “Your breasts.” He sucked her highly stimulated nipples and she gasped. “And right here.”

  He slid his penis deep inside her, then stopped himself. He wanted to savor it at the same time he wanted her now.

  This moment was everything Shauna had imagined and more. More. She reached down and pressed his ass firmly, pushing him in as deep as he could go, while moving her pelvis up to meet him.

  “Shauna,” he mumbled in her ear.

  She loved hearing him say her name. She loved that he was eager for her. She wrapped her right leg around his waist and grabbed his biceps. She tilted her head back and Sam pulled almost all the way out, then sank back in. She gasped with each movement, overheated and spiraling quickly toward complete satisfaction.

  Every muscle in Sam’s body went rigid and his penis jerked deep inside her. He joined her as he took her over the edge. She bit back a cry. Too hot, too fast, too much pent up lust. She wanted more.

  “Again, Sam,” she whispered.

  He kissed the skin at the base of her throat, over and over, then her neck, her jawline, and finally her lips. He kissed her with such warmth and affection she lost her breath again.

  “I love you, Shauna,” he whispered. “I’ve loved you forever.”

  She smiled. “I knew you would come to your senses eventually.” She kissed him, then turned his head so she could whisper in his ear. “I love you, too, Sam Garcia. Now take me upstairs and keep your promises.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Friday

  Mack’s funeral was at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento Friday at ten a.m., followed by a party at Dooley’s. Shauna focused on each of her responsibilities so she wouldn’t have to think about this evening. It was just an act, so the FBI could gather evidence. And hopefully, put the bad guys behind bars.

  But the end game wasn’t for weeks or months, according to Dean Hooper, and that meant Shauna had to be cordial to Austin. What was she going to tell him after tonight? She couldn’t keep up the farce for months. She didn’t know if she’d be able to get through it for one night.

  Except, if he was party to killing Mack, she had a duty and obligation to stop him.

  “Shauna, girl, what’s troubling you?” Dooley asked.

  She looked up, almost forgetting she was wiping down the bar.

  “The bar is clean. You’ve been scrubbing the same spot for five minutes.”

  “Sad, Da, just sad.”

  He laid his gnarled hands on hers. “Me, too, girl. Me, too.”

  Sam walked in and caught Shauna’s eye. He winked and a weight lifted from her heart. They’d agreed not to talk alone today because Agent Hooper was worried Austin had people reporting back. If he thought there was any set up, he might change the plans for the event.


  It was the waiting that was killing her. She was not a patient woman.

  Her cell phone rang. It was a blocked call. “Hello?”

  “Ms. Murphy? It’s Dean Hooper.”

  “Hello.” What was she supposed to say?

  “The warrant came through. I have a female agent, Melanie Hale, who’s going to meet you at your house at three under the guise of being a friend.”

  “Austin might know my friends.”

  “What about a neighbor?”

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t sound comfortable.”

  “I’m not getting cold feet—I know this is important—but I think he thinks that because I’m going with him to this ball that we’re back together. Or that I’ll say something and screw it up. I’m not a good liar.”

  “I agree. If we don’t get what we need, we still have Butler inside. But if you want to back out, let me know.”

  Though she had mixed feelings, she wasn’t going to back out now. “I’m okay.”

  “Melanie is five foot seven, with blond hair and brown eyes. She’ll knock on your door and ask if she can borrow milk. If you can’t talk, tell her you don’t have any. If all is well, invite her in.”

  Agent Hooper continued. “Just be yourself. Austin Davis knows everything about you—you were friends. He knows about Jason Butler, he knows you’re long-time family friends with Sam Garcia, who put Butler in prison, and he knows you’re worried about the robbery at your grandfather’s bar. Respond like you would if you were on a real date with him.”

  She took a deep breath. “Okay. I can do that.”

  She hung up and Sam approached with her brother Mike. “Thanks for coming, Mike,” she said. “Dooley thought you had to work.”

  “I got another doctor to switch days with me. Means I’ll have a thirty-six hour shift next weekend, but this was important.”

  She spontaneously gave her brother a hug. Mike frowned. “What’s that for?”

  “Just thankful for my family.”

  Mike felt her forehead. “Are you okay?”

  She hit his hand away and he laughed. She glanced at Sam, who was watching her very closely. Had he told Mike? She blushed, remembering last night. Of course he hadn’t told her brother. Mike would find out, but Sam wouldn’t just go up to him at a funeral and say I had sex with your sister.

  Mike eyed her again quizzically, then Sam said, “Detective Black just came in. Maybe he has some good news.” He kissed Shauna on the cheek, whispered, “I love you,” then walked across the bar floor.

  Mike narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on?” he said.

  Did he suspect she was involved with Sam? Or that she was playing spy for the FBI?

  “You can’t lie to me, Shauna. Tell me the truth. Now.”

  Mike would have a fit if he thought she was in danger, and even though she trusted the FBI to be prepared, they had warned her to tell no one. Even family.

  “Is this about Jason Butler being back in town? Is Sam giving you a hard time?”

  “What do you know about that?”

  “Dad told me he offered you a job. Sam wasn’t happy.”

  “Sam and I have an agreement.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “I haven’t decided what to do about the job. I can’t think about it today.”

  Mike sat next to her and stared at her intently. “Shauna, I know you better than anyone.”

  “Don’t pull big brother on me.”

  He didn’t say anything. He wasn’t going to let this go. Then he’d go to Sam, and Sam would obfuscate, and he’d know something was up.

  A version of the truth was going to have to work.

  “I’m going to the charity ball with Austin tonight.”

  “What the hell for?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Fuck that!”

  She widened her eyes. Mike never swore. “Just as friends, it’s important to him, a charity thing—”

  He cut her off. “I don’t like him. I never did, and I think you’re making a big mistake.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “You need to break it off cold turkey, Shauna.”

  “I did!”

  “Did not. You broke it off, but had with coffee with him on Monday? Dooley and I always thought he was much too possessive of you, like after a couple dates he could order you around. And don’t say it’s because I’m your brother and no man is good enough in my eyes. I actually liked Jason, until I found out he was a criminal.”

  She wanted to tell Mike the truth, but kept her mouth shut on that, saying instead, “Jason and I are still friends.”

  “You need to make it clear to Austin Davis that after tonight, he can’t expect you to drop everything to be his escort. I’d rather you go out with … with … Jason!”

  “Sam wouldn’t like that,” she mumbled before she realized she was talking out loud.

  “Since when do you let Sam decide who you date or not—oh, God, no.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Mike blushed this time. The curse of fair Irish skin. “You—and Sam?”

  “You can’t tell me you haven’t seen this coming.”

  Mike didn’t say anything.

  “Mike, don’t be mad.”

  “I’m not mad. It’s just—” He blushed crimson. “Oh, God, I can’t think about it. It’s too weird.”

  “You can think it’s weird.”

  “Then why are you going to the charity thing with Austin?”

  “Because I agreed before Sam and I sl—” She bit her tongue. “Before we, um, realized we are both unattached at the same time.”

  “I really don’t want to hear it.” Mike put his hands on her shoulders. “Be careful, Shauna. If you need me for anything, call me. I’d drop anything for you. You know that.”

  She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Don’t tell Brian or Skip, but you’re my favorite brother.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You say that to all of us.”

  #

  Sam was excited about a forensics report he’d just received, and he and John stood in a far corner, away from the crowd coming in after Mack’s funeral.

  “Simone is a genius,” he said. “I have confirmation that the mirrored glass found at the Callie Wood crime scene came from this bar. In addition, there was trace blood evidence on Wood’s body—Simone determined it was transferred from the killer to Wood when he strangled her.”

  “He wore the same gloves?” John asked.

  “That’s my guess. This is solid evidence connecting the two murders. Now, even better, I have a positive ID on the man who bought beer Saturday night and brought it to Duncan’s house. Going off the information Shauna learned when she was snooping in his apartment, I had Riley Knight pull pictures of everyone who works at Coresco & Hunt, everyone we know about, and show them to the proprietor.” Sam handed John a picture. “It was a long shot, but this is the guy who bought the beer. Matches the description of the guy who attacked Shauna.”

  The picture was of a guy in his late twenties with blond hair and light eyes.

  “Who’s that?” John asked.

  “Pete Coresco.”

  “He’s young to be a lead attorney.”

  “He’s George Coresco’s son. Kid had been in and out of trouble, no jail time. I called Hooper, and Hooper has been looking at him closely because he’s considered a wild card. He has a temper, and may be responsible for several unsolved murders in Reno that involved the law firm. Get this: Pete and Joey went to high school together, here in Sacramento.”

  “Another connection.”

  “Bingo. Hooper’s working double time putting together a case, and he thinks Pete won’t kill Joey unless he’s forced into it. If we can get to Joey, we may have someone who knows far more than he thinks. Slight change in plans. If we ID Joey, we’re pulling him as quickly and quietly as possible.”

  John nodded. “The case is coming together. And Hooper sent me a file today on Missy Polk. She’s
on the FBI watch list because of some of her associates.”

  Sam pulled out his phone and sent Hooper a message. “Maybe there’s a connection between Pete Coresco and Mack’s daughter.”

  “If Mack wanted to get back into the good graces of his daughter, maybe he agreed to do something for her or Coresco.”

  “That exactly what I was thinking.”

  “The FBI will probably hold off on questioning her, to avoid any leaks to Coresco or Davis.”

  Sam’s gaze wandered over to where Shauna and Mike were deep in conversation.

  John said quietly, “We’re going to hear everything. Hooper got the warrants this morning. Both Shauna and Butler will be wearing a wire. Nothing is going to happen to her.”

  There were pros and cons to a wire, but the big danger was if they were caught. And if Davis was smart, he wouldn’t say anything incriminating or let on that he knows. Then, after the event, kill them both. And maybe not right away. Shauna might be in danger for a lot longer than these few hours.

  Sam wondered what she’d think if he moved in with her.

  “Sam?”

  “Just thinking of everything that could go wrong.”

  #

  Minutes after Shauna walked into her house, the dress was delivered. She called Austin as soon as she opened the box.

  “I can’t wear this,” she said when he answered.

  He asked solemnly, “You don’t like it? Green’s your favorite color. It’s your size.”

  “I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s too much, Austin. Remember, we’re friends. That’s it. I’m—I’m—” She could hardly breathe as she stared at the full-length gown.

  He laughed. “This is why I love you, Shauna. You don’t expect anything. Which makes me want to give you more.”

  She froze. He didn’t mean he loved her, not love, love. More love her like a friend.

  “Austin,” she whispered, “I don’t think I should go tonight.”

  “I’ll be there at five-thirty. I have a limo for the evening. Go on. Get ready. I can’t wait to see you in the dress.”

  He hung up. She stared at the phone and realized she was shaking.