by Judi Lynn
When she snorted, he turned to Gaff and Jazzi. “Am I a suspect?”
“For now,” Gaff told him. “We’re just starting to investigate. You don’t happen to know a young nurse who went missing, do you?”
“A nurse?” Ed shut his eyes again and shook his head. “Did she live around here?”
“Don’t know. We haven’t ID’d her yet.”
Ed looked worried, glancing at Eve. “No one’s killing young women around here, are they?”
Gaff tried to reassure him. “It doesn’t look that way. So far, our victims seem to be a young man, a young woman, and Leo.”
“That’s a weird combination,” Eve said.
“Yeah, it has us puzzled. Is there anything either of you can think of that might help?”
Ed rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know about the nurse, but Leo liked to snoop as much as the kid did. Maybe that’s what got him and Miles in trouble.”
Gaff closed his notepad and put it back in his shirt pocket. “Thanks for your time, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t leave town.”
Eve laughed. “Like Mr. Cheapskate would pay for a ticket. No worries there.”
“How could I afford one?” Ed snapped. “You spend money faster than I can make it.”
How in the world could Ed put up with Eve? He struck her as a decent person, but Eve could audition for Taming of the Shrew.
They left them to their bickering.
Gaff raised his eyebrows at her. “Interesting, huh?”
“I’d cut my losses and divorce her.”
“Some men want them young,” Gaff said as he got into the car. “They’re willing to put up with a lot to get it.”
“Then they deserve what they get.”
Gaff laughed and pulled onto the street. “You ready to see Miles’s parents?”
“Not really.” She’d never signed on to be the bearer of bad news.
“Me either. Thanks for coming with me.”
She’d feel too guilty if she didn’t, but she was dreading this next visit.
Chapter 14
Miles’s parents lived in a modest ranch-style house with a basement. Jazzi had a thing for basements, if they were in good shape. You could hide from a tornado in a basement. You could store all kinds of stuff in them, and if you were lucky, your pipes would stay warm enough to never freeze in winter.
This house had tan vinyl siding and dark brown shutters. She and Gaff walked to the front door and knocked. When a woman opened it, Gaff showed her his badge.
“Mrs. Lancaster?” he asked. When she nodded, he said, “We have news for you.”
She opened the door wider and invited them in. Her husband was watching TV in his recliner and turned off his program to hurry to hear what Gaff had to say.
Gaff took a seat on the sofa across from him, and Jazzi sat next to him. The wife settled on an armchair. Gaff took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to tell you that we found your son’s body buried in a shallow grave.”
The wife clasped her hands together. “Can you tell how he died? Was it fast?”
“The medical examiner hasn’t confirmed it yet, but it looks like he died from a blow to the back of his head. Fast.”
The wife looked at Jazzi. “Were you the one who found him?”
She nodded.
“Where was he?”
“Close by, near some trees by the wetlands.”
The father looked relieved. “So maybe someone hit him with something hard, killed him, then buried him there. There was no...” He grimaced. “No one abused him sexually?”
“I doubt it,” Jazzi said. “He was fully dressed.”
The mother tried to explain. “There was a time when we wouldn’t have thought much about that, but after the accident, Miles was so simple, so naïve. He could be talked into all sorts of things.”
What a horrible burden, to have to worry about that. “What happened to your son?”
The mother glanced at a photo of a young Miles on their fireplace mantel. He was beaming, holding up a trophy, and extremely good-looking. “You’d never know it now, but he was an honor student, a basketball star, and very popular. He went to college, got a good job, and it looked like he’d get promoted. Then he went to Florida with his friends. He got so drunk, he fell off a balcony. His body landed in a bush, but his head hit the sidewalk. He was never the same.”
“I’m sorry.” Jazzi sat stunned. How many young guys had too much to drink and got stupid and survived it? When Jerod was young, he loved bars and didn’t always stop drinking when he should. And he’d been lucky. It was sad when youthful sprees haunted kids for the rest of their lives.
The father folded his hands in his lap. “Our church has been there with us, every step of the way. Without their support, I don’t know if we’d have survived this.”
Gaff took out his notepad and asked, “We’ve heard that Miles loved to ride his bike. Did he ever mention any place or anyone that might have gotten him in trouble?”
Miles’s dad sat up straighter. “He talked an awful lot about some girl in an apartment complex who was always nice to him. Every time she saw him, she said hi, asked him about his day. Miles had a crush on her.”
The mom nodded. “We had to explain that she liked him, and she was a wonderful person, but he couldn’t pester her all the time. He promised not to, but he still talked about her a lot.”
“Did he ever mention a name?” Gaff asked.
The dad locked gazes with his wife. “It was Meghan this and Meghan that. He was so happy someone was actually nice to him! Most people avoided or ignored him. He was devoted to the girl. He’d never harm anyone. Ever. If anything, he’d try to defend her if someone was bothering her.”
“That’s what we think, too,” Gaff said. “There was a woman’s body buried close to his. We think Miles died trying to defend her.”
The husband let out a long breath and reached for his wife’s hand. “He died fast, trying to do the right thing.”
They both looked like a heavy burden had been lifted from their shoulders. Jazzi thought about finding her Aunt Lynda’s body, and even though it was questionable that she was trying to do the right thing, it had still been a relief to know what happened to her.
Gaff stood and smiled. “When I hear anything more, I’ll let you know.”
Everyone got to their feet, and Jazzi followed Gaff out to his car. He drove her to Olivia’s and dropped her off. “Thanks for going with me. It helped.”
“No problem. The parents can heal now.” Her mom was still healing after everything she’d learned about Lynda.
He gave a wave and pulled away. Olivia opened the front door of the house and looked Jazzi up and down. “You look like you’ve been dragged through the mud. You’re staying with us for supper tonight.”
Jerod stepped out of the house behind her. “Not me. Franny’s parents took the kids to a movie tonight. It’s just me and my woman for a few hours. Franny’s getting big as a barn, but I have a thing for pregnant women, and she can’t resist lasagna from Casa’s.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “She won’t be able to keep her hands off me.”
“You wish.” Olivia laughed when he wiggled his hips on his way to his truck. “You picked a keeper. Franny’s fun to see at family get-togethers.”
“What did you expect when I had so many to choose from?” Jerod slid behind the steering wheel.
Jazzi laughed at him. Her cousin was full of himself. “Get all the romance you can before the baby keeps you up all night.”
Jerod hesitated before starting the engine. “I’m voting for the birth to happen after Valentine’s Day. Then I might get lucky. Franny’s voting for before. She’s ready to kick the kid out. No more free room and board. No cushy womb. He’ll have to deal with the real world.”
“Like it matters. You and Franny will
be happy either way. You won’t be able to keep your hands off the baby.” Jazzi watched him pull away and then grinned at her sister. “Those two sure love their kids.”
Olivia wrinkled her nose. “They can have them. Messy on both ends. But I’m hungry. Let’s go inside and order pizza.”
Chapter 15
They ordered three pizzas—one for Ansel, one for Thane, and one for Jazzi and Olivia to split. They were sitting around the wooden table that served as a kitchen island, sipping beers, when the delivery man pulled in the drive. When he rang the bell, Olivia grabbed for her purse. “Come in!”
A college-age kid stepped through the kitchen door and brought the pizzas to the island. He was a cutie—tall, with dark, curly hair, golden-brown eyes, deep dimples—and he knew he was Charm Perfected. His practiced grin gave him away. He glanced at his surroundings. “Lookin’ good. You’ve been working hard again.”
Thane smiled. “Thanks, it’s getting there. You getting tired of delivering pizzas here?”
“You kidding? You guys are good tippers. You can order every night.” His dark gaze skimmed their faces, then settled on Jazzi. “I wondered why my regulars ordered three pizzas. You a friend?”
“I’m helping my sister fix her house.”
He looked her up and down. “I believe in sisterhood. Always happy to rescue stranded ladies who aren’t in the mood to cook. I hope this makes your night better.”
Ansel exchanged glances with Thane. “Does that mean free breadsticks? We’ve been working hard, too.”
“No freebies for you, not unless Blondie orders them.” He stared at Jazzi. “I’d bend the rules for you. Enjoy your meal.”
When his little, red SUV pulled away, Olivia laughed. “I think he fancied you, sis.”
Jazzi rolled her eyes. “I think he’s a college student who fancies lots of things. He probably thinks if he flirts, he gets a better tip.”
“Not when he flirts with the sister who’s not digging in her purse.” Olivia pouted. “He ignored me.”
“Yeah, like you don’t turn enough heads. Besides, he knows you’re with Thane.” Jazzi reached for the box that contained the thin-crust Supreme.
“Who did he think I was?” Ansel asked. “Hired help?”
Jazzi studied his dirty T-shirt and worn jeans. “You could have been one of Thane’s work buddies—an unknown.”
“Maybe I should put a ring on your finger.”
Was he serious? “To let a college kid know I’m off-limits? That’s silly.”
He would have argued, but Thane pushed his pizza in front of him. Talking came to an abrupt halt while they all demolished the food. When they finished, Jazzi helped throw away paper plates and cardboard boxes. She yawned. “I’m dragging. Thanks for supper, but we need to go home. See you in the morning, Thane. Love ya, sis.”
“If you want to sleep in tomorrow, go ahead,” Olivia called after her. “You had a long day. Thane and I can figure out how to finish the kitchen.”
Thane’s jaw dropped, horrified. Ansel looked offended.
Jazzi laughed. Her sister with a hammer in her hand? That was a scary thought. “You’re great with hair, but hopeless with a tool. I am going to skip our Thursday night out tomorrow. I’m staying home to become one with the couch.”
“Fair enough, and thanks, sis! You, too, Ansel.”
George waited for Ansel to lift him onto the back seat, and then they drove home. When they got there, the lamp in the bow window welcomed them. They’d set it on a timer. The front entry lights were on, too. Jazzi let out a sigh of contentment. Their stone cottage always lifted her spirits.
When they put the van in the garage and stepped inside the back door to the kitchen, Ansel pulled her close and kissed her.
“What’s wrong with an engagement ring?”
She pressed closer to his hard chest. Mmm, he felt good. “I have lots more things I’d rather spend money on than a diamond.”
He looked puzzled. “I thought every woman wanted a diamond—the bigger, the better.”
“Not me. I’d snag it on nails and bang it on trim. Besides, things are too hectic right now. We can worry about rings later.”
He ran his finger along her cheek. “If you don’t want a ring, I have a guaranteed way to make you feel better.”
“Let me guess.” She smiled, tilting her head back to look at him. “You think sex heals everything.”
“Doesn’t it?”
So far, spending time in bed with a tall, golden Norwegian bent on bringing her pleasure had worked well. “What about George? He already feels ignored today.”
“I’ve already thought of that. Stay here.” He hurried to the kitchen and filled George’s bowl with his favorite food. The dog’s toenails tapped on the wooden floors, followed by the sounds of happy scarfing.
Ansel went to the stairs and told George, “I’ll be back for you later.”
The dog ignored them. He knew what that meant.
On their way up the stairs, Ansel grabbed her fanny. “You’re tired. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll try extra hard tonight.”
Her body was already gearing up for action. “You don’t have to. It’s always good, whether you take your time or hurry.”
He picked her up at the top of the stairs and carried her to their room. “It has to be better than good this time, so no young college kid tries to compete.”
Her heart sped up. “Like he could.”
Two hours later, after they’d taken their showers and padded downstairs in their pajamas, Jazzi was positive College Boy could learn a thing or two from Ansel. They dropped on stools at the kitchen island, and Ansel sipped a bedtime beer. Beer wasn’t good enough to celebrate a great romp in bed. She enjoyed a glass of wine. George sprawled on the floor beside Ansel’s bare feet, and they were all enjoying the moment.
Ansel’s cell phone buzzed. He glanced at the ID, frowned, and ignored it.
“Who was it?”
He shrugged, his broad shoulders rising and falling. He wore only pajama bottoms, and Jazzi enjoyed the view. She took another sip of wine.
“My mom.”
She stared. “Aren’t you going to answer it?”
“I know what she’s going to say.”
“But she’s your mom.”
“Mmm-hmm, and how many times has she called me?” He tipped his beer and took a long draw.
Jazzi bit her bottom lip, trying to remember. When Ansel had been with Emily, had his mother called him? “Has she called you?”
“No.” He pushed his phone aside, and they finished their drinks. Then he picked up George, and they went upstairs to bed—to sleep.
Chapter 16
On Thursday, they finished the bathrooms, then started laying the new floor in the open-concept room. The porcelain tiles looked like wood but were easier to care for. Olivia had chosen a warm brown that resembled maple floors. Besides the living room, dining room, and kitchen, Thane had decided to do the hallway that led to the bedrooms.
They had a lot to get finished today if they wanted to install new cabinets and appliances tomorrow. Jerod and Jazzi started work on the tiles in the living/dining area right away while Thane and Ansel ripped out the old kitchen and tossed everything out the back door. They’d carry the old cupboards and appliances to the dumpster later.
They’d taped heavy plastic over the archway to the back rooms. Dust flew everywhere they worked. Jerod worked as hard as ever but had dark circles under his eyes. Jazzi looked at him with sympathy. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Franny tossed and turned. The baby kept kicking.”
“An active one, huh?”
“Franny thinks he’s doing cartwheels inside her.”
“I’m never having kids.”
Jerod laughed. “Keep telling yourself that. They’re twenty-fou
r-seven, but you wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”
Jazzi wasn’t so sure. “George is a big enough commitment for me.”
“Yeah, I could see how he’d wear you out. He sleeps most of the time. The thing about kids is that they have more energy than you do.”
“That’s what worries me.”
He went to get another box of tiles while she finished the row they were working on. Olivia and Thane had painted the walls a soft cream last weekend, and the wood look was a perfect match for them. At lunch, there was no table to eat on. They balanced their sandwiches on their laps. Echoes bounced in the empty space. When they finished eating, all four of them worked on tiles, and things went fast. Every room was finished before five. Then they worked on trim.
Ansel straightened after pounding the last of the baseboard in place. He looked at Jazzi. “Why don’t you go walk Cocoa while we clean up? The dog probably only got a short walk this morning. And she’ll be missing Leo. Give her a little extra attention.”
Jazzi stood, rolled her shoulders, and stretched her back. They’d been bent over all day long, but when she glanced at their work, she had to admit, it looked wonderful. Thane let out a low whistle.
“This looks even better than I pictured it. It’s great.”
Jerod grunted when he straightened his back. “Jeez, I’m stiff. I’m going to take a long, hot shower tonight.” Then he studied their handiwork. “Just wait till we get the new cabinets and counters in here. This room’s going to be reborn.”
Plenty of scraps of wood and dust covered the floor. Thane reached for a broom and shooed Jazzi away with his other hand. “We’ll clean. You do dog duty. Cocoa likes you.”
“Are you sure?” Jazzi glanced out the kitchen door at the pile of cupboards and appliances. “There’s a lot to do.”
“Go,” Ansel told her.
A walk might feel good. Jazzi left and headed to Louisa’s house. Miriam’s car was still in the driveway.
When Miriam saw her, she opened the front door wide. “Thank goodness! Cocoa’s getting restless. She keeps going to the door and whining.”
