by Judi Lynn
“It will take her a while to adjust to how things are now.” Jazzi reached for the dog’s leash, and Cocoa bumped against her, anxious to get outside.
Louisa glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. “Seth came and took her around the neighborhood this morning before he went to work.”
“That was nice of him.” Jazzi clipped the leash in place. “Cocoa’s not used to walking that early. She was used to Leo’s schedule.”
“I know, poor thing.” Louisa laid her hands in her lap. “It’s hard for all of us.”
Jazzi couldn’t think of anything to say, so gave a quick nod. “I might take her farther than usual, try to work off some of her nervous energy.”
They slipped outside, and Jazzi started toward the small span of asphalt that connected their subdivision to the next. Cocoa’s step picked up. She realized they were going farther than just a big circle. A squirrel ran across the street in front of them, and Cocoa barked.
“No chasing squirrels,” Jazzi said, “or we’ll turn around and head back.”
Leo must have said the same thing, because Cocoa watched until the squirrel scampered up a tree, but she didn’t bark or tug on her leash. It was a gorgeous day, in the mid-seventies, so they kept going until they reached the very last subdivision.
A field, full of weeds and small bushes, stretched toward the businesses that lined Jefferson Street. For the first time, Jazzi noticed a small apartment complex on a short street behind the sandwich shop and dry cleaners. Cocoa bent her head and sniffed until she found a narrow path through the weeds. It led to a row of evergreens that lined the apartment’s parking lot.
The dog started down the path. Jazzi thought about tugging her back, but it would take the men a while to clean up. Curious, Jazzi followed behind her. The trail was too narrow to walk side by side. And then Jazzi realized that it was a bicycle trail.
The hairs on her arms stood on end. Did Miles use this?
When they reached the yew bushes, a large patch of weeds had been flattened between two of them. Jazzi studied the town houses and realized that Miles could hide here and see into the last town house at the very end of the development. There were no curtains at the windows. In the dark, with lights on, he could watch whoever lived there.
Cocoa moved farther down the bushes and was poking her nose in the weeds while Jazzi scanned their surroundings. When Jazzi looked at the dog again, she had a red gym shoe in her mouth.
Jazzi inhaled a sharp breath. Miles was missing a gym shoe in his grave. She reached for her cell phone to call Gaff when her phone buzzed. He was calling her.
“Hello?”
Gaff said, “We checked missing persons, and a young nurse never came to work and never called in sick. The floor supervisor said it wasn’t like her not to be dependable and punctual. Our victim is probably Meghan Fuller.”
She interrupted. “Did she live in an apartment complex off Jefferson Street, close to South Bend Drive?”
Gaff paused. “What have you got for me?”
She told him about the bike trail, the matted-down weeds, and Miles’s gym shoe. “I can’t get the shoe away from the dog.”
“No problem. I’m on my way. I’m bringing the techs.”
Jazzi called Ansel to tell him she was going to be gone longer than she expected. She told him the news. And then she waited for Gaff.
The detective and his team pulled into the apartment complex and parked at the very back, within easy walking distance of her. As Gaff approached, he unwrapped a small hamburger and held it out for Cocoa. The dog dropped the shoe, and a tech picked it up and bagged it.
Jazzi shook her head. “That’s sort of sneaky.”
Gaff grinned. “It worked, and I didn’t have to play tug-of-war for the sneaker.”
She stayed until the techs got serious, then said, “I’ve got to get Cocoa back, and the guys are ready to call it a day.”
Gaff nodded. “I might give you a call tomorrow. When we finish here, we’re going to look at Meghan’s apartment. It’s the one on the end, the one Miles watched at night.”
She’d suspected as much. With a wave, she started back to Louisa’s.
Chapter 17
On their walk to Louisa’s, Jazzi and Cocoa passed Ed’s house. His work van wasn’t in the drive, but the pizza guy’s older-model red SUV was parked close to the door. Jazzi wondered if Ed worked late some nights, finishing up a gutter or siding project. Eve didn’t strike her as a cook, so she probably ordered out when she ate supper alone.
She’d walked two houses farther down the street when Jazzi heard footsteps running behind her. She turned and saw the pizza guy hurrying to see her.
He smiled, dimples showing. He really was good-looking with his wavy, dark hair and golden-brown eyes. He was in great shape. “Hey, good to see you again,” he called. “Is your sister ordering pizza tonight?”
Cocoa sat down next to her. The dog must be used to Leo stopping to chat as he made his rounds. “Don’t know. Ansel and I aren’t staying for supper. I told Louisa I’d take Cocoa for a walk before we left, though, since Leo’s gone.”
“Yeah, Eve told me about that, said you’d stopped with a detective to grill Ed.”
“Gaff didn’t grill him.” She lifted her chin, aggravated, ready to defend her friend. Eve would put it like that. “Gaff did ask questions, though, since Ed had been so mad at Leo.”
“She said you found the missing kid, too.”
“We think Leo and Cocoa stumbled on the bodies buried near the wetlands, and it looks like someone dragged Leo’s body off so Cocoa wouldn’t dig there again.” She waited to see how he’d react. People might as well know that someone around here was dangerous. Did the killer know that the bodies had been discovered by the cops? That the deaths were being investigated now?
The kid shrugged. “The world isn’t safe anymore, I guess. Who’d think murder would come to this little neck of the woods? It might not be safe for you to be out walking alone. Doesn’t your boyfriend worry about you? I would.”
Jazzi rolled her eyes. “I think I’m pretty safe on the streets around suppertime. Doors are open, and a few people are in their yards.”
“What’s with you and the blond hulk? I don’t see a ring on your finger. Are you two married?”
This was the perfect time to let him know she was off-limits. “Not yet, but we’re living together. We’re serious.”
He grinned. “But you’re not hitched. You haven’t made the commitment yet. Not even engaged. You might want to try something new before you make the big plunge.”
She’d reinforce the message. “Not my style. I’m the one-man-at-a-time type girl, and right now, the only man in my life is going to be Ansel.”
“That’s a waste. If you two don’t work out, you’ve made a bad investment.”
Cocoa tugged on her leash, ready to walk some more. Jazzi nodded at the dog. “Gotta go. She’s ready to be home.”
“If you change your mind, if your Ansel doesn’t work out, I’m Peyton, and I like older women. You’re super attractive. I could show you a good time.”
He was nothing if not persistent. She studied him. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
Young enough to feel invincible. “I’m twenty-seven, and I’m having a good time. So I’ll pass. I’m sure you can find plenty of other women who’ll fall all over you.” She turned to walk away.
“Hey! If you ever want to meet up, you know which pizza place to call. Just ask for Peyton.”
“Will do, but don’t hold your breath.”
He laughed. “I like it when women play hard to get.”
Hard to get? She turned, hands on hips. “I’m not playing. I’m not interested.”
“I can be patient. Just let me know when you’re ready.”
Was he for real? She huffe
d a sigh and stomped away. He was freaking annoying. Cocoa growled low in her throat. The dog didn’t like him either.
Chapter 18
Jazzi dropped Cocoa back at Louisa’s house before crossing the street to see Olivia and Thane. Olivia wasn’t home yet, but the men had finished their cleanup and were sitting at the island, nursing beers, waiting for her.
Jerod glanced at her face, and his eyebrow went up. “You were in a good mood when you left.”
She told them about finding Miles’s gym shoe.
“Sorry, cuz. But I bet Gaff loves you by now. You keep finding new clues for him.”
She grimaced. “I think the poor girl who died lived in that town house at the end of the complex. All the things that have happened were close to each other.”
“Makes sense,” Ansel said. “Miles didn’t go very far.”
“But doesn’t that mean the killer has to live around here, too?” she asked.
Thane’s eyebrows furrowed in worry. “I’m not letting Olivia leave our yard until Gaff puts this nutjob behind bars.”
She told them about meeting Peyton near Ed’s house. “I’m not saying he’s the killer, but Olivia had better watch herself around him. He thinks every woman should cave to his charms.”
Ansel shook his head, amused. “I’m surprised he lived when he kept pestering you. You Zanders girls don’t suffer fools gladly.”
Jerod finished his beer and went to toss the empty bottle in the recycle bin. “Ain’t that the truth? You should have grown up with them. It wasn’t safe to get on their bad sides. They’d team up and make you miserable.”
Jazzi snorted. “As though you were ever innocent and didn’t deserve it.”
He laughed. “I did like to ruffle their feathers every once in a while.”
“Or more.” Jazzi waved away the beer Thane offered her and looked at Ansel. “Ready to go? I’d like to put today behind me.”
He and Jerod both stood. Outside, Jerod went to his pickup and drove south to his Franny. She and Ansel put George in his van and headed north for home.
Gaff called while they were on their way. “Our team went over Meghan’s apartment, and there were signs of a struggle. We found blood. Probably hers. I’d bet she died there and Miles either watched the whole thing or ran in to rescue her. The manager was out of town while we worked there. Want to come with me tomorrow to talk to him?”
“What time are you going?” She surprised herself. She wanted to hear what the manager had to say about Meghan. She was beginning to care about these people and what had happened to them.
“I can pick you up at ten at your sister’s place.”
“That’ll work. Thanks for telling me what you found.”
“No problem. We’d still be posting Miles and Meghan as missing persons if you hadn’t gotten friendly with that dog.”
It was sort of sobering how easily people could disappear, and what a fluke it was that she’d stumbled on their bodies. “See you tomorrow,” she said.
“Ten o’clock.” Gaff hung up.
Ansel glanced sideways at her. “She died in her apartment, didn’t she?”
“It looks like it. Miles was probably watching when the killer went in it. Gaff wants me to go with him to see the manager tomorrow.”
“Good, maybe you’ll learn something new.”
“That would be nice.” Maybe the manager had seen Meghan’s visitor and could describe him. Maybe Meghan had been friends with someone across the hall or in one of the other buildings, and she’d talked to them about a new boyfriend.
Ansel pulled into their driveway and parked by the kitchen door. He let Jazzi out, then drove on to put the van in the garage. Jazzi had thawed shrimp to make for supper, with New Orleans barbecue sauce. They’d decided to be lazy and opened a bag of readymade Caesar salad. She put a foil bag of garlic bread on the counter top and started heating the oven.
She loved to cook shrimp. The recipe tonight was quick and easy. Twenty minutes after Ansel and George ambled into the house, supper was ready. Jazzi had saved a half dozen plain shrimp for the pug. George didn’t like garlic or spices.
Cleanup was a breeze, so in a short time, they were ready to head upstairs to shower and change into their pajamas. George followed them to the steps, but Ansel shook his head and said, “Later.”
The pug gave him a dirty look but lay at the base of the stairs.
Jazzi raised her eyebrows. “Now?”
“Might as well get down and dirty before we shower.” He stepped behind her and wrapped her in his arms. “Besides, I feel pressured to keep you satisfied so the pizza guy doesn’t start to look tempting.”
“No worries there.” Usually she’d get hot and bothered just thinking about going to bed with Ansel. Tonight, not so much. It had been a long day...a long week. If she sat down on the bed, she’d probably fall asleep.
He turned her to face him and gripped her fanny with both hands, pulling her close. Then he bent his head and ran his lips up and down her throat.
Oh, crap, he was playing dirty. Every nerve in her body zinged into alert. His hand moved up her back, sending tingles up and down her spine, then cradled the back of her head. His lips tasted hers, then the kiss deepened. She was no longer sleepy, almost intoxicated. A coil of need tightened in her belly. Her body went on high alert. Every cell craved his touch.
When they came up for air, they hurried up the steps to their bedroom, and a good hour later, Jazzi felt so satisfied, she didn’t want to move. She let him take the first shower, because her legs felt like noodles.
When Ansel went down to get George, she stood under the hot water a long time to wash away a bit of her desire. It lingered in her pores. She’d never get enough of Ansel. When she felt more normal, she dried off and pulled on her oversized white T-shirt and pajama shorts. Then they climbed into bed together. She pressed against his back, and they fell asleep.
Chapter 19
It was freakishly hot outside when they woke Friday morning. The first day of September—not fall yet. But really? Who wanted the high eighties to start the month?
They were going to work on Thane and Olivia’s kitchen today, hopefully finishing it up. New cabinets were going in, new counters and backsplash. The old worktable was being replaced with an island, topped by an oversized slab of granite with an overhang. Four stools could slide under it. If all went well, they’d get everything done, and this would be their last day there.
On the drive across town, Jazzi glanced at store windows. Fall clothes draped every mannequin. She cringed. “I don’t even want to see heavy fabrics and sweaters right now.”
Ansel smiled, keeping his eyes on the traffic. It was always heavier on Fridays. “You look so good in sweaters, though, I’m a fan. You have a black one with a V-neck that’s my favorite.”
She knew the one he meant, which was more form-fitting than most. “I didn’t think you paid attention to what I wore.”
“I was with Emily then, but I loved that sweater. And you always wore it with tight jeans. You have plenty of curves, and every one of them is dangerous.”
She laughed. He always made her feel desirable. The man loved sexy underwear, and she had zero in her drawers. She’d have to buy something sexy to make him happy.
They made the turn onto Sycamore Drive. The strip mall with Seth’s bar sat on the north corner, and the few small businesses with the apartments behind them sat on the south. They passed the open field that separated the businesses from the housing developments. Halfway down the street to Olivia’s turnoff, an old brick church sat on the left side near a corner. Cars were always parked in its back lot. Its members must be active. Jazzi wondered if Miles’s parents went there. When they pulled next to Thane’s, she noticed Seth walking Cocoa back to Louisa’s. He gave them a wave and stopped to pet the dog. Cocoa’s tail waved her happiness.
Jazzi had to give Seth credit. When Louisa needed him, he’d stepped up to the plate. “I think Seth likes Cocoa.”
“She’s great.” Ansel glanced in the rearview mirror at George. “Not as special as our guy, but pretty nice.”
When Ansel helped George out of the van, the wonder pooch in question went straight to his dog bed in Thane’s living room to supervise the work they did.
The cabinets were delivered a few minutes later, and Jazzi started unpacking them while the guys arranged them in the right order. They worked together to drill and screw the cabinets in place. Gaff came at ten, and Jazzi had to leave before they were finished.
“I’m always interrupting your work,” Gaff told her on the drive to Meghan’s apartment complex.
“If it helps catch a killer, it’s worth it.” Driving from this direction, Jazzi studied the backs of the businesses that bordered Jefferson Street. She hadn’t realized how many there were. Back-to-back strip malls stretched as far as she could see. “There are lots of people who come and go around here. I was thinking the killer might live in the area, but it could be someone who’s a regular at one of the restaurants or stores.”
A ditch ran behind Seth’s strip mall. Trees lined it, and someone had hung bird feeders from their branches. She remembered that there was an outdoor seed store farther down Jefferson. Her dad bought suet there.
Gaff interrupted her thoughts when he turned into the apartment’s parking lot and found a spot by the office. “There are lots of possibilities. Let’s hope the manager can tell us something.”
The office was nice, but unpretentious—a desk with two chairs across from it, filing cabinets, and a cheap picture on the wall. The manager, however, almost burst with personality and energy. He held out a hand to greet them.
The man looked to be in his forties, shorter than Jazzi, with dark coloring. He wore dress slacks and a button-down shirt. “A pleasure to meet you. You came about Meghan.”
Gaff nodded. “It looks like she was killed in her apartment. We know she was a nurse. We’ve notified her parents—they live out of town—and we’re interviewing the people she worked with, but we were hoping you could tell us more about her. We’ve gone door to door, but she didn’t seem to have any friends here. Do you know if she had a boyfriend, visitors, anyone we could interview?”
