Coffee & Crime (25 page)

Zelda took Jake's other arm and we walked him back into the courthouse. The coffee bar was done bistro style and charged more for a cup of coffee than the popular coffee houses — but then lawyers could afford it. The cashier wore an ill-fitting tuxedo shirt and bowtie but hadn't felt the need to shave. He knew Jake and smiled when Jake dropped a five in the tip jar. A smattering of patrons, mostly lawyers from the looks of it, sat at tables, drinking coffee, murmuring into cell phones or reading files.

We sat at a table by the windows with a view to a lovely courtyard patio sporting bright umbrellas over tiny tables. We inquired about the case and asked how things were going with the firm since George's death. Jake said that he was managing but that in a strange way George's death had been a blessing, because it enabled him to focus on the Trumball case.

He unbelted his raincoat and crossed an ankle over his knee. "I don't mean to sound crass." He morphed into an appropriately sad expression. "I'd give anything to have George back with us." He shrugged. "Just trying to make lemonade here."

I nodded somberly. "I miss George too."

He held my gaze, trying to read me, then switched gears. "How did your contract situation turn out? Did you get that squared away with Maggie?"

"Still working on that," Zelda said.

I leaned in close and whispered. "Did you know that Maggie believes George was murdered? That's why we came to see you."

Jake squirmed in his seat. "What could I tell you about that?"

I flapped a hand. "Not about that, about Sally Goss."

Jake went still — his eyes flat and dull. He cleared his throat. "Sally Goss?"

I leaned into Jake's space. "You must remember Sally. You accused her of stealing all that money from the firm. Tell me, did you have any proof?"

Jake scooted back his chair to get a little breathing room. "How does Maggie's belief that George was murdered track with the Sally Goss situation?"

I shrugged and leaned an elbow on the table. "We don't know. But since George's death a lot of strange things have surfaced. One of them was the Sally incident. In fact, we talked to her a couple of hours ago." I shook my head. "She lives in a dump." I put my hand on his arm and wrinkled my nose. "Don't you think that's weird? She got away with all that money but she’s living in a dump in Hollywood?"

Jake eyed the exit and leaned forward in his seat, poised to leave. His jaw tightened and he spoke through a clenched smile. "I couldn't say why Sally does anything. She proved herself to be a liar and a thief."

I snickered. "The way Sally tells it, there wasn't one lick of proof." I shrugged. "Sure, a few blank checks were found in her desk drawer but anyone could've planted those." I stroked my chin. "I'm curious, how do you think she got the money out of the account?"

Jake scraped back his chair and stood. "Well if we knew that, she'd be in prison wouldn't she? Embezzlement is a serious crime." He narrowed his eyes at me. "Among others." He tugged at his suit jacket, adjusted his tie, and checked his Rolex. "Sorry ladies but I must be going."

Zelda pouted. "So soon? We were just getting to know you."

I batted my eyelashes at him. "Have we said something wrong?"

What was left of Jake's happy mask fell away and he sneered at me. "I don't know what your game is and I'm not altogether sure you're doing anything for Maggie. But if you come at me with accusations again I'll slap a lawsuit on you faster than your baby blues can blink."

My heart danced in my chest because seeing the real Jake was a little scary. Still I held his gaze and said, "We haven't accused you of anything."

Zelda cocked her head. "What's the matter Jake? Guilty conscience?"

He stabbed a finger at us. "Stay the hell away from me! If you don't, you'll regret it, I promise you that. You hear me?"

The cashier and a few patrons turned and stared – like a tank of sharks that smelled blood in the water. Jake glared at them and they returned to their own business. Then he bent and put his lips to my ear. "If you continue to harass me, I'll make life very uncomfortable for you."

He straightened, adjusted his tie then headed briskly for the exit. Zelda watched him make his escape. "That's some temper on that dude."

I followed her gaze. "Kind of makes you believe Sally even more, huh?"

Zelda stroked her chin. "He's jumpy about something.

I belted my raincoat and grabbed my bag. "And an innocent man doesn't threaten to sue you."

Zelda zipped up her jacket. "Who says that?"

"Shut up."

We pretended not to notice that everyone watched us as we left the place and started for the exit. "He’s a jerk and probably a thief, but did he kill George?"

I nodded and smirked. "After that little display I think he's of it. And he could've put those brownies on Peggy's desk."

Zelda hooked her arm through mine and we started walking again — the marble floor echoing our footsteps toward the main exit. "True. He had access. And everybody keeps their head down when the boss is in the room."

I snapped my fingers. "Remember the marks in Sally's file? I think George was reviewing it because he felt guilty about sabotaging her." I stopped and turned to her. "What if he confronted Jake and threatened to turn him in? That could motivate Jake to do something rash. He obviously likes his lifestyle and doesn't tolerate people who want to change it."

Zelda nodded. "Okay then, Jake had motive, means, and opportunity."

I pushed through the heavy glass door. "And goes to the top of the suspect list."

As we turned in at our driveway, the headlights lit up an SUV parked on the street outside our place. Zelda squinted. "Is that Ted's Escalade?"

My heart skipped a beat and I glanced back but couldn't make anything out in the misty evening air. "Where?"

When I climbed out of the jeep, Boomer ran at me, wagging his stub and yapping. I bent down to grab him but he charged right past me. I turned to track him and the path led straight to Ted, who squatted down while Boomer jumped on him and licked his hands. Ted scooped up Boomer and brought him to me. Boomer wriggled in his hands as he held him out. "I think this belongs to you."

I was so happy to see Ted that I almost threw myself at him but the look on his face stopped me from throwing my arms around him. "Hi."

His voice was low and serious. "Hi."

Zelda stepped between us and took Boomer out of Ted's hands. "I'll take this." Despite Boomer's protests, she carried him straight into the house and closed the door.

I looked up at Ted — even stone cold serious, he was painfully handsome and my heart fluttered. "Where've you been? I haven't heard from you for a couple of days."

His jaw worked back and forth. "I haven't heard from you either."

I faked a chuckle. "Oh, was it my turn to call?"

Then he said the four most dreaded words in any relationship, "We need to talk."

Stalling, I nodded to the house. "Let's go inside. I'll make coffee and heat up some chicken noodle soup."

I started for the house, but he caught me by the hand and said, "We can talk out here."

Still trying to avoid talking, I said, "Okay, but let's go around to the patio. Get out of the rain."

Ted didn't move. "It's barely raining."

So we were going to talk outside, in the cold, on the parking pad. I pulled my raincoat tighter around me and cinched the belt. "Okay, talk."

"What's going on? What's with all the secrecy? What are you keeping from me?"

I took a couple steps back and raised my hands. "What do you mean? Nothing."

He jammed his hands into his pockets and his eyes went icy. "Please don't bullshit me, Scotti." He spoke so quietly that I could barely hear him. "I hate that shit."

I waved my hands at him. "I'm not bullshitting you." His eyes called me a liar. "What do you think is going on?" He said nothing but his jaw worked in that tense grindy way. "Do you think I'm dating another guy?"

He smirked. "If I thought that, I wouldn't be here." He stared right through me. "It's not that kind of secret, but it’s a big one."

I shrugged and looked away. "Because I haven't told you every detail of my life, I'm keeping secrets from you?" I forced a laugh. "Most guys wouldn't complain about that."

He put his hand on my arm and stared into my eyes. And with a softer voice he said, "If you're in trouble, you can tell me." I had to avoid his eyes because I couldn’t bear the scrutiny. He tilted up my chin and whispered, "I care about you, Scotti. A lot."

Any normal woman would’ve melted right there on the spot. I, however, have had the I-care-about-you card used on me too many times to fall for that line. Though in my heart, I knew he meant it. Still, I pulled away. "Stop trying to manipulate me Ted. I care about you too, but I’ve asked you a few times already to back off. Just because you want to know everything doesn't mean I owe that to you." I sneered. "I had enough of that crap when I was a kid. Nothing was private. Not even the size of my underwear."

Ted shook his head like I’d slapped him. I jabbed a finger at him. "Don't look at me like that. I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but isn’t it a little soon for the true confessions stage of our relationship?" I huffed and threw out my arms. "What is it with you? Why do you have to know everything right this second?"

Ted blew out a big sigh and I could see I was wearing him down — my specialty with men. "I didn’t ask you to tell me everything. Just the thing you're working so hard not to tell me."

I knew I was over reacting and that Ted wasn't the bad guy so I looked down at my soaked shoes. I'd have to throw them out because they were ruined. If I said anything else I'd make it worse, so I said nothing.

Ted tilted my chin upward to look at him. "Where’s this going? You and me? I don't want a casual hook up
—
and I didn’t think you did either. Am I wrong?” I sighed and shook my head. "Okay. Then if we both want something real, we have to trust each other, don’t we? Otherwise it won’t work. I'm not trying to nose into your business, but I'm not stupid, and I know something's wrong." He touched my hair softly. "It's coming between us Scotti, can't you see that?"

I clenched my fists at my sides but I couldn't keep my mouth shut. "If this isn’t nosing into my business, then what do you call it?"

Ted was taken aback. "So it's just flat out none of my business?" He held out his arms. "That's it? End of story?"

I shook my fists in the air and stomped my foot. "What guy complains when a woman won't tell him her every thought?"

Ted's eyes flashed with anger and he pointed a finger at me. "Do me a favor, don't compare me to the guys in your past. All of them sound like assholes, and I'm not an asshole."

He was the most stubborn man I ever met. He wasn't going anywhere until I told him. Even if that meant we'd stand in the cold and rain until next week. I groaned. "Fine. You want know? I'll tell you, but remember I tried to keep you out of it." Shivering and through chattering teeth I told him the whole story
—
holding back nothing. He listened without interrupting me and without indicating what he thought. I shoved my hands into my pockets. "Happy now?"

I could tell by his expression that he wanted to say I was out of my mind. Who wouldn't? Even I thought I was crazy. Instead, he put his arm around me and said, "Let me help you."

I smirked and pulled back. "Sure, you have a spare $60,000?"

He smiled for the first time since we'd started the conversation. "Maybe I do."

I stared at him and saw he wasn't kidding. "Maybe I don't want you to save me."

He stepped back and gaped. "Scotti, I'm offering to help you. God knows you need it. What is this, a pride thing?"

I groaned and pulled my hair. "Are you kidding? We've only known each other for a couple weeks. And you think I’d ask you for a loan? What am I, a gold-digger?" I shook my head. "No, I'm not that girl. I don’t need a guy to save me from my pathetic life."

Ted dropped his chin to his chest. "I'm not trying to save you."

I rubbed my face with my hands. "Sure you are. Because that’s you! It’s who you are
—
Ted the fixer. Zelda's jeep. Boomer's vet bills. What's next, new clothes and a boob job?"

He chuckled and smiled. "Your breasts are perfect, I'd kill anyone who tried to change them."

Now I was the one who wasn't amused. "I'm serious, Ted. This is who I am. I don't want to be fixed. And if you think I need to be fixed, then I'm not the girl for you."

"So love you or leave you? Those are my options?"

I put my hands on my hips. "Run everything by you for approval? Is that my only option?"

Ted curled his lip. "I don't like being lied to."

I wanted to pull out my hair
—
in great big handfuls. "I haven't lied to you. I just didn't tell you how I was solving a problem."

"A lie you don't tell is still a lie."

I groaned and paced. "Okay, instead of saying nothing was wrong, I should've said it's nothing to do with us. Because that is the truth. This has nothing to do with you and me. Why don’t you get that?"