Dead Women Tell No Lies (29 page)

“What do you mean? He was in the garage.”

“When you first became aware of him, where was he?”

“He shot out in front of me. He must have hidden between the two parked trucks when I first entered. Yes, I remember. He jumped out from behind two pickups near the entrance. I don’t remember details like models, but I couldn’t see over them when I walked inside.”

“The vehicles were by the main gate?”

“Yes, I was on the first floor because Buddy always parks and waits for me near the entrance.” She wiped a hand across her forehead. “I can’t think any more. I’ve a migraine.”

Buddy jumped off the chair. “All right, your time is up. Shauna’s health comes first.”

“Stay with Shauna.” Luke took Rose’s arm and propelled her toward the door. “We know the way out.”

“My mom wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t see our company out of her house.”

Rose hesitated. “If you remember any more, Shauna, call Lennox.”

Luke decided to go for one more question. “Shauna, when’s the last time you heard from A.J.?”

“Who?”

“A.J. Edwards, isn’t he a friend of yours?”

She shook her head. “I never heard of him. Who is he?”

He felt Rose’s questioning gaze on him. “I must have confused him with another bank employee. Rest up, Shauna.” They walked in silence down the hall and the stairs.

“What are the chances you’ll get the guy?” Buddy asked when they reached the entryway.

“We’re moving forward,” Luke confirmed.

Buddy shook his head. “Political BS, which means you have no suspects.” He slapped Luke on the back. “Your secret is safe with me. Dad’s going to campaign for the city to install at least two video cameras in the city garages. He figures it puts a positive twist on Shauna’s attack.” He opened the door.

Luke ushered Rose down the front steps.

“Positive twist on an assault?” she said under her breath and raised her brows at Lennox. “What was with the A.J. question?”

“It was a stab in the dark.”

“Is Shauna always so hesitant to speak? She seemed afraid.”

“Some people deal better than others with recent trauma, and Shauna always defers to Buddy. The relationship works for them.”

“Detective, can I speak to you?” The blonde reporter rushed toward them. Her videographer with the logo Channel 23 written on the camera’s side tagged after her.

Luke shook his head, and he and Rose trotted for his car.

“Mr. Drown, how’s Shauna Smith dealing with the aftermath of her attack,” the reporter shouted, and the sound of running footsteps accompanied the media surging toward Buddy who appeared on his front step.

Two vans with Boston news logos on the sides pulled to the curb.

“Did someone call a press conference?” Rose slid into the safety of the vehicle.

Like turned to face another reporter and a camera.

“Detective,” A thirty-something-year-old African American man with a mic approached Luke. “You’re visiting the house where a young woman escaped an attack, and you’re accompanied by the sister of another victim. Can you provide our viewers with a few facts about the recent attack or the Ledgeview homicides?”

“We’re confident an arrest or arrests will be made soon in all cases.”

“By soon, do you mean within the hour?”

Luke pushed his way toward the driver’s side. “That’s all I have to say at this time.”

The newsman shadowed him. “Detective, is it true you were hired because of your father’s past relationship with the Chief?”

He’d been ambushed. “The Ledgeview Police Department hired me based on my job performance on the force in New York. I’ll continue to improve my record by arresting those who break the law.” He stared into the camera. “Whoever committed these crimes needs to stand on alert. The Ledgeview law enforcement community will prosecute to the fullest extent any person or people who assist the perpetrator of these hideous events. No one will escape.”

He glanced at the Drowns’ house. Buddy stood on the front stoop, talking to the blonde reporter. Luke climbed inside Old Charger, and as he pulled away, the rest of the media flocked toward his friend. Luke threw glances in his rearview mirror. No sign of a news van trailing them.

“I bet they run to the TV Station to put Buddy’s interview and a sound bite from you up for the evening news teaser,” Rose said.

“Buddy will give them the interview they need for today.” Suspicion kicked around in his mind. “At least we found out what Buddy was doing when he let us inside.”

“Maybe he was being cautious after what happened to Shauna.”

“He was hoping for a visit from the press.” Lennox raised one brow and nodded his head. “The man breathes drama.”

“Where did they come from?”

“They multiply like math teachers. Rose, I need the names of Cassie’s friends, family, anyone who hinted of dislike. Mothers aren’t always aware of all of their children’s friends or enemies. I need to interview them all.”

“When are you headed over to Bratt?”

“Don’t get any ideas about tagging along with me or going off on your own. Frank will stay with you while I’m gone.”

“I appreciate the concern, but I already planned to go to my boutique. The store’s closed, and I’ve no idea what condition Cassie left it in.”

He picked up her hand and held it while he drove. “You’re important to me, Rose. I couldn’t work if you were in danger.”

Her face flushed. “I’ll take that as the supreme compliment since work means everything to you. I like you too. We’re a good team, right?”

“You still can’t go.”

“I’ll show you the books Dahlia cooked if you take me to the Blues Sisters.”

“I could get a warrant, but we’ll compromise. Frank will drive you over, and I’ll meet you at your store.”

“I can drive myself, Lennox.” She tugged her hand away, unzipped her purse and removed the small pad of paper. “I’ll work on the names of Cassie’s friends. I didn’t know a soul who was mad at her.” She bent her head and scribbled out a list on the paper. “Cass was always happy, smiling, humming. I can’t believe how her life ended.”

“That’s why you won’t be going alone to your store. I want you safe. Until we have A.J. thoroughly investigated and proof no pervert is still roaming around killing women, you’ll take every precaution.”

His conscience reminded he wanted her safe for other reasons. He couldn’t forget the image of her in bed. The sensation of her fingers skimming over his bare skin, her blonde hair spread across the pillow and her hazel eyes staring up at him with trust.

He glanced at her sober face. He wanted to hear her laugh, watch the satisfaction appear on her face when she tasted her fist sip of the day’s coffee and hold her hand and reassure her life would be okay while she whispered her fears.

He focused on the road, trying to understand. How did Rose get into his heart after he’d vowed never to let another woman in? For a man who was always on guard, he admitted, she’d ambushed him. He hadn’t seen Rose coming, and he’d no idea where they were going.

Chapter 22

Rose played with the zipper on her jacket and watched the houses and stores zip past from the front seat of Lennox’s car. In fifteen minutes they’d arrive at her apartment. She bit back the confession that burned in her throat. At last she gave up. “I want to tell you more about my fight with Dahlia before she disappeared.”

Lennox tore his gaze from the street. “What happened?”

She tightened her fingers around the zipper pull. Might as well tell him. “I confronted her about the missing money. She tried lots of denial, at first. Then she realized she couldn’t lie to me and was sunk. We had the ‘big fight.’ I mean I said terrible things to her. I couldn’t believe she’d betrayed me by stealing from us. I wished she wasn’t my twin. I wished I’d never have to see her again.”

When he didn’t respond, she wet her dry lips and plunged into the next part. “I told her we were done as partners and to keep her distance from me. I didn’t even want to see her on the street. I threw my necklace at her.” She let it fall on the floor.” Rose twisted the zipper’s pull tab and rushed on with her story. “A.J. came into the boutique during our fight, and when he asked how she could steal from her own sister, Dahlia yanked off her engagement ring and told him they were finished.”

Rose studied Lennox’s profile and tried to judge his reaction. As usual, he gave nothing away.

“It seemed the right move at the time. Now I view the fight from her perspective. She must have felt attacked by the two people she loved and trusted the most. I feel like I’m the one who betrayed her. I don’t think she could exist without me. I know I barely function without her.”

“Rose, you’re blaming yourself again. Dahlia stole. That was wrong legally and morally. She was lucky you didn’t press charges. You were her family. She knew you better than anyone. I’m sure she realized you’d calm down and want her back in your life. Were you and A.J. doing an intervention?”

The confession didn’t push away the nausea threatening to climb up her throat. “No, the confrontation was unplanned. He frequently popped in. Do you think he pretended to love Dahlia to encourage her to steal and then pretended to be surprised by her actions?”

“I believe that’s a possibility, but it’s also possible she acted alone with subtle prompts from Edwards.” He put on the car blinker and took the next left before speaking. “Keep in mind, the man who killed your sister is the bad guy.”

“Thanks, Lennox. Why don’t I feel better?” She blinked at the tears, filling her eyes.

“You haven’t let yourself believe you’re not to blame for Dahlia’s death.” Lennox slowed and parked in front of her apartment.

They walked to her apartment in silence. Her confession hadn’t changed anything. She didn’t feel suddenly relieved or free. Once inside her kitchen, he held out his hand to her, and she slipped into his arms. She rested her head against his chest, grateful for his presence and his strength. The dread and remorse that pressed down on her night and day faded away.

“Rose, I’m going to make sure nothing happens to you.”

“Because it’s your job?” She heard the ache in her own voice, muffled against his body.

He cradled her face in his hands. Anticipation rose in her mouth, sweet and tantalizing. His large hands moved over her backbone.
Say you care about me, Luke.

His phone rang, demanding attention. He ignored it for a second, but then broke away to grab his cell and glanced at the caller ID. “I have to take this.” He walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

His actions seemed ominous. In the short time she’d known him, Luke had never retreated into a closed room to answer his calls. Curious and disappointed, she took off her coat and put her purse on the table. She might as well do something useful. She sat and searched her brain for more names to add to Cassie’s list.

Dahlia would have provided a longer list. She and Cassie spent time together shopping for jewelry and going to silversmith classes. Cassie and Dahlia had more in common. They chose the same style of clothes, music, and hung at the local bars. Sometimes Rose joined them, but usually it was just the two of them. Okay, reminiscing about Cassie wasn’t helpful. Rose searched her mind for something about A.J. to help Lennox locate him.

Luke marched back into the room and paused to stand in his stance, feet braced apart, chin up. He’d reverted to work mode. Her hope for him to stay longer vanished.

“The Chief returned early. He wants me at the station. Will you be okay?”

“Of course, don’t worry. I promise not to wander around despite who asks or calls.”

“I’m including calls from the great beyond such as your sister. No trips to the river or The Ledges.”

“Go see the Chief, solve the crimes and then—” She rose on tiptoes and touched her lips to his, lingering, sending him a message. The slow burn of desire curled through her before breaking away. “I’ll be waiting.”

The blue in his eyes deepened. She’d meant to turn away, but instead, she leaned into his arms and held on to him. She didn’t care if their relationship was temporary. At least he was hers for the moment.

He stepped away without responding to her. Maybe he wasn’t hers even for a split second.

He shrugged into his jacket. “Frank will check in with you.”

The tenderness between them was gone. She scooped up the names of Cassie’s friends from the table and handed them to him. Her defenses slid up, and she fell into her protective business manner. “When you come back, we’re off to Brattleboro, right? I have to inventory my store before I close for a while.”

“We’re on.” He stuffed the list of names into his pocket and gave her an absentminded kiss.

She touched her lips struck by the difference in their kisses. After locking the door, she paced the living room. Memories of her night with Lennox, the horror of discovering Cassie and scenes of Dahlia in her coffin flashed off and on like a neon billboard.

The ring of her phone was a welcome relief. She scooped up her keys for the front door as she answered. “Hello, Frank. I’m on my way downstairs.”