The Heart of Lies (3 page)

“Don’t get me wrong,” Emily explained, pouring herself another half glass of wine. “I’m not complaining. Believe me I’m not out looking and hoping for another murder to solve. That would be pretty ghoulish, don’t you think?” she asked with a little chuckle. “I’m just ready for a case with a little more meat that I can sink my teeth into.”

“Well, I, for one, am glad Paradise Valley has remained so crime-free,” Isabel weighed in. “I get enough of investigating criminals for the FBI in other cities.”

“Okay, okay, enough talk about me and my business,” Emily said, changing the subject as she turned to Maggie. “How’s your new friend doing? Sorry, I forgot her name.”

“Fiona,” Isabel offered.

“Yes, Fiona,” Emily repeated. “How’s she doing?” Emily picked up her glass to finish the last swallow of wine.

Camille stuck the dishes in the sink and hurried back to the table, dropping down in her seat as if she didn’t want to miss a word.

Maggie explained that her new friend was still looking for a job. “Fiona didn’t think that she’d have any trouble finding one with all her experience as an administrative assistant, but no luck so far.”

“Well, hon, if we hear of anything, we’ll let you know and you can pass the word on to Fiona,” Camille promised, glancing around the table to the others, who nodded their agreement.

“I’d surely appreciate that. I know Fiona would, too,” Maggie said. “She’s gettin’ a little discouraged, I think.”

“When we have the party for Lucas, why don’t you invite her, too?” Camille suggested. “She’ll have a chance to meet some new people, maybe make some connections. Perhaps that’ll lift her spirits.”

“I think she’d like that,” Maggie replied. “Y’all are just the best.”

“Enough talk, I need more wine.” Isabel scooted her chair out and went to the counter. “Anybody else?” she offered, holding up the bottle.

“I guess I’ll be driving,” Camille laughed.

CHAPTER 2

Maggie let Camille and the rest of her friends know that she had spoken with Lucas and found out when he was coming for his first visit to Paradise Valley. As promised, Camille planned a lavish party at Isabel and Alex’s beautiful home in the upscale neighborhood of River Woods.

The next time Maggie spoke to Lucas, he told her once more how much he looked forward to meeting her friends and her brother, and that he hoped she would also invite some others who might like to hear about the new resort.

“But this is a party to introduce you to my friends,” Maggie moaned.

“I know, sweetheart, but I’m coming to Paradise Valley to start a new business, and I could use all the help I can get. Don’t you want to see this resort succeed? Then I could buy you all the nice things you deserve.”

She did like nice things, she had told him so on several occasions. So, Maggie added a few more people to Camille’s guest list, people she knew had money and influence and could be helpful to Lucas’s success. She even spoke to her brother about inviting a few of his friends and business associates, and Emily reminded her to add Fiona to the list, as well.

~*~

The warm weather in late June was perfect for the outdoor party, and Camille had outdone herself with the hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and decorations. She strung little white lights wherever she could so the ambience was enhanced as the sun sank below the horizon. Maggie paid for a local DJ to keep the music playing throughout the evening, encouraging people to dance on the expansive slate patio. She even asked Isabel and Alex to invite their neighbors, also people of means, hoping to avoid complaints of the loud music while adding to Lucas’s circle of influence.

Maggie had originally wanted a small intimate affair where her friends and brother could get to know Lucas and he could get acquainted with them. The party, however, turned out to be the event of the year, she overhead a number of guests say.

She introduced Lucas to her friends and her brother first, and then she took him around to meet others. He was tall and handsome with sandy brown hair, highlighted by the summer sun, a strong angular jaw line, and a distinguished cleft in his chin.

He seemed right at home meeting new people, holding a friendly smile, and shaking hand after hand. They would inquire how he liked their town and he would reply how it was a beautiful place, in great proximity to the new ski and golf resort he was building.

Maggie watched as most people’s eyes lit up at his detailed description of his endeavor. Even her brother, Sully, seemed captivated by the idea of a new resort nearby.

In the middle of Lucas’s portrayal of the resort, he paused and flashed a quick smile at her, then went back to the people hanging on his every word.

As the night wore down, Maggie left Lucas to his conversations and took a chair next to Isabel at one of the round tables Camille had set up around the meticulously landscaped yard.

An exhausted Emily plopped down on the seat next to them. “Great party, don’t you think?” She ran her hands through her loose curls.

“Yes, great.” Maggie sat, leaning an elbow on the table, staring at Lucas across the lawn.

“What’s wrong?” Emily looked into her friend’s pensive blue eyes.

“Nothin’. Just not what I expected. I wanted to introduce Lucas to my friends and family, but all these other people are takin’ his attention.”

“He is charming,” Isabel commented, “and it sounds like this get-together is a good thing for his new resort.”

“You’re right. I’m just tired, I guess.” Maggie propped her head up on one hand.

“He’ll be here for a while, won’t he?” Emily asked.

“Yes, and I’ll have him all to myself tomorrow when we drive up to Sun Valley. He said he wants to check out the competition.”

“I saw your brother is here, Maggs, but I didn’t see his wife with him,” Emily commented.

“No, Carolyn wasn’t well. She’s got MS, you know,” Maggie said.

“MS? How awful.” Isabel had a tone of sadness in her voice.

“Their daughters are off to college. And with Carolyn so sick, my poor brother must be buried under a pile of debt.” Maggie shook her head at the thought, then she shot up straight and put her hand to her lips. “Oh, girls, please don’t tell him I said that.”

“Hello, Maggie.” Fiona approached their table.

“Hi, Fiona,” Maggie responded warmly. “I wasn’t sure you were goin’ to make it. You remember my friends, Emily and Isabel?”

“Yes. Hello, Emily, Isabel. So sorry I’m late. I had a flat tire on the way, but all’s well now.”

“Flat tire? Oh, how miserable. Well, I’m glad you finally made it.” Maggie reached out and gave Fiona’s hand a light squeeze. “I’m sure there’s still some food left. Camille made enough to feed an army.”

“I’m not really hungry.” Fiona looked over at Lucas as the small crowd around him began to dissipate. “Is that him?”

“Yes, that’s my Lucas. Let me introduce you,” Maggie offered.

“I don’t want to be a bother,” Fiona said.

“Look, here he comes. His ears must have been burnin’ with us talkin’ about him.” Maggie laughed.

“Hello, ladies,” Lucas greeted as he approached them.

“Lucas, I’d like to introduce you to one of my friends, Fiona Merlino,” Maggie said.

Lucas stuck out his hand and smiled cordially as he shook hers. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Merlino. Have you lived in Paradise Valley long?”

“No, only a month or so. I’m still looking for a job, actually.”

“What kind of work do you do?” he asked.

“I have an extensive background as an administrative assistant,” Fiona replied.

“Really,” he responded, looking into her deep brown eyes. That was one thing Maggie had noticed about Lucas, he always looked a person in the eye when he spoke to them. She liked that. Her daddy used to tell her that was the sign of a person who could be trusted. “Well, if you’re still looking for a job when I set up my business here,” Lucas went on, “I’ll have to give you a call for an interview.”

“You’re moving here?” Isabel asked, sounding surprised by the news.

“Yes, didn’t Maggie tell you? I’ve decided to set up my office here as soon as possible to start selling the condo units. I’m going to be starting construction soon, once the dirt gets leveled, and I’d like to get the capital coming in to keep the construction moving forward.”

Isabel and Emily exchanged questioning glances.

“I’m sorry, I completely forgot to mention it.” Maggie shrugged her shoulders apologetically.

“You’d like to set up an interview?” Fiona smiled sweetly at Lucas. “Sure, that would be terrific. Maggie has my number.”

“Now,” Lucas held his hand out to Maggie, “I would like to ask the most beautiful woman at this party to dance. I have ignored her far too long.”

Maggie’s face lit up as she took his hand. He helped her to her feet and led her to the dance area.

Emily, Isabel, and Fiona watched as Lucas and Maggie joined the other handful of couples swaying to the beat of a slow song the DJ had just begun to play.

“Boy, Fiona, that was a lucky connection,” Isabel said.

Emily nodded her agreement.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Fiona said. “That Maggie Sullivan is a lucky woman.” She turned sharply and went inside the house, leaving Isabel and Emily wearing puzzled expressions on their faces.

~*~

The evening was winding down and most of the guests had left. Camille and Jonathan were busy cleaning up with Emily and Isabel’s help. Alex had been out front for a while directing traffic, making sure the multitude of cars made it away without a scratch.

Maggie and Lucas were standing on the front steps of the Martínez home, saying good-bye to the last of their guests. Mayor Sullivan was one of the last to leave, and he hugged his sister good-night. He shook Lucas’s hand and promised to make time to meet with him about his exciting new project.

“I think the resort will be a good thing for this valley. What are you calling it?” he asked.

“Whitetail,” Lucas replied. “Whitetail Ski and Golf Resort.”

“I like the sound of that. Whitetail,” Sully said as he stepped off the porch. “It has a nice ring to it.”

“I’ll call you,” Lucas shouted out as he waved good-bye. “Let’s go inside, Maggie. Maybe they need help cleaning up.”

CHAPTER 3

Upon their return from a quick trip up to Sun Valley, Maggie reported to the girls over lunch at Bar deNay’s one day that she and Lucas had explored what they could of the ski resort there. It being summer, there were no snow activities to observe, but Lucas had scrutinized the other activities, studying the layout of the resort and condos, as well taking a tour of the massive Sun Valley Lodge.

Maggie also mentioned that Lucas was ready to start setting up his business and that he’d been able to secure a lease in the old Graystone Building where Emily had her private investigation office. Maggie had thanked Emily for the referral.

She told them how Lucas followed through on his promise to Fiona and had hired her to help him set up his files and his office.

Emily wanted to be happy for Maggie, so she was willing to welcome Lucas into their tight circle of friends, but Isabel, with her suspicious nature, remained somewhat aloof and watchful.

A few days later Emily and Isabel had lunch together at The Blue Moon Café. As they sat on the sun-drenched patio under a big blue umbrella, looking out over the rushing Boise River, Isabel shared her misgivings about Maggie’s relationship with Lucas. “I think I need to do that background check now. They’re moving too fast, getting serious too soon. Don’t you think, Em?”

“It does seem pretty quick, but it’s not like they’re kids. They’re both mid-thirties. Some relationships just move faster than others,” Emily replied.

“But he just seems…” Isabel tapped her finger on her chin and rolled her eyes upward, as if she was searching her brain for the right word.

“Seems what?”

“Seems too nice, too slick. I don’t know, I can’t put my finger on it,” Isabel said, frowning and pursing her lips.

“Too perfect?”

“Yes, and too sweet, like pure honey. He always seems to have just the right thing to say—an answer for everything. Maybe I’m too suspicious, but I think for Maggie’s own protection we need to make sure this guy is legit.”

“Isabel, you know if she finds out you’re checking him out, she’ll hit the roof,” Emily warned.

“How’s she going to find out if you don’t tell her? I know I’m not going to mention it.”

“Fortunately for you, Camille isn’t here. Otherwise, you certainly would have something to worry about.” Emily laughed.

“Here we go.” The young waiter set their food down, then refilled their water glasses, and moved on to the next table.

“Oh, before I forget, my retired FBI friend, you know
Jethro
,” Isabel made air quotes with her fingers when she said his fake name, “he’s going to be in town this week. He said he could meet with us day after tomorrow.”

“What time?”

“I thought we could come by your house about seven,” Isabel suggested. “He’s anxious to see if he recognizes Evan or the woman, and I figured it would be best if he could see the original photo.”