What the Hex? (A Paranormal P.I. Mystery Book 1) (3 page)

Derek and I stumbled out of the casino. I brushed off my skirt and straightened my shirt. Had it really been necessary to manhandle me like that? The brute had probably left a bruise. He had steadfastly refused to offer an explanation as to why I’d been tossed out on my rear. When I looked back, the big muscular dude was still glaring at me as if daring me to come back. His width consumed every inch of the doorframe. A deep, resounding laughter came from Derek’s sexy—and annoying—mouth.

“I sense by the sharp turn of your lips and furrowed brow that you don’t find this amusing,” he said.

I pointed at him. “Bingo. I don’t think you should laugh either.”

“It’s kind of funny… Cece Cash isn’t innocent after all. What did you do? Come on, you can tell me.” He wiggled his fingers, urging me to confess my crime. “Did you win too much at the slot back there? Oh, I know, you counted cards? Did you…”

“Stop right there! I know what your next question will be and if you don’t want to get slugged, you won’t go there. I did nothing wrong,” I said through gritted teeth.

He held his hands up in surrender. Based on the twitch of Derek’s mouth, he was still fighting back laughter.

The young man who’d parked Derek’s car approached us with caution. Either he thought our laughter displayed our lunacy, or the casino security had tipped him off. By the way he shoved the keys toward Derek, I figured he just wanted us out of there as quickly as possible.

Derek took the keys from the valet. “You did something wrong. They just don’t throw people out for no reason.”

“This is embarrassing. People are staring at me,” I whispered.

Derek looked around. “Yes, they are.”

“You could have pretended they weren’t watching me and made me feel better.”

“I’ll never lie to you, Cece Cash.” He winked.

Yeah, right.

Hurrying ahead of Derek, I opened the car door and jumped in. I slid down on the leather seat, trying to hide my face with my hand. Derek climbed behind the wheel.

“You realize that no one is watching you now, right?” Derek said as he started the car.

I peeked out the window and then slowly moved up the seat. “Maybe I should have demanded that he tell me why I was being kicked out.”

Derek pulled out onto the street. “It’s probably best that you didn’t. You’ve always been headstrong, but this is one time you should probably not push it. I can ask my friend if that will make you feel better.”

I released a deep breath and pushed the hair out of my eyes. “I’d like that, thank you, Derek.”

The worst part of all this was that Derek had been with me. He would never let me forget it. The story would be shared at every family function all over Savannah. Uncle Hermit, Aunt Frida, and my mother Marianne would talk about this for all of eternity. They already didn’t understand why I’d moved to the desert, as they called it. Every conversation with my mother started and ended with her ordering me to come home. I’d probably go home someday, although I couldn’t tell my mother. She’d have her big brown pocketbook on her arm and be on the first bus out of Savannah to rescue me before I finished the sentence.

“At least you have a story to tell now,” Derek said. “You haven’t lived until you’ve been kicked out of an establishment.”

Obviously Derek knew what I’d been thinking. His family was like mine. The difference was they thought his shenanigans were funny. My family thought any mishap I had was proof that I couldn’t handle myself in the world. 

“I’m sure you’ve had plenty of practice,” I said.

Derek stopped at the red light. “You need something to ease your anxiety.”

“It’s a little early for happy hour, don’t you think? And I don’t want one of your special ‘massages.’”

The light turned green and he took off. “I meant chocolate ice cream. Maybe a hot fudge sundae. Remember the ones we got at Farmers’ General Store outside of town by your grandmother’s house? They were so big we could barely see over the top.”

I chuckled. “You tripped that time and fell face first into your dish. You had whipped topping dripping from your nose.”

“I still say someone pushed me,” he said.

“Whatever you say. Anyway, more about last night. You were at this party? How well do you
really
know Morgan and Paige?” I asked.

“We aren’t BFFs, if that’s what you’re asking. Last night was the first time I’d ever had more than a five-minute conversation with either of them.” He navigated a right turn.

“And the next day one of the women is accused of murder? What kind of parties are you going to, Derek?”

“It was a small get-together of around one hundred people.” Amusement filled his words.

I shook my head. “That’s what you call a small get-together?”

“You need to get out more,” Derek said.

I hadn’t attended any parties since I’d arrived in Vegas. Where did Derek even meet these people? Wait. I had gone to Oscar McGee’s eighty-fifth birthday party. He lived down the street from me. Oscar had tried to set me up on a date with his great-grandson Peter. The guy had stared at my chest the whole time he spoke to me. Plus, his mother had cut up his food for him at the party. The entire scene was right out of the movie
Psycho
. Needless to say, I politely declined the offer of a ‘hot night out on the town.’ Now every time Oscar saw me, he gave me a dejected look.

“How did Paige know to ask for your help?” I asked.

“I’m always promoting our business.” Derek’s smooth Southern drawl rolled off his tongue.

I sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“You didn’t give me those business cards for nothing,” he said.

“I knew I’d end up regretting that move.”

“What’s next?” Derek asked, ignoring my comment.

I tapped my fingers against the leather seat. “We need to know more about Morgan, obviously.”

“Obviously,” he repeated.

“Maybe then we can narrow down where she may have gone. Paige didn’t give us much to go on. She said they were best friends. If that’s true, I’d think Morgan would have told Paige where she was going.”

Derek navigated around a silver Toyota. “Maybe Morgan didn’t know she was going anywhere.”

I glanced at him. “You think something bad happened to her? Maybe she was murdered too?”

Derek turned onto Flamingo Street. “It’s possible. We can’t rule that out.”

“No, you’re right, we can’t. Paige said Morgan owns a gym. Why would she leave a business unless something happened to her?”

“I guess not going to jail meant more to her. We should go by the gym right now and check it out,” Derek said.

“Now? Do you think it’s open?” I looked at the time on my phone.

“Everything is always open in Vegas.”

“I know that, but since Morgan is gone they should be closed for the day, right?”

“I guess we’ll find out.” Derek’s voice was strong, confident, and tantalizingly sweet at the same time.

As I watched the traffic, I said, “You know, we don’t have to work on this case together. Maybe we could split up and cover more ground.”

He glanced at me. “Sure, is there someplace else you’d like to go now? I can drop you off?”

Derek was quick to agree, which probably meant I should in fact stay with him instead of going alone.

I looked out the passenger window. “No, I suppose not. Let’s just go to the gym.”

I sensed his smirk even though I didn’t look at him.

We stopped at a light. Derek drummed his fingers against the steering wheel and silence filled the car.

After a second, he said, “Why does that sign over there look familiar?”

“What sign?” I tried to sound casual. I hoped he wasn’t talking about what I thought he was talking about.

He pointed. “That one.”

I followed his pointing finger and discovered my fear was validated.

That stupid poster of me dressed as Marilyn Monroe, along with an Elvis impersonator standing beside me, was plastered next to us at the bus stop. Derek had no clue about my secret gig, and that was how I wanted to keep it. On top of being a witch I was a Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Hey, I needed the work and it paid the bills.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I pointed at the traffic signal. “The light’s green.”

The car behind us honked, so Derek had no choice but to go. Derek’s suspicion hung in the air as we drove away. When we reached the gym’s parking, I said a silent prayer. Now maybe we could change the topic and Derek would forget all about what he’d seen.

The Vegas Fit Club was located in the middle of a small shopping center. On the left was a sandwich shop and on the right a dry cleaner’s. A blinking
Open
sign flashed in the window of the gym.

“I’m surprised it’s actually open. If she owns the place then who’s working here today? Her employees must have opened this morning,” I said, answering my own question.

“They probably have no idea that she’s missing.” Derek pulled into a spot between a red Corvette and a black Jaguar.

“Surely the police have been by looking for her though,” I said.

As soon as Derek cut the engine, I opened the door and climbed out. He rushed around to join me at the front of the car. I regretted wearing the black skirt today. The heat had already reached somewhere between hot and too damn hot. I’d figured I’d be in my air-conditioned office all day, not walking around Vegas. Sweat was already forming around my hairline. Perhaps people would think as a witch I should be dressed all in black, but that was so 1692. As if I’d walk around with a black pointy hat.

“Maybe Morgan came back and didn’t tell Paige. We could be looking for someone who isn’t even missing,” I said.

“It’s doubtful she came back. Paige would have called us. The police are still looking for her,” Derek said as we walked across the lot.

Windows lined the front of the club, allowing us a glimpse of the inside. Treadmills faced the parking lot with a few people staring out the windows as they ran.

Derek opened the gym’s glass door and motioned for me to enter. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you.”

Cold air blasted us in the face as we walked into the space. The reception desk was to the right and the workout room to the left. No one was at the desk. Derek motioned with a tilt of his head toward the workout area. I nodded and followed him into the room. A couple people on the treadmills looked over at us when we entered, but soon turned their attention back to the parking lot. Since we weren’t in workout gear, I supposed we did look a little out of place. Other members were busy on the various machines around the room.

“What’s next?” Derek paused by the elliptical machine.

“We should try to find someone who works here,” I said.

Derek followed me as I headed back toward the desk. “Sounds like a good idea.”

As soon as we reached the front, a tall, dark-haired, muscular man spotted us and rushed over. His arms, legs, and chest looked as if they’d been inflated. Of course that made his head look a little too small for his body. He wore baggy jersey pants with an American flag design and a white tank top that looked like an animal had gnawed off most of it.

“Can I help you?” His voice rumbled like distant thunder.

I flashed my sweetest smile. “My name’s Cece Cash. This is Derek North. We’re investigating the disappearance of Morgan Stewart.”

He furrowed his brow. “Her disappearance?”

“Yes, she hasn’t been seen since last night,” Derek answered.

The man scoffed. “Did someone file a missing person’s report?”

That was an odd question. He worked in Morgan’s gym. Surely the police had already been by here and informed him of the situation.

“No, but we are looking for her,” I said.

“Is this because of Amber?” He leaned his massive body against the counter.

Derek and I exchanged a look.

“Do you know Amber Barrett?” Derek asked.

Muscle man looked over our shoulders out over the workout room as if he was distracted, or annoyed by our presence. Finally, he said, “She worked here for a short time. That’s about all I know.”

“So you know she’s dead?” I asked.

“I heard.” His tone seemed robotic, almost emotionless.

“We’re concerned for Morgan’s safety,” Derek said.

He lifted his bushy eyebrows. “Why?”

He had to ask? It seemed pretty straightforward to me. I supposed people had their own way of dealing with things, but his behavior seemed off. Derek had to be picking up on the strange vibe too. I had to remain professional and take control of this situation.

Derek looked the guy right in the eyes. “Because Morgan hasn’t been seen since last night. With one woman dead, her friends are naturally concerned.”

The man laughed. “Morgan’s fine. You look like her, by the way.” He motioned toward me.

That was interesting since Paige hadn’t mentioned it. Neither had Derek.

“What’s your name?” Derek asked with that same confidence in his voice.

The fact that Derek didn’t let the guy intimidate him was impressive. Maybe that came from Derek being the only male in a household of four sisters. His father had taken off when he was about seven or eight. After that, Derek had always felt the need to be protective of his mother and sisters. Maybe that was why my parents had invited Derek over for dinner so many times, because they had felt sorry for him.

The sneer on the man’s face faded. He narrowed his eyes and said, “Steve Rowe.” His tone let me know that he’d not wanted to share this information.

“So you know where she is?” I asked.

Steve stepped closer to the workout room, letting us know that our conversation would soon be over. “I don’t know where she is right now, but I’m sure she’s fine.”

“What makes you say that?” I tried to remain friendly so that he wouldn’t stop answering our questions. He was pushing the limits of my Southern hospitality though.

Steve waved at someone across the room. “Morgan disappears all the time.”

“What are you talking about?” Derek asked.

He focused his dark eyes on us again. “If she decides she wants to get away for a while, she’ll just take off without telling anyone. She’s done it before and she’ll do it again. Morgan will be back in a few days. In the meantime, I will make sure everything here runs smoothly. Morgan trusts me to operate this place without any issues.”

Derek looked him up and down. “You’re the manager here?”

He nodded. “Yes, and unless you want a membership, I need to get back to work.”

I forced another friendly smile onto my face. “Thanks for the info.”

Steve didn’t utter another word as he turned on his heel and headed for the workout area. If that was the way he treated everyone who came into the Vegas Fit Club, then Morgan should rethink his position at the gym. 

“Do you believe him?” I whispered.

Derek watched Steve walk away. “I suppose, but there’s something about him that rubs me the wrong way.”

“His offensive outfit?”

“His attitude,” Derek said.

I glanced to my left. Just beyond the reception desk was an office. The door was slightly open and a light glowed from the room.

“You think that’s Morgan’s office?” I motioned with a tilt of my head.

Derek shrugged. “Could be.”

Before I could say another word, Derek took off toward the office. Of course I had to follow him. It was my business’ reputation at risk if he did something stupid. I didn’t want to be a babysitter, but he wasn’t giving me that option.

Derek had pushed the door wider and stepped inside the room. I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. As far as I could tell no one saw us, so I inched into the room behind him.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I whispered as we stood in the middle of the office.

“I just thought we’d have a little look around since we’re here.” Derek scanned the room.

“I don’t think we should be in here.” Unfortunately, leaving Derek alone in the office wasn’t an option.

“Steve’s probably hitting on a woman who’s wishing he’d just leave her alone so she can work out. He won’t catch us.” 

“What do you think you’ll find?” I asked.

“Maybe Morgan left an idea of where she’s going. Travel plans. A receipt for a plane ticket or hotel room.” Derek moved over to the desk and shuffled through a few files.

“If the police really want to arrest her they will probably track her credit card use,” I said as I glanced over my shoulder.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have that information.” Derek continued his search of the desk.

I was tempted to help Derek look, but I also couldn’t stop watching for the ginormous Steve to return and find us.

“You do realize that guy can snap us in half. Probably with one hand. Both of us at the same time.”

“I know karate,” Derek said without looking up.

I snickered. “You’re going to get us caught.”

“Not going to happen.” Derek opened the desk drawer.

Finally, I gave in and rushed over to open a few drawers so that we could hurry up and get out of there. Risky behavior wasn’t my thing. It made my stomach twist into knots and my legs shake.

“We need to get out of here as quickly as possible,” I said as I lifted a couple papers.

Derek’s mouth twitched at one end into a wry grin. “Don’t worry, Cece, I have everything under control.”

I placed my hands on my hips. “Oh, yeah? That’s what you said last time. What about the fire in my office?”

“Our office… and it was contained to the wastebasket.” Derek pulled a small paper from a stack on the desk. “Wait. Maybe I found something.”

I leaned closer. Derek’s cologne was distracting. It smelled really good, like a hint of leather and maybe sandalwood. I recognized the scent because I used the sandalwood in my weather spell. Sure, it was still hot out, but I was counting on the spell to work soon. “What did you find?”

Derek held up the slip of paper. “An ATM receipt from the casino. Look at the date. It was last night.”

I grabbed it from his hand. “It has the account number. Now we just have to find out whose account. Was it Morgan’s or Amber’s?”

“Or possibly Steve’s,” Derek added.

Derek stuffed the paper into his pocket and continued the search. Our time in this office was limited, but I still allowed Derek to lure me into his shenanigans. I was looking through the belongings just as much as he was. I was elbow deep in a drawer when footsteps echoed from the doorway. Unfortunately, there was no time to move my hand.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Steve shouted as he stormed into the tiny room.

The walls shook and a picture of Steve, flexing his muscles while posing in a tiny Speedo, fell from the wall and landed on the floor. The glass shattered in several big chunks.

I froze with my hand in mid-air. “We’re dead.”