Chapter Eleven
The next morning, Justin was making a cup of coffee with Lisa’s Keurig when a knock sounded at the door. Lisa’s puppy barked. Justin opened the door. His stepbrother stood on the doorstep.
“Well.” Stevie grinned. “I came to be sure you were all right since you didn’t come home last night. After what that clerk said, I figured you’d had quite a time yesterday.”
“That we did, no thanks to you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You said the clerk filled up the gas tank. You sure he filled it up all the way?”
“I’m positive,” Stevie said, but he wasn’t looking directly at Justin. Was he lying?
“You didn’t let him fill it full because you wanted to leave me and Lisa stranded.”
“I swear he filled it, but if you can’t manage a boat properly while taking a girl for a ride, you deserve to lose her. She’d be better off with me. I’ll be taking over the University Park store soon instead of you. And Dad promised the north Dallas store to Benson to manage, so that leaves you out in the cold.”
Justin couldn’t help clasping his hands into fists, but he straightened his fingers and shoved them into his pocket. “If it wasn’t for the robbery, my store would have shown a bigger profit.”
“No, it wouldn’t. That was covered by insurance,” Stevie insisted. “Why not go back to sleuthing and become a private eye like you wanted to when you were in high school. It might take you a while to make a living at it, so you don’t need to be thinking about something permanent with Lisa. She deserves more than a guy without a job, like somebody with a career that’s going somewhere.”
Maybe Stevie didn’t have had anything to do with the boat motor’s malfunction, but Justin wanted to punch his brother’s taunting face. Justin shot up his fist. “I’ve had just about enough of your BS, brother. Suppose you tell me what you really came here for, and then leave.”
“I came for a vacation, just like you did. You don’t deserve a hot woman like Lisa. It’s a shame you met her before I did. You should step aside and let a real man take over.”
Justin felt the heat rising from his neck to his face. It was probably red by now. “Like you, for instance. The hell I will. You need to go back to Dallas and mind the store.”
Stevie held up his hand. He looked disgustedly calm. “Don’t tell me what to do. Benson has things under control, so there’s nothing for me to do but wait until the new store in University Park is ready.”
Justin wanted to wipe that smirk right off his face. “Better not count your chickens until Father says so, brother dear.”
Stevie puffed out his chest. “I’m the one who stayed with our family business all the time. I didn’t go running off to satisfy some ill-conceived fantasy.”
“I was trying out PI work, just like you tried out playing the clarinet but changed to the trumpet.”
“Playing in the band was great, but that’s not the subject here. You need to give up on Lisa and let a better man take over.”
Justin felt so hot he thought he might explode. “I don’t want to see you sniffing at her door.”
Stevie smirked. “But I’m already here. Why don’t you ask her to come out and choose which man she wants?”
“You’re being ridiculous. She hardly knows you.”
“Well, she’s had time to see all your faults. And probably see your bad temper too.”
“And you think you could keep yours hidden? Not if I have anything to say about it. Don’t forget I know you pretty well.”
The sound of the bedroom door opening alerted Justin that Lisa was coming into the room. How much had she heard already? She must think him ill-tempered and possessive. Which he had been, damn it.
“Stevie, did you come to check on us?” she asked.
“Sure I did after hearing what happened from the clerk at the Super Min. You two must be exhausted. Why not let Justin and me take you out for dinner? I’m sure you still don’t feel like cooking after your ordeal.”
Lisa hesitated. “I – I don’t know. Justin, have you planned anything for tonight?”
Now, he was in a dilemma. He didn’t want Stevie tagging along, but she’d think Justin rude if he said that. “Let’s call Chenille and see if she wants to come.”
Lisa frowned. “She may be busy.”
Justin held out his phone. “Here’s her number. Go ahead and call her.”
Stevie shot Justin a glare, but took the phone and dialed.
Lisa waited while Stevie talked. She didn’t look pleased about things.
Stevie hung up and said, “She wants to go eat at Junonia, so let’s go there tonight.”
Lisa plopped down in a chair. “I really don’t feel like going out. I’d rather just stay here with Justin.”
He turned to her. “You look tired, and I sure am. Would you rather have something delivered and stay here?”
Lisa smiled. “You must be a mind reader. I sure would like that. Stevie, why don’t you and Chenille go on and give her our excuses. We’re still tired from the other day.”
Stevie shot Justin a funny look. “Okay, if that’s the way you want it.” He opened the door. “See you later.”
As soon as the door shut behind Stevie, Lisa asked, “What were you two arguing about?”
“I accused him of only filling the gas tank of the boat half full. He denied it, but I think he’s lying.”
“How can you be sure.”
“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but he looked at me with his non-dominant eye. He always used to do that when he was lying.”
“Why would he want us to be stranded when a storm was forecast?”
“He may not have known about the storm. Charity at the Super Min says they spring up without much warning. But if he suspected bad weather, he may have wanted to make me look bad in front of you.”
Lisa stared at Justin. “Aren’t you two a little old to be squabbling like little children?”
“I’m thirty-one, but we weren’t just squabbling. He wants to take you away from me. He also wants that new store in University Park and to make me look bad for that—wait a minute.” Justin slapped his forehead. “Damn. Maybe that that wasn’t a random burglary I had a few days before I came here.”
“What makes you think that?”
“The robbery was well planned, but the robber didn’t hold the gun very steady, like he was afraid he might actually kill me.”
“You think your brother was behind the robbery?”
“It fits. A robbery and poor profits—he probably convinced Father to close the store.”
“Do you think he tried to kill you by planning for the boat to run out of gas?”
Justin shook his head. “I don’t know, but something was wrong with that motor. He claims the clerk filled the tank. He just wants to make life difficult for me. Forget about him. Let’s stay here, and I’ll order sandwiches and ice cream bars delivered from the Super Min.”
Lisa smiled. “That would be wonderful.”
Justin pulled out his cell phone and arranged it. Then he sat down beside Lisa, put his arm around her and kissed her. Being in her bed and loving her had been more marvelous than he’d ever imagined. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, but he sure as hell wanted Lisa to be part of it.
Maybe after he got this jewel thievery problem solved for Luke, he could tackle the problem of his career. He looked at Lisa. “Do you have any wine?”
“No, I don’t keep it around.”
He picked up the phone. “Charity, can you add a bottle of your nicest wine to my order. We’ve been through a lot, and we need something to relax us.”
Charity laughed. “I thought that’s what you were doing already.”
“Just add the wine to our order and send it over. I’m getting hungry.”
He disconnected and gazed at Lisa. “Will you be my girl for the summer, well, as long as I’m here?”
She looked at him kind of funny, then laughed. “Of course. I’d like nothing better. But are you still going to take other women out to see if they are connected to the jewelry thefts?”
He shook his head. “I think I’ve found out all I can by doing that.”
He liked hearing her sigh of relief and seeing her slight smile. “From now on, I’m pursuing other avenues of investigation. I’ll ask Barry Wilson—he’s the PI I did grunt work for while I was a teenager—to see if he can uncover anything I haven’t found on the suspects.”
Lisa rested her chin in one hand. “I can be sure to attend all meetings of the local book club. With eight women, one of the suspects or maybe someone you haven’t thought of as a suspect might be the thief. They meet every week at a different home. Maybe I can come up with a kidney problem to excuse frequent trips to the bathroom.”
“This is my problem. You shouldn’t have to do anything.”
“But I want to help.”
“Don’t do anything drastic or take unnecessary chances. You could get fired, and I don’t want that happening. Besides, if I break into someone’s house while she’s gone, I can search the whole place. This is my problem. I don’t want you involved.”
Someone knocked. Justin opened the door, handed over some bills, and accepted a bag and a bottle of wine.
He sat beside Lisa at the small kitchen table, unable to resist giving her a kiss from time to time. Once, he started to kiss her, and she pushed him away, while pointing to her full mouth. He kissed her forehead instead. As soon as she finished chewing, she laughed. “I love your kisses, but let’s eat first. I’m hungry.”
As Justin poured the last of the wine, his phone rang. It was his brother.
“Hey, Justin, are you coming back tonight or am I going to bunk solo again?”
“Why the hell did you have someone rob my store and do something to the boat before you conveniently got sick?”
“Robberies happen all the time, and I didn’t do anything to that damn boat.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Think what you want to, I had nothing to do with any of that. It was just your bad luck.”
Justin would grill him again later, make him admit the truth. “I thought you were going out with Chenille.”
“She had other plans, or so she said.”
Justin laughed. “So, there’s one conquest you didn’t win.”
“You don’t have to rub it in. Just let me know, are you coming back or not.”
Justin looked at Lisa, the circles under her eyes and the way she leaned back in her chair. His muscles still ached from handling the boat. Last night had been too wonderful to describe, not that he was going to tell Stevie anything about it—that was private and special—he’d just go on back. “I’ll be there in a little while. Don’t lock the door.” He disconnected the call.
Lisa sat up straight. “You’re going home. So soon?”
“It’s been a long day. I really enjoyed being with you—in bed and in the shower—but you could probably use a good night’s sleep without interruption—and if I stay, I can’t guarantee I won’t be tempted to keep you up half the night.”
“So, will I see you tomorrow?”
“Tell you what, I’ll take you to dinner in Naples tomorrow night. Okay?”
“I’d like that.”
He rose from the table. “Now, I’d better say good bye and let you get some rest.”
She rose and stepped into his arms. He gave her a long lasting kiss, then pulled away reluctantly. He needed to take a nap and spend the rest of the afternoon working on finding the jewel thief.
The next night she wore a slinky white silk blouse and a black, gored skirt that flared about her thighs when she walked. Expecting plenty of air-conditioning, she brought a crocheted openwork sweater.
He drove to Naples and escorted her into the large dining room of Campiello’s Italian restaurant with large square pillars supporting a ceiling surrounding a huge skylight. More than twenty large panes showed a twilight sky.
As the hostess was leading them to a table, they passed a worried looking young man sitting at a table marked ‘Reserved.’ He was holding a ring and seemed to be trying to adjust it. He ran one hand through his hair and sighed.
“Are you having a problem with that ring, sir?”
“I was going to propose and give my grandmother’s ring to my girl, but the stone seems to be coming loose.”
Justin pulled out his loupe. “I’m a jeweler. If you let me look at it, I may be able to tell what’s wrong.”
The man held it out. “I planned to have her brother bring her here and surprise her with it, but now I don’t know what to do.”
Justin took the ring and studied it. “One of the prongs needs to be tightened. I can fix that. I’ll be right back.” Moments later, he returned with a tiny pair of pliers and worked on the ring. After a few seconds, he handed it back. “That should hold for quite a while.”
The young man looked relieved. “Thank you. I sure appreciate it.”
The hostess laid menus on a linen-covered table. As he pulled out a chair for Lisa, she said, “That was really nice of you.”
Justin glanced over at the young man. “He probably was nervous enough thinking about proposing without having trouble with the ring. After all, choosing a woman to share your life with is a momentous step.”
Lisa didn’t comment, but wondered how Justin felt about the prospect of getting married and settling down. She recalled his quick no to Charity at the Super Min when she asked about a wedding in the near future. He’d hung out with Lisa for several days, but maybe he was looking forward to several more years of playing the field. She’d sure like to see a lot more of him.
A waiter approached and told them about wine selections. Justin let Lisa choose a sweet red wine, and the waiter brought a bottle and poured some into glasses.
Justin lifted his. “A toast to the prettiest lady in Campiello’s.”
Smiling, she clinked glasses with his, then studied the menu and told him what she’d like. As the waitress left, he said, “I like the way your short skirt moves when you walk. It shows off your good-looking legs.”
She grinned. “Thank you.”
Later, he dined on Pappardelle, with braised veal, tomatoes and oregano. She enjoyed her Spaghettini with clams, white wine and garlic.
He set his fork down. “I picked you up at five, because I plan to check out that new desk clerk’s place tonight. Charity at the Super Min said Rosa came in all excited about her date tonight with Rocco Cardinale, so she’ll be away from her place.” He met her gaze. “Does that bother you, I mean wasn’t he your date for the gala?”
She laughed and shook her head. “He was a blind date that Gussie arranged, but I’m glad I met you that night. I’ve never enjoyed a dance so much.”
“Thanks.” A broad smile creased his face, making her feel he was really pleased with her. That made her feel good.
For dessert they split a piece of Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Cake. It came with a sweet caramel sauce, caramel gelato and a topping of salted chopped peanuts.
Too full to eat anything more, Lisa sipped her coffee, then set the cup down. “You said you were going to check out Rosa’s place. Did you do a background check on her?”
“Yes, and a credit check as well, but I want to be sure I haven’t eliminated her as a suspect too soon.”
“I want to come with you. I can think of places to look you may not consider.”
“Oh, no you don’t. I don’t want you involved. What if they come home early, and we get caught?”
“Okay, I’ll be your look out then.”
“I don’t like that idea either.” He yawned. “I’m tired. I’ll just take you home and go to bed. I can check out Rosa’s house some other time. Besides, Stevie’s still at my place. If I go tonight, he might think it strange for me to come home so late.”
Lisa laughed. “I didn’t think guys paid attention to that.”
“Yeah, but Stevie’s always looking for anything to rib me about.”
“Isn’t that what brothers do?”
Later, after he’d paid the bill and taken her home, he kissed her long and hard and even let his thumbs slide up from her waist to the sides of her breasts. That set them to tingling, but she wasn’t sure she dared suggest more tonight. He said good night, opened the door, and stepped out. She grabbed his hand and tugged. “You’re going to Rosa’s house tonight, aren’t you?”
He met her gaze. “I won’t lie to you. I know you hate that. So, yes, I’m going, but you’re not coming with me.”
Key in hand, she pulled the door shut behind her, the sound of the lock clicking echoed in the stillness. “I am too. I know where she lives, and if you don’t take me, I’ll walk there. You’ll need a lookout, and I’m sure you don’t want to ask Stevie.”
He stared at her. “You sure are stubborn. If you hide in the bushes, you’ll get scratches all over those pretty legs.”
She liked his compliments, but she wasn’t going to be dissuaded. Then it occurred to her. The faster he caught the thief, the sooner he might leave for Dallas. Unless she could persuade him to stay longer. If his father awarded the new store to Stevie, Justin would need someone to encourage him to decide about his future. She really wanted him to return to Dallas by the time the fall semester started so she could have some hope of seeing him again, but maybe that wouldn’t be what he decided.
But her mind was made up about tonight. “I really want to help you tonight.”
He frowned. “It’s not safe, and it’s illegal to boot. We both could get arrested for breaking and entering. You need to stay here.”
However, she managed to get in the car before he drove off.
He frowned. “You sure are stubborn. You’d better keep out of sight.”
When they got there, the only shrubbery to hide behind was a low barberry hedge with lots of thorns that grew next to a fence between the two yards. She squeezed through and had to stop to unhook her skirt from a thorny twig. Once behind the hedge, she settled on her knees, but raised up enough to see him fiddle with the lock. In seconds he was inside.
She kept glancing around, looking for any passersby. A heavy set, older man smelling of liquor stumbled along, then looked her way. He didn’t look muscular, but he was big enough to hold her down by the sheer force of his size and weight.
He paused, and she swallowed a gasp. “Kinda late to be gardenin,’ ain’t it, miss?”
She pulled at a twig, wincing at a thorn piercing her finger. She strained to make her voice sound natural. “I’m almost through.”
“Wouldn’t stay out longer if I was you. Some drunks might think you’re invite— inviting—hell, I can’t say the words right.”
“Thank you for the warning.” Would he never leave? She hoped Justin wouldn’t come out right then. If this guy knew who lived there, the guy might tell the wrong person, namely Charity or Patience.
The door opened. Justin strolled out, looking like he’d just left after visiting a woman. He did a double take and waved to the drunk. “She’s a hell of a woman. I hated to say goodnight.”
The straggler pointed to Lisa. “You goin’ to say goodnight to her sister here?”
Justin looked at his watch. “You shouldn’t be out this late. I just locked the front door. Why don’t you go around to the back, let yourself in, and lock up afterward?
Lisa straightened. “Good idea. I’ll see you later, Harry.” She hurried around the cottage to the rear to wait. Once there, she waited and waited. That drunk must still be out front. From a distance she heard Justin’s car start. Was he going to leave her here?
There was an alley behind the cottage. Should she walk back to her place from here or wait for Justin?
She waited for what seemed like a quarter of an hour, then checked her watch. Only five minutes had passed. How much longer should she wait?
A car was coming down the alley. Was it the police? She’d look strange standing here, and she wouldn’t be believable claiming she was locked out. This was a small town, and they might know who lived here.
She ducked into the shadows behind a porch swing.
The car stopped, making her heart beat faster. She leaned forward to peek, hoping her head wouldn’t be noticeable.
The car was Justin’s. Thank goodness. She raced to get in, but he kept driving slowly.
“Why aren’t you in a hurry to get away from here?”
“I don’t want to raise any suspicion in case the police are hanging around.”
“Did you do a thorough search?”
He nodded. “Rosa isn’t the guilty one. From the looks of her jewelry box, she doesn’t go for expensive jewels. The turquoise ring she had was small and looked to be silver plated, not set in sterling. She had some beads and thin metal bracelets—what do you call them, bangles?”
“That’s right. Did you search all the likely hiding places in her kitchen, bedroom, and living room?”
He nodded. “Now, I can cross her off my list. I’ll take you home.”
“Who are you going to check out next?”
“I’m not telling you. I don’t want you to be a part of my searches.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want you losing your job here. I, however, haven’t as much to lose if I get caught.”
“Maybe I can get a haircut. Who knows what I might hear at the salon.”
He frowned. “Well, if you go, don’t ask any pointed questions. Just listen.”
“Okay.”
As he pulled out of the alley and headed down the street, a cop car pulled up behind, flashing red and blue lights.
As Justin parked by the curb, Lisa hoped he’d be able to say something to satisfy the policeman.
A uniformed cop strode up and stopped just behind the driver’s window. In a no-nonsense voice with a new England accent, he said, “Your license and registration please.”
Justin handed out his license. “This is a rental car. Lisa, would you please look in the glove compartment for the rental agreement.”
She handed it to him and noticed his Adam’s apple moving. He dropped the paper and had to bend down to pick it up. She hoped the cop wouldn’t pick up on Justin’s uneasiness.
However, Justin’s voice was mellow and smooth as usual. “It’s a lovely night, so I’m taking my girlfriend for a drive.”
“What were you doing in that alley. The woman who lives alone there asked me to keep an eye on her place as she’s from a small village in Mexico and not used to living in a busy area where there might be break-ins.”
Lisa leaned closer. “It’s nice you take care of people here. It reminds me of my town where the police are also pretty helpful.”
“I try to be protective. That’s what we’re here for.”
Lisa cocked an ear. “Your accent says you didn’t grow up here. Where are you from?”
“Boston. Not only does it get pretty cold there, but there’s lots of crime. I was lucky to get hired on here.” He took Justin’s license and rental agreement. “If you’ll wait here, I can get you checked out pretty quickly.” He walked back to his car.
Lisa whispered. “Do you think he suspects anything?”
“I hope not, he whispered. “I just want to take you home and get a good night’s sleep.”
The cop returned, his Boston accent still obvious. “It’s after midnight, and some drunks may be leaving the bars. It may not be too safe to be driving around. I’ll escort you and the lady home and follow you to your place to be sure you make it all right.”
She saw Justin swallow. “I appreciate your offer, but I think I can make it okay.”
“That’s not an offer, sir, that’s what I’m going to do. Now I’m ready whenever you are.” He walked back to his squad car.
Justin frowned. “I guess we don’t have a choice. I’d sure like to stay with you the rest of the night, but I guess that’s not an option.”
Lisa smiled. She was tired, but not that tired.
He took her home. At her doorstep, he kissed her long and leisurely, then pulled back.
“Are you afraid of what Stevie will say when you come in so late?”
“Hell, no. I already told him to mind his own business. How about we spend tomorrow afternoon on the beach? We can have fried clams for lunch. I don’t suppose you’d want to go for another boat ride?”
Lisa laughed. “I think I’ve had enough boat rides for a while, but I’d enjoy the beach and a swim. Our Boston cop is waiting to talk to you. You’d better go.”
He kissed her again, leaving her wanting more. “Are you sure that’s what you want? I could talk to him and explain I’m staying here at your invitation—that is if you want me to stay.” He looked at her with longing.
Would it be so wrong to say yes? Again?
Her heart in her throat, she nodded.
A broad smile spread over his face. “I’ll be right back.” He rushed out to talk to the cop, who drove away after a brief conversation.