Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 07 - Mucky Streak (18 page)

“Absolutely.” That was the second
time the man’s name had come up. The love of money may not be the root of
all
evil, but it was definitely the root of
some
evil. A substantial loan like the one Sebastian had taken from Edward would be enough to put anyone in treacherous territory. What I wasn’t sure about was whether or not this loan had been on the books. Had legal action ever been pursued even after Edward’s death? Certainly investigators had looked into their monetary accounts and noticed such a large transaction.

And Sebastian had been
a sharp shooter. Did he utilize those skills to kill the family? I couldn’t be sure.

When I had a chance, I’d ask Garrett.

“Hope you didn’t miss me too much.” Hot breath hit my ear.

I tensed when I realized how close
the temporary boss was. Instead of slapping him, I scooted away. “I do think about people other than you. Not to burst your bubble.”

Garrett grinned. “But you think about me some. I’ll take that.”

“Are you always so full of yourself?” I asked. I wished he didn’t amuse me so much in the process. It would make my life so much easier.

“I prefer to call it confident.” Those sparkling eyes riva
led the evening sky on a clear night. He extended his hand. “Shall we eat?”

“Food sounds good.”
I cast one more glance over my shoulder and spotted Vic Newport. I smiled. He scowled in return. Interesting.

Garrett
led me to a table near the front where two seats were saved. A moment of anxiety hit me at the thought of meeting the group, remembering their names, keeping a smooth conversation going.

“This is Gabby,” he introduced me to the people seated at the table.

I nodded hello and tried to keep track of everyone’s names, though I knew it was useless.

As the conversation settled around us, I noticed that Garrett had h
is arm draped on the back of my chair.

He’s just being casual, I told myself.

But I also realized that everyone else at the table was a part of a couple.

I also picked up on the fact that several seemed to be investors
in Garrett’s company.

As people did the general chit-chat, my gaze traveled across the room. One of the catering staff—one who’d seen me passed out in the alley—leaned over Smith Wimbledon, whispering something to him. Then he looked back at me.

Had the man been warning Smith to stay away? That I was a druggie? Maybe he liked humiliating people and was sharing my story with as many people as possible.

Anger—and
embarrassment—surged through me.

“So, how did the two of you meet?” th
e blonde across the table asked, pulling me away from my thoughts.

I looked up at Garrett and saw him grinning.
His face was entirely too close. I looked away.

“We met through a case Gabby was investigating back in Norfolk,” Garrett answered.

“Uh oh. Don’t tell me you were one of the suspects!” a jolly man across the table said.

He chuckled. “Of
course not. I’d like to think I helped her catch the bad guy. Right, Gabby?”

I forced a smile, realizing things
didn’t sound all professional between us. “Of course you did.”

“Gabby is like an urban legend back in Norfolk. She’s solved several crimes that the police weren’t able to crack. She’s gotten some notorious criminals off the streets.”

The woman across from me nodded. “Impressive.”

“Gabby, I forgot to mention that my friend Margo here is the owner of
Grayson Technologies. They manufacture—”

“—m
uch of the equipment that is used in crime scene analysis.” I smiled. “I’ve heard of you. I’ve even utilized many of your products. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Margo was a blond
e with a neat bob and a pear shaped figure. She was probably in her fifties and whenever she looked at the program for the evening, she slid some turquoise colored glasses on the end of her nose.

“Same here
,” she responded with a professional smile. “It sounds like you have a good track record. Any professional experience?”

Did
being a crime scene cleaner count? I shrugged. “I worked for the medical examiner for a while.”

“What happened?”
she asked.

“Budget cuts.”

She nodded. “Looking for a new job?”

“A new job might take me out of state, and I’m not quite ready for that. But I’m keeping my
options open.” I remembered my conversation with Riley. “You never know what doors will open or close.”

“We’re always looking for representatives for my company. I’ll give you my card before I leave. Maybe you’d be interested?”

“I’d definitely love some more information.” Maybe this whole I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine thing really did work.

Margo
grinned. “Perfect.”

I looked up at Garrett
, about to smile and show my gratitude. Before I could, his lips covered mine. Just for a minute. A brief minute. A millisecond was probably more like it. But still. His lips and my lips connected.

A jolt burst through
me. A jolt of guilt or a jolt of pleasure?

I hated that I even had to ask myself that question.

CHAPTER
20

Guilt, I decided. It was g
uilt that flashed through me.

I did not participate in that
kiss. I was innocent. I hadn’t cheated, hadn’t puckered in return. I was like a bystander in a drive-by smooching.

Garrett just smiled
beside me, as if what had happened was nothing unusual. “I think Gabby would be a great asset to your company. Isn’t that great news, Love?”

“Great news,” I mumbled.

I tried not to look flustered. But I felt flustered. I felt like running from the table.

Which wouldn’t be a good impression for Margo across from me.

So I forced a smile.

Garrett rubbed my shoulder. “I think she’s amazing.”

The rest of the conversation seemed like a blur. All I could think about was that kiss.

Why in the world had the man kissed me? I need
ed to talk to him, but I wasn’t sure when I’d get that opportunity. I had to force my breathing to remain steady. Force my words to remain calm. Force my brain to stop going the places where it wanted to go.

“Could I have this dance, Love?” Garrett asked. He stood, those British eyes smiling as he extended his hand.

“Of course.”

I took his hand—only because everyone was watching—and let him pull me to my feet. I kept my mouth closed until we reached the dance floor.

I tried to ignore the tingle I felt when his hand went to my waist. Those feelings should only be reserved for Riley. So why was my body disobeying me?

I was about to launch into my spiel when he tugged at one of my curls. “I think I’ll call you Shirleylock. You know, a combination of Shirley Temple and Sherlock. What do you think?”

I ignored him.

“What was that about?”
I demanded.

“What was what about?” H
e swayed to the music, looking totally at ease.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

He nonchalantly looked toward the ceiling. “The kiss, you mean? Oh, that was nothing. I was just going with the moment.”

“Nothing, huh?”

“I have to say that investors do like a man in a steady relationship.”

“But we’re not in a relationship.”

He raised my hand. “I noticed your ring is gone. Does that mean the engagement is off?”

My
cheeks flushed again. “It does, but the ending of my engagement doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

“So, you’re free now? There are no ugly little lines to cross.”

“Not exactly. We called off the engagement, but we didn’t break up.”

“Called off the engagement but not officially broken up? I think you and I both know that’s not true. We know how it works, no matter how hard
reality might be to handle.”

I looked away
, determined that his words were false. “You don’t know Riley.”

“I don’t need to. I’m a man. I know how men think. And I think we could be good together, Gabby.
As friends. As lovers.”

I cringed, and Garrett laughed, low and rumbling.

“I hate that word,” I reminded him.

He grinned. “I know.”

“You’re terrible.”

“Only in a good way.”

I stared off in the distance, at the other couples swaying happily to the music. I remembered the kiss. I realized I enjoyed Garrett’s leathery scent just a little too much. I enjoyed our banter. I enjoyed the attention, for that matter.

But I also couldn’t rely on any of these emotions right now. So I was going to go with the logical approach. There were so many reasons I couldn’t date Garrett, even if Riley wasn’t in the picture. 
“You seem like a guy who just likes the thrill of the chase.”

“I do like the chase.
Is there something wrong with that?”

“I’m someo
ne who thinks romance is a lifelong journey, not a flash in the pan sprint. Excuse the mixed metaphor.”

He stepped close enough that I could feel his breath on my cheek
. “I think when you meet the right one that everything changes.”

My throat tightened. I had to forget about these emotions.
“My fiancé and I just broke up.”

“Maybe the best way to get over one person is to be with another.”

The idea was tempting. I hated to admit it. But it was true. Feeling desired had its appeal, especially after being thrown to the curb like a piece of trash.

He took my hand and pulled me toward him. “
Gabby, you’d never have to worry about money with me again. I could take care of you. Give you anything you wanted.”

I let myself imagine that for a moment. I’d never been at that place in life before. I’d
always lived paycheck to paycheck. The idea of security tempted me more than it should have.

I pushed him back. “I can’t. Not now. Maybe not ever. I don’t know. I just know that I need time.”

He stared at me a moment. The look in his eyes made me want to forget all of my resolutions. Finally, he nodded. “I’m about to say the most unromantic thing ever.”

“I’ve heard some pretty unromantic things.”

The intensity in his eyes remained. “I can’t promise you that I’ll wait.”

That
was
pretty unromantic. Not the words fairy tales were made of. But I’d stopped believing in fairy tales. “What’s meant to be will be.”

“Excuse me? Garrett?”

I swung my head toward the voice. Lyndsey was here. Garrett’s “assistant.” When had she arrived?

“Yes, Lyndsey?”

“It’s time for your speech to begin.”

Garrett leaned toward me, his gaze locking with mine.
“Let’s finish this conversation later.”

***

As Garrett was making his way toward the stage, my cellphone cried out from the depths of my tiny little glittery clutch. After casting an apologetic glance toward the podium, I put the phone to my ear and whispered hello.

“Gabby, this
is Jamie. Holly told me where you were. Sorry to interrupt you, but it’s important.”

I stared at the stage as Garrett took the microphone.
Standing here and talking wasn’t an option. I hated to miss Garrett’s big moment, but I stepped away from the speakers and went out in the lobby. A security guard stood by the door, but the only other people out here were a couple of ladies headed toward the restroom and a man working the front door.

“What’s going on
, Jamie?”

“
You know that website I told you about, the one with the cold cases?”

“Of course.”
I wanted to check out the website more when I had time.

“We just got a hit.”

My adrenaline spiked. “And?”

“You may not
dig this. That’s why I wanted to call you right away.”

If she was calling me here, it was obviously important.
“Okay.”

“So
meone left an anonymous message on the site. They said you should look into Garrett Mercer.”

“What?” The words came out louder than I intended.
But of all the suspects I expected to hear, Garrett Mercer wasn’t one of them.

“The poster
said Mr. Rico Suave was actually in town on the night of the murder.”

“No …”
He was at a party. Certainly the police had verified that. Besides, Garrett wouldn’t kill his own family. I refused to believe it.

“I’m
just relaying the message. This person also said that three other investigators he hired have turned up dead, not including Perkins.”

A chill spread through me. “Are you serious?”

“I wish I weren’t. This could be nothing, Gabby. I know that. But just in case it
is
something, I wanted you to know. Especially since … well, you know. You’re with him now and all.”

“I appreciate it. Thank you.”

I slid my phone back into my purse and listened to Garrett’s voice ringing out in the background. The audience laughed, as he no doubt said something that charmed them.

Charm was deceptive and beauty was fleeting. They were the perfect masks to cover up an ugly heart and devious spirit.
Just what were those qualities masking about the real Garrett?

I had to make a decision. Did I t
ake a taxi home and hide? Confront Garrett? Call the police?

I wasn’t sure. But I needed to decide and soon.