Hardheaded Brunette (17 page)

He rolled down his window, flicking a cigarette butt into the street. "How bad is it?"

"Worse than the first time." She clutched her blanket closer and got to the point before anyone else joined them. "What do you know about Kane and Mena?"

He raised his eyebrows. "You think they had something to do with this?"

Gilda glanced over her shoulder. "If not, I think they stalled us for whoever trashed my house. On our way back from The Cove, some guy in dark clothes walked right into me on the sidewalk. I'm not sure if that was the culprit or if he was covering for someone."

"I'll ask around," he said. "Are you staying at Mick's tonight?"

"I should, but… somebody wants something they think I have. Probably something that belonged to Charlie Hunt." She paused. "I want to know who and what."

He nodded. "Then I shall keep an eye on things out here for the night."

"What if Fabio wants to leave a car out front?" she asked.

"Then his officers and I will have to coexist, because I will not leave my post." Gary grinned. "Even under the threat of being arrested."

Gilda smiled. "I appreciate that, thanks. I'm sure my dad would applaud your loyalty."

Once the police left, Mick made Gilda a cup of herbal tea. She sat in the armchair out of the way while Marion tidied up and took some blankets from the hall closet.

"Since Gary's parked out front and Mick's sleeping with you," Marion said, "I'll crash on the couch. I guarantee no one's going to get past me. I'm a light sleeper."

"Even if you do snore like a truck driver." Gilda smiled.

Mick rolled his eyes. "Thanks, but you really don't have to stay, Marion. The chances of someone coming back to the scene of the crime now are zilch. Besides, what are you going to do if anyone does break in?"

She walked into the kitchen and returned with a rolling pin in one hand and a flashlight in the other. "This ought to cover things for now."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to run into you in the dark."

"That's the whole point." She grinned.

While Mick and Marion worked out a plan in case the burglar returned, Gilda ducked into the kitchen and realized she'd forgotten to give Charlie's necklace to Fabio. She opened the cutlery drawer and reached into the back corner. The necklace and key were still in the same place she'd left them earlier.

She closed the drawer and glanced around the kitchen. With Marion's help, she'd cleaned and painted every inch of the house when she first moved in after her breakup with Thayer. They'd even taken all the drawers out of the cupboards to clean and refinish them. In all that time, she'd found nothing Mildred Palmer's relatives had left behind but mice. Gilda assumed Charlie had been among those who'd removed Mildred's belongings and would have been free to take whatever he'd stashed there.

It seemed someone in Sandstone Cove wasn't aware of that.

After Marion made an early coffee run to Café Beanz the next morning, she hugged Gilda good-bye. "Make sure you stay with Mick, or at least be around other people as much as possible today. Call my cell phone if you need anything. I'll stop by after work later, okay?"

"Sure. Thanks." Gilda swallowed hard. "I mean, thanks for being here. I thought I was going to lose it last night when I saw everything scattered all over the place. I'd hoped the first time was a fluke, but…"

"But you still think someone's after something Charlie might have left in your house," Marion finished.

Her chin quivered. "Yeah. Don't you?"

"Big time. At least the police dusted for prints this time and talked to your neighbors," Marion reminded her. "Why don't you just take it easy today? Go to the beach, sit in the sunshine, and read a trashy novel."

Gilda smiled. Sitting still was the last thing she wanted to do. She needed to get to the bottom of things. Soon. "That's a great idea. Maybe I'll grab a latte and a new book. I haven't been to the bookstore in ages."

"Good to hear." Marion gave her another hug. "Then that's what I'm going to tell myself you're doing today. In reality, I know you'll go back to the school and stick your nose where it doesn't belong, and I'm okay with that." She held up a hand. "Just don't tick off the guy with the sharp swords. He's gorgeous, but boy is he scary."

"I'm not interested in him. I'm with Mick, remember," she said just as Mick emerged from the bathroom, his hair wet and uncombed.

"Uh-huh. Lucky girl." Marion grinned as she backed toward the front door. "And Mick knows I'm counting on him to keep you out of trouble today."

"Don't worry, I will." He fastened her sling around Gilda's neck and elbow then placed a hand on her shoulder. "But, first, I have a meeting. Gary and I are going to see some acquaintances who may have some information about what's been going on around here."

Marion narrowed her eyes. "You're ditching her already? I haven't even left yet."

"What do you mean?" Gilda asked. "Information about what?"

Mick waved toward Gary's car and held up an index finger. "Let's just say Charlie didn't always do things other people, mostly those in the legal professions, approved of. I want to find out exactly what he was up to before he died and who he was messing with this time."

"Uh-huh." Gilda scowled. "Who's getting in trouble now?"

"Ha, ha." Mick kissed her. "I have a legitimate reason, and I also know the right people to ask. You're just nosy, Sherlock. I'm afraid to ask, but what are you two doing today?"

"I'm off to work," Marion said.

"Oh." He frowned. "I'd hoped you were off today and could take care of Gilda."

"Why are you two acting like my parents?" Gilda snorted. "I can take care of myself."

Marion waved her off. "Don't worry. I'll stop by at lunch and check on her then come back after work. I'll even bring comfort food for dinner. Probably pizza or fried chicken."

Gilda sighed in resignation. "And I've got some cleaning to do."

"Leave it for later." Marion waved a hand. "I'll give you a hand and we'll take care of everything. Like I said, go to the beach, sit in the sunshine, and read a trashy novel."

Mick grinned. "I agree. Stay out in public. No work. No clean up. No worrying. We'll get to the bottom of all this nonsense. Just stay out of trouble and stay out of the house. I'll let you know what we find out."

Once Mick hopped into Gary's car and they took off, Gilda had a quick shower and kept her word. She wandered up the street with a specific destination in mind. The police station.

She sat next to Fabio's desk, staring at her shaking hands. "Why would someone break into my house? I don't have anything worth stealing."

"Are you sure there's nothing someone might want?" He handed her a cup of herbal tea.

"My TV's older than I am, I have a cheap laptop Mick bought me for work, and my cell phone is always with me. I certainly don't have any money lying around." She sighed. "The most valuable thing I own is my house and a pair of designer shoes my mother gave me last Christmas that I can't stand wearing."

Fabio smiled. "Have you seen Gary del Garda lately?"

"Gary? Yeah, he was watching my house last night then took off with Mick this morning." Gilda frowned at the jump in conversation. "He doesn't have anything to do with the break-ins, does he?"

"People around here know you and he are close." He hesitated. "Maybe someone figured out they could get to him through you."

She burst out laughing. "I doubt that. Gary's got his own problems. He doesn't have time to watch over me day and night forever."

"He did before."

"That's when he was worried I'd get hurt or…worse." Gilda sat back and sipped her tea. "But why now? I had nothing to do with Charlie's death. I never even found the body. I certainly haven't been nosing around like I did last time."

Fabio seemed to agree. "And I really hope you'll keep it that way. The best I can offer for now is to have an officer drive past your house a bit more often. Aside from that…"

"I'm on my own."

He nodded. "You're on your own, Sherlock."

Once she'd left the police station, she strolled across the street to Café Beanz and ordered a cinnamon latte then walked into the bookstore a few doors down. The musty smell hit her the second she opened the door. She clutched the latte, temporarily losing her troubles in the rough-hewn wooden shelves and dusty novels. On one shelf sat a variety of martial arts books, including a picture book of ancient Japanese swords. She slid it off the shelf and fingered through the pages. Kane would love it.

With a gasp, she returned the book to the empty spot. What was she thinking? Rattled, Gilda settled on a couple of cozy mysteries and left the shop. She closed her eyes and took a long gulp of her latte.

"Hey, Gilda, I guess great minds think alike." Gary strolled toward her with a cup of coffee in one hand. "Did you find anything worth reading?"

She shrugged. "Brain candy. Just something to read to take my mind off all the craziness going on around here. I thought you were going somewhere with Mick this morning."

"I am." He touched the sling just above her hand. "So I never did find out what happened to your arm."

"Yoga class gone wrong." Gilda grimaced. "I made a bad move and pinched a nerve between my shoulder blades."

Gary shuddered. "Sounds dangerous. I think I'd rather learn how to use all those swords your buddy Kane has."

She raised her eyebrows. "You've seen Kane's swords?"

Was it her imagination or had Gary flinched? He sipped his coffee. "Um, yeah, Mick and I…" He paused. "Oh, there he is. I've got to go. We should grab breakfast later this week. Knowing you, you're already on the murder case with the cops and have some sleuthing to do anyway. I'll give you a call."

"Okay." Gilda's eyes widened as he pushed past her and walked toward his car.

Sure, Mick and Gary had a past. Gary as a loan shark Mick needed to take a loan from in desperation. To think they'd gone to Kane's place for some unknown reason, and seen his sword collection, made her cringe. If Gary refused to tell her why, maybe she'd be able to find out from Mick.

Gilda headed toward the Phoenix school. Why was Mick keeping secrets from her? His meeting with Gary didn't seem to be just a friendly visit between old friends. Her step faltered and she slowed her pace. Gary and Kane weren't old friends. Not unless Gary had met Kane in his dealings with Charlie.

Whatever was going on, she needed to approach things like a crab, scuttling in from the side for answers, rather than barging in and asking all the wrong questions. Maybe talking to Kane would be a better start. While Mick would be suspicious, Kane didn't seem quite as smart.

Gilda paused to take a deep breath before she opened the heavy door. The first sounds she heard were the clanging of swords and voices. Razi and Kane, to be precise, with several clangs in between exchanges of words.

Kane snorted. "What makes you think I know anything?"

"You know exactly what happened to Charlie, and you should go to the police," Razi said.

Kane barked a laugh. "Dude, if I knew who killed that desert rat, I would've told the cops days ago. I don't owe anyone my silence."

"Not even your girlfriend?" Razi asked.

The sudden quiet was deafening.

Gilda had a strong urge to peek around the corner to see what was going on but was afraid they'd see her. Or, at the very least, hear her heart hammering at her ribs.

"What are you saying, mate? Whatever you think you know, you're wrong. Now stay out of my business, or else."

Razi snorted. "Your business is a huge part of the problem. Do not get Mick or Gilda involved in it, or it will be the last thing you will ever do."

"Are you threatening me?"

Another tense silence. Gilda swallowed hard, afraid to move in case either man heard her footsteps or the dull thud of her heart. She released a slow breath.

"Yes, I am." Razi's voice sent a chill down her spine. "Do not involve my friends or the Phoenix school in your problems, or I shall deal with you personally."

A heavy thud made her flinch as someone threw a sword down. Razi stalked out of the room straight past Gilda, without acknowledging her presence. As far as she knew, she was alone in the building with Kane and his sword. With her heart pounding so hard she could hardly breathe, Gilda turned toward the front door to leave.

"Hey, love, I didn't hear you come in," Kane spoke behind her.

She froze, struggling for an excuse that didn't sound phony. "Um. Yeah. I just wanted to check messages."

"Tell me the truth." He chuckled. "You were bored out of your pretty little head and you missed me."

"Yeah. I was. Oh, I stopped at the bookstore on my way over. They have this great book on Japanese swords. Some of them look amazing."

"Let me guess. A big coffee table book with lots of pictures? Thanks, love, but I prefer my books with words." He flashed a cocky smile. "I found a couple good ones there that told exactly how the blacksmiths made their
nihonto.
"
 

"Their what?" Gilda raised her eyebrows.

"A type of sword. My favorite ones, actually." He turned to walk away. "I
'
m going to take a shower. When Mick show up, tell him I need to talk to him."
 

"He's gone somewhere with Gary for the morning." Gilda hesitated.

Kane narrowed his eyes. "You don
'
t look so well, love. Is everything okay?"
 

"I
'
m fine." Worried and scared half to death, but fine. Her voice crackled. "It
'
s nothing."
 

"Everything means something." Kane said. "Whatever 'nothing
'
is going on, you look ready to cry."
 

Gilda clenched her jaw. "I
'm
fine."
 

He grasped her hand, pulling her closer until she stood face to face with him, then lowered his voice. "Did you and Mick have a fight?"

She sucked in a sharp breath. "No, it
'
s not Mick."