Home Is Where the Heart Is (4 page)

“Mom, the police are here to talk to you. They’re waiting in the living room.”

“Tell them I’ll be with them in a minute,” Liz said. “And Kyra, please ask them if they would like a cup of coffee.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kyra said as she rushed back into the living room.

Kyra fixed the officers coffee and delivered it to them while her mother settled into her favorite chair, fidgeting as she awaited their questions.

“Mrs. Michaels, was your husband having problems with any of his clients?” asked the younger detective, James.

“No. I don’t believe he was. At least he hadn’t mentioned anything to me about any such thing.”

“Had he received any threats or strange phone calls in recent months?”

“No. Again, if he did, I wasn’t aware of it.”

The questions continued and her mother wasn’t much help from what Kyra could tell. The visit didn’t last very long and Kyra really hadn’t learned very much from the detectives. The idea of her father’s murder remaining unsolved disturbed her greatly. There were too many unsolved cases in the world, in her opinion. Sizzle was a small town so it should be easy enough to find the guilty party. Everyone knew secrets and lies spread like wildfire in a town this size.

Maybe she should talk to a private investigator about the possibility of looking into the case. It couldn’t hurt and she desperately wanted some answers. She prided herself in knowing hardcore facts. Sitting around guessing what might have happened to her dad was driving her insane. Someone knew something! The answers were out there. They just had to be found.

Later in the day, Liz and Kyra met with the funeral director to schedule the viewing and make arrangements for the burial. While they spent the rest of their afternoon calling relatives to inform them of the services, neighbors began showing up, just as Kyra had known they would, each with food in hand. By the end of the day, they had more food than they knew what to do with. Neither Liz nor Kyra were big eaters, and considering the circumstances, they were eating even less than usual.

In the South, there seemed to be an unwritten rule that when someone died, food of any kind would lighten the load on the family in mourning. As nice as the gesture was, it was beginning to drive them both crazy. A large portion of the food would spoil before they ever found a place in the refrigerator for it. Offering up comfort food wasn’t such a bad thing… unless it wasn’t your type of comfort food.

The funeral would be held in two days and they really didn’t have anything to do but sit and wait. Kyra still couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing was being done to solve her dad’s murder. No matter what, she would do what she had to in order to make sure the person responsible paid for their crime. Without thinking, she headed for the phonebook, turning to the yellow pages section for private investigators.

There were half a dozen basic listings that didn’t offer more than a business name and number. Those types of listings never appealed to Kyra, purely because of a lack of information. She continued to inspect the larger listings, coming across several possibilities. She picked up her phone and called the first one, which was located in the next town – no answer. Not wanting to give up, she decided to call the Southern Gentlemen’s Detective Agency, located just on the edge of town.

When she lived in Sizzle, there hadn’t been a need for such a business, but she was thankful it was available now. She dialed the number and waited for an answer. She asked the man that answered about their business hours and fees of service. After hanging up, Kyra decided to throw caution to the wind and drive over to the detective agency and see what they could do to help her.

The drive across town was refreshing, doing wonders for her nerves. She let the memories flow as she took in the sights: The old library where she spent most of her time, Max’s Market, the only grocery store in town, the park in the center of the square, with a large white gazebo standing tall in the center. There were so many memories. She shook her head and drove on, too busy with her plan to get lost in the past.

The Southern Gentlemen’s Detective Agency was just ahead. She gave the turn signal a quick flick and maneuvered into the parking lot, parking next to a black and chrome Harley Davidson motorcycle parked near the entrance. The building was newer than the ones that surrounded it. A bright neon green ‘Open’ sign flashed in the window. It still seemed odd that Sizzle would need such a business, but at least the town was growing. Regardless, she was happy that it was here.

Taking a deep breath, she mumbled, “Give me strength. I don’t have a clue what the heck I’m doing. They will probably think I’m a crazy misguided young woman.”

Deciding to be brave for once, she snatched her purse from the passenger seat, took a quick glance in the mirror to make sure she was presentable, and exited the car. She reminded herself that she was just here to get information and didn’t have to hire these Southern Gentlemen today, hoping their prices would be within her meager budget if she did decide to hire them. She gripped the door handle and pulled, the cool air whispering across her skin as she stepped into the well-maintained office.

A man with dark brown hair and cool blue eyes worked busily on a computer while talking to someone on the phone. His deep, rich, southern accent was comforting, easing her nerves as she waited patiently. He was probably the one she had spoken with earlier. He nodded at her, acknowledging that he would be with her soon, waving a hand at an empty chair.

“May I help you?” asked the gentleman as he placed the phone on the cradle on his desk.

“I’m not sure. I hope so, but…” She shrugged, not really sure of what to say.

“My name is Jake,” the man said, offering a friendly smile. “Jake Stone. Have a seat. Would you like a coffee or a soda?”

“I’m Kyra. Kyra Michaels. Thank you, but I’m fine.”

Jake grabbed a soda from the nearby refrigerator and quickly returned to his desk. He gathered several documents from a filing cabinet near his desk before taking a seat. “First things first, Kyra. Can you tell me why you feel the need for a private investigator?”

“I want to know who killed my dad. He was a wonderful man and a fantastic attorney here in Sizzle. I can’t imagine anyone would want to hurt him, let alone kill him.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your father. Let’s see what we can do to find out what happened.”

As Jake asked questions and filled out the forms he had gathered moments earlier, Kyra heard the deep rumble of another motorcycle pull into the parking lot as she picked at the pale pink polish on her fingernails, realizing she desperately needed a manicure. She was jumpier than a frog in a frying pan, resisting the urge to turn around when the front door opened behind her.

“How’s it going, Jake? Any new cases come in for me?” a new male voice asked.

Kyra flinched as she heard that deep sexy voice, her body heat rising just as it always had.

That voice.

Oh damn.

She would recognize that voice anywhere. There was no need to turn around and face the owner of that delicious voice. She knew it was him. That hunk of a man she had drooled over for oh so long.

It was Dylan Chambers.

“Hi, boss. I’m just putting together a case file for our newest client,” Jake said.

Kyra slowly turned to face the door. She didn’t know if he would recognize her after all this time, but a gal could hope, couldn’t she? Before she could turn to face him, he began to introduce himself.

“Hi, ma’am I’m Dylan…” His voice faltered when his eyes met Kyra’s.

“Hi, Dylan,” Kyra said with a nervous smile. “It’s been a long time.” She felt the butterflies take flight in her stomach as she faced the man who had stolen her heart.

Dylan stared at her with a shocked expression, causing her to wonder what he might be thinking as his gaze roamed her body. Dear God. The man was still just as gorgeous as the day she left. Maybe even more so. Kyra trembled as his eyes moved slowly down her body and back up again to her face. A slow wicked grin worked over his lips, his chiseled jaw tensing as he took her in.

“You two know each other?” Jake asked, his eyes darting between the two.

“We’ve known each other for years, Jake. Ever since we were kids actually.” Dylan said. His eyes staying trained on Kyra. “How have you been, Kyra?”

“I’ve been good until today. Well… until yesterday really. My dad…”

As Dylan’s eyes roamed Kyra’s body, he was reminded of that day at the lake when she lost her bathing suit top. He had thoroughly enjoyed the view of her perky breasts, the way she looked at him, her nipples hardening under his gaze. It was a glorious sight; one he hadn’t forgotten. He was crushed when he found out she had left Sizzle. He had always found her to be quite charming and beautiful, but she was so young – almost too young – and his sister’s best friend to boot. He’d missed his chance back then. When years passed and she never returned, he knew he had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. That wasn’t his only mistake. He’d made plenty of them back then. Man, was she a sight for sore eyes.

Whatever courage Kyra had when she walked through the door of the detective agency was now gone. Vanished. It had fluttered away when Dylan’s gaze met hers. Her pulse sped up just being in the same room with him again.

Dylan walked over to Jake’s desk with a confident swagger and glanced at the documents for her case. His jaw clenched as he read. She allowed her eyes to caress his body, just as his had hers minutes ago, suddenly wondering what it would be like to touch him. Would sparks ignite? Would he feel the electricity at the touch of their skin? Fighting back the urge, she fidgeted in her seat, feeling uncertain of herself in his presence. There was something about him that always seemed to cause her confidence to falter when he was around.

“I’m sorry about your dad, Kyra,” Dylan said, worry and sympathy swirling in his seductive gray eyes.

“Thank you, Dylan.”

She couldn’t believe that this muscle-bound god was standing before her. What were the chances she would pick his company of all those to choose from? This was too good to be true. Or was it fate?

She let her eyes drink in the amazing mountain of pure male sensuality. She noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Her heart thumped rapidly. Was he married? Divorced? Good heavens, could she be that lucky? He didn’t seem like the kind of man that would casually forget to wear it. Maybe he wasn’t as perfect as she had thought he was. She mentally kicked herself for thinking such horrible things because there’s no way he’d be like that. He wouldn’t stoop that low. Not her Dylan.

“Jake, Kyra’s case is mine,” Dylan said. “Get the police report and send a copy to my phone. We’ll be making this a top priority.”

“Sure, man,” Jake responded. “I’ll send it over as soon as I get it.” He made a call to the local police department and requested the police report for the case as Kyra stood and headed for the door.

“Thanks for taking the case, Dylan. I really appreciate it. Mom will too.”

“You know I’d do anything to help you and your family. Kyra, where are you staying?”

“I’m staying with my mom. You can reach me there or on my cell. The numbers are on the forms.”

“Right. Let me walk you out.” Dylan said

“Sure.” Kyra responded.

Dylan knew she had left town on his wedding day, but he didn’t understand why. He had asked around, even talked to her mother, but nobody seemed to know where she went or why she left. He’d always thought she was a beautiful young woman, and he had kicked himself in the ass for letting something like a simple age gap deter him years ago. Now things were different. The age gap might still be there but who the hell really cared about that.

Even now he couldn’t believe he had almost married Harley Daniels. She couldn’t hold a candle to Kyra, even if she tried. Dylan didn’t have romantic thoughts about Kyra back then, but man was she a real looker now. She was the most captivating woman he had laid eyes on in years. He could get lost in those seductive emerald eyes.

“Here’s my card, Kyra. If you need anything, you call me. My cell and home phone are on the back.” His fingers caressed her skin briefly and a tingling sensation ran up her arm as their eyes met. The look on Dylan’s face let her know he had felt it too.

“Thanks, Dylan. Let me know what you find out.” She slid into her car and listened to the engine purr when she cranked it.

Dylan eyed her with curiosity. “It was good seeing you again. Maybe we could get together while you’re in town. You know, catch up. And I can keep you up-to-date on the case.”

“That would be nice. I look forward to it.” She put on her sunglasses and eased the car in gear, looking back at the handsome man eyeing her eagerly. As she headed back to her mother’s house, thoughts of Dylan bombarded her.

“Why isn’t he wearing a wedding ring?” she asked herself.

She stopped at a local burger joint and ordered a chocolate shake. Chocolate was always a delicious treat and one she rarely allowed herself to have. She deserved a treat after handling running into Dylan so well. Surprisingly, she wasn’t a bundle of nerves as she had imagined she’d be. While the meeting had been a little awkward, she felt relief wash over her. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. She had fought the urge to run out of the office like a little girl and stuck it out like a strong independent woman would. Thank God.

But working with Dylan would be difficult. She didn’t know if she could – or even wanted to – suppress the feelings she had for him, but she couldn’t allow herself to come between a husband and wife. It just wasn’t right.

She arrived home, eager to tell her mother all about the Southern Gentlemen’s Detective Agency, but a worried look washed over Liz’s face as Kyra explained her reasoning for approaching them for help. Liz wasn’t startled at all, expecting her daughter to go to such extremes. She feared for her daughter’s safety, knew she would have to tell Kyra how the town had changed in recent years. She had already lost her husband and couldn’t lose her daughter, too. But that conversation would wait for another day. Keeping quiet would be the best thing for her and Kyra. Her husband hadn’t been so lucky.