The Book Stops Here (18 page)

She paused for too long.

“What happened?” I asked finally.

“My team was sent to the Balkans. Kosovo.”

I frowned at her. “You’re too young to have been involved in that war.”

“It was long after the war was over, but the country was still a mess. Criminals were in charge. The economy was running on drug and human trafficking. We were on a covert mission to supply the opposition with the means to take over the government. I figured we’d be cleaning up corruption and replacing the criminals with patriots.”

“Let me guess. You were wrong.”

“I was a fool.”

“You survived,” I said quietly.

“Not exactly.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She stared at the bubbles in her glass. “I died.”

I squinted at her. “Say what?”

“I died.” She added quickly, “Just for a minute or so. They were able to revive me and I was sent home to recuperate.”

“You’re omitting a few details.”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

My curiosity was killing me. “Well? How did you die?”

“I was ambushed,” she said darkly. “I trusted the wrong people. Let’s just leave it at that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I was, too, at the time.” She took a fast sip of champagne, maybe to wash down the memories. “And once I recovered, I was just plain angry. I hated everyone. One of my superiors suggested, in the nicest way possible, that I go and find a quiet place to be alone for a while. So I rented a cabin up in the San Juan Islands
near Seattle. It was so damn cold, but beautiful. It took a long time to sink in but I finally concluded that I wanted to go on living.” She groaned. “And isn’t that the worst cliché imaginable?”

“Yes.”

She laughed. “But it was true. For years before that, I’d been in pure survival mode. Now I wanted more. I wanted to live and work and laugh and have boyfriends and be normal. So I quit the job. And here I am.”

She was still leaving out a lot of details, but I figured she would fill in the blanks as we got to know each other better. Something occurred to me. “Have you ever met Derek before?”

“No.”

“So what were you thinking when I introduced you? It looked like you were sizing each other up.”

“We were,” she admitted.

“Why?”

“It’s simple,” she said. “We’re both determined to be your champion.”

“My champion?”

She leaned her back against the refrigerator. “Look, I got an instant good vibe from you the first minute we met in the hall the other night. That doesn’t happen often. I told you I don’t have any girlfriends. The women I’ve met in the business world tend to be paranoid and too desperate to be good friends with anyone.”

“That’s sad.”

She waved away my concern. “Hell, they probably think the same of me. Anyway, yes, when Derek and I met, we tried to read each other. It’s what you learn to do in an instant in the field. Your first instincts can save your life. So I knew he was looking at me and thinking, Does she really want to be Brooklyn’s friend or is she going to use her? Hurt her? Betray her?”

I shook my head. “You can’t honestly believe he was thinking all that.”

“Yes, I can, because I was thinking the same thing of him. Is he good enough for you? Does he treat you right?”

“Of course he does.”

“I know,” she said, smiling. “I got that from him almost instantly.”

I was taken aback. “You figured all that out in two seconds?”

“Yes. We both did.” She smiled. “He’s madly in love with you, Brooklyn. It’s lovely to see. You have no reason to ever doubt him.”

“I-I don’t.” And I really didn’t. Still, it was nice to hear.

“Good.” She gave me a fierce hug. “Now I need more champagne.”

I pointed toward the stairs to the roof, where the ice chest was. She wandered off to replenish her drink and chat with the other guests.

Over dinner, I had tried to pace myself so I would have room for a cupcake. It wasn’t easy because everything was so delicious. But I’d had my eye on one of those red velvet delicacies from the moment Alex had showed up and I had no intention of missing my chance at it.

Neither did anyone else. As we all bit into our chosen treats, the oohs and aahs and orgasmic moans made us all laugh.

“This was so worth the wait,” Suzie said. She used her napkin to whisk away bits of coconut clinging to her lips and cheeks.

Vinnie sighed. “I have reached nirvana.”

The cream cheese frosting on top of my red velvet cupcake had been whipped until it glistened. Its gravity-defying peaks curled and twisted every which way and I almost hated to take a bite and destroy its dramatic beauty, but I managed to get over my hesitation and was not disappointed.

“Oh, dear God,” I whispered. The cupcake was sweet, creamy, and substantial but not heavy, with a melt-in-your-mouth lusciousness that sent waves of delight to every single one of my taste buds.

It might have been the best thing I’d ever tasted, but I couldn’t be sure. So I took another bite. And another. I looked around at all the smiling, frosting-smeared faces and had to laugh.

Derek met my gaze and nodded. “Best party ever.”

•   •   •

L
isa and Henry Chung had left to put their sleepy children to bed. Suzie had taken Lily home, too, while Vinnie insisted on staying to help me clean up. Alex stayed, too, after having packaged up cupcakes for everyone to take home.

“I would love a tour of your bookbinding workshop one of these days,” she said.

“Anytime you want,” I said as I filled the dishwasher. “There’s not much to it.”

“You’re used to it, but I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s fascinating.”

“Oh, it is,” Vinnie agreed, as she stacked several clean serving dishes in one of the wide bottom drawers. “And when you think of all the nefarious creatures who have broken in and tossed the place, it makes it even more exciting.”

Alex gaped at me. “Vinnie told me you’d cornered a killer or two, but she never mentioned that some of them had actually broken into your home.”

I flashed Vinnie a sardonic smile. “I’m surprised you left out that part.”

Vinnie blinked and her cheeks turned pink. “Please do not despise me, Brooklyn. I let my tongue get away from my brain.”

“I was teasing you,” I said hastily. “It’s fine to let Alex know about the break-ins so she’ll be more careful.”

Alex jumped in. “Vinnie’s covering for me. It’s all my fault for being so nosy. Sergio told me about some of your exploits before I moved in. He considered it an extra perk of living here.”

“A perk, huh?” I shook my head. “I love Sergio, but they’re hardly my exploits. It’s not like I go out looking for trouble. More
like me having a gift for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Brooklyn, you are much too modest,” Vinnie insisted. “Everyone knows how heroic you are.” She twisted her fingers nervously. “And since Alex explained that Sergio had already given her a hint of your audacious spirit, I felt it best not to mention the break-ins but instead assure her that she would never be in danger living with you nearby.”

I wanted to argue, but Vinnie was so earnest and good-hearted, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Instead I reached for her hands and gave them an affectionate squeeze. “I appreciate that.”

“Thank you, Brooklyn,” Vinnie said. “I’m glad you can see how my conversation with Alex would naturally proceed to the subject of you saving so many people from the jaws of imminent death.”

I laughed and gave Alex an imploring look. “Please. She’s greatly exaggerating my abilities.”

“I don’t know either of you that well, but I believe Vinnie.” Alex enclosed several chunks of cheese in plastic wrap and tucked them inside the refrigerator.

As my friends bustled around my kitchen, I suddenly remembered Horrible Horatio and his threats. I’d had such a good time all evening that I’d somehow managed to forget all about him. I fervently hoped he was safely locked up by now.

But what if he wasn’t? What if he was still on the run? What if he found out where I lived? I spun around to Vinnie. “I want you and Suzie to be very careful. Don’t let any strangers into the building. Keep your doors locked.” I glanced from Vinnie to Alex. “You too, Alex. You probably know some good self-defense moves, right?”

“My goodness.” Vinnie touched my arm. “You look so unhappy all of a sudden. Why are you talking like this, Brooklyn?”

“What’s going on?” Alex asked quietly.

“Has there been another killing?” Vinnie asked.

My teeth clamped together in anger and frustration. I didn’t want to worry my friends, but I couldn’t lie to them, either. “Yes. Somebody I know was murdered a few days ago and I’m concerned because the police haven’t found the killer yet.”

Vinnie gasped.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Alex whispered, but somehow she didn’t look surprised.

Oh, boy. My words hadn’t come out quite as calmly as I’d hoped they would. I tried again. “I mean, they expect to arrest him this weekend, so please don’t worry. Really. He’s probably already in jail by now. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Yes, you should’ve,” Alex said firmly. “I want to hear more.”

I exchanged wary glances with Derek, who had been standing on the other side of the kitchen bar, listening in on the conversation for the last minute or two. He came into the kitchen, reached for the half-full wine bottle, and poured a small amount in each of our glasses. “Why don’t you all go relax in the living room? I’ll finish cleaning up in here.”

Vinnie stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “You are the best of men, Derek.”

He shot me a grin and grabbed my dish towel.

Once we were ensconced in the living room, I told Vinnie and Alex all about
The Secret Garden
murder.

“Good heavens, you could still be in danger,” Vinnie said. “Should not Inspector Lee assign you a bodyguard? Or perhaps she feels that having Derek here is more than enough protection for you?”

“He is. And he’s been coming to the studio with me every day.”

Alex sat forward on the couch. “That’s reassuring, but Vinnie’s right, Brooklyn. Even Derek can’t be with you twenty-four/seven. You need to take responsibility for your own protection.”

“Derek taught me a few self-defense moves.”

“I’m sure that was helpful,” Vinnie said. “You know that Susie and I—and our chainsaws—are always here for you in times of danger, but Alex has a point. Perhaps there is more you could do for yourself.” Vinnie glanced at Alex. “Have you taken many self-defense classes?”

She hesitated. “Yeah, a few.”

“A few?” I studied her for a long moment. Knowing a little bit about her background, I figured she’d taken more than a few classes. “What level are you?”

She met my gaze and shrugged. “Fifth-degree black belt in tae kwon do and Kenpo.”

“Only fifth degree?” I muttered.

She smiled. “My dojo awards a sixth degree only after twenty years of study.”

“Ah.” I shut up and drank my wine.

“My goodness,” Vinnie whispered, eyes shining with complete awe. “You are a killing machine.”

“When I have to be,” Alex said with a grin. “Come to my class sometime. I’ll teach you some moves.”

“
Your
class, Alex?” Vinnie said.

She stared at her wineglass. “I teach Krav Maga and Brazilian jujitsu, along with tae kwon do and kickboxing.”

“When?” I demanded, wondering why the heck I’d never thought of doing something like this before.

“Saturday mornings. I’ll e-mail you the info.”

“I’ll be there.”

“And Suzie and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Vinnie chimed in. “This will be fun, will it not?”

Alex bowed her head slightly, acknowledging our enthusiasm. “Meanwhile, you need to continue to practice the few moves you’re familiar with.”

I didn’t have a lot of confidence in my kicks and hand chops. “Any quickie suggestions in case that guy comes around again?”

“Yes.” Alex set her wineglass on the coffee table and stood up. “I can teach you every martial arts technique known to man, but in the moment when you’re fighting for your life, my advice is to fight dirty. Bite him, gouge his eyes out, pull his hair, kick him in the groin, stomp on his feet. Scream. Do whatever you have to do to get away. Then run your ass off. You got it?”

“Got it.” I stood up and faced her in the middle of the living room. “Now show me.”

Chapter Eleven

As soon as our last party guests left, I pounced on Derek. I told him everything Alex had said earlier in the kitchen and demanded to know if he had been sizing her up, too.

“That’s one way to put it,” he hedged, as he filled two water glasses for us.

“How else would you put it?”

“I’d put it this way.” He bided his time, pulled a clean dish towel out of the drawer to dry the last of the coffee cups, and put them away. “I had never met her before, and yet you were determined to be friends with her. Given your recent history, I resolved to proceed cautiously. As you know, I ran the background check on her and it came up clean. Interesting, but clean.”

I pulled the barstool out and sat down. “Did you find out that she worked for the CIA?”

“Yes,” he said slowly, giving me the impression that there were other interesting details to be found in Alex’s background check.

But first things first,
I thought. “So what was with the Vulcan mind meld happening between you two when I introduced you?”

“There was no mind melding involved,” he said easily. “I
simply wanted to take some time and gauge my own first impression of her.”

“And what was your conclusion?”

He turned away from me to hang up the dish towel. “She’ll be a good friend to you.”

“That’s it?”

He looked back at me. “But that’s everything. That’s all I wanted to know. I needed her to answer a critical question and she did.”

“Silently? In one brief instant?”

“Sometimes that’s all it takes.”

I frowned. At times, his sense of British resolve was hard to appreciate. “It shouldn’t be that simple.”

“It is precisely that simple, my love.” He pulled me into his arms and held on to me for a long moment before speaking again. “You weren’t the only one devastated by the betrayal of a person you thought might be a good friend. I watched you suffer and it tore me apart. You’ve an open, generous heart, Brooklyn, and mine broke to see you in so much pain.”