Peril for Your Thoughts (Mind Reader Mystery) (9 page)

“Excited and fence-breaking crazy.”

“No worries. I’ve got him under control.”

“Something tells me he thinks it’s the other way around.”

“He’s probably right, but don’t tell him I said so.” Nik winked. “So, any ideas who could be responsible for breaking in?” he asked.

“Gee, only half the town. Jaz isn’t exactly the most popular person in Clearview, especially now that her name has been linked to a murder. It could be anyone from a jilted ex to an angry other woman or competition in the business world.” I took another sip, hoping the wine would calm my body’s strange reaction to that wink. “I have no clue, but rest assured, I plan to find out.”

“And that right there is what worries me. You really need to install a deadbolt. A child could have picked that lock.”

“I know. I’ll make sure fixing the lock is a priority. I’m not stupid, you know. I’m not going to do anything to put myself in danger.”

“Honey, you already are in danger.”

“How so?” I asked, ignoring the ping in my stomach over his term of endearment as I raised my glass once more.

“Guilt by association.” Nik walked to the refrigerator as if this was his kitchen, and helped himself to another beer. “You are friends with Jaz, work with her, and are now trying to clear her name. That doesn’t exactly make
you
the most popular person in town these days.”

“Well, it won’t make me stop, either. I’m not afraid to stand up for what’s right. I know Jaz. She is innocent. I would bet my life on that.”

“Careful, Ballas, or you just might.”

“Careful, Ballas, or you just might.”

Wednesday morning I decided that a little shopping trip was in order. I’d thought about what Detective Stevens and I had talked about. Possible suspects who could have broken into our house. The biggest name that came to mind was Anastasia Stewart. She owned Vixen and was Jaz’s prime competition in this town. She used to be number one.

Or had been until I added my line to Full Disclosure.

Ana had tried hard to get me to join her store instead of Jaz’s. Like that would ever happen. Jaz was so much more than my business partner. She was my best friend. So far, Ana hadn’t found anyone with designs in the lingerie line, so Jaz was still on top. But I was terrified this whole scandal would ruin her.

I walked into Vixen and had to admit the store was pretty busy. The décor was high end, like Jaz’s store, but a little less classy. I noticed my cousin, Eleni, and couldn’t believe she was shopping here already. Some of my family might not approve of Jaz, but Eleni had always been pretty cool, other than the voodoo curse she’d had her boyfriend’s sister put on Jaz for insurance. They wanted to be able to control her if she really was the murderer. I still had my business to think of. Turning on Jaz was the same as turning on me.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I hissed as I came to a stop beside her.

She flushed guiltily, her tanned skin turning a reddish-bronze hue. She smoothed her waist-length, dark curly hair. “You know I love Jaz’s clothes, but I still have to shop. Vixen’s is the next best thing.” She glanced around, making sure no one could overhear us. “By the way, I’m in need of another
special
commission from you. I finally have a man in my life who knows exactly what to do with all my curves.”

“You don’t say,” I said dryly. My family might act all scandalous over me designing lingerie instead of something respectable like wedding attire, yet half of my private commissions came from my relatives. With the understanding that everything would remain confidential, mind you.

“You’re so good at showcasing a woman’s best assets. When do you think you could have it ready by?”

“Now is not a good time. To be honest, I haven’t been feeling very creative as of late.”

“I get it. It has to be so hard with Jaz being accused of murder and all. I would hug you, cuz, but I wouldn’t want to stress you out even more.”

“Leni, she’s not accused of murder.” I huffed in frustration. “She’s a person of interest. There’s a big difference.”

Eleni held up her hands. “Won’t make much difference. Either way it’s a death sentence to her career if things don’t get back to normal soon.”

Ana spotted me and headed our way.

“Gotta go. Sorry, but you know how it is. This sale is awesome. I can’t be spotted associating with the enemy.” Eleni scurried off, and my jaw unhinged.

My own cousin had turned on me, all in the name of fashion.

Ana looked a lot like Jaz. She might not be South American, but she was tall and chic and stylish. She had a good business sense, and she knew fashion. She stopped beside me, smiling pleasantly, but I could see the edge of steel beneath the surface. “Ms. Ballas, it’s lovely to see you. I hope life has been treating you well.”

“I’ve been better,” I said honestly, feeling her out.

She pursed her lips sympathetically. “Yes, I heard. Such a shame. I always thought that one day Ms. Alvarez’s lifestyle would land her in trouble. I’d hate to see you go down with her sinking ship.”

“Hmmm, would you now?” I responded with a smile just as phony. “What exactly are you suggesting, Ms. Stevens?”

“That maybe it’s time you jumped.”

I narrowed my eyes a fraction. “You mean jump ship as in leave Jaz?” I had to wonder just how far she would actually go to get what she wanted.

“My offer still stands. Come work with me, and you won’t be sorry. Did I tell you I met your PR representative, Natasha Newlander?”

“No, you failed to mention that.” I clenched my jaw, reminding myself why I was here: to find out information. Would it be possible for Ana to frame Jaz for murder and ruin me in the eyes of Natasha all because I wouldn’t work with her?

“Lovely woman with a bright head on her shoulders. She’ll go far in the world of fashion, you wait and see. And so will you if you play your cards right. She has great things to say about you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You do that, but don’t keep me waiting too long. The offer won’t be around forever.” She saw Mrs. Flannigan and made a beeline in her direction.

I couldn’t believe it. Mrs. Flannigan looked right at me, turned a bright pink, and started fanning herself as though her heart was about to palpitate right out of her chest. I might not like Ana, but I had to agree with her. Jaz’s ship was sinking fast, and at the rate she was losing customers, she might not have a business to come back to when the storm finally passed.

Feeling depressed and helpless, I headed toward the door. I had almost left the building when I spotted an outfit in the display window. Not just any outfit, but one of Jaz’s brand new outfits she’d gotten from the city and had planned to display in this year’s spring collection, but then the murder had happened. There was only one way that Anastasia could have gotten her hands on that outfit.

She had someone on the inside.

I left the store and parked my car down the road, then waited a bit until the morning shoppers had thinned out and headed off to lunch. My gut told me there was a mole working for Jaz. How else would Ana have known about that outfit? Once I was sure the coast was clear, I crept out of my car and slipped around to the back of Full Disclosure. The door there used a keypad with a code for a lock. Laying a tissue over the keypad, I punched in the code. I slipped inside, but didn’t dare turn the lights on.

The first place I headed was to the back storage room. That was the last place I had seen Jaz store the outfit, along with the others she had put together for the collection. Jaz had a great eye for what worked and what didn’t when it came to fashion. I searched the entire room and finally found the clothes in a pile in the back. I looked through her file of invoices and sure enough the invoices were gone. Ana wouldn’t be stupid enough to steal the actual clothes, and she didn’t need to. As long as she beat Jaz to the punch and displayed the clothes first, then Jaz came off looking like the copycat. That’s why both women kept each season’s treasures locked up tight and tried to outdo each other with the best finds. So far Jaz had come out on top, until now. But which one of Jaz’s employees would sell out to her?

Who had jumped ship?

Clunk
!

A noise sounded from the front of the store. I froze. Who could it be? And where on earth was I going to hide? I glanced around the room. There were lots of boxes and clothing racks and outfits scattered about, but no real place to conceal myself. The noise was getting closer. My heart started pounding, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do. At the last second I jumped behind the door. When it opened, I kicked it hard and it slammed into the person on the other side.

“Ooph!” came first, followed by a grunt as the person fell to the floor.

I didn’t hesitate, running as quickly as I could, but not quickly enough, apparently. A hand reached out and grabbed my ankle and down I went … right on top of my attacker.

Darkness surrounded me.

No windows. No light. The door slammed and closed tight.

All I could hear was the sound of my attacker breathing. Or was that the sound of my own lungs gasping for air? I started to struggle, trying to figure out how to escape his grasp. It was most definitely a man lying beneath me. I might not have much experience, but there were some things a man simply couldn’t hide.

“Dammit, Kalli, quit wiggling like that.”
Before I embarrass us both.

I stilled instantly, thinking,
Too late
. “Detective Stevens?” I squeaked and quickly rolled off of him, scooting away until we were no longer touching. “What are you doing here?”

“Me? I’m the cop, remember? The better questions is: What the hell are
you
doing here?”

I heard him fumbling about, so I got to my feet and found the light switch. We took a moment to adjust our eyes. I reached in my pocket, and a moment of panic hit me. I was out of hand sanitizer, and I’d left my purse in the other room. How had I let that happen? My heart started pounding and I could feel a bead of sweat trickle down my back, which made the situation even worse.

As though he could read
my
mind, Detective Stevens pulled out a handkerchief from his inside pocket and handed it to me. “Here,” he said.

“Oh, thank you, but no. I couldn’t possibly.”

“It’s no trouble.” He took a step forward.

I held my hands up. “No, I mean, I seriously couldn’t possibly. Do you know how dirty handkerchiefs are? Tissues are so much more sanitary. And when’s the last time you had your jacket dry cleaned? Your inside pocket is undoubtedly loaded with germs. Who uses handkerchiefs these days anyway?”

“Never mind,” he said, sounding exhausted. “I was just trying to help. And for the record, I’m very clean. As for the handkerchief, my ma gave me this.” He pointed to the monogram of his initials on the front and shrugged. “She thinks if I keep it close to my heart, it will keep me safe. A lot of good that did me today when you tried to knock me unconscious.” He grunted, slipping the handkerchief back in his pocket. He touched the back of his head, wincing.

“Well, if you hadn’t scared me to death, that wouldn’t have happened.” I kept rubbing my palms down the front of my skirt, knowing I wouldn’t feel completely clean until I showered at least three times.

“I wouldn’t have scared you if you hadn’t snuck in here. Do you know how much trouble you could get into just by being in here? You’re lucky I was the one who saw you slip inside and not Detective Matheson.”

“I work here, remember?”

“Nice try. You’d better not be trying to solve this case on your own.” He loosened the knot of his tie and then pulled out a notepad and pen, jotting down Lord only knew what. “Don’t make me lock you up for your own good, Ballas.”

“Don’t be silly, Detective. I came here to retrieve my book of designs.”

“Then where is it?” he asked suspiciously.

“Oh, I don’t let anyone see my book until I’m good and ready.” I snapped my fingers. “Silly me. I’ve been so stressed, I completely forgot I had already brought it home, which is exactly where I’m about to head.” I stepped forward, spotting a rag that only looked slightly cleaner than the doorknob, but I was desperate. I reached for it, but the detective’s words stopped me in my tracks.

“Right. While I sympathize with your obvious discomfort, unfortunately, I don’t think you’re going anywhere.”

“What are you talking about?” I swallowed hard, fearing what his answer would be.

“I’m guessing the door’s locked. I’m no genius, but based on all the inventory in here, I’m sure Ms. Alvarez wouldn’t have wanted anyone messing with her stuff. Kind of like your precious book.”

“Oh, God, you’re right,” I moaned, instantly feeling the walls closing in on me. I grabbed the rag, cringing slightly, and tried the door. Sure enough, it was locked, and I knew for a fact that Jaz had the only key.

“Relax before you give yourself a heart attack.” Nik stood.

“Don’t touch me.” I stumbled back a couple of steps.

“I’m not going to touch you.” He slowly held his hands up in front of him, eyeing me like I was some bizarre creature from another planet. Sometimes that’s exactly how I felt, but I was who I was. “I’m going to try the door,” he said carefully.

“It’s not going to budge. It’s made out of steel. Jaz wanted to make sure no one could break in and see her latest treasures. Can’t you just shoot it or something,” I said, sounding hysterical even to my own ears. “There are no windows in here. I can’t breathe.” I fanned my face, feeling my throat start to close. “What if we suffocate?”

“I can’t shoot it. The bullets could ricochet off the steel. We’re not going to suffocate, Kalli.” He pointed up. “There are vents near the ceiling, see?” He slipped off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. “If only they were big enough to crawl through,” he mumbled to himself.

“Forget that. Just call for help, already. I need to get home now.”

“I would if I could, but when a certain someone knocked me on my can, my phone went flying.”

“Out the door?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Stop saying that,” I snapped.

“It’s true,” he snapped back, his patience with me finally waning. “This whole situation is unfortunate because you couldn’t keep your nose out of places it didn’t belong. If you had just done as I’d asked, you’d be home right now, taking a long hot bath.”

“You obviously don’t know me at all. Sit in my own dirt? Never.” I shuddered.

“Fine, then. You’d be showering. Whatever.” He swiped his hand through the air. “The point is you wouldn’t be stuck in here with me.”

“Don’t say the word stuck.” I wailed, seriously feeling claustrophobic. “There has to be something we can do.”

“There is.” He unclenched his fists and rolled his head on his shoulders, visibly gaining control over his emotions. “We can talk. You can start by answering my question for real this time.” Nik sat down on a box and settled in.