Scottsdale Heat: a romantic light-hearted murder mystery (Laura Black Mysteries Book 1) (3 page)

I looked back into her eyes. “Muffy, I’ll do my best.”

The butler walked back to the table. He set down the Scotch, along with another glass of wine for Muffy.

I took a sip of the Scotch. It took a second for my brain to realize what was happening in my mouth. The Scotch seemed to melt on my tongue, dissolving down my throat in a wave of hot pleasure.

Damn.

A small shudder of pleasure went down my spine and I felt a smooth warmth creep through me. I took another sip and glanced over at Muffy. She had a sly smile on her face.

“Do you like it?” she asked. “I’m not much of a Scotch drinker, but hells-bells
,
that stuff’s expensive, so it had better be good. If I remember it right, that Scotch is older than you are.”

“Ooooh,” I moaned. “It’s like liquid sex.”

“Sex in a bottle, huh? Now that’s something that would sell.”

~~~~

We talked for almost two hours. Muffy ended up giving me the names, phone numbers, and addresses of Alexander’s friends. She also gave me the places he had worked, and the places she thought he hung out. By the time I left, I felt like Alexander and I were old friends.

~~~~

As I drove back to my side of town, I gave Sophie a call on my cell phone.

“Hey chica, looks like it’s going to be a couple of busy days, again. Do you want to do something before things get too crazy? I'm thinking dinner.”

“Sure, swing by about 6:00,” Sophie said. “Lenny has me working on a deposition until then.”

“Do you have the file on Alexander Sternwood yet?”

“I’m pulling it together now. I’ll have it for you tonight.”

I drove east on McDonald to Miller, then south to my apartment. I parked in my space in the lot behind the building.

My apartment building was originally built as a small hotel in the 1970’s. The interior of the building is hollow, constructed as an enormous atrium. Standing on the atrium floor you can look up and see the walkways circling each of the five floors. On the ground level in the back corner is a 60-inch TV, surrounded by a cluster of chairs and couches. You can usually find six or seven residents here watching TV, playing cards, or just chatting. In my apartment building gossip tends to flow freely.

The combination of time and spotty maintenance has caused the building to show its age, but it has a unique style. Besides, it’s close to downtown and the rent is cheap. Cheap for Scottsdale, that is.

I walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. The elevator is slow and makes a lot of noise, but it always makes it to my floor. I got out of the elevator, walked down the hall, and opened the door to my apartment.

Marlowe heard me and came in off the balcony. I share a bedroom balcony with my next-door neighbor, Grandma Peckham. We’ve both installed cat doors in our windows so Marlowe may come and go as he pleases. Marlowe spends most of his day with Grandma and his nights with me. I think we both feed him. It could explain why he’s gotten so fat.

I put on a fresh pot of coffee. The Scotch had made me feel warm and tingly all over, but now I needed to perk back up. Sitting at the kitchen table, I organized what I had so far on Alexander. I then went into the bedroom, stripped off my skirt and blouse, laying them on a stack of clothes on the bed. Marlowe followed me into the bedroom. He jumped up on the bed lay down on the blouse.

I pulled out a short black skirt that hangs just above my knee. It is made of a silky miracle fabric that never wrinkles, or keeps a stain, perfect for me. I also like it because it has little silver sparkles that flash and twinkle as I move. It makes me feel special whenever I wear it. I then found my favorite red knit top, the one with the plunging neckline. Sophie had given it to me a couple of weeks before, for Christmas, and I really love the way I look in it.

What the hell, it’s after five.

Mug of coffee by my side, I spent about fifteen minutes doing an OK job with the make-up. Eyes, cheeks, and lips, all passable. I brushed out my hair and left it just a little fluffy. I then put on a pair of black medium heeled sandals I hadn’t worn in a while. I was set.

~~~~

Traffic was heavy as I drove back to the office. I parked in my spot and went in. I found Sophie at her desk, talking to Gina. The
Black Eyed Peas
were playing over the office audio system. Lenny must have already gone home for the night.

“Hey Laura,” Sophie said. “Look who came wandering back.”

“Hey Gina,” I said. “How was Vegas?”

“Dull,” Gina said. “It doesn’t matter how old the baby is, I hate babysitting. He kept trying to get laid by picking up women at the Bellagio pool. He became so annoying the manager threatened to kick him out. Then, he had the great idea of going to Circus-Circus. For some reason, he thought the women would be easier there. When that didn’t work, he started hitting on me. I was afraid he’d start dry humping my leg, like a dog. I had to threaten to cut off his balls before he would leave me alone.”

“I don’t know,” I said, never missing a chance to tease Gina. “Maybe you missed out. An eighteen-year-old would have a lot of stamina. He could pleasure you all night.”

“Yuck,”
said Sophie, puckering her lips.

“Eighteen? That’s so gross,” Gina said, “I don’t even want to think about that.”

“You ready for dinner?” I asked.

“Starving,” Sophie answered.

“So am I,” Gina said. “I haven’t eaten anything today except for the peanuts on the plane.”

We walked across and down the street to Dos Gringos, a small Baja restaurant in the middle of the Arts District. The place has always has a charm to it. The tables are mostly located outside on a patio. Each table has a large umbrella or is underneath one of several trees. Colorful strands of lights are strung everywhere. Alternative and popular music was pumping out of speakers hung throughout the restaurant. As usual, the place was packed with twenty-something’s dressed in trendy casual.

We found an open table near the front, next to the low brick wall that divides the seating area from the sidewalk. This location was perfect for us. We liked watching the guys as they strolled by on foot or cruised by in expensive convertibles.

After a minute, our waitress came by. We ordered dinners along with Gringorita Margaritas for Gina and me. Sophie ordered a Top Dropper.

“How’d it go with Mrs. Sternwood?” Sophie asked. “What’d her house look like? Was it fabulous?”

“Her house is more than I could ever dream of,” I said, “and that’s even if I win the lottery.”

Our waitress brought the margaritas and Sophie’s Top Dropper. We then munched on chips and salsa until she brought over our dinners. I hadn’t realized I was so hungry until I took the first bite. Maybe it’s just the cilantro, but I love Baja cuisine. I dumped half a bowl of the hot salsa on my burrito and dug in.

“Gina and I were talking about Alexander before you showed up,” Sophie mumbled, her mouth half full. “What’s the big deal? So the guy has some money and he quit his job. From what I understand, that family has piles of money lying around. Maybe Alex just found a way to tap into some of it without his grandmother knowing about it. I know if I found a way to get my hands on a couple hundred thousand dollars, I’d quit my job too. Only then I’d disappear for a while. Too many people would want a cut.”

“It’s not like that,” I mumbled back, my mouth half full of carne asada and green chilies. “All Alex has to do is keep his nose clean for a few years and then he’s mega rich. He wouldn’t blow that on something stupid. If he goes to jail again his grandmother will cut him off, like completely.”

“Don’t be too sure,” Gina said. “Guys can be pretty stupid. Where are you going to start?”

“I’ll start with Alex,” I said. “I’ll follow him around for a day or two. Get a sense of where he goes and who he sees. It shouldn’t be too hard, it’s not like he’s in hiding. Muffy gave me a list of the places I’m likely to find him. I’m sure her information is out of date, but it’s a start.”

“Muffy?” Sophie laughed. “You’re serious? Mrs. Sternwood? Her name is Muffy?”

“Are you starting tonight?” Gina asked.

“Yeah, I imagine both Lenny and Muffy would appreciate word back sooner rather than later. Either of you interested in coming along?”

Gina lowered her voice. “Are you looking for company or backup?”

“Company, for now.”

“I’ll pass then, I’m beat,” Gina said, leaning back in her seat. “I’m going to stop by the gym for an hour or so, and then it’s off to bed. That congressman’s kid had me up until five o’clock this morning.”

“Well, I’m in,” Sophie said. “I was supposed to have a date tonight, but the jerk canceled, the
chilito
. Men are all such worthless dog shit. I’m sure Lenny won’t mind paying my way too. Besides, when we’re on stakeout, you and I always seem to end up in the most bizarre places.”

“Sophie,” I said. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day.”

Sophie took another drink of her Top Dropper. She seemed to think about something and looked up.

“Have you pissed anybody off yet?”

“Not yet,” I said.

“So, there isn’t going to be anyone shooting at us? You know how I hate it when they shoot at us.”

“Not that I know of,” I said.

She relaxed, then brightened up, her eyes narrowing.

“We get to shoot anybody? I could bring my gun. I just bought a fresh box of bullets.”

“I just started. It’ll probably be pretty slow.”

Sophie didn’t say anything, but she slumped back in her seat, disappointment was written on her face. Our waitress appeared with three more Margaritas.

“From the guys at the table.” She gestured to a table against the back wall. Three college-aged guys were smiling and holding their beers up in the typical guy greeting. We waved back.

“Why do they always wait until we’re ready to go?” Gina asked.

“Yeah, but it was sweet,” Sophie said. She got up and walked over to their table. She talked to the guys for about a minute then stood one of them up. She wrapped her arms around the guy and gave him a long, wet, sloppy kiss. She then turned and walked back to our table. The guy just stood there with a happy dazed look on his face.

“What was that about?” Gina asked.

“I asked them whose idea it was to send over the drinks. I told them we had to go, but I didn’t want them to think we were ungrateful.”

I looked down at the drinks. “What are we going to do with these?”

“Hey, no problem,” Sophie said. “I have a Thermos in the car. For dessert, we’ll have a pitcher of Margaritas, to go!”

~~~~

Sophie and I drove to Alex’s apartment complex. It was in one of the new high-end apartment communities that have popped up all over Scottsdale the last few years. Lots of palm trees, swimming pools, tropical plants, fountains, and waterfalls.

Alex lived in a large one-bedroom apartment on the second floor of a building that contained maybe eight apartments. We drove by his unit and saw lights were on in the living room. We parked in a space that had a view of Alex’s doorway and his kitchen window. His grandmother had said he drove a black Jaguar, but there wasn’t one in the lot. I checked my watch. It was 8:35.

We sat and talked while Sophie slowly polished off the Margaritas. She had stopped by the time she had drained less than half the Thermos, but by then she had gotten a case of the giggles. I still needed to focus, so I had switched to Diet Pepsi.

Sophie had just broken up with her latest boyfriend and she was keeping her options open for the next one. I had no options in regards to men. After Reno and I had broken up, I had only gotten close to one other man, who turned out to be a jerk. That was a little over six months ago. He had worked as a golf instructor at the very upscale Excalibur resort. I wasn’t sure if the relationship could go anywhere, but he was reasonably cute and he chewed with his mouth closed, both fine qualities in a man.

We had dated for about a month and a half and then he stopped calling. Against Sophie’s advice, I decided to look into it. It only took me an afternoon to find out he had been caught in the sauna with one of the resort’s aerobics instructors. Word had it when they were caught, he was giving her a lesson on the proper grip of his shaft. Both were immediately fired, and that was the reason he hadn’t called.

That did it for me. Men are all lying, cheating, worthless, scum! It’s just a shame they smell so good.

~~~~

After about an hour, the conversation dwindled. Sophie went out to find some bushes to pee behind. We then sat in silence, looking up at the apartment, each of us lost in private thoughts.

At about 10:00, the light in the kitchen went out. I thought Alex might be turning in for the night and was a little relieved. Unfortunately, the porch light came on and the front door opened. Sophie had started to nod off, so I gave her a nudge with my elbow. She perked up immediately.

Alex came out, dressed in a casual suit. He turned to lock the door and then skipped down the stairs and into the parking lot. He pulled something out from the pocket of his jacket. He then pointed it to the row of cars under a long carport. Underneath a white car cover, one of the cars blinked its lights and gave a happy
chirp-chirp
, kind of like a cricket. Alex went over to the car, removed the cover, folded it, and put it in the trunk.

“Damn,” Sophie said, “Looks like Alex isn’t doing too badly for himself.”

“It was a present for his twenty-first birthday, right before he got busted,” I said.

Sophie just shook her head.

Alex got into the car and backed out. He took off down the length of the parking lot and we followed. At the entrance to the parking lot, he paused and lowered the convertible’s soft-top. He then entered the street and headed up to north Scottsdale.

We kept several car lengths back, always keeping at least two cars between Alex and us. Unless he was looking for a tail it was unlikely he would spot us.

He drove north on Scottsdale Road, then took a right on Doubletree Ranch Road. He drove east to an upscale subdivision just south of the Gainey Ranch Golf Resort. All of the houses here seemed to have been built around a similar Arizona style Southwest theme with white stucco walls and red tile roofs. Most of the lush tropical themed yards had the look of professional landscaping.

Alex parked in front of one of the nicer ranch houses. Sophie and I parked on the side of the road, about fifty yards away. Trotting to the front door, Alex pushed the doorbell and then stood there. After a moment, the door opened and he went in.

“Well,” Sophie said. “What now?”

“Guess we wait.”

As it turned out, we didn’t have long to wait. The door opened in less than five minutes. Alex came out with a woman. The lighting near the house was too dim to make out any of her features. All I could tell was she was tall with long blonde hair.