Suspicion of Guilt (12 page)

R
eece’s gut clenched at the sight of Leigh wrapped in a blanket. She leaned against a wall, staring at the waxed tile, trying to ignore the stares from a group of teen boys milling around the waiting area.

The sight of her crestfallen face touched something in Reece’s heart. She looked as if she’d happily sink through the floor. “Leigh.” He kept his voice soft. No use antagonizing her any more than her situation had already done. In a fair fight, Leigh was a worthy sparring partner in their verbal war, but her humiliation put her at a disadvantage. And Reece wasn’t about to give in to the temptation to humiliate her further. There was no satisfaction in that.

Leigh’s chin rose and her shoulders squared, her body language signaling she was more than ready for anything Reece wanted to dish out. Her lips curled into a mocking sneer.

“Save it, Corrigan.”

“I’m here to take you back to your car.”

She gave a short laugh. “Yeah, right. I’d rather walk.”

Reece glanced down at the five-inch spikes on her shoes. “Okay, walk then.”

A pair of the teen boys sauntered past, and sized her up and down. “How much for an hour, baby?”

Leigh came off the wall, fury blazing in her face. “What did you say to me, you little jerk?”

Grabbing hold of her arm before she could knock the tar out of the little runt, Reece fixed the teen with a sharp glare. “Do you want to be arrested for solicitation, punk?”

The kid’s face blanched. “Just kidding.”

Reece jerked his thumb at the pair. “Get out of here.”

Leigh’s face glowed red with what Reece assumed was a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Leigh followed without a struggle. Once in his truck, she turned to him. “Don’t say anything to Denni. You know what this would do to her.”

“Not to mention that it’ll get you kicked out of the house.”

She snorted. “Forget it. Tell her whatever you want. I’m not begging you.”

“Let’s say, for instance, that I keep my mouth shut…”

He felt her shift, obviously listening, although she didn’t respond.

“Are you going to stop dancing at the club?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I got fired.”

Relief shifted through Reece. “How long have you been doing it?”

“A few months.”

Months. The girl was sneaky. Suspicion burned through him. Sneaky enough to rip off her benefactress and pretend to be the most caring of the bunch? Denni was too loyal to suspect her. But Reece wasn’t about to let it go.

“What else are you hiding from Denni?”

“None of your business.”

He stifled a growl. The girl was a closed book. Worse than that, she’d call his bluff at every turn without batting one of those fake eyelashes, just so he wouldn’t have the satisfaction of seeing her cave. But there had to be a crack in her armor somewhere. And he was just the man to find it.

“Let me ask you this…how have you been able to keep Denni from finding out? I assume even the other girls don’t know?”

“Only Shelley.”

“Okay. So neither of you can be trusted.”

“Hey. Just because I’m dancing so I can graduate from college doesn’t mean I had anything to do with the stuff going on at the house.” She slammed her fist against the dash and though he hated to admit it, Reece jumped. “Why can’t you get off my back?”

“Why can’t you graduate without taking off your clothes?”

It wasn’t a fair comeback. Reece knew that. But his mind had zeroed in on that little comment and he had no intention of going another round with her about whether she did or didn’t lift the computer and stereo from the house. Although a need to pay a tuition bill might explain things.

“My scholarship was cut off because I had to drop below half time last semester.”

“Why?”

“Personal reasons.”

“Does Denni know about that?”

“She knows part of it. And I don’t intend that she find out the rest.”

“Then come clean. Convince me you’re not a thieving little user.”

She heaved a sigh. “All right. This goes no further than this truck. Do you hear me?”

“Unless it’s criminal, you have my word.”

His words obviously touched a chord and she sent him a raking scowl. “I was dating this guy last year and I ended up pregnant.” From the corner of his eye, Reece could see her scrutinizing his reaction. Years as a detective had taught him to remain coolly detached from shocking pieces of information. This was no different.

“So you got pregnant. Then what?”

“I had a miscarriage before I could even decide what I wanted to do. Abortion, adoption, keep it and be a decent mom.” Reece recognized a crack in her shield. But only for a second. She shrugged. “Anyway. I got depressed, started using a little to feel better.”

“So you dance to support your habit.” He almost laughed. And he’d been starting to feel sorry for the little druggie.

“I quit using. And that’s the part Denni knows about. She helped me check into a clinic. I don’t have a problem anymore.”

“Sure. Denial is the first indication you have a problem,” he baited.

“Ask your little friends down at the bat cave, super-cop.” She sneered. “Do you think the cops would have let me go if I’d tested positive for drugs?”

She had a point there. “All right. So you stopped using.”

“While I was using, I skipped too many classes. If I hadn’t dropped out of one—which is what put me below half-time—I would have failed. I can’t afford to have a
failing grade on my record if I want to get into a decent med school.

“A friend of mine from school worked at the club to pay her way through school. So I hooked up with her.”

“So, how have you managed to keep it from Denni for so long? I heard her call the barbecue shack the other night to check up on you.”

“Yeah, that’s a rule. She has to do periodic checks.”

“So?”

“I worked there for a long time. They cover for me.”

Reece whipped the truck into the parking lot of the Glass Slipper, hoping no one would recognize him.

“Look, Corrigan. I don’t like lying to Denni. And believe me, if there was any other way, I’d have quit that rat hole of a job a long time ago.”

“What are you going to do now? Find another place to dance?”

A heavy sigh escaped her. “No. I don’t think so. Getting hauled down to the police station sort of cured me of that.”

Reece nodded his approval. “Good for you. What then? You still have to pay for school.”

A shrug lifted the slim shoulders. “I guess I’ll have to work two jobs until next semester. I should be able to apply for loans by then.”

“One question. Why didn’t you just apply for the grants and loans already? Surely with your circumstances, you qualify.”

“It was too late for this year. Next year is a different story. Until then, I have to do whatever it takes to stay in school.”

The determination in her voice struck a familiar tone. And even after he watched her walk to her car and slip
inside, he couldn’t get the pleading out of his mind. Oh, Leigh had too much pride to ask for help in a blatant manner, but he recognized a cry for help when he heard one.

He’d given that same cry himself as a kid. He had just needed someone to believe in him. To give him a break so that he could better himself. Thomas and Lydia Ide had answered that call. Had given him the benefit of every doubt society in general had about him. They were that kind of people. But look where it had gotten them—dead. They had believed in all “their boys” and they were dead because of one kid who couldn’t be saved.

Jonathon was locked up tighter than a nut in a shell. Fifty years to life for the double homicide. It was a good thing he’d turned eighteen a week before slicing their foster parents’ throats while they slept, otherwise he might have ended up in juvie and been released a long time ago.

Reece’s cell phone buzzed, effectively pulling him from the downward spiral of darkness that this line of thinking always led to. Reece sucked in a lungful of air and exhaled, pulling the phone from his belt.

“Yeah.”

“Reece?”

Denni’s sweet tone spread over him like warm oil, relieving the tension in his gut. “Hi, I’m glad you called.”

“You are?” The surprise in her tone sent a shard of guilt through him. Did she really have to wonder how he felt about her?

“I’m more than glad.”

“I’m happy to hear that. I was afraid having dinner with my dad and Ruth might have scared you off.”

Not a chance. Her brand of spicy-sweetness had
wrapped him like a cozy, freshly washed comforter. And he had no desire to break free. He heard her hesitate, and he spoke up quickly, “What are you wearing?”

She gasped. Heat shot up the back of his neck like a fire updraft. “I’m not being perverted. Just wondering if you’ve already dressed for bed. I thought we might go out for coffee. I know an all-night doughnut shop.”

“All right.” Her simple acceptance of his invitation made his heart soar.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Denni sprang into action, slinging open her closet door. “Ten minutes, ten minutes!”

Where were her button-fly Levi’s? Where were they?

Rissa! She had asked to borrow Denni’s favorite jeans last week. She must not have returned them. “Rissa!”

She continued to riffle through the closet at breakneck speed. She could hear the sound of footsteps bounding up the stairs. Seconds later, the door flew open. “What’s wrong?”

Dad stood, breathless, worry lines creasing his brow.

Rissa peeked over his shoulder.

“Rissa, where are my jeans?”

“Jeans?” Disbelief flooded her face.

But Denni didn’t care. Reece would be here in five minutes, and she needed those jeans!

“You mean to tell me you screamed bloody murder over a pair of britches?” Mac shook his head in disgust.

“Yes I did. Reece will be here in a couple of minutes to get me, and I need my jeans.”

“What do you mean he’s coming to get you?”

“That’s wonderful, Denni, darlin’. Your jeans are in my closet. I’ll just go get them.”

“Oh, Mac,” Ruth said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Leave her alone so she can get dressed. After all, it’s our fault they had to cancel their date.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s a very good idea for her to be going out this late.”

“It’s only ten o’clock.” Ruth chuckled. “Come on let’s go so she can get ready.”

Cate and Fran wished Denni a nice time and wandered back to whatever they were doing before Denni’s outburst. Shelley remained, her face twisted in disapproval. “Why are you going out with this guy, Denni? He’s only dating you to try to pin the robbery and all the accidents on one of us.”

Stung, Denni slowly nodded. “I guess that’s possible, Shell.” After all, what could he possibly see in the likes of her?

“I didn’t mean it like that, Denni. You’d be a good catch for any lucky guy. I just mean that he’s playing you. Don’t fall for him.”

“Here’s the jeans.” Rissa showed up at the door and tossed Denni the jeans. “Put them on. I’ll get you a shirt.” She stopped and surveyed their faces. “What’s wrong?”

Shelley pushed past her, knocking against Rissa’s shoulder. “Nothing.”

“What was that all about?”

Denni slipped the jeans over her hips and sucked in to fasten all five buttons. “Shelley is concerned about Reece’s motives.”

Rissa tossed her a green pullover top with a V-neck and short-short sleeves. “Wear this. Green brings out the hazel in your eyes. His motives for what?”

“I’ll freeze in that shirt.”

“Take a jacket. Here.” She handed her a faded denim jacket that exactly matched the jeans. “His motives for what?”

“Dating me.” Denni shrugged into the jacket and surveyed her image in the full-length mirror on the inside of her closet door. Shelley was right. What
was
Reece’s motive?

“Oh, Denni. Don’t listen to her.” Rissa slipped her arm about Denni’s shoulders. “There are lots of reasons Reece, or any other guy for that matter, would want to spend time with you. Your gorgeous eyes and auburn hair are only two of those reasons. Your goodness balances out his suspicious nature. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.”

“No. It isn’t. Reece isn’t a Christian.”

“Oh.”

They both knew the implication of that. Denni made a face in the mirror. “What am I doing? I can’t date Reece. Shelley’s probably right, anyway.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with Shelley lately. But don’t let her get to you.” Rissa drew a deep breath. “As to dating Reece. That has to be your decision.”

The doorbell chimed below. Rissa headed for the bedroom door. “I’ll leave you alone.”

Denni gave herself one more critical glance and grabbed her purse. She had only one real choice. Reece would have to understand that they could be friends, but nothing more. She would have coffee with him and break off any chance of romance between them.

Feeling right about her decision, she descended the stairs. He looked up when she walked into the living
room. His eyes roamed over her, appreciation written on his face.

Denni’s heart jumped.

Oh, Lord. Give me strength
.

S
taring into Denni’s pale face and misty chocolate-brown eyes, Reece felt as though he’d been sucker-punched. Suddenly the warm doughnut on the table in front of him held no appeal and the one he’d already consumed sat anchored like a ball of lead in his stomach.

“You’ve got to be kidding. You’d really let something like religion stand in the way of whatever this thing is between us?”

“What exactly is this thing between us, Reece?”

He shrugged. Closing off his heart seemed to be the only sensible option considering she’d already made her intentions known. “Maybe nothing. Probably nothing.”

Denni didn’t look any happier than Reece felt. Reece could have kicked himself for allowing his heart to get involved. He knew better. He’d sort of known Christians didn’t go for guys who didn’t go to church, and still, he’d allowed himself to fall for this one-of-a-kind woman sitting across from him.

“I’m sorry, Reece.” The misery covering her face
couldn’t have been put on. “I blame myself for this. I shouldn’t have encouraged your romantic attention.”

Reece forced a casual tone and offered her a one-sided grin. “So, why did you?”

She searched his eyes as though trying to gauge just how much of his attitude was real and how much was put on. She knew him too well. Reece’s gaze faltered before her scrutiny.

“I guess I enjoyed the attention.” Her honesty took the wind right out of his sails and Reece found it impossible to hold a grudge. “All right. So, friends it is. How do we do that after all the kissing?”

Her cheeks pinked. “What do you mean all the kissing?” She grinned. “Either your kisses are completely forgettable or there have only been two.”

Laughter rumbled deep in his throat. “You’re feisty. I like that about you.”

“You did the right thing, hon.”

Ruth set a warm mug of hot chocolate on the table in front of Denni and patted her shoulder on the way to her own chair.

“I know,” Denni returned, glumly. Her heart ached as much as if it had been on the losing end of a major fight. Battered and bruised. The force of her disappointment hung over her heavily. “It’s really my own fault. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to fall for him.”

“The heart doesn’t always give us a choice.”

“I know. But God promises to make a way of escape. I shouldn’t have let it go so far.”

“How far did it go?”

Ruth’s concerned frown struck a funny chord in Denni. She expelled a short laugh, cradling her mug be
tween her palms. “Not too far, like that. Believe me; I’m still as pure as the driven snow.”

The sarcasm in her own voice made her cringe. She was proud of her track record with men. Proud that God had kept her innocent. But after all…she was a grown woman. Definitely ready to settle into a relationship—marriage, children, happily-ever-after. That Reece! Why couldn’t he just be a Christian?

Silence tensed the air and she glanced up, catching Ruth’s questioning stare. “Don’t mind me, Ruth. Every birthday since I turned twenty-three has been a depressing testament to the fact that I’m an old maid.”

“Old maid? You’re only thirty-three.”

“Not until tomorrow.” At least one more day.

“Tomorrow, then.” Ruth smiled and sipped her decaf coffee. “Women are getting married a lot older now than they did in my day.”

“Yeah.” But her prospects were looking awfully thin. Besides, where would she ever find another man half as appealing as Reece Corrigan? Oh, it was just too depressing to even think about any more.

Her chair scraped against the linoleum as she moved back and stood. “It’s almost midnight. I guess I’ll go to bed.”

Ruth smothered a yawn behind her veiny hand. “Me too, honey. I turn into a pumpkin in ten minutes. I’ll just wash up these dishes lickety-split.”

Denni made her rounds through the downstairs, turning off any overlooked lights. She paused in the living room and smiled fondly at the lump on the couch. Loving the nostalgia invading her senses, she listened for a minute to the sound of her dad snoring softly under the quilt.

Ruth joined her and the two women headed upstairs.
Denni’s legs felt like petrified wood as she climbed. Just a few more steps and she could bury herself under the covers and try to sink into an oblivious sleep for at least six hours. Eight if she was lucky. Ten if they remembered it was her birthday.

Ruth followed her into the bedroom. Oh, yeah. So much for alone time.

She gave her future stepmother a gracious smile and waved toward the queen-size bed. “Which side do you want?”

If someone didn’t turn off that alarm, Denni was going to go through the roof! There, it beeped again. She hadn’t even set the stupid thing last night! Slowly, her world came into mental focus, the fog of night receded. The alarm sounded again. Denni frowned and opened one eye. That wasn’t the alarm. It was her cell phone.

Unlike Raven’s cultural ring, the no-nonsense beep-beep-beep ring belonged to her little sister, Keri. Their dad had ordered a nationwide family plan and had given each girl her own phone for Christmas. They’d had fun programming each other’s phones with their preferred rings.

She fumbled on the nightstand for the beeping waker of sleeping birthday girls. “Hi Keri,” she mumbled.

“Good morning, and happy birthday!” Her sister’s perky voice lifted the morning blahs and coaxed a smile from Denni. She wiggled to a sitting position.

“What time is it?”

“Mmm. Ten o’clock. Are you seriously still in bed?”

“Surprisingly. They must have been tiptoeing around all morning. Ruth and Dad are here. Did you know that?”

“Yeah. Dad called before they left.”

That reminded her…“What’s the big idea telling
them about the accidents going on around here? I thought we had a deal?”

“Oh, come on, Denni.” Keri’s voice held not even a hint of remorse. “You know I can’t keep something like that from Dad. Besides I think it’s a good idea for him to look around and see what’s going on there.”

Denni rolled her eyes. “Cops,” she said in mock disgust.

“Hey. Former cops. Dad’s retired, and I’m now a proud co-director of the Kansas City inner-city mission and a mother to a couple of adorable ten-year-old twin sons.”

Denni grinned and forgave. “How are Josh and Billy getting along in the new house?”

“They love it. Did I tell you Justin built them an enormous treehouse out back?”

“
Justin
did?”

“You say that like you doubt my man’s abilities just a little bit.” Her voice rang with mock offense.

“Not just a little doubt but highly, highly doubt,” Denni returned wryly, not backing down. “I mean, like if my doubts were dollars, we’d be millionaires.”

Keri laughed. “Okay, you’re right. I’m lying. But he
did
supervise the building of said treehouse. And he wrote the check for payment.”

Denni heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “What a guy.”

“My hero.” Keri’s throaty laugh, that laugh of a woman in love and happily fulfilled in marriage, pierced Denni’s raw heart. She flinched. As if by design, a tap sounded at the door and Ruth poked her head in. “Oh, good. You’re up.”

“Who’s talking?” Keri asked.

“It’s Ruth. I need to go.”

“All right. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday anyway. Have a great one, okay?”

“Sure, Ker. Thanks for calling.”

“Hey, wait.”

“Yeah?”

“You all right?”

Tears sprang to Denni’s eyes. “Yeah. Just the birthday blues.”

Ruth cleared her throat. “I made biscuits and gravy,” she said in a loud whisper.

Denni nodded and Ruth pulled the door shut, leaving her alone once more.

“Keri. I’m going to slip downstairs for breakfast.”

“Okay. But promise you won’t be depressed. This is your year for love, sister. I can feel it.”

“Who said it has anything to do with love?”

The sound of Keri’s chuckle filled her ears just before she disconnected the call.

“A birthday party?” Reece blinked at the rookie sitting next to him on the barstool of Al’s café. Today they were wedged together like a can of tennis balls. He hated crowds.

Sean grinned. “Yeah. And Leigh says it won’t be the same without you.”

“Why? Does she plan on using me for the piñata?”

A guffaw shook Sean and he slapped Reece on the back with enough force to dislodge a hunk of steak, if there had been one caught in his throat. “I wouldn’t put it past her. Seriously, though. I think she just wants to make Denni happy and she knows having you show up would do it.”

Reece let out a bitter laugh and dunked a fry in a well of ketchup. “Yeah, well. Leigh needs to get some updated information if that’s what she thinks.”

“What are you saying?”

“Denni called it all off between us. She’s more interested in God than she is in me.”

Sean’s eyes grew wide. “You mean she’s going to be a nun or a preacher or something?”

Scowling, Reece tossed a fry backwards. It hit its mark, Sean’s nose. “Hey!”

“She isn’t going to be a nun. She just doesn’t want to date a guy who doesn’t think God’s very necessary. That’s all.”

“Wow. Sorry, man.” Sean meant it. The tenderhearted rookie cop had been through his own set of heartaches lately. First falling in love with a girl he’d only meant to make fall for
him
—well, that one probably served him right. But having to arrest the woman he loved, in a strip club of all places, had to wrench his guts out.

“So you’re still dating Leigh, huh?”

Sean’s face clouded. “I figure there’s still more to learn. Especially from a girl who keeps such good secrets.”

“Uh-huh.” Reece wasn’t buying it.

“And I guess I’m not ready to stop seeing her.” He admitted. “I like her a lot.”

Reece cast him a sidelong glance. The misery on the kid’s face shot straight to Reece’s heart. “Sometimes you just can’t help it. Even if you know it’s the wrong girl.”

Surprise lifted Sean’s brow and Reece winced at his own admission. He jammed another fry into his mouth. His association with Denni had turned him into a big wimp. Next he’d be writing poetry and buying sappy cards.

“So when is this party supposed to be?”

“Tonight. It’s sort of being thrown together last-minute. I guess the idea came to her stepmom in a dream.” He chuckled. “That’s one feisty woman.”

“I know she is. That’s what I like most about her. From her soft looks, you’d never guess she would be.”

“Soft looks? Ruth?”

“Ruth?” Reece frowned. “I was talking about Denni.”

“Oh, man. You’ve got it so bad for that one. You might as well go buy a suit.”

“Suit?”

“A Sunday-go-to-meetin’ suit. And don’t forget to say ‘amen’ real loud every few minutes. That’ll get you in real good with the preacher.”

Reece shoved up from the barstool. “Let’s go.”

“I’m not done with my lunch.” Sean shoveled in a huge bite of his cheeseburger and chewed hard and fast.

“Yes you are.”

“Where are we going now?”

“I have an appointment with the caterer Denni was supposed to use a couple of weeks ago. Her sister is a liaison for one of the churches who might sponsor the Mahoney House project.”

“So?”

“The caterer said someone cancelled at the last minute. Only no one did. Denni and I had to scramble to get a lunch together.”

Reece’s stomach jumped at the memory. That had been a great day.

Sean walked his tray to the trash bin, slurping down the last of his soda. “Funny, I can’t picture you in an apron.”

“Shut up,” Reece growled. He pushed open the door and let it begin to close. Sean caught it easily.

“So what’s the crime?”

“You’re annoying me, that’s what.”

“I mean the caterer. Sheesh. Focus, will you?”

Reece felt like popping the kid. But he had to admit he was a little rattled. His all-consuming thoughts about Denni Mahoney distracted him. He was losing the woman he loved.
Loved?
He gulped and thought about it a second. Yep.
Loved.
Real love. Death-do-us-part kind of stuff.

“So, the caterer. Why do you think we need to talk to her?”

All right. Time to focus. Sean was right.

“Like I said, her sister was at the luncheon.”

“So?”

“So she let it slip that she knew the luncheon was cancelled and still she showed up—dressed in a business suit and ready to look around.”

“I see little dots, but nothing I can really connect. Is there more?”

They slid into the unmarked Crown Vic. Reece cranked the engine and maneuvered into traffic.

“Miss Wilson and Denni have a history that goes back to the time Denni worked for Division of Family Services. Miss Wilson wanted to be a foster parent. Denni had to turn her down.”

A low whistle streamed from between Sean’s lips. “So she might be holding a grudge. And if she’s got problems upstairs in the brain department, that grudge might even be strong enough to make her do things like turn on water faucets and set empty tea kettles on burners.”

“Exactly.”

“So why are we just now getting around to interviewing the sister?”

“Because she left for vacation the day after the luncheon. I finally got in touch with her this morning and she said to come by after one.”

“What a coincidence.”

“Yeah, want to know what else is a coincidence?”

“Huh?”

“Elizabeth just pulled out of her sister’s parking lot.”