Christy Barritt - Squeaky Clean 07 - Mucky Streak (4 page)

Hmm … coincidence?

Maybe. I had learned that some times there was such a thing. But it was too early to conclude whether that was the case or not right now.

Until I knew, I was going to have to keep my eyes open.

CHAPTER 4

An hour later, I pulled up to a
moderately sized Tudor style home. With its neat flowerbeds, cheerful autumn flag, and welcoming wreath, the place was a diamond in an otherwise rough area of town.

Even in the darkness
, I could make a few observations about the neighborhood. I based my conclusions on the number of people loitering on the street, the care of the buildings, and the types of cars along the curb. I’d been around bad areas of town before, and this classified as one. However, there was a stretch of homes that seemed to retain the glory of olden days. This was one of them.

Supposedly—if my directions were correct—this was where Chad’s relatives lived. Garrett offered
to pay for me to stay at a hotel, but I figured I’d be better off here. At least if I disappeared, someone would miss me this way.

I parked around the corner, on what appeared to be a quieter, less busy street.
As I stepped out of my car and grabbed my suitcase, I noticed the change of temperature from Norfolk to Cincinnati. It was probably twenty degrees cooler here. I’d actually brought an old, black leather jacket with me. My friend Sierra was an animal rights activist, and I’d always felt guilty wearing the coat around her. I had no shame here, though. Based on the shiver that shimmied through me, I was going to need it.

I knocked on the door and, a moment later, a pretty girl with strawberry blonde hair answered. “You must be Gabby! I’m Holly, Chad’s cousin. I’m so glad you found the place okay.”

She smiled a huge Julia Roberts type of smile—one that consumed her whole face, but in a nice, toothy way. Smooth curls cascaded halfway down her back and she wore a red dress that was fitted at the top and flared at the bottom.

“
The one and only. Thanks for letting me stay.”

“It’s no problem. I’m glad we can help. Come on in.”
She extended her hand behind her.

I
gripped my suitcase with one hand and my laptop with the other as I stepped inside, onto glossy, cherry wood floors. The place smelled like lemon and orange and vanilla. At first glance, the whole place could have been featured in
Better Homes and Gardens
.

I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting. Probably something a little more down to earth and homey. But this place was nice, showing an almost upper class kind of care.

She took my suitcase from me and led me inside. “I’m the only one home right now. My mom’s planning one of those big fundraisers for a local nonprofit.” She paused for long enough to lean closer, as if conspiring—even though no one else was around. “I can’t keep track of which one, she’s involved with so many. So you’re stuck with me for the time being.”

“I think it’s the opposite. You’re the one who’s stuck with me.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. Any friend of Chad’s is a friend of mine.” She stopped in front of a staircase and put my suitcase down. “Can I get you some tea?”

I didn’t really want anything except to be alone, but I didn’t want to be impolite either. “I’d love some.”

“I know you must be tired, so I’ll fix you some and then I’ll let you settle in for the night.” We walked into the kitchen, and Holly nodded toward a little café-style table in the corner, a nook that was surrounded on two sides by an embankment of windows. “Why don’t you have a seat?”

I set my purse and laptop down by the suitcase and did as she asked. My gaze wandered as far as my eyes could see. “Nice place.”

Holly smiled as she put a kettle of water on the stove. “My mother is an interior designer and my dad was locksmith by trade, but he did carpentry in his spare time. They were a nice match and redid most of the house together.”

“They did a great job.” Everythi
ng looked clean and coordinated and cheerful. I decided right then and there that if I ever had my own house—and enough time and money—I wanted to hire her mom to decorate for me.

“Did you have a nice drive?” S
he turned and leaned against the stove, waiting for the water to boil.

I remembered the driver following me. I hadn’t seen him again after I’d stopped at the gas station. Maybe all of it was just a coincidence
, and I was reading too much into this. Maybe I was so used to danger that I saw it even when it wasn’t there.

Ever since Milton Jones, I’d been jumping at the smallest sounds. I’d even bought a gun and taken
shooting lessons. I hoped and prayed I never had to use it. But the 9mm Smith & Wesson was in my purse. I had a carry permit. And I would use it if my life was on the line. Or a friend’s life for that matter.

I remembered
Holly’s question. “The drive wasn’t too bad,” I finally answered.

“I’m glad to hear that.” The kettle whistled, and she poured me some tea, set it on a tray with some cream and sugar and cookies, and delivered all of it to the table.

For a moment, I felt like a queen.

Holly
set a crisp, white porcelain cup on a dainty saucer in front of me before sliding into the seat across the table. “So, I understand you’re here to investigate something?”

I
added some sugar and milk to my tea. “I’ve been hired to look into a cold case.”

“That sounds so exciting.
Is that weird to say that?”

“
No, not at all. But I have to say that this is my first time doing something like this.” I tilted my head. “Speaking of which, have you lived in Cincinnati long?”

“My entire 27 years.”

I grabbed one of the shortbread cookies, unable to resist them. “You ever hear about the murder of the Mercer family?”

Her eyes got even larger. “Everyone around here has. It’s the kind of thing that gives you nightmares.”

“What do you remember about the case?” I nibbled on the cookie and buttery goodness nearly had me closing my eyes with bliss.

“Well, you had this picture perfect family who had it all. A nice home, good looking kids, prestigious jobs. Then one day someone walks into th
eir house, shoots all of them, and is never seen again. It’s spooky really.”

Spooky was one way to describe it.
“Are there theories floating among the locals here?”

“Theories?
” Her eyes drifted up in thought until she sighed, her bangs ruffling with the action. “I guess I’ve heard a few. I have to be honest, people still talk about the case and every once in a while some new lead seems to pop up and gets people all excited. It’s almost like an urban legend at this point. The whole scenario has people playing their own real-life version of Clue … she said perhaps insensitively.”

I smiled at her commentary on her statement.
“So what were some of those theories … she asked curiously?”

“Oh, there were some crazy ones. Some people said it was like a Manson thing. Others said a cult
had done it. A few thought the Mercers were spies from across the pond and that the government did it.” Holly shrugged. “I don’t know. To be honest, most people just think that a random crazy off the street—probably drugged up—walked in and let out his aggressions. Too many violent video games, too many drugs in his system, too little of a past for him to be on anyone’s radar.”

“Those are quite the theories.”

She nodded. “I know, right?”

I took the last sip of my tea. “This was perfect. Thank you so much.”

She grinned again. I had a feeling grinning was second nature to her. “Glad you enjoyed it. Let me show you to your room and I’ll let you get some rest. If you have more questions tomorrow, just let me know.”

She led me upstairs, I politely said goodnight, and then I fell back on the four-poster bed and stared at the ceiling for a moment.

As always, my thoughts went to Riley.

I hadn’t told
him yet that I was doing this. Somehow, I feared he’d think this news was justification for him moving and I didn’t want him to think that.

I frowned as I thought about it. The doctor had said it was really important to keep his stress level low and not upset him. It would hinder his recovery or something.

I still couldn’t believe he was gone. Coming to Cincinnati may have been the best thing for my psyche because staring at Riley’s empty apartment and realizing he wasn’t there would break my heart again and again.

Lord, give me Your wisdom. Shape my perspective. Remind me how to love and push away these insecurities.

Just then, my phone rang and my heart rate doubled. Was it Riley calling to tell me how he was doing? To say that moving was a mistake and that he was coming back? I yearned so much for just a touch of my old life that I was becoming delusional.

But I already knew that it wasn’t Riley. The ringtone was all wrong. When
I glanced at the screen and recognized Garrett’s number, my heart fell.

I put the phone to my ear
anyway. “Hey, what’s going on?”

“You made it to
Cincy yet?”

“Just got here
an hour ago.”

“Love that town.
I think you will, too. You sure you don’t want a hotel room? I could hook you up somewhere nice.”

“No, I’m staying with a friend of a friend. I’m good.”

“Excellent. I’m sure you’re ready to dig in. Listen, I wanted you to know that I’m headed into town later this week.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Really?”

“It’s for a benefit gala. The speaker backed out at the last minute, and I’ve been asked to fill in. I’m their second choice, but I’m okay with that. I would have probably said no, but I figure the timing is providence, considering you’re in town investigating.”

“The timing is uncanny.”

“Not to sound full of myself, but I do get these invitations quite often. And, like I said, I would have said no except for the fact that you’re there … investigating. I’d like to connect with you while I’m in town.”

“Sure thing, Boss.” Who was I to argue? He was the one paying me.

“Looking forward to it. I’ll call you closer to the time.”

I hung up and stared at the phone a moment. Should I call Riley? No, I decided. He was the one who wanted some space. I’d
wait for his call.

I wished the waters were clear, but instead they
were mucky.

I remembered the verse that I’d read last week. It had stayed with me since then.

Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.

I had the seeking justice thing down pat.

But when it came to my relationship with Riley, I was going to need a lot of mercy and humility, it seemed.

***

In the bright morning light, I noticed that my room at the Paladins’ could have doubled for a bed and breakfast—not that I’d ever stayed in one. But the space was decorated perfectly with everything coordinated.

After I showered and got dressed
, I pulled out my notebook. I figured every good private detective should have one. I searched my memory, trying to recall if Magnum P.I. had ever carried one. I couldn’t remember.

I checked my list of people to chat with. I was waiting for the lead detective to return my call. Garrett had also given me
the name of one of his father’s coworkers—Vic Newport—and the contact information for a fellow polo enthusiast named Sebastian Royce. I hoped to track them down while I was in town.

I leaned my
back on the headboard. I honestly felt like I had no idea what I was doing, which was unusual for me. Usually, I started with a crime scene and moved from there. But I’d never worked a cold case.

When I heard movement downstairs, I decided to
venture out. Some of the exhaustion of being on the road had left me, and the shower had helped wake me up. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs. No one heard me over the chatter in the room.

I cleared my throat, not used to being the guest in someone else’s home and wishing my mom and dad had taught me a few more social graces. I smiled at the family sitting at the breakfast table. They were all talking, laughing, snatching food
from each other, and sipping coffee. Holly sat in the middle of them, wearing another dress with a twirly skirt, her hair and makeup looking picture perfect.

My heart clenched. This was a family moment that I’d always longed for and dreamed about. My family had been dysfunctional growing up, to say the least. I’d dreamed about having a stable home life, but the reality was that it never happened.

I rubbed my hands on my jeans and cleared my throat again. Everyone went silent and stared at me.

Then the silence was broken with so many sentiments thrown out at once that I could hardly understand anyone.

“You must be Gabby!” A fifty-something woman with stylish, blond hair and smooth skin hurried toward me. “We’re so glad you’re here!”

S
he pulled me into a hug. I had to remind myself to unfreeze and return the gesture. I guess I wasn’t a huggy kind of girl.