Sin With Cuffs (22 page)

Liam grabbed his keys and headed for the door himself. Now, for his next appointment. He was interested in hearing what Holly’s mom had to say.

* * * *

Liam walked into the bed and breakfast and Sue Tillman lifted her head from the check-in book. She saw him, closed the book and smiled. “Well, well. What brings tall, dark and handsome strolling into my place?”

Sue was a harmless flirt. “I’m here to see Vicki. Is she in?”

The woman batted her brown eyes. “Yes, but her male companion isn’t.” She looked around as if she were checking for listeners. Her voice was almost a whisper when she said, “One of the guest complained that Vicki and her man, James, were up past midnight arguing.”

“Did the guest hear what they were arguing about?”

Sue shook her head vigorously, sending her shoulder length bob swaying. “No. Just that she didn’t get a wink of sleep.”

“Can you do me a favor?” Liam edged closer to the service desk, keeping his voice low too.

“Certainly, Liam.” Her eyes turned glossy.

“I want to surprise Vicki. Can I just go on up to her room without you letting her know?”

She leaned her head closer. “Does this have anything to do with that young girl’s death? You know the whole town is in shock.”

Liam smiled. “You know I can’t talk about the investigation. I assure you though, if I find out who murdered her, you’ll be one of the first to hear.”

“Sure. Go on ahead. It’s the Frost Suite.” She waved him toward the stairs. “If she asks, tell her there was no one at the desk.”

“Thank you, Sue. I appreciate your help.”

“Glad I could,” she said sheepishly. With that, Sue scooted through the double doors at her right.

Liam took the stairs two at a time. All of the rooms had names of famous poets. He passed the Dickinson, the Shakespeare and then he came to the Frost. He knocked twice and the door swung open.

Vicki had a rough night, he guessed. She looked haggard. Her frizzy blond hair needed combed and her make-up was smeared. When she saw him, he could have sworn he saw a flicker of dread other than the usual batting of eyelashes. “Hard night, Vicki?’

She tugged her robe belt tighter and smoothed palms over her hair. “Of course not. Although, I wasn’t expecting you. What do I owe this pleasure?”

He saw Vicki’s smile, but what he knew he couldn’t see was the ice dripping off her heart. She’d always made his hair stand on end. Maybe it was because she’d made it clear to him on more than one occasion that she liked younger men—much younger. He’d seen enough of her cleavage it made him quiver with disgust than it ever did with interest. “I need to speak to you. You have a minute?”

Although she had control over her emotions, he could see the doubt in her gaze. Her cool facade slipped. He had a feeling that whatever she and James had argued about was serious enough it had damaged her wall of show. “Sure.” She stepped back, allowing him to pass.

The Frost Suite was the best room in the place. He even liked its lavish decor. Dark wood and paint, leather couch and chair, and a king size bed.

“Is this about my daughter, Chief?” she asked.

“Partly,” he answered. Vicki’s thin brow curved. “As you may already know, Holly has had  a number of vandalisms as of lately. Would you happen to know anything?”

Several emotions flitted across Vicki’s face. “Are you suggesting I had something to do with the damage?”

He shrugged. “It seems convenient. If you tortured her enough, she may just skip town again and leave the house to you.” As much as Liam disliked Vicki, he hated to think she could be involved. He couldn’t shake the strong feeling she wasn’t innocent in the events. He just couldn’t prove it—at least not yet. If he arrested her on his suspicion alone, she’d hire a rich attorney who’d have her walking papers within several hours. He could see Vicki being greedy enough to use scare tactics to get the house and money, but he didn’t see her as a murderer. Somehow, the occurrences didn’t seem committed by the same person.

“Did Holly send you here? Does she believe I’d do such a thing?” Vicki asked.

“Holly has no clue that I’m here, or that I think you and your husband could be involved in the occurrences.”

With her gaze steady, Vicki laid her palms on her hips. “I am not involved in any such thing. I refuse to speak to you another minute about this subject.”

“Then let’s talk about the other reason why I’m here,” he said.

“You mean something besides Holly? I figured you may want to explain to me why you’re taking up with her again.” She slowly walked across the room, stopped in front of the large mirror above the couch and smoothed her fingers down her cheeks.

“There’s nothing personal about this visit, I assure you. You’d be the last person I’d have a chit-chat with.” He didn’t feel the need to hide his animosity. He guessed Vicki already knew she wasn’t on his list of favorite people. He’d never forget how she’d swept in and out of Holly’s life. Each time leaving her a little more disappointed than the last time.

Vicki turned and caught him with a slanted expression. He could see by her cool frown she didn’t like his candor. She wasn’t used to people standing up to her. “At least she can be proud she has a lover who doesn’t screw and tell. Very valiant of you, I must say. But you do realize you and Holly have no chance of ever making it work.” She moved closer to him. “She has a taste for the rich.” She chuckled.

“Like I said, I’m here on business.”

A charming smile slithered across her lips. “What business, Liam?”

“The murder of Danielle.” He watched her closely but didn’t see any awareness.

“I’ve heard of the girl’s demise. How sad. She was young and had her whole life ahead of her.” Liam heard the words but there was no compassion in Vicki’s cold green eyes. “I can’t imagine why you’re here. I didn’t know the girl.”

“Can I take a seat?” He didn’t wait for her answer. He chose the chair, but she didn’t sit down. Instead, she reached for a decanter.

“Would you like a drink?” She held the bottle up.

“I’m on duty,” he stated. It was an easy excuse but he didn’t need to tell her he wouldn’t have had a drink with her no matter time of the day it was.

Her snort echoed off the walls. “You wouldn’t want to mar that pristine reputation you have, would you?” She poured herself a full glass then closed the bottle of bourbon. As she moved across the floor, the copper colored liquid sloshed. He wondered how many she’d had already that morning. By the looks of the half-empty bottle, she’d been drinking for a while. She stumbled to the couch and plopped down. “Now why are you here again?”

“I’m talking to everyone who saw Danielle the day she’d died.”

Her hand remained steady as she brought the liquor to her lips and sipped. She swallowed and hesitated before saying, “You must be mistaken. I didn’t see her. We didn’t run in the same circles, if you understand what I’m saying.”

“What do you mean ‘circles’?” he asked.

“Well, people talk. She was known for her drug use, right?” she took another long sip then ran her finger along the rim.

“You can’t believe everything you hear. You know how rumors can fly when it comes to drugs and alcohol.” He dropped his gaze to her glass.

Her mouth dropped. Yeah, she got his meaning.

Setting the glass onto the coffee table, she laid her hands into her lap. Her smile was forced. “As I said, I didn’t see her.”

“You were at the diner at seven o’clock that evening. You and your husband. By the way, where is he this morning? I’ll need to speak with him as well.”

“I—I don’t know,” she answered.

Liam wasn’t one to gain on another’s downfall, but he didn’t mind seeing Vicki flustered. Her face turned pale and her fingers trembled. He wondered what she was hiding? “Did you have a conversation with the victim?” he asked.

“Besides ordering chicken, no.” She gained her tight composure.

“Did you see her talking to anyone?”

“No. I didn’t pay her any attention. I had no idea she’d be murdered that evening. Otherwise I would have warned her.” Her voice reeked of sarcasm.

Liam knew she wouldn’t tell him anything he didn’t’ already know. “I guess we’re finished here. Unless, of course, you have something you’d like to add?”

He could see her muscles relax. “No, I don’t.”

Liam got up. He was ready to get out of there probably as much as she was ready for him to leave. When he started to move toward the door, Vicki caught him by the elbow. He looked down at her red painted nails against his shirt. “Change your mind?”

Her expression could have melted an iceberg. He couldn’t deny she was an attractive woman, but he knew it ran only skin deep. He felt sorry for all of the poor souls who’d bent and broken under the woman’s evil hearted dirty deeds.

She took a short step forward. Her breasts rubbed against his forearm. He jerked and pulled back. His resistance didn’t seem to deter her. “You know, Liam. You’ve grown into a handsome man. Not that you weren’t as cute as a button when you were younger, but now you’re all, well—I’d say you’re all masculine and fit.” The tip of her tongue darted out to slide across her lower lip.

Liam felt heat rise from his toes into the pit of his stomach. It wasn’t a desirable feeling. In fact, it was completely the opposite of anything he’d ever wished he would feel. He’d had a bad case of the stomach flu once and this reminded him of the misery. “I guess I should thank you and be on my way.” He tugged his arm free of her touch and headed for the door as if he were a bullet aiming for its target.

“Liam?”

Shit!
He turned. “Yes?”

“Can you do me a favor?” she asked.

He had to bite down hard to keep from telling her the truth. He had no desire to do anything but leave the room. “I really should be getting back to the office.”

Reaching up, she tugged the robe down over her slender shoulders. She wore a white satin gown that curved low enough on her chest to give ample view of the tops of her large pale breasts. He dragged his gaze away and focused on her face. “I’m not sure what—”

“Look. Tell me if it’s bad.” She pivoted on bare feet. Lifting her long hair, she revealed her lean back exposed by the lack of material. Then Liam saw the bruising, blue entwined with spots of black, marring her otherwise pale skin. He quickly made his way across the room so that he could see the mark closer.

“What happened, Vicki?” The words fell from his lips as he continued to examine the hand sized purplish streak on her left shoulder. His stomach twisted. He put the pieces together. She’d had a fight with James. The awkwardness in her behavior. The bruising. It all led him to believe the worst possible scenario.

“I fell.”

“Down a flight of stairs?” he asked.

She twisted around. He got a whiff of alcohol and perfume. She chuckled. “Sarcasm is sexy in some men. You just happen to be one.” She stepped forward, stood on tiptoes and kissed him on the lips. Liam pulled away. Uncomfortable couldn’t even begin to describe what had just happened. “And shyness is a sexy trait as well.” She clutched the lapel of his shirt in her hand and yanked, but he wasn’t moving.

“Don’t confuse rejection for shyness,” he said.

Her features warped, as if she were in shock at his refusal. He’d guess she wasn’t unwanted often, but he sure as hell wouldn’t fall for her tricks. She’d tried this once before while he was in college and he’d walked then, out of fear more than principle. He was a man now, and had enough morals for the two of them combined.