A Novel Murder (3 page)

“Yes, but if I remember correctly, the details about her appearance in the newspaper matched those in your book exactly.”

“Yeah, that was a big mistake, but everything was so fresh in my mind at the time. I had no idea her death was going to morph into a real case.”

“Okay so your first novel described the first victim verbatim, along with the way she died. Right?
Or am I going to have to go home and read the book again?”

Michelle jerked her shoulders back. “Stop intimating I knew about the case when I wrote the damn book!
At least, I portrayed the murder differently from how that woman actually died.” She heaved a sigh. “Imagine how you’d feel if you walked in on a scene you practically described in writing months prior. ”

“Pretty creepy, I’ll bet.”

“That’s an understatement. I was one of the first on the scene today too, and believe me, I was totally shell-shocked when I viewed the latest vic. I sure as hell won’t be adding her description to any future characters.” Michelle ran her fingers through her hair again. “If anyone sees a connection to the first murder in my book, I could lose my job before I retire to write fulltime.” Relaxing against the sofa back, she managed a smile. “Of course, someone would have to find out my pen name and actually buy the book, and I don‘t see any of my co-workers as the reading type.”

“Speaking of co-workers…how’s it going with your new partner?”
A teasing sparkle glistened in Naomi’s eyes.

“Tony?
Hmm, he’s doing okay, but the man’s definitely got more looks than brains sometimes. I feel like I have to tell him to do the simplest things. It’s not like he’s new to the force, just the detective unit. Hell, he’s been a cop for over five years, he should know the basics and not depend on me to make all his decisions.”

Nay fixed her with a stare. “Did it ever occur to you that you intimidate him?
Maybe he’s afraid not to ask before he acts on his own. You aren’t the most patient person in the world. Maybe he feels that?”

Acting as though she’d been taken aback, Michelle slapped her hand to her bosom. “Moi?
Whatever do you mean?”

“Maybe you should have a discussion with him. People always appreciate knowing what’s expected of them. I know I do, and I’m sure you feel the same.”

Michelle clicked a long fingernail against her bottom teeth. “Maybe you’re right.” She extended her empty glass. “Your turn to serve, oh wise one.” She curled her legs alongside her body and propped an elbow on the sofa. Resting her chin in her palm, she sighed. “You know, I think you might be onto something. First thing tomorrow morning, I’m going to have a chat with Tony.”

Nay stood and carried both glasses to the kitchen counter and refilled them, but took a sip from her own brimming goblet. She glanced at the wet spot dotting her blouse and smiled at Michelle before she moved, pumping her hands in rhythm to each step in a desperate measure not to spill.

Passing Shell her glass, Naomi kept the conversation focused on Tony. “Let me know if my suggestion helps, would you? In fact, wouldn’t it be fun if we all got together sometime? I’m quite anxious to get a gander of this new partner of yours.” She circled around, took her former seat, her smile broadening as she leaned in. “I’d like to propose a toast.” She lifted her zinfandel high. “Here’s to a closer relationship between you and your hunky co-worker.”

A myriad of thoughts flashed through Michelle’s mind.
Close?
Hadn’t she been trying to avoid any type of physical connection? Being partnered with Tony all day was torture enough—smelling his spicy aftershave, standing so near that his warm breath washed over her with each word he spoke…seeing the distinct sparkle in his eyes grow with each appraising glance he cast at her? Now Nay unknowingly proposed an end to all efforts of anti-fraternization.

Michelle’s hand trembled as she hefted her glass. “I’d like to amend that toast a bit. How about we drink to Tony and me having a
better understanding of one another.”

“Here, here!”
Naomi timed her drink to coincide with Michelle’s, then set her glass on the table and curled back into her comfortable position, studying her friend. “Yep, I thought so.”

Michelle crooked her mouth to one side, bothered by the all-knowing tone in her friend’s voice. “Thought what?”

“You really like Tony, don’t you?”

Again, Michelle faked her ‘taken aback’ posture. “What are you talking about?
Of course, I like him. He’s a nice guy. He just needs a little polishing in a few areas of his job.” She rested against the back of the couch, drank from her glass, and washed down the admission she really wanted to share.

“Well, I think you’d like to polish a little more than his
work ethics.” Nay, feet on the ground, leaned on her knees. “Admit it, Michelle. You can’t hide anything from me. You should know that by now. I can read you just as easily as I did your novel.”

Michelle rolled her eyes. “You
are
so maddening.” She paused and twirled her empty glass by the crystal stem. “Okay, okay, I admit I’m attracted to him. He has such amazing sex appeal…and broad shoulders…and a butt to die for.”

“That’s enough all ready!
You’re making me horny, and Paul is away at a conference.”

“About him. Is that man ever going to ask you to marry him for real?”
Michelle never really liked Paul. He had little personality, and although he wasn’t bad looking, his chauvinistic attitude made him ugly. He and Nay had been ‘sort of engaged’ for three years, but the promised ring never materialized.

“He has asked me.” Naomi insisted. “Don’t you remember how excited I was the night I called you?”

Michelle grasped her friend’s left hand and fixed a stare on her empty ring finger. “Oh, I remember the excitement, but I don’t see the proof.”

Nay snatched her hand back, hiding it beneath her other one. “Paul’s just been so busy he hasn’t had time to get the ring. He knows the kind I like, but he’s old fashioned and doesn’t want me there when he buys it.”

Busy my ass
! Michelle wanted to yell the words, but she forced an accepting nod and half smile. Paul might work for a medical supply company, but did they have conferences every weekend? She doubted it, and suspected the man was cheating on Nay, but she bit back her suspicions and smiled. “Then, I can’t wait to see the size of the diamond. I know you have expensive taste.”

Naomi pulled her legs up and sat Indian style. “So tell me more about this latest murder case. Do you have any clues, know her name, or have any suspects?
How exactly did she die?"

Michelle shook her head. “Sorry, you’ve gotten all you’re getting. I’ve already breeched enough confidentiality for one night, trust or not. There are just some things I can’t talk about until they’ve been resolved.
"

* * *

Michelle rested her elbows on her squad room desk and nested her chin in her palms. A guilty sigh fluttered past her lips. As usual, she’d shared too much with Nay. Her redemption: Naomi would never betray any confidences. Even if somewhat gullible about Paul, she was as trustworthy as a faithful pooch. Besides, time spent with her best friend was better than paying a therapist.

With her gaze focused on the empty chair across from her, Michelle pondered how to live up to last night’s toast…virtually a promise to improve her working relationship with Tony. She emphasized ‘working’ in her mind. If only she had more time to write, she might have a future with him. The only thing he seemed to lack—confidence, but perhaps that was her fault. Mentally, she rehearsed what she’d say when he arrived.

Before long, he sauntered into the room, filling the air with spice, soap and feelings of disappointment because she couldn’t act on her instincts to foster something more than a partnership with him.

“Mornin’ sunshine.”
He hung his sport coat on the back of his chair.

The crisp crease of his long white sleeves showed he sent his laundry out. No man could iron like that unless he was in the military.

“Good morning.” She drew her gaze from the broadness of his shoulders and his handsome squared jaw and flashed her best business-like smile. “When you get settled, I’d like to talk to you about something.”

His brow furrowed. “Sounds serious. Should I be worried?”

She shook her head. “Oh, no, just a discussion between trainer and trainee.”

“No time like the present.”
He gestured to his chair. “Should I sit or…?”

“I think I’d prefer a little more privacy.”
Her gaze roamed the now buzzing room as people arrived for the day. “Let’s find a less populated place, the conference room maybe?”

Tony followed her to the empty meeting room. When she opened the door, the full force of the air-conditioning raised goosebumps on her bare arms. She embraced herself against the chill. “God, it feels like a freezer in here, but we won’t stay long.”

Despite her previous disclaimer, Tony’s worried look spoke volumes. Like a true gentleman, he waited until she sat before he took a seat next to her at the table. The silence grew awkward as she forgot her prepared speech and wrestled with how to start.

“Ah…I’ve been giving some thought to a conversation I should have had with you when we first got our joint assignment.”

He nibbled his bottom lip.

“Would you please relax?
You’re making me nervous. I already told you this is nothing serious.”

Tony took a long breath, releasing the obvious tension in his shoulders. He cleared this throat. “Okay, so….”

“I’ve been reminded I can be a bit intimidating at times, and I’m afraid I’ve come across that way to you.”

“Who said that?”

“It doesn’t matter because I know it’s true. I should have let you know my expectations up front, so I want to do that now. Better late than never, or so it’s said.”

“What makes you think you’ve intimidated me?”

“I’ve noticed your confidence level changes when we work together. When you interact with others here you handle yourself differently than when we are on a case.”

“How so?”

“I’m your training officer, so that makes me stand a little taller in rank, but we’re both detectives. I don’t expect you to ask me before you handle things you already know need to be addressed. I’m not your boss, per se, although at the end of your probation, my report will help determine if you meet the job requirements satisfactorily. So far, I think you’re an outstanding officer, but there’s no need to be quite so cautious about proceeding on your own.”

“So, you’re saying I ask too many questions?”

“Not exactly. I expect you to ask questions when you need answers, but I also need a partner who can work independently. I think you’re under the misconception if you don’t clear everything with me, you’re gonna piss me off.”

He rubbed his index finger back and forth over his chin. “You might be right. I have been a little hesitant to take control of situations without checking with you.”

“And that’s my fault.” Michelle dipped her chin. “If I had shared all this with you from the get go—”

“No problem. I appreciate your honesty, and I’ll try to have faith in my own choices without bugging you.”

She reached across and touched his arm. Even in the chilled room, warmth traveled from the touch to her chest. Pulling her hand back before the heat boiled her blood with want, she released a pent up breath. “You haven’t bugged me. I’m only telling you these things now because I trust you totally, and I want you to have that same confidence in yourself. Besides, we have a tough case to solve, and I need you to work
with
me, not
for
me.”

“Message received, partner. We’d better get busy.”
He stood and sidestepped to her chair, giving it a slight pull backwards.

Michelle appreciated his courtesy, but his nearness turned her legs wobbly. Did she dare stand?

Using the table as a brace, she rose and forced her focus on the case. “We don’t have much to go on at this point. We’re going to have to rely on questioning everyone Ms. Austin knew and find out if anyone had a motive.”

“I’ll get on that right away. I planned to talk to her parents this morning. Since there were no signs of forced entry, I’ll try to find out who she knew and trusted well enough to let inside.”

“Good idea, Detective Rizetti. I’m going to visit the dance club where she worked. Let me know if you find anything.”

He opened his mouth to speak but swallowed. “Be careful.”

She almost laughed, knowing the words he choked back would probably question her decision to visit a strip joint. Maybe her choice wasn’t logical by his standards, but she’d never been to one and her curiosity piqued.

* * *

Tony took a breath before knocking on the elder Austin’s door. Expressing sympathy over the death of a loved one had never been his strong suit. In fact, this would be his first attempt in a job-related setting. How did one find the right words to say to strangers who had just lost their daughter? His heart ached at the remote possibility of receiving the same news about Michelle. Despite their partnership, he’d grown very fond of her in unprofessional ways. Pushing aside fueled emotions upon which he dared not act, he rapped his knuckles on the peeling paint of the aging brownstone’s wooden entry.