Well, I should’ve expected that line to get this kind of reaction—sure, your family member—but I go with it. I guess I rolled high enough for the Deception check to work, just not how I’d planned. “Do you come to every meeting?”

  “I try to. Some weeks I don’t get off work in enough time.”

  “I am friends with the family of a man who used to come to these meetings. That’s how I heard about them.” Partial truth.

  “Oh yeah? Who’s the fella, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Kurt O’Neal.”

  His face remains stoic, but something about the way his eyes meet mine tell me that he’s sizing me up.

  “You know him,” I say before he can even think about dodging it. “You’ve at least met him.”

  “I don’t want to be a part of whatever this is.”

  He starts to get up, but I touch his arm. “Please. I want to know—was he involved in something?”

  “I think you already know the answer, or you wouldn’t be here.”

  “Is his family in trouble?”

  He looks at me, his eyes slowly closing as he resigns. “There’s an underground game run out of a hotel in Tampa. Heavy hitters. Invite only. And yes, Kurt was tangled up in something bad.”

  Tampa is about a forty-five-minute drive south of here. Still, it’s closer than I’d like. “Is his family in danger?”

  “I wasn’t aware he had any family.”

  Don’t give away your whole hand, Ace. “How do I get an invitation to this game?”

  “You don’t want any part of this.”

  “Just in case I did. What would I have to do? Who would I try to contact?”

  Alex raises an eyebrow. “You’ll need a thousand dollars just to get in the door.”

  A thousand dollars.

  “And the guy that runs it knows every single person who walks through that door. He’ll know if you haven’t been invited.”

  My phone buzzes in my bag. It’s my alarm—6:45pm. Just enough time to leave the meeting and get back to my apartment so that Callum would be none the wiser.

  But keeping something like this from him? The police in Tampa could do something. They probably already know about it, and this could help them…

  “When’s the next game?”

  Alex sighs, looking ahead. One of his legs bounces, and he rubs his fingertips together. “Tomorrow night. Starlight Hotel on Main Street. But it’s dangerous. Look at what happened to Kurt.”

  Alex gets up before I can ask him anymore questions and leaves the meeting. I wait a few minutes before I follow suit, my heels clicking against the pavement as I walk to my car, keys in hand.

  Then my phone starts buzzing again, only it’s from a call. I don’t recognize the number, and I almost send it to voicemail.

  Answer it, Bailey. Just answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Bailey Knight?”

  “Who’s this?”

  “Lorie O’Neal.”

  Lorie O’Neal?! “How did you get this number?”

  “Don’t worry about that. I have information about Kurt’s murder. I know you’re snooping around.”

  I look around myself, wondering if Lorie is here. I see no one.

  “Tonight at midnight. Orange Blossom Park. No cops,” she says. “They’ll know if I talked to the cops.”

  “Who are ‘they’?”

  “The people who killed Kurt. They don’t know that you’re involved.”

  She hangs up before I can say anything.

  I stare at my phone, bewildered, processing what she said. Information about Kurt’s murder. Tonight at midnight, at the park. No cops.

  Tell Callum, Bailey. You really need to tell Callum.

  …The minute I hit the ground, I realize I’ve been pushed. A hand rips my purse off of my shoulder, and I watch a running form race off before I can even get my bearings to stand up.

  I’ve just been mugged.

  Oh, my God, I’ve just been mugged.

  14

  “OK. Just—just humor me. One more time.” Callum is leaning against his car, arms crossed, as a uniformed officer writes down my story for her report. He’s wearing another suit and tie, ready for our date, and he’s doing his best to keep his annoyance at bay. “Why are you here again?”

  I’d already explained myself. I even told him about that guy, Alex Fisher, and the game in Tampa. “Callum—”

  “I thought we had an understanding, Bailey.”

  “We do. I only wanted to see what I could learn.”

  “Learn about a case that you shouldn’t be involved in because you are not the police?”

  I don’t say anything. I never thought I would see the day when I would receive a scolding from Callum Baldwin.

  And the scolding continues. “And you didn’t think that a Gambler’s Anonymous meeting would be a keen place to get mugged? A lovely, unsuspecting woman, whose purse was prime for the taking?”

  “I’ve already deactivated my cards.” I wave my cell phone. “And the two dollars in cash that I have are all his. I’m really going to miss that lip balm, though.” I look up at him, trying for what I hope is a charming smile. “Also, thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “You said I was lovely.”

  His lips form a straight line as he exhales through his nose. “I called the restaurant. We can still make our reservation. I’ll follow you to your apartment, and then we’ll head out.” He looks at the officer and adds, “Have a squad car parked at her apartment tonight. Whoever it is has her address now.”

  I hadn’t thought of that. My anger at being someone’s target morphs to chilling fear. “I don’t suppose I could find an app to deactivate my address.” But the joke doesn’t garner any laughs from Callum or the officer now walking toward her squad car.

  My apartment is a safe place. I have a roommate, the facility has security guards, it’s gated…

  And now some random man knows that I live there.

  Callum brings me against his chest, one hand on my back and another in my hair. I rest my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes and taking in his scent. A hint of cologne or soap, something mild but making me breathe in deeply, taking it in.

  “The way you sounded on the phone…” He doesn’t finish. He just strokes my hair.

  Wow, he smells good. But I’m more surprised by this display, and the comfort that he gives with it. I’ve known him almost my entire life, and this is a side of him I’ve never seen. “You’re really affectionate.”

  “Is it OK? Because I—”

  “It’s OK.” I jolt upright, my answer coming out fast. “I like it.”

  He raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile showing up. He brushes my hair from my face. “I got scared, is all. But you’re OK. Right? You’re OK?”

  “I’m OK. Completely unscathed, save for my pride.”

  “You have to be upset. I know I would be.”

  “So very upset. I’ve taken classes at the Y, I carry pepper spray and a stun gun, and it still happened.”

  “It could’ve happened to anyone, Bailey.”

  “Being taken advantage of because I was alone, being shoved down like that. And then I was so powerless to get up and go after him.”

  He walks me to my car. “And you’re sure it was a man?”

  “No, not really sure. A running person, and I could only see their backside. It could’ve been a man, but anyone can shove someone down and run off with their stuff.”

  “I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”

  My palms are still tingly from landing like I did, but I keep that to myself. No broken skin, thank God. My pride is the most injured thing out of all of this.

  I unlock my door and open it, but I don’t get inside just yet. “Thank you for dinner, Callum.”

  “We haven’t had it yet, Ace.”

  “Thank you in advance.” Keeping the mood light might help to ease the lines of worry on his forehead and around his eyes. “You’re definitely buying tonight.”

  He offers a small bow. “I am at your service, ma’am.”

  The drive back to my apartment doesn’t take long, and Callum follows me at every turn. When I get into his SUV, the music is low—a band that I’ve loved since high school. He must’ve created the playlist just for me.

  I climb in and buckle my seatbelt, but he doesn’t drive off right away. “Everything OK?” I ask.

  “I’m, uh—I’m glad you called me. After it happened.”

  “Of course, I would, Cal.”

  “No, I don’t mean because I’m a cop. I mean—” He takes a breath and looks at me. “I’m glad you called me.”

  Here goes my heart again, thundering inside of my chest.

  “You sounded scared,” he says, “and you called me first.”

  “Yeah. You were the first person I thought of. I just, um. I wanted you here.”

  He takes my hand and kisses it, his lips forming around my knuckles.

  “Let’s get some dinner,” I say, squeezing his fingers. “Rumor has it you’re taking me some place fancy.”

  “That rumor would be true. But I don’t think you’re prepared for what I have planned.”

  Ooh, color me intrigued.

  And then I remember…

  “Callum, before I was mugged, I got a call from Lorie O’Neal.”

  “Ward’s wife?”

  “Yeah. Somehow, she got my number and told me to meet her at Orange Blossom Park at midnight. She has information about Kurt’s murder.”

  “Well, you’re definitely not going—”

  “This could give you the lead—”

  “Bailey, I’m not going to argue—”

  “Callum, please, just lis—”

  “No.” His voice isn’t elevated. His hands aren’t white knuckling the steering wheel. He is the very picture of calm. “Absolutely not.”

  “Cal—”

  “If I have to put you in a cell overnight, I’ll do it.”

  “On what charge?”

  “Interfering with a police investigation.”

  “We need to hear what she has to say.”

  “I will. I’ll have an officer in street clothes meet her.” He kisses my hand again. “Please, Bailey. Please.”

  “All right.” Disappointment weighs on my chest, but I mean it. I can almost feel the lead slipping through my fingers like sand. “I won’t go.”

  “Promise me.” He lets go of my hand to extend his pinky. A sacred oath since we were teenagers.

  I hook my pinky into his. “I promise.”

  We ride the rest of the way to the restaurant with our pinkies hooked together.

  15

  Candles: check.

  Music: check.

  Tablecloths: check.

  Dancing: what?!

  I take the final bite of my meal, which is remarkable, and Callum stands up, reaching for my hand.

  I take it. “Where are we going now?”

  He’s smiling. “Not far.”

  He pulls me onto the dance floor—the actual dance floor—and sways with me, my hand holding onto his, his hand on my back and mine on his shoulder.

  “Remind you of anything?” He smiles, twirling me once before setting me in his arm again.

  “Junior prom. And Edwin McCain was playing.”

  “You agreed to have one dance with me after Stacy Fanning dumped me for—what was his name?”

  “I hardly remember either of them.” I hadn’t given much thought to my high school peers since graduation. “However, I think you’ve improved as a dancer since then.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “And we went to Nell’s for some food to help you grieve,” I say, remembering.

  “The burger and fries really helped.” He spins me again, this time following through with a dip. I gasp before I can stop myself, and his look of triumph says it all. “Surprised?”

  I clear my throat as my answer, and we continue to sway across the dance floor until the song is over. Dessert has already arrived when we return to our table.

  “All right, Callum. Candlelit dinner, dancing, dessert. You didn’t just think of all this on the spot, did you?”

  There is mischief in his smirk. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while, Ace. It’s all be up here.” He taps his temple.

  I can only hope that I appear calm and collected on the outside because my insides are in a whirlwind.

  So, this is what it feels like to be wooed.

  “What are we doing tomorrow?” I ask, using my fork to cut into the three-layer chocolate cake. (Callum really does know the path to my heart.)

  He raises an eyebrow. Aside from the playfulness of his expression, he looks very pleased. “Got anything in mind? Because I have plans.” He taps his temple again. “They’re ready to execute at a moment’s notice, so don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Well, I heard about that new escape room in Brooksville.”

  “And they’re opening one over in Green Ridge.” He leans across the table, closer to me. “But I have to admit that I’m enjoying this with just the two of us.”

  “Oh, you’re right.” I snap my fingers. “Escape rooms usually need more people.”

  He takes my hand in both of his. “But dancing only needs two.” He pulls me up as the next song starts.

  16

  I’m resting back in the passenger seat, my eyes blindly watching the lights pass us by.

  The whirlwind hasn’t stopped. If anything, it’s grown to a full-blown storm with my heart as the thunder. Callum spinning me on the dance floor, his hand on my back as he brings me close...

  “You OK over there, Ace?” He takes the exit off of the interstate. We’re not far from my apartment now.

  “Better than OK.” His arm is resting on the center console. I lace mine around his before I take his hand. Comfortable, natural—his hand is meant to be held by mine. Warm, calloused, tender, strong.

  He gets a call, which startles the dreamy reverie out of me. The name and number come up on the navigation screen in his SUV—SPENCER, OLIVIA.

  He answers it. “Whatcha got, Deputy? You’re on speaker in the car.”

  “You’re not alone?”

  “No.” His thumb strokes mine.

  “You need to come down here. I’ve already called for CSU.”

  I look at Callum. Her voice is urgent.

  “CSU?” He’s being deliberately vague, but he has to know that I know what “CSU” means and why they’re called.

  “Yes, sir. Someone got here first.”

  This is a lead in Kurt’s murder, I just know it—a lead that could’ve helped him solve this case. And now that lead is dead.

  He exhales, his chest deflating and his shoulders sagging. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. I have to make one stop first.”

  “Got it. Drive safe.”

  Callum hangs up, making the turn toward my apartment.

  “You don’t have to tell me,” I say. “I know you can’t.”

  He doesn’t speak as he turns into my complex. The seconds pass by as minutes beneath the weight of the silence in the car, even as he finally parks in front of my building.

  “Bailey—” His still holding my hand as he leans back against his seat, head reclined, eyes blankly staring ahead. “That call…it means Lorie’s dead.”

  The word process in my head, even to the point that I imagine the deputy coming up on Lorie’s body in the park, but I can’t speak.

  That’s when I notice the time—12:15am. The deputy went to meet Lorie in my place, only she was too late. Someone made sure Lorie couldn’t tell us what we needed to know.

  “Callum—”

  “And I admit that I kept you out this late on purpose. I know you promised me that you wouldn’t go, but this would’ve been so tempting, and I didn’t want you to go out there. If you’d been there—”

  “I know.” I rest my other hand on his forearm. “I know.”

  “And now a woman is dead, her information going with her.”

  “How did they know? Her phone?”

  “It could be a million things.” His other hand massages his forehead before pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “Is it revenge?” I ask. “Where is Ward?”

  “You think scorned husband?”

  “He was with Ashley and Martin when I was there, no Lorie in sight. Both of them were hurt by the affair.” I trace the veins in his hand with my fingers. “If not Ward, then it has to do with Kurt’s gambling problem.”

  He turns his head to look at me. “You’re thinking about that game in Tampa.”

  “There has to be a way in. There’s something there.”

  “OK. Our leads are Ward and some sort of underground gambling organization.” He gives me a small smile. “Pretty solid line of thinking, Ace.”

  “What if they’re connected? Ward, the game, all of it. He was seen with Ray Sharp before he died.”

  “And he’s connected with everyone who’s died. Kurt, Ray, and now Lorie.”

  “Would he murder his own brother?”

  “Human beings are capable of anything.”

  I lean against his arm. He rests his head on top of mine. Now, the silence isn’t as overwhelming. I feel his breath against my hair, matched with the rise and fall of his chest.

  “Let’s get you upstairs. You have school in the morning.”

  “I’d call in sick, but making sub plans is the worst.”

  He walks me upstairs, our hands linked and our steps slow, until we stop altogether.

  Something’s hanging from the doorknob of my apartment...a black bag, the handles on the doorknob while the long strap dangles to the ground.

  It’s my purse.

  “Callum—”

  But he’s already going for it, his hand on his hip before he hisses out a curse. “I don’t have my gun.”

  “Why would you on a date?”

  I reach for the bag, but he stops me. “Let me.”

  “I hardly think there’s a bomb in there.” But my heart is racing, and my hands are trembling.

  He pulls out a pair of latex gloves from his jacket’s breast pocket and pulls one handle to open the bag and carefully look inside.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12