Until death, p.18
Until Death, page 18
Dane turned away from her, leaned on the counter, and groaned while holding his head with remorse.
“It’s okay--really.”
Dane straightened and sighed. “It’s not okay. Not only did I sleep with my boss’s daughter, but I slept with my boss’s virgin daughter,” he announced and shamefully shook his head. “You have no idea how horrible I feel.”
“We were both silly drunk,” she reminded him. “You shouldn’t feel guilty about what happened.”
He avoided looking at her and again rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll have to disagree with you on that,” Dane remarked then shifted uncomfortably while staring at her. “I feel guilty because--” He groaned and looked away. “Because, honestly, I enjoyed it.”
Raina stared at him with surprise by his candor.
He caught her look then groaned and turned away. “You wouldn’t understand,” Dane muttered more to himself. “It’s a guy thing.”
“Why would I mind that you enjoyed it?” she demanded. “Were you supposed to hate it?”
“Doesn’t that make me morally reprehensible?” he asked while glancing at her. “I shouldn’t enjoy something that’s done nothing but make you uncomfortable. I’m a perfect gentleman with someone like Callie, who was my girlfriend at the time, yet I disrespect an actual lady, who also happens to be my boss’s daughter. I preached to you about protecting your reputation, and then I’m the one who does the most damage to it. Doesn’t that make me a horrible person and a bit of a hypocrite?”
“Of course not,” she insisted then fidgeted slightly and offered a tense smile. “I’d probably be insulted if you didn’t enjoy it.”
Dane managed a tiny laugh while attempting to relax. “I’m glad we were finally able to get this out in the open,” he announced. “I’ve been torturing myself mercilessly since that morning. I don’t think I could live with myself if I set us back two years.”
“You don’t need to worry about that, I promise.” Raina fidgeted while studying him. “I really need to ask,” she announced then hesitated. “Did I enjoy it?”
He seemed surprised by the question. “You still don’t remember any of it?”
She shook her head. “No, nothing,” Raina replied and immediately countered on her comment. “And I don’t want to hear the details either. I’m not ready for that. Just a vague answer will do.”
“Fair enough,” he replied then considered the question and offered a timid smile. “Let’s just go with you were mildly to moderately uninhibited and pleasantly pleased.”
She stared at him unable to respond then shook her head. “I’m starting to think you made up the entire thing,” she announced. “That sounds nothing like me.”
“Allow me to disagree respectfully,” he teased and flashed a smile.
She glared at him then shifted uncomfortably. “Okay, now I’m starting to hate you again.”
“Too soon to joke about it?” he asked while grinning. “You did say you were okay with it, and I’m pretty sure virgins can’t fake orgasms.”
She glared her annoyance then smirked. “Oh, you want to play? Fine,” she scoffed. “Virgins also don’t need to use birth control.”
Dane’s expression dropped as he thought about the comment.
Raina smiled deviously and nodded. “Yeah, you just think about that for the next few weeks,” she announced then spun on her heels, headed across the kitchen, and left through the hallway entrance. When she reached the other side of the door, she cringed and nervously ran her fingers through her hair. “Crap. I need to find a calendar.”
Chapter 34
Everyone’s Got One
Detective Payne had returned to the lounge a little while later to ask those remaining a few questions about the night of Callie’s death just to get an idea of who was where and with whom. Dane entered the lounge a short while later with a rolling cart containing assorted beverages, pastries, and a pitcher of martinis. Otto gave Dane a suspicious look as if wondering what he was up to by rolling out the party cart.
“So we have Sloan and Levi in the kitchen along with half a dozen caterers,” Detective Payne announced. “Jenna was playing poker with the four remaining chauffeurs until one in the morning before turning in for the night.” He then looked at Miller. “Miller passed out in his room sometime between ten and midnight. Mr. Steele left in the Ferrari after confronting his wife, and Nole Oaks left shortly after the confrontation.” He then looked at Callie’s sister. “Elana and Keefe were in their room just before midnight where they admitted they clearly were not sleeping.”
Elana nodded while Keefe grinned in response.
Detective Payne glanced at Raina. “And Raina was with the butler in his room,” he announced, “where they were watching a movie and fell asleep.”
Raina glanced at Dane, who smirked while pouring drinks. Raina didn’t know how Dane managed it, but he somehow got the detective to leave out their drunken escapades. Perhaps the detective felt sorry for Dane and didn’t want to see him get in trouble with his employer. What they did in his room didn’t need to be shared with the others as long as Detective Payne was satisfied with their alibi.
“I have each of your statements, so that should cover it for now,” the detective announced. “I’ll just need to talk to the chauffeur and gardener then I can interview those who’d already left but were present at the house between midnight and two.” He shut his notebook. “I’ll let you know if I need any more information.”
“Dane will contact Titus and Hanson and have them meet you in the kitchen,” Otto announced. “Save you a trip to the garage.”
“I appreciate that.”
Dane left the lounge with Detective Payne. Once the others left the lounge, Raina’s father held her back and eyed her suspiciously.
“You were in Dane’s room watching a movie together?” Otto asked with a strange look on his face.
She tensed slightly to his question but attempted to keep from revealing her anxiety. Raina managed to shrug and offered a tiny smile.
“He mentioned he was going to his room to watch a movie,” she replied. “I know he has unusual taste in movies, but I thought it might be an interesting change of pace.” She raised a clever brow. “Do you have a problem with us watching a movie together?”
“No,” Otto replied. “Not at all. It’s just the two of you hated each other two years ago, and now you’re watching movies together in his bedroom.” He shrugged. “It’s just surprising, I suppose.”
“We discussed why our feud ended,” she again reminded him.
“You’re right,” Otto replied while smiling more naturally. He then tilted his head and appeared curious. “What movie did you watch?”
She felt as if her father were testing her. Raina hesitated only a moment then laughed. “Damned if I remember the name of it. Some British flick with a bunch of boring people I couldn’t understand doing things that didn’t make any sense.”
Her father chuckled at her answer. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
Raina made a mental note to seek out Dane and give him a heads up in case her father asked him what movie they’d watched. Surely, he could come up with a movie based on her lame description.
§
Titus and Hanson sat at the island counter while Detective Payne stood off to the side and jotted notes in his book. Both men drank coffee while Dane and Levi prepared lunch at the main counter behind them.
Detective Payne eyed Titus. “So you left around seven o’clock for the city and didn’t return until approximately two in the morning.”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Titus replied then grinned. “I have half a dozen women who can vouch for me. I made a lasting impression on quite a few lovely ladies.”
“I’m sure they’d willingly vouch for you,” Detective Payne replied with little emotion if not jealousy. “Unfortunately, you were still back in time to be considered a suspect.”
Titus’ expression dropped at the detective’s admission.
Detective Payne eyed Hanson. “And you were in the garden cleaning up from the wedding until after midnight?” he asked. “So you must have seen Mr. Steele take his car from the garage.”
“No, I saw him heading toward the garage with Nole following him then I heard a commotion,” Hanson replied. “A few minutes later, I saw the Ferrari drive away. I couldn’t see the garage from the garden.”
“I’m aware that both of you had at one time dated the deceased, but neither of you are currently under suspicion,” the detective informed them. “I’m just getting a timeline of events together.”
“If you want a good suspect, you should question the wedding planner, Jimmy Love,” Titus informed him.
“I heard he’s a real character,” the detective replied then eyed Titus with some surprise. “Why would you think this Jimmy Love had motive?”
“I heard Callie and Jimmy Love having a heated argument a few hours before the wedding,” Titus informed him. “I didn’t think that guy was capable of that sort of hostility, especially since he prides himself on calming the bride, but they nearly went at it.”
“Anyone have a picture of this guy?” the detective asked with interest.
“I should have one on my cell phone,” Titus replied and removed his phone.
He skimmed through the photos on his phone while Detective Payne watched over his shoulder. There were several pictures of excessively attractive women taken at the nightclub, presumably from Saturday night. He finally came to the ones from the wedding.
“Hold up,” Detective pain announced and pointed his pen at the phone. “Enlarge that picture.”
The detective had indicated the picture of Callie walking down the aisle. Once Titus enlarged it, Detective Payne indicated the emerald necklace she wore.
“That’s some necklace she’s wearing,” the detective remarked.
“Yeah, she always had a thing for emeralds,” Titus insisted with little emotion.
“She wasn’t wearing it when we found her body,” the detective announced.
Titus shrugged with little interest. “Maybe she took it off upstairs.”
“I find that unusual considering she was still wearing her one-karat engagement ring and a diamond tennis bracelet,” the detective remarked. “Why would she take time to remove a necklace of lesser value?”
“If you knew Callie, you’d know why there’s no understanding her behavior,” Titus replied.
§
Sloan arranged place settings in the dining room for lunch. Since the detective was still hanging around and the others were reluctant to leave, they had additional guests for lunch. Dane hurried into the dining room and approached Sloan.
“Did that detective ask you about the necklace Callie was wearing at the wedding?” Dane asked with concern.
“Yeah, he wanted to know if it was in her room,” Sloan announced while straightening. “I told him I hadn’t seen it. We looked through her jewelry, but it wasn’t there. It’s possible Elana got her hands on it when they were rummaging through Callie’s things.” She stared at Dane with concern. “You don’t suppose he thinks someone killed her for that necklace, do you?”
“It was rather valuable,” Dane replied. “But it doesn’t make sense that they’d steal the necklace and leave behind her engagement ring and tennis bracelet.” He studied her a moment. “Was she wearing it when Mr. Steele caught her and Mr. Oaks together?”
“Oh, yes,” Sloan gasped as her eyes widened. “I remember seeing it when she ran after him. It was very eye-catching.”
“So she either lost it outside, or someone took it from her,” Dane announced. “A lot of the guests who were still here heard what happened and knew she’d be alone that night. It’s the perfect setup for a jewelry snatch. Perhaps things didn’t go according to plan.”
“Maybe she wasn’t supposed to see the thief, and he killed her so she couldn’t identify him,” Sloan suggested.
“Let’s hope that’s the case,” Dane muttered while looking preoccupied.
“Why?” she asked with concern. “Are you thinking something else?”
“The scenario where Mr. Steele is the best suspect,” Dane muttered.
“I know he was mad, but he’d never kill her,” Sloan insisted.
“That doesn’t mean he won’t be found guilty,” Dane replied. “I need you to search the master bedroom and all the guestrooms for that necklace. I’ll ask Hanson to scour the grounds between the terrace and the crypt. I’ll search the library and any other rooms I suspect she may have passed through after the incident in the library.”
“There’s something you seem to be forgetting,” Sloan announced before he could leave the dining room.
“No, I’m not forgetting Miller,” Dane replied. “I’ll take responsibility for searching his room.” He hesitated while staring at her. “You didn’t mention him to the detective, did you?”
“You mean the daggers in his eyes when he saw her in his mother’s necklace?” Sloan asked then shook her head. “No, I didn’t say anything. That’s not to say someone else won’t mention it though.”
“Finding that necklace is priority one after lunch,” he informed her. “If you find it, notify me immediately.”
Chapter 35
Honor Thy Father
Raina hurried into the kitchen, nearly plowing down the revolving door, with a look of paranoia on her face. She approached Miller, who hung out at the island counter with Dane and Levi and startled all three men.
“Did I just see Detective Payne leaving with Dad?” Raina exploded.
“Yeah, he took Dad away,” Miller informed her while frowning.
“He didn’t take him,” Dane corrected while seemingly calm. “He asked him to accompany him to the station for some additional questioning.”
“He wasn’t allowed to refuse,” Miller announced while glaring at the butler. “In my book, that’s the same as taking him.”
“There’s no reason for panic just yet,” Dane insisted. “He’s not being charged; just questioned.”
“Then after they question him, they’ll charge him,” Raina protested and shook her head with concern. “He needs a lawyer.”
“I already have a call into his lawyer,” Miller informed her.
“That woman was trouble the moment she slithered through that door,” Levi muttered with disgust. “Why did Mr. Steele hire her anyway?”
“Mr. Nixon asked him to hire her,” Dane replied. “Mrs. Nixon insisted he fire her.”
“Yeah, because Callie was having an affair with Mr. Nixon and she found out about it,” Levi proclaimed. “Pawn her off on us instead.”
“God, she’s dead, and she’s still causing problems around here,” Miller scoffed.
“You people are cold,” Raina scolded while eyeing the three men with disgust. “I wasn’t exactly fond of her, but she didn’t deserve to be murdered.”
Miller raised his brows and eyed her. “You don’t know that.”
Levi and Dane simultaneously tensed and minded their own business. Raina stared at her stepbrother with surprise. She then eyed Dane and Levi, who offered nothing and pretended they weren’t even listening.
“Wow,” Raina announced then indicated Miller. “Him I get.” She glared at Dane and Levi. “But you two? Absolutely heartless.” She stormed from the kitchen, hitting the door with enough force to strike the doorstopper.
Levi looked at Dane and sulked. “She thinks I’m heartless,” he pouted. “That hurts.”
“Never mind her,” Miller scoffed and waved him off. “She needs to get laid.”
“Yeah, Dane,” Levi teased and looked at Dane while grinning. “You should probably get on that.”
Dane suddenly glared at Levi. Miller appeared surprised by the comment and gave them each a strange look.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Miller demanded.
§
Titus had been keeping busy that afternoon by washing and waxing the cars outside the eight-car garage. He had his jacket off and his sleeves rolled up just beyond his elbows, displaying his muscular lower arms. Jenna, Raina, and Miller approached the garage and noted several cars parked outside. Titus had finished wiping down the Bentley when he saw the three approach.
“I’m sorry,” Titus announced while eyeing them. “Did I miss the call for a car? I would have brought yours out-front for you.”
“No, we’re fine, Titus,” Miller announced. “The walk helped cool some of us down.”
“I’m fine,” Raina snarled at her brother.
Titus hid his smile and walked away. It was obvious he didn’t want to get between the feuding stepsiblings.
“I can’t wait to get away from this place for a while,” Jenna announced.
“A ride to the police station isn’t going to be very exciting,” Miller informed her. “Dad’s lawyer said they’re not charging him with anything, but I’d like to stop by the station anyway.”
“Enjoy your boring trip to the police station,” Raina announced. “Jenna and I have other plans.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “What are you up to?” he demanded.
“I want to visit Farley Nixon at the country club,” Raina boldly announced. “I’d like to talk to him when his wife isn’t around.”
“I don’t know what you’re hoping to learn,” Miller remarked with a sigh, “but if you want to waste your time, be my guest.”
“The Nixon’s knew Callie better than anyone at our place,” Rainer reminded him. “If Farley was having an affair with her, he probably knew her the best.”
“And where will that get us?” Miller demanded.
“I don’t know, but it beats sitting around waiting for them to pin her murder on our father,” Raina insisted. “It’s my time to waste.”
“The country club is on the opposite side of town from the police station,” Miller reminded her. “We’ll need to take two cars.” He considered his options. “I suppose I could borrow one of Dad’s cars.”
He was about to approach the garage door when Titus appeared from the first bay.
