The Heart of Lies

chapter 27



It didn’t take long for the murder charges against Maggie’s son to be dropped, and Camille and Isabel offered to throw a big backyard party at Isabel’s house to celebrate. Maggie, of course, accepted. She had been so worried about losing Josh to prison, she decided that every moment was precious.

The night of the party arrived and Emily stood in her somewhat-organized walk-in closet, trying to choose a memorable outfit for the evening. This party would also be a farewell to Colin, who needed to return to San Francisco in the morning, so Emily took special care to look her best.

She slipped into her tight white jeans and pulled a black off-the-shoulder, short-sleeve sweater from the rack and slid it on. “There.” She fluffed her tousled blonde curls with her fingers and turned in the full-length mirror to admire her derriere. Gold hoop earrings and a little lipstick and she’d be done.

She checked her watch and realized she still had a few minutes to kill before Colin would arrive to pick her up. Traipsing through the house shoeless, she headed to the breakfast bar to fetch the lipstick out of her purse. While painting on the soft pink lip color, she noticed the stack of mail that she’d brought in earlier. She might as well sort the mail while she waited.

The first envelope was her credit card statement, the second was a misdirected piece of mail—Mr. Terrence Biggens. She marked it with “wrong address” and set it aside. The third envelope was addressed to Evan, from All Security Storage, likely a promotional piece.

She was about to toss it, but there was something about it that made her suspect it might not be junk mail after all. She slid her finger under the flap and ripped the envelope open. Unfolding the paper inside, she glanced over it. It was a letter on company stationery, informing Evan that the advance payments on his storage unit had run out and payment for the next twelve months was due the first of the following month.

Why would he have a storage unit?

The key!

Like a light bulb going on in her head, she thought of the brass key. Dare she hope her mystery was solved? She checked the coin purse on the side of her leather wallet to make sure it was still there—it was.

She didn’t have time to do anything about it right now, but tomorrow she would definitely go and check it out. She tucked the letter back in the envelope, folded it in half, and shoved it in her bag.

If her stalker broke into the house again while she was gone, she wasn’t giving him the address and unit number of the storage place. Whatever was in the unit was obviously something Evan wanted kept secret. And as for Colin, she thought it best not to mention it to him either—not yet anyway—not until she was certain she could trust him.

A sharp rap on the front door brought her running from the kitchen. Seeing the crown of his dark brown hair, she took a calming breath and swung the door wide. Holding it open for him, she struck a sexy pose with one hand on her hip. “Hello, Colin.”

His eyes lit up and an enthusiastic smile spread across his face. “Wow, Emily. You look amazing.”

He stepped over the threshold, unable to take his eyes off of her. “Babe, you are smokin’ hot.”

“That’s the look I was shooting for,” she teased, pushing the door shut.

“Well, you definitely hit your target—three shots to the heart.” He groaned, throwing his right hand over the center of his chest and wincing as if he’d been hit.

He better be the real deal, ’cause this man is definitely stealing my heart.

She stepped closer and his arms were instantly around her, drawing her into him. He lowered his face to hers, their lips brushing softly together, sending a thrill down her body.

Her off-the-shoulder sweater invited his next kiss there, as his lips tenderly grazed her sensitive skin.

She couldn’t stop the little shiver that danced up her spine.

He leaned back, studied her face, as if he were memorizing it. When he closed his eyes, she knew what was coming next and she steadied herself against him as his soft warm lips claimed hers.

“You are such a distraction, Emily.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s just that I was going to tell you something when I came in, but when I saw you, everything else flew out of my mind.”

“What did you want to tell me?” Emily ran her hands over his broad shoulders, feeling the pulsation of energy streaming between them.

“It may be nothing, but there was a black sedan parked across the street. I’m pretty sure it was a BMW.”

Emily ran to the window and peeked out through the blinds. “No one there now.”

“It drove off when I swung into your driveway. I wasn’t able to see the license plate.”

“What about the driver?”

“Tinted windows, but it looked like a woman to me—light skin, dark hair pulled back, sun glasses.”

“Isabel drives a black BMW.” She hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

“Why would it be Isabel?”

“Oh…um, maybe she was coming to see me,” Emily covered, “but decided not to bother when you pulled up. She probably figured we wanted some alone time, you know, after everything that’s happened.”

It was probably best to keep her doubts to herself.

Colin looked puzzled. “Wouldn’t Isabel be at her house right now? I mean, the party is at her place tonight.”

“Yes, of course, you’re right. I don’t know why I said that.” She tightened her hold around Colin’s waist and laid her head on his chest, hiding her face. “The only other person I know with a black BMW was Delia McCall’s late husband, but that would be silly to think it was her.”

“The car would have passed to her when he died, right?”

“Yes. I think it was owned by her company, so she may still have it, but why would she be following me?”

“We don’t even know if it was her, or if it was even the same car. It could have been someone innocently visiting one of your neighbors, couldn’t it?”

“I suppose.” Emily leaned back and looked up at Colin. “This is your last night here, so let’s not talk about it anymore tonight.” Emily was determined to shut the thoughts of the black car out of her mind for the evening. She had more urgent things to concentrate on.

~*~

Camille planned the party menu around Josh’s favorite foods. He deserved it after all he had been through, thinking he was coming home for a happy wedding and then getting caught in the middle of a murder.

The food was beyond amazing—her rib-eye steaks, baby back ribs, grilled salmon, fresh corn on the cob, homemade sides, juicy watermelon and four different desserts. Maggie and Josh couldn’t stop raving.

Emily helped Camille bring the food out to the serving tables on the sprawling stone patio. And as Emily walked through the French doors with a platter of ribs, she noticed Colin standing on the lawn, talking to Alex and Jonathan. He looked in her direction when she stepped out and a warm, bright smile lit up his face. She returned the smile and moved to the serving tables.

As she set the platter down and covered it with foil, Sully had walked up beside her. She turned toward him. The dark circles under his eyes were gone, replaced by the refreshed look that comes with a good night’s sleep.

“I want to thank you again for what you did, Emily. I will never in a million years be able to repay your kindness.”

Earlier that morning, Emily had gone to the bank and taken a hundred thousand dollars in cash from the safe deposit box. She had delivered it to Sully in secret, to replace what he had borrowed from the city’s retirement fund before the auditors showed up.

“I didn’t do it for you, Sully.” She leaned a hip against the table and crossed her arms, glancing around to make sure no one could overhear them. “You screwed up royally, but your family shouldn’t have to pay for your mistakes.”

“You’re right, I did.” He peered over his shoulder, then back at Emily. “My back was against the wall and I chose the easy way out. Or, at least, what I thought would be the easy way.”

“I guess you don’t have to take all the blame. That Lucas Wakefield was a pretty convincing character.”

“I could think of a few more colorful names to call him,” he chuckled nervously.

“In all fairness, I should thank you, Sully. If you hadn’t been honest with me, we wouldn’t have known there was a scam.”

Having knowledge about his illegal act and keeping his secret had put her in a difficult position, but she was willing to forgive him for that. “Fiona could have gotten away with millions in investors’ deposits.”

“So they recovered the money?”

“Yes, the deal Fiona cut included giving up the money. Apparently, when she saw Lucas on the floor of his office she thought he was dead, so she ran. But Josh had only knocked him unconscious. Fiona said she went directly to Lucas’s house and used his laptop to transfer all the money from the Paradise Valley Bank to an account they had in the Cayman Islands.”

She patted Sully on the shoulder and grinned. “So, you see, it won’t take you a million years to repay me,” she smiled. “Just until the funds are released. And, thanks to you, all the investors will be getting their money back too.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. So, I’m just curious, when did Gloria kill Lucas?”

“According to what she said in her statement, Lucas was crawling up into his chair when she walked in. She could see someone had left him bloody and beaten. They argued over the money and his running off with Fiona, and she said she was so furious that she grabbed the jagged paperweight and cracked him on the head. She believed whoever had beaten him would end up paying for her crime.”

“Go figure.” He grinned and shook his head.

“When Maggie and I walked in, she was sitting in a chair calling the police. She was sweaty and breathing hard, with blood on her clothes. She’d said she had tried to revive him and we bought it.”

“She had a heart attack too, right?”

“Apparently the sweat and hard breathing was from that old woman lifting Lucas out of the chair and dragging him back to the floor. Of course, that’s how she got his blood on her, too.”

“He had to be at least two hundred pounds.”

“She admitted she was calling the police when we walked in only because she’d heard a car door slam outside and someone opening the big wooden doors in front. She was ready in case someone walked in on her. She heard Maggie and I walking in and made it look convincing. It was pretty quick thinking on her part.”

“Do you think she faked the heart attack?” he asked.

“Not according to the doctor. A woman her age, having just killed a man and then lifting two hundred and some pounds—it was almost inevitable.”

“Well, I better let you get back to what you were doing, Emily. Looks like the food’s almost ready. I just wanted to thank you again for the money. It’s been deposited and hopefully not missed.”

“You’re welcome.” She watched as he walked back to his waiting wife, seated in a wheelchair at one of the tables, and she wondered if he had shared with her any of what he had done. Probably not. He may have wanted to, but knowing Sully, he’d take it to his grave before he’d burden his wife that way.

Emily glanced over at Colin again, as he continued to shoot the breeze with the guys. She watched him for a few minutes, imagining how wonderful it would be when he moved back to Paradise Valley. They could have lots of get-togethers with their friends. They could be a real couple.

A niggling doubt pricked at her again. She was ready to give him her whole heart, but how could she until she knew for certain he could be trusted? In light of the warning Evan had written in his note, she had to be sure about Colin before she jumped in with both feet.

Emily spotted Ernie refilling his drink at the outdoor bar area. She wandered over to chat with him, thinking it would be an ideal opportunity to find out if Colin truly was who he said he was and put her suspicions to rest.

“Hey, Ernie,” she greeted, patting him on the shoulder. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“Can’t wait for the baby backs—my favorite.” He licked his lips and rubbed his hands together. “Not just that, though, Em. This party was a great idea, celebrating our putting the real killer behind bars and all. Uh, I mean with your help and Colin’s, of course.”

“You’ve been a good friend to Colin, almost like a father.” Emily rested her hand on Ernie’s forearm for a moment.

“Yeah, I’ve known Colin since he was a kid. His dad and I have been buddies for a long, long time.”

Having Ernie confirm their longtime relationship helped put Emily’s mind at ease. Now that he was being open with her, maybe she could get him to help her with one more thing. “Since you know our boy so well, Ernie, maybe you can answer something for me.”

“Shoot,” he said, taking a sip of his drink.

“Why does Colin come unglued when I’m in the throes of solving a case? Is it because of her? Because of Miranda?”

“I suppose it is. When that Gloria woman pulled the gun on you, he just about came out of his skin. I could see the horrified look in his eyes—he was reliving Miranda being gunned down in the line of duty all over again.”

Emily nodded her head.

Ernie shook his. “It’s going to be a long time before she’s out of his head.”

“What about his heart? Is Miranda still in his heart, too?”

“You can’t just forget someone you were so madly in love with that you were ready to commit your life to them. You should know that, Emily. Will Evan ever totally be out of your head—or out of your heart?”

She paused, thinking about her late husband. “No, you’re right.”

“It doesn’t mean you don’t eventually move on and find a new love.”

“Do you think Colin loves me?”

“I know he does. That knucklehead just needs time to find the words to say it.”

“Foods ready!” Camille shouted across the yard. “Everyone grab a plate and serve yourselves.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Ernie’s eyes glowed with anticipation as he bolted from Emily’s side.

The crowd was small, just twelve in all—Emily and Colin, Camille and Jonathan, Isabel and Alex, Sully and Carolyn, Ernie and his wife, Maggie, and the guest of honor, Josh.

Alex had set up a couple of long tables on his patio, parallel to each other, which Camille topped with white linens and centerpieces of chunky ivory candles and greenery.

It was a balmy July evening and the sun was beginning to set. Strands of tiny white lights twinkled in the shrubbery and lattice work that surrounded the patio and the yard.

Once everyone filled their plates and took their seats, Alex clinked the side of his wine glass to garner his guests’ attention.

“I would like to offer a toast to our guest of honor, Josh.” Alex lifted his glass. “We thank you for your brave service to our country, first of all—”

The friends interrupted his speech with a shower of spontaneous applause.

“We are here tonight to celebrate your freedom, Josh,” Alex acknowledged as he held his glass out toward Josh, “thanks to Emily, Colin, and Ernie.”

Another round of applause broke out.

“Lift your glasses, everyone.”

“Here! Here!” the crowd erupted, lifting their glasses and taking a drink.

Josh stood and sincerely thanked everyone for believing in him. “I’m not much for making speeches. My life was uncertain enough after making a couple bone-head decisions.” He looked at Maggie. “Sorry, Mom.”

She reached up with a sympathetic smile and gave her son’s hand a squeeze.

Josh’s eyes looked back at his friends. “Anyway, I just want to say I appreciate you all,” which drew more applause.

“I hear Colin will be leaving us in the morning, so I especially want to thank him and Emily for the help they gave Detective Kaufman in finding the real killer.”

While another wave of applause rang out, Colin leaned over and kissed Emily lightly, which drew whistles from some of the guys.

“Now,” he raised his glass, “let’s eat before all this good food gets cold!”

The food was consumed and enjoyed. Josh had piled his plate high with some of everything—twice. He patted his stomach and complained he’d have to drop five pounds, which pleased Camille and made his mother laugh.

The sun had long set as the party wound down. As the guests began to leave, Emily and Isabel helped Camille with the cleanup. Maggie offered, but the girls insisted she spend the time with her son.

As Emily and Isabel worked together in the kitchen, scraping dishes and wrapping leftovers, they chatted about their men and the future.

“Hey, did you hear about Maggie’s engagement ring?” Isabel chuckled as she finished scrubbing a baking dish.

“No, what?” Emily asked with interest. She grabbed a soft towel and began drying the pans Isabel had already washed.

“Turns out the diamond was a fake.”

“Go figure, just like the fiancé.”

“Did I tell you Maggie is going to Hawaii anyway?” Isabel tore off a long sheet of plastic wrap. “The honeymoon trip was already paid for—Lucas’s parting gift I guess—so she’s trying to decide who to take with her. Interested?”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad she’s going, but I’m not sure this is the best time for me to go.”

Was Isabel trying to get rid of her? Evan’s ominous words continued to ripple below the surface of their friendship.

“Besides, don’t you think Maggie will feel weird in the honeymoon suite?” Emily asked.

“No, she wouldn’t be staying there. She said she was able to change the reservations to a two-bedroom suite for the same price. I think you ought to go. You could use a vacation.” Isabel tore another sheet of plastic wrap from the roll and covered a small tray of ribs.

“What about my house?” Emily wondered if she should go off and leave her house exposed.

“What do you mean?”

“Someone keeps breaking in and searching for something. I can’t just go off and leave it.”

“Would you like me to housesit for you? Su casa es mí casa.” Isabel stuck the leftover ribs in the refrigerator.

“I’ll have to think about it…besides, Maggie hasn’t even invited me.”

“She will.”

Emily hated going through life not trusting anyone, especially Isabel. She missed her old life when she trusted everyone, without question, until they gave her reason not to. Life was so much more fun and gratifying when she could hold her man and her circle of friends close and share everything with them. She needed to get back to that life.

“Emily?” Colin stood in the middle of the French doors.

She turned at the sound of her name and smiled at the familiar voice that was so sensual and smooth.

“Your man is calling you.” Isabel grinned and elbowed Emily as she dried a glass pan with a soft cloth.

“Could you step out here, please?” He held his hand out to her.

Emily looked to Isabel.

“Go. I can finish up here,” Isabel encouraged.

Emily floated over to him, or at least that’s how she felt. The warmth from his hand comforted her as he led her through the patio and across the lawn. He stopped in a darkened corner of the yard, where an ornate concrete bench sat among the bushes adorned with twinkle lights.

“Let’s sit.”

She nodded and sat expectantly on the bench, not knowing what was coming.

He sat close beside her, their bodies touching, still holding her hand.

“I’m leaving in the morning, and I didn’t want to wait a second longer to tell you—”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have this conversation at my house…in private?”

He tipped his head and shrugged a shoulder. “That would probably be better, but if I don’t get these words out, I might chicken out.”

“I don’t understand. What are—”

He raised his hand for her to stop talking. “You have to stop doing that and let me finish.”

She smiled at him and made a gesture as if she was buttoning her lips.

He nodded once and took a deep breath. “Emily Parker, you have torn down my defenses and captured my heart. There is nothing else to say but that I love you—totally and completely.”

Pinching her lips closed she looked at him for permission to speak.

He grinned and nodded.

“Oh, Colin,” she gasped breathlessly, tears of joy rushing to her eyes. “I love you, too. You don’t know how anxiously I’ve been waiting to hear those words. You could not have said them more perfectly.”

He stood to his feet and she followed his lead. His hand gently cradled her cheek, he gazed into her eyes—into her soul. He wove his fingers through her hair and tugged her face toward his. Passion vibrated between them as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“I couldn’t leave tomorrow without telling you how I felt. I promise you, Emily, I’ll move heaven and earth to come back to you.”

Her hands embraced the strength of his back as he enveloped her completely. His kiss was so tender, so deep, she thought she would faint from the deluge of emotions flooding her body. He scooped a muscular arm beneath her knees and literally swept her off her bare feet.

Emily fixed her watery eyes on him as he carried her in his arms. She searched for the words to tell him she would wait for him, but her mind was swirling so deliriously that it made her dizzy. No words would come. All she could do was drape her arms around his neck and kiss him again.

“My heart is yours,” he declared. “Please don’t break it.”



– THE END –