I wanted to argue, but Vinnie was so earnest and good-hearted, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Instead I reached for her hands and gave them an affectionate squeeze. “I appreciate that.”
“Thank you, Brooklyn,” Vinnie said. “I’m glad you can see how my conversation with Alex would naturally proceed to the subject of you saving so many people from the jaws of imminent death.”
I laughed and gave Alex an imploring look. “Please. She’s greatly exaggerating my abilities.”
“I don’t know either of you that well, but I believe Vinnie.” Alex enclosed several chunks of cheese in plastic wrap and tucked them inside the refrigerator.
As my friends bustled around my kitchen, I suddenly remembered Horrible Horatio and his threats. I’d had such a good time all evening that I’d somehow managed to forget all about him. I fervently hoped he was safely locked up by now.
But what if he wasn’t? What if he was still on the run? What if he found out where I lived? I spun around to Vinnie. “I want you and Suzie to be very careful. Don’t let any strangers into the building. Keep your doors locked.” I glanced from Vinnie to Alex. “You too, Alex. You probably know some good self-defense moves, right?”
“My goodness.” Vinnie touched my arm. “You look so unhappy all of a sudden. Why are you talking like this, Brooklyn?”
“What’s going on?” Alex asked quietly.
“Has there been another killing?” Vinnie asked.
My teeth clamped together in anger and frustration. I didn’t want to worry my friends, but I couldn’t lie to them, either. “Yes. Somebody I know was murdered a few days ago and I’m concerned because the police haven’t found the killer yet.”
Vinnie gasped.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Alex whispered, but somehow she didn’t look surprised.
Oh, boy. My words hadn’t come out quite as calmly as I’d hoped they would. I tried again. “I mean, they expect to arrest him this weekend, so please don’t worry. Really. He’s probably already in jail by now. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Yes, you should’ve,” Alex said firmly. “I want to hear more.”
I exchanged wary glances with Derek, who had been standing on the other side of the kitchen bar, listening in on the conversation for the last minute or two. He came into the kitchen, reached for the half-full wine bottle, and poured a small amount in each of our glasses. “Why don’t you all go relax in the living room? I’ll finish cleaning up in here.”
Vinnie stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “You are the best of men, Derek.”
He shot me a grin and grabbed my dish towel.
Once we were ensconced in the living room, I told Vinnie and Alex all about The Secret Garden murder.
“Good heavens, you could still be in danger,” Vinnie said. “Should not Inspector Lee assign you a bodyguard? Or perhaps she feels that having Derek here is more than enough protection for you?”
“He is. And he’s been coming to the studio with me every day.”
Alex sat forward on the couch. “That’s reassuring, but Vinnie’s right, Brooklyn. Even Derek can’t be with you twenty-four/seven. You need to take responsibility for your own protection.”
“Derek taught me a few self-defense moves.”
“I’m sure that was helpful,” Vinnie said. “You know that Susie and I—and our chainsaws—are always here for you in times of danger, but Alex has a point. Perhaps there is more you could do for yourself.” Vinnie glanced at Alex. “Have you taken many self-defense classes?”
She hesitated. “Yeah, a few.”
“A few?” I studied her for a long moment. Knowing a little bit about her background, I figured she’d taken more than a few classes. “What level are you?”
She met my gaze and shrugged. “Fifth-degree black belt in tae kwon do and Kenpo.”
“Only fifth degree?” I muttered.
She smiled. “My dojo awards a sixth degree only after twenty years of study.”
“Ah.” I shut up and drank my wine.
“My goodness,” Vinnie whispered, eyes shining with complete awe. “You are a killing machine.”
“When I have to be,” Alex said with a grin. “Come to my class sometime. I’ll teach you some moves.”
“Your class, Alex?” Vinnie said.
She stared at her wineglass. “I teach Krav Maga and Brazilian jujitsu, along with tae kwon do and kickboxing.”
“When?” I demanded, wondering why the heck I’d never thought of doing something like this before.
“Saturday mornings. I’ll e-mail you the info.”
“I’ll be there.”
“And Suzie and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Vinnie chimed in. “This will be fun, will it not?”
Alex bowed her head slightly, acknowledging our enthusiasm. “Meanwhile, you need to continue to practice the few moves you’re familiar with.”