Flames Of Deceit (13 page)

Jake hung on to the wheel with one hand and dug his cell phone out of his pocket. “Take the battery out of this, quick. And toss—“

“That’s littering.”

Turning a disbelieving look in her direction, Jake choked out words. “Two women were murdered, and you’re worried about littering?” Mumbling under his breath, he wheeled the car into a gas station. “Give me the battery and the phone.”

Leaving the car in neutral, he jumped out. Heel on the battery, he crunched the plastic, and threw it in the waste can with the phone.

Mia stared straight ahead as he climbed back in the car. “I’m just saying—“

“You’re right.” Jake sent the car speeding back on the highway. “I admire your determination.”

***

Determination?

Mia toweled her hair dry with fierce swipes. She could think of things she would rather Jake admire more than her determination. Things like the way she felt in his arms. Okay. She was out of line. They were trying to solve a murder, not build a relationship.

As if she had thought of little else since Jake kissed her at the mall. Even the hours they had spent poring over files from Leigh Anne’s computer hadn’t distracted her from her reaction to Jake’s kiss.

“Do we have to turn the lights off after dark?” She saw Jake was staring at the laptop and frowned.

“Dan called the neighbors. Told them he had friends staying a few days, but neighbors aren’t the problem.” Jake glanced up from the computer. “If anyone staked out this house, lights will give us away.”

“No one followed us home. How would they know where we’re staying?”

“We don’t know when they identified your Honda. I didn’t think anyone followed us, but I thought we were safe on the way home. I didn’t check traffic as close as I should have.”

Mia dropped to sofa across from Jake. “Find anything?”

“I’m not sure. You take a look while I get a shower.” He passed the computer to Mia on his way down the hall.

She sighed. All these loose ends. They needed evidence. Some connection that proved Phil wasn’t involved, but what were they looking for?

Eyes on the screen, her mind wandered to the sound of the shower in the bathroom down the hall. Images of Jake, shedding his clothes and climbing in the shower sent her pulse racing.

When this was over, would she ever see him again? Would they ever have a regular conversation? A real dinner? Did he want to? How long could she hide the fact that his glance turned her bones weak?

If they lived though this
…

That’s what she needed to focus on.

Their lives were at risk. Two people had died. She and Jake would add to the total if they didn’t find the killer. No more drooling over thoughts of Jake with a towel wrapped around his waist. This wasn’t the time.

Pam Foley’s boss, Edward Poole should be her focus.

Digging through one file after the other, Mia read a series of e-mails she hadn’t noticed before, Edward Poole to Thomas Goldman. E-mail between the four VPs shouldn’t cause alert. But Mia noticed the large number of messages between the two VPs.

Shouldn’t all four VPs exchange about the same amount of information?

“I think I found something.” Mia said the instant Jake came back in the room.

It was a good thing she had spoken before she looked at him, because the sight of Jake with his hair still damp from the shower and his clean-shaven face sent her heart into over-drive.

“Show me.” He sat down beside her.

Mia did a mental eye roll. How could she focus on facts when the scent of Jake’s aftershave filled her head? She couldn’t breathe without tasting his scent on her tongue. She wanted to curl into the heat of his body and let the world go by…and then what?

Save the world…save Jake. Save their lives.

“See this list of emails? I highlighted the ones from Poole and Goldman. Look how few are left.”

“Mmm,” Jake stared at the screen. “Looks like you narrowed down the number of suspects. One of these guys hardly gets any mail.”

Searching the internet for information about Allan Yow, they ended up with nothing. Mia sighed. “Guess we can rule Alan Yow out.”

Jake rubbed his hand across his face, trying to clear his head and block out the image of Mia. She had curled against his side so they could both see the computer screen, but her clean scent and the warmth of her body enticed him to forget business and focus on the woman ruining his concentration.

“We should make some calls.” He stared at the laptop, waiting for her reaction.

“Who?”

“Edward Poole.” He watched emotions chase across her face. “You think he’s dirty, don’t you?”

“He’s the one that got Phil involved in all this.”

“Then we use that as an opening.”

Eyes wide, Mia stared at him. “How?”

Staring at the drapes covering the darkness outside, Jake sighed. “Are you willing to bend the truth a little?”

Her lips quivered, giving him the only hint of her deep emotions. The need to taste her lips again added to the longing building in his gut.

“If it will help catch a murderer. What do you want me to do?”

“Interview Edward Poole.”

Jerking upright, Mia stared at him. “Won’t that blow our cover? Assuming he lives to talk about it.”

“Your name hasn’t been mentioned on the news.” Jake lifted a brow, inviting her to fill in the blanks. If her name hadn’t been connected to the murders, they had a free get out of jail card. She could interview their suspects.

“If he won’t talk…I’ll tell him Phil sent me. He wouldn’t dare make a senator start asking questions.”

“Arrange the interview, and throw away that phone.”

Mia heard the warning. His caution replayed in her head as she walked to the bedroom. Her hand trembled as she pulled the phone out of her jeans. Could Edward Poole be the killer?

Ten minutes later, Mia clicked off the phone. “He sounds agitated.”

“Did he agree to talk to you?”

“Tonight, at eleven at Grover’s.” She stared down at the phone and frowned, unwilling to voice her unease.

“I don’t like it.” Jake jumped to his feet. “Grover’s will be crowded that time of night.”

Keeping her expression blank, Mia said. “He won’t have time to plan any tricks if we go now.”

Jake stared out the dark window. “It could be a trap.”

“He hasn’t had time to organize anything.”

Jake frowned. “Unless he’s behind these murders and he’s been following us.” He dropped the curtain back in place and sighed. “It’s a risk.”

Mia headed back to the bedroom to get dressed. “It’s a chance we have to take.”

Jake backed Dan’s Ford Explorer out of the two-car garage and hit the remote to close the door. “I don’t like making all this noise. We don’t want to attract attention.”

Mia fastened her seatbelt. “It’s only ten o’clock. Most houses still have several lights on. They’re probably watching TV.”

“Let’s go over the plan.”

Staring through the dim light from the dash, Mia tried to see his face. “I’m going to ask Poole how the company employees are reacting to losing two co-workers, and try to get him to talk about the women.”

“That only gets you so far. We need to find connections. Those women were killed for a reason.” Jake pushed on the gas. The large vehicle picked up speed as they pulled out of the lakeside community and headed down Hwy 751. “We need to make him squirm.”

“If he picks up on my mood, that shouldn’t be hard.” Mia sighed.

“We don’t have to do this.” Jake glanced at her profile.

“If I can rattle him, maybe he’ll give us some hints.” Mia bit her lip. “I need to get under his skin.”

“Let’s talk about Grover’s.” Jake took his eyes of the road for a second. “How well do you know the place?”

“I’ve had lunch there several times, and met friends for drinks after work.” Mia shrugged.

“Good, you know the layout?”

Mia tried to remember the inside of the remodeled tobacco warehouse. “Two doors into the bar and grill, and one exit from the poolroom in the back, that’s all I remember.”

“Two exits sound good. There should be a crowd.” He focused on the road as they crossed the bridge over backwater from Jordan Lake. “I’ll sit at the high table near the bar so I can keep an eye on the room.”

Turning toward him, Mia frowned. “Did you wear your disguise?”

“Yep, got my glasses,” Jake replied, patting his shirt pocket. “Don’t want anyone recognizing me. I’m the only link anyone knows about for now.”

***

A roar of noise greeted Mia as she stepped in the door of Grover’s. The bar and grill was crowded. Jake had assured her that a large crowd of people was good, because no one would pay them any attention.

When they came out of the parking garage adjacent to Grover’s patio, they had separated and entered by different doors. Where was Jake? Then she spotted him standing at the tall table near the bar as he planned.

Scanning the huge barn like structure once serving as a warehouse, Mia spotted the man she had researched on the internet. Except for his black hair, everything about him looked different as she approached.

Edward Poole, looking ten years younger in casual workout gear, glanced up as she stopped at his table.

“May I join you?” Mia held her breath.

Poole’s fine sculpted lips curled as his dark eyes roamed over her from head to toe. “You don’t look like a reporter.”

Hearing the seductive tone in his voice, Mia understood how Pam Foley had fallen for her boss. “I didn’t expect to have to leave my bed to get an interview.”

“You should have mentioned you were in bed,” he purred in a practiced tone.

Back rigid, Mia tilted her chin. “This is business.”

“You wanted to talk. What is this about?”

Those melting dark eyes roamed over her, settling on her chest. Mia clenched her fists to keep from cringing. “Your company makes news all the time, Mr. Poole. When two secretaries from one company are murdered, people notice. Questions pop up.”

Color slashed his high cheekbones. “Those deaths were unfortunate, but they have nothing to do with Stern-McHamlin.”

“How can you be sure? Both women were murdered.”

Poole leaned over the table, sending a whiff of expensive cologne floating around Mia. The heavy, musky scent filled her nostrils. For a second, she thought she was going to have to leave, or throw-up all over the slick VP.

“My company is dealing with the deaths of two employees. If you want to twist that into something it isn’t, that puts your paper on the line. If that’s all you want, I’m done.”

“Mr. Poole, I’m sorry. I think we got started on the wrong foot. I’m not accusing you or the company of anything. I just want to find out how your employees are coping with these deaths to give the public a personal angle to the tragedy.” Holding her breath in hopes that her conciliatory tone had soothed his ruffled feathers, Mia waited.

Looking at her, as she were something stuck to his shoe, Poole leaned back in his seat. “It’s been a shock.”

Mia sucked in a breath of air and caught the odor of too many bodies crammed into one spot. The mix of smoke, cologne, and alcohol was overpowering. Would she ever forget the stench of smoke?

“How are you handling this personally?” When his head reared back, she held up a placating hand. “I believe one of the women was your personal secretary. That must make this situation harder for you than other personnel.”

“You’re right,” Poole brushed a hand over his hair. Mia held back a snort. He hadn’t touched a strand of the stylishly arranged hair. “These events are personal. Forgive me if I over-reacted.”

Like I believe that. Mia stared into his fathomless eyes. “Do you know if the police have any leads?”

His eyes darkened and bored into her. “You need to interview the police for those details.”

Attempting another angle, Mia said. “I can’t imagine how hard it must be, losing a valued secretary and trying to carry on with business at the same time. I’m sure you’re as anxious as the family to have this resolved. Are you training a replacement?”

Poole lifted a hand. “We have a large office staff. Finding another secretary isn’t the problem.”

Crossing her fingers under the table, Mia kept her voice low. “What is the biggest challenge when something like this happens?”

Looking at her through squinted eyes, Poole seemed to decide she wasn’t a threat. Shoulders drooping, his tone begged for sympathy. “Recovering all the things she knew. Pam Foley was my trusted assistant. Part of her worth was the things she kept in her head to use at a moment’s notice.”

“You’re missing information?” Mia’s heart raced. “How will you manage? What will you do?”

Poole’s dark eyes flattened like a shark’s and he pushed up from the table. “We’re done here.”

Sensing that she had lost the edge, Mia tried one more comment. “Thanks for the interview, Mr. Poole,” she stared up at him, her fingers crossed. “By the way, my brother sends his regards. You remember, Senator Clark?”

Poole turned the color of cottage cheese. His tall slim form swayed over the table for an instant, before he fell back in his seat. “You’re Phil Clark’s sister?”

As if he didn’t know. Mia gave a mental snort as she nodded her head. She wouldn’t be sitting here if he hadn’t recognized her name. That told her two things. Edward Poole knew more than he was saying and she couldn’t eliminate him as the murderer.

Arching a brow, Mia stared at the Teflon-like businessman and hid her distaste. She liked a man who wasn’t afraid to get dirty. A man who dug in, up to his elbows when there was a problem. Someone like Jake.

“You didn’t know Phil had links to the press? Really, Mr. Poole, I expected you to do better research than that.”

“What are you implying, Ms. Clark?”

Mia shrugged. “You met my brother, invited him to speak at your club. Knowing he’s a politician, I would have expected a man in your position to check him out.”

“Ms. Clark. I like plain speaking.” Poole twisted his etched lips in a sneer. “It wasn’t my club, it was a company function.  And you’re talking in riddles.”

What had Pam Foley seen in this man? At first glance, Mia assumed it was his good looks, but ten minutes with the man and she needed a bath. How could his secretary not know he was a slug?

“Actually, I’m not, Mr. Poole. If you think there’s more to this conversation than wanting to find out the mental state of your employees after two tragedies, maybe I should be the one digging deeper for information.”

“Calm yourself, Ms. Clark. I’m wound up because of a friend’s death.” Poole’s dark eyes made another assessing inventory of Mia’s upper body. “You seem very emotional about someone you didn’t know, unless…did you know my secretary, Ms. Clark?”

Oh, help. Had she blown her cover? Mia took a slow breath. If he said her name one more time in that slimy tone, she was going to...

“You’re right. I find the death of two local women senseless and upsetting. That’s why I called you to ask for an interview.” Mia gritted her teeth as his eyes focused on her chest again.

When he glanced up, a satisfied expression covered his smooth face. Lifting a hand, he inspected manicured nails. The polished surface reflected light. “Yes, it is upsetting.”

Deciding she wasn’t going to get any information out of him, Mia pushed out of her seat. “Of course, I’ll be interviewing other members of your company. I’ll let you know when the article is finished, if you like.”

Poole’s shoulders straightened. “What other interviews do you have lined up?”

Noting the tension in his dark glance, Mia forced a smile. “You know I can’t reveal my sources, Mr. Poole. Thank you for talking to me.”

She whirled on her heel and headed toward the door leading to the patio. Had she pushed him too far? Would he cave under her thinly veiled threats and give her a lead?

Pushing through the door, Mia mingled with the patrons going to the outside dining area. Even at this time of night, with the March air chilling her skin, several tables were full and a crowd surrounded the patio’s bar.

Joining the crunch lined up for the bar, Mia kept her eyes on the exit.  Would Poole follow her? If he came out before she found Jake, they might lose him.

Two minutes later, Poole came out the door and stood, his dark stare searching the area around the tables.

Mia held her breath, waiting for his black gaze to find her, but the umbrella over the bar and the crowd squashing her against the counter, kept her hidden.

Poole gave one last long look around, then moved to the edge of the lighted patio and pulled out his cell phone.

Mia couldn’t hear what he said, but she watched his body language. Shoulders rigid, he waved a hand in the air as he talked. Then he snapped off the phone and shoved it in the pocket of his workout jacket.

“Could you read his lips?” Jake’s breath warmed her cheek as he leaned on the bar beside her.

“No, but he is not happy.” She watched Poole lope down the steps to the parking garage and disappear among the vehicles. “Should we follow?”

“Can’t,” Jake shook his head. “He might see you. Get ready to make a run for the SUV as soon as his car pulls out.”

Headlights from the parking garage glared on the crowd from a car parked on the first row facing the patio.

“Is that him?” Mia twisted around to get a better look at the garage twenty feet away.

“I’m going to the SUV. He won’t recognize me. I need to see what he’s driving.” Jake started away, but turned back to Mia. “Wait until he leaves and stay out of sight.”

“I’m going with you. What will it hurt if he sees me?” Mia pushed away from the bar. “He knows I’m here. Just because he didn’t see me when he came out doesn’t mean I was hiding.”

“Good point. I don’t like leaving you alone. Stay behind me. Pretend we aren’t together, in case he decides to check you out.”

“There you go, trying to protect me, again. I’m a reporter, Jake. I can take care of myself.”

“When you’re with me, keeping you safe is my job.” He took a couple of long strides, descending the steps in a rush and suddenly, they were as far apart as two strangers.

Mia glanced behind her to check for anyone acting suspicious. Jake’s vigilance made her uneasy, but nothing caught her attention. Why was he being so cautious?

She turned back, almost losing sight of Jake in the dim light of the parking garage. A dark sports car, long and sleek, wheeled out of a space on the opposite side of the garage. Mia was too far away to see the driver, but Jake was close.

Jake stumbled to a stop at the side of the car, and held up his hands, indicating to the driver that he was okay. He waited for the vehicle to pull away, and rushed toward the Ford Explorer.

Mia checked behind her again. When she didn’t see anyone following her, she ran to the passenger door. Climbing in as Jake crawled behind the wheel, she gasped. “Was that Poole?”

“Yeah, let’s see where he’s going.” Jake made a couple of quick maneuvers and sent the Explorer shooting out the exit behind the sports car. “If I follow too close, he might notice.”

Twenty minutes later, they had trailed the sports car across town in an up-scale housing development. Jake eased the Explorer down the street and parked half a block from where the black car stopped. “What’s he doing?”

“This isn’t the address I have for Poole, so he isn’t going home.” Mia stared at the shadowy figure climbing out of the low car. “Mid-night is a strange time to go visiting.”

“Unless he has a girlfriend.”

“Another one?” Mia kept her eyes on Poole’s shadow. “He has a wife and Leigh Anne on the side, according to Pam.”