Lethal Bond: Jamie Bond Mysteries Book #3 (9 page)

I smirked.

"I'm glad he's here. I've missed him, but when he gets here I remember why I wanted to leave home to begin with." She huffed.

"And tonight? Are things settled for dinner?" Sam asked.

"Not really. Danny doesn't want to go out tonight, so I'm gonna have to make something up about why he's not joining us."

I wondered if our little spat had anything to do with his uncooperative mood. I didn't want to make things more difficult for Caleigh, but I was relieved I wouldn't have to make small talk with him tonight.

"We're meeting at seven at Ma Belle's on Glenoaks."

I arched my brows very high. "I've never been there." I'd also never heard of it.

"Daddy wants to go to a place that serves southern food. He's been on the Internet all day searching for the perfect restaurant. He's afraid…" She used her fingers to make air quotes. "
Typical
L.A. fare is full of seaweed and soy."

Well there went my chances for a posh dining experience. Not to say southern food couldn't be posh, but anything located north of the 134 seriously depleted the chances. I glanced at my phone. It was almost four. "Maya called ahead. Livingston's second girlfriend will be at work around five-thirty. We're still on for that?" I asked Caleigh.

She nodded. "Yes."

Great. I had enough time to run home and take that bath. I stood. "Okay, I'll be back to pick you up." To Sam I said, "Go home. Spend a few hours with your son before meeting us at the restaurant."

She smiled, excitement dancing in her eyes. "You sure?"

"Absolutely." I walked to the door, waving over my shoulder.

*  *  *

I drove home and started peeling off my clothes right as I kicked my front door shut. My blouse by the coffee table, skirt at the bedroom door, and undergarments on the bathroom rug. I'd collect them later. As the tub filled, I poured a small glass of wine and took it back to the bathroom.

I eased myself into the hot, bubbling water, and sighed so loud I was surprised the bubbles hadn't burst. The scrapes on my knees burned for a second, but then the pain eased away. I sipped the wine, lay back, shut my eyes, and relaxed. I had to keep aware of the time. But all I needed was just a moment of nothing. No talking, no bad guys, no clients…

Then Danny popped into my mind. Of course.

His tousled hair, green eyes, boyish grin, and that stupid bug.

I opened my eyes. I hadn't wanted to get pissed again. He meant well. I guessed. In some caveman kinda way. Then I imagined Danny dressed in fig leaves, or was that pre-caveman wear? I giggled despite my irritation.

*  *  *

The West-side Roller Rink was located just east of Alvarado, bordering Filipinotown. I parked my car beside a pumpkin orange Honda Civic, careful to leave plenty of space between us. Caleigh and I walked to the front door in silence. We hadn't said much on the way over either. The bath and few sips of wine had relaxed me. My knees were sore, especially when bending them, but my face no longer hurt. I applied a pound of concealer and foundation and hoped it didn't cake off before the night was over.

I had dressed in a pair of leopard print pumps and a simple black dress that I could easily toss a blazer over (like now) or dress up with a simple strand of pearls (for dinner), while Caleigh wore a skin-tight, red mini dress with cap sleeves. She looked stunning, as usual. Of course, in her impress-Big-Daddy outfit, she looked a bit overdressed for a roller rink.

As soon as I entered, I squinted. The lobby was dim, and it took a minute for my eyes to adjust. Rock music blasted from speakers, and the closer we got to the rink itself, shouts and cheers mixed in with it. Three women raced around the rink, grunting. They all wore electric blue helmets and tops, with black, knee-length leggings, knee, elbow, and wrist pads, and, of course, roller skates.

"Roller derby?" Caleigh shouted into my ear.

I'd been so preoccupied this week, when Maya had given me the address of the roller rink, I hadn't questioned why. I assumed the girlfriend worked for the rink, not that she was on a team.

"Can I help you?" asked a voice to our left.

I turned to find a woman in the same color gear as those skating. "We're looking for Nikki Barnes," I told her.

The woman called over her shoulder. "Yo, Nikki. A couple of chicks to see ya."

Classy.

Before rolling off, she winked at me. "Love the shoes."

Caleigh's phone beeped. She withdrew it from her purse and smiled at the display.

I didn't ask.

"I'm Nikki." I looked over and once again was greeted by a stunning woman. She had pitch black hair pulled back into a low ponytail with full bangs. Deep set, light brown eyes and a smooth olive complexion. Her arms and legs, however, were almost covered in blue and yellow bruises. She held her helmet which had two, large, white stars on each side

I felt right at home with the bruising.

"Hi, I'm Jamie and this is Caleigh." I didn't bother with the full introductions, didn't think we needed them, and didn't want to hear Caleigh's Elvis rendition. "We're here about Stuart Livingston."

"Is he alright?" Panic rose in her voice.

He really was loved. Not sure why that surprised me. But I guess I had a hard time reconciling the idea of a man who was sleeping his way through the entire San Fernando Valley as the big teddy bear type.

"Can you tell us about the last time you saw him?"

"Um, let me see. We went to dinner and then back to my place." She glanced over her shoulder to her teammates.

"How did he seem?" I asked.

"Uptight about his job, and he was quiet, but that's kinda normal. He's more of a doer than a talker, if you know what I mean." She winked.

Oh, I understood.

"When did you last see him?"

"It hasn't been for a few weeks. I miss him too. He was great in bed."

"Nikki, come on," shouted one of the other girls.

"I gotta go. Are we done?" She pushed her helmet onto her head.

"Sure. Thanks," I said.

"No problem." Nikki turned and rolled toward her team.

Caleigh and I watched them for a little bit, though I had a feeling I'd gotten all I was going to out of Nikki. Her story was exactly like the first girlfriend's had been. Great in bed, quiet guy, distracted the last time she'd seen him. I was beginning to get the feeling that our very easy case might very well end in the only woman in the world unhappy to hear her husband isn't cheating.

I watched the roller girls start their practice with an exercise. First they'd roll and then fall to the floor and grunt. It was bizarre but interesting. Then they moved on to the actual roller skating part. Nikki jammed into a teammate, who almost fell but managed to stay upright.

It all made me want to come back and watch an actual event. But we were running out of time tonight. I still needed to drop Caleigh off at the agency to get her car, so she could pick up her father.

"Let's go."

We stepped out into the steady roar of L.A.'s early evening traffic.

"Well that was a bust," I said.

"Maybe it's because he's allowed to do it," Caleigh said as we reached my car.

"Come again?"

We settled into our seats. "Men cheat all the time, right? Maybe part of it is because…"

"They're cowards who can't commit or can't tell their significant others that they're not happy?" I interjected.

She chuckled. "Yes, and because it's taboo, and anything we're not supposed to do is more tempting."

I turned the car on and pulled out onto the street.

"Since Stuart's allowed to see other women, since it's almost a requirement of his wife's, maybe he's not interested."

"Maybe." Her logic was flawless, but I didn't like what that meant for us single women who still had a thing for monogamy. Were we doomed to a faithless marriage unless we agreed to an open arrangement? I mean, there had to be some traditional marriages that lasted without cheating. Right?

Too bad I didn't know of any, and my line of business surely didn't help that theory.

Caleigh's phone beeped again. She squealed.

"Good news?" I asked with a chuckle.

She looked up, her eyes lit. "After dinner with Daddy, I have a date with Curtis, the guitar player. We've been texting all day, and he's absolutely yummy and perfect."

"Good for you. But how are you going to go on a date without your fiancé with Daddy around?"

"Simple. I'll just say I'm meeting Danny at his place."

I stopped at the light and flipped on my signal. "Sounds like a plan."

After dinner, I had a date as well, with the ADA. Only he didn't know it.

*  *  *

I dropped Caleigh off at her car at the agency. She went to get Daddy, while I gathered Maya and Sam, who praised Julio and his great grades on the ride over. She was a proud mama.

Ma Belle's was homey with red and white checkered table cloths, potted plants, and hurricane lamps turned into chandeliers. We arrived and were shown to large table set for five near the back of the restaurant. The hostess said Mr. Presley had called ahead.

The waitress arrived with water served in Mason jars and a basket of homemade biscuits. I'd had a small lunch and was famished. I grabbed a biscuit and sank my teeth in. Flaky, warm, and buttery. I sighed.

I stared at the menu. Everything, well most of it, sounded heavenly. I wasn't very familiar with southern fare, other than cornbread and fried chicken. There seemed to be something for everyone—pork, chicken, beef, seafood, and even a couple of vegetarian dishes.

"Sorry we're late," Caleigh said and sat in the seat across from me. She collapsed into the chair, making it wobble a bit. Her chest rose and fell fast.

I looked up and frowned at the look of panic on her face. What could've possibly happened on the drive over to upset her? "Did you run in here?"

"Yes." She grabbed her glass of water and drank half of it in one gulp.

"Why? Where's your dad?" Maya asked.

"He's coming. I wanted to get in first to warn you." She was looking at me.

My stomach sank again. Oh God. "About what?"

Then I spotted Mr. Presley walking over…beside Danny.

What the hell?

I glared at Caleigh and lowered my voice. "What is he doing here? I thought he wasn't coming."

She shrugged. "He called to say he changed his mind. Something about you needing a bodyguard?"

Was he kidding me?

My glare must've deepened because she quickly said, "He said it jokingly, with laughter."

Right. More likely, he'd taken the opportunity to play this charade with Caleigh in front of me as a way to get back at me for stealing his bug. But it looked like I didn't have a choice but to play along. For Caleigh's sake.

Mr. Presley took the chair at the head of the table between me and Caleigh. Sam sat at the other one, and Maya next to me, which left Danny sitting beside Caleigh and me with ample view of their make-believe hand holding or, heaven forbid, kissing.

He wouldn't take it that far. Would he?

I used my menu to conceal my eye roll. Caleigh was going to owe me many cocktails for tonight.

"Ladies," Danny said, nodding toward Sam and Maya. "Jamie." He turned all 100 watts of his Lady-killer smile on me.

I shot him a death glare back.

If Mr. Presley noticed, he didn't indicate it, instead nodding his hellos all around as he and Danny took their chairs.

"You found a goldmine, Mr. Presley," said Danny, picking up his menu. "I never heard of this restaurant before."

"Please, call me Daddy. You're going to be my son-in-law after all. Part of the family."

I looked up and smiled at Danny. "Yes, you should call him Daddy," I said.

His smile faltered, but he quickly hid his expression in his menu.

The waitress arrived and we ordered. When she gathered the menus and left, Mr. Presley asked, "So tell me, son. What is it about my princess that first attracted you to her?"

Oh I couldn't wait to hear what lie he made up for this. I leaned my elbows on the table, turning my full attention Danny's way.

"The first time I ever saw her, we were on a photo shoot."

That wasn't true. He met Caleigh at the agency, after I'd hired her. He met
me
on a photo shoot. "Really?" I asked, blinking innocently. "Which one?"

"You know, I don't remember," Danny covered easily. Then he added without missing a beat, "But I do remember how gorgeous she looked. She was wearing a hot pink bikini under this gauzy wrap that almost flowed behind her like angel wings."

I coughed, quickly covering it with a sip from my water glass. He was laying it on a bit thick.

"Daddy, I told you that Danny's a photographer," Caleigh quickly jumped in.

"Yes, I remember. Do you still work with pictures?"

"Yes, sir."

That added formality made the corners of Mr. Presley's mouth upturn. "Will its income afford you to support my daughter? It doesn't sound all that stable?"

"Daddy," Caleigh giggled, cutting off any reply Danny was ready to make. "I work too."

He frowned. "For now. Once you're married, you'll want to stay with the babies. Trust me, all women do."

Sam coughed into her napkin. Caleigh kicked her under the table. I seriously needed a drink. Did this place sell moonshine?

Eventually our food arrived. I ordered the crab cake platter, which came with coleslaw, lemon, and tartar sauce. Danny and Mr. Presley both got the brisket with sides of kale and macaroni and cheese. It looked amazing, and if I wasn't still annoyed with him, I'd have taken some off his plate. Well, and if it wasn't for the little fact that I wasn't his pretend girlfriend.

Danny struggled cutting his meat with one arm in a sling. He chuckled as a chunk fell onto the tablecloth. "I thought brisket was supposed to be fork-tender."

Mr. Presley stabbed the air with his fork. "Help him, princess."

Caleigh's eye bounced from me to Danny to the offending piece of meat. "Uh, okay," she said slowly, leaning over her plate to reach her companion's. I watched as she used her knife and fork to cut his meat into bite-sized pieces.