Murder in the River City (17 page)

Though she had mixed feelings, she wasn’t going to back out now. “I’m okay.”

“Melanie is five foot seven, with blond hair and brown eyes. She’ll knock on your door and ask if she can borrow milk. If you can’t talk, tell her you don’t have any. If all is well, invite her in.”

Agent Hooper continued. “Just be yourself. Austin Davis knows everything about you—you were friends. He knows about Jason Butler, he knows you’re long-time family friends with Sam Garcia, who put Butler in prison, and he knows you’re worried about the robbery at your grandfather’s bar. Respond like you would if you were on a real date with him.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay. I can do that.”

She hung up and Sam approached with her brother Mike. “Thanks for coming, Mike,” she said. “Dooley thought you had to work.”

“I got another doctor to switch days with me. Means I’ll have a thirty-six hour shift next weekend, but this was important.”

She spontaneously gave her brother a hug. Mike frowned. “What’s that for?”

“Just thankful for my family.”

Mike felt her forehead. “Are you okay?”

She hit his hand away and he laughed. She glanced at Sam, who was watching her very closely. Had he told Mike? She blushed, remembering last night. Of course he hadn’t told her brother. Mike would find out, but Sam wouldn’t just go up to him at a funeral and say
I had sex with your sister.

Mike eyed her again quizzically, then Sam said, “Detective Black just came in. Maybe he has some good news.” He kissed Shauna on the cheek, whispered, “I love you,” then walked across the bar floor.

Mike narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on?” he said.

Did he suspect she was involved with Sam? Or that she was playing spy for the FBI?

“You can’t lie to me, Shauna. Tell me the truth. Now.”

Mike would have a fit if he thought she was in danger, and even though she trusted the FBI to be prepared, they had warned her to tell no one. Even family.

“Is this about Jason Butler being back in town? Is Sam giving you a hard time?”

“What do you know about that?”

“Dad told me he offered you a job. Sam wasn’t happy.”

“Sam and I have an agreement.”

“I doubt that.”

“I haven’t decided what to do about the job. I can’t think about it today.”

Mike sat next to her and stared at her intently. “Shauna, I know you better than anyone.”

“Don’t pull big brother on me.”

He didn’t say anything. He wasn’t going to let this go. Then he’d go to Sam, and Sam would obfuscate, and he’d know something was up.

A version of the truth was going to have to work.

“I’m going to the charity ball with Austin tonight.”

“What the hell for?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Fuck that!”

She widened her eyes. Mike never swore. “Just as friends, it’s important to him, a charity thing—”

He cut her off. “I don’t like him. I never did, and I think you’re making a big mistake.”

“It’s nothing.”

“You need to break it off cold turkey, Shauna.”

“I did!”

“Did
not
. You broke it off, but had with coffee with him on Monday? Dooley and I always thought he was much too possessive of you, like after a couple dates he could order you around. And don’t say it’s because I’m your brother and no man is good enough in my eyes. I actually liked Jason, until I found out he was a criminal.”

She wanted to tell Mike the truth, but kept her mouth shut on that, saying instead, “Jason and I are still friends.”

“You need to make it clear to Austin Davis that after tonight, he can’t expect you to drop everything to be his escort. I’d rather you go out with … with … Jason!”

“Sam wouldn’t like that,” she mumbled before she realized she was talking out loud.

“Since when do you let Sam decide who you date or not—oh, God, no.”

“What’s wrong?”

Mike blushed this time. The curse of fair Irish skin. “You—and Sam?”

“You can’t tell me you haven’t seen this coming.”

Mike didn’t say anything.

“Mike, don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad. It’s just—” He blushed crimson. “Oh, God, I can’t think about it. It’s too weird.”

“You can think it’s weird.”

“Then why are you going to the charity thing with Austin?”

“Because I agreed before Sam and I sl—” She bit her tongue. “Before we, um, realized we are both unattached at the same time.”

“I really don’t want to hear it.” Mike put his hands on her shoulders. “Be careful, Shauna. If you need me for anything, call me. I’d drop anything for you. You know that.”

She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Don’t tell Brian or Skip, but you’re my favorite brother.”

He rolled his eyes. “You say that to all of us.”

#

Sam was excited about a forensics report he’d just received, and he and John stood in a far corner, away from the crowd coming in after Mack’s funeral.

“Simone is a genius,” he said. “I have confirmation that the mirrored glass found at the Callie Wood crime scene came from this bar. In addition, there was trace blood evidence on Wood’s body—Simone determined it was transferred from the killer to Wood when he strangled her.”

“He wore the same gloves?” John asked.

“That’s my guess. This is solid evidence connecting the two murders. Now, even better, I have a positive ID on the man who bought beer Saturday night and brought it to Duncan’s house. Going off the information Shauna learned when she was snooping in his apartment, I had Riley Knight pull pictures of everyone who works at Coresco & Hunt, everyone we know about, and show them to the proprietor.” Sam handed John a picture. “It was a long shot, but this is the guy who bought the beer. Matches the description of the guy who attacked Shauna.”

The picture was of a guy in his late twenties with blond hair and light eyes.

“Who’s that?” John asked.

“Pete Coresco.”

“He’s young to be a lead attorney.”

“He’s George Coresco’s son. Kid had been in and out of trouble, no jail time. I called Hooper, and Hooper has been looking at him closely because he’s considered a wild card. He has a temper, and may be responsible for several unsolved murders in Reno that involved the law firm. Get this: Pete and Joey went to high school together, here in Sacramento.”

“Another connection.”

“Bingo. Hooper’s working double time putting together a case, and he thinks Pete won’t kill Joey unless he’s forced into it. If we can get to Joey, we may have someone who knows far more than he thinks. Slight change in plans. If we ID Joey, we’re pulling him as quickly and quietly as possible.”

John nodded. “The case is coming together. And Hooper sent me a file today on Missy Polk. She’s on the FBI watch list because of some of her associates.”

Sam pulled out his phone and sent Hooper a message. “Maybe there’s a connection between Pete Coresco and Mack’s daughter.”

“If Mack wanted to get back into the good graces of his daughter, maybe he agreed to do something for her or Coresco.”

“That exactly what I was thinking.”

“The FBI will probably hold off on questioning her, to avoid any leaks to Coresco or Davis.”

Sam’s gaze wandered over to where Shauna and Mike were deep in conversation.

John said quietly, “We’re going to hear everything. Hooper got the warrants this morning. Both Shauna and Butler will be wearing a wire. Nothing is going to happen to her.”

There were pros and cons to a wire, but the big danger was if they were caught. And if Davis was smart, he wouldn’t say anything incriminating or let on that he knows. Then, after the event, kill them both. And maybe not right away. Shauna might be in danger for a lot longer than these few hours.

Sam wondered what she’d think if he moved in with her.

“Sam?”

“Just thinking of everything that could go wrong.”

#

Minutes after Shauna walked into her house, the dress was delivered. She called Austin as soon as she opened the box.

“I can’t wear this,” she said when he answered.

He asked solemnly, “You don’t like it? Green’s your favorite color. It’s your size.”

“I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s too much, Austin. Remember, we’re
friends
. That’s it. I’m—I’m—” She could hardly breathe as she stared at the full-length gown.

He laughed. “This is why I love you, Shauna. You don’t expect anything. Which makes me want to give you more.”

She froze. He didn’t mean he loved her, not
love,
love. More love her like a friend.

“Austin,” she whispered, “I don’t think I should go tonight.”

“I’ll be there at five-thirty. I have a limo for the evening. Go on. Get ready. I can’t wait to see you in the dress.”

He hung up. She stared at the phone and realized she was shaking.

Her doorbell rang and she dropped the phone. She was so not cut out to be a spy. She retrieved the phone, put it on its charger, and went downstairs.

“Hi, Shauna, it’s Melanie from across the street. I was hoping you had a cup of milk for a recipe?”

She opened the door and said, “Come in,” in a monotone. She closed the door and locked it. “He’s crazy.”

“Are you okay?” Melanie asked.

She motioned for Melanie to follow her upstairs, then pointed to the dress she had hung on the back of her closet door.

“Oh. Wow.”

Shauna stared at the emerald green ball gown. Strapless. Fitted bodice with exquisite beading. The skirt flowed with raindrops of beads. When it moved, they shimmered slightly. He’d also sent Cinderella shoes—clear and light, they almost looked invisible.

“I made a mistake. I don’t think I can do this.”

“You’re shaking. I’ll call Agent Hooper. We’ll figure out something.”

She shook her head. “No, no, I’m okay. Really. Nerves. Mack deserves justice, and I want Austin in jail if he had anything to do with it. Let’s just get this over with. Wait.” She went downstairs and wasn’t surprised when Melanie followed her. She probably thought she was going to run away.

Instead, she went to her dining room and rummaged through a cabinet until she found an unopened bottle of Brennan’s Irish Whiskey. She poured a double shot and downed it. It burned, but the taste reminded her of family and the alcohol calmed her nerves.

“Okay,” she said. “Do you want one?”

“I’m working,” Melanie smiled. “But I’ll take a rain check.”

“You got it. Besides, I want to know everything about what you do and how it feels to carry a gun all the time and interrogate bad guys.”

“You want to make a career change?”

“Oh, no,” she said, “I’m just curious. Believe me, after tonight, I’m done with playing cops and robbers.”

Shauna was very happy she had someone to keep her company while she put on makeup and did her hair. Because of her unruly mess of curls, she took the time to pin sections up, off her neck, which had the added benefit of keeping her cool. She found herself talking too much, but Melanie had a great laugh and was smart to boot. She also loved Shauna’s house and saw the potential, which made her tops in Shauna’s book.

“We need to figure out the best place to put the listening device. It’s not large, but if we put it too close to your skin, your perspiration may interfere with the transmission.”

“How small?” she asked.

Melanie took a box out of her purse. She removed a round object smaller than a cell phone battery.

“That records?”

“No, it’s just a transmitter. It has a battery life of up to eight hours and transmits to a secure channel that ASAC Hooper will be monitoring and recording. We can hear you; you can’t hear us.”

“Okay, I get it. I have an idea.” Shauna went to her jewelry box and retrieved a green and gold Celtic knot cloisonné hair comb. “This was my mother’s. She always wore combs like this—she had the same curls I do.”

“Perfect—there are two small hooks. If you have a couple bobby pins, I can secure it between your hair and the comb.”

Shauna let Melanie attach the piece. “How will I know it’s working?”

“We turn it on from our end. I’ll test it before I go.” She looked at her watch. “I should be leaving in fifteen minutes. I’d rather Davis didn’t see me here.”

“Can you just zip up my dress?”

Melanie helped her into the dress. “I can’t believe he bought something that fits you so perfectly, without you even trying it on. You’re stunning.”

Shauna didn’t like that Austin knew her size and build so well. “Let’s test the transmitter-thing,” she said.

Melanie went through the steps, gave her the thumbs up, then packed up the equipment. “You’re going to do great,” she said.

A sound downstairs made Shauna jump.

“Stay here,” Melanie said.

Shauna nodded. Melanie went downstairs, hand on the butt of her gun. A minute later, she heard voices, then Melanie came back upstairs. She was angry.

“Your boyfriend broke into your house,” she said.

Sam stepped into her bedroom and stared at Shauna. “Wow.”

Melanie said, “You were ordered to stay clear.”

“I snuck in through the back. I just want five minutes.”

Melanie looked at her watch. “We need to be out of here in four. I’ll be downstairs, Shauna.”

“I had to see you,” Sam said after Melanie walked out. He took her hands and kissed her lightly. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Careful what you say. They might be listening.” Shauna pointed to her comb.

“The Feds get all the fun toys.”

“I’m glad you came by. It’s been a strange day.”

He kissed her again. “Did you say anything to Mike about us?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry. But he knew something was up, and he kept asking questions and I had to say
something
. He called it weird and said he didn’t want any details. But he wasn’t upset or anything. At least he thinks I was nervous because of us, not because of all these lies I’m now party to.”

Sam laughed. “Now it all makes sense.”

“What?”

“After you left the bar, he came up to me and said you were now my responsibility and if I screwed up, he’d send Brian to hunt me down.”

“Mike’s the pacifist. Brian has always been the enforcer.” Then she narrowed her eyes. “I’m not your responsibility. I’m my own responsibility. I’m almost twenty-eight now, hardly a little kid getting into trouble and needing my big brothers—or my boyfriend—to bail me out.”