Shattered Dreams (27 page)

Beg?

What did he take her for? Stupid?
Yeah, stupid
.

He’d actually used those words. “Look who’s the stupid one now! Look who’s getting away with murder!”

Still, she hadn’t wanted to kill Carl. She’d loved him for too long to want him dead. So she’d tried to give him one last chance.

“Keep to the plans, darling, and it will all be yours.”

He’d only laughed harder and had pushed her away, jeering, “It already is, you bitch. I don’t need you. I’ve been formulating a new plan. I’m outta here.”

She couldn’t let him get away with humiliating her again.

When she’d felt the drugs in her pocket, it hit her. She’d offered him a provocative smile while reaching for him, knowing he’d never turn down sex.

“Since this is it,” she’d murmured, rubbing her hand over his now bulging erection. “How about a quickie for old times’ sake.”

Like a multitude of other times, their mating had been hot, fast, and thoroughly satisfying.

She sighed, almost wishing she hadn’t had to kill such a great lover.

Drugging him had been as easy as placing the tasteless powder in a glass of bourbon. Her victory must have shown in her face when he met her eyes after drinking half the contents of his glass.

“What’d you do?” he’d asked with a wary expression.

“You obviously think I’m as stupid as your wife,” she’d hissed, unable to stop her face from showing the hatred she’d felt at that moment. “Since you were going to cut me out, I’ve also changed plans. What I need is a body.”

“Then we should kill Claire, and I’ll come forward. Make it look like someone has it out for both of us. It’s perfect.”

She’d laughed at his attempts to appease her. He’d really believed he could talk her out of it. Killing such a bastard had actually offered some gratification.

“Too late. The original plan was better,” she’d said. “With you dead and Claire as the killer, I can gain control of everything.”

“Without me, you don’t have a prayer.” His voice thickened as awareness that he’d been drugged set in. His look changed to horror. “You’ll never get away with it.”

“Oh? I disagree. Without you, I’ll have a hundred percent and no asshole telling me what to do, while screwing me literally as well as figuratively.” She’d watched him struggle, feeling powerful.

“Such a waste,” she said under her breath as her thoughts returned to more pressing problems.

Though things had gone as planned so far, she hadn’t taken into account Jason Roberts and his involvement.

In a burst of anger, she swiped her hand across the table with force, knocking several piles of papers on the floor. Bending over to pick them up only made her angrier as she straightened and slapped the piles back in place.

What was it about Claire that drew men like flies? The guy should be running in the opposite direction.

“I’ll have to take care of that,” she said softly as her pacing increased.

Chapter 36

Jason stretched and glanced at the clock on the wall of the interview room. Two hours had passed since they’d sat down. His gaze moved to Claire. She looked frazzled and worn out. All color had left her face a while ago.

“That about wraps it up for now.” Snyder turned off the tape recorder and rose from the table. “I may need to talk again once my investigation gets under way. I appreciate your cooperation.”

“Come on.” Jason stood and grabbed her hands. “You’re freezing.” He rubbed her icy fingers to add some of his warmth.

“I’m okay,” she said, pulling out of his grasp while hugging herself, as if warding off the cold. “I just want to go home.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist. Again, he was reminded of how fragile she seemed as she leaned into him.

Keeping a light hand at the small of her back, he gently guided her through the door, feeling the tension in her body. Her stiff posture and tight expression as they walked toward his Mercedes worried him. She looked ready to come apart at the seams.

“Relax. It’s over for now.”

“He thinks I did it.”

Jason barely heard her whispered words.

“You’re a lead, Claire.” He sighed. “We expected that. So don’t go reading anything into the interview. We’ll get through this.”

He opened the car, waiting until she was seated before he rushed around to the other side and slid into the driver’s seat. In minutes, he turned onto the main highway, heading north.

“You shouldn’t be alone tonight.” When she didn’t argue, he added, “I’ll drive to my place, pick up some clothes and things. Then we’ll spend the night at your house.”

When they pulled up to his house, Jason left Claire in the car, and once inside, pulled out his cell phone and punched in Jimbo’s number.

“What’s up?” the investigator said.

“Find anything yet?”

“Give me a little time, would you?”

“I’m worried. We don’t have a lot of time. Someone’s setting Claire up, and I need to find out who and why before Snyder decides he’s got enough circumstantial evidence to arrest her. Motive’s a little weak, but if an overzealous DA gets a hold of this, he could have a field day.”

“Takes time to sift through a person’s shit, especially Carter’s.”

“What have you got so far?”

“Not much. I’m workin’ on several angles. One of his bookies I talked to wasn’t exactly pleased with Carter. But bookies generally don’t kill people who owe them. Maim maybe, but not kill. Checked out some of those nubile young things’ numbers, but those were mostly one-night stands. All had the same comment. He was good at sex, but little else.”

“There’s got to be something we’re missing.”

“It’s well hidden. He’s no angel and his past is full of tawdry people, but none with a motive to kill. Nothing makes sense so far.”

“It makes sense to someone. Someone hated him enough to stab him and dump his body, pointing fingers at Claire. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble.” Jason paused. “What about Crystal?”

“What about her?”

“Have you looked into her? Cleared her?”

“No. And I’m not going to.”

“Why? She’s got as much motive and opportunity as Claire.” He raked a hand through his hair and started pacing. “She hated Carter. Maybe she hates Claire too. They’ve been estranged.”

“It’s not Crystal,” Jimbo stated in a much firmer voice.

“You’re quick to defend her all of a sudden. Surprising, given how last week you were so dead set against her.” Jason grabbed an overnight bag.

“A mistake I won’t be making again.” Jimbo’s voice drawled in his ear while Jason packed one-handed, filling the bag with toiletries and other needed items. “And she doesn’t hate Claire. The two were thick as thieves on Saturday morning when she called.”

“What if she planned this whole thing? Manipulated us into thinking what she wanted us to think. Throw us off guard.”

“You aren’t going to let it go, are you, Roberts?” Jimbo sighed heavily. There was a pause. “Here’s what I’ll do. Give me time of death, plus a few other details about the case, and I’ll find evidence proving neither one did it. Okay?”

Jason smiled. “You’re on. Just don’t take too long.”

Chapter 37

When they reached Claire’s place, she watched Jason hurry out of the car to open her door, taking extra time helping her out. She didn’t want to think about how much she needed his calm, silent strength. Simply knowing he was beside her added to her sense of well-being.

“Why don’t you lie down?” he suggested, propelling them both inside after she’d unlocked her front door. “I’ll fix dinner.”

“Okay, if you insist.”

The idea sounded too good to ignore. She strode purposefully for her bedroom, kicking off her shoes along the way to her bed, and Jason followed. At the double-door entrance, he dropped his bag and took a long look around.

“Feminine. Nice.”

Claire glanced about. The pale blue damask and white lace did look feminine. She offered a wan smile and a slight shrug. “I never thought about it before. I guess it is a bit girlish.”

“Not girlish. Feminine,” he murmured as he came up behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest and heaved a weary exhale.

“Female and all woman.” Slowly, he turned her in his arms. “Just like you. A woman I can’t seem to get enough of,” he whispered, right before his lips found hers.

Enjoying his kiss, she let the warmth his mouth generated flow through her body. For too long she’d felt cold; now all she felt was Jason. Claire’s eyelids closed. Instinctively, she stepped closer, drawn by his heat.

When he broke the kiss and started to pull away, her grip tightened.

He indicated the bed with a nod. “You should rest.”

“Don’t leave me yet.” She met his questioning gaze with an inviting smile, patting the bed. “Lie with me for a few minutes. Please?”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Sure. For a few minutes.” Then, sitting on the bed, he yanked off his shoes and tugged her next to him. His head hit the pillows he fluffed as he drew her near, keeping her in the circle of his arms.

Claire sighed and relaxed more fully as his soothing hands caressed her arms, adding to her sense of calm. Of its own volition, her hand went to his stomach, and she let it slide up and down his chest, feeling lean muscles bunching under her fingers. At the same time, she caught sight of his noticeable erection forming.

“Sorry,” he said into her neck. “I get within a foot of you and I can’t help myself.”

“It’s okay.” She smiled and moved closer. “I like knowing I affect you like that.” She waited a heartbeat and added, “Wanna fool around?”

He chuckled. “Go to sleep. You’ve had a shock and you’re not thinking clearly. No way I’m going to take advantage of you like that.”

She’d definitely had a shock learning about Carl’s death. What’s more, she couldn’t rid herself of the suspicion that the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office thought she’d killed him. She didn’t want to think about any of that. Her morbid thoughts had already run their course. She couldn’t change things.

In an effort to forget, she nuzzled closer, stroking Jason.

He captured her wandering hand and gripped her wrist. “Claire?”

She opened her eyes. “What,” she asked, peering into glistening blue eyes that said it all.

“We’re not making love tonight. Is that clear?”

She nodded and closed her eyes.
Later
. She’d have to attack him later.

• • •

A ringing in the background cut through Claire’s consciousness, pulling her out of a sound sleep. She felt Jason stir next to her, and a rush of tenderness filled her. Then she grabbed the annoying phone.

“Hello?”

“That you, Claire?”

“Were you expecting someone else?” Claire asked, recognizing Crystal’s voice.

“Don’t be cocky. That’s my job.”

“I’m changing. Becoming more like you.” She smiled into the phone at her sister’s snort. “What’s up?” She turned and met Jason’s raised eyebrows and reality set in.

“I just heard about Carl.”

“Oh.”

Claire sat upright, leaning against the headboard as she sobered. In a flash, she remembered Carl, could picture his dead body lying on a morgue slab in Key Largo. Taking a nap with Jason so close had kept the horrible memory away.

“Yes.” Claire sighed. “He’s dead.”

“I’m worried. Want some company?”

“No. Jason’s fixing me dinner and spending the night.”

“Okay, so tonight’s covered. What about tomorrow?”

“What about it?”

“I’ll stop by the office tomorrow. You shouldn’t be alone.”

“Sure,” she murmured, wondering why Crystal was so concerned all of a sudden.

Gwen’s warning came back to her, and niggling questions formed. She wasn’t used to her twin’s attention. Feeling a tad paranoid, she pushed the negative thoughts from her mind and hung up the phone after exchanging good-byes. It immediately rang again.

“Hello.”

“Claire? It’s me, Amy. I heard about Carl.” She paused for several seconds before adding, “I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks, Amy.” A smile touched her face at the worry in her assistant’s voice. She took in a deep breath. “I really appreciate your concern. How’d you find out?”

“It was on the news. It sounded horrible. I mean, what happened to him?”

“The news?”

“Uh-huh. Big story at six o’clock. They’ll probably show it again at eleven.” She cleared her throat. “Do they have any idea who could’ve done such a thing?”

“No.” Claire sighed. “They’re investigating that now.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m just gonna grab some dinner and go to bed.”

“If you need anything, anything at all, you call me. You hear?”

“Okay. I’m really glad you’re there. It helps to know you care.”

Claire placed the phone in its cradle and glanced at Jason as he stood up and headed for her kitchen.

“I’m hungry,” he said over his shoulder. “Let’s see what we can dig up.”

She followed, very happy she wasn’t alone. As long as Jason was here, she wouldn’t have to think about why someone would kill Carl.

Jason’s presence didn’t disappoint. He entertained while he foraged in her kitchen, searching for pans and compiling ingredients. He cooked the same way he sailed, like he loved it. And the scents wafting from her kitchen less than an hour later had her mouth watering.

They ate a gourmet meal of chicken, sautéed vegetables, and wild rice, and neither of them mentioned anything about Carl or what had happened to him.

That night she slept soundly, nestled snugly in Jason’s arms.

Chapter 38

The next day sped by in fast-forward for Claire, one in which she felt as if she were living a dream, nightmarish in quality.

The office was quiet except for the hushed whispers of those around her; at least, until she got to within listening distance. Then there was complete silence.

Did they think she had something to do with Carl’s murder? Of course they did, she thought when she walked into the conference room and the same thing happened again.