Spying in High Heels (32 page)

I stood on my darkened porch watching him. Okay, so here's the thing: More than anything I wanted Ramirez to come up. I admit, I was seriously in lust with the man. He did things to my body with one look that I didn't even think were possible.

But then there was Richard. I had kind of told him I was on his side. And even though we were both sort of ambiguous about what that meant, I'm pretty sure it didn't include me sleeping with sexy cops. Until I decided what to do about Mr. White-Collar Criminal and my inability to get a clear result out of a pregnancy test, I somehow didn't feel right letting Ramirez spend the night. Especially after the up close and personal look I'd gotten tonight at how crazy infidelity can make people.

As my libido and my better judgment mentally duked it out, I unlocked the door to my studio. Then let out a little yelp.

Sitting on my futon in the midst of my scattered possessions was Richard.

"How did you get here?" I asked, blinking rapidly.

Richard stood up. He was once again dressed in his trademark slacks and button-down shirt. He'd shaved since I last saw him and his hair was gelled back into Ken doll position again. Actually, he looked good. Really good. Like the familiar Richard I'd fallen for in the first place.

"You gave me a key," he answered.

I shook my head. "No. I mean, aren't you in jail? Oh god. Did you break out?"

Richard smiled. "No, I didn't break out. The DA dropped the murder charges after they arrested Althea and I made bail."

I shook my head. Mr. Chesterton didn't waste any time.

I picked my way carefully over the piles of broken dishes and scattered clothing and sat down hard on my futon. Richard sat down beside me.

"What happened to your arm?" he asked, his voice genuinely filled with concern.

"Your secretary shot me."

"Oh, pumpkin, I'm so sorry." He put an arm around me. I was too tired to protest. Even when he started doing little kissing things on my cheek.

"
I
missed you so much," he whispered.

I sighed. While it would be so much easier just to hate him, I had to admit, I'd missed him a little too.

"Maddie, look, I know a lot has happened between us," Richard said, taking my hand in his. "But I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. Chesterton told me how it was you who figured Althea out. I—" He choked up, his eyes misting. "No one else believed me, but you had faith in me."

I bit my lip, refraining from pointing out that it wasn't so much faith as fear of having a felon's baby.

"Maddie, I know in the past I've done some stupid things."

Correction: colossally idiotic things.

"But I want to make it up to you. Chesterton said he thinks he may be able to get me off with just probation if I agree to testify against Althea. It could take a while for the trial, but once this is all over, I want to make it up to you. I want you to move in with me. Being apart like this has shown me just how much I need you in my life, and I don't want to be away from you again."

I held up my hands. "Wait, move in with you? This is all moving too fast."

"Too fast?" His puppy dog eyes looked up at me.

"Richard, you're married!"

"I had the divorce papers drawn up today."

Ouch. Poor Cinderella.

"Maddie, I know things have been crazy. But believe me, you're the only one for me."

I shook my head, a migraine brewing behind my eyes. "Richard, I… I need time to think about this."

His shoulders sagged, but he nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

I stood and walked him to the door, careful not to trip over my abused slingbacks, as he said goodnight and slipped out into the predawn light. I locked the door behind him, leaning against it with a sigh.

Bad Cop or Ken doll?

Richard had happily ever after stamped all over his designer slacks. Once the trial passed and the divorce went through, I could easily see a house in the suburbs in Richard's future. Ramirez, on the other hand, had instant gratification tattooed across his muscular biceps. The look in his eyes tonight promised a night that could easily top Dana's four times. But then what?

And there was another aspect to consider in all this.

I looked down at my belly. Was there really someone in there? Even if there was, was that enough reason to stay with Richard?

"Well," I asked my flat belly, "what do you think I should do?"

No answer. Damn. If I hadn't just spent the night getting shot at, I'd like to think I would have had the energy to go buy a new test then and there. I promised myself tomorrow would be The Day. Hell, I'd faced the homicidal fuzz ball, I could face one little pink line. Or two.

Firm in my resolve, I pulled out my futon and fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.

I awoke to the sounds of a school bus dropping kids off at the end of the block and my neighbor's steamy soaps from downstairs. I cracked one eye open. 3 p.m.

Yikes. I got up and took the longest shower on record, letting the scorching water sooth my over-abused muscles. I put on a denim skirt and sleeveless turtleneck sweater to cover the purple necklace gracing my skin, and added a pair of very high heels to compensate for the big ugly bandage on my arm. There wasn't much I could do about the black eye, but I gunked blue eye shadow over the other one to try to even things out.

I made a pot of strong coffee and checked my messages. The first was Tot Trots threatening to cancel my check if they didn't see a design by Thursday. Then Marco called, saying he saw me on the news last night and everyone at Fernando's was demanding details now. Mrs. Rosenblatt called and said Albert had seen a black panther in my future and I should come in for an aura cleansing soon. Dana left a hysterical message, the gist of which was that she and No Neck had decided to kiss and make up, and, in the midst of the kissing part, she'd seen me on the news, and ohmigod was I okay?

I called Dana back first, and she answered on the first ring with a breathless, "Hello?"

"Hi. It's me."

"Ohmigod! Are you okaaaaaay?!"

I held the phone away from my ear, cringing at Dana's dog-whistle pitch. "Yes, I'm fine." Relatively speaking. I quickly filled her about the Prada clue, the files on Jasmine's computer and my run-in with the Frumpty Dumpty. When I finished I could almost hear Dana vibrating with excitement on the other end.

"Ohmigod, Maddie, you totally kick butt, girl."

I couldn't help a little smile. I kinda did, didn't I?

"This is so cool," Dana continued. "You're all over the news, you know. You're like a hero now."

"Well, I don't know about that—"

"Oh, honey, don't be so modest. You single-handedly solved
two
murders."

I bit my lip, refraining from mentioning I'd actually suspected the wrong blonde. "Well, I got lucky."

"I'll say. Honey, you could have been killed."

I looked down at the bandage on my arm. Like I needed a reminder.

"Well, I wasn't. I'm fine."

"For now. But what about next time?"

"Next time?" I'm sorry, but I wasn't exactly champing at the bit to come face to face with another gun-wielding psycho. "Trust me, I'm a one-trick pony. There will be no next time."

"How can you be sure? Maddie, this is a wake-up call. Crazies are everywhere!"

I rolled my eyes at the phone. "I'm fine, Dana."

"This guy at the gym does these self-defense classes for women. We should totally sign up. He has one starting next week called Urban Combat for the Modern Woman. What do you think?"

"I think I'm hanging up now, Dana."

"Well what about carrying a gun for protection? Or pepper spray. At least think about getting some pepper spray."

I rolled my eyes so far I think I saw blond roots. "Good-bye, Dana." I hit the end button, leaving my best friend making a shopping list of deadly weapons.

Crossing my fingers that they were in a good mood, I dialed the next call-back number on my list, Tot Trots. I explained the situation and asked for an extension on the Strawberry Shortcake designs. They weren't too thrilled with one of their employees being affiliated with embezzlement and murder, but they agreed to give me until the end of July. Next I called Marco back and promised to come in for a long pedi soak and gossip session tomorrow. Then I called Mrs. Rosenblatt and promised to let her do an aura cleansing for me next week.

Then I didn't have any other calls to make except for the one I'd been dreading since I saw Richard sitting on my futon last night.

I made another cup of coffee.

I scrolled through my speed-dial numbers. Ramirez's was right next to Richard's. God I hated decisions. I closed my eyes and did a little eenie meenie minie mo. I didn't like the outcome, so I did it again. I took a deep breath and dialed.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hi, it's Maddie. Listen, do you want to meet for a drink tonight? Say, seven at Casa Maderda on Wilshire?"

I could hear the eagerness in his voice. "I can't wait."

I admit, as I hung up I was eager too. For the first time in days, I knew I had the right answer.

Chapter Twenty-one

I threw on a black silky dress with a high neckline, high hem, and low back. I put on my Gucci two-inch heels, black mascara, and fire engine red lipstick. After giving my hair a good mousse and blow-dry, I think I was looking damn sexy. Which was good. Because I needed all the confidence I could get if I was really going to do this.

I jumped in my Jeep and took the PCH up to Wilshire. The only parking spot I could find was two blocks down from the restaurant so I used the short walk to summon up my nerve. Butterflies were doing the mambo in my belly, but I told myself this was what I really wanted.

I spied him as soon as I walked in the doors. Sitting at the bar with his back to the door. I took a deep breath and held my chin up high as I made my way toward him.

He must have sensed my presence because he turned around just as I approached. His face broke into a slow grin as he took in my outfit. I had the briefest moment of doubt at his appreciative stare, but it was all washed away as he leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek with a, "You look gorgeous, pumpkin."

Pumpkin. Ugh. I forced a smile back. "Hi, Richard."

"Can I order you a drink?" he asked as I slid onto the stool beside him.

"Uh…" I looked down at Richard's scotch and soda. "Just a Diet Coke, thanks."

He signaled the waiter, who quickly deposited the cool drink in front of me. I took a long sip, hoping to settle the overactive butterflies.

"Maddie, I'm so glad you called," he said, taking my hand in his.

I took a deep breath. "Listen, Richard, I've thought about what you said last night."

"You have? I'm really glad to hear that. Because while I was in prison I had a lot of time to think about us and—"

"Richard, it's over."

He looked up. "What?"

"Us. It's over." I let out a long breath. Wow, it felt good to say that.

"But, I…" Richard trailed off, his eyes pleading with me. "I thought we had a good thing, pumpkin. What happened?"

I snorted. "What happened? You lied to me about everything, Richard."

"But I thought you understood why." His perfectly waxed eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"I understand that when things got rough, you lied, cheated, stole and then ran off. You're weak, Richard. And I'm way too strong to be sucked down by a guy like you. I can hold my own, but I can't hold us both up. I'm sorry."

I downed the rest of my Diet Coke in one gulp as Richard sputtered beside me. I took his bewildered face in both my hands and deposited a quick kiss on his cheek. "Good luck, Richard. I hope you don't go back to prison."

With that, I collected my purse and walked as quickly as I could through the restaurant and out the front door. I knew he was watching as I left, but I didn't even feel his eyes on me. All I felt was an enormous sense of freedom.

As soon as I got out the door I flipped my cell phone open and hit the speed dial. Ramirez answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"What are you doing tonight?" I asked.

He paused. "Why?"

I grinned from ear to ear. " 'Cause I'd like to cash in that rain check."

I felt him smile through the phone and could almost see that sexy dimple denting his cheek. "I'll clear my schedule."

Heat wrapped around my spine, clear down to my panties, which were so
not
grannies tonight. "There's one thing I have to do first. Meet me at my place in half an hour?"

"I'll be there."

I almost ran the rest of the way back to my Jeep. I hopped back on the PCH, pulling off at Pico for a quick duck into Rite Aid before heading home. I bought a new EPT. And this time I made sure it had a splashguard
and
an expiration date that was eighteen months into the future. I was determined to conquer the test this time.

As soon as I got home I took it into the bathroom, carefully leaving my Diet Coke in the kitchen this time. Then I sat down on my futon, trying not to look at the clock as I waited out the three minutes. You'd think I would be a pro at this by now, but it was honestly the longest three minutes of my life. I chewed on a stubby nail. Rearranged my drawing pencils. Paced back and forth the four steps from one end of my living room to the next about fifteen times.

Then I heard a knock at the door. I looked up at the clock. Two minutes fifty-five seconds.

"Just a second," I called. I closed my eyes. I counted to five. Then looked down at the readout.

One line. Negative.

I let out a long breath, feeling something like a mix of disappointment and felief. Okay, maybe just a little higher on the relief side. I glanced down at my belly. Maybe someday. But tonight I had other plans…

I quickly threw the test in the wastebasket under the sink and opened the door.

Ramirez leaned against the doorframe, dressed in his usual black T-shirt and worn jeans. The panther flirted with me from beneath the hem of his sleeve and his dark eyes swept me from head to toe.