The Lake House Secret, A Romantic Suspense Novel (A Jenessa Jones Mystery) (28 page)

“You know, Jake still talks about our afternoon together at the fair.”

“He does?” That pleased her. He was a sweet little boy.

“He wanted me to tell you that we like you a bunch.”

“A bunch?” She slipped her arms around him and couldn’t help but smile broadly.

“A bunch.” Michael grinned. He lowered his face to hers and kissed her softly. “Both of us.” He kissed her again. “But mostly me.” He kissed her again, longer and more deeply than before, and she didn’t want him to stop.

When he released her, her head was dizzy. “Would you like to stay?”

“Of course I’d like to, but I can’t. Remember, my mom’s watching Jake. I told her I wouldn’t be gone long, and it’s getting late.” He took Jenessa’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I’ve gotta go.”

He walked to the front door, leaving her standing in the foyer, at the foot of the staircase, holding onto the balustrade.

“We’ll talk tomorrow, I’m sure.” Jenessa was anxious to know what Tony Hamilton would tell the detectives. “And don’t forget our date Friday night.”

He had opened the front door, but he returned to her with long strides and pulled her up in his arms again. He kissed her slow and long. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me from it,” he whispered in her ear.

His warm breath on her skin and his deliciously sensuous kiss left her lightheaded, and she grabbed hold of the banister, dropping down onto one of the steps as he went out the door with a wave.

~*~

Jenessa got up the next morning and called the Herald to bring her boss up to speed on her story.

“Mr. McAllister has stepped out,” Alice said. “May I take a message?”

“This is Jenessa, Alice.”

“And your phone number, Jenessa Alice?”

“No, my name is Jenessa. Your name is Alice.”

“But you just said—”

“Never mind. I’ll call his cell phone.” Jenessa chuckled to herself as she tapped Charles’s number into her phone.

“Hello, this is Charles McAllister.”

“Hey, this is Jenessa. Just checking in.”

“Don’t forget you’ve got a couple of obits due this afternoon and you still need to reschedule the high school principal.”

“I know, I know,” she moaned. “I thought you’d like an update on the
big
story.”

“Sure, but I’m having breakfast at the moment.”

“At The Sweet Spot?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. How’d you know?”

“A lucky guess. I’m headed down myself to pick up a coffee. How about I meet you there and we can talk?”

There was a pause on the line. Was Charles with someone?

“I guess that’d be okay,” he finally answered.

“See you in a few, boss. Oh, and say hello to Ramey for me.”

~*~

Jenessa pulled her sweet little Mercedes into a diagonal parking space outside of The Sweet Spot. She slid out from behind the wheel, stepped onto the sidewalk, and glanced back at the sparkling blue sports car. What a step up from that worn-out Toyota she had been driving. She had her dad to thank for that.

The thought of her father and his possible involvement in Lucy’s murder deflated the lighthearted step the beautiful car had given her. She tried to brush the uncomfortable feeling off as she reached for the coffee shop’s door.

Sara was on her way out as Jenessa swung the door open.

“Good morning, Sara.”

“Morning. I’ve got to get to the bank. Ramey’s inside, making googley eyes with your boss.”

Jenessa covered a giggle with her fingers. “Well, I’m happy for her.”

“Me too. I just wish they’d take the show somewhere more private. You know the whole town will be talking about them by dinnertime.”

“I’m sure they will.” Jenessa considered telling Sara what she was uncovering about their father, but what would be the point? It was too early to accurately assess his involvement in Lucy’s death. No need to weigh her or Aunt Renee down with the worry of it too. Jenessa would carry the burden of it alone, for now.

“Got to run.” Sara hurried down the street.

By the time Jenessa stepped inside, Ramey was clearing the plates at Charles’s table.

“There’s my prize reporter,” Charles said.

“Hey, Jenessa,” Ramey greeted. “Nice morning, isn’t it?”

Ramey’s bright spirit was endearing and contagious. How could Jenessa have thought for one second that Ramey might have killed her mother?

“Can I get a small mocha cappuccino with a double spritz of whip cream on top?”

Ramey’s mouth turned down. “Oh dear, a double spritz day. That can’t be good.”

“I’m hoping it’ll turn around,” Jenessa replied, trying to work up a smile. “We’ll see.”

“Have a seat with Charles and I’ll bring it right out, poor thing.” Ramey disappeared behind the counter.

“Morning, boss.” Jenessa took a seat beside him.

“What do you have for me?”

Jenessa surveyed the café, dotted with townspeople enjoying their coffee and chatting away. “After Ramey brings my coffee, I think we’d better step outside to talk.”

“Why?”

That was a silly question. What was Ramey doing to this man’s brain? Jenessa leaned closer to him. “As if you haven’t noticed, some people in this town have big ears and loose lips.”

Charles looked around the place. “You may be right.”

Chapter 40

Through the bustling coffee shop, Ramey brought Jenessa’s drink to the table.

Jenessa stood and hugged her friend good-bye. “Thanks, Ramey.”

Charles began to reach out to give Ramey a hug as well, but her gaze flashed around the crowded café and she pulled back a little, sticking her hand out instead. He took it and gently shook it. “Breakfast was great. I hope we can do it again sometime.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged. I have some pull with the owner.”

Ramey’s face was beaming as Jenessa and Charles went out the door and stopped at the sidewalk.

“What do you have?” he asked.

“You already know I spoke to Logan in the jail and did my story on the arraignment, but what you don’t know is that another piece of evidence has been found.”

“What else?”

Jenessa glanced at the large windows of The Sweet Spot and saw many eyes on them. She turned her back to the storefront and continued. “What I’m telling you is not for publication—at least not yet. I have a contact in the police department, but I’ve promised this person I won’t print any of the confidential details until I get the go ahead.”

“Who is your contact?” he asked.

“I can’t say.”

“Not even to me?”

“Sorry, Charlie.”

“It’s Charles,” he said gruffly. “So tell me, what is the latest?”

“Some hairs were found with the remains and the State lab has matched it to Logan Alexander. That was one of the reasons they arrested him. But you know DNA results, they really only show the likelihood that it’s a match.”

“True, but they must think it was close enough to arrest him.”

“They did. They were also able to get a search warrant for the Alexanders’ lake house, and they discovered blood in some of the floor boards. Detective Provenza sent a piece of the floor to the lab to make sure that it’s Lucy St. John’s.”

“You can write about that, can’t you?”

“Yes, and I am, but now another piece of evidence has turned up and the cops are trying to match the DNA from that to see who it belonged to.”

“Any suspects?”

“Maybe, but they haven’t made any definite findings yet.” Jenessa couldn’t bring herself to tell him it was probably her own father’s. “However, they have located Lucy St. John’s last known boyfriend and Detectives Provenza and Baxter will be questioning him later today. I’m headed over there to see what I can find out.”

“Sounds like you’ve got things pretty well under control. Just get something to me by six o’clock today that I can run in tomorrow’s paper. People want to know what’s happening, so they’re tuning into the television news. The newspaper’s only advantage is that we can go more in-depth, so make sure you do that.”

“I know, I know, Charles. I’ve been in this business long enough to get that. You really should think about having a website for the paper, though.”

“I’ve proposed that to Grey Alexander on more than one occasion, but he continues to turn me down. Speaking of Mr. Alexander, how is he handling his son being arrested?”

“Not well. I’ve had a couple of run-ins with him, not including the one at your office.”

“Best if you steer clear of him, if you can. That man can make a lot of trouble for you—me too.”

~*~

Jenessa stopped by the police station to see if there was any word yet on Tony Hamilton.

“We’re expecting him by ten,” Detective Provenza said as they stood in the reception area. “You want to stick around and get a peek at him or something?”

“Actually, I was hoping I could watch the interview from the observation room.”

“You sure like to push it, don’t you?” He glowered at her. “You know I can’t do that.”

Michael approached. “Good morning,” he said, directing his words to Jenessa.

She returned his greeting with a smile.

“Like I said, Miss Jones,” Provenza began, “I can’t let you anywhere near Hamilton and the interrogation.” He leaned closer to her and dropped his volume. “I’ll give you a call later and let you know if there’s anything you can use in your articles.”

She nodded. Maybe then she could weasel other information out of him, as well. “And what about the recording?”

“What recording?” Michael asked.

George’s gaze flew to Michael for a second, then back to Jenessa. He stuck his hand out. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Jenessa dug the micro-recorder out of her purse and put it firmly in his hand, avoiding Michael’s probing stare. “I got the words
sorry
and
dragged
. So if she can get anything else, it might be helpful to the case.”

Michael must have understood what was transpiring. He took a step closer. “We can’t use that,” he said in a muffled tone.

Jenessa looked him in the eye. “Maybe not in court, but it might have something useful on it.”

“George,” Michael said, “this isn’t really the way you do things around here, is it?”

“Not usually,” he replied. “Normally we don’t have a pretty reporter helping us out.”

“I mean according to the law.”

“Cool your jets, son. We’re not breaking any laws,” George responded, “just bending a few. I’ll be retiring before long and I want to go out on a high note—you know, catch the SOB that killed that poor woman.”

“That’s what I want too, Michael.” Jenessa had to be careful how she handled her contacts within the police department—she needed their help if she was going to write in-depth pieces on the big news stories. She had made inroads with George Provenza, and hopefully Michael would become as helpful as his mentor. “Not to change the subject boys, but what’s happening with the cufflink I gave you, Michael?”

“It’s already on its way to the State lab in Sacramento. They promised to let me know as soon as they have something.”

“Tough break,” Provenza said. “Michael gave me the low down on it being your dad’s.”

Jenessa offered him weak smile. “No matter what, follow the evidence wherever it takes you. Isn’t that right?”
Even if it exposes your own father.

The main doors to the station opened and the chatter of voices drew their attention as a couple of men in tan uniforms entered, ushering in a scruffy, middle-aged convict. He was dressed in the usual prison orange, tall with a thin build and long stringy brown hair that was in desperate need of a wash. It had to be Tony Hamilton, escorted by deputies from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department.

Once they got inside, out of the heat, George rushed over to them. “I’m Detective Provenza. We spoke on the phone this morning. Let’s bring your prisoner back to my office and we’ll take care of things there.”

The deputies nodded their agreement.

“Miss Jones, I’ll phone you when I have something for you.” Provenza motioned to the Fresno group to follow him down the hallway.

“But can’t I—” she started to call out after him.

Michael ran his hand gently down her arm. “Sorry, Jenessa. I’ve got to go too.” He backed away toward the hall. “I’ll call you later.” Then he was gone.

Disappointed she hadn’t gotten to learn anything from Tony Hamilton, at least not yet, she marched out the doors and back to her car. The obits wouldn’t write themselves, and there was a high school principal to interview while she waited to hear back from the detectives and the lab.

It was going to be a long day—a very long day.

~*~

Once inside her car, she flipped the air conditioner on full blast. The cufflink was still on her mind. She phoned her aunt to find out how her father might have known Lucy St. John, other than writing monthly checks to her on behalf of Grey Alexander.

“I can’t really say, dear,” Aunt Renee replied. “She left town so long ago. Why do you ask?”

Jenessa couldn’t tell her aunt about the cufflink. She’d find out soon enough, but now wasn’t the time. “I’m just trying to fit the puzzle pieces together.”

“He never liked her—I know that much. She wasn’t much of a mother to Ramey and I remember him saying he was glad she was gone for good.”

“Gone for good, huh?” How would he know for certain that she was gone for good unless he knew she was dead? “Those were his exact words?”

“I don’t recall that those were his exact words, but yes, he was glad she was gone and wasn’t ever coming back.”

Chapter 41

Later that afternoon, when Jenessa was leaving the principal’s office, she received a call from Detective Provenza. He told her that he and Michael had thoroughly questioned Tony Hamilton and that what he’d told them changed the whole ball game.

“Hamilton said Lucy agreed to go to LA with him because her sugar daddy was cutting her off. Lucy had told him Grey Alexander had been paying her each month to keep quiet about the fact he was Ramey’s father.”

“Yes, I found the agreement in my father’s desk at home,” Jenessa said.

“And you didn’t think to show me?”

“Well, you already knew he had been paying her, so I didn’t think you needed to see it. What else did he say?”