The Rogue Reviewer (Primrose, Minnesota Book 3) (5 page)

She felt all the blood drain from her cheeks.
“No.”

“I’m sorry.” He slid his hand across the
table and covered hers. “I know this is difficult for you.”

Dara glanced at their enjoined hands and then
cast a sideways look at Alex whose mouth now hung open.

Mace’s husky snicker caused her pulse to
skitter as he spoke. “Close your mouth, Counselor, I’m not a total
hardass.”

He gave her hand a slight squeeze and then
continued. “Can you think of any reason the victim had to be at
your home that time of night?”

“None. I didn’t even know her; we’ve never
spoken and I only recognized her from a newspaper photo.”

“Research tells me she has quite a
reputation.”

She nodded. “She’s well published.”

“Is this review the first she’s given
you?”

“There’s something you need to understand,
Detective. The Rogue Reviewer earned every letter of her pen name –
she never,
ever
writes a complimentary review. She wraps all
twenty eight teeth around a novel, bites down, and then chews until
she swallows every single page. Thank God this is the only time
I’ve received her recognition.”

His fingers began a steady back-and-forth
glide across her knuckles. “You’re that good?”

She gave a desperate half laugh. “When you
put it like that, I guess I am.”

“What exactly didn’t she like about your
novel?”

“By your own admission, you read the review,
Detective,” Alex intervened.

“Relax, Counselor.” His grin made Dara want
to tear his clothes from his body. “I simply want her opinion.”

“Hearsay.” Alex nodded at Dara. “Okay, go
on.”

Dara sighed. “The woman is – or was-
obviously frigid. She labeled it
smut
.”

“You mentioned sensual matter.”

“Well yes, but the story isn’t
about
sex. The novel clearly has a plot, a very good one.”

“Fantastic,” Alex mumbled.

“When you arrived home, did you notice
anything peculiar about the door?”

“Peculiar, how?”

“Was it open?”

“No, I used a key to unlock it.”

“You’re sure the lock was engaged?”

She paused at his question. When she slid the
key into the mechanism, she’d assumed the key was responsible for
snapping the lock. “I can’t say for absolute sure, but I’ve never
left it unlocked. I didn’t turn the knob before I used the
key.”

“Are you the only one with a key?”

“No, Marnie keeps a spare.”

“What about the superintendent of
housing?”

“No, the homeowner’s association office
administrator keeps a master copy. I’m required to be present for
any repairs Griffin makes in my unit.”

“Griffin?”

“Griffin Owens, the super.”

“How well do you know him?”

She hesitated and looked at Alex for
direction. The other woman nodded for her to continue.

“Only in a professional capacity.”

“As well as Chad?”

“Relax, Detective Turner.” Alex smirked.
“Griffin can’t compete with you.”

Mace released her hand to run a hand across
his jaw, a gesture she attributed to irritation caused by Alex’s
jab. “How long have you known him?”

“Four years.”

“You’ve lived in Cascade Glens four
years?”

She nodded. “According to the HOA, Griffin
has been the super for ten years.”

“I’m assuming by HOA you mean the Homeowner’s
Association.” He paused while she nodded again. “And you’re
absolutely sure he doesn’t have a key?”

“As sure as I can be. I know neither Marnie
nor I gave him one.”

“How do you know Miss Carpenter didn’t?”

She rolled her eyes at his ridiculous
suggestion. “Marnie has been my best friend since forever. She
didn’t give Griffin a key to my townhouse.”

“Can you think of any reason for the victim
to visit you?”

“Again, hearsay,” Alex warned.

“I’m perfectly aware,” Mace snapped. “I’m
just trying to put the pieces together, counselor.”

Alex grinned, then nodded at her to
answer.

“Absolutely none.”

“Are any of your friends acquainted with
her?”

“Only through her reviews, as far as I
know.”

“Let’s go back to Griffin. You’ve only known
him since you’ve lived at Cascade Glens?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever hired him to make repairs in
your unit?”

“No. In fact the one time I needed him to
repair the garbage disposal, he was on vacation and the HOA sent
someone else.”

“Do you know your neighbors?”

“Yes. They’ve lived there the whole time I
have.”

“How much time do you spend away from
home?”

“I travel extensively to promote my
novels.”

“Do your neighbors watch your unit when
you’re gone?”

“I can’t say for sure but I suppose they
might notice something out of the ordinary.”

“How safe do you feel there?”

“Until tonight, I felt secure. We have
on-site security and I’ve never known there to be trouble, let
alone murder.”

“You’ve always lived alone?”

Alex lifted her pen from her legal pad and
raised one eyebrow. “Curiosity?”

“I could run a background check.”

Alex wasn’t swayed. “You and I both know you
already have, Detective. You’re seeking validation. Okay Dara,
answer him so the green monster can go back to sleep.”

Dara bit back a giggle. “Yes, I’ve lived
alone since college.”

“Why?”

“Damn.” Detective Stewart groaned and pinched
the bridge of his nose.

Dara glanced at Alex, who now wore a smug
smile as she spoke. “Your call. There’s no legality behind it but
obviously he’s interested in more than murder.”

“Most men are intimidated by my, uh,
knowledge and success.”

“Nicely put,” Alex mumbled as she resumed
writing.

Dara glanced at Detective Stewart. “Alex has
the same problem.”

Her friend’s pen didn’t even hesitate on her
paper. “
Alex
isn’t being questioned about a crime.”

She sighed. So much for redirection. She
moved her gaze back onto Mace, hoping upon hope she’d given him
enough information to figure out who the heck left a corpse in her
living room. Unfortunately, question marks danced on the irises of
the eyes looking back at her.

“The victim’s name is Evelyn Wallace who, as
you well know, was a freelance book reviewer.”

She took a deep breath, careful to quench her
desire to give him a piece of her mind. Although until now she
didn’t know the reviewer’s name, she knew darn well what the woman
did for a living.

“You don’t happen to know who murdered her
and why do you?”

“We’re working on that.”

She moved her gaze from Mace and onto
Detective Stewart and then back again. “You have absolutely nothing
to go on, do you?”

“We’ll know more when forensics gives us a
report.” Her shaky nerves calmed at the determination in his
mesmerizing eyes. “Until then, try to relax. We’ll get to the
bottom of this.”

“I wish I shared your enthusiasm.”

He released a low chuckle, reached across the
table to stop the recording, and then glanced at Alex. “Okay
Counselor, we’re ready to question your next client.”

Dara stood from the chair and glanced over
her shoulder at Mace as she turned to leave the room. “Be nice,
Detective. She’s just getting warmed up.”

After a long night of tossing and turning,
Dara finally left Marnie’s spare bedroom with a distinct plan.
Although the crime was less than twenty-four hours old, she knew
that timing was everything – the body wasn’t the only thing growing
cold. And by the time her best friend arrived in the kitchen and
settled at the table with a cup of coffee, she was eager to lay it
all out.

“Marnie, I need your help.”

“Of course. I’m here for you.”

“You and I are going to investigate this
murder.”

“I don’t know, Dara. Detective Turner and
Detective Stewart appear to have it all under control.”

“Consider it research. After all, you wanted
me to turn it into a novel.”

“You’re dead serious.”

“Ha!” She rolled her eyes at her best
friend’s pun, intended or not. “Yes, I am.”

“Did you tell him about your plan?”

“I’m assuming you mean Mace and no, I didn’t
mention it. I’m sure my assistance hasn’t even crossed his
mind.”

“Testosterone poisoning,” Marnie mumbled.

“Sucks for him. He has no idea how much
knowledge I have about solving a crime.”

“Have you discussed this with Alex?”

“That’s a big fat
NO
. She’s convinced
I should barricade myself in my townhouse until this whole nasty
thing is over. Besides, I’m almost certain she and Detective
Stewart will share evidence.”

“I know, right? Were you blinded by the
sparks between them?”

“Almost, and to tell you the truth I’d be
bothered if she weren’t one of my best friends. Only Alex would
flirt with the detective interrogating me for murder.”

“Actually, Detective Turner questioned me.
Did he, you?”

“Beside the point. Are you gonna help me or
not?”

“What the hell? I’m in. Just don’t get me in
trouble, I need my job.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Uh, yes you would. Do I need to remind you
that you almost got us arrested
researching
your last
novel?”

“Hey, it’s not my fault that club got
busted.”

“Club? It was a biker bar, Dara, and the cops
thought we were prostitutes! I’ve never been so humiliated in my
life.”

“Never?”

“Almost never.” The other woman shrugged and
Dara fought the urge to laugh out loud. The times she and Marnie
found trouble in the last twenty plus years were hysterical in
themselves. “Where do we start?”

“We need to figure out why Evelyn ended up in
my living room.”

“Evelyn.” Marnie snorted. “More like Elvira.
Isn’t it more important to know the reasoning behind her
murder?”

“I think that’s obvious, don’t you?”

“Maybe, but would someone really kill her
because of a bad review?”

“Stranger things have happened. Some authors
don’t accept criticism well. I have to admit that it’s hard
sometimes.”

“You’re a true professional, Dara.”

“So why was she found at my house?”

“Do you think she came to see you?”

It was Dara’s turn to snort. “I’m sure she
intended to apologize.”

“There’s no other logical explanation.”

“There
is
. We just haven’t found it
yet.” She handed the newspaper to Marnie. “There were two other
reviews besides mine and I know both authors. I say we pay each of
them a visit.”

“Okay, who’s first?”

“Sara Winston.” She gave Marnie a smug grin.
“The queen of murder.”

***

He allowed his car to idle against the curb
while he scanned the row of vehicles in the parking lot to assure
Dara’s car was still parked next to Marnie’s. An irritated tick
moved the muscles at the base of his jaw, evidence of how angered
he was by what she had to endure at the hands of Detective Turner
and his cronies. He hadn’t planned on Dara becoming a suspect. Damn
Turner. The sacrifice was meant as a gift and the detective’s
interference changed everything.

He had worked diligently to keep her torment
at a minimum and the Primrose policemen made him look like an
uncaring idiot. He hadn’t intended to leave a mess behind; really,
the blood caused such an awful stain on one of his most expensive
shirts and he’d been forced to reduce it to a pile of ashes.
Although he didn’t plan on a repeat performance, he would
definitely find another method. The nauseating smell alone made up
his mind. At least Dara didn’t stay there. What a good friend she
had in Marnie.

Movement caught his attention as both women
climbed into Dara’s car, chattering as if deep in the middle of a
serious conversation. He knew Dara’s inquisitive nature well
enough; she’d already begun to analyze his motives. He chuckled as
he eased his foot from the brake and allowed the car to creep
forward. Soon she would understand.

He followed a safe distance behind, curious
as they pulled up to the front of a gray stone mansion and parked
in the driveway. As soon as the women stood on the porch well out
of his view, he left his car at the curb and tucked himself behind
several thick, neighboring bushes. When the door opened, a woman
practically flew at them. Sara Winston. What a strange bird. He
didn’t like her writing at all. Way too dark – not at all like
Dara’s well-written mysteries.

He snuck back to his car and pulled away from
the curb. He’d fully anticipated that she’d visit Sara. He’d give
her time to process and ultimately she’d come to appreciate his
sacrifice.

***

Standing on Sara’s front porch, Dara rang the
doorbell and then took a deep breath as she widened her stance and
glanced at her friend. “Okay Marnie, take three steps back.”

“What?”

“Just do it,” she said under her breath,
“she’s a hyper-hugger.”

“A hyper —”

Dara didn’t have time to explain as the door
opened and Sara Winston launched herself straight at her, arms wide
open until she closed them around Dara’s arms and squeezed like two
hungry pythons.

“Dara! I’m so glad you called!”

She almost felt guilty when Sara released her
then reeled Marnie in. Helpless, she worked to pull air into her
lungs while Marnie suffered the same wrath.

Sara finally released Marnie and reached to
give Dara’s shoulder a squeeze. “Are you okay?”

“Yes thank you, Sara. I’m trying to focus on
the investigation.”

“Good for you. Nothing like a good plot to
keep your mind off the uglies. Come inside and we’ll talk it
out.”

Sara turned to open the door and Dara
motioned with her eyes for Marnie to follow. Her friend raised both
eyebrows and mouthed a silent
no way
. With no other choice,
Dara followed Sara, hoping she’d hugged enough for one day.