Twisted: A Tracy Turner Murder Mystery Novel (The Tracy Turner Mystery Series Book 1) (26 page)

“B-but… I was telling Tracy how…” Ryan’s voice rose up an octave.

“Ryan…”

He looked at me and turned his mouth into an O and gave me a thumbs-up. Millie whisked him away.

There was an awkward silence but so much that I wanted to tell Brett. Mostly that I was grateful for what he did for me, but I didn’t want to sound like I was gushing. Thankfully, he spoke up first.

“You did well, Tracy Turner. But you’re not to go sneaking around in my office again.”

“How did you…?”

“Let’s just say that you left a few clues yourself.”

“Oh?”

“I knew that you had watched the footage. Catalina tipped me off and you had rearranged the furniture.”

“I kind of left in a hurry.”

“And it showed. The footage was on pause at the point where it showed Doug in the bar. It showed he had lied about being at home with his son when Frank was killed. He was also at the bar when Katherine was killed. Doug lying about his whereabouts told me that he was covering up for someone and it had to be the boy. I remember you said that he tried to remove some evidence. Mike was the logical choice.”

“So you were actually listening when I spoke.”

He chuckled. “Bits and pieces, here and there. After you told me that, I checked up on him. The boy was dangerous, Tracy. He has a long history of reckless behavior and he had several addictions. Gambling had been his primary problem. He owed Burns a lot of money.”

“Well, that’s what I figured too, but why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought that you’d try to confront him on your own. He was desperate and capable of anything. I was reviewing the footage myself this morning, but you beat me to it.” He paused and continued, “Interestingly, the footage also showed that it was Katherine who was the last person in Frank’s room before Mike went in.”

“Really? I missed that bit.”

“Officer Ormand told me earlier today that text messages between Katherine and Frank proved she had promised him money for the photographs.”

“That makes sense. I was wondering where the money had come from.”

“They also found the gun and the bloody sneaker in the golf bag. The gun was registered in Doug’s name.”

“Let me guess a red pair, size ten.”

He nodded. “Spot on.”

“But how did you know where to find me?”

“I went to Mike’s place and saw your car parked on the street, so I guessed what had happened and tracked your GPS coordinates.”

“So you’re saying that’s a real thing? Not just something they do on TV?”

“Uh-huh, but you must promise that you’ll never do that again.” His tone was serious and his eyes concerned.

I wanted to argue, but he was right. Things could have gone horribly wrong.

“I’m here now.” I smiled. “Thank you for looking out for me, Brett. I don’t know what I would…”

My mobile beeped and I snatched my phone out of my freshly laundered trousers. “It’s back in business.” It was a text from Nat.

“What’s the matter?”

“A message from a friend. She wants me to call her right away.”

“Can it wait?”

I shrugged. “I guess.”

“And your arm?” I indicated to the sling around his shoulder.

“Just a little graze.”

“Being a little macho, aren’t we?”

“Don’t you go psychoanalyzing me now.”

I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.

“I do my share of research too, Tracy.” His eyes danced.

I smiled.

“Come on, there’s a little Italian place right in the town center which I heard serves the best lasagna.” He put his arm around my waist and drew me in.

“Do you mean Fuga d’Amore?”

“That’s the one.”

“Oh… Fan-cie.”

“You deserve it. Let’s grab us some early dinner.”

I hesitated for a moment, but the offer was friendly enough, and the feeling of his arm around me gave me little shivers that I quite enjoyed. “Thanks, I’d like that.”

“I’m so glad you are okay, Tracy, you had me worried.” He looked down into my eyes and I was lost in their dreaminess. With gentle fingers he caressed my chin.

I heard a familiar panting behind us. I closed my eyes. “Don’t tell me… it’s Pierre.”

He turned around and looked. “Wow, you’re good,” said Brett.

I shrugged.

“Tracy… Tracieeee… I need your help,” called the chef.

“Here we go again.” I sighed. “If it’s not one thing it’s another. Give me a moment, Brett. I’ll sort this out in a tick.”

“You go and see what he wants. I’ll wait for you here.”

“I’ll be right back.”

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Thank you for picking up Twisted, the first book in the Tracy Turner Mystery series. I hope you enjoyed reading it, if you did it will be wonderful if you'd share your thoughts with other readers who may be interested in this story, by leaving a review on Amazon.

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