Kathy Sinclair’s doe eyes and innocent smile belie her reputation as a hardened private investigator. She’ll easily fit the undercover scheme Casey has dreamed up for her.
After taking Kathy on an extensive tour of the property, the young women stop in at Vino Bistro for a cappuccino.
“The vineyard is spectacular,” Kathy says. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here for a wine tasting. I need to get out more.”
Casey’s pale olive eyes dart about the terrace as staffers prepare for an afternoon wedding. “Why don’t you? Are you worried someone will recognize you?”
Kathy laughs. “Not at all. I’ve never worked a case in Lovely, and I only know a few locals, most of them in law enforcement. This town is my happy place. When I’m here, I stay close to home.”
“Surely you have friends.”
Kathy sits back in her chair and crosses her legs. “I’m originally from Richmond. If I’m in the mood to socialize, I will go visit my parents. Actually, there is one guy I consider a friend. Evan Beck is a detective on the police force. You’ll meet him, eventually. He’s currently running a background check on Hugh.”
“I can’t wait to see those results,” Casey says in a sarcastic tone.
“Don’t hold your breath. I don’t expect him to find anything earth shattering.”
Casey spots Daniel on the far side of the terrace, watching the wedding tent go up. “There’s my father. I’ll call him over. Ready or not, it’s show time!” she says, coming out of her chair as she waves Daniel over.
His attention remains glued to the tent as he makes his way toward them. “Afternoon, ladies. That’s the biggest tent I believe we’ve ever had.”
Casey nods. “Last I heard, the head count for the wedding is north of four hundred.” She gestures at Kathy. “Daniel, I’d like you to meet my oldest childhood friend, Sally Winters. She’s visiting from New York.”
Daniel accepts Kathy’s outstretched hand. “Very nice to meet you, Sally. What brings you to town?”
“To be honest, I just broke up with my longtime boyfriend, and I needed to clear my head,” Kathy says with a somber smile and flushed cheeks. She plays her part well.
“Can you sit with us for a minute? I need to ask for a favor.” Casey tugs on his arm, pulling him down to the chair beside her. “Do you mind if Sally and I stay at The Nest for a few days? You have way more room than my condo. Plus, the pool and the grounds to roam.” She presses her hands together under her chin. “Please! We promise not to be any trouble.”
“I’d be delighted to have you lovely ladies. But you’ll have to fend for yourselves. I’m headed to Figure Eight Island in North Carolina for the holiday weekend.”
Casey nudges him with her elbow. “Good for you. Do these weekend plans include a woman?”
“Several of them. They’re all married to my fraternity brothers. We get together every Memorial Day weekend. I’m the only single man, but for some reason, they invite me back every year.”
Kathy flashes him a dazzling smile. “Let me guess, you’re in charge of bringing the wine.”
“Bingo.” Daniel pulls out his phone. “I’m texting Marabella now to let her know you’ll be staying at The Nest. Make yourselves at home. If you need anything, just let her know.”
“Thanks, Dad!” Casey says, and Kathy adds, “This is so nice of you, Mr. Love.”
“Please, call me Daniel. If you’re still here when I get back on Tuesday, the three of us will have dinner together.” Daniel glances at his watch and gets to his feet. “I need to hit the road. Have a fun weekend.”
“You too!” Casey calls after him as he heads toward the parking lot.
Kathy tilts her cappuccino cup to Casey. “You’re good at this. If you decide to quit your day job, you can come work for me.”
Casey’s smile fades. She may very well be out of a day job soon. “I hate lying, but it’s for a good cause. After what Hugh’s goons did to Sheldon, I won’t be able to sleep at night until they are all behind bars.”
* * *
Casey and Kathy spend the afternoon loading up on groceries and settling in at The Nest—Casey in her usual corner room at the back of the house and Kathy in the guest room across the hall that offers a view of the courtyard driveway.
Early evening, they open a bottle of Love-Struck’s new Viognier and take their salads from Delilah’s down to the pool. Music from the wedding band at the winery lends a festive air as they kick off their shoes and stretch out on chaise lounges.
“I could get used to this life,” Kathy says. “Why did you ever move out?”
“Don’t you think I’m too old to be living with my father?” Casey asks, stuffing a forkful of kale into her mouth.
Kathy shrugs. “Depends on the circumstances.” She jabs her fork at Casey. “Hugh, for sure, is too old to be living with his father. But we’re going to remedy that.”
“I hope you’re right,” Casey says in a doubtful tone. “Getting rid of Hugh may be more difficult than you realize.”
“Have faith in the process, Casey. Bad guys usually get what’s coming to them.”
Kathy and Casey have no sooner finished their salads and refilled their wineglasses when Hugh and Miranda stumble down the stairs from the upper terrace. They’re too busy making out to notice Casey and Kathy.
“Watch this,” Kathy whispers. When she clears her throat, Hugh and Miranda jump apart like teenage lovers discovered making out by their parents.
“Casey! What’re you doing here?” Hugh says with hands covering his erection.
“We’re staying at The Nest for a few days.” She holds a hand out to Kathy. “This is my friend Sally. She’s visiting from New York.”
Hugh lets out a huff. “So Dad goes out of town, and you just help yourself to his house and pool.”
Casey looks down her nose at him. “For your information, Daniel invited us to stay here.”
“Well, beat it.” Hugh flicks his wrist, waving her away. “Miranda and I want to use the pool in private.”
Casey shakes her head. “Sorry. No can do. There’s plenty of pool to go around.”
“Have it your way.” Hugh tugs his shirt over his head and drops his bathing suit, revealing a flabby belly and now limp penis.
Casey’s mouth falls open. “Geez, Hugh. Spare us.”
“You can either leave or stay for the show.” Taking Miranda by the hand, he drags her into the pool with him. When they are waist deep, he unties her bikini and tosses it onto the pool deck. Taking her in his arms, he presses his mouth against hers while his hands roam her body.
Casey shields her eyes with one hand. “This is gross,” she says to Kathy. “We should go.”
“No way! We’re not giving him what he wants. Besides, we were here first.” Kathy pulls Casey’s hand away from her eyes. “Stare at them. Make them uncomfortable.”
“If you say so.” Disgust fills Casey as she watches Hugh fondle Miranda’s breasts.
Before long, Miranda pries herself away from him. “They are creeping me out, watching us like that. You promised me a good time. Let’s go to your room. I wanna party.”
A naked Miranda emerges from the pool, scoops up her dripping bikini, and saunters up the stairs.
Hugh flips Kathy and Casey the bird. “Thanks for nothing, bitches,” he says, grabbing his clothes and going after her.
Casey and Kathy wait until he’s out of earshot before bursting into laughter.
“He’s a real piece of work. I will enjoy taking him down.” Kathy drains the last of her wine and throws her legs over the side of her lounge chair. “Time to get to work.”
“Am I allowed to help?”
“No. Sorry. We can’t risk your safety.”
They gather up their trash and head up to the kitchen.
“I don’t think anything will happen tonight, but just in case, I want you to lock yourself in your room and stay there,” Kathy says as they rinse their glasses and place them in the dishwasher.
“Can you at least tell me where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing?”
“It’s better if you don’t know. But you can trust me, Casey. I’m good at my job.”
“I’m not worried. Your reputation precedes you.” Casey leads Kathy up the back stairs. When they part in the bedroom hallway, she says, “I know you’re a professional, but please be careful.”
Kathy offers her a soft smile. “Don’t worry, Casey. I’ve got this.”
A feeling of doom settles over Casey as she locks the door and gets ready for bed. It’s still early, and she’s not yet sleepy. She tries reading, but her current novel doesn’t hold her attention. This room reminds her of Luke. They slept together for the first time in this bed. Will she ever stop missing him? Is he home for Memorial Day weekend? Surely, he wouldn’t come to town without contacting her. Unless he’s met someone new. Maybe he brought the new chick with him for a romantic getaway. She could drive by his house tomorrow to see if his truck is in the driveway. Then again, maybe it’s best if she doesn’t know.
Casey falls asleep listening for sounds coming from distant parts of the house.
When she wakes around eight on Sunday morning, the house is silent, and no cars are parked in the courtyard. She makes coffee and takes her novel down to the hammock on the lower lawn. She’s a million miles away, lost in her love story, when Kathy appears around eleven thirty.
“Move over,” she says and falls into the hammock beside her. “I’m sorry I slept so late. I was up most of the night.”
Casey closes her paperback. “What happened?”
Kathy places a hand behind her head. “Were you aware this house is a maze of secret passageways?”
Casey’s eyes widen. “You’re kidding.”
“It makes it easy to move around without being seen or heard. There was a party in the game room in the children’s wing. No one even knew I was eavesdropping on them.”
Casey sits up straight. “You mean there was a party in this house last night? I never heard a thing.”
“There were some sketchy-looking people here. They were coming and going all night long.”
“Why didn’t security bust it up?”
Kathy drags a hand down her face. “That’s a good question. I need to look into it. Maybe Hugh is paying them to keep quiet. I didn’t see any evidence of Hugh using drugs, but he’s definitely dealing them. Miranda is a different story. She appeared to have serious substance abuse problems. We need to shut his operation down.”
Casey shivers. “How do we do that?”
“We lie low today, hang out by the pool or whatever. For appearance’s sake, we’re old friends catching up. I’ll do more surveillance tonight. This time, I’ll use recording devices and take photographs for documentation.”
“You’ll call for help if you need it, right?”
“Absolutely. And I won’t hesitate. No one is getting hurt on my watch. Including me.” Kathy rolls out of the hammock to her feet. “Before I forget. We’re meeting with my detective friend Evan at Sheldon’s house on Tuesday morning at eleven. He discovered important information about Hugh’s sexual assault trial.”
Casey breaks out in a cold sweat. This isn’t a game they are playing. Hugh is involved in nefarious activities with potentially dangerous criminals. And it’s all happening under her roof. She’d pack a bag and hightail it back to her condo if the safety of her family and the success of the vineyard weren’t at stake.