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Shannon
She hung up with a smile crossing her face. Mr. Walker’s voice had sounded pleased, and a giddy hope rose.
Hurrying, she arranged a sitter and got the kids ready for the day. She rummaged through her clothes and chose a summery top and jeans Lucas liked.
Alexa arrived just in time, and Shannon rushed around collecting her hobo bag and keys.
“Thank you!” she gushed, hugging the teenager. “Cody can watch cartoons, but he has to read a book or draw, too. It’s perfect outside. Enjoy the backyard and the treehouse. Oh, if you want to ride bikes, the key to the shed is hanging by the backdoor. Gretchen loves being pulled in the wagon. Since she ate breakfast, she’s good for a couple of hours. Her mashed carrots are in the fridge, and she can have puffs for a snack. I hope I won’t be gone more than a few hours today, but I’ve got errands, and you know how that goes.”
Cody pushed her toward the door. “We’ll be fine, Mom.”
Alexa smiled. “We’ll have fun together, don’t worry. Take your time.”
With a laugh, Shannon hugged her again. “What would I do without you?”
“I’m saving for a car, so call me anytime.”
“Except Wednesday and Friday and Saturday.”
“Yep, then the bookstore owns me.”
Shannon kissed Cody goodbye and squeezed Gretchen close before handing her off to Alexa. "Love you. Bye. Be good!”
She dashed to the car and headed to the investigator’s office, belting out show tunes along the way.
The silver-haired receptionist led her into Walker’s office with a professionally bland expression. “Would you like coffee or water?”
“Coffee, please.”
Shannon waited for the woman to leave before she slipped further inside the office and sank into a chair facing Walker’s desk.
His expression, too, was unreadable. A hand ran across his mustache as he leaned back in his chair.
Her buoyant mood gave way, and she wiped damp hands down her thighs. “Do you have good news?”
“The photos were faked.”
A whoosh of air escaped her lips, followed by a sudden burst of emotion. Six months of stress and nausea-inducing anguish disintegrated, but the flash of relief overwhelmed. Dropping her face into her hands, Shannon sobbed.
Walker didn’t say a word as she hiccupped and gasped air around the crying. He did slide a box of tissues across his desk.
Pulling several tissues from the box, Shannon shook her head. “Please forgive me.”
He grunted, which made her smile.
“How do you know?” she asked.
He came around to her side of the desk. Leaning against the desktop, he laid out the photos. She hated, hated seeing them. Even knowing they weren’t real, heat seared Shannon’s stomach as she took in the images.
His thick forefinger tapped a photo. “See this distortion surrounding the woman’s body? She was added to this photo. Her clothing colors and patterns are different, but she’s the same in all images.”
“So, it’s the same image used over again.”
“Right. They used a picture of her kissing a man and transposed Lucas’s face in the first and third photos. Head swapping, basically.” The finger tapped the second photo. “This is Lucas. Since his body shows full length, the man double probably wouldn’t have worked.”
Her lips twitched. “Lucas does have a hard to duplicate body.”
Walker raised his eyebrows before continuing. “All the pictures have distortion. The shadows don’t line up. The lines of the windows and doors aren’t straight in the background.” His finger moved over the photos to point out these imperfections.
“So, someone used photos of this woman and man kissing and mixed them with Lucas’s photo. But they had to have a picture of Lucas kissing someone. How are his office and worksite backgrounds?”
“Whoever altered the images probably took the background photos and added the couple later. Look closely at the photos, Mrs. Knight. Is it possible the original of Lucas could be him kissing you? Look at his clothing, the location.”
She took a breath and forced herself to study the image. Grabbing a pad of notepaper, she covered the woman’s face. Walker’s mustache twitched with a slight tilt of his lips. Shannon tried to recall if Lucas kissed her outside the Olde Towne Bistro. She looked back at Lucas’s clothes in the picture. Typical work attire. So, it would’ve been lunch during the workweek. The kiss could’ve been anywhere if Walker was correct about altering the backgrounds.
She sighed. “I don’t know. It’s possible we kissed outside the bistro, but I can’t narrow down a specific day. Lucas is...was...affectionate.”
Knowing the pictures were fake made her a confused mess. This proved someone set up Lucas, despite Walker’s warning. Instead of an instant fix, she felt guilty. She was guilty. All these months apart had taken a toll, and she had hurt him with her lack of faith and trust. Two necessary strengths for a solid marriage, and she’d damaged them both.
Someone out there wanted to hurt them, wanted to ruin their relationship.
Nikki
Nikki parked her scooter a couple of blocks from Guy LaRose’s house. She’d gotten his information from Walker’s notes. A search on the lawyer revealed his connection to Shannon Knight’s family business.
Lucas hadn’t known about LaRose. He’d told Nikki his assistant Becca March and Peter Hollis acted interested in romantic entanglements, but he really had no idea who was out to get him. According to Walker’s notes, LaRose had threatened the O’Hanrahans with scandal. He was now number two on her list.
One of the research boys at the office discovered Becca March’s stalking offense. She was number one on Nikki’s list.
Perhaps, March and LaRose were in cahoots. He had printed a nasty article about the O’Hanrahans. If Becca March saw it, maybe she had approached LaRose to offer the cheating scandal. All to get Lucas Knight free and clear for her.
If LaRose had the photos, why didn’t he release the information?
She still had Jennifer Ward to check into. Lucas hadn’t told her anything about Jennifer. Why did Shannon Knight suspect her?
Nikki kept Walker’s investigation a secret from Lucas. No need to tell her client her methods or keep him appraised of every move she made. If she told Lucas, he might let Nikki go to work with Walker. Besides, Lucas didn’t want Shannon to know about his investigation.
It added an interesting wrinkle. The Knights investigating separately with the same goal, gave Nikki all the warm fuzzies. She had believed Lucas Knight’s claim that the photos were fake, and her tech genius supported him. She wanted to keep the case, beat Walker, prove herself.
So, here she was, jogging along LaRose’s block to catch his routine. She hadn’t decided what to do if she saw him leave for work. Should she follow him or search his place? A niggle ate at her mind. She wasn’t supposed to enter his house. That could lead to all kinds of trouble. But it might give her leads she wouldn’t get otherwise, and the temptation was strong. Patience wasn’t her thing. She should spy on him a few days, learn his home routine, follow him around, check out his contacts. It just took for-ev-er.
She trotted down the sidewalk at an easy pace. It was still dark, and she hoped to see what time he woke and moved around his house in the early morning.
LaRose cooperated with her plan. As she approached, light at the back flipped on. She checked her watch for the time. She passed his house and stopped to work through a stretching routine. One by one, the rooms lit up in the dim morning. She picked up her pace and jogged to the next block.
After three passes, LaRose’s fancy sports car backed out of the garage. She noted the time.
Nikki backtracked and studied his house as she leaned against a light pole. He lived in a well-to-do neighborhood outside of downtown. The homes were on the newer end, not mansions, but well-proportioned and well maintained. He must’ve landed himself a cushy position despite the O’Hanrahans firing him. It had been long enough a lack of funds would show in his lifestyle. She’d have the research team check out his property records.
The neighborhood was waking. Dog walkers came out to the sidewalk. Lights flared in the neighbor’s windows. If she wanted to check LaRose’s place, she had to do it now.
As nonchalantly as possible, Nikki walked up his drive into the backyard. A covered porch jutted from the back with landscaping shadowing the door. Perfect.
When she reached the windows to peek in, her heart fell. Blinds blocked her view into the house. The locked door wasn’t the kind she could open with a credit card. She tried the windows. Nope, locked. Drats, she thought as she paced the porch.
The one window in her house left unlocked was the kitchen, since it was small and high. Plus, she had a weird phobia about getting locked out of her house and liked having a way in. Hidakeys were just too obvious. She slapped her hand against her forehead. A hidden key was obvious.
A search of the porch revealed nothing. He didn’t have any potted plants or decorations to hide a key. She dragged a porch chair to the door and stood on it to feel above the door frame. Nope.
If LaRose was like her, the kitchen window was unlocked. Dragging the chair, she propped it under the window and hopped up. Working the screen out took a couple of minutes.
“Aha!” she said aloud as the window lifted.
Hoisting herself up on the window ledge, she began to wriggle herself into the window.
Everette
Everette watched the PI’s tight bum wiggle with a grin. “My, my, what a fine morning it’s turning out to be.”
The shapely bit of anatomy went perfectly still. “Walker.”
“Yeah, baby?”
The wiggling started again, this time going the other direction as she maneuvered toward the outside. “Don’t call me baby.”
Everette lost the battle with his bad side and wrapped his hands around her hips. It was that or go a little out of his mind. What were these workout pants made of, anyway? His hands slid easily across the fabric. Pure torture. He tightened his grip to help her exit and drop to the ground.
She turned, faced him, and his brain spazzed. He had wondered what she looked like. Her. Without the wigs or the colored contacts. Heart-shaped face with tiny features, green cat-like eyes with a slight tilt, dark lashes, and a pink bow mouth with a deep ‘v’ in her top lip.
“You can let go of me now.” She pushed gently against his hands still gripping her hips.
“Right.” He crossed his arms to avoid grabbing her like some brainless caveman and hauling her off. “If I can’t call you baby, what can I call you? And don’t say Maria.”
She studied him while capturing loose red corkscrew curls to tuck back into an unruly bun on the top of her head. Her hair was on the gingery side of red more than auburn. The brightness suited her. “Nicole. Everyone calls me Nikki.”
“What was the idea, Nikki? You should know better. Didn’t you go to school? Or is this an example of Brightman training?”
“I completed four years and got my degree, thank you.” Her eyes flashed dark jade. “I wasn’t going to take anything. How else will we figure out what he’s up to? If he knows about the Knights?”
Irritation arced through Everette, and he gripped Nikki’s arm to pull her back to the street.
“Stop manhandling me,” she said, jerking free. “Who do you think you are?”
“I’m the guy saving your cute little behind.”
She stalked ahead of him toward the next block, and he stretched his stride to keep pace beside her.
“Seriously, Nikki, breaking and entering is a crime. I don’t want to catch you doing something like that again. Do you really think LaRose doesn’t have a security system? What if you tripped an alarm? What if he captured you on camera? Did you consider the effect on your investigation?”
“I don’t answer to you. Go away.” She huffed, blowing an escaped curl off her forehead.
“Do you think Brightman would be fine with this stunt if I reported you?”
She jerked to a halt and swung around to face him. “You wouldn’t do that.”
“Sure I would, baby.”
She made a growling sound in her throat, and he’d be a goose if his heart didn’t turn over. “I’m not a child. I’m not your baby. My uncle’s business doesn’t concern you.”
Disappointment raged through him, so strong it burned. “You’re a Brightman. This just keeps getting better.” He shook his head. “It explains a lot.”
She held out a hand to shake. “Nicole Brightman, private investigator, at your service.”
Everette stared at her a moment before turning on his heel and striding back toward his car.
“Hey!” he heard Nikki shout. She caught up and trotted beside him. “What’s your problem?”
“Let’s just say we have different views on doing business.”
“We could combine information, help each other out.”
“Right.” He’d believe that when he sprouted wings. “This is my car. I hope I don’t see you around, Miss Brightman.”
“Are you that intimidated by me?”
“I’m not.”
“Prove it.” She got up toe-to-toe with him and glared into his face. Tough, spunky, stubborn, trouble.
He whipped open the passenger door and waved a hand toward the seat. “I’ll give you five minutes.”
She sent him a smirk and plopped herself in his passenger seat.
He sat in the driver’s side and demanded, “Tell me what you got from my office.”
“You tell me what you know about the Jennifer Ward woman. Why does Shannon suspect her?”
“Lucas doesn’t?” He rubbed his mustache. “You almost got me there. You first. Tell me what you got from my notes.”
“Jennifer Ward.” She hesitated. “And LaRose.”
She might have a streak of honesty.
“Jennifer Ward was eager to work with Lucas on a side project. Call it woman’s intuition.”
“Who’s number one on your list?” she asked.
“LaRose. It’s too coincidental he holds a scandal over their heads.”
“I agree. But if he has the pictures, why hasn’t he used them?”
“Good question. What if he knows about the affair but doesn’t have the evidence?”
“Falsified affair. Mr. Knight is innocent.”
“Aren’t you sweet.”
“Shut up.”
“So, who’s your number one?”
“Becca March.”
“Why?” His eyebrows rose. Did she uncover the stalking?
“Hmm. Pass.” She grinned at him, and he had to fight an answering twist of his lips. “I favor a partnership with LaRose.”
“I agree, but with which of our suspects?”
She twisted a fallen curl around a finger as she considered. “I say Becca March. Our secret admirer might be keeping the photos from LaRose to avoid public embarrassment and scandal against the person she/he loves. It suggests feelings on the side of the photographer.”
“Interesting theory.”
“Do any of our suspects have the photography know-how to manipulate photos? The fact the pictures are of Lucas tells us what?”
She’s cute and smart. Dangerous.
“They want to hurt Shannon,” he said. “And they know Lucas would never leave her. This way, secret admirer can swoop in to make him feel better, because he’s heartbroken, and LaRose hurts the O’Hanrahan family.”
“The college friend, he’s been more attentive, so it still works both ways. Shannon would never leave Lucas unless he cheated. Hollis could swoop in, and she’d be the victim of a bad husband. It would embarrass the family without villainizing her.”
“So, we’re stuck.”
“Yep. Which is why I was going in his house.”
“And that’s your five minutes.” He leaned over Nikki to open her door. “Out. Now. I don’t work with less than honest investigators. I do things right.”
“Old man.”
“Whatever toasts your marshmallow, baby.”
Lucas
Lucas was closing his office door for the day when Jennifer’s voice sounded behind him. “Have you got a minute?” She smiled and waved a folder in her hands.
“Sure, what have you got?”
Opening the folder, she angled closer so he could see the pages. “The Waterstons owned your place in ’57. They were the second owners, according to my deed trace. The census records list three children for the Waterstons.”
“Fantastic. That was fast work.”
Her smile brightened. “I’m glad you’re pleased. My search of the marriage records for a Lillian Waterston June 1957 came up with one result to James Patterson.”
“Even better. Did you get an address for James Patterson?”
“It took time and digging, but I found a record for Patterson Farms outside of Olde Towne and a Patterson Marketplace that probably belonged to his father. The old street directory is in the folder, if you’re curious. Using the census records for the year, I found a James Patterson in Morrisville.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Jennifer.”
“It was a fun side project.” She held out a Sticky Note. “The Morrisville deed search uncovered this current Patterson address. When can we get together and check it out?”
“Oh.” Lucas took in Jennifer’s expectant, avid expression with a faint sense of unease. “I appreciate all the work you did for me. I’ll take it from here.”
A shadow crossed her face, dimming her smile. “Are you going with your wife? I don’t mean to pry, but the office gossip suggests things are strained between you.”
Heat flashed through him. “My private life isn’t up for discussion.”
“Of course. I just meant...I’d be happy to join you if you want a friend along. After all the research I did... I’d like to see it through, you know?”
“I understand.” He forced a smile. “This is a personal project. I owe you one for helping me out.”
“You can make it up to me with lunch next week.”
Lucas swallowed as she edged closer and looked at him through her lashes. “Sure. Becca and I will work lunch into my schedule. We’ll all go together.”
Jennifer winked as she handed him the folder. “I’ll hold you to it.”
He thanked her again and escaped down the hall. As he entered the lobby, his cell rang. His mother’s name flashing across the screen had him groaning.
He braced for impact and sank into one of the lobby chairs. “Hey, mom. Is everything OK?”
It only took hearing her slurred and emotional voice for the old pressure to fill his chest. She sounded drunk. His anger would roar up any second now.
“Mom, listen to me. Do you remember the pool party? You were looking forward to seeing the kids. It’s your choice, your decision. You can clean yourself up and be there, or not. I can’t help you.” He listened to her cry and plead into the phone, twisting his stomach into a painful confusion of knots. “I can’t help you,” he repeated, rubbing his fingers against the tension building in his forehead. “You decide if you want to see your family or not. I love you, Mom. I’m hanging up now.”
She knew how to create guilt, but he had to be strong if he wanted to truly help. Anger flared, savage and dark. He’d have to work it off before going home.
Becca entered the lobby from the construction department. She paused when she saw him.
“Hi, Becca. You have perfect timing.”
She flashed him a smile. “Anytime, Lucas.”
Good grief. He smiled, or tried to. “Is there any demolition I can take care of tonight?”
She pulled out her electronic tablet and scrolled through the schedule. “The Tilley house mudroom tile needs to come out.” She glanced up at him. “You know that back addition where the washer and dryer were tucked?”
“Great. I’ll do that tonight.”
“You look tense. Is there any way I can help?” Her gaze lingered on his face and posture.
“I’m good, just personal stuff.”
“Aw, I’m sorry.” She sauntered closer. “I give a mean massage. I can work out those tight muscles.”
He jumped up from the seat. “No thanks. I’ve got to run. Hey, listen, can you do site checks on Monday?”
“I’ll be here.” Becca ran her fingers through her hair as she kept moving closer.
Lucas turned and bolted out the door toward his truck.
Once the truck doors locked, he let out a strangled breath. First Becca and now Jennifer. Word got out he had marital trouble, and the women circled like vultures. A sickness filled his gut. What were they thinking? Did they have no self-respect? What kind of man would he be if he lost his wife and jumped into a relationship? He hated to admit that Shannon may have had a point with Jennifer.
He wanted to replace Becca, but Nikki Brightman had suggested waiting until they solved the case. She wanted the suspects close and unaware of trouble. He pulled up Nikki’s number over Bluetooth to report his latest run-in with the women and to add Jennifer to the suspect list.
Something needed to crack soon. He wouldn’t wait much longer. Taking no action made him disloyal to Shannon, and that was unacceptable.
For now, he headed toward the Tilley’s remodel to work out the black fury building inside.
