“Ricky?” Evie asked. Her mind was spinning. Dora was holding a lot of money in her hand, laughing at however she managed to get it, but she wasn’t sharing the story. She had to know Evie’s mind was going to all sorts of crazy places, but she pushed her need for a juicy story aside, because… “Ricky the housekeeper?”
“Yes,” Dora said. “When I got back from leaving you at House of Blues, I saw him sneaking out of Myrtle’s. I couldn’t do anything to stop him, but I followed him home and I know where he lives.” Dora’s smile of satisfaction lit up her face.
Evie was a bit puzzled how her friend, who for all intents and purposes had pretty much given up on life this morning, now appeared to be the happy, lighthearted Dora she remembered. She was glad to see it. “That’s good.” But Dora’s drastic mood change made her want to know what Dora had done to get the money even more. “Now tell me how you got the money.”
Dora shook her head. “Another time. We need to focus on how we’re going to snoop on Ricky later.”
Evie realized what Dora was really saying was that it wasn’t something she wanted to share with Trace. Evie let out a silent groan, knowing she was going to have to wait for details.
Trace asked, “Who is Ricky the housekeeper?”
“A guy who cleaned for Gertie,” Dora explained. “He showed up here the other day with an empty duffle bag. He let himself in not expecting us to be here.”
“Yeah,” Evie confirmed. “Super shady because”—Evie swept her arm out—“look at this place. No way did Gertie have a housekeeper.”
“Exactly,” Dora said. “When we called him on it, he slinked back out saying he’d stop by later.” She added, “We think he was here to take some of Gertie’s vintage clothing. We’re pretty sure he’d already stolen a rhinestone Dolly Parton bra and cowgirl getup the night we arrived while we were out getting beignets.”
“Hold on,” Trace said.
Evie grimaced because she had an idea what her boyfriend was going to say, and she wished Dora had kept the last bit of information stored away with the details of her new money-making scheme.
Trace stood up and paced the room as he said, “Some guy stole from Gertie while you were here, shows up again to take more stuff, and then steals things from Myrtle’s?” He clenched his fists as his voice got stern. “And you ladies are talking about it like it’s the weather.”
“No, we’re not,” Evie said. “We’re just trying to be logical about the whole thing.” She placed a hand on his arm in an effort to calm him down. “You know, keep our emotions in check?”
“Or ignore them. Evie, this man is dangerous.”
“Oh, we’re aware,” Dora said. “That’s why I didn’t confront him or let him know I was following him.” She looked at Evie. “I’m thinking we go late tonight. Maybe pull out our black commando outfits.”
Evie eyed Dora’s blonde hairdo and thought about her own pink locks. “And hats, we both need a hat.”
“Right,” Dora said.
Trace shook his head in disbelief. “This isn’t some secret agent fashion show.”
Evie had a feeling her boyfriend was about to get Neanderthal on them and demand they leave the job to some man, or worse, the police. He’d worn her down about why they’d skipped town and were hanging out in New Orleans. Evie had given him just enough details that he had the gist that they were in trouble, but didn’t know enough to be useful if the police questioned him. She asked, “Well, what would you have us wear, Trace, sweetie? Because heels aren’t going to cut it if we’re sneaking around. Have you seen the state of the asphalt in this town?”
“You shouldn’t be going at all!” Trace cried, losing his patience.
“We don’t have a choice,” Dora said before Evie could reply.
“Of course you do,” he snapped. “Why do you need to worry about a man stealing from two dead women?” Evie had told him about Gertie and Myrtle’s deaths earlier and that she and Dora believed they were not accidental.
“Trace,” Evie said. “Neither Dora nor I could live with ourselves if we didn’t try to find justice for Gertie and Myrtle.” She frowned. “You know this already.”
“I do.” Trace raked a hand through his hair and sighed. “Fine. I get why you two have to follow Ricky instead of just reporting him, but I’m not letting you do it alone.”
And there it was, the cavalry in the form of one bass player, albeit a sexy one, thinking he needed to rescue two women in distress. She put her hands on her hips and stepped in front of Trace. “No. You are not. I will not have you get involved in this. It’s too—” Evie stopped herself before she said the word that would confirm Trace’s fear… dangerous. She recalled how he’d had a meeting with a record label, and according to his Instagram account it had gone well. “You’ve got a music career that’s taking off, and that’s what you should be focused on. Congrats for signing with a label, by the way.” Sadness filled her because it was a milestone she wished she could have celebrated with him.
“Thanks, babe.” Trace reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Evie just about melted at his touch. “But I believe taking time off to help you is a decision I can make for myself.”
“And who we let help us is one we get to make.” She looked over at Dora for backup, but she was busy counting her money. When she glanced back at Trace, the gutted expression on his face nearly broke her heart. “It’s not that I don’t want your help,” she said. Her statement was mostly true, but the fact remained that she didn’t want him anywhere near this. She knew without even thinking about it because she loved him too much. “It’s that I couldn’t live with myself if I was the reason for you missing your big shot with the band. Please, Trace. Try to understand. This is just something Dor and I need to do.”
His hand tightened on her fingers, and Evie could tell he was fighting to keep from saying something more. But in the end he just nodded and said, “If that’s the way you want it, then I guess I’ll just have to find a way to be okay with it.”
She took a step closer to him and placed a hand over his heart. “I really appreciate the offer, though. You know that, right?”
“I guess,” he said, his expression softening. “I only want to make sure you’re safe. It’s really hard not being able to swoop in and be your savior.”
Evie let out a chuckle. “If I was gonna let anyone be my superhero, it’d be you. But you know how I like to do things my own way.” She winked at him and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Thank you.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You’ll keep me up to date on what’s happening, right?”
Evie bit down on her lower lip. “Well… that’s what Sushi’s Instagram page is about. You will always know what we’re up to by following her. She has all kinds of adventures.”
He snorted. “I noticed. Just promise you’ll call if you need me for anything. Or if you find yourself in trouble. I’ll be here. All right?”
“Okay,” she said, giving him a soft smile. But as she pressed the side of her face to his chest, she knew she’d do everything in her power to keep him far away from their troubles. Not only wouldn’t she stand in the way of his dreams, but she sure as heck wasn’t going to be the reason he got into trouble with the law. He deserved far better than that.