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LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, Dana sat in Detective Troy’s office. “Now, what is this about, Dana?” Troy said pulling out some files from a grey steel cabinet.
He looked so yummy in his crisp white shirt and navy blue silk tie and dark dress pants. He had his dark brown leather shoulder gun holster strapped on him. His muscular body filled out nicely in his attire. She couldn’t help but go crazy over his broad shoulders and well-built physique. He looked ruggedly handsome with his five o’clock shadow which looked more like a sexy groomed stubble. His dark hair was tussled and sexy. He looked as if he belonged on the cover of GQ magazine instead of working at a local police station in a cozy small coastal town.
She was glad that Detective Troy squeezed her in his schedule to see her this morning, but he really looked busy—as if she was pushing it.
It was hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, well, over the Christmas Holidays that Detective Troy’s sweet lips were on hers, brushing against her magically in the most amazing kiss she’d ever experienced. Her body still tingled thinking about it.
Had he forgotten? Was it all just a moment? Or as she had told Katie, was it just a mistletoe kiss that meant nothing more than a holiday season tradition?
Okay, focus, Dana. Focus on the case at hand.
Focus on what you just learned at the Mercer Mansion. Terry’s life—and her freedom are at stake here. Not to mention a twisted dangerous killer is on the loose.
Dana shifted uncomfortably on the seat. There was so much noise and commotion going on outside the glass door of his office. The door was cracked opened a bit. She was sure one of his secretaries could probably here them but she had to tell him what she’d heard, no matter how crazy or off the wall it sounded.
“Well, Troy,” she sighed deeply. “I just got back from Gigi’s father’s home.”
“You were at the Mercer Mansion?” he said, not looking up at her. He kept flipping through each file he pulled from the cabinet as if looking urgently for something.
“Um...yes.”
“And?”
“Well, Troy, I really think you have the wrong suspect.”
Detective Troy glanced up from his file to look at Dana.
Her heart tumbled in her chest.
“What are you saying, Dana?”
She swallowed hard. “I’m just saying that I believe what Terry said. Terry didn’t do it. I’m sure of it. I feel it in my bones.”
“Oh, really now?”
“Yes, really. I think something’s missing.”
“Yes, something is missing all right.”
Why was he in such a bad mood this morning?
“Troy, please here me out.”
He leaned against the cabinet with his arms folded across his burly chest, the file folder still in his hand.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“Well, there’s the motive for one thing.”
“Terry has a motive, Dana. She went out with the victim and he dumped her for the superstar he was working for. Case closed.”
“But that motive’s not as strong as Gigi’s father wanting to keep Carlos away from her...or her ex-fiancé, Thomas, wanting revenge.”
“Her ex-fiancé?”
“Yes. According to the maid, Gigi’s ex-fiancé is in town from Los Angeles. And, he’s a good friend of her father. And, did you know that they had a fight over her marrying Carlos. And, her father just had his car fixed...he’d been in an accident and had a dent in it and...” Dana had to catch her breath.
“All right, all right. Now calm down, Dana,” Troy’s voice was soothing and low. “First of all, I hear what you’re saying, but having a dent in a car doesn’t make anyone a killer. Or else everyone in Berry Cove would be a suspect for the amount of times they run into a pole or hit something or have someone hit their car.”
“Okay, true, I guess you’re right, but...”
“Dana,” he said gently. “I really appreciate all the help you’ve given the department in the past and I admire your mystery solving skills with that wonderful blog of yours, too. But the last thing I would want is for the department to think you’re way out to lunch here.”
So he’s thinking of me and my reputation? Is that really what this is all about? Or is he thinking of himself—and his own reputation?
Dana felt a mixture of annoyance and deflation right now. She came to Troy because she was hoping that he would just believe her and take her word and her hunch for everything.
But wait a minute. He was a cop, right? He had to go with his instincts and standard procedure.
“The lab confirmed that Terry held the murder weapon.”
“They what? They did?” Dana’s eyes opened wide.
“Yes, they did. I just got the report, Dana. We already have our killer.”
Dana frowned. “But...?”
“Dana, please leave this one to us. Terry had the motive, means and the opportunity.”
Dana sighed deeply. She then got up with what little pride she had left. She felt a massive headache coming on. She must have looked as if she was about to faint, her head was spinning.
“You okay, Dana?” Detective Troy was at her side in an instant.
He then held her arm and gently placed his hand on her lower back and instantly she felt sparkles again. Okay, there was some chemistry going on between them. That was not a figment of her imagination.
Her body reacted to his touch—once again. In a very pleasant way that was sweetly indescribable. The sweet scent of his cologne was intoxicating, irresistible.
Okay, calm down, Dana.
“I...I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure now? Can I get you something to drink?”
“No...I...” Just then a thought struck Dana. “You know something, Troy. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you later.”
She could see that Troy looked as puzzled as she thought he would. She just got an idea but she had to reach Katie soon before it was too late.