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DANA’S HEART POUNDED in her chest as she went to answer the door. She then let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
It was Detective Troy.
Why oh, why did her body react that way whenever Detective Troy was around?
She smoothed her hair and then straightened her top and drew in a deep breath before opening the door.
“Good evening, Miss Sweet.” Detective Troy’s voice was so sexy and deep and silky.
“Miss Sweet?” Dana said. “Uh-oh. You only get official and formal with me when you think I’ve done something wrong or you’re on official business.”
His lips curved into a sweet grin that made Dana’s insides melt like warm butter in a pan.
“Yes, I’m afraid you’re right this time.”
“Oh,” Dana replied, trying to hide her disappointment.
“May I come in?”
“Oh, yes, of course. Where are my manners?” Dana opened the door wide for Detective Troy and he came inside.
“Hey, Detective,” Katie said from the landing. “Don’t mind me, I’m just turning in for the night.”
“Miss Sweet,” Detective Troy also addressed Katie by her surname and nodded politely. “Have a good night.”
Dana hoped that after Troy left her this evening, she would also end up having a good night, but she had an eerie suspicion that whatever he came for was going to make her have an awful night.
She swallowed hard.
“So what brings you here at...” Dana glanced up at the old oak vintage grandfather floor clock with its refined carvings and swinging pendulum in the foyer, “midnight?”
The six-feet tall floor based clock was an old piece of historical furniture, but it was always accurate. It had belonged to her Grandma Rae and like many of the furniture in the house, it was vintage, an antique.
“Sorry, about the late call, but I was just finishing up my shift at the precinct and received a call from security that there were trespassers at the scene of the murder.”
Dana froze. Her body tensed.
“Um...oh, really?” She led Detective Troy into the grand kitchen and on autopilot filled the kettle with fresh water then turned it on. “Can I get you some tea or coffee?”
“Actually, I wouldn’t mind a cup right now, thanks.”
“Good.”
“I’d just gotten word that you and your cousin were spotted at the scene.”
“Oh,” Dana said. “Well Troy how on earth could anyone have spotted us...?”
Oops! Okay, I just incriminated myself.
Detective Troy gave Dana a playfully scolding look and shook his head. If she wasn’t mistaken, the corner of his lips curved slightly.
“Dana,” he said with an authoritative tone.
“Glad we’re back on first name basis, Troy,” she teased, trying to soften the situation.
“You know how I feel about you running off and investigating dangerous crimes like this one.”
“I know, I know, but something’s just bothering me about the whole situation.”
“What situation?”
“The crime scene, the suspects. I know you believe Terry did it, but...”
“Now wait a minute. She does appear guilty and we have to follow due process. She was there with the murder weapon over the victim’s body.”
“Okay, I get that it looks bad.”
“Looks bad? Dana she admits that she hallucinates sometimes.”
“I know. But...I just know there’s something missing.”
“The forensics team have gone over the scene thoroughly, Dana. Besides, you know I worry about you.”
Tingles erupted down Dana’s spine.
He worries about me?
“But why, Troy? You don’t have to worry about me? You said so yourself that you think Terry did it.” Dana poured the hot water into each cup filled with instant sweet and creamy French Vanilla cappuccino.
The aroma permeated the air and made her mouth water. She knew she shouldn’t be having caffeine so late at night but she had some more work to do on her blog before turning in.
She then grabbed two small bowls from the cupboard then went to the fridge to pull out the tray of the grilled chicken Cesar salad she’d made earlier from the fridge.
She figured it was healthier to have a light healthy snack that was also tasty at night time before bed time if she was going to peck around.
“Would you care for some chicken salad? I tossed it earlier. I always snack on something light and healthy in the evening.”
“Sounds good,” he said.
“Great.” She then tossed some salad into each bowl and added a tiny drop of the creamy Cesar salad dressing. She might like to snack late at night, but she also had to watch her weight. Unlike the hot Detective Troy who had enough muscles in his body to naturally burn off any fat. Boy, did he have a body to die for.
Speaking of dying...
“Well, I think there’s more to Carlos’s murder,” Detective Troy said, “We’re still investigating that vehicular homicide outside Gigi’s home the other week. We think the person was trying to kill Carlos but mistook the lawyer for him. It was late at night and Carlos had a habit of waltzing in late at night after a club, apparently.”
“Oh, no.” Dana’s eyebrows creased with regret. “Vehicular homicide? So...so the lawyer died then?”
Detective Troy slowly nodded his head. “I’m afraid so. We’ve upgraded the hit and run charge to vehicular homicide.”
Oh, no. Death by driving. Or death by car.
Just then a eureka moment struck Dana. As if a light bulb went off in her mind, she said, “But Terry doesn’t drive!”
“Bingo.”
“So you feel that somebody else tried to kill Carlos, too, and that person is still roaming around Scott free?”
“Precisely. Now, I don’t want you snooping around or asking any more questions. Just leave the work up to the force.”
“Of course. You know me.”
“Exactly. That’s the problem, Dana. I do know you. I know you’re very much eager to solve this crime like you do the murder mystery riddles on your blog. By the way, I see you’ve gained quite a following on Instagram and Twitter. Congratulations!”
Dana flushed. “Thank you.”
Another thought popped into Dana’s mind.
“You do realize that there are many possible suspects then for the hit and run.”
“Trust me, Dana. We’re looking into all prospects.”
“Don’t forget to look into her father, her ex-fiancé, Thomas Cicaro, and her back up dancer, Steve.”
“Dana.”
“Troy.”
He frowned. “What makes you think it has anything to do with those guys? Besides, they all have alibis.”
“I bet they do.”
“Dana,” Detective Troy said, finishing up the last of his salad. He then downed his coffee as if he had to rush. “I’m going to ask you to please be very careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Trust me, we’ve got this covered.”
“Okay, I trust that you’re doing your job, but an employee of mine has been accused of this crime, not to mention one of my cupcakes was on the scene. You can’t blame me for trying to figure this out in my mind.”
“Just as long as you don’t try to figure it out in person.”
She playfully rolled her eyes. Okay, I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises.