Tell Me Lies Read online

  In the open doorway stood Mr. McDaniel holding two wine glasses, his head turned to one side as he listened to Mrs. McDaniel inside.

  “Go,” Lexie whispered.

  They dove behind a big bush, holding their breath as they heard Mrs. McDaniel join her husband on the patio. The bush blocked their view, which meant the McDaniels couldn't see them either, but the noises coming from behind them were clear.

  Embarrassingly clear.

  Kat leaned closer to Lexie, “Now what?” she whispered. “We can’t go between the Irwins’ and the Figerellos’, it’s blocked. Do we head down the beach after the perps?”

  Lexie dropped her head forward, shaking it back and forth. “Just shoot me. Seriously, I'll never be able to look Lindsey in the face again and keep my mouth shut if I have to listen to her parents have sex.”

  “Maybe they'll save us and go back inside before, you know, doing the deed.”

  The noises and murmuring grew in volume and intensity from the other side of the bush.

  “Just have a seat here, young lady, on the exam table.”

  “Doctor, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m having . . .”

  Lexie pressed her hands over her ears to block out the rest, but it was kind of hard with just a bush and a few feet between her and the amorous couple.

  “Oh, my gawd.” Kat scrunched her face up to contain the laughter. “This is why I go to a female doc.”

  “That's it, I can't stay here, it's just wrong on so many levels. I’m going to need brain bleach as it is to forget this night.”

  “Does it come in five-gallon containers?”

  “Okay, I have a plan. We army crawl out, nice and quietlike. Keep your head down, eyes averted, and we should be able to make a clean getaway without the need for additional therapy.” Lexie swung the camera around to rest on her back, dropped to her stomach, and crept forward, saying a prayer to the powers that be.

  Miraculously, they reached the street without being seen by any of the residents. Kat hit 911 and Lexie jogged down the street and stowed away their cameras in their trunk before the police showed. There was no sense in having their client’s proof confiscated if the pictures she’d taken didn’t yield any viable pictures of the crooks. If they did, she’d turn them over first thing tomorrow.

  Together they waited on the far side of the street opposite the Irwins’ driveway under the streetlight for the police to arrive.

  “We forgot about Vinnie,” Kat stated, looking toward the opening between the houses they had just exited.

  Vinnie took that moment to pop up next to them, making Kat jump.

  “Why doesn’t that ever startle you?” Kat asked Lexie.

  “Seriously? He’s been popping in and out our whole lives. Why does it scare you?” She turned away before Kat could respond. “Hey Vin, what'd you see in there?”

  “Just the two who ran out the back, couldn’t see anything what with them all dressed in black. They had on ski masks. Total amateurs. Doubt if the pigs—”

  Lexie flashed him a warning look.

  “—cops will find anything. Sloppy work, but they had enough brains to wear gloves. Think they were looking for something specific.” He laughed then. “Couple of chickenshi—chickens. I bumped a table and the two of them bugged out of there.”

  “Did they get into the safe?” Lexie scanned the road for the police and oncoming traffic, especially any cars driven by men in black. As if they would still be running around dressed by Burglars “R” Us or take the risk of coming back.

  There was no way to tell where the thieves had parked or which way they’d escaped, and since she was pretty sure they didn’t actually see her and Kat in the backyard, she planned to keep their identity safe. She also kept a close watch on the three houses across the street. It would be best if Mr. Figerello and the McDaniels remained unaware of their presence.

  “Nah, they hit the dame’s jewel case and not much of anything else. The office looked normal, laptop on the desk, and Alan’s Rolex was sitting on top of it. What a waste.”

  “Vinnie!” both Kat and Lexie admonished.

  “Sorry. Old habits.”

  “Why didn’t you follow them?” Lexie asked.

  Vinnie took that moment to inspect his nails, before shrugging his shoulders. “I’m just the intern.”

  “You were too busy checking out the Rolex to even notice they’d left. Admit it.” Kat crossed her arms, toes tapping. “We were in danger and you were casing the place.”

  “You’re killing me, kid. You know that?” he said.

  “I wish.” Lexie said.

  “We need a new intern,” Kat replied.

  The soft purr of an approaching engine had both women stepping off to the side of the road. An unmarked SUV rolled to a halt at Lexie’s Chevrolet Cruze, the interior suddenly lit by a blinding spotlight.

  Kat raised her brows in a questioning look. “Cameras?”

  “Trunk.”

  They waited as the driver of the SUV pulled off to the side of the road in front of them. Lexie took a deep breath and steeled her nerves. Out stepped Detective Rafael Barandas. She didn't need the glow of the streetlight to know he was six-two and extremely fit, or how his dark brown eyes looked black when his blood was pumping, or how thanks to his Portuguese heritage he had a yearlong tan. All those details were burned into her brain a lifetime ago.

  “That man is like fine wine.”

  “Shut up, Kat.”

  “Well, well, well, if it isn't the stable boy,” Vinnie piped in.

  “Shut up, Vinnie,” Lexie and Kat replied.

  The detective cautiously stepped out from behind the open car door, as if they were a threat instead of just two women.

  “Well, if it isn’t Smith and Jones, forever together.”

  Vinnie snorted in her ear. “Good one.”

  If she could, she’d have elbowed him in the gut.

  Rafe looked up and down the quiet street. “One of you call in a burglary?”

  “Yes, sir,” Kat said.

  Feet planted shoulder width apart, arms crossed in front of him, she could imagine the intimidating stance worked on many a suspect. Ignoring Kat’s answer, he pointed in the direction of her car. “You’re parked illegally. Engine trouble?”

  “No, sir,” Kat said.

  He made his way over, stopping directly in front of Lexie, stealing the air from her lungs. The saliva in her mouth went Sahara Desert dry, her tongue stuck to the roof, refusing to work. Her heart pounded a strong, fast rhythm in her ears.

  “Just out for a late evening stroll and happened to see the crime going down?”

  She swallowed a few times, focusing on his Adam’s apple as he spoke, refusing to look into his eyes. Oh no, she knew better, having fallen into that trap before. But she wasn’t the same person now. That was a lifetime ago, so why was she having the same old reaction to him? Stupid pheromones. And where was her voice?

  “Uh, not exactly. Lex, you want to explain to Detective Barandas how we happened to be in the area?” Kat jumped in, but not exactly to save her.

  Lexie shot her best friend—former best friend—a look that said a whole lot more than no. The less said the better, for more reasons than she cared to think about, but at the top of the list was the possibility of losing her client’s proof if her camera was confiscated as evidence.

  “Not really.” Pulling it together, she looked him in the eyes. “Suffice it to say we were in the area on business and caught sight of someone in the Irwins’ house.”

  Rafe looked at the nearby houses. She followed his gaze from the cars in the driveway to the lights on inside the homes. The look on his face, as he scratched his jaw, made her want to laugh.

  “Probably best I don't ask. Your call said the burglars exited through the back door?”

  He directed his question to her, but Kat responded. “Yes, sir, that is correct.”

  “Okay, can you two wait here while I check the residence? I'll take your statements after I've cleared the home.” After getting their affirmative head nods, he stalked across the street as quietly as a giant cat on the prowl for its next meal.

  “I’ve got to say it, wow. He just keeps getting better looking every time I see him. Don't you think so?” Kat nudged her arm with an elbow.

  Lexie pushed Kat away and took a step back, giving herself some space to breathe.

  “Let's not go there. Rafe was a long time ago. Besides, I thought you were Team Benjamin. You said he’s a nice guy.” Not that she wanted to date him either, but she had hoped mentioning him would shut Kat and Vinnie up. Apparently not, as snorts of laughter rang through the night.

  She didn’t blame them.

  Rafe and Benjamin. It was like comparing a delicious, fresh, sweet apple to dehydrated apple chips. Same genetic makeup in the beginning, but life had shaped them into totally different beings in the end.

  For her, Rafe would always be sweet temptation. But just like Snow White was a goner with one bite, she knew she would be too if she tasted Rafe Barandas again.

  Sweet memories of the past flooded her brain. Memories of the two of them laughing while they shared a joke in the hall. Stolen moments as they slipped out of sight and shared heated kisses between classes. Sneaking in late because they’d lost time watching the waves crash as they made plans for the future together. She felt a tug on her heart, followed by the bitter pain of betrayal, and shoved the old memories back into the box they came from.

  “You two can quit any time now.” It was like hanging out in junior high again. “You're not funny at all. There’s nothing wrong with dating a nice guy. Besides, Rafe made it clear he didn't want me.”

  Circling her arms around Lexie, Kat wrapped her in a tight hug. “Oh, honey, don't yo
u know nice is boring? And I don't know why he did what he did back then, but that guy has been in love with you since the fifth grade.”

  She hugged Kat back.

  “I could go trip him or something for you,” Vinnie offered.

  With a laugh, she gave her friends a smile of thanks and shook her head. The last thing she needed was Vinnie to go all spiteful spirit on her behalf.

  “Let's concentrate on the case at hand, give the detective our statements, and get out of here.” She pulled her iPhone out of a pocket and started texting. “How about we stop off at Buon Appetito on our way home? I could get a hot, cheesy pizza, and you could get a salad,” Lexie suggested.

  “Hey, don’t knock my eating habits. Not all of us are as lucky as you to have the metabolism of a teenage boy. So not fair.” Kat laughed and playfully punched her in the arm. “Did you text Mrs. Figerello?”

  “Yep, I let her know I’ll hand over the evidence to her lawyer in the morning. Also, the locksmith and movers will be here then to move Sal out and have the residence ready for her return in the afternoon.”

  Twin pinpricks of light pierced the darkness, growing rapidly closer while the sound of an engine roared down the road. For safety, they stepped around to the far side of the SUV, out of sight. The car slowed as it came even with the two vehicles parked on the side of the road before turning into the Irwins’ driveway.

  “Ah, perché io? I should have stayed home tonight,” Vinnie muttered.

  Ha, why him? At least Holly couldn’t see Vinnie and he could just fade away, unlike her.

  “Damn, this night just keeps getting better and better,” Lexie mumbled, shaking her head and looking skyward for an appeal.

  Rafe appeared in the driveway before the car came to a full stop. He gave her and Kat a hand signal to wait, as he approached and spoke with her godparents. He couldn’t have said more than a few words before Alan stormed off toward the front door, but Rafe stepped in front, stopping him. Holly, on the other hand, turned toward them. Her hands fluttered in front of her face, possibly fighting off tears. No one did drama quite like Holly Irwin.

  All hopes for a silent getaway were squashed when Rafe called them over.

  “Girls, what are you doing here?” Alan barely glanced their way, his answer more form than actual concern.

  “They’re witnesses, Mr. Irwin. I need to take their statements first, and then I’ll have you and your wife do a visual walk-through with me to see what was stolen, take pictures of the entry point, and dust for prints. That sort of thing. Please don’t enter the house without me. It could corrupt any evidence that might have been left behind.” His tone was all business and sexy as hell, which was wrong, she wasn’t supposed to think of him like that.

  Rafe and Kat walked to the end of the illuminated drive. Lexie wasn’t worried about her partner staying professional, it was her best friend she was worried about keeping her big mouth shut.

  In the meantime, Holly engulfed Lexie in a mama bear hug.

  “Oh sweetheart, are you okay?” Holly ran her hands up and down Lexie’s arms, turning her around, inspecting her as if she were five again. “I'm so glad you and Katarina saw those scoundrels and chased them off, but your mother is going to have a fit. You could have been hurt. What if they were armed?” She pulled back and looked at Lexie with eyes that belonged to a Chihuahua—big, sad, and quivering with fear.

  “It’s okay, Holly. We weren't in any danger, and we didn't chase them away. We, umm, just happened to be passing by and saw a strange light in your house.” Lexie looked down. She didn't like lying, but client confidentiality prevented her from sharing the truth with her godmother.

  “It's okay, sweetie, I know what you and Katarina were doing. I gave Misty Figerello your names.” Holly glanced over to the Figerello residence and scowled at the yellow VW Bug in the driveway. “Did you catch the rat in the act?”

  “Let’s just say it’s been an interesting night.”

  It’d been more than a decade since she and Rafe had last spoken, and she wouldn’t say they’d departed on amicable terms. But that was a long time ago, and people change and grow. Right? She’d tried to forget, but damn, look at the man! Sexy as sin. Too confident for his own good, and yet she knew there was a soft side to him as well. The combination did things to her. Things she didn’t want to think about.

  Holly prattled on about the drama next door, the burglary, and Lexie’s parents’ dinner party. Lexie made noncommittal responses, her attention on Rafe and Kat as they walked her way. An angry swarm of bees ran rampant in her stomach, and what little she’d eaten that day—a muffin, maybe—threatened to come back up.

  Here I go. My one chance to prove the past is dead and gone.

  “Ms. Smith, if I could have a few moments of your time for your statement.” Rafe's tone held a hint of amusement, yet his face was stone-cold straight.

  Lexie left Kat to deal with the Irwins and Vinnie, and walked to the end of the four-car drive, to join Rafe. After their last encounter, she’d never expected to be this up close and, well, not personal, but definitely within each other's personal bubble. Standing under the street lamp, all the minute details came to life. Fine lines etched at the corners of his deep brown eyes. Streaks of gray teased at his temples in otherwise thick, black hair. He still wore it the same way, short on the sides and long enough in the back to invite your fingers to play in its rich, silky texture.

  As it was early April in New England, she was layered up: Under Armour, heavy cotton shirt, topped with her fleece jacket. How was he not freezing? Probably all that hot Mediterranean blood keeping him warm. It had kept both of them warm on plenty of nights.

  His jeans and long-sleeve tee fit him like a second skin and Lexie’s hands itched to feel the smooth expanse. She shoved her hands in her back pockets to avoid giving in to temptation. Hanging down in the middle of his chest hung his shiny, gold badge drawing her eyes to his chest again, testing her willpower, daring her to try to keep her gaze at eye level.

  This close up, she could see that the too-serious expression didn't reach his eyes, mischief dancing in their depths. “What would you like to know, Detective?” She kept his gaze, accepting the challenge issued within.

  “Since Ms. Jones has already given me her statement, if you could confirm a few facts for me? She stated, you witnessed a light bouncing around in the region of Mr. Irwin’s home office. Then the suspects exited the premises from the rear patio door and ran toward the city park. Is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “What were you doing here?”

  “I've already answered that question. Next.”

  “Were you breaking any laws that I should be aware of?” He skimmed his eyes slowly down her stance and back to her face. “Do I get to break out the cuffs?”

  Steeling her nerves, she shoved the wariness deep down. She’d be damned before she let him know how much he really affected her. Call him her kryptonite—he reduced her willpower to nothing. Lexie returned the appraisal, playing the game. “Only if I get to break out the whips, Detective.”

  Well, damn. There went that whole proving-the-past-was-dead-and-gone goal.

  Rafe’s brows arched, the corners of his mouth lifted, and passion flared in his eyes before he looked away. Something told her life was about to get interesting, even if it was just the two of them trying to dance around the past.

  Rafe cleared his throat. “Do you think Mr. Figerello and his friend or the McDaniels might have seen the intruders?”

  “I can't really answer for someone else, but my guess would be . . . no.”

  She tried to keep the smirk from morphing into a full smile and lost. Damn him. All it took was a few minutes in his company and everything inside of her started to melt, but she wasn’t that young, naïve girl anymore. She was a professional private investigator there to do a job.

  His conspiratorial smile made it hard, but she held her ground. “I got that impression as well. Some people really should learn to close the curtains.”

  He looked toward the others. Alan paced and Holly alternately fluttered her hands and hugged Kat.

  “I don't suppose you captured our visitors on camera, did you?” Rafe's eyes were all business now as they bore down on her.