Neighbors and More (High Rise Series) (20 page)

“On my computer, here.” They all followed his glance to
Alexa’s office. “I haven’t watched it for months. See? I trust you, sweetheart.”

“That’s too bad.” Detective Ladd raised a sarcastic eyebrow.
“Can we watch it now?”

“Sure. The camera only covers the front door, entrance hall,
and living room,” Greg explained with a blunt tone free of emotion, as if he were
about to demonstrate a new equipment to his audience. “The file is on the hard
drive. Its capacity is sixty days. And the new recording replaces the older
one. So we can only see the last two months.”

“That’s more than enough,” Dante grumbled, and then whispered
into Alexa’s ears. “Is there anything you don’t want these men to see?”

She hissed through gritted teeth. “I never walk in my
undies, or without, if that’s what you mean. But we were together...”

“I couldn’t care less if Greg bawls over it,” Dante answered
in her ear.

Greg settled into the comfortable chair in front of the opulent
antique desk and turned on the old computer. “I left it here, because it was
more practical. I used to read my emails every day when I came to check on
Alexa. But I found it too slow and bought a laptop, in my apartment downstairs.
Here we go.”

They bunched behind him while he replayed the recording.

They watched Alexa’s few visitors pop on the screen. Nothing
interesting for three-quarter of the file. Mostly Greg himself, one or two
maintenance guys, or men from the building security.

“I’m not used to receiving visitors,” Alexa said. Dante was
away during the previous two months.

And then Steve appeared on the monitor screen. The video
showed him standing at the door talking to Alexa.

“That was the day I didn’t let him in. The day before he
died,” she commented with a grim tone.

The images flipped to show Steve arriving with two glasses
and entering Alexa’s apartment with his key.

“So he didn’t take the glasses from your kitchen cabinet,”
Dante commented.

“But they are mine. Although, I’ve never noticed two glasses
missing.”

“Look carefully now.” Dante squeezed her shoulder, alerting
her not to miss any details.

Several exclamations echoed as they saw Steve stop at the
bar and pick up the carafe. A moment later, Alexa came out of her bedroom. Her
open mouth and gestures attesting to her screaming as she spotted him.

On the mute screen, the script continued. Steve smiled, showed
the carafe and goblets, and then turned his back to her as he poured the
drinks. He gave her one goblet and held the other. Then he put it on the table,
pulled his phone from his pocket, and walked to the balcony.

The video showed Alexa looking at him, waiting, then taking
the glass on the right side, the one that was previously in his hand and moving
toward the kitchen. She strolled back with another similar glass.

When Steve came back from the balcony, Alexa still had her
glass in hand, and he took the other one that she’d never touched.

“Stop for a moment,” Detective Ladd ordered as he scribbled
on his pad. “Mr. Partson, you will make me a copy of the whole file.”

“Absolutely. Shall I continue?”

“Yes, please.”

The next scenes showed Greg’s presence when he announced the
news of Steve’s death, and Dante’s arrival.

“You can fast forward,” Ladd suggested.

Greg banged on the desk as they witnessed Dante and Alexa’
hugging and exchanging blazing kisses. “How dare you paw her, you miserable
SOB?”

“From this, you can see that Alexa is very dear to me,”
Dante amiably answered, while Alexa chuckled. “You’ll see many more similar
scenes from this past week. Try not to pay attention.”

“Quiet, please,” the detective ordered. “Ah, here I am,” he
added with a satisfied smile, as he appeared on the monitor. “This must be the
few times I came to interview you.”

“Not interesting to our case.” Greg fast forwarded.

“Oh my God, who is that?” Alexa gasped, and the three men hunched
forward. In broad day light, a masked man entered the apartment after Alexa
left, rushed to her bedroom, and left almost right away, with nothing in hand.

“He’s wearing the same ski mask as the man who tried to kill
me in the ocean,” she mumbled.

Steve was already dead. Who was this one?

“He hasn’t stolen anything,” Ladd mused, his eyebrows
scrunched.

More pictures of people visiting scrolled by, showing Dante,
Greg, Ladd, and Dianna.

“Since when do you socialize with Dianna?” Greg asked with a
scowl.

Alexa shrugged, not ready to reveal the reason of Dianna’s
visit and her claiming to be scared of Greg. “She came once.”

The video continued and the camera focused on the mask man
again. “Good God, it’s the same guy again. He came twice.” Alexa hugged herself,
her pallor betraying her intense emotion.

Dante sent her an understanding look, but abstained from reaching
for her in front of Ladd and Greg. “The first time he must have hidden the ring
to incriminate you, and—”

“And the second time,” Greg interrupted with a loud angry
tone. “The bastard is staying much longer to search your apartment. He’s
obviously looking for the safe. You have a million dollars worth of jewelry,
plus the sum you keep for emergencies. But he’s going away empty-handed.”

“We’ve seen enough. Mr. Partson, can you make me a copy
now?”

“Sure.”

“Greg,” Alexa said with a firm tone. “Show me how you open
the surveillance file and what’s the password you use?”

“But—”

“No buts. From now on, I’m the only one accessing this
file.”

Dante stifled his grin.

“Good idea, Ms. Alexa.” Ladd surprised them by nodding.
“Well, Mr. Partson?”

“Here, click on this icon,” Greg grudgingly replied. “It
starts the program. Now, open the file. I can’t give you my password.”

“Change it and give me a new one. Use 21AJan86.”

“What’s wrong, sweetheart, don’t you trust me anymore?”

“The password, Greg? Don’t force me to bring a technician to
rip the whole thing apart.”

Greg mumbled a curse and changed the password. “Here it’s
done.”

“Wait. I’ll see if I can open it.”

“Alexa! Don’t you think you’re going too far?”

 “Not far enough. I’ve reached the point where I don’t trust
anyone. I’ll take care of myself without your so-called protection, Greg,” she
muttered as she typed the new password and sighed with relief when the file
appeared on the screen.

“Happy now?” Greg asked with a scowl.

“Just satisfied.”

Proud of her assertive initiative, Dante hadn’t interfered.
Eventually, he’d suggest she remove the surveillance camera, or replace it with
a more modern camera if she still wanted such a device in her apartment.

Greg gave a flash drive to the detective. “If you don’t need
me I’m leaving.”

“Ms. Alexa,” the detective said after Greg left. “Don’t
touch that computer. I’ll send a cop to pick it up and bring it to our lab.”

“Detective Ladd, now we know that Steve came with the
glasses, one of them laced with the Valium. We also know that Alexa was drugged
at the time she signed the check. It looks to me that Steve is the guilty one
here. May I suggest you search his apartment?” Dante’s firm voice sounded like
an order rather than a suggestion.

“Steve is dead. He can’t be the guilty one. We’ve already
searched his room. Let me finish my investigation,” he threw over his shoulder as
he left.

Alexa shook her head. “By the time he finishes his
investigation, it may be too late to find more evidence.”

Chapter Fifteen

Alexa grabbed a bottle of water and settled in a lounge
chair on her balcony. The serenity of the ocean had always helped her collect
her thoughts. Would Ladd be able to solve the mystery of Steve’s death and the
events surrounding it?

“We can’t wait for Ladd to work by the book.” For a change,
Dante had bypassed his favorite beer, and sipped on a
Coke
.

“What else can we do at this point?” she mused without
taking her eyes off the yacht gliding on the azure water. How she wished she
could cruise on such a boat with Dante at her side. But right now, she lived in
a tangled web and had to extricate herself alive before daring to dream.

“I’m going to search Carter’s apartment. He and Steve lived
together for two years. I may find something interesting.”

“Are you crazy?” She spun to face Dante. God, he was
serious. “What if he catches you?”

“I’m a big boy. I can defend myself.” A half smile stretched
his lips to one side, but a grim determination sparkled in his eyes. “It’s
obvious that Steve was up to something nasty before his death.”

She shivered in spite of the bright afternoon sun burning
her skin. “Do you think the drug was intended for me?” She forced the words out
of her mouth and barely heard her own voice.

“Darling, I don’t want to scare you, but yes, I’m convinced
now that the adulterated drink was for you. You saved yourself by not drinking
it.”

“Do you think Steve wanted to kill me?”

“Not kill you. The dose wasn’t strong enough, but put you to
sleep.”

“And then what?”

“I don’t know. We can only speculate.”

“Kidnap me?” She swallowed, understanding he didn’t want to frighten
her with horrible possibilities.

Dante grabbed her hands. “This bastard hasn’t hesitated to
steal your key and enter your apartment several times. He’d drugged you and had
you sign a two-million dollar check addressed to him. He lied to you saying he
was leaving for Atlanta to prevent your suspicions. He was capable of anything.”

“Assume I drank the laced Amaretto and fell asleep. Then
what? He was in the
Jacuzzi
at the time.”

“I think he was giving himself an alibi. He wanted to be
seen. He would have come back to take you.”

“Just like that? Carry me out? It doesn’t make sense.”

“What if he had help? What if his partner was in it, too,
and ready to lend a hand when needed?”

“Oh God.”

 “Remember, a man tried to drown you, and then ransacked
your apartment
after
Steve’s death. I have to go to Carter’s apartment
now, while he’s at his office. It’s only 3:15. He never comes back before six
or seven.”

“How would you enter?”

“Same way Steve did. I’ll tell the office secretary that I
lost my key, and charm her into letting me borrow the spare one from the
security board.”

Alexa arched her eyebrow. She didn’t doubt Dante’s smile
could melt the plain Barbara into giving the key and more if he wanted. “I’m
sure she will,” she retorted, her tone more pinched than she intended to.

He chuckled. “Thanks for your confidence. While she’s
getting me
my
key, I’ll follow her to the locked room and I’ll manage to
snatch Carter’s spare key. They are all hanging on the same board.”

Alexa’s pulse raced. “What if Barbara notices something?”

“If Barbara says something, I’ll knock the board to drop a
few keys and help her pick them up from the floor while apologizing for my
clumsiness.”

“I can just picture the scene.” They both laughed, but she
immediately sobered. “What if Carter comes back early?”

Dante’s grin faded. “We need to plan carefully. I’ll have my
iPhone. Your number is programmed. If I find something, I’ll call or text you to
send the detective. If Carter comes back, I’ll just punch your number. If you
hear a ring with no answer, call the police immediately.”

“I want to come with you, stay in front of the elevator to
warn you if he returns.”

“If he sees you, he may get suspicious and hurt you, or hold
you. Please, Alexa, stay here and keep your phone handy. If I’m worrying about
you, it’ll distract me.”

“But—”

“I’m a black belt in karate. And I grew up in a family where
it was important to learn to defend myself. Let’s not waste time.” He pulled
her from her chair and ushered her inside.

“What if he has a gun, Dante? I wish you’d take a weapon.”

“I don’t own one. Considering my family history, I’ve never asked
for a permit to carry firearm. They would have refused it and asked too many
questions. But don’t worry, I have good fists, and know a few moves.”

She bit her lips and nodded. He’d never mentioned anything
about that part of his family background. Now was not the moment to bring up the
subject. “So you’re just going downstairs with... without anything to protect yourself?”

He caressed her cheek and smiled. “I need one thing from
you. For good luck.” He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her so tenderly. “If
everything works well, we’ll have a lot to talk about later.”

He kissed her again as if he wanted to show her his deepest
feelings.

“And if—”

“Just remember that you own my heart.”

“Oh Dante.” Tears filled her eyes.

He pulled back and frowned. “Would you have a pair of latex
gloves?”

Unable to talk, she opened a kitchen drawer and gave him a
pair.

“Dante, stop. Please, reconsider. Carter may sue you for
breaking into his apartment. The scandal may destroy your career, hurt your
family.”

“Darling, right now all I can think of is the danger
threatening you.
This man tried to kill you and may
try again.
” He blew her a kiss and left. She stared at the door for a
long moment and held her cell phone between her hands.

He was going to risk a lot for her. Maybe his life.

Dante, I love you
.

****

Snatching Carter’s key from the board had been a piece of
cake, but guilt needled Dante at distracting Barbara with compliments about her
skirt and her new coiffure. He’d promised to take the sweet middle-aged woman
for dinner to thank her for her kindness. He didn’t add
with Alexa,
but
swiftly left the office.