Staying out of trouble didn’t mean I had to stay home.
Back in the city I never went to the gym. I was blessed with good genes and happy about my size, thank God, because physical exertion wasn’t really my thing. Walking or riding my bike through Central Park I could handle. Climbing on equipment more complex to operate than my father’s medical devices or my mother’s BlackBerry, not so much.
“You’d better be worth it, Damon Papas,” I grumbled to myself as I changed into Tweety Bird sweatpants and a white tank top.
“Bye, Morty, wherever you are. You don’t have to hide anymore. I get it, no more vet. Pray I come back in one piece,” I hollered, and grabbed an oversized canary yellow hooded sweatshirt instead of my bulky winter coat. Snagging my keys, I headed out the door.
I locked up Vicky and then drove down my street, past Smokey Jo’s, and around the corner to Wally’s World. Five minutes later I stood inside, second-guessing my decision to call and make an appointment with a personal trainer.
Wally was a massive man. At least six foot eight inches of creamy milk chocolate, not a speck of hair on his big beautiful body, and features more exotic than any I’d ever seen on a man or a woman.
“You must be Sunny. Welcome to my world,” he said in a deep, rich voice, and then stretched his lips wide, revealing blazing white teeth. “Ready to get Wallysized?”
“I, well, um . . . oh my. That depends on what’s involved,” I answered in a shaky voice, scanning the inside of the gym.
I knew I probably wouldn’t see Mr. Papas since his wife had told us he usually worked out at night, but I thought maybe I would meet some people who might know him. Find out more about him since I had no clue where else he hung out or anything else about him. And I couldn’t sit home and do nothing, no matter what Detective Stone had ordered me to do. I wouldn’t interfere in any more of his leads. . . . I’d simply find my own.
Wally tipped his head back, and laughter boomed from the depths of his chest out his wide mouth. “I’ll be gentle. Promise.”
“Don’t listen to him, lass. There’s nothing gentle about the beast. I’m afraid if he gets ahold of you, he’ll break your wee little body.” Sean O’Malley winked at me, his blue eyes twinkling and adorable dimples sinking deep. “Besides, Big Bertha just got here, and she insists on only working with her hunka hunka burnin’ love.” He turned to Wally. “Her words not mine, boss.”
“You’re not fooling anyone, son. You just want this breath of fresh air for yourself.” Wally grinned right back at Sean. “If I weren’t short-handed, I’d fire your behind and send you packing.”
“I’m too good, and you know it.”
“You’re too something, all right.” Wally eyed me up and down. “Watch your heart around this one. You blink your eyes, and he’ll steal it for sure.” Wally walked off and gave Bertha a huge bear hug, and then he dragged her unceremoniously into the gym. She didn’t kick or scream once. In fact, she looked like she was in heaven.
“Wow,” was all I said, peeking up at Sean. “Thank you, I think.”
“Ah, no worries. You’re in good hands, love.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” I giggled and pointed my finger at him. “Behave yourself.”
“Or what?” Sean leaned close and whispered in my ear, “You’ll spank me?”
“Wal—”
He clapped a hand over my mouth and chuckled. “Touché.” He crossed his bare arms over his spandex-covered chest and pulled his lips into a devilish grin. “So, tell me. What are you really doing here?”
“Getting into shape . . .
really
.”
“I like your shape.” He looked me over. “What I can remember of it. Can’t see a blasted thing beneath that crazy workout getup.”
“That’s the point.” I adjusted my sweatshirt. “What about you? I thought you were a bartender at Smokey Jo’s?”
“That’s my night gig. This is my day job. What can I say?” He lifted one finely toned shoulder. “I’m surrounded by all kinds of people at both jobs. Keeps things interesting. I’m just lucky, I guess.”
“I agree with Wally, you’re something all right.” I punched him on that same shoulder.
He snagged my wrist. “You’re about to find out exactly what I am as I whip your adorable hind end into shape.” His blue eyes took on a mischievous glitter. “A little weights, a lot of cardio, some Zumba.”
“Some whata?”
“Just the latest craze in exercising and one of my favorites. Can’t wait to show you the Booty.”
“I’ll bet,” I said as I trotted after him into the weight room. I sucked in a breath, flabbergasted at my luck. I had spotted Damon Papas coming out of the locker room and heading for the door, so I dug in my heels and yanked my wrist free from Sean’s light grip. “Ow, my side.”
Sean stopped, all teasing aside and a concerned look crossing his perfect features. “What’s wrong?”
“Cramps.”
His eyes grew heavy-lidded, and he stood with his hands on his hips. “You’re the one who made this appointment. You wouldn’t be wimping out on me, now would ya?”
“Okay, so you caught me. I hate working out, but I really do want to get into better shape. Just not at this moment. I actually do have a pain that won’t go away unless I tend to it.” I looked quickly toward Damon. I hadn’t lied. “Rain check?”
“Yeah, sure, but I’m holding you to that. How about tomorrow?” Sean tapped the tip of my nose with his fingertip.
“It’s a date.” I kept my eyes locked on Damon, not wanting to miss his exit.
“That’s what I’m counting on.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Too late. You threw it out there, and I’m holding you to it for blowing off working out today.”
“Fine, whatever.” I waved my hand absently. “But I really do have to go now.”
Sean’s eyes followed mine. “Hmph, haven’t seen him around here in a while. You know that guy?”
“No, but I’d like to talk to him.” I glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping and then said in a quiet voice, “I’m hoping he can help shed some light on this case. Clear my name. His wife said he comes here every evening. I was surprised to see him here this early.”
“Good luck, lass.” Sean shot a disgusted look in Damon’s direction. “That might be what he’s telling his wife, but I can assure you he hasn’t worked out in weeks.”
I knew Damon had been having an affair with Amanda Robbins and figured that was probably where he’d been going all these weeks. But now that she was dead, where on earth was he going this time?
Only one way to find out.
I was kind of excited at the thought of tailing someone for the first time. I glanced down at my clothes and bit my lip. I hadn’t really thought that far ahead when I’d chosen my outfit.
“Gotta go.” I grabbed Sean’s hand and drew his attention back to me. “We’ll talk in the morning. Tell Jo I’ll call her. We’ll have a girls’ day.”
“Will do.” He squeezed my hand and then let go. “Take care, now. And don’t forget to call me so we can figure out where we want to go tomorrow. Don’t worry, love. I’ll make it worth your while,” he said in his body melting Irish brogue.
Wow, he was good. I bit back a grin but giggled as I backed away toward the door, holding my side for good measure. Sean chuckled and moved on to his next victim.
After exiting the gym, I ducked behind a bush and watched Damon stand by his truck. A few moments later, he looked around as a car pulled up. Once he was sure no one was in the parking lot of the gym, he jumped into a car I didn’t recognize and slouched down as a person who wore a dark hood behind the wheel drove off. I quickly scurried over to my bug and turned the key, praying she’d start. Seconds later she sputtered to life as the other car’s rear end disappeared out of sight.
Shifting into gear, I followed at a safe distance. Where on earth was he going and whom was he with? They drove the car to the edge of town and pulled into the driveway of a house down a short dead-end road. They drove straight into the garage and closed the door behind them. I parked down the street, got out, and jogged to the back of the house. I peeked in the downstairs window and stifled a gasp.
A woman. I recognized her from my first day in town when I bought supplies for my sanctuary’s makeover. She’d introduced herself and had seemed so sweet. So proper. She was the kindergarten teacher at Divinity Elementary. Unbelievable. First the librarian and now the schoolteacher. Damon was married to a tyrant but obviously had a “good girl” fetish. Callista had said her husband claimed to have been at the gym during the time of the murder. If I were a gambling woman, I’d bet money he’d already moved on to his next fling. Why else would he be talking to the woman? It wasn’t like he had children who were in her class.
I couldn’t go on mere suspicion. I needed proof.
They headed into the kitchen, so I tried the window, but it was locked tight. Biting my lip, I scanned the back of the house. A massive oak was situated close to the upstairs windows. Maybe if I climbed high enough, I could see or hear something. Even better, maybe the window up there would be unlocked.
I rubbed my hands together and started climbing the tree. Heaving and puffing my way to the top, it dawned on me that I really did need to get in better shape. I looked down and let out a little yelp. The tree hadn’t appeared this high from the ground. I found a sturdy branch and scooted my way to the edge. Dusk came early during the month of January in upstate New York, and it was getting hard to see.
I tried the upstairs window and lucked out. It opened. Not fully but enough for me to squeeze through. The screen to this window was missing, so I was able to climb right inside. I landed with a thud and scrambled to my feet.
“What was that?” I heard from right outside the bedroom door, and the knob started to turn.
It was too late to scramble back outside without killing myself, so I closed the window and darted into the closet. As I closed the door, a whiff of starch mixed with mothballs gagged me. I held my breath and peeked through the slats. Seconds later the couple strolled inside in a full embrace.
Good Lord, what had I gotten myself into?
“Don’t worry about it, baby,” Damon said, kissing the schoolteacher’s neck. He was short but well built with dark masculine features and black slicked-back hair. All he needed were some chains around his neck, and he’d make the perfect gigolo.
“It was probably the wind knocking the tree branch against the glass,” he went on. “I told you that you need to have the landscaper trim that back in the spring.”
“Are you sure no one knows where you are?” the woman asked.
“Stop worrying, Mary. We’re safe, but I don’t have long.” He pushed her back onto the mattress.
“Because if people find out, my reputation will be ruined,” she continued. “That’s why you can’t use me as your alibi for the night Amanda Robbins died.”
“Your reputation? What about my life? My wife will kill me. Things were over a long time ago with Amanda. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even tried to trap me by getting pregnant, but it wouldn’t have worked, anyway. She hadn’t counted on my vasectomy. You’re the one who really makes me happy, baby.”
“Aw www, sweetie,” Mary said, and then they kissed passionately, her bun still firmly in place.
Damon pulled back and said while breathing hard, “Wanna watch a naughty movie?”
Mary giggled. “You read my mind.”
Ew www! I looked away and sat back, but that didn’t stop my ears from burning. The TV blared out sounds and dialogue so descriptive it left nothing to the imagination, no matter how hard I tried to block the mental image.
My phone chose that moment to ring. Thank God I’d had the sense to put it on vibrate. I checked the caller ID and groaned inwardly. “Hey, Detective, what’s up?” I whispered as quietly as I could and cupped my hand over the mouthpiece. Didn’t matter. The noise in the other room was so loud, my teakettle could go off, and they wouldn’t hear it.
“Why are you whispering?” he asked.
“Bad sore throat. Contagious. Stay away.” I peeked through the blinds and slapped a hand over my eyes. “Far, far away.”
A peal of giggles and shrieks rang out.
“Where are you?”
“Home. It’s the TV. Bad, bad TV.”
“Good God, what are you watching?”
“You don’t want to know.” I pried one eye open and then squeezed it shut again. “Let’s just say the rating is off the charts.”
There was a pause. “Really?” His voice sounded gruff.
I’d roll my eyes if they were open, but there was no way I was taking a chance of seeing any more of
that
. My retinas would never be the same. “Men, you’re all alike,” I ground out. “I stumbled across this movie, but trust me, it’s not something I ever care to see again. I’m changing the channel now. Was there something you wanted, Detective?”
“No.” He grunted. “I don’t want anything from you. Why would you think so?”
“That’s good, because I have nothing to give you. Nothing at all. Got it?”
“Oh-kay. You been sniffing glue, Tink? Cuz you’re acting strange again.”
“I’m acting strange? That’s rich coming from the man who wants nothing from me . . . yet you’re the one who called me,” I pointed out, adding a mental
Duh!
“Oh, that.” He sounded all business-like once more. “I called to tell you the nurse isn’t talking, not to me, anyway. She has no alibi for the night of the murder. Says she was home, but I can’t get a good read on her. She’s getting her hair and nails done tomorrow at Pump up the Volume Hair Salon and Spa. I thought maybe you . . . Nah, it’s probably a bad idea, especially with you being sick.”
“What is it?”
“Well, I thought maybe you could go and see what you can find out. But I don’t know if you’re ready. It takes a lot of planning to pull off a stakeout or tail someone.”
I glanced down at my Tweety Bird outfit and canary sweatshirt. Add in the fact that I was stuck in a closet, and I was forced to concede he had a point.