He reminded himself that she probably felt the same way, in fact, might have forgotten him and only remembered when she saw his photo in todays paper. Then again, the story about the new sheriff moving into his office hadnt gotten a lot of play in the resort towns
only newspapernot like Oliver Sanderss new expensive condo development.
Mitzy pushed herself up from a plump velvet couch, but appeared uncertain what to do next. Running into his arms seemed somehow inappropriate, he thought. So did shaking hands, but he held his hand out to her.
Mrs. Sanders, he said in his cop voice, amazed how much she looked like she had in high school. Hed almost forgotten how partial she was to pink. She wore a pale pink suit with matching high heels and a white silk blouse, all expensive and carefully chosen for effect rather than comfort, just like the decor of this place.
Her sculpted blond hair curled at her suit jacket collar and framed her doll-adorable face, accenting her big baby blues in a way that told him it hadnt been unwittingly. Her still very nicely rounded body had fitness center written all over it.
She took his hand almost coyly, something Jack was sure Oliver hadnt missed. Some things just didnt change.
Oh, Jack, Mitzy said in that breathy voice of hers. Sheriff? In Rivers Edge? She seemed to find humor in that. Or pity. With Mitzy it was hard to tell.
Jacks gaze moved past Mitzy to the third person in the room.
A slim woman stood silhouetted against the bank of windows looking out over the town and the mountains. It wasnt until she turned that he realized he knew her. That is, had known her. He fought to hide his surprise as she moved toward him, hand outstretched, amusement in her dark eyes.
Tempest Bailey, she said, as if he wouldnt remember her.
Not a chance. Tempest, he said, wondering what she was doing here.
She nodded as if seeing him wondering. She didnt miss much. Im The Riversides version of a house detectiveat least temporarily, she said, making him remember her voice. Soft and deep with a hint of humor. It was one of the sexy things about her, although she hid the rest well. She wore khakis, a white blouse under a navy-blue sweater and cross-trainers. Her hair was long and dark, pulled back into a braid that hung to the center of her back. She wore no makeup, her face lightly freckled. There was something about the privileged. No matter how much they dressed down, they couldnt hide the fact that theyd come from money.
He realized he was staring at her. Temporarily? he asked when her words finally registered.
Ive been offered the undersheriff job, she said, tilting her head a little, her eyes glinting.
T. J. Bailey. My God, hed never dreamed the T. J. Bailey, the applicant the town council had offered the undersheriff position to, was Tempest. He tried to think of something to say to cover his shock and discomfort, but it was impossible with his foot stuck in his mouth.
Congratulations, he finally managed.
She cocked her head. Its a little premature for that. I havent accepted. She met his gaze, her eyes as dark as an abyss.
Jack! Mitzy cried, reminding him she had to be the center of attention. I have a dead woman in my foyer!
Yes. It didnt surprise him that she wouldnt refer to Peggy Kane by name. Thats why Im here. Ill need to get statements from all of you.
Statements? Mitzy looked horrified. She choked to death on one of my chocolates. What more is there to say?
We wont know what killed her until the coroner
Of course, she choked, Mitzy interrupted. What else could it have been? Unless it was a heart attack. She did carry a lot of weight for a lot of years. She must have seen his expression. Im not speaking ill of the dead. You all know its the truth. She was huge.
Jack pulled the tape recorder from his pocket as Oliver pushed a large martini into his wifes hand.
Id offer you a drink, Jack, Oliver said, motioning to his own glass, but youre on duty, right? Just like Tempest here.
Why dont we all sit, Jack suggested as he took Mitzys drink from her hand and put it down on the glass coffee table out of her reach. If you dont mind.
I think hed like to get your statement while youre still halfway sober, my dear, Oliver said to his wife. Jack obviously knows you.
The tension in the room jumped up a notch as Mitzy shot her husband a .357 point-blank, drop-dead look, but it didnt even seem to wound him, making Jack wonder about their relationship.
You might want to slow down a little yourself, Jack suggested to Oliver. Just until I get your statement.
Mitzy smiled at that, then sat on the couch, smoothing the pink fabric over her thighs with both hands. To think she choked to death on my chocolates.
Jack didnt correct her. For all he knew, she might be right. He met
Tempests gaze across the expanse of glass coffee table as she took a chair opposite the couch. He got the distinct impression she didnt think Peggy Kane had choked to death. At least not without help.
He sat in the chair at the end of the coffee table between Mitzy and Tempest. Oliver continued to stand behind the couch, sipping his drink. It was just like him to refuse to sit. After all, he was a Sanders and they didnt take orders from anyone in Rivers Edge. Especially from some ex-high-school-jock from the wrong side of the tracks named Jack McAllister, even if he was the new sheriff.