“I can’t believe my own lookout snitched on me.”
She apologized profusely once Jasper dragged me from the bushes in handcuffs. Jasper asked Macy to drive my car home. He said he wanted to take the ringleader down to headquarters for a brief interrogation.
Jasper shrugs as he looks out the windshield. “Don’t be too hard on poor Emmie. She was talking to Leo on the phone. And when she got evasive about where she was, he tapped into her gray matter.”
“Wow,” I muse. “Talk about taking your talents to another level. I’ll have to try that the next time I’m on the phone with you.”
His lips flex a dry smile. “Bizzy, you broke into Heather Kent’s house. What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know—finding fresh ways to infuriate you?”
His brows rise and fall as if the thought amused him.
We pull into the back of the Seaview Sheriff’s Department and Jasper helps me out but pauses before freeing me from my cuffs.
“I’ll take these off, but only if you promise not to run.”
“You’re very funny. Are you always such a good time?”
“I’m a ball.” He gives a sly wink before taking off the cuffs and wrapping an arm around my waist. “Come on, I’ve got something in my office I think you might be interested in.”
“Why do I get the feeling that was a double entendre?”
“Have I ever told you I like how you think? With the exception of when you decide to break and enter. I’m not so crazy about that maneuver.”
Jasper leads us into the well air-conditioned building, quickly navigating me to the homicide division.
Camila sits at her desk, flicking her bright red nails that look freshly painted. The caustic scent of nail polish lingers in the air.
She grunts at the sight of me, “I guess now’s as good a time as any.” She hops up and blocks our path to Jasper’s office.
Her blouse is far too fitted and unbuttoned suspiciously low. Her pencil skirt is so tight I’m shocked she can breathe. And those sky-high heels look as if they were designed as instruments of torture during the Middle Ages. It’s clear Camila is working overtime to seduce my fiancé, and I don’t like it one bit.
Is it wrong that I’m hoping a round of budget cuts obliterates her position?
Jasper takes a full, clearly irritated breath.
“What is it, Camila?” He doesn’t bother to gift her a smile.
Her hot pink lips curve my way. “As I was leaving the set this morning, I spoke with Peter. He said Heather told him she was in a wedding party that held the reception right there at the cove, and guess what?” She bats her lashes manically at us.
“One of the bridesmaids drank herself silly and drowned in the cove,” I say, cutting her off at the pass. I know I made it sound like some punch line to a macabre joke, but I couldn’t help it. Camila is working very hard to undermine my case.
She takes in a quick breath. “You knew?”
“I know everything.” I lift a shoulder her way.
Okay, so I don’t know everything, but that doesn’t mean Camila needs to come across as knowing everything either.
She tips her head back, and for some reason, her cutthroat beauty only seems to be magnified.
“Did you know that both Heather and the bridesmaid that drowned went to high school together?”
Now it’s me gasping. It sounds as if Camila is really getting a handle on this case, and I don’t like it one bit. Of course, I knew Heather and Rachel went to high school together, but the fact Camila is picking up clues at a quickened clip is the alarming part.
A wicked laugh trembles from her. “See that, Jasper? I’ve impressed the future missus.” She leans his way with a seductive swivel of her shoulders. “I have something that’s about to make your mouth water, too.” She steps back to her desk and retrieves something before thrusting the object our way.
“A yearbook?” I just about howl out the words as I try to snatch it from her, but she pulls it back just enough out of my reach.
“It’s not for you.” She smears a prideful smile my way. “And yes, this is Heather and Rachel’s senior yearbook. I’m gifting it to the man who has stolen my heart.” She gives a little wink his way. “And whose heart I am determined to winnow my way back into.”
She hands the book to Jasper.
He takes a breath as he examines the cover. “Smuggler’s Cove High. Home of the Pirates.”
“Smuggler’s Cove?” I look up at Jasper in disbelief. “Jasper, this falls in line with what I found in Heather’s bedroom.”
Camila leans in. “You were in Heather’s bedroom?” Her mouth falls open. “You broke in, didn’t you?”
I shoot her a look. “None of your business. Come on, Jasper.” I pull him along until we’re in his office and Camila trots in right after us.
She feigns a brief smile. “If I go, my yearbook goes. I had to pay thirty bucks for that relic.”
“Fine,” I say, taking it from Jasper and heading straight for the senior section.
Onyx pages are brightened with young men and women clad in royal blue caps and gowns, each one looking their very best as they smile into the camera.
My finger slides down the page as I scan alphabetically for my target.
Camila grunts, “You’re off by a few pages. Heather’s last name is Kent, and Rachel’s last name is Hatterman. You’re still at the beginning of the alphabet.”
“I’m not looking for Heather or Rachel.” I land my finger just under the picture of a pretty brunette with clear green eyes. There’s something trusting about her, innocent, and I instantly feel sorry for the poor girl. Little did she know this would be the last year of her life. “I’m looking for this girl, Aileen Bradley.”
Camila huffs, “Who?”
“Jasper.” I look his way. “Heather had a bright red folder in her vanity. It was chock-full of
