Lying Eyes Page 10
"Yes, I tried to emulate my father's innate goodness. I wanted to be exactly like him. Then my father died and this scrawny kid small for his age started to school."
"You were bullied?"
He scowled. "At recess the bigger boys like Link targeted me. After school he and his friends would lie in wait. I had to take a different route home every day. Some of them even followed me on my paper route."
"Did you tell your mother?"
"No, she'd had to go to work and had enough of her plate. I told my older brother. He took care of them."
"Good for him."
"Then he was killed," he said, his voice growing gruff. "I had to fend for myself. It took a while. Then I hit a growing spurt and developed muscles in my arms, thanks to the paper route. On the way home from school one day I beat the snot out of one of Link's followers. Word soon spread. All my tormentors stopped taunting me."
"And you became a loner."
"What good are friends in a fight? I'd just get them in trouble, too."
"Carlo, you should have reported those boys."
"And give them even more reason to come after me? I handled them just fine."
By handling them alone you learned to close yourself off from the world. Don't you ever get lonely?
Her heart ached for the frightened boy he'd been, and even more for the hard, lonely man he'd become. "You loved your brother."
"Enough to emulate him. He's the one who warned me to stay away from gangs. Insisted I should keep my nose clean and convinced me the neighborhood cops were our friends."
"You followed his advice despite the difficulties?"
"Difficult? Try damn hard. Until I entered the police academy I didn't think of cops as my friends. None of them had found my brother's killer. I doubt any of them searched for long, even though my brother was the son of a fallen policeman."
"Is that why you joined the force? To find your brother's shooter?"
He cocked his head in thought. "Among other things."
"But so far, you haven't had any luck."
"Right. Beats me. How many Hispanic men with a chipped front tooth and a knife tattooed on his right hand can there be in LA?"
"He may no longer be around."
"I have no doubt he's still here. His kind never leaves the hood. He had probably just joined a gang when he opened fire on my brother. By now, he's nearing the top of the pecking order or has formed his own gang. He may even be the one who gives the orders, unless he doesn't have the guts."
Shrugging, he added, "In that case, he's dead."
"Room service," a man's voice called, knocking on Allison's door.
Carlo peered through the peephole and let him in.
The yummy smell of ground beef grilled to perfection preceded the waiter into the room.
"This is so much better than listening to some overly-pompous keynote speaker talk about his or her success," Allison said, taking a seat at the table.
"You can say that again. Better food, too."
"Are you still complaining about yesterday's lunch menu?"
"I don't know about you, but I don't consider half a head of Boston lettuce with peanut butter dressing a proper meal," Carlo said.
Laughing, she touched her soda glass to his. "Here's to a better meal than yesterday's lunch."
"Anything would be better than that rabbit food. This has my mouth watering."
Allison laughed. "Wonder what's on the menu for tonight's banquet?"
"I hope it's a thick, juicy steak."
"Dream on, Detective."
*****
Carlo tried hard to settle his nerves but failed miserably. Everything about Allison's book signing had him on edge. As soon as the doors opened, a river of readers had flowed through the open doors, some heading straight for a particular author's table. Others strolled from table to table, pausing to visit with each author along both sides of the aisles.
How was he supposed to single out the perp in this mob?
The team members guarding the doors had all been warned to watch for a dark skinned man, but Carlo still feared he would slip inside.
Thanks to Allison's ambivalence to the danger, his worried gaze repeatedly returned to her aisle.
Man, Allison is sure a looker and in her own way, tough as nails. I wouldn't want to be the man to cross her, anymore than I already have.
She held her own in verbal confrontations, and from the things mentioned in her bio, she could hold her own in physical showdowns, as well. Rowing and fencing at Berkley. Wow.
I've yet to see her tire.
A woman with a stack of books jolted Carlo, interrupting his thoughts.
"Oops, sorry."
She did a double take and smiled at him. "Well, hello, Detective Demetri. Having fun?"
"I'm on duty, if you'll excuse me."
"Too bad. What time do you get off?"
"I don't."
It's never going to happen, lady. I have my hands full keeping Allison safe.
He took another turn around the crowded room. The stack of books in front of Allison had shrunk considerably.
Good. Maybe she'll soon be ready to leave.
"Anything?" Marsha asked as she strolled by.
"No. It's too damn quiet."
She grinned. "You wouldn't have it any other way. Relax, Detective. What do you like to read?"
"I seldom have time. After this weekend I doubt I'll ever want to open another book."
"Poor baby. Are you bored?"
"No, but I am fast nearing exhaustion from constantly being on my toes. This is by far the most difficult assignment I've ever had."
"Too bad. This weekend has been like one long party for the rest of your team."
"Stay alert," he mumbled.
Moving on, he made radio contact with each member of the team. As he made another circuit of the spacious room Stonewall's voice came over Carlo's radio.
"I'm in the hall outside your room. There's something here you should see."
"I'm on my way."
Carlo warned the rest of the team to be doubly vigilant in his absence and raced upstairs.
Before he reached the head of security Stonewall noted his hurried approach and moved down the hall, halting in front of an open storage closet.
"One of the housekeeping staff discovered where your perp has been hiding."
Carlo stepped inside the five-by-seven-foot linen storage room. Wrappers from packages of snack crackers and candy bars littered the floor and a pallet in the corner made of once clean sheets still held the impression left by a prone body.
Stonewall shook his head. "The perp sure made himself at home. This is where housekeeping stores the extra linens only needed on weekends when the hotel is full and the laundry is closed. This door had not been opened by housekeeping since Monday when the clean linens used over the prior weekend were shelved."
"I'll have these candy wrappers and the room processed for fingerprints immediately," Carlo said, reaching for his cell phone. "Can this door be locked?"
"It will be now, as soon as your evidence team is through in here. And I'll personally make sure all unsecured storage rooms have locks."
"Good. Thanks for letting me see this."
Carlo called for an evidence team to tag and fingerprint the candy wrappers and thoroughly search the room and headed back to the book signing where, to his relief, he found everyone packing. The lines at the cashier were still loaded with buyers waiting to pay for signed books, but he was delighted to see Allison was ready to head out as soon as he gave the word.
He wheeled her supplies to the elevator while she entertained him with a funny story about a mix-up at another book signing she'd attended. At one signing she'd even fetched a glass of wine for the exhausted best-selling author at her table.
"You know what?" Allison said as she stepped off the elevator.
"Tell me."
"I need a nap. I'll set my alarm to wake me in two hours. It's masquerade night at the fin
al banquet, and I may need extra time to get into my costume."
"Masks? You mean everyone who attends will be wearing masks tonight?" Carlo asked, dread in his strained words.
"Don't worry. You don't have to go in costume."
"The perp may, though. Damn."
He yanked out his cell phone as he let her into his room. "Sleep tight. You've just dumped a host of unexpected duties in my lap for tonight's event. Masks!"
Chapter Fourteen
"Dammit. I think Carlo just made me. I didn't want him to know I was here."
"Where are you? Are you checking on me?"
"Need you ask? Why did you call? I can tell from your voice you still don't have my money."
"You don't need to worry any more about me sleeping on the job. Some industrious housekeeper found my hideout and notified Security."
"You didn't get caught?"
"No, I saw a uniformed crowd gathered outside my hiding place as soon as I turned the corner and changed directions. Fast."
"Good. Maybe you'll finally get the job done. Tonight is your last chance."
*****
After a banquet feast of boeuf bourguignon nestled on a bed of homemade noodles, a generous slice of chocolate truffle pie, and an inspirational keynote speech Carlo barely stayed awake through, the foursome checked out the masquerade ball.
After about thirty minutes of walking aimlessly around in the milling crowd, the foursome became disillusioned by the lack of action and retired to Allison's room to discuss the next day's schedule with the team.
As always, Carlo took charge and as soon as everyone found a seat he said, "I'm still dragging my feet, but the Captain insists it's time to use Allison as a decoy."
Her smile victorious, she straightened her spine.
Carlo rolled his eyes. "Tomorrow morning, the continental breakfast in the lobby and a final workshop panel are the only scheduled events before checkout at eleven. If the perp makes his move, it will have to be before checkout."
"How do you plan to use Miss Marble?" Stonewall asked, thoughtful.
Carlo grimaced. "The Captain wants her out in the open the entire time. Allison is never to be out of someone's sight. Team members will take turns eating or conversing with her, a mix of new and familiar faces. At no time is she to be left alone. Got it?"
Everyone present but Allison agreed.
"Good. Allison, I want your bags packed before you go to breakfast. Marsha will make sure a bellhop takes everyone's luggage to the storage area in the lobby where it will be held until we check out at noon. That should allow the perp ample opportunity to make his move."
"I'll be ready," Allison promised him, looking far too pleased with the plan.
He clenched his fists.
What will it take to frighten this fearless woman?
"Someone at Central located this green bag. It is close enough to the one tagged as evidence to fool the perp and draw him out of hiding. Allison, you're to take the bag when you go down to breakfast. Keep it beside you at all times, sometimes on the floor out of reach, at other times in your lap or beside you on the sofa, an arm carelessly looped through the handles. Pretend you're waiting for someone. Do you think you can pull this off?"
She gave him a scathing glare. "Of course."
"Good."
"Is that all?" Susan asked, yawning. "If so, I'm turning in. Seven a.m. will roll around sooner than I want, and I still have to pack."
"So I'm to eat breakfast in the lobby?" Allison asked Carlo.
"You may as well, but don't plan on me sitting with you. We need to give the perp ample opportunity to make his move. Is seven-thirty okay?"
"Sure. Want me to knock on your door?"
"It's a plan." Carlo began gathering his scattered papers. "Good night all. Fantastic job today. I hope tomorrow goes even better."
He let the last team members out, secured Allison's door and silently retreated to his room.
*****
By the time Allison came out of the bathroom brushing her long hair, Marsha was already in bed.
"I'm nearly through reading this mystery novel and want to finish it tonight. I won't need the light. My Kindle has a backlit screen, so you can turn off your lamp when you're ready," Allison said, climbing in bed and reaching for her eReader. "Good night."
Soon Marsha was softly snoring and Allison was lost in the fast-paced novel. She liked action, not violence, and skipped the gore.
The novel ended with some minor unfinished business the hunky detective would likely investigate in the sequel due out in a few months. She made a mental note to pre-order the next book in the series as soon as she returned home. She fell asleep wondering which direction the next book in the series would take.
Chapter Fifteen
Thump.
Allison woke with a start.
Hmm. No sound of movement in my room.
She raised her head and glanced around.
Marsha still snored softly, so she had not made the noise.
Who had?
Clump.
There it is again.
Allison sat up, the satin comforter tucked beneath her chin.
It sounded...
Like someone is in the hall, right outside my door.
"Marsha. Wake up," she whispered.
Her roommate continued to snore.
The security bar rattled.
He's trying to get in my room.
Allison scrambled out of bed. "Marsha—"
She snorted, but didn't wake.
Bump.
Forget Marsha. I'm out of here.
Allison darted around her bed, soundlessly opened the connecting door, and raced to Carlo's side.
"Wake up," she murmured, shaking his arm.
Grabbing his gun from the bedside table, he leaped out of bed.
"Someone is trying to break into my room," she whispered.
"Take a deep breath." He reached for his cell phone. "I'm texting hotel security and Aiken. Are you okay?"
"The perp is trying to get into my room. What do you think?"
He placed his phone on the bedside table. "Stonewall's night replacement is on his way up."
"So what do I do now?"
"Go back to bed."
Shaking her head, Allison threw back Carlo's covers and crawled in bed with him.
"Wait, dammit, I meant in your own bed."
"It's not going to happen," she said, getting comfortable.
Wearing snug-fitting tidy-whites Carlo rolled to the far side of the bed and crawled out.
She grinned. "Afraid, Detective?"
"Of some lousy perp. No way."
"No, Carlo. Are you afraid of me?"
He tentatively eased onto the far side of the bed and stretched out. "Not on your life. Hush. I think I heard the elevator ding."
Moments later, a deep voice murmured, "Detective? Looks like your person of interest slipped away again. I'll check the hall security cameras. Maybe we got a better image of him this time."
"Thanks for coming so quickly."
"Is Miss Marble all right?"
Carlo raised a wry eyebrow at her and grimaced. "Yes, no harm done. Good night."
She scrambled to Carlo's side of the bed and snuggled close to him.
"Stop it, Allison. Whatever you have in mind, it can't happen. I'm on duty."
She huffed in disbelief. "Twenty-four hours a day?"
"The Captain said whatever it takes to keep you safe."
She huffed again and ran her slim fingers along his arm. "And you intend to carry out his orders, no matter what?"
"Unless I lose consciousness or—"
"—the woman with you crawls in your bed and does this—"
She ran her fingers through his sleep-mused hair.
He gulped like a fish out of water gulping its last breath.
"Or this?" Tenderly, she bit his shoulder and sensuously licked the faint impression.
His skin tasted like salty, sinful male.
"Didn't your mother ever warn you not to play with fire? You're about to get burned."
"I like living on the edge," she said, rimming Carlo's ear with the tip of her tongue.
He gasped. "Stop it, Allison. I'm dying here."
"Always the detective? For once, let the needy man hiding deep inside you come out to play."
"The Captain—"
"—is not here and I don't intend to confess my transgressions. Do you?"
"Confess what?" he squeaked.
Torn between wanting me and his determination to protect me, Carlo sounds on the verge of losing control.
Finally. She pressed her advantage. "You want me, Carlo, or the sheet wouldn't be tenting," she whispered. "I want you, too. More than I've ever wanted anyone. Take me. Forget duty. For once, forget about honor. Walk the wild side for a change."
"I. Don't. Think—" He gasped again, making the bed shake. "Look, I don't have it in me to shirk my responsibility."
Then, inhaling a ragged breath, he murmured, "I want you so much even my teeth are aching with need."
She traced his biceps with her fingertips. "You're learning. I don't think any man has ever whispered those words to me."
"Allison..."
"Did you double-lock your door?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Because I don't want any interruptions while I—"
"W-while you what?"
She licked his ear.
"Allison—"
"I know how to relieve all your aches, I promise," she whispered, yanking off her night shirt and tossing it to the floor.
"Hot damn," Carlo murmured as he crushed her heated flesh to his.
"This will only get better. Give me the chance to—"
"—What?"
"Light you fire." She worked an exploring finger beneath the elastic band of his underpants.
"Allison, I can't—"
"Sure you can. You undress every time you get in the shower."
"I don't have an audience then."
"A willing audience, Carlo. Think about those odds."
He shut his eyes, obviously struggling to find the right words. She didn't give him a chance to say them.