Sniffing Out Murder (Mina's Adventures Book 7) Page 9

  He purred.

  She stroked his head, felt the collar without the bell. How did he do that without ripping off the collar? She examined a little closer. Something felt stiff, no, not stiff, more like, plastic? Did she forget to remove a tag? She slowly unfastened the small buckle and removed the collar. Sure enough, it looked like… plastic tape? Strong plastic. But there was something else pressed between the inside of the collar and the transparency of the tape. What was it?

  Regardless of how absent-minded she could be, this she would have noticed. She began to remove the tape, careful not to damage what appeared to be a slim, folded piece of paper. It reminded Mina of the messages found inside fortune cookies. This was folded three times lengthwise to make it fit the width of the cat’s collar.

  She had trouble unfolding it, her whole body trembling, her fingers having a mind of their own. The writer had used an ordinary ballpoint pen, but the slanted cursive was unmistakable.

  Absence is to love as wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small; it enkindles the great.

  FOURTEEN

  DAYLIGHT PLAYED PEEKABOO with the departing darkness.

  She should have known. Unless it was a hoax. That sense of pending doom still lingered in her soul. Diego, her Diego, only yards away from her. Now De Fiore’s request made sense. Keeping her as far as possible from Kalinda’s place, from the fire.

  The fire.

  Where did Diego fit in? Did he start the fire, or did he help put it out? Perhaps both?

  He could have been in that Orange County Fire Department engine she crossed down the road or in the small truck that followed. He would have recognized her LTD. She looked at Houdini asleep at the foot of her bed. Why can’t you talk?

  Then the guilt kicked in… the phone, the exposure caused by her carelessness. Just how bad could it have been to call for such drastic and swift reaction? His message had no words of anger, no accusations. It spoke of love.

  Clear your mind, Mina.

  De Fiore’s trickery made sense; he had a vested interest—Kalinda.

  But what about Millie and Tom? Was there a connection, or was she projecting her paranoia on everything and everyone? Ever since Diego had given her that new phone it had been a roller coaster of strange coincidences—and disappointments.

  The first thin sunray tiptoed into her bedroom, and suddenly her mind could see; identifying a broader pattern that hadn’t started with the loss of the phone. No, more like it had peaked then. Something deep inside told her the next call from Margo would be to announce Gino’s homecoming. Just how big was this—whatever it was? How much of it was real? The funeral?

  Get serious, Mina; you’ve seen the direct TV report from Greece. How about Kalinda’s impromptu miracle therapy? De Fiore said she only landed the spot thanks to Diego. And she didn’t take phone calls from anyone. For all Mina knew, Kalinda could be staying in one of the hotels up the coast. Then came the remodeling crew, with Simon Cordero, all working on Kalinda’s home, the same home that just went up in smoke, well sort of. And by sheer coincidence it was Leo Cordero who started the madness by using her lost phone.

  Okay Mina, at this rate you may include the dog in your conspiracy theory. The only thing she had a problem justifying was Tom who’d first brought the dog to the shelter and now had become part of the dog’s and the kid’s lives. She shook her head. That didn’t help; she still felt as clueless as before.

  Time to get up, make coffee and read the paper. The paper. Maybe it would have something about the house fire… from a reliable source? Of course, why not?

  The smell of smoke wafted in the morning air. She grabbed the newspaper and went back inside. No way of seeing what was going on at the end of the cul de sac anyhow except for a few people in jogging gear busier gawking than jogging.

  The fire made the front page of The Register. How about that? The headline stated: Suspicious Fire Damages Vacant Summer Home of Wealthy Jordanian Socialite. Kalinda was from Jordan? So the fire was of suspicious nature?

  In spite of the suspenseful headline that screamed Read me, the reporting team called the quiet street a secluded county island surrounded by busy freeways and shopping centers. Apparently the authorities had been told that the house was temporarily vacant, and neighbors had reported seeing teenagers smoking and drinking late at night. What? That was a fat lie. A convenient and well-thought-out lie. The fire department’s speedy response and swift action had managed to contain the damage to the east part of the house. East part of the house? That was Kalinda’s huge office or her sanctum sanctorum, as she liked to call it. Her computers, phones, and God knows what else was all there.

  Poor Kalinda, her whole business up in smoke? Mina’s home phone rang as her toast popped up. Maledizione. Never failed.

  She recognized Margo’s number and could hardly conceal her anticipation. She was about to test her theory. “He’s coming home. My Gino is on his way back.” Bingo.

  Margo’s conversation was all in a high pitch and with no pauses for breathing. Happiness doesn’t need a friend’s empathy, and apparently Mina’s former roommate didn’t know about the fire next door. And Mina made sure not to say a word.

  They hung up as Millie came knocking.

  “Good morning, Mina. I figured you’d be up early. Who can sleep with all that banging?”

  “What banging?”

  Millie frowned. She wasn’t wearing her dark glasses, so she looked more like dear old Millie. “They’ve been installing a Rent-a-fence, sort of mandatory after a fire to keep looters out. I’m surprised you didn’t hear a thing. So why up so early?”

  Mina’s glance fell on the folded paper with Diego’s message. She’d been carrying it with her since finding it. Millie followed the eyes. “What’s that? De Fiore took you to a Chinese restaurant?”

  To tell or not to tell? “No, as a matter of fact, I forgot my doggie bag in my car all night. Now it will stink of French food for a week, damn. Did you see the article in The Register?”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “Here, let me get you some coffee and read how we live in this secluded slice of paradise next door to a rich social butterfly from far away Jordan.”

  “Is that what it says? Let me see.”

  Mina pushed the paper over to Millie and quietly pocketed Diego’s note.

  “How was Lake Forest?”

  “Interesting, as always. Tom lives in the older part, you know, far back from the 5—larger lots and the eucalyptuses, so gorgeous, almost like a canopy around the home. He’s lived there for the last thirty years of his life. A nice man.” She sipped her coffee and had a sort of, well, not dreamy look but close to it. “Leo spoke to his brother, and they will meet today. As a matter of fact, they discussed getting together next door, you know… Kalinda’s.”

  “They are? That’s strange. Did they know about the fire?”

  “I doubt it. What time did the fire, I mean the house...”

  “I know what you mean, and I have no clue. When I drove back the firefighters were leaving. I don’t even know how bad it is. Maybe we should take a walk from the side path through our old gate.” She winked at Millie.

  “Maybe we should. Are you going to be around today or do you have plans to go to the shelter?”

  “I’m due at the shelter at three, and then it’s my turn to close. Let me get organized, put on some walking shoes. Then let’s stroll over to the home of our wealthy socialite.” They both laughed thinking about Kalinda and her down-to-earth ways.

  The house felt so quiet. No phones ringing, no cats playing, just Mina, wondering where Diego could be.

  The brief walk with Millie was a bit disappointing. The two workers were done with the fence and packing to leave. From the outside, Kalinda’s place didn’t show much damage, except for two windows that had been boarded up. The most puzzling part was De Fiore’s silence. He had to know—so did Kalinda—that the fire damage was centered where all of her business took place. No coincidence, of that Mi
na was sure. And it had taken some planning for the whole thing to be carried out so smoothly.

  De Fiore’s sedan pulled up just as Mina headed up the driveway after pulling her car into the garage. She watched him park by the yellow tape that was now loose at one end and flapping in the breeze. He waved her over. This was about to get interesting. Would he pretend he knew nothing about the fire?

  Nah, too calm and collected, he even gave her a smile.

  “You’re too late for the marshmallows.”

  She watched him frown for a second. Then he got it, and his smile broadened into a knowing grin. What a relief; he wasn’t going to play clueless. “Kalinda knows?” she asked.

  He nodded, well, sort of. Still playing his cards close to his chest. Would she dare ask about Diego? Not yet, not now. “When did you find out?” she persisted.

  “What’s this? You sound like you’re interrogating me. Kalinda called. You’ve looked at the damage?”

  “No, no. Wait, Kalinda knew before you did? How?”

  He stepped over the tape and walked toward the front door that wasn’t enclosed by the temporary fence, “Her brother. His phone number is the emergency contact.”

  “Kalinda has a brother?”

  The detective stopped and cocked his head to look at her. “Mina, what’s with you? You’ve known Kalinda a lot longer than I have. Right?”

  “Touché.” If this was a team effort, they had every detail covered. Except for the message, that was the only detail that proved Diego’s presence there the night of the fire. He risked a lot to make her feel loved.

  “What did I say? Suddenly you look like you won the lottery,” De Fiore said.

  “The lottery? Like I care about money. You should know me better than that.”

  He nodded, that grin again. “Got it. Let’s call it even.” He unlocked the front door, and once again she knew that he had to know. He didn’t seem the least bothered by the strong smell of smoke and the blackened walls around the double doors opening into the office. He moved toward those doors without hesitation. She followed a few feet behind because she felt like she was infringing on someone’s privacy even if the house was vacant and something told her anything holding the slightest personal information had been removed or destroyed by the fire or some handsome and mysterious fireman. What would Diego look like in a firefighter uniform?

  “What’s so amusing?” De Fiore asked.

  “Huh???”

  “You’re smiling.”

  They both stood in what was once a light and bright room with several computers and a whole series of phones and a huge screen on a wall that Kalinda used for remote conferences. The screen was still there, mangled by the heat—the rest, gone. She watched De Fiore walk around, check under burned desks, push around damaged chairs, open and close the few cabinets with drawers still intact.

  “What are you looking for?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I’ll talk to her insurer. It’s not as bad as I anticipated. All her data is gone, but that’s okay. She’ll make it work somehow when she’s ready. She suggested we rehire the people who did the remodeling, so the home will be totally functional by the time she gets back.”

  “Any idea when that will be?”

  “Soon, soon. Now that the major concern has been met and conquered, everything will happen faster.” He took a few photos with his phone.

  She had no clue if he spoke about Kalinda’s therapy or whatever dark secret had festered in that office that only fire could cure.

  Voices could be heard up the driveway where De Fiore had left his sedan. Young, joyful voices. He locked the front door and rubbed his hands as if ridding himself of bad vibes.

  They walked up the slope and could see people looking at them. Mina recognized Tom… and Leo? Had to be since Buddy was there also. Tom’s truck was parked next to De Fiore’s sedan. The Detective and Tom there at the same time? This was getting weirder by the minute.

  “Did you ask them to meet you here?” she asked him.

  “No, but it’s okay. I have a few questions regarding the car, the one Cordero, the mother, drove that night, day, I’m not sure about the time. I would rather speak to the older brother.”

  “Hello, Mina, Detective.” Tom nodded; he looked happy. A kind of happy Mina couldn’t quite explain, but she felt this was probably the happiest smile she’d ever seen on Tom’s trustworthy face. “We are waiting for Simon. His boss is driving him here. They heard about the fire while coming down the coast and of course felt compelled to offer their help. They should be driving in any moment.”

  “I’m sure Kalinda will be happy to know that they care,” De Fiore said. “By the way, is the whole crew coming back?” Was he asking Tom?

  “Well, I don’t know. I never met them, Sort of eavesdropped on Leo’s conversation with his brother.” Leo held on tight to Buddy’s leash, and that was a good thing because suddenly the dog became very agitated and started to pull. They heard the engine before they saw the SUV.

  “They are here—they are here.” Leo was as excited as his dog, and they ran toward the vehicle. The back passenger door opened before the SUV came to a complete stop, and a slim, medium-height young man hopped out. Simon, of course. He hugged Leo with one arm while fending off Buddy’s energetic loving display consisting of jumping on the poor kid and slobbering all over him.

  The driver got out of the vehicle and introduced himself all around. He already knew De Fiore, and quickly the conversation centered about the fire. De Fiore offered to show him the inside damage. The two of them headed back to Kalinda’s house while Leo, Simon, and Tom all spoke at the same time.

  Mina felt totally out of place. She overheard Leo mention De Fiore to his brother, something about, “…a real detective like on television… with a real gun.”

  Perhaps this was a good time for her to say goodbye, to convince her even more was the sight of Millie, all prettied up in dark jeans and a cute, long-sleeved navy blue top heading their way.

  FIFTEEN

  MINA GLANCED INTO her rearview mirror at the brothers busily devouring the burgers they’d picked up at the drive-through. Everyone was pitching in to help Tom until he could rearrange his schedule to fit the boys’ school hours. Mina had chosen Monday because on Tuesday the Ritzy Cats B&B would have the official reopening, and she just had to be there to welcome clients, new and old.

  By the time the LTD turned into Avenida Palizada, the boys’ attitude changed dramatically. Anticipation or painful memories? Mina couldn’t tell. They seem to inch closer to each other, no more laughing, not even talking. Their old place now in full sight, the B side of the bungalow looked empty still. A fancy motorcycle with lots of chrome shining in the afternoon sun was parked at the curb. The door of unit A looked ajar, no pink tricycle in sight.

  Mina slowed down and parked on opposite side of the road. “You want me to go with you?” she offered.

  A pause. “No, thanks. Mrs. Somer is ok. We’ll get our things and be right back.” Mrs. Somer? Must be Lizabeth’s mom. She sat back and waited—plus, she had full view of the unit A front door. The same door now being yanked open by a huge, unshaven guy in shorts, no shirt.

  Mina couldn’t hear the conversation, but there was no ignoring body language. Simon and Leo stepped away from the door, and she could tell the big man was yelling. At some point he put his fist close to Simon’s face.

  Enough.

  She was halfway between her car and the unit door when the brothers walked back, shoulders slumped, expressions sad. Mina counted to ten. This was not the time or the place for a scene, although inside she was oh-so ready to go and confront that brute, whoever he was.

  After they’d told her they were eager to get Simon’s cell phone back as well the clothes and personal belongings Leo had left behind when he went chasing Buddy, she had to watch them get into the LTD empty-handed

  Poor kids. What should she do? Most of her days were spent facing pets’ crises. She had no idea how to
talk to kids. No, not kids, teenagers, orphan teenagers. Leo’s hands shook. That man must be the one who took his phone and kicked Buddy to the curb. She did a U-turn and came very close to the motorcycle.

  “Mom used to park her car there.” Leo pointed, and then looked away, and she understood.

  After a few minutes of painful silence Mina asked, “What happened to the car? You know, your mom’s car?” She couldn’t bring herself to say the one that killed her.

  “It’s at Tio Gordo’s.” Tio?

  “You have an uncle in town?”

  “No.” Simon spoke for the first time. “That’s his name and the name of his shop. He’s a mechanic. His wife works, I mean, worked with mom at the coffee shop. He always took care of mom’s car, you know, kept it running. After I’m eighteen I can try to get insurance.”

  “Simon, you have a driver license?”

  “I do, but I don’t have the money to get the car fixed and then the insurance.”

  “What’s wrong with the car? Lots of damage?” Again she couldn’t bring herself to say from the accident.

  “No, it may need a new battery and of course tires.” He shrugged.

  “By the way, what happened with that man? Who is he? How come he didn’t give you your things?”

  “That’s Tony. He’s Mrs. Somer’s boyfriend, I think. He’s mean, but he’s mostly in jail.”

  “Is Mrs. Somer Lizabeth’s mom?” Mina was driving back to the shelter where Tom was to pick up the boys.

  “Yes. You know them?”

  “I spoke to her when I was trying to find the owner of, you know, your dog. The first time she was helpful. When I went back looking for you two, she slammed the door on me. How come? You guys didn’t get along?”

  “We weren’t allowed to go there. Mom said Mrs. Somer did drugs and was mean to Lizabeth. And the two times Tony was there, they fought, a lot. The police came and after that Mrs. Somer no longer spoke to any of us. She said we called the police. We didn’t.”