Trigger Snappy (21 page)

"I don't know. Maybe. It's been harder than I thought to work alone, and I don't have any more cases lined up after this one."

"Maybe Juliet's friends will hire you. She must know a lot of people with money who have skeletons in their closets. Even if she doesn't, word will get around."

"I don't think the mortgage company will wait for word to get around."

"You can always pick up some shifts at the bar."

"Thanks, but no. That feels like a slide backwards."

"Even if it's my bar?"

"As soon as I left the temporary jobs, I worked really hard. I don't want to go back to casual work. I want to do this. I want to be a PI."

"Then take Solomon's offer and be a PI with a salary and a dental plan."

"Maybe I should."

"Did he ask you about his other offer?"

I sighed. "No."

"Have you spoken to him about it?"

"No, but I've thought about it a lot."

"That's not the same thing; and you know it, Lexi. Quit stalling and give the man an answer. It's not fair to keep him hanging."

"I'm not stalling. I'm thinking."

Lily stopped dead at the corner of the street. "Sometimes, Lexi, you think too much."

"No one's ever said that to me before." I looked around, catching sight of one of Solomon's men in a car at the intersection on the block opposite. I waved and Fletcher waved back. "Let's go this way," I said, indicating the opposite direction. "Penelope said she walked along here the night someone broke into Juliet's house."

"Yeah, you said she took a shortcut through the alley at the rear. Don't you think that's weird?"

"Taking a shortcut? No."

"I think it is. Since when do we ever walk in an alley at night?"

"This is Bedford Hills. It's not exactly Frederickstown," I said, echoing Penelope's words right before she was loaded into the ambulance.

"Even so, it's practically ingrained into us to never walk somewhere isolated."

"Yeah, it is strange; but Penelope was shot. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"All the same..." Lily and I paused at the entrance to the alley. We both gazed into the neat service road, bordered by tall fences and electronic gates.

"How did she plan on entering the house?" I wondered out loud. "There's no entry to the rear of the house, except via the garden gate, and that was locked. Plus, knowing your friend is already scared, you wouldn't go tap on the kitchen door, or would you?"

"Hell, no. You and I would scream the place down. Is there another access to Blossom Road?"

"Not that I recall. Let's walk the alley. Maybe we'll come up with an idea that makes sense. Penelope mentioned something about a side access. Maybe she intended to take that route around front."

"How is Penelope?"

"She's okay. They're keeping her in the hospital for a couple days just to make sure she recovers without complications. She was lucky."

"Is she coming to the wedding?"

"I don't know. Juliet and Rob invited her. I'm going to call the hospital again to check on her."

"We could give her a ride."

"That's generous of you."

"I thought we could keep an eye on her."

"We already eliminated her as a suspect." I speed-dialed the hospital and asked to be put through to Penelope's room. "Solomon interviewed her and she claims the person who shot her was a man, but she didn't get a good look."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Cera checked out this morning," said the nurse who answered when I asked for Penelope.

"Are you sure? I thought she was supposed to stay in today. She came in with a gunshot wound."

"She was healing very well; and the doctor was quite pleased with her progress."

"Okay, well, thanks." I hung up, turning to Lily as I stopped. "Apparently, she left already."

"That's good news!"

"Penelope said she was in agony last time we spoke. She must have improved substantially."

"Maybe a near death experience gave her a new lease of life," suggested Lily, adding darkly, "or maybe she was milking the injury?"

"Why would she do that?"

"She's the only one who stuck by Juliet when all her friends and her employer abandoned her, yet she's not getting any of the praise and credit. Maybe she wants a little attention for herself."

I could understand that. It was a selfish thing if that were the case, but it was human. "I felt sorry for myself when I got shot too. Let's walk this way and see if we can find that alley Penelope claimed to have used."

"Do you know which is Juliet's house from the back?" Lily asked as we turned from the sidewalk, walking in the general direction of it. All the crime scene tape was gone, but the trash hadn't been emptied yet, judging by the full cans at the rear gates.

"I think it's that one," I said, pointing to a flutter of white ribbon attached to a fence. I jumped up and down, trying to see over, and caught a glimpse of pennants hanging across the yard. "Yes, it is."

"Is that blood?" Lily asked, pointing to a small dried pool on the ground.

I shuddered as we stared down at it. "Yes."

"I expected more."

"Penelope got lucky. I didn't see an alley. Did you?"

"Maybe it's further ahead," Lily said, pointing as she moved off, leaving me to survey the fence as my cell phone buzzed. I ignored it as she called, "There's more blood over here."

"There shouldn't be."

"Maybe it's yours?"

"No, I didn't go over there. I stopped right here when I saw Penelope." I jogged over to Lily, following her finger as she pointed to the scattered spray of blood spots. Judging by the flattened grass, something heavy was very close to the spatter. "This must have been partially concealed by a trashcan. No wonder we didn't see it in the dark."

"There's blood on the trashcan too. Ohmygosh! Lexi, I think it's a fingerprint."

We both leaned down, peering at the smear. I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture of what did look very much like a bloody fingerprint. Grabbing a glove from my pocket, I slipped it on and lifted the lid. A rancid waft drifted upwards and we recoiled. Gingerly, I reached inside and pulled out the first trash bag, heaving it next to the fence. We peered inside again. "I see something," I said, snapping another picture, this time of a scrap of black fabric. I reached in, tugged it and it slipped free.

"A jacket?"

"With blood on it. There's something else." I held my breath and leaned in, pulling out a mask. Something dislodged in the bin and clattered.

"I'd volunteer to get the next load, but I can't bend," said Lily. "Which reminds me, pedicure soon?"

"Awesome." I pulled out the second garbage bag and hefted it over to rest next to the first bag. We peered inside again and I smiled. There, inside the can, was a pair of flat-soled boots. I was pretty sure they were a women's size seven. "I need to call Solomon."

"No need," said a voice behind me. "I was just coming to find you. The realtor angle was a bust."

"Huh?" I said, the moving in discussion flashing to the forefront of my mind. "What realtor?"

"From the vacant house. Had no clue what I was talking about."

"So we're no closer to knowing who was using that house as a dead drop?"

Solomon nodded.

"We found a bloody jacket, boots, and a mask," squealed Lily, clapping her hands. "I mean, Lexi found it. She noticed the blood on the trashcan and just knew!"

"Lily spotted it," I said honestly, even though I appreciated her enthusiastic attempt to pin the good work on me. "We found it together. We haven't found any kind of side access route that Penelope said she was going to take either. You know what this means, right? That I was right all along."

Solomon nodded. "I know exactly what this means. I have other evidence to back it up. The hospital just called."

"Does anyone want to catch me up?" asked Lily. "What does this mean?"

Solomon and I exchanged a look. Since Solomon didn't seem in a chatty mood, I took the lead. "It means our stalker dumped the jacket and boots, then switched clothes to throw us off the scent. And if it wasn't for you spotting that blood, it would have worked. We've been duped. Penelope had this planned all along. She must have stashed her clothes in the trashcan when she realized I was still chasing her. And then she shot herself to make it look like she was attacked. She probably meant to remove the clothing later when she had a chance, or hoped the trash would get collected and consequently, destroy the evidence."

"So go get her," said Lily. "Let's take the bitch down! Stalking totally violates the best friend code."

"By a million miles," I agreed.

"There's just one problem," said Solomon as his cell phone began to ring. "I called the hospital and she already discharged herself. We don't know where the hell she is and she's got a gun."

Chapter Twenty

We sat on the floor of the unmarked surveillance van Solomon had positioned a block away, and each of us was trying to talk. To my left was a bank of monitors, covering every room and exit point of Juliet's house. I could see Juliet sitting with her friends in the living room, while Rob sat in the dining room-turned-bar. I watched Juliet passing from one monitor into another that covered the hall before turning toward the stairs. A moment later, Rob followed her upstairs while the gaggle of friends remained below.

Two men had their eyes fastened on the monitors, but I would have bet a hundred bucks their ears were tuned in to our conversation. Above them, an eight-by-ten color photo of Penelope was taped to the side of the van. Someone scrawled WANTED across it.

"Why can't someone, anyone, find Penelope Cera?" asked Solomon, his voice booming above the chatter. "Someone speak."

"We found all the evidence," said Lily, the only one of us who managed to score a chair. Right now, her knees were pressing uncomfortably into my back. I had to wriggle around to get comfortable in the minute amount of space I worked my butt into on the floor.

"You don't work for me," replied Solomon.

"Which is why I'm sending you a finder's fee."

"I'll purchase something nice for your baby shower," he offered.

"Thank you!"

"Now who can outdo the pregnant lady, who, I'll remind you now, isn't even an investigator? Can anyone actually find this nutcase?" he continued. His gaze swept over the small crowd as he jabbed a finger at Penelope's headshot.

"I'm monitoring traffic cam footage," said a disembodied voice. "Hi, everyone."

"Hi, Lucas!" we chorused as though we were Charlie's Angels and he were Charlie.

"Hello, angels," whispered Lily in my ear.

"Any sightings?" Solomon asked.

"Hi, everyone. No, not yet."

"She might have changed her appearance," said Delgado. He was crouched at the far end of the van with his back to the wall.

"You think she might run?" asked Solomon.

"Maybe. She had a lucky escape when Lexi fought her. She must have expected we would find her jacket and mask eventually, and maybe even draw some DNA evidence."

"If there's gunshot residue on her hands, the case against her is a slam-dunk," said Delgado.

"She wore gloves when we fought," I pointed out. Swallowing hard, I added, "And we still can't find my gun."

"I got the hospital to bag her clothes for Detective Donahue to collect," said Solomon. "They might find gunshot residue that would tie her to firing a weapon, not just getting shot at."

"Is Detective Donahue taking this seriously?" I asked.

"He is." Solomon paused as the van door slid back and Maddox's head appeared in the gap. "Get in," he said and Maddox climbed in, but not before briefly nodding in my direction. I smiled back.

"This is cozy," said Maddox, looking around. "What did I miss?"

"We found Penelope's disguise in the trash," I told him. "Then, Solomon got a call from the hospital with concerns about the trajectory of Penelope's wound. Apparently, her surgeon worked a bunch of shooting cases in New York and was suspicious of her story."

"So I didn't miss much," Maddox quipped. "Where is she?"

"No one knows," said Lily. "It's really disappointing."

"We're looking," explained Solomon. "I've got Lucas monitoring traffic cam footage, and Detective Donahue put an APB out on Penelope's car. He has people posted at her home, too, but it doesn't look like she returned after she discharged herself from hospital."

"Where's her kid?" I asked. "He's not with Rob or Juliet. I think Rob said something about him being with his grandparents, but I expect he'll be at the fake wedding."

Glances were exchanged. Finally, Solomon said, "I'll ask Donahue to put an alert out on the kid."

"We should tell Rob," I said. "He should know his son might be in danger from his own mom."

"Keep him in the dark for now. We have nothing to tell or warn him about."

Behind me, Lily huffed her disapproval.

"I mean it. That's an order," said Solomon, his voice denouncing any attempt to defy him. "Notify me the minute the kid is spotted, and then keep your eyes on him."

"Still nothing at the house," said the beefy guy in front of the monitor. "Guests are starting to arrive."

"Everyone in place? Fletcher, are you watching?" Solomon asked the air.

"I have eyes on the front of the house," came Fletcher's voice.

"Flaherty?

"Eyes on the west alley," said another voice. I looked up, wondering where the voices where coming from. Lily, I noticed, was doing the same thing.

"Ferrara?"

"Eyes on the east alley," said a voice I didn't know. Ferrara, I deduced.

"Where do you want me?" I asked.

"Where do you want to be?" Solomon countered.

"At the house. Juliet is still my client."

"Keep in contact," he said, handing me an earbud. He leaned in and attached a pretty pin to my lapel. "You'll be able to communicate with me at all times using this. You can listen to me via the earbud and speak to me using the pin."

"Do I get one?" asked Lily.

"Again, are you on my payroll?"

"No, but neither is Lexi," said Lily smartly.

"But we are working as a team," said Solomon.

"I really don't know why I help out when I don't get to play with the gadgets too. And to think I was going to name my firstborn after you!"

I rarely see Solomon surprised, but this time, his eyebrows rose and he blinked. "You were?"

"Not anymore!" quipped Lily, folding her arms.

He smiled and winked as he caught my eye.

"Lily is with me," I said. "We'll blend in as guests."

"It's likely the perp knows who you are already," pointed out Solomon. "All eyes are looking for Penelope Cera. Remember: she is armed and considered dangerous."

I nodded. I thought that already. "That's all the more reason why I should be there. If she's going to try something today, Penelope will expect to see me; and of course, expect to outsmart me again."

"I pity the fool," said Lily, doing her best Mr. T impersonation.

The main wave of Rob and Juliet's guests had already arrived by the time Lily and I returned to the house. We both got an orange juice from the bar, and I agreed with Lily what a shame that it wasn't a real wedding, and our drinks weren't real mimosas. We moved easily through the guests, trying to take in every face. Rob's family was there, but I couldn't see his son. Juliet's friends were standing together, talking softly and laughing. I smiled, pleased to know they made up with Juliet. At least, she could get something more out of this than just dropped charges, I decided as I turned around looking for her.

"I'm going to go upstairs and check on Juliet," I told Lily.

"Where you go, I go."

"You don't have to. You can sit on the couch and wait, or look out for Rob's son."

"I don't know what he looks like, and I'm not so pregnant that I can't make it up the stairs yet."

"Yet."

"So mean. Oh, is that the cake? Be right back!" Lily shot off before I had the chance to suggest that she mingle instead. With her occupied for the moment, however, I ascended the stairs, knocking at Juliet's bedroom door when I reached the top.

"Who is it?" she called.

"Lexi."

"Just a moment." Footsteps sounded across the floor before I heard a lock click and a bolt being drawn.

"You had the locks refitted," I observed, as I stepped inside, stopping still when I took in Juliet's dress: full lace with a sweetheart bodice, a nipped-in waist, and a mermaid skirt that pooled at her feet, and left only her satin-enclosed toes peeking out. Her hair was wild and loose, with only a sparkling crystal pin above one ear. "Juliet... You look sensational!"

"Do you think?" she asked, picking up her skirt to twirl, then dropping it self-consciously. "This is all crazy, isn't it?"

I shut the door behind me and flipped the lock, securing us both inside the room. "No, it's going to work," I said as I took in the brand new bathroom door.

"I keep thinking how annoyed everyone will be when they realize it's all a farce. People even brought gifts."

"They know you've been through a hard time. They'll understand."

"That I'm just using them? That I've made them get all dressed up for nothing? And bringing gifts, and taking time out from their lives to catch... to catch..." Juliet shrugged as she turned and dropped onto the stool in front of her dresser. She watched her reflection and smoothed her hair before applying a slick of lip gloss. I could imagine how fast her heart must have been thumping in her chest. I unexpectedly felt a wave of sadness for her. I didn't know how she managed to hold it together.

"It isn't for nothing."

She met my eyes in the mirror. "You got hurt!"

"I'm fine."

"If this doesn't work, they'll know soon that the charges against me are being dropped."

"You know that for certain?"

"Detective Donahue came by this morning, and said it was clear to all that I was being set up."

"That's good news."

Juliet recapped her lip gloss and placed it on a small, silver tray before she turned towards me. "Please don't think I'm not grateful, I am. I'm thrilled that I'm not going to prison, and that the police and my employers know this is a big setup."

"You've spoken to your employers?"

"Not yet, but they suggested a meeting."

"You might get your job back."

"I'm not sure I want it. My job used to be such a huge part of my life until... until all of this happened and I realized how little it matters. All those things that used to stress me out? They seem so irrelevant now. Do you ever feel like that?"

"I have… at moments."

"These past few days while I've been stuck at home, I've been thinking a lot. Now, I realize none of it matters. My job is just a job; I make money for people I don’t know. It's not like I'm saving lives, or doing a job with any purpose. I’m just climbing the ladder, achieving the next title, earning more money... and ultimately, it's so irrelevant. I have Rob, a wonderful stepson, and we'll have the baby soon... I have my freedom too. I want to enjoy it."

"Maybe you need to take some time out to clear your head."

"It's a shame we didn't book a fake honeymoon too."

"No. You could book a real vacation. Dedicate some time to just the two of you; and do it now, before your baby comes."

"Rob and I hoped to take Robbie on vacation with us, but there's no way Penelope would let him come with us. Not now, not after everything that happened. She told Rob at the hospital she thinks I'm a danger to Robbie. Now that she got shot, she says it's better if Robbie doesn't come here anymore. She said Rob will have to visit Robbie at her home instead."

"You know you're not a danger," I said, biting my tongue. There was so much I could tell her, and I had to resist, despite the sadness in her voice.

"It doesn't matter if the charges have been dropped! Not if everyone around me is still in danger."

"Okay, enough with the pity party," I said, grabbing her hand and tugging her upwards. "We’ve got this whole day to flush out the crazy; and from then on, your life is whatever you make it. So, stop! Stop with the downer attitude! Get ready for your big, fat, fake wedding while we catch the perp at last."

"Did anyone ever tell you you're kind of scary?" said Juliet, her expression caught somewhere between laughter and fear.

"No, most people think I'm cute. I know things seem bad, but..."

"Lexi, we have eyes on Penelope," came Solomon's voice through my earbud.

"Where?" I asked.

"Where what?" asked Juliet.

I pointed to my ear, mouthing, "Earbud" and she nodded.

"She just arrived with her kid," said Solomon.

"Penelope and Robbie are here," I told Juliet.

"That's great! Maybe she reconsidered. I need to go speak to her, to make things right..."

"Wait." I caught her by the arm. "You need to stay here. Solomon, where is she now?"

"They just stepped into the house by the front door. We're waiting to see where she... she's in the bar now, talking to Rob."

"Do you want me to intervene?" I asked.

"What's going on?" asked Juliet and I waved her quiet again.

"No, we need to see what she's doing. She needs to make her move. Everyone hold your positions, until I give you the go ahead," said Solomon. "Lexi, go downstairs and mingle with the guests. Keep a close watch on Penelope. You need to be everywhere our cameras can't see."

"Got it." Juliet watched me with a puzzled expression that I guessed could quickly turn to panic if I told her what we were doing. "I have to go downstairs. But I want you to stay here with the door locked."