Deadly Touch Read online

  They all shook their heads again, looking at one another.

  “Did she say anything to you at all?” Roger asked Belinda. “You two shared a job, more or less.”

  “Oh! At first, I teased her. I’d suggested she’d broken down and finally looked into online dating. She said no, they’d met in the coffee shop across the street, definitely not online,” Belinda said. “But she wouldn’t even tell me his name.”

  “But they definitely met across the street?”

  “Well, down the street, really. It’s across from that dress shop. She loved that shop! She was going to buy something there for her date. They’re pricey, though, so she wanted to be sure,” Belinda said.

  “When? Do you know.”

  Belinda was thoughtful a moment. “Monday, yes. It had to have been Monday. She came in here whistling and happy and that’s when I started wanting to know what was going on with her. Yes, she’d just come from the coffee shop!”

  He knew the coffee shop. He’d been there.

  Now, though, he had a valid reason for investigating further—without having to say that a “witness” had seen her dead after she’d tried on a dress worn by the victim.

  He thanked them all and met Nigel back in the hallway.

  When they left, Dr. Wong, Roger, Belinda and Marci all stood in the hall, looking stricken, swearing they’d call if they thought of anything at all.

  Outside, Nigel looked at Axel and said, “Everything we touch seems to make this all the sadder—young girl, hard worker, her whole life ahead of her.”

  “Want some coffee from the shop down the street?” Axel suggested.

  “Sure. You know I tried to order a cup of coffee there once.”

  “And?”

  “I finally got coffee. After saying I didn’t want a mocha, cappuccino or latte—flavored or non.”

  “I’ll do the ordering,” Axel told him.

  “You have a picture of our victim? Her name was never released to the media.”

  “You bet.”

  “They have some kind of food, too. Pastries. But I’ll eat anything right now. If we want all the receipts, we’ll have to get a subpoena.”

  “Maybe the owner will just be nice,” Axel said.

  “And maybe this dude pays with cash,” Nigel said wearily.

  “Maybe there’s some kind of security camera on the place or at least nearby,” Axel suggested. “Let’s go. And yes, I’ll do the ordering.”

  * * *

  Knowing Axel wouldn’t be coming until the afternoon, Raina agreed to accept a new client at her house in the morning. The request came through a phone call, and she accepted.

  It was with a woman named Sara Moore who had a Pekingese who wouldn’t listen to anything.

  When the woman arrived, she did so with Jordan Rivera.

  Raina smiled curiously as he introduced her to Sara. “Hey, I recommended you,” Jordan whispered to her. “I mean, you are good, and you’re a friend!”

  “Thanks,” she whispered back.

  Inside, the little Peke began growling at Titan, who simply stared at him as a judo master might stare at an ant.

  Sara apologized, but yelled at the dog, giving Raina a great place to start, explaining positive reinforcement.

  “But do you have to give an animal food every time?” Sara asked, confused.

  She was a pretty woman and Raina grinned at Jordan, who was just sitting on her couch silently, watching what was going on.

  She assumed Sara might be Jordan’s latest love or tentative latest love.

  “No. Dogs respond to affection as well as food,” Raina explained. And she began working with the Peke, gaining the pup’s trust. First, she resorted to bribery, and then put him through his paces by rewarding him with pets and hugs. Her method had to do with training people to train their dogs themselves. The Peke was a smart little thing and quickly seemed to get the concept.

  An hour and a half after they arrived, Raina had the Peke sitting on command and coming to her as well as Sara.

  Sara was pleased but uncertain, anxious to come back.

  Raina wasn’t sure about making more appointments. She was working with the family of a man killed in the service but determined they would, at least, care for the dog who had been with him and had survived. The poor shepherd was badly damaged. She also had a few appointments with service dogs and their owners and an ex-K9 pooch who was a little too aggressive.

  And she wanted to be available for Axel.

  When she hesitated, saying she had to check her calendar, Jordan came in on the conversation. “Aw, come on, Raina. Sara rescued this little guy. Someone dumped him dirty and matted in a field by her house. You love to help rescues. Please?”

  “If you call on Monday morning, I’ll figure out how to get you in,” Raina promised Sara.

  Sara smiled and thanked her and headed toward the door. Jordan followed, but when she was outside, setting the Peke down on the grass for a chance to relieve himself before getting in the car, Jordan hung back.

  “What? Getting cozy with the FBI guy?” he teased.

  “I do like him,” Raina said.

  “Yeah. He seems like a good character. I know you all liked him way back when, too. I can’t help but be curious about this whole thing, though. Bodies do show up in the Everglades. We do have good cops. This guy isn’t even assigned down here.”

  “I don’t even begin to understand the legal machinations,” Raina said.

  “Well, I’m an attorney. I do,” Jordan said.

  “He knows the Everglades.”

  “Yeah, that’s why Miami-Dade cops should be working with the Miccosukee police. Or even local FBI. Anyway, I’m just watching out for you. Don’t fall head over heels for a guy bound to take off.”

  “I’m not head over heels. It’s nothing like that.”

  “Then why so much time?”

  “Why not?”

  “Do you know something about his investigation?”

  “No,” she said, and smiled, lying with, “His friend has a horse I’m in love with and an animal that needs some work.”

  “Ah,” Jordan said, his dark gaze searching her face.

  She smiled.

  “Well, anyway, thank you for helping Sara.”

  “You two hot and heavy?”

  He laughed. “Trying, at any rate. Okay, kid, see you later,” he told her.

  “See you later. And thanks.”

  “You are the best animal trainer I know,” Jordan said, sliding his fingers over his dark hair and grinning. “Wait, you’re the only animal trainer. No, teasing, kid. You’re the best.”

  “I hear you’re pretty good at what you do, too,” she said.

  “The best! Well, almost. Getting there,” he assured her. He grinned. Then they both realized Sara was watching them—her expression a little worried and confused.

  “Whoops, I’m out of here!” he said.

  Raina watched as Jordan hurried to the woman, gave her a kiss on the cheek and then opened the car door for her.

  She waved.

  Jordan looked at her for a moment, then lifted his hand in a wave.

  They left.

  And it was only when they were gone that Raina realized she had never touched him.

  And she should have.

  The whole thing might be futile, but she’d never really know unless she tried.

  The clock was edging past noon.

  She wished Axel would arrive soon.

  “Titan, this has turned me into a mess!” she told the dog, sighing and plopping down on her couch.

  Where Jordan had been sitting.

  She didn’t feel the same rush of fear; she didn’t feel as if she could see and touch a knife or death.

  But something was wrong. It was a stran
ge cloud of darkness.

  She cried out loud, frustrated.

  Just what the hell did it mean?

  * * *

  The owner of the coffee shop was in. His name was Tomaso Gregorio. He was a big, cheerful, white-haired man in a white cap and apron. He was working behind the counter that day with two girls. Saturday mornings were apparently hopping.

  He took one look at Axel and accepted an order for two cups of black coffee without suggesting anything else, even as Axel quietly explained who they were and why they were there.

  He called to the girls, telling them he needed to step out for a moment.

  Before he did, Nigel slipped in to order a ham, egg and cheese croissant, as well.

  Gregorio got the orders himself and then suggested they sit at a table near the front window.

  They could see the dress shop from there.

  “I will do anything I can to help you. I saw the sketch on the news, and it could have only been Jennifer. She was lovely.” He cast his head at an odd angle. “Well, the news never confirmed it was Jennifer Lowry, but I knew. Always tipped my help and had a kind word to say. Never complained. Always complimented people. She was like they say, a ray of sunshine. What happened to her is beyond despicable. If I knew who did it...”

  “We’re incredibly grateful for your assistance,” Axel told him.

  “And we think you might be able to help us,” Nigel added.

  Gregorio looked at them both, waiting.

  “According to her coworker, she met a man here, one she was going to go on a date with. Now this poor guy may know nothing, but we’d like to find out who he is,” Nigel said.

  Gregorio frowned. “I don’t know anything about her meeting anyone here. I mean, she often talked to other customers. She’d get out of line if she knew someone was distressed and needed to place an order quickly. She loved kids. Always had a friendly word or two to say. You know, we’ve gotten rude and kind of cruel in this world. Jennifer was something wonderful against that. Gave you hope for humanity, you know?” He paused, thinking. Finally he shook his head. “I didn’t see her with anyone in particular. Maybe one of the girls did.”

  He looked back at the counter. One employee was at the cash register taking orders. The other was running behind the counter, grabbing a plate from the microwave with one hand while managing the espresso machine with the other.

  “It’s not a good time,” Nigel suggested.

  “Yeah, well, there’s no right time for a murder,” Gregorio said.

  “Do you have any video surveillance in the shop?” Axel asked.

  “I’m sorry, we don’t,” Gregorio said. “I had a camera installed a few years ago, but it went on the fritz and I never bothered to have it fixed.”

  “We can use whatever you and your staff remember,” Nigel told him.

  Gregorio stood and walked back to the counter, telling the girls to both go and talk to Axel and Nigel.

  “Hey,” the first said nervously, once they were settled. “I’m Beth.”

  “Suzie,” the other introduced herself.

  Both appeared to be in their twenties: young and energetic. Beth was cute with freckles and reddish hair. Suzie was tall and skinny with dark hair.

  “We’re here about Jennifer Lowry,” Axel said.

  “Yeah, she was so nice,” Beth said. “So nice. Any of us here would help if we could.”

  “She was supposed to be going out on a date tonight, as a matter of fact, with a man she met here. Did either of you see her with anyone?”

  “She was a morning person. She came in before she headed to her job,” Suzie said.

  “She would talk to others in line, but I never saw her sit with anyone,” Beth told them.

  “No, I didn’t ever see her sit with anyone, either. But there was this one guy I saw her with. Last Monday morning, I think. I don’t know—the days get mixed up. Beth, remember I pointed at them? We were both giggling, thinking, wow, hmm, maybe?” Suzie said, frowning as she looked at Beth. “Remember?”

  “Yeah...kind of,” Beth said slowly. “He had dark hair?”

  “Light hair, I thought. But with the sun and all, it was hard to see,” Suzie said.

  “I’m sure his hair was dark.”

  “Not that dark.”

  “But you did both see her with a man?” Axel asked.

  “Yes,” they chimed in.

  “Has he been in here since?” Nigel asked.

  They looked at each other. Then Suzie winced sorrowfully. “I—I don’t know. He might have been in here before or after, but I didn’t see his face.”

  “I didn’t, either.”

  “Was he tall or short?” Axel asked.

  “Tall,” they said in unison.

  “Wearing?” Nigel asked.

  “A suit,” Suzie said.

  “Business suit. Blue or black, I’m not sure,” Beth said.

  “Blue or black,” Suzie agreed. “I mean...the way the sun hits the glass in the morning, it’s hard to see much with any definition.”

  They looked at each other. Both nodded.

  “But we’re in a sales and business area. Do you know how many tall men in suits come here on any given morning?” Suzie asked.

  “Do most customers pay with credit or debit cards?” Axel asked.

  “Some. Some pay cash.”

  “I’m sure Mr. Gregorio will gladly let you see Monday’s receipts or the week’s receipts. He’s a superdecent guy,” Beth said. “I mean, we’d help more. Honestly.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Axel said.

  The line at the cash register was growing longer.

  “We’ll ask Mr. Gregorio. Thank you.”

  They scurried back to work. Nigel ate his croissant sandwich while they waited for Gregorio to come back and talk to them.

  “Thank you—sincerely, thank you—for letting us disrupt your morning,” Axel told him.

  “I’m a small-business owner. I may never get rich, but I manage it all my way. Getting the receipts together may take me a bit. Can I get the week’s paperwork together for you to pick up this afternoon?”

  “That would be a tremendous help,” Nigel assured him. “And truly appreciated.”

  Gregorio nodded and looked back to his counter.

  “Right. Thank you. We’re leaving, and one of us will stop back by around five. Would that be good?”

  “Six. I close at five. Takes a few minutes to get customers out,” Gregorio said.

  “Six, it is,” Axel said.

  They turned to leave. On the way out, Nigel turned back. “Great coffee—and great sandwich!” he told him.

  Gregorio nodded his thanks and watched them head out, hurrying back behind his counter before the door could close on the two of them.

  Axel glanced at his watch. He looked at Nigel.

  “We need to find out if there are any security cameras in the area.”

  “All right. I’m on that. And you?”

  “I’m going to get Raina. And bring her back to Andrew’s. You’ll meet us there?”

  “I will meet you there. You know...”

  “Yeah?”

  “We would have gotten this—Jennifer’s workplace, the coffee shop, the unknown date—once Jennifer Lowry’s picture was posted and she was identified. But hell, we wouldn’t have had the sketch if it hadn’t been for Raina. We might not have even found the body. We’ve worked with things a bit different many a time, but this...”

  “This?”

  “This is something special. She’s something special.”

  Axel nodded. “I know,” he said. “Trust me, I know.”

  He left Nigel and headed for his car in the municipal garage.

  Raina was indeed special.

  He found himself worrying, hoping no one else�
��such as the killer—would realize just how special she was.

  He was letting himself step out of the logical, and logical was the first keystone for the Krewe of Hunters. Accept all possibilities, but look to the logical.

  Logically they were whistling in the wind, having no idea...

  Dozens of groups were involved with the Everglades—engineers, hunters, horticulturists, Miccosukee, Seminole, campers, tourism providers, the stray innocent having no idea what they were doing, the odd hiker who loved Shark Valley. Many law enforcement groups looked after the Everglades, too. Cops, marshals, deputies, FBI—even the coast guard—worked murders in the great sea of grass.

  The list of possibilities could go on forever.

  But logic could take years.

  And they had Raina Hamish.

  Logic was good.

  And someone like Raina Hamish could be so much more.

  He needed her help.

  But he admitted, more than that, he needed to be with her. Just in case.

  Maybe.

  Or maybe he just needed to be with her regardless.

  Nine

  When Axel arrived, Raina was ready. Titan at her side, she headed out of the house before he came to the door.

  He barely had a chance to stop the car before she hopped in.

  Titan obediently jumped into the back seat while Raina slid into the front.

  “Hey,” he said.

  She smiled. “I’ve been restless.”

  “Because?”

  She turned to him as he slid the car onto the street. “Jordan.”

  “Jordan?”

  “Jordan Rivera came over with a young woman who needed her dog trained. And I don’t know what I felt. I mean, I meant to actually touch him and I didn’t! I forgot, but when he was gone, I sat on the couch where he’d been sitting. And it wasn’t like last night—that horrible feeling. It was just a little dark. Uncomfortable. I’ve known Jordan most of my life. He’s always been brilliant in school, but nice. Fun, but never obnoxious. I don’t understand why I had that feeling.”

  Axel had briefly touched her life and then come back into it. She had no right or reason to suspect Jordan of anything. It had just been that strange feeling.

  He was quiet for a minute and then said, “You’ll figure it out eventually. I know that’s not particularly comforting, but you will.” He glanced her way. “And you don’t need to worry. We only proceed against people with real evidence. We just use feelings sometimes to point in a direction. And honestly, I’ve known a lot of cops who don’t see ghosts or have sensations, but have a hunch, an instinct, but no one can prosecute anyone on a hunch. We’re different, and we’re the same.” He flashed her a smile. “You trying on that dress led us to the dress shop. The police sketch led us to an identification. Now, we’re looking into Jennifer Lowry’s life and going from there. We might have a lead. Someone she was supposed to have a date with. We think we know where. We think she met this man at the coffee shop by the dress shop where she tried on the dress. It’s all threads. We follow the threads. And trust me, we’ll be looking into Jordan Rivera, too.”