Page 75 of All You Want
“I don’t get you.” I steer her into the Weeping Widow Suite because I spy a couple walking down the corridor. Shutting the door, I lean in and kiss her lightly on the cheek. “You used to be such a flirt. Chasing me down and telling my sister how big a crush you had on me, but as soon as I show any interest, you’re backing off.”
“Because you wanted to keep it on the lowdown.”
“I don’t anymore.” I twirl the blond strands of her hair around my fingers. “I was nervous about your father. I know he’s up to no good, but there’s no way I’ll do what Weaver did, even if I’m involved with you.”
“You mean paying off Weaver to stay quiet?”
“More than that. Weaver destroyed evidence. I saw the reports with missing pages. Now that Weaver’s dead, I wonder if Evan or someone else knows.”
“Knows what? That Weaver destroyed evidence?” Tami’s hands flutter in front of her chest. “Are you saying the tea was poisoned and Mooma did die, but the police misplaced the body?”
“Something happened, and your dad is behind it.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say.” Tami’s cheeks turn red, and she blinks at me.
“Hear me out.” I hold up my hand. “I’m not saying anything about the body, but your dad was definitely paying Weaver for some benefit. My rookie year, Weaver was always going to lunch with your dad, and I saw him slipping an envelope in his pocket. Another time, I found an envelope of money, hundred-dollar bills, underneath the desk. I didn’t say anything. I pretended I had no clue what he was looking for. I wanted to be a good cop, Tami, but the unwritten rule was not to cite anyone in your family. Your mother’s a horrible driver, and you’re always speeding.”
She backs away from me, mouth wide and flapping her hands. “Oh, my, goodness. Todd, you’re coming in here with all these accusations. My father would never pay blackmail. It was an accident. I didn’t know.”
“Someone else knew. The poison didn’t get into the teapot by itself. Think about it. Maybe Mooma wasn’t the target. Who else was at the tea party?”
“Me. Everyone knows it’s my favorite activity. Your sister, Linx, never liked tea parties. She was too much of a tomboy. I don’t remember if Molly was there, but she used to follow me around.”
“Maybe she saw something.” I scratch my unshaven jaw. “I need you to bring this up in passing conversation. See if she noticed anything.”
“Why aren’t you looking for Viola’s killer?” Tami’s voice is sharp. “Someone bashed her head in. It was horrible. I can’t get over how happy she was after reading the books to the children. I was the one who invited her to stay. I never dreamed someone would sneak up on her and kill her.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” I’ve been saying this an awful lot, but it bears saying again. “You take too much on yourself.”
“Todd, you mean well,” she says, sounding resigned. “It’s my responsibility. My hotel. My party. If she hadn’t come, she’d still be alive.”
“Depends on why she was killed. She was digging into a lot of stuff. Didn’t you say she was against your Gold Rush ghosts?”
“That’s a minor disagreement.” She gives me a hard look, pushing back. “You have a lot of work to do. I shouldn’t take your time.”
“You’re right, but will you have dinner with me tonight? As in a date?”
“Dating me now? When my hotel is under a dark cloud, and my friend is murdered? And you accusing my dad of paying blackmail?”
“I’m only sharing things with you so you can help me investigate. If Viola was blackmailing people, maybe she knew about Weaver too.”
“It’s such a stretch.” She purses her lips, and then raises a finger. “Oh, Todd, that reminds me. Larissa hasn’t texted us back. Several people say she left with you.”
“You know she didn’t. You saw me last when you tore off my mask and threw it on the ground. That was after I danced with Larissa.”
“It doesn’t change the fact she’s missing. You have to look for her.”
“Okay, but officially, she hasn’t been missing twenty-four hours. I’ll keep an eye out. Promise.” I lean in, hoping she’ll kiss me. “Tami, this is the real me. If you’ll give me a chance, let me prove to you how much I care.”
“I want to believe you. If this were a month ago, I’d be overjoyed, but now, it feels forced.”
“Give me a chance.” I stroke her hair. “As long as you don’t tell me to stop, I’ll keep chasing you.”
A corner of her mouth turns up. “Your timing is terrible, but I’ll let you take any advantage you want.”
“You won’t be sorry.” Taking advantage of her consent, I go in for the lip lock.
I want to deepen the kiss, but I have to be patient. I don’t deserve to horn in on her without first paying my dues. Dinner. Dates. Holding hands, and most of all, finding the murderer.
