“I’ll take those,” Harry said, holding his hands out for the mugs.
Monk hesitated, then handed them over with a “Thank you.”
Helia nodded in response to his question. “That’s why I was over earlier. I wanted to check where Alessio left them. I planned to head over later and pick them up. I can do it now instead.”
Another knock at the door stopped him from responding, and they turned as Vanessa called out for whoever it was to enter. Monk didn’t like how lackadaisically they took security, but since the Shaws’ living quarters were on the third floor of the main house, he supposed not many people who weren’t known to the family popped by.
The door swung open and a man wearing jeans and a long-sleeved Henley stepped through, followed by a woman dressed nearly the same. Both wore badges on their hips.
“Jess, Carter, what a surprise,” Vanessa said.
The arrival of two detectives not long after receiving news of Justin Flannery’s death had Monk’s instincts coming to attention in a swirl of unease.
“Mrs. Shaw,” the male detective said with a nod before his gaze landed on Helia. “Earlier today, Justin Flannery was found dead in his home. If you wouldn’t mind, we have some questions for you, Helia.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Helia’s parents cocked their heads at the detectives. Collin’s dark, watchful eyes remained on her.
“Of course,” she responded, a rote answer more than anything else. She hadn’t spent any time with Justin in several years, but she wouldn’t say no to speaking with the police.
“We’ll stay, if you don’t mind,” her mom said.
“I appreciate that, Mom, but there’s no need,” she said. “You wanted to check the reception room before dinner. I’ll be fine.”
Her parents eyed her, then, interestingly, both turned to Collin. “I’ll stay with her,” he said.
She hid a grimace and hoped Carter and Jess didn’t ask anything too personal about her relationship with Justin. She didn’t have anything to hide, but talking about her love life in front of Collin made her feel a little squirmy.
“Do you mind if we head to my place?” she asked the detectives. Both shook their heads and stepped to the side, clearing the way to the door.
Collin’s fingers settled on her lower back as he followed her out, staying so close that the side of his body brushed against hers.
“You don’t live here anymore?” he asked, his breath warm against her ear, sending a chill down her spine.
She shook her head as Jess and Carter fell into step behind them. “I’m way too old to be living with my parents. I love them, but it was better for all of us to have my own space.” They pushed through the door that closed off the private third floor from the floors below and headed toward the grand central staircase. “Did you see that stone water tower when you walked over?” He nodded. “We built that six years ago. I live there.” The space wasn’t huge, but she’d designed every inch and loved it to bits. The ground floor held a sitting area, a small kitchen with a breakfast nook, and a powder room. It also had a fireplace as well as gorgeous French doors that opened out to a flagstone patio. Her bed and bathroom were on the second floor. The third was a covered rooftop deck where she often sat with her morning coffee or evening glass of wine, watching the sun rise or set over the valley.
“Collin? Collin Wilde, right?” Carter asked. “I was two years ahead of you in school.”
Collin drew away from her as he turned to talk with the detective.
“Sorry about your dad,” Carter said, shaking Collin’s hand.
It didn’t surprise Helia that Carter recognized Collin. He’d grown a couple inches upward andseveralmore in muscle, but his eyes and facial features hadn’t changed much. He’d also been the sole heir to the Wilde legacy and fortune. As one of the earliest European families to settle in the area, the Wilde family was Napa Valley royalty. People knew them even if they—Collin—didn’t know them back.
“I understand the memorial is the day after tomorrow. How are you holding up?” Carter asked. Helia frowned at the question. It seemed awfully personal. Maybe even a bit nosy.
“I have a supportive family,” Collin replied. Carter might be hoping for more from the Wilde heir, but he wasn’t going to get it. Helia smiled. She’d always been protective of Collin. Maybe she didn’t have a right to be anymore, but their estrangement changed nothing.
“You’re married? Nice, any kids?” Carter asked.
“We’re here,” Helia announced, cutting off the need for Collin to reply. Family came in all shapes and sizes. And as a thirty-five-year-old woman, she was mightily tired of correcting people when they assumed every time she mentioned family she meant a husband and kids. She didn’t want to hear Collin have to do the same.
Crowding around her small kitchen table, Collin took the seat beside hers. She considered offering drinks, then opted not to. She still had a lot to do today and the sooner she got through this conversation, the faster she could get to it.
“How can I help you?” she asked.
“You heard about Justin?” Jess started. Relatively new to the valley, Jess had moved twelve years ago to be closer to her aging parents. Helia had always liked the practical, no-frills woman.
