Chief of police Daniel LeCroix might be a handsome devil, but as far as Angelique was concerned, he was moving far too slowly in finding Mystique’s killer. So far, he hadn’t even checked in with her to let her know how the investigation was going.
Finally, things were winding down. Most of the people had left the community center, and a crew from the café was busy clearing the food tables.
“Whew, I’m glad this is all over,” Monique said. Her long-lashed brown eyes misted with unshed tears. “But it won’t really be over for us until we know who killed Mama.”
“I’m determined to find the killer,” Angelique said firmly.
“Be careful, Angelique,” Dominique said with a worried frown creasing her forehead. “The last thing we want is for you to get the attention of a murderer.”
“Don’t worry about me.” She smiled with assurance at her two siblings. “I promise I’m not about to do anything stupid.” As the eldest sister, Angelique had always known that her sisters looked to her for strength and guidance, and the last thing she wanted to do was worry or upset them.
The three were still seated at the table when Daniel LeCroix walked in the front door. With his dark, slightly shaggy hair, blue eyes and sculpted features, the chief was definitely a hunk. His blue uniform fit across his broad shoulders and his pants showed off his slim waist and hips.
On the night of the murder, when he and his men had responded to the scene, he’d been exceedingly kind to her and her sisters, but he didn’t look so kind right now. His dark brows were pulled together and tension tightened his features as he approached where they sat.
His blue eyes looked directly at Angelique and he definitely looked angry. She raised her chin slightly and held his gaze. She had no idea why he might be angry with her, but she was definitely angry with him for the lack of progress and communication about the murder that had forever changed her life.
“Miss Santori,” he said, once he reached where they were seated. “May I have a word with you…privately?”
Angelique rose from her chair. “Absolutely. There’s a small patio out the back door. We can talk there.”
He gave a curt nod of his head. “You can lead the way.”
She had no idea what issue he might have with her, but she definitely intended to use this time to give him a piece of her mind.
DANIEL WALKED BEHINDthe tall, dark-haired beauty, his anger with her rising with each step he took. They reached the back door and stepped out into the bright sunshine.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked when she turned to face him.
Her cheeks flushed and her long-lashed unusual light brown eyes flashed with obvious irritation. “What are you talking about?” she asked.
“I’m talking about you trying to ruin my investigation.” He couldn’t help but notice how her long black hair sparkled like silk in the sunshine overhead.
“What investigation?” she asked with obvious derision. “You haven’t checked in with us to tell us what’s happening. Maybe because Mama was swamp, there is no urgency to solve the crime.”
Daniel drew in several deep breaths. The woman was absolutely maddening. “That’s definitely a low blow. Murder is murder, and I investigate it the same no matter where the victim comes from.”
Her cheeks flushed with color and she averted her gaze from his. “You’re right, that was a low blow.” She looked at him once again.
Daniel raced a hand through his hair, a gesture of sheer frustration. “Look, you’ve got to stop questioning potentialsuspects. You meddling in this could completely ruin the prosecution of the killer when we find him.”
“I… I hadn’t thought of that.” She raised her chin, a new blaze flashing in her gorgeous eyes. “But I’ve been so frustrated by the lack of communication from you. I don’t know what you’re doing to find her killer. I have no idea who you’ve questioned and who you haven’t. I have no idea if you’re actually working the case or sitting around and drinking coffee in your office.”
Once again, an angry frustration filled Daniel. “Me and my officers have been out busting our butts on this case. But I need you to stay the hell out of it.”
“Then tell me what you’re doing, and I’ll stay out of it,” she replied. She frowned, the gesture doing nothing to detract from her loveliness. “Why don’t you come by my place every night and tell me what you’ve accomplished during the day?”
“I could give you a check-in call each evening,” he countered.
She shook her head. “That’s not good enough. I need to see your face when you check in with me. Besides, coming by my place will show your utter commitment to the case. Promise me you’ll do this and I’ll promise to stay out of things.”
It would be a total pain to do it, but at this point he would agree to almost anything to keep her from meddling in the case. Not only could she screw up the investigation, but she could also get hurt. The killer had already shown himself to be capable of committing a heinous crime.
“Okay, I can do that, but I can’t promise what time I’ll show up. It might be early in the afternoon or it might be late at night. It’s possible there might be nights when I can’t be there at all.”
“I’ll wait for you if it’s late and if you can’t show up in person, then call and let me know,” she replied. She leaned forward and grabbed his forearm. Her touch instantly caused an unexpected spark of pleasure to go off deep inside him.
“Please, Chief LeCroix, I need to know what’s happening. I’ll never be able to get the image of my mother with her throat gaping open out of my head. The only thing that will help is knowing that you’re doing everything you can to catch the person responsible.” She dropped her hand from his arm as her eyes suddenly shimmered with tears.
