Bylines & Skylines (An Avery Shaw Mystery Book 9) Read online

  “You should be,” I said. “He’s even more protective now that we’re moving in together.”

  “Yeah, I heard about that,” Fish said. “Does he really think he’s going to be able to put up living with you?”

  “We practically live together now.”

  “Yes, but he can still take off when he needs a break,” Fish pointed out. “That’s going to change when you live under the same roof.”

  “We’ll have guestrooms. It will be fine.” I said the words, but I’d secretly been worried about the same thing. I’m a lot to deal with. I often think Eliot has infinite patience, but even he was bound to run out of it eventually. “Um … what were we talking about again?”

  Fish sent me a knowing look but then turned back to his computer. “I’m assuming you want to handle the murder and have someone else do a story on the opening day of the convention. Am I right?”

  I kind of wanted to do both, but I knew stretching myself too thin wasn’t a good idea. “Jake is holding the conference in front of the convention center,” I reminded him. “I can do both. He’s doing it because he wants everyone to believe the center is safe – and he’s doing it after the noon news but before the evening news, which is strategic.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because today is a preview day for guests with passes,” I replied. “The convention isn’t open to everyone until tomorrow. I can do a preview and cover the murder. It shouldn’t be a problem. I can take my laptop and file both from there.”

  “What if you can’t find a spot to write?” Fish asked.

  “Eliot is working security. I have an in.” Of course, Eliot could’ve gotten fired, but I decided not to share that tidbit with Fish.

  “Wait a second,” Duncan sputtered. “What about me? I’m supposed to be helping with the coverage.”

  “Yeah, what about him?” Fish asked, his eyes twinkling.

  “I don’t need him.”

  “That’s not fair,” Duncan whined. “She can’t get her own way just because she’s spoiled … and rotten … and so very annoying.”

  “Hey, pot, this is kettle,” I said, miming talking into an invisible phone. “You’re black.”

  “And you’re the Devil,” Duncan snapped.

  “That’s enough of that,” Fish ordered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Why is it that I always feel as if I’m babysitting when you two are in a room together?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s him,” I answered, not missing a beat. “I’m a joy to be around.”

  “You’re … something,” Fish muttered, his eyes contemplative as he considered my plan. “You need to take someone with you. I’m sorry. I’m not convinced you can cover a murder and the convention without help. You’re good, but that’s a lot of work.”

  Duncan looked triumphant, but I’d already considered an alternate scenario. He just didn’t know it yet.

  “In that case, I think I should take Marvin.” I kept my features flat, making sure not to lock gazes with Duncan and thump my chest to prove my superiority. I was trying to act thoughtful. Marvin Potts was my best friend at the newspaper. He was spacey and often out of a control, but he has tremendous news sense and would come in handy when working on the murder.

  “Marvin?” Duncan was furious. “He doesn’t know anything about comic books.”

  “No, but he knows a lot about murder,” I said, hoping I sounded pragmatic rather than vindictive. “There are going to be a lot of workers there to question. The sheriff’s deputies are going to be everywhere. I need someone who understands how to talk to the police and security officers. We both know that’s not Duncan.”

  “I can talk to the cops,” Duncan protested. “I’m just as much of a journalist as she is.”

  I was ready for that argument, too. “Do you remember two months ago when the Shelby Township Police Department said they wouldn’t deal with him because he’s a douche?”

  “She’s making that up!” Duncan howled.

  “Fine,” I conceded. “They didn’t use that word. They said you were a pain in the ass and they were sick of dealing with you. I’m not sure how that’s better than calling you a douche, but there it is.”

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t help today,” Duncan argued.

  “This could be a huge story and he might ruin it from the start if we’re not careful, Fish,” I cautioned. “Think about how glorious our front page will look tomorrow. We’ll have ‘villains lurking at the comic book convention’ with great art.”

  I knew I had him when he widened his eyes. He could picture the photos, too.

  “You can’t be serious,” Duncan said. “Are you considering letting her do this?”

  Fish made up his mind. “It’s done,” he said. “We’ll send Marvin out there with Avery today. The murder is the big story since the convention doesn’t officially open until tomorrow. We need Marvin and Avery to combine their efforts.”

  “But I can go tomorrow, right?” Duncan pressed.

  Fish glanced at me. “That’s up to Avery.”

  “And I say no,” I added.

  “And she’ll make her decision tomorrow,” Fish said, shaking his head. “As for now, I like her plan. We need to blow everyone else out of the water on this murder and Avery and Marvin are the team to do that.”

  “We’re like the dynamic duo,” I said, smirking.

  “I wouldn’t go that far but … have fun,” Fish said. “Also, keep me posted. If you get something important we’ll be ready to push the button on the website as soon as possible.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” I said, smirking at Duncan as I shifted around his body, so rigid now that he trembled, and headed toward the back of the building. “Maybe you’ll get a chance to be part of a dream team one day, too.”

  “Oh, shut it!” Duncan was furious. “You can’t keep me away from that convention all week. I won’t allow it.”

  I had every intention of messing with him whenever the chance surfaced. I didn’t want him to know that, though. Er, well, to be fair, I didn’t want him to be able to point to anything overt in my actions and get me in trouble. I wanted him to know it, though.

  “Oh, I want you at the convention,” I said. “I’ve been looking at things for you to do. They have a mud-wrestling pit where men get to wrestle with female aliens. I think that’s right up your alley for a first-person piece.”

  Duncan’s mouth dropped open. He hated being dirty more than he despised me being in charge. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Never say never,” I said, laughing as I walked away. “I’ll meet with you tomorrow to discuss coverage. I’m really looking forward to it.”

  “You suck!”

  I hadn’t even begun to suck where he was concerned. He didn’t need to know that, though. “Have a nice day,” I sang out. “I know I will.”

  8

  Eight

  “What is that?”

  Marvin was agog when I led him into the convention center by flashing the special passes Eliot gave me, his eyes as big as a child seeing a giant cookie for the first time. Given the number of females in skimpy outfits, Marvin looked just as hungry as a child confronted with a head-sized cookie.

  “That’s a slave dancer from Star Wars,” I replied, internally smirking when I saw Marvin’s eyes cross at the tiny outfit the woman in question wore. She had also painted herself blue, which freaked me out. “Do you think she gets that paint in … you know … unfortunate bikini places?”

  “Ooh. Are you asking if she’s got a blue Smurf?”

  “No, but now I’m wondering,” I said. “Smurf?”

  “That’s a saying.”

  Marvin is one of those guys who defy description. He’s fifty but acts twelve. He dresses in the same outfit every day – his uniform – and it consists of black polyester pants, a white button-down shirt and black suspenders. He pairs the uniform with white Reeboks. Oh, and he is a walking doormat when it comes to women. I knew it was dangerous to b
ring him to a place where scantily-clad women would be running around and looking for men to dominate, but anything is better than spending the day with Duncan.

  “Just keep your eyes peeled,” I ordered. “We’re looking for people who can tell us about the victim. The sooner we get answers, the further ahead of all the other reporters we’ll be.”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re unnaturally obsessed with winning?”

  I shrugged. “So are you.”

  “Yes, but I make it look good,” Marvin said. “It looks ugly on you.”

  “Don’t make me kick you in the nuts.”

  Marvin frowned at the threat and instinctively covered his crotch. His motion, drew my attention to my right when I realized someone was moving in behind me and Marvin was tracking the individual with his eyes.

  “Oh, well, I see you two are enjoying yourselves.” Eliot smirked as he dropped a kiss on my cheek and regarded Marvin with a curious stare. “Why are you standing like that?”

  “She said she was going to kick me in the nuts,” Marvin replied. “I’m protecting myself.”

  “She won’t kick you.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I won’t let her,” Eliot said, smirking. “She’s not as mean as she looks.”

  “Oh, well, that’s a relief,” Marvin deadpanned. “If she was as mean as she looks I’d be dead.”

  “A couple of times over,” I said, earning an eye roll from Marvin. “Why don’t you go check out that alien you like and see if you can sniff out information about the dead woman?”

  “What are you going to do?” Marvin asked, irked. “Oh, wait … are you going to make out with him while I do all the work? I see how this is. You never used to stick me with all the work before you had a boyfriend. Don’t think I haven’t noticed … or that I’ll forget this.”

  I narrowed my eyes, practically daring him to push me. “I can still have you replaced with Duncan,” I said. “You’ll never find out if that chick’s Smurf is blue if I do that.”

  “Her Smurf?” Eliot glanced in the direction I stared and it took him a moment to realize what I was talking about. “You guys are just freaky. I can’t even … there are no words for how freaky you are.”

  “She’s freakier than I am,” Marvin sniffed.

  “I don’t believe that’s true,” Eliot said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Go check on your blue alien and give us a few minutes. I’ll make sure she helps with the work once we’re done.”

  “If you can do that I’ll be forever impressed,” Marvin said. “I’m not holding my breath, though.”

  We were silent as we watched him weave through the stream of convention workers, both of us shaking our heads when he started following the blue alien in the tiny costume while pretending to look at the displays. He is terrible when it comes to undercover work.

  “He’s a trip,” Eliot said finally, smirking. “I can see why you like him, though. He’s as weird as you are.”

  “Hey, I’m not interested in her Smurf,” I said, grinning when Eliot poked me in the ribs. “I see you’re still here, so that must mean you didn’t get fired. That’s good news, right?”

  “I haven’t seen Jake yet so I don’t know,” Eliot replied. “He could very well fire me.”

  I pursed my lips and studied the grim set of his jaw. I could tell this was really bothering him. “Jake won’t fire you.”

  “Avery, I would fire me.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s not going to happen,” I said. “I promise.”

  As if reading my mind, Eliot extended a warning finger. “Whatever you’re thinking … don’t.”

  “What makes you believe I’m thinking of doing anything?”

  “Because I know you and can just tell by the way you’re acting,” Eliot replied. “Don’t stick your nose in this. Jake and I will hash it out ourselves.”

  “But … .”

  “No.” Eliot’s head shake was firm. “Tell me what’s going on with you. How did you get Marvin assigned to this instead of Duncan?”

  “I told Fish the murder was the most important thing today and all cops think Duncan is a douche,” I answered. “He agreed, Duncan pouted and then I got Marvin.”

  “Well, you’re nothing if not dedicated to screwing Duncan over,” Eliot said, rubbing a strand of my blond hair between his fingers. “Does he want to kill you?”

  “He’s not happy, but he’s afraid of you,” I said. “I told him he would have to sleep with you to get special treatment. He didn’t think that was funny.”

  “I don’t think it’s funny either.”

  “That’s because you don’t have a sense of humor right now,” I pointed out. I was leery about pressing him when he was in such a bad mood, but I didn’t see many options. “I don’t suppose you know the name of the dead woman, do you?”

  Eliot shook his head. “I’ve asked around, but if anyone knows they’re not sharing.”

  “When is Jake supposed to show up?”

  “I have no idea.”

  I rolled my neck until it cracked and glanced around at the busy convention workers. They were gearing up for the fan appreciation event – which was invitation only – and then everything would revert to a more normal schedule the following day. No one seemed particularly upset about the fact that a dead body was found on the premises the previous evening, which was frankly dumbfounding.

  “These guys know a dead woman was found here last night, right?”

  Eliot shrugged. “I haven’t asked anyone,” he said. “I’ve been keeping to myself and focusing on the security cameras.”

  “You’re such a Boy Scout,” I teased, although he didn’t return my smile. “Eliot, you’re good at what you do. Last night was … a fluke.”

  “It wasn’t a fluke,” Eliot argued. “I planned it. I knew what we would end up doing. I didn’t care.”

  “It’s not as if you killed her.”

  “No, but what if she was alive when we were in the hut?” Eliot challenged, his eyes flashing. “What if I could’ve saved her?”

  “What if the person who killed her took out both of you in that scenario?”

  “Oh, don’t get all dramatic,” Eliot muttered. “I would’ve been fine.”

  “Well, if you’re going to be dramatic, then I’m definitely going to be dramatic,” I said. “You’re supposed to be the calm one. People expect me to be more freaked out than you, so if you’re going to go off the rails … well … I’m going to jump from the train as you do it.”

  Eliot fought the urge to smile … and lost. “You make me laugh,” he said, chuckling as he pulled me in for a hug. “I’ve just never been fired before. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

  “You’re not going to be fired,” I promised, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. I wasn’t used to him being insecure. He’s generally the one who bolsters me, not the other way around. “It’s not as if we planned it. It just happened.”

  “Well, I’m not sorry,” Eliot said, cupping the back of my head. “Until we found the body we had a great time. I don’t want to take that back.”

  “That’s good, because I’m going to include our filthy dealings on our Christmas cards this year and if you deny it happened that’s going to make me look bad.”

  “Ha, ha.” Eliot kissed my forehead and then took a step away from me. “I need to do my job and not focus on you. You’re a distraction, Trouble. What are you going to do?”

  “Try to find out the name of the victim.”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  I smirked. “I have my ways.”

  “I’m sure you do,” Eliot said dryly. “Do me a favor and don’t wander anywhere alone. Someone here might be a killer – and it could be someone from the convention, so that means you have to behave yourself. I can’t watch you every moment you’re here.”

  “Somehow I think I’ll survive,” I said. “It’s okay. Go do your work. I’ll be here … and I’ll be perfectly
safe.”

  “Do you promise to behave yourself?”

  Oh, well, behave myself? That’s another story. “I promise to let you do your work.”

  Eliot wasn’t swayed by my smile. “That’s what I thought,” he muttered. “Try to not to draw attention to yourself if at all possible.”

  “See, I don’t think that’s going to be possible because people are drawn to me,” I said. “I can’t explain it.”

  “I can’t either, but I know the feeling,” Eliot said. “I told myself that getting involved with you was a terrible idea, yet here I am. I love you and we’re moving in together. I’m not even sure how it happened.”

  I swallowed the odd lump in my throat. “You could still change your mind.”

  “No, I can’t,” Eliot said. “My heart would kill me if I tried.”

  It was a schmaltzy sentiment, but I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. “You’re going to get really lucky tonight.”

  “That sounds good,” Eliot said. “For now, though, I have to get back to work.”

  I MADE a big show of being a good girl and questioning convention regulars once Eliot returned to his job. That lasted exactly twenty minutes before I got bored. Then I lucked out and caught sight of Jake’s personal sheriff’s vehicle through the window and tracked him until he entered the center. He thought he had a straight shot to a private office, but I cut him off before he could open the door.

  “Oh, I should’ve known,” Jake groused, glaring as I stood in front of him and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not releasing the name of the deceased yet. I don’t care what you do or say.”

  “I’m actually not here about that.” I surprised myself with the admission. “I need to talk to you.”

  “I’m not tipping you off early,” Jake said. “The other media will have a fit. They’ll all be here in a few hours. You can find out everything the same time they do.”

  “Believe it or not, I don’t care about beating everyone else today.” That was a blatant lie. There was something else weighing on me, though, and I couldn’t focus on wearing down Jake until I talked to him about Eliot. “I swear it’s not about the case.”