[Avery Shaw 11.0] Unwritten & Underwater Read online

  “But … .”

  “Trouble, let me.” Eliot rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder as he licked his lips and forced Jake’s attention in his direction. “You can’t keep this case.” He blurted it out instead of easing Jake into the obvious problem. I had to admire his style.

  “What do you mean?” Jake’s temper flared as he rested his hands on his hips. “This is my jurisdiction.”

  “Technically Sterling Heights has its own police department,” I reminded him. “It’s their jurisdiction.”

  “You don’t think Sterling Heights is going to hand over the investigation if I ask?” Jake challenged. “I have a personal interest in this murder. There’s no way they’re going to keep me out of it.”

  “That’s exactly why you have to be kept out of it,” Eliot argued, his expression unreadable. Before hooking up with me, Eliot’s relationship with Jake was on anything but solid ground. They knew each other from a stint overseas, serving in the military together, and an operation went bad enough that they had a falling out. Only now were they overcoming it. It would be natural for Eliot to worry about starting another feud. He didn’t back down, though. “You can’t touch this investigation, Jake. It will haunt you for the rest of your life if you do.”

  “I beg your pardon!” Jake adopted a stiff tone. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It’s supposed to mean that if the sheriff’s department investigates the case, there will always be whispers that you cleared yourself of murder,” I supplied, my stomach twisting at the grief clouding Jake’s features.

  “I’m not guilty!” Jake exploded.

  “I know that.” Eliot’s tone remained even. “If I was worried about anyone being guilty, it would be Avery. Thankfully for us, she was in a sugar coma and passed out in bed next to me when this happened. I can rest easy knowing that my faith in her innocence isn’t misplaced.”

  “Oh, bite me,” I muttered. “I was hardly in a sugar coma. I ate one piece of pie.”

  “No, you cut a pie in half and gave one side to me and kept the other for yourself,” Eliot corrected. “That’s technically one piece of pie, but I’m fairly certain intent matters here.”

  “Stop flirting with her and focus on me,” Jake ordered, his eyes flashing. “Are you honestly telling me to turn this case over to the Sterling Heights Police Department? They don’t have the investigative tools at their disposal that we do.

  “I may not have wanted Cara in my life forever, but that doesn’t mean I wanted her dead,” he continued. “She deserves justice.”

  “She does,” I agreed. “The problem is, she was dumped here for a reason. I think that reason is either you or me. I can’t see another explanation for why she’s here.”

  Jake balked. “What do you mean?”

  “Someone knew you’d be here,” Eliot supplied. “Someone knew Avery would be here, too. I’m not sure which of you is the target, but I think the culprit is obviously trying to point fingers in another direction to keep police attention off him or her.”

  “That’s exactly why I should investigate this,” Jake argued. “I won’t be distracted by the rather bad frame job being foisted on Avery and me.”

  “I understand that.” Eliot refused to back down. “But people will whisper and gossip. They’ll turn against you. You’re a very popular figure in the county. People love you. Most will probably forgive you for launching what looks – at least on the surface – a lot like a cover-up. I think you can survive it.”

  “But?” Jake prodded.

  “Avery can’t.” Eliot was matter-of-fact. “The first thing that will happen once the public figures out that you and Cara used to date is that all eyes will turn to Avery. They’ll start whispering about a love triangle and saying you broke up with Cara because you wanted to be with Avery.

  “Then people will come up with crazy scenarios,” he continued. “They’ll say that Avery killed Cara to take out the competition. They’ll whisper that Cara was pregnant and Avery killed her because of that. They’ll come up with a hundred different scenarios, and Avery will look terrible in each and every one.”

  Jake balked. “I won’t let that happen.”

  “You can’t be involved,” Eliot snapped. “People will assume that you’re covering up for Avery. Your relationship is well known. Add the fact that Tad Ludington is here and will be flapping his lips to whatever reporter is willing to interview him and we have a problem.

  “Now, I know neither of you killed her. And for the first time since I met her, Avery has absolutely no culpability in this situation,” he continued. “You’re still going to be punished. You need to hand this investigation over, Jake, and you need to hand it up rather than down.”

  Jake widened his eyes. “You want me to hand this over to the state police? I hate the state police.”

  “Everyone does,” I noted. “Eliot is right, though. It has to be done.”

  “I expect you to repeat that ‘Eliot is right’ part later, because I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you utter those words before,” Eliot said, never moving his eyes from Jake. “You have to make sure that you’re cleared by a separate entity, Jake. You can boss Sterling Heights around. The state police are another story.”

  “Oh, geez.” Jake hooked his thumbs in his gun belt as he shifted his eyes back to Cara. “This is going to explode all over us. It won’t just be me. It’s going to be the two of you, too. You realize that, right?”

  “I’m fine with that,” Eliot replied. “We’ll survive. We always survive.”

  “They’re going to be merciless. They’ll torture you.”

  “I voluntarily share a house with Avery Shaw,” Eliot offered, cracking a watery smile. “I’m familiar with torture. Everything will be okay. You need to make that call now. We can’t wait any longer.”

  Jake nodded as he sighed and began punching numbers on his phone. “This is going to suck.”

  I poked him in the side to alleviate the tension. “That was supposed to be my line.”

  Jake ignored my attempt at levity and pressed the phone to his ear. “Here we go.”

  8 Eight

  “What’s going on here?”

  Drawn by the noise, Tad pushed his way into the room shortly after the state police arrived. I stood next to one wall, Eliot at my side, and watched Jake explain things to the lead investigator, a dark ball of worry taking up residence in the pit of my stomach. Tad’s appearance was enough to turn the worry to despair.

  “They’re giving out free ice cream,” I answered. “You probably shouldn’t have any, because your thighs are big enough as it is.”

  Tad glowered. “Was I talking to you?”

  “I have no idea. Your eyes tend to wander in different directions – a sure sign of inbreeding, by the way – so it’s really hard to determine what you’re staring at.”

  Tad pursed his lips. “Do you know what I’m staring at right now?”

  “The answer better be the exit sign,” Eliot offered. “If you say anything else I’ll accidentally put my fist in your face.”

  Tad always had more mouth than brains. He proved it yet again when he didn’t take Eliot’s threat to heart. “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “Then you’re dumber than you look,” I said. “Eliot could snap you in half without breaking a sweat.”

  “Thank you, Trouble.” Eliot beamed. “You’re always good for my ego.”

  Tad snorted. “Is that why you keep her around? It can’t be her personality.”

  “That’s what I asked your soon-to-be ex-wife,” I said. “Of course, I switched out the word ‘personality’ for ‘sex.’”

  Eliot snorted, earning a dark look from one of the state police troopers working with the medical examiner’s staff to remove Cara’s body from the pool. “I think her personality is stellar.”

  “You must have brain damage,” Tad muttered, shaking his head. “I don’t really care about that. What’s going on here?”

  “We’re hav
ing a party. You weren’t invited,” I answered, tracking Jake as he paced. He looked extremely unhappy. “You shouldn’t take that personally. It’s just … we don’t like you.”

  “The feeling is mutual.”

  “I’m sure it is.” I cracked my neck and turned my attention to Eliot. “How long do you think they’re going to keep us here? I need to talk to Fish about coverage. It’s going to get … sticky.”

  “I’ve come to the conclusion that everything in our lives eventually gets sticky,” Eliot said. “Wait … that came out dirtier than I expected.”

  “I know what you mean, and only laughed a little inside.”

  “Good to know.” Eliot took me by surprise when he linked his fingers with mine, keeping me close. “You have to stay until they’re done with the initial questioning. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to stay together – at least for this go around – but I don’t know what to expect.”

  “What are you guys talking about?” Tad made a disgusted face. “Speak English.”

  “Go away,” I barked loud enough for the trooper talking to Jake to look in my direction. “I can guarantee that whatever we’re saying has nothing to do with you.”

  “Like I care what you’re talking about.” Tad’s eyes widened as he finally realized what the medical examiner’s office personnel were doing in the glimmering pond. “Omigod! That’s a body.”

  “Wow. You surely are a quick one,” I drawled. “I can’t believe people don’t understand that you’re a font of untapped intelligence just waiting to be … um … tapped. In fact, does anyone have a sharp stick? I would totally tap you right now.”

  Eliot cast me a dubious look. “That didn’t come out how you thought it would, did it?”

  I shook my head. “No. I’m off my game.”

  “I think that’s what happens when you find a body.” Eliot slipped his arm around my shoulders and tugged me closer. “Here comes Jake and the state police investigator. I have a feeling it’s our turn to be questioned.”

  “Oh, well, I can’t wait.” I kept my expression neutral as Jake approached, searching for a clue in his blank eyes but coming up empty. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about us, Jake. It hurt my feelings.” As far as introductions go, it wasn’t one of my finer efforts. I blame it on Tad. He always fritzes my brain. I think I’m allergic to small penises and his cologne, Eau de Tool.

  “This is Inspector Shane Fraser,” Jake started. “He’ll be handling the investigation into Cara’s murder. Inspector, this is Avery Shaw and Eliot Kane. They’re … friends.”

  “Do you see the way he hesitated before calling you his friend, Avery?” Tad interjected. “Even he doesn’t want to claim you. I think you should take that to heart.”

  “If you don’t walk away, you’re going to have to take my foot in your rear end,” I seethed, grimacing when Eliot refused to release me and instead tightened his grip. “Run now. Fear me.”

  “Knock it off, Avery.” Jake looked tired and sad, his expression enough to tug at my heart and cause me to improve my attitude.

  “Ha, ha,” Tad snarked.

  “You knock it off, too,” Jake ordered, glaring. “Why are you even in here?”

  “I’m an important person,” Tad replied, tugging down his shirt as he straightened. “I have a right to know if there’s been a terrible accident at the new aquarium. This is supposed to be a big deal for the county. As a past and future county commissioner, I’m looking out for the county’s interests.”

  I didn’t bother to hide my eye roll. “You’re polling last in that race,” I reminded him. “In fact, you’re losing to a closeted racist who goes by the name ‘Dick Aiken.’ Yeah. Say it a couple of times without laughing.”

  Tad brightened considerably. “Richard Aiken. Dick Aiken. Huh. I never put that together.”

  “That’s because you’re slow.”

  “I’d rather be slow than slutty,” Tad hissed.

  “Hey!” Eliot’s temper surfaced. “I swear, if you say another word I’ll toss you in that pool.”

  “Did you hear that?” Tad turned to Fraser expectantly. “He threatened me.”

  Fraser clearly wasn’t interested in our petty discussion. “I know. I’m a bit upset he beat me to it.”

  Despite the serious nature of the situation, I couldn’t help but like Fraser a bit. Sure, he was about to ask me a series of uncomfortable questions, but anyone who realizes what a douche weed Tad is after speaking to him for only a few moments is a hero in my book.

  “I demand to know what’s going on here,” Tad announced, switching gears. “How did someone end up dead in the new aquarium? I mean … that is just uncivilized.”

  “So is your hairline,” I muttered.

  “We’re trying to ascertain what happened right now,” Fraser said, turning his attention to me. “It’s my understanding that, like the sheriff, you knew the victim, Ms. Shaw.”

  The shift in Fraser’s demeanor didn’t bode well for me. I was certain of that. “That’s why we called you,” I said. “We figured we needed independent investigators to rule us out as quickly as possible.”

  “That was smart.” Fraser’s tone was droll. “Tell me how you knew Cara Carpenter.”

  “Cara Carpenter?” Tad’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. “You’re kidding. Oh, well, Avery killed her. That’s definitely something she would do.”

  “Shut up,” I snapped.

  “I don’t have to shut up.”

  “No, you do.” Fraser didn’t look as if he was in the mood to mess around. “Can someone please show this … individual … to the front lobby? I’ll have a trooper there to question you in a few minutes.”

  “Why can’t you question me?” Tad challenged. “I didn’t have anything to do with this. And I happen to know that Ms. Shaw is a bloodthirsty bimbo.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “We dated in college, before I realized she was crazy and murderous,” Tad replied. “I think I had alcohol poisoning or something.”

  “Don’t spread that story around.” I extended a warning finger. “You’ll ruin my rep if people know I ever faked orgasms with you.”

  “Faked? Oh, honey, I left you extremely satisfied and you know it!” Tad was beside himself. “You’re the one spreading rumors.”

  “Don’t take that tone with her,” Eliot said. “I don’t like it.”

  “I notice you don’t tell her to adjust her tone,” Tad sniffed.

  “I find her tone funny.”

  “Okay, I can see that everyone knows everyone in a very intimate way here, and I’m clearly behind,” Fraser interjected, frustration bubbling up. “But we have a dead body, and while we don’t have a cause of death yet, we have to exert due diligence in the investigation.”

  “Finally. I can’t tell you what it means to have a respectful police representative in this county,” Tad enthused. “How are you at fixing tickets?”

  “Out!” Fraser pointed at the door, earning a scornful look from Tad. “You’re not part of this. Someone will be around to take your statement in the lobby. I need you out of this room. You’re clearly a disturbing force.”

  “He’s definitely disturbing,” I agreed. “Do you have one of those stick things to thump against his head to get him moving? I would totally pay to see that.”

  “I’ll get to you in a second.” Fraser flicked his most intimidating expression at Tad and waited until a trooper escorted the dumbass wonder from the room before speaking again. “I believe I asked a question you’ve yet to answer, Ms. Shaw. How did you know Cara Carpenter?”

  It appeared the time for mindless drivel and poking Tad with insults was done. On a normal day I’d mess with law enforcement, lie or cajole until they tired and cut me loose. But because anything I said would reflect on Jake, I decided to play it straight. “I met her through Sheriff Farrell.”

  “Can you expand on that?”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” I replied. “I met Cara th
rough Jake. They were already dating at the time. During the course of their relationship I saw her a time or two. It was very rarely when Jake wasn’t present, and those times almost always happened in parking lots or on Main Street in Mount Clemens when we happened upon one another.”

  “What about your relationship with Sheriff Farrell?” Fraser asked. “He’s already explained that you have a history, but I’d like to hear about it from you.”

  “Well … we grew up together. We spent a lot of time together as kids and dated as teenagers.”

  “Define dated.”

  “We sat on the couch and watched bad movies,” I supplied. “We sat in theaters and watched bad movies. We occasionally partied in fields with other people from high school.” That happened on more than an occasional basis, but I didn’t figure it was germane to the story so I fudged the details a bit. Jake was a respected law enforcement representative now. Fraser didn’t need to hear about the rampant pot and sex we engaged in during our misspent youth.

  “I see.” Fraser jotted something in his notebook, annoying me no end. There was no way I looked that irritated when taking notes while covering a story. “Did you love one another?”

  “What?”

  “You heard the question.”

  I darted a worried look in Eliot’s direction and found nothing but a blank expression. “Well … .”

  “Avery, it’s okay,” Eliot said, taking pity on me. “I know very well you guys loved each other. I’m not going to have a meltdown about it.”

  “Fine,” I gritted out. “I loved him. We were together a long time. I loved him before we even started dating. He’s always been one of my best friends.”

  “That’s fine.” Fraser was purposely blasé. It was obvious he was putting on an act. That simple fact was enough to ignite my temper. “And why did you break up?”

  “Because I was in college and he joined the military and we were continents apart.”

  “Uh-huh. Is that when you dated that other guy who was here a few minutes ago?”

  “Unfortunately, yes,” I replied, heaving out a sigh. “I’m fairly certain I was drunk, stoned and possessed by a demon when that happened.”