Poof! Read online

  Poof!

  By

  M. Lee Prescott

  Published by Mt. Hope Press

  Copyright 2016, Mt. Hope Press

  Cover design by Ashley Lopez, E-book Formatting Fairies

  ISBN: 978-0-9982184-2-7

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted (auditory, graphic, mechanical or electronic) without the express written permission of the author, except in the case or brief quotations or excerpts used in critical reviews and articles. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at mleeprescott@gmail.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people (alive or deceased), locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Poof! (Ricky Steele Mysteries, #4)

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  A Note from the Author

  Contemporary romances and mysteries by M. Lee Prescott include: | The Ricky Steele Mysteries

  Also featuring Ricky Steele:

  Roger and Bess Mysteries

  Contemporary Romances | Well-Loved Romances

  Morgan’s Run Romances

  Young Adult Historical Romance

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  For my dear family, always.

  Chapter 1

  Fifty something, spouse-less, childless and breastless. Such a state might defeat even the most stalwart person, but by a perverse twist of fate, I remain an optimist. Not a kook, grinning maniacally in the face of danger, but a glass half full type, who rarely fails to see promise in almost anything. Reasonably strong and active for someone on the far side of middle age, I have dear friends, half of whom are retired. My late life career as a private investigator suits me, except when my aging body is bruised and battered in the line of duty.

  A warm June evening, found me sitting on my new deck, chatting with my sister, Annie and my spry, eighty-something father. Dad and I are finally on speaking terms after many years estrangement. The last night of Annie’s visit, I’m already dreading her departure.

  “Please stay ‘till next week. Why do you live so far away? My niece and nephew barely know me and now Hannah’s about to make me a great-aunt!”

  Her bright green eyes twinkled. “You could come and visit us, sister dear. The last time you came to California was for Hannah’s graduation. Flights are cheap. Dad and Rita came out three times last year.”

  “I work, or haven’t you noticed? Even cheap is expensive for me.”

  Dad tipped his wine glass in my direction. “My darling, a ticket is only a phone call away. My treat.”

  “Thanks, Dad, but I’ve got it covered. Maybe in the fall.” I sighed. It wasn’t the expense. I just hate to leave home.

  Dad stood. “Sorry, girls, got to run. Oh, almost forgot. Ricky, Rita would like to speak with you. It’s important. She’d like to take you both to lunch both before Annie leaves. The Club, one tomorrow?”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but my sainted sister beat me to it. “Dad, we were thinking of a beach day before my flight.”

  “Aren’t you flying in the evening?” She nodded. “Then, there’s plenty of time. Please, Ricky, do this for me.”

  Annie smiled sweetly. “What about a late breakfast? That way we could still hit the beach in the early afternoon?”

  “Let me give her a call.”

  He pulled out his cell phone and stepped inside the house, closing the door behind him.

  I paced the deck, watching the setting sun, crimson and sparkling over the bay. “What the hell does she want?” My stepmother and I were not exactly buddies.

  Annie shrugged, stepping to the railing and gazing out at boats returning home for the night. “Probably wants to invite herself for a visit. Rita does love the beach and her shopping. She’s always trying to spot celebs.”

  Annie lives in Laguna Beach. Her house has survived fires, earthquakes and mudslides. Dale, her husband, is a skilled carpenter and the house has expanded over the years. It now rambles like ivy over much of their hillside property.

  The slider opened. “All set. She’ll meet you at the Grille at 11. You can choose between the brunch or lunch menu.”

  After giving us each a hug and kiss, he departed. We sat in companionable silence for a long while. Finally, I said, “Do you really want a beach day tomorrow?”

  “Not especially.”

  We laughed, refilled our wine, and settled in to watch the stars come out. “We could call Vinnie, if you want some excitement, this being your last night and all?”

  “Choice. I’m fine right here, hanging out with my big sister. We’ve been so busy this trip. How are you really, Ricky?”

  “You know me. Never down for long.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  “Uh, oh, just remembered, my cupboards are pretty bare.”

  “So, I’ve noticed. I also notice you’ve changed the subject.”

  “My point is we want to venture out for dinner.”

  “Fine with me. Now, come on, I haven’t heard a word about your love life this trip.”

  I snorted. “What’s that?”

  “What about the hunky Jay Harp?”

  “Yes, and doesn’t he know it? No, we had some spectacular moments, but he’s gone. Commitment phobic. Always trolling, always keeping a few of us stringing along. He did bring Wilda into my life though. She’s saved my ass more than once.”

  I referred to the six foot, three Amazon woman who is my associate and bodyguard. When I start a case, I call Wilda and she makes it her business to have my back. Ninety percent of the time, I never know she’s there, but she keeps a desk in my office.

  “I know, I want to meet her!”

  “I’m sorry. Bummer that she’s out of town. Gets back tomorrow night which is yet another reason for you to change your ticket and stay longer.”

  “I can’t. I wish I could. I’ll just have to meet Wilda next trip, unless you want to bring her to Laguna?”

  I shook my head. “I love the woman, but it’s not that kind of relationship. What do you think Rita want
s?”

  Annie shrugged.

  Our stepmother, Rita is my age. When she married our father nearly twenty-five years ago, she brought along two kids, Cassie and Matthew. Until her offspring went to college, Rita mostly pretended that Annie and I did not exist. I believe she assumes that she and her offspring will inherit Dad’s considerable estate. I have no idea of the terms of dad’s will, and don’t care, but if I had to guess, Rita may be disappointed. Philanthropy is very important to our father.

  Chapter 2

  Annie doesn’t love the Rainbow like I do, but she agreed to dinner there. We strolled arm in arm, enjoying the warm evening and easy sisterly talk, finishing each other’s sentences. As we stepped into the bar, we spied my neighbor Vinnie sitting a table with a stranger. In contrast to Vinnie’s dark eyes, wavy black hair and solid build, the other man was leaner, medium build, salt and pepper hair, deep blue eyes. Gorgeous in a mechanic, hardhat kind of way. Both men were filthy so I assumed they had just come off a job. Like me, Vinnie works a variety of odd jobs. I suspect some of them are not entirely legal.

  Vinnie waved, bedroom eyes beckoning. “Hey, ladies, come join us.”

  Annie is happily married, but she has always had a huge crush on the dark-haired Adonis who lived next door to me. Who didn’t?

  “Can we?” she whispered.

  I gave her a look. “Hold on.”

  As Vinnie’s eyes drew my sister like a magnet, I dragged her to the bar to place our orders. We each ordered salads, chorizo rolls, and Coles River Lagers on draft, then sashayed over to join the guys.

  Both men stood as we approached. “Rick, Annie, this is Charlie Bowen. He just moved in up the street. Has a triple lot. Pretty incredible. We’ve been workin’ on his house all day.”

  Bowen shook our hands, his firm grasp lingering, the deep blue eyes locked on mine. “Wonderful to meet your both. Vin tells me this is a great neighborhood.”

  “None better,” I said. The instant attraction to yet another bad boy made my knees wobble. Get a grip, Steele! “At least our end of the street. What house is yours?”

  Bowen grinned. “The one that used to have columns until yesterday.”

  “You bought the Parthenon?” I said, referring to a huge, white monstrosity one street over.

  He laughed. “Guilty as charged. I’m transforming it into a seaside cottage.”

  “Good luck with that. Now that you mention it, we did hear a crash or two yesterday. Was that the fall of the columns?”

  “Probably. Please sit.”

  Vinnie held out a chair for Annie. “Once you’re settled, Ricky and I’ll have a block party and introduce you around. Our neighbors on the other side are king and queen of cocktails and canapés.” He referred to octogenarians, Maddie and Fulty Stockman. Both were deaf as posts, but inveterate party animals.

  “Sounds great,” Bowen said. He tipped his beer in my direction, giving me a hundred watt smile as he sat next to Annie.

  The interplay between Mr. Gorgeous and me had not been lost on my eagle-eyed sister. “So, do you have a family, Mr. Bowen?” she asked.

  “Charlie, please. I have three kids, all grown.”

  “So, it’ll just be you and your wife in that huge house?”

  He grinned. “I’m single. How about you ladies?”

  Annie actually batted her eyelashes. “Married, two kids. I’m visiting from California, Laguna Beach.”

  “Ricky’s single,” Vinnie said, winking at me, then leaning back in his chair, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

  I wanted to strangle them both. Here we go, headed into yet another discussion of my pathetic love life! Not on my watch! I sat up sharply. “So, what do you do, Charlie? Are you a carpenter?”

  If Vinnie grinned any wider, his face would break in two. His new buddy was no doubt already knee deep in one of his nefarious schemes.

  “I’m semi-retired. How bout you?”

  “I’m a private investigator, among other things.”

  His face registered genuine shock. “Wow, I’d never have guessed that. Have you been in business for a long time?”

  “A few years. I have a bunch of other part-time jobs. And if you’re going to make cracks about me being a bit long in the tooth for this line of work, you can save them. I’ve heard them all.”

  “Actually, I was going to say that’s fascinating. My youngest daughter, Michaela, thinks she wants a career change and is interested in doing some kind of investigative work. Her college roommate works for Homeland Security and loves her job.”

  “Well, I’m a far cry from those guys. For one thing, they are highly trained. They’re also armed to the teeth at all times. I hate guns.”

  “But you have one,” Annie said coyly.

  Jack, the owner, delivered our food and another round of beers. The guys were having the clam boil with chorizo rolls on the side. After Jack’s departure, Annie continued, ignoring my glares. “Ricky had so many career changes, I’ve lost count. She’s a very gifted artist and writer.”

  “A true Renaissance woman,” Bowen said.

  “Okay, okay, can we talk about someone else now?”

  I directed my full attention to my warm chorizo roll dripping with grease and oh, so delicious. We spent the rest of the meal chatting about home renovations. It sounded like Bowen’s would be going on for many months. Nosy Annie made several more attempts to learn about his work, but the blue-eyed grease monkey managed to deflect every inquiry. From whatever occupation he was semi-retired, it must have been a lucrative one.

  Finally, Annie and I rose to say our goodbyes, both of us slightly tipsy.

  “Nice to meet you, Charlie,“ she said, gazing pointedly at me.

  “Yes, welcome to the neighborhood. See you around,” I said. “I don’t have a card with me, but Vinnie can give you my numbers. Tell your daughter to give me a call.”

  Bowen stood up. “Count on it. Maybe we could grab a drink or coffee? Lunch dinner sometime?”

  “I’m kind of busy right at the moment.”

  Vinnie grinned, patting his companion on the shoulder. “Ignore her, Charlie. She’s never busy and she’s not seeing anyone.”

  I gave him my iciest glare.

  “Come on, Rick. You guys’d have fun.”

  “I really would love you to meet Michaela. I know she’d love to talk to you.”

  “Anytime,” I said. “Now, we really have to go.” I nodded at Bowen, carefully avoiding direct eye contact, gave Vinnie one final glare, and nudged Annie along.

  I was still fuming on the walk home. “I could kill Vinnie. Trust him to reveal the pathetic status of my love life to every Tom, Dick and Harry.”

  “Maybe it’s time to change that, sister dear. Charlie’s interested.”

  “No, he isn’t and besides, I have absolutely no interest in getting involved with a biker, mechanic or whatever. I’ve had enough heartache.”

  “How do you know he’s s biker?”

  “Well, let’s see, the grungy clothes and days old beard?”

  “They’ve been working on his house. Of course, they’re dirty and grungy! He seemed really smart to me. Cute, too.”

  “Trust me, I know the type. I’m ready for bed and I do not want to hear another word about Mr. Cute!”

  Chapter 3

  Annie packed her bags and left them by the door for the six-thirty flight to Los Angeles. After a beach walk, we headed to Dad’s country club. Lack of traffic and miscalculations on my part, meant that we arrived at the Grille at ten thirty. With time to spare, we wandered along the first fairway, staying well out of the line of fire as foursomes teed off and went their merry way. A verdant green oasis, the club lay at the outskirts of Spindle City and was home to all manner of wildlife. As we strolled along, woodchucks lumbered into the tall grass, birds darted all around us, and several gray foxes skirted the edge of the cart path.

  We spent many childhood days here, taking golf and tennis lessons, which, in my case, came to naught. Annie was
a decent tennis player and had been an excellent young golfer, but I was hopeless. Soon after our mother’s suicide, I put my foot down and that signaled the end of my country club life.

  Shortly before eleven, we walked onto the terrace adjacent to the club’s informal dining space, the Grille, where we found Rita waiting. Hugs and air kisses all around, we settled with our menus. Annie and I had dressed in capris and summer tops, mine a muted Hawaiian, Annie’s a mauve, sleeveless linen. Her straight flaxen hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, mine curly and unruly as usual. Slender and fit, Rita wore a sleeveless summer dress, lime green and pink floral pattern, matching lime green sandals and gobs of gold on wrist, neck and. Her shoulder length, expertly dyed copper hair was swept back with a slim tortoise headband, and her perfectly manicured nails were a pale pink.

  “What’ll you have ladies? My treat, of course.”

  Annie and I ordered sandwiches, Rita, a small cob salad. The waitress poured iced tea for all three of us and departed. We spent a few minutes staring aimlessly around the dining room, before she cleared her throat.

  “Girls, thank you so much for doing this. I know Annie’s last day is precious. Ricky, I have a delicate matter. I thought of calling, but then decided we should speak in person.”

  “What’s wrong? Dad isn’t sick, is he?”

  Rita waved her hand. “Oh, no, dear, nothing like that! You know your father, he’s healthy as a horse.”

  More silence. I waited, watching her twist her napkin round her index finger. Annie and I exchanged glances, not sure what to say.

  “Would it be okay if I jumped right in?”

  “Of course, please do,” I said, setting down my glass and giving her a reassuring smile.

  “It’s Cassandra. She would be furious with me for speaking to you, but I feel I have to do something.”

  I nodded, trying to remember when I’d last seen her daughter, Cassie. Christmas, maybe? In her late twenties now, she was a younger version of her mom, red-haired, slender and lovely.

  “She’s been with her boyfriend, Josh for two years now. Josh Peabody. I can’t remember, have you met him?”

  “Tall, dark, athletic?” She nodded. “I think we met around the holidays. A real cutie.”