Grapes of Death (10 page)

Eleven

Elise stared at the
man on her landing, her mouth hanging open like a guppy suddenly chucked out of a fish bowl.

What the hell is he doing here? w
as her only thought, and that question nearly popped out of her mouth before she caught herself.

Even in her confused state, she knew such a question would be an inappropriate response to finding her boyfriend on her doorstep. However, it was a reaction borne out of the mortification she was now feeling over what had almost occurred between her and Jackson. At least … what she thought had been about to happen.

In truth, she wasn't entirely certain
what
had taken place after looking up into those deep, green eyes of his. Other than the fact that she'd come close to making a colossal fool of herself, of course. She'd nearly jumped her brother's oldest friend in the middle of her living room.

And with her boyfriend right outside her front door, no less. What in God's name was
wrong
with her?

“I know this is a surprise, darling, but I had to come down to Austin on business and thought I'd just swing over for the evening.”

Stuart's voice jarred her out of the mental rerun of the near-kiss with Jackson, and she swallowed hard, hoping her face wasn't reflecting the guilty thoughts swirling around inside her head.

Evidently, he didn't notice anything amiss because he gave her one of his charming smiles and leaned in for a peck on the cheek. “So, are you going to leave me standing out here, or can I come in?”

Her awkward pause—followed by his puzzled look—was enough to snap her into action. “I'm sorry. Of course you can come in. I'm just surprised to see you, that's all.”

Stepping back, she gestured toward the living room, where Jackson stood observing the exchange with a guarded look on his face.

“I don't know why you're surprised,” Stuart said as he entered the apartment. “I left you several voicemails, starting about mid-
morning.”

“I turned my cell phone to vibrate for a meeting this morning, and with so much happening I guess I forgot to turn the sound back on. I haven't checked messages all day.”

“So much happening? You mean more than just the preparation for your uncle's services?”

At a loss, she looked to Jackson for help, but he just stared back at her with a blank look.

She knew it was irrational, but for some perverse reason she couldn't help feeling the need for Jackson to somehow share in her guilt and discomfort. So she tossed the ball toward his side of the court. “Stuart, you remember Jackson Landry, don't you?”

She had a bad moment when the possibility entered her mind that Jackson might not have felt the same chemistry with her that she'd felt with him just moments ago. How humiliating would
that
be?

And why am I even thinking about Jackson with Stuart standing right there? What kind of girlfriend does that?

“Ah, yes, it's
Deputy
Landry, right?” Stuart asked while she mentally shook the disturbing thoughts away and tuned back in. He gestured to Jackson's uniform and then laughed. “As you can tell, not much gets past me.”

If she thought Jackson would feel the least bit uncomfortable, Elise was mildly disappointed, because he didn't show it. He simply grinned and stepped forward to shake Stuart's hand.

“How're you doin'?” was all he said, and then he looked to her as if passing the ball back to her.

Butthead!

“Jackson is in charge of the investigation into Uncle Edmond's death,” she explained, trying to remember not to babble. She tended to run off at the mouth when nervous. “We were just discussing … uh … a few things that have come up.”

And I was briefly contemplating a make-out session with him right here in the living room … isn't that neat?

“Really?” Stuart looked back and forth between them.

She almost laughed out loud before she caught herself when she realized his reply could have been meant for either of her comments—spoken or unspoken.

Geez, she so needed to get a grip! She was making way too much out of the situation. After all, she'd actually done nothing wrong, unless you counted the very sexy scene involving Deputy Landry that her imagination had conjured up.

“Wait. There's an investigation into your uncle's death?” Stuart frowned. “I don't understand. I thought it was an accidental drowning. What is there to investigate?”

“As it turns out, it's now a homicide case,” Jackson answered, pulling his keys out of his pocket. “Speaking of which, I should probably be getting back to it.”

“Wow, you must be very dedicated.”

When Jackson looked bewildered by the comment, Stuart chuckled. “You realize that it's almost seven o'clock on a Saturday evening. Does the sheriff's office work you around the clock?”

“No, of course not. I just meant that I should probably head out.”

For a few more uncomfortable moments, they all stood staring at each other until Jackson finally broke the tension. “Well, it was good seeing you again, Stuart. Uh, El, why don't you get me that journal you were holding for me. I'll go ahead and take it with me now.”

If she thought he would forget about the journal after Stuart's arrival, she should have known better. He gave her a pleasant enough smile, but she could definitely read between the lines. Jackson wasn't leaving without her uncle's notebook, and he'd made the statement in front of Stuart to make damn sure of it.

“Of course, let me get it for you.”

She thought about giving him a bit of grief over the whole thing, but since she'd stopped at Fairfax Office Supply and photocopied the journal after dropping C.C. off, she cut him some slack.

“Here it is,” she told him when she returned from the bedroom. “Hope it wasn't too inconvenient for you to have to come by here to get it. I wouldn't want you to miss your dinner.”

“No trouble at all, El. It was on my way home … and it was my pleasure.” The smile he gave her then, along with the warm glow in his eyes, told her she hadn't been the only one to feel the sensual energy that had snapped between them earlier.

And was it her imagination, or did that smile turn just a touch wicked now?

“Speaking of dinner, I'm actually starving,” Stuart said, reminding them both that he was still there and dissolving their unspoken conversation. “Is there a decent restaurant close by where we could grab something to eat? Jackson, you could join us and catch me up on what I've missed over the last week or so. That is, if you don't have plans.” He put a possessive arm around Elise's shoulder and pulled her close. “This one has been hard to reach lately and pretty tight-lipped about events.”

“I'm sure Jax doesn't have time to—” Elise began.

“Sure. I'd like that, Stuart.” Jackson gave her another evil grin. “Why don't we walk up to Toucan's? It's late enough that there shouldn't be much of a wait.”

“Outstanding.” Stuart beamed and gave her another squeeze.

“Yeah, isn't it just?” she muttered under her breath as she went to get her purse. Turning, she gave the two men a bright smile. “Shall we?”

Since the restaurant was just up the street, the walk there didn't take long. And though the evening air was still, thick, and a bit muggy, the sunset was spectacular and colorful.

“So, tell me about this investigation,” Stuart said after they'd been seated and ordered their food and drinks. He lowered his voice so as not to be heard outside their table. “How on earth did you decide Edmond's death was actually murder?”

Jackson leaned in as well and spoke just as quietly. “I didn't. The Travis County medical examiner did. And I just got that information yesterday afternoon, so it's not really common knowledge yet.”

“I see. So he didn't drown?”

Jackson shook his head. “There was no water in his lungs, so he was dead before he went into the river.”

“Then how did he die?”

Jackson looked over at Elise, and she could tell he was contemplating how much to say.

“Jax, for heaven's sake, the report's out. It's not like it's a big secret or will compromise your investigation. And word travels fast, especially around here.”

“I know, and you're right. But that's not what I'm worried about. I just figured it wouldn't be easy for you to hear.”

“Oh.” That he would consider her feelings hadn't even crossed her mind. And while his sympathetic tone filled her heart, it made her feel petty and small at the direction her thoughts had taken. “No, it won't be easy, but facts are facts.”

He nodded then and addressed Stuart's question. “Edmond died of blunt force trauma to the head. He was hit repeatedly from behind with enough strength to fracture his skull.”

“Wow. That's … well … really horrible.” Stuart turned to Elise. “Sweetie, I'm so sorry. It was bad enough when we all thought that Edmond's death was accidental, but this …”

“I know. Hearing about it really is awful.”

“Well, at least you were spared seeing that kind of horror. I can't even imagine how terrible the scene must have been.”

Elise shot another glance to Jackson, and then turned back to Stuart. “Well, actually …”

“Oh, darling, you weren't there, were you?” When she didn't answer, he went on in a surprised tone. “My God, Elise, why would you put yourself through that?”

“I wanted, no,
needed
to spare Mom,” she acknowledged with a sigh. “She and Uncle Edmond had been so combative lately, and I knew it would just devastate her. I also thought there should be more than one family member present. So Ross and I went with Jackson down to the scene when the workers reported it.”

Stuart shook his head and gave her a sad smile. “That's my girl, always thinking of family first. But you really should have let Ross take care of it. It had to be traumatic for you, and you can't take on everything for everyone.”

“Don't be so dramatic, Stuart. It's not like I'm Mother Teresa or anything. Was it pleasant? No. But we got through it, and now it's over.” She hesitated and then looked over at Jackson. “Except that's not true, is it, Jax? It isn't over yet.”

“No, darlin', I'm afraid it isn't.”

“And it'll probably keep being awful until it's finally done and Uncle Edmond has been laid to rest.”

Jackson put a warm hand over hers on the table. “It probably will, but we'll handle it. No matter what comes at us, the family will handle it, right?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “We will.”

There was comfort for her in the fact that no matter what happened between them, Jackson was as close as family and would always be there for them.

“So, where does your investigation go from here?” Stuart asked, breaking into her train of thought.

Elise realized then that she and Jackson had left him completely out of the conversation, and she felt guilty all over again. She slowly withdrew her hand from beneath Jackson's, who cleared his throat and looked away as the waitress brought their drinks.

When the server left the table, Jackson spoke. “To answer your question, Stuart, I've just begun my inquiries, but I'm pursuing several avenues. You understand that I can't really comment on an ongoing investigation, right?”

“Oh no, of course not,” Stuart answered with a nod. “But do you even have any suspects at this point?”

When Jackson only smiled at the question, Elise began to chuckle, and then to laugh. “Oh, yes, Jackson already has several folks on his suspect list, which includes me. Isn't that right, Jax?”

Jackson huffed out a breath and looked up toward the ceiling. “Give it a rest, El.”

“Funny!” Stuart started to laugh along with her until he realized she wasn't kidding, and his mouth dropped open. “What? You're joking, right?”

“Unfortunately, no, I'm perfectly serious,” she replied with a mischievous grin. “I was at Uncle Edmond's house that Monday—alone; and then I was at home that evening during the time he was killed—again, alone.”

“But … but you can't really believe Elise had anything to do with this, can you?” he asked Jackson. “You know that's just ridiculous. Any fool could see that she's no more capable of such violent behavior than I am, especially toward a family member.”

“Stuart.”

“No, darling, I have to say that I find it appalling that someone so close to your family would take this attitude.”

“Stuart, let me ease your mind,” Jackson replied, putting up a hand to Elise before she could speak. “First of all, I don't believe any such thing. I've known Elise all my life, and I'm certain she would never harm anyone, let alone a family member. Having said that, you have to understand my position. I'm in charge of this investigation, and I have to make sure everything is done by the book.”

“Yes, but really—”

“I have to look at all the evidence and follow where it takes me, even if I don't like what I find.”

“Surely—”

“And the first step is to eliminate each member of the family as suspects, which is the point we're at right now.”

“I see.” Stuart frowned and then nodded. “I appreciate that you've been placed in a difficult situation, Jackson. I also realize you'll do your best to shield the Becketts. I'm sorry if I insinuated anything different, but this is very upsetting.”

“Hey, no harm, no foul,” Jackson said and leaned back as their meals arrived. “It's a disturbing situation, and you're entitled to feel protective of Elise.”