100 Proof Murder Read online

  He shook his head. ‘Look, I didn’t kill anyone. I loved Alexis Scott. In fact, I still have a soft spot for her. I would never kill her father, no matter how big a jerk he was.’

  Nick leaned across the table. ‘You do realize she’s pressing charges against you for stalking? So it doesn’t sound like Alexis shares the same affection.’

  Lacey’s hostile glare landed on Nick. ‘Mainly because that travel writer poisoned Alexis against me. I’d love to know how she wormed her way into Alexis’s life. And how exactly do you fit into this, state cop? Homicide detectives don’t usually invite other agencies to consult.’

  ‘When did you become an expert on what my department does?’ Grimes sneered. ‘So you were alone the night Mr Scott died?’

  ‘Yeah, just like half the population of Kentucky.’

  ‘But most of the population isn’t holding a grudge against him.’

  ‘You don’t have a single shred of evidence against me.’

  ‘Maybe not right now, but I plan to go over everything from your house with a fine-tooth comb, just in case the techs were having an off day.’

  Lacey’s smug expression faltered. ‘You two are barking up the wrong tree. And since I’m basically a nice guy, I will throw you a bone.’ He ran a finger around his collar. ‘I’m not the only one keeping an eye on Alexis.’

  Grimes glanced at Nick, then refocused on Lacey. ‘You have my attention.’

  ‘Yesterday I spotted Alexis having lunch with her lawyer in that new restaurant on E. Washington, Gardenias.’ Lacey looked Grimes in the eye. ‘I’ve been curious what kind of food they serve there. When Alexis left, I followed her just to make sure she got home safely. That still isn’t the best area.’

  ‘You realize you’re incriminating yourself? I can have your bond revoked on the stalking charge.’

  Lacey pounded his fist on the table. ‘Yeah, and I hope you won’t since I’m trying to help. There was a guy at the bar who kept staring at Alexis. At first I thought it was because she’s so pretty. But when she and the lawyer left the restaurant that weirdo walked out right after her and jumped in his car. Next, Alexis met two girlfriends in the courtyard at the Omni and guess who shows up?’ When Grimes failed to respond, Lacey filled in the blank. ‘The same guy watching her in Gardenias. He sat on a bench against the wall and lit up a cigarette.’

  ‘There’s no smoking in public areas in Kentucky,’ Nick couldn’t keep from pointing out.

  ‘Yeah, I know, but this dude was on his third before the manager told him to put it out. Alexis and her friends had two glasses of wine and talked up a storm. Then Alexis left but her friends stayed and ordered food. The guy left right after Alexis did and lit up a smoke the moment he got outside.’

  ‘Did you happen to catch his name or maybe his license plate number?’

  ‘Nah, that didn’t occur to me at the time. If that guy had followed her home, I would’ve yanked him out of his car and taught him a lesson.’ Lacey flexed his fingers into a fist.

  ‘You’re saying you followed Miss Scott home?’

  ‘Only to make sure she got there safely. I told you, I care about her.’

  Grimes tapped her pen against the table. ‘At least give us a description, since you spent as much time watching him as watching Miss Scott.’

  Lacey turned his focus to the ceiling. ‘Pretty average, I suppose – brown hair, blue eyes, medium weight, but taller than average. His only distinguishing feature was a bump on his schnozz right here.’ He touched a spot midway down his nose. ‘That and the fact he was a chain-smoker.’

  Nick pulled out his small notebook to jot the details.

  ‘Do you know this guy, Lieutenant?’ Grimes asked.

  ‘No, but I have an idea who might have met him. I’ll check into it and get back to you, Detective.’

  ‘In the meantime, Mr Lacey, respect the restraining order Miss Scott has in place. If we find you within a hundred yards of her, you’ll be arrested, your bail revoked, and you’ll sit in jail until your trial date.’

  ‘I’ve got rights. You better not set me up like the last time.’ Lacey’s eyes became dark slits in a contorted face. ‘I told you about this guy as a courtesy and this is the thanks I get? Unless you’re arresting me, I’m outta here.’ Lacey pushed to his feet.

  ‘You’re free to go,’ Grimes said, unruffled. ‘Just remember what I told you.’

  Nick cracked his knuckles one at a time. ‘Lacey truly rubs me the wrong way.’

  ‘So I gathered, Nick. So you think Jill Curtis might know the new mystery stalker of Miss Scott?’

  ‘She might. On the phone Jill told me about a man claiming to be Alexis’s half-brother who appeared out of nowhere.’ Nick refilled his coffee cup, then relayed everything Jill had told him, starting with the reading of William Scott’s will and ending with the bombshell about a firstborn son and Grandpa Parker’s mishandling of finances over the years.

  Grimes listened without interruption, her expression growing more incredulous by the moment. ‘So this Kevin Scott barges into the lawyer’s office, announces his plans to contest the will, namely Alexis’s half, then marches into the distillery like he owns the place and just happens to be there when the new master distiller overdoses? I need copies of the responding officer’s and the paramedic’s reports.’ She jotted a few notes on a scratchpad. ‘Even though you heard this secondhand, what’s your gut feeling about this wannabe heir? Do you think he caused the OD so he could look like a hero saving Rossi’s life?’

  Nick considered this. ‘We won’t know until the lab finishes analyzing Rossi’s blood sample and his inhaler, but I suspect fentanyl was inside the inhaler. It’s the only synthetic opioid powerful enough to kill with a single inhalation. That being said, from what Jill described, I doubt Kevin Scott had the opportunity or enough time to taint an asthma device.’

  Grimes tossed her pen down. ‘So someone decided to kill the master distiller before this half-brother shows up?’

  ‘That would be my guess, pending lab results. But it doesn’t let the half-brother off the hook for William Scott’s murder.’

  ‘He certainly has motive since he could end up with half the distillery. What we need is evidence. Can’t anything just be straightforward?’ Grimes shook her head. ‘I’ll see if paramedics collected anything of Kevin’s that might contain DNA. Then I’ll check to see if his DNA matches anything from Scott’s crime scene. If the paramedics have nothing, do you think Miss Curtis could get a DNA sample from her new confidant?’

  ‘I can ask. For some reason, Jill has talked to the mystery man more than anyone else.’ Nick stood and snapped the lid on his coffee mug.

  ‘Before you go, Lieutenant, I want you to realize Ross Lacey is a potential threat to Jill and maybe even you.’ She waited as Nick sat back down. ‘When we executed the search warrant at Lacey’s apartment, we found plenty of evidence he’d been stalking Miss Scott for a long time. The DA will have no trouble obtaining a conviction. But we also found photos of Jill Curtis, whom I believe you’re very fond of based on how you answered the phone.’ Her lips curled into a smile. ‘Lacey had half of one wall dedicated to Miss Curtis – some pictures taken entering and exiting her hotel, some taken on the street, a few from inside restaurants, and one even has you in the shot. One rather disturbing photo was taken with a long-range, telephoto lens while she was getting undressed.’

  Nick’s blood throbbed at his temples while his palms turned clammy. ‘I want that creep picked up on new charges. No way should he be free to—’

  ‘Hang on and hear me out. I’ll make sure the district attorney amends the charges to include stalking and threatening Miss Curtis. But Lacey gave us a tip in exchange for not revoking his bail.’

  ‘That tip might turn out to be totally worthless.’ Nick struggled to keep his temper. ‘And those charges were for stalking Alexis. Jill has a right to expect Lacey brought in on new charges. Half a wall of photos should be enough evidence.’

  Gr
imes held up her hands. ‘I don’t disagree, but I’m investigating a homicide. I recommend Jill take out her own restraining order again Lacey. Then at the first violation, he’ll be arrested and his photos of Jill entered into evidence. His bail will be revoked as a serial stalker. In the meantime, let’s look into this Kevin Scott.’

  He sighed. ‘Fine, I’ll see if Jill can get something with his DNA. But she won’t be meeting this new whacko without me nearby fully armed.’

  Nick left police headquarters annoyed, partly with Detective Grimes, but mainly with the entire justice system which gave cretins get-out-of-jail-free cards if they provided information on bigger fish in the criminal pond. It’s not that his department didn’t use similar tactics, but when it hit close to home – or the heart – it really stunk. Nick called Jill the moment he reached his car in the parking lot.

  ‘It’s about time you called, buster. I thought maybe you regretted the proposal and had hightailed-it to the south of France.’ Jill’s voice sounded sweeter than the choirs of heaven to his ears.

  ‘The only way I’m going to France, northern or southern, is if you pick it for our honeymoon. I took Spanish in high school, so I don’t speak a word of French.’

  Jill laughed. ‘With all the translation apps you can download these days, we’ll be fine. What are you doing? I bribed the concierge for another country club pass and paid for thirty-six holes of golf for Michael.’

  ‘Thirty-six holes?’ Nick asked in disbelief. ‘That should take him until nightfall to finish.’

  ‘That’s what I had in mind. I’m all yours, baby. I believe you promised me jambalaya for dinner.’

  ‘I stuck that in the fridge, but I’m not sure if it’s still edible. Dinner will be on me, but in the meantime, I have a favor to ask.’

  After they quickly deduced the mysterious new stalker was the would-be brother, Nick summarized his meeting with Detective Grimes, including the request that she obtain DNA from Kevin Scott on the sly. Knowing that Jill loved the excitement of detective work, her reaction surprised him.

  ‘Why on earth would I do that for the homicide department when Grimes doesn’t seem concerned about Lacey stalking me?’

  ‘It’s not that she isn’t concerned …’

  ‘Oh, because I’m not as rich as Alexis my case doesn’t get priority?’

  It was then that Nick realized two things: one, he’d rushed through his explanation of how Jill’s complaint against Lacey must proceed. And two, he had mistakenly placed himself between two strong-willed women. Even if he wasn’t in love with one of them, he’d made a serious error in judgement. ‘No, no, no. We’ll go down to the courthouse where you can file a complaint and request a TRO against Lacey. In the meantime, Grimes is a homicide detective, so stalking isn’t her area. But if you prefer not to help in this fashion, I’m behind you one-hundred percent.’

  ‘No, I’ll help Detective Grimes,’ Jill muttered after a moment’s pause. ‘I don’t want it getting around that I don’t support law enforcement.’

  ‘Jill—’ Nick began, but she quickly interrupted.

  ‘Relax, Trooper. This will be easy-peasy. I wish you would’ve said something sooner. All I would’ve had to do was pick up one of his cigarette butts. What do you want me to do?’

  Nick laid out a spur-of-the-moment plan, uncertain if it would work or if he could guarantee her safety. So the last thing he could do was relax.

  FOURTEEN

  Jill finished the last of her tamale and enchilada plate sitting at a brightly painted picnic table on a perfect summer afternoon. ‘Lunch was superb. Thank you.’ She tossed her napkin down with a smile. ‘But don’t think you’re off the hook for dinner tonight.’

  ‘Nothing would please me more than cooking for you.’ Nick took her hand and kissed her fingers.

  ‘How romantic you are, especially when you want something.’ She pulled her hand back.

  He frowned. ‘You don’t have to do this. Detective Grimes will solve the case without any help from us.’

  ‘I’m messing with you, Nick. Call her. See if Grimes has Kevin Scott’s phone number. Actually, I’m looking forward to seeing Mr Tall, Dark and Mysterious again. He might just be heir to a distillery.’

  ‘And here I thought you were Alexis’s friend.’

  ‘I am. I’m hoping Kevin ends up with Mama Rose’s half.’

  Nick punched in the detective’s cell number. ‘You’ve already accepted my proposal. I’ll fight Scott to the death if necessary.’

  Unfortunately, Grimes picked right then to answer the call. ‘Who on earth are you fighting to the death, Lieutenant?’

  Nick laughed as he met Jill’s eye. ‘Sorry, Detective. An inside joke with my new fiancée.’

  ‘New fiancée? And you’re already challenged to a duel at dawn? I don’t know whether to say congratulations or good luck.’

  ‘Thanks. I was wondering if you have the police report for the distillery handy. I need a phone number for Kevin Scott.’ Nick jotted the number and handed the paper to Jill.

  ‘No questions asked as to why?’ she asked.

  ‘She’s the one asking for a favor.’

  ‘I sure hope Kevin’s innocent.’

  ‘Nobody in this world is truly innocent.’

  ‘Not even you, Trooper?’

  ‘Especially not me.’ Nick winked with as much lewd intent as a person could inflict with eyelashes.

  Rolling her eyes, Jill punched in the number. An hour later she walked to the entrance of the Hyatt Regency on Jefferson Street, twenty minutes later than their agreed upon time. As she and Nick had assumed, Kevin Scott stood under the awning, smoking beside a huge urn filled with sand.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Mr Scott,’ Jill murmured as she reached him. ‘I had a bit of an emergency with my fiancée after we talked.’ She smiled sweetly.

  ‘Not a problem. Should we go inside and get a table?’ Kevin pushed up a cuff to check his watch.

  ‘Absolutely.’ But as Jill hooked her arm through his elbow, her phone rang, right on cue. ‘Good grief! It’s my future mother-in-law. Could you find us a table? I’ll join you in five minutes.’

  ‘Would you prefer we reschedule for another time?’ Scott looked and sounded irritated.

  ‘Please, no. Give me five minutes, then I’m turning my phone off.’ Jill held up five fingers.

  The moment Alexis’s half-brother disappeared through the entrance Jill plucked the cigarette butt from the urn with a plastic bag and sealed it shut. Luckily, the receptacle had recently been cleaned and all butts were the same brand. She gave the thumbs-up to Nick who watched from across the street, then sauntered confidently through the grand foyer of the Hyatt, knowing Nick would soon be close behind.

  Soft lighting and plenty of polished brass provided tasteful sophistication in the bar off the main lobby. When Jill spotted Kevin in a leather booth, she slipped in across from him and requested white wine from the server who appeared immediately. A snifter of Parker Estate bourbon already sat in front of Kevin, condensation from the ice already dampening the napkin.

  ‘Well, Miss Curtis, considering you’re engaged to be married, I’m curious why you invited me for drinks on an otherwise ordinary Wednesday afternoon. I was hoping you’d fallen in love at first sight, but I suspect that’s not the case.’ He looked her straight in the eye.

  It was the first time Jill had noticed his incredibly blue eyes. So much like Alexis’s. But unlike Alexis’s soft, perfect features, Kevin’s face was all hard lines and angles with deep creases across his forehead that even the priciest cream couldn’t help. Only his hair, combed straight back on one side while the other fell across his brow, softened his features. Then there was that nose. Nothing soft or perfect about that. Yet, all in all, Kevin Scott was oddly attractive.

  ‘Miss Curtis?’ he asked, his voice rising. ‘Did you ask me here to talk or just to stare?’

  ‘Forgive me. I was blown away by your eyes. They’re … exactly like Alexis’s. I didn�
�t notice earlier because you’re so tall.’

  ‘So maybe you think I’m telling the truth?’ As the server delivered her drink, he took a swallow of his. ‘But you haven’t answered my question – why are we here?’ He clutched the glass with both hands.

  ‘I wanted to ask you about Rose Parker Scott. I don’t like her, and suspect she had something to do with her husband’s death.’ Jill took a sip of wine, remembering what had happened during her last visit to the distillery.

  ‘There’s plenty not to like with my father’s wife.’ His lip furled with contempt.

  Jill steadied her nerves with another sip. ‘When you and your attorney crashed the reading of the will, Rose acted shocked to hear that William had fathered another child. Was she?’

  Kevin grinned. ‘Crashed … I love your choice of words. But in truth, Rose-the-annihilator wasn’t surprised by anything that day.’

  ‘She knew her husband had a son by a previous relationship?’ Jill asked as she spotted Nick at a table across the room.

  ‘Not at first she didn’t. But about five years ago, Rose and William’s marriage went seriously off the rails. Rose and her father questioned my father’s authority and tried to hobble his control at the distillery every chance they got. That was around the time William started having affairs with women at work.’ Kevin looked down at his hands. ‘I’m not defending his behavior. I’m just stating the facts. During one of their epic fights, William let it slip about me and my mother. Why, I’m not sure. Maybe he knew it would hurt her.’

  Jill felt a queasy sensation in her gut. ‘If I may ask, how is your mom? And how does she feel about you pursuing your inheritance?’

  Kevin tightened his grip on the glass, then downed the remaining bourbon in one swallow. ‘My mother passed of cancer a year ago. Long before she died, she encouraged me to form a better relationship with my father.’ He pulled out a battered photograph of a dark-haired woman, a sandy-haired boy of around six, and William Scott in decidedly younger and happier times. ‘But I didn’t know anything about the distillery until right before she died.’