“Another dead end.” Hez rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That’s why you asked for a meeting, isn’t it? You’re stuck and you hoped we might have more leads.”
Hope gave a wan smile. “Guilty as charged.”
Hez tugged at his lower lip. “Michael used burner phones for his criminal business.”
Hope leaned back in her chair. “So do lots of criminals, including several other members of his organization. That’s one reason we weren’t able to nail him or his company as part of that artifact-smuggling case.”
Hez fought back his frustration. Michael was about to slip through their fingers. Again. “Sorry, I can’t think of anything else.”
Savannah sat up straight. “Michael doesn’t know that.”
A little line appeared between Hope’s brows. “What do you mean?”
“Michael doesn’t know we’re stuck.” Savannah leaned forward. “Maybe we can trick him.”
Hez turned toward her. “Do you have anything specific in mind?”
Savannah nodded. “We know he’s been using Tammy to steal evidence from the Pelican Harbor police. What if we make him think we have really damning evidence against him? He can’t use Tammy anymore, so he might try to steal it on his own.”
Hez snapped his fingers. “The burner phone! If we had that, we could mine it for all sorts of information. If Michael thinks we’ve somehow found it, that would worry him.” He turned to Hope. “What do you think of leaking to the press that Ella’s death has been reclassified as a homicide and law enforcement has the burner phone used to arrange the crime?”
Hope looked into the distance for a moment. “I think I can do that.”
Hez drummed his fingers on his chair’s armrest. “I’ll see ifI can talk Bruno Rubinelli into visiting. He said he wanted to try real beignets and shrimp bisque. We could set him up in an office at the PHPD and give him a dirty old burner phone to pretend to work on. It’s a small town and people will ask him who he is and what he’s doing.”
Savannah chuckled. “They will indeed, and then they’ll talk about him. All he needs to do is drop a couple hints and word will get back to Michael in no time.”
Hope jotted down a note on a pad on her desk. “If you can get Bruno out here, I’m pretty sure I can arrange a workspace for him that’s easy to break into—but will have excellent sensors and security cameras.”
Hez leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Perfect.”
Chapter 37
Nerves and over-the-top bridal drama oozed from the walls of the Tropical Weddings shop in downtown Pelican Harbor. Butterflies fluttered in Savannah’s stomach as she waited for her wedding dress to be brought out for the final fitting. How many brides over the years had browsed through these dresses to find the perfect one for their special day?
Nora twirled in her knee-length blue dress. The color complemented her complexion and was a beautiful contrast with her brown hair and eyes. The ruffles shimmered down her slim form to end just above her knees. “I love it, Savannah.”
Savannah rose and walked around Nora to check out the dress from all angles. “It fits perfectly now that it was hemmed a bit. You look beautiful.” She turned to see the owner, Fiona Hamilton, carrying a champagne dress draped over both arms. Her blonde hair was up in a bun, and she wore a skirt and blouse reminiscent of Lucille Ball.
Savannah’s pulse kicked. She hadn’t seen the dress in several weeks. Was it as perfect as she remembered? “Let’s check the fit now. It was a little big last time, but unless your weight has changed, it should be fine now.”
She wanted more than fine. She didn’t want to be a bridezilla insisting everything had to be perfect, but she wanted to knock Hez’s socks off when she walked out. The consultant led her to the huge dressing room, where Savannah disrobed. The lightweight silken folds drifted down over her figure to settle at her ankles. The whisper of the zipper and the scent of the silk took her back to the first time she’d said “I do” to Hez. She was older and wiser now but no less in love with him. Maybe even more so.
Only a few more days until she was Mrs. Hezekiah Webster again for real.
Fiona pushed back the curtain. “Let’s take a peek in the big mirrors.”
Savannah followed her out into the promenade area with its massive mirrors and stared at herself. The color made her auburn hair gleam in the lights, and the folds of the dress skimmed her waist and hips perfectly. The silk underskirt hugged her skin, and the tiny details of the flowers on the chiffon overlay shimmered in the light. The modest bodice and full skirt flattered her figure in a way she thought Hez would like. It was even more perfect than she remembered.
“Hez might pass out.” Nora adjusted the hem of the silk cap sleeve. “The champagne color is perfect.” She stepped back and glanced toward the door when a bell attached to it jingled. She stilled and pressed her lips together.
Savannah turned to see what had caught her attention. Nora’s niece Tammy had entered. Her dark brown hair was mussed, and she smoothed it as she walked toward them over the beige carpet. She wore jeans and a blue tee. Had she just gotten out of jail?
Tammy’s gaze slid from Savannah to Nora and back again, and then she squared her shoulders at Nora’s encouraging nod.
Savannah sent a questioning glance in Nora’s direction, but her friend kept a soft smile directed at her niece while Tammy’s full attention was on Savannah. Why was she here?
Tears dampened Tammy’s cheeks, and red rimmed her brown eyes, so like Nora’s. The two looked enough alike to be sisters. “I—I owe you an apology, Savannah.” Tammy sent an appealing glance toward Fiona.
