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“Can you see my dad renting out his home?” Not only couldn’t he imagine it, but Coop had never heard his father mention letting their house out.
“I’d bet good money he’s doing just that.” Simon adjusted his heating vents. “You think Xuri owns that yacht? Think again. The luxury life is absolutely for sale or rent by wannabees. And the smart wealthy take advantage of that fact.”
“Still…”
“Even if your father wouldn’t rent yourhouse, he could rent the beach access and dock.” Simon sounded convincing. “You see those catering trucks? That’s proof that something is going on.”
“And I was looking forward to seeing Xuri taken away in handcuffs.” Coop parked the Town Car near the front door. “On the bright side, I have dry clothes upstairs.”
“Good. I wasn’t looking forward to working in these clothes. Simon paused, hand on the door handle. “What about a key?”
That he didn’t have. His parents had a set, as did the housekeeper, he supposed.
The two men got out of the car. This side of the house was sheltered from the wind.
Coop glanced at the second story windows, wondering if any were open and if he could scale the façade if they were.
Simon was already halfway to the side yard. “Come on. The caterers are around back and they’re expecting me. Maybe they have a spare shirt or two.”
Light from inside the house caught Coop’s eye. “They’re in the kitchen. That means we can get in the house. Follow my lead. I’ll introduce myself and say I startled you. And because you lack cat-like grace, you fell into the pool. You do have a habit of tumbling into water.”
“I wouldn’t joke,” Simon teased. “Or I’ll throwyouin the pool this time.”
“You wish.” Coop laughed. It felt good, like the first real laugh of the night.
Maybe things were looking up, after all.
*
Together, Violet, Kelcie, and Grandma Dotty searched the boat for the jacket with blue bunnies on the back.
They started on the top deck and worked their way down to the private salon behind the bridge, followed by the inquisitive cameraman. Since they’d been barred from going into the bedrooms below decks, this was the end of the line.
The three stopped to regroup, staring at the one coat they hadn’t examined—the one Xuri wore.
“It can’t be her,” Grandma Dotty whispered.
“How would she get the coat in the first place?” Kelcie asked.
“There’s only one way to find out.” Violet approached Xuri, who sat on a chair that resembled a thrown and was encircled by minions dressed in black, no white coats. Vi gave her host a cold stare and colder greeting, “Xuri.”
Grandma Dotty came to stand beside Vi.
Xuri arched her brows, waiting to hear why they were demanding an audience.
But this time when Xuri stared at her, words failed Vi. She felt no anger, no indignation, no urgent need to find her grandmother. And lacking that spark, Violet was much too aware that every word she said was being recorded. College professors, especially those from Ivy League schools, didn’t make desperate demands of cutting-edge celebrities or put themselves in positions of vulnerability with said celebs. Not on camera. And certainly not when they were up for tenure.
Vi considered turning around and leaving, tail between her legs. She’d have lost her grandmother’s valuable anniversary ring, but she’d have managed to keep Grandma Dotty and Vi’s reputation safe…assuming the cameraman hadn’t recorded her dance audition on the dock.
Maybe it was best to retreat and fight another day. She could file a police report or something.
The corner of Xuri’s mouth twitched. And then her smile broadened as if she considered this battle of wills already won.
Fire sparked in Violet’s belly. A spark, not a flame.
Seize the day.That was Coop’s voice in her head, quoting a Latin phrase Shakespeare had used in a play. And surprisingly, his voice came to her without any of the anger and disappointment she’d felt when thinking of him over the past few days. She didn’t care that he’d been fired. She understood why he’d presented himself as Chuck, not Coop. But Charles Cooper Pearson the Third… He would never retreat when something he wanted was so near. Never.
And she wouldn’t either.
