Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight Read online

  “Someone killed Hazel Nutt.”

  She stared at him as she gradually lowered to the couch. After a long drink, she fumbled to replace the bottle on the table. “How? How did some—,” her lilt quivered.

  “Stabbed.” He stopped. “The detective’s preliminary opinion was multiple times.”

  Katie gasped and covered her mouth with a palm. Her gaze drifted to Jack. “How do you know this?”

  “Because I’m the person who discovered the body.”

  Katie blinked disbelievingly, lowering her hand. She remained quiet, apparently digesting this information. “You found her…Hazel. I don’t understand.”

  “Long story. Your former boss lives several blocks over from Aaron—.”

  “I know where Hazel’s house is,” Katie interrupted.

  Jack’s lips twisted.

  “I’m sorry to be so short with you. I’m floored by this news.” She clenched her white knuckled hands together and laid them in her lap. “It’s only Friday and this whole weekend is looking to be a freaking disaster. Go on.”

  “I was out for my morning jog, and I accidently came upon Hazel’s body. I learned her identity later.”

  Katie fell back against the cushions, draping a limp arm over her forehead.

  “This is unbelievable.”

  “Your former co-workers, Tara and Vanessa showed up too. Vanessa identified the body.”

  She straightened, dropping her arm beside her. “Why would they be at Hazel’s?”

  “They were worried when they couldn’t reach her.” Jack glanced at her paled skin. He feared she might pass out if he told her more. “Did the police give you an idea who may have done this? Hazel didn’t trust banks. She kept a lot of important documents in her home, and stored most of her cash in a safe. This had to be a burglary gone wrong.”

  “They’re still investigating, but the detectives don’t seem to believe a break in was the motive.” Jack looked at her gravely. “Vanessa might have pointed you out as someone the officers should investigate.”

  Katie sat motionless and stared at the floor. “Of course she would.”

  A buzz erupted from Katie’s jacket pocket. She thrust a shaking hand to retrieve her cell. She glimpsed at the caller ID. Her complexion whitened even more. “I don’t think there’s any wonder if Vanessa gave them my name,” she muttered. “It’s the police.”

  Jack nodded encouragingly. “Get it over with.”

  The conversation was quick. She hung up and released a deep sigh. “They don’t waste any time, do they? They want me to come down to the station. Right now.”

  Chapter 3

  “So this is what a full-fledged murder investigation feels like.” Katie hurried across the police station’s asphalt lot, her body braced against an icy wind. She tugged at her coat to bring the edges closer together, wishing she’d worn something heavier. Her thoughts reeled as she tried to downplay the detective’s interrogation.

  Jack lifted a shoulder. “Yep.” He strolled calmly alongside her, Ray Ban aviators shielded his eyes, and at least a day old scruff coated his jawline. Hands inside his pockets, he wore a light jacket over his well-built physique. The bitter air didn’t appear to affect him.

  Although he only observed through a glass partition, Katie couldn’t believe she allowed this man to be a part of the most humiliating experience of her life. She wouldn’t have let him, except he insisted on driving her.

  On one hand, she was thankful for his presence, because speaking with the authorities terrified her. Although they were on their way out, her stomach remained twisted in knots. She probably would’ve crumpled if she’d gone alone. On the opposite end of the plane, Jack Pharrell was with her. Even mussed and in jogging clothes, the guy was delectably gorgeous. More good-looking than in his youth.

  They approached his truck. He stepped around to the driver’s side and popped the locks with the keypad. “I suggest you contact a legal representative ASAP. Cruz Zapata from high school is good. His firm is small, but he’s helped me a lot. He can at least recommend a criminal attorney to keep on standby.”

  Katie nodded, absorbing his deep, smooth voice. Quiet, yet commanding.

  “Sounds expensive.” She slid into the passenger seat, forcing her attention away from this electrifying man, and concentrated on her real problem.

  “Your dad will help.”

  “You honestly believe this is serious enough to get a lawyer involved? I mean, all they did was asked me questions and took down a few notes.” The butterflies fluttering in the pit of her stomach converted into condors. She stared out of the window, gazing at the non-descriptive building she’d recently exited.

  Jack inserted his truck key and turned the ignition. He put the vehicle in gear and backed out of the small lot. “You’re wise to speak with an attorney whenever a homicide is involved. A precaution.” Jack downshifted and lifted his foot off the clutch with ease. He hit the gas and sped away from the police department, smoothly changing gears.

  She spun toward him and stared. “Did I hurt myself by not having counsel present? I mean, they didn’t say I had a right to one or that anything I said may be held against me.”

  “Your Miranda rights. Only read if they arrest you. The cops are gathering information at this stage. If they call you in again, I’d seriously consider taking a lawyer with you. I wouldn’t worry about it yet. You appear to be off the hook. For now, anyway.”

  “For now,” Katie repeated in a soft voice.

  “You should be fine as long as you only answered their questions and didn’t give them any additional information.”

  “I did exactly what you told me to do.”

  Though not a criminal attorney, Jack did have enough knowledge to coach her on the drive over on how to speak with the detectives. He instructed her to reply to their queries, keeping her responses short but be cooperative, and not do anything to throw up red flags.

  “You think I’m an actual suspect?”

  Jack’s jaw tightened. “No clue. Did they suggest you not leave town?”

  “Only for a few days, and they instructed me in a polite manner.”

  “Well, if they were polite—.”

  “Jack. They want me to stay around until the final results of the autopsy are determined.” She stopped to swallow. “You’re not getting the same vibe are you?”

  “I’m saying given the circumstances, they’ll probably look at you pretty long before they eliminate you. Part of my training is to study body language. I watched those cops interview you. They exchanged skeptical glances throughout the entire interrogation. Not a positive sign.”

  “Good to know,” Katie murmured. Talk about a cold punch of reality. She became squeamish when she squished bugs. No way could she murder another human. “They can scrutinize me all they want. I have nothing to hide. Besides, I gave them solid alibis. I visited my parent’s after Hazel let me go, and then I went to my friend Jules place. I stayed with her until around two in the morning.”

  “Yes, but they haven’t determined the time of death, right? If she died before two,” he turned his head to her, “you’re okay. What if it occurred later? Anyone who’ll vouch for you then?”

  “I was alone,” Katie replied softly.

  “Can you prove it if you need to?”

  “Of course not,” she snapped. She blew out a long spurt of air seeking calm before she spoke again. “How would someone verify they were by themselves if no one is with them?” she asked in a controlled, distant voice.

  “No clue.” Jack’s tone equaled her coolness. “You’ll need to find a way if they require an account of your whereabouts after two.”

  This entire episode was spinning out of control. Katie was a good person.

  Even in the most extenuating circumstances, she couldn’t kill someone in cold blood, especially somebody she knew. Now she hoped she’d persuaded the detectives and perhaps Jack. She glanced to her left and released another loud sigh.

  Why did
she care what he thought? He’d never seen her as anything other than Aaron’s younger sister, and she was getting the sense nothing had changed in that department. Perhaps he only presented the gravest scenario, but he didn’t seem to be on her side. He’d accompanied her to the police station sure…she snuck another glimpse at him, unable to understand why he’d come with her.

  “I can’t be the only person they’re speaking with, anyway,” she insisted. “Hazel has thousands of enemies.”

  “Had thousands of enemies. Hopefully they’ll work through them all. But if they believe her killer is caught,” he hesitated and threw her a warning glance, “they won’t look any farther.”

  Katie huffed and fell against the seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “So you’re saying I’ll be their number one suspect.”

  “Stop putting words in my mouth. I’m trying to get you out of la la land.”

  “Excuse me. You sound like I’m about to be handcuffed and fitted for a striped jumpsuit.”

  “Not true. You’re thinking everything is hunky-dory, and the police are questioning you in a murder investigation. You have a motive. There is a period when no one can verify your whereabouts. What I’m saying is you need legal counsel. Keep a lawyer around, just in case. Be aware, detectives check alibis. Even though the explanations should clear you, they still might want to talk to you again.” He paused. “And I understand those prison uniforms are one size fits all. No fittings are necessary.”

  “Funny,” she spouted sarcastically. “Wouldn’t you like to point out how the vertical stripes widen the ass?”

  “Nope. Not into butts, though I doubt if stripes vertical or otherwise are detrimental to yours.”

  She looked at him with raised brows, hoping he didn’t detect the tremble in her hands.

  “Just trying to lighten the mood.” He grinned. He pressed down on the clutch and break, working the gearshift to stop at a light with ease. “I’m a leg man, by the way.”

  “Thanks for sharing.” Katie gazed out the window.

  “You’re worrying for nothing. This is just the beginning of the investigation and hopefully you’ll never hear from homicide again. The buzz at the Hazel’s house supported your claim. Terri, no…”

  “Tara.”

  “Right. Tara stated Hazel alienated everyone in her life, and she wasn’t a nice person, although Vanessa jumped to the woman’s defense. She’s quite a fan.”

  “She’s quite an ass kisser.”

  Jack chuckled. “I’m curious. What did the Nutt lady do to piss off so many people?”

  “Hazel always saw the dark side of situations. Actually she was the dark side. She believed the worst in everyone, and enjoyed destructive gossip. She loved to make up stuff regarding others, and was known for starting nasty rumors about the competition.”

  “Not uncommon. At least her maliciousness toward her competitors isn’t.”

  “Yeah, but she hit way low, below the belt, and she’s a master at putting a destructive spin on any story. My ex-employer would have made an excellent tabloid reporter,” Katie stated edgily. “Her overall business tactics were questionable too.”

  “I didn’t realize the wedding field was corrupted.”

  Katie waved a hand. “Oh, you wouldn’t believe the dishonesty that goes on.”

  Jack’s brows rose. “Enlighten me.”

  “Say we’ve booked two appointments. One bride gives her dream wedding details and offered a full-service package fee of four thousand dollars. The second arrives and she’s dressed better than the first. Designer clothes, the diamond in her engagement ring triple the size of the earlier client, but she wants the same ceremony. Based on patron twos extra posh appearance, her rate would be jacked up to six thousand dollars or even more, depending on her affluences.” She looked at him. “Understand?”

  “The practice is legal, although maybe not so ethical.”

  “Not ethical and not good business.”

  “Dirty for sure. I assume you don’t operate this way.”

  Katie stared at him. “Hazel and I constantly butted heads about this. She’d remind me the company belonged to her, and she was in business to make money whereas, I told her my reputation and integrity was on the line. I brought in the bulk of the clientele, so she left me alone most of the time. Only after Vanessa the bitch came aboard, Hazel disregarded any form of principle and basically ran the business from the gutter.”

  “What did Vanessa the bitch, do?”

  “From day one, she worked to discredit me and the other consultants. She’s a pot stirrer, loves to create drama, and always on the phone with Hazel, telling on us.”

  “I’d think a strong, business woman would be above petty gossip.”

  “I know, right? But those two were kindred. Hazel enjoyed initiating scandals about our competitors. Vanessa took things down a notch and made it internal. Hazel thought her great. She believed she hired her away from Affairs Amore, our biggest competitor, but rumors said that Vanessa included additional surcharges and fees to her costs. We also heard the procedure got her sacked from her last position. People in this industry love to talk.”

  “Padding the till is illegal.”

  “Yeah, but if your boss approves, what do you do.” Katie still fumed over how Hazel indirectly required her employees to work in such a seedy method. “Not only is this behavior disreputable, exploiting specific dealer’s limits variety, and after a while the weddings are the same.” Katie stared out of the window. “Bottom line, Vanessa is a less than honorable planner who charges the client a flat fee, AND takes cuts from vendors through the backdoor.”

  “So you’re saying Nutty Hazel supported this method?”

  “She loved the idea. Loved Vanessa for bringing in the practice. She subtly indicated we all use her system.” Katie shrugged. “I refused to comply so she fired me.”

  “Have you considered a lawsuit over the termination? I believe it’s still doable, even though she passed away. You could file a suit against her estate.”

  “No lawsuit. Hazel is—was careful to keep her tracks covered. She wasn’t above letting someone else take the fall, either. There’s no recourse for me because Texas is a fire at will state.”

  “What about a plan B?”

  “I’ve had a plan B in the works for a while. My professional standing remained at risk as long as I worked for Hazel. I was aware I’d need to make a change at some point.” She smiled. “I wasn’t ready to put things into action, although now I’m forced to accelerate those strategies.” Katie raised her chin. “I’m going to open my own party planning agency. My goal was to knock Hazel off the peak and become the top wedding coordinator in the city.”

  “Ruthless. I like it.”

  “The last part is still in the works. The problem is I signed a confidentiality contract when Hazel hired me, and I may be bound to stay out of the industry for a certain period before I can branch out. That’s why I wanted to speak with Aaron this morning. He’s familiar with this sort of thing, since he owns a business. Now she’s dead, the clause might be moot. At least I hope so.”

  Katie was ready to put the subject of Hazel, her murder, and Vanessa to rest.

  “I can’t believe you kept this old truck.”

  Jack leaned forward and patted the dashboard. “I’d never sell my baby. This is the first ride I ever bought. I worked hard on your dad’s ranch, saved, and saved until I earned enough to buy it from him.”

  “It was a dinosaur back then. I remember when daddy brought it home, brand new. I think I was about five.”

  “Lots of good memories attached to this pickup. A classic.”

  A younger Jack driving with a cheerleader or some other popular girl snuggled close to him flickered through Katie’s mind, followed by an old, familiar pang.

  “Is this what you drove in your high powered attorney days?” she asked stiffly. “I bet you impressed your rich clients.”

  “I had a luxury automobile for work. Perk went
with the job. One of many benefits I was required to relinquish after my law firm suspended me.” He chuckled, though it sounded doubtful and forced. “But I always thought it pretentious to have to impress others with what I drove. Wheels are a means to get me from one place to another. Who cares if the seats heat or cool my ass? This truck is an expansion of me. Keeps me grounded, and a reminder of how I grew up, and where I came from. I don’t get excited about an overpriced vehicle or an exorbitant lifestyle. Not the way I chose to live my life.”

  ****

  Jack maneuvered his pickup down a two lane blacktop, his thoughts whirled, confused as to why he’d volunteered to accompany her. Katie had been a royal pain in his ass during her adolescent years, and as she grew older, she’d become even a bigger one. Still, he’d always tried to be a nice guy. Though in the end, he’d been the asshole. He’d tucked the one sordid occurrence away in his mind for fourteen years. After seeing her today, the memory of the hurt in her eyes, grief he’d caused, haunted him. He owed her.

  But now his debt was paid. He could move forward and forget about her.

  He stole a side glance at her. She’d grown into a beautiful woman, although he needed to ignore that. He’d sworn off women four months ago and managed to stay clear of any temptation. He’d remained female free the entire stint. A relief to some degree, though in other ways, the celibate sorts, not so much. His “no sex until his issue was resolved” pact was beginning to waver. Even so, Katie Drapier would not be a factor if getting laid was a goal. Jack’s plan was to drop her off, return to the guesthouse to his waiting beer, crossword, and football game.

  “I’ll check over those contracts from Hazel and see if the confidentiality clause is null,” he blurted.

  She twisted to him with raised brows. “What?”

  Exactly. What the fuck provoked him to make such an asinine suggestion?

  Did his brain and mouth not get along anymore? Get rid of her, do puzzle, and drink beer. Not search for ways to spend more time with her.

  Backtrack. Claim insanity, do whatever it takes to get out of this.

  “If we find out the document is void, you can start putting together a business plan. Technically, I can’t dole out legal advice, though. You’d want to hire a practicing attorney before you make any serious moves. But I can give you a heads up to go forward, or point you in the right direction if you need to contest.”