Sleight Mistake (Stone Investigations Book 2) Read online

  But when Lacie had been kidnapped by Wallace’s gang to prevent her from spilling the beans about his criminal activities, Ryder had gone into self-destruct. Her best friend, Sorcha, had turned to Shep, and he’d been there for her, he’d been a rock… then presumed dead Booth was revealed to be alive and Sorcha left Shep in the dirt.

  The anger in Shep’s expression now told Lacie that this wasn’t the usual teasing, and it made her reluctant to speak up. This couple fed off each other’s madness.

  ‘How have you been doing?’ Lacie asked him. ‘I haven’t seen you for a month.’

  Knowing Sorcha almost as well as she did, Shep cut through the BS and said it plain. ‘She sent you, didn’t she?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘What is it she wants?’ Shep asked. ‘She sure as shit didn’t send you over here to ask how I was doing.’

  Lacie hesitated, momentarily considering backing out. ‘Why did you never tell Sorcha how you feel about her?’

  ‘She didn’t send you over for that either.’

  ‘Shep, you have to tell her.’

  ‘If you were matchmaking you’d have led by bringing up Sorch. Either you tried it with her and she told you where to get off or you’re winging it now because you don’t want to tell me the real reason that you’re here.’

  It appeared Ryder didn’t give Shep enough credit. He was actually quite good at the detecting business. ‘Booth might be cheating,’ Lacie said.

  Slowly Shep’s posture changed, he became taller, yet more rigid. ‘You came here to tell me that my ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend is cheating on her?’

  ‘I don’t know if he is cheating, but he’s not around, and Sorcha thinks—‘

  ‘She did send you!’ Shep declared, swinging back in his chair and running his fingers through his hair. ‘If this was your position, Stone would never let you near the competition.’

  Lacie couldn’t argue that point because it was true. As uncomfortable as Lacie had been about coming here on Sorcha’s behalf, she realised this was what should’ve happened the first time she came here. If she had come here and met Shep instead of Ryder, then she’d have had this conversation with Shep months ago.

  Shep wasn’t the type to admit hurt feelings and Lacie didn’t like to be the one doing the hurting. But after a momentary falter, he drew in a breath.

  ‘I’ll find out,’ Shep said.

  ‘You will?’ She hadn’t expected him to be so compliant. Lacie considered whether or not she had misread the relationship because Shep didn’t seem hurt. He was determined. That attitude didn’t exactly marry with what she knew of Shep’s practice.

  ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I know enough about the guy and his background. I’ll figure it out.’

  Curling her fingers around the edge of his desk, Lacie slid to the front of her seat. ‘Either you don’t care about Sorcha as much as I thought… or you care more.’

  ‘Does it matter?’ Shep asked. ‘She going to leave the guy?’

  ‘Maybe if you told her how you felt and the both of you stopped playing these games.’

  ‘What games?’ he asked, doodling on a nearby notepad. ‘We screwed around, we were both single, now it’s done.’

  ‘Ok,’ Lacie said, not believing his glib attitude for a minute. ‘You know how to get in touch with me.’

  ‘Stone staying with you?’

  ‘Don’t you have my cell phone number?’

  ‘Yeah, but I want to know if I’m likely to come across him,’ he said, glancing up from his handiwork.

  ‘You and Ryder have more respect for each other than you let on,’ Lacie said, knowing their dislike for each other was more of a front than a reality. ‘You came through for him, for us. You worked together to find me, to set me free.’

  ‘I thought he was insane.’

  Shep didn’t take gratitude or compliments well. She suspected that he cultivated his façade of being idle and apathetic to conceal his true insecurities. Insecurities which had no doubt taken a beating since his last experience with Sorcha.

  ‘Ryder wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for you,’ Lacie said because it was important to her to show him that there were those who appreciated him.

  ‘He’s an arrogant ass,’ Shep said, tossing his pen aside.

  ‘So why help him save me? If it wasn’t him you were looking out for, it was Sorch. You didn’t know me at all, so your motivation had nothing to do with me.’

  Shep pushed away from the desk to get to his feet. ‘I’ve got shit to do.’

  Lacie recognised the brush off, so she stood too. It wasn’t really her place to push him into confessing his emotions. ‘Call me if you find anything.’

  ‘Don’t phone the tramp or Stone. I hear you… don’t worry, I’m not in any hurry to talk to them.’

  ‘Thank you, Shep, really.’

  Lifting her hand toward him, Shep shook it. But his smirk told her that the gesture was as pathetic to him as it was to her. ‘Come back tomorrow at noon.’

  Saying no more, Lacie left the office. The receptionist was no longer out front, which made Lacie wonder if Shep was sleeping with her. Usually Shep hooked up with the young, busty assistant he hired. But Heather wasn’t busty, or as young as Shep would normally have chosen. Heather had left without him, indicating she was either in a sulk about something or she and Shep had no physical relationship.

  Lacie didn’t have the time to examine his motives. Luckily, Gabe had picked Ryder up from her place so she had the truck. Lacie departed Sheppard Investigations and picked up her speed to get back to where she had parked the vehicle. She still had to get ready for the Reynolds party tonight and time was running short.

  Chapter Three

  Getting to Sorcha’s early was always advantageous. Lacie loved how carefully her friend put on her makeup and did her hair with practiced and minute actions, all while her mouth moved at a hundred miles an hour. They’d been going through the same routine since college. Lacie took half the time to prepare for social occasions as Sorcha did, but Sorch always looked twice as good, even while pregnant.

  Being raised in high society, Sorcha was every inch the refined lady that her parents had groomed her to be… at least she was until Shep was around.

  When Lacie had arrived at Sorcha’s apartment all she had been asked was if she had been to see Shep. In contradiction to what Lacie had expected, her affirmative answer didn’t prompt any more questions. Instead, Sorcha wanted to run through some society gossip that apparently Lacie needed to know before they got to the party.

  Often Lacie didn’t know the people that Sorcha spoke about, but she let her friend tell the stories anyway. Having problems with her partner in addition to the usual pregnancy woes, Sorcha was having a tough time. Listening to her gossip like she had in the old days was comforting for both of them.

  Much as Sorcha had griped about the truck, she spread out in the front while Lacie drove and Lacie was sure that her friend appreciated the space. When Lacie stopped the truck outside the grand Reynolds home, the valet appeared perplexed by this vulgar vehicle. But Lacie couldn’t blame him for his surprise. Few people would expect two chic and accessorized women to jump out of a vehicle that the grounds staff would look more at home in.

  Sorcha’s father, Lawrence Reynolds, was loyal in who he hired and when the valet recognised Sorcha from previous functions, the youngster leapt to attention. The truck grumbled away leaving Lacie and Sorcha to traverse the stairs. Lacie tucked the valet ticket into her clutch and Sorcha sighed.

  ‘I hate these shoes,’ Sorcha said, fixing the strap on her shoe before starting up the stairs to the Reynolds mansion. Set on twenty acres, it comprised of two and a half floors and contained twelve bedrooms.

  ‘The place looks great,’ Lacie said about the twinkling lights flanking the stairs.

  When they walked through the door Sorcha gave the attendant their invitation. One of Ryder’s men, Ty, stood in the background wearing a black shirt and slacks with a wi
re in his ear. Lacie knew he was there in case of trouble and he had his company face on—ever observant, looking mean and serious. When his eyes stopped on her, he lifted his wrist to his mouth and Lacie knew her arrival had been announced to their security network.

  The ballroom looked as magnificent as it always did. The string quartet played in the corner at the moment but the Reynolds always had an array of music throughout their famous evenings. All of society’s darlings were in attendance, corporate CEO’s rubbed shoulders with celebrities in this immense, glittering, gilded hall. Designer clothes and sparkling jewels surrounded flutes of champagne being distributed by the white-jacketed waiters.

  Sorcha snagged two glasses and Lacie must have looked judgemental when Sorcha sipped because she then tsked. ‘It’s one glass of champagne,’ Sorcha said, rolling her eyes when Lacie took the flute away from her. ‘Do you know there’s evidence now that alcohol in moderation during pregnancy can be good for the mother and child? It’s a stress thing.’

  ‘They can prove anything if research is biased towards a desire for a specific outcome,’ Lacie said, doubting the merits of Sorcha’s argument.

  Completely ignoring what Lacie had said, Sorcha moved onto a different topic. ‘How did things go with Shep?’ Sorcha asked, linking their arms and smiling at those they passed on their circuit. All of those who noticed Sorcha were surprised by the bump under Sorcha’s empire line dress, but Sorcha didn’t flinch in the face of their stares.

  ‘Just as I expected it would,’ Lacie said. Sorcha hadn’t asked about the meeting with Shep earlier because she didn’t want to appear too eager. Lacie now understood her friend’s ploy. ‘He was surprised to see me, but he was nice to me. My appearance intrigued him. It didn’t take him long to figure out why I was there. I really can’t believe you’d want me to draw him into this. The man was nuts about you, it wasn’t just a fling for him.’

  ‘Shep’s not a forever guy,’ Sorcha said while surveying the room.

  ‘You keep saying that, but I’m not so sure,’ Lacie said.

  They paused beside a marble pillar on the periphery of the room. ‘Who was at the front desk?’ Sorcha asked.

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Did he have some itty-bitty, big busted teenager—‘

  ‘Her name’s Heather,’ Lacie said. ‘And she’s at least twenty-five.’

  ‘Oh, that makes a huge difference. Is she pretty?’ Sorcha kept on scanning the room and Lacie knew that the lack of eye contact meant Sorcha was dealing with a little green-eyed monster all of her own.

  ‘Are you ok?’ Lacie asked, wishing her friend would just face the truth of her feelings.

  ‘Will he take the case?’ Sorcha asked, obviously unwilling to address the truth of her motivation for this interrogation.

  ‘Yes, I’m going to see him tomorrow.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Sorchie!’

  The shrill call of Sorcha’s younger sister made Lacie take another gulp of alcohol. Sorcha’s eyes rolled as she turned and plastered on a wide grin. ‘Sweetie,’ Sorcha said and the pair air kissed before they took each other’s hands.

  ‘Isn’t this party a dream?’ Sadie exclaimed.

  It was no surprise to Lacie that Sadie ignored her. For some reason, the woman had never been interested in making friends with her. Although from everything Lacie had observed of her through the years, she thought her flaky and frivolous. Sorcha claimed it was because Sadie was a through-and-through snob. But Sorcha could have claimed that title for herself many times and she still managed to lower herself enough to be friendly with those who didn’t have her economic security.

  ‘Everybody is asking about the baby,’ Sadie said with a little shake of her head as she trailed her eyes down to Sorcha’s swollen abdomen. Her smile never faltered, which suggested to Lacie that Sadie believed herself to be doing her sister a favour by pointing out how obvious Sorcha’s belly was.

  ‘Great,’ Sorcha said, trying to take a glass of champagne from Lacie, but she held it back.

  ‘And everyone wants to know where Bruce is… where is Bruce?’ Sadie asked with a practised pout. The woman was good at what she did, Lacie had to give her that.

  ‘Oh, he was busy tonight,’ Sorcha said. ‘He’s saving himself for the engagement party.’

  The sisters laughed a joyful titter that made Lacie have to conceal her own. They were so funny. Neither of them were the best of friends, yet, when they were together they maintained the façade of sisterly devotion. It was quite a feat that they managed to be so snide while wearing such expressions of civility.

  ‘Well, now that I have the goss, I better get back to the party…’ Sadie said, twisting away. ‘It’s funny being the centre of so much male attention. I guess now they know your social life is over, they’re interested in the newer, younger model. Ciao!’

  Sadie flounced off back to the party and Sorcha again tried to take the champagne. Lacie moved away to put it on a nearby tray and then came back to her friend.

  ‘She only does it to frustrate you,’ Lacie said. ‘Loosen up and see your future as the host of new experiences it’s going to be.’

  ‘You’re not helping,’ Sorcha grumbled but perked up to spread her joyful expression again, indicating that someone else was about to join them.

  Turning to see what had Sorcha so upbeat, Lacie saw the tall, tanned Elijah Graden approach with his shorter, paler brother, Evan. The Gradens’ had been in the mining industry for five generations and were the epitome of good breeding.

  ‘I see we’ve missed our chance,’ Elijah said to Sorcha when the men reached them. ‘Where’s the lucky fellow?’

  ‘Working tonight,’ Sorcha beamed.

  ‘I didn’t get an invitation to the wedding,’ Elijah said.

  Sorcha held up the diamond on her ring finger. ‘Engagement party is next weekend.’

  ‘Ah, cart and then the horse,’ Elijah said, shifting his gaze to Lacie. ‘Miss Hart, I’d appreciate a chance to talk to you in private for a minute. Sorcha, my brother will keep you entertained, if you don’t mind excusing us?’

  ‘Yes,’ Evan Graden said and offered Sorcha his arm. ‘Would you escort me around the dance floor?’

  Never passing up a chance of attention, Sorcha departed with the younger Graden, leaving Lacie alone with Elijah.

  ‘I’ve been trying to contact you for months,’ Elijah said, sidling in close to her.

  ‘I know, I received your messages,’ Lacie said. ‘I’m sorry, things went off the rails for a while.’

  ‘I read about it in the newspaper,’ he said with endearing concern. ‘You should have called me.’

  ‘There was nothing you could’ve done.’

  ‘I don’t like to think of you going through that alone. What did Matt say?’

  Matt Rhys was her ex-boyfriend, a man who hadn’t treated her well and that she was glad to be rid of. ‘I haven’t spoken to Matt,’ she said. ‘You know that because you’ll have spoken to him yourself.’

  ‘Under duress,’ Elijah said. ‘I told you he was a fool when you went out with him.’

  Lacie had met Matt at one of the Reynolds other parties and their relationship had started with Sorcha’s blessing. ‘I told you then that you were biased,’ Lacie said, smiling at Elijah. ‘I stand by that.’

  ‘Have you thought about my offer?’ Elijah asked.

  ‘I’ve been fielding a few commission possibilities. I’m not committing to anything right now.’

  ‘I’m not talking about commissioning you. You know what I’m talking about. I meant what I said. I meant every word I said that night.’

  The night he was referring to was another Reynolds event that had taken place months ago, before Ryder, before her captivity, in a time that felt like another life to her now.

  ‘And I thought it was the Scotch talking,’ she said, seeking out the still absent Sorcha. Except Elijah’s finger curled around her jaw to bring her attention back to him.

  ‘We hav
e to talk about it, Lace.’

  ‘We don’t, Lija. We really don’t.’ Raising her chin, she backed away from his touch.

  ‘You have to let me advise you,’ Elijah said. ‘We spoke about a business plan. We were working together—‘

  ‘I know and I appreciate what you were trying to do. But you had ulterior motives. I might be socially inept but I can’t believe you would genuinely be that interested in my professional profile.’

  ‘Believe it or not I am. You’re a good person, Lacie, and you’re sincere but you’re vulnerable. You are terrible at PR, and have zero business acumen. If you trust me, I can help you.’

  ‘I’m not interested in money or fame.’

  ‘No, but you do have to be protected from exploitation. Your public profile was already rising, but since your abduction… People want you, Lace, you need a decent lawyer, and a manager, a—‘

  ‘Elijah, I appreciate all of this, but we’re at a party. It’s not like I have a pad and pen at hand to take down the particulars of your ace team—‘

  He took the champagne from her and discarded it on a table. Taking her hand, he led her to the door which led to the family’s wing.

  ‘Where are we going?’ she asked when Elijah closed the heavy door behind them.

  ‘To find a pad and pen, you hate these crowded parties anyway.’

  Agreeing with his observation, Lacie let herself be led down the Saxon blue hall carpet of this wide corridor.

  ‘I’m sorry but there’s no access to this part of the house.’

  Elijah stopped. Lacie came up short and peeped around him to see the wall that was Will in their path. She hadn’t realised that anyone else was here, but Elijah had blocked her view. Now she wished that she’d stayed ignorant behind him because Will was another of Ryder’s men.

  ‘I’m a family friend,’ Elijah said. ‘You have no security concerns here.’

  Will’s stern expression didn’t falter but his eyes did travel south to fixate on their joined hands. ‘Due respect, sir,’ Will said. ‘Your word is nothing to me.’

  ‘That didn’t sound very respectful,’ Elijah said. ‘But I understand that if I was a security concern I wouldn’t announce it.’ Elijah must have noticed Will’s consistent focus on her. ‘She’s no security concern either. Where do you think she’d fit a weapon in that dress?’