Chapter Six
CHAPTER SIX
Present Day
D reams both erotic and heartbreaking starring Haisley plagued Nash until he gave up on sleep. After a handful of hours, he vaulted out of bed, took his usual five-mile run and lifted weights before he grabbed a shower and a cup of coffee. Then he sat down in front of his computer.
Today began a new fucking year, and he’d be damned if he started it with regret. He’d get Haisley to speak to him again and tear down the barricades around her heart—no matter what he had to do. Thankfully, Matt had given him the means.
“Dude…” Ethan stumbled into the kitchen bleary-eyed. “What time did you get up?”
Most days he didn’t mind sharing a house with Ethan Garrison. His fellow operative could be loud. He didn’t always have a great filter, so he ran his mouth more than he should. But the kid was smart, and he had a good heart. Besides, someone had to watch out for him.
“Six. Just brewed a pot of coffee.”
Ethan sighed as he poured a cup. “If I was into dick, I’d marry you.”
“No, you wouldn’t, because I’d never say yes.”
“I can be persuasive.” He winked as he poured a dash of creamer into his java.
“I’ve seen.” Ethan got laid a lot. Must be the kid’s flash, tattoos, the bad-boy vibe, and snark.
“But you’re not my type.”
Nash scoffed. “Ditto in double for you, asshole. Your…date still here?”
“Yep. Out cold. When I was done with her, she rolled over with a happy sigh and hasn’t moved a muscle since.” As he crossed the room, he grinned like he was damn proud of himself. “Orgasm overload can do that. Hey, since Haisley seemed so pissed off last night, maybe you should take notes. I can’t believe you were stupid enough to flatten her against a wall and drunk kiss her.”
“Fuck off.”
“No, thanks. What’s your plan?” He bumped Nash’s shoulder. “You do have one, right?”
“I’ve been piecing a plan together all morning. I’m getting Haisley back.”
As Nash filled Ethan in, he clicked the link Matt had sent him. Since she’d said she couldn’t do “this” with him again…maybe she could do it when he was someone else. At the very least, maybe he’d get answers.
Using the name of his childhood dog, Jasper, he went through the approval process to join Crime Solvers International. Once in the group, he scanned various cases the members were trying to solve. Not surprisingly, there were subgroups working on infamous murders—Jack the Ripper, JFK, the Black Dahlia, JonBenét Ramsey, Tupac…all the usual suspects.
Other subgroups were hard at work on more recent murders and disappearances. He glanced through a few, happy to see that a couple of their theories had been proven true. One even led to an arrest and conviction in Florida. Good for them.
“Let me get this straight.” Ethan scowled. “She’s into solving cold cases with people online, and you’re going to connect with her again through a shared love of murder?”
“No.” Nash rolled his eyes as he found the handles of all the members and started scanning for a familiar redhead. Among a few thousand people, this could take a while. “I’m going to connect with Haisley through a common interest. Of course I’ll flirt with her, too. Let her get to know me again while I regain her trust.”
“By lying to her?” Ethan shook his head. “Dude, once she finds out you’ve been chatting her up using a pseudonym, she’s not going to appreciate the subterfuge any more than she’s going to welcome you invading her online space.”
“It’ll be fine.” Nash hoped.
“Your funeral,” Ethan quipped.
“Okay, dipshit, if you were in my shoes, what would be your smooth move?”
Ethan tossed up his hands. “Off the top of my head? I don’t know, but it wouldn’t be lying to her.”
“You don’t understand how Haisley works. She’s stubborn as the day is long, and right now she’s not speaking to me.”
“Because she doesn’t want to, and I’m guessing it’s because you screwed the pooch somewhere along the way. Figure out what you did, then try to talk to her when she’s not in a crowded bar with her girls and you’re not drunk. Maybe invite her out to dinner or?—”
“I can’t invite out a woman who’s blocked my messages on every conceivable platform and pushed me away last night, so fake name it is.”
“Boy, you really pissed that girl off. What did you do?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” And that was the rub. “We didn’t fight. She just…mumbled some BS excuses, pulled back, and ran off to Cali.”
Ethan scowled. “It’s been a couple of years, but I remember that woman being really into you. I would have sworn you two were headed to the altar. And the maternity ward, the way you went at it all the time.”
“Me, too.” And a possibility that had once scared the hell out of Nash had felt like a happy eventuality—until Haisley fled. “That’s why I need to figure out what happened. And if I have to be a little underhanded…isn’t that how intel works?”
“On a job, sure. In relationships? That seems like dangerous ground, but you do you.” Ethan swallowed the last of his coffee and stood. “Since I intend to start my New Year off right, I’m going to escort my horny little sorority princess out the door, get in a workout, meet her for lunch, then bring her back here for round two. See you later.”
Nash shook his head. “See you, man.”
When Garrison disappeared into his half of the house, Nash rededicated his effort to finding Haisley among the thousands of people in the online group. Finally, he located her. At least he thought she was RedHotSavvySleuth. Her avatar wasn’t her face but a cartoon of a curvy bombshell in a trench coat, but her bio claimed she was a feisty redhead who lived in Lafayette. How many could there be in this group? Then he tracked her latest posts, noting the cases that interested her most tended to be the ones that needed attention.
That gave him an idea.
As JasperThePrivateDick, he agreed to the group rules, posted to the newbie forum, fielded welcome messages, then did a little digging on the disappearances happening at the nearby mall. Shockingly, he couldn’t find much. Finally, he asked the general forum if anyone was looking into this case. Since he claimed to live in New Orleans, he asked if anyone living locally could shed some light.
Thirty minutes later, RedHotSavvySleuth welcomed him and said she hadn’t heard of the case. But she said she’d been to that mall many times, so she’d love to hear more.
Grinning, Nash immediately slid into her DMs. “I’m coming for you, baby. Let’s connect.”
His eyes narrowing in concentration, he typed out a response, trying to strike the right balance between curious and friendly with a tinge of flirt. Once he hit Send, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the screen. Anticipation coursed through him.
The soft ping of an incoming message made his pulse jump.
RedHotSavvySleuth: Thanks for bringing this case to my attention. I’m hoping the police are all over the disappearances at that new mall, but Lafayette’s finest aren’t all that great, in my experience. Tell me more.
JasperThePrivateDick: I couldn’t find a lot online, which seemed odd. So I started thinking… CSI seems like it’s tackled some tough cases and had some successes. Because this is a local issue, any chance you’re up for tackling a mystery in your own backyard? I’ll provide all the help and backup I can. And be your sounding board, of course.
Tense minutes ticked by as Nash waited for Haisley’s response. He hoped like hell she didn’t shut him down. Finally, the soft ping of a new message broke the silence. His breath caught in his throat as he read it.
RedHotSavvySleuth: I’m a bit out of touch locally since I’ve just moved back home after being away for a couple of years. Admittedly, I’ve been looking for a good distraction. The thought of taking on a local case is intriguing. I’ve never investigated one before. Anything else you can share?
Gotcha . Nash’s lips curved into a wolfish grin. Haisley might have played hard to get last night, but online, when she had no idea who he was, her curiosity and her unwavering sense of justice would give him the in he needed. Drawing her in deeper would require an admittedly deft touch—and a delicate balance between flattery, facts, and intrigue.
JasperThePrivateDick: Beyond the fact young women are disappearing—five in the last year or so—I can’t find much. Nothing about an official investigation. But I only got a tip about these disappearances last night. They piqued my interest. Have you heard much locally?
RedHotSavvySleuth: Nothing. Now that I think of it, that’s weird. The city’s rag usually reports any sort of criminal behavior, even a stolen bike or garden tools out of someone’s garage. I can’t imagine why they haven’t reported on something this big.
JasperThePrivateDick: Maybe someone is trying to keep it hush-hush? Possible corruption at play? Seems to be plenty of that everywhere these days. This case is something I’d love to sink my teeth into, but I live too far away to do the legwork. Since we started talking, I’ve read some of your posts. You’re insightful, and you have a can-do attitude. Your local knowledge would be invaluable. I think we’d make one hell of a team. I have experience working disappearances, and I’m tenacious. You game?
RedHotSavvySleuth: You make a compelling pitch, but I’m starting a new job tomorrow. I don’t know how much time I’ll have.
Fuck. Had he come on too strong? Or maybe she’d been hit on by a fellow crime solver before.
JasperThePrivateDick: I get it. My schedule is erratic, and my job is demanding, too. I swear I’m not a perv hoping to send dick pics or ask you for nudes. I really want to get to the bottom of these disappearances, and I’m not close enough to do it myself. Don’t these women deserve our help?
RedHotSavvySleuth: They do. Clearly, someone taught you how to pack extra-heavy bags for that guilt trip.
JasperThePrivateDick: Don’t we all have grandmas? And I did mention that I’m tenacious. It’s one of my charms…
RedHotSavvySleuth: Charms? Is that how the people in your life would phrase that quality?
JasperThePrivateDick: No comment. LOL! But I’m relentless when I’m in pursuit. Once I sink my teeth into something juicy, I won’t let go until I’m fully satisfied. You’ll find I can be insatiably thorough.
RedHotSavvySleuth: My, my, Jasper. Is that silver tongue of yours making promises it can’t keep? I hope you can back up that bravado with actual skill.
Haisley might be fuzzy on just how skilled his tongue was, but he’d be more than happy to remind her.
JasperThePrivateDick: Hang around and find out.
RedHotSavvySleuth: You are smooth and every bit as tenacious as you claimed. I’ll give you that.
JasperThePrivateDick: Yep. The question is, can you keep up?
RedHotSavvySleuth: And you’re cocky, too. Obviously, you don’t know me. But trust me, I can keep pace without breaking a sweat. I love solving a good mystery. And I believe in justice.
That was such a Haisley answer. Good to know that, even if she was barely speaking to him, she hadn’t changed.
RedHotSavvySleuth: So tell me your angle. What about this particular case interests you?
JasperThePrivateDick: I’m a protector by nature. This kind of crap shouldn’t be happening. Women who want a new pair of shoes or whatever shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.
RedHotSavvySleuth: It sucks that more men don’t feel this way. But you didn’t answer my question. Why this case?
Nash grinned. Haisley was testing him, probing for ulterior motives. She was smart as hell, but he didn’t intend to give up until he won her over and she agreed to partner with him on solving these disappearances. Slowly, he’d coax her, then, at the right moment, he would reveal himself…
JasperThePrivateDick: Let’s just say I believe in justice, too.
RedHotSavvySleuth: You a cop? Or a PI, as your handle suggests?
JasperThePrivateDick: Neither. I hate red tape, and I hate criminals. I also have a healthy appreciation for a woman who isn’t afraid to dive in headfirst and get dirty for the right reasons. Since we have justice in common, I think we’ll make one hell of a team, Red. My skills complementing your local expertise? We'll have this case spread wide open in no time. What do you say?
As he hit Send, anticipation rippled through Nash. He was playing a dangerous game. But the thrill of the chase, the delicious tension already simmering between them, was intoxicating.
RedHotSavvySleuth: This case has piqued my curiosity, I’ll admit. Why haven’t I heard a peep about these disappearances? On the other hand, I never said I was looking for a partner.
JasperThePrivateDick: You never said you weren’t, either. C’mon…
RedHotSavvySleuth: I should probably have my head examined, but tell me how you propose we tackle this case together?
Nash fist-pumped the air. Haisley was slowly but surely taking his bait. He licked his lips and carefully contemplated his next move.
JasperThePrivateDick: How about we start with a little reconnaissance? I can dig through public records and see what I can uncover about these disappearances while you carefully see if anyone locally can shed some light. Then we’ll circle back together and come up with a working theory or two. It will be exciting.
And if we happen to find ourselves in need of a private debriefing along the way—with our clothes off—I can think of worse fates .
As he waited for Haisley’s response, Nash savored this delicious moment. The game was on, and he had no intention of backing down until Haisley was his again. He’d advance on multiple fronts until she waved her white flag and surrendered to him.
RedHotSavvySleuth: I’m probably crazy, but it’s a New Year. Why the hell not? Let’s do it!
* * *
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafted through the cozy Sunday brunch spot as Haisley settled into the plush booth.
Across from her, Charli looked as gorgeous as always—a tumble of rich, dark curls spilling over her shoulders, skin so perfect it would make an esthetician cry, and a body that owed its shapeliness to good genes and a faithful gym habit. Before Haisley had moved to Cali, Charli had been full of party, snark, and grab-life-by-the-throat fun. She barely recognized this version of her friend, subdued and almost painfully quiet.
It had been so long since they’d spent quality time together. Guilt filled Haisley for letting too many months slip past them. Naturally, she’d attended Charli’s Vegas wedding last year…but Haisley hadn’t seen much of her—or the rest of her girl posse—since. Thank god that, regardless of the miles or years that once separated them, their long-standing friendship made getting together feel as if almost no time had passed.
“Thanks for inviting me this morning. I was itching to get out of the house.” Charli smiled, but her hazel eyes dimmed with a troubling sadness. “I know the circumstances that brought you home aren’t ideal, but I’m glad you’re back for good.”
“Thanks. Losing Aunt Cynthia shocked me. She’d been sick for a while, from what I understand. Not that she ever told me.”
“You two were never close.”
They hadn’t been, no matter how much Haisley had wished otherwise when she’d been a kid. “So being back here… I’m dealing with lots of memories and not many of them good.”
For the grieving girl suffering the sudden loss of her loving mother, Haisley had hoped her mom’s younger sister would fill that gaping hole in her heart. Instead, her aunt had given her a decade of chilly resentment before kicking her out.
“I know, sweetie.” Charli’s expression softened as she reached across the table to squeeze Haisley’s hand. “I was surprised you moved back but selfishly happy. You really think you’re staying for good?”
“Yeah. Aunt Cynthia owned the house outright, so I have a free place to live for life. I hate that we never resolved our differences, but I’m lucky. A house without a mortgage is something many people will never have.”
“You’re right about that. Daniel and I have been saving for a down payment since the day we got married. He’s obsessed.”
Something about that clearly made Charli sad. But her friend didn’t elaborate, and her face closed up. Questions filled Haisley, but she hated to pry. Charli seemed so fragile, so Haisley steered the conversation elsewhere.
“LA was cool…sometimes. But I missed home. When I got the call about my aunt’s passing, my lease was about to expire. It felt like the right time to leave Cali and put down roots. Besides”—she dropped her gaze to the steaming coffee their waiter slid across the table—“I missed everyone.”
“We missed you.”
Quickly, the women placed their orders, both choosing favorites, heedless of calories. Once the waiter left, Charli slanted a skeptical gaze her way. “Are you sure there isn’t more to your decision to move home? Did Nash have anything to do with it?”
Haisley tried not to feel the stab of pain in her heart. “That’s over.”
Charli raised a brow. “It didn’t look that way on New Year’s Eve.”
“Just the celebratory moment. Besides, we’d both had too much to drink.”
“You were once head over heels for him.”
“Ancient history.” Haisley willed herself to believe it. “We weren’t meant to be. We wanted different things.”
“I get that.” Charli’s gaze grew distant, her shoulders slumping as she heaved a melancholy sigh.
Prying now was too much…but Haisley couldn’t resist some gentle nudges. “You don’t look happy. What’s going on with you and Daniel? Don’t tell me nothing. I know better.”
She shrugged as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders. “I don’t even know. One day, everything was perfect. The next, we were like strangers living in the same house.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. If you want to talk about it, I’m happy to listen. Where was he on New Year’s Eve?”
“At home. In bed. Asleep.” Charli shook her head despondently. “I thought we wanted the same things. But lately, it feels like we’re living two different lives.”
Haisley ached for her friend, the raw anguish in Charli’s voice resonating in her own bruised heart.
“If he had another woman, my decision would be simple. I would just leave his ass. But no, he’s always working, always talking about getting ahead, saving to buy a house, and preparing for the future so we can support the children we’ll have someday. I know he’s right…but it feels like he’s putting his job first. And when he is home, he’s exhausted. He barely pays attention to me unless he wants sex. It’s like he’s not really there, you know? Like I’m a pretty fuck doll he feels a responsibility to take care of. Decoration instead of a flesh-and-blood wife. I can help. I work, too. I contribute. But he insists that looking out for me is his responsibility. I can’t fault him. He takes care of everything…except my heart.”
Haisley squeezed her friend’s hand. She understood disappointment too well. Love, she had learned the hard way, was typically painful. All the fairy tales lied.
“Have you talked to him?”
“Of course.” Charli sighed, her shoulders sagging with defeat. “But it’s like he doesn’t hear me. Or understand. He just goes on like I didn’t say I’d rather have him home than for him take on a special project that will get him promoted faster. I feel like background noise in his life.”
Haisley felt a surge of protectiveness and clenched her free hand into a fist beneath the table. To see her confident, vibrant friend so defeated was like a knife to the heart.
“Listen to me. You’re way more than ‘background noise.’ You are an incredible woman, and you should be his queen. If Daniel can’t put you on his throne, then he’s an idiot.”
“Hais, I…” Charli teared up. “I don’t know what to do. When we got married, this isn’t at all the life I pictured.”
“Don’t cry. We’ll figure it out.” She gave Charli’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Together. Like we always have.”
As she nodded miserably, Charli’s tears fell. “My disintegrating marriage is all I think about.”
“Then you need a distraction until you two can work it out. Maybe you should join my online sleuthing group, Crime Solvers International. CSI works together to solve cold cases, share theories, and put our detective skills to the test.”
Despite her tears, Charli smiled fondly. “Of course you’d join a group like that. You always had a knack for putting together puzzles and solving mysteries.”
“It’s a lot of fun, and it will definitely help to occupy your thoughts. And you’ll make some cool new friends…”
“I already have cool friends. You, Gracelyn, and Madison are the best.”
“Naturally.” Grinning, Haisley sent her an exaggerated hair flip. “But seriously. Join us for an evening. I just jumped onto a new case. It’s local, which makes it even juicier.”
“I don’t know. With everything going on with Daniel…”
“That’s exactly why you should join. He has purpose. Since you’re not married to your job, you should find one, too.” So she wouldn’t have to focus on her sadness so much. “Then maybe you’ll find some balance. And if you don’t”—she gave Charli’s hand a reassuring squeeze—“solving crimes with me will be fun.”
“I’ll think about it. Have you made new friends in the group?”
“Tons. The guy who runs it is a retired cop from Vegas. Super interesting. The moderators either have law enforcement, legal, or military background. The members are all super smart. And the group is growing. In fact, a new guy just joined yesterday. Jasper is the one who talked me into helping him with the case happening right here in Lafayette. Something about young women disappearing from the new outlet mall up the road?”
“Interesting.” Charli arched a brow. “Is Jasper cute?”
“I don’t know. It’s an online group.”
Charli waved a dismissive hand. “Details. Was he flirty?”
“More friendly than flirty, but that’s the way I want it. I’m steering clear of romance.”
“Maybe you should flirt with him. Jasper might be just what you need to get over Nash once and for all.”
“I wish.” Haisley wasn’t convinced that was possible.
Before she’d left LA, she’d been so certain she was finally over that man. But after one amazing, toe-curling New Year’s Eve kiss, he’d destroyed that hope.
Charli’s expression softened. “You deserve happiness. And who knows, maybe your online mystery guy will help you find some.”
“Maybe.” Haisley shrugged. “Or maybe there’s no such thing as happily ever after, at least for someone like me.”
“Someone like you? You mean someone awesome? You’re more lovable than you know. The right guy will come along.”
“Sure.” She told Charli what she wanted to hear. “Now, tell me all the gossip around town I’ve missed…”
As their conversation drifted to lighter topics, Haisley fought encroaching sadness.
No man had ever gotten to her the way Nash did. She didn’t think another ever would. Living almost two thousand miles from him had been painful enough. Living around the corner from him, so to speak, was bound to be agony. What would happen when he finally lost interest in her and focused on someone else? What if, heaven forbid, he got married, and she had to see the happy couple around town?
It would crush her.
Why hadn’t she seen heartbreak coming when she’d started hardcore flirting back with him all those months ago? Why hadn’t she foreseen how totally falling for him would break her heart?