The Watcher (A Miranda and Parker Mystery Book 4) Read online

  Cautiously the waiter looked over his shoulder toward the bar, focusing on a back door in the far wall. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Joca is dating both my boss and my friend.”

  Bingo. If they had needed more evidence to convict the soccer dude on that score.

  “Who’s your friend?” Parker asked as if he had no idea.

  He lowered his gaze and fingered the cap he’d placed on the table. “Her name is Diana Dominguez. She goes by Didi. She works with her mother at Esquecer. A beautiful resort on the hill. It is very popular.”

  Neither of them blinked. “What’s your name again?” Miranda asked.

  “Alex.”

  “I’m Miranda Steele and this is my partner, Wade Parker.” She held out a hand and they all did the obligatory shaking. “How long have you known Didi, Alex?”

  Stroking his hat again he made a puffing sound with his lips. “All my life. Ever since pre-school. We used to go out. I thought one day we might…” he let out a long, sad sigh. “But then she started dating Joca.”

  Not a smart move. This guy seemed like he’d be a lot better for Didi than the skirt-chasing Joca.

  “Did you know Joca in school as well?” Parker asked.

  Alex shook his head. “He was two years ahead of us. I was not in his league as they say.”

  “Do you know if he ever got into trouble?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Miranda waved a hand in the air. “Did he ever scrawl graffiti on a wall at school? Break a window? Let the air out of someone’s tires?”

  The young man looked horrified. “Oh, no.”

  “Are you sure?” Parker said.

  Alex shook his head emphatically. “There were a few kids who did things like that. They ended up talking to the police. But Joca did not hang out with them. He stuck with the other athletes. And he was a good student. Despite his current…habits, he loves his family. He would never bring shame on them with pranks like that.”

  Miranda didn’t know if that was true but she could see Alex believed it. “What about last night?”

  He frowned. “What about it?”

  “Were you here?”

  He nodded. “We were busy. I worked late and closed up.”

  “Was Joca here then?”

  His cheeks reddened again. He stared down at his hat and squirmed in the chair.

  Gently Parker laid a hand on the young man’s arm. “It’s important we learn what happened last night, son.”

  Without looking up he nodded. “About nine I saw Joca go in the back with Gretchen. She did not return to work after that.”

  “Where did they do in the back?”

  “I do not know but she keeps an apartment upstairs. I assume they went there and stayed all night.”

  Miranda gave Parker a wary look. “Why all night?”

  “We’ve been a little shorthanded so I worked late last night as I said. But I usually open in the mornings. I came in today at about ten.”

  “And?”

  “While I was setting up, Gretchen and Joca came down to get coffee. They looked like they had just woken up.” He gestured at his head. “You know. Hair messy. Wearing robes. Yawning.”

  It was Didi who needed to wake up.

  Just then Miranda spotted a figure moving toward their table.

  A moment later the husky blond was at her side in full regalia, complete with vest and apron and gathered skirt and tunic. She smelled of lavender and had a body type you might call big-boned. But it sure wasn’t bone peeking out of that blouse.

  “Having lunch with our customers, Alex?”

  The young man shot to his feet. “These are private investigators, Gretchen. They are asking about Joca.”

  So much for their cover as tourists.

  Gretchen laid a hand on her aproned hip and eyed her new patrons with an oh, yeah? look. “What do you want to know about Joca?”

  Before either of them could speak, Alex began blabbering. “There was an accident on the south road this morning. A vehicle was sabotaged. They think he was involved.”

  Parker remained stone-faced. “We’re trying to determine Joca’s whereabouts last night between midnight and five a.m.”

  Gretchen’s upper lip almost curled. Instead she laughed. “If you think he had anything to do with sabotaging that car you are wrong. He was with me every single minute.”

  Bold, wasn’t she? Miranda hid her tight fists under the table. “We understand he received a phone call last night.”

  Gretchen’s eyes went wide at that news but she remained just as cocky. “Yes. He did receive a call. And right after he took the call he came back to bed.” With me, her expression added.

  Miranda locked eyes with the woman wishing she could ram one of her fists into one of her smug round cheeks. Poor Didi.

  Gretchen leaned over, her bosom swelling under her blouse and reached for the empty platter. “Can I get your check?”

  Miranda felt the flame of Parker’s temper as he rose and tossed a few bills on the table.

  “No, thank you. This should cover it. Keep the change.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “What a bitch.” Miranda stomped down the sidewalk ignoring the quaint shops and the other pedestrians she nearly bumped into. “She was taunting us, Parker. She was damned proud of what she’s doing with Joca.”

  Parker’s face was grim. “Nontheless, she gave the soccer player an alibi.”

  “So what if he was with her all night. Doesn’t prove he didn’t sneak out for half an hour and do the deed. They could have plotted it together.”

  He didn’t reply.

  “Why not? Because a guy can’t think about jimmying someone’s brakes when he has sex on his mind?”

  Parker came to a stop on the corner and stared at the traffic, hands in his jeans pockets, blazer fluttering in the cool wind.

  Miranda’s jaw dropped. “You don’t think he did it, do you?”

  “Leaning that way.”

  She took a few deep breaths to steady her heaving chest and realized he had a point. They had turned up zip to indicate their conquistador had a history of vandalism. They had nothing to go on but a phone call.

  She blew out a defeated breath. “So what now?”

  Parker remained silent, his gaze focused across the street.

  She pulled her sweater tight against the wind and watched the cars pass by. Beyond the blue-green peaks in the distance the sun was getting low in an overcast sky. It was getting late and they hadn’t made a single dent in this case.

  So who did they have beside Joca? The fired groundskeeper would probably know how to fiddle with a car’s brakes.

  But what about Tia’s death threats? What was up with those letters anyway?

  Why let someone know you’re going to kill them before you do? Either you don’t intend to and you’re just jerking their chain or you really hate the person and want to see her suffer before you do her in.

  That would fit Geninho from what they knew about him. Fired from a fifteen-year job by his first employer’s wife? That could cause a grudge the size of one of these mountains.

  And what about Nelito, the happy-go-lucky student? Maybe the idealistic good nature was an act. Suddenly she remembered Carlota said Nelito had a crush on Tia. Maybe he knew Tia was getting close to her lawyer and was jealous. That could be a motive.

  Her mind racing through the maze of unanswered questions, she looked up and realized the light on the corner had changed several times and Parker hadn’t moved.

  She followed his gaze across the street and spotted a sign. Nunes.

  The shop where Rico’s credit card was charged. She squinted at the stuff in the window. “Is that what I think it is?”

  With a curt nod, Parker finally broke his silence. “A sporting goods store.”

  The light changed again and he reached for her hand as they hurried through the intersection.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The bright lights inside Nunes
Sporting Goods illuminated an aisle with shelves and shelves of supplements, weight loss powders, and energy drinks.

  Miranda recognized the distinctive smell of bodybuilding staples. She used to be into that stuff big time. The foreign-sounding conversations of customers she couldn’t understand buzzed in her ears as she scanned labels she couldn’t read. Feeling frustrated she moved on to the next aisle. Here an assortment of weights and exercise equipment were on display. She craned her neck and spotted camping supplies in the back.

  Was Tia’s almost-ex into fitness? Guess he had to be from the photo she’d seen of him. Probably frequented the gym with his models. But why come here?

  She and Parker had split up to examine the place and she caught up with him at a counter on the far side of the store.

  He was schmoozing a middle-aged clerk with a round face, a graying beard, and fuzzy, dark red hair.

  “There you are, Miranda. This is my partner I mentioned. Miranda, this is Rudy Nunes. He owns this establishment.”

  Approaching she extended a hand. “Glad to meet you.” She eyed his short globe-shaped body. Pretty out of shape for an owner of a store like this.

  “My pleasure,” he said taking her hand in both of his. “I understand you two are investigating a case here in our little town?” His skin was rough but his smile seemed genuine.

  She smiled back. “We have a lead that might involve your store, Mr. Nunes.”

  He batted the air with his hand. “Oh, call me Rudy. You Americans are all so formal. Now. What sort of a lead?”

  “We have information that someone made a purchase in your store two weeks ago.” Parker pulled out his phone, where he had transferred their research data, and swiped until he got to the Cielo card charge. “This is it.”

  Rudy squinted at the screen and slowly nodded. “Yes. That is from our store. What about it?”

  “Can you give us more detail about this purchase?”

  Frowning at the phone Rudy scratched his beard. “I would have to access the records on the computer.”

  “Can you do that?”

  “Let me see it again.”

  Parker held the phone closer while Rudy grabbed a pen and jotted down a number. “I’ll be right back.” He stepped around a back counter and started tapping on a keyboard.

  Miranda kept time tapping her fingers on the glass counter while Parker watched her, tenderness in his eyes.

  “I hope this isn’t another wild goose chase,” she muttered to him under her breath.

  “We’ll learn something.” But he looked as discouraged as she felt at this point.

  A few minutes more and Rudy waddled back around the counter with a printout. “You’re in luck. I have the receipt right here.” He placed it on the glass and they studied the items, while Parker interpreted for her.

  Can opener, a couple bags of jerky, canteen, a sleeping bag, a backpack and most disturbing of all—a Bowie knife.

  She blinked at the paper. “Camping equipment?”

  “So it appears.”

  “We have quite a few customers who like to hike in the mountains and camp,” Rudy said.

  “You could hunt small game with that knife.”

  He gave her a condescending smile. “Hunting is forbidden by law. But you could use it to cut wood for a fire or branches for a shelter.”

  Right.

  Parker swiped his phone again and Miranda caught a glimpse of the magazine cover. “Is this the man who purchased these items?”

  Rudy regarded the cell with a grin of recognition. “That is Rico Dominguez. He owns the fancy resort on the hill. I have known him for years.”

  Parker tapped the printout. “Was Rico the one who bought this equipment?”

  “Well, that is his name on the receipt.” Rudy’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, I see. You think someone else might be using Rico’s credit card?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to determine.”

  Rudy’s smile faded. “I do not know that. I cannot remember him being in the store recently. He moved to Rio a few years ago. Actually, I do not ever recall that he bought camping equipment before.”

  Were they striking out again? Miranda wanted to go over to the punching bags and give one a good smack.

  Rudy held up a hand. “Wait. Nando was working that day. Perhaps he can remember.”

  A few minutes later, the shop owner came around the corner again, this time with a guy a head taller than himself, with hollow cheeks and dark hair poking out from the top of his head. His dark eyes were big and expressive, as if he had just learned some deep, dark secret. Or thought he was about to get into trouble.

  “Nando,” Rudy said after introducing his clerk to them. “These investigators need to know who bought the equipment on this receipt two weeks.”

  Nando ran a finger down the list on the paper and stopped on the date. He glanced nervously at Parker, then Miranda. “I am new here. That was my first day. I am sorry. I do not remember who made this purchase.”

  Parker showed him the magazine cover. “Was it this man?”

  Nando took the phone and bent his head to one side then the other as he studied the picture. “I do recall a man asking for camping supplies.”

  “Did the customer say where he might be camping?”

  “There are several camping sites in the mountains.”

  “Did he mention any specific area?”

  Nando thought a moment then shook his head. “I cannot remember anything like that. I am sorry.”

  “Was that him?” Parker asked again.

  The clerk took a long time turning the phone this way and that. “It might have been. But he looked different.”

  “Different in what way?”

  “He might have been a little thinner. And I think he had a beard. Like he had not shaved in a few days.”

  Miranda’s back straightened. “Are you sure?”

  Nando peered at the phone once more then handed it back to Parker. “I cannot be one hundred percent certain. But I remember the eyes. Cold. Penetrating. I remember being a little frightened. But he seemed to be happy with the service.”

  She just bet he was.

  Had Tia’s husband been camping out in the area to spy on her and send her death threats? Her heart began to pound as Parker slipped his cell back into his pocket and shook hands again.

  “Thank you, Rudy, Nando,” he said. “You’ve been most helpful.”

  They turned and left the store. Out on the street, Parker hailed a cab and found one that was free.

  “Splurging?” Miranda asked, her nerves taut.

  “We need to get back to Tia ASAP.” He opened the door and helped her inside.

  As she slid into the seat Miranda thought she’d never agreed with him more.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Half an hour later the crowd checking into Esquecer had thinned out and Miranda stood next to Parker in Tia’s office, waiting for her to finish her bookkeeping for the day.

  Valdinho paced near the credenza while Miranda watched Tia’s determined fingers fly over a slim laptop on her polished desk. It was as if she didn’t want to hear what they had to say.

  She’s in denial, Miranda thought.

  “I fear you have bad news,” Tia said, as if reading her mind. “I will not be able to deal with these figures once I hear it.”

  After a few more minutes of entries she finally stopped typing and closed the computer. She raised her regal head and drew in a breath. “Very well. Tell me.”

  Miranda watched her face turn a little pale as Parker related the details they’d discovered at Nunes’.

  “You think Rico has been camping in the area?”

  “It seems so,” Parker said.

  She put her hands to her face. “Why? Is he stalking me?”

  The lawyer stepped behind Tia’s chair and put his hands on her shoulders for support. “He must have found out about the divorce proceedings.”

  Probably. “Would Didi have told him?” Miranda aske
d.

  Tia shook her head. “She does not know.”

  “But she may suspect.”

  Closing her eyes, Tia reached for one of Valdinho’s hands and squeezed it tightly. “I am not sure.”

  “What are you going to do?” The lawyer wanted to know.

  Parker let out a sigh. “It would be easier to search the area if we had help from the police.”

  Tia’s eyes went wide. “No! Please, Wade. The letters said no police. Rico gets angry when he does not have his way. He would act on his threat.”

  And he wouldn’t otherwise?

  “Bastardo,” the lawyer muttered under his breath as he paced back to the credenza. “The police may have to arrest me. If I were to see Rico, I could kill him with my bare hands for doing this to Tia.”

  Miranda could see Parker’s patience was wearing thin. “Tia, it’s going to be very difficult to search the mountains on our own. In my professional capacity and as your friend I advise you—”

  An alert jingled on his phone.

  He cursed as he pulled it out and read the text. His face turned to stone.

  “What is it?” Miranda peered over his shoulder. Her heart nearly stopped.

  “What?” Valdinho demanded.

  “There’s been another charge on Rico’s Cielo card. Just this evening. A coffee shop in Rio.” Quickly Parker mapped the location and announced the address.

  Tia’s voice was full of panic as she rose to view the screen. “I think that is very near his agency. He is back there, Wade. You must go there and find him.”

  Parker’s jaw twitched. “Tia, it would be irresponsible to leave you here.”

  “I have Valdinho. He will take care of me.”

  “He’s a civilian. We ought to tell Gaspar. He could station an officer outside your house.”

  “Rico would see that as a challenge. And besides,” she gestured at his phone. “He is not here. He is in Rio.”

  Miranda sank into one of the green upholstered guest chairs. “He must be traveling back and forth. We could try to track his car. Do you know what he’s driving?”

  Tia shook her head. “Rico went through cars like tissue paper. He leased, bought, sold. Every month there was something new.”