I made a pot of strong coffee and checked my messages. The first was Tot Trots threatening to cancel my check if they didn’t see a design by Thursday. Then Marco called saying he saw me on the news last night and everyone at Fernando’s was demanding details now. Mrs. Rosenblatt called and said Albert saw a black panther in my future and I should come in for an aura cleansing soon. Dana left a hysterical message, the gist of which was that she and No Neck had decided to kiss and make up, and, in the midst of the kissing part, she’d seen me on the news, and ohmigod was I okay?
I called Dana back first, and she answered on the first ring with a breathless, “Hello?”
“Hi. It’s me.”
“Ohmigod! Are you okaaaaaay?!”
I held the phone away from my ear, cringing at Dana’s dog-whistle pitch. “Yes, I’m fine.” Relatively speaking. I quickly filled her about the Prada clue, the files on Jasmine’s computer and my run-in with the Frumpty Dumpty. When I finished I could almost hear Dana vibrating with excitement on the other end.
“Ohmigod, Maddie, you totally kick butt, girl.”
I couldn’t help a little smile. I kinda did, didn’t I?
“This is so cool,” Dana continued. “You’re all over the news, you know. You’re like a hero now.”
“Well, I don’t know about that-”
“Oh, honey, don’t be so modest. You single handedly solved two murders.”
I bit my lip, refraining from mentioning I’d actually suspected the wrong blonde. “Well, I got lucky.”
“I’ll say. Honey, you could have been killed.”
I looked down at the bandage on my arm. Like I needed a reminder.
“Well, I didn’t. I’m fine.”
“For now. But what about next time?”
“Next time?” I’m sorry, but I wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to come face to face with another gun wielding psycho. “Trust me, I’m a one trick pony. There will be no next time.”
“How can you be sure? Maddie, this is a wake-up call. Crazies are everywhere!”
I rolled my eyes at the phone. “I’m fine, Dana.”
“This guy at the gym does these self defense classes for women. We should totally sign up. He has one starting next week called Urban Combat for the Modern Woman. What do you think?”
“I think I’m hanging up now, Dana.”
“Well, what about carrying a gun for protection? Or pepper spray. At least think about getting some pepper spray.”
I rolled my eyes so far I think I saw blonde roots. “Goodbye, Dana.” I hit the end button, leaving my best friend making a shopping list of deadly weapons.
Crossing my fingers they were in a good mood, I dialed the next number on my call back list, Tot Trots. I explained the situation and asked for an extension on the Strawberry Shortcake designs. They weren’t too thrilled with one of their employees being affiliated with embezzlement and murder, but they agreed to give me until the end of July. Next I called Marco back and promised to come in for a long pedi soak and gossip session tomorrow. Then I called Mrs. Rosenblatt and promised to let her do an aura cleansing for me next week.
Then I didn’t have any other calls to make except for the one I’d been dreading since I saw Richard sitting on my futon last night.
I made another cup of coffee.
I scrolled through my speed dial numbers. Ramirez’s was right next to Richard’s. God, I hated decisions. I closed my eyes and did a little eeny meeny miny mo. I didn’t like the outcome, so I did it again. I took a deep breath and dialed.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Hi, it’s Maddie. Listen, do you want to meet for a drink tonight? Say, seven at Casa Maderda on Wilshire?”
I could hear the eagerness in his voice. “I can’t wait.”
I admit, as I hung up I was eager too. For the first time in days, I knew I had the right answer.
Chapter Twenty-One
I threw on a black, silky dress with a high neckline, high hem, and low back. I put on my Gucci two-inch heels, black mascara, and fire engine red lipstick. After giving my hair a good mousse and blow dry, I think I was looking damn sexy. Which was good. Because I needed all the confidence I could get if I was really going to do this.
I jumped in my Jeep and took the PCH up to Wilshire. The only parking spot I could find was two blocks down from the restaurant so I used the short walk to summon up my nerve. Butterflies were doing the mambo in my belly, but I told myself this was what I really wanted.
I spied him as soon as I walked in the doors. Sitting at the bar with his back to the door. I took a deep breath and held my chin up high as I made my way toward him.
He must have sensed my presence as he turned around just as I approached. His face breaking into a slow grin as he took in my outfit. I had the briefest moment of doubt at his appreciative stare, but it was all washed away as he leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek with a, “You look gorgeous, pumpkin.”
Pumpkin. Ugh. I forced a smile back. “Hi, Richard.”
“Can I order you a drink?” he asked, as I slid onto the stool beside him.
“Uh…” I looked down at Richard’s scotch and soda. “Just a Diet Coke, thanks.”
He signaled the waiter, who quickly deposited the cool drink in front of me. I took a long sip, hoping to settle the over active butterflies.
“Maddie, I’m so glad you called,” he said, taking my hand in his.
I took a deep breath. “Listen, Richard, I’ve thought about what you said last night.”
“You have? I’m really glad to hear that. Because while I was in prison I had a lot of time to think about us and-”
“Richard it’s over.”
He looked up. “What?”
“Us. It’s over.” I let out a long breath. Wow, it felt good to say that.
“But, I…” Richard trailed off, his eyes pleading with me. “I thought we had a good thing, pumpkin. What happened?”
I snorted. “What happened? You lied to me about everything, Richard.”
“But I thought you understood why.” His perfectly waxed eyebrows drew together in confusion.
“I understand that when things got rough, you lied, cheated, stole and then ran off. You’re weak, Richard. And I’m way too strong to be sucked down by a guy like you. I can hold my own, but I can’t hold us both up. I’m sorry.”
I downed the rest of my Diet Coke in one gulp as Richard sputtered beside me. I took his bewildered face in both my hands and deposited a quick kiss on his cheek. “Good luck, Richard. I hope you don’t go back to prison.”
With that, I collected my purse and walked as quickly as I could through the restaurant and out the front door. I knew he was watching as I left, but I didn’t even feel his eyes on me. All I felt was an enormous sense of freedom.
As soon as I got out the door I flipped my cell phone open and hit the speed dial. Ramirez answered on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“What are you doing tonight?” I asked.
He paused. “Why?”
I grinned from ear to ear. “‘Cause I’d like to cash in that rain check.”
I felt him smile through the phone and could almost see that sexy dimple denting his cheek. “I’ll clear my schedule.”
Heat wrapped around my spine, clear down to my panties. Which were so not grannies tonight. “There’s one thing I have to do first. Meet me at my place in half an hour?”
“I’ll be there.”
I almost ran the rest of the way back to my Jeep. I hopped back on the PCH, pulling off at Pico for a quick duck into Rite Aid before heading home. I bought a new EPT. And this time I made sure it had a splashguard and an expiration date that was eighteen months into the future. I was determined to conquer the test this time.