Part 17 (1/2)
”Hopefully to grab evidence that will prove Gia's cheating. I'll be right back.”
No one paid any attention to me as I made my way toward the potential evidence; their focus was on Malone, Gia, and Fallon. I hustled toward the container before anyone could beat me to it. MacAvoy glanced over his shoulder. I gave him a half wave, keeping my eyes on him as I bent down and reached for the bottle under the table. Only my fingers didn't grasp the bottle, but another hand.
I gasped. I turned my head only to find myself face to face with Grey.
”What are you doing?” I asked in a harsh whisper.
”Apparently the same as you.”
”Where have you been?”
He looked around. ”This isn't a good time.”
”Melinda, what do you have?” MacAvoy called out.
I pulled the bottle from Grey's grasp. ”We'll finish this discussion later. Let's go before he comes over here.”
I left Grey and rushed back to where I'd left Betty on the gra.s.sy pathway. I heard Grey and MacAvoy tailing me.
”Good job, Cookie.” Betty rubbed her hands to together. ”I like how you got those boys to follow you over here. You get Grey; I get the reporter.”
I shook my head in exasperation. ”He's all yours.”
MacAvoy stopped next to me. Grey was only a couple of steps behind him. Mr. TV nodded at Betty and Grey as he smoothed his Ken-doll hair.
”h.e.l.lo,” he said, in his on-screen persona.
I rolled my eyes in Grey's direction.
”You're even more handsome in person.” Betty smiled broadly. ”Are you available?”
”Sheesh. At least tell him your name first.” I chuckled.
”I'm Betty.” She batted her eyes at him. ”You got a girlfriend?”
Grey coughed back a laugh.
MacAvoy was clearly caught off guard, ”We broke up.” He turned to me. ”What are you up to Melinda?”
”Nothing that concerns you. Go back to eavesdropping on an official police-questioning.”
MacAvoy looked at me, amused. ”I wasn't eavesdropping.”
”Only because you weren't close enough then.”
MacAvoy laughed. ”Be careful. You're warming up to me.”
”Hardly.”
Grey looked at me with surprise in his eyes. ”A new friend?”
I found it hard to believe Grey didn't know who'd joined our cozy little group.
”I don't believe we've met. I'm Callum MacAvoy. Reporter for Channel 5 News.”
”Grey Donovan. Melinda's fiance.”
They shook hands, taking each other's measure. Sheesh. This wasn't the first time Grey had introduced himself as my fiance, but this was more than an introduction. He was marking his territory. Which was completely out of character.
”Grey owns the ACT Gallery. If you're serious about publicizing locally-owned businesses, his would be the perfect opener. He has a great eye for promising artists.”
”I'll keep that in mind.” Translation: not happening.
I unscrewed the lid of the water bottle and looked inside. The bottle was still half full of a dark liquid. I inhaled, smelling the contents. My eyes widened. I knew that smell-an energy drink. Was that safe?
”Don't drink that,” Grey ordered.
I wrinkled my nose. ”I hadn't planned on it. But even if I did, it wouldn't hurt me.”
I'd downed my share of highly caffeinated drinks throughout my college days. Other than shaky hands, a racing heart, and an extended focus period, I'd never needed to seek medical attention.
”What's the importance of the bottle?” MacAvoy asked.
”Gia's a cheater and Cookie's got the proof,” Betty explained. ”If you'd like an exclusive on how we broke the case, I'd be happy to give you one over dinner.”
I sighed. ”For once, can you at least try to keep a subject under wrap? Betty is my a.s.sistant. I'd like to tell you she's harmless, but that's a lie.”
She stroked her white hair. ”I'm free tonight.” She c.o.c.ked a boney hip toward MacAvoy.
The poor reporter looked like he wasn't sure if she was serious or pulling his leg.
”I have to take this to Daniel. I think I know what he needs to test for,” I said.
”You should tell Malone. I'll get him.” Betty bounced on the toes of her sneakers eager to get her man. And just that quickly, MacAvoy was forgotten, and she was back to the handsome detective.
I was about to burst her bubble. ”Leave him be. Feeding your dog caffeine isn't against the law. But it is against the race rules. We should give it to Daniel and let Hagan know.”
”Don't tell Hagan yet. Let Daniel run his test. If it's positive, then you can tell Hagan.” Grey had been awfully quiet until now.
”Why wouldn't you want to inform Hagan?” MacAvoy challenged. ”As the chairman, he should know that there's a possibility of duplicity. It's his obligation to remove any contestant if there's a suspicion of cheating, race-rigging, or animal exploitation.”
I looked at Grey. ”He has a point.” I grimaced as I realized I'd sided with Mr. TV over my fiance.
”If there is a possibility of cheating, the accusation holds greater weight if it comes from the event's veterinarian than us. Gia doesn't strike me as the type of person who will walk away quietly.”
An equally valid point.
All four of us looked in her direction. Somehow, she managed to look self-righteous and pouty at the same time. She caught us staring at her. She must have told Malone because he turned in our direction.
”Great. He's coming over here,” I complained.