Sex, Lies & Bourbon (Sex and Lies Book 5) Read online

  “Look,” I said to Knotts, pacing the room. “We don’t have a lot of time up here, but I didn’t want any of this to sit for very long. Show me what you’ve got.”

  “We’ve been tailing Magnus—not much going on there except for a trip he made to the jewelry store in Lexington.”

  “What was he doing there?”

  “Buying an engagement ring.”

  Win’s going to lose his mind. “What else?”

  “We put a trail on John Lee, but so far he’s only been doing his job. Coming to Winter Bourbon for the night shift, punching in and out on time—keeping to himself.”

  “What about his whereabouts the night of the murder?”

  “We’ve got him on camera making his rounds in a golf cart, but you need to know something.”

  “What? Stop trying to build tension in your story, Knotts. Win’s going to come looking for me and right now I think it’s best if we keep him out of anything we’re finding. We’ve kept so much of this out of the main file for his sake, but we can’t do it for much longer. My boss and yours is going to want to know what in the hell we’ve been up to.”

  “It’s the surveillance tapes of the grounds the night of the murder.”

  “What about them?”

  “There aren’t any.”

  “You just said you had tape of him doing his job around the grounds.”

  “Sure, from nine to midnight.”

  “What happened at midnight?”

  “Everyone turned into a pumpkin. The tape failed, coming back online at six the next morning.”

  “Why didn’t anyone notice?” I asked.

  “I asked that of John Lee.”

  “And?”

  “He said with so much confusion that night—so many police officers, no one was watching the surveillance tape.”

  “Until it was too late.”

  “Now what, boss?” Knotts asked.

  “What about Piper Presley?”

  “She was with friends at her house that night—her alibi checks out.”

  “This can’t be a cold trail, Knotts.” I sat for a moment, trying to think. “There’s something we’re missing—mostly because there’s no motive,” I said thinking back to the circled triangle with the initials and numbers. Win’s statement swam around in my mind—if only my father had been here the night she was killed.

  “Knotts, how hard would it be to pull the evidence box from Mary Holloway’s murder?”

  “It might take a couple of days, but I could do it.”

  “I want to focus on motive. Who had something to gain when Mary was killed and why was it so easily covered up? I think my father was on to something twenty-three years ago and I want to see if I can figure it out. There’s a bigger connection here—I can feel it.”

  “You got it,” Knotts said, walking to the door. “By the way, the toxicology report came back on the water glass you gave me.”

  “And?”

  A knock came at the door and Knotts released the handle and stepped away.

  “Who is it?” I called.

  “Ginny? It’s me,” Win said. “Can I come in?

  I closed my computer, quickly stacking the files together. “Sure,” I replied as I watched Knotts make a face at me, not wanting to be found alone with me in a bedroom.

  “Lena is asking about—” he began. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”

  “I was making my way home and wanted to chat with Agent Grace for a moment.” Knotts extended his hand to Win. “My deepest sympathies, sir.”

  “Thank you Agent Knotts. I appreciate that.”

  “I’m sorry. Let’s go,” I said, brushing a stray hair from my eyes.

  “Agent Grace?” Knotts began. “I’ll email you that info.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How’s the investigation going?” Win asked looking back and forth between the two of us. “Now that my family obligations are over, I’m going to want to jump into the fray.”

  Taking Win’s arm, I led him from the room, following Knotts out the door. “Let’s get through tonight. Tomorrow we’ll think about the investigation. Okay?”

  “Fair enough,” Win replied.

  “Good night to you both,” Knotts said. “I can show myself out.”

  I slipped my hand inside Win’s arm and descended the grand staircase as everyone watched. Win was the heir apparent—a reluctant one, but still the next in line to run the bourbon empire. I wasn’t entirely sure what he would do after it all shook out.

  When we reached the bottom, he was bombarded with hands to shake and good wishes. Looking around, I could see there were more people at the reception than there were at the funeral, but even those folks were systematically leaving one by one after paying their respects. It was harder to enjoy the beautiful spread of food and alcohol when we’d all witnessed the burial of a man a mere two hours before. Still, I did my best to keep up with Win as he introduced me over and over to the people who were giving their regards and heading for the door.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spied John Lee. Doing a double-take, I watched as Piper Presley came upon him, striking up a conversation.

  Excusing myself, I milled through the crowd in the entrance toward the library to introduce myself to both of them. I wanted to feel them out in an off-the-record fashion, but as soon as Piper caught my eye, she was gone.

  “Hi,” I said, extending my hand to the tall young man with blonde hair. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Ginny Grace. I’m a friend of Win’s.”

  Lee reluctantly shook my hand and I noted his sweaty palm. “Nice to make your acquaintance.” His accent was an authentic twang, and his blue eyes were like the sea. He looked innocent and evil at the same time.

  “No, the pleasure is mine. You work here. Right? I thought I saw you in and around the ah…what’s it called where the bourbon is stored to age?”

  “The rickhouses?”

  “Yes,” I replied. “Thank you.”

  “Yes ma’am. I keep an eye on the place. That’s my job. You’re friends with Mr. Win?”

  “I am.” It was a fact I’d already given to the man. Either I made him nervous or he, like every other man in the free world, had selective hearing. “We work together in New York.”

  He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. I glanced down, noticing his knuckle had a wound of some sort on the top. So large it required not just a Band-Aid, but a bandage—and a dirty one at that. “Oh my. What happened to your hand?”

  He shoved it deeper into his dark jeans.

  “Nothing. I just… It just… There are a lot of moving parts around this place and I cut my hand open on one of the barrel bands. The boys in the house wear gloves when they handle them—you know, splinters and all.

  “Ouch,” I said. “Be sure to take care of it. You wouldn’t want it to get infected.”

  “Yes ma’am. Well it was nice to meet you. I’ve gotta get to the security shed soon.”

  “It was nice meeting you too, John. Take care.”

  Leaning in the corner, I watched the crowd mill centrally around Lena and Win. Cee Cee had retired for the night—too old for the party, he’d told us on the drive back from the funeral.

  I wondered if anyone could corroborate John’s injured hand, or was it just another puzzle piece in the mystery that spanned twenty-three years. Making a mental note to tell Knotts, I walked to the bar looking for a glass of water and found Vernon overseeing the caterers.

  “Will someone please help this young lady?” Vernon asked of the staff.

  “I just want a glass of water.”

  I’d no sooner said the word, before one of the wait staff shoved a crystal highball glass filled with perfect cubes and bottled water into my hand. The glass matched the one I’d sent to the lab and I thought about the toxicology report I’d not seen yet.

  “Thank you,” I said, taking a sip and turning back into the crowd.

  “We haven’t met,” a bubbly Piper Pre
sley said shoving her flawlessly manicured hand in my face. “I’m Piper.”

  I swallowed my water and extended my hand to meet hers. “I’m Ginny Grace.”

  “Well, it’s just wonderful to meet you, Ginny. I’ve heard a lot about you over the years.”

  The surprise must’ve shown on my face.

  “Don’t look so shocked. Everyone knew Win had a girl in New York, I was just the only one who came there to see it for myself.”

  “You came to the city?” I asked as if I didn’t care. “I hope he showed you all the sights.”

  She smirked. “We went to school at Columbia together, we’d already seen the sights. Plenty of them.”

  I didn’t want to get into a pissing contest with the blonde pixie, so I lied. “Really? I wasn’t aware you went to college together. Win never mentioned it.”

  “The hell he didn’t,” she murmured under her breath.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Oh, I was just saying it’s so much like Win to never kiss and tell. He’s a gentleman through and through.”

  I tightened my intent stare on her face and gave her the kind of counterfeit smile Southern girls were taught at a young age to use when faced with what my mother called the ugly. It was the moment a woman gave up on her own dignity and stooped to make someone feel less than they were. There were many women skilled at the art of the ugly, and for each of them, my mother said the Lord made two others who could rise above it with merely a smile and a three-word-phrase. I was doing my best to honor them. “Bless your heart.” I found myself nearly singing the words. “How did a Columbia grad ever end up in Valley Springs, Kentucky?”

  “I applied for the job. They needed some new blood to come in and reignite the brand, so here I am.”

  “Well it’s been my pleasure to meet you, Piper. I’m sure it’s not the last time our paths will cross.”

  “You too,” she replied, keeping up her perky charade.

  “Oh and…” I said, pausing for effect. “I know you’ve been asked to turn over the employee records, so just as soon as you can expedite that, I’d surely appreciate it. Win and I will be heading back to the city soon and I’d love to wrap up this case as quickly as possible—you know—for Win’s sake.”

  “I’ll get right on it,” she snarked.

  I walked away feeling satisfied and began to scan the now emptying room for Win. He was nowhere to be found.

  Walking back to the bar, I sat my empty water glass on the tray and looked toward Vernon, mouthing my question. “Where is he?”

  “He’s on the veranda, Miss Ginny. I think he’s had his fill for the day.”

  Walking through the French doors in the library to the open patio that overlooked the back of the property, a cool wind blew through me. I shivered, knowing my short-sleeved black dress was no match for the night air.

  Closing the door behind me, I softly called his name. “Win?”

  From the darkness he spoke. “I’m here.”

  Walking toward his voice, I found my way through the pitch of night—the lights completely out on the veranda. “Why are you out here in the dark?”

  “Because if the lights are on, they’ll be able to find me.”

  “Who’s they?” I asked, feeling my way to his body.

  “Everyone.”

  I placed my open hand on his back, stroking him. “Are you okay?”

  “I’ve just had enough, that’s all. You know?”

  I nodded in the darkness even though I knew he couldn’t see me very well. “I know. What can I do for you?”

  “Don’t ask that question unless you really want to know.”

  Turning his body to face me, I took his ice cold hands in mine. “Win, I want to be here for you. I do. I’m just—”

  “What?”

  “Worried,” I said. “I’m worried you’re going to draw me back in, only to let me go. I’m not some fish you can just reel in and out without ever bringing on the boat.”

  “Jesus, Ginny. You don’t have a coat,” he said, quickly taking off his suit jacket and throwing it around my shoulders.”

  Sheepishly, I dropped my head and allowed him to fuss over me. “Thank you.”

  “You know today when I told the story about my mother saying knowledge is the key to life, but love and faith opens the door?”

  “Yes.”

  “I just want to make sure no matter what else happens in our lives you always know you are the right key, Virginia Grace. You’ve unlocked my heart—my soul. I have faith in the end, we’ll be together.”

  His eyes glistened with tears and I watched him choke back the pain he’d held so closely for twenty some years.

  “I know you’ve had a rough day, Win.”

  “No, it’s more than that.” His voice cracked and he finally relinquished the tight hold on his pain. A tear fell from his eye and he didn’t seem to care. It was raw and honest, and I knew he was speaking from his heart. “I need to say this and I need to say it now.”

  I nodded.

  “I love you Ginny. I think I’ve loved you my entire life. In the beginning it was just the idea of you. I saw my parents in their moments of happiness and knew someday I wanted that. I wanted my own beautiful wife to take care of—to shower with love and affection,” he said bringing his hands to my face, stroking my cheek with the back of his fingers.

  “When my mom died, I longed for the kind of love she gave to everyone, especially her children. I never saw that sort of kindness in another person until I met you. And don’t get me wrong—I’m sure you think I have some sort of mommy issues I’m just fulfilling with you—that’s not it. I respected her love and kindness. I loved her grace and elegance. I adored the way she made me feel about myself—like I could rule the world. That’s what you do for me Ginny. You’re the key to my very existence. On my own, I’m settling for a life that is less than the one I know I’m capable of living. My life without you is unfinished—I’m only half the man I should be—I want to be. But my life with you? My life with you makes me whole. It’s not just what you do for me, it’s what I want to do for you. I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel about me the way I feel about you. There’s no way you could ever love me more than I love you and what’s more, nothing matters in my life unless I share it with you. You are my life. My breath, my joy, the only future I want. It’s you. It’s Always. Been. You.”

  He pressed his lips to my forehead and held me there. Another tear fell from his face onto my dress. He’d said everything I’d ever wanted to hear. I was undone. I was falling in love—all over again.

  17

  WIN

  “Say something,” I whispered.

  “Dear God, what am I doing?” she asked, looking to the stars hanging above our heads in the night sky.

  “Ginny,” I said, taking her face in my hands again. “I know I keep saying it over and over and I’m going to say it until the end of time. I love you. I love you and I know I screwed up in the past, but being here has shown me one thing and one thing only, and it’s that I’m no good without you.”

  “I love you too, Win,” she said as tears dropped from her eyes. “I do. But—.”

  “Shhhh…” I said before lightly kissing her lips. “That’s all I needed to hear. No buts. Not anymore. Not ever. You’re mine and I’m yours. Now. Forever.”

  Brushing the hair from her face, I delicately kissed her warm cheek, not caring I had tears running down my face. I took in the perfect moment, wanting to remember it always—the night she came back to me.

  Dragging my thumb across her swollen bottom lip, I wiped a stray tear. Lifting her head to feed from the sweetness of her mouth, I kissed her as I’d dreamed of kissing her every night. Lingering on her trembling lips, my tongue danced with hers and I felt the yearning I’d held at bay from the moment she stepped on the plane to come home with me overtake my mind and body.

  Pressing my lips and the hardness of my sex into her hip, I only wanted to be
one with her—to worship her. “Ginny,” I whispered in a quick and shallow pant.

  “Yes,” she breathed, dropping her head back as I worked my way down her neck.

  “I need you. I want you.”

  Sliding her hands into my pants pockets, she ran her fingers across my growing arousal, sending a shock wave through my core. At once, I stood at attention.

  I kissed her lips tenderly, pausing only to run one hand down her neck and across her perfect breasts. Her nipples stood erect through her tight dress, beckoning me to caress the entirety of her body.

  Taking her by the hand, I led her through the library, where we ducked the remaining pool of people still saying their goodbyes and hurried up the back staircase to the second floor.

  I paused briefly in the hallway between our rooms. “My place or yours?”

  “Yours,” she whispered.

  Throwing her body over my shoulder, she squealed and I shushed her, opening and closing the door to my room with lightning speed.

  “Unhand me, you cad,” she giggled.

  Slowly I pulled her from my shoulder, setting her feet on the floor. She wiped my tear-stained face with her cool fingers and I closed my eyes, allowing myself to be a vulnerable man with feelings.

  Sliding my suit jacket from her shoulders, I took a long hard look at the black dress that had distracted me all day. Turning her around, I whisked her hair over her shoulder and calmly unzipped her dress. I’d waited for over a year to do it again—I didn’t want to rush it. Reaching the bottom, I found she wasn’t wearing a bra and a buzz of sexual tension coursed through me like an electrical shock wave. I could feel my love for her burning like a star deep inside. It was more than the physical need of being with her, it was a rapture of my soul.

  Running my hand down her bare and muscular back, I heard her sigh. Every sound, every verbal expression emanating from her mouth was like a drug hit. I was euphoric. I was high on Virginia Grace.

  “God, you’re exquisite,” I murmured.

  I turned her around and kissed her blood red lips—each touch of my mouth to hers a tangled meeting of delirious bliss.