Page 11 of The Fighter
“So? You strangled me. And why are you changing the subject? I asked you if you could put in a good word with Mila for me.”
Raven lifted her gaze and stood for a second. “Sorry, but she’s my best friend and I would never recommend that she marries a guy who has no sense of humor.”
“I have a sense of humor.”
“Do you?” Like it was the most natural thing in the world, Raven pulled her shirt over her head.
“What are you doing?” My eyes were like magnets drawn to the drops of sweat traveling down her belly. I’d never seen a real woman in only shorts and a sports bra. The amount of naked skin had my heart hammering faster, and other parts of my body reacted as if she was wearing lingerie.
“I’m throwing my shirt out. Told you, it’s ruined.”
I watched as she tossed it in the trash and picked another shirt from her bag. “Thanks for sparring with me today. You’re a fabulous fighter. If only you weren’t so damn serious all the time, I might like you enough to put in a word with Mila.”
“I don’t need you to like me. I just need you to respect me. You can start by addressing me as Sir or Inspector.”
Raven gave a low chuckle and left with her hips swaying. “See you tomorrow… Sir Inspector.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, my eyes fell to the trash can. Like a magnet had been dropped in it, my feet moved closer and I couldn’t resist picking up her tossed-out shirt. My mind was reeling from what had just happened between us and my hands shook when I lifted the fabric to my nose, closed my eyes, and inhaled the arousing scent of Raven.
CHAPTER 4
Clues
Raven
Mila was in the garden with Jonah and her three dogs. I was no expert on dog breeds but one of them was small like a cat, another was a mix with a happy personality, and then there was Holger, who was a great Dane and the newest of Mila’s dogs. He was my favorite because being big and strong like a small pony, he never had a need to bark. Mila’s small dog would drive me crazy with all its barking, but not Holger. He was above that and just walked around with Mila, all nice and calm, letting her pretend that she could control him if he chose to run.
“Hey, Raven, it’s so nice to meet you again. May peace surround you.” Jonah came and took my hands while the smallest of the dogs was nipping at our feet.
I greeted him back, and when Holger came to sniff me, I rubbed the huge dog behind his ear.
“Raven, I’m so glad you’re here. I was just telling Jonah about the mysterious death of my aunt Dina and how I spoke to my dad about her last night.”
“You spoke to Magni?”
Jonah picked up the little dog, whose name I could never remember, and by stroking it, he made it quiet down.
“Yes. He even gave me some articles about her.”
Jonah was holding his chin up to avoid being licked on the mouth by the little dog. “It’s like a real mystery. I’ve already told Mila that I would love to be her partner in crime and help solve it.”
“Excuse me?” Planting my hands on my hips I gave Mila a hard stare. “I’m the policewoman here. How did this becomeyourmystery to solve? And why ishesuddenly your partner?”
Mila had always hated confrontations and she hurried to take my hand. “Raven. I’m so sorry. We’re just trying to help. Of course, it’s your investigation! Why don’t we go inside and I can show you what I found.” Putting her arm around my shoulders, we walked back to the house together.
“How many have you told about my investigation? When you spoke to your dad, did you tell him that I’m investigating Dina’s murder?”
“No, I just told him that I was curious about the young woman my little sister is named after.”
“Good.”
“I figured if you didn’t succeed, he would be disappointed. So, for now, there’s no need for him to grow hopeful.”
Once in her room, Mila handed me a large envelope. “Magni said that after Dina died, their father purged the house of all evidence that she ever lived. Pictures of her were taken away, and her room was made into a bathroom for one of the guestrooms. Allegedly, it was because Erika was grieving. But even if she wasn’t around, Dina’s name was never spoken and when Magni asked about her, he was either ignored or told to never mention her again.”
“How old was Magni again when his sister died?”
“Seven. But later, when he was around eleven or twelve, he searched for evidence that she had existed, and he found a photo of her under his mom’s bed. He doesn’t have it anymore, but after his father died, he checked the archives to find more information about Dina’s life, and that’s where he found that.” Mila’s eyes fell to the envelope in my hand.
