Murder and Mahjong Read online

  There was only one way to find out.

  Chapter Four

  I was still asleep the next morning when I heard someone pounding on the front door. I rolled over and wiped the crust from my eyes. “Mischief?” I sat up and tried to get my bearings. Where was I? When did I buy a canopy bed? Then it all came rushing back to me.

  I was dead.

  I flipped back the sheets and hurried to answer the door. Strands of hair stuck to my cheek thanks to copious amounts of dried drool. I yanked open the door and was startled by the sight of Cole, looking far too smoldering in a blue T-shirt that accentuated his eyes as well as his abs.

  “Oh, it’s you,” I said.

  His eyes danced with amusement. “Expecting someone else already?”

  “Well, I did place an order with Amazon Prime before I died and their delivery service is impressive.”

  He leaned against the doorjamb. “I hate to break the news, but you won’t be receiving any Amazon Prime packages here.”

  That was both a blessing and a curse.

  He seemed to notice my disheveled appearance for the first time. “I take it you’re not ready to go.”

  I gave my oversized plaid pajama set a quick glance. “What makes you say that? This is how all middle-aged women dress in Chipping Cheddar to go to the store or drop their kids off at school.”

  He seemed uncertain. “In that case, I thought we’d drive over to Zeus’s house and take a look around. If you’re comfortable being seen…”

  I was too vain to keep up the pretense. “Let me brush my hair. I’ll only be a few minutes.” I returned to the bedroom and tossed articles of clothing over my shoulder as I searched for the right outfit to wear. A hot dog suit wouldn’t cut the mustard today.

  I rejoined Cole in the foyer a few minutes later, dressed in pleated shorts and a Polo shirt with a matching cardigan.

  “Do we have a gun or some sort of weapon?” I asked.

  Cole appeared taken aback. “A weapon?”

  “Don’t we want to be able to defend ourselves if we get into trouble?” A real marshal had a gun. What was I supposed to do if someone attacked me? Snark him into oblivion?

  “We don’t have any guns here.”

  “Then maybe I should grab a knife from the kitchen.” I peeled off my cardigan as heat traveled from my core to the rest of my body.

  “I think we’ll be fine without weapons. Why do you think Hera made me your deputy?”

  “Because she hates you?”

  His mouth twitched. “And because I can protect you.” He cocked his head. “Why are you sweating? The air conditioning is on full blast.”

  “I like Arctic air,” I said.

  “Two minutes ago you were wearing a cardigan.”

  I balled my hands into fists of frustration. “I’m having a hot flash, okay? Satisfied now?”

  Cole glanced away. Great. Now he’d see me as nothing more than a shriveled prune of a woman with zero sex appeal—assuming he didn’t already.

  “No need to be embarrassed,” I said. “It’s a natural part of a woman’s life. I guess you’re not used to mortal women though, huh?”

  “My mother was human, but she and I didn’t discuss such matters.”

  “What about girlfriends? Wives?”

  His jaw tensed. “No.”

  There was a story there. Now wasn’t the time to push though. We had a job to do.

  “Where is Zeus’s house?” I asked.

  “John Jay Lane. It’s on the other side of Zone 1 with a view of the lake and the golf course.”

  “Of course. Would you mind taking the scenic route? I’d like to see the rest of this place in daylight.”

  “I guess that would be helpful, wouldn’t it?”

  “I don’t mind driving,” I said. “I have a golf cart. It’s ugly as sin, but I like to be behind the wheel.”

  Cole gestured to the door with a flourish. The golf cart started without any trouble and I backed onto the road with such force that Cole gripped the sides of his seat.

  “I didn’t think a golf cart could reverse that fast,” he said.

  “One thing I inherited from my dad,” I said. “A love of speeding.” My dad was a mechanic with a collection of vintage cars and motorcycles. Nothing too fancy like I’d seen on television, but awesome nonetheless.

  Cole directed me to the main road and pointed out buildings of interest along the way. Seagulls flew overhead and drew my attention skyward.

  “Wait. Are those seagulls dead? Does that make them zombie seagulls?”

  “No more than you’re a zombie.”

  I was slightly disappointed by his response. I was a big fan of zombie movies.

  “That’s one of the theaters,” he said, pointing across me. “The musicals here are particularly good. Loads of singing talent.”

  “Is that a swimming pool?” I peered ahead and to the right.

  “We’ve got six,” he said. “Three in Zone 1 and three in Zone 2.”

  We slowed to a stop at an intersection and Cole waved to an elderly man and his…raven? The black bird was the size of a Great Dane.

  “Hey there, Cole,” the old man said. “Don’t often see you riding around town.”

  “Special dispensation today,” Cole said. “I’d like you to meet my new friend, Eloise Worthington. Eloise, this is Heng and Yetl.”

  The raven flapped his wings excitedly. “Did you hear the news about Zeus?”

  “Impossible to miss it,” I said.

  “Who cares?” Heng said. “I’m glad the narcissist is gone. He constantly got under my skin. He was always swearing to himself.”

  “I do that,” I said.

  “Not the way he did,” Heng said. “He’d say ‘in the name of Zeus, I mean ME,’ just to show off. So annoying.”

  Yetl swatted his companion with a black wing and gestured to Cole. The old man smacked his forehead.

  “I’m so sorry, Cole. I forget myself. You’ve always been so different from him that I forget you’re related.”

  Yetl hopped closer to the golf cart and fixed his beady eyes on me. “Wait. You’re Eloise? Are you the human that landed on Zeus?”

  I pressed my foot on the gas pedal. “Gotta go. So nice to meet you.” The golf cart flew through the intersection before the conversation could go sideways.

  “What’s with the lead foot?” Cole asked.

  “I don’t need some angry raven pecking my eyes out.”

  He laughed. “Yetl wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a trickster.”

  My hands squeezed the wheel. “Like Loki? Is Loki here?” And, if so, please let him look like Tom Hiddleston.

  “No Loki,” Cole said. “Sorry to disappoint you.” He pointed to the building on the right. “We’re coming up to Washington Street. That’s the center of the village with the square and most of the shops.”

  I pointed. “Hey, isn’t that Zeus’s girlfriend?”

  Cole followed my gaze to the pretty redhead on the sidewalk. She was hugging another woman with wings. I pulled alongside the curb as they broke apart.

  “Donna?” I said.

  She turned toward us and I couldn’t help but notice her red-rimmed eyes and flecks of mascara on her cheeks.

  “Let me know if you need anything,” the winged woman said, and flew away.

  Donna approached the golf cart. “How are you holding up, Cole?”

  “Never mind me,” he said. “How are you?”

  Donna fished a tissue from her pocket and wiped her sore nose. “Rough night, but I’m sure it’ll get better eventually. I picked up a potion earlier to help me sleep tonight.”

  “Good plan,” he said. “You need to take care of yourself.”

  Donna leaned closer to the golf cart. “I’m sorry that Hera is making you do this. She can be challenging sometimes.”

  Cole snorted. “Sometimes?”

  “She seems like she gives everyone a hard time,” I said.

  Donna’s hand fluttered nervously to the nape of her neck. She flicked her curly ponytail aside to rest on her shoulder. “Not really. It’s Sylvie who’s suffered the most. That’s why she tends to stick to Zone 2. Hera wouldn’t be caught across The Great Divide if her life depended on it.”

  “Too much of a snob, huh?” Hera reminded me of my mother. She’d drive an extra five miles to avoid setting foot in a Walmart.

  “It’s one of the things I loved about Zeus,” she said with a sigh. “He was so down-to-earth. He was just as happy to eat homemade tacos as he was to dine at Shangri-La.” She placed a hand on the top of the golf cart. “If you get the chance, you should go there. The food is out of this world. He and I went for our anniversary and it was scrumptious.”

  “Yeah, he was always raving about that place,” Cole said.

  “I’d like to help the investigation however I can,” Donna said. “And for what it’s worth, I don’t believe for one second that you’re responsible for obliterating him.”

  “You didn’t seem so convinced on the field,” I said gently.

  Her expression softened. “I’m sorry about that. I was in complete shock. You don’t imagine that someone larger than life could ever…cease to exist.”

  “Do you happen to know why he was on the cricket field yesterday morning?” Cole asked.

  Good question, I thought to myself. Probably the type of question I should be asking as marshal. Man, I was going to suck hard at this job and then it would be Obliteration City for me.

  “It wasn’t an unusual place for him. He was fond of morning walks.”

  “And you’re not?” I asked.

  Her face grew flushed. “I didn’t know he was going. I didn’t stay with him the night before because he was meeting friends.”

  “You don’t live together?” I asked.

  “I stay there often, but I have my own house. I like my independence.” She sniffed. “But maybe if I’d been with him…”

  I worried that another emotional wave was about to hit us. Time to get out of the flood zone. “Be sure to get in touch with Cole if you think of anything we should know.”

  “I will.” She remained rooted in place, a lost expression on her face.

  I hit the gas and Cole cut me a sideways glance. “Get in touch with Cole? Aren’t you the marshal?”

  “I can’t handle Lady Crocodile Tears,” I said.

  “Eloise, she just lost someone very special to her. It’s only natural that she’s upset.”

  “I know how this goes. One minute she’s offering me helpful suggestions for suspects. The next minute she’s covering me in emotional vomit. No thanks.”

  I drove the cart back onto the road and continued along Washington Street, noting Bloom on the corner.

  “Gia says I need a job.”

  “You have a job. You’re the marshal.”

  “Yes, but I’m not getting paid. If I solve the murder and am still stuck here, I need to earn money. She mentioned the newspaper.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You were a journalist?”

  “Don’t look so shocked.” I waited a beat. “No, I wasn’t a journalist. I sold ads.”

  “That makes more sense.”

  I elbowed him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means you’re too charming to be a journalist. Sales makes more sense.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at him. “Nice save.”

  “Thanks. I’ve had lots of practice.” He motioned to the left. “Turn here to get to John Jay Lane.”

  “Which street is yours?” I asked.

  “Franklin,” he said. “I have a view of the lake from my backyard. It’s peaceful and quiet, just the way I like it.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  “Turn again.”

  I spotted the sign for John Jay Lane and traveled all the way to the end where a sprawling house sat behind a semi-circular driveway.

  “What in the Mar-a-Lago?” I breathed. With its red-tile roof, tower, and multiple levels, the ‘house’ was more of a Tuscan villa. “This is a house?” And for one guy, no less. Granted, he was a big, burly god but still. How many Hawaiian shirts could one god own?

  “Nothing but the best for my father,” Cole said. He didn’t sound bitter. Just matter of fact.

  The first thing I noticed was an oversized black golf cart parked in the driveway with the image of a yellow lightning bolt and the words Greece Lighting painted on the side. Clever.

  “Zeus didn’t drive his golf cart to the cricket field, so the morning walk is a good theory,” I said.

  Cole flicked a glance at the golf cart. “He didn’t drive it often. He preferred to use his powers to get around.”

  “Sounds like a showoff,” I said.

  “You wouldn’t be wrong.” He ran a careful hand along the image of the lightning bolt.

  We continued to the front door where two sculptures stood sentry on either side. At a glance, I thought they were gargoyles or lions, but, upon closer inspection, I realized they were miniature versions of the god himself. Over time, the copper color had transformed into a greenish hue. The exaggerated muscles and wild hair, however, remained intact.

  “Humble guy,” I murmured.

  Cole stood on a welcome mat that read Hold On, I’m Not Wearing Pants and pondered the door. I fell in step beside him.

  “You seem tense,” I said. “Everything okay?”

  He squared his shoulders. “I haven’t been here in a long time. I didn’t expect the next time would be after his obliteration.”

  “You don’t spend holidays together? No exchanging presents at Christmas or…?” I hesitated. “I guess you don’t do any of that.”

  Cole gave an amused sniff. “Some do. Not my father though.” He opened and closed his hands, seemingly trying to relax.

  “If you want to wait outside, I can look around the house alone.” Not that I had any idea what to look for. It wasn’t like the killer would’ve left a written confession. My life wasn’t that simple, so I expected my death would be more of the same.

  “No, I can handle it. I just can’t believe he’s gone. It’ll be strange to be in there without him.”

  “I’m sorry.” And I was even sorrier that Hera had forced him to investigate with me. It felt like unnecessary and cruel punishment when his only crime was being Zeus’s lovechild.

  “Do you want me to open the door?” I asked. “It’s not like I have an emotional connection to the guy.”

  He rubbed his hands together as though mentally preparing himself to cross the threshold. “I can do it.” He clicked the handle and opened the door.

  “Wait. There’s no lock or alarm?” For a place as grand as this one, that seemed crazy.

  “My father wasn’t worried about anyone stealing from him. Who would be that foolish?”

  “I don’t know. Someone was foolish enough to obliterate him.”

  “Fair enough.”

  The inside of the house was like standing inside an enormous gilded cage. Every surface seemed to be covered in gold. Two heavy chandeliers hung from the ceiling. I walked behind Cole into the first room and already had a kink in my neck from staring at the ceiling.

  “This is the salon,” Cole said. “He liked to entertain dinner guests in here.”

  I dropped onto the lush sofa cushion, but there was no bounce. Too firm. “Were you ever invited?”

  “Very occasionally. Usually when he wanted to impress someone.”

  I inspected the coffee table in front of me for clues. “And, by someone, I assume you mean a lady.”

  Cole picked up a stack of magazines and rifled through them. “He knew a strong relationship with his son would appeal to the opposite sex. Didn’t matter that it was a lie and everybody knew it.”

  “Why did you let him use you like that?” A pompous ass and a deadbeat dad. Zeus sounded less like a god and more like a troubled guest on a daytime talk show.

  Cole shrugged. “Our relationship was complicated. Your parent is still your parent, no matter how badly they behave.”

  Amen to that. I had my own complicated history with my family.

  As I left the salon and headed toward the next room, a worrisome thought occurred to me. What if Cole was responsible for his father’s obliteration? They didn’t have a good relationship and the god had mistreated his son his entire life. What if I was working alongside the murderer?

  I stopped outside the door of what appeared to be a home office, my brain whizzing with possibilities. What if Cole lured me here to obliterate me and then report back to the HOA that I was, indeed, the actual culprit? No one would be the wiser and the afterlife would go on as usual.

  A warm hand fell on my shoulder and I jumped.

  “Now you’re the one who seems tense,” Cole said.

  I couldn’t bring myself to look at that handsome face. I knew myself too well. I’d forget all about the potential danger and focus on those mesmerizing eyes. I was a sucker for beautiful eyes. A guy once stole my wallet right out of the purse on my arm because I was too busy imagining his eyes locked on mine during a night of unbridled passion.

  “I’m just having a moment,” I said. “Newly dead, remember?”

  “Yeah, sorry about that.” He brushed past me and went straight to the huge desk to sort through the papers.

  I took a moment to absorb my surroundings. Heavy drapery. A gilded mirror that took up a quarter of the wall. A portrait of Zeus hung on the wall behind the desk. He was dressed in a white tunic held together by a golden rope. He gripped a thunderbolt in one hand and an eagle perched on his opposite shoulder. Clouds gathered behind him.

  “No pictures of the family, I guess,” I mused.

  Cole glanced up from the papers. “Not enough wall space.”

  I laughed. “How many illegitimate kids does he have?” I swallowed the rest of the laugh, realizing how offensive that might be to Cole.

  His feathers didn’t seem too ruffled. He dropped the stack of papers on the desk and said blithely, “Too many.”

  “What are you looking for?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. Angry letters. Unpaid bills. Anything really.”