She chuckled. “It was when this place was built.” She glanced around at the main buildings hovering over them. “The main building”—she motioned behind him— “was built in nineteen thirty-two. The time when men wore tuxes and women were draped in silk, furs, diamonds, and pearls as they made their way down to dinner.” Her voice had turned dreamy, and her eyes became unfocused. “This place was one of the first luxurious ski resorts within driving distance of San Francisco. Of course, back then it would have taken guests a lot longer to drive up here from the city, which meant they stayed longer.” She leaned her elbows on the table, and he watched her disappear into the daydream of the history of the place. “There was just the main building back then, and only two ski runs.” She chuckled and her eyes turned to him. “You should have seen what they considered a ski lift back then.” She shook her head. “I remember seeing pictures in my father’s office.” She seemed to snap out of the daydream. “Sorry, I’m getting off topic.”
“Right.” He smiled.
“Dinner elevators.” She straightened. “Okay, so, I had it shut down a couple days before. I remember David mentioning that his guys had cut the power to it. They didn’t want any guests or employees accidently walking in on the construction zone. Besides, we don’t need it running, at least not until guests start arriving.”
“Okay, so how did it get turned back on?” he asked.
She tapped the notebook. “Another question we have. I asked David, and he claims that he’s asking his workers and will let me know when he finds out. He’s shut it down again, at least until the maintenance crews come on Monday.”
“Which leaves us with the question of who had something to gain from his death,” he pointed out.
“Right.” Raven frowned. “My uncle and Morgan Roche are top of that list.” She glanced down at the notebook. “They had the most to gain from his death to keep Joe from finding out about the money they’d stolen.”
“So you’re saying they killed Joe to keep their embezzling from being exposed? From going to jail?”
“It’s a theory.”
“Hadn’t you already exposed them?”
“To a point. I mean, Joe was looking into the accounts further. To build the case against them.” She bit her bottom lip.
“I’m not buying that,” he said after a moment. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.
How many times had he believed Raven was guilty of all the horrors the townspeople had accused her of? How many years had he believed that she was guilty of not only the destruction of the entire town, but of basically murdering thirty people? Including her own parents.
He ran his eyes over her face and realized he’d been such a fool. He’d fallen into the trap of believing what was easy because of his pain and his anger. He’d wanted to blame her for his pain because she’d been absent. A faceless, guilty party at which he could direct all the pain that had been inflicted on him and others. If he had learned anything over the past few weeks since Raven had returned, it was that everything was not always as it seemed.
“Not everything is as cut-and-dried as it first seems.” He leaned forward suddenly and locked eyes with her, then lifted her hand into his, lacing their fingers together. “Take you for example.”
“Me?” Her voice was barely a whisper in the night air.
“Sure.” He pulled her up to stand next to him, then nudged her closer until they were so close, the scent of her soft perfume mixed with that of the freshly planted rose bushes a few feet away. “If I believed everything that was said about you, then I wouldn’t be here, with you, like this.” His eyes ran down to her mouth. “Wanting to kiss you.”
Her breath hitched and her lips curved up.
“Then I suppose we need to look at the possibility that my uncle and his mistress are innocent.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“There should be music,” he said suddenly. “And a dance floor.” He started to sway with her as the sound of crickets filled the air.
“I’ll add it to my list of improvements.” She moved easily with him. “Where did you learn to dance?” she asked after a moment.
He smiled. “Are you kidding? I was raised by two women.” He chuckled. “Both Reggie and I were taught the proper way to dance since the moment we could walk.”
A slight frown curved her lips downward. “I… can’t remember Reggie ever being this smooth.”
He sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder. “He was just a kid,” he said, his eyes going unfocused. “It’s strange, but I can’t really remember him sometimes. I’m thankful my gran had some photos.”
She remained silent. “I wouldn’t mind seeing them. There’s a lot I’ve forgotten. I only have pictures of my parents that were left here at the resort,” she said softly. He could hear the pain in her tone.
He brought their swaying to a stop and looked down at her. “I really want to kiss you,” he said, his eyes searching hers.
She smiled up at him. “I’d like that.”
The last time he’d kissed her, it was to distract her from the horrors she’d just witnessed. This time, it was for purely selfish motives.
He couldn’t remember ever feeling lips as soft or perfect against his own before. The way her body fit against his, it was kismet. A perfect fit.
When she tilted her head, giving him better access, he took more. Needed more. He no longer cared where they were, how many people could be watching, or how much time had gone by. All that mattered was breathing her in.
When he felt her tense, he refocused and then heard Blue’s low growl. He knew too well that that sound meant that his dog was uneasy about someone approaching.
Glancing around, he scanned the darkness beyond the ring of stringed lights overhead.
“It’s probably one of my staff,” Raven said easily. “They’re no doubt waiting to clear up this mess so they can go home.” She sighed. “Thank you for coming tonight.” She knelt down to pet Blue and comfort him. His dog settled down immediately and exposed his belly in a shameless attempt to get more attention. Raven chuckled and gave his dog everything he wanted, making him a very jealous man once more.
“We’d better head out.” He snapped his finger for Blue, who immediately stood up, gave Raven a sloppy kiss, and moved to his side. “Thanks for the dinner.” He glanced down to Blue. “Tell Raven thank you for the steak.”
Raven laughed when Blue let out a few happy sounding barks.
A dark shadow watched the couple dance and flirt with one another from a few floors above them. Cast in darkness, filled with rage as the two lovers kissed.
Memories blinded, split off, and caused fury so deep, so pure, that the blackness consumed. Someone would pay for it later. Someone would be the unwitting victim and suffer as pure delight would replace the rage.
Chapter Fifteen
Figure out what lights your fire then chase the match.
The following day, Raven had a meeting with Rachelle bright and early. She wanted to make sure the manager knew all about her plans to turn the courtyard into more space for fine dining options.