But unfortunately, Derek was not in a position to divulge the full story to the inspectors. It was turning into a highly sensitive international situation, and something Derek was not at liberty to turn over to the local police. I assumed that officials at the highest levels of government would eventually step in and take over. Meanwhile, my two main concerns were that Robin was safe in Dharma and that she’d told me everything she knew about Alex and Rajiv and the Kama Sutra.
It was a relief when the investigator got all the blood he needed from those few drops spilled by the Russian and gave me the okay to clean and sanitize my workroom floor right then and there. The thought of having to put off cleaning for days while the blood was analyzed was too depressing to think about.
The police traced my intruder’s bloody footprints from the curb outside my building, across the sidewalk, up the interior stairwell, and down the hall to my place. The same way he’d escaped the night Tyler had seen him.
Currently, there was a car parked where the footprints began out by the curb, but as the police inspected it, the owner ran over from the Thai restaurant across the street. So it was not the dead man’s car.
So he’d been shot, then dropped off in front of my building? It didn’t make sense. But then, nothing about this chilling situation made much sense at all.
The following morning, I called Robin one more time, and again there was no answer. I assumed no foul play was afoot, because Gabriel had reported to Derek that everything was fine in Dharma. I had to conclude that Robin was simply too enthralled with Austin to answer the damn phone. Fine. I guessed we would show up and surprise her.
Before leaving for Sonoma, I packed the Kama Sutra carefully into my briefcase, more unwilling than ever to leave it here while we were gone. Then I called the head of my homeowners association, who lived on the third floor, and let him know that the hall rugs on the sixth floor needed cleaning. I didn’t mention bloody footprints. They would have to figure that out for themselves.
Before Derek pushed the elevator button, I jogged down to Vinnie and Suzie’s place to let them know we would be gone for the day. They promised to look in on Pookie and keep their eyes and ears open for weirdos. Then we headed off to Dharma.
Derek maneuvered the Bentley through the tollgate plaza and onto the Golden Gate Bridge. The sun came out from behind a cloud, and the view of Marin was beautiful. I pulled sunglasses out of my purse and put them on as we left the bridge for land and continued driving through the winding hills above Sausalito.
“The Kama Sutra must hold the key,” Derek remarked as we descended into the flatlands. “Everything happened after Robin returned from India with the book.”
“I think you’re right,” I said. “I’ll start taking it apart as soon as we get home this afternoon.”
He leaned over and squeezed my knee. “We’ve got my office party this evening.”
I winced. I’d completely forgotten! Earlier in the week, I’d been so thrilled that Derek had invited me to the party, but now it was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Oh, I knew that,” I said lightly. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
He laughed. “Of course you are, darling.”
“I am,” I said, trying to sound both sincere and insulted that he would doubt me.
“Yes, I am, too,” he said genially, letting me off the hook. “Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse. We have more important matters to deal with.”
“If we get home early enough, I still might have time to work on the book.”
He nodded. “We’ll see how the day goes.”
As the freeway widened near San Rafael, Derek increased his speed. “If the Ukrainians were aware that the flash drive was hidden somewhere inside the book, why didn’t they just break into Robin’s car and take it while she was dining at the Indian restaurant with Alex? That way, they would’ve had what they wanted that first night.”
“And Robin would never have been involved.”
“Exactly,” he said.
“And chances are Alex would be alive. Nobody would be hurt. Except the book.” I turned in my seat to face him. “I’d hate to imagine what damage they would’ve done to the book.”
He smiled indulgently. “Yes, God help them if they’d destroyed the book. The wrath of Brooklyn would be unleashed.”
“That’s right,” I said, chuckling. “I would’ve tracked them down and made them pay.”
Derek tapped his thumb on the steering wheel in contemplation. “So Robin went home with the book that night. It doesn’t make sense that Alex or one of his people didn’t simply go through Robin’s house and find the damn thing.”
“I’m glad they didn’t,” I said firmly. “Robin stayed home and slept all day. If she’d awakened and found them, they might’ve…” I shivered.
His eyes narrowed to black slits. “If they were any good at all, she never would’ve known they were in her house.”
I shook my head. When he said stuff like that, I was reminded that he could be as dangerous as he looked.
“And that night,” he went on, “she brought the book to your house. Alex didn’t know it, but his window of opportunity closed at that moment. I must say, I’m not impressed with his operative skills.”
“I have this picture of him as a ladies’ man. You know, a smooth-operator type.” I shook my head in disgust. “Maybe he thought he could pull off the job by cozying up to Robin instead of just taking care of business. And that got him killed. I know it’s mean to say this, but I’m not all that sorry he’s dead.”
“Darling, I love it when you’re vindictive.”
“Don’t laugh. I already feel bad for saying it.” I bunched up my fists. “But he just makes me so angry that he endangered Robin. I never even met him, but I want to punch him.”
He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “You mustn’t feel bad. You’re being protective of your friend, and that makes you fierce and sexy. It’s quite a turn-on.”
“Oh, please.” I couldn’t help but laugh while heat rose up my neck. “Now you’re making fun of me.”
“Your cheeks are pink,” he said in amazement, and his dark eyes gleamed with laughter. “How charming.” Turning my hand over, he kissed my palm, all the while keeping his eyes on the road.
“You’re going to miss the off-ramp,” I murmured, when I could breathe normally again.
“Never,” he said with a grin. “I’m a highly trained professional.”
We drove to my brother’s house along a road that meandered through the vineyards, rising slowly until we reached the top of the highest hill overlooking Dharma.
“The view is spectacular up here,” Derek said.
“But he’s so isolated.”
“Yes, that’s certainly part of the appeal.”
Austin’s house was relatively small and shaped like an alpine cabin, with a back deck that extended out over a small canyon. I hadn’t been inside in a few years, but I knew it was one large high-ceilinged room with an open kitchen and a sleeping loft reached by climbing up a ship’s ladder. It was cozy and wonderful for one person or a very intimate twosome.
It took them almost five minutes to answer the door when I knocked. They both wore bathrobes and satisfied smiles. I couldn’t help but thank all the gods in the heavens that we hadn’t arrived ten minutes earlier.
“Hey, Derek,” Austin said pleasantly, then looked at me. “Brooklyn, what are you doing here?”
“Where have you guys been?” I demanded.
“We went camping for a few days,” he said with an easy grin. “Just got back a while ago.” He swung the door open and waved us inside.
“Do you want coffee?” Robin said on her way to the kitchen. The swelling on her face had almost disappeared, but the skin around her eye was still bruised. All in all, she looked much better. Rested and relaxed. I guessed Austin was treating her well.
“No, thank you,” Derek said.