The Scent of Lies: A Paradise Valley Mystery by Debra Burroughs Page A

monitor for any movement and sure enough, she found Ricardo’s car in the same condo’s parking lot where she had followed him before. Emily parked across the street so she’d have a good view of the entrance and with her camera ready in hand, she waited.
    * * *
    Ricardo had been visiting her for the last six months, and she hoped to make his stay there permanent. This place had been their little love nest, hidden away from the rest of the world and she dreamed of him moving in, being able to wake up in each other’s arms every morning. She loved him ardently, and she was certain he felt the same. Only one thing stood between her and her dream—his wife.
    That night, at the launch party, she had convinced him to steal away from the event to be with her. She’d told him his wife would be so preoccupied with working the room and mingling with the guests she wouldn’t even notice he was gone. He had eagerly agreed and followed her home.
    After making wild, passionate love he told her it was time he returned to the party before it was over and he was missed. He quickly dressed and she followed him out to the living room in her silky pink nightgown.
    As he picked up his tuxedo jacket to leave, she put a hand on his arm to stop him.
    “Do you love me, Ricardo?”
    “Of course. You know I do, Anna.”
    “Then when are you going to tell Delia about us, and divorce her?”
    “I’m working on it, but this is not the right time.”
    “It seems like it’s never the right time.”
    “If I left her now, I’d walk away with nothing. Be patient, Babe, it’ll happen. I just need more time.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “I have a plan, you’ll see. Then we can be together.”
    “What plan?” Anna looked at him, suspicious. Was he simply holding out another carrot just to keep stringing her along?
    “I can’t tell you, but it’ll be soon. I promise.”
    “You’re running out of time,” she said with steely seriousness. She looked down at her hand as she patted her stomach.
    “What do you mean?” He grabbed her by both arms.
    “I’m pregnant.”
    * * *
    Emily watched Ricardo as he left the condo building alone. She snapped another time-stamped photo of him. At least she could show Delia where her husband had gone, even if she hadn’t found the other woman yet.
    She sent Delia a text message. “ R went 2 condo again. Nothing else 2 report .” Then she tailed him back to the launch party and watched him go inside. Her work was done for the night and she headed home.
    As she cruised down one of Boise’s main streets on her way to Paradise Valley, her mind wandered back to the key. What did it unlock? Passing shopping centers and big box stores, she drove down the wide and well-lit street. There were a few banks scattered among the retail shops and she wondered again about the key being for a safe deposit box. Wells Fargo Bank, Home Federal Bank, and then she passed Bank of Idaho, and it hit her. BOI—Bank of Idaho. She decided she’d have to check that out in the morning.
    It was still early for a Friday night, about a quarter to ten, so Emily decided to call Isabel to see if she could come over. She hated being at odds with her friends and thought it best to mend her fences.
    “Hello,” Isabel answered.
    “Hey, Isabel, it’s Emily.”
    “Emily, did you get my message? I’m so sorry we upset you.”
    “Yeah, I was wondering if you guys are just hanging out, maybe I could come over.” Emily heard a man’s voice and a muffled giggle, like Isabel had put her hand over the phone.
    “Um, right now is not a good time,” Isabel said. “Stop that.”
    “What?”
    “Not you, Em—I gotta go. Why don’t you come over for a barbecue on Sunday,” there were more giggles, “say six o’clock?”
    “Aha. I see...you and Alex are preoccupied. Sure, a barbeque sounds great, I’d love to come.”
    “Okay. Bye.” Another giggle followed by a click.
    Although Emily was happy her friend had someone