The only problem with this approach was that Scarlet would have to curb her raging desire to ask the women an entirely different set of questions. All centered on what it was like to be the cream filling between two hot and hunky bodies.
Her eyes squeezed shut and she drew in a staccato breath.
Oh, the sexy images and sensations that notion conjured!
“You still on the line?” Bayli asked.
Scarlet’s lids fluttered open. She sighed. “Just having a moment,” she mumbled. Then added, “I can see where me hunting down Sam’s father could be an issue, but I’d like to go through with it, anyway. I’m lacking everything here. Witnesses. Suspects. Motive.”
“Maybe it’s exactly as you said from the beginning. Mitcham Vandenberg reported the collection as missing, but it’s actually safe and secure somewhere in his possession until the statute of limitations runs out on filing a criminal indictment or a civil suit.”
Scarlet got to her feet and walked her office again. “I wouldn’t discount my own theory so hastily, except that Sam was adamant about how broken up his mother was over the theft. Those pieces were a gift and they meant a lot to her. I can’t fathom Mitcham giving them to her only to take them away. And that’s one of the reasons I don’t believe Sam was involved.”
“Not to add to your troubles or anything, but did the orgasms cloud your judgement? You’re letting this one off the hook pretty easily.”
“Trust me, if you met this man yourself you’d also be convinced that he’d never do anything to purposely hurt someone he cared so deeply about. There’s enough he believes he should atone for; stabbing his mother in the back simply doesn’t jive with his personality.”
“Well, you did minor in psychology, so I’ll take your word for it.”
“Unfortunately, that leaves me empty-handed.”
“Scarlet,” Bayli said in a sterner tone. “The FBI didn’t crack the case. The insurance company paid the claim. It isn’t your fault if this mystery is never solved.”
“Gran would say the same. But not before she jumped on the bandwagon and tried to tie it all together. I can tell she’s already chomping at the bit to get involved.”
“Might be best if she sits this one out. At least until you decide what you’re going to do with your two men.”
“That’s actually left up to Michael and Sam,” Scarlet said. “Because I know where I stand. No sane woman would walk away from these guys.”
“I hear what you’re saying. Believe me when I reiterate that double the pleasure is the way to go.”
“I have no doubt. But what am I supposed to do? Just come right out and tell them I want my very own threesome?”
“That’s probably not even ne
cessary. These types of men just know. It’s in their blood or something. It’s second nature. And if they’re each aware that you’ve been with the other…” Bayli let out a lusty sigh. “They’ll be on the same wavelength regarding a mash-up.”
“So it’s not something that just accidentally happens.”
“Well, it could, of course. Too many cocktails, both of them get frisky without anyone discussing how the scenario might play out, whatever. But seriously, Scarlet. If Sam knows you’ve been with Michael and Michael knows you’ve been with Sam…? Then they’re likely already plotting a three-way collision in their heads.”
Scarlet gnawed her lower lip a moment, holding in check a Cheshire cat grin. She really shouldn’t be traveling the path of wishful thinking. Not until she wrapped up her investigation, at any rate. But neither Michael nor Sam was under her microscope anymore. So Jewel’s “gray area” wasn’t so shady, right?
Oh, hell. I could be getting all worked up over absolutely nothing.
Michael hadn’t even contacted her yet, after all.
And she had yet to call Sam.
The two men were just recent hookups and who was to say they’d become anything more?
And it was hardly something for her to dwell on; the sand in her hourglass was rapidly running out.
So Scarlet booted up her laptop to look at her case notes while she told Bayli, “I should get back to work. Thanks for your help. And for lending an ear.”
“Keep me posted on your progress—with the investigation and with your new lovers.”
“Here’s hoping they weren’t just one-night stands.”