She had smiled. “Yeah, big night, I guess. I’m fine now.”
“Great. Ready to head home?”
“I think a few of us were going to go for a nightcap,” Axel said. “Do you want to join us?”
“Personally, I’m beat. And my work comes home with me. We have several major trials coming up. Forgive me. I’d like to be more fun, but duty calls,” Robert said. He looked at his sister and seemed to frown slightly as he looked at Axel.
“I will give her a ride home,” Axel said.
“You’re taking the dog—to a bar?” he asked.
“There’s a new pub with outdoor seating and dog bowls by the door. They’re welcoming the canine crowd,” Axel said.
“You could take him home for me,” Raina said.
“Titan will be fine,” Axel said, before Robert could answer. “I think he deserves a night out, too. What the hell other dog can harmonize?”
Axel still wasn’t sure Robert looked happy, and he wanted to stay on the man’s good side. They’d had a good working relationship.
“Robert, if Titan is with me, you really shouldn’t worry,” Raina said.
“True. No one messes with that dog. All right, then, I’ll leave you guys. Have fun,” Robert said. He walked over to give Raina a kiss on the cheek and frowned again. “You’re as cold as ice,” he told her.
Luckily, Clive chimed in then. “They have the air-conditioning back here down to about zero. We do too much of that around here, freezing everyone inside ’cause it’s so darned hot outside.”
“Didn’t realize how cold it was!” Raina said lightly.
“All right, then,” Robert said. “Don’t forget the family thing. I’ll be sleeping, but text me you’re in safe, huh? If I wake up, I won’t worry.”
“Promise,” Raina told him.
“I’m out of here. Great night, and thanks for getting me my raffle tickets,” Clive said.
“My pleasure. It’s always great to see you!” Raina said.
Then she was alone with Axel and Titan.
“What happened?” he asked her. “And it’s nice you two keep tabs, by the way.”
“We’ve always done it,” Raina murmured. “When anyone is flying anywhere. We keep my parents in on those texts.”
“What happened?”
“At the end there, I leaned on the raffle basket table or just touched it or something and I felt this sensation. I suddenly knew whoever was behind the murders was here! I can’t explain it. I don’t know who, just that whoever touched Jennifer Lowry also touched the table. I’m sure that sounds irrational—”
“Not to me,” he said quietly.
“But how could it even help? There were hundreds of people here tonight, all of them supporting this project. Where would you even begin?”
“It’s a better beginning than what we had,” he told her. “Can you get me a list of the people who were here tonight?”
“Yes, Elly would have that. I’m not sure how to ask her for it, but there’s a way, I’m certain.”
“That will be helpful.”
Titan let out a soft, warning growl.
There was a tap on the door and it opened; it was one of the workers for the country club. “Oh, sorry, just trying to get the place all closed up for the night. Hey, pup!” The man beamed at Raina. “Saw your act with him. Great dog!”
“Thank you,” Raina said. “Say hi, Titan.”
Titan obediently barked, staying close to Raina.
“And we’re on our way out right now,” Axel said. “Sorry to keep you.”
“No problem,” the man said.
Axel took Raina’s hand. “You need anything else from here?”
She indicated a box that held some of Titan’s counting toys. Axel picked it up, and they smiled at the club employee and quickly left the room.
Raina made a point of brushing by him. She realized she was trying to see if she could get anything—any sense of anything—from touching him.
She did not.
She smiled and hurried out the door, Titan at her side. Axel followed with the box.
Mya and her husband and Lucia and Elly were standing in front of the stage when they emerged, as if waiting for her.
“There you are, Raina. And Axel!” Lucia said.
“Were you waiting for me?” Raina asked. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“I begged these guys to get a drink with me,” Elly said. “It’s over! It was a success. And the raffles did exceptionally well, too. We raised a bundle. I am so happy, but keyed up. I’ve talked these guys into a drink. Or coffee. It’s late for coffee, but I can consume a boatload of the stuff and sleep.”
“Up to you, Raina,” Axel said.
He couldn’t suspect anyone in this group, she thought. But maybe he