Charmed Forces

By Camilla Chafer

Private Investigator Lexi Graves is pleased to clear up her latest assignment. It’s a simple case of misguided suspicion after all.
Then her brother, Detective Daniel Graves, turns up on her doorstep, alone, blood-spattered, and almost entirely incoherent. What happened to him? Where did he come from? And what, if anything, did he leave behind? Springing into action, the clues Daniel provides for Lexi lead her to a terrible scene that holds more questions than answers. Biggest of all, who is trying to frame Daniel for murder?
With Daniel’s memory sketchy, and now a wanted man, Lexi is determined to untangle what appears to be a case of murder-for-hire. It will take everything she’s got to unmask a dangerous foe before her brother goes down for crimes he insists he didn’t commit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Camilla Chafer
• Release date: Jun 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781909577275

Camilla Chafer

USA Today bestselling author Camilla Chafer is the author of the Lexi Graves Mysteries, the Deadlines Mystery Trilogy (a spin off from Lexi Graves), Calendar Murder Mysteries, and the Stella Mayweather urban fantasy series. She is also the author/editor of several non-fiction books and has written for newspapers, magazines and websites internationally.Visit www.camillachafer.com for all the latest news. Sign up for her mailing list to be in the know when the next book comes out.

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CHARMED FORCES

Lexi Graves Mysteries, 16

Camilla Chafer

Charmed Forces

Copyright: Camilla Chafer

Published: June 2023

ISBN: 978-1-909577-27-5

The right of Camilla Chafer to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

Visit the author online at www.camillachafer.com to sign up to her mailing list and for more information on other titles.

Contents

Copyright

Synopsis

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

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Charmed Forces

Private Investigator Lexi Graves is pleased to clear up her latest assignment. It’s a simple case of misguided suspicion after all.

Then her brother, Detective Daniel Graves, turns up on her doorstep, alone, blood-spattered, and almost entirely incoherent. What happened to him? Where did he come from? And what, if anything, did he leave behind? Springing into action, the clues Daniel provides for Lexi lead her to a terrible scene that holds more questions than answers. Biggest of all, who is trying to frame Daniel for murder?

With Daniel’s memory sketchy, and now a wanted man, Lexi is determined to untangle what appears to be a case of murder-for-hire. It will take everything she’s got to unmask a dangerous foe before her brother goes down for crimes he insists he didn’t commit.

Chapter One

We need to stalk someone right now, I said as I tilted my sunglasses so I could peer over the rims and observe my prey.

I’ll be right there! yelled my best friend, Lily, in a pitch so excited and loud that I had to move the phone away from my ear. Of course, that was my fault. I shouldn’t have started the conversation with such a lurid statement. I could have started with a simple hello or a how are ya, but no, I suggested stalking. Of course, that kind of was my job as a private investigator. Only I didn’t do it for fun. I got paid to do it. Fun was merely an unintentional perk.

You’re not going to ask me whom we’re stalking? I inquired.

Lily barely considered the question. Uh... no.

Or where we need to go? I persisted. Maybe, why?

I figured you were going to tell me that.

True. I was.

So...?

Whom, where or why?

"Where, then? I don’t care whom. I’m on the fence about why. I’m just down for stalking. Where should I meet you?"

You’re the best! I’ll text you the address. I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat, pushed my sunglasses on top of my head, and lifted my camera, pointing it at my targets as they headed into a coffee shop. The woman carried two shopping bags with her, a summer dress in one, two paperbacks in the other. The man had a canvas satchel, which he wore on his hip, half slung towards his back. I’d been following the couple all day and they’d done nothing at all. No, that wasn’t quite correct. They’d done plenty of things — errands, a little shopping, a movie — but all of them were as boring as hell to observe and I would definitely have to see the movie again so I could fully watch the screen. Yet our client was convinced they were corporate spies, passing on the big, bad secrets of the real estate world. I just hoped his business was more solid than his theory.

While I followed them, never more than a hundred or so feet away, even when we were in our vehicles, I’d thought about all the spies I knew from film and TV. James Bond. Hot. Jason Bourne. Somebody definitely thought he was hot but I wasn’t sure who. Ethan Whatshisname from Mission: Impossible. Pretty hot. Although he’d be a lot hotter if I understood any of the plots to that film series.

Then there was Adam Maddox, my ex-boyfriend, turned fabulous friend, but technically, he’d been an undercover detective when I met him so I scrubbed his name off the list.

Where were all the female spies?

It was a question I was still pondering when Lily wrenched open the car door and sprang inside. You really do need to start locking your doors, Lexi, she said. I could have been an ax murderer.

I thought I did lock them and you don’t have an ax, I said as I lowered my camera and laid it across my lap.

Maybe it’s a little one hidden in my purse.

A little ax doesn’t strike me as too dangerous.

It will if I chop you into teeny tiny pieces with it, said Lily as she mimed chopping.

I grimaced. Hey, do you know any female spies?

Do you count?

I’m not a spy.

Then no.

"Oh! Covert Affairs!" How many times had I wished I were Piper Perabo’s Annie Walker back when I was a temp and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Annie made everything seem adventurous and exciting, albeit dangerous.

You know Piper Perabo? Oh, my gosh! Is she a client? Lily waited eagerly, her eyes bugging out. I hated to disappoint her but she should have been used to it by now.

No and no.

Shame. Great series. Premature ending.

I know, right?

The way she ran in those heeled boots!

Right?

Lily nodded thoughtfully. I’d make a great spy.

Oh?

"Who would suspect me? I manage a bar. I’m a mom. I have so many wigs too. I have a Mrs. Smith wig, not that anyone would believe Angelina Jolie was a spy. Maybe in Salt but not as Mrs. Smith."

Agreed on all counts. No one would suspect you. Wait. Do you still have all those wigs? Lily used to wear wigs in her many short-lived jobs, changing her style from one day to the next. Now I rarely saw her with any style other than her curly blonde hair that tumbled around her shoulders in a riotous way.

Sure. They were good value. Why? Do you want to borrow one? Although you never seem to need a disguise. People just never suspect you of anything. You should have joined the CIA.

Maybe another time.

The CIA?

The wigs, I clarified.

You should tell Solomon to branch out and open a spy agency. It’s pretty much what you do anyway.

I’m a private investigator.

Exactly. Lily shifted in her seat and looked around, then peered ahead. Whom are we stalking?

The couple sitting in the window of that coffee shop, I said, pointing before I raised my camera again and snapped a couple of shots.

The pair with the coffees?

I looked at Lily and she looked back blankly until a dawning realization hit her eyes. Right. Everyone has coffee. It’s a coffee shop.

Guy in the black ballcap and denim shirt, and woman with the red jacket and short hair.

What did they do?

So far, nothing.

I see why you called me. Do you want me to start something? A fight? I can get a coffee and spill it on one of them.

No! Why would you do that?

Maybe you need to steal their phones, or investigate her purse, or see what he keeps in his wallet? Is that a satchel next to him? He could be carrying anything in that.

That sounds like more fun but I just need to watch what they do.

What if they split up?

My client says they might be in on it together.

Okay. Lily leaned back and waited. The couple sipped their coffees. She got foam on her nose and he brushed it off with his thumb. It was too cute for words. I hoped my client appreciated the photo recording the moment. A minute passed by and Lily turned to me. What are they in on together?

Corporate espionage.

Oh. Exciting! What made your client suspect them? Does one of them have foreign ties? Is one a sleeper agent?

Well, the woman, Louise Milton, is an administrator and the man, Callum, is a lawyer and they don’t work in the same department. My client saw them together a day after another firm won the bid for a new housing development on some land the city sold, which undercut their bid by a significant margin. My client thinks they sold the details of his firm’s bid to their competitor.

Who knew real estate could be so sexy?

No one, except the people selling those million-dollar homes on TV, I agreed, yet here we are. So this is my third day investigating them and the first day I’ve seen them together. I followed her to the mall where she bought a dress and then she drove to this cute lunch spot over on Bow Street that we should definitely check out, and he met her there. They had lunch, then they went to the bookshop on Hamilton, then they went to the movies, so I got a ticket too and watched the same film from three rows behind, and now they’re here, getting coffee.

Does that sound like corporate espionage to you?

I pulled a face. It looks more like a date to me.

"Aww. Spies dating. It’s just like Mr. and Mrs. Smith, except presumably, these two know about it. Lily focused her attention on them. Do you think they’ll smash up the coffee shop?"

No... and I don’t think they’re spies. I think they’re just two people who met at work and have been quietly dating without announcing it to their coworkers or the HR department. I just have to prove it unequivocally for my client.

How’re you going to prove they’re not spies at the same time? Even spies get to have a nice time with their romantic partners.

"You don’t think proof that they’re dating is enough? Damn! Don’t even answer that. You’re right. My client will just go down the Mr. and Mrs. Smith route too. He’s convinced they’re spies. Of course he’ll think the dating is just the icing on top of the cake. I tried not to let my shoulders sag under the weight of the realization that I had to prove something virtually unprovable. What if I can’t find any evidence? That’ll have to be enough."

It’s always been enough before.

I glanced at Lily, wondering if she were throwing shade at me or being supportive but I couldn’t decide. I could ask but I didn’t want to do that either, just in case. Instead I said, I’m so glad you’re here.

They’re kissing, screamed Lily, bouncing in her seat and pointing at my targets.

I focused my camera and snapped a series of pictures of the two kissing across the table, the man partly standing to lean forwards, their lips locked together in a chaste smooch. They broke apart, beaming mushily at each other. The woman lifted her coffee and sipped as she stared into his eyes.

Aww. Did you get it?

I checked my screen. I did. At least, I can prove the dating part.

Unless it’s an elaborate ruse to disguise the spying.

I swear, my client is going to say that too.

Good job you’re always one step ahead.

I’m going to follow them for the rest of the day. I slumped lower in my seat, waiting as a bus passed, blocking the coffee shop from view. When it was out of the way, I was relieved to see my targets were still there, gazing at each other dreamily.

But on the plus side, I’m here and we get to catch up, said Lily. No baby, no husbands, no clients clamoring for attention.

I only saw you yesterday, I pointed out.

You wouldn’t believe what happened since then! She clapped her hands.

Tell me everything.

Well, bar manager extraordinaire Ruby went on a date last night and she said the guy was amazing. He asked her out again, and get this, he even texted her this morning to confirm their second date! Doesn’t he have great manners?

Absolutely.

And I took Poppy to ballet and her teacher said she’s a natural and she should try the hip-hop class too. Lily grabbed her phone and scrolled to a video of Poppy wobbling unsteadily on her little legs clad in pink tights and a fluffy tutu.

Doesn’t she need full control over her limbs to do hip-hop?

Yeah, but they said that for ballet too and it doesn’t seem to be totally important at Poppy’s age. Anyway, that’s not the only exciting thing. We had a bachelor party in the bar last night and the groom and best man both stripped. It was a lot of fun.

Stripped naked?

Yeah. I thought it might get really frisky and I’d have to throw them out but it turns out they’re both just very comfortable in their skins.

Okay. I thought about it. Aren’t they supposed to hire strippers?

You’d think, said Lily with a shrug. The best man had a very good tan. You really missed out on a great night. Next time, you should come.

I doubt they’ll have more than one bachelor party.

We don’t know that, but good point. It’s hard to get return business for bachelor parties unless someone else in the party has a great time and wants to come back. I made sure to give them all cards. I’ll let you know if I get any hits and you can help work the bar.

Cool, I said, although I was still very confused about what transpired at the party.

Jord and I had a date brunch too, which was nice. He’s been working so much lately and he wants to plan a beach vacation. He says you can’t come.

You asked him?

Duh. Of course.

I don’t want to come.

Then everyone is happy except me, but I’ll make the best of it. How does one vacation with a toddler? Can you even call it a vacation? Or is it just life that costs extra, elsewhere?

They’re on the move, I said as the couple rose and started to fuss over bags before heading out the door in the direction of the woman’s car.

Decision time. Whom do we follow? Do we take one each? Whom do you prefer?

They haven’t split up yet. I checked my watch. Maybe they’re going for dinner.

Heckuva long date. They must really like each other. Aww, said Lily as the couple stopped and kissed again, but longer this time. They locked hands together and walked away at a leisurely pace. I fired off a few more shots and put the camera into Lily’s lap before starting the engine. As they reached the end of the next block, I pulled out into traffic, hoping they got into her car together so I could follow.

Fortunately for me, traffic was crawling slowly and by the time we reached their car, she flipped on her blinker and made a move to pull out. I signaled she was safe to pull out in front of me and she waved and mouthed, Thank you.

She’s too polite to be a spy. Put that in your report, said Lily.

Hmm. We followed slowly, allowing a car at the next junction to join the road and drive between us, talking about an issue Lily ran into with a supplier to her bar. I talked about how busy the detective agency was and how we were fully stretched and all our risk management team were busy acting as security for a construction development that was besieged by thieves. Lily asked if my mom announced anything about when the next family dinner was and mentioned that her mother sent Jord a nice gift for his birthday, which was extra surprising because it wasn’t even his birthday. And then she suggested we all fly out to visit her now that they’re settled in their new assignment. Me, Jord, and Poppy.

That sounds nice. Lily’s mom was a high-flying something or other and often had an assignment somewhere both glamorous and luxurious. The longest they’d stayed put anywhere was while Lily was in school but even then, the work trips had been quickly announced and lengthily taken. While Lily had grown up cash-rich, she’d been parent-poor, and my family had happily taken her under their wing. As soon as we graduated high school, her parents had left the state but Lily stayed.

You think I should go?

If you want to.

Do you think my mother will be there?

She invited you.

Hmmm. My dad will definitely show up but I’m not so sure my mother would. I’ll think about it. It’ll be nice for Poppy to know her other grandparents.

"Then maybe you should go." I followed the couple as their vehicle made a left and headed towards Harbridge, a nice part of town that was steadily getting pricier as nicer businesses appeared, only further increasing its appeal. After a few more minutes, the couple’s car pulled into the parking lot of an upbeat Greek restaurant that was steadily getting a great reputation for their delicious and bountiful food. I knew that because I’d been bugging Solomon to go there after reading an article in the newspaper.

Lunch, movies, dinner. I like this guy, said Lily as we drove past. I circled back and parked on the street opposite, watching them walk into the restaurant.

Not a hint of espionage, I said by way of agreement. Have you tried that Japanese place next door? It opened about a month ago and was another place I wanted to try.

Yes, last week. The sushi is so good.

I can’t believe you went without me!

I’ll go again. We can order take-out if you like? Hey, why don’t I order some now and we can eat while we watch? If they’re eating, they’re going to be a while.

Do it, I said, suddenly enthused, and Lily pulled out her phone. She tapped at the screen before she began reading the menu. We agreed on several sushi options plus a portion of mixed gyoza, and she hit order.

This is such a fun night out. I’m so glad I told you I had the night off work and Jord is at home doing the parenting… although it still doesn’t beat the days where we used to go out after work and dance on tables.

We can do it later?

I would but I hurt my hip getting out of bed this morning and I think I’m too sore.

How times have changed.

They got the window table, said Lily. That’s so romantic.

I snapped some more shots as they took their seats opposite each other in the bay window.

They must have booked the reservation weeks ago. This place is getting pretty tough to get into and that table is prime.

We watched the couple converse with each other, then the server, and chat until Lily’s phone pinged to notify us that our order was ready. Since the couple clearly weren’t going anywhere, Lily hopped out and walked across the street, heading into the Japanese restaurant. A few minutes later, she came out holding a large bag and raced across the street, hurling herself into my car.

You won’t believe who I just saw, she said, her eyes wide. I reached for the bag, my mouth salivating, and she smacked my hand away.

Someone we know? Or someone famous? I asked.

I don’t have time for this game. I’ll burst! I just saw your brother and your ex having dinner together. I think they got the mixed platter for two but it was hard to see because there was a lot of bamboo in the way. They were also deep in conversation.

My hand hovered over the bag and I looked up. Wait. Which brother?

Daniel.

And which ex?

Maddox.

Together? I frowned.

Chatting like best buddies. They were having beers too.

That’s weird.

That’s what I thought. I didn’t know they hung out. Do they do other stuff together?

No, although... I guess I don’t really know... My gaze darted between the two restaurants. The couple had menus in their hands and were speaking to the waiter, then each other, laughing and smiling as they ordered. The waitress took the menus and the couple resumed holding hands, which I dutifully filmed. What were they wearing? I asked.

Jeans and sweaters. Oh, my gosh! Do you think they were on a date? Like, Maddox couldn’t have you so he moved on to your brother! Such a scandal!

Daniel’s married. He’s been married twice. Both times to women, I pointed out.

I’d make a joke about that but we all hate the first wife and love the second.

True. And he has kids.

Could he still be in the closet? Lily wondered.

Why is that your first thought?

Because you never know.

You’re going to turn into my mom, I said.

Lily paused, thinking. Fun! she said with a big smile. Maybe they’re just being bros.

Sounds about right, I said, still thinking about it. Maddox was well-acquainted with all three of my brothers for years, back when they worked together at MPD. They’d collectively given him a hard time when we were dating, and when we broke up. Although I knew things were all good with them now, I didn’t know they still socialized.

I’m surprised they haven’t mentioned it though.

Where did he go? I muttered, peering through my lens.

The Japanese place. I just said. Lily popped open the bag and pulled out a package. Hey, do you want a gyoza? Should we use chopsticks in the car or have a finger picnic?

Fingers, and I meant my target. Where did he... is he proposing? I snapped away as Callum’s head bobbed above the table, swiftly followed by his extended hands and a velvet ring box. Louise clasped her hands over her mouth and I could imagine her excited squealing. Then she threw her arms around him and a moment later, the hovering waiter popped a champagne cork, and another server pressed glasses into their hands. Louise held up her hand, grinning at the patrons seated nearby. The other diners clapped and some congratulated them. I think this is conclusive evidence they’re only into each other and not the company documents, I said.

Lily snorted. They may not be selling secrets but they’re definitely dipping into the company’s ink.

Gross. I laid my camera across my lap while Lily passed over a card dish of gyoza. She popped open the soy container and I snagged a piece, dipped it, and chewed the savory morsel. This investigation is over, I decided.

Oh, no. Lily passed over a cucumber roll and I ate it happily. Still, good outcome? No espionage. Happy couple. Maybe the firm will send them flowers?

Perhaps, I said. Maybe they’ll feel guilty when I turn in my report. Pass me another cucumber roll please.

Here, said Lily, organizing the containers on her lap. I kind of like this car picnic but if that guy’d proposed sooner, we could have eaten inside. We could have shared a table with Daniel and Maddox!

Just burst in, like we didn’t know they were there? I asked. And invite ourselves to sit at their table?

If I hadn’t seen them and told you, we wouldn’t have known about their little tete-a-tete. Too late now, she added with a shrug as she made happy noises about the food.

And you didn’t hear anything? I pressed.

Not a thing. But our order was called and I didn’t want to keep you waiting.

I would have been okay with waiting.

I’m sure it wasn’t anything interesting. Two straight guys, hanging out, eating sushi, drinking beer.

I’m going to find out, I said, crossly chomping on a piece of dragon roll.

Should I come? Are we going to say hi?

No, I don’t want them to think we’re following them. I’m just going to step inside, get some chopsticks and inconspicuously try and overhear something.

You’re so suspicious. Make sure to pay attention and report directly back to me.

Save me some sushi, I said, but I was already halfway out of the car and a truck passed by at that moment so I wasn’t sure if Lily even heard me. I jogged across the road and pulled open the sliding glass door, stepping into a lobby clad in warm wood, with the restaurant partitioned by a folding bamboo screen. No one stood behind the hostess desk so I bypassed it and peered through the screen. I spotted Daniel and Maddox on my second pass of the restaurant, seated three tables over from the hostess desk. A series of potted bamboos lay between us, blocking me from the tables as I stood next to the wall.

With both men being dark-haired, tall, and having good physiques, they attracted attention from a nearby party of four women who kept glancing over, and clearly talking about them. Not that my brother nor my ex seemed to notice.

Daniel was talking and Maddox nodded along. Then Daniel paused to drink his beer before continuing. I narrowed my eyes, wondering what they were so engrossed in discussing. While Maddox and my brothers all served together at the Montgomery Police Department, Maddox left some time ago to start a new career as a Special Agent for the FBI. Although they’d known each other professionally, and liked each other, I never got the impression that they socialized together. Well, not beyond Maddox’s regular invitation to my parents’ family dinners, something that started when we were dating and only increased when we stopped.

I squeezed between the wall and the planters, finding just enough space so long as I kept my back to the wall. Edging past the first bamboo planter, then the second, I paused at the third, which was closest to their table. Their voices were audible but muffled and I could only make out a few words over the restaurant’s piped tranquil sounds. When Maddox pulled out his phone, showing something to Daniel on the screen, I leaned closer, desperate to know what they were talking about. Just one more step to the right and I could probably hear everything. I crab-shuffled to the right, leaned in and... crack! The bamboo gave way!

I stumbled headlong, my knees catching on the edge of the planter, pitching me forwards so that I landed halfway in the plant pot, my forearms on the floor and my feet against the wall.

All the dining chatter stopped.

A server paused mid-stride just feet away.

I looked up, wincing, into my brother’s eyes... and then into Maddox’s.

Dragon roll? said Maddox, leaning down and holding out a roll to my lips.

I only need a pair of chopsticks, I said, before resting my head on the floor, hoping it would swallow me whole.

Chapter Two

I typed the last few lines of my report then clicked print and settled back in my chair, waiting for the machine to spew out the papers. While it printed, I sorted through a few choice photos that I’d already printed and added a small, plastic USB to the file.

Whether my client would be happy or not with the report was something I couldn’t quite decide. While I hadn’t proved corporate espionage, I did offer a compelling explanation for why the two employees were spending so much time together. If my client was sensible, he would wait until the end of the week for the couple to announce their engagement, and, if I were right, the couple would receive a lovely gift from