“Me. I’m a friend of someone you used to date. I believe you remember Sharon Merchant?” Gabrielle asked in a sweet voice.

Tony’s wary expression turned dark. “I don’t have anything to say to Sharon or to you.” He started to shut the door but Derek slipped his sneakered foot inside.

“That’s no way to treat a lady, buddy. At least hear her out.”

Gabrielle shot Derek a grateful look. “How’ve you been, Tony?”

“Busy. I work and I come home. There’s no time for chitchat.”

“So why aren’t you at work now?” According to Derek’s cousin, Tony had been stocking shelves at the local supermarket. He had positive employment reviews and no complaints against him.

“It’s my day off. What’s it to you?”

She shrugged. “Just curious. This is a nice apartment. Mind if I ask how you afford it? I mean, stocking shelves doesn’t pay that well.”

“My sister lives with me and shares the rent. Again, what’s it to you?”

“Some of those pictures you took of my friend resurfaced.”

His face turned pale. “I had nothing to do with it!”

“So you say,” Derek said, stepping forward. “But she received a package that has your MO. It’s hard to believe someone else is behind it.”

“Believe what you want, but it wasn’t me. You think I’d risk going back to jail?” he asked incredulously. “No way, man.”

Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. “Did you keep extra copies of the pictures?”

He shook his head. “The cops took them all.” He stepped outside, joining them as if he had nothing to hide. “Look, I was young and stupid. I saw a quick way to make money by taking advantage of naive women. And I paid for it. That part of my life was over a long time ago.”

Gabrielle glanced at Derek, silently asking what he thought.

“If you don’t believe me, that’s your problem. But you’re not going to pin this on me.” He tipped his head to one side. “Are we finished now?”

“For now,” Derek said.

Gabrielle nodded. “Just don’t leave town,” she said, turning her back on the other man and walking away.

Derek jogged after her. “Just don’t leave town? What kind of bad TV cop language was that?”

“So sue me. It was all I could think of on short notice.” She strode to the vehicle, her hair swaying as she moved. “God, that was useless.”

Derek shook his head. “Maybe not. He’ll be nervous now. If he’s behind it, he might make a mistake.”

“Do you think he’s the one blackmailing Sharon?”

Derek leaned against his car. “I have no idea. I guess we’ll know more after we hit the Wave tonight.”

“Speaking of the Wave, will you dance with me tonight?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“I’m surprised you’d want to. The last time we danced together-”

“We had fun at the prom, didn’t we?”

He’d bet Gabrielle deliberately cut him off before he could discuss their last night together-and the horrible way things had ended the next day.

“We did.” He still remembered picking her up at her parents’ house. She came down the stairs wearing a gorgeous off-white ruffled dress that bared one shoulder and draped her curves perfectly.

He hadn’t gone to the prom that night knowing he was going to break up with her right afterward. As a result, they’d enjoyed a very special evening. The next day, a letter he’d sent to his birth mother had been returned to him, unread and marked Return to Sender. Obviously, she hadn’t wanted to hear from him.

That was when he’d decided he had to insulate himself and the people he loved from the pain associated with the curse. Breaking up with Gabrielle had seemed like the only way to protect both of them from imminent future anguish.

“Well, I want to dance tonight, so be ready,” she said, obviously not thinking about what had happened after the prom.

“You got it,” he said. If she could put it behind her, then so should he. “What are you doing this afternoon? I’m taking Holly swimming. Want to come?”

“I’d love to. Unfortunately, I promised Sharon I’d come by and keep her calm this afternoon. She’ll be climbing the walls waiting for tonight. Although I can’t imagine this guy showing up now that we’ve confronted him.” Gabrielle glanced back toward the apartment building.

Derek shrugged. “He’s not just going to drop his plan. Let’s take it one step at a time, okay?”

“Okay.”

“So how about you invite Sharon? There’s nothing like some sun, sand and preteen chatter to get her mind off her problems.”

“Good idea!”

Later that afternoon, he was forced to rethink the wisdom of his invitation when he caught sight of Gabrielle in a sleek one-piece bathing suit, looking sexier than any woman had a right to. With his daughter around, he had to keep his hands to himself, and he realized he’d signed up for an afternoon of pure torture. And he had only himself to blame.

GABRIELLE HAD PROPOSED THEY arrive early at the Wave so her friend could have a drink or two to relax. Sharon was a basket case, and Gabrielle didn’t blame her. She’d told Sharon that they had found and questioned Tony DeCarlo earlier this afternoon. Like Gabrielle, Sharon was disappointed they hadn’t found out anything and was skeptical about Tony’s supposed change for the better. Because if he was telling the truth, somebody else was blackmailing Sharon. And that was an even more frightening concept.

While they waited for Derek to arrive, Gabrielle intended to question the club’s owner, George Saybrook. Known as Curious George-as a bartender, he’d asked questions instead of dispensing advice-George knew everything about everyone in Perkins and Stewart. Gabrielle had never met George, but his reputation preceded him.

According to Sharon, that hadn’t changed. Neither had the fact that people from both towns gave Curious George’s bar their business. Then a few years ago, old George had a heart attack and his son, Seth, had taken over. Based on what Sharon had told her this afternoon, Seth had gone to college, majored in marketing, returned home and immediately renovated the old bar into a nightclub that attracted a younger, hip crowd. But old George still worked the bar, and before Derek showed up, Gabrielle wanted to talk to George about the past. Curses, in particular.

With Sharon by her side, Gabrielle sidled up to the bar and luckily they snagged two seats.

George, whom Gabrielle had never met, immediately noticed two new patrons and walked over. Despite his cartoon nickname, Curious George was a fine-looking man. Tall and distinguished-looking, at seventy-five George had a full head of white hair and a bright smile. Whether or not the teeth were his own, that was his secret to keep.

“Sharon, how are you and that politician fiancé of yours?” he asked.

“We’re doing great, George. Are you still spreading the word to vote for Richard?” Sharon asked.

He nodded. “You betcha. Can’t wait to oust the old biddy,” he said, laughing. “So who’s your friend?” He eyed Gabrielle with his legendary curious stare.

“Gabrielle Donovan, meet George Saybrook, George, my closest friend, Gabrielle,” Sharon said.

Gabrielle shook his weathered hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine. So what can I get you ladies?”

“A cosmopolitan, please,” Sharon said.

“A sour-apple martini for me,” Gabrielle said.

He picked up two glasses. “That’s what I like about serving women. You challenge my mixing skills more than a beer-drinking guy does.”

Gabrielle laughed.

Instead of working on their drinks, George lingered to talk. “I recognize your name,” he said to Gabrielle. “You’re the author. I heard you gave quite a speech at the library the other night,” he added. “It’s the talk of the town.”

“Which town? Perkins or Stewart?” Gabrielle asked.

“Both. My bar doesn’t discriminate.” He laughed and turned to mix their drinks.

“I think he means my nightclub,” George’s son, Seth, said, joining his father by the soda fountain. “Hi, ladies.” He nodded at them both.

While Sharon repeated the introductions, Gabrielle compared father and son. They shared height and breadth in their shoulders, but Seth’s hair was an inky-black, giving Gabrielle an idea of how handsome George must have been in his youth.

“A pleasure to meet you,” Seth said to Gabrielle. “Welcome to my establishment.”

“Make sure you don’t listen to anything my boy says. He forgets who owns this joint, the bar and the land beneath,” George spoke proudly.

But since he looked at his son with pride in his eyes, Gabrielle knew there was nothing but good humor behind the words.

“And he forgets it’s the club paying the bills and not the old bar,” Seth joked as he put his arm around his father’s shoulders. “Pop, why don’t you take the night off? Go out and enjoy yourself for once.”

Gabrielle had just turned eighteen when she’d left for college. She’d never come to the bar, but everyone knew that George’s wife had passed away when Seth was just a little boy. George hadn’t remarried and he’d raised his son by himself, moving from their house to a large apartment above the bar where he could keep an eye on his child and his business at the same time.

“This is my enjoyment.” He placed the glasses in front of the women. “One cosmopolitan for Sharon and a sour-apple martini for the author.”

“Thank you,” Gabrielle murmured. She’d have bet George was too preoccupied talking to remember what they’d ordered, not to mention who’d ordered what. She’d have lost.

“I’m not going anywhere tonight,” George said to Seth. “Where else can I spend time with beautiful young women like these two? Even if one of them is awfully quiet.” George settled his gaze on Sharon.

Lost in thought, Sharon didn’t reply. She probably hadn’t even heard the conversation going on around her. Not that Gabrielle blamed her for being distracted.

“She has a lot on her mind, don’t you, Sharon?” Gabrielle nudged her friend.

Sharon jumped, obviously startled. “Oh, right. My wedding. I have this ongoing list in my head and I just can’t seem to concentrate on anything these days.” She gave a smile, one Gabrielle recognized as forced. “At least I have until after the election.”

“Here. Take your drink. I’m sure it’ll help you relax,” Gabrielle said.

Sharon accepted the glass and shot her friend a grateful nod. “Thank you. I’m going to call Richard,” she said, pivoting away from Gabrielle as she pulled out her cell phone.

“No problem.” Gabrielle squeezed her friend’s shoulder before turning back to George and Seth. “Would you mind if I ask you some questions about things going on around town, George?”

Something at the other end of the bar caught Seth’s interest and his gaze wandered. “Whatever it is, Dad will be happy to indulge your interest,” he said to Gabrielle, sounding distracted. “I hope you won’t be insulted if I go make sure the other customers are happy. I’m sure I’ve heard whatever story he ends up telling you at least a hundred times.” He winked at Gabrielle. “He’s all yours.”

“That I am, beautiful. What can I do for you?” George asked.

She lifted her glass for a sip of her martini. The sour taste filled her mouth. “I don’t know if you heard the subject of my next book-”

“Of course I did. The Corwin Curse!” George said, a little too loudly.

Gabrielle winced, glad Derek wasn’t there to hear. She drew a deep breath. “Since you know everyone, I thought I’d ask you about the families involved.”

George nodded. “You’ve come to the right place.”

“I was thinking about starting with the recent past.” The rest she could look up at the library or even on the Internet if any records of the curse had been kept. “Tell me what you know of the current Mary Perkins.”

Gabrielle already had personal knowledge of the Corwins, and what she didn’t know, she hoped Derek would share. Otherwise, she’d have to question his father and his uncles. And though she’d always heard Thomas was a reasonable man, everyone knew Edward was an unstable recluse living on the outskirts of town. And since Hank had been polishing a gun, at least according to Holly, Gabrielle didn’t think he’d be quick to answer her questions.

“So, you want to know about Mayor Mary Perkins…” George leaned closer to Gabrielle. “That woman’s one nasty piece of work. Not that she’d give you that impression if you met her. No, ma’am. In public, she’s so sweet, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but in private?” He whistled through his teeth.

“What’s going on?” Sharon whipped her head around to see where the noise had come from.

Gabrielle laughed. “Go back to spacing out. I’ll be finished in a few minutes.”

Sharon glanced at the door. “How will I even recognize the guy if he walks in?” she asked.