Polished Off by Barbara Colley Page A

from the ignition, collected her purse, and climbed out of the van. Daniel slammed the door shut. After she locked it, she followed him around the front of the van into the yard.
    They were halfway to the steps leading up to the porch when Charlotte reached out and took him by the arm. “Daniel—hold up a sec.” He stopped. “On the way here I was thinking. Have you considered that Nadia might not be the only suspect in all of this? What I mean to say is—and not that I would ever think such a thing—but the police might consider you a suspect as well.”
    Daniel smiled indulgently. “Oh, Auntie, you’re something else.” He gave her a quick hug. “And, yes, of course I’ve considered that possibility. You forget I’m a lawyer. And as a lawyer, I’ve defended a lot of clients who were suspects, so I do know a bit about such things.”
    “Oh, hon, of course you do.” Her cheeks grew hot. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. It’s just that I—I—” You what, silly woman?
    Daniel chuckled. “It’s okay, Auntie. No reason to be embarrassed, and no explanation necessary.” He suddenly sobered. “I’m not worried about me, though. I’m more worried about Nadia and Davy. I have to tell you, Aunt Charley, I’m not looking forward to this, and I’m really glad you’re here.”
     
     
     
    Though not nearly as large or as ostentatious as the historical houses found in the Garden District, Daniel’s home was impressive in its own way. The two-story Mediterranean-style house with its salmon-colored stucco and its red-tiled roof had been built in the 1920s and was an elegant example of Spanish architecture.
    The house had come on the market when interest rates were down and at a time when Daniel had decided he’d had enough of apartment living. In the two years since he’d bought the house, real estate values had skyrocketed, and his purchase had proved to be an extremely wise investment.
    Charlotte followed Daniel to the steps leading up to the porch. They were halfway up the steps when they heard a commotion from inside at the door. Then, even though the little boy’s voice was a bit muffled, they heard him yelling, “Mommy, Daddy Danol! Daddy Danol here!”
    Within seconds, the front door abruptly swung open. Like a miniature tornado, the little boy raced onto the porch. When he saw Charlotte he skidded to a sudden halt. Then he spied Daniel just behind her and made a beeline for him.
    Daniel scooped Davy up into his arms. “Hey, there, buddy!”
    The little boy giggled with delight. “I wait for you,” he chortled. “Just like Mommy said.”
    “You did? That’s great!”
    “Davy! Come back—” Nadia appeared at the doorway. Her hands were on her hips and her face was a picture of frustration. She froze in the doorway at the sight of Charlotte. “Oh—Hi, Charlotte.” She stepped onto the porch. “This is a nice surprise. I didn’t realize we had company.”
    Charlotte smiled and stepped closer. “Not company, hon.” She opened her arms and pulled Nadia into a hug. “We’re family now,” she said as she released her.
    Nadia returned Charlotte’s smile, but her smile quickly faded into a frown, and, with eyes narrowed, she turned her attention back to Davy. “You—you little scamp.” She shook her finger at him. “How many times have I told you not to open that front door without me being there? What am I going to do with you?”
    Davy ignored her by burying his face against Daniel’s shoulder. With a wink for Charlotte, Daniel tilted his head down and whispered loudly next to Davy’s ear, “Uh oh, buddy, sounds like you’re in trouble.” When the little boy just burrowed his face deeper into Daniel’s shoulder, Daniel chuckled. Then he stepped closer to Nadia, leaned over and kissed her. “Guess I’d better get that security chain put up after all, huh?”
    “I put it up myself this morning,” she told him. “For all the good it did,” she added. “I made the