CROSS HER HEART

by Leigh, Melinda

  No one should look that awake—or good—before coffee.

  Clearly, she was caffeine deprived. She added sugar to her coffee and guzzled half the cup before returning his greeting. “Good morning.”

  “Do you have a plan for the day, and how can I help?” Even before coffee, his blue eyes were clear. Hers had been underscored with bags and dark circles. She’d slept poorly, waking in the darkness with a strange feeling that she was being watched. The break-in had left a mental mark.

  “I have to call my boss. Clearly, I’m going to be here more than a couple of days. My friend should be here this morning with supplies from my apartment. I plan on making some calls and seeing how fast I can get an alarm installed.”

  “I know a guy. I’ll get him out here today.”

  “Thank you.” Bree sipped more coffee. The caffeine wasn’t hitting her system fast enough. She finished the cup and poured another. Her stomach rumbled, and she went to the fridge and found yogurt. “More sugar than I’d like but it will do.”

  She offered one to Matt.

  He declined. “I’m fine with coffee for now.”

  “Thank you for staying last night.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Bree looked at the dog. “I think Brody’s presence made the kids feel more secure.”

  “Dogs are great for home security. Even the nice ones will usually tell you if someone is outside. The little ones bark like crazy.”

  Bree ate the yogurt and drained her second cup of coffee, her brain beginning to stir.

  “I’m going to check on the kids. Be right back.” She tiptoed upstairs and peered in on them. Kayla was sound asleep in Erin’s bed, where she’d slept with Bree. In his own room, Luke looked unconscious, with his long arms and legs sprawled out. His feet hung over the edge of his twin bed. Bree returned to the kitchen and picked up her coffee. “Both are still out cold.”

  “They had a long, rough day yesterday.”

  “Yes.” Sadness brought her exhaustion flooding back.

  Matt ran a hand across the granite counter. “I have a question for you. How did your sister afford a place this nice on a hairstylist’s salary?”

  “She didn’t.”

  Matt raised a brow.

  “The farm belongs to Adam.”

  “Your brother?” Surprise lit Matt’s face.

  “I know. He looks like he’s on the brink of homelessness.” Bree tried to understand Adam, but the years of their childhood they’d spent apart had taken a toll on their relationship. “His paintings are hot commodities, but he doesn’t care about money or buying things.”

  “Everyone cares about money.”

  “Nope. Not Adam. All he wants is to be left alone to paint. He drives the same old junker he bought in high school. He bought the place he’s in years ago and hasn’t put a nickel into it. All he sees is the natural light in his studio.”

  “He seems disinterested in you and the kids.”

  “He’s interested, and he cares in his own way. If I called him right now and asked for ten thousand dollars, he’d transfer the money into my account before I could hang up the phone. He wouldn’t even ask me what it was for.” Bree rotated her shoulders and stretched her arms behind her back. “But he’s always had an emotional disconnect. I don’t know whether he was born that way or if it developed as a coping mechanism to our parents’ deaths. He does the best he can to show us he loves us. But he is what he is. No one is perfect.” Loving your family meant accepting them for what they were.

  “He supported Erin financially.”

  “He wanted to put the farm in Erin’s name, but I talked him out of it.”

  “Why? Was she bad with money?”

  “No. She had bad taste in men.” Before Bree could explain, Brody’s head snapped up. He jumped to his feet and trotted toward the front of the house.

  “Somebody’s here.” Matt followed the dog.

  Bree brought up the rear. She looked out the living room window. A Dodge Durango was parked in the driveway. The rear hatch was open, and Dana was unloading a suitcase and a pet carrier. The sight of her nearly brought tears to Bree’s eyes.

  “That’s my friend, Dana. She’s also my partner.”

  Matt called Brody away from the door so Bree could go outside. Dana rolled the suitcase toward the porch. Bree greeted her on the bottom step with a hug. Dana patted her back. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks.” Misty-eyed, Bree released her.

  Dana thrust the cat carrier at her. “You owe me. He howled for five hours.”

  “Thanks for bringing him. I’m probably going to be here for a couple of weeks. I don’t want to leave him alone that long, and there’s too much going on here for me to make the drive.” Bree led her into the house and introduced her to Matt and Brody. Dana stroked the dog’s head but gave Bree a questioning stare.

  “Is there more in the car?” Matt asked.

  “There is,” Dana said.

  “I’ll get it.” Matt went out the door, with the dog at his heels.

  Dana pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and watched him through the front window. Turning back, she gave Bree a Look. “Girl.”

  Bree rolled her eyes. “He’s just a friend.”

  “Well, that’s a damned shame.”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Uh-huh.” Dana parked the suitcase next to the wall.

  “He’s my sister’s ex’s best friend.”

  “The same ex the local LEOs think killed her?”

  “Yep.”

  “OK. That is complicated.” Dana took off her coat. “He a cop?”

  “He was a cop.”

  “So, he’s going to stick his nose in the case. As are you.”

  “Yep.”

  “Do you think he’s going to get in your way?” Dana asked.

  Bree shook her head. “Actually, I think he’s solid.”

  “Good.” Dana peeled her bright blue hat off and tousled her hair. “You’re doing all right with his dog?”

  “I’m trying. He’s a nice dog. The kids like him.”

  “Good for you.” Dana stuffed her hat into the pocket of her jacket. “I brought everything on your list and threw in a few more things I thought you could use.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for driving up here.” Bree took her coat and hung it on the coat-tree.

  “Of course I came.” Dana looked offended. “We’re partners.”

  “Well, thank you again. I have to call the captain and HR this morning and request emergency leave.”

  “Any ideas about what you’re going to do long term?”

  “No.” Bree couldn’t think about it. “I need to get through the next few days.”

  Matt brought two more suitcases and a box into the house. He set everything by the front door. Brody sniffed the cat carrier.

  Bree eyed the amount of luggage and turned back to Dana. “Did you bring everything in my closet?”

  “Just the winter stuff. The blue suitcase is mine.”

  “You’re staying?” Shock washed over Bree.

  “It sounded like you needed more than clothes, your cat, and your backup piece,” Dana said. “I can stay as long as you like.”

  “What did you tell the captain?” Bree asked.

  “I said bah-bye.” Dana waved her fingers. “I shifted some PTO around. They were going to pay me for the days, but it’s not a big deal. I’m still officially retiring on schedule. I’m just on vacation until then.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” Bree was overwhelmed.

  “You don’t have to say anything. You’d do the same for me.” Dana shrugged. “Besides, you’re a temporary reprieve from my cousin and that crappy night security job.”

  The cat let out a yowl from the carrier. Brody wagged his tail.

  “How is your dog with cats?” Dana asked Matt.

  “He likes them,” Matt answered.

  Bree opened the wire door. “This is Vader.” The cat sta
lked from the carrier and sat, calmly contemplating the dog with bright yellow eyes. He lifted a coal-black paw and began washing his whiskers.

  Brody whined and stuck his nose in the cat’s face. With lightning speed, Vader smacked him solidly on the nose and went back to licking his paw and cleaning his whiskers as if nothing had happened.

  The dog backed up three steps and looked up at Matt.

  “Sorry, buddy,” Matt said. “It’s a cat. Nothing I can do.”

  “He can be a bully.” Carrying the box of cat supplies, Bree led the way back to the kitchen. “Let’s get you settled, Vader.”

  Matt leaned on the counter and crossed his arms. Dana set her purse, keys, and sunglasses on the island. Bree filled bowls of food and water. The cat leaped onto the kitchen island. He stared at Dana’s face and lifted a paw over her sunglasses.

  “Don’t you do it.” Dana shook a finger at him.

  Maintaining eye contact, Vader knocked her sunglasses to the floor.

  “Your cat’s a jerk.” Dana picked up her glasses, put them and her keys into her purse, and set them out of Vader’s reach.

  “Yeah, but he’s my jerk,” Bree said.

  Dana helped herself to coffee. “Has anything happened since I talked to you last night?”

  “No,” Bree said.

  “Good.” Dana drank her coffee black. “I spent the entire drive thinking about the kids. Did Justin formally adopt them?”

  “No, and with his addiction record, I doubt he could get custody now. The fact that Erin made him move out clearly indicated her feelings on the matter.”

  “Yes. So, where is their father?” Dana asked.

  A chill ran through Bree’s body. “I have no idea, and it scares the hell out of me. Luke is fifteen, almost sixteen. He’ll have more to say in where he lives. But Kayla is only eight, and she has a biological father out there somewhere, though she’s never met him.”

  “What’s he like?” Matt asked, leaning on the counter.

  “Good-looking. Smooth-talking. When he’s actually employed, he’s usually selling something. He’s able to adapt his personality to the situation. He plays at being both a ladies’ man and a man’s man.” Bree pictured his smug face. “Most people like him instantly.”

  “But not you,” Matt said.

  “No,” Bree agreed. “The very first time I met him, he reminded me of my father.” Jake Taggert had been a completely different person when other people were around than when he was alone with his immediate family. She’d seen a photo of him once with a smile on his face, and she’d barely recognized him. “Craig immediately set off my asshole alarm.”

  “Your sister seemed smart. How did he fool her?” Dana asked.

  Bree’s coffee soured in her mouth. “Craig Vance could sell sand to a desert. Erin’s relationship with him was volatile. He got her pregnant with Luke when she was sixteen. Then he was in and out of her life for years. She could never count on him for financial or parental support. But every time he showed up on her doorstep, she took him back as if he had some kind of hold on her.”

  Dana drummed her fingers on the island. “When was the last time she saw him?”

  Anger bubbled in Bree’s throat. “When she told him she was pregnant with Kayla, he was pissed. He beat her up and went out to a bar.”

  Dana lowered her mug. “And you didn’t kill him?”

  “I wasn’t here,” Bree said, the guilt sliding over her like a scratchy old sweater. “Anyway, after he hit her while she was pregnant, Erin was finally done with him. While he was out drinking, she changed the locks, packed up his shit, and put it in the driveway. When he came home, she told him they were through. As far as I know, that’s the last time she had contact with Craig.”

  “Good for her.” Dana’s eyes went fierce. “So, if he shows up, we shoot him on sight?”

  Matt jerked a thumb at Dana. “I like her.”

  “Me too, but I don’t think that’s a viable plan.” Bree paced. “I don’t want to look for Craig, but I suppose it would be best to know where he is and what he’s doing. I can’t imagine he’d want the financial burden of two children he’s actively avoided supporting for years.”

  “Right,” Matt agreed. “But wouldn’t the kids’ natural father be their automatic new guardian? Won’t the court try to find him or make you notify him?”

  Bree shook her head. “He wasn’t around when either of them was born, so he isn’t listed on their birth certificates. Legally, the kids have no father. Even when he and Erin hooked up last time, he didn’t legally acknowledge paternity of Luke. He didn’t want the financial responsibility.”

  “You sister never pursued child support?” Matt asked.

  “She was afraid he’d leave her if she pressed the issue,” Bree admitted. Craig had definitely been Erin’s weakness.

  Matt frowned. “Is there any reason he could have killed Erin?”

  “Not that I can think of.” But the idea disturbed Bree.

  Craig was selfish enough to be a killer, even if she couldn’t think of a motive.

  Matt looked skeptical of her answer too.

  “I’ll start inquiries this morning,” Dana said. “Maybe you’ll get lucky, and he died at some point over the years.”

  As cold as it sounded, Bree agreed with her.

  “Brody and I are going to head home.” Matt pushed off the counter. “He needs breakfast, and I need a shower. I’m going to talk to Justin’s neighbors today, then maybe cruise some of the camping sites he likes. When I was at his house, I noted his gear was missing. I want to follow up on that other lead we talked about last night. I’ll let you know if I learn anything interesting.”

  Bree nodded. “I have a ton of calls to make this morning. Then I thought I’d go over to the salon. Most of Erin’s friends worked there. I can talk to her boss too.”

  “You’re looking for a killer,” Dana said. “I don’t like the idea of either one of you finding one alone. I’d feel better if you watched each other’s backs.”

  “Sure,” Matt said with a small, slightly smug smile. “We could do that.”

  “Matt and I already decided to work together.” Bree just hadn’t told him yet. But what he’d said the night before had repeated in her thoughts over and over while she attempted to fall asleep.

  Those kids need you.

  He’d been right, and she’d been foolish to chase the intruder alone in the dark. She was used to being alone, to having no one except Vader dependent on her. But all that had changed with her sister’s death. Bree had to be more careful.

  “Good.” Dana nodded. “Then that’s settled.”

  Footsteps thundered on the steps. Luke and Kayla rushed into the kitchen.

  “Dana!” Kayla ran to her.

  Luke hung back a little, but Dana enveloped both kids in a huge hug. “I missed you two.”

  While Dana greeted the kids, Bree walked Matt to the door. “When do you want to meet?”

  Matt checked the time on his phone. “How about I pick you up at noon?”

  Bree nodded. “That’ll give me time to make phone calls, but you don’t need to pick me up. I can meet you.”

  “I’ll pick you up.” Matt and the dog left.

  Bree frowned, irritated at his bossiness and also at the way her body relaxed as soon as the dog was gone. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about Matt. He was sure that Justin was innocent, and Bree was not. Still, her instincts told her he was being straight with her. They had an additional suspect, but they didn’t even have a full name for Nico, the drug dealer. Justin was still the prime suspect in Bree’s mind, but thoughts of Craig left her distinctly . . .

  Unsettled.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Matt sipped from his travel mug of coffee as Bree jogged from the house toward his SUV.

  He’d spent the last few hours driving all over town and checking Justin’s favorite camping spots. Matt had also called Justin’s friends. No one had seen him.

  “You
didn’t have to leave Brody at home,” Bree said as she slid into the passenger seat, though she appeared relieved the dog was not with him.

  “It’s fine.” Matt drove away from the house. “My sister promised to take him for a long walk this afternoon. She’ll spoil him rotten. Where are we going first?”

  “Halo Salon and Spa. I made an appointment to speak with the salon’s owner, Jack Halo. I’d also like to talk to my sister’s best friend, Stephanie Wallace, but she didn’t answer her phone. Steph and Erin had stations next to each other for years. Halo changed ownership about a year ago. Erin was worried about her job for a while. She was relieved to have survived the transition.”

  “What are you doing about your job?”

  “Between vacation and other accrued PTO, I can swing three or four weeks.”

  “Family and Medical Leave Act might apply to you too.”

  “The kids would have to be my legal wards for me to apply for that.”

  Matt knew she was going to raise those children, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it yet. “Did you call the schools too?”

  “Yes. The counselors both said to let the kids decide when they wanted to return to school. I was hoping for more concrete advice.”

  “At least they confirmed what you’d been thinking.” Matt rubbed his jaw. He’d showered and shaved but still felt sluggish. “You should trust your instincts with the kids. You’re good with them.”

  “I guess, but it feels like I’m treading water in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. Sure, I know the mechanics, how to move my arms and legs to stay afloat. But how long could I keep it up before I sink?”

  The amount of responsibility she was assuming must be suffocating.

  “You OK?” he asked, his eyes probing hers.

  Bree didn’t answer. She looked as if she didn’t know if she was ever going to be OK again.

  “Erin loved her job. I tried to talk her into going to college, maybe becoming an accountant or something. But she loved doing something different every day. She enjoyed being creative and making women feel good about themselves. I probably should have appreciated her for what she was instead of always trying to change her.”

  Matt shrugged. “Sisters are supposed to be bossy. Mine is younger than me. She loves to tell me what to do.”