Close To The Heart (Westen Series Book 5)

by Suzanne Ferrell

  “One of the windows was rolled down,” she continued telling what she found. “Blood spatter on the inside to the passenger door. But no body. I decided to work my way back down stream to see what might have floated away since the current was running heavier from that storm last week.”

  “The one that blew out the power for a night?” Wes asked as he began taking photos of the victim.

  “You’re thinking the killer left Twitchy in the car with the window rolled down, hoping no one would find it before he got out of town.” Gage nodded, understanding where Harriett was going. “Only the river rose enough to float the body loose, out the window and down river. Probably took a few days to get it down here.”

  “That was what, Wednesday night?” Daniel asked. “This happened before then?”

  “Yes,” Harriett confirmed both questions and turned to Wes. “What did Earl tell you about Twitchy?”

  He stopped snapping photos and considered what the elderly man told him. “Said Twitchy was like the junior partner to the man found in the trailer home with Jennifer Powers. According to his source, the pair worked for Snubnose and both went missing about the same time.”

  “That was about ten days ago,” Gage said. “We’ll wait for confirmation of the exact date and time of death from the coroner, but given our timeline, it was sometime between that Thursday and last Wednesday.”

  “Tuesday,” Harriett corrected. “The storm happened late Wednesday night. Our man wouldn’t have killed Twitchy in broad daylight, so Thursday to Tuesday.”

  “Thursday to Tuesday,” Gage said through nearly clenched teeth.

  Wes winked at Daniel over their boss’s shoulder and he had to fight from grinning. Not many people got under Gage’s skin, but Harriett did so with impunity.

  “Wes, you stay here with the body. Daniel and I’ll meet Harriett up at the car. I’ll have the crime lab techs meet us there since it’s easier access. Then we’ll get back down this way.” He walked over and grabbed the bow of the kayak then stared at Harriett. “Need me to help you in?”

  “Just hold her steady, smartass,” she said and nimbly climbed into the kayak. Once settled he gave it a little shove so she could maneuver it facing back up stream. “I’ll dock so you can see me from the road.”

  The three of them watched her paddle upstream, looking like an athlete training for a race.

  “Hope I’m that spry when I’m her age,” Wes said.

  “I hope I still have half the wits she does,” Daniel said.

  “I hope we aren’t in the same old age place, because I have a feeling she’s going to live forever,” muttered Gage as he turned and tromped back to the road. “That is if some old spy doesn’t kill her first.”

  Daniel laughed as they made their way to their trucks.

  “Wes and I rode together, so you’re going to have to give me a ride out there,” Gage said, climbing into the passenger seat of the SUV.

  “How far up?” Daniel asked and pulled out onto the gravel country road.

  “The first bend is about three miles up. I’m guessing that’s the spot.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “You drive and I’ll watch for a seventy-year-old ninja in yellow and green neon neoprene.”

  “If Snubnose Gary’s abandoned his car and getting rid of his accomplices, do you think he’s moved on?” Daniel asked, trying not sound hopeful.

  “Could be, but honestly? I don’t know. If Lexie couldn’t identify him, I’d say yes.”

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” he said, his gut clenching against bad news. “So, why ditch the car?”

  “It’s pretty distinctive and we all know Lexie can recognize it.”

  “So you think…”

  Gage ran his hand over his face and Daniel’s gut sank.

  “He’s got another ride and we need to stay focused. My gut tells me this guy isn’t done yet.”

  22

  I’m going to have the package tomorrow.” Gary wiped the powder from his nose, leaning back to talk on the phone as the rush from the coke hit him.

  “High quality?” the deep voice on the other end of the line asked.

  “Pure virgin white. Trainable.”

  The deep chuckle both thrilled and angered him. Thrilled him, because he’d get paid good money, even after the cost of the heroin he took to sell was taken out of his payment. Angered him, because if he had his own contacts, he would make even more money. He hated owing anyone anything. Hated being dependent on anyone. Not for cash or drugs.

  He was done being a slave to others. He wanted more out of life. No more hustling for others. Time to become his own boss.

  After tomorrow, he was moving on. He’d deliver the girl to Johnston, take his cut and leave town. But first he was going to stick around and see who he delivered her to. Time to make his own contacts. The money was just too good. The hardest part was getting the kids from their parents. If he mastered that, and he had, then closing the deal would be a piece of cake.

  His stash of H would help him set up in a new place. This time somewhere big, but not full of other bosses. He’d start slow, a few girls, a few lieutenants—smarter ones than he had here. No one used the product. H was too addictive. A little coke or weed, no problem.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  Right on time. He took out the little bag of smack and laid it on the table in plain view. Cleaned up the coke and put it away, then went to answer the door.

  “Hello, darlin’,” he said, admiring the young redhead standing at the door, still dressed in her t-shirt and short skirt uniform from the bar down the street. He invited her in and closed the door behind her. “I thought you had to get home to your kid?”

  She shrugged and moved in closer, until just the tips of her nipples touched his chest. “Told the sitter I had to work a second shift, so she’s spending the night.”

  “Glad you changed your mind.” He moved back so she could see the bottle of tequila, bowl of sliced limes and bag of heroin on the tabletop.

  She smiled and pressed her body tight against his. “I’m always up for a party.”

  “So am I.” Grabbing her tight, round ass cheek with one hand, he hauled her in tight against the thick ridge of his cock behind his jeans. “We’re going to party hard.”

  “Mmm, I do like things hard,” she purred, leaned in for a hard kiss, then swirled away towards the goodies on the table.

  Yeah, he’d be moving on tomorrow, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be by himself. Nothing like having new product practically delivered on his doorstep. First thing though, he had to get rid of the only witness that could jam him up. He grinned as he sauntered across the hotel room. Getting paid for making the little brat disappear? Icing on the cake.

  Everyone in bed for the night?” Daniel asked as Melissa settled onto the porch swing beside him.

  She leaned into him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Heat from his body cut through the chill that would remain in the evenings until summer and she snuggled a little closer. “Lexie’s asleep. Colt’s turned off his music. Bryan’s working on a school project, but I suspect he’ll be in bed soon. Trent crashed about an hour ago and Geoff’s finishing up in the shower. How he’ll ever get the paint out of his hair is beyond me. I suggested dish soap first.”

  “Never saw a kid so happy with work,” Daniel said, lightly rubbing his hand up and down her arm as he stared out into the darkness, watching for danger that might approach.

  Since that first night he’d stayed on the couch, they’d ended every evening on the front porch swing. A small bit of quiet privacy for them in a household full of energy and noise the rest of the time. Tonight felt a little different. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Ever since he’d walked in from work there’d been a focused intensity about Daniel. Even while teaching Lexie to hold and swing her new pink bat after dinner. Something was wrong.

  As much as she wanted to shove her worry into a dark corner and enjoy just being held by him, she’d prom
ised herself she’d never hide from a problem again.

  “What happened today?” she asked after a few minutes.

  His whole body tensed.

  Whatever it is, he doesn’t want to tell me.

  Then he inhaled and exhaled slowly, relaxing slightly. “We found Gary’s car today. Abandoned in a secluded area half in and half out of the river.”

  “Just his car? Not him?” she asked, looking at Daniel’s face, his lips pressed in hard lines, the small muscle at the base of his jaw jumping.

  “We, actually Harriett, found a body down river from the car. It wasn’t Gary, but someone we believe worked for him dealing drugs.” He took another deep breath. “He’d been shot. When we processed the car, we found blood and two bullet holes.”

  Melissa sucked in air and shook her head. “As much as I hate that someone died such a horrible death, I’m almost glad he won’t be dealing anymore drugs in our town.”

  “I completely understand. I wish the solution was that simple. Even if we eradicate the current drug dealers, the need is now here for those that became addicts. The town is going to have to come together to find ways to help them and prevent others, like teenagers experimenting with things, from becoming hooked on the crap.”

  Anger edged his voice, but it didn’t frighten Melissa. She’d seen him angry before.

  The night after the blizzard when he’d brought Lexie to live at Westen House anger had roiled off him like an ocean wave. At first, she’d been scared. The last angry man she’d been alone with had nearly blinded her, almost killed her. But Daniel had harnessed his rage and tenderly tucked the little girl into a bed then stayed to fill her in on what the situation was. Recently, she’d watched him break up a fight among his ball players, stepping in between swinging fists and reprimanding them with a lecture.

  “You don’t solve problems with your fists. Despite what you see in movies and in video games, the reality is this. If you’re the first one to throw a punch you can go to jail. Someone gets hurt or worse killed, even if you didn’t start the fight? You go to jail for a very long time.” Then he glanced her way and back to his team. “And there is never a reason for you to hit a girl or woman. Ever.”

  “What if they start it?” one of the kids asked.

  “Walk away. You’re physically bigger. You will hurt them. You get angry? Take a walk. Kick the trash can outside. Don’t raise your hand in anger to someone smaller or weaker than you. Got it?” He looked each one of them in the eye until they nodded.

  How did you not fall in love with a man like that? And as much as she’d promised herself to go slow, she’d definitely fallen in love with Daniel.

  “Do you think that means Gary has given up and left the area?” In other words, was Lexie safe now? God, she hoped so.

  “You’d think so, but…”

  Her heart sank. “But, you all think he’s still a threat.”

  Daniel’s arms tightened around her, pulling her head to the crook of his neck and shoulder. Inhaling his spicy aftershave and male scent, she wrapped her arm tight around his middle, holding him as strongly as he held her. It wasn’t his worry. It wasn’t hers. It was both of theirs.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I’d hate to have to face this alone.” She lifted her head to look at him. His blue eyes darkened in the moonlight.

  “There’s no where else I’d rather be.” He bent his head and gave her one of his soft, reassuring kisses, lasting only a moment. “Even if there wasn’t a sick drug-dealer-child-trafficker threatening our little girl, I’d want to be here. With you.”

  Suddenly, giggles burst out of Melissa.

  Daniel drew back to look at her startled. “What? You don’t think I’d want to be with you? Hold you? Make love to you? Because trust me, I want nothing more.”

  “No, no. That’s not what has me laughing,” she said, wiping the laughter tears from her eyes and trying hard to contain the giggles. “It was the bizarre description of the menace in our lives. The absurdity that such a creature exists and that he’s somehow threatening my mundane, everyday life.”

  “Well, he is. What did you want me to call him? Entrepreneurial pharmacological gentleman?” Daniel asked, but the corners of his lips twitched, sending more giggles through Melissa.

  “Stop. We really shouldn’t be laughing. It’s a very serious situation.” She gulped in air and once more wiped at her eyes. Above them the last light went out in Geoff’s bedroom.

  Daniel hugged her close, chuckling in her ear. “It’s okay to laugh. Actually, good for you. When I was in the army going out on missions, we’d crack jokes to relieve some of the tension. Most of them just as inappropriate as these. Some more so.”

  “You were in the Army?” she asked. “When did you serve? Where?”

  “I was a freshman at Ohio State when nine-eleven happened. I wanted to go sign up immediately, but Gramps said I should wait. He made me promise to finish college first and be in the ROTC. Said, If there’s still a war going on when you get out, you go in as an officer.” He paused, and she felt him tense, then relax. “My first operation was the second battle of Fallujah, late two thousand and four as a lieutenant. Luckily, I had a seasoned sergeant who kept be from getting myself and my men killed more than once and long enough for me to become a decent officer.”

  “I’m sure you weren’t that bad.”

  “Well, I learned a lot from Mac. And he did save my life more than once.” He put one finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “But humor in dangerous times is actually good for you. Relieves the tension and lets you think more clearly.”

  Staring into his eyes, Melissa made a decision. “You know there’s something else that relieves tension. Or at least I’ve been told it does.”

  His eyes widened with interest. “You know it’s mean to tease a man like that.”

  “I’m not teasing,” she said, laying her hand on his chest and pushing herself up to meet his lips, putting enough pressure in it to let him know she was very interested in making love to him.

  A moan escaped him, and he pulled her in tighter. The kiss deepened as he slanted his head, teasing her tongue with his, molding her body against him. She shifted until she half sat, half lay on his lap, her hands twining behind his neck to pull him closer, even as her fingers caught in the thickness of his hair. The growing thickness of his cock pressed against her hip and even through their clothes, her nipples tingled with awareness as they scraped against his chest.

  She wanted to crawl on top of him, part her thighs and ride him, out here in the dark. Never in her life had she wanted someone as much as she wanted Daniel. Desperate. Needy. Here. Now.

  Suddenly, he pulled back, breaking off the kiss. “Damn, woman. I do love the way you kiss. But it’s not fair. I can’t take you to bed.”

  “Why not, if I want you to?” She stroked her hand over his face.

  He caught her hand in his, holding it pressed to his stubble roughened cheek. “Because we’re not married and there is a houseful of kids inside. I don’t want them thinking less of you because they caught us sleeping together.” Frustration edged his voice.

  She slowly moved away, and he released his hold on her. Standing next to the swing, she held out her hand to him. “Come with me.”

  He hesitated. In the moonlight his emotions warred across his face. Honor and determination to keep her reputation with the kids fighting with his desire. His wavering told her how much he cared. It thrilled her to know she tempted such a strong man. Shouldn’t it shame her? No. She’d spent years giving into the whims and destructive demands of a monster. Her desire for Daniel was built out of the respect and love she had for him. If he rejected her invitation now, it would hurt, but she’d understand it.

  Just when she thought he’d refuse, he slipped his hand in hers and rose from the swing.

  “You’re sure?” he asked, staring down at her, their bodies separated but just centimeters.

  “I’m very, very sure,” she said,
and led him into the house.

  He held her hand as he locked the door. They took turns kicking off their shoes, giggling a little as they wobbled, still holding hands.

  “Shh,” she whispered. “We have to be quiet.”

  He nodded and let her lead him down the hall to her bedroom. Once inside and the door quietly closed behind them, the lock in place, she turned to him and reached to unbutton her top.

  “Let me,” he whispered, moving her hands away. Slowly, he loosened the first button from its mooring and moved on to the next one.

  It was such a strange sensation to have him undressing her. Frank had shown little patience with the process of foreplay. He’d simply tell her to get undress and enforce his demands with a shove or a punch, often just throwing her on the bed, ripping off her panties and fucking her without more than a “Damn, dry bitch,” coming out of his drunk mouth.

  When the last button was freed, Daniel pushed the edges open and ran his fingers up the edges, grazing her nipples as he pushed the blouse off her shoulders then down her arms. As it fell to the floor behind her, Melissa, tensed.

  “God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, staring at her nearly naked upper body. He slipped his fingers inside the straps of her bra and pulled them off her shoulders, down her arms to hang there as he slid a finger into each cup of her bra. He moved them down until they met at the front closing clasp. “May I?”

  All she could do was nod. Even if she didn’t need to be quiet, the words stuck against the lump of desire and amazement clogging her throat.

  With shaky fingers, he managed to open the clasp and gently pull the scrap of silk off her body. Before she could react, he knelt in front of her, his face level with her breasts.

  “I’ve dreamed of this.” His whisper husky with desire. Holding onto her hip with one hand, he clasped a breast in the other, leaning forward to lick just the tip.

  She braced her hands on his shoulders to steady herself and inhaled sharply.

  His lips latched onto her nipple and sucked.

  Heat surged through her. Her legs shook and she bit down on her lower lip to keep from crying out at the wonderful sensation. The need for quiet adding to the sensuality of the moment.