When the Smoke Clears (Deadly Reunions)

by Lynette Eason

  Christine’s smile looked forced, but she looped her arm through Alexia’s and looked back at the men. “Let me just show Alexia her room. We’ll be back in a minute. Try to behave, please.” With that, Christine pointed her toward the staircase. But instead of going up, her host led her around. “We have something of a mother-in-law suite back here. My parents added it on when my grandmother came to live with us. She died a couple of years ago and now we use it as a guest room. It’ll be the perfect place for you. All the comforts of home, but you won’t be disturbed unless you want to be.”

  And then she was inside a small apartment. Alexia looked at Christine. “Why are you doing this?”

  Christine didn’t bother to act like she didn’t understand. “Because Hunter believes in you and that’s enough for me.”

  A wave of longing for her big brother hit her. Dominic, where are you?

  Biting her lip, she studied the girl she’d known in high school, but hadn’t really known. “Well, thank you.”

  “Sure. Do you have a bag or anything?”

  “She’ll need the works until I can get her bag from Maria and Pete,” Hunter said from behind her.

  Alexia spun to see him and Chad vying for elbow room in the narrow doorframe.

  Good grief. “Have you two always been this competitive?”

  Chad raised a brow like he didn’t know what she was talking about.

  Christine gave a snicker. “No, it’s been a more recent development.”

  Hunter flushed and moved back. “Not that recent. I’ve got to meet Pete and give him his car back before he gets in trouble for missing a call or something.”

  Alexia stopped him. “They risked a lot to help me, didn’t they?”

  One strong shoulder lifted; however, she caught a glimpse of a small smile playing around the corners of his lips. “I think under the circumstances, the captain would be fine with what we did.”

  So many people helping her. Opening their homes to her. Putting their lives and jobs on the line.

  For her.

  Hunter she understood. He was a cop. He wanted to catch the bad guy and she seemed to be the magnet that drew the bad guy out. But the other two cops agreeing to Hunter’s crazy scheme, Serena letting her live in her house, and Christine’s friendly acceptance. Why?

  But she couldn’t ask that. Not right now.

  The bed in the middle of the room looked so inviting. A glance at the bedside clock made her swallow a groan. 12:32. She was an early morning person, not a night owl.

  “Okay, everyone out,” Christine ordered. “And that includes me. Alexia, you’ll find a pair of my pajamas in the bathroom along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and anything else you might need. We’ll have breakfast at seven thirty, but feel free to sleep in if you wish. The food will wait on you.” She flashed an ornery grin at her older brother. “Although, if you’re on time, I’m guessing you’ll have company for breakfast.”

  She’d see Hunter first thing in the morning.

  Somehow the idea didn’t bother her in the least.

  30

  Friday, 7:12 a.m.

  Alexia rose early to find her bag sitting on the chair in the corner of the room. She unzipped the bag and pulled out her clothes. After she showered and dressed, she reveled in her surroundings even as they stirred sadness and regret. Hunter could never be with someone like her.

  She and Hunter didn’t match. She, a poor girl from a dysfunctional family. And Hunter, the son of the fire chief, soon to be mayor? She would wind up embarrassing him at some point, and he would see the error of his ways and dump her. And if he didn’t, his parents would surely want someone “better” for their firstborn.

  And his father thought she was an arsonist. Yes, that could definitely be a relationship killer right there.

  But she was still going to the dinner with him. And then she’d let him finish the investigation and send him on his way. After all, there was no sense in developing any more feelings for the man when she was just going to turn around and go back to Washington.

  Right?

  Maybe. Assuming she lived long enough for him to catch the person after her.

  She started toward the door. Then stopped, glanced at her watch, and retraced her steps back to her bag. She reached in and pulled out Serena’s Bible. Moving the bag to the floor, Alexia settled herself in the chair and opened the Bible to the next entry Serena had marked.

  Romans 8:38–39. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

  Really.

  Was Serena serious? She really thought nothing could separate her from God’s love?

  Yearning ignited inside Alexia. What would it be like to be the recipient of such love? To know that there was nothing she could do to turn that love off?

  With a sigh, she placed the Bible back into the bag, then stared at the opposite wall. God, if you really love me, I need to see it. Guess that kind of doesn’t do much for the faith thing, does it? She paused, thought about it, then prayed, Okay, so help me have faith. Faith that you are who Serena and Hunter seem to think you are. Who I want to believe you are.

  Leaving her meager belongings on the chair, she followed the delightful smell of bacon and cinnamon. In the kitchen, she found all three of the Graham siblings sitting around the table sipping coffee and putting away a good amount of food.

  Chad saw her first and jumped up. “Hey, grab a plate and sit here.”

  The food sat on the counter behind the table.

  “We don’t do this every day,” Hunter said.

  Alexia jerked, turned, and stared at him. “What? Are you a mind reader now?”

  He laughed. “Your face was an easy read.”

  She flushed and shrugged. “So, what’s the occasion this morning?”

  “You’re here.”

  The simple words floored her and she frowned. “Excuse me?”

  Christine let out a little laugh. “Sure. Anytime we have guests, we bring out the big guns.” She took a bite of bacon, then scooped up a forkful of hash browns.

  The bowl of fresh fruit in the center of the table beckoned.

  “Sorry we started without you, but we wanted to make sure you slept as late as you wanted.” She grinned. “Now that you’re here, dig in.”

  “But . . . but . . .” All she could do was sputter. She hated it when she did that. Biting her tongue, Alexia pulled in a deep breath and said, “You mean if I hadn’t been here, you wouldn’t be eating like this?”

  “Exactly,” Hunter said with a nod. He lifted his coffee cup in salute.

  She simply stared. “Y’all are nuts.”

  Christine giggled. Chad barked a laugh. And Hunter smiled with such a tender look on his face that Alexia nearly melted into a puddle on the floor. But what did it mean? That look? The breakfast? Their acceptance?

  “Fill your plate and have a seat,” Hunter said.

  The amusement in his voice should have spiked her anger. Instead, she shook her head at the wonder of it. A five-star breakfast had been prepared.

  Because of her.

  For her.

  She couldn’t fathom it. Alexia held her tongue, suppressed her amazement, and filled her plate. She turned back to the table.

  Chad rose, walked to her, and took her plate. “Let me help you with that.”

  “No, it’s fine. I can—”

  “I insist.”

  She relinquished the plate without further argument. Hunter had a small frown between his brows, but said nothing.

  Unwilling to appear rude, Alexia sat in the chair next to Chad.

  Which gave her a perfect view of his brother. Hunter sat opposite her, an empty chair to his right and Christine to his left. She had a feeling Hunter wanted her in the empty chair next to him.

  Chad looked at Hunt
er. “Well? Aren’t you going to fill Alexia in?”

  Hunter’s glass thunked on the table as he glared at his brother. “Now’s not the time, Chad.”

  “Honestly, Chad.” Christine sighed. “Why do you have to be such a pain?” With that shot, Christine got up and looked at Alexia. “Just leave everything on the table when you’re finished. I’ll take care of it.”

  She left after one last disgusted look at Chad. Chad managed to look slightly chagrined.

  Alexia ignored him and lasered Hunter with her gaze. “What do I need to be filled in on?”

  He looked at her. “I got some news this morning. When we’re finished, let’s go into the den and talk.”

  Alexia lifted a forkful of scrambled eggs to her mouth. Her eyes landed on Chad, who lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. “Sorry, thought you’d want to know as soon as possible.” He finished his breakfast and stood. “I’ve got to run. Duty calls.” He looked at Alexia. “Wish you’d stay another night. Mom and Dad will be home tomorrow. I’d love to see the fireworks.”

  “That’s enough, Chad.” Hunter’s voice rang soft. And lethal.

  Chad lifted a hand in salute and left without another word.

  Alexia forked another bite of eggs. After she swallowed, she asked, “What kind of news?”

  “You don’t want to finish your breakfast first?”

  “Why? Is your news going to ruin it?”

  Hunter sighed. “Probably.”

  “Just give it to me straight.”

  After a slight pause, Hunter nodded. “All right. I found your father. Or rather a friend of mine found him.”

  She froze. Then took a bite of hash browns. Chewing methodically, she tried to buy some time. Did she even want to know any more?

  Then realized she didn’t have a choice. “Where?”

  “Winthrop, Washington.”

  She choked, the hash browns lodged against her windpipe. Hunter thrust her glass of water in her hand and she gulped it.

  Finally, when she could breathe again, she stared at him. “What?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you choke.” He looked troubled.

  Alexia waved a hand, her lovely breakfast forgotten. “Forget it. How did you get that information and is it reliable? Is he still there or . . .” She bit her lip. Did she really think her father could be behind all of the problems that had happened to her this past week?

  Yes. She did.

  “Is he here?” Hunter finished the question for her, compassion softening his eyes.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “Is he here?”

  Another maddening pause, then he nodded. “It looks like he might be.”

  Alexia pushed away from the table and walked into the den.

  Too restless to sit, she paced in front of the fireplace. “So where is he? What is he doing?”

  “He just got out of prison not too long ago.”

  “Of course he did.” Fury burned in her gut. And a desperate fear that she would never be free of her past. “Why do you think he’s here?”

  “He bought a one-way train ticket from Winthrop to Columbia.”

  “When did he buy it?” she whispered.

  “A week and a half ago.”

  “How long would it take him to get here?”

  “A few days.”

  Her knees felt weak. She crossed to the sofa and sat, staring at Hunter. “You think he could be the one behind all of this?”

  “I don’t know, Lex. His train arrived Monday. Devin died on Monday.”

  Lex. The nickname rolled from his tongue like smooth honey. She decided she liked the sound of it. It soothed her, calmed her. “And my life spiraled out of control on Monday too. Okay. So, he may be around here somewhere. Watching me, trying to kill me.”

  Hunter shook his head. “You know, I don’t think they are trying to kill you. They’re trying to get to you.”

  “Well, if that’s the case, then why is he planting evidence to suggest that I’m involved in Devin’s murder, the fire at Detective Isaac’s house, and who knows what else that we haven’t come across?”

  He sighed and a thumb caressed her knuckles. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

  “I might know,” she muttered. She shivered at his touch and at the thought coursing through her mind.

  “What?”

  “If it’s my father, I’m sure he wants me to suffer as much as possible before he gets his hands on me and extracts his revenge.” The thought made her stomach hurt. What had she done to deserve his hatred?

  Maybe she really had burned the house down.

  She looked at Hunter. “My sister killed herself. She OD’d on her pain medication.”

  He blinked at the blunt words. As soon as they left her mouth, she wanted to snatch them back. Why, oh why, did she let that out?

  “I know,” he said.

  The soft compassion in his voice made her eyes sting. She blinked because she didn’t cry. She wouldn’t.

  And the fact that he knew how her sister, Karen, died shouldn’t have surprised her. “I guess you read the story in the newspaper like everyone else.”

  “Yes. And my dad wasn’t exactly quiet about his thoughts on the matter.”

  She nodded. “Right. And you want me to go to that dinner tomorrow night with you. Why?”

  He pulled in a deep breath. “Because—” His phone rang and she jumped.

  Snatching it from his pocket, he barked, “Hello?” Then listened. For about three minutes. Then his eyes darted to hers. “Thanks, Brian, good work.”

  When he hung up, he just stared at her for a few seconds. Alexia wanted to squirm. “What?”

  “Well, we’re on a roll. I think we’ve found your brother too.”

  Alexia paused, prepared herself for whatever Hunter was going to say. “Okay. And where is he? What’s he been doing all these years?”

  “He’s a cop.”

  It was a good thing she was sitting down. “A cop?” Disbelief shuddered through her. “A cop?” They were the only two words left in her vocabulary.

  A small smile curved his lips. “What did you think I was going to say?”

  She shrugged and managed to find more words. “I don’t know. A drug addict? A mob boss?” She tried to smooth her hair, fingers tangling in the curls. She’d meant to pull it up in a ponytail this morning and couldn’t find a tie. The mundane thought allowed her to gather her scattered wits. “Anything but a cop.”

  “Well, he’s not just any cop. He’s a special agent with the FBI. He’s been undercover for years. That’s what made it so hard for Brian to track him down.”

  Could she be any more stunned? “Wha . . . how . . . ?” Alexia clamped her teeth together. Pulled her thoughts together. “How did Brian finally find him?”

  “Dominic just renewed his driver’s license yesterday in Florida.”

  She nodded. “Okay, so now what? If he’s in Florida, I guess that means he’s not the one after me.”

  Hunter gave her a patient smile. “He works for the FBI. Just because the paperwork says he renewed his license in Florida doesn’t mean he’s really there.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  “I’ve got a call in to the bureau requesting to speak with him. I’m hoping he’ll get the message soon and will call me.”

  Alexia gulped. “Okay. And if he does? What does that mean?”

  “I don’t know. Do you want to see him?”

  Did she?

  Desperately. She wanted to tell him she was sorry she was such a rotten sister. She wanted to tell him she shouldn’t have called the cops on him. She wanted to hear him say she was forgiven.

  But what if he wouldn’t accept her apology? What if he still hated her? What if he was behind everything going on with her?

  What if her father and brother were somehow in it together?

  Okay, now she was officially losing it. “No. I don’t want to see him.” She was more afraid of his rejection than the chance that he might
have forgiven her long ago.

  Of course if he’d forgiven her, he would have gotten in contact with her. Wouldn’t he?

  The frown on Hunter’s face stopped her. “What is it?”

  “I just . . . nothing.” He looked at her and smiled. “I’ll tell him you don’t want to meet with him if he asks.”

  “You think I’m wrong, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know. If he’s not the one causing all of your problems, then I think you two should try to resolve your differences.”

  “Like you and Chad have?” He winced and she sat forward. “I’m sorry. That was a low blow.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “No.” She got up and walked over. “I’m lashing out because I suspect you’re right. I do need to see him.” The words came out soft, low . . . honest.

  He sighed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to bring her close to him. “You may be lashing out, but you’re not wrong. Chad and I need to find a way to stop acting like a couple of losers every time we’re around you.”

  “You don’t act like a loser.”

  “Sure I do. He likes the girl I like. I like the girl he likes. It’s in our genetic makeup to act like cavemen whenever we’re in the same room with you.”

  She laughed. “Cavemen?” Then his words sank in. She looked him in the eye. “You like me?”

  “Yeah,” he whispered. “Just a little.”

  Then he leaned over to cover her lips with his, gently, questioning, exploring, then deepening until she pulled away. Heart thrumming like a wild thing, she pushed back and slipped out of his arms even while she longed to stay there. A quivering smile curved her lips while her insides trembled. “Yeah. I like you a little too.”

  Once again his phone rang and she left him to answer it as she processed the news he’d just delivered—and the kiss they’d just shared.

  He’d found her father and brother. Both of whom might be somewhere close by. Both of whom might want her dead. Or in their hands for reasons she could only guess at. Both certainly had reason to want revenge.

  Hunter said goodbye and she turned her thoughts to the handsome man in front of her. The one who seemed to support her no matter what happened.

  “Why haven’t you arrested me?”