Red Red Rose

by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

  “Thank you. I’m not so sure I could have gotten him to leave without more of a fight.”

  “That the asshole ex?”

  “I never called him an asshole.”

  “I deduced that part all on my own.”

  “Yeah, well it took me a little longer to figure out and I’m having trouble shaking him off.” I leaned against the side of my car and Shaw took a few long strides closer.

  “Remember what I said about having the right man in your bed? It’d take care of that problem real quick.” He jerked his head toward Nathan’s retreating Porsche, and once again I wanted to ask him if that was an offer, but I wasn’t that bold.

  “For tonight, you did the job just fine.”

  He took another step toward me and then our personal space bubbles were getting all up close and intimate. I had to tilt my chin up slightly to keep my eyes locked on his. “It’s a good thing I’m not in your bed. I was, I’d break his damn arm for putting his hands on you like that.”

  I swallowed. “I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me.”

  “Doesn’t change that I want to break his arm to teach him a lesson.” He brushed his knuckles along my cheek, sweeping back the strand of hair that had come loose from my bun.

  I ducked my eyes briefly, before lifting them back to his. “You wouldn’t want to do that. He’s a big-shot lawyer. He’d sue you.”

  Shaw let out a short laugh. “I don’t give a shit who he is.” And that’s what made him so different from Nathan. Shaw preferred to solve problems with action. His hands, and possibly his fists, while Nathan used words and maneuvering and manipulation to get what he wanted.

  “Well, I should probably get home. Thank you again for stepping in, but sorry that you had to.”

  “Don’t ever apologize for that asshole.”

  I gave a short nod.

  “Drive safe, Nora.” I loved the way my name rolled off his tongue.

  “You too.”

  I climbed into my car and Shaw disappeared into the night as suddenly as he’d appeared, like freakin’ Batman. Then I heard a loud engine rumble to life. In my mirror I caught the truck pulling out onto the street. Because what else would he drive but a big, black, bad-ass truck? I shook my head. Boys and their toys.

  James was kicked back and stretched out on my couch when I got home, a box of pizza opened on the coffee table.

  “Oh good, food.” I didn’t bother to fetch a plate. I grabbed a slice and started shoveling it in my mouth.

  “Help yourself,” he chuckled and then sat up, making room for me next to him.

  “Sorry. Lunch was hours ago.”

  “It’s alright. I got the extra large pie for a reason.”

  Between the two of us, there wasn’t even a scrap of crust leftover when we finished. James closed the lid on the box and we both kicked our feet up. Some History Channel feature was on and it didn’t take long for my eyes to drift shut.

  My mother’s ringtone woke me sometime later. The same program on ancient Rome still held James’ attention. I grabbed my phone up from the coffee table and answered, shuffling into the kitchen.

  “Hey Mom, sorry I forgot to call you back. I got home and had dinner and fell asleep on the couch.”

  “That’s alright. You know I just like for you to check in with me at the end of the day.”

  “I know, and you’ll be pleased to hear that Emily’s brother got leave to come home and he’s staying at the house so I’m not here by myself.”

  “Oh good.” Her relief was audible. “You know how I worry about you in that house. Even when it was the two of you girls, I worried,” she said solemnly. Now, it seemed, her worry wasn’t unfounded.

  “I know. I promise I’m keeping the doors locked and paying attention when I get home at night and I always carry my pepper spray on me.” I left out the part about almost getting to use it tonight.

  “That’s good. Still, I like the idea of James being there when you get home at night. With him there, are you going to have room for your father and me when we come up, or should we book a hotel? We’re going to try and head up on Wednesday, but maybe not until the weekend, depending on how your dad is feeling. He threw his back out trying to show up the neighbor kids at football this afternoon. You know how your father is,” she sighed and I chuckled.

  “Yeah, I know. Still doesn’t want to accept that he’s getting old.” My father had worked all his life in construction. Now he ran his own contracting company, but all the years of hard labor had been tough on him. Now that he was nearing sixty, he was supposed to be leaving the heavy lifting to the young guys that worked for him, but I couldn’t tell you how many times I’d listened to my mother fuss about going to take him lunch on a jobsite and finding him swinging that hammer or hauling sheetrock and lumber.

  “Still thinks he’s got the body of a twenty-five year old,” she muttered and then I heard my father’s voice in the background.

  “I might not be twenty-five, but there are still some things I can do just as well as ever. Get off the phone, and I’ll show you.”

  “Oh please, right now you can’t even get off the couch.”

  My father grumbled something in return that I couldn’t hear, and then Mom’s voice came back over the line, speaking to me. “I swear I raised two children, not one, and I’m still raising this one.”

  I laughed. “Well, it sounds like I better leave you to him, just let me know what day you decide on. John and Elise offered for you to stay with them.”

  “Oh no, we couldn’t impose on them during this time.”

  “I really think they’d be happy to have you there. At this point, anything to distract from having a quiet house would be good for them.”

  “Well, I’ll discuss it with your father. We really wouldn’t mind getting a hotel.”

  “Just let me know whatever you decide.”

  We said goodnight and I realized it was after ten; past my bedtime when I had to be up before five. I walked back into the living room.

  “I’m headed to bed. Another early morning for me,” I told James.

  He looked up from the TV. “Do you work all day again?”

  “No. Tomorrow I have someone closing for me, so I should be able to get out of there around three. Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

  “I’ll probably get up and go for a run, maybe hit a gym, and then head to Mom and Dad’s. I’m thinking about swinging by the police station first, though. They see that the family isn’t going to let this go, might light a fire under their asses on this investigation. I’m damn sure going to make sure they don’t try to sweep Em’s disappearance under the rug. It’s doubtful, but I’ll see if I can’t at least get them to share what leads they’re chasing down; that is if they have any.”

  “Do you think I should have called them last night?”

  “Honestly, from what you said, the second that dog came over the fence, if there was anyone out there, they were long gone. Without any evidence or proof that you had a prowler, I’m not sure they would have believed you. But I’ll make sure before I hit the sack tonight that I take a look around out there.”

  “Just be careful.”

  He grinned and tugged up his pant leg to reveal the ankle holster there. “Got my other piece in the bedroom, so you don’t gotta worry.”

  I nodded, knowing that James was very capable.

  “How long has it been since you shot a gun?” he asked.

  “Not since the last time you were home and took me and Em.” That was last summer.

  “If we get time tomorrow, I’ll take you again. Did you ever go get your concealed carry permit?”

  “Yes. Em and I went and had the background checks and everything done like you said.”

  “Good. You should get a small handgun, and even consider having it on you at work. At the very least when you’re coming and going from work. You can always keep it locked in your safe if you’re not comfortable having it on you all day.”

  I cringed at
the thought, even though I knew it was smart. I told him I’d think about it, which seemed to satisfy him for now. I said goodnight and left him to the end of his program. By the time my head hit my pillow once I’d readied for bed, it was no time at all before I was out, and I slept soundly through the night.

  ~~~~

  Anger churned in my stomach. He wasn’t supposed to be there. I clenched my fists tightly and imagined slipping from the dark and crushing his skull in with the hammer that rested on the workbench beside me. I wasn’t stupid though. There was enough light from the moon and streetlamps that I saw the glint of metal in his hand as he circled around the house, making sure it was safe. He couldn’t see me, and I doubted he would think to check the locked garage. He wouldn’t suspect I had a key. Not even Nora realized I had it, that I could slip inside whenever I wanted.

  I would have last night too, but I made a mistake coming over the fence behind her house. That damn hellhound heard me sneaking through the yard. I hadn’t expected her nosy neighbor to turn him loose in the middle of the night. I’d already slipped over the fence and had my hand on the doorknob when the beast cleared that fence. I’d had no choice but to run, because no doubt his master was sure to be right behind him.

  I wanted in that house. I needed in there. And I needed the cover of darkness to shield me from the prying eyes in this neighborhood. I should have taken what I needed that first night I’d visited, but I’d gotten so distracted. I’d just wanted to see her, to look in on her while she slept a while. She was so peaceful while she slept. So vulnerable and unaware that I stood over her bed. That I could reach out take her if I wanted. The power. The rush. I’d almost done it. Right then, but she stirred and I had to flee because it wasn’t part of the plan. I couldn’t change the plan.

  Last night was supposed to be my chance to get what I hadn’t been able to that night. Tonight, I’d watched her go back inside the shop, planned to follow her home and wait for her to fall asleep. She was all alone on the street when she came out. Again so vulnerable. Or at least she should have been.

  Fucking asshole getting in the way, trying to ruin everything. And now this one. My anger burned hotter as I watched the one searching the yard slip back inside. Where I should have been. Did he think he was protecting her from me?

  I smiled.

  No one could.

  Just like no one could protect dear Emily.

  I unlocked Emily’s car and left my gift on the backseat. Last night I’d left here angry. I did something impulsive.

  How long would it be before she discovered it?

  I smiled and slid silently from the garage into the shadows and through the trees, letting them cover my escape as I made my way over another fence and through the back yard of the house next door and to my waiting car.

  “Goodnight, Nora. Sweet dreams,” I whispered.

  Six

  From my seat in the corner, my eyes were drawn to him the moment he entered the shop. I followed his movements and watched him scan behind the counter as he approached. Was he searching for me? A hint of a smile tugged at my lips.

  “Friend of yours?” My attention was pulled back to James who sat across from me, eyebrows raised, smirk on his lips.

  “Not really.” Involuntarily, my gaze drifted back to where Nina was taking his order. I had the rare chance to observe him while he was unaware. Nina’s cheeks were covered in a blush as he spoke to her. Poor girl. I knew how intoxicating the low, rough timbre of his voice could be, and when he turned those eyes on you . . . well it was a good thing his order was so simple, because I don’t think she was paying much attention to it. He leaned forward on the counter and I saw her blink a few times. Now he was just tormenting the poor girl, but I took a moment to appreciate the view his current position offered. Faded black denim hugged and molded itself to his sculpted backside so enticingly, all the way down to where it bunched up around his black, scuffed boots.

  “Mmhmm. Right.” James was still smirking when I averted my gaze. Then his eyes flicked in the direction I’d been staring and I watched as his face became passive. Another glance that way revealed that Shaw had spotted us. His back was to the counter, his hands gripping the edge and his eyes were on our table. A grey henley stretched across his broad shoulders. He had the sleeves tugged up to expose his forearms, and a fair bit of ink peeked beneath them. He and James were doing some macho man, sizing each other up thing.

  I looked between the two until James turned a perplexed frown on me. “Did my sister ever date that guy?”

  “No, why?”

  “I don’t know, he just looks familiar or something. He’s the same one you were with when I came in yesterday, right?”

  I looked back at Shaw who was still watching us. “Yes, and as far as I know, your sister’s never met him. His name is Shaw”

  Something changed on his face, but he was quick to mask his expression. “How long have you known him?”

  “He’s been coming in here for a few weeks.”

  “That all he’s been doing?” he arched one brow.

  “Careful James, or I might think you sound jealous,” I teased.

  He brushed it off with a laugh and raised his coffee cup to his lips.

  “I’ll be right back.” I stood and followed the pull across the shop. Shaw straightened up from the counter as I drew nearer.

  “Here you go.” Nina set his coffee down, but he didn’t turn or reach for it.

  “Don’t worry, Nina, I’ll make sure he pays,” I told her, coming to stand directly in front of him

  Behind his back, her eyes widened and she started pointing wildly at him and mouthed, “Is this him?”

  Caught in Shaw’s gaze, I could do nothing but shoot her a subtle warning with my eyes and then attempt casual as I gave him my full attention.

  “I forgot to ask you what you were doing in this neighborhood last night,” I started. “Should I thank chance that you just happened to be in the vicinity when I needed a rescuer?”

  “I suppose you could thank Arthur Guinness.”

  I titled my head in confusion, and one side of his mouth curled up.

  “I was at the Alehouse down the street having a Guinness and discussing work. Saw you when I was leaving.”

  At that moment another customer came in the door and approached the counter. Shaw grabbed his coffee and we stepped out of the way.

  “You take my advice and get a man in your bed?” He nodded his head toward James.

  I glanced over my shoulder and saw James’ perceptive eyes on us. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no. That’s Emily’s brother.” His expression didn’t register any change with that bit of information. “He is staying with me though, so I do have someone to handle anymore unwanted visits or prowlers.”

  “How long were you with your ex?”

  “Too long,” I admitted.

  “How did you and a guy like that hook up?”

  I don’t know why, but I found myself opening up to him.

  “He and some of his college buddies were skiing at Mount Baker. They stopped in town and in here just after I opened. I pegged them right away as typical rich, entitled douchebags. Hit on my baristas, thought they could slip a little something extra in their coffees from flasks they brought in with them. I had to kick them out. But then Nathan came back the next weekend by himself, and the weekend after that, and somehow I agreed to a date and then I don’t know. We just sort of happened.”

  The ringing of the shop phone interrupted story time. “Just a second,” I told Shaw. “I probably have to get that.”

  He nodded and lifted his coffee to his lips. Oh to be that cup.

  “I’ll get it in my office,” I told Nina and then hurried to the back.

  I grabbed the receiver from my desk. “Urban Grind, this is Nora.”

  “Miss Scott, this is Detective Parker. Is there any chance you can come to the station this afternoon and answer a few questions?” I’d only spoken to the man one other tim
e, and that was when he took my official statement for Emily’s missing persons report. He was the detective assigned to her case, not that I believed he’d done much detectiving up to this point.

  “What is this about?”

  “We can talk about it when you come down.”

  “Umm,” I hesitated. “I get off work at three today, I can come in after that.”

  “That would be great. I’ll see you then.” A click told me he’d already disconnected the call.

  My brain was turning over possibilities when I returned to the front of the shop. James must have seen something on my face, because he rose from his seat and walked over to me.

  “What’s up? You look unsettled?”

  Shaw and James side by side was almost too much to handle. I looked between the both of them and then back to James. “That was the detective on Emily’s case. He asked me to go down to the station after work and answer a few questions, but he wouldn’t say what it’s about.”

  “You shouldn’t answer any questions alone,” Shaw was the first to speak up.

  “You think I might be in trouble?” I stammered.

  “I’m sure if you were, you wouldn’t have gotten a polite call. Still, any time the police have questions, it’s good to have someone there with you. Keep them from trying to jerk you around.”

  “I’ll go with you,” James offered. “I was planning on stopping by and speaking with the good detective anyway.” I nodded, grateful.

  “I’m going to check with Mom and Dad. See if they got a call as well.” He retreated to a quiet corner of the shop back by the restrooms to make his call, leaving me alone with Shaw to fret over the call.

  “Every time the police show up or call, I’m afraid it’s going to be bad news,” I admitted solemnly. “Nathan told me last night that the FBI is being brought in on the strangler case and they’re looking into a connection to Emily. When she first disappeared and the police insisted there was no reason to believe the strangler had come to Bellingham, I was so mad that they weren’t taking it seriously. Now, all I want is for them to tell me that psycho didn’t take her.”