by G. K. Parks
“If you say so.” I could practically hear Almeada roll his eyes. “But I’m leaving a protection team at the diner, just in case.”
“That’s your dime. Just make sure she doesn’t think you’re stalking her.”
“I’m not.”
Almeada laughed. “I’m joking. Lighten up.”
I growled at him and hung up.
After my meetings for the day, I called Jade. She had been in contact with one of the shelters. They found her an apartment and a roommate, another woman who’d escaped an abusive relationship. The roommate worked at the shelter and mentored other abused women. It sounded like the ideal situation.
“I told her I’d check out the place after my shift, and if I like it, I can move in this weekend.”
“That’s fantastic.” I picked up a pen. “What’s this lady’s name?”
“Why?”
“Am I overstepping if I say I want to run a background check?”
“Yes, but I’d appreciate it.” She gave me the woman’s name and address. “I’ll call you when I leave her place. I thought maybe we could get dinner. I want to properly thank you for everything you’ve done to help me.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Please,” she whined, “it’s the least I can do.”
“Okay.”
That was the first night Jade went out since escaping Scott. We sat in the corner booth, near an emergency exit, and shared fajitas and drank way too much tequila. Unlike me, Jade wanted to celebrate her freedom. She missed living, or so she kept saying. She missed being carefree and fun. She missed herself. She had lost who she was along the way, and now she was tired of the person she had become. She hated being afraid, but it didn’t keep her eyes from darting to the door every time someone entered the restaurant.
“He’s gone,” I said finally.
“I know. Mr. Almeada gave me the news this afternoon. It’s why he said it was safe to go out on my own.”
“How’s work?”
“Fine. Scott never stopped by. The only time a police officer came inside was to order a sandwich to go. I didn’t recognize him.”
“Well, the police department employs thousands of men and women. You won’t recognize most of them.”
“You’re right.” She brushed her fiery red hair behind her ear. “I’m ready to put this behind me. I don’t want to talk about it or think about it anymore.” She held up a set of keys. “I told Mary Beth I wanted to share the apartment, if she’d have me. She said yes.”
“That’s great.”
Those teal eyes burned into my soul. “You should tell that to your face.”
I forced a smile to my lips. “I do think it’s great. See?” I picked up the shot glass and tipped it back. “Everything checked out. Mary Beth’s clean. The neighborhood’s safe. Just don’t get stuck. You said you didn’t know what you wanted to do yet, so keep your options open.”
“I will.”
“Okay.” When the check came, I reached for my wallet, but Jade swatted my hand.
“This is my treat, remember?” She counted out some crumpled bills, probably her tip money from today, and paid for dinner.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. And I am planning to pay you back. Just let me get some things together first.”
“No rush.” I called for a car to pick us up. Despite the fact the danger was removed, I felt uneasy. It would pass eventually, just not tonight.
“Explain something to me. What kind of P.I. takes a case without getting paid, incurs a ton of expenses, and wages war with the police department?”
“The kind who doesn’t know what he’s doing. Like I told you when we met, I just opened my security firm. This was my first and only investigation. Hell, I wasn’t even licensed when I agreed to help you. Just don’t report me.”
She stared open-mouthed at me. “I’m glad you didn’t tell me this in the coffee shop. I wouldn’t have trusted you.”
“You didn’t trust me.” I watched her closely. “You still don’t.”
“I don’t trust anyone, Lucien. Not completely. But I’m working on it. I’d like to trust you.”
The way she licked her lips and brushed her hair away from her face made me yearn for that trust and whatever benefits might go along with it, but that wouldn’t be professional. I could lose my license. Maybe. Actually, I didn’t know, especially since she wasn’t a paying client. However, that would probably make it worse. Either way, it didn’t matter. That was the tequila talking.
When we arrived at the apartment, I walked her to her door. She unlocked it, and I stepped inside to make sure it was safe. Once I knew the coast was clear, I bid her goodnight and had the driver take me home. Leaving is the right thing to do, I kept telling myself. But had I not been so distracted, I might have noticed the car parked at the end of the street.
Twenty-six
I’d gotten home three hours ago, convinced I’d fall asleep the second my head hit the pillow. Instead, I stared at the ceiling. The tequila must have triggered my insomnia. I thought about getting up to work, but I didn’t feel like it. My thoughts lingered on Jade. When the phone rang, I reached for it, figuring an ex-girlfriend wanted to hook up for the night.
The number on the display sent chills through me. “What’s wrong?” I asked, already out of bed and rapidly dressing.
“I heard a noise at the window. I thought I saw him.”
“Scott?” I zipped my fly and secured my holster. “Did you call building security?”
“Yes.”
“What did they say?” I grabbed my keys and ran to the elevator.
Jade inhaled a shaky breath. “They didn’t see anyone. A couple of guys went outside to look around, and someone else is checking the security feed.”
“Did anyone call the police?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t want to, but they might have.”
“All right. I’m on my way. Where are you? Are you in the apartment?”
“No, I’m sitting in the security office.”
“Okay.” The guards inside the building were armed. They’d keep Jade safe.
“Lucien, don’t hang up.”
“I’m not. I’m right here.” I put the phone on speaker, relieved I’d gotten my tires fixed since I returned the rental car several days ago. The apartment where Jade was staying was on the third floor. It didn’t have a fire escape or balcony. “Where do you think you saw Scott?”
“Standing on the corner, across the street.”
“Did you see his truck?”
“No.”
What did his mother drive? I wracked my brain, but in my frazzled state I couldn’t think what kind of car it was. “What about a silver four-door?”
Jade repeated the question, presumably to the security guard. “There are six parked on the street. Can you be more specific?”
“Hang on.” I tried to enter the vehicle search into my phone, but I couldn’t do it while on a call. Not to mention, I shouldn’t be doing that while driving. “I don’t know. Do you know what his mom’s car looks like?”
“Y’know, I never met his mother.” Jade’s tone sounded odd. “That should have tipped me off. What kind of man doesn’t want you to meet his mother?”
I wouldn’t want to bring anyone home to my mother, but I didn’t share that thought. Approaching the apartment, I drove up and down the street, checking each vehicle, but I didn’t recognize any of them. “I’m on my way in. I’ll see you in a sec.”
Disconnecting, I phoned the precinct, reported a disturbance, and entered the lobby. The night manager recognized me, gesturing to the security office in the back corner. Nodding, I knocked on the door before opening it.
“Hey,” Jade said, relief flooding over her.
“It’s okay,” I said quietly before turning my attention to the guard. “All right. What do we know?”
“Mr. Cross,” he slid his chair over, and I leaned over his shoulder, checking the
monitor, “as you can see, the building hasn’t been breached. We didn’t spot any suspicious activity outside.” His radio squawked, and he picked it up, listening to the all-clear message come from the two guards he sent outside to patrol. He looked sympathetically at Jade. “Is it possible you were dreaming?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I was in bed when I heard tapping at the window.”
“Tapping? Like a bird?” I asked.
“Not really. It was quieter and not nearly as consistent.”
The guard gave me a look, and I glowered at him. “Let’s speak outside for a moment.” I practically pushed him into the lobby. “You’re probably right to assume she imagined it, but we’re taking precautions anyway. Mr. Almeada told you to expect as much, so don’t act surprised or put out. I called the police and reported a disturbance. When they show up, I’ll speak to them, but I suspect they’ll have questions for you and your guys. Answer them truthfully.” I held out a photograph of Scott Renwin. “This is who we’re looking for. He might even show up in a police uniform. So we’re going to be careful and smart about this. Understand?”
“Whatever you say, sir.”
I narrowed my eyes. Building security thought I was a joke. But I didn’t have the time or energy to rip him a new one. “Fine. Just let me know when the police get here, and please cooperate with them. Until then, Ms. McNamara and I will wait in her apartment. Let’s just hope I don’t have to report this to her lawyer in the morning.”
That got his attention. “Yes, sir.”
I led Jade upstairs, wary of our surroundings. She opened her mouth to apologize, but caught herself, and laughed. Once inside, I checked the hidden cameras I set up near the doorway. Since there was only one way in and out, I knew no one had gained entry.
“Which window?”
“The one in the kitchen.” She pointed. “I was in bed, but I couldn’t sleep.”
“I know the feeling.”
“What keeps you up?” The question sounded innocent, but her lips quirked mischievously in the corner.
I rubbed my eyes. Maybe I was still drunk or dreaming. Either way, the question didn’t require a response. Checking the kitchen window, I turned off the lights and peered out the slats in the blinds. But I didn’t see anything.
“What did it sound like?”
“A pebble hitting the window.”
“How many times did it happen?”
“Three or four. I wouldn’t have gotten up to check if it was just once.”
But I didn’t see any pebbles on the ledge or cracks in the glass. I rummaged around the rest of the kitchen, wondering if something else might have made the sound. I even checked for leaky faucets. The intercom buzzed, and I went to the door.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Cross, you wanted me to let you know when the police arrived.”
“I’m on my way.”
“The police?” Jade swallowed, ready to bolt.
“Shh,” I soothed, “I want them to take a look around. Paper trails, remember?”
She nodded but didn’t look convinced.
“Stay here. Lock the doors. I’ll be back soon.”
After speaking to a few patrolmen and explaining the situation, they promised to keep an eye out, but no one had seen Scott or anyone else lurking around outside. The only people who’d entered the apartment building lived here, and the cars parked outside all had permits. If I had other investigators working for me, I’d have sent one of them to keep an eye on Mrs. Renwin’s house and make sure Scott was there, but I didn’t. Instead, I called my assistant at three a.m. and asked him to drive over and see if anything appeared out of place.
Justin threatened to quit, something he did on occasion to remind me I was an insufferable prick, but agreed to go. I went back upstairs and let myself into Jade’s apartment. “It’s normal to be anxious. A lot has changed. But no one’s seen anything suspicious.”
She nodded. “I know. I didn’t mean to drag you out in the middle of the night, or involve the authorities, or drive building security crazy.”
“Considering how much Reeves and Almeada spend on this place, building security can get over it.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re safe. He isn’t out there, but just to be sure, I sent Justin to drive by his mom’s house and make sure everything looks normal.”
“Okay.”
Thirty minutes later, he called and told me everything was quiet. Scott’s truck remained in the driveway, and he spotted a car parked inside the garage. I didn’t want to know what he did to find that out, but I thanked him, told him to take the day off, and promised a nice bonus in this week’s check.
“I should go. You need to get some sleep.” I looked out the window a final time. “No one’s coming for you tonight.”
Before I could turn around, she ran her palms down my arms. “Don’t leave me alone, Lucien.”
“Jade, you’ll be okay. You don’t need me to stick around.”
“What if I want you to?”
“I guess that’s a different story.”
I didn’t instigate. I didn’t touch her. I let her take the lead. She wanted to regain control of her life. She deserved to be pleasured, worshipped, and made to feel special and safe, so for the rest of the night, I let her use my body however she desired. And I enjoyed every minute of it.
Twenty-seven
The sheet skimmed her alabaster skin. Her face relaxed. The worry and tension erased as she slept, making her appear younger, more like the woman from the photo. For the first time, I noticed a few faint freckles dotting her nose, brought out by the red of her hair. I didn’t touch her. Even after the night we had, I knew she wouldn’t appreciate the contact. I hoped one day she’d be able to accept affection without fear.
Silently, I got out of bed and dressed. It was seven. I should be on my way to the office, but for the first time in my life, sneaking out of someone’s apartment didn’t feel right. Luckily, I told Justin to take the day off, so he couldn’t give me grief about this. After sending a text to my receptionist to reschedule my morning meetings, I made coffee and checked the fridge.
The bare shelves stared back at me, so I ordered breakfast from the café down the street, left Jade a note that I’d be right back, and went to pick up our food. The neighborhood looked different in the daylight. Less menacing, more family-friendly. Several women pushed strollers down the sidewalk. A few men walked dogs, and a couple of joggers ran past. I tried to get out of the way, bumping into one jogger with a hoodie.
“Sorry,” I muttered, but he just kept going.
After picking up breakfast, I stopped by the security office to make sure nothing else happened during the course of the night, but the men I’d spoken to had gone home, replaced by the next shift. Since no police cruisers were parked outside, I assumed they didn’t find anything either. However, our city’s finest had better things to do than worry about prowlers or the cause of unknown disturbances.
Reaching into my pocket, I didn’t find my set of keys to the apartment. I must have left them on the counter next to my phone and coffee. Obviously, Jade screwed my brains out. I chuckled, not wanting to knock on the door and wake her. But she might wonder where I was. After debating for far too long, I finally knocked.
“Jade,” I said, “it’s me.”
She came to the door in a towel, her hair wet from the shower. “You didn’t have to get breakfast.”
“It seemed only fair.” Fighting the urge to kiss her, I did my best to appear charming as I set the containers on the counter. She went into the bedroom to dress, and I stared out the window. She was right, all the silver cars looked alike from here.
When the hairdryer stopped, I pulled plates from the cupboard and put them on the table. Then I made her a fresh cup of coffee. While it brewed, I cleaned up the mess I left, putting my phone in my pocket and hooking my holster to the side of my belt. Frowning, I checked my pockets again.
“What’s wrong?” she asked,
stepping into the kitchen.
“I can’t find my keys.”
“Did you leave them in the bedroom? I thought I saw your watch on the nightstand.”
“I’ll check.” Just as I moved past her, she grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me into her for a kiss. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” she whispered.
I went into the bedroom, finding my watch where she said it was. While I fastened it around my wrist, I looked in the nightstand drawer and beneath the bed, but I didn’t spot my keys. Maybe I left them in the security office last night, but I was almost certain I unlocked the door.
“Did you find them?”
“No.” Missing keys posed a problem. Despite the doorman and building security, the attached fob could get anyone inside the building. This wasn’t good. “I know I had them last night.” I checked the recorded footage from the cameras I set up inside the apartment. I was the only person who entered or left. “I’ll check downstairs and see if security has them.”
“It can’t wait until after breakfast?” Jade asked.
“It’ll only take a minute.” I went out the door and retraced my steps, wondering if I dropped them along the way.
When the elevator opened in the lobby, I stepped out. Two women in yoga gear stood near the doors chatting, and a jogger stretched just outside the doors. I spoke to the manager, but he didn’t see my keys.
“Let me know if someone finds them.”
Next, I knocked on the door to the security office. The guard looked up, snickering. I only left him a few minutes ago.
“Back so soon?” he asked. He eyed my empty hands. “I hoped you decided to bring me breakfast.”
“Next time,” I mumbled. I searched the top of his desk and the chair cushions. “Have you seen a set of keys?”
“Yeah. I put them somewhere around here.”
Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I blew out a slow breath while I watched the man rummage around in the filing cabinet. “Welcome to the lost and found.” The sarcastic comment did nothing to improve my mood. Five minutes later, he produced a fancy set of car keys with a soccer ball keychain.
