by Connie Mann
“We’ll get to the bottom of this, Nick,” Monroe said.
“No doubt. Thanks, Chief.” Nick started toward Cat, eyes scanning the ever-growing crowd of onlookers. He caught a glimpse of Eddie Varga sliding behind some of his neighbors and hurried over. “Eddie. Hold up.”
Eddie stopped, and people moved aside as Nick approached, then closed in around them, eager for any snippets of gossip. Nick motioned off to the side with his head. “Let’s talk.”
Varga’s jaw clenched, and he widened his stance. “Why are you singling me out, Officer Stanton?”
Nick narrowed his eyes. He was not in the mood for Varga’s attitude. “Do you really want to have this conversation in front of everyone?”
“I have nothing to hide.”
Nick nodded and scanned the avid onlookers. Eddie seemed to debate for a moment, then reluctantly followed Nick just out of earshot of the crowd.
“This could be called harassment, Stanton.”
“No, it couldn’t. This is asking questions during an arson investigation.”
“Arson? I didn’t set any fires. People said the place exploded. Was anyone in there? I heard it was your house.”
Nick ground his teeth at this song and dance. “Yes, it was my place. Thankfully no one was inside. How did you come to be here at this time of night?”
“I was heading home and saw the flames, came to check it out just like everyone else.”
“You got here after the explosion.”
“That’s what I said.”
Nick sighed. This wasn’t getting him anywhere. “Did you see anyone coming or going, anything suspicious? Anyone acting out of character?”
Eddie seemed to consider this. “It was pretty quiet so late at night, but I did see Captain Barry heading away from here. But maybe he lives nearby, came to check it out.”
Now, why would Varga throw Barry under the bus? Did it have something to do with the argument at the truck stop? He didn’t know, but he intended to find out. “If you think of anything else, let me know.”
“Of course, Officer,” Varga said loudly, heading into the thinning crowd. “Always ready to help Safe Harbor’s finest.”
What game was Varga playing now? Nick stifled a yawn and headed over to where Cat still sat on the curb in front of his neighbor’s house. He plopped down beside her.
Eyes filled with worry, she leaned around behind him, and he felt a featherlight touch. “Oh, Nick. You’ve got burns all over you.”
He shrugged, sorry when she took her fingers away. “Nothing major.” He ran his palm gently down her arm, checked her for injuries by the light of the flames, too. “You need to get checked out?”
Cat sent him a sad half smile. “I haven’t recovered from the last time yet.”
His jaw clenched. “We’re going to figure out who did this, Cat. Trust me.”
“Though I am truly sorry about your house, and that you got hurt, that isn’t my biggest concern right now. We have to find Blaze.”
“How is this connected to her, Cat? How does Carlos Garcia fit in?”
Nick watched the last of the color leave her face, until she looked like a ghost. Her eyes met his, desperate. “Was it one of his men who grabbed me?”
“Yes. You know who Garcia is.” It wasn’t a question.
“I know his name, know he’s involved in all kinds of nasty stuff, from what it says in the papers.”
Nick shook his head and stood. “How bad do things have to get before you quit lying to me, Cat?”
Her eyes widened, and then a shutter seemed to close over them. She sent him a blank stare. “I just need to find Blaze.”
JD called his name, and Nick headed that way, disgusted with her and with himself for not pushing her harder. He was boxing with shadows here. Why wouldn’t she tell him what she knew?
He answered JD’s endless questions, his eyes still on Cat, who seemed to be studying the faces of everyone who hovered around the scene. He saw her stiffen and followed her gaze in time to see a sleek black sedan pull away from the curb.
He started in that direction, then realized he’d never get there in time to get a license plate. But he made note of the make and model. It wasn’t the same vehicle he’d seen Cat get into before, but it had the same rich feel to it. Which told him the occupants weren’t local.
And that Cat was still hiding things from him.
Chapter 23
The first fingers of light were edging over the horizon when Cat finally pulled into the marina parking lot. Her body was so heavy with exhaustion, it was all she could do to climb out of her car. But her brain buzzed like a swarm of angry bees, fear and unanswered questions creating a dizzying rush of sound. She still hadn’t found Blaze, and every minute that went by made Cat more afraid. Please, God, don’t let it be too late.
No. She wouldn’t think like that. She would find her. She had to. The alternative didn’t bear consideration.
Fishermen were already arriving, ready to head out for the day. She exited her car and waved, ignoring several disapproving glances aimed her way. Were they scowling because she’d been out all night, or because they’d heard she’d been with Nick?
She turned toward the house, still trying to come to grips with what had happened. They were the least of her worries.
Someone had blown up Nick’s house.
And if he hadn’t suggested they sit outside, they would have been blown up, too. What were you supposed to do with that?
The shakes started all over again, and Cat bit the inside of her cheek to keep her teeth from chattering. She wouldn’t let anyone see her break down. She tiptoed upstairs with some vague notion of taking a shower and then helping Pop in the bait shop. She’d ask questions and put on a good show for the locals. But the minute she sat down on the bed, she fell backward, sound asleep, still fully clothed and smelling of smoke.
The practical reality of what happened didn’t hit Nick until after the fire chief and all the fire and emergency vehicles pulled away and Monroe told him to go get some rest. That’s when it dawned on him that he didn’t have any place to go.
He stood on the sidewalk, looking at the smoldering remains of his 1930s cottage in the gray light of approaching dawn. Everything he owned had been in there. And now it was gone. Every bit of it.
He wasn’t a sentimental guy, but knowing every single photo of his parents, of his whole history, was gone made him sad. He had no other family, outside of the Martinellis, no one who could send him replacement photos of the important events in his childhood. It was as if his whole past had just been erased. Every memory, every memento and sports trophy and sign of his life with his parents, had literally gone up in smoke.
He still hadn’t worked through how he felt about them. He’d loved them, of course, still did, but now the lens through which he viewed his childhood had been skewed, the whole picture changed, knowing they had stolen him from the Martinellis. What kind of people did such a thing and then kept the secret all these years? The postcard his mother had sent to Rosa Martinelli years ago seemed to prove that they had known what they’d done.
Somehow, he was having a hard time forgiving them that.
And now, all his photos of them were gone.
His feelings were all muddled. It was oddly unsettling to have a murky black hole where a straightforward, clear-cut childhood should be.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. The exhaustion was getting to him. He had to think.
JD materialized at his elbow. Monroe and the reporter had long since left the scene, and he and JD were the only ones still there. “Can I give you a ride to the motel, Nick? When I called to ask if they had room, they said Chief Monroe already called and you could stay for free for a couple of nights.”
Nick couldn’t hide his shock. Just when he thought Monroe couldn’t get any more self-centered, he did something like this. Or volunteered to help the local Little League team when they were desperate for a coach. “Thanks, JD. I’ll drive mysel
f so I don’t have to bother you for a ride later.”
“The chief gave you a few days off, didn’t he?” JD asked.
Nick almost smiled at the eager young officer. “He did, but there’s no way I’m sitting out this investigation. Besides, my bigger priority is finding out who killed Teddy Winston and where Blaze Martinelli is.” He clapped JD on the back as he started for his official SUV. His personal truck had been too close to the house and had also burned, but his Safe Harbor vehicle was intact. Just the thought of all the insurance paperwork made him tired. But even now, with the smoking embers of his house in front of him, Nick’s priorities were clear: find Teddy’s killer and Blaze, before anyone else got hurt.
Once he arrived at the motel, Nick showered and collapsed on the bed, and didn’t stir until his alarm went off several hours later.
It was midmorning when Cat woke. She jerked awake and sat up, the smell of smoke in her lungs, trying to figure out what was burning. When her tired brain finally worked out there was no fire—that the smell came from her—she flopped back down, heart racing, as the events of the night before came flooding back.
She and Nick had almost died.
Grabbing an afghan, she set her teeth as a shiver passed over her. He hadn’t hesitated, not for one second, just grabbed her and covered her with his body, protecting her from flying debris. A woman could learn to love a man like that, a protector, who put those around him ahead of himself.
Not like her uncle. Or Garcia.
At the thought of both those men, she tossed the blanket aside and leaped from the bed. Blaze. Cat had to rescue her.
Fast. Before something terrible happened. The newspaper photo of Joellen flashed through her mind, but she pushed it away. No, that would not happen to Blaze. Not while Cat was alive and breathing. She’d find her.
Filled with new determination, Cat took a quick shower, washed her hair, twice, and marched down to the kitchen, surprised to find both Mama Rosa and Sasha waiting for her.
The minute she walked into the room, Mama levered herself up from her seat, using the table to steady herself. She pulled Cat into a bone-crushing hug, surprising since she’d otherwise been so weak from the cancer treatments.
“Oh, thank the Lord you are all right.”
Cat wrapped her equally tight, careful not to squeeze too hard, and absorbed the love being poured on her. Guilt swamped her at the same time, the sure knowledge that what was happening to Blaze was her fault. Because she’d run away so long ago, Blaze was in trouble now. All because of Garcia. But she didn’t say any of that because, coward that she was, she needed Mama’s love like a plant needed sunshine. She’d find Blaze and she’d trade her life for hers so Blaze would be able to bask in Mama’s love. She deserved that, and more. She was a sweet kid.
Gradually, Mama pulled back and studied Cat’s face, palms cupping her cheeks. “I am so glad you were not in Nick’s house when it burned.” Her eyes were piercing, dark and determined. “Nicko, he is all right, too?”
Cat almost smiled at the new nickname and wondered what Nick would think of it. “He’s fine, Mama. He’s a strong man.”
“You are just as strong, Catharine, and don’t you ever forget it.” She sank down into her chair, and Cat exchanged a look with Sasha at how easily Mama still tired. The battle wasn’t over yet.
“How did the fire start?” Mama asked, and Cat went still, trying to decide on an answer.
“They aren’t sure yet, Mama. Last night the priority was to put it out before it spread to the homes on either side. But I’m sure the fire department will be investigating the cause.” She glanced over at Sasha, warning her not to say too much.
“What were you doing at his house?” Mama wanted to know.
Cat’s mind raced, still trying to gather her wits about her. She should have expected Mama to grill her. “I needed to talk to him about something. He doesn’t have central air conditioning, so we sat outside on the patio to talk. It was cooler out there. We weren’t in the house when the fire started.”
“Oh, thank you, Jesus,” Mama breathed, patting Cat’s hand.
Cat had to turn this conversation before it went in the wrong direction. No way on earth would she look Mama in the eye and tell her someone blew up Nick’s house. She looked from Sasha to Mama and back. “Have you heard anything from Blaze?”
Sasha stood leaning against the counter, rubbing her hands protectively over her belly. “Not yet.” Her eyes met Cat’s. “I think we need to call Nick and get an Amber Alert put out, if he hasn’t already done so.”
“No!” The words burst from Mama, and she slapped a hand on the table with enough force to make both Cat and Sasha jump in surprise.
“Why not?” Sasha asked. “It’s a great way to find her. Everyone has a cell phone these days and—”
“No. Do not do that. It would make things worse.” Mama speared Cat with a look. “You think you know who has her.” It was not a question.
How would she guess that? Cat wondered. She chose her words with care. “I think I do, yes.”
“Then we don’t need this Amber Alert.”
“What do you know, Mama?” Cat asked quietly.
Mama looked down, twisted a napkin in her gnarled fingers before she looked up. “Just like you, and Sasha and Eve, Blaze came to us with a past she was trying to escape. After all the time she’s been here, I will not make it easy for those who wished her harm to find her so easily.”
“What people? What harm?” Sasha demanded.
Mama’s gaze was steady, determined. “That is not my story to tell. But I will not let anyone put her name and picture out for all the world to see.” She shook her head. “No. That is too dangerous.”
“But we have to find her. This would—”
Mama interrupted Sasha. “My answer is final. No Amber Alert. Nothing in the news.” She turned to Cat. “You believe this is connected to your past.”
Cat returned her stare. “I do.”
“Then go find our girl and bring her home safe.”
Cat stood and kissed Mama’s cheek. “I will do everything in my power to see that happens.”
Mama grabbed her hand. “You will not put yourself in danger, either.”
Cat hid a smile. “I will do my best.” She turned to go.
“You need breakfast,” Sasha said and handed her two cold pieces of toast. When Cat quirked an eyebrow at the sad offering, Sasha shrugged. “It’s been a long morning.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the effort.” And she did. Truly.
She walked out the door and was surprised when Sasha followed her outside.
Sasha stepped between Cat and her car. “Now tell me all the things you wouldn’t say in there.”
“I don’t know any more about Blaze’s past than you do, Sash. You heard Mama.”
Sasha narrowed her eyes. “What really happened at Nick’s house?”
“We really were outside, geez.” She huffed out a breath. “Give me a little credit here.”
“Diversion and misdirection might—might—work on Mama, but they darn sure won’t work on me. How did his house catch fire?”
Since Cat knew that the facts would be in the next edition of the Gazette—if gossip hadn’t spread all over town already—she saw no reason to hide it now. “Looks like a bomb of some kind. I overheard something about looking for a detonator.”
Sasha paled and sagged against the car. “If you and Nick hadn’t been in the backyard . . .”
Hearing the words sent a shiver over Cat’s skin. She couldn’t let her mind go there again, not if she wanted to keep functioning. “But we were. I’m fine, and so is Nick.”
“Until the next time.”
The words hit like a blow. Oh, sweet Jesus. Cat hadn’t even considered that. Though it made perfect sense. She met Sasha’s eyes head-on. “I’ll be careful. We’ll both be careful.”
“What does this have to do with your past, Cat?”
Here it was, the moment of trut
h she’d spent fourteen years running from. More than anyone else in the family, Cat owed Sasha an explanation and an apology. More important, no matter how this all ended, she didn’t want Sasha to carry a single ounce of guilt about their strained relationship over the years. The fault had always been Cat’s alone.
She took a deep breath, looked Sasha in the eye, and gave her the facts, straight up. “My uncle, who took me in after my parents died, was not a good man, though I didn’t know it right away. I suspected something wasn’t right, but I had no idea how bad things were. He was in business with another man, one I learned was even worse than my uncle. I not only saw something I wasn’t supposed to see, I found out I was intended as a bargaining chip. So I escaped.”
Sasha studied her. “And you’ve been running ever since. How old were you then, Cat?”
“Fourteen.”
“Does your uncle have Blaze?”
Cat marveled, again, at Sasha’s quick mind. “He claims he doesn’t.”
She started in surprise. “He’s here in Safe Harbor?”
“He was, yes. I think he still is.”
“Then who has Blaze? The other man?”
“I think so.”
“Who is he?”
Cat shook her head. “I can’t say, Sasha.”
Sasha reared back as though she’d been slapped. “Why not? After all these years, are you still holding a grudge? I’m sorry, I’ve always been sorry, Cat. You know that.”
Cat waved that away. “It’s never been about that, but about protecting all of you. It’s still about that.” She sighed. “I didn’t leave because of the missed audition but because I thought they found me.” When Sasha opened her mouth to ask more questions, Cat held up a hand. “I’m not getting into it. Please. Just know it was never about you or the audition, OK? I’ve always tried to keep my past away from here. I’d never be able to live with myself if something terrible happened to any of you because of me.”
“If something happened? It’s already happened, Cat. Blaze is missing, and from what you’ve just said, she’s in really big trouble. How much worse can it get?”
