“Your number?”
“Right. Well, I don’t have a number actually. It’s … a long story.”
“Who doesn’t have a number?”
“This guy doesn’t.”
“As in you don’t have a local number?”
“As in I don’t have any number. Right now at least. But I’m over at La Casa Del Camino.”
“Ahh. The one with the rooftop bar.”
“That’s the spot.”
Cain O’Connor focused on her eyes a few more moments, taking them in in the stillness of the morning as the first sign of daylight tried to break through that pesky marine layer. He stepped off down the sidewalk with Donna still locked in his gaze, and he in hers.
Donna watched until she couldn’t make out his shape in the distance any longer. Maybe he had a point. Maybe she did have a tendency to get in over her head at times. And it sure would be nice to have somebody to help her out during those moments. But for right now she was determined to face the world alone, although the future showed glimpses of hope. Very big, rugged and strong glimpses of hope. Ones that had just headed in the opposite direction.
CHAPTER 5
Donna put her key in the lock of her tiny beach cottage and turned it away from the frame. The lock didn’t click which reminded her that she had left the door unlocked during the pursuit. She made a mental note to add a deadbolt. She didn’t need anymore uninvited guests, especially those that took it upon themselves to show themselves in. There were no signs of forced entry, but a good lock picker wouldn’t leave those anyways. She knew not to even bother dusting for prints. This wasn’t an amateur job.
She was lucky the situation hadn’t ended much more tragically. She’d seen plenty of break-ins during her time in Chicago. Plenty of times the homeowner got a lot more than just the surprise of a burglar.
She’d skirted death twice in the past hour. Once inside her home, and a second time on the cliffs. If ever there was a time to curl up in someone’s arms and count her blessings, this was it. The problem was the only other living thing in her apartment was an overgrown plant in the corner of her living room. And like her, that plant was looking a lot worse for the wear.
Donna made her way into the kitchen, and dropped her keys on the counter next to a stack of unopened mail. As she filled a glass with water, she slid open the cabinet door and pulled out her headache medicine. The headaches were back and she didn’t have time to deal right now. She popped two pills and chased them with a sip of the water as she made her way back into the living room. She carefully poured the remaining water over the plants roots and made her way back into the kitchen.
She opened the fridge to find limited options. Laguna Beach was the type of artsy community that vehemently opposed a McDonalds—a staple of her fast food diet back in Chicago. She eyed the hot pocket, removing it from the box and popping it into the microwave. For once she was glad that those excuses for food came out of the microwave so scorching hot. It would allow her a few extra minutes to unwind with a hot shower.
The water was too hot for her skin, but she barely noticed. She was frozen to the bone. She wasn’t just in need of a cleansing. She needed to thaw out.
She put her head in her hands and leaned against the shower walls. The heat and steam were just what she needed. The medicine was taking hold and she was feeling better already.
In less than two minutes she was in and out. She never liked spending too much time in the shower. Get in and get out. And she never put her head under the water, preferring to splash the water on her face. Washing her hair was another challenge all together.
She dried and looked for something to wear. The laundry was backing up as usual so she opted for her tried-and-true Chicago Bulls sweatshirt. It was a going away gift from the guys at her Chicago precinct. The loose fit and the soft cotton made it her favorite lounging attire, in her rare moments of down time.
As she ate her hot pocket she contemplated the early morning’s events. Most important was the one glaring question on her mind. Was this a random act of breaking and entering, or had they found her?
CHAPTER 6
“Rough night?” the desk sergeant asked.
“I’ve had rougher.”
“Would hate to see that.”
“You look great too, Slater.”
“Newborns. They have this thing for crying just as you’re about to finally fall asleep after the last time you comforted their crying.”
“No experience in that area.”
“One day, Davis.”
“Unlikely.”
“That’s what I always said, until—”
“I need to file a report.”
“I’m harassing you?”
Donna couldn’t help but smile at Desk Sergeant Slater’s attempt at humor.
“If you were I never would have lasted a minute back in Chi-Town.”
“Well, we may not be Chi-Town, but we have our own crime right here.”
“Little old ladies jaywalking again?”
The phone rang.
“One second.” Desk Sergeant Slater said. His tone with the caller turned very serious. His answers were short and direct. He hung up the phone.
“Caucasian male. Middle aged. Up on Eagle Rock Way. Hysterical. Said his daughter’s been murdered.”
“What time?” She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
“He just called it in.”
“Time of death?”
“Says he found her just now when he went to check on her.”
“Detective assigned?”
“Not yet. Units are responding now.”
“I want it. I’ll secure a vehicle and call you when I’m in route.”
“Roger that. I’ll let the chief know you’re on your way.”
Fifteen minutes later Donna was arriving at the scene. One of the officers from the second unit to respond was taping off the area. The whole neighborhood was either already outside or rubbernecking out their windows.
“Upstairs, detective. Second door on the right,” the young police officer said. She could see they put a rookie on the door to keep the lookie loos at bay.
“It’s not pretty in there,” the officer outside the door said.
“Is it ever?”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Donna entered the room without regard for the warning. She immediately regretted her decision.
Ten minutes later she had her notes from both the medical examiner and blood pattern analyst. She was back on the front lawn looking at the house’s layout and possible entry and exit points. She also decided it would be a good time to meet the neighbors.
The house was near the top of the hill. Only one house was on higher ground. Beyond the last house was empty space that led into bike trails and brush, an easy escape route.
Two young girls were sitting on the front lawn when Donna approached the only house that sat higher.
“Hi there.”
“Hello,” the girls replied in unison.
“Do you live here?”
“Yes,” they again replied in unison. Donna noticed they were dressed the same. Identical twins.
“Mom or dad home?”
They both shook their heads, no.
“Can I help you?”
Donna looked up and noticed a third girl walking their way. She appeared to be high school aged. She was drying her hands on a towel.
“Hi. I’m Detective Donna Davis with the Laguna Beach Police Department. I would like to ask you a few questions if you have a moment to spare.”
“Um … okay?” the girl said nervously. She froze in place, unsure what to do next.
“Mind if we sit down?”
“Yeah, sure,” the girl said. She sat next to the two younger girls.
“Maybe over this way,” Detective Davis pointed towards a palm tree in their front yard.. “Away from your sisters.”
“They’re not my sisters.”
“Okay, but
can we sit over here?”
“Sure.”
Donna and the girl walked over to the tree and sat down at its trunk.
“What can you tell me about your neighbors down the hill?”
“They’re not my neighbors. I’m just babysitting.”
“So you’re not too familiar with them?”
“I know them. Everybody knows them. They’re pretty popular in town.”
“Why is that?”
“Andrea is really popular at school. She has over one hundred forty thousand followers on Instagram. She’s really pretty.”
“You’ve spoken with her personally, or mostly just know her through social media?”
“I know her. Not like we were good friends or anything, but she was always nice … she said hi and stuff like that to me. Is she okay?”
“I can’t say too much about anyone right now. There’s an investigation that’s taking place.”
“Her dad was going crazy this morning, screaming and everything. He was yelling that she’s dead.”
“We’re talking to her dad right now.”
“Is she really dead?”
Even with her thick skin and years of experience, Donna was never good at hiding sadness and grief, especially the loss of young life. One that ended before it really even began.
“I’m sorry, but I really can’t say.”
“Okay.”
“Did you know anything else about Andrea?”
“Mostly she was just known to be pretty and popular. She posted a lot of pictures online, either at the beach, traveling, or at parties. Stuff like that.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary?”
“Not if you’re rich I guess.”
Donna let that comment swirl around a second before filing it away.
“When did you start babysitting here?”
“A few months ago.”
“What about this particular job?”
“It’s my only one.”
“But this job. The hours you were to work this particular time.”
“I just got here. I started this morning and their mom and dad get back after work. One of them gives me a ride home then.”
“Okay.” She felt this line of questioning was going nowhere fast.
“Do you mind if I take a look?”
“It’s a closed scene. No one’s allowed on their property.”
“Yeah, but I already saw some stuff from the upstairs window. It looks really bad.”
“You shouldn’t have seen that. That was before we arrived and shut the scene down.”
“Yeah, but I already saw it.”
“I think it’s best if it stops there,” Donna said. “And can you do me a favor?”
“Maybe.”
“Please don’t scare the two little girls you’re watching. It’s best if you take them inside and talk about other things.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Okay.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Detective Davis got up and walked across the grass. She took a quick look over her shoulder just in time to see the babysitter leading the girls back in the house.
So much for trading in the big city life for peace and quiet.
CHAPTER 7
“So you’re telling me you had a B & E at your place last night, followed by a pursuit, a near drowning, and an all too coincidental rescue and you’re just now bringing this up?” Laguna Beach Chief of Police Walt Charles wasn’t please.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that—”
“You’re sorry? Not to mention this all happened, according to the coroner’s initial guess, at the same time a young girl was brutally murdered in a town with practically a zero percent homicide rate? At what point were you planning on sharing this information with us?”
“When I got in this morning. First thing. The minute I walked in the officers were responding to the 911 call.”
Chief Charles leaned into his desk, placing his palms on the edge. In one movement he thrust himself back pushing off with his hands sending his chair across the floor. He got up out of the chair and looked out of the window of his office.
“You’re right. Sorry. I’m under a lot of pressure already. The girl who was killed … her dad’s a big shot here in town. He wants answers, pronto.”
“That’s exactly what I plan to give him.”
“I know. That’s one of the reasons we’re glad to have you here. Your conviction rate in Chicago was off the charts. Not sure what happened with that last case, but prior to that you were an unstoppable force. The bad guys didn’t stand a chance.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Chief Charles turned from the window, facing her with his hands in his pockets. “Any leads?”
“Not yet, sir.”
“Well, you know where to start right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have at it detective.”
“Yes, sir.” Detective Davis stood to leave. Nodded and turned to the door.
“Detective,” the chief said.
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t be afraid to rough him up a little bit.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m serious. You don’t owe this guy anything. I don’t mean anything physical, of course, but don’t cut him any slack. Make him sweat and see how he reacts.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Johnny-on-the-spot’s timing makes me wonder. More than a little.”
“Me too.”
CHAPTER 8
“Can you please let Mister O’Connor know a Miss Davis is here for him?”
“Certainly, Miss Davis. You’re welcome to wait in the lobby why I call up.”
“Thank you.” Donna took one step away from the counter towards the lobby, but no more. It was a gesture of good manners, albeit it a reluctant one. Her chief at the Chicago station had drilled into her to embrace a softer outer shell. ‘You gather more honey when you don’t kick over the hive,’ she could hear the chief’s words as if he were standing there.
“Excuse me, Miss Davis. It says here he checked out this morning.”
“Do you know what time?”
“A little before nine o’clock.”
Just enough time to get cleaned up, catch a nap, and be on his way, she thought. “Did he make any mention as to where he was going?”
“He didn’t I’m afraid.”
“Is there any way to contact him?”
“Ma'am, I’m sorry, but we wouldn’t be able to give that kind of information out regarding our guests. I’ve probably given out too much already.”
“It’s important,” Donna said as she discreetly displayed her badge to the receptionist.
“Oh, I see. Please, give me one second.” The receptionist darted behind a partition.
Less than twenty seconds passed and the receptionist returned with another young woman.
“Hello, Miss Davis. I’m Sophia, head of Guest Services here at the hotel. Let me check on that inquiry for you.”
“Thank you, Sophia.”
“You’re very welcome.” Sophia’s fingers moved quickly and lightly followed by a final loud keystroke with her right hand. She stared at the screen and waited. “Unfortunately he didn’t leave much of anything to go by.”
“Do you happen to have a forwarding address, credit card, or any kind of personally identifiable information?”
“It shows he checked in with a passport. No room service or additional charges. Checked out this morning. Paid cash.”
“Not a lot to go by.”
“Unfortunately, not much at all.”
“Do you mind making a print out of the passport?”
“Not at all. I’m sorry, but can I please just take a quick peak at your badge?”
Detective Davis showed her badge to Sophia along with her police issued ID.
“Wonderful,” Sophia said. “By any chance do you know Sergeant Dudley?”
SEAL's Secret: A Navy SEAL Romantic Suspense Novel (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 24) Page 2
