Dark Water

by Talty, Jen

  “I’m fine.” He pointed toward his parents’ house. “Keep walking.”

  “But—” she took a step toward him.

  “No buts. Just go.” He looped his arm around her drenched body and kissed her cheek. “Whoever was down there was just trying to make a point. Give me a warning or something.”

  “That’s what Paul said.” She leaned into Frank’s strong frame. He didn’t shake, like she did. His skin felt warm, unlike hers.

  He felt comforting.

  Safe.

  “I’m not surprised, but they just fucked with the wrong guy. Do they not get I’m a cop?” There was a hint of humor in Frank’s voice.

  “I don’t think they care. I think they actually believe they’re going to get away with everything.”

  “I don’t care what they think. They just shot at a police officer. That’s just stupid.”

  “Not so stupid if they’ve got some weird plan like making it look like I shot at us.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. The cold was getting to her, and all she wanted to do was hug Andy and get in a hot bath.

  Sirens rung out in the distance. Someone must have heard the gunshots.

  “Looks like the cavalry is almost here,” Frank said, just as his father pushed back the garage door.

  “Did you hear those shots?” his father questioned with wide eyes. “Get some towels, Sandy, pronto.” He stepped aside and let Frank and Lacy in the mudroom off the kitchen.

  “Sort of, I was under water,” Frank said.

  “Me, too,” Lacy added. “But they were definitely directed toward me.” Lacy took the towel Sandy handed her. “Where’s Andy? I need to see Andy.”

  Sandy pulled the towel tight around Lacy and then brushed her wet hair behind her head. “I just checked on him. He’s sound asleep and I doubt he even heard it.”

  “That was the first thing we did. Check on the boys, that is. Then I called Jared,” Frank’s father said.

  “Thanks, Dad.” Frank pointed to the kitchen. “I know you’re cold, honey, but I just saw a patrol car pull in and we’ve got to do this while it’s all fresh in our minds.” He gave her a gentle nudge. “Go sit down.”

  “I’ll make some tea,” Sandy said.

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “What about Andy? Sometimes he fakes sleep really well,” Lacy said.

  “Then let him fake it for now,” Frank said, running his hand over her arm. “Let’s just get through this part, okay?”

  “Come on.” Sandy took her by the arm. “Let’s go peek real quick.” Lacy followed Sandy down the hallway, wondering what Frank was holding back from her.

  She couldn’t put a finger on it, but something else happened tonight and Frank was keeping it from her.

  Something important.

  * * * * *

  Frank chugged half his beer in one gulp. Getting drunk right about now probably wouldn’t be too bright, but he needed to take the edge off.

  “Slow down,” Jared said. He sat in one of the chairs on Frank’s porch with his legs up on the railing and his hands behind his head. “You’re getting married in the morning.”

  Frank chugged his beer. “And I could feasibly be arrested for attempted murder in the morning.” He turned from Jared’s hard glare and stared out over the water, which somehow over time had become his enemy. “I should have seen this coming.”

  “Yeah, right. And you didn’t try to kill anyone.”

  “I know, but tell that to the asshole who said I snatched his mouthpiece and held him under.”

  “That was self-defense.”

  “Shit. They’ve been watching, just like I’ve been watching them. Do we know how Brad is anyway?” Frank heard Jared’s feet hit the floor.

  “Minor concussion. Brad gave Reese the notes from the investigation so far, and Reese is at the station shuffling through it trying to make sense of Brad’s notes.”

  Frank felt Jared standing next to him. Jared was a good man. The best. Frank felt like he owed him something. Everything. “Up until that asshole started fucking with me, I was fine. I was actually hanging with the seaweed.”

  “You were fine after he messed with your head.”

  “No, I wasn’t,” Frank admitted.

  “You reacted the moment Lacy hit the water. You did everything you were supposed to do.” Jared patted Frank on the back. “You couldn’t have known.”

  “I should have known what was going on.” Frank finished off his beer and set the bottle down on the railing, finally turning to face Jared. “The whole thing was a set up, and I played right into their hands.”

  Jared shook his head. “They have to prove it, and that will be impossible.”

  “Doesn’t matter and you know it. Even if no charges are ever brought against either one of us, getting married isn’t going to save her and Andy now. No judge is going to give us permanent custody.” The whole thing read like a bad novel. So far, everything was so contrived that even the District Attorney damn near laughed in Taylor’s face when he demanded Frank’s arrest.

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Think about it, Jared. First, they inform the social worker I withheld information about Andy trying to hire a hit man.”

  “I’ve already spoken with Ms. Lazzery on that one and gave her an official statement.” Jared swiped the back of his neck, an indication that he was damn uncomfortable.

  Frank hated putting Jared in that kind of position. “Regardless, they’ve got Lacy on a possible hit and run.”

  “That’s the only one making me nervous. Becky’s story is convincing and she hasn’t changed it once. The DA is cutting us some slack, but if we can’t figure this out, he’s going to press charges, and it’s unlikely we will be the ones who get to bring her in.”

  Frank’s body stiffened. He gripped the railing with vengeance. “Over my dead body.”

  “If you’re not careful, that just might be arranged.”

  “You’re a funny guy.”

  Jared didn’t laugh as he moved toward the steps. “You’ve got the next few days off.”

  “You can’t do that,” Frank protested.

  “Consider it a wedding present from your boss.” Jared continued toward his pick-up. “Ryan sends her best, and says if you don’t bring your bride over to meet her she’s going to sic the kids on you.”

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  “It’s a done deal.” Jared pulled open his door and slipped behind the wheel. “I know you don’t think this is fair, but you are officially removed from this case. Focus your attention on staying close to your bride and new family.”

  Frank watched Jared pull out of the long drive thinking about his words. He did need to stay close. Brad had been knocked unconscious, which is why Frank hadn’t been warned of Paul’s movements. Lacy had been shot at, even if it was a warning, next time he figured they might not miss.

  Whatever they wanted, they were willing to kill for it.

  “So I’ll take a few days off and find whatever it is they want.” Frank sat himself down on the porch stairs and looked up at his parents’ home.

  A few small lights had been left on, but at three in the morning, he suspected the house was asleep, well, everyone but Uncle Tony. He’d decided it was his job to play watchdog. Frank chuckled at the thought. His uncle had been notorious for telling the ‘hurry up and wait’ stories from the Army.

  Knowing his Uncle Tony, he was passed out on the couch with the television buzzing by now.

  Frank ran his hand over his head and gave it a good scratch. Why did he feel the need to see her? To hold her? Normally he was the kind of guy who knew exactly what he wanted. He doubted he’d ever been in love before, so he couldn’t be sure if mass confusion was part of the process.

  He’d never lied like this to a woman before, so he couldn’t be sure if his feelings were tied to Hannah or not.

  “Oh, hell.” He slipped inside his apartment, snagged the keys to the main house, and jogged up the dri
ve. He felt a little guilty about sneaking into his parents’ house. Even more so, to go climb in his old bed with a girl.

  “What are you doing, kid?” Uncle Tony said behind closed eyes.

  “None of your damned business.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I was young once. Just be quiet.” Tony waved Frank on.

  Frank managed the steps without making a single noise, even on the step that creaked. Thankfully, the door hadn’t been pulled tight since that door tended to stick a bit. He pushed it back as slowly and gently as possible. He didn’t want to frighten her and risk a big ruckus, waking the entire house.

  He peeked in and almost got belted over the head with a large book.

  “Jesus, Frank,” Lacy whispered. “You’re lucky I couldn’t find my cell phone.”

  “You’re lucky I’m not the bad guy.” He took the hardcover book from her hands. “This wouldn’t have done anything but bore someone to tears.”

  “Ha, ha,” she said, brushing her hair from her face. She stood in front of the window. The shades were pulled closed, but the light of the moon seeped through the sides. The shadow it cast on her bare legs knocked the wind out of him.

  “Are those my boxers?” he heard himself ask.

  “Oh, well I didn’t have anything to sleep in, so I snagged some stuff from your place. I hope you don’t mind.”

  He shook his head hoping she’d be sleeping in his T-shirt and shorts every night. “Not at all.”

  For the first time in a while, she smiled at him. “What are you doing here? You know it’s bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day.”

  “No, it’s good luck.” He reached for her and she didn’t hesitate. She nuzzled her face in his neck and he dropped his cheek to her head. Her hair smelled like honey. It was intoxicating. “What’s happening here?”

  “Probably just all the drama and we’re caught up in it.”

  “Probably,” he repeated. It made sense, and yet nothing had ever felt more perfect in his life. “I probably shouldn’t be here.”

  “I get the impression your parents would ground you if they knew.” Her breath warmed his body as she spoke.

  “I think under the circumstances they’ll understand.”

  “But it’s not right with the boys downstairs.”

  “I just want to hold you for a little while.” He guided her to the bed. While he could easily make love to her right here, right now, he wanted to be with her more.

  That thought scared him.

  It meant it wasn’t about sex, but something more. Something he wasn’t sure he had any control over anymore.

  He adjusted himself under the covers and made sure she was as close as she could be without being on top of him. He stroked her hair and back. She obviously enjoyed the attention because she damn near purred like a kitten.

  Closing his eyes, he let himself just enjoy her presence. Her body completely relaxed into him and shortly, she was sound asleep in his arms.

  Where she should be.

  Nothing like complicating the hell out of his life. When this was all over, he was going to tell her how he felt, but he had to be able to admit it to himself first. He couldn’t do that just yet.

  “I’ll take care of you. Of Andy,” he whispered. The blood in his veins raced through his system. He meant what he said, and he’d spend the rest of his life proving it to her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  THIS IS INSANE! Lacy thought as she paced in the hallway of the local courthouse waiting for Frank, her new husband, to finish talking with Reese. She fiddled with the rings on her fingers. Married. A married woman. Had she totally fallen off her rocker?

  “Relax,” Patty said. “You’re supposed to be happy.”

  “I am; can’t you tell?” Last night, she’d fallen asleep in his arms listening to him promise to take care of her, forever. “Getting married is no longer the solution to my problems. It just creates more.”

  “Too late now,” Patty responded.

  Lacy paused mid-step when she saw Ms. Lazzery heading down the hall in an all business-like manor. Shit. Lacy stiffened her spine and put on her best smile.

  “I hear congratulations are in order,” Ms. Lazzery said.

  Lacy glanced down at her hand. “Thank you,” she said as she lifted her gaze. Ms. Lazzery’s stone expression was unreadable.

  “I heard about what happened last night.”

  Lacy swallowed. “Then you also must have heard that Paul Carlton threatened me, shoved me in the lake, and then shot at me.” Lacy tried to keep her tone soft, but it was damn near impossible.

  Talk about unfair. Frank would never hurt another person. He was true, honest, and kind. Not a mean bone in his body.

  “Yes,” Ms. Lazzery answered. “I understand that things are complicated right now.”

  “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  Ms. Lazzery looked around the hallway and then leaned closer. “I don’t want to have to do this, but if any charges are brought against either one of you, we will have to remove Andy.”

  “You can’t do that,” Lacy whispered. “He’s talking to me. Don’t you understand?”

  “I understand more than I can say.” Ms. Lazzery nodded. “A meeting has been scheduled for this afternoon, and I look forward to hearing what is going on with Andy.” She ran her fingers through her ponytail.

  “If you understand, then you can’t pull Andy from my care.”

  “I must, if charges are brought. You have to understand it’s not because I want to, but I have to.”

  “You can’t put Andy in Taylor’s care,” Lacy’s voice shook with every syllable. Thankfully, Patty placed a caring arm around her. “Frank is going to prove that Taylor is behind this whole thing. All of it.”

  “So he says.” Ms. Lazzery let out a long sigh. “I’ve spoken with the judge, and for now, Andy will remain with you. After we talk with Andy, things could stay the same or we may remove him.”

  “You can’t.” Lacy felt her body shake.

  Ms. Lazzery placed a hand on her shoulder. “Under the circumstances, we would not be comfortable placing Andy with his father. He would go back to foster care.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Lacy said, gripping Patty’s hand.

  “Did you know Mr. and Mrs. Harmon are registered foster parents?”

  “Frank’s folks?” Lacy’s heart sped up. “You could place Andy with them?”

  “It’s a possibility.” Ms. Lazzery gave Lacy’s shoulder a little squeeze. “Let me do my job, Mrs. Harmon. I want only what is best for everyone involved. I think I have a good idea what that is.” She gave a slight smile. “I must say, when I found out about Frank and his history with your sister, well, I was a tad skeptical about your marriage. However, I’ve come to the conclusion you must really care a great deal about Frank considering he was the one…who pulled your sister’s body from the lake.”

  Lacy froze. She tried to blink. To close her mouth and swallow. To do something. Anything. But her body wouldn’t respond to her brain’s instructions.

  “You did know this, didn’t you?” Ms. Lazzery asked.

  “Of course, she did,” Patty interjected. “It’s just still very hard for her. She misses her sister, and with all this other stuff going on, well, it must make it even tougher.”

  “I understand,” Ms. Lazzery said. “I hope this whole situation gets cleared up soon.” She patted Lacy’s shoulder.

  “So do I,” Lacy said behind gritted teeth. She’d broken out in a cold sweat, but she burned on the inside. Frank had been the diver who’d pulled her sister’s dead body from the dark water? Why hadn’t he told her? Why would he keep that a secret?

  “You okay?” Patty asked.

  “Did you know about this?”

  Patty nodded.

  Well, if he didn’t tell her about that, what else was he keeping from her? “What else do you know that I should?”

  “You’re going to have to ask Frank that.”

&nb
sp; Lacy glanced down the long corridor. Frank was still in deep conversation with Reese. She noticed he played with his new wedding ring and immediately wondered why on earth he married her. He had nothing to gain and everything to lose. No one did something like this out of the goodness of their heart. No one.

  He was hiding something else.

  Guilt? But why?

  “I plan on it.”

  “Lacy?” Patty questioned as she stepped in Lacy’s path.

  “Get out of my way.” Lacy glared at Patty.

  “Not here, okay? Wait until you get home.”

  “Home? That’s not my home.”

  Patty grabbed her hand and held her ring finger up under her nose. “It is now, and considering everything that’s happening, you better damn well make it a happy home.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me! This coming from someone who didn’t even want us to get married,” Lacy whispered. She knew if anyone over heard this, Andy would be at greater risk and that was the only reason she’d wait until she got back to Frank’s house. Then she’d let the rat bastard have it. “After I get permanent custody of Andy I’m going to hang your cousin by his balls.”

  Patty took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her soft eyes conveyed a deep concern, one that Lacy couldn’t ignore. “Let him explain, okay?”

  “Oh, he’s got some explaining to do, all right.”

  Patty took Lacy by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “Listen to him. You two have come too far to just throw what might be the best thing for both of you away on a misunderstanding.”

  This was no misunderstanding. The asshole had lied to her about the one thing she’d trusted him with the most. The truth. “Stay out of it,” Lacy said as she tried to put on a fake smile. “Let me deal with him.”

  “Hey, hon, you ready to go?” Frank asked as he sauntered down the hallway with a big-old stupid grin.

  “Yes, dear.” Lacy took the arm Frank offered, but it didn’t ease the queasy feeling in her stomach. She wondered if that feeling would ever go away now. How could she ever trust anyone again when she couldn’t even trust the man who stole her heart?