She’d only gotten a quick glimpse of his condo when they’d gone surfing, and now she took a longer look. His condo was indeed sweet, with hardwood floors covered by colorful throw rugs, antique tables, brown leather couches, and a stone fireplace for cold winter nights. One wall was made of floor-to-ceiling windows, with a view of the beach and the sparkling ocean beyond.
“Did someone help you with the interior design?” she asked.
“My father’s third wife was a designer. She picked out the rugs, the pictures, the lamps, and the couches. Some of the tables I found, others I made.”
Brianne ran her fingers along the exquisitely curved edge of a side table. “Did you make this?”
“I did,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.
“Really? It’s beautiful.”
He shrugged. “My father taught me carpentry as soon as I was old enough to hold a hammer. I was supposed to go into the family business, but I liked police work better. I still do cabinetry and carpentry work as a hobby.”
“Is this your mother?” she asked, picking up a family photograph from an end table. The woman was a slightly plump blonde with a wide smile and laughing eyes. At her side were her husband and son; Jason looked about six in the picture.
“Yes. It was taken a few weeks before she was killed—our last family photo.”
Her heart broke for the little boy in the picture. No wonder he had such an affinity for Lucas. She put a hand on his arm, went up on her tiptoes, and kissed his lips. As she pulled away, Jason grabbed her arms and hauled her back for another, deeper kiss.
Breathless, she said, “I think we’re supposed to be making margaritas.”
“You distracted me.”
“Likewise.”
“I’m glad you came by. I thought you might have dinner with the Kanes. Sunday dinners used to be a tradition with them.”
“They wanted to, but I begged off.”
“They couldn’t have been happy about that. Even less happy if they knew where you were now.”
“They don’t know.”
He looked as if he wanted to say more but let the subject drop. “Let’s make those drinks. I know I could use one.”
They tossed together a pitcher of margaritas and took them out to the back deck, which stepped down to the beach.
The afternoon wind had died down, and the sun was setting. It would be dark shortly. Brianna took a sip of her salty margarita and set it on the railing. Hal, Patty, and Lucas were at the far end of the beach, keeping a good distance from the water. Hal and Patty sat shoulder to shoulder, while Lucas and Digger dug a good hole in the middle of the beach. Princess was still in Patty’s arms, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the moment.
Brianna glanced toward the sky, watching streaks of orange and pink shimmer across the horizon. “If I lived here, I don’t think I could take my eyes off the view. I’d never get anything done.” She glanced over at Jason. “The waves are bigger now. Do you think I could handle them?”
“Maybe not yet, but practice makes perfect.”
“I would like to go out again.”
“Just say when.” Jason came up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
She felt too relaxed and comfortable to move away. In a few minutes, everyone would be back, and they’d have to pretend that there was nothing between them, but for now she would enjoy the moment.
“Your dad seems happy,” she commented. “And I don’t think you dislike Patty as much as you want to.”
“She’s growing on me.”
“She’s just not your mom.”
“I’m not worried about someone taking my mother’s place. I don’t want to see my dad get hurt again. It takes him a long time to recover.”
“He’s the reason you don’t put yourself out there, isn’t he?”
“When you see someone get stabbed in the heart a few times, it’s easier to stay away from the knife.”
“That’s a rather grisly description,” she said, turning in his arms. “Have you ever been in love?”
“Until a few days ago, I would have said no,” he said quietly, his dark eyes reflective.
She swallowed a knot of emotion. “Jason, I have feelings for you, too, but it’s all happening so fast. I feel like a wishbone, the Kanes on one side, you on the other, and . . . and then there’s Derek. I still hear the pain his voice when he told me you didn’t believe him. He might not have showed it, but he was devastated when you testified against him.”
The pulse in Jason’s neck began to pound. “Derek should have told me a better story. Then I wouldn’t have had to arrest him.”
She sighed. “Apparently, he didn’t have one. But the trial aside, being with you and letting you do things with Lucas that a father would do seems like betrayal.”
“You already gave Derek five years of your life. How many more does he get?”
“When I married him, I promised to give him my whole life.”
“He’s gone,” Jason said in frustration. “You need to live your life, not his.”
“I’m starting to do that,” she said firmly. “I just don’t know if I’m going to be able to do that with you.”
Jason let her go and stepped away.
“I’m sorry. You wanted nothing but truth between us,” she said, “and that’s where I am.”
“I’m not taking that as your final answer, because I think you’re going to change your mind. Perhaps finding out who was working with Derek will bring a new perspective to you and the Kanes. In the meantime, I’m going to light the grill.”
While Jason was tending the barbecue, the others came back. Brianna took Digger’s leash from Hal and tied it around the deck railing.
Patty and Jason headed inside to get the food going, Lucas tagging along. Patty waved off her offer to help, leaving Brianna and Hal alone on the deck. Jason’s father poured himself a margarita and sat in the deck chair across from her, regarding her with a contemplative look. “I was sorry to hear about Derek. When news came back here that he’d died in prison, none of us could believe it. I don’t think Jason has had a good night’s sleep since then. It reminded me of how he was during the trial.”
She didn’t want to talk about Derek or the trial, but Hal seemed determined to have his say. She expected him to tell her how hard Jason had worked and how Derek was guilty in spite of what she thought, but his words surprised her.
“I always thought Jason’s worry had as much to do with you as with Derek.”
Had Jason told his father about their first meeting, how he’d supposedly felt about her? “We barely knew each other,” she said, treading carefully.
“My son never looked at a woman the way he looked at you then—the way he looked at you tonight.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “So you’re friends now. I can’t imagine the Kanes are too happy.”
“They’re not, no.” She finished her margarita. She was drinking too fast, but she felt very much on the hot seat.
“So you’ve got a mind of your own.”
“Not many people think so. I did stand by a convicted felon.”
“Which shows you have a tremendous sense of loyalty—not easy to find these days. I’ve got just one more question.”
“What’s that?” she asked warily.
“Are you interested in Jason, or do you want to get back at him for what he did to Derek?”
She was shocked at the suggestion. “You think I’m playing Jason for some type of revenge? I would never do that. I’m not that kind of person.”
“Sorry, but I had to ask. He’s my son. I wasn’t always a good parent. I let others raise him for me, including the Kanes. It’s too late to make up for that, but I try to watch out for him now when I can.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Good. By the way, you’ve got a great kid. Lucas sure talks up a storm.”
“Yes, he does,” she said a little stiffly, still rattled by his accusations.
Jason returned a moment later with a platter of meat ready for the grill. He gave them a curious look. “Everything okay out here?”
Hal smiled. “I was just telling Brianna not to hurt you.”
Jason sighed. “I can take care of myself, Dad.”
“That’s what I always tell you, but it doesn’t stop you from butting into my life.”
“That’s because you constantly screw your life up.”
“I don’t see you doing much better. And don’t burn the steaks this time. They’re supposed to be pink in the middle, otherwise all the juice dries up.”
As Hal got up to bicker with Jason about the grilling strategy, Patty brought out a tray of vegetables and dip. “Lucas is in the kitchen stirring the brownie mix for me,” Pattty said. “I hope that’s okay.”
“I’d better get him before it’s all over the kitchen.”
“You just sit. I love children, and since my daughter grew up and moved across country, I rarely get to spend time with any. Lucas is a friendly little boy.”
“He’s never met a stranger,” Brianna agreed. “Sometimes it worries me, how trusting he is.”
“Well, around here, there’s nothing to fear.” Patty cast a quick glance over her shoulder at the two men who were caught up in the fine art of barbecuing. “I’ve known a lot of shady guys in my time, but those are two of the finest men I’ve ever met. A girl couldn’t do any better—in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
Patty gave her a knowing smile. “Well, just in case.”
SIXTEEN
After Hal’s initial inquisition, he’d turned into an amicable host, treating Brianna to a number of stories. Between’s Hal’s tall tales about fishing and Patty’s hilarious anecdotes from life in the stripper lane, there was no lag in the conversation. The stories got more risqué after Lucas left the dinner table and curled up on the living-room couch to watch television, soon falling asleep with Digger at his feet.
Patty and Hal made a quick exit after dinner. Brianna didn’t know if they were in a hurry to be alone or to leave her and Jason alone, but either way, she and Jason ended up on the deck with nothing but the stars to watch over them.
“My father is anything but subtle,” Jason said, sitting next to her on the love seat.
“I wasn’t sure he liked me at first, but he seemed to warm up as the night went on. Maybe it was the margaritas.”
“Or you. You’re fairly likable.”
“As is your father. No wonder he’s been able to find so many women to marry him.”
“Yeah, he’s a real charmer. I can’t quite believe that he got out of Vegas without tying the knot. I thought for sure Patty would get him down the aisle.”
“I think she’s the one resisting,” Brianna said. “She told me that she really loves your dad, and she wants to go slow, to make sure it’s right.”
Jason looked surprised. “Interesting. We’ll see what happens.”
“I’m glad she’s going to be my neighbor. I’ll have a chance to get to know her better.”
“You won’t miss having me right next door?”
“Maybe just a little.”
He nudged her shoulder with his. “So, is Lucas a heavy sleeper?”
“Not going to happen,” she said with a laugh.
“Yeah, I figured.” He took her hand and leaned back against the cushions. “A lot of stars out tonight.”
In Angel’s Bay, far away from big-city lights, the stars were brilliant. “It’s amazing that exploding balls of hydrogen and helium can create such a spectacular sight,” she said.
Jason laughed. “Well, that’s romantic.”
“Sorry. I have a lot of trivia in my brain.”
“All those days spent in the library.”
“I do like to read,” she admitted. “I should find the Angel’s Bay library and take Lucas there. So far, he hasn’t shown much interest in books. He’d rather play with his trucks or balls or anything that moves.”
“He’s a boy.”
“And I have little experience with boys. I didn’t grow up with brothers, and my father was an intellectual. I don’t think he played with a monster truck in his life.”
“Well, I did, so if you need any tips, you know who to call.”
She glanced over at him. “Lucas is crazy about you. It worries me. He’s sensitive about people not liking him, especially men. It all ties into Derek not living with us. On some level, Lucas feels that was his fault.”
“He’ll understand as he gets older. And I think you should stop worrying for tonight. There’s always tomorrow.”
“You’re right.” Her gaze swept across the sky. “I wish we had a telescope. Imagine what we could see.
Jason sat up. “I have one. It’s in the garage.” He shook his head, an odd expression flashing across his face.
“What?”
“Everything always comes back to Derek. We found the telescope together at a flea market, and we used to set it up on the bluffs at night. A few times, we turned it on some of the neighbors’ windows.” He smiled. “Shauna Huxley used to undress with her curtains open. That was a lot better than the stars.”
“Ah, now we get to your true love of the telescope,” she teased.
He got to his feet. “I’ll get it. We can try it out.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She checked on Lucas before following Jason into the garage. As she stepped through the door, she realized this was Jason’s workshop. A large worktable was set up in the middle of the room, and there were tools and wood shavings on the floor. A delicately carved rocking chair called to her, and she stroked the wood with her fingers. “This is gorgeous, Jason.”
“It’s my first attempt at a rocking chair.”
“I can’t believe how talented you are.” She glanced back at him. “If you ever decide to stop being a cop, you could do this.”
“I don’t think that will happen.” He pulled away some boxes from the corner of the garage, digging behind them. “Here it is.” He took out a black cylindrical case. “I hope it still works.” He set the case on the table and opened it.
She got out of the chair to take a closer look.
“What’s this?” Jason asked in surprise.
Inside the case was a roll of what appeared to be thick, heavy paper. Jason pulled it out and unrolled it.
Brianna’s pulse quickened as the first hint of color appeared, the lingering scent of oil paint. Her heart pounded as a woman’s face began to form: the dark red hair, the widow’s peak on the hairline, the mysterious violet eyes . . .
“Oh, my God!” She put a hand to her racing heart. She knew this face almost better than her own, because she’d spent five years searching for it. Eve—and not just one vision of her, but three.
Blood pounded through her veins, followed by disbelief and shock. Finally, she tore her gaze away from the paintings to look at Jason. His face was white, his eyes huge, stunned.
“This isn’t possible,” he murmured in confusion.
“The paintings were here. In your house.”
“I didn’t know they were here, Brianna.” Jason shook his head in disbelief. “I had no idea.”
Her head spun with questions. “You arrested Derek for stealing the paintings, but you had them all the time.”
“Derek must have stashed them here.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Hell if I know, but that’s the only explanation that makes sense.” He ran a hand through his hair as he looked at her, and anger hardened his eyes as he read her expression. “I did not set Derek up, Brianna. You know I didn’t.”
“Do I?” Her voice was shaky. She’d had so many doubts about Derek in the past few days and far fewer about Jason. They’d switched places in her mind, who was good and who was bad. Now she felt bewildered.
“Dammit, Brianna, think. Why would I have opened this case in front of you if I’d hidden the paintings here?”
<
br /> “I don’t know. Maybe you forgot.”
“I wouldn’t have forgotten where I hid million-dollar paintings.” His gaze was penetrating, demanding that she listen to him. “But it’s not about logic; it’s about what you know—and you know me.”
She stared back at him. “I don’t know if I can trust my instincts anymore.”
Disappointment darkened his eyes. “Then I guess I’ll just have to prove it. Because I did not know these paintings were here.”
He picked up one of the rolls and stretched it out, anchoring it down with blocks of wood. The wicked face of Eve gazed back at them—the one with the amused, sardonic expression and the cynical eyes that had made Victor try again and again to get her right. This woman was at the root of all of Brianna’s problems.
“I hate her,” she said. “I hate everything about her. I don’t give a damn who she was, and I don’t care if Victor Delgado came close to getting her right or not. She ruined all of our lives.” She paced around the room, trying to release some of the adrenaline surging through her body.
“Derek was here the day before the robbery. He stood in this garage while I refinished a table,” Jason added. “After the robbery, Derek had to hide the paintings somewhere. He couldn’t do it at his parents’ house. And he couldn’t put them anywhere that could be traced to you or to him, because all of those locations would be searched.” Jason paused, thinking . . . “This was the perfect place. I was the one investigating him. I wouldn’t search my own garage. And Derek had access; he knew where I kept the spare key.”
“How would he know that?”
“Because everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve always kept a key outside. Derek must have figured that hadn’t changed. It’s not that tough to find; I leave it under a rock by the back door so I can get in after I surf.”
“Derek said he didn’t take the paintings, Jason. Who else could have put them here?”
“No one. I wasn’t friends with any of the art people.”
“What about another cop?”
“No one had a motive, Brianna. And if a cop had stolen these paintings, they would have fenced them a long time ago. What kind of thief would sit on paintings worth millions of dollars?”
In Shelter Cove Page 22
