Sins of the Past

by Dee Henderson

  They entered the restaurant, and he didn’t say anything more until they were seated. Macey ordered a glass of water and a Coke. He settled for an iced tea.

  “I’ll be back with your drinks in a few minutes.” The waiter disappeared toward the back, and Chad turned his attention back to Macey.

  She looked tired. Worn. Antsy. And definitely curious. “Don’t stop there,” she said. “You were engaged once . . .”

  “Let’s decide what we want to eat, and I’ll tell you the rest of the sad story while we wait on our food.”

  A short time later, their drinks arrived and they placed their food order. She then leaned back to listen, her full attention on him.

  He drew in a deep breath. “Like I said, I was engaged once. She was a cop as well.”

  “What happened?”

  “She ditched me for another guy—a non-cop.” He took a sip of the tea, hoping it would wash away the sudden bad taste in his mouth.

  “So she was mentally ill?”

  He nearly snorted the tea. Somehow he managed to swallow and gasp in a breath. “No, I . . . um . . . don’t think so.”

  She raised a brow. “If you say so.”

  “But you just did wonders for my ego.”

  Her lips curved into a small smile.

  He tilted his head. “You look tired.”

  “Can’t say that did much for my ego.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I am tired.”

  “I know you said you were going to stay with Chelsea, but why don’t you stay at my place tonight?”

  She blinked a few times. “Huh?”

  He held up a hand and felt the heat rise into his cheeks. “Um . . . that didn’t come out right. I thought I’d get Lilly to stay there, too. I’m just not comfortable with you in an unprotected environment.” He studied her. “And I’m not sure Chelsea would be safe with you under her roof.”

  The waiter arrived with their meals, and for the next several minutes, they busied themselves getting the food the way they wanted it.

  Chad’s phone rang, and he rested his utensils on the plate and pulled the device from the clip on his hip. He looked at the screen. “It’s Lilly.”

  “Go ahead and see what she’s calling about.”

  He nodded and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” his partner said. “I talked to Shane and ballistics.” Shane Stevens, the medical examiner. “They both got to the Tyler Norwood stuff lightning fast.”

  “Great. What did they find out?”

  “Tyler definitely died from a shot to the head.”

  “What about the bullets?”

  “The crime scene unit found both bullets. They pulled one from the bed and one from the backseat of the car. Ballistics said both bullets came from the same weapon and that weapon uses 9mm ammo.”

  Chad let out a low whistle. “Okay. Good to know. Anything else?”

  “No, that’s it for now.”

  “Thanks for the update. I’ll fill Macey in.” He hung up and nodded at Macey’s food. “That looks good.”

  She used her fork to poke at the pasta. “Yes, and I’m sure it tastes good, too. I just wish I had an appetite.”

  “Well, eat it anyway.”

  “Yes, Mom,” she teased and popped a noodle into her mouth.

  One side of his lips turned up and he cut into the steak he’d been craving for the past three days. A baked potato and broccoli went just fine with the steak.

  “So are you going to fill me in?”

  He told her what he’d learned from Lilly and she simply nodded.

  She took a bite of the pasta. “Mm. That is good. I think I got my appetite back. Enough about the case for now. Finish telling me about the crazy chick who dumped you.”

  He gave a low laugh. “Samantha just had her issues. Like we all do, I suppose. She decided she was better off marrying someone else.”

  “Like who?”

  “Like a partner with Jacoby and Styles law firm.”

  “Ah.”

  “Yeah.”

  She put her fork down and looked him in the eye.

  “What?” he asked.

  Macey’s cheeks turned a bit pink. At least he thought they did. It was a little hard to tell in the dimly lighted restaurant.

  “What?” he repeated.

  She gave a slight shrug. “She was stupid. You’re a great guy. Any woman would be lucky to have your attention.”

  He felt his cheeks burn and yet his heart rejoiced at her words. Even as confusion drew his brows together. “And yet you wouldn’t go out with me.”

  Macey paused. She picked her fork back up and took another bite. And chewed. Slowly. Finally, she nodded. “I know. But it wasn’t because I didn’t want to.”

  He froze, captured by the look in her eyes. “Oh?” The waiter came by and refilled their drinks, allowing him time to gather his scattered thoughts. “So you did want to go out with me?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “But you wouldn’t.”

  She sighed. “I’m a trouble magnet, Chad. People who get close to me wind up hurt or dead. Look at what’s happened to you ever since you got a little close.”

  He gave a slow nod and glanced out the window. “Yes, I agree. Trouble is following you, but that’s not your fault.”

  “Of course it is. I wouldn’t go out with you because I didn’t want that trouble heaped on your poor head—the one that got hit while trying to help me get out of my burning house.” Another sigh. “Only now that’s exactly what I’ve done. Without even going out with you.”

  “See? You should have just gone out with me.” She wrinkled her nose at him and he gave a small smile. “What about your sister? You two seem pretty close.”

  She made a sound low in her throat. “That’s because she gives me no choice,” she muttered.

  He noted the sadness in her voice but his attention was on the car parked outside across the street.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “A white car. There. The driver is just sitting in the seat. I think I’ll get someone out here to check the plate.”

  She paled and looked in the direction he’d indicated. Then she stood and threw her napkin down. “Don’t bother. I’ll get it for you myself.”

  TWELVE

  Macey bolted out of the restaurant and looked both ways before she crossed the street to the white Kia parked nicely against the curb.

  “Macey! What are you doing?”

  Chad’s harsh shout didn’t slow her down. The stares of the other patrons from both inside and outside the restaurant didn’t faze her either.

  She rounded to the back of the vehicle and memorized the plate. Then she walked up to the driver’s window and tapped a finger against the glass.

  The driver, a twentysomething good-looking man, rolled down the window. He had a Bluetooth in his left ear. “Hold on, will you?” he said to the person on the end of the line. “A pretty lady is trying to get my attention.” He grinned at her.

  Chad stepped up beside her and gripped her upper arm. The man’s smile disappeared.

  “Are you following me?” Macey asked. She shook off Chad’s grip and stared down the driver of the white car.

  His perfectly arched brow lifted. “Following you? You’re pretty, but I’m not desperate. I don’t need to follow women. Besides”—he nodded to Chad—“looks like you’re taken.”

  It wasn’t him. She didn’t think. She nodded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to attack you. It was a case of mistaken identity.”

  He shrugged. “No problem.”

  Macey shoved her hands into her coat pockets and turned on her heel. Chad followed her back into the restaurant. She settled herself in the booth once again then peered up at him through her lashes.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He reached for her hand. She hesitated then held hers out for him to grasp. When his warm fingers closed over hers, she pressed her lips together to keep them from t
rembling.

  “It’s okay, Macey, but going after people like that isn’t going to work. What if it had been the guy targeting you? He could have pulled a gun and shot you in the street.”

  With her free hand, she rubbed her eyes. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “I understand you’re frustrated and angry and everything else, but you’ve got to be smart.”

  “I know! I don’t need a lecture.” Her throat tightened and tears gathered behind her eyes. She looked down at what was left of her food.

  His fingers tightened on hers. “Now it’s my turn to apologize. I don’t mean to lecture. I just . . . don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “I’m getting that a lot these days.” At his raised eyebrow, she shook her head. “Let’s finish our dinner. And . . . if Lilly is willing to spend another night at your place, I’ll do the same.”

  He nodded and the relief on his face touched her. They finished their meal and he escorted her back out to the car.

  “Do you need to stop for anything?” he asked.

  “No. I had everything I needed in my locker at the station. I brought it with me, including your sister’s clothes. I can sleep in them again tonight.”

  “Nothing from your house?”

  She hesitated. “No, not tonight. Like I said, I have a change of clothing for tomorrow. I’m fine for now.”

  “Okay.”

  He drove, and she leaned back against the head rest. “Where does your sister live?” she asked.

  “In Columbia. She’s married and has three kids, ages two, four, and six.”

  “Boys or girls?”

  “All girls.”

  “Her poor husband.”

  He laughed. “No kidding.”

  She fell silent as sleepiness invaded her. She’d been up for over twenty-four hours with only a couple hours of catnapping during that time. Her body craved sleep. Her eyes closed against her will.

  The next thing she knew, someone was shaking her shoulder. She drew in a deep breath and opened her eyes. “What?”

  “Can you walk or do you want me to carry you?”

  That woke her. And she decided she didn’t dare answer that question, although the slight smile in his eyes gave away what he was hoping she’d say.

  “I’ve got it, thanks.”

  He walked around to the passenger back door and opened it. He grabbed her bag from the backseat, and she opened her door to step into the cold of the night. He kept her in front of him, shielding her from anyone who might want to attempt another hit on her. He’d done this all night, ushering her from the car to the restaurant and back. And now to his home.

  Lilly’s car sat at the curb. “She didn’t turn the lights on.”

  “No, and that’s the way we want it.”

  “It’s easier to find your target when they’re all lit up, huh?”

  “Exactly.” But he didn’t need any lights. He knew exactly where he was going and led her expertly into the house. She was almost surprised when no one tried to shoot at them. Or bomb them. Or otherwise cause trouble.

  Lilly sat on the couch, reading a magazine. She looked up. “Welcome home, kids.”

  Chad shut the door. “Glad you made yourself at home.”

  She shot him a smile. “Your place is nicer than mine. I don’t mind coming here.”

  “That’s because I spent time fixing my place up. If you ever spent any time at home—”

  “My mother’s in charge of that, and she’s as lousy at it as I am.”

  Macey shifted her bag to her other shoulder. “I’m going to bed, guys, okay? You can continue this while I snore.”

  Chad flushed. “Right. Sorry. Come on, I’ll show you—”

  “I remember where to go, thanks.”

  “So first thing in the morning we go out there?”

  She gave a short nod. “Sure.”

  She made her way to the room she’d used the night her house had been bombed, set her bag on the bed, and thought about running away. Changing her name, her look, everything. She could do it, couldn’t she?

  Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and gave a silent groan. To answer or not? She sighed and pressed the green option. “Hi, Valerie.”

  “Hey.” Silence. “Everything okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m just . . . can we meet for breakfast in the morning?”

  “I can’t, Val. I’ve . . . got plans.”

  “Plans you can’t change?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I just . . . wanted to talk to you about something.”

  “So talk now.”

  “No. It can wait. It’s just about our parents.”

  Fear hit her. “They’re okay, right? Not sick?”

  “No, not at all. They miss you.”

  Macey froze. “Why do you say that?”

  “I talked to Mom today. She said you never call and you don’t answer when she calls you and she’s just tired of the distance—emotional distance, not just the physical one—between the three of you.”

  Macey closed her eyes. She couldn’t deal with this right now. But . . . “I know. I need to call her and Dad. And I will. It’s just that every time I talk to them, I’m riddled with guilt.” And afraid that if she spent any time with them at all, she’d just bring more trouble down on their heads.

  “Like we talked about before, it’s time to put that to rest.”

  Macey’s throat went tight. “That’s what I’m trying to do,” she managed to squeeze out. She cleared her throat. “They found Tyler Norwood and his mother shot to death today.”

  “What!”

  “I know. They were killed, shot in cold blood.”

  “But . . . why?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out, Val. But probably because of his association with me.” Her sister went quiet. After several seconds passed, Macey frowned. “Val?”

  “I’m here. We’ll talk about all of this later. Will you call me when you’re finished with whatever it is you’re doing that you can’t change?”

  Macey hesitated then decided to be honest. “I’m going to visit the site of the crash, Val. I’m hoping it will stir up the remainder of my memories so I can finally remember what happened and put the past to rest.” She paused. “And make peace with Mom and Dad.”

  “Do you want me to come?”

  “No. Chad and Lilly are taking me. I’ll call when I can.”

  “All right. If you’re sure.” The doorbell rang in the distance. “I’ve got to go.”

  Macey tensed. “Are you expecting anyone?”

  “Yes, it’s Trish. We’re going to do a late movie then have a girls’ night at her house. She said she’d pick me up so I wouldn’t have to drive that clunker I can’t afford to replace.”

  Again the guilt hit Macey. If she hadn’t let David help her, he’d still be alive and Valerie wouldn’t be worried about money. Or replacing her car. “Don’t you have to work in the morning?”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  “All right. Well, have a good time with Trish. I guess.”

  “I will.”

  And then she was gone, leaving Macey staring at the phone and wondering why Trish wanted to spend so much time with the sister of the woman who was involved—however innocently—in the murder of her husband.

  Chad rose with the sun Wednesday morning. Lilly still slept on the couch. She must have just dozed off a couple hours before, because when he’d done a perimeter check around three-thirty, she’d still been awake.

  He started the coffee, popped open a can of cinnamon rolls he’d found in the back of his refrigerator, spread them on a baking sheet, and stuck them in the oven.

  “Hey.”

  He turned to find his partner sitting up and staring at him with an annoyed look on her face.

  “Try to make just a little bit more noise, will you?” she grumbled. He slammed the cabinet door shut and she winced. “Never mind. What are you doing up so early?”

/>   “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “So if you can’t sleep, no one does, huh?”

  He smirked. “Something like that.”

  “How’s our protectee?”

  “Sleeping.”

  She rolled her eyes and stood. After a stretch that would make a cat proud, she walked into the kitchen. “So . . .”

  Chad glanced at her. “I hate it when you start out like that.”

  It was her turn to smirk. “So . . . what’s so special about the girl in your guest room?”

  He should have figured she’d bring it up sooner or later. He’d been hoping for later. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She let out a snort that was probably supposed to pass as a laugh. “Come on, we’re partners, we tell each other everything. What’s drawn you to her?”

  He looked at her for a moment then shrugged. “A lot of things, I guess. She needs help. I want to help her.”

  “So you’re the hero, her knight in shining armor?”

  “Maybe, but it’s more than that. She intrigues me. There’s a light in her that wants to shine, but the darkness won’t let it. I want to help push the darkness aside so she can find that light again.” Even to him, his words sounded cheesy. True, but cheesy. To his surprise, Lilly didn’t laugh.

  She nodded and gave him a small smile. “She’s a lucky woman.”

  He raised a brow. “Thanks. So what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Any special someone you’re interested in?”

  “No. No one special.”

  She was good, he’d give her that. But he knew her too well. There was a subtle darkening of her eyes to let him know he’d hit a nerve.

  “I thought we were partners who told each other everything.”

  This time she let her gaze slide away from his. “My ex is back in town. He wants to see Charlie.”

  “Are you going to let him?”

  “Maybe. Charlie wants to see him. He asks about him every day.”

  “He misses his dad.”

  “He does.”

  “And so do you.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I do, but that doesn’t change the fact that we don’t do well married.”