by Clare Revell
Grace raised an eyebrow. “You and David or you and God?”
“Me and David.”
Elliott finished his coffee. “I know God knows what’s going to happen, Eden, and even if it doesn’t seem like it right now, He’ll make sure it’ll work out.”
“He certainly knew what He was doing when He dropped a tree on my house,” Grace added. “Even if I didn’t think so at the time.”
Eden smiled slightly at the image.
Grace winked at her and mimed dropping something from a great height and the splat it made as it hit the ground.
Eden’s smile grew.
Grace touched her hand. “That’s better. Just remember the good times. It helps.”
“Like you’re doing with Hope,” Elliott said.
Grace nodded. “Yeah.”
“Any word on finding her yet?” Eden asked. Grace’s sister, Hope, hadn’t been seen for over nine years.
Grace shook her head. “No, but at least people are still looking, so maybe one day.”
****
David reigned in his temper. A church was no place to lose it, a funeral even less so, despite the way Nate had wound him up and angered him. He hissed out a long deep breath. “I was not a witness to that murder,” he said quietly, shooting Eden a sideways glance to make sure she and Marc were still there. “And I can’t believe you’d pick my sister’s funeral to ask me about it. Are you never off duty?”
Nate raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I’m working right now. Barry Grant had a family, too. It’s his funeral tomorrow. And yes, I’ll be going to that one as well.”
David frowned. “Nate…” He paused, changing the subject. “They don’t think the loss of hydraulic pressure was an accident. What if it were a deliberate attack on Hanna’s life?”
Nate rolled his eyes. “There were one hundred and twenty-six people on that plane. Blowing it up just to kill Hanna is a stretch, even for you.” He lowered his voice. “I have a witness that places your car outside the pub at the time of the murder. So, I suggest you come down to the station tomorrow with your brief.”
Shock cut through him like a knife through cheese. “My sister just died.”
“I could simply arrest you right here, right now, in front of everyone if you want,” Nate hissed. He undid his jacket, giving David a glimpse of the cuffs on his belt.
David scowled. He was tempted to say ‘don’t you dare,’ but knew Nate would do it. “Not at my sister’s funeral.”
“Or you can voluntarily attend tomorrow morning.”
He sucked in a deep breath. “Eleven o’clock all right with you? Assuming I can get ahold of my brief.”
“He’s right over there. Ask him now. See you tomorrow.”
David turned away and crossed the room to where Eden sat. He dropped into the seat beside her, making hand signals to Adam who stood on the other side of the church hall.
“Are you all right?” Eden asked.
“No,” he said. He rubbed the back of his neck, hoping the stiffness was down to a rough night and nothing worse.
“Do you want to talk?”
“Not really.” He turned his attention to the sleeping baby. “What time’s he due a feed?”
“I fed him an hour ago, so he’s good for a while yet.”
David jerked his head in response. Being around Eden was too hard. He needed a break from her. “Take the afternoon off. In fact, take rest of the day off. Spend the time with your parents or something.” He glanced at her, seeing the hurt in her eyes, but not letting up. “Actually, why don’t you and Marc stay at your parents’ tonight? I need some time alone. I have to leave at ten tomorrow, so just make sure you’re back before then. I’ll get a key made for you.”
“I already have a key. Hanna gave me one when I moved in, but thanks for the offer.”
Of course she had a key. How could he forget? “You can leave now.”
Eden’s eyes glistened as she stood. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll go. Only Mum and Dad have already left. Mum’s taking this badly. But don’t you worry about me, I’ll get a taxi.”
Elliott shook his head. “No, you won’t. I’ll take you. Go wait by the car, and I’ll be there directly.”
“Thanks.” Eden managed half a smile, her eyes brimming with tears.
David watched her walk stiffly across the room, closely followed by Grace. He looked down, despising himself for what he’d become. Forgive me, Lord, but I have no choice. This is destroying me inside, little by little, especially when I see myself hurting her. But if Hanna’s plane was deliberately brought down somehow, then Eden and Marc just aren’t safe around me right now. I can’t be responsible for their deaths’ too. I’ll arrange for someone to watch the Jameson’s house for now.
“That’s a little harsh,” Elliott said sharply from beside him. “She’s grieving, too. I thought I knew you, David. I guess I was wrong.” Elliott pushed to his feet and left.
David sighed. “No, you don’t,” he whispered. “No one does, not anymore.” He leaned forward, propped his elbows on his knees, and buried his face in his hands. He deserved that and every horrid thought Elliott had about him right now.
“Is this all worth it?”
David glanced up at the tall blond man standing there. “Adam.”
Adam eased into the chair beside him. “Well, is it?”
David shrugged. “I don’t know anymore. I know it’s Saturday tomorrow, but I’m going to need you in the morning. Sgt. Holmes wants me down the station at eleven or he’s going to arrest me. He threatened to do it here in front of everyone otherwise.”
“In connection with what?”
“Murder this time. And before you ask, no, I didn’t do it. But apparently he has a witness who can put my car there at the time.”
Adam rolled his eyes. “You’re in too deep, David.”
“I have no choice. Not anymore. I have to see this through.”
“At what cost?”
“I’ve already lost everything I ever cared about. Family, friends…Marc, Eden.”
“Not quite everyone,” Adam told him. “But you’re doing a pretty good job, there. Just be careful you don’t end up losing your faith or your life.”
****
Eden dished up dinner, just as the football results finished. David had been gone all day, and was late back again. She took her plate into the lounge. Marc lay on the floor, playing happily and doing his best to roll over again. The vase of fresh daffodils sat on the table. David had put them on the window sill as usual, but she’d moved them to where she could see them.
She curled up on the sofa and looked down at the baby. “You know, your Uncle David is a very confusing person. He cares enough to buy these flowers every couple of days, but doesn’t like me and never eats anything I cook. Well, I assume they’re for me to enjoy.”
Eden changed the channel to a quiz show. She ate as she watched, almost jumping out of her skin as the front door opened and then shut.
David walked into the room, carrying a takeout bag. His gaze fell on her. “Oh, you’re back. What happened to staying with your mum and dad?”
“Mum isn’t taking this well. She and Dad have gone away for the weekend, so I figured I’d come home. No point staying in an empty house.”
David growled, looking even more disapproving. “I told you to stay there for a reason.”
Eden sighed. Couldn’t she do anything right anymore? “I saved you some dinner. It’s in the kitchen.”
“I don’t need it. I have this.” He put the bag on the table, scowling as he caught sight of the vase. “And these go on the window sill.”
“Why?” Eden watched him move it. “It’s a waste because I can’t see them over there.”
“It doesn’t matter why. That’s where they go.”
“OK.” She tensed slightly at his tone.
He crossed the room again, taking the plastic box from the carrier bag. “And you’ll need to make your own way to church tomo
rrow. I have to go somewhere en route. Preferably alone.”
“I can wait in the car…”
“Which part of alone don’t you understand?”
“Are you working on a Sunday, again?”
“That’s no concern of yours. There’s a bus timetable on the pin board in the kitchen.”
“What happened to you? All you think of is yourself. Thank you for dumping me. Really. I’ll ring Elliott and ask him to pick me and Marc up.”
“Marc and I,” David corrected as he dug his fork into the noodle dish in his hand.
“Whatever.” Eden picked up Marc. “I’ll just give him his bath.” She hurried from the room.
“Don’t do the feeds,” David called after her. “I’ll do them later.”
“Fine.”
She sucked in a deep, calming breath. God, I really hope You know what You’re doing here, because things are almost unbearable. If this wasn’t what Hanna wanted, I’d leave.
****
David drove to the park, thoughts running rampant through his mind. Eden hadn’t spoken to him since the previous evening. Part of him was grateful for that. The other part of him, the part that still cared an inordinate amount for her, wasn’t OK with that at all. But there was no way he could let this infatuation, crush—whatever he was going to call the torch he still carried for her and the vast amount of love he felt—get in the way of work. He was too involved and too many lives depended on his work. The needs of the many and all that...
When he’d taken the undercover assignment, he’d taken her love and tossed it aside like an empty crisp wrapper. Tossing his heart after it. Only that wasn’t true, he chided himself. He’d take her back in a heartbeat, only that couldn’t happen.
After parking the car, he shoved the gun into his waistband, and set off across the park to the duck pond. Not the ideal place for a drop, as there were often too many people about, but he didn’t have a choice in the matter. Hopefully, he could do this and still make church on time.
David reached the duck pond and looked out over the water.
“A little old to feed the ducks.”
David took in the tall, bald, tattooed bloke in biker leathers standing there. “It’s something to do,” he replied.
“Have you got it?”
He jerked his head in response. “Money first.”
The biker pulled an envelope from his jacket. “It’s all there.”
“It had better be.” David checked it briefly, and then shoved it in his coat. He pulled out a parcel and handed it over. “Otherwise the boss will come calling. He doesn’t want a repeat of last time.”
The biker looked at him.
“Grant was a warning,” David told him. “Next time we won’t be so lenient.”
The biker nodded and walked off.
David returned his gaze to the pond. The water was still, not even a ripple. Unlike the rampant emotions tearing him every which way. He didn’t move, aware of the photographer on the other side of the pond, capturing his every stance. Was it one of his or one of theirs?
Several unchristian thoughts flooded his mind. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head and prayed for forgiveness. Then he headed back to the car.
He arrived at church to find Eden sitting in his normal pew with Marc. Holding in the sigh, he slid in beside her. He’d made it with a few minutes to spare and picked up his service sheet to read it. Going to church after what he’d just done didn’t seem right. He was more aware of his sin here than anywhere else. He wanted a shower desperately in order to try and remove the dirt covering him and caking his soul.
Mrs. Taylor sat next to Eden and made a fuss of Marc, who smiled and gurgled at her.
David caught Eden’s gaze, then turned his attention to the service sheet. The pastors were going through the Ten Commandments in the morning services. He found each one progressively more difficult, not just listening to them, but the way his conscience twinged and berated him. Today was going to be just as hard—Thou shalt not kill.
David may not have physically pulled the trigger, but if he’d arrived just a few minutes earlier rather than waiting outside things would have played out differently.
For an instant he considered bolting. Perhaps Marc would cry before the sermon ended and he could leave.
But Marc didn’t cry. He fell asleep and stayed sleeping.
David found himself rooted to the spot, only able to stand to sing.
The sermon was harder than he’d expected. Pastor Jack seemed to be talking directly at him, every word ramming home with the force of the proverbial battering ram. Had someone been talking? How could the man possibly know all this? How could he know what kind of a mess David was in, and just how deep he was involved?
David realized with a shock, that it was God talking unswervingly to him. He knew Adam was right, despite the way he’d reacted. If he didn’t get out, and get out fast, he’d lose his faith and his life. But getting out wasn’t going to be easy. In fact, it may well cost him his life. And although it hurt not to be Marc’s guardian, Hanna had been right to appoint Eden.
Show me what to do, Lord. This seemed so simple, noble even, at first, but now I’m just caught up in a mess I’m not sure how to deal with. Give me the words, and the means either to close this or to escape, for the waters have reached my neck, and unable to swim, I’m in danger of drowning.
6
Eden secured Marc’s jacket and laid him in the pram. She fastened the straps, as he now tried to roll over, and tucked the blankets around him. Although the sun was shining, it was still chilly. Spring was on its way. Trees were bursting into bloom around her, with their cherry blossom scent hanging in the air.
She’d barely seen David the past couple of days. He still wasn’t eating what she cooked. He even went as far as cooking for himself when he got in. She’d ceased offering and instead simply put any leftovers in the freezer. Tonight, she was planning on cooking just for her.
Marc grinned up at her and waved happily.
“So, we’ll go to the park first, then the shops, and hopefully, you’ll give in and go to sleep just as we get back, so I can doze for a few minutes. How can you be so cheerful on such little sleep?”
Even though David had been up half the night with the baby, Eden still hadn’t slept. She set off towards the park. This part of town was a lot prettier than the side on which her parents lived. Tears filled her eyes as her thoughts once again turned to Hanna and Eric and all that this baby was going to miss out on.
She wasn’t a fit substitute for a parent, and nor was David. They couldn’t agree on anything. How could they possibly come together enough to agree on raising a child? She couldn’t deny him some say in the matter, even if she maintained overall control.
Eden reached the park and slowly meandered along the path leading to the duck pond. Marc gurgled, not showing any signs of tiredness. The trees overhanging the pond were covered in blossom, white, yellow, pink, reflecting in the still water. A mother duck led her brood of babies across the water.
A tall figure stood beside the pond. Eden instantly recognized him. David. What was he doing here? He said he’d be out of town all day. She shrugged and glanced at the baby. “Shall we go and say hello to Uncle David? See if he has time for coffee?”
Marc beamed and waved.
“I assume that’s a yes.” Eden smiled and headed toward the spot where David stood. Then she froze.
A bloke dressed in biker leathers approached David and stood next to him. His face obscured by a helmet, hands tattooed heavily.
Eden backed off and stood behind a tree, watching with bated breath as David pulled back his jacket. She was no expert, but she knew enough from cop shows on the TV to recognize a shoulder holster when she saw one. Why was David carrying a gun?
He took an envelope from the man and checked it before handing over a package in exchange.
Terror filled her. What was he involved in? Well, whatever it was, she needed to get out of there
before he saw her. And she needed to think about what she did next. She backed away, turning the pram in the direction she’d come.
Footsteps crunched on the path behind her as she hurried away. A hand grabbed her arm, spinning her around. She gasped.
“Are you following me now?” Anger sparked in David’s eyes, pouring from every part of him.
“No…” she managed. “We’re just going for a walk, trying to get him to sleep.”
“How much did you see?”
“Enough.” She whispered and raised her chin, staring him in the eyes, determined not to show her fear. “Enough to know you’re carrying a gun and—”
David gripped her arm like a vice. “Shut up.” His voice turned low and threatening. “Yes, it’s a gun, and I’m not afraid to use it. Now if you know what’s good for you, you’ll forget you ever saw me here.”
Eden caught her breath, abject terror running through her. Had he just threatened her?
Myriad thoughts ran amok in her mind. What had she gotten herself into? She didn’t move as David vanished into the distance. Only when he was out of sight, did she realize she was shaking. Glancing down at the pram, she noted Marc was sleeping.
She didn’t want to go home. If she were alone, David might carry out his threat. She should go somewhere public; somewhere she’d be safe, at least for now. And the safest place was the High Street. There’d be lots of people around there.
Eden was still shaking when she reached the Three Sixteen café. And still trembling as she tried to drink the double shot expresso she’d ordered. Her shuddering hands spilled the coffee on the table. As she mopped it up, a dark haired man appeared beside her.
Eden jumped, thinking it was David. Then, as she looked again she realized it was one of the church elders, Detective Sgt. Nate Holmes.
Nate set his two take out cups down on the table and sat opposite her. “Hello, Eden. Are you all right?”
“Been better,” she said quietly, wadding the tissue into a ball and dropping it onto the tray.
His dark eyes studied her. “What’s up?”
“I don’t want to hold you up if you’re busy.” She jerked her head at the cups.
“I have a few minutes,” Nate said. “What’s wrong?”
