Dark Tide

by Susan Sleeman

  Derrick eyed his twin. She’d changed since she was nearly murdered last year. This willingness to easily forget about someone who’d wronged him was proof of her new approach to life—to only stress over the important things.

  “Then that’s good enough for me.” Cole leaned back and propped a leg on his knee. “You can count on my support.”

  “Really?” Kat raised an eyebrow. “Just like that. Mr. Skeptical is taking her word for it?” She swung her gaze to Dani. “And you want to forget what she did to Derrick?”

  Cole shrugged. “What can I say? After meeting and marrying Alyssa, I’m a changed man.”

  “Love will do that for you.” Dani leaned her head on Luke’s shoulder, and he pulled her closer.

  Right. If only change could be that simple, Derrick would be married by now.

  Change wasn’t simple for Cole. The thought popped into Derrick’s head. Cole had tough issues—real issues from Afghanistan—to work out. If he freed himself from his problems, so can you.

  Doubt immediately set in. Cole knew his issues and could face them directly. Derrick wasn’t even sure why he couldn’t commit to a long-term relationship or where he’d start to fix it.

  Gina came down the stairs, her focus zooming in on him. She was seeking comfort again, and his passion for helping the underdog screamed out for him to take her hand and offer it.

  A boneheaded move.

  He shifted his focus back to the case. “I brought everyone up to speed. We’re ready to make a game plan to find Jon’s killer and protect you.”

  Kat’s eyes lasered in on Gina as she took a seat. “Don’t think because we’re taking your case that we’ve forgotten how much you hurt Derrick.”

  “Kat fails to remember we’re all grown-ups,” Derrick said, hoping to take the added stress out of the room. “She still thinks she needs to protect all of us.”

  Kat crossed her arms. “Someone in the family has to do it.”

  “Since you’re appointing yourself as our guardian,” Dani said with a smirk, “maybe you should partner with Derrick on Gina’s protective detail.”

  “Be glad to,” Kat answered, clearly surprising Dani.

  “Protective detail?” Gina’s hand flew to her chest.

  Derrick nodded. “One of us will be with you 24/7 until this is resolved.”

  “It will mostly be Derrick, but we’ll all help,” Dani added.

  “Oh,” Gina said, and quickly looked away.

  Great. Gina’s unwillingness to look him in the eye said she didn’t want him around. That was bad enough, but he didn’t want the sibling most likely to antagonize Gina working the investigation with him, either. He had enough drama with Gina. He didn’t need Kat’s, as well.

  “I’ll expect your full focus, and you’ll have to back-burner all of your other cases,” he warned.

  “Ethan can reschedule the important things. Right?” She pressed her lips together and watched Ethan.

  He nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

  “It’s what I want,” she answered decisively and looked at Gina with a pinched expression.

  Gina picked at her fingers, a sure sign she was nervous, but the smile she gave Kat didn’t reflect it. “Thank you for offering. I appreciate your help and dedication.”

  Kat scowled and tightened her arms. Derrick tamped down a smile over how well Gina was managing Kat.

  “Can we get to the plans for the investigation so I can get Dani home?” Luke asked.

  Dani smiled at her husband. “I’d say finding the elusive log is our obvious first step.”

  Ethan looked at Gina. “Derrick told us about Jon’s buddy Quentin. Can you think of anyone else who might know about the log?”

  “No, and I’m not even sure Quentin knows anything,” she answered. “Quentin and his wife are close friends, and I hate to think he could have anything to do with Jon’s death.”

  “You said he lives next door to you,” Derrick stated. “Was he home last night before you were attacked?”

  “Yes. In fact, before the attacker broke in, when I turned off the lights to go to bed, I saw him standing outside.”

  “What about size and build of your attacker?” Dani asked. “Is Quentin of a similar build?”

  “Yes,” she agreed, but her tone lacked any conviction. “The attacker disguised his voice, so I suppose it could’ve been Quentin.”

  “Right size and build.” Cole dropped his foot to the floor with a thump that shook the boat. “Acting suspicious. Disguising his voice as if you’d know him.”

  “So you think we’re looking for someone she knows?” Ethan asked.

  Cole shrugged. “It’s not unheard of for an attacker who’s familiar with police procedure to disguise their voice to avoid being picked out of a voice lineup.”

  “Voice lineup?” Gina asked. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “It’s just like a visual lineup of suspects but the police have the suspect and a few other men speak, in hopes that the victim can identify the voice.”

  Gina shuddered. “Will I have to participate in one of those?”

  “You might,” Derrick said, hating to see her fearful expression. “But it may not be necessary if we can gather sufficient evidence as we work the investigation.”

  “It sounds like interviewing Quentin should be our first priority,” Kat suggested.

  Gina’s eyes narrowed. “But why would he want to kill Jon? Or me, for that matter?”

  “Money is always a good motive for murder,” Derrick offered. “Has Quentin engaged in any lavish spending lately?”

  Gina’s eyes widened. “He bought a very expensive speedboat last month. That’s not something he could afford on his Coast Guard salary.”

  “Motive,” Derrick said, putting force in his word for emphasis. “We’re definitely talking to him ASAP.”

  “You can do that while I focus on finding the log.” Dani leaned forward, letting Luke’s arm fall behind her. “Since Gina saw a digital photo of a log, it’s likely the file was transmitted to Jon electronically.”

  “Unless, of course, he took a picture of the log and sent it to himself,” Kat said.

  “Why would he do that?” Gina asked.

  Kat shrugged. “Maybe he didn’t want to take the log on board his ship. Or maybe he was worried the actual log would be destroyed.”

  “Though those are good possibilities,” Dani said, “I think I should still try to track it electronically, too.”

  “Agreed,” Derrick jumped in. “So how would he have received an electronic copy?”

  “Through email. Or a text maybe,” Dani said and Derrick could almost see the wheels turning in her head. “He could also have copied it from someone else’s computer or downloaded it on the internet. If I’m lucky, I’ll find a cybertrail. If Quentin’s involved, it could lead straight to him.”

  Cole’s eyes glassed over at the mention of technology, and Derrick was surprised his were the only ones. “If anyone can track down an electronic lead, it’s you.”

  “Usually I’d be the first to agree with you,” Dani replied with no modesty in her voice. “But Jon likely had a military email address. If he received the log at that account, I won’t be able to access it without hacking into the Coast Guard’s database, which—”

  “You could do that?” Gina interrupted.

  A wily smile crept across his twin’s lips. “I’m sure I could, but I won’t.”

  “Still,” Cole said, “I can tell you’re chomping at the bit to get your fingers on the files.”

  Smiling, she nodded. “I’ll start on it the minute I get home tonight.”

  Derrick nodded. “Gina mentioned the San Diego detectives didn’t believe she’d been attacked, so I’m thinking they didn�
�t thoroughly process the scene. And with the backlog at most labs, I don’t think we can count on the detective to request priority processing for any evidence they did collect.”

  “Sounds like a trip to San Diego is in order to question Quentin and gather evidence ourselves,” Kat said.

  Derrick looked at Gina. “We’ll hire a private lab to run the tests and get the results in a matter of days.”

  She sighed. “This is all so complicated. I’m so thankful all of you understand it.”

  Luke looped his arm over Dani’s shoulder. “Not only do they understand it, but for some odd reason, it’s also what they live to do.”

  Dani punched his knee. “I don’t knock your SEAL days, so don’t knock our law enforcement background.”

  He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

  The family laughed, but excitement at moving forward in the case had Derrick ignoring them. “So we’re agreed that Gina and I will travel to San Diego?”

  Kat made eye contact. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Of course. I’m glad to have help in protecting Gina,” Derrick said. “Before we go, we should discuss backtracking Jon’s and Quentin’s movements. If we can see where they’d been in the weeks before Jon’s death, it might give us a lead on how and where the log was transmitted.”

  Ethan yawned and stretched his arms overhead. “I can dig into their cell phone and credit card bills first thing tomorrow.”

  “Would be good if you got Quentin’s full financial picture to see if he needs money or if he’s received a large sum recently,” Derrick added.

  Ethan nodded as another yawn escaped.

  “Kat, can you call in favors from your Portland P.D. buds to get the official report for Jon’s accident?” Derrick faced Gina. “Kat’s a former Portland police officer and she still has contacts on the force.”

  “Glad to.”

  “Has anyone thought about this being related to the Coast Guard?” Dani asked. “Jon dealt with apprehending drug dealers on a daily basis. One of them could’ve wanted revenge.”

  Gina’s eyes widened, and Derrick held up his hand to stem her concern. “That’s not something we need to worry about yet, but it’s an angle worth investigating.”

  “I still have military connections,” Cole offered. “Let me see what I can dig up about Jon’s and Quentin’s military careers.”

  Ethan yawned again. “Sounds like a good start.”

  “Tired, old man?” Derrick teased.

  “You try getting up with a baby every night and see if you’re not tired, too.”

  “Bobby’s not sleeping through the night yet?” Gina asked.

  “Not all the time.”

  Gina launched into her past struggle to get Sophia on a regular schedule. For the first time since reconnecting with Gina, Derrick realized how tough being a single parent must be.

  “Not that I don’t find the baby talk fascinating,” Luke said with a smirk, “but I’d like to take my wife home. So are we done here?”

  Derrick nodded. “I’ll make San Diego flight arrangements for Kat, Gina and me. Hopefully I can get us on the first flight tomorrow. I’ll text everyone the time to be here to assist in her transport.”

  “Which means, with your schedule obsession, everyone can arrive fifteen minutes later,” Kat said as she stood.

  Derrick cast an irritated look at her. “Please don’t.”

  “Lighten up. I was just kidding.” She squeezed his shoulder. “I’ll head home to pack and then come back to spend the night here as reinforcement.”

  It was a logical decision to have both of them on hand at all times, but Derrick picked up on Kat’s hidden motive. She didn’t trust Derrick not to succumb to Gina’s charms tonight. Despite Kat’s heavy-handed approach, he didn’t mind having someone to run interference. “Then we’re good to go. We’ll keep in touch from San Diego by a daily video conference call unless anyone has urgent news to report.”

  “Let’s get going before he changes his mind.” Luke tugged Dani to her feet.

  “Night, all.” She headed for the door.

  As Gina continued discussing babies with Ethan, Derrick watched Dani and Luke depart. He was glad Luke was a stand-up guy, and he wanted his sister to be happy. Really he did. But he missed the close relationship he’d had with her. Not a very manly thing to admit. But, come on. You go through life connected in a way no one can match, and suddenly that connection no longer matters compared with the new man in her life?

  Or maybe you’re just miffed that you don’t have someone special in your life like everyone else in the family.

  Was that why he’d been irritated for months? Not because they’d moved away from him, but because he couldn’t move forward himself? If only he knew how to change. He certainly didn’t want to let it continue to eat at him and make him miserable, but what other choice did he have?

  He needed either to get over his commitment issues or stop wanting a wife and family. He didn’t have a clue how to accomplish either one. He’d have to be careful not to let his frustration over it distract him while he was in charge of keeping Gina safe.

  FIVE

  Gina woke to the sun streaming in her bedroom window. She glanced around the room decorated in dark colors and contemporary furniture. A manly room.

  Derrick.

  Last night’s events came crashing back. The gunshot then Lilly falling into the water. The man chasing her, his feet pounding behind as she fled for her life, sheer terror sending her heart beating faster. Then her heart heading into a tailspin at Derrick’s kiss when he rescued her and Sophia.

  Sophia.

  Surprised the baby hadn’t woken her, Gina listened for sounds from the adjoining room. Not a peep. She glanced at the clock. Too late. Had something happened to Sophia?

  Gina jumped out of bed, ignoring the way her muscles ached from last night’s race away from her assailant. She quickly climbed into her soiled jeans and T-shirt that had dried overnight before hurrying into the hallway.

  Derrick’s voice and Sophia’s giggle drifted up the stairway. Gina tiptoed toward the balcony overlooking the family room. When she spotted Derrick playing with Sophia, her mouth fell open. Last night he’d made it clear that he didn’t know a thing about babies. She’d assumed that he didn’t want to learn—a logical extension of his commitment problem. The last thing she’d have thought he would embrace would be the responsibility for a child.

  He suddenly tumbled from the sofa. Worried, Gina took a step forward, but he landed on his back and gently whisked Sophia high into the air. She squealed with delight. He settled her on his chest, and she pushed up on her elbows. They studied each other for a moment before Sophia grabbed his nose.

  His joyful laugh rang through the rafters, a sound Gina once couldn’t get enough of.

  “You’re all right, little bug, you know that?” He tweaked her nose, too. “Don’t know what I was so afraid of. You aren’t that fragile.”

  Sophia spouted gibberish, and he laughed again.

  He’d always been lighthearted and fun loving, not the brooding man she’d encountered last night. After their relationship ended, she’d scolded herself for not seeing the warning signs that he was too carefree to want to settle down.

  And despite all of that, you’re attracted to him.

  So what? With his good looks, what woman wouldn’t be? But was it more than simply finding him good looking?

  Doesn’t matter. After Dani’s comment last night about Derrick never marrying, it would be a mistake to follow these feelings. Plus after Ben’s rejection, considering a relationship with anyone was even more foolish. She had not only her own feelings to protect this time, but Sophia’s, as well.

  Resolved to keep her emotions in check, she marched down the stairs to make sure Sophia had been
fed and changed. “I hope she didn’t wake you.”

  Derrick looked up at her, his smile falling. “I was already up when I heard her.” He tucked Sophia under his arm like a football and, in one smooth move, came to his feet. “I thought after everything that’s happened in the past few days you might want to sleep in, so Kat and I took care of her.”

  His kindness threatened to make tears fall. Obviously, she was still emotional from her attack. She desperately needed a good cry, but she also needed to stay strong for Sophia, and a crying jag would take her down the wrong path.

  “Thank you for your help, but I can take her now.” She held out her hands.

  Sophia didn’t extend her arms as she always did for Gina, but laid her head on Derrick’s shoulder. His eyes flashed open then a wave of satisfaction flooded them. “As you can see, we’ve kind of become buddies.”

  Gina’s heart melted again, but she instantly chastised herself. She didn’t need a buddy for Sophia. What she needed was a guy to step up and be a strong father. A man she could count on in a relationship. But her experience said they didn’t exist.

  What about the other Justice men and Kat and Dani’s husbands?

  That was different. They were different. Trusting. They could have a meaningful relationship. She couldn’t. It required her to lean on a man. To trust him. She’d tried it three times. Her father, Derrick and Ben. All ended badly. She wouldn’t trust a man again. Period.

  She forced her mind on to Sophia.

  “Has she eaten or had her diaper changed?” Her words came out sounding terse and ungrateful so she quickly added, “Not that I expect you to have done those things.”

  “Kat fed her.” He looked at Sophia. “You’re a messy eater aren’t you, Bug? A very messy eater.” He grinned at her and she smiled back. “Hope you don’t mind if I call her Bug. She’s as cute as one, so it just seemed to fit.”

  He would disappear from their lives as fast as he arrived and Sophia would soon forget all about him, so it didn’t matter what he called her. “That’s fine.” Gina looked around the room. “Where’s Kat now?”