by Debra Webb
“Therein lies the rub,” Jess admitted. “Consider Adler’s murder. He was seated at the dining table having tea, presumably with his killer. If that killer was Thrasher, who is a far larger man than Adler, why get up from the table and go to the kitchen for a knife when you can easily overtake the victim?”
“You think there’s a third killer involved.” It wasn’t a question. Amber could see the conviction in Jess’s eyes.
“Lieutenant Harper has expanded the parameters of his investigation to include a potential third killer,” Jess explained. “In my opinion, it’s a necessary step.”
Amber felt completely unnerved. Totally unsettled. “Wow.”
“I would advise you to go someplace not a part of your routine,” Jess offered. “Someplace the killer or killers won’t know to look. Just for a few days. Let the BPD and us do what we need to do without having to worry about adding names to the victim list.”
“What about the other woman who was being watched?” Amber worried Jess hadn’t provided an update on the woman because it was more bad news. “Has she been found?”
“She has,” Jess said. “Her name is Emma Norton. The employee the BPD spoke to had just returned from vacation and didn’t realize Emma had taken her vacation this week. The lieutenant has spoken to her. She’s visiting her father in Seattle. I received the call just before you arrived.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Amber felt immensely relieved. It was bad enough two women were dead.
“Take a day or two someplace quiet while we sort this out,” Jess repeated. “Sean will see that you stay safe.”
He stood. “I’ll make sure the alley is still clear.”
Amber pushed to her feet. “I appreciate all you’re doing, Jess. I can’t imagine doing this alone.”
With effort Jess stood and rested a hand on her rounded belly. “I’m glad we can help. You are our top priority.”
Sean returned and ushered Amber to the rear entrance. Since the slots in front of the B&C office had been full when they arrived, he’d parked two blocks away. To avoid being spotted by her colleagues from the various stations around the city, they detoured another couple of blocks.
He opened her door, and Amber settled in the passenger seat. What if Thrasher wasn’t found by Monday? How long was she supposed to keep her life on hold? She should call Barb and let her know what was going on. Was her sister in danger? Jess hadn’t mentioned any concerns about Barb’s safety. Calling her boss was unavoidable. He would insist she take as much time as she needed.
She didn’t want to take more time. She wanted her life back. She wanted to avoid getting tangled up with her protector. She wanted to stay alive.
Amber looked around to get her bearings. She couldn’t say how long Sean had been driving before she snapped out of her pity party. “Where are we going?”
“My parents have a place on the river. I thought we’d go there.”
She hoped it was larger than his house. “What about clothes?” And other stuff, like a toothbrush and deodorant?
“We can drive past your house, but I’m guessing there are more reporters waiting there. We can stop for what we need once we’re out of the city.”
Amber resigned herself to her fate. It was either risk a confrontation with an obsessed killer or killers or spend time in a remote location alone with the man who had kissed her like she’d never before been kissed.
She stole a glance at him. She was in trouble either way.
River Road, 3:30 p.m.
JUST OVER A year ago Sean had escaped the hurt and anger by coming here. For six months after Lacy’s death the press hounded him. The official investigation had cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing related to her death, but he hadn’t been able to forgive himself. If he had paid closer attention...if he hadn’t allowed things to become personal, she might still be alive.
Intellectually he understood that the choices she had made in her life were not his responsibility, but in his heart he carried the burden. He had trusted her...trusted the love they shared.
What an arrogant fool he’d been.
“So this is where your family spends Christmas?”
Sean shook off the painful memories and focused on the woman standing in the middle of the family room. “This is the place.”
During the forty-five-minute drive from the city she’d initially remained silent. He imagined she grappled for some way to come to terms with the situation. As if she’d reached some understanding with herself, she had kept the conversation going from that point on, asking him question after question about the family cabin. His great-great-grandfather had built the room they were now standing in nearly a hundred years ago. Each generation had added additional square footage and renovated to include multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. His grandmother had been the one to insist on the huge eat-in kitchen.
“Take any bedroom you’d like.” The sooner they were settled, the sooner he could walk the grounds to clear his head. In the past twenty-four hours the lady had managed to breach his defenses entirely. That kiss had blown him away. Even a month ago he wouldn’t have believed he could feel that way again. He wanted to touch her and to kiss her...and a whole lot more.
She’s an assignment, blockhead. Work. You can’t go there.
“Which one do you usually take?”
Her question dragged him from the disturbing thoughts just in time to watch her turn all the way around again, taking in the enormity of the place. There were no frills, no chef’s kitchen or jetted tubs, just homey spaces with decent plumbing and incredible views of nature.
“Top of the stairs, first door on the left.” He hitched a thumb toward the door. “I’ll batten down the hatches and bring in the supplies.”
Since no one had stayed here since spring, there were a few things to be done before dark, like turning on the water and checking the generator in case there was a power outage. Then he had to bring in the food supplies and get the refrigerated goods stored. As long as he stayed busy, he would be good to go.
Maybe.
Sean did a quick walk-through of the house before heading outside. When he’d been a kid he’d dreamed of living here full-time. Of course puberty and girls had changed his mind. The occasional weekend here had felt like a world away from his school friends and whoever he’d been sweet on at the time. If only he had known how complicated life could be.
The sky was darker than usual. The rain would be here soon, along with a potential thunderstorm or two. All the more reason to check the generator. His father had taught him to ensure all the mechanics were in working order before getting comfortable. It wasn’t like you could call for a service man who would show up in an hour or so.
With the water on and the generator checked, he took a walk around the house and confirmed all was as it should be. Down at the road a passing car drew his attention. He should probably call his parents and let them know he was here. Neighbors were few and far between out here, but they kept an eye on each other’s property. His folks would no doubt get a call when the house lights were spotted tonight. Having his parents show up to investigate would not be a good thing. His mother had been complaining for years that she wanted grandchildren. Since his older siblings hadn’t stepped up to the plate, his mother was now eyeing him to fill that void.
The image of little redheaded girls frolicking around the pond made his heart stumble. Shaking his head at the crazy fantasy, he carried the first load of grocery bags into the house. When he returned with the rest, Amber was putting away the refrigerated goods.
“You didn’t tell me there was a basement with a wine cellar.” She put the quart of milk in the fridge. “This is no run-of-the-mill cabin, sir.”
“When my grandmother insisted on the kitchen expansion, my grandfather demanded the wine cellar with a smoking room.”
A smile spread across her lips as she set the sandwich bread on the counter. Man, he loved the way she smiled. “Sounds like your grandfather knew how to drive a hard bargain.”
“He did.” Sean placed the bag of mixed greens in the fridge. “He died three years ago, barely three weeks after my grandmother.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He met her sympathetic gaze. “They were like that. Did everything together, and wherever one went, the other followed.”
Sean had decided years ago his grandparents had the kind of love that couldn’t be found anymore. People had stopped learning how to love that way. For the most part his parents’ relationship wasn’t far off the mark. He couldn’t hope to ever share that kind of devotion with anyone.
“My grandparents were like that.” Amber scooted onto a stool at the kitchen’s center island. “My parents, too. I never really noticed until they retired and started traveling so much. It’s like they’ve fallen in love with each other all over again. My sister says she and Gina have that deep bond. I’m not so sure people our age know how to love like that. Maybe we can’t give so deeply.”
“Is that what you’re looking for?” He could have bitten off his tongue. Why the hell had he asked that damned question? Because he was this close—he mentally imagined his thumb and forefinger a fraction of an inch apart—to being a fool twice in one lifetime. At least he hadn’t announced that he’d just been thinking the same thing. He’d already noticed far too many commonalities between them.
Her brow furrowed as she contemplated the question. He busied himself with stuffing the plastic grocery bags into the recycle bin.
“I absolutely want it, just not now. My career is top priority.” She drew in a big breath. “Before I’m forty I’d like to be married and focused on making a family.”
He allowed his gaze to rest on hers once more. The seriousness in her green eyes made his gut tighten. “Sounds like a plan.”
He could see himself taking a similar path when he was older. Just another example of how alike they thought. Sean stopped himself. He was intensely attracted to Amber and they had a great deal in common, but that didn’t mean they belonged together. Get your head out of your—
“Would you mind taking a walk with me?”
Sean blinked. “Sorry. What?”
“I’ve felt like a prisoner for two days. I need to get outside, breathe some fresh air and just walk off some of the stress. I hate to ask, but apparently I’m not supposed to go anywhere alone.”
“Sure.” He reached for the key. Usually he wouldn’t bother locking up for a stroll around the property, but this was different. Until Thrasher and whoever else might be involved were found, Amber had to be protected.
The sky had darkened a little more but there was still plenty of daylight for a short walk. Over the years several paths had been formed along interesting views on the property. A long circle around the pond and then a meandering trail through the woods to the river. The air was crisp but not actually cold.
Maybe a walk had been a good idea.
“Do you come here every Christmas?”
The soft, lyrical sound of her voice meshed perfectly with the natural beauty around them. Funny how he noticed all those little things when he didn’t want to. He should never have kissed her. That sweet taste would never be enough. “I do.”
“I’ll bet you cut your Christmas tree from these very woods.”
Sean laughed. “We do actually. My grandfather insisted that two be planted for each one we cut. Every year on Christmas Eve, my parents drag two small evergreens up here to plant.”
“Your grandfather was a smart man.”
Sean wished he were a lot smarter and maybe he wouldn’t be standing here dying to kiss her again. Then again, maybe what he really needed was courage.
Chapter Fourteen
7:30 p.m.
The scent of marinara sauce filled the kitchen, and Amber’s stomach grumbled. She placed the salad she’d prepared on the dining table. The long farmer’s table seated ten. She could imagine the big family gatherings around the holidays. The large fireplace on the other side of the room would be roaring at Christmastime. The freshly cut tree would stand tall before the front window. She closed her eyes and imagined the smell of freshly baked cookies. Though her family holidays were usually celebrated in the city at her parents’ Mountain Brook home, she’d gotten a taste of a true country Christmas as a child. Her grandparents on her mother’s side had lived on a small farm in Blount County. She’d spent a few Christmases there.
She remembered the towering, freshly cut trees. Her grandparents always waited until Christmas Eve to place the final decoration on their tree. The star that topped its peak was saved for Amber’s mother to set in place. Her grandmother insisted that her only child, Amber’s mother, had placed that star atop the tree since she was old enough to hold it, and she wasn’t letting go of that tradition as long as she was breathing.
By the time her grandmother reached thirty, she’d already been married with a daughter running around the home where she and her husband had started many wonderful traditions. Amber straightened the linen napkins next to the two plates. Her only traditions were spending holidays with her family—if work didn’t get in the way. Those traditions were actually her parents’, not hers. She didn’t have any holiday traditions, or any other kind for that matter. She had work.
“Hot stuff headed your way,” Sean announced as he moved around her to place the bowl of sauce and the mound of plated pasta on the table.
Amber bit her lips together to prevent mentioning that the food wasn’t the only hot stuff in the room. Then and there she admitted defeat. The man got to her. He made her want to explore feelings she’d spent the past year telling herself she no longer cared about. After the breakup with her fiancé, she had decided she would wait a few years or ten before getting involved in another serious personal relationship. How had this man—in a mere seventy, give or take a few, hours—changed her mind so completely?
A hand waved in front of her face. “You still with me?”
Her gaze settled on his, and she melted a little more even as the sound of his deep voice made her shiver.
“Are you cold?” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
Her pulse skittered, and she mentally scrambled to find her voice. “No, no. I’m not cold at all.” In fact, she was burning up.
“Sit.” He pulled out a chair. “I’ll run down to the cellar and get a bottle of wine.”
Amber prepared her plate. A small serving of salad and pasta. The smell of the sauce had her mouth watering and her appetite resurrecting. Maybe eating was what she needed to take her mind off sex and Sean. Really, her inability to ignore her attraction to him surely had to do with twelve months of celibacy. Had she chosen to abstain from sex since the breakup? Not really. She simply hadn’t taken the time to socialize.
The truth was she hadn’t been on a date in six or seven months.
Sean returned with a bottle of wine and a bottle of water. He placed the bottle of water next to his glass and deftly opened the bottle of wine. He reached for her glass. “Say when.”
Amber moistened her lips as he poured the red wine. “When,” she remembered to say as the stemmed glass grew half full.
He set the bottle aside and claimed his chair. Rather than pour himself a glass of wine, he added water to his glass, and then reached for the pasta.
“You’re not having wine?” She downed a hefty swallow to calm her nerves.
“Can’t.” He grinned as he smothered the angel-hair pasta with sauce.
The heat that had kindled inside her at just being in the same room with him extinguished. “Right. Of course. You’re on duty.” It was his job to be here with her.
She really, really was losing her grip. None of t
his was real. The silky texture of the full-bodied wine soured on her tongue. What was wrong with her? A man was dead, two innocent women—his victims—had been murdered. Being trapped on the radar of this former killing partnership had turned her life upside down. Had left her vulnerable to her own fundamental desires. The fear of death made her want to celebrate life. She downed another swallow of wine.
Since he’d already dug in, she forced herself to eat. Her appetite had vanished again, but she had the foresight to understand the wine would go straight to her head if she didn’t eat. They had forgotten to pick up rolls. Saved her a few carbs.
“Is everything okay?”
She realized then that he’d already cleaned his plate and was going for seconds. “It’s great.” Another mouthful of wine covered the bitter taste of the lie.
He talked endlessly about his family and how much he’d missed the traditions when he’d lived in LA. To a large degree he felt the loving traditions of his family had helped him move past the tragedy. Amber hung on his every word—hard as she tried not to.
When he tossed his napkin aside, she realized he had stopped talking and was staring at her.
“Now I’m really worried.”
She reached for her glass, but it was empty. She blinked and cleared her throat. “Worrying won’t find the bad guy.” She laughed. “We can do nothing but wait it out.” The truth in her words made her shudder. There really was nothing she could do. For the first time in her adult life she felt helpless.
He reached out and entwined his fingers with hers. “This is hard—I know. We’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on soon. The BPD is moving quickly. Jess and Buddy are doing all they can.” He squeezed her fingers. “I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere until you’re safe.”
And then he would be gone.
Amber stood. “Thank you for a great meal. I’ll be back to help clean up.”
She hurried up the stairs to the room she’d chosen. She slammed the door shut and tried to calm her breathing. Squeezing her eyes shut, she cursed herself for jumping back into the pity pool. Her mood swings were about nothing more. She was a grown woman—an educated woman with a great career. There was no excuse for feeling sorry for herself. Yes, a bad man or men had put her life in danger, and, yes, her emotional neediness had prompted her to get all sentimental and filled with what-ifs, but this would be over eventually and she would be okay.
