“No point to it? I agree we’re not the best combination on paper. Cop and witness but in here...” He took her hand and pressed it to his chest. “In here, there is definitely a point to this.”
“But my mother—”
“What about her? If I’m willing to face everything my governor will undoubtedly throw at me, surely you can face your mother?”
“It’s not the same, Daniel. A cop killed her son. She will never, ever accept you. She told me less than an hour ago how she hates all cops. She was so sincere, it was scary.”
“But that would lessen over time—”
Julia stepped back and Daniel dropped his arms from her waist. “Look, aren’t we supposed to be trying to find a killer?” she said, wiping a finger beneath her eyes. “Let’s focus on that for now, shall we? What happened in Kendlewood this morning?”
“Julia, you were crying. You can’t tell me you’re willing just to let this go.”
“You said you had a plan B?”
For a long moment, he held her eyes, second for second, strength for strength, before throwing his hands up in the air. “Fine. Have it your way.”
She turned, dropped to her knees, and pulled out the blanket she had brought with her. She snapped it open and it softly fell to the sand. She then busied herself unloading the picnic basket. She laid out chicken mayonnaise sandwiches, apples, crisps, salad and ice-cold lemonade. She heard Daniel exhale heavily before he sat down beside her.
“This looks fantastic.”
Julia was grateful he’d decided not to press her any further. Any more and she would break.
She passed him a paper plate. “Tuck in.”
The next few minutes passed in silence as they ate.
Julia touched a napkin to her mouth. “So? Plan B?”
Daniel took a long drink before turning to face her, his eyes serious. “I need you to come with me to Kendlewood. I want you to have a look at these guys at the debt agencies just to satisfy myself that neither of them is the man you saw on the boat.”
“OK,” she said, slowly. “But what if it is one of them and he recognizes me? I don’t mean to sound self-centered, but surely he’d come after me next?”
“The only other option is to pull them both in for an identity parade,” he said. “But if we do that and one of them is the killer, they will know we’re on to them. I’d prefer to execute a stakeout situation. I know it’s a lot to ask.”
Julia locked eyes with him. “I’ll do it.”
“He won’t see you.”
“I know.” She swallowed. She trusted him and the thought wasn’t half as scary as she’d expected it to be.
“I’m a detective, Julia. We’ll keep you protected, I promise.”
“We?”
“There will be other officers there. I ran the idea past my superior this morning and he’s happy to go ahead as long as you understand the risks and sign a paper saying you are assisting us of your own free will.”
The idea of going both thrilled and terrified her. “It’s for Derek. I’ll do it.”
He gave a smile. “I never doubted you would.”
****
Daniel glanced at Julia as they drove toward Kendlewood. She leaned forward in her seat, her hands clamped together in her lap. He knew she had to be anxious, but had every confidence that if one of these suspects was the killer, she’d identify him. With every passing hour he spent with her, Daniel was liking what he learned about the woman behind the gorgeous smile. Julia Kershaw was gutsy, determined and sexy as hell.
She turned and caught him staring.
“You okay?” he asked, quickly.
She sighed. “I will be once this is over.”
“It’s going to be fine. You’ll do great.”
“But what if I say it’s not him and I’m wrong?” she asked, nervously. “I didn’t get a good look at the killer’s face. Even with my binoculars I couldn’t see him properly.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Listen to me. What you saw at the beach will be stamped on your brain for a very long time.”
“Cheer me up, why don’t you?”
“Once Derek’s killer fired that shot and you looked at him again, you would have automatically registered the way he was standing, the way he walked, moved...”
“Not necessarily.”
“If Bainbridge is our man, I’m pretty sure you’ll know.”
“If I’m wrong you could be wasting time with him instead of tracking the real culprit.”
“Julia, let me worry about that. You said he looked like he was full of himself and that describes Bainbridge perfectly.”
Less than half an hour later, Daniel and Julia were watching Bainbridge through the plate glass window of Dial-A-Debt. Eliminating Lawson had been quick. Julia had dismissed him as the killer immediately. Lawson was too tall and too thin. Daniel had known from Julia’s earlier description of the shooter it was unlikely to be Lawson but he wouldn’t have been happy until she’d confirmed it.
Bainbridge was an entirely different matter. Average height, immaculately groomed, vain—-all words Julia had used to describe the killer in her initial statement. The radio crackled to life.
“Suspect on the move, sir.”
Daniel acknowledged the warning and looked up to see Bainbridge flick off the final light and plunge the office into darkness. Julia’s breathing quickened beside him, but he didn’t turn to look at her. Bainbridge had his back to them as he locked the door.
“Come on, come on, turn around,” Julia muttered.
He did. Looking left and right up the street before he crossed the road, Bainbridge passed a safe distance from Daniel’s unmarked car, enabling Julia to study him.
Julia released her breath in a rush. “Damn it.”
“Well?” Daniel asked.
“It’s not him. I’m sure of it. The man on the boat was...I don’t know. Less balky, lighter in his movements and gestures.”
“Like a woman?”
Julia smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t say a woman. But he was a little feminine I suppose.”
“Shit.” Daniel slapped his hand against the steering wheel, his gaze stony as he looked straight ahead. Now what? It had been nearly a week and they had nothing. The total sum of a week long investigation was, he had Julia as the sole witness, Suzie acting as an informant, and Mrs. Palmer who had no clue what the victim, her husband, had been up to most of the time. “I was pinning my hopes on it being Bainbridge.”
“Daniel?”
Blowing out a breath, he turned to face her. “Yeah?”
“You look as though you’re ready to punch the windscreen out.”
“Give me a minute.” He picked up the radio and called off the assisting car. “Head back to the station, I’ll be there shortly. Over.”
He replaced the handset and curled his fingers back around the steering wheel. His mind raced through the miniscule amount of information he had to work on. A case always started with the victim. What had led to Derek Palmer being murdered in cold blood at a public beach? It made no sense.
“Why was Derek Palmer on that boat in the first place?” he muttered.
“What?”
“Why was Derek on the boat in the first place? He didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would take a leisurely boat trip on a Sunday afternoon.”
“Well, no, but—”
“When we questioned Thelma about the boat, she said he often went fishing but never aboard a boat as big as you described. That’s what bugging me, Julia. Why was he even there?”
“Maybe he was lured there? If Derek was frantic with worry over his mounting debt, he would have done anything if he thought it would clear it, wouldn’t he?”
“You would think so. We need to find out why he was on that boat and then we’ll find out who brought him there.”
He gunned the engine and they both snapped on their seatbelts. Julia shifted back in her seat.
“Where are we going now?”
“You and I are going nowhere, you are going home.”
“But_”
“I’ll let you know if I need your help again.”
He kept his eyes firmly fixed ahead and tried not to wince at the laser beam of pain her eyes were boring into his temple. God knows he’d love to spend more time with her and he’d do everything in his power to protect her, but she was at risk every time she was with him. He would rest a lot easier once he’d dropped her safely at home. Pulling into the traffic, he continued to ignore her glare.
“Are you working tonight?” he asked.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Yes.”
Despite himself he fought the urge to smile. “Julia?”
“What?”
“Are you sulking?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go to hell.”
He glanced across at her and laughed when she was unable to stop her mouth from curving into a smile.
“What are you laughing at?” she said. “You’re the God damn dictator, not me.”
He lifted his shoulders. “That’s true, but in spite of that I still think you’re bloody fantastic,” he said.
“Yeah? Whereas I think you’re a pain in the ass.”
Grinning, he drove them back to Corkley Park and through the main High Street. But they were soon caught up in the work rush and found themselves sitting in a long queue of traffic. Daniel frowned when Julia hastily pushed herself further down into her seat.
He looked to the right and saw the bank. “Ah, I see. Marcus Lowell’s the manager there, right? How can a guy like that manage a bank? It’s insane.”
“But no one knows what he’s really like, do they? Hell, even I don’t come to that.”
“Fair enough.”
“One thing’s for sure I’d prefer to deal with a loan shark than have to walk in there and ask Marcus to lend me money.”
“Don’t even go there. If I had my way the man would be locked up right now.”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Let’s not start all that again. I’ve explained my reasons.”
“Right. You don’t want the hassle. It’s still not good enough, Julia.”
Her eyes turned icy cold. “Don’t.”
“I can’t help it. Not until you’ve told me the real reason.”
“You want the truth?” she asked angrily. “I’ll tell you the truth. I stood in court and watched a judge rap my brother’s killer on the knuckles and send him on his merry way. Now if you think my unwillingness to stand in court and face Marcus is cowardice, think what you like. You and I both know he’ll be told not to be such a naughty boy next time and then the judge will slam down his gavel and send Marcus, bank manager extraordinaire, out the door.”
Daniel opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. What could he say? Her brother had been killed by one of his own. Her pain showed in the angry red patches staining her cheeks and the glassy shine in her eyes. He turned away, pursed his lips shut and moved along in line with the rest of the slow-moving traffic.
A little while later, they pulled to a stop in front of her house. He killed the engine.
“Julia?”
“What?”
Her tone was still frosty and Daniel drew in a long breath. “I understand what you’re saying about Marcus—”
“No, Daniel, I don’t think you do.”
“Please, just let me finish.”
Her face was still etched with anger but she offered a small nod and he took that as a sign to continue.
“Regardless of whether or not you trust the system, I still think your decision not to even try to put that asshole behind bars, is the wrong one.”
“Is that so?” she sniffed as she unsnapped her seatbelt and got out. She leaned down in the doorway. “Well, when I want or even care about your opinion, Inspector, I’ll let you know.”
Chapter Eight
Two days had passed and Julia had not seen Daniel since he’d dropped her off. After a second night of endless tossing and turning, she knew what he’d said was right. Twice she’d gotten out of bed and logged onto the Princess II website, and twice she’d typed her resignation and twice she’d deleted it.
With less than a week until she was due to leave, everything inside was pulling at her to stay. Her heart and principles were telling her she was needed here, not the other side of the world—but her head was telling her to get the hell out of here. She no longer had the physical and emotional strength to shoulder her mother’s pain or deal with Marcus alone. The answer slammed violently into her chest just as it had again and again over the last forty-eight hours - maybe she didn’t need to be alone anymore. Maybe Daniel was worth staying for.
But if she stayed in Corkley Park, the next six months would barely be easier than the six that had passed. She could not ignore the fact that Daniel’s smile incessantly crept into her mind, sending her insides reeling. And yet she could not get involved with a cop and break what was left of her mother’s heart.
She sat in the club’s office, watching Jacob pour them both a drink. She loved him almost as much as her father, but it was time he accepted her leaving.
He handed her a stiff rum and coke and sat on the settee beside her. “So? What’s all this about? I can’t remember the last time you asked for a private chat like this. Just the two of us.”
Julia took a deep breath. “I’m leaving in four days, Jacob. Why haven’t you done anything about finding someone to replace me?”
He waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll deal with it when it happens.”
“But you know I’ve got a placement on that ship. It’s a great opportunity. I am leaving.”
He studied her for a long moment. “I get that, but what I want to know is why are you leaving?”
Julia took a sip of her drink. “Does it matter?”
He guffawed. “‘Course it matters. Bloody hell, girl. You’re running away. You know it and so do I.”
“I am not running away, Jacob. Don’t start with me.”
“No? Why the sudden escape from Corkley then? You love this place, Julia. Always have, always will. There ain’t no place of earth you’d rather be and that’s the truth of it.”
“Jacob, for God’s sake. I’m never going to end up singing professionally if I stay in Corkley Park.”
“Why don’t you just settle down and have a family like a normal woman your age? That way, you won’t have to bother yourself with such problems.”
She saw the pout of his bottom lip and let out a fond laugh. “Ah, now we get to it. You don’t want me to go.”
He took a sip of his drink, carefully watching her over the rim of his glass. “I’ve heard rumors things are hotting up between you and that Inspector Conway. What do you have to say about that?”
She almost spat her mouthful of drink across the room.
“I say people should get their facts straight. Who’s been saying things like that?” she demanded.
“Oooh, tetchy. Maybe there is some truth in it.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad to get out of this town for awhile,” she said, defensively. “At least people won’t be able to nose around in my business.”
“Steady on, girl,” Jacob grinned. “It’s only a rumour.”
She glared at him while trying to calm her breathing. “Nothing is going on between me and Inspector Conway,” she said, evenly. “I’m leaving because I want to take this opportunity and sail with it. If you’ll pardon the pun.”
“You’re not running away because of Derek’s murder, are you?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “‘Cause if you are, you’ve got nothing to worry about on that score.”
“I’m not running away because Derek was killed,” she said, “But of course I’ve got something to worry about. I’m a witness.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Julia looked at him incredulously. “How can you say that? What if the killer comes after me, next?”
“He got his target. This guy had no interest in you.”
Julia frowned. “You can’t possibly know that, Jacob.”
He shrugged. “It had nothing to do with you. Derek brought this on himself.” He tipped his head back and finished his drink in one nonchalant gulp. “The bloke had it coming. He owed money left, right and center.”
“I can’t believe you’re talking about him like this. Derek was your friend. So he got caught up in an evil addiction, and now you’re saying he deserved to die?”
“All I’m saying is there’s no reason for you to run away. Someone out there obviously had a problem with Derek. You shouldn’t let it spook you.”
Julia drained her own drink. “Just make sure you find my replacement soon. You know your customers expect live entertainment. The last thing you want to do is upset them.”
“Everything will be fine. Stop worrying.”
“And make sure you keep my leaving to yourself,” said Julia. “It’s important no one else knows.”
Comprehension fell across his face. “Now we’re getting to it. It’s that damn bank manager.”
Julia forced a smile. “Will you stop grasping at straws and say I can go and still have a job when I come back?” she teased in an attempt to distract him.
But he wasn’t listening. “Is Lowell the reason you’ve got that cop stepping out with you? Is he protecting you from him?”
“I haven’t seen Daniel for the last two days,” said Julia, trying to look as though she couldn’t care less. “He is not protecting me.”
Jacob said nothing. Just silently stared at her. She struggled not to squirm beneath his gaze. “What?”
“I don’t believe a word you’ve said. Half-truths, all of it.” He stood and made for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“Downstairs to open the bar. You coming?”
“So that’s it? You’re going to sort out my replacement?”
He left the room. Julia lifted a hand to her head. The last thing she wanted was to leave town with bad feeling between her and Jacob. She loved him even if he was a stubborn old fool. She took a few deep breaths before hurrying down the spiral staircase and into the main bar. She sat on one of the stools and faced Jacob as he stood behind the bar.
Reluctant Witness Page 13
