by KaLyn Cooper
Mr. Keller reached over and touched Teagan’s forearm. “I’ve got this.” The older man stood and quickly moved between her and the detective. “The children have just suffered two traumas in a row. At ages four and seven, I doubt they have any relevant information as to who murdered their mother.”
“I haven’t changed my assessment of the incident, yet.” Detective Russo crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s still filed as a suicide.”
Incredulity washed over Ed’s face followed quickly by anger. “Marsha Davis didn’t commit suicide. Detective, you need to do your job and prove that, then go find the son of a bitch who killed her. If you truly wish to waste your time interrogating the children, you’ll need a court order to do so. I suggest you re-examine all of the facts in Mrs. Davis’s murder so you can reopen the case.”
Teagan was beaming when she stood. She looked at Ed with grateful admiration before she strode toward the door and opened it. “Detective Russo, I believe that concludes your business for today. You will not speak one word to the children, even if you see them on the street, without a court order which will be examined thoroughly by Mr. Keller. You will never speak to these children without me present.”
“You have a good day, ma’am,” Russo said through clenched teeth as he left the apartment.
Teagan shut and bolted the door closed. She practically skipped back to Mr. Keller and threw her arms around him. “Thank you. I’m so glad you were here to deal with him.” She corrected herself. “Both of them.”
Seeing Teagan in the other man’s arms sent a rush of jealousy through Logan.
What the hell? He had no reason to be envious. It wasn’t as though Teagan was his. True, Mr. Keller came charging in like a white knight and saving the damsel in distress, which was usually Logan’s job, but that was no reason for him to be resentful. He and Teagan were just good friends. He was thankful Ed had shown up.
When Teagan placed her lips on the man’s cheek, unexpected anger rose from deep inside Logan. He wanted to punch the man out.
She quickly released Ed, then launched herself at Logan.
“The kids are ours.” Her huge smile was so full of joy just before she wrapped her arms around his neck. It was as though her touch forced her happiness into him. “I was so afraid Ms. Cook was going to take them away from us, then it might be weeks or even months before I could see them again.” As he enveloped her small body, he felt her shaking.
Is she crying? Or were those happy tears? He could never tell the difference. Women always confused him. They were so emotional. He liked the feel of her body next to his.
She leaned back, grinning ear to ear. “I have children.”
He could clearly see the excitement in her eyes. Deep down, she had wanted children in her life. He could see that now. He was happy for her. Teagan would make a good mother.
Logan had always thought he would make a good father, but that hadn’t happened for him.
Her face fell. “Oh, fuck, I have kids. All the time. I can’t send them back home when I get too exhausted. What the hell am I going to do with two kids?”
He couldn’t stand that look of terror in her face.
“No, we have children.” Saying the words out loud made them real.
Fuck. I have kids. What the hell am I going to do with two kids? Then he knew exactly what they would do with Anora and Brann. “We’re going to do our best. We’re going to love them every day and let them know how special they are.”
When his eyes met Teagan’s, a silent message passed between them.
They were in this…together…for at least fourteen more years.
“We can do this,” she reassured them both.
“We’re going to do this,” he volleyed back.
“You’d better not walk out on me.” Her warning made him wonder who had walked out on her before. Then she corrected herself, “I mean us. Me and the children.”
He gave her a half grin. “Marsha already committed me until Anora turns eighteen. A judge is going to make it legal and binding.” He squeezed her gently. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be there for you and the children.”
Her blue eyes darkened. “You’re one of the best men I’ve ever known in my life.” She laid her lips on his. The contact was all too brief, but he felt the shot of heat in his heart. His lips still tingled when she pulled back.
“You’re going to make a great mother.” Logan believed his words.
“I sure as hell hope so.” She tilted her head. “You can put me down, now, big guy.”
He grinned. “You’re the one that jumped into my arms.”
“Yeah, I was excited.”
Loosening his hold on her, he gently slid her to the floor. “You have every right to be happy.” Logan glanced over at the attorney who seemed to be taking in their reactions. “And Ed is going to make sure you keep those children.”
Mr. Keller gave them a big smile. “It looks to me as though you two won’t have any problem working together. It may take a few days before we can get in front of a judge, but I’ll see what I can do to make that happen sooner rather than later.” His phone buzzed and he checked the text. “Excuse me, please, I need to call my clerk. She’s at the courthouse now.”
Logan grabbed Teagan’s hand. “Let’s go check on our kids.” They started down the hallway and didn’t release their hands until the doorway. He wasn’t sure why he’d done that, it just felt right.
Teagan sat on Anora’s bed and grabbed each child around the waist pulling them down next to her. “The social services lady and the detective are gone. I’m going to be taking care of you, now.”
She looked up at Logan. He’d been content to stand back and let her take control of the situation. He wouldn’t know what to do if they started crying.
“Your Uncle Logan is going to be helping too,” she explained.
“What happens when he goes back to North Carolina?” Brann asked.
“Yes, that’s a good question,” Ed said from the door. “And one the judge may ask you…this afternoon.” He grinned a bit nervously. “Judge Salter has a slot free this afternoon and since this is an emergency, he is willing to slide you in. What do you say?” His gaze bounced back and forth between Teagan and Logan.
“Hell, yeah. Let’s get this thing settled.” Logan looked at Teagan, Anora, and Brann for confirmation before returning his gaze to Mr. Keller. “Unless there some reason that we should delay it?”
“I have a great deal of paperwork I need to prepare. I’ll see you all at the courthouse at three o’clock this afternoon.” He turned to leave then spun back around. “Bring the children. Judge Salter can be a bit of an odd duck. He may want to speak to the children himself, possibly in chambers. Call if you have any questions. I’ll see myself out.” He glanced at his watch and disappeared through the door.
“The children are going to need nicer clothes,” Teagan announced. “One of us needs to go to the house and pick up enough clothing for them for the next week or two.”
“I’ll go.” He sat them on the bed and pulled Brann onto his lap. “Do you have a suitcase in your bedroom?”
“No. All the suitcases are kept in the closet in the spare bedroom.” Brann said without looking at him.
He lifted the boy’s chin until their eyes met. “What’s up? You know you can talk to me.”
“What’s going to happen?” Brann asked quietly.
Logan ran his hand up and down the boy’s spine. “I’m going to go over to your house and pack up a whole bunch of clothes for you and Anora. This afternoon, we’re going to go to the courthouse where Judge Salter will officially let your Aunt Teagan and I take care of you.”
The boy sniffed back a tear. He was trying so hard to be brave. “Do we…will there be a…” A tear escaped his eye and trickled over his rounded cheek before he swiped it away with the back of his hand. “Will Mom have a funeral?” The tears now flowed freely as his shoulders shook.
Logan gathered the chi
ld into his arms. He was so small compared to Teagan who he had just held moments before. He wanted to surround this child and protect him from everything bad the world could throw at him. “Yes. I’m sure there will be a funeral, in a few days. In the meantime, you’re going to hang out here, safe and sound with Aunt Teagan and me. Is that okay, buddy?”
Brann simply nodded. He waited until the boy calmed before he left the apartment.
When Logan pulled up outside the Davis home, he was surprised to see an unmarked police car sitting in the driveway. Using the key Teagan gave him, he unlocked the front door and walked in.
Fuck. It still smelled of death, but he knew the body had been taken away hours ago. Logan’s stomach rebelled anyway.
Suck it up, Marine.
Detective Russo stepped out of the office into the hall. “What the hell are you doing here? How the fuck did you get in?”
Logan held up the keys Teagan had given him, thankful she and Marsha had been such good friends. “The kids need clothes.” Disappointed that he couldn’t spend some time in the office checking things out for himself, Logan headed up the stairs. In the guest bedroom, he pulled out the largest suitcases he could find and headed to the children’s rooms.
More familiar with little boys, he decided to get Anora’s bag packed first. He’d learned to get the bad shit out of the way before tackling more favorable tasks. After unzipping the suitcase on her bed, he opened all the drawers assessing the spatial needs. Logan wasn’t surprised when he heard footsteps in the hall.
“You seem to know your way around this house.” Detective douchebag’s tone was accusing.
“Brann and Anora are my godchildren. I’ve been here before.” Not very often, but Logan wasn’t going to give the detective that tidbit of information. He decided he had room to take everything in the little girl’s room. Hopefully that will make her feel more at home in Teagan’s apartment.
“To see Marsha Davis or the children?” The dickhead stepped into the room.
Logan wanted to deck the asshole for even suggesting that he had something going on with Marsha, but hours before going to court was not the time to get arrested for assaulting an officer of the law. Without looking at the man, he continued to pack small little pink and purple outfits.
“Marsha was the wife of my good friend.” At least Logan had thought of him as such until his funeral a few days ago. “Gabe and I had worked together years ago and remained friends. That’s why I’m his children’s godfather. Even though he and Marsha were separated, I had promised both of them, and God, that I would take care of the kids.” He looked over his shoulder at the young man and wondered if he understood responsibility. “I take all my obligations seriously.”
“You were with Mrs. Davis yesterday morning.”
Logan gathered everything from the next drawer and dumped it into the suitcase. “I was. We were cleaning out Gabriel’s apartment and returning the keys to management.” He shrugged. He’d give the detective what he wanted, his whereabouts all day. “We return to the house where Teagan had prepared lunch for all of us, then Teagan and I took the children to the zoo. On our way home, Matthew Saint Clare called me and informed us what he had found when he had arrived.”
Placing the last of the items from the dresser into the suitcase, Logan finally turned and looked at the man lounging against the doorjamb. “That gives you my alibi, and Teagan’s. What else do you need to know, detective?”
Standing upright, the detective held his gaze for a long moment. “Why do you think this was murder and not suicide?”
Logan was surprised that detective dunce would even reconsider his immediate decision. “Marsha would never commit suicide. First, she loved those kids with all her heart and would never leave them alone. Second, she wasn’t distraught over Gabriel’s death. If anything, she was relieved. Because of his job, she was afraid the children were targets for kidnap. Last week, with Gabe’s death, that threat was gone. Third, it was Gabe’s office. His domain. According to Teagan, she rarely went in there. Forth, that was Gabe’s computer and she wouldn’t touch it. Marsha was a former Navy lieutenant. She was well aware of the meaning of the words top-secret, confidential, and eyes only. Fifth, you heard what Teagan said. Marsha shot a gun left-handed. I’ll be surprised if the coroner finds gunshot residue on her right hand.”
The detective narrowed his eyes. “Suicides don’t require an autopsy.”
“Are you telling me that you didn’t require an autopsy?” Logan was flabbergasted. How fucking dumb could this guy be? “If you haven’t already, you had better order an autopsy right this minute, before I go over your head and speak with your lieutenant. I’m sure he’d be interested in hearing why my friends and I believe it was murder.”
He looked like a chastised puppy. “No need. Someone already called the captain. That’s why am walking the scene once again.”
Inwardly, Logan gave a fist pump. He’d bet money that Matthew had placed the call.
The detective tilted his head toward the master bedroom down the hall. “It looks as though Mrs. Davis was removing her husband’s clothes from the closet and was interrupted.”
Hearing the word closet reminded Logan of his task. He had to get the kids packed up and their bags back to Teagan’s, then run by his hotel room, grab a quick shower and change back into a suit, then get everybody to the courthouse by three.
“That was my interpretation, also,” Logan admitted.
Upon opening the door, he stared at rows of pastel outfits.
Holy, Christ. How many changes of clothes did one little girl need? The bottom row looked too small for her. Glancing at the floor, he understood. Six dolls, approximately two-foot-tall, lay in boxes. He recognized them as the popular, and expensive, American Girl dolls. In another corner, set a Barbie doll house filled with the iconic dolls.
Fuck. He was going to need a suitcase just for toys.
Logan let out a deep breath. “Look, detective, I got a lot to do and very little time. Is there anything else you need from me?”
All pretense of cockiness gone, the detective asked, “If you have just a few minutes, would you please stop in the office downstairs before you leave.”
“I can do that.” Logan really wanted to see the office and spend a few minutes there. He’d make time.
Chapter Ten
Teagan was accustomed to the security procedures when entering a federal building since she went through a checkpoint every day at the Navy Marine Corps Air Acquisition office. She didn’t think anything of it when she plopped her purse into one of the big white bins laying it flat so its contents could easily be seen on the x-ray machine. She carefully scanned the children to be sure there were no large metal buckles or anything that might set off the alarms. The children were nervous enough, and Teagan had to admit, she was a bit apprehensive about going to court. She’d never been there before.
She glanced back to the end of their little line to see Logan emptying change, keys, and his cell phone into a small bowl and placing it on the moving black belt. For a split second, she wondered if he had to go through the same protocol entering his building.
Teagan kneeled down in front of Anora so they were almost eye to eye. “I’m going to walk through the archway first and show you how it’s done. You wait right here until I call you. Will you do that for me?”
When Anora nodded, Teagan stepped through the great arch. No bells or whistles went off. One down, three to go. She looked at the armed officer to her right. He gave her a nod.
“Come on through,” she told the little girl in an adorable light blue dress, white socks with a blue ruffle and blue-and-white sparkly gym shoes. Anora’s gaze slowly ran over the eight-foot tall detection device before she met Teagan’s.
“Just walk through, sweetie, you can do it,” she encouraged.
Anora scrunched her face in determination and took off like a bolt of lightning. One minute she was on the far side of the security arch, the next she was standi
ng beside Teagan. Several people in line started to laugh.
Once again, Teagan kneeled down so she could be on the same level as Anora. “Sweetie, we need you to walk through slowly.”
Anora looked at the large metal device and her eyes grew huge. “I have to go back?” Her chin started to quiver. “No. I don’t want to do it again.”
A heavyset woman with graying hair walked over with her wand in her hand. “Hey there, pretty girl. My name is Ms. Darlene. If you don’t want to walk back through there, you don’t have to.” She showed Anora the handheld device. “I can coat you in magic instead. This is my magic wand. I can tell if anyone has money in their pocket, or any kind of metal on them, or even inside them, and exactly where it’s located. Want to see how it works?”
Anora nodded. The woman rose slowly as though her knees hurt. She walked over to the uniformed man watching the x-ray device.
“This is Sam and I’ll bet he has money in one of his front pockets. What do you think?” The officer was so good with Anora that Teagan just wanted to hug her.
Darlene ran the wand up one leg and when it reached his pocket area, it started to beep. She got all happy in an exaggerated way that a preschool teacher would. “I found it. I found it.”
Sam reached into his pocket and produced several coins.
Teagan was pleased to see Brann and Logan pass through the arch without an issue. They moved in next to her out of the main path.
Ms. Darlene walked over to another man. “This is Darren and he has a metal knee. Watch this.” Darlene then ran the device from his ankle upward. Around the knee, it started to beep once again. She got a huge smile on her face. “See. I found the metal and it’s on the inside of his body.”
Kneeling in front of Anora, the security agent asked, “May I run the wand over you? Let’s see if you have change in your pocket, or a metal knee. If it doesn’t beep, then it coats you in magic.”
“I want to be magic.” Anora stepped closer.
Darlene quickly ran the wand up and down, a few inches away from the child.
