by Jamie Hill
“Sounds good.”
He called for the pizzas, then they took the suitcases down the hall. “My room’s in here,” he indicated. “I thought we’d put the boys in the room next to mine. Then there’s a bathroom, and two more rooms at the end of the hall. Take your pick.”
She looked at him and purposely set her suitcase in his room.
He looked at her warily. “No drawer space in here.”
“Not a determining factor,” she replied, still holding his gaze.
He picked up her suitcase and took it to a bedroom across the hall. “I think this room should suit you fine. You’ll be close to the boys.”
She gave him an irritated look but decided not to push the issue at that moment. There would be time later for negotiations. “Suit yourself,” she muttered, and marched past him to the boys’ room.
“Crys…” He looked apologetic.
“Don’t.” She opened one suitcase and started refolding clothes.
He started on the other suitcase. “Seems like we just did this.”
“Hopefully this is the last time.” She remembered sorting the same clothes just a few days prior.
He looked at her. “Crys, I—” The doorbell rang, and the dog barked. Jack hesitated, then smiled. “Saved by the bell, I guess.”
“Chicken,” she tossed him a grin and followed him out.
Jack paid the pizza guy and took the boxes to the kitchen. The dinette table was basically clear. He only had to remove a few items to make room for them all.
Crystal looked at the wall of cabinets—about twenty more than her apartment had—and asked, “Glasses?”
“Above the dishwasher on the left.”
“A dishwasher,” she said with a sigh of envy. She pulled out two glasses and set them on the table.
Jack laughed and got the milk from the refrigerator. Crystal looked over his shoulder into the fridge and said, “And adult beverages...wow.”
“God, yes. Want one?”
“God, yes,” she replied right back. He chuckled as he pulled out two longneck bottles of beer.
She dragged the boys away from the dog and helped them wash up before they sat down. Jack sent Zeus outside with his own dinner and joined the others at the table. “Everybody hungry?”
“Yeah!” both boys replied, and they ate heartily. Crystal didn’t have much of an appetite. Everyone else had finished, but she'd barely eaten anything.
“Use soap!” she called to the boys at the sink.
Jack looked over at her. “Didn’t like the pizza, or not hungry?”
“Not very hungry.”
He nodded and removed the pizza boxes and trash. He let Zeus back inside. The dog and boys took off to play again. Crystal smiled. “They haven’t asked to watch TV once.”
“Every boy should have a dog,” Jack replied, and opened the fridge. “Another?” He held up a beer.
“Do I dare?” She rose.
“Why not? You’re not driving, and everything is under control here.”
He twisted off the cap and she took the beer. “I feel safe here.”
He leaned back against a counter. “You are safe here. You’ve got an alarm, a watchdog, and me. What more could you need?” He smiled as he took a draw of his beer.
She nudged his hip on her way to look out the glass door. “I can think of a couple more things.” She looked back and smiled. “But just a couple.” She pulled out her cigarettes. “Do you mind?”
“Go ahead.” He unlocked the door and opened it about an inch. Cold air rushed in and Jack shivered. “Feels like snow.”
“Great,” Crystal muttered sarcastically. “I hate Kansas winters.”
“Where are you from originally?”
She took a puff and looked at him. “Kansas. That’s why I hate the winters.”
He chuckled. “You made it sound like it was better back where you came from.”
“Nope, Kansas born and raised. They always say ‘If you don’t like the weather just wait a few minutes, and it’ll change.’ But in my experience, the change is usually for the worse. ”
“I’d tend to agree with you there.” He finished his beer as she finished her smoke. “What do you say we try to corral those three and get them ready for bed?”
“Might as well.” She ran her cigarette under water at the sink and then threw it in the trash.
He watched her. “I don’t have any ashtrays. Sorry.”
She shrugged. “I need to quit anyway.” She took one last draw on her beer, and tossed the bottle as well.
Jack followed her to the living room, where the boys and dog rolled around on the floor. “I think Zeus will sleep as well as these two tonight.” He smiled down at them.
“Not too well, I hope.” She looked at Jack.
He shook his head. “He’s an excellent watchdog. Retired canine corps, remember?”
Crystal nodded and remembered something else. “Jack, do you have a needle and thread?” She went to the dining room table and reached for the bag with the gutted bunny.
“Yeah, somewhere.” He rummaged through a closet and came back with a small sewing kit.
“Great.” She shoved the stuffing in the stomach of the bunny as Jack threaded the needle. “Look at you, Mr. Domestic.”
He grinned. “Somebody had to sew all those buttons back on the shirt that you ripped off the other night.”
She made a face at him and then said, “Oh yeah, I did say I was sorry about that, didn’t I?”
“I believe you did.” He squeezed the bunny’s stomach together and offered her the needle. “Care to do the honors?”
She took the needle and they worked together to repair the little rabbit. Finishing, Crystal snipped the thread and held the bunny up for inspection. “Not bad.” There was a smooth seam running down his chest, but he was otherwise intact.
“Looks like he had open heart surgery.”
She smiled sadly. “I guess he did, in a way. Thanks, Jack.”
“Anytime, babe.”
She gathered the boys to hit the bathroom and change into pajamas. Jack let Zeus outside one last time, and locked the house. He watched as Crystal tucked the small boys into the big bed, and saw Zeus settle on the floor at their bedside. Crystal wiggled the bunny at Devon, who grinned and clutched the stuffed animal to his chest. “Thanks, Crystal!” He gave her a hug, and she hugged back.
“Good night, sweetie. Good night Mark, honey. Have happy dreams.” She planted little kisses on the tops of their heads, and turned the nightlight on in their room. “Okay?”
Both boys nodded and said “Goodnight. Goodnight Jack.”
“’Night, you two. Sleep well. Zeus is watching out for you.”
The boys snuggled beneath the covers. Jack slid his arm around Crystal’s waist and led her out. He flipped the hall light off. They were alone in the dark once again. She leaned back against the door jamb to his room, and he put his forehead against hers. “Are we really safe here?” she whispered.
“I think we are.”
She slid her arms around his neck. “Then let’s go to bed. I think we both could use some distraction.”
He smiled at her almost despondently, and she knew his thoughts were not running along the same lines as hers. “Never mind!” She shoved him away, certain her face had flushed bright pink with embarrassment. She stomped into her room and tried to shut the door but he stepped in the threshold.
“Crystal, wait. I don’t want you to misinterpret—”
“Misinterpret what?” She almost screeched at him. “The kisses we’ve been sharing the past few days? The way you touch me? The feeling of your body pressed against mine?” She glared at him. “I think there’s been little room for misinterpretation. You acted like you wanted me. Now that I’m here, throwing myself at you, you act like you don’t.”
He gripped her forearm and spoke directly into her face. “You know I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. But nothing has changed, Crystal. I
’m still a cop working on a case that involves you. If anything, the stakes are higher now. Someone violated your home. I have to stay on top of things. I have to protect you and the boys.”
“And you don’t think you can protect me while I’m sleeping in your arms? Because that seems like the safest place in the world to me.”
He paused and she could see he forced a stern look. “I can’t let myself get distracted. If you were in my arms, not only would I not get any sleep, but I wouldn’t be focusing on what I need to be focusing on. I’m sorry, Crys. I really am. But my first priority is to keep you safe.”
She glared at him for another moment, then her shoulders sagged and she nodded. “Oh, all right. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“Thank you for understanding.” He smiled at her as he moved into the hall.
“Yeah, I’m a frigging saint.” She took a step back and let the door slam between them.
* * * *
“Hey, it’s snowing!” Crystal heard Jack’s voice carry down the hall the next morning. She threw the covers over her head in protest.
The excited murmurs of the boys were followed by the scurry of footsteps from their room to the back door.
There was a light rap on her bedroom door, and Jack stuck his head in. “Good morning.”
“Did you say snow?” Crystal asked from under the covers.
“Yep,” he replied. “Come look. It’s beautiful out there.”
She lifted the blanket and looked under it. “Actually, it’s beautiful in here, too. You’re just too stubborn to notice.”
He laughed out loud. “Oh, I noticed all right. So much that it’s almost painful.”
She lowered the blanket from her face and smiled at him. “I can take away all your pain.”
He grabbed a robe off the foot of her bed and held it out to her. “I’m going to close my eyes. Get up and put this on.”
Crystal smiled as he closed one eye and squinted through the other to watch. She stood up and snatched the robe from him. “Lost your chance, buddy. You don’t know what you’re missing.”
He looked up and down her flannel pajamas and laughed. “Lucky for me I’ve got a damn good imagination. I think I know. And I hate myself for being so noble, I really do.”
“You should,” she tied the robe around her waist and slipped her glasses on her nose. “Let’s go see this snow that’s got everybody all riled up.”
They joined the boys at the back door, and watched Zeus frolic in the winter wonderland.
“Crystal look!” Devon called. “Snow!”
“Zeus loves it,” Mark told them.
Jack stepped up behind them. “Zeus loves you guys,” he told the boys, and turned to Crystal. “I caught him sleeping between them on the bed last night.”
She chuckled. “He’s a great dog. I know you guys would love to join him out there, but you’ve got school.”
Jack spoke up. “Snow day. School's been canceled.”
“Yay!” Devon hopped up and down, and Mark gave him a high five.
Jack told them, “Go to the bathroom and then go watch TV for a few minutes. I’ll make pancakes for breakfast.”
“Pancakes! What a great day!” Mark hollered again, and they ran off.
Crystal gave Jack a suspicious look. “There’s not enough snow to cancel school. What are you up to?”
He headed into the kitchen and got out the coffee pot and stuff to make pancakes. “They weren’t going to school anyway, just like you’re not going to work. You should call Moe and let him know what happened. Give him my cell number if you want, but don’t tell him where you are. Just tell him you’re safe.”
“You’re scaring me, Jack. You think we’re in danger, then?”
He shrugged as he continued working. “I can’t say for sure, babe. But I’m not taking chances with any of you.”
“So what are we supposed to do? Sit here and watch TV and twiddle our thumbs all day?”
He looked at her. “Pretty much. All complaints must be lodged in writing, in triplicate. Double spaced, please.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “For how long, do you think?”
“Um, gee, my mind-reading powers are on the fritz. Must be the snow.” He stirred the batter and poured pancakes onto the griddle.
She lit up a cigarette and watched him. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and he looked damn good to her. “You’re pretty cute first thing in the morning, even if you’re not very funny.”
“My ass,” he snickered at her, flipping the pancakes.
She sighed as she walked behind him to pour two cups of coffee. “Yeah, I do like your ass.”
He grinned and reached over to nuzzle her neck lightly. “I think you’ll like my pancakes, too. If I could prevail upon you to set the table, pour some milk and such, we’ll be ready here soon.”
“You’re the boss,” she told him, and did as he asked.
He snorted at that. “You should call Moe,” he reminded. She took his cell phone to the bedroom to make the call. When she returned, the boys were at the table and Jack was pouring syrup on their pancakes.
“Everything cool?” He glanced at her.
“Cool enough.” She shrugged and sat down. “These do look good. Is there anything you can’t do, Jack? Anything you’re just really cruddy at?”
He chuckled as they ate. “Plenty of things, like skiing. I just can’t manage to get up on water skis, and I just can’t manage to stay up on snow skis. Gravity is cruel thing.”
“Don’t I know it.” Crystal rolled her eyes at him and glanced at the boys. “Wipe your chin, Dev. You’re dripping syrup.” She looked at Jack. “That’s one of the first things every woman learns.”
He laughed. “What, about dripping syrup?”
She rolled her eyes again.
He continued, “And what would you know about how cruel gravity is? You’re what, twenty-three?”
She grinned. “You don’t have to sweet-talk me, baby, I’m ready to seal the deal. But for the record, I’m twenty-eight.”
“You lie.” He shook his head as he finished eating.
She grinned again. “What about you?” She guessed low. “Thirty-three, thirty-four?”
He laughed. “Now who’s flattering…and doing such a poor job of it, by the way? I’m thirty-seven and look every minute of it.”
“Really?” She looked at him with purposely wide eyes.
He stacked their plates on top of his and stood up. “I like that you’re such a lousy liar, Crys. For some reason, it makes me feel good.”
“I’m six,” Devon looked at Jack seriously. “And I’m not lying.”
“Good boy,” Jack said with a smile. “I like that, too.”
* * * *
He cleaned the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher while Crystal washed the boys up and helped them get dressed. They met again in the hallway and Jack told her, “I’m going to hop in the shower. I need to head over to the apartment this morning and get the crime scene techs in there. I know whose fingerprints they’re going to find. Again.”
She nodded. “Yours, mine and ours.”
“Yep. But we have to check, just in case. We really need a break here.”
“Yep,” she agreed. “Go shower. I’m going to go smoke and watch the snow.”
He smiled and thought how pretty she looked in her robe, with her hair tousled and black plastic glasses sliding down her nose. He leaned in to kiss her cheek. She responded with the most beautiful smile he thought he’d ever seen. He grinned back as he watched her walk away.
Jack closed the door to his room and glanced at his rumpled bed. He thought about Crystal, wondering if he'd been crazy to turn her away. He'd told her the truth. He wanted her more than he'd ever wanted any woman. But he was walking a fine line, and he had to be sure before he took the leap to her side.
He pulled his shirt over his head and slipped out of his jeans and briefs. His erection jutted forth. Just thinking about Crystal brought him t
o full attention. He turned on the shower and stepped inside when the water felt warm. He allowed himself to think of her again—the way her hair spread out over her shoulders, the way her breasts looked in that damn sweater with the v-neck...Who was he kidding? Now that Crystal was living under his roof, he was not going to be able to resist her for long. His groin throbbed and he admitted he didn’t want to resist her.
But his damn sense of duty nagged at him.
Jack put his hands up on the wall of the shower and groaned. Steam and hot water were not making his situation any better. He cursed himself and turned the water handle to cold.
Chapter Seven
The lieutenant threw his report on his desk and looked at Jack. “The only fingerprints we can identify are yours, again, Dunlevy. Got an explanation for that?”
“Of course.” Jack stretched out his legs and looked at his supervisor. He despised Hank Reeder. The very look of the short, squat, balding and extremely arrogant man irritated him. Currently there was nothing Jack could do about it. He daydreamed about the day he could pour a cup of coffee over Reeder’s head and walk out. But right now it was time to come clean with a few facts, because Jack needed help on this case. He decided to throw some information out there and test the waters, so to speak.
“The occupant of the apartment is a woman I’ve been seeing.” I met her while working on this case. “She has a couple kids with the man who used to live next door.” They’re not really hers, but I have a feeling they belong together. “Dave Erickson. He wound up a John Doe in the Hutch morgue. We helped ID him. Erickson’s place was the first one ransacked. Yet someone continues break into it, so obviously they’re looking for something he has, or they believe he has.”
“Cause of death on Erickson?”
“Gunshot wound through the heart, after someone beat the crap out of him.”
“You’d think he would have given up whatever information at some point during the beating, unless he was a hell of a strong man.”
“I don’t get the impression he was, but that’s hearsay. I really don’t think he told them anything, or they wouldn’t have to return to his place to keep looking. Which brings me to a couple possible conclusions: one, he doesn’t have it. Whatever the hell they’re looking for, he just doesn’t have it. Or two, he didn’t tell them anything because he was afraid his kids might be there when they went looking. They’re nice kids. Maybe he cared about his family.”
