Loved by Darkness

by Autumn Jordon

Ted’s tone sounded off, hesitant. Was he holding something back? “What’s going on, Ted?”

  He heard Ted smack his lips. Doing so was an action Ted did when he didn’t want to tell you something. It was one of his ways to buy time.

  “Fuck, Ted. I don’t have all night.”

  “Okay, okay. You know old man Mackey?”

  Mackey wasn’t old by today’s standards, only sixty-five. He simply looked ancient. Mackey was a veteran and agent orange was used during a few of the operations he’d been involved in. He’d had a rough life. He sympathized, and in January Norris had tossed the older man’s ass in jail to keep him from sleeping with the dogs at the animal shelter. Then he’d listened to the guy rant all night, stating he’d rather lay with those dogs than the ones that ran the government. The old guy claimed the dogs had souls and cared. At times, Norris thought he was probably right.

  “Yeah. What’s he done?”

  “He wandered in here a few hours ago to get out of the heat and away from the noise. He was angry because there are so many people in town so I let him use a cell to cool off and take a nap. I went to take a piss and when I got back SA Carter was coming out of your office.”

  “What the hell was he doing in my office?”

  “Apparently he saw someone in there and thought it was you.”

  Norris closed his eyes. Behind them he felt the inkling of unease and the beginning of a major headache. Ted didn’t need to tell him what happened, but he did.

  “Mackey was sitting at your desk when SA Carter walked in.”

  “Fuck. Don’t tell me,” Norris spat out between clenched teeth and then rubbed a hand over his face. Now the a.s.a.p. followed by an exclamation point in Carter’s text made sense. Carter wanted to tell him how incompetent his men were and to remind Norris again that he didn’t have control of his team.

  And if Norris didn’t have control, Carter would take over the case.

  The federal agent was probably placing calls to his superiors when Norris tried to call him.

  The pizza Norris enjoyed earlier turned sour in his stomach. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  “Sorry, Chief. Mackey went into your office looking for the stash of peanut butter crackers he knows you keep there,” Ted said with remorse.

  Norris wondered if Ted was truly sorry the incident had happened or that he was the one who had let it happen. Probably the latter. Ted knew whichever way the incident played out, Norris would ultimately be the one held responsible for it.

  “The moment I saw him with Carter,” Ted continued, “I shuffled Mackey out of your office and locked him in a cell.”

  Norris wanted to hit something. Instead he kicked the Jeep’s rear tire and then stalked to the end of the driveway. “Where’s Carter now?”

  “He used your phone to make a couple of calls. Then he asked if we had any leads. I told him, we didn’t and he left.”

  Of course you told him, Ted. Norris gnashed his molars together at the thought. In frustration he swiped a hand over his face again. His men hadn’t found anyone who’d even seen Lia.

  Ted broke the silence between them. “Carter said he would call you.”

  Norris inhaled and let it out slow. “Before you tell a federal agent anything, you check with me. Do you understand me, Ted?”

  This was the second time he dressed down the man in less than twenty-four hours. Three strikes and he didn’t care what the city council thought. Ted would be history.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Norris imagined Ted flipping him off. “Did Carter say why he stopped in?”

  “No. I think he was bored and needed someplace to go.”

  And he picked the best comedy show in town, Norris thought. “Ok, I’ll call him.”

  “Should I kick Mackey out?”

  “Why? He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “He was in your office.”

  “He’s hungry. Call Popmanli’s and order him a meat special pizza. He loves those. Have it delivered. Tell Nino to put it on my tab and I’ll square it with him tomorrow. And get Mackey a soft drink or coffee or water—whatever he wants. I’ll check in with you later.”

  Norris disconnected the call before Ted had a chance to debate the impropriety of feeding a guy who he felt was using the system. He paced the width of the driveway, stared up at the star-filled sky and filled his lungs with fresh air. He let go of the anger he felt toward Ted, and with that refocus in the direction of his thoughts, he felt his neck cords relax. Only then did he dial Carter’s number.

  Finally, the federal agent answered. Norris identified himself and asked, “Did you hear back on the DNA already?”

  “No,” Carter answered flatly. “We’re in the top one-hundred the last time I checked. The lab estimates an answer by zero-ten-hundred hours.

  That’s tomorrow morning.”

  Norris let the jab about military time slide. He’d assumed Carter checked him out. He already googled SA Carter’s name and read the available information on the Burgess kidnapping. He checked his watch. Thirteen hours minus two.

  “I stopped by your station,” Carter said.

  It didn’t take long for Carter to bring up the topic. He didn’t like that Carter had been in his house without him there. “I heard.”

  “If I were you, I’d consider retiring that man of yours, Ted Beltz. He’s not a team player.”

  Surprised at Carter’s words, Norris blinked. “I’m sure you’re familiar with small town politics. Beltz started on the force when most of the city council members were in elementary school. Hell, he probably caught a few of them doing stuff they shouldn’t have done during their teen years. But, lately, he’s giving me a lot of reasons to dismiss him.”

  “If you decide to go in that direction and need backup with the council, let me know,” Carter said, again dumbfounding Norris into silence. “Did your field guys learn anything?”

  Feeling a slight bond with the Fed, Norris nodded even though the agent couldn’t see him. Carter probably had experience working with men who were like Ted so he undoubtedly understood the position Norris was in. “No. Not yet.”

  The same moment Norris finished relating everything his team had done since their meeting that afternoon and ended the call Jolene walked through the gate separating the backyard from the driveway.

  The area was well lit because the light was positioned near the peak of the garage.

  He could see by the set jaw that she was concerned.

  She’d ditched her heeled sandals earlier in the evening and now wore flip-flops which sucked at the warm pavement. “Everything okay?”

  “Carter stopped by the station looking for me.” He held up his phone before sliding it into his front jean pocket. He wasn’t going to tell her what occurred at the station. Ted had embarrassed them all, which now included her since she’d taken his side with Carter earlier today.

  “Did he hear anything?” Stopping a mere two feet away from him, she looked up and immediately read his thoughts. “What happened?”

  He’d never had the connection with his ex-fiancé that he seemed to have with Jolene. Ella had been in a world of her own...

  Norris shook his head, forgetting about his past and concentrating on the woman in front of him. “Nothing. We’ll know something tomorrow morning.”

  “For Lia’s sake, I hope the Burgesses are her parents.” Jolene glanced over her shoulder but when she looked at him again he saw sadness written all over her face.

  From the way Jolene cared for Lia that evening, he knew the attachment she felt toward the child was growing stronger. The sooner the link was severed the better for both of them. “Yes. It would be the best scenario.”

  Jolene dropped her gaze to her feet.

  He saw her neck muscles constrict and her tongue skim her lips.

  “Then the case would automatically be transferred over to SA Carter but I’m sure you would still be involved,” she said. “Your office would be credited for finding her.”

  “Th
is is not about me. However, you were the one to see her out there on the ocean.”

  “You would have.”

  “I’m not sure about that. I was busy watching you.”

  “Me?”

  He laughed at her surprised expression. “Don’t sound so surprised. You look pretty darn good in a bikini, agent Martinez.”

  “Thank you.” She ran her long nails through her short hair as if she were tucking long locks behind her ear, in an unsuccessful attempt to hide her blush.

  Her charm bracelet tinged with the motion and made him smile. He’d rattled her.

  His fingers itched to caress the soft skin of her arms again, but he wouldn’t just reach out and pull her into an embrace. Instead he dug his hands into his pockets and firmly planted his feet on the sidewalk. He looked down at her, knowing his opportunity to have a non-committal night of hot sex with Jolene was no longer on the table. He knew her too well already. He liked her too much and had to admit he longed to know more about her, a desire he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  He stepped back from her floral scent.

  He’d decided a year ago, he wasn’t going to let any woman rip his heart to shreds again. Somehow, he sensed if he let his guard down with Jolene he might never recover. Following in his father’s footsteps because his mother had left them. Years later, Dad was still just a shell of a man. Norris would rather walk through life alone with at least his pride intact than become an empty shell of a man like that. It was difficult to reason standing so close to Jolene like this.

  “I think I’m going to take off. Would you thank Martina and Simon for inviting me?” He turned toward his Jeep.

  Jolene fell in step beside him. “You don’t want to tell them yourself?”

  Damn. He enjoyed having her by his side. He lengthened his stride. “Please, do it for me. I want to drive out to Crane Lane again, to that home you loved, and see if anyone has returned there. Before it gets too late. It’s already past nine.”

  “Okay. Sure. You’ll call me if anything turns up?”

  She looked disappointed. Was it because she didn’t want him to leave? Or because she wanted to go with him? He climbed inside his vehicle and turned the engine over. “I will.”

  Jolene stepped back as he put the Jeep in reverse and drifted out of the driveway. “I don’t care what time it is,” she called after him.

  He jammed the stick into first and gassed the engine. In his rearview mirror, he saw Jolene standing in the street looking perplexed.

  She’d stay far away from him if she knew how messed up he was.

  ***

  Jolene walked toward the house with an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Norris was upset about something and since his behavior had changed after he’d spoken to SA Carter, she assumed the reason why had to do with the case. Was he keeping something from her? And if so why?

  The backyard was kid free when she entered. Thinking about Norris, she hadn’t even noticed their whoops and shouts of joy had ended.

  Simon still sat at the table. He looked relaxed, leaning back in the cushion chair and had his sandaled feet propped up on another. A fresh beer sat within easy reach on the cleared table.

  “Don’t ruin it for me. This time of day is my moment of peace.” He looked beyond her and sipped his beer.

  Simon was a good man. Martina had always dreamt of a large family and after Clara was born and Martina was told she couldn’t have another child. It was Simon who had suggested they become foster parents and so far they’ve helped a half-dozen kids feel loved.

  After the living conditions she and Martina had survived while growing up, many people wouldn’t understand why her sister would want so many children, but Jolene did. Her sister wanted to make the world a better place. Their goals were the same but their approaches were different. Martina had chosen to make her children’s lives and lives of others good while Jolene took on the evil in the world.

  “Don’t you sleep?” Jolene asked Simon.

  From inside the sprawling ranch home, a child screamed, Martina yelled and then another child cried.

  Simon smiled. “Sometimes. When they all do.”

  Jolene laughed. “I’ll go see if I can help her get them settled.”

  “I’m going to stay right here.” Simon picked up his beer and took a swig.

  The second Jolene opened the slider door and stepped into the eat-in kitchen she almost regretted her decision. The cries for Martina grew louder. She found her sister in the boys’ large bedroom refereeing a fight between her two older sons, Diego and Angel and their foster son Jeffrey. Emmanuel, Martina’s youngest son sat on his bed playing with his Captain America and Hulk action figures, ignoring the nearby battle entirely.

  Jolene stood in the doorway. A good spot, if attacked. She could bolt down the hallway and perhaps make it to the front door before the boys latched on to her. She’d have to lose the flip-flops though. The kids were squirrelly fast. “What is going on?”

  Immediately all three boys turned to her and began to cry for her to take their side.

  Jolene curled her toes into the rubber soles while her gaze bounced from boy to boy, watching them, waiting for their move.

  Martina stood next to a highboy dresser. Growing tired of the argument, she slapped the top with her the flat palm then threw up her hands. “Stop, right now! You all know the rules.” Her index finger became her scepter. “Diego, you’re the oldest—”

  “By two months,” Jeffery interrupted her.

  With her hands on her hips, Martina swung around to face her foster son. “Which still makes him the oldest. It’s his night to take a shower first.” She pointed to a color-coded calendar on a nearby wall. “You’re second and then Angel is next. Tomorrow night you’re first, Angel is second and Diego is last.”

  The last one in the shower had the job of making sure the bath towels and rug were hung up and the sink and counter wiped down. The boys had quickly learned to respect their use of the space and not to leave all the work for the last one to take a shower. Payback was a bitch.

  “What about Emmanuel?” Angel spoke up, pointing to the one son with his father’s fair skin and hair. Features inherited from Simon’s English mother.

  “He’ll take a bath in my tub tonight,” Martina said. “Now get your things Diego and get in the shower before I call your father.”

  Diego rushed into the bathroom and Martina opened a nearby dresser drawer and rummaged through the clothing inside. “While he’s in there, Jeffrey and Angel, I want you to pick up the puzzle pieces you dumped out on the playroom floor earlier today.”

  “What’s Diego need to clean up?” Angel asked, lifting his defiant chin and taking a step forward. Of all Martina’s children, Angel reminded Jolene of herself. He questioned everyone.

  Looking over her shoulder at her middle son, disappointment flashed in Martina’s glare. “He and Andrew put their game away before Andrew went home. Now get.” The boys passed by her with their chins nearly touching their chests. “And no fighting. I hear the slightest skirmish and I’ll count out one-hundred pieces for each of you and you’ll pick them up again,” she called down the hallway.

  She looked to Jolene, snagging a strand of her long hair and trapping it behind her ear. “Sorry. It’s usually not this bad. They’re played out. I should’ve called nap time for all of them today.”

  Jolene could see Martina was tired and guilt threaded its way through her. She’d brought Lia here—of course she had asked Martina before suggesting it to Norris—but now she was torn between her job and taking on watching Lia 24/7 herself.

  Martina put a smile on her face and held her hand out. “Come on Emmanuel. Time for your bath.”

  Carrying his action toys, the boy scampered off his bed and skipped over to take his mother’s hand.

  Admiration for her sister’s stamina warmed Jolene’s heart.

  “Where are the girls?” Jolene asked, wanting to pitch in.

  “Clara and Lia are in the
girls’ tub right now. I put bubble bath in the water. Can you check on them for me?”

  “Sure.”

  “And check Lia to make sure she didn’t have a reaction to the bubble bath,” Martina said over her shoulder before she headed down the hallway to her and Simon’s bedroom.

  Jolene stiffened. She knew nothing about children. “How do I—?”

  Martina halted and turned. “When you towel her off, check her skin and see if it is irritated. I laid pajamas out on Clara’s bed. Clara wanted to wear the ones with Elsa’s character on them and Lia wanted Anna’s.”

  Anxiety threaded its way into Jolene’s lungs. She hid her gulp by pretending to scratch a spot on her throat. “How do I know which is which?”

  Her sister barked with laughter. “Really?”

  She’d never run in the Disney Club. She placed her hand on her hip the way Martina had earlier. “Seriously? Neither of them are on the government’s most wanted list.”

  “Don’t stand that way. It doesn’t work for you.” Martina’s hearty laugh filled the hallway. “You’re too skinny. The girls will tell you which is which. After you empty the tub, tell Sofia and Fina it’s their turn. Tonight they can shower together if they want. Tell them to keep the shower curtain inside the tub. I don’t want water on the floor again tonight.”

  How in the hell did Martina keep herself together? “You run a tight ship.”

  “If I didn’t, more things would get lost or need fixing.”

  “When did you become such a good mom?”

  “I guess I started training when I took care of you.” Martina winked and then turned and ushered Emmanuel into the master bath.

  Later, Jolene stood at the girls’ bedroom door and watched Lia sleeping next to Clara. While she marveled how different people were, two questions popped into her mind. After the childhood she and Martina had survived, how was it possible her sister had become such a great loving mom? They’d had no role model. And second: Had Lia been discarded like an old shoe?

  How could anyone throw a child away? Any child.

  Jolene wouldn’t profess to having the same feelings Martina did for her children, but she loved her nieces and nephews and would kill if anyone tried to harm them.