Thieves Like Us

by Starr Ambrose

  She covered her smile with one hand. “I’m sorry! I thought you were ready for that.”

  “No, I wasn’t. But I guess that makes my point, doesn’t it?”

  She was afraid he might be embarrassed, but his eyes sparkled as he got to his feet. “I think Janet’s ready for more advanced lessons,” he told the ladies.

  They laughed again. A few gave her envious glances.

  A warm feeling spread through her, along with a bit of apprehension; it was becoming far too easy to like Rocky Hernandez.

  She shoved the feeling aside and played her part as he showed them how to deal with an assault from the front, demonstrating both a choke hold and a bear hug that pinned her arms to her sides. She figured out one valuable hint on her own—don’t look your attacker directly in the eyes. It could distract you to the point that you forget what you are supposed to be doing. The only advantage this time was that it seemed to be a bit distracting to him, too.

  By the time the lesson ended, Rocky had the Sparks asking if he did martial arts demonstrations, too. While he mingled with his new fans and passed out business cards, Janet wrote down a couple appointments for home security assessments for the following week. More promised to call over the next few days. It was nearly ten thirty, forty minutes after the meeting ended, when they finally hauled his sample alarms and motion detectors out to the car.

  She took a deep breath of the cool, night air. It had gotten a little warm in there. Twenty-nine was too young for hot flashes, but she could have sworn she’d had a few during the self-defense demonstration.

  Rocky slid the sun roof back as soon as he started the car, and she relaxed in the passenger seat, content to watch the stars.

  “Thanks for your help tonight.”

  Her smile was sincere. “It was fun. I think you and Ellie have stumbled into a gold mine. Those women loved you, and they’ll be talking about it to their friends. Red Rose Security is going to be busy.”

  “It did seem to go well. They’re interested in martial arts demonstrations now, but I don’t think I want to get into that.”

  “It’s you they’re interested in.”

  “I’ve always liked public speaking,” he said, surprising her by downplaying his ability. “I was the class clown in school.”

  “I’ll bet you were.” She laughed, having no trouble seeing Rocky as a shaggy-haired imp, irritating teachers and amusing classmates. “But tonight was informative, too. I even learned a few things.”

  “About self-defense?”

  She started to answer yes, because what else would she be talking about, burglar alarms? But he glanced at her with a hint of mischief, taking his eyes off the road for longer than he should. She realized he was talking about himself. About them. About what she might have learned by having his arms around her and their bodies pressed together. Turning an innocent comment into a sly innuendo.

  She gave him an exasperated look. “Don’t you ever give up?”

  “Nope. I can last as long as I have to, but you do test my patience. I’m just about ready to—what the hell?”

  She was dying to know what he was just about ready to do, but then she saw it, too. Caught in his headlights as he turned onto her cul-de-sac, her car sat by the curb in front of her condo, a jagged scrape showing as a bright silvery line against the dark blue paint. The line followed the whole length of the driver’s side. “Oh, no!”

  He pulled in the driveway, but held her back when she rounded his car and hurried toward hers. “Don’t touch anything.”

  “Why? This isn’t a crime scene. Someone sideswiped me.” The car had lost its appeal ever since she’d remembered the purchase had been Banner’s idea.

  “No one sideswiped it, Janet. It was keyed. See how the line wavers? Another car would leave a straight line in the surface, or an even curve. Someone did this by scraping it with a piece of metal. Intentionally.”

  His eyes scanned the car, front to back. “Damn.” Walking to the trunk, he poked one finger under the lid and lifted. The trunk opened. “What did you have in here?”

  “Nothing.” She peered inside along with Rocky. Still nothing, except for a long gash in the carpet.

  “They were looking for something. Did you have anything inside the car?”

  She shook her head. “Just a few CDs.”

  They moved to the side windows and peered in. The leather upholstery was slashed in long, diagonal slices.

  Janet put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, my God,” she groaned. “Why?” As soon as she said it, an answer occurred to her. “The necklace.”

  Rocky’s mouth was a tight line. “Yeah, I think so.”

  “But why would they look in my car? It makes more sense to—” she drew in a sharp breath and darted toward her condo, but was stopped by a strong grasp on her wrist.

  “Don’t.”

  She wasn’t going to take time to discuss it, so she said the words that were most important. “Jingles! I have to go!”

  “Stay here, I’ll look.” He held her by both arms, forcing her to look at him. She scowled, suddenly impatient with his domineering attitude. “I mean it, Janet. You stay right here beside my car. If anyone went in there, someone could still be inside.”

  That stopped her cold.

  “Do you have your cell phone?”

  She nodded.

  “Call nine-one-one. And give me your keys.”

  She fumbled in her purse, pulling out both the cell and her keys. “Here, this one’s the front door. And the code is two-one-six-zero.”

  “I remember; I programmed it.”

  She dialed 9-1-1, but her gaze stayed on Rocky as he examined the lock on her front door, then inserted the key. All she cared about was knowing that her cat and her belongings were safe. No, forget the belongings. If they’d hurt her cat, she’d hunt them down.

  The two minutes he was inside felt like an eternity. She gave her name and address to the emergency operator, told them about the car and a possible break-in, then hung up. It wasn’t the most accurate report, but she was too preoccupied to think, torn between running into her house to find Jingles and obeying Rocky’s order to stay by his car. It went against her instincts to stand by passively and do what she was told. Still, after he’d told her about the necklace, she’d started to trust Rocky when it came to her own safety. It was a strange feeling, one she’d never had with anyone else, but she listened to it. Like it or not, this was his territory. He was an expert. Leaning on the car, she chewed a fingernail and watched her front door.

  When he appeared again she jerked upright. “It’s all right,” he called. “No one’s been inside and the cat’s fine.”

  That was all she needed to hear as she rushed past him to see for herself.

  Jingles was finishing a leisurely stretch, claws firmly embedded in the living room carpet, no doubt preparing to wrap himself around Rocky’s ankles. She looked around, reassuring herself that nothing had changed.

  “Everything’s fine upstairs, too.” Rocky ignored the cat and talked to her. “I don’t think anyone even touched the lock on the front door. Whatever they wanted, they only looked in the car.”

  It could be a coincidence—random robberies happened, especially to people dumb enough to leave an expensive car parked on the street instead of in the garage. She wouldn’t do that again. Still . . . “It must have something to do with the necklace, right?”

  “I agree. Which is why you can’t stay here.”

  She winced. “I wish you’d quit saying that. After Banner, I have this irrational need to resist when a man tells me what to do.”

  He nodded. “Understandable. However, I have this irrational need to make sure you’re safe. You can think of it as professional advice if it makes you feel better.”

  It might. “Is that what it is, professional advice?”

  “Hell, no. It’s personal.” It could have come out sounding irritated and angry, but he lowered his voice and held her eyes with his, and it was sexy as sin
.

  She felt caught by the tension that was always there between them, the unspoken but ever-present knowledge that he wanted a relationship with her, vying with her fear of giving in to her emotions. The air itself felt strained, and she was glad when the silence was broken by slamming car doors outside. “Excuse me,” she mumbled, brushing by Rocky to open the door for the police officers.

  It was the second time today she’d had police officers at her door. The neighbors in her quiet development were going to have a lot to talk about.

  She spent the next hour talking with officers. They wanted Rocky’s version of events, too, so he stayed. By the time the officer was preparing to leave, the adrenaline high had worn off and Janet was exhausted. As soon as the last detective was out the door, she was going to make sure Rocky was right behind him.

  She had her hand on the doorknob as the officer paused on the threshold. “Miss Aims, do you have a friend you could stay with for a day or two?”

  She avoided looking at Rocky in case he was smirking. Putting on a polite smile, she answered, “Yes, I’ll be calling her as soon as you leave. Thanks for your concern.”

  “Good night, ma’am. Take care.” The door closed on his final word. She turned to find Rocky watching her with arms folded. No smirk, thank goodness.

  He waited several seconds before asking, “So what’s the real plan?”

  She shook her head and smiled, impressed that he’d known she was just telling the policeman what he wanted to hear. “I keep having this argument with you in my head, you telling me to go, and me insisting I want to stay.”

  “Who’s winning?”

  She sighed. “You are. I guess I have to pack a bag.”

  He was smart enough not to look triumphant. “Take your time, I’ll wait.”

  She couldn’t drive her own car, not in that condition, but she didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “I’m not staying at your place.”

  “I’m not taking you there, nice as that sounds. I’m taking you to the Westfield’s.”

  Make an unexpected, uninvited visit to her ex– mother-in-law? “That’s not necessary. I can get a motel room.”

  His expression was soft, but his voice was firm. “Janet, let’s not argue about this. There is no place safer than Elizabeth’s house. I know it’s late, and I know there’s an uncomfortable history there.”

  Only the fact that she was responsible for sending Elizabeth’s lying, thieving, doublecrossing son to jail.

  “But I also know she loves you like a daughter and would be justifiably furious if I took you anyplace else.” As Janet opened her mouth to respond, he added, “And I’m prepared to go to Ben if I have to.”

  Ben Thatcher was one of the nicest guys she knew. He was also the chief of police and the great love of Elizabeth Westfield’s life. Both of those positions gave him an advantage he wouldn’t hesitate to use if he thought it would help keep Janet safe.

  She raised her eyebrows. “I was just going to say, okay.”

  “Oh.” He recouped gracefully, pulling out his cell phone. “Great. I’ll call to let her know we’re coming.”

  She went upstairs to pack, trying not to think about how Ben would get involved anyway once the police report was filed, and then she’d have two well-meaning men telling her what to do.

  And no car. This just got better and better.

  She was back in minutes, a small duffel bag slung over her shoulder. “Did you make my reservations at the Westfield Hilton?”

  His sense of humor seemed to come back now that she was cooperating, because he actually smiled. “Elizabeth said she’s thrilled to have you back in her house.”

  “I’ll bet. She agrees to keep her granddaughter so her son can take his wife to Europe for thier honeymoon, and now she gets her ex–daughter-in-law, too. The poor woman never gets any time to herself.”

  She talked as she headed for the front door, but Rocky hung back. “Don’t you have a cat carrier for Jingles?”

  She bit her lip; it hadn’t been an easy decision. “I wasn’t going to take Jingles. Do you think he’s in danger here?”

  “Frankly, no. They aren’t going to bother with a cat, and he’ll most likely hide. But I thought you’d want him with you.”

  “I do. But Elizabeth isn’t a pet person. He has lots of food and water, a comfy couch, and no competition for the TV remote. He’ll have a ball,” she said, more to convince herself than Rocky. There wasn’t much choice. She couldn’t find a kennel that would take him at this time of night. If she was lucky, this would all be over in a day or two and she’d be back in her condo.

  She felt self-conscious in the car, like a little kid being taken home to mommy’s. Mommy’s gated and guarded mansion. Still, she was touched by Elizabeth’s warm hug at the front door.

  “I’m sorry to intrude,” Janet said.

  “Nonsense. You were right to come here. You’re family.” From anyone else it would have sounded like a generous gesture; from Elizabeth Payton Westfield, it was irrefutable fact, a royal decree that allowed no argument. Elizabeth stepped back, her sharp gaze running over Janet from head to toe. “You look exhausted, dear. Why don’t you head upstairs? Roberto can tell me about this horrible event.”

  Janet cast a sideways glance at Rocky. “Roberto exaggerates. But I am tired.” She looked at the graceful sweep of stairs, thinking of the warm whirlpool tub and huge canopied bed in the suite of rooms she had once shared with Banner. “Same room?”

  “It’s always yours.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.” It came out as a soft sigh. She was crashing fast. Starting toward the stairs, she turned for one final comment. “Elizabeth, please don’t worry. This isn’t nearly as dangerous as Rocky makes it sound.”

  Elizabeth gave her a serene smile. “Then we’ll use it as a chance to visit. We can talk in the morning.”

  That sounded good. With a wave to Rocky, Janet climbed the stairs, looking forward to the whirlpool bath and huge, soft bed.

  Rocky watched her go, but made no move to leave. Elizabeth turned to him, hands folded in front of her, as composed as always. Rocky thought if she were standing on the deck of the Titanic as it went down, she would have looked the same.

  “I know you well enough to realize you did not bring Janet here because of some exaggerated hunch.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Is she in danger?”

  “Yes.” He looked up the long curve of stairs where Janet had disappeared. “More than she knows.” His gaze went back to Elizabeth. “I know it’s late, but could you call Ben for me? I need to talk to him.”

  “Tonight?”

  He hated to confirm the worry in her eyes, but had no choice. “Yes. As soon as possible.”

  Chapter

  Four

  Rocky hadn’t been to Ben Thatcher’s small house before, but wasn’t surprised at its immaculate, barely lived-in look. How else could it be, when Ben spent most of his time at the Westfield mansion? Stubborn pride was all that kept him from moving in there, or so Elizabeth claimed. Rocky kept his mouth shut, but sympathized with Ben. The man probably didn’t want to look like he was living off his rich lady friend, especially with his position in this town. Rocky assumed Ben was holding out for marriage. Rocky would be, if it were him. Some guys just preferred the traditional family life of marriage and children, even if it happened in reverse order.

  Ben met him at the side door, barefoot and bare-chested, wearing only rumpled jeans. Running a hand through sleep-tousled hair, he grunted and motioned for Rocky to come in.

  He entered into a small kitchen and took a chair at the table. Ben followed, sat down and hooked his foot around another chair to angle it closer. Propping his feet up on the second chair, he looked at Rocky. “Okay, shoot.”

  Rocky hesitated, distracted by the fact that Elizabeth’s call had gotten Ben out of bed. “I’m sorry to wake you, I guess I lost track of the time.”

  Ben waved his concerns aside. “Liz said ther
e was a problem with Janet. That ex-husband of hers might not be my son, but he is Liz’s son, and Janet was Liz’s daughter-in-law. Still is, by her reckoning. The way I look at it, that makes her my family, too. If she’s in danger, I want to know about it.”

  “There’s a chance I’m overreacting.”

  “I trust your instincts, kid. If you’re worried, I’m worried. Now tell me.”

  Ben’s fingers intertwined above an abdomen that looked washboard hard, even as relaxed as he was. Rocky reminded himself that Ben had only been eighteen when he’d met Elizabeth Payton, fallen in love with the pretty college freshman, and gotten her pregnant. His military service and Elizabeth’s marriage to Leonard Westfield had kept them apart for more than thirty years, and had kept Elizabeth from acknowledging that Jack was Ben’s son. It was only years later, with Elizabeth widowed and Ben single, that they had resumed their relationship.

  Rocky understood how disoriented Jack must have been to find out the local police chief who had harassed him through his teen years was actually his father. Rocky felt a bit disoriented himself. Not many ex-convicts could claim the unquestioned loyalty of the local police chief, but thanks to his friendship with Jack, that’s exactly what he had. He would never take advantage of that relationship for his own benefit, but he wouldn’t hesitate to use it to help Janet.

  As Rocky outlined the day’s events, Ben listened, concern showing in the deepening creases on the older man’s brow and the tightening around his mouth.

  Ben raised a hand to his face, stroking the stubble above his upper lip as he regarded Rocky thoughtfully.

  “You’re right. We’re not talking about ordinary vandalism. Someone’s pretty damn desperate to find something, most likely the rest of that jewelry. And desperate people are dangerous.”

  Rocky nodded and delivered the punch line. “These people might be more dangerous than most.” It was this fear that had brought him here, and he waited to see if Ben had been thinking along the same lines.

  Recognition sparked in Ben’s eyes. “You’re talking about the gangs that prey on jewelry couriers.”