Sweet Surrender

by Jill Sanders

  It wasn’t that Bella was a bad driver… okay, it was. She was more aggressive than drivers in Silver Cove tended to be. He supposed it was needed in the city. When they finally hit the highway, he relaxed a little seeing that the dark SUV was still two cars behind them.

  “Everything okay?” Bella asked as she gunned the small sedan and headed towards the hills.

  He glanced over and realized that she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

  “Yes.” He smiled and tried to forget about the security behind them. “Where are we heading to?”

  “I thought we’d head to the beach.” She smiled over at him.

  He’d been so busy worrying about making sure their security hadn’t lost them that he didn’t even notice which direction they’d been heading.

  “The beach sounds fun.” He glanced down at the shorts she’d convinced him to put on and realized they were his board shorts. Chuckling, he silently promised himself he’d relax a little and enjoy the day instead of worrying so much.

  “Huntington Beach is one of my favorite places.” She sighed as she turned off the highway. “Since it’s a workday, and school started this week, hopefully it won’t be as crowded. We can find a little hut to eat lunch before we hit the sand and the water.”

  He reached over and took her hand in his. “That sounds wonderful. I’ve never been to a California beach before.”

  “You haven’t?” She glanced at him.

  “No. I went to Disneyland when I was ten. I’ve been to San Diego a few times on business. But this is my first trip where I could relax.”

  “Well then, we’ll have to show you some more sights before you go,” she said and instantly his worry started up again. He wanted to argue that it wasn’t safe, but he kept his mouth shut and glanced at the mirror again to make sure the SUV was still back there.

  By the time they stepped into the water, he was completely relaxed again. They had found a small food hut to have a few drinks and eat greasy burgers at.

  She’d worn a large sun hat and dark glasses with her long hair tied back in a braid and, thankfully, hadn’t been recognized once during the meal.

  The two security guards sat in the booth across from them. They filled the men in on what their plans were and were assured that they were there for the entire adventure.

  Since the men were dressed in jeans and black shirts, he doubted they would spend much time on the beach.

  Still, just seeing Bella in the sexy pink swimsuit had all other thoughts fleeing his mind. They played in the surf until she grew tired and they laid out on the large beach towels she’d packed along.

  He stayed busy people watching and watching over her and was happy when she fell asleep beside him. When he noticed her skin start to pink, he nudged her to roll over and wrapped his arms around her. She moaned and snuggled into him and he realized that this was easily one of his favorite memories with her.

  When she woke, they headed down the coast a little and found a cute town and another beach restaurant to eat dinner at. This time it was steaks and grilled shrimp with wine. The two security guys sat out in their truck and had sandwiches instead.

  As they pulled into her parking garage, he felt as if he’d seen enough sights. He was ready to head home in less than a week.

  “What about your car?” he asked as she parked in her spot.

  She shrugged and shut it off. “I’ve arranged to have it shipped with the rest of my stuff.” She turned to him. “Did you like the beach today?”

  “Yes.” He touched the end of her braid. “I’m looking forward to getting home though,” he admitted.

  “So am I.” She smiled. “I only have a few more interviews, which shouldn’t take more than four days.” She frowned slightly. “Five, tops.”

  He nodded. “I enjoy watching you work.”

  She laughed. “I guarantee you’ll be bored in ten minutes flat.”

  He pulled her close. “I never get bored watching you,” he said before kissing her.

  The knock on her window had them both jumping. One of the security guards for the building stood just outside her door.

  He rushed to get out and moved over just as she climbed out of the car.

  “I thought you should know, a package came for you earlier today shortly after you left. I’ve called the police,” the man said. His name was Derrick, and he had replaced Kenny.

  “A package?” Bella asked.

  The man looked over to him. “It was… um, leaking a red substance.”

  Calvin wrapped his arms around Bella and held on as fear and dread overtook him.

  “They are upstairs waiting to talk to you both.”

  “What was in it?” Bella asked.

  “I’m not sure. We didn’t open it, they did. Then more cops showed up and, well…” He shrugged. “When we saw you pull up on the camera”—he motioned to the parking garage camera— “I came down to give you a heads-up.”

  “Thanks.” Calvin shook the man’s hand before he pulled Bella towards the elevator. They rode up in silence and when the doors slid open, Calvin knew instantly that whatever had been mailed to them was serious.

  More than half a dozen police stood in the lobby. Some took pictures while others talked to the other security personnel.

  As they stepped out, every eye turned towards Bella.

  “Miss Rothschild.” An older woman stepped forward and introduced herself as Captain Elizabeth Feller. “Is there someplace we can go?” she asked the building security officer, who quickly showed them to a small office down the hallway. After the three of them were shoved into the small space, with Bella sitting down in one of the chairs while he stood beside her, the captain started explaining. “Today around noon a package arrived for you special delivery. Your building security, per your private security’s request, had it waiting for inspection before delivering it up to you. While they waited, someone noticed it was leaking a red substance and called us.” The woman shifted gears and glanced towards him. “We’ve already confirmed both of your schedules with your private security and have tentatively cleared both of you—”

  “Cleared us for what?” Calvin broke in and asked.

  “Miss Rothschild.” The captain glanced back towards Bella. “Can you tell me when was the last time that saw or spoke to Michael Himes?”

  Bella gasped and Calvin reached out to touch her shoulder and felt her shake. “What has this got to do with Michael?” she asked, her voice low.

  “Please.” She held up her hands. “I’ll need you both to answer first.”

  “The night of the awards,” Bella blurted out.

  “In the lobby before the event,” Calvin finished for her.

  The captain nodded. “As I said, we’ve confirmed that already, I just needed to hear it from you.” She took a deep breath. “Michael Himes was found murdered in his home shortly after this package was delivered to you.”

  Bella’s eyes closed and she rested her head back against his arm. He swallowed and held his breath.

  “It appears that someone has taken it in their hands to send you some of his… parts.” Her eyes went to his. He nodded, showing the captain that she’d said enough.

  “Bella.” He knelt before her and watched her face pale.

  Then she was scrambling and thankfully he handed her the waste bin before she lost the dinner they’d enjoyed earlier.

  “He’s… dead?” she said, her eyes still closed as she wiped her mouth.

  “Yes,” the captain answered. “We’ll need an official statement from both of you, but that can wait until tomorrow.” She nodded as one of the other officers stepped into the small space. The man whispered something to her, and she waved him away. “For now, I’ll leave you to head up and get some rest. Your place was inspected to ensure your safety.”

  “You searched her place?” he asked.

  The woman narrowed her eyes at him. “No, your security team rushed up there to inspect the place shortly after you returned.”
r />   “Thank you.” Bella stood up suddenly and gripped his arm. “We will cooperate. What time do you want us?”

  “We’ll come to you. I understand how volatile things are right now for you. We don’t need the press getting wind that we’re questioning either of you. Let me make this clear—at this point, neither of you are on the suspect list.” Her eyes moved between them.

  “Then you must have some evidence?” Calvin asked.

  The woman’s eyes narrowed again, and he watched the corner of her mouth twitch. He took it as a good sign and nodded quickly.

  “Thank you.” He shook her hand again and then helped Bella upstairs.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Even though Calvin tried to keep the news from her, she pulled out her cell phone when she locked herself in her bathroom and read the headlines.

  “Director Michael Himes’ brutal murder” was plastered on every news site.

  When she clicked into one article, she read about how the police had been called to her apartment while she’d been out for the day with Calvin and how the police had found Michael Himes’ head in a box that someone had sent to her.

  She quickly threw up again and decided she didn’t need to know any more details. She scrubbed her teeth and washed her face, then answered the tenth call from Maggie since returning to her apartment.

  Maggie kept trying to convince Bella to let her come up, but she insisted that she was just going to get some rest.

  “I’m fine,” she answered the call.

  Instead of Maggie’s worried voice, a deep male voice whispered in the phone.

  “Did you get my present?”

  She swallowed and sat on the edge of the bathtub. “Wh-who is this?” she asked, her voice shaking as much as the rest of her body was.

  “I thought torturing you was fun.” The voice chuckled. “Until I killed that doorman.” A full laugh sounded in her ear, making her entire body shake. “I guess it’s true, when you spill blood, it’s like a drug. I have a taste of it, now I’m done playing games. When I come for you, nothing will stop me.”

  When the line went dead, she was frozen in place listening to the emptiness.

  A quick loud knock on the bathroom door had her screaming and dropping her phone. Then Calvin was there, holding her and promising her that everything would be okay. She didn’t know how he’d gotten in the locked door, but she was grateful for his arms around her.

  “He called,” she said into his chest as she held onto him.

  “Who?” he asked, then he stiffened. “What did he say?”

  She quickly relayed the message, then gasped. “He called on Maggie’s cell phone.” She stood up and looked around for her phone. “He has Maggie.”

  “I’ll call the police.” Calvin pulled out his phone.

  She stood there and listened to Calvin speak to the captain that had talked to them earlier that day.

  Within half hour, a knock sounded on the door and several police officers filled her living room.

  Calvin made coffee while she relayed what had happened. They informed her that Maggie was fine and had lost her phone in a restaurant moments before the call was made to her. She was so worried about her agent that an officer was sent to pick her up and bring her back to spend the night in Bella’s guest room.

  Was the killer stalking her manager now? What did he hope to gain? Maybe another way to get to her? Was she next on his list?

  When Maggie walked in the door behind a larger male officer, Bella wrapped her arms around the woman and cried. “I thought…” she said into the woman’s shoulder.

  “Shh, honey, I’m right here. I’m okay,” Maggie said and then started crying with Bella.

  Her apartment was turned into a makeshift operation headquarters. A cup of coffee was handed to her, but since it was now past one in the morning, she sat on the sofa, propped up against Calvin and fell asleep.

  When Calvin shifted to answer his phone, she jolted awake.

  “Easy, it’s your brother.” He waved the phone.

  She rested back as he handed the phone to her.

  “Bella?” Ben’s voice sounded even more worried than it had when she’d talked to him shortly after the news broke of Michael’s death.

  “I’m okay,” she sighed. “There are about a dozen police in my apartment.” She glanced around and realized some of them had gone and only three were left. “Maggie’s here sleeping in my guest room.”

  She glanced down the hallway where Maggie had disappeared earlier.

  “My god, you scared us.” Ben sighed. “Let me talk to Calvin.”

  She yawned and handed the phone over.

  She didn’t really pay attention to their conversation, since she was still half-asleep, but when she felt Calvin stiffen and sit up, she focused.

  “I think you should tell the police here what you just told me,” Calvin said and glanced back at her. “Hang on.” He stood up and walked over to the officer who had been left in charge after the captain had left hours ago. “Bella’s brother has a possible lead.” He handed the man the phone.

  “Calvin?” Bella stood up and moved over to him.

  “Do you remember Eddie Simons?” he asked her.

  She thought about it and shook her head no. “No, should I?”

  “He worked at the resort. You went to school with him.”

  “Worked?” She felt her knees go weak.

  “Easy, it’s not that…” Calvin held her. “He’s been MIA since we left. I guess since I’ve been gone, no one informed Ben that he hadn’t shown up for work. They figured the kid had just gotten another job.” She relaxed slightly. “Well, when Ben found out yesterday, he did some research. Since he went to Brighton with you...” Bella remembered the guy now. He’d been her waiter that first day she’d arrived and a few times after. A shiver ran up her spine remembering how he’d acted around her. “Ben remembered the kid had been a troublemaker when Ben was dean of the school during that time. Eddie had been valedictorian of your class.”

  She nodded. “I remember now.”

  “Well, on a hunch yesterday, after finding out that he’d been MIA, Ben sent Brock over to his parents’ place. Since the kid had been working at the resort, he’d mentioned how his folks had been away on vacation. No one seemed to question him. You know how it is… small towns.”

  She nodded and felt her stomach roll. “And?”

  Calvin glanced at the officers as they continued to talk to Ben as they typed the information down.

  “Brock found the older folks in the freezer along with Fredrick Stafford. The folks had been dead for around six months and, well, Fredrick disappeared… the day after he got arrested at the resort.” Bella’s knees folded and Calvin carried her to the sofa. “Easy,” he said to her and a glass of water was shoved in her face by the female officer.

  “Drink this,” she said.

  Bella drank it down and closed her eyes. “Why me?” she asked.

  “Brock says there was a shrine built for you in his house. He’s infatuated with you. It appears it started back in school. He left notes everywhere about killing his parents because they wouldn’t let him go to California to be closer to you.” Calvin’s hands tightened on hers. “They have proof that he drove out here during the time your place was broken into. But then, he’d gotten a call from his neighbors who were worried about not seeing his folks around. He had to come back to Silver Cove. He got a job at the resort to be close to your brother. They think he killed Stafford out of rage because of that fight you witnessed. We have him. Now we know who he is.” He smiled weakly up at her.

  She didn’t feel any safer now. Instead, she played back all the times she’d talked to him that first week she’d been at the resort. Each time, she had been so focused on Calvin she had barely given the guy any notice.

  Then she stilled and gasped. “I’ve seen him here a few times.” She shook her head. “I didn’t even…” She closed her eyes. “He has a face that I just… seem to
forget.”

  “Where?” Calvin asked.

  She thought about it and tried to remember each time she’d caught the thin, pale-skinned, dark-haired man looking at her. She listed the few places, including the coffee shop down the street.

  “So, he’s close,” the officer said.

  “His poor parents,” she said when the police got back to work searching for their new target. Calvin’s phone was handed back to him and he talked briefly to Ben before hanging up.

  “Ben’s getting us tickets to head home tomorrow. You can reschedule any interviews.” He pulled her into his arms.

  She nodded in agreement. “I’m so tired.” She sighed. “So weary of running and hiding.”

  He sighed and glanced over her shoulder. “We’re heading in to get some rest. If you hear anything… knock.”

  The officer nodded her head and waved them off.

  She lay on the bed and sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. “Turn it off for a few hours,” he told her. “I’m right here.”

  She slept without dreaming, thankfully. When she woke, Calvin’s arms were still wrapped around her, holding her.

  “Feel better?” he asked. The fact that he sounded as if he hadn’t slept had her glancing at him.

  “I do. Did you get any sleep?”

  “A few hours,” he admitted with a smile. “I could go for some breakfast and coffee.”

  She nodded and stretched. “Shower, then food.”

  She could hear Maggie down the hall talking to someone and laughing.

  After taking a quick shower and spending a few minutes to fix her hair and makeup, she felt like attacking the day.

  When she stepped out into the living room, she hugged Maggie again and took the coffee mug offered and the large bacon-covered donut.

  “I had this sexy beast run down and get us some donuts and coffee.” Maggie patted the shoulder of the larger officer who had brought her to her apartment yesterday. The man blushed quickly as he laughed.