Not Quite Right (Indigo Love Spectrum)

by Tammy Williams

  “They haven’t been gone that long, Darci. I promise, when there’s something to know, we’ll know about it.” The chief’s phone rang moments after he finished his sentence. “See? Rogers,” he said. “Yes, McGraw, what do you have?” He paused for a while. “Really.” Martin nodded. “Very good.”

  “What’s very good?” Darci touched his forearm. “Do they have Kenny? Is he okay?”

  Rogers held up his hand, silencing her words. “Yes, she got a little anxious so we started out. Okay, we’ll be there soon.” Chief Rogers ended the call and turned to her. “It’s over. Warwick is a little bruised and bloody, but he’s alive.”

  Darci clasped her hands together and looked up. “Thank you, Lord.”

  “Also, Darci, we learned it was Fritz that ran into you.”

  “Was all of this about Kenny’s money?”

  “I guess we’ll know soon enough. You ready to see him?”

  “Yes!”

  The flip of switches on the dash transformed the dark, quiet police car to a brightly lit, siren-wailing speed-mobile. Minutes later, they pulled up to a small, secluded cabin on the end of a dirt road. Flashing lights from police cars and the ambulance provided splashes of light to the dark area, allowing Darci to spot her friend being attended to by an EMT.

  “Kenny!” Leaving her crutches on the back seat, Darci hobbled over to her friend.

  “Darci!” Kenny hopped off the back of the ambulance and raced over, sweeping her into his arms.

  “I knew you wouldn’t kill yourself, Kenny.” The happiness in her heart overrode the throbbing pain in her ankle and side as she tightened her arms around him. “I knew it.”

  “I never had a doubt. Nobody knows me like you.” Kenny lowered Darci to the ground. His hand cupped her cheek. “How are you? I heard you were hit by a car. Did that hug hurt?”

  “No. All I feel right now is happiness and relief.” She took a little step back and frowned. “You look horrible.”

  Kenny chuckled. “Ever the honest one. I could use a hot shower, shave, and a warm, soft body right about now.”

  “Well, I can help you with the first two things, but the last one…” Her voice trailed off as she cast her gaze toward the porch. Steed stood with Chief Rogers. His superior was saying something, but Steed’s eyes were fixed on her.

  “You and McGraw, huh? How the heck did that happen?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “Must be. Luckily, I have lots of time to hear it.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She turned back to Kenny. “Whatever it was, it’s over now.”

  “Somehow I doubt that.” Kenny glanced over at Steed. “The guy hasn’t stopped looking at you since you hopped over to me. In fact, he looks like he’s about ready to come over here and beat the hell outta me.”

  A little smile tickled Darci’s lips. Steed was jealous. Good! She gave Kenny another big hug and a peck on his bruised lips. Steed’s mouth tightened. He jammed his hands in his pockets. Darci smiled. Yes, he was definitely battling a green-eyed monster.

  “Ouch.” Kenny pulled away, grimacing as he grazed his busted lips. “I’m already battered, Darci. Are you trying to get me killed for real?”

  “No. Just giving Steed McGraw something to think about.”

  * * *

  Steed watched Darci interact with her “best friend” until he could stand it no more. Feeling jealous of Kenneth Warwick when he was a living memory Darci couldn’t shake was one thing, but now…He took a step forward.

  Chief Rogers grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”

  “I need to talk to Warwick. We need to know how this happened.”

  “Is that the real reason you’re in such a hurry to get over there?”

  “What other reason could there be?”

  “I don’t know, maybe the fire burning in your eyes. You’re so jealous right now you can barely see straight. If you go over there, you’re liable to do something you’ll regret.”

  “I wouldn’t regret it,” Steed murmured under his breath.

  The chief’s hand closed around Steed’s shoulder. “Go to the station and see what you can get out of the sister and Fritzano. I’ll drive Warwick and Darci over in my car.”

  “Maybe I should…”

  “Do as I say, McGraw.”

  Steed’s feet stayed planted. He couldn’t pull his eyes away from Darci. Part of him was happy, cheering her elation at being reunited with her friend. But another part of him, the possessive boyfriend, wanted to push Warwick in the path of one of the departing cruisers and get Darci to see there was another man on the premises who loved her and wanted some alone time in her arms. A man who wanted more than friendship. Darci’s laughter rang in his ears. Steed groaned. He definitely needed to go.

  Taking the scenic route to the station only made the situation worse, as it gave him more time to imagine Darci in the arms of a man other than him. Intellectually, he knew she and Warwick were just friends, but seeing that closeness in action…He didn’t like it. He didn’t like it at all.

  “The sister is waiting in the interrogation room, and Fritz is in lockup,” said Jackson when Steed walked into the station.

  “Fine.” Steed walked to his desk and dropped into his chair. “What is it?” he asked, feeling Jackson’s gaze on him.

  “Would it be okay if I tag along when you question Ms. Jasper?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Steed stood. “Just look and listen, okay?”

  Jackson smiled brightly and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Darci’s entrance into the station with Kenny and Chief Rogers interrupted the trek to the interrogation room. Steed’s eyes fixed on Darci. She looked a bit tired as she leaned on her crutches. He walked over. “You really should go home, Darci,” he said. “How is your ankle? Are you in pain?”

  She shot him a look that cut him to the quick. “You tell me.” Darci touched Kenny’s arm and motioned to the chairs against the wall. “I’ll wait for you over there.”

  Rogers cleared his throat, ending the deafening quiet in the room. “McGraw, have you questioned Ms. Jasper?”

  Steed pulled his gaze from Darci. “I was just on my way.”

  “Let it wait. Mr. Warwick wants to make his statement.”

  “I want this over,” Kenny said. “The sooner the better.”

  Steed nodded. Maybe some alone time with Warwick would be a good thing. “Fine.” He pointed his hand in the direction of the detectives’ office. “Right this way.”

  Kenny walked ahead of him into the office. Steed’s gaze locked with Darci’s for a long moment, and then he followed her friend inside and closed the door with a resounding click.

  CHAPTER 22

  “You’re about as bad as he is.”

  Darci jumped at the sound of the chief’s voice. Her preoccupation with the goings-on behind the office door distracted her from the pain in her foot. Awakened from her curious thoughts, the throbbing ache became all too real. She should have brought along some of her medication.

  “I’m sorry I scared you,” he said, sitting.

  “You didn’t—not really.” Darci tore her gaze from the door. Two of the three most important men in her life were inside that office. Were they talking only about the case? The wondering drove her crazy. “What was it you said before?”

  “I could have said your hair was on fire, but it wouldn’t have mattered. I know you want to work out whatever this is.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “It could be. McGraw loves you.”

  “I know that, but Steed’s love is…Steed is complicated, and I don’t know if I want to make up with him.”

  “I would almost believe that, if I hadn’t seen you burning a hole through that door just now. You’re angry, Darci. Anger has a way of overriding other emotions. I know you love him, too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so upset.”

  Darci said nothing. She didn’t know what to say. She did love Steed, but she didn’t know if she’d ev
er be able to handle the way he expressed his love. It made her crazy and sad.

  “All I’m saying is you should think long and hard before you walk away from something that will leave you with a lifetime of regret.” He covered her hand. “You need anything? A cup of water, a soft drink, some coffee?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “If you change your mind, just ask Jackson.”

  Darci chuckled. Poor Jackson was everything to everyone in this squad room. “I will. Thank you, Martin.”

  “You’re welcome. You take care of yourself.”

  “I will.” Darci returned her attention to the door when the chief left. She didn’t hear any raised voices, but still…She sighed. What’s going on in there?

  * * *

  “So, you never knew of Jason Hyde prior to his unexpected visit to your home?”

  “I didn’t know this guy from Adam. I walked in to find him sitting on the couch and wearing my favorite suit. I was so pissed to see him there, looking like me but clearly not me, I didn’t think to be scared.” Kenny sighed. “I should have been scared. He said he’d sent me some letters, and he probably did, but I don’t generally read letters from guys. Had I known he was an overzealous fan about to shoot himself in the head, I think I would have walked out as soon as I walked in.”

  “I bet.” The hostility Steed felt toward Kenny had ebbed away over the last half hour. Warwick had gone through a horrible situation, and at the hands of his own sister. It was hard to envy a man who had gone through such an ordeal and still had to face the fallout. “I’m sorry about all of this.”

  “Why are you apologizing? You didn’t cause this.” Kenny released a long breath. “So, what happens to Eva now?”

  “Depends on her lawyer. She’s facing serious charges.”

  “Eva’s always had problems, but she’s really hit rock bottom with this Fritz. It’s like he had a spell on her. He seems normal, but he’s nuts. He ran over Darci and blamed her.”

  Steed’s jaw tightened. He already couldn’t stand Fritz, and it literally took everything in him not to beat the man to death after hearing what he’d done to Darci. “Well, I’ve had my issues with him for a while,” Steed said. “How long has Eva known him?”

  “I don’t know. I suspect at least a couple of months. I’d never seen him with her prior to my being taken hostage. She told me they met when he stopped her for speeding.”

  “Speeding?”

  Kenny nodded.

  “Fritz was on the force a year and a half, and wanted to be detective the whole time. He quit soon after your unexpected and very tragic ‘death.’ I don’t get how he did this to you.”

  “Fritz mentioned some connections, some big favors he called in, but never said names.”

  “Their original plan was to kidnap you?”

  “Yes, when I was to fly out to Rio, but Hyde’s death gave them a new twist on the plan. One that worked far better than I could have ever thought possible. The kidnapping had to have been planned for a while. You saw my accommodations. That didn’t happen overnight.”

  “You’re right. You know, I was convinced you did yourself in, but Darci never believed it.”

  “That’s because Darci knows me. She knows me better than anyone, as I know her.” Kenny sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. His eyes narrowed.

  Steed prepared himself to be on the receiving end of Kenny’s questions.

  “What’s the deal with you two?” Kenny asked.

  “Darci didn’t tell you?”

  “She hasn’t said much at all, which is why I know something’s up.”

  “Darci’s not happy with me.”

  “That I do know. How did you two hook up? You’re not exactly her type.”

  A frown twitched the corners of Steed’s mouth. He suddenly didn’t like Kenny so much. “Not her type?”

  Kenny held up his hand. “There’s no need to be offended. Darci has never done a lot of dating, but when she did, it was with uptown movers and shakers, not down-South detectives. I’m going to assume my case brought you two together.”

  “It did, but our love kept us together.”

  Kenny smirked.

  Steed wanted to punch him. “What are you grinning about?”

  “You. Darci’s not in here. This rabid dog, jealous boyfriend routine is a waste of your time and energy. And you say you love her.”

  “I do love Darci.”

  “I wonder. You don’t seem to know her very well.”

  “I know her extremely well.”

  “Yet you’re so jealous.”

  “What I am is human. Darci is a beautiful woman, and best friend be damned, I don’t like seeing her hanging all over another man. I don’t want to lose her.”

  “Seems to me you’ve already done that. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so twisted up in knots and biting my head off for being her friend. And that’s what I am, her friend. The one who risked his reputation in high school by buying her feminine products, and gave her a shoulder to cry on whenever she needed.” Kenny stood. “If you keep this act up, you’re going to lose Darci for good. I don’t think you want that, and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t, either. Now, are we done?”

  “After you sign this.” Steed pushed over Kenny’s printed statement for his signature. “I’ll be in touch if I have more questions.”

  Darci grabbed her crutches and hobbled over to the door the minute it opened. “Is everything okay?” she asked neither one in particular.

  Kenny glanced at Steed and then turned to Darci with a smile. “It’s fine, Darci,” he answered. “You ready to go?”

  “I am. Officer Jackson is going to drive us.”

  Steed took her arm before she could get away. Her quick intake of breath brought his hand down. Annoyance flashed in her eyes.

  Steed sighed. “Can we talk first?” he asked.

  “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”

  “I do.” He frowned, not happy with having this conversation in front of Kenny. “Let’s go into my office.”

  “I don’t want to talk to you right now. It wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  “I disagree. We have things to discuss, Darci.” Steed stared at Kenny as the man’s arm closed around Darci and his hand trailed up and down her arm. Steed’s insides churned. She practically recoiled from his touch, but let Warwick, with his Hyde-looking self, all but molest her. “I’m sure Jackson can get your friend home safely,” he said, unable to keep the edge out of his tone.

  “I’m sure he can, too, but I want to help him all the same. I need time, Steed. Please, just give me that.”

  “Fine. While you’re taking your time, I want you to keep in mind that everything I did was in keeping with my job, and I love you. Remember that. I love you, Darci.”

  Steed detected the slightest thaw in the hardness of her eyes. She hadn’t written him off for good, not yet. It gave him hope.

  She pulled up on her crutches and looked up at her friend. “Let’s go.”

  Kenny nodded and opened the door for her.

  Darci turned back, holding Steed’s gaze for the briefest moment. He held a breath, hoping she’d drop those crutches and open her arms for him. Instead, she turned back and walked out of the station with Warwick.

  Steed returned to his office and read Kenny’s statement over and over. He couldn’t understand how Fritz had made this happen. Who or what were these connections Warwick said Fritz used? Steed rubbed his eyes. He needed some coffee.

  Just as he poured his first cup of the fresh brew, Jackson returned. Steed glanced at the wall clock. The man hadn’t been gone fifteen minutes. Warwick lived just inside the city limits. At least twenty minutes one way. “Jackson, what are you doing back so soon? Having the squad car doesn’t mean you should speed unnecessarily.”

  “I didn’t, sir,” Jackson answered.

  “You couldn’t have gotten Warwick home that fast.”

  “I didn’t take him home. He stayed
with Ms. Clarke.”

  Steed managed to keep a straight face from the emotional punch to his gut. “I see.” He drank some coffee. Warwick was just her friend. Darci had told him that over and over again and Warwick had confirmed it.

  “Is everything all right, Detective?”

  “Fine.” He had to squash this jealousy and find out how Fritz made the world think Kenneth Warwick killed himself. “I want you to get Paul Fritzano’s personnel file. It’s going to be a long night.”

  * * *

  Kenny shrugged at Darci as he held the phone to his ear. From what she could tell, this conversation could last a while.

  “Yes, Mom, I’m fine. No, you don’t need to come back over. I’m just going to get some rest. Please, stop crying. Dad, get her to stop crying. Eva has her demons. You can’t hold yourself responsible for what she does.” There was a long pause on Kenny’s end. He nodded. “No, I shouldn’t have kept her addiction from you. Yes, I’m okay with that.” Kenny shook his head moments later. “No, I don’t hate her.”

  Darci hugged her warm mug of tea to her chest as she watched Kenny try to comfort his distraught parents. They hadn’t lost their son to death, but it appeared they were about to lose their daughter to the judicial system. And Darci thought she had problems.

  “Yes, in the morning. Good night.” Kenny hung up the phone and sighed. “Maybe I should have gone home with them. They left an hour ago and have already called three times.”

  “They’re happy, sad, scared, devastated. A lot has happened. You’re alive, Kenny.”

  “Yes, I’m alive, and Eva is—” He shrugged and joined Darci on the couch. “Are you okay? Has your medicine kicked in?”

  She shifted her injured foot, elevated on the coffee table with the help of two pillows. “I’m flying, can’t you tell?”

  Kenny scrunched his freshly shaven face. “Not really.”

  “Have you had enough to eat? You really look…”

  “Like a blue cotton monster swallowed me,” Kenny said with a laugh, tugging at the extra large T-shirt and jogging pants Darci had borrowed from her dad and decided to keep. “I’m full, clean, a little sore, but breathing. Having a pajama party with my best friend.” Kenny flapped the right side of her ratty pink robe. “I thought you would have tossed this old thing by now.”