by Lori King
“Yeah, you say that now. Anyway, who’s going to help me bring out the rest of the food?”
They followed her into the house, grabbed a dish and brought it out to the patio.
“Does Ethan cook for you?”
“Nope, but he has brought food into the station. Not often. I think he’s worried they’ll make him cook all the time.”
“I wouldn’t blame them, either.”
“Cut it out. It’s just food. It’s not like I’m a cordon bleu chef or anything.”
Anna looked like she was considering it as she chewed. “How come you aren’t? What made you go into the Air Force?”
“Eh, it’s not worth telling.”
“Why not?” Anna and Steele asked in unison. The last thing he wanted to do was share why he’d decided to get into the U.S. Air Force Academy instead of just going to a regular college like his parents wanted.
“Let’s just say it was a lifelong fascination with flying and leave it at that.” He thought Anna was going to press him further, but thankfully she dropped it. Maybe her intuition told her it wasn’t a subject he wanted to discuss, at least not right then. Steele was staring at him, and he hated when his friend got that look, it meant he would find out no matter what. It was great when dealing with suspects but sucked donkey balls when it was directed toward him.
“So what’s our plan of action?” Anna looked so innocent, but he knew better. The wheels were most definitely turning in that beautiful mind. But she’d helped enough. Some things were better left to the professionals.
“Our plan will be handled on our end. You’ve been a huge help today.” The pout started as soon as the words left his mouth, but he wasn’t buying it, he knew her too well. One look at Steele said otherwise. He was like putty in her hands, and Ethan couldn’t wait to see how this played out. Especially since they’d already discussed keeping her out of it.
“Aww c’mon. They’re my people. If you’re going to be setting them up, I should know about it.” Yup, trap set. Would Steele fall in the gaping hole she’d just dug?
“We’re not going to set them up. You’ve been watching too many crime shows. Besides this is a small town, word tends to get around. You should know that.”
“Oh, I do. Which is why I don’t believe my people are involved.”
“But what we discovered today says differently.” Steele was earnestly trying to convince her they were the good guys. He was so focused he didn’t see how well she’d played him. Maybe she should have been a cop, her analytical skills were top notch. Leaning back in his chair and taking a swig of beer, he hid his grin behind the bottle.
“What? That they were our properties? That two of my agents listed all of them? As you just said, this is a small town, there are only a couple of small independents and my company. I still don’t see how it proves either one is involved.”
“It doesn’t. But hopefully, if we get the warrant, a phone tap will.” And there it was. He’d just dropped the whole enchilada right in her lap. He hadn’t even seen it coming.
“Way to go, bro. So much for keeping her out of it?” Ethan couldn’t keep the gloating out of his voice. He’d fallen for her tactics too many times not to appreciate how she’d led him right where she wanted him. Hell, it only took about ten minutes too. That might be a record.
“Aww, fuck. Well played, Anna. I blame those teddybear eyes.” Steele didn’t even look sorry, but he had to know Ethan was going to give him hell later, and the LT would be even more pissed when he found out. Although Ethan doubted that Anna would do anything to sabotage their investigation, there was always the chance she’d say something without thinking about it. Just like Steele.
Anna grinned, but it was obvious she was upset about the whole idea. He knew she was more worried about her friend than the old dude, and it’s exactly why he hadn’t wanted her to know. He didn’t want to invade Adria’s privacy but if the judge gave them the warrant they’d tap both her and Johnson’s phones. It might be the only break they’d get on this case.
“Baby, you know you can’t tell anyone about this, right?”
“Yeah I know, but it doesn’t mean I’m happy.”
“I know, but we have to do what we can. You need to look at it this way, a tap could just as easily prove their innocence as their guilt. Right?”
“True. But how am I going to look at either of them in the office tomorrow? Hell, I’m not going to want to talk to Adria on the phone. Our girl talk is none of the Willow Haven Police Department’s business.”
Steele finally had the grace to look embarrassed, and Ethan gave him a look that said, “nice one, dude.”
“I know. But you can do it. You’re smart and stubborn as hell, it’s part of what I love about you.” He saw Steele’s eyebrow arch out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t care if he knew or not. Ethan would be happy to yell it from the roof, or even put it on Facebook if Anna wanted.
“I’ll try. But I’m going on record here that I think it’s a mistake.”
“Noted. And as soon as we have information we need one way or the other we’ll take off the tap. That’s my promise to you.”
“You know, Anna, if you’re going to be in a relationship with a cop it’s part of the deal. Shit hits the fan on a regular basis, even in a small town like this. If you want to be included in their lives, it’s inevitable you’re going to hear things you aren’t going to like, or maybe shouldn’t even know. Holding it in and shutting out their wives or husbands is what destroys a relationship.”
Ethan really wished Steele would shut the fuck up and go home. Or just go home. He was right in what he’d said, but he didn’t know Anna’s history and reminding her that their job could be dangerous wasn’t exactly helping the situation. He dreaded Anna’s reaction, but she took it better than he expected.
Nodding as she stood up to clear away the dinner dishes, she was quiet at first. “I know, and up until now, we’ve had a kind of unspoken understanding that we didn’t bring work home. But I guess that’s all about to change. Actually, I guess it already has.” Then without another word or waiting for one of them to respond she turned and went inside.
“Mother fucker. You just couldn’t keep your big mouth shut, could you?”
“Fuck, bro. I know better, you know I do. But she’s good. I wasn’t expecting it.”
“You interrogate people all the time, how could you not realize what she was doing? She pegged you dead-on, it’s like she had a handbook or something.”
“Maybe she watches a lot of cop shows?”
Ethan rolled his eyes, but that was better than punching him and that he didn’t even realize he was opening and closing his fist until he looked down, wasn’t a good sign. “You just made this a thousand times harder for her. You do realize that, right?”
“Yeah I’m starting to see that.”
“Adria is her best friend, maybe her only friend. All she does is work. So besides Tag and his girlfriend and Mac and his wife, Adria is it. And you just made it so she’s going to have trouble looking her in the face.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“Would it have done any good? Other than me telling you to shut the fuck up, which would have made it even worse, what the hell was I supposed to do. Deck you?”
“You didn’t look too upset at the time.”
“True, I was enjoying it—maybe too much. But fuck it, bro. Of all the things to just walk right into the wide-ass hole. Amateur, dude.”
Steele ran his hand through his hair making it stand on end, a sure sign he was as agitated as Ethan. “What if you lie and tell her we can’t get the warrant?”
“Lie to me? Are you serious? And I was starting to like you too.” Anna was standing in the open doorway looking like she was about to explode. The storm clouds in her eyes caught Steele by surprise. Damn, he was getting the full Anna tonight, but he had no one to blame but himself.
“He didn’t mean it, baby. Besides, I wouldn’t lie to you. You sh
ould know me better.” His words seemed to defuse some of her irritation, but if looks could kill Steele would be in need of an ambulance right about now.
“I’m sorry, Anna. It was only a suggestion to make it easier. But you’re right it was stupid. On that note, I think I’m going to go home before I make things any worse. Thank you for dinner and the company. I had a great time until I stuck my size thirteens in my mouth.”
“Probably a good idea. I’ll see you at the station in the morning.”
“I really am sorry, Anna.”
To her credit, she didn’t throw anything at Steele. “It’s okay. I’m on edge too. I probably shouldn’t have worked you so hard for information I didn’t want or need to know. So I’ll take half the blame.”
Steele smiled in relief and bravely gave her a hug as he passed her on his way into the house. “Next time will be better, I promise.”
“I’m sure it will. No work next time at all.”
“Deal.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Ethan grabbed her hand and squeezed it as he followed Steele into the house, and she gave him a half smile.
6
After Steele left Ethan helped her clean up the kitchen and put everything away. He was dropping hints like little land mines hoping she’d invite him to stay the night again. But she was going to disappoint him. Anna’s Sundays were spent preparing for the work week. That meant updating her schedule and planner, sorting through bills, checking all the latest listings from the weekend to share at the morning meeting. Her day always ended with yoga and a shower.
Instead, she’d spent her Sunday helping Willow Haven’s sexiest detective and his partner, and making herself crazy with worry. It wasn’t until Steele had left that she remembered the possible stalker creepy guy who’d been following her on Saturday. Considering how freaked out it had her at the time, she couldn’t believe she’d forgotten about it until then.
She should probably tell Ethan now that she knew about the robberies. He had been hanging around the house, the same one that had the break-in. Anna didn’t believe in coincidences, and this was just too odd to ignore. There was still wine left from dinner, but it probably wasn’t the best idea.
“Do you want some coffee?”
“Always. I’ll make it,” Ethan said as he grabbed the teapot and filled it with water. While he did that, she ground the beans and put them in the French press. Once the water was near boiling, they added it to the pot and carried everything out to the patio. The sun was just setting, and it was the perfect fall evening, even if her insides were in turmoil.
Passing Ethan his black coffee, she added sugar and half-and-half to hers before reclining in one of the chaise lounges. It was so peaceful. She sighed with pleasure and sadness that she was about to open a can of worms.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? I don’t know if you realize it, but everything you’re thinking shows on your face. So don’t bother trying to say it’s nothing.”
The immature Anna wanted to stick out her tongue and say, “bite me.” But she had to be an adult, and that meant coming clean. “Something weird happened after the open house on Saturday.”
“And you’re just telling me now?”
“With everything going on it kind of slipped my mind. I got home and smelled your amazing dinner, and all I could think about was food.”
“Umm, sure. Nope not buying it. So what happened?”
“Well…” She hesitated and took another sip of coffee as she searched for the right words to use. The last thing she wanted was for him to freak out and decide she wasn’t safe. “I’m sure it was nothing.”
“If it worried you then it’s probably something. Gut instincts are usually right.”
He was right, it had freaked her out and just because she didn’t want it to be true didn’t mean it wasn’t. “When I closed up the open house on Saturday, there was a guy leaning against a rusted green pickup truck and smoking. I don’t remember ever seeing him before, and he kind of gave me the creeps.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Probably, it wasn’t dark yet. He was wearing sunglasses, but I got a pretty good look at his face.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“Yeah. Umm…” He was going to be pissed, so pissed. Why hadn’t she realized it before? Because you’re too stubborn for your own good, that’s why. He put this coffee cup on the table and crossed his arms, like he knew he wasn’t going to like what was coming next.
“Outside the open house wasn’t the only time I saw him.”
“What? God dammit. And you waited until now to tell me? You really need to work on your trust issues, sweetheart.”
“I know. But when I got home and hadn’t seen him following me, I figured it was all in my imagination.”
“Even if it was, you should have told me. If not right away, then definitely after you heard about the robberies.”
He was right, and she had no excuse other than she’d honestly forgotten until then. With all the other stuff going on it had been the furthest thing from her mind. “It was stupid, yes, I realize that now, but I really did forget.”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now. For all we know, he’s the one planning the robberies. Or maybe he’s stalking you. Either way, we need to take care of it as soon as possible. Please promise me you won’t hold back any more information whether you think it’s pertinent or not.”
“I promise.”
“Good.” He softened his tone now that she’d agreed to do what he wanted, but she didn’t care. In this instance, he was right, and she was wrong. She was woman enough to admit it. “Where else did you see him?”
“At the office. Not at first but the truck was there when I was leaving to come home. At least, I think it was the same truck. I couldn’t see the guy, just the glow of his cigarette through the tinted window. At first, I didn’t think anyone was in there until I tried to drive by to get the license plate. I only got the first two letters before he took off in a hurry.”
“Good instincts but dangerous, especially because we don’t know why he’s following you.”
“We don’t really know that he is following me either. He might have been there for some other reason.
The look he gave her was classic and would have made her parents proud. It was the typical ‘are you shitting me, do you need to be punished’ look and he wore it well. She struggled to keep the grin off her face. He definitely wouldn’t have taken that well.
Ethan pulled out his phone and tapped out something, she was sure it was to Steele. “What were the two letters you saw?”
“An S and an R. It was the regular sunshine state plate too.”
“Okay. Did you recognize the make or model of the truck?”
“No sorry. Just that it was old, rusty and looked like it was on its last leg, except for the tinted windows. Now that I think about it, that’s kind of weird.”
“Very. I know you’re always too busy for much of anything, but do you think you could come by the station at some point tomorrow and work with a sketch artist?”
“No promises, but I’ll try. It might be late; you know like after work.”
“That’s fine, but I really would like to get that sketch circulated as soon as possible.” He typed some more and then slid the phone back into his pocket. Apparently, it was police business, and it wasn’t going to be shared.
“Maybe I’ll be able to stop by before I go in. I’ll have to see how much I get done tonight.”
“What do you have to do tonight?”
“My usual prep for the week, schedules, plans, new listing information, bills, the usual stuff. Then I usually do some yoga, shower and go to bed.”
Shaking his head, he had a weird expression on his face. “Do you ever just have down time where you don’t do a damn thing, and you’re spontaneous?”
“Well yeah of course I do.” Did she? Now that she thought about it, maybe she didn’t. It had worked for her, until now anyway. Ke
pt her busy and focused on the end game. But now all of that had changed once she’d let Ethan into her life. If she hadn’t had blinders on, she would have realized it a whole lot sooner.
“So is this your way of saying you want me to go home so you can get your stuff done?”
Did she want that? Just a bit ago she was all ready to show him the door, but now after telling him about Mr. Creepy Pants, she would rather he stayed.
* * *
He had to fight the urge to strangle her, well not really, but God dammit, why hadn’t she told him. He wanted to go off on a rant, but he knew better. She would have closed up like a night-blooming jasmine in the morning, and that would have been that. So he’d kept his cool. Fuck. He deserved a freaking Oscar for that performance. Now he was just waiting to see if she wanted him to stay or not. With all of her “excuses,” he figured any minute she was going to ask him to go home. He couldn’t blame her either, she’d had a hell of a weekend, and he still didn’t have any clothes or toiletries. On the other hand, he didn’t want to leave her alone in this house, alarm or not. She carried his heart, and he would give up his life to protect her, whether she knew it or not.
“It’s been great having you here, but I do think I need some time to myself to wrap my head around everything. I know you think I’m not safe, but I am. I will set the alarm as soon as you walk out the door, you can even double check all the doors and windows before you leave.”
She was trying to placate him, but it wasn’t working. Until he knew more about the dirt bag who’d been following her, he wanted her under his protection. “Are you sure you won’t feel safer if I stay? And there’s the added bonus nookie-time.”
“I know, honey, I do. But I really think I need some time to myself before I have to take off running for another week. I promise I’ll come by the station at some point tomorrow to work with the sketch artist, I’ll keep the phone by the bed with your number primed for the call. I promise I’ll be safe.”
She was stubborn but so was he, and this was one time he wasn’t backing down. He was not leaving his woman alone even if it meant he’d be sleeping his car on her driveway. “I don’t doubt that you believe that. But I’m not going to give in on this. Until we know more about this guy, I don’t want you to be alone.”
