Watch Your Back

by Karen Rose

  ‘Yeah. Imagine that.’

  ‘It’s hard to.’

  Her hand came into his field of vision, those long red nails sparkling in the lamplight. ‘Come on. You can’t stay here. This is a bad neighborhood. You could get mugged.’

  Again he chuckled. ‘I’m a cop, Ruby.’ But he took her hand and let her pull him up. ‘You need to get home. So do I.’

  She shook her head. ‘Who’s the John Doe, Sam?’

  He closed his eyes. ‘God. I can’t say. I can’t.’

  ‘All right. Come on, let’s get some fluids in you. You puked up half your water weight.’

  Feeling like he was walking across a surreal landscape, he let her lead him to her car. She popped the trunk. A moment later she was handing him a bottle of mouthwash. ‘Rinse first.’

  ‘You keep mouthwash in your trunk?’

  She plunked a hand on her hip, those red nails extending like claws. ‘Were you not listening, papi? I pick up dead people for a living. That’s a taste that gets in your mouth and will not go away. And nobody wants to kiss me after that.’

  He found himself smiling as he spit the mouthwash onto the grass next to her car. He took the bottle of water she offered and chugged half of it down at once, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘Thank you. Really. You’ve been kind when you didn’t have to be.’

  ‘That’s kind of the definition of “kind”, isn’t it? If you have to be kind, then it’s coercion and therefore not truly kind.’

  He blinked. ‘Yeah. Okay. I think.’

  She studied him in the lamplight. ‘You got someplace to be tonight, Sam?’

  ‘No.’ He couldn’t face his mother and he didn’t want to go back to his place. ‘I don’t.’

  ‘Then come with me. We can listen to some music and you can figure out what you’re going to do with what you just found out.’

  ‘What about my car?’

  ‘Lock it up. It’ll probably be here when you get back. The drug dealers in this neighborhood have much nicer cars than this. They’ll likely leave yours alone.’

  Somehow he ended up in the passenger seat of her car, buckling himself in. ‘Ruby, how do you know I’m safe? I could be an evil person, planning all kinds of terrible things.’

  She started her engine. ‘Are you?’

  ‘No.’ He frowned. ‘At least I don’t think so.’

  ‘Good. If that changes, be sure to let me know.’

  He was shaking his head when she pulled into traffic, a small smile on his face. A small smile that quickly faded when reality set back in.

  I killed my father. He’d dreamed of doing it so many times. Every time the bastard hurt his mother. But I never would have done it. Never could have done it. Except it looked like he had.

  Wight’s Landing, Maryland, Sunday, March 16, 7.00 P.M.

  Tanner St James’s kitchen was full of chatter and wonderful aromas when Stevie and Clay walked in. The aromas lingered, but the chatter abruptly quieted, six pairs of eyes staring at her.

  Tanner stood at the stove, wearing an apron that said ‘Kiss The Cook’. At the table were Cordelia, Paige and Grayson, and Emma and her husband, Christopher. Below the table were two dogs – Peabody lying at Paige’s feet and Tanner’s dog Columbo at Cordelia’s.

  They’d just finished dinner, and based on the clean plates in front of each one of them, it had been tasty. Stevie’s stomach grumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

  Emma was the first to speak. ‘You trashed my cashmere sweater, didn’t you?’

  Stevie wore a BPD T-shirt for the second day in a row, the turtleneck she’d borrowed from Emma having been taken with the evidence of the shooting. Luckily, the ER doctor who’d restitched her arm had noticed the hickey and loaned her some makeup to cover it up.

  Stevie shrugged, keeping her voice light. ‘Yep. I’d feel bad, but I told you I’d ruin it. You loaned it to me with full disclosure.’

  ‘Mama,’ Cordelia asked in a small voice, ‘why are you wearing that thing over your shirt?’

  Stevie pulled at the Velcro tabs that held the flak jacket in place. Joseph had left the vests on their seats in the SUV. Given the events of the day and that her thin Kevlar armor had been taken along with the turtleneck, she’d been grateful for the gift. ‘It’s just a precaution, honey. I promised you I’d be very careful and this is me, keeping my promise. So, looks like you guys are having a party. I hope there’s ice cream. I could really use some chocolate.’

  Grayson jumped up and pulled out a chair. ‘Sit. It’s time to rest for a while, Stevie.’

  ‘I slept in the car,’ Stevie said, taking the seat he offered, putting her next to Cordelia. She kissed the top of her daughter’s head, acutely aware that Cordelia hadn’t been soothed by her explanation of the flak jacket. Should’ve taken it off in the garage. Stupid mistake.

  ‘No, she didn’t.’ Clay took the seat on Cordelia’s other side. ‘Your mom was pretending to sleep, just like you do.’ He reached over the table, hand extended to Christopher. ‘You’re Emma’s husband. I’m Clay.’

  Christopher shook his hand. ‘Thank you for looking after her.’

  Clay shot Emma a look. ‘I tried to send her home, but she wouldn’t go.’

  ‘I know.’ Christopher sighed. ‘I gave up trying to order her around back in high school.’

  Stevie smiled. ‘You’re a wise man, then. Tanner, I’m so hungry that I could eat my own cooking. If there’s anything left, I’d love to have some. Christopher, it’s good to see you again.’

  ‘It’s always a pleasure to see you, Stevie. Wish the circumstances were different.’

  ‘Me, too,’ Stevie said ruefully. ‘Paige, how did you guys get here? I didn’t see your truck outside and we have Grayson’s SUV. Thank you, by the way. I appreciate you loaning it to us.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ Grayson said. ‘I hope you don’t need the . . . special features.’

  Meaning the bullet-resistant glass. ‘You and me both.’

  ‘We picked up Christopher from the airport and drove to Lou Moore’s place,’ Paige said. ‘We didn’t want to risk being followed. Lou brought us over in the boat. It worked as a trial run for when we move Cor—’ Paige pursed her lips hard, stopping herself from saying anymore.

  But it was too late for that. Cordelia had heard, evidenced by her sharp indrawn breath. She tugged on Stevie’s shirt. ‘Mama,’ she said, her voice still small.

  Stevie found her daughter’s eyes full of fear. ‘Yes, Cordelia?’

  ‘I heard about today. That you got shot, again.’

  Stevie quickly glanced at the adults, her eyes narrowed.

  Emma sighed. ‘It came on the TV, Stevie. We were watching cartoons and they broke for a special news announcement. I changed the channel, but she’d heard enough to be scared. Grayson got the details from Joseph. We told her so she’d know you were unhurt.’

  Stevie dropped her gaze back to her daughter’s pinched face. ‘Someone shot at me. He didn’t hit me.’ Not exactly. He hit Kevlar. ‘I’m not hurt. Neither is Mr Maynard.’

  ‘They keep shooting at you,’ Cordelia said, almost tonelessly. ‘They want to kill you. Who, Mama? Why?’

  ‘I’m not sure who or why, but I’m going to find out and make them stop.’

  Cordelia gave her a look that was far too old. ‘You want to move me so I won’t be in the way. I heard Sheriff Moore talking to Miss Paige. They said I was in the way.’ She lifted her chin. ‘But I won’t go. I’m not leaving you.’

  Stevie was aware that all eyes were on her. ‘Cordelia . . . First of all, we haven’t decided to move you. We’re getting ready in case we have to. Like having a “Plan B”. And second, it has nothing to do with you being in the way, because you are never in the way.’

  Paige had flinched, distressed. ‘“Harm’s way”, Cordy. You heard us say you were in “harm’s way”. That’s very different than being “in the way”.’

  Cordelia still looked unconvi
nced. ‘I’m not leaving you.’

  Stevie blew out a breath. ‘Honey, if this house is no longer safe, you will leave.’ She said it firmly, but as lovingly as she knew how. ‘I have to know you’re safe. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.’ Cordelia looked away and Stevie felt the bite of helpless frustration. ‘And not because you’re all I have left,’ she added more sharply than she’d intended.

  Cordelia’s gaze flew to Clay’s face, her expression even more stricken. ‘You told.’

  ‘No,’ Stevie said. ‘I listened in. Like he said, I can pretend to be asleep as well as you can.’ She gripped Cordelia’s chin gently, making her daughter meet her eyes. ‘Now you listen to me and you hear me. You believe me. You are my heart. You have been since the moment I first felt you move in my tummy. If your daddy and brother had lived, you’d still be my heart. I love you the same as I would have if we were all still a family. And we are still a family. You and me and . . .’ Clay. She’d almost said Clay. ‘Izzy,’ she said firmly, steeling her voice so that it didn’t tremble. ‘We are a family. Do you believe me?’

  Cordelia nodded silently.

  ‘Good,’ Stevie said, but she wasn’t sure she believed her daughter. ‘Cordelia, there has not been a single moment that I have not treasured you. It’s true that you’re all I have left – but of your father. You are not some kind of consolation prize and if you ever thought so, you were wrong. If anything, you are more precious to me because . . . Because you and I survived together. We’ve made it through together.’

  Cordelia’s expression was weary, like she knew Stevie believed her own words, even if they weren’t really true. ‘I know, Mama. It’ll be fine.’

  It’ll be fine. Tears rose in Stevie’s throat. No wonder Cordelia didn’t believe her. She’d spouted that It’ll be fine for far too long, using it to ignore her child’s hurt and fear.

  No, it wouldn’t be fine, not unless she could make her daughter understand.

  ‘What I feel for you is exactly the same thing I felt for your brother and if I have ever made you think otherwise, I am sorry.’ Her voice broke and she bowed her head, trying to keep the tears from starting. Because once she started, she didn’t think she’d stop. ‘I am so sorry.’

  What seemed like a lifetime passed, and then she felt a small hand smooth her hair again and again. ‘Don’t cry, Mama. Please don’t cry.’

  ‘I’m trying not to,’ Stevie said hoarsely, leaning into her daughter’s caress. ‘But I still don’t think you believe me.’ She looked Cordelia squarely in the eye. ‘In your shoes, I wouldn’t believe me, either, and you’re more like me every day.’ Her lips curved. ‘You poor kid.’

  Cordelia’s lips trembled into a small smile, but it was genuine. ‘Aunt Izzy says Grandma used to say that some day you’d have a little girl just like you and then she’d have her revenge.’

  Stevie could feel the tension in the room begin to recede as the adults sitting around the table chuckled. ‘Yeah, Grandma did say that, at least once a day. I was kind of a handful. Didn’t like to take anyone’s word for anything. I liked to have proof. Just like you do. So I guess I’ll have to prove how I feel about you and that will simply take time. I’m going to make sure we have that time, Cordelia. I’m going to find whoever’s been shooting at me and I will make them stop. But I need to know you’re safe while I do. If that means moving you, that’s what will happen.’

  Cordelia nodded soberly. ‘Where will I go?’

  Stevie let herself breathe. ‘Alec has been working at Miss Daphne’s farm all day, adding a lot more security. The plan we grownups have talked about is for you to go there if things get too dangerous here. You’ll be safe there. You can see the horses all you want. Miss Paige will be there to watch over you and Alec, too. Mr Maynard trusts them. So do I.’

  Cordelia squared her shoulders. ‘But who will watch over you, Mama?’

  Stevie’s throat thickened again. ‘I can watch over myself. But if Mr Maynard is still willing, I’d like him to watch over me, too. Would that make you feel better?’

  Cordelia nodded. Then shook her head. ‘No,’ she whispered.

  ‘Why not, honey?’ Clay asked softly. ‘I’m not mad, but why not?’

  She looked up at him, distress in her eyes. ‘Who will watch over you?’

  Stevie watched as Clay swallowed hard, trying to think of something to say.

  At least I can help with that. ‘I will,’ Stevie said firmly. ‘Mr Maynard and I will watch over each other. And Uncle JD and Joseph are helping, too. So what do you think? Will you go if it’s necessary – without any fuss?’

  ‘If I said no, would you be mad?’

  ‘Yes. But more like I got mad when you touched the stove even after I said it was hot.’

  Cordelia’s eyes widened. ‘I did that?’

  ‘Oh yeah. And you fractured your arm when you jumped off the swing, trying to fly even though Grandma kept telling you the butterfly costume for Halloween didn’t really turn you into a butterfly. You nearly turned my hair gray with that one. And then there was the time you tried to eat soap because it was pink and smelled like cotton candy.’

  Her nose wrinkled. ‘I remember that one. I thought it would taste so good, but it was bad.’ Her lighter attitude faltered. ‘You’re not coming to Miss Daphne’s with me?’

  ‘Not right now. But when this is all over, I will. I promise. I’ll even try to ride a horse.’

  Cordelia nodded once. ‘Okay, then. I’ll go.’

  Stevie pressed a kiss to Cordelia’s forehead. ‘Thank you, baby.’

  ‘But you have to try to ride. All these people heard you say so.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter what they heard. You heard me say so and that’s what’s most important to me.’ Stevie glanced down when plates of lasagna were placed in front of her and Clay and smiled when Tanner silently patted her back. ‘Now I have to eat and talk to the grownups. Can you go play with the puppies or something? Just for a few minutes.’

  Paige stood up, held out her hand. ‘Let’s go, Cordy. We need to practice your kata so that you’re ready to test for your blue belt with your class when all this craziness is over.’ She clicked her tongue and the Rottweiler fell into position beside her. ‘Peabody, with me.’

  When the kitchen door swung closed behind them, Stevie rubbed her forehead hard, suddenly feeling embarrassed at having had that conversation with Cordelia in front of so many people. ‘Sorry. Didn’t mean to make you all feel uncomfortable.’

  ‘No one’s complaining, Stevie,’ Emma said, sniffling.

  Stevie chanced looking up and found Emma dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Clay gave her a single hard nod of approval that nearly had her crying herself.

  She cleared her throat, then closed her eyes in bliss when she tasted her dinner. ‘This lasagna is so good.’

  ‘It is good,’ Clay said, sounding a little surprised. ‘What did you do to it? Not that your lasagna is usually bad, but this is as good as Mom used to make.’

  ‘New recipe,’ Tanner said brusquely. ‘And there’s chocolate ice cream in the freezer.’

  ‘My hero.’ Stevie dug in, starving. ‘Chocolate ice cream and then a nap sounds heavenly.’

  ‘You need more than a nap,’ Grayson said. ‘You two need to get a full night’s rest. That’s why Paige and I are still here. She’s going to stand watch inside the house tonight while Joseph’s people guard outside. And if you had decided to send Cordelia to the farm, Paige wanted to be the one to make sure she got there safely. She thought that would put your mind at ease. As much as you can be eased right now.’

  She did feel eased, Stevie realized. Not entirely, but enough that she could draw a pain-free breath. She reached across the table and squeezed Grayson’s hand. ‘Thank you. Both of you.’

  ‘You’d do the same for us,’ Grayson said.

  ‘I hope to God I never have to,’ she murmured, then looked at Clay. ‘If we do have to move her, I’d like to know more about th
e setup. You told me about the gates and the fence, but what about the house and the barn? One of the benefits of the farm is that Cordelia wouldn’t be trapped in a house, that she plays with the horses. Gets fresh air. How will you protect her then?’

  ‘The main barn is accessible from the house by an enclosed walkway,’ Clay said. ‘Daphne had it put in for wheelchairs. It’s got glass walls, hurricane approved glass, like in my house. All the kids have to wear helmets when they ride. They aren’t “bullet-proof”, but the composite materials are very strong. If she goes riding, she can wear a vest.’

  ‘You mean body armor? You have body armor in her size?’

  ‘Unfortunately, they have to make vests in kids’ sizes too. She might not realize it’s bullet-proof. It looks like a normal ski vest.’

  ‘She’ll know,’ Stevie said grimly. ‘She’s far too smart for her own good. Until this is over, I would like her to wear one. Will there be a secure line that we can use to call each other?’

  Clay nodded. ‘Of course.’

  ‘And if this goes on longer than a few days, can Izzy or my parents be taken to the farm?’

  ‘Of course,’ he repeated. ‘We aren’t trying to keep Cordelia isolated. Just safe.’

  ‘Thank you. And to you, too,’ she said to Tanner when he put a bowl of ice cream in front of her. ‘Then the destination is settled. If we do decide this place has been compromised, how fast can Sheriff Moore get here with the boat?’

  ‘She got us from her dock to Clay’s in ten minutes,’ Grayson said. ‘That was full-throttle.’

  ‘Okay. It sounds like a viable “Plan B”. Let’s focus on finding this guy so that we don’t need it. Did Forensics get anything from Clay’s house?’

  ‘We did,’ Grayson said, satisfaction in his eyes. ‘I got a call from Joseph, right before you two got here. Clay’s stingray gave up phone numbers from the second intruder’s cell phone call log. Culp called the second intruder – the one who drove the Tahoe – last night, about an hour before Officer Cleary was killed in the safe house. There were no calls from Rossi to either Culp or the Tahoe driver.’