Spliced

by Robin Leigh Miller

  “I do my best.” Her head hurt beyond belief and her eyelids were getting heavy. Sleep called, a nice respite from dealing with this new nightmare. “Are we almost finished? I think I need to lie down.”

  “Just a few more questions. You say you work for Celini’s. That would be the private detective?”

  “Yeah, that’s him and I know where you’re headed. Celini only uses me for surveillance. I sit in the car and take pictures, follow people at a distance. No one knows I’m there and Celini never tells the clients who I am. I don’t see how this could be related to anything I do for him.”

  “Okay, it’s still an avenue we’ll have to check out. Anyone you’re having trouble with, ex-boyfriends or anything?”

  Avery would have laughed if she’d had the strength, which was currently draining from her body like blood pouring from an open artery. “I don’t have time to date and there are very few people in my life. Sorry, Lieutenant, I can’t give you any leads to check on.”

  Stone closed his notebook, shoved his pen in his shirt pocket and pinched the bridge of his nose. “All right. This could be a robbery. When I get the word from the crime scene unit we’ll take a walk through and see if anything is missing. In the meantime you sit tight and try to relax.”

  She gave Stone a halfhearted smile as he exited the back seat of his cruiser and shut the door as gently as possible. Avery laid her head back against the seat, rolled it to the side and watched as police officers wandered around her tiny front yard. Inside the house people poked and prodded through her sanctuary, the one place she always knew safety.

  Would she ever have security in her home again or would whoever did this effectively shake that comfort? God, she hoped not. Her home was the only constant left in her life. When she’d first bought the place, Cale had made sure she had the best locks, the most effective alarm system and proper lighting outside so when she came home late at night she could see every nook and cranny a person could hide.

  Not one ounce of caution had stopped this break-in. What if she’d been home? Avery shivered at the possibilities. Would the intruders have run or beat her to a pulp before continuing their mission? Worse, would they have killed her? And how the hell had they got past her security alarm? One thing was for certain—she’d be calling the company and having the system thoroughly checked out.

  Lieutenant Stone stepped out the front door of the house, jammed his fists on his hips and looked around with a deep frown on his face. Something bothered him about this situation. His gaze met hers across the distance and his frown eased.

  If Avery wasn’t neck-deep in grief, confusion and physical discomfort, she’d probably notice how handsome the young lieutenant was with his sharp features, piercing eyes and toned body. She might even notice how even after glancing away his gaze always found its way back to her. But she didn’t want to notice—for so long her heart and attention had always focused on one man.

  Closing her eyes, Avery reached out in her mind for just a taste of Ridge’s presence. A touch, a simple brush of awareness—that was all she needed. He and Cale had always been the epitome of strength to her and she needed some of that strength right now. A shoulder would be better. A large warm body that could help chase away the uncertainty of her life and shield her from the pain yet to come. That was really what she needed. What one needed and what one had were two different things, though.

  As she reached down that fine thread of connection she shared with Ridge she allowed his essence to fill her. Determination, loyalty and pride, it all seeped into the emptiness of her body like a dripping tap slowly filling a cup. Needing more, Avery pushed further into his awareness and breathed what made Ridge Gates an honorable man into her body.

  Even though he hurt physically and emotionally, he would forge ahead, plowing through road blocks until he accomplished his mission. Avery took that determination and struggled to make it her own. She didn’t have time to wallow in self-pity, not now, not with a ransacked home and a funeral to get through tomorrow. If she could borrow some of his strong will, she could get through anything.

  Avery.

  Her name whispered through her mind in Ridge’s voice. Instead of backing away like she should have done, ending the connection so he wouldn’t grow suspicious, she reached out further, needing that contact. Just for a moment. That was all she intended. A little intimate contact from the man she’d idolized and loved for so many years.

  As she did with her brother so many times through their lives, Avery wrapped Ridge’s awareness in a warm, gentle hug and snuggled into the comfort she could steal for a short while. The contact didn’t compare to the physical connection they’d shared in Dover, nothing would, but she’d take what she could get.

  “Just hold me,” she silently whispered. “Just for a moment.” Sitting there in the back seat of a police cruiser she actually felt Ridge surround her, his warmth and strength forcing away the cold loneliness that had been a part of her every day since she’d lost her connection to Cale.

  Oh yes, this was what she needed. Letting go, she allowed her awareness to meld into his so she couldn’t tell where he began and left off. Merging as one she experienced his heartbeat, could hear his blood surge through his veins. Even the pain in his leg echoed through her body but she didn’t care. Images of the night they’d shared flickered through her mind.

  Avery remembered so clearly his body covering hers, his hands touching and caressing, the gentle but forceful invasion of him entering her body and the glorious pleasure he brought. They were good together. They shook the earth and bordered on self-destruction.

  It shouldn’t have happened.

  The thought was like a slap to the face as Ridge’s awareness pulled back abruptly and Stone knocked on the window. Avery jumped, her heart pounding furiously, her hand shaking and her panties soaked with the memory of Ridge loving her. But he didn’t love her.

  Swallowing her tears, Avery turned and met Lieutenant Stone’s worried gaze. He opened the door, crouched down by her side and took her hand in his.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, brushing the pad of his thumb over the back of her hand. “Are you okay?”

  Avery stared at her hand in his. Contact. He wasn’t afraid to touch her. How odd—a stranger gave more comfort than a man she’d known for ten years. “I’m fine. I guess I dozed off.”

  He studied her for a moment and then nodded. “We can go in now if you’re ready.”

  Avery took a few seconds to gather her wits. Ridge may have enjoyed their sex but he still regretted it and that cut like a knife to her heart. It was time to let him go. “I’m ready.”

  Stone continued to hold her hand and helped her from the car. When she stood and her knees buckled slightly, he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her tightly against him. Together they walked up the sidewalk and into her home.

  “We’ll start down here,” he told her gently. “Look around and see if you notice anything missing. I’ll make notes.”

  Avery nodded, beginning a slow scan of her living room. As she’d noticed before, nothing seemed to be missing, just destroyed. “Everything’s here,” she said, then pulled away from Stone, walked to her brother’s belongings and knelt. “I received these boxes today before I left for the airport. They’re Cale’s personal items.”

  With a shaky hand she lightly ran her fingers over his shredded uniforms. Why would someone do this? All she had left of her brother sat in front of her destroyed.

  Stone crouched next to her and motioned for the remaining officers to leave. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am this is happening to you.”

  Avery picked up Cale’s uniform jacket and held it to her chest. “He was my twin,” she said softly, not even sure why she needed to share that information. “He was all I had. They could have taken anything they wanted and I wouldn’t have cared.” Tears misted in her eyes as she turned to Stone. “Why did they have to destroy all I had left of him?”

  Stone low
ered his head. “I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t. I can only assure you I’ll do everything in my power to find the people who did this and arrest them.”

  “Do me a favor?” Avery asked as she gently laid the uniform coat back on the pile of shredded clothing.

  “Anything,” Stone replied quickly, his head snapping up.

  “Accidentally knock a few teeth out when you do.”

  Surprise filled his face first, a quick raise of the eyebrows, and then a slow smile that changed his features from good-looking to sexy. Avery looked away, shocked at how she went from lusting after Ridge in her mind to wondering how Stone’s lips would feel against hers. “We should keep going,” she said, pushing those thoughts away.

  Stone helped her to her feet and into the kitchen. Again, nothing seemed to be missing, simply dumped all over the place, same with the downstairs bathroom. The toilet paper hadn’t even escaped the carnage.

  Avery picked up the knifed roll and shook her head. “Odd.”

  Stone grunted in response and led her upstairs where they looked into the second bathroom, the two spare bedrooms and then finally to her bedroom door. Stone gently wrapped his hand around her upper arm and stopped her going in.

  “I feel I should warn you,” he sighed. “This is the worst.”

  Oh, she could only imagine. If Cale’s clothes were destroyed, then hers hadn’t fared any better. After Stone moved away from the door, Avery took one step inside and gasped, wobbled and found herself in Stone’s arms.

  “My. God.” Sure, the other rooms had been ransacked and things broken, but this, this went beyond causing destruction. This hell had been done in anger—pure, raw hatred.

  Every piece of clothing she owned had been shredded into tiny strips and flung around the room. Her shoes had the heels broken off and any straps cut into pieces. Her dresser drawers were all pulled out and splintered into pieces, the mirror was smashed and its frame decimated. The curtains in the room had been removed and tied into nooses and hung from the ceiling fan which of course had its blades broken off.

  The nooses sent chills down her spine. What did they mean? When Avery looked at where her bed had once been she slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob.

  Nothing but shreds was left of the mattress, sheets and comforter and the box springs were twisted into a massive tangle of metal. How the hell did someone even do that? Nothing survived. Even the dresser had been hammered on with something that left huge chunks of wood missing.

  “I don’t understand,” she whispered behind her hand. “I don’t understand.” It didn’t make sense. Why? It was the only question she could think to ask and not voice.

  Stone gripped her by the arms and turned her toward him. “Avery, you need to listen to me, okay? Calm down, take a deep breath and listen.”

  How could she calm down? Everything she owned had been destroyed. Even her toilets had been smashed. Oh, sweet Lord, her life had spiraled out of control.

  “This looks like someone not only has a personal issue with you but they were looking for something,” Stone spoke in a firm but compassionate voice. “What were they looking for?”

  “I don’t know,” she gasped between hysterical suppressed sobs. “I don’t know.” Her body trembled so fiercely she couldn’t stand without Stone holding her up. This was another nightmare and she’d wake up soon. She had to wake up soon.

  Her safe. The thought slammed into her head and made her jerk. Did they find her safe? Avery ripped loose of Stone’s hold and ran out of the bedroom, down the stairs, through the living room, into the kitchen and down the basement steps. Stone kept up with her every step of the way. When she slipped on the stairs, he caught her by the back of her blouse and righted her so she wouldn’t tumble.

  Running to the end of the room she stopped and stared at the untouched shelf sitting in front of the false wall.

  “What is it, Avery? What are you looking for?”

  “My safe,” she said, grabbing the shelf and moving it aside. “My safe.” If they hadn’t touched her safe she could get through this. “I put my brother’s personal letters and papers in here today before I left.” Avery pried the wall back. “I haven’t gotten a chance to look through any of it. Please, let it all be okay.” The wall pulled away and Avery quickly punched in the combination.

  As soon as the door popped open she cried out in relief. Everything was there, untouched and just as she left it.

  “What’s in here, Avery?” Stone asked, stepping up to her side.

  “A few pieces of jewelry that were my mother’s. My house insurance, stuff like that.” Avery grabbed the thick envelope and held it to her chest. “This came in Cale’s things today. I haven’t looked at any of it yet. His will could be in here, a letter, I don’t know.” It didn’t matter, it was still intact and that was all she cared about. The last few pieces of Cale were okay.

  Stone looked over the safe. “Smart little set-up you have here. One of the best safes I’ve ever seen, and hidden nicely too.”

  “Cale and I learned very young that if you wanted to protect something you had to be sneaky and smart or else someone would take it away. I don’t have much but what I have is important to me.” Avery sank to the floor and clutched the envelope. They hadn’t destroyed everything.

  “I think you should put this back,” Stone urged. “Lock it back up and put the wall back in place. I need you to come down to the station with me, Avery. Okay? You need to answer some more questions.”

  “I answered all your questions. What more do you want from me?”

  “You need to sign some papers and we need to dig a little deeper here. You want us to find who did this, don’t you?”

  Stone was touching her again, a light, feathery brush of his fingers across her cheek.

  “Yes, I want you to find the bastard who did this.”

  “Then you need to help us, Avery.”

  Now that she knew her most important possessions were safe, she could settle, not much, but her head was clearing. “Okay. Okay. I’ll come down and answer your questions.”

  “Good. Let’s get this locked back up. Is this safe fireproof?”

  Avery shot Stone a quizzical look as he helped her up. “Yes. Why?”

  “Just wondering.”

  No, she could tell by the look in his dark eyes that he was worried. Avery locked up the envelope and Stone helped her put the wall and shelf back in place. Once they finished he grabbed her shoes and took her out to the cruiser, opened the front door and helped her in.

  As Stone pulled away from her house, Avery glanced out the window and wondered if she’d ever find some semblance of peace in her life again. From where she sat now, it didn’t look like it.

  Chapter Six

  Avery sat in the police station waiting for Cindy to pick her up. Lieutenant Stone had convinced her to call a friend and see if she could spend the night instead of returning to her damaged home. Right now she didn’t care if she slept in a gutter—all she wanted to do was sleep.

  After enduring two more hours of questions, she’d had it. Stone picked her brain, rehashed and delved into her background until he too came to the conclusion she didn’t know anyone who would do this to her. Which left her where, exactly? Back at square one.

  Stone and his superiors concluded that whoever destroyed her home had serious personal issues with her, though. This kind of destruction resulted from deep anger and they were looking for something. No matter how hard she thought, Avery simply couldn’t figure out what she’d have that would possess someone to go mental on her furniture.

  “Avery?”

  Cindy’s voice drifted through the large room setting Avery’s teeth on edge. She loved Cindy, but the woman could be overbearing sometimes. Bracing herself for the lecture to come, Avery stood and waited for her long-time friend to approach.

  “Oh, honey. Are you okay?” Cindy wrapped her in a tight hug and held on forever.

  “I’m fine, Cin. Tired and my h
ead hurts but I’m fine.” Stone approached and gave Avery the perfect opportunity to extract herself from Cindy’s bear hug. “Cindy, this is Lieutenant Stone.”

  “Could I ask you a few questions?” he asked Cindy.

  Avery rolled her eyes. Great. Let’s drag her into this further and just pour salt on the wound. The rest of today and tonight was going to be just pure fun. The lectures wouldn’t stop until Cindy closed her eyes.

  “Sure.”

  Stone took Cindy into the same small room where they’d questioned her. Avery plopped back down in the chair and sighed. Maybe it was time to leave town? She didn’t really have anything holding her here. Cindy would buy out her half of the boutique and she could move to another state or even another country.

  No, that wouldn’t solve anything. It was time she took responsibility for her life and not looked to someone else for support. Cale had always been there lifting her up when she needed it. It was time to lift herself up.

  Cindy and Stone emerged from the room, shook hands and then Cindy hustled her out to the car.

  “I want to go back and start getting things cleaned up and I’ll need to call and have a mattress delivered,” she told Cindy.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Cindy’s tone was final. Like she had a say in what Avery did.

  “I do and that‘s what I’m going to do. You can either take me home or I’ll call a cab.” Now wasn’t the time to try to push her around.

  “Avery, this isn’t negotiable,” Cindy snapped.

  “You’re right.” Avery opened the car door and slipped out. “It isn’t. This is my life, Cindy. Not yours and I’ll do what I need to do. I’m sorry you came all the way down here for nothing but I’ll catch a cab home and check into a hotel tonight.” Avery slammed the car door and stormed back into the police station.

  “Problem?” Stone asked, leaning against the wall as she stepped through the door.

  “Nothing I can’t handle. May I use a phone to call a cab?”