by Debra Webb
He’d thought they had gotten past the formalities. “Blake,” he reminded her.
Her gaze rested on his. “Blake,” she repeated. “We should talk about what happened last night.”
Oh hell. He’d been focused for so long on bringing his brother’s killer to justice, his instincts about everything else were rusty. He’d been right the first time. He definitely owed the lady an apology.
“I was out of line,” he confessed. “I hope you’ll accept my apology. I won’t cross the line again. You have my word.”
She made a surprised face and then she blew out a big breath. “Wow. Talk about missing the mark.” She shook her head and gave a dry laugh. “I was way off base. I hardly slept at all last night. I couldn’t quite believe a guy like you was actually interested in me… as a person.”
He set his cup aside and moved toward her. “A guy like me?”
She shrugged. “You know, a good guy.” She chewed that sweet bottom lip a moment. “A seriously hot good guy.”
He hesitated a few feet away, not trusting himself to get any closer. “Why wouldn’t a good guy be interested in you?”
“Back in school, I was the bookworm no one noticed.” She stared at the floor. “Then I chose the wrong guy.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I didn’t miss the way the cops looked at me—the way you look at me. I didn’t get it at first. The more I found out about Austin, the more I understood. You figured I was like him. What woman would be so stupid as to not know her husband was some sort of mobster?”
That was it. He took the coffee cup from her and set it aside. When she didn’t resist, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight against his chest. “No one is judging you for what he did. You didn’t know.”
She peered up at him, her eyes bright with emotion. “If that’s true, why do you regret kissing me?”
He laughed, couldn’t help himself. “Baby, I absolutely do not regret kissing you. I was worried I might have misread what you were feeling.”
She looked away. “You didn’t misread anything.”
He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her face back to his. “I’m glad.”
“My husband was murdered three days ago. I think there’s a name for a woman who wants another man so soon.”
“Your estranged husband,” he reminded her. “How long had it been since the two of you were… intimate?”
She chewed on her lower lip for a moment, making him itch to soothe that tender flesh with his mouth. “More than six months.”
He stiffened. That bastard had neglected her for that damned long! “He hadn’t been your husband for a long time, Julie. You’ve done nothing to be ashamed of.”
“So.” She went up on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his. “I can do that and you won’t think badly of me.”
Blake stopped breathing. “No way.”
She reached up with both hands and traced his face with her soft palms. “This is okay, too?”
“Definitely.” His arms went around her waist. He ushered her closer, wanted her to feel the effect she was having on him.
Her lips closed over his. He let everything else go and sank into the kiss. Her body melted against his and every inch of him went hard as a rock.
His cell rang.
He stilled.
She drew away.
He cleared his throat and grabbed his cell. Lutz. “Yeah,” he said in greeting.
“Where are you?” Lutz demanded.
The urgency in his partner’s voice set Blake on edge. “What’s up?”
“You gotta get in here, Duncan. Cannon is demanding to see you. Is the Barton woman with you?”
Blake gritted his teeth. The answer to that question was none of his business. “What does Cannon want? I’m on leave.”
“Barbie White was murdered, man. Her body was discovered around four this morning. Half a dozen witnesses have placed you and the Barton woman at some Orange Beach club with her just before midnight. I don’t know what the hell is going on, buddy, but you’re in some deep shit. Cannon’s about to issue BOLOs on both of you.”
Blake shook his head. “I’ll get back to you.”
He ended the call with his partner still shouting at him.
“What’s wrong?”
Blake hated like hell to give her the news. “Barbie White is dead. Witnesses have placed us with her last night. The police are looking for us.”
Julie contemplated the news for a moment. “What do we do?”
He was a cop, and yet every instinct he possessed urged him to go deeper into hiding rather than to play by the rules. But this wasn’t just about him. “We can turn ourselves in or we can hide out until the real killer is found.”
“I don’t like either idea.” She held out her hand. “Can I use your phone to call Marie and see how she’s doing?”
“Sure.” He placed the phone in her palm, the tips of his fingers tingling where they touched her skin.
Julie put through the call and padded to the other side of the room to gaze out at the bay beyond the canal. The cottage wasn’t quite on the bay, which made it affordable, but there was a decent view beyond the canal. He’d first come to this place to find relief. Watching Randall Barton had started to mess with his head and he’d needed to clear away the chaos. The guy was damned good at maintaining a perfect façade. No one gave more to the community. The cops either overlooked or didn’t recognize what he was. Most, in Blake’s opinion, truly believed Barton was the generous rich guy who supported the community. He felt confident there were a few higher-ups who were in bed with Barton.
Whatever the case, the man knew exactly how to keep his hands clean. All the more reason to be rid of his brother. Austin had grown lazy or uncaring. It had only been a matter of time before he would have caused real trouble for Randall. Why was it Cannon didn’t see that undeniable point? Blake had believed his L.T. to be one of the good guys. He hoped he hadn’t misjudged the man.
Julie ended her call and wandered back to the kitchen side of the room. “The fire marshal said it was arson.” She passed his cell back to him. “She has great insurance so she’s going to rebuild. Until then, she’s renting a townhouse from her wine supplier.” Julie shook her head. “I feel terrible about this.”
“It’s a tough break,” Blake agreed. As for the other, he’d made his decision. “I think it’s best if we cooperate with the investigation at this point. I can call Lieutenant Cannon and set up a time to go in if that works for you.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Can we drop by that shop you mentioned and pick up some clothes first?” She plucked at her tee.
“Absolutely. I’ll make the call to Cannon.”
“I guess I get first dibs on the shower.”
Blake pressed his lips together and managed to prop a smile in place as he hit the contact for his L.T. He managed to keep that smile until she disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.
If he’d ever wanted anything more than to follow her into that bathroom, he couldn’t remember what it was.
He hoped he got the opportunity to show her how a real man treated a woman like her.
11:20 a.m.
Julie fastened the final button of the silky, pale blue blouse she’d decided on. The shop Blake had noticed was priceless. The owner and two of her friends made all the clothes from natural fabrics manufactured right here in the States. The choices were nice and very well made.
The jeans were a little tight but it was the closest to her size they had in the shop. She stared at her reflection. Her life was in shambles. She was the prime suspect in Austin’s murder. Julie wasn’t sure if she’d have a place to live or a job when this was over—assuming she wasn’t in prison. She wouldn’t blame Marie if she wanted some distance. Whatever happened, she prayed justice would prevail. She was innocent. She thought of Blake and his brother. They deserved justice, too. When this was all over, would he stay in Mobile?
The image of the handsome detective waiting fo
r her in the living room made her smile. She would never forget that kiss. As long as she lived, there would never be another kiss that moved her so completely.
Maybe it was the stress of the situation. Wasn’t there a name for the intense emotions experienced by people trapped in a situation like this? She doubted Blake would want to pursue a relationship with the former sister-in-law of the man he believed killed his brother.
Julie wilted onto the toilet seat. How could Randall be so compassionate on the surface and such a monster deep down inside? How would she ever trust anyone again? Blake Duncan’s handsome face filled her mind once more. He had an agenda, too. As honorable as the desire to bring his brother’s killer to justice was, how far would he go to make that happen?
Would he let her down, too?
Julie chewed her bottom lip. Her life was too uncertain right now to be worrying about whether she could trust a potential relationship candidate.
“You haven’t even buried your husband yet.” She stood, took one last look in the mirror, and went to face the music. Lieutenant Cannon wanted them in his office at three. Blake had said they would stop for lunch on the way. She’d passed on breakfast, but her stomach was rumbling for attention now.
Blake was on his cell when she found him on the screened porch. Whoever he was speaking to, he didn’t sound happy. She hoped nothing else had happened. She wished she had her own phone. Marie had Blake’s number now, but Julie still felt naked without her phone.
“Thanks for the heads up.” Blake ended the call. His square jaw could have been chiseled from stone. He was angry.
“Has there been a new development?” Julie wrapped her arms around herself and held her breath as she waited for the news.
Blake shoved his phone into his hip pocket before brushing his thick hair back from his forehead. “Cannon has decided that when we arrive you’ll be arrested for the murder of Austin Barton.”
“Oh my God, but I didn’t do it.” Were they even looking for the real killer?
“I know you didn’t. The problem is they now have the murder weapon. The nine millimeter the evidence says you purchased.”
“But I didn’t buy it. I’ve never fired a gun, much less owned one.” She pressed her fingertips to her eyes. “This is insane.”
“This would be the time to hire a good lawyer.”
Julie dragged her fingers down over her lips. “When I tried to hire one for my divorce, none of them would even talk to me. They didn’t want to go up against Austin. How many do you think will want to represent his accused killer?” She dropped onto the sofa. “How did this happen?”
Blake sat down next to her. “Randall obviously decided to get both of you out of the way in one fell swoop.”
“He delivered my car back to me and transferred ten thousand dollars into my bank account. Why would he do those things and then do this?” What kind of person did that?
“He’s a master at deception. He never allows the mask to slip.” Blake covered her hand with his own. “Austin’s murder was a risky move even for a man as powerful as Randall Barton. His motive for making that move must be a strong one.” He gave her hand a little squeeze. “I’m thinking Austin told Randall you had somehow discovered the list and Randall opted to neutralize the threat.”
Fear coiled around her heart. “I suppose that’s possible.”
“Either that or Randall simply wanted Austin out of the way. The best way to cover up his murder is to see that you go down for it. Cheating husband gets his from brokenhearted wife. It’s a tale as old as time.”
“If Randall ordered Austin’s murder with the intent to blame it on me, then he’s the one who had the gun bought in my name.” Julie couldn’t believe it.
“You said he had your car delivered to you?”
She nodded.
“My partner says that’s where they found the murder weapon. Hidden in the trunk.” Blake shrugged. “Cannon will believe you got your car back, stashed the weapon in the trunk so you could take it somewhere and dispose of it, but you didn’t get the chance.”
“Barbie was right.” She met Blake’s gaze. “We can’t win this war.”
Blake gave her arms a quick squeeze. “I’m nowhere near ready to give up.”
“What do we do?” If he was still prepared to fight, so was she.
“We turn this around on Barton.”
“How do we do that?” Julie thanked God he had a plan, because she had no idea what to do.
“I only see one option. We talk to my brother’s former partner in the FBI and turn over the contents of the jump drive to him. Maybe he can help us set up Randall. If we can prove his involvement, we could set a chain reaction in motion that would take him down.”
“So we’re not going to meet with Lieutenant Cannon?”
“Not yet.”
Apprehension welled in her chest. “What will he do?”
“They’ll be looking for us. As long as they don’t find us, we’re okay.”
“He’ll call you.” Cannon was Blake’s boss. He surely had his number.
“I won’t answer.”
She nodded. Blake was right. This was the only option. Sitting in jail depending on a court-appointed attorney for help was the last thing she wanted to do.
Julie took a deep breath. “Where do we begin?”
“We get the jump drive.”
Chapter Fourteen
Royal Court Apartments
Mobile, 9:30 p.m.
“Are you sure this is the only way?”
She was nervous. Blake got that. He reached across the seat and took her hand in his. “You have the names of dead guys on a list along with a ledger that could prove Barton Brothers Industry has been doing business with organized crime. It will make all the difference.”
“You’re right.” She sighed. “I’m having a little trouble with the thought of going back in there, that’s all.”
She didn’t have to explain. He understood. “As long as you stay close, you don’t have to go in the bedroom.” Leaving her in the car or outside the apartment alone was something he wasn’t prepared to do. Whether she fully understood it or not, Randall Barton was capable of anything.
She intertwined her fingers with his. “I’m sticking with you.”
Her trust meant more to him than she could possibly know. He intended to prove to her that not all men were lowlife cheating bastards. “Let’s do this.”
Blake climbed out of the car and moved around to her door. He’d shut off the interior light to prevent it from coming on when the doors opened. It was cloudy tonight, ensuring the moon wouldn’t give away their movements. He was grateful for the cover.
Julie got out and stood next to him. He reached for her hand and headed through the darkness. She had been right about the lack of security lights around the apartments. Most residents were in for the night—another stroke of good luck. Across the parking lot, a man sat on his front steps smoking a cigarette. Steering clear of the guy’s line of sight, Blake led Julie behind the first row of apartments. Her place was in the next building. The single story apartments were connected by common walls. Each had a rear patio door, which led out into the tree-lined green space on the back of the property.
They reached her apartment without incident. While Blake disabled the flimsy lock on the sliding door, Julie kept an eye out for company. Since there was no longer a police seal on the rear door, he had to assume they had released the scene. No need for further investigation. They had their killer.
Anger stirred in his blood. How could a good cop like Cannon not see this was a setup? Was he in Barton’s pocket?
Blake hated to believe that could be the case, but he couldn’t see any other plausible explanation for the lapse in solid police work. The lock released and he slid the door open. The lingering smell of death filled his lungs. He eased the door closed behind Julie.
“Tell me where in your bedroom you hid the jump drive and I’ll get it. You can stay here and keep an e
ye on the door. Don’t turn on any lights or make any noise.”
“The top drawer of the bureau.” She hesitated. “It’s tucked in a travel size box of… feminine wash.”
He chuckled. “Brilliant.”
“I figured no one would want to look there.”
“Stay put,” he reminded her.
“I won’t move from this spot,” she promised.
He moved quickly. He didn’t want her in this place any longer than necessary. Once he was in the narrow hall away from any windows, he flipped on the pocket size flashlight he’d picked up just for this task. Bloody handprints smeared the white walls. His mind conjured the images of her staggering blindly away from the horrific scene in the bedroom. His gut clenched at the horror she had faced. He’d witnessed the shock and terror still gripping her when he’d questioned her. Randall Barton had done that to her with no care for her feelings.
Hell, a man who would have his own brother murdered wouldn’t so much as blink at damaging another person’s psyche.
In the bedroom, it was obvious the small space had been searched. Careful to avoid the bloody spots on the floor, he reached the bureau and opened the top drawer. Sure enough, the box of douche lay to one side of the tousled panties. He should have reached first for the box, but his fingers apparently had a mind of their own. He touched the delicate fabric of her underthings. Imagined her in nothing but one of the sexy scraps of silk.
Forcing his mind back to business, he fished the jump drive from the box. He tucked it inside his sock. If they were caught before they got back to the cottage, he didn’t want anyone finding it. Blake had no second thoughts about the next step. Whatever information the device contained was headed straight for Special Agent Collin MacBride.
He clicked off the flashlight and hurried back to where Julie waited.
“You found it?”
“I did. Let’s get out of here.”
They retraced their steps in the darkness. The clouds had completely blocked the moon now. Blake could smell the rain in the air.
At the car, he opened her door and waited for her to get inside.
