“So call him back and tell him. When is he due back?”
“I’m not sure. I think it’s sometime tomorrow,” she said as she punched in his number. The call went directly to his voice mail, but she took a deep breath and left him the message—no bathrooms or kitchen for a couple of days at least.
“See, now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Pixie laughed and skipped away. Grace threw a ball of paper and was satisfied when it hit her friend in the back of the head. It only made Pixie laugh harder. Grace stopped herself before going after her to invite her along on her clue-finding mission at Theresa and Rick’s. She could take Pixie with her if she wanted after all, since she was the only other person who knew that Nick was there and alive when he was supposed to be dead.
Then she smiled, proud of herself for keeping that top-secret police business a secret all this time. They only had a few more days to go. Only a few more days to find the killer. She frowned. The killer was a real killer now, because they killed Lester for real. The chill she felt was for real too, but she was only going to the loft. How dangerous could that be?
David had only stipulated that she shouldn’t go anywhere alone, and she wouldn’t be alone. She would stop at David’s townhouse after that. Surely she would have time to check on things before he got back from London.
Chapter 14
AS soon as David got off the plane he flipped his badge open, breezing his way through security and customs and whatever other bells and whistles the airport had set up to delay the comings and goings of so many ordinary people trying to live their lives. He slipped the silent cell phone from his pocket and pressed it back into service. It immediately beeped that friendly tone that meant he had a message. Glancing at the too-small screen with his less than bionic eyes, he could see that he had several messages—too many for his impatience to allow him to count.
Instead he punched in Dan’s number to see if his friend could play chauffeur before he bothered to stand in the line for taxis.
“I’m on my way,” Dan said before David could even ask. “Wait. I have another call. I’ll get back to you.”
David’s phone immediately beeped an unfamiliar tone. He hit the “view now” button and was surprised to find what he presumed was a text message. As he stood on the sidewalk, he shook his head. This called for his reading glasses. He finished the message just in time to answer the call back from Dan.
“I just had a text message from the mayor,” he told the chief. “He regrets to inform me that my status—and the status of the exchange program—is uncertain until further clarification can be made by Scotland Yard about information they recently obtained. I’ve never been fired electronically before—it has its advantages. Mostly for the bearer of the bad news.”
“That chickenshit. I was going to let you know—in person. Sorry, David. Politics. I’m sure as soon as the commissioner clears your internal affairs investigation it’ll all be fine.”
Before long, Dan pulled up in front of David in his car. David had barely shut his phone off and swung into the car, chuckling.
“So what does it feel like to break the sound barrier?” he asked his friend, who did not look happy. Dan tossed his phone on the floor in front of David’s feet.
“Was that a commentary on telecommunications technology or the Mayor’s choice to employ it?”
“Take a wild guess,” Dan grunted. “In spite of what the mayor says, you’re still the lead investigator on the case as far as I’m concerned.”
“Where are we going?” David squelched his urge to tell Dan to drop him at home so he could call Grace.
“To Rick’s loft. I just got a call. They had an attempted break-in not ten minutes ago,” Dan said.
David’s phone beeped again, insisting that he listen to his messages. He pulled it out again.
“Probably not coincidental. Someone is looking for the artifacts.” David listened to Grace’s charming voice on his voice mail—only an octave higher than usual.
“David, call me right away. I’m at Theresa and Rick’s loft,” she said. If the impending-disaster nature of the words didn’t cause him to immediately stop the voice mail message in favor of a direct call, then the beep signaling another call would have. He clicked the line into action.
“Hello,” he said.
“Oh, David! I’m so glad I caught you. I’m at Rick and Theresa’s loft,” Grace said. Her live voice was so lively that he was instantly reassured.
“I got your message. As it happens, we’re on our way there. ETA is less than five.” He looked out his window to check their whereabouts and looked at his watch.
“You have no idea how much I love hearing that official police talk—especially right now,” she said. He could hear relief and amusement at the same time in her voice. But he also sensed there was another shoe to drop and decided to postpone it until they’d arrived. He suspected it would go better for all involved if he and Dan were there in the flesh.
“I’ll be there within the minute. Then we can talk more police-talk. And you can tell me why you happen to be there,” he said before they signed off. He sighed and turned to Dan. As he knew, his friend was incredulous, resigned and bemused. Dan met his eyes and shook his head.
“I’m impressed with your expertise—and I’m impressed with how much you enjoy all the kid-glove handling of, should we say, ‘para-professionals.’” Dan arched his brow. He pulled the car across the garage entrance to Rick’s loft building, effectively blocking it.
Once they entered the townhouse, Theresa and Grace rushed toward them. Rick and Nick approached more slowly, but were nevertheless visibly glad he and Dan had arrived.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Grace said.
“You have to send us some bodyguards to protect us,” Theresa said.
“We’ve had an attempted intrusion, but I scared him away. I meant to bag him—sorry,” Nick said.
“We have to go somewhere. We can’t stay around this place waiting like sitting ducks,” Rick said. Since they’d all spoken at once, it was a credit to his hearing acuity that David had sorted it all out. But Dan stuck his fingers in his mouth and blew a whistle to wake the dead.
“Stop talking all at once! Nick, tell us what happened.” Dan turned to the professional among them.
David locked eyes with Grace to see that she was all right, if concerned. He winked at her to reassure her, and she winked back. They were somehow all standing in the middle of the loft’s living area. No one was comfortable enough to sit; they were all keyed up. While Nick spoke, David walked over, sat on the couch and lounged deep into the cushions, spreading his arms across the back of it.
“I was in the guest room on the computer doing some research,” Nick said, “while Rick and Theresa were getting coffee in the kitchen. I heard a noise, looked out the window and saw that someone wearing a knit hat was up on the fire escape and trying to get the window open to the next room—and partly succeeding. It was Rick and Theresa’s bedroom window,” Nick said.
“What if we were in there?” Theresa buried her face in Rick’s shirt. Rick held on to her and looked grim.
“I wonder why a burglar would try to get in your window in broad daylight and risk you being at home?” David asked in his most conversational tone. “And what about the police detail out front?”
“We were supposed to be on our way to an event at City Hall,” Rick said. “I told the detail to go and we’d meet them there. We were running late, very late. And since our car is in the garage, I guess the so-called burglar had no way of knowing we were at home until Nick caught him.”
“Almost caught him. I should have had him,” Nick said. “I ran into Rick’s room. The guy didn’t know I saw him, so I caught him opening the window. When I went to grab him, he slashed me with what appeared to be a screwdriver and jumped back out the window. He had that hat and a mask on, so I can’t even ID him,” Nick finished. He sounded disgusted with himself.
“So we can add attempted
burglary to the attempted murder, the smuggled artifacts and the murder of Lester Lump,” David said. “And we have no idea who the burglar is, but since he did his homework and planned the break-in while you were supposed to be at City Hall, we can assume he’s highly motivated and after the artifacts. He’ll probably try it again. You sure you noticed nothing about him that could help us identify him?” David asked.
“I’m sure,” Nick said.
“I can tell you exactly who it was,” Grace said. Looking at David, she sat on the arm of the couch nearest him swinging her crossed legs. Everyone’s eyes popped at first. Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head. Rick raised his brow. Theresa narrowed her eyes. David knew better than to be skeptical.
“How do you know who it was?” he asked.
“When I arrived at the front door, he’d just jumped down from the fire escape—I heard him land and saw him fall. He yanked off his hat or whatever he was wearing and turned around just before he ran off. I got a good look at his face and recognized him,” she said. Everyone was now riveted. Dan was open-mouthed and scowling at the same time. David held his smile back. After all, this was serious police business.
“Please continue, Grace,” he said.
“I knew something was wrong when I waved and called out to say what a surprise it was to see him here and he took off without a word.” Grace frowned. “But I’m sure it was him. It was Arturo Diego, the soccer star from Peru. I met him at a benefit not too long ago and would never forget him. He was strange. He had two gold teeth.”
“That’s unusual, but not strange,” Nick said.
“Oh, but his gold teeth looked like fangs. They were the two upper incisors—except a bit larger than they were supposed to be. It gave him a vicious look and a not-quite-right air.”
“Excellent job, Grace. Congratulations. You’ve just helped us crack this case wide open.” David rose from the couch and took her by the hand to stand from where she was perched. He was disconcertingly concerned for her welfare, but there wasn’t a chance he was going to let her know the danger she was in. It obviously hadn’t occurred to her yet that she might be a key witness against a very dangerous killer and his smuggling organization.
Everyone else in the room, especially Dan and Nick, was immediately aware. Dan’s face had gone from incredulous to worried in a flash. He and Dan knew the soccer player was likely the killer, based on what Oscar had told him and what Interpol had said.
“Yes, this gives us enough to haul him in. Thanks, Grace.” Dan sounded tense. Theresa gave Grace a quick squeeze. Then, putting aside what she or anyone else might think, David put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
“Grace, you’ll need to come in to police headquarters to give an official statement. Why don’t I go with you in your car?” He’d just appointed himself her bodyguard, and Dan nodded in approval.
“Thanks for the help, Nick. I think Rick is right about you guys moving out of here—maybe go on a little vacation,” Dan said as they walked out. “In the meantime we’ll beef up the police detail out front. I’ll put my special man on it.”
“Let us know where you’re going,” David said.
“I thought you were off the case?” Theresa said. She looked more concerned than confused.
“Yes, officially speaking, but I seem to have a stake in it nevertheless.” He held onto Grace all the tighter.
“Consider yourself back on the case—officially. I’ll talk to the mayor,” Rick said. “The sooner we find that bastard the better.” Rick stepped up to him and extended his hand.
“Whatever you say, boss,” David smiled and shook Rick’s hand.
“I’m so glad you’re here, David. I’m surprised. Did you take the red-eye from London? You must be exhausted,” Grace said. She realized that even though he was the most poised person in the room dealing with their crisis, he was probably also the most tired and drained after flying all night and dealing with his own personal crisis.
“Yes. Lucky thing you’re driving. That’ll give me a chance to catch forty winks with at least one eye closed.” He gave her his cheeky half smile. Her heart melted even more, and the car slowed to a crawl as she forgot all about driving.
“You poor man.”
“Don’t you think you should watch the road and step on the gas lest this poor man ends up getting rear-ended by the car behind us that might be assuming we’re a moving vehicle?” He looked at her sideways out of one eye with not a hint of a grin on his face, but it was in his voice. She laughed and tried paying attention to her driving again, making the turn onto Cambridge Street where the police headquarters was right around the corner. She pulled into one of the spots out front reserved for police officers and furrowed her brow.
“You’re shouldering all the burden on this case, figuring everything out, and then the mayor fires you? What was that all about?” She felt a spark of outrage on his behalf, and even though it was probably the last thing she should bring up when he wanted to rest, she couldn’t help it. She turned off the engine and turned to him. He looked at her and for a second he showed his emotions—his deep down emotions. There was sadness and a twinkle of something she hoped was adoration or longing. She was sure of it—there was something. Then he snapped back to the urbane wit that he usually was. She let all her longing and adoration for him show. She heard him take a sharp breath and hoped it was a small crack in his resolve to remain at emotional arm’s length.
“Don’t worry; you heard Rick. I’m as good as back on the case and once I solve it, the exchange program with the BPD will be approved and I’ll be officially appointed its chief. So no more ‘poor old David,’” he said with a smile. When she thought he was going to dismiss her and get out of the car, he leaned back and put a hand to her face in a gentle caress of her cheek. She captured his hand there immediately and held it for more than a second.
“Grace, I’m a lucky man to have you concerned for me. Sometimes I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.” He said the words in a light voice, but his eyes shone with emotion that went deep down to the bottom of his soul. She felt every word and every breath. It wasn’t pretense. It was who he was—a serious man who was so self-possessed that he could remain lighthearted and under control in the most serious and stressful situations.
“I have a few ideas when you’re ready,” she said and winked. She would match his mood because she knew how he felt, and she wanted to be there with him.
David walked Grace into the police station and couldn’t help the special feeling it gave him to hold the small of her back, claiming her and protecting her from all the interested glances from the front desk, down the hall and up the elevator to Dan’s office.
Dan had an officer present to record Grace’s statement, and she didn’t leave a thing out. When they were finished, Grace and David stood, but then neither of them moved.
He realized he needed to come up with an excuse to stay with her—for her safety—and exchanged a glance with Dan. They both knew she was in danger of being a new target, but David didn’t want to alarm her if he could help it. He’d have to come up with some other excuse to stick with her, and he’d have to try not to take advantage of her affections at the same time.
“Shall we go to my townhouse and check on the progress?” he suggested, hoping she didn’t need to return to her office.
“Oh no! I forgot all about the plumbers!”
“Plumbers?”
“Yes—we have to get over there right away. I’m so sorry. I left a message but I forgot to tell you that the plumbers would be working on your bathrooms and kitchen for a few days. Your townhouse won’t be livable until they’re done.” Grace looked into his eyes as if for a sign. He could think of no response, so he laughed.
“So I’m homeless and, more importantly, showerless?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry. You can use my shower of course…” She eyed him. “You’re taking this awfully well.”
“Would you rather I rant and r
ave?” He raised a brow. “Let’s go and check on the plumbers and then I’ll take you up on that offer of your shower.” He reached out to put his arm around her back and his hand in its familiar spot and glanced over his shoulder to see Dan shaking his head and stifling a smirk.
“I’ll talk to you later, David. Thank you for your help, Grace. Let me know if anything else comes up.” Dan called behind them.
“I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure, chief.” Grace smiled.
David observed that she was in a lighthearted mood and he had to make sure that he didn’t burst her bubble. He didn’t want her to know the level of danger she was in—from either him or the smugglers.
They were about to leave when David’s cell phone buzzed. He wanted to, but he knew he couldn’t ignore it. Both Dan and Grace watched him with interest as he answered the call.
“Hello, Oscar—news?” he said. Now Grace was wide-eyed with interest, and Dan rose from his seat to come closer.
“I have a location for the soccer player. I suggest you check him out as soon as possible—unofficially. He’s staying in Chelsea at the City Line Motel. The word is he’s looking for the artifacts and in a frenzy because they’re missing.” Oscar’s voice sounded tight.
“You’re right. He paid a visit to Rick Racer’s loft, so he knows who had the vase last. He didn’t get in, so he may be back,” David said. Then he picked his words carefully because Grace hung on them. “Grace helped us by identifying him. Apparently she’s met him before.” David turned so Grace wouldn’t hear Oscar’s response.
“Shit! That’s not good, David. You keep her under wraps and I’ll have someone follow the mark. If he makes a move toward her, I’ll let you know. But he’s in deep with an organization and I’m not sure who they are. Be careful.”
“Done. I’m in transit now.” He shut his phone and slipped it back in his pocket. He turned to Grace and smiled.
“You got an address?” Dan asked. He folded his arms across his chest.
The Throwbacks Page 17
