Daddy's Home

by A. K. Alexander

  Greenfield saw her pass by and motioned for her to come in. “Hello, Detective,” he said. The strain from his wife’s difficult pregnancy was showing in the form of dark bags under his brown eyes, and a new crease of lines on his forehead below his receding hairline had cropped up.

  “Hi.” She tried to sound upbeat, but knew she’d failed miserably. “What’s going on?” she asked, looking around at the mournful faces of her colleagues. Chad would not meet her eyes.

  “It’s come to my attention that there is a problem with your working on this case.”

  Holly crossed her arms in front of her, shifting in her chair. “Really, and what is that?” She looked over at Chad, then at Brooke. Brooke looked back. Chad did not. His head was sagging like the sorry sack he was. He’d betrayed her.

  “It seems that you had a personal friendship with Lynne Greene and her daughter, Kristy.”

  Holly nodded her head. “That’s true. But it was several years ago.”

  Greenfield raised his voice. “That doesn’t matter, Detective, and you know it. Your relationship with these victims has clouded your ability to make decisions and the ability to solve this case.”

  “Bullshit!” She slammed her hands down on the table, standing as she did. “That’s just not true. In fact, we’re getting closer each day to figuring this thing out, and I’m an integral part of this investigation. My abilities on any front have not been clouded. I’m clearer than ever.”

  “I’m afraid I have to pull you from the case, and because of the expressed concern of your colleagues, I’m asking you to take a paid leave of absence until this thing is solved,” Greenfield said, spittle escaping his mouth.

  “You’re kidding me, right? You have no idea what you’re saying. I’m the best damn detective you have, and I’ve worked this from day one, and now you’re pulling me. In fact, you’re not only pulling me, you’re asking me to leave, maybe indefinitely.”

  “This isn’t open to debate. Gather your things and hand over all files you have on the case to Detective Euwing. He’s now the lead investigator.”

  Holly glared at Chad, who still wouldn’t look her way. She shook her head in dismay and disbelief and left the conference room. She had never felt so betrayed and angry in her entire life. Chad was not only her partner but was the one person in life she thought she could trust. Like a brother, that’s what Chad was. No! That was what Chad had been until he had to be like every other man and get his dick all mixed up in his head. Holly knew that Brooke had instigated most of what had just happened, if not all of it. Maybe this was the source of her distrust about Chad recently, knowing that he’d fall prey to and be influenced by the power of what lay between the uptight doctor’s legs.

  Yes, Dr. Madison had gotten all worked up and worried that Holly was losing it after the incident with the psychic and then with the latest victims. Victims? She couldn’t even come to terms with the thought that someone she knew and had once been close to had been ripped from this world by such evil. And now she was off this case? Oh, no, she wasn’t going down easy. Screw Greenfield, screw Chad, screw Brooke—well Chad was obviously doing that and doing it so well it rendered him insane! Screw all of them! She was going to find the bastard who had done this to her friend Lynne and little Kristy.

  Like hell she was turning over her files to Chad. Let him come begging to her for them. She would solve this case without any of them.

  Back in her office, she tossed awards, pictures, and miscellaneous notes into a box she pulled from a closet. It was just plain wrong to pull a CSI agent off the case of her life, one that she was virtually in charge of, and then expect her to take it lying down. Greenfield was a son of a bitch, she’d always known that. She’d felt sorry for his wife for having such a difficult pregnancy. Hell, now she felt even sorrier that the poor woman was married to him.

  But Holly knew that she couldn’t point all her fingers at Greenfield. Chad and Brooke, and maybe even Maureen, had a part in this. And she sure as hell wasn’t looking forward to seeing Robb gloat.

  She wanted to sit down behind her desk and just put her head down. She could feel a major headache coming on from all the thoughts flying around. But she was not going to give in. She wouldn’t let them see her give in. Was that it? Did they really think she just could not handle it?

  “I think you’re overreacting,” Chad said.

  She wheeled around on her heels, nearly jumping in surprise. She’d been so lost in her anger that she hadn’t heard him step into her cubicle. “Really? And what you think counts because you’ve got some special insight into people now that you’re sleeping with a shrink?” She’d lowered her voice so much that to her it even sounded like a growl. She saw the surprised expression on his face. She now whispered back, “Sorry, that’s right, no one is supposed to know that you’re shacking up with the doc. But then I don’t betray other people’s trust or give away personal information to my superiors.” She picked up a small box with dolphins painted on it—a gift Chad had given her on her last birthday. Dolphins were her favorite animals. She added it to the other things in the box.

  “Listen, Holly, this isn’t about my personal life.”

  “No, it’s about mine.” She crossed her arms.

  “You knew those people. You were friends with them, even took care of the little girl. Holly, I know that you’ve been to the hospital and stayed by that girl’s side. I saw how her death yesterday affected you.”

  “Yeah, hoping she’d wake up and help us find the person who did this to her and her mother.”

  “That’s not the only reason and you know it. You are far too involved emotionally. Everyone on the team sees it. This was not my decision.”

  “Maybe not, but you got the ball rolling. You’re the one who alerted Greenfield to the facts, and you certainly are the one person that the team is going to look to for an opinion about me, about whether or not I can handle this case. You obviously didn’t try to dissuade them.” She picked up the box and looked pointedly at him. “I trusted you.”

  “You can still trust me. You know that. Believe me, this is the best thing for you. I know you’re angry right now, but I agree with Greenfield and Brooke. Take a break. Go somewhere with Chloe, have fun and just relax. Once you do, I’m sure that you’ll be able to step back and see that we’re right about this.”

  She set the box back down on her desk. “Angry? Angry? I’m furious! I didn’t get to where I am in this job by allowing my emotions to control me. I think I know when I could be harmful to a case. I don’t need Greenfield, Dr. Madison, or you for that matter, to tell me what I can or cannot handle.”

  Brooke came around the corner. “I think you do Holly. At least for now.”

  “Great. This is just great. While you’re at it, how about prescribing some Valium for me so I don’t fall apart before your eyes. If anything is driving me crazy around here, it’s you guys and your idiotic notions about me and my fitness as a cop.”

  “No one is saying that you’re not a good cop. Everyone needs time off once in a while. It’s a stressful job, and you can’t do it under these conditions,” Brooke replied.

  “Right.” She picked the box up again and said, “Goodbye, partner.” The sarcasm wasn’t lost on anyone. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” She winked at Brooke and nodded at Chad, who looked away. She could’ve sworn that he was close to crying.

  As Holly marched out the doors, she could feel the energy of their stares weighing her down heavily, and it was almost as though she had to drag herself out. She waited until she got inside her car, about a mile away, before she crumbled. She sank down in the front seat. Tears didn’t come. If anything, she felt a void, completely numb, as if none of it mattered anymore. The whole goddamn situation, the case, her child’s constant need for her—none of it mattered right now, she was so exhausted. But she knew it would; when the numbness wore off, it would all matter very much. She couldn’t kid herself for long.

  She drove
a little further, then reached in her purse and took out her cell phone. Before letting herself think too much about it, she dialed the phone number.

  “Point Loma Veterinary Hospital.”

  “Is Dr. O’Neil available?”

  “May I ask who’s calling?”

  “Holly Jennings.”

  “Let me check.”

  The next voice she heard was Brendan’s. “Everything all right?”

  “I need to see you.” Her voice was shaking.

  “Sure. Right now?”

  “Is that possible?”

  “Can you give me an hour? I’ve got a surgery ‘bout under way here, and I need to tend to the poor beast—been run over. Owner wants me to pull out all stops. But it don’t look good. It may be a little longer than an hour. You want me to come to your office? I can take you for a lunch.”

  “No. Would you come by my house?”

  “Sure love. Hey, what’s wrong? I can hear it in your voice. There’s no fooling an Irishman. Well, maybe there is, but I’m no fool when it comes to you.”

  “I’ll talk to you when I see you. Thanks.” She flipped off the phone, wanting him at her house as soon as possible. Before she changed her mind.

  Right now, all Holly wanted was to feel close to another human being. To Brendan. She needed him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  “I don’t know what to say,” Brendan commented after Holly had told him her story. “I can see how bad this hurts. You know, I don’t want to step on any toes or overstep my bounds, but maybe you should take a little trip, get away from here now that you’re off the case.”

  Holly sat up. They were seated on the couch together. “Are you on their side?” she asked, incredulous at the thought.

  “What? No, of course not. I think it’s a damn shame to see them do this to you. I know how much your job means, and I think I’m accurate when I say I know that you’re great at what you do. But Holly, I am a realist, and the truth is that your boss has pulled you off the case and that’s that. There isn’t much you can do about it.”

  She leaned back into his arms, seeking their comfort. “I know. I guess you’re right. I am a bit sensitive right now. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”

  He pulled her closer, squeezing his arms around her. “It’s all right. Just don’t let it happen again.”

  They laughed together. He turned her face towards him, his gaze intense, and the troubles of the day were momentarily forgotten as Brendan kissed her softly, first on the forehead, then trailing his lips over her eyelashes, making her giggle and squirm as a ticklish sensation ran all over her body. Goose bumps rose up along her arms. He rubbed them away, warming her. She ran the tips of her fingers over his bristly cheek. She liked that he hadn’t shaved that morning. It gave him a rugged edge.

  Holding his face in her hands he leaned in, his lips grazing hers, soft, loving, sweet-tasting lips that sent such a rush through every nerve ending. Holly felt like there were no other two people alive in the world. Their kisses were growing more and more passionate each time they saw each other, and this kiss was turning into the most passionate one yet. They both knew where this was going. The phone rang. “Don’t answer it,” Brendan mumbled out of the corner of his mouth.

  “I have to. It might be the school. Chloe could’ve had a relapse.” She secretly hoped it was her boss calling to apologize and invite her back. But to her dismay, it was not. She knew it wouldn’t be, but it was okay to hope.

  “Hello? Hello?” No one there. “Hello?” She heard the faint click of someone hanging up the receiver.

  “Who was that?” Brendan asked.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Wrong number, I guess.” It was odd, but she’d received more than one hang-up call in the last twenty-four hours. Probably some solicitor, but it was odd. And in her state of mind, added to her uneasiness.

  “You sure? You look funny,” he said.

  “Positive. And I, like any other human being, do not like to be disturbed while I’m making out with a gorgeous man.”

  “You certainly do know how to flatter.” He puffed out his chest. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re trying to get me into bed.”

  She laughed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think the same thing myself. However . . .” She glanced down at her watch. “It’s not going to happen today, or at least not right now.” She tapped the watch.

  “Time to get the girls,” he stated.

  “You said it.”

  “Why don’t you let me pick them up? You’ve had a rough day. I’ll take them Christmas shopping with me. There’s someone I’d like to get a special gift for.”

  “Really, now?”

  “Really, and that’s all I’m saying. And maybe if you’re nice to me, I’ll give you a massage later and rub out all of those knots I know you’ve formed.”

  “That sounds heavenly. I am up for that.” Even though she still felt pretty horrible inside about the day, the thought of Brendan buying a gift for her and rubbing her back later helped to lighten the load. “In return, I’ll cook dinner for you and the girls, do something I haven’t done in awhile.”

  “Excellent. We’ll be back around seven, then.”

  “Oh, wait.” She went to the medicine cabinet in the bathroom and brought back Chloe’s antibiotics. “Here, she needs to take one of these, but make sure she has something in her stomach first, and get her to drink a full glass of water.”

  “No problem.”

  “She’ll try and talk you out of it, you know.”

  “Please, Holly, I have been a parent for fifteen years. I know all of their sneaky little ploys. I’ve got my ways.” He let out a Dracula laugh and fluttered his fingers up towards the sky.

  As he walked to the front door, he turned and said, “Give some thought to my idea of going away. Okay? I think clearing your mind of the case and getting away would do you a world of good. I’ve got a cabin up in Mammoth, you know.”

  “No, I didn’t know.”

  “Yes. You could go on up with Chloe and spend a few days there, and the girls and I would come up on the weekend.”

  Holly thought it over for a minute. It did sound sort of inviting. She’d always loved the snow and mountains.

  “Better yet, I could send Meg on ahead with you two and let her have some freedom from me. I’ve been promising a snowboarding trip because her grades are so good.”

  “What about school?”

  “Ah, what about it? As I said, Meg’s grades are almost perfect, so if she misses a few days, it won’t hurt her at all.”

  “Wow, you are a really cool parent.”

  “Tell it to my girls. I’m so lax because I’m an old surfer, remember? I missed countless days of school to hit the waves.”

  “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

  “It would be good, I’m telling you. I also want to get Meggie away from this boy she’s been hanging around.”

  “Another boy?”

  “Can’t keep ‘em away, I tell you. She’s too damn pretty for her own good, and she has flirting down pat. Not to mention this boy’s hair is too long for my liking.”

  “And those words from the mouth of a surfer! Bet you never thought you’d say that.”

  “No comment, other than I was a surfer, and every surfer knows there’s only one other thing that comes close to that perfect wave. Since you rarely catch it, you might as well shoot for that other thing, if you take my meaning. And I don’t want him looking Meg’s way for any of that.”

  “The truth comes out. Daddy, the almighty protector. I hope Meg knows how lucky she is.”

  “Please. To her I’m a curse.”

  “Somehow I doubt it. I think Meg knows exactly how wonderful you are.”

  “I’ll see you at seven, love.”

  “Seven.” She heard him drive away and the mixture of bliss and loss were so intermingled it was hard to know how she felt.

  Her mind turned to Chad; she didn’t know if she’d eve
r be able to forgive him. She glanced over at the files on the case lying on her dining room table. She wasn’t ready to glance through them yet. Maybe she would go to Mammoth, take them with her, get some fresh ideas. She was still determined to solve this case, on or off it.

  She checked her e-mails and saw one from an address that she didn’t recognize. Probably spam mail. She opened it. It was from Daddyman. A cold shiver slid down her spine and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Was this who she thought it might be, or was this a joke? The brief message read, “You would make a perfect wife.” What the hell? No, not possible. It had to be a joke. So many people knew she was working on this case; it was broadcast all over the media.

  She thought about picking up the phone to call the tech guys at work for a trace, but then thought better of it. If word got out, it would simply be food for fodder, and everyone would wonder if Holly wasn’t up to something after being pulled from the case. Worse, they might completely discount the e-mail as a prank, something she thought was quite possible. However, instinct told her to save it, just in case. Maybe if she went away for a few days, she could do her own investigating about where the e-mail originated. She knew a bit about computers. But for now it seemed prudent to discount it as a prank and get on with her day. Besides, she had a dinner to cook for five.

  She went to her bookcase in the den and pulled down a couple of cookbooks that she hadn’t used in years. Something fun and different seemed like a good idea. Maybe it would feel good to be completely domestic for a change. Ah ha, there it was: Coconut Shrimp, a vegetable medley, and risotto mixed in a lemongrass broth. Thank God for her sister in Hawaii and her gift from three years ago—a cookbook of island favorites. Yep, sounded good.

  Holly grabbed her purse off of the dining room table and headed out the door to drive down the street to Point Loma Sea Foods. As she closed the door behind her, the phone rang again. She heard it as she turned the key in the lock, hesitated for a minute, and then kept on moving. The important people were out shopping, and if it was her mystery caller, then she really didn’t want to be hung up on again.