by Adrianne Lee
She stepped into the room. Paper crunched. Crackled. Louder and louder with every step until her heart slammed her ribs. She crossed to the hallway. Then darted into the kitchen. Her pulse roared in her ears. If someone else were moving inside the house, she couldn’t hear them.
She spotted Roman at the back door. Relief slowed her pulse. She hurried and let him in. Together, they searched the three-bedroom rambler. Boxes were everywhere. “Most of these are still packed,” Roman said.
Kerrie nudged open the master bedroom closet. “Look at this. One pair of slacks and one shirt.”
Roman moved up beside her, then glanced down at her. “Seems like ol’ Mike hasn’t decided whether or not he’s staying.”
“At the moment, he’s definitely gone.”
Roman nodded. “Joe probably called him the second we left.”
“Before we were in the car,” Kerrie agreed, putting her gun away. “No telling where he’s gotten to by now.”
“His car’s still here.” Roman holstered his own weapon. “If he left on foot, he’ll turn up sooner or later.”
A shriek brought them hurrying back to the office. Cindy Faber stood in the center of the mess, looking scared and shocked. “Who…who did this?”
“We don’t know,” Kerrie answered.
“Where’s Mr. Springer?”
“Don’t know that either.”
“He isn’t here?”
“No, ma’am.” Kerrie moved toward her. “Would you have any idea where he might have gone?”
“Without his car?” She looked exasperated, near hysteria. “Nowhere.”
Roman asked, “Would you know if anything is missing?”
Cindy Faber gaped at him in disbelief. “You can’t be serious?”
Half an hour later, Kerrie was still chuckling about that on the way back to Seattle. Roman grinned sheepishly. “I guess I should have left the questioning to you as per our plan.”
“It was a good tension breaker. Probably spared the woman a fit of hysteria.” She smiled at him. His golden eyes softened as if offering her a silent thank-you. The moment was tender and warm. Kerrie’s throat tightened. Warm and tender seemed to get quickly out of hand whenever Roman and she were alone. Like now.
She shifted the conversation back to Mike Springer, got Roman speculating on where the man was, why he’d run. As soon as they reached her office, they sent someone to watch his house, then retrieved their messages. Cage hadn’t turned up anything new, and none of Roman’s informants had reported in. But Glynna had called; the security system was up and running.
Cage came in long enough to grab his coat. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m going for a steak, a bath and bed, in that order.”
“Sounds good to me,” Roman agreed. “Can you drop me at my hotel, Tully?”
“Sure.”
“See you tomorrow, then.” Kerrie was equally anxious to get home to her daughters, a warm bath, and a hot meal. She wasn’t certain how well she’d sleep. If she’d sleep.
She’d been home two hours when Roman arrived on her doorstep, showered, shaved and wearing a white shirt and fresh jeans. He was accompanied by two, uniformed security guards. The men stayed on the porch as he introduced them to Glynna and her. “I wanted you to meet and personally get a look at Charlie Wong and Arnie Schmidt.”
Kerrie and Glynna acknowledged the introduction. Wong was the older of the two, a tall, solidly built Asian/ American with a shaved head and intelligent black eyes. Schmidt was younger, shorter, but just as solidly built His hair was cut close to his head, a silver stud nestled his left ear, and his gray eyes had a feral gleam.
Roman said, “They’ll be watching the house every night—one in front, the other out back. If for any reason either of them can’t make it one night, I will personally check out their replacement and we’ll go through this again.”
In Kerrie’s judgment, Roman was going a little overboard in the security area, but she had to admit, her prospect of a good night’s sleep had improved one hundred percent with the addition of the guards.
“It’s a sensible plan, Mr. Donnello,” Glynna said.
“Call me Roman.”
She nodded- “Thank you, Roman.”
Then she said to Arnie and Charlie, “I’ll sleep better knowing you two are within shouting distance.”
“Me, too.” Kerrie admitted. “Thank you, Roman.”
He shrugged, seemingly embarrassed by their gratitude, making Kerrie fervently aware that her safety hadn’t been his main concern. He said, “We’re going to walk the perimeter before they go on duty.”
Kerrie closed the door and reset the security code.
Ten minutes later, Roman was knocking on her door again. This time he was holding a department store shopping bag. She let him in. Up close, he smelled wonderful, looked better.
“I wondered if I might stick around awhile tonight—so the girls could get to know me a little?” His voice was thick with emotion.
“Sure.” How could she deny him this? He’d bought her a security system, hired protection for her family. What surprised her was that he hadn’t insisted on staying on her couch tonight. Maybe he was as afraid of being in this house all night with her as she was to have him here. He might not love her, but he knew as well as she the chemistry they shared. That was the trouble. Like a rare flower, their passion bloomed vibrant and fast, would not be denied, but sadly, once it blossomed, could not flourish.
“I brought them each something.”
“Oh?” On the other hand, how safe would Roman be out there with Loverboy on the prowl? What security measures had he taken for himself?
“I hope this is appropriate?” He held the department store bag open so she could view its contents, two fuzzy bunnies. “I didn’t know what they had. What they like.”
She felt as if a fist were lodged in her throat. “They’re perfect-The girls will love them.” The old fear of losing her children to him—as she’d lost her heart to him—rushed her. She struggled to control the slight trembling in her hand as she moved to the wall unit and reactivated the security code. “This is quite a system you purchased.”
“State-of-the-art.”
“Indeed. I think I’ve nearly mastered setting the code without triggering the alarm.”
“Just don’t forget the code.”
“I couldn’t do that. It’s Gabby and Maureen’s birth date.”
He nodded, and that emotion she couldn’t quite define was back in his eyes, clawing at her heart.
Squeals of childish delight erupted from somewhere in the house. Roman eyed her curiously.
“They’re just finishing dinner,” Kerrie explained, leading the way. “Mom’s in her room, talking to a friend on the phone.”
“Moman,” Gabby said, the second they entered the kitchen.
“Moman,” Maureen repeated, dropping her spoon and staring at him from behind her hands.
But Gabby grinned at Roman as if they were old friends and offered him a spoonful of her spaghetti. He laughed and accepted, making a big deal over how “yummy” it was. Gabby giggled and offered him more. Not to be left out, Maureen entered the game. Soon he had them both laughing.
Kerrie’s heart felt like one of the antique teacups in her mother’s hutch, feathered with cracks, so fragile merely touching it could cause it to shatter into a thousand pieces. She began putting away food, rinsing dirty dishes and putting them into the dishwasher, busying herself so she didn’t have to watch or listen, didn’t have to admit that for the first time, she felt like the outsider.
Once bibs were removed and smudged faces and sticky little fingers washed, Roman produced his gifts.
“Bunny, bunny.” The twins chimed in unison. Gabriella toddled to Roman and reached for the yellow bunny, said “Peas and tank you,” much to Roman’s delight.
Maureen hung back, her green eyes steadied on the pink rabbit. It was obvious she wanted it, but she was too shy to walk over and take it. Finally she
reached out and pointed. “Peas.”
Roman brought her the fuzzy pink toy. She smiled shyly at him and said, “Tank you.”
To Kerrie’s surprise, her shy daughter allowed Roman to tousle her hair, then she hugged the bunny, and kissed it and showed it to Gabby, spouting something unintelligible.
Roman frowned at Kerrie. “What did she say?”
Before Kerrie could answer, Gabby responded to Maureen in the same unintelligible language. Kerrie laughed. “Twinese. Only they understand it.”
In words both adults understood, the girls insisted Roman read their bedtime story, and both refused to settle down without a kiss good-night from him.
Before he left, he assured Kerrie his hotel had plenty of security, and that he wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks. She closed the front door behind him, then reset the alarm. Her heart was heavy, her body weary. She got ready for bed, then reassured herself all the little red lights were glowing on the security pads. Her last stop was the girls’ room. Both were asleep.
Maureen’s pink bunny had fallen away from her as the child’s grip loosened in sleep, but Gabby held tight to hers as if she somehow sensed it was from her father, a blood link she was too young to understand but instinctively recognized.
Kerrie’s head ached with indecision. Her life was already changing and not for the better. Roman’s being here, tucking the girls into bed, had left her mind full of him, her heart full of longing for him. This was not going to work.
She started for her own room, meeting Glynna in the hall. “The next time Roman shows up and wants to spend time with the girls, I can’t stay. You and he—”
Kerrie broke off. She’d momentarily forgotten her mother was on the verge of leaving this house for good. The next time Roman showed up, her mother might not be here. She couldn’t just walk out and leave him alone with the girls. He didn’t know their routine. It would upset them terribly. “Sorry, Mom. I wasn’t thinking.”
“That’s okay, sweetie. You’ve had a long, stressful day.” Glynna leaned down and scratched her heel. “Just so you’ll know, I’m moving closer to accepting Jon’s proposal.,
“I’m glad for you.” Tomorrow she would have to start deciding what she was going to do without her mother.
KERRIE DROPPED OFF to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Hours later, she woke with a start. She sat bolt upright. Her heart thudded. What had awakened her? One of the babies? The house was completely silent. She threw off her covers. Raced to the girls’ room.
The quiet was broken only by the soft sounds of even breathing. Both babies were still fast asleep. As usual Gabby had kicked off her covers. Kerrie held onto the crib rail, willing herself to calm down. She reached to pull Gabby’s blanket up. Her hand stilled. Where was the yellow bunny? She checked every corner of the bed, under the, crib, under the little girl. It was gone.
How could that be? Her pulse lurched. Fear tingled her scalp. Had her mother come and taken it for some reason? She hustled into Glynna’s room. Gentle snores greeted her. She rushed over and spoke in a loud whisper. “Mom! Mom, wake up!”
Glynna started awake, much as Kerrie had done minutes earlier. Alarm registered in her eyes. “What is it, Kerrie Carleen? Has the alarm gone off?”
“Did you take Gabby’s bunny?”
“What?” Glynna was shaking her head, squinting at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Now why would I do that? Surely you didn’t wake me to ask about a bunny. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Kerrie’s heart was leaping like a herd of jackrabbits. “Get up and go into the girls’ room, will you?”
Glynna was out of bed and struggling into her robe before Kerrie reached the door.
Kerrie sped down the hall. She got her gun, loaded it and stepped into the foyer. Her gaze zeroed in on the new alarm system. None of the red lights glowed. The alarm was turned off. Her heart nearly stopped. Had the system failed? A worse thought sent a chilling flush through her. Was Loverboy in the house? Had he gotten past the guards somehow? Disarmed the security system?
She punched in the code and the system responded at the touch of her fingertips, all the lights reactivating. Moving as fast as she dared, she turned on every light in the house. Two seconds later, Charlie Wong was on the front porch, banging on the door. “Ms. Muldoon, what’s wrong?”
She threw the door open. “I don’t know. The alarm was turned off. And something’s missing from the baby’s room.” She told him about the bunny, about her fear of who had visited them. “I’m afraid it’s Loverboy. That he’s still in here somewhere.”
“Then gather your family in one room while I search the rest of the house.”
Five minutes later, he joined them in the girls’ room. The babies were still sleeping, so he motioned both women into the hall. “If there was an intruder, he’s not in here now.”
To reassure herself, Kerrie insisted Charlie wait until she’d tossed a sweat suit on over her sleep shirt and then join her for another check of the house. The second search took twice as long as the first with the same results. Kerrie was confused but definitely relieved.
Until they returned to the kitchen. Glynna was peering out at the backyard, a troubled expression furrowing her brow. “Is something wrong, Mom?”
Glynna shrugged. “Where’s the other guard? It’s three o’clock in the morning. Why hasn’t he noticed all the lights on and come to investigate?”
Charlie made a face. “Maybe he saw something or someone and is in pursuit. I’ll check.”
“I’m coming with you,” Kerrie said. “Mom stay inside and activate the code as soon as we close the door.”
Glynna complied.
Kerrie flipped on all the backyard lights and followed Charlie Wong outside. They moved down the back steps, cautiously, alertly. The patrol car was still parked next to her garage. They could see a man seated behind the steering wheel. His head was tilted toward the side window. Had he fallen asleep?
Charlie yanked the door open. “Arnie, what the hell are you—”
He broke off as the interior light flared. Arnie wasn’t asleep. His throat had been slit Something yellow was perched between his belly and the steering wheel. Gabby’s missing bunny.
Chapter Twelve
“He was in the girls’ room.” Kerrie studied Roman’s face as revulsion and anger pulsed through her. Somehow she’d coped with getting the necessary calls made to set in motion the crime scene techs, managed to keep the girls calm, despite the agitation of strangers prowling all through the house, managed to hold herself together as Glynna fell apart, managed to remain calm as she’d arranged for Charlie Wong to escort her mother and the twins to Sophia Sommerville’s where he now watched over them.
But seeing the horror and shock and fear she felt reflected in Roman’s expression was more than she could bear. Her restraint slipped. Tears stung her eyes. “He touched Gabby, maybe Maureen.”
Roman swore. He looked as if he wanted to hit something. Instead he gathered her into his arms with tenderness and strength of purpose as if she were a delicate rose petal he wanted to preserve for eternity. She clung to him with all her might, accepting the comfort, but refusing to cry. Police personnel were in nearly every room in her house, out in her yard. She couldn’t, wouldn’t break down in front of her co-workers.
Instead she pressed her face against Roman’s white shirt, fighting the tears, inhaling his familiar scent, finding it reassuring, a trace of normalcy in a world of craziness.
“You don’t have to be tough all the time, you know? No one expects it.” He stroked her back, speaking softly. “Let it out.”
Kerrie shook her head, silently willing him to try to understand.
Roman walked her into the bathroom and closed the door. “We’re alone now. No one else will see.”
It struck her that he knew her better than she’d realized. Her throat tightened. Her lower lip trembled. At this moment it no longer mattered that he didn’t love her. This was about their
children, and only Roman knew exactly how she felt
He folded her against him again. “I won’t tell anyone, if you don’t, Irish.”
As though he’d opened a spigot, release came, tears spilled uncontrollably from her, and she burrowed against him as snugly as any lover. But for the first time since they’d met, desire hadn’t preceded this hug, this intimacy. Kerrie cried for the violation she felt, cried for her murdered friends, cried for all of Loverboy’s victims and their families and their friends, until the tears were gone, until only rage and determination remained.
She shook herself mentally, stepped away from Roman and reached for a tissue from the box on the counter.
He leaned against the wall, seemingly unaware of his damp shirtfront, and watched her reflection in the mirror. “I checked on the girls and your mother just a minute ago.”
Kerrie gave him a grateful nod. “I called Jon right after I called you. Is he here yet?”
“Yes. He was arguing with Glynna over whether or-not she needed a mild sedative. She told him to quit fussingmd;that she wasn’t ‘some hothouse flower who wilted at the first sign of frost.” Roman grinned wryly. “Guess that’s where you get your st-strength.”
Kerrie could have sworn he’d been going to say “stubbornness.” She smiled, and glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked a mess, no makeup, her nose all red her hair a wild, tangled mop. She daubed some powder on her nose and ran the brush through her hair, capturing it at her nape with a scrunchie. That was better. Not great, but not “Lady Distress,” either. “Arnie Schmidt’s murder is the third to touch Mom’s life in the past two days—I can’t understand how she’s holding up as well as she is.”
Roman arched a brow at her. “I have an idea fortitude runs in the Muldoon family.”
Someone rapped at the bathroom door. “Muldoon, you in there?”
It was Cage. When had he gotten here? She yanked open the door. Cage raised his scarred brow at seeing both of them. There was a well-rested freshness about him this morning. Obviously he’d gotten a full night’s sleep. He nodded at them both. “This is a hell of a thing. You’re all right, though?”
