The Rookie's Assignment

by Valerie Hansen

  “It’s right above us?” Nick asked.

  Keira nodded. “Yes. And over here is where they found Olivia. If she hadn’t lost a shoe at the top of the cliff, Merry might never have thought to look for her down here.”

  “I saw that in the report.”

  Standing back to observe, Keira watched Nick skirt the scene before cautiously approaching. There was nothing visual left from the murder, of course. Not after several storms and the usual high tides. Still, he was looking at the spot as if he could see the actual victim.

  “Are you comparing it to the crime-scene photos we took?” Keira asked.

  “Yes.” His gaze left the sand and traveled up the cliff face. “If she’d fallen over in almost any other spot she might have been stopped by some of these outcroppings, although that probably wouldn’t have saved her life.”

  “The rock she was hit with is what killed her, right?”

  “According to the medical examiner.”

  Folding her arms across her body Keira shivered. While she’d been hiking, the physical activity had warmed her. Now that they’d stopped, however, she was beginning to feel a distinct chill. Whether it was due to the increasing wind off the ocean or to being at the scene of such a senseless crime wasn’t clear. One particular thought that had occurred to her before, however, suddenly seemed crucial.

  “You know,” Keira ventured, “it would be really dumb for a killer to push somebody off a cliff right in his own backyard. I mean, think about it. Charles lives in the old lighthouse keeper’s quarters right up there. Why in the world would he throw anyone off this cliff? That’s crazy.”

  “Good question. I didn’t peg him as the impulsive type. Of course, anything can happen in a moment of rage.”

  “Except that Charles and Olivia got along. Nobody ever saw them fight or even disagree.”

  “She could be moody, though. I read that in the transcripts of the original interviews.”

  Keira had to smile. “She was a woman. We’re all moody at times. Ask any man. Start with my brothers. They’ll tell you plenty about Fiona and me.”

  She was glad to see Nick’s head nod and his shoulders shake in a silent laugh. He had his back to her and was hunkered down, probing in the sand at the base of the cliff, while she stood back and observed.

  A particularly noisy group of gulls launched themselves from the promontory directly above, causing Keira to glance their way.

  What she saw stole her breath. She gasped. Tried to scream loud enough to be heard over the noise of the surf and screeching seabirds.

  Nick didn’t acknowledge her warning. There wasn’t time for another. A boulder was teetering directly over him, ready to crash down onto the beach. Perhaps to kill him in virtually the same spot where Olivia had died!

  Keira could not let that happen. She had to do something. Anything. Now!

  Launching herself like an Olympic runner coming off the starting blocks, she raced toward him.

  Fist-size rocks and whitish, irregular clumps of dirty snow were already falling. The hardest projectiles were bouncing off larger outcroppings and chipping fragments loose, while the softer snow was scattered and fell as cascades of slush.

  Nick raised his arms to shield himself, not realizing that the initially light shower of dirt, pebbles and snow was about to become life-threatening.

  Keira could tell there wasn’t time to pull him out of the way. Shadows of the coming avalanche darkened her path, making her wonder if she was going to be too late. If she was going to die with her partner.

  Noticing her rapid approach, Nick started to rise.

  She hit him squarely in the chest, her hands out, arms extended, and they both crashed back against the undercut base of the cliff.

  For a moment after the boulder came to rest, there was a further shower of pebbles. Then, even the gulls fell silent.

  Keira was afraid to move. Afraid to let herself make a personal assessment, let alone speak. Seconds passed like hours. The world spun in slow motion.

  “Are—are you all right?” she finally managed to say, barely able to form the words because there didn’t seem to be adequate air to breathe.

  Nick’s voice rumbled, “I think so.”

  He had both arms wrapped around her tightly and didn’t seem ready to let go, which was just fine with Keira. Chances were good she wouldn’t be able to function normally for a few minutes, anyway. She was trembling too badly.

  Beginning to stroke her back through her jacket, Nick said, “That was close. Did you see what happened?”

  “Only that there was a rock about to flatten you.”

  “Why didn’t you just yell for me to get out of the way?”

  Apparently she had lost her FBPD cap during her mad dash because she could feel his chin pressed against the top of her head and his breath whispering through her hair.

  Keira had anticipated his question, she just hadn’t expected him to ask it with such tenderness and not a glimmer of anger.

  “I did. You didn’t hear me.” She laid her cheek against his chest and listened to both their hearts’ runaway cadence. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “You risked your life,” Nick said quietly.

  “You’re my partner,” Keira told him. “That’s what partners do.”

  Waiting for his rebuttal she was shocked to receive a stronger, tighter hug, instead. She wasn’t the only one shaking like a leaf in the aftermath of their close call, she realized. Nick Delfino, the big, strong city cop who wasn’t afraid of anything, was trembling as much as she was. Maybe more.

  Nick didn’t know how many minutes they’d sat there, embracing and catching their breath. The way he saw it, as long as they were tucked in against the recess at the base of the cliff, they’d be safer than if they ventured out or showed themselves too soon.

  Besides, he added silently, he wanted to be certain his knees would support him when he finally did decide to get up.

  The whole momentary scenario kept repeating in his mind’s eye. Keira diving for him. That boulder just missing her. Them. Dear God. If he were a praying man…

  She placed a palm against his chest and began to exert gentle pressure. “We’d better report in.”

  “Right.”

  He was going to have to let go of her and admit to himself how much he hated doing so. Keira would never suspect that unacceptable weakness in his character, of course. It was just that he knew how close she’d come to sacrificing her life for his and that knowledge had hit him like a sucker punch.

  He kept one hand on her arm as she eased herself away. “Don’t stick your head out yet,” Nick cautioned. “Sit tight till we get some backup.”

  Judging by Keira’s expression of disbelief and shock, he was certain she had assumed the landslide was accidental.

  “You—you don’t think…?”

  “I don’t know. When you notify the station, don’t scare anybody unnecessarily. Just keep in mind what you said when we were walking over here.”

  Keira paused with her radio in hand. “W-what? What did I say?”

  “That this area of the bay had stayed virtually the same for years. Oh, sure, a few small rocks might fall from time to time, but when was the last time you saw an avalanche like this without being able to blame a bad storm or new erosion for causing it?”

  “Never,” she whispered.

  “That’s my point. I can’t imagine how anyone could have purposely dislodged a rock that big without their suspicious activity being noticed, but we have to assume this was no accident until we’ve had a chance to prove otherwise. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  She stayed close to him and seated herself on the damp sand. After three failed attempts to radio the station, she said, “I guess I need to be farther from the cliff. The signal isn’t getting through.”

  “Then we’ll both go. Together,” Nick said. He stood and offered his hand, no longer worried about whether she might misunderstand. This woman had literall
y saved his life. The least he could do was help her up.

  Keira accepted his gallantry without question. Her fingers felt chilly within his and he wanted to once more wrap his arms around her and offer warmth, support, additional thanks.

  Instead, he settled for slipping one arm across her shoulders and holding her motionless until he’d made sure that there was nothing unusual occurring on the cliff edge. The seabirds had gone back to their normal activities, too. Another good sign.

  “All right,” Nick said. “When I count to three, we’ll make a run for that open place on the beach over there. See where I’m pointing?”

  Her nod satisfied him. She was shivering as if they’d just been doused in ice water, even though only parts of their uniforms had gotten damp from the sand.

  Nick tightened his grip on her shoulder. “One, two, three. Go!”

  She stumbled several times but his support was enough to keep either of them from falling. As soon as they were in the clear, he could see far enough over the lip of the precipice and tell that there was no one lurking up there. So far, so good.

  “Okay. Call it in. And be sure to tell them not to drive too close to the edge if they approach from the top. We want to preserve possible clues.”

  “Right.”

  While Keira reported their position and situation, Nick stayed right next to her. Yes, they were safe now. And no, there was no good reason for him to continue to be so defensive. He didn’t care. He wasn’t leaving his partner’s side until he was ordered to. And maybe not even then.

  “They want us to start walking back because of the incoming tide,” Keira told Nick. She knew he’d been listening to her radio conversation but she felt she must say something.

  “I suppose we have no choice. I wouldn’t want to scale that cliff even if it was stable.”

  “You think the landslide may have been an accident, then?” she asked, holding her breath in the hope he wasn’t convinced that they’d been attacked again.

  Nick arched a brow and gave her a look that said more than his verbal reply. “What do you think?”

  “I think I’m getting awfully sick of feeling like a target,” Keira said honestly. “If that was the only thing that had happened to us lately, I might be willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Under the circumstances, I have to say I think it was done on purpose. What I can’t figure out is how. Or why.”

  “I take it you don’t think God is mad at you and wanted to get your attention.”

  Keira had to laugh. “Nope.” She cast her partner a lopsided grin. “Of course I can’t speak for you, Delfino.”

  “I think God prefers to just ignore me,” Nick countered, returning her wry smile. “If you’re ready, then let’s get started back.”

  She considered insisting that she could make the hike without touching him but the feel of his hand holding hers was just too wonderful to forgo. True, their embrace after the near miss may have been a bit excessive, but there was really nothing wrong with walking hand in hand. For the sake of safety and speed, naturally.

  Yeah, right, her conscience argued. Keira knew better than that. She was letting this man touch her because that was what she wanted him to do, not because it was necessary or even wise. And she’d be delighted if he continued to hold her hand indefinitely.

  That would certainly please Aunt Vanessa, Keira thought, blushing as she realized she was giving this incident far too much importance. Nick was simply being chivalrous toward her, not romantic. How silly to imagine otherwise.

  Thoughts spinning out of control, Keira decided to mention something that had been on her mind of late. All Nick could do was refuse her invitation. Yes, it would hurt her feelings if he did, but it wasn’t the end of the world. Besides, if she asked him while he was still in such a receptive mood, the chances of his acceptance were greater.

  Before she could change her mind she blurted it out. “There’s a Valentine’s Day party coming up at the Sugar Plum Café. Their first annual Chocolate Extravaganza.”

  “I think I noticed a poster for it when I was staying at the inn.”

  “Oh. Good.”

  Keeping her eyes on the sand and her head turned away so Nick couldn’t see how much she was blushing, she tried to make her invitation sound nonchalant. Unfortunately, her explanation came out distorted when she said, “It would be just like going to the funeral.”

  Nick laughed. “Huh?”

  “I meant you could watch people there.” Oh, dear. No wonder guys had so much trouble asking women for dates. This wasn’t easy.

  “Are you trying to say you’d like me to go to the party with you?” Nick asked, still laughing softly.

  “If you think it would be all right, yes. I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything. I just thought it would be another chance for you to meet people casually and size them up without having to use your badge to ask questions.”

  “Right. It’s just business. I get it.”

  To Keira’s chagrin he released her hand, though he did stay close as they trudged back up the shoreline. That invitation had certainly not come out the way she’d meant it to. Still, since Nick had agreed to accompany her, there was hope he hadn’t taken offense.

  What more can I ask for? Keira thought. We hardly know each other. If we hadn’t faced danger together—more than once—chances are we’d be no more than friendly acquaintances. Or even less.

  But they had come through the fire together, so to speak, and it had led them to a surprisingly rapid sense of closeness. At least, it had in Keira’s case. She couldn’t help feeling as if she and Nick had been partners for ages and had developed their camaraderie over the course of time. It was as if their relationship had been running like a film on fast-forward. Unclear, yet moving quickly.

  “Fine. I’ll pick up the tickets tomorrow,” she said, chancing a peek over at him when he didn’t object. “No arguments?”

  “Nope. I’m good.”

  Although her quick wit kept insisting she answer with a flippant comment regarding his obvious goodness, she restrained herself. It was bad enough that he thought she was only asking him to the party for business reasons. Joking about it would make things worse.

  If that’s even possible, Keira mused, disgusted. Nick was evidently convinced that her only interest in him was because of their shared goal of solving the murder. How could she soften that opinion and convince him she had no ulterior motives? More importantly, how was she going to convince herself?

  NINE

  They reached the rear of the old mill. Nick stepped into the basement, turned and offered his hand.

  When Keira grasped it, he suspected she held on for longer than was necessary. That wouldn’t have been so bad if her brother Douglas hadn’t seen everything as he jogged across the basement, shoved past Nick and gathered her into his arms.

  “You okay?”

  “Of course,” Keira assured him. “We both are.”

  “You’d better be,” the captain warned with an angry expression directed pointedly at Nick. “Come with me. I’ll drive. There’s something I want you to see.”

  Following, Nick climbed into the back of Douglas’s cruiser while Keira rode shotgun in the front seat. She’d shocked him when she’d asked him out, even if her motives hadn’t been as sociable as he’d first thought. Nevertheless, it was a perfect opportunity for him to do a little casual sleuthing. Couldn’t complain about that.

  He caught the captain glaring at him in the rearview mirror as if he had somehow been responsible for the near accident beneath the cliff. Nick figured, under the circumstances, saying nothing was wiser than trying to make excuses. Keira’s family was probably going to blame him no matter what he said.

  A metal grill separated prisoners from the officers in the front of the car. Nick leaned forward and gripped the grid with his fingertips. “I can understand why our collars don’t like riding back here. It’s intimidating.”

  “You’re just lucky you don’t have to share
the space with a snarling police dog,” Douglas said curtly. “Be thankful the department doesn’t own one.”

  The captain finally wheeled into the drive leading to the grounds of the lighthouse. Charles’s red-roofed home sat off to one side and there were no vehicles in the parking lot except black-and-whites.

  “Is this every patrol car you own?” Nick asked.

  “All but the SUV Keira’s been driving.” The captain had to release Nick from the outside. “Watch where you walk. We have some tire tracks we’re looking at near the edge.”

  Nick fell into step behind the others. Douglas’s resolve was evident, leading Nick to conclude that whatever they’d found must be telling.

  Since Keira, too, was walking ahead of him it was easy for Nick to observe her. That’s why, when she rounded the front police car and pulled up short with an audible gasp, he was fully aware of her reaction.

  Leaning past her shoulder he saw snow and underlying sod that had been shoved up into ridges like a crumpled throw rug. The path of the disturbance led straight to the cliff. So did the tire tracks.

  “Somebody pushed that stuff down on us,” Nick said softly.

  Keira nodded. “See where it came from? There are dozens of natural boulders used as barricades around the parking lot so nobody can accidentally drive over the cliff. One of them is missing. Somebody had to push it a long way in order to try to drop it on us.”

  “How would they know we were down there?” Nick asked. “I doubt you can see the beach without hanging over the edge of the cliff.”

  “You can if you look from that direction,” Douglas volunteered, pointing north toward an irregularity in the promontory. “What I don’t get is why all this is happening. Except for the one murder, we had practically no violence in Fitzgerald Bay until you were transferred here, Delfino.”

  “That’s not fair,” Keira piped up. “You’re forgetting the problem with the gang member who was chasing Merry and little Tyler.”