The Rookie's Assignment

by Valerie Hansen

“Okay. Wow.” He began to smile. “I’m sure glad your father wasn’t here to see that.”

  She giggled. “I don’t think it would have been quite the same if Dad had been standing there watching us.”

  “I am sorry,” Nick said softly, seriously. “I know it’s against the rules to fraternize.”

  “Then it’s a good thing we’re not partners anymore,” she teased, clearly amused and as euphoric as he was.

  “We aren’t, are we?”

  “Nope.”

  “But we are still members of the same department.”

  “Sadly, yes. I suppose now you’re going to tell me you don’t want to kiss me again.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Nick said, setting her away but keeping one arm around her shoulders. “I do think we should go back inside before somebody catches us necking on the porch like a couple of teenagers.”

  “I never really got around to doing much of that,” Keira said, lowering her lashes demurely as they edged toward the door. “I was always too busy with school and chasing around after my big brothers when they played sports. They say I was a real pest.”

  Nick felt her shoulders shake and couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying so he replied with the kind of comment he figured would solve whatever ailed her.

  “That’s okay by me,” he whispered in her ear. “If you got any better at kissing, you’d have to pick me up off the floor because I’d have fainted dead away.”

  “It was pretty good, wasn’t it?”

  He gave her a squeeze. “It was perfect.”

  The rest of the evening passed in a blur, at least as far as Keira was concerned. The only time she left Nick’s side was when she ventured into the ladies’ room with Fiona.

  “Do I detect a change in the way you and Nick are getting along?” Fiona asked, meeting Keira’s gaze in the gilt-framed mirror above the powder-room sink.

  “I can’t imagine where you got that idea.”

  “Oh, maybe from the way you’ve been grinning and looking so goofy whenever he’s nearby—which in your case is pretty much all the time.”

  “He has been sticking close tonight, hasn’t he?” She felt warmth rising to burn her cheeks. “I suppose you wouldn’t believe me if I told you he was just protecting me from a bad guy.”

  “You carry a gun, Keira. How much extra protection do you need?”

  “No gun tonight, but I do see your point. I’ll take all the TLC Nick wants to hand out, now or later.” She covered her mouth with her hand and muted a giggle. “Just don’t tell him I admitted it, okay?”

  “Okay. Wow. This is the first time I’ve ever known you to act this way. Are you getting serious about him?”

  When Keira didn’t answer, Fiona gave a little squeal. “Oh, my! You are, aren’t you? I never thought I’d see the day you stopped insisting you didn’t need anybody special in your life.”

  “I guess our relationship could develop into something special. We’ll have to wait and see.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  Keira sighed deeply, noisily. “I wish I knew. It’s like I’m learning things about myself that I hadn’t dreamed were present. It’s very unsettling.”

  “Wanting to be with someone all the time? Wondering what he’s doing and if he’s thinking of you, too? Wishing he’d hurry back because you miss him like crazy even though you’ve only been apart for a few minutes?”

  “Yes! It’s exactly like that.”

  Fiona was grinning widely and there were unshed tears in her eyes as she hugged her younger sister. “Oh, honey. Brace yourself,” she said tenderly. “You’re falling in love.”

  “I’d offer you a ride home if I had my car here,” Nick said. He and Keira had paused in the lobby to retrieve their coats and he was helping her on with hers. Her boots sat empty at their feet.

  “That’s okay. I rode with Dad.”

  “Bummer. Then you can’t give me a ride, either. Douglas and Merry have already left. Tyler pooped out hours ago and they took him home.”

  “I can always borrow Dad’s Lincoln and let him hitch a ride with Granddad. Our house is right on his way home.”

  “Would you mind?” Nick clasped her hand and felt her fingers intertwining with his. “I’m not ready for this evening to end.”

  “Neither am I.” She gave his hand a quick squeeze. “I think it would be better if I was alone when I asked for the car keys. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  Nick watched her walk away and felt his heart clench. This had been an evening he doubted he’d be able to forget even if he tried. Not only had he discovered his true feelings in regard to Keira, he’d been able to casually observe many of the townspeople he’d been planning to interview.

  One of the most interesting was Cooper Hennessy. The guy wasn’t a lot younger than Nick was but he seemed as lost as a teen when it came to social interaction.

  Judging by the tidbits of gossip Nick had managed to glean, Cooper had been in love with Olivia. That certainly explained why he’d acted so distressed at her funeral.

  As far as Nick was concerned, the whole Hennessy family was a bit strange, although he supposed it was natural for a successful lawyer and social climber like Burke to choose a younger wife if he intended to start another family, particularly at his age.

  Keira returned with a ring of keys in hand. “Got ’em. You ready?”

  “Yes,” Nick said, although his gaze lingered on the guests remaining in the dining room.

  Following his line of sight, Keira possessively took Nick’s arm. “Are you sure you’re done ogling bleached blondes? If not, I can wait.”

  Nick chuckled. “I’m done, believe me. I was just watching Christina Hennessy and thinking about that whole family. Burke’s second wife looks like the kind of woman who requires a lot of upkeep, as they say.”

  “Like a big, fancy house, all the gaudy jewelry she can hang on herself, a new car and a nanny for the baby? Yeah. That about covers it.”

  “Did she seem distracted to you tonight?” Nick was watching the slim, bejeweled woman staring up at some photographs of townspeople that adorned the walls of the inn. She didn’t look happy. Probably was photographed without her diamonds or something.

  “More than usual? Not at all. Christina’s always been standoffish. She’s never fit in here. It’s too bad but don’t blame it all on us. Some of the church ladies have tried to reach out to her. She’s not interested. She even has the nanny bring her toddler to story hour at Fiona’s instead of coming herself. If you don’t believe me, ask Merry. She works there, too.”

  Nick picked up Keira’s boots and escorted her through the lobby. “I don’t need to ask anyone else. I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Thanks. That’s a really nice feeling.”

  “It’s not the only nice feeling you’ve had tonight, I hope.” It pleased him to hear her giggle nervously.

  “I’m not admitting a thing. Your ego is big enough already.”

  The cool, salty air and fog enveloped them as they left the inn and paused on the covered porch.

  Nick held out the boots. “You’d better put these on unless you want to get snow in the open toes of those red shoes.”

  “I know. I just hate to spoil the outfit that way.”

  “Then I’ll help,” he told her as he swept her into his arms and started down the stairs toward the parking lot. “Just point me in the right direction.”

  Giggling, Keira wrapped one arm around Nick’s neck and hung on to her clutch purse with the other. “The Lincoln. Third on your left.”

  As soon as he had set her carefully on her feet, Nick opened the door of Aiden’s sedan and she slid behind the wheel.

  Circling to the passenger side, he wondered if he should try to keep their conversation light, as it had been so far, or broach the subject of their mutual attraction.

  Is it too soon for that? Probably. No, undoubtedly, he reasoned, ruing the fact that they had kissed, yet recalling the sweetnes
s of her lips.

  He tossed her boots onto the floor in the backseat, then joined her in the front and slammed the door.

  Silence reigned.

  Keira’s small purse lay on the seat between them. Her hands were fisted on the steering wheel and she was staring straight ahead. Was she waiting for him to make the next move?

  “I want us to take things slowly,” Nick finally ventured. “What happened tonight on the porch shouldn’t change the way we treat each other.”

  “O-o-o-okay,” she drawled, casting a lopsided smile his way. “You give that a try and see how it works for you.”

  Her candor struck him so funny he began to laugh. “You don’t think it’s possible?”

  “Not in a million years. But feel free to treat me as if we’ve never kissed if that’s what you want.”

  “It is going to be hard to do.”

  “You betcha it is.” Her eyes twinkled in the light from the inn’s windows. “It probably is a good thing we’re not going to be partners anymore. I didn’t like that idea when I first heard it but it will help me keep my mind on my work.”

  “Do you think your brothers will notice a change?”

  “Probably. Fiona already has. It’s hard to hide anything from my family, believe me. They have better sonar than Uncle Joe’s fish-location gear. They don’t miss a thing.”

  “Keira, I…”

  She interrupted. “You don’t have to say anything more. I know one little kiss doesn’t mean much. I just want you to know I think you’re very special, Nick. And I’d like to get to know you better. Even after you finish your work here in Fitzgerald Bay and move on, I’d like to keep in touch. That’s okay with you, isn’t it?”

  “Of course,” he said softly, wondering how this amazing, gorgeous woman would feel about him in another week or two.

  Humph. She’d probably hate his guts and want to take back her offer of a continuing relationship. He wouldn’t blame her for telling him to get lost.

  If he were in her place and learned that his trusted partner had been lying from the get-go, that’s precisely what he’d do.

  To imagine any other outcome regarding this assignment was more than foolish. It was absurd.

  SIXTEEN

  If Keira had not been familiar with the Fitzgerald Bay streets and known exactly where she was going, the thick fog might have kept her from even attempting the drive.

  As it was, she’d slowed the car to a crawl and was leaning against the steering wheel to peer through the windshield. “Pea soup has nothing on this stuff.”

  “Yeah. I think we’re almost there.” Nick pointed. “Isn’t that the mill’s big waterwheel?”

  “Right.” Inching into the driveway and parking, Keira suddenly frowned. “Wait a minute. What’s that shadow?”

  “Where?”

  “Up there. On the top of the wheel. It almost looks like somebody is messing with the window to your apartment.”

  “It sure does.” He drew his gun from a hidden holster and extended his free arm across the front seat in a blocking motion. “You stay here. Have you got your cell phone with you?”

  “In my purse.”

  “Good. Call the station. And be sure to tell them there’s an officer on scene. I don’t want to get shot as a prowler.”

  “I’ll back you up.”

  “No. You won’t. You’re not armed, remember?” He reached for the door handle. “Turn off the headlights. The minute I get out, he’ll be able to see there are two of us because the dome light will flash on. That can’t be helped. Keep your head down, make that call, then wait for backup.”

  Before she could argue, Nick had left the car and dropped into a crouching run. If it hadn’t been for the dense fog, she might have been able to see what was happening once he drew closer to the mill. Unfortunately, he’d disappeared into the mist in seconds.

  Darkness enveloped her, both literal and emotional. Keira hunched low in the front seat, cupped her cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. The phone rang so many times she was about to hang up.

  Finally, a coarse-sounding voice said, “Police. What’s your emergency?”

  “A burglary in progress.” Something clicked as being odd. “Hank? Is that you? Where’s the dispatcher?”

  “Went home sick. I’m filling in. This sounds like Keira. What’s up, girl?”

  She might have snapped at his flippancy if she hadn’t had more important things on her mind. “I told you I’m reporting a breaking and entering. It’s at the old mill Douglas owns. The nearest cross street is Oak. Officers on scene requesting backup. Got that?”

  “I’ve got it. A B&E.” To her disgust, Hank chuckled. “But it won’t do you much good. All our guys are tied up right now. You wouldn’t believe the wrecks out on the highway and all the folks who keep seein’ boogie men in this fog. We had to call every available man, even those who had the night off.”

  “The chief is still across the street at the party in the inn,” Keira said. “You can reach him there and let him set priorities.”

  “Me? Leave my post and bother the chief when he’s off duty? You must think I have a death wish. Last I heard, if nobody’s dying he doesn’t want to be called. Period.”

  “Fine.” Now, she was getting good and steamed. “If you won’t take any initiative, I will.”

  “You do that. In the meantime, I’ll radio all units and see if I can shake one loose for you.”

  “Thanks a heap.”

  Fingers trembling, Keira began to page through the speed-dial numbers stored in her phone. There it was. Her father’s cell. She pushed the button. Listened. And heard the call go to Aiden’s voice mail!

  “Dad! Dad, pick up. It’s Keira. We have a burglary in progress at Douglas’s and there are no patrol cars available. If you get this, hurry!”

  Her rapid breathing had clouded the car’s windows so she wiped a spot to peek through. All she could see was fog and more fog. Using the headlights under those conditions wouldn’t help much. Besides, turning them back on might distract Nick.

  There was no way to tell what was best. Or where he was at present. Or where the culprit was in relation to her courageous companion.

  Keira was growing more and more frantic. She tried phoning her father again with the same result and left another message. If she’d known the number of the inn she could have called there and had him paged. Too bad she hadn’t bought one of those fancy new phones that were like tiny computers. If she had those extra features right now, she’d be able to look up any number and call it in seconds.

  Only she didn’t. She had a department-issued cell that made calls and acted as a pager, period. So much for utilizing the benefits of modern technology.

  She turned the ignition key to activate the car’s power windows and rolled them down. Even if she couldn’t see she could at least listen.

  Surf hitting the rocks along the shore and echoing off the cliffs made a whooshing, roaring sound that ebbed and flowed. Other than that and an occasional car in the distance, the night was silent.

  And oh, so dismal.

  Keira shivered in spite of her warm wool coat. The salt air weighed heavily on the landscape, lying like a damp, clammy blanket against her skin and making it difficult to draw a satisfying breath.

  Wait! Was that scuffling?

  She froze, straining to listen. What had she heard? There’d been a dull thud, that was for sure. And now there was another. And breaking wood? Something snapping?

  A man cried out!

  His voice cut into her heart like a razor. Nick! She knew his shout as surely as she knew any. And she couldn’t just sit there when he needed help.

  Where were those units Hank had notified? And where was her father? Why didn’t Douglas bid Merry good-night in a timely manner and come home? Why, why, why?

  “Please, God,” Keira whispered, “tell me what to do.”

  One hand was still fisted around her father’s key ring. Of course! There had to be a jack handle or perh
aps even a shotgun in the trunk of the car. She could arm herself and then…

  Two figures suddenly emerged from the mist and crashed against the hood. Keira shrieked.

  One of the men was Nick. The other was shorter but quite a bit stockier and was using his greater weight to press Nick’s body down while they struggled.

  The glint of metal told her they were fighting over possession of a handgun. Nick’s weapon was blue and this one was more silver-colored so she figured it belonged to the criminal.

  Keira grabbed the keys and slid out of the car, hardly noticing when icy slush oozed into her shoes.

  “Where’s your gun?” she screamed at Nick.

  He glanced at her for an instant but didn’t reply other than to grunt when his assailant took advantage of the distraction to land a solid punch.

  Keira wasn’t deterred. She ran to the trunk and tried to unlock it. Why didn’t the key fit in the slot? Was her hand shaking too much or was she using the wrong key?

  A shadow suddenly loomed.

  Nick shouted, “Look out!”

  A meaty hand clamped on her wrist, wrested the keys from her and flung them away.

  She immediately reverted to her self-defense training and tried to take an appropriate stance. That had been a lot easier to do while wearing more sensible footwear.

  The attacker was laughing coarsely and she could smell liquor on his breath as he leaned closer and leered. “Well, well, look what I caught.”

  Twisting, Keira ignored the pain in her arm and tried to plant the pointed toe of her shoe where it would do the most damage. Her aim was good. The blow landed.

  Huffing, cursing, the burly man backhanded her across the face and sent her flying.

  She rolled and came up in a fighting stance. A metallic taste on her tongue told her he’d injured her but that wasn’t enough to slow her down. Not when she was this ready for battle.

  A shot sounded, close enough to make her ears ring, and she instinctively ducked before she realized that the muzzle flash had come from the front of the car where she’d last seen Nick.

  Crouching she managed a breathless, “Nick?”