Jake pulled up the floorboard, revealing the empty space below. He reached out and rubbed his fingers over the flaky wood around the hole, then gazed at them for a moment, before glancing up at Emma. The tension in the room was thick and tangible – and Astrid’s confused mix of anger and attraction for Jake was distracting.
Jake dropped the floorboard back into place, then gazed deep into Astrid’s eyes, making her prickle with discomfort. “The person who broke into your room left your Rolex but stole your diaries. Any ideas why they might do that?”
Astrid shrugged. “No.”
He transferred his gaze to Emma. “You got any ideas, ma’am?”
Emma shook her head innocently. “Why would I know anything?”
Jake stood tall. “Because you’re the person who broke into this room last night.”
Martin threw his hand to his hip. “You’d better have a good reason for that accusation, sonny!”
Emma gasped dramatically. “Of course it wasn’t me!”
“Jake, are you sure?” Astrid asked.
“Positive.” He showed them the marks on his fingertips. “The red nail varnish on the wood where Emma forced it open with her fingers matches the color she’s wearing now.” He stepped over to Emma, who was frozen to the spot in shock. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “And look here, she grazed her skin on the wood.”
Emma ripped her arm from Jake’s grip. “Why the hell would I want to steal my sister’s diaries?”
“No idea. But I’m sure we’ll find the diaries in your room.”
“You can’t go in my room!” Emma shouted, panicking. “Daddy, tell them.”
Martin’s expression was severe. “Well, we’d better just clear your name, sweetheart. Perhaps we ought to check.”
Astrid watched as Emma stormed out the room and rushed across the hall toward her own bedroom. Martin darted after her and grabbed her waist, preventing her from going inside.
“This is just making you look guilty, Emma!” he said, as she struggled in his arms.
She kicked her dad in the shin, which made him let go, then she lunged forward to run to her bedroom again, but Martin squeezed ahead of her, and rushed to open the door.
“Let us just look,” he said, stopping Emma from entering.
Emma turned and glared viciously into Astrid’s eyes, then she strode off down the hall, leaving them to search inside.
The three of them stepped in. Astrid had always been envious of this room – it was bigger than hers, and it overlooked the gorgeous back field, where all the trees were currently aflame with autumn colors. Astrid glanced at the wall above Emma’s bed and smiled as she saw a huge poster of Joseph Quinlan, smoldering at the camera. Jake saw it too and winked at Astrid, melting her soul to a dreamy mush. She bit her cheeks and looked away, refusing to be nice to him after he’d betrayed her so nastily to his other brothers.
Jake stood in the center of the room, commanding attention with his sizzling presence. “It’s not my place to go searching through a young woman’s things without a warrant.”
“I’ll look,” Astrid said.
She skirted her eyes over the mantel and the dresser, but couldn’t see anything incriminating there. Where would she hide something in here?
Her gaze fell on the double bed, so she crouched down to look beneath. She reached her hand under, and her fingers fell on…
“Four diaries,” she said, pulling them out. “Why would she want these?”
Jake shrugged. “She’s your sister – what do you think?”
“I’m not sure. But there should be five here – last year’s is missing. Was it under the floorboards, Jake?”
“No, it was empty under there.”
Astrid gazed at the diaries in her hand. “Why would she want last year’s diary?”
“There’s only one person who can tell us that,” Jake said.
Martin ran his fingers through his thinning hair. “I can’t understand it. I’d better go after her… check she’s okay.”
Astrid batted away her irritation – no one was checking she was okay, and she was the one who’d been violated by her sister. Again. She threw him a smile. “Okay, daddy.”
Martin strode toward the door, and spoke over his shoulder. “Stay for dinner, Astrid. Your mom’s missed you. And you should stay too, Jake. For helping us.”
Jake smiled politely. “Thank you, sir.”
He left the room, and Astrid felt awkward being here alone with the man who she both hated and lusted after. “I should help dad find Emma.”
He nodded. “Oh sure…”
She gazed at him, not leaving. He was so attractive, and she felt like a stupid child in his presence. “I guess I should thank you for solving all this…”
“It’s what I do.”
“Yeah.” She dropped her diaries onto the bed, then sat down – sinking into the comforter. “You know, your talents of deduction are wasted following people around like you do – you worked this one out fast.”
He shrugged. “It was pretty obvious. And I enjoy solving puzzles – finding clues. That’s why I like you. You’re an enigma.”
She laughed. “No, I’m not. You’re the one who was keeping secrets from me, you asshole.”
“I know, I’m sorry I hurt you.” He sat down next to her on the bed. “I honestly never wanted to. You’re a breath of fresh air, Astrid. In my job you get dragged down to their level – the lowlifes of the city. When I was a cop, I wanted to fight crime, but it meant I had to learn to think like them. To lie… to kill. To switch off from the good things in life. To behave like an animal in order to keep the real animals off the streets. But you… you’re so innocent and sweet. Like the springtime after a long cold winter.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m just a normal woman.”
“You’re not. You’re not like everybody else… Look, I’ve decided I’m giving up this game, going straight. I’m gonna find my fortune – try to be more like you. I’m giving this up for you.”
Her heart pounded in her throat. “Don’t give it up for me, Jake. I’m not even speaking to you at the moment.”
He reached out and held her hand. She didn’t pull away, but relished the tingles of delight that shot up her arm and into her heart. “A thousand times I’m sorry for what I did. But I can’t and won’t do it anymore. I joined the police to try and make a difference in the world, but they kicked me out and I ended up bitter. But you… you don’t seem to be tainted by life. You’re not jaded. Not even after everything you’ve been through.”
She frowned, not understanding why he was saying this when she was actually furious with him. And she was bitter about her sister. But he didn’t see her like that…
She sighed. “I’m nothing special. In fact, I wish I was more like you. Well, with the exception of behaving like asshole, obviously. ”
He laughed kindly. “Seriously, you don’t wanna be like me.”
“I do. You’re brave and strong. Perceptive.”
They shared a smile. “You’re brave, Astrid. You just need to see yourself differently.” He gazed deep into her eyes. “And you know what?”
“What?”
“You were wrong about your sister being prettier than you.”
She laughed shyly. “Thanks… So what is going on with my sister? Any ideas, Mr. Detective?”
“She’s jealous and frustrated.”
“You think that’s why she stole from me?”
“Maybe. But maybe she had other motives. I might stick around and talk to her. If your dad can find her.”
“She won’t talk to you.”
“We’ll see. I’d like to stay a little longer – take a look around.”
Astrid absentmindedly fiddled with the ring on her finger. “I guess I might stay here tonight. It sounds like Simon’s out of town, and it would be nice to catch up with my parents. And find out what the hell’s gotten into my sister.”
Jake grinned. “Is th
at your blessing for me to stay awhile?”
She shrugged. “Well, now you’re here, you may as well stay for dinner. And my dad invited you, not me.”
Chapter Eleven
While Astrid’s dad was trying to locate Emma, Astrid called the sheriff to tell him not to worry about investigating the break-in and to drop his enquiries. She asked Jake to be discreet, not wanting anyone in the town to know the thief had been Emma all along, so he agreed to keep that a secret – but he wanted to know Emma’s motives. He was sure there was something more happening here than just sibling rivalry, but he needed to gather more information before he could understand the full picture.
Martin located Emma in the park, and she reluctantly came back to the house with her dad. The family wanted to talk to her in private, so Jake excused himself and went outside for a cigarette, not wanting to intrude. He leaned against a sturdy tree and lit up, noticing a middle-aged woman approaching, pushing a rickety bicycle. She had wiry hair and huge glasses, and she looked as if she was desperate for some gossip. Jake had noticed her outside the church when they’d first arrived – she’d been blatantly staring at him, eagerly waiting for something to happen then too.
“Are you here with Astrid?” the woman asked.
Jake took a drag on his cigarette. The mention of her name made his insides lurch with desire, but he didn’t want to give this local busybody anything new to gossip about. He knew how judgmental small-minded people like her could be. “I’m a friend of the family.”
She eyed him up. “Really? What’s your name?”
“Jake. Jake Quinlan. And you are?”
“Morag.”
He offered her a cigarette. “Smoke?”
She shook her head tightly. “No. Any news on the break-in?”
“Not yet.” Jake gazed at her for a moment. “You got any ideas who it could’ve been?”
“No.”
“You seem to be a woman who knows what’s going on around here. Have you seen Astrid’s ex-boyfriend Simon recently? Think it could be him?”
Morag frowned. “Hmm… I might’ve seen him talking with Emma yesterday afternoon.”
The hairs prickled at the back of Jake’s neck. “Oh yeah?”
“Yes. Emma was with a man yesterday now I think about it. In his car. Might’ve been Simon.”
Jake ground his cigarette against his boot. “Okay. Thanks.”
She squinted at him, seemingly shocked that she’d given him any useful information. She gave him a suspicious look, then wheeled her bike away. Jake wondered what Simon would want with Astrid’s diaries – and why Emma was helping him.
Perhaps it might come to light at dinner...
The dining room at Astrid’s childhood home was the center-point of family life. It was a large room with an old fireplace and wooden floorboards, and a natural homey feel. There was an antique china cabinet pushed up against the wall, displaying old plates and ceramic trinkets, and the rustic table in the middle of the room was huge – making Jake feel as if he was in an old episode of I Love Lucy. Sally was even wearing an A-line gingham apron, which she took off after she’d set down a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table – nestling it among the other bowls of food.
Astrid sat opposite him and he smiled at her, but she looked away, still angry about what he’d done. He kicked her gently under the table, making her laugh out loud.
The others looked over at this seemingly spontaneous outburst.
“You okay, Astrid?” her mother asked.
“Yeah,” she said calming down. “Just remembered something funny.”
Jake winked at her, feeling like a teenager. It was liberating…
Sally passed him a bowl of beans. “Help yourself, Jake.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He scooped some onto his plate, then he gazed at Emma, who was here under duress. She was making it very clear she wasn’t happy. Jake could feel the sulky sparks fizzing from her aura.
Jake swallowed his mouthful. “So, Emma, what were you doing meeting up with Simon yesterday?”
Astrid dropped her fork with a clatter. “Simon?”
Emma gazed coolly at Jake. “You don’t miss a trick, do you? Been asking all around the town about me, have you?”
Martin shot his youngest daughter a warning glance. “Emma, Jake’s a guest in this house. And you’ve got a lot of explaining to do. Answer his questions.”
“All right. If you must know, yeah I met up with Simon.”
Astrid’s body was frozen with tension. “You should stay away from him, Emma. He’s not a good person – believe me.”
Jake frowned. “Why did he want Astrid’s diaries, Emma?”
“Because he’s obsessed with her. He misses her.”
Martin shook his head wearily. “Stay away from him. And don’t ever betray your sister again. Understand?”
Emma threw him a coy look. “Yes, daddy, of course.”
“Good girl,” Sally said. “Now, Jake, eat up. You’ll need lots of strength for tonight.”
Jake glanced at Astrid. What the hell did that mean?
Martin chuckled. “We’re having a few friends over later. We like to gather around the piano and sing. It’s what passes for entertainment in these parts. Astrid’s staying – aren’t you, sweetheart?”
Jake glanced at Astrid who was delicately cutting up her food. “Yeah, I may as well while I’m here.”
Jake caught her eye and they shared a smile, which she quickly stifled. He wasn’t ready to leave her yet – especially not if her ex was around. “All right, Martin, thank you. I’d love to join you for that.”
****
Jake checked into the local hotel, which was an old gothic building that had been run by the same family for years. His room was surprisingly modern, with varnished floorboards, magnolia walls, and an inviting double bed with a cream comforter. He suppressed a desire to roll around on it later with Astrid… she was clearly still mad at him.
But what if he could find a way to apologize to her properly – by making her body ring out in pure lust all night long?
He went shopping for a razor and toiletries, then headed back to Astrid and her family to join their entertainment. Martin greeted him with a hearty handshake, and led him to the living room, which reminded Jake of a parlor room from the Wild West days. The garish wallpaper and old window-frames were charming, and the antique furniture had been pushed up against the wall, to make a clearing for people to socialize and perhaps even dance.
The atmosphere struck Jake like a vacation, and he relaxed into the friendly vibe that was making this place buzz. Although the cooler and darker fall nights were drawing in, it was as if someone had switched on the sunshine. Martin introduced Jake as their guest of honor to the thirty-or-so people here, all dressed in their finest, ready to have some fun. Sally was playing the piano, surrounded by a few other musicians, including man playing the banjo and a woman playing the guitar. Various others were rattling tambourines. The music was upbeat, and Jake allowed himself to sink into the cheerful ambience.
He spotted Astrid chatting with a couple of older ladies, so he made his way over to say hello. A few people welcomed him as he walked across the wooden floor – and he realized there was a true sense of belonging here that he’d never noticed about the small town where he grew up, which had just been stifling.
“Good evening, Jake,” Astrid said, breaking away to talk to him. She looked stunning in a vintage red dress, with her hair twisted on top of her head. Her bright red lipstick made him want to kiss her passionately. She was truly stunning.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
She chuckled. “Thank you.”
“Has Simon showed up?”
“No. hopefully he’ll stay away. He’s not very popular after what he persuaded Emma to do. She still won’t tell me why he wanted that diary. But maybe the great detective will get to the bottom of it.”
He caressed her cheek. “I won’t let him hurt you. If comes anywher
e near you, he’s dead.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but Emma flounced over. She was wearing a clingy, revealing dress and – although she did look pretty – she wasn’t a patch on her sister.
“Jake, would you like to dance with me?” Emma asked, tilting her head and gazing at him with her big eyes.
“Dance?” he said.
Emma chuckled. “Don’t say it like I’m offering you torture. Look, other people are dancing, so I thought we could too. We should make friends after what happened earlier. Okay?”
He glanced at Astrid, who shrugged. “Dance away.”
“All right,” he said. “I did have a few questions I wanted to ask you.”
She grabbed his hand. “I like the sound of an interrogation. Come on.”
She and Jake walked to the center of the room, so he put his arms around her, making sure there was plenty of space between them. She stepped forward, trying to press against him, but he held her at arm’s length.
She smirked confidentially into his eyes. “Frigid, Jake?”
“Just not easy.”
“Oh, that hurts.”
They moved in time to the music. He gazed at her. “You know you’re a lousy thief, right?”
“Really?” She ran her hand along his ass and fingered his back pocket. “I wonder if I could steal your wallet while we’re dancing.”
“Keep your hands were I can see them, sweetheart.”
She chuckled. “If you say so.”
“Why did you really break into your sister’s room? What do you want with Simon?”
She smirked. “I intrigue you, don’t I?”
“I’m just wondering what you’re hoping to achieve. So why did you do it?”
“You ask a lot of questions.”
“Just doing my job.”
“Your job is to pump me for information? You might need to try harder to get it out of me…”
“I’m not interested in games, Emma.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.” She fell serious. “I was bored, okay. Simon showed up and asked me to get Astrid’s diaries, so I said it sounded like a fun thing to do. It’s tearing me apart living here. It’s so dull.”
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