She watched his strong calves pump the pedals, power surging in each thrust. She pulled her gaze from him, slid behind the wheel of her Mini Cooper S, and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Would Grams really give her a knockout outfit with no place to wear it? Mark asked her out, but no way could anyone, including Grandma, have predicted that.
Jamming the car in gear, she backed out and zipped over to the village. A book she’d ordered awaited her, and she couldn’t wait to spend the afternoon reading. She chuckled at the irony. Only a few days ago she’d been uptight at wasting time, and now this whole relaxation thing sounded like a good idea, especially after her conversation with Mark. She slid out of her car and quickly walked toward the bookstore.
A group of kids rested against the wall surrounding the mini golf course laughing and pointing. Someone must be providing them with good entertainment. She edged close to see what was so funny, but before she could get close enough the group scattered leaving one kid behind—Connor. “Hi there.”
Connor whirled to face her. “Hey.”
“What happened to your friends?”
He shrugged. “They aren’t my friends. I was only standing here.”
“Oh.” Her earlier thoughts about the pre-teen flooded her mind. She pulled a pen and a scrap of paper from her purse. “I wanted to give you my number in case you need anything while Sarah is at work.” She jotted her number down and thrust the paper toward him.
“Uh, thanks.” He stuffed it in his pocket and looked past her.
The unmistakable scent of waffle cones filled the air, giving her an idea. “I’m headed to the bookstore, but thought maybe I’d detour at the ice cream shop. Care for a cone? My treat.”
His face lit. “Sure. Thanks!”
Nicole grinned. “Make it a single scoop. My pockets aren’t deep.” They walked side-by-side into the ice cream shop and stood in line. “What’re you going to do until Sarah gets home today?”
“When I’m done here, I thought about fishing.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“You fish?”
“No, but I’d love to sit on the riverbank. That is, if you don’t mind the company. I can read the book I was on my way to buy and you can fish.”
“Why?” He narrowed his eyes.
“I’m here by myself for the summer, and I get lonely. What do you say? Can I hang out with you this afternoon?”
“Suit yourself.”
It wasn’t exactly an enthusiastic response, but she could tell by the gleam in his eyes that her company was welcome. They stepped up to the counter and placed their orders.
It looked as though Grams’ game would help more than only her. Connor would benefit too. At least she hoped her company would be a positive thing. Wait until she told Mark she spent the afternoon fishing. She tilted her head in wonder that her thoughts immediately strayed to Mark.
Chapter Seven
Mark couldn’t shake his conversation with Nicole as he entered the police department. This game she was playing for her grandmother intrigued him. He looked around the bullpen and spotted Spencer.
The other officer stood at the counter pouring coffee, a scowl covering his face. It looked like the man had had a bad day. Mark grabbed a cup and filled it with ice-cold water. “Any more break-ins?”
“Not today.” Spencer sighed. “I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll ever get a solid lead.”
“Keep digging. They always make a mistake. Have you looked into the renters? Maybe there’s a connection there.”
“Good idea.” Spencer’s eyes narrowed. “Catch you later.” He strode off with a distracted air.
“Glad to help,” Mark chuckled as he followed Spencer. The man was competent. Sure, he’d missed an obvious angle, but Mark believed Spencer would eventually catch the thief and hopefully sooner than later. His new co-worker was definitely in the zone. Maybe he ought to let Spencer see where the trail led without interfering.
He stopped and reversed course. He had his own issue to deal with—Nicole. So much for not complicating his life. Not that one date was a complication, and he could use the distraction, but he had a feeling she would become more than just a dinner date, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for that.
Several minutes later Spencer walked over to him, his lips twisted into a frown.
“What’s wrong?”
“Another dead end. I called the property management company to check the rental history of the houses that were hit, and they were all rented by different people.”
Mark arched a brow. “At least that’s what it says on paper. Did the rental agency confirm the guests’ identities with photo ID?”
“They’re supposed to, but I didn’t check.” Spencer’s frown deepened. He strode to his cubicle and booted up his computer.
Mark followed with new determination. With a little guidance, Spencer would make a good detective. “You checking the incident report?”
Spencer nodded. “I wish I’d been in on this from the beginning. I feel like I’m one step behind all the time.”
“What happened?”
He shrugged. “Jenkins had a family emergency, so I took over the case.”
“This your first big case?”
The younger man nodded.
Mark skimmed the report over Spencer’s shoulder. It looked like they’d done a thorough investigation.
Spencer’s phone rang and he snatched it up. “When? Okay. Tell her not to touch anything. I’ll be there in five.” He pushed back and bolted up. “Another house was hit and we have a victim this time.”
Mark’s adrenaline surged. “Mind if I ride along?”
Spencer’s eyes narrowed. “You ever been to a crime scene?
Mark bit back a laugh. “I have. I’m not as inexperienced as you assume.”
Spencer nodded and moved toward the parking lot. “Good enough. Let’s move.”
Mark followed, then he strapped into the passenger seat of the cruiser. Was he making a mistake? He’d come here to recover from the bombing that killed his partner and to determine if he wanted to stay in law enforcement. Maybe his desire to get involved in this case was a sign he wasn’t ready to give it up. Big city life didn’t appeal right now, but this case drew him like an adrenaline junkie to skydiving.
Spencer pulled into the driveway of a small house and parked beside a familiar looking Mini Cooper.
Mark knew that license plate. His heart pounded. “I know the person staying here.” He flung open the car door. “Nicole!” He took in the surroundings. Nothing looked disturbed. A false sense of peace enveloped the quiet cul-de-sac. Where was she? “Nicole!”
“Right here.” She peeked over the top of the fence wall off the side of the house, ear buds hung from her neck, and she held an ice pack to the back of her head. He breathed easy for the first time since he spotted her car. A second later the gate opened, and she strode toward them. “I stayed outside like I was told.” Her voice trembled, and her face was as pale as it had been earlier, when she looked ready to pass out in the parking lot.
He scanned her from head to toe, but held back from running his hands over her to assure himself she was okay.
“What happened?” Spencer glowered at her with his pen poised over a pocket-sized notebook.
Nicole inched closer to Mark. He gave her a reassuring smile. It took all his self-control to keep from wrapping an arm around her shoulder, but he settled instead for a hand on her shoulder. He glanced at Spencer. “Where’s CSI?”
“We’re it. I can process the scene if you want to interview Miss . . ?”
“Davis.” Nicole pulled the icepack away from her head, then wrapped her arms around her middle. “How long will this take? I promised Connor I’d go fishing with him this afternoon. He’s waiting at the river.” Her voice caught and she pressed her lips together.
Mark lowered his hand and raised a brow. This woman was full of surprises. He looked to Spencer. “I’ll do the interview.”
; Spencer shot him a knowing look and nodded. “I’ll be inside.” He slipped on a pair of blue latex gloves and entered through the front door that stood slightly ajar.
“Let’s sit on the deck. I’ll try to make this fast, so you can meet up with Connor.” She didn’t wait for his reply but headed for the gate. She held her body stiffly as if she was afraid someone would jump out at her at any moment. At least the knock she apparently took to the head wasn’t bleeding, and at first glance she didn’t appear to have a concussion.
He wanted to comfort her and tell her everything would be okay, but pushed his personal feelings aside and allowed his training to take over as he took in the scene. A grill and a metal table with four chairs and two lounge chairs filled the deck. Everything here appeared unharmed. Clearly the thieves weren’t after patio furniture. He pulled his notebook and a pen from his pocket. “Do you have a list of the missing items?”
Nicole shook her head. “When I got here I found the front door open, but I remember closing and locking it. I figured the property management company was working inside. The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside was the missing television, which seemed strange because I hadn’t noticed a problem with it. I closed the door and went into the bedroom then saw the TV in there was missing also.” She paused. “I turned to check the other bedroom when someone rammed into me from behind, knocking me to the floor.”
He lifted his eyes to meet hers. “How’d you get the bump on the back of your head?”
“When he ran into me, he hit me with something hard.”
Mark made a note on the pad of paper he always carried in his pocket. “Did you get a look at him?”
She shook her head then winced. “No. I was dazed, and by the time I stood up he was gone.”
His gut tightened. She’d not only been inside with the perpetrator, but she’d been assaulted. This burglary racket had just become personal. “You’re lucky you only got a bump on the head. I’m glad you’re all right.”
“After he took off I called the management company. They told me to call the police.”
“Most people would have called the police first.” Mark rested his arm on the table.
She winced. “That’s generally not my first instinct. The idea of calling 911 makes me nervous. But I managed.”
His tension increased. Had something bad happened in her past to give her this feeling? “Why is that?”
“I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t sure it was an emergency since they’d already left. It bugs me so much when people call 911 for non-emergencies and clog the lines. I didn’t want to be that person.”
He nodded. Her excuse made sense. “You are one lucky lady. Did you see anyone else?”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe it didn’t occur to me that someone had broken in when the door was ajar. I’ve felt so safe here.”
He wanted to lecture her for entering her house to begin with, but he stifled his professional impulse—she’d been through enough. “What about a vehicle?”
“And that’s what should’ve clued me in right away it wasn’t the management company. They always drive a truck with their logo on the side. There was a big van parked next door when I arrived, which I thought was weird because the whole cul-de-sac has been empty the two days I’ve been here.”
This might be the break in the case they’d been looking for. “Can you describe the vehicle?”
“It was a white cargo van.” Nicole wrung her hands together and her shoulders sagged. “I wasn’t paying much attention, and I’m horrible with the make of vehicles. I can’t even tell a Ford from a Chevy.”
He didn’t understand how that was possible. He’d always loved cars and had been able to identify different makes and models since he’d been a kid. “Okay. If you saw a picture of the van, would you recognize it?”
“Maybe. Probably not. I’m sorry, Mark. Cars and trucks aren’t my thing. I can’t even tell you what you drive except that it’s black.”
Mark chuckled. “Was anything else missing?”
“Not that I noticed.” She shivered, in spite of the heat. “I can’t believe they were in the house with me.”
“They? You only mentioned one person. You think there was more?”
“Had to be.” She said it matter-of-fact. “That was a large flat screen TV. I don’t think one man could’ve carried it. It would have been too awkward.”
He scanned his notes then looked up as Spencer came out the French doors. “I think that’s all for now. Thanks for your help, Miss Davis.”
“Sure.” She looked at Spencer. “Are you done?”
“Almost.” Spencer repeated a few of the same questions Mark had already asked. “Okay, that’s it. You may go inside now. I don’t think you’ll have any more problems. It looks like they cleaned out anything of value. The management company will need to supply a list of missing items. What about you? Were any personal items taken?”
“I only had one suitcase and my laptop.” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t think to check.”
Mark stood and touched her back. “How about we make sure nothing else is missing?” He followed her inside ignoring Spencer’s arched brow.
She went straight to the master bedroom and opened the closet. “Whew. It’s still here.”
“You store your laptop in the closet?”
“I like to leave the blinds open and don’t want anyone walking by to be tempted. So yes, I keep it hidden in the closet.”
He chuckled at her challenging tone and raised a hand. “It worked—at least regarding your laptop. I’ll need to remember that idea.”
She grinned, then rifled through the dresser drawers. “It looks the same here.” She turned and faced him then leaned against the dresser. “Guess they needed your expertise on this case, huh? I don’t imagine the crimes in Sunriver compare to Portland.”
He caught movement in his peripheral and turned. Spencer stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. Was his secret out?
“Anything missing?” Spencer leaned in and scanned the room.
“No.” She closed the closet doors. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”
“Just doing our job,” Spencer said. He nodded his head toward the front door. “Let’s move out.” He strode outside, not waiting for Mark.
Mark turned to Nicole. “Are you going to be okay? You don’t need to see a doctor for your head?”
“I’m fine. My head is throbbing, but it’s nothing a pain killer won’t fix.”
He studied her pupils and noted she still had no signs of concussion. “Okay then, guess I’d better go.” Although he didn’t budge. “Call me if you need anything.” He pulled a card from his wallet and wrote his cell number onto the back.
She nodded and took the card. “I should find Connor before he thinks I abandoned him.”
“Good idea.” He thanked God she was safe. Whether Spencer wanted his help or not, he was going to get it.
She offered a wobbly smile. “I’m glad you were the cop that responded to my call.”
His insides warmed. “Me too.” Her emerald green eyes shone with trust. He didn’t want to leave her here alone and hesitated. The fact that they were still inside when she entered suggested they weren’t finished. Was Nicole in danger? “Do you have any place else you could stay for a few days?”
“Why?” Worry shot into her eyes.
He pressed his lips together.
“You think they’ll come back!”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I’m outta here.” She pulled a suitcase from the closet and proceeded to toss her stuff into it.
“Where will you go?”
“They can find me another house for the summer, and if not I’ll demand my grandmother’s money back.”
“What about Connor?”
“I’ll call him. Hopefully he’ll understand.”
“He’s a smart kid. I’m sure he’ll cut you some slack. I’ll get in touch with you later.” He wanted to stay, but
Spencer was waiting. Mark turned at the door. “Lock the front door behind me.” She instantly followed him to the door. He waited until he heard the deadbolt turn and then walked to the cruiser.
“Any time, Mark.” Spencer called out the car window while tapping his watch.
“Sorry.” He got in and buckled up.
Spencer stared out the windshield on the way back to the station. “Pretty lady.”
Mark shot him a curious look. “I’ve noticed.”
“You two seeing each other?”
“I asked her out for dinner earlier this afternoon.” Mark wondered at the direction of the conversation. The man was clearly uptight about something, but he doubted it was his acquaintance with Nicole. “Is there a problem?”
Spencer cast him a sideways glance. “It strikes me as odd that this house was occupied, when none of the other targets have been. You mentioned checking into renters. Maybe Nicole is our perp, and she staged this to throw us off.”
“What? That’s nuts! I suppose she hit herself on the back of the head, too.” Clearly the man was eager to point the finger at someone.
“Desperate people do desperate things. She had opportunity, and according to Miss Davis, none of her personal belongings were stolen. Seems suspicious. That’s all I’m saying.”
Mark worked his jaw. No way Nicole did this. He knew it in his gut, and it was never wrong. “Nicole is the victim. She said herself the missing television would’ve taken two people to carry. She didn’t have anything worth stealing except her laptop, and I suspect they’d have taken that too if she hadn’t come home and surprised them.”
“Maybe. Or maybe she had help.”
“No. It doesn’t add up.”
“Prove it.”
“Prove you’re right.” Mark crossed his arms and stared through the front window.
“For a rookie you’re sure cocky—especially a rookie at your age. Then again from what I overheard, maybe you think you’re better than the rest of us. Because it seems to me you misrepresented yourself to the woman. She’s under the impression you’re an expert detective.” Spencer signaled and turned into the station’s parking lot.
A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) Page 5
