Against All Odds

by Stacy Claflin

  “Really? You think it’s the stress of everything? Maybe she’s just reaching out to what’s familiar, and you guys were together forever.”

  “I had that thought too, but while I was unable to sleep last night another idea struck me. One that scares me to the core.”

  Alex’s mind raced, trying to figure it out. “What is it?”

  “Come over here. We’ll talk over breakfast.”

  His stomach rumbled. “You don’t have to ask twice.”

  Twenty minutes later, Alex sat at Nick’s table, sipping too-strong coffee while his friend flipped bacon.

  Nick still hadn’t said anything about his idea. Alex wasn’t going to press—not yet. If he didn’t start talking once the food was gone, Alex would ask.

  It only took a few minutes for the omelets and bacon to disappear, then Nick leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

  Several beats of silence passed between them before Nick looked at Alex. “Corrine has taken me for a fool all this time.”

  Alex arched a brow but said nothing.

  “She hid not only an affair from me—we were engaged, that counts as an affair, right?”

  “Sure.”

  “But she also hid a baby from me! A baby! She was pregnant with another man’s baby while we were together, then she took off as soon as she couldn’t hide it from me. I never questioned a thing. Not once. I trusted her like a pathetic lovesick puppy.”

  Alex felt like he should say something to make Nick feel better, but he didn’t want to interrupt, so he kept silent.

  Nick tapped the table. “She still views me that way. To her, I’m nothing more than a pawn to get what she wants. Corrine always knew I’d make something of myself, and that would make her look good as my wife. She wanted a cushy life and kids. I gave her that. We were never rich but also never in need.”

  Alex nodded, trying to figure out where Nick was going.

  “But no matter what I did, it was never enough. Do you know why?”

  “No.”

  “Because she had another baby out there. A child she couldn’t have a relationship with because she never told me about him. Nothing I could give her would make up for that.”

  “Does this have something to do with what’s going on now?”

  “I’m almost there. She’s so used to pulling the wool over my eyes—our entire marriage was nothing other than a lie built on a foundation of deceit. Corrine thinks she can keep that up, and now she still has a secret, but this time it’s bigger than before.” Nick drew in a deep breath. “I think she’s somehow involved with the shooting. Ava’s abduction. The whole thing.”

  Alex stared at Nick, trying to make sense of his theory. “But she’s freaked out over the whole thing, right?”

  “She’s afraid of being caught. Corrine has always been terrified of jail. I’m sure she’s having second thoughts. She wants out but doesn’t know how because she’s in too deep. So, she either wants to bring me in as an accomplice or to protect her. Or she’s trying to distract me, so I don’t figure out the truth. She’s dreaming, either way.”

  “Why don’t you just turn her in?”

  “On what? The fact that she has a kid with Dave? Sure, she hid that, but there’s no proof that she’s involved with this. The most we could get her for is questioning. Then she’ll flee.”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “But she’d go right to Dave. She’d lead the cops to him!”

  Nick tapped the table and glanced out the window. “Maybe…”

  “If she’s really working with him, she would.”

  “But if not, I’d be the laughingstock of the force. Nobody would respect me anymore. I wouldn’t respect me.”

  Alex shook his head. “You told me everything, and it hasn’t changed how I think about you.”

  Nick frowned. “You’re my friend.”

  “And just like everyone else, I know you. You’re strong, have a good work ethic, and command respect. They’re only going to think badly of her. That’s it.”

  “If I’m going to turn her in, I need to have proof. But how am I going to get that?”

  “Take her back.”

  Nick gave him a double-take.

  “Pretend to want her back. She’ll think you’re under her spell. You can get her to spill the truth. And even if she won’t, you’ll be in her house. You can find the proof.”

  Cabin

  Genevieve stared out the window from the backseat of the undercover car. She tried to ignore Garcia and Chang’s conversation in the front seat as they drove the long stretch of highway with nothing other than trees to look at.

  She didn’t know why she was along with them. It would’ve made a lot more sense for her to ride with another officer—anyone other than Chang. Mackey would make a nice choice, but nobody else from the precinct was going with the feds to look at the cabin.

  “You think the captain’s going to get back together with Corrine?” Chang asked.

  “Wouldn’t surprise me,” Garcia replied. “Stuff like this tends to bring people together or tear them apart.”

  Tears stung Genevieve’s eyes. It was tearing her and Nick apart, and they’d only had the one night together. And worst of all, if he did return to his ex, she had no room to complain. Not when it could restore a family. Give three kids their parents back under one roof.

  She felt like the most selfish person alive for wishing that would never happen. She was a horrible person.

  “What do you think, Foster?” Chang asked. “Is our captain going to get remarried?”

  She gritted her teeth. “I have no idea. Can we focus on the case?”

  “This has everything to do with the case. Our captain is on leave because the person he used to bang is now banging our suspect.”

  “Would you grow up?” She glanced at Garcia, who didn’t respond. “He’s out because of his daughter, and you know it.”

  “That’s part of it.”

  “No, that’s all. Nick—I mean, the captain—needs to deal with that.” Her face flamed at her mistake.

  Chang glanced back and smirked.

  Garcia didn’t seem to notice the slip. He kept looking at the navigation unit. “We’re almost there.”

  Genevieve relaxed. The sooner she was out of the car, the better. Chang would behave in front of the feds. She hoped.

  Chang rattled on about the time when Nick had been married. He spoke of flowers sent and the blinds in his office being drawn numerous times when Corrine showed up at lunchtime. He glanced back. “What do you suppose they were doing in there? Taxes?”

  She shot him a death glare. Unfortunately it didn’t work.

  Chang laughed. “I bet it involved cuffs. And maybe—”

  “Shut up!” Her heart thundered and the tears threatened again.

  Both of them turned around and stared at her.

  “I don’t think this is a professional conversation.”

  Garcia nodded and turned back to the front. “Chang, help me find the turn-off. Half these road signs are covered by branches.”

  Genevieve drew in deep, silent breaths. If Chang was trying to make sure she’d be shaken up in front of the feds, it was working. She just wanted to curl up in the backseat and stay there. Not that it was an option, nor would she let anyone see that anything was wrong.

  They finally turned off the main road and onto a rocky unmaintained path barely wide enough for a vehicle. Dozens of “No Trespassing” signs were posted, most riddled with bullet holes.

  About half a mile down the way, they came to several unmarked cars parked in a tiny clearing. The cabin was nowhere in sight.

  Garcia pulled off and parked next to a black SUV. He and Chang jumped out and started talking to the nearest federal agent.

  Genevieve took her time unbuckling. She was still shaken from Chang’s remarks. It was hard—no, impossible—not to let them get to her.

  Usually, she could push any personal problem aside to do her job, but between everything with N
ick and being back in a forest, it would take all her effort not to fall apart.

  What had ever made her think she would make it as an officer of the law?

  Chang tapped on her window. “Coming?”

  She glared at him and stepped out.

  One of the feds immediately gave instructions for how they were going to handle searching the cabin.

  Everyone prepared. Genevieve, Garcia, and Chang were to check out the back of the building. Staying behind trees, everybody made their way to the cabin.

  Once it came into view, Genevieve doubted it was the right place. The little building looked like it would crumble if someone sneezed near it. She stayed near Garcia as they crept around to the back.

  Piles of rotting firewood went as far as they could see. It was the perfect place for hiding things—or people.

  Her pulse raced as she approached the nearest one, gun drawn. Nothing was behind it. Or the next stack. In fact, there was nothing unusual near any of them.

  Or the cabin itself. Some feds came out declared it not only clear, but untouched for years, covered in dust and cobwebs.

  The lead agent shouted orders. He told Garcia to go back to Corrine’s place and take her to the station for questioning.

  “Come on.” Garcia waved her and Chang in the direction of the cars.

  Her stomach twisted. Another hour in the car with Chang, followed by having to be in the same room with him and Corrine.

  Horrified

  Nick adjusted the bags over his shoulder before ringing the doorbell.

  The curtain moved inside the window, and Hanna’s little face appeared. Her expression lit up, then she disappeared.

  The door flung open. “Daddy! I didn’t know you were coming over again! What’s in the bags?”

  Nick gave her a quick kiss, then stepped inside.

  Corrine appeared from the kitchen and arched a brow. “What’s going on?”

  “Like we talked about.” Nick dropped his bags on the couch, making sure it was obvious they weren’t going in her room. He needed to make it clear he would sleep on the couch. “We need to be together as a family right now.”

  “You’re staying?” Hanna shrieked.

  Parker appeared from down the hall. He didn’t say anything.

  Nick glanced back at Hanna and nodded. “I’m going to stay until we find Ava.”

  “Maybe longer.” Corrine stepped closer. “I can take your bags.”

  “I’ll sleep on the hide-a-bed.”

  Corrine frowned. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded to keep himself from expressing just how vehemently sure he was. “It’s for the best.”

  Hanna grabbed Nick’s arm and dragged him down the hall. “Parker! Dad’s staying with us!”

  “Yeah, I heard.” Neither his tone nor his expression indicated how he felt about it. “Why?”

  “We all need to support each other. It’ll be easier if we’re all in the same house.”

  Parker folded his arms and the corners of his mouth curved down.

  Nick put his arm around him. “You okay, buddy?”

  Parker shrugged.

  “If you have anything you want to say, say it. No judgments. Right?” He glanced over at Corrine.

  “Of course not. Whatever you need to say is fine.”

  Parker stormed down the hall, went into his room, and slammed the door.

  Nick’s chest tightened. If pretending to move in was going to ruin the progress he’d made with his son, it wasn’t worth it. He’d walk away in a heartbeat.

  “Oh, he’ll be fine.” Corrine waved in his direction. “On top of everything else, he’s hormonal. Puberty has struck.”

  “He’s turning into a man,” Hanna informed Nick.

  “Let me talk to him.”

  Corrine intercepted him and wrapped her arms around him. “Parker just needs space. He’s always been that way, and now more than ever.”

  Nick forced a smile, then stepped away from her hold. “Still, I think I should talk to him. I’m the one who just showed up without warning. I’m sure it’s confusing.”

  Corrine glanced over at Hanna, who was now lounging on the couch, using one of Nick’s bags as a pillow. “She seems fine.”

  “She also isn’t Parker.” Nick headed down the hall before Corrine could keep him any longer.

  He twisted the knob, but it didn’t budge.

  “Go away!”

  Nick leaned against the door. “Can we talk?”

  “No! Leave me alone.”

  He took a deep breath. “Would you prefer I went back to my condo? I will, if you want me to.”

  Silence.

  “Just say the word, and I’ll leave.”

  Corrine threw him a pleading glance.

  Nick tapped on the door. “Parker?”

  Click.

  He’d unlocked it. Maybe all wasn’t lost.

  Nick opened the door and slid inside. “Thanks for letting me in.”

  Parker shrugged. He sat with his back to Nick at his desk, facing the window.

  “You want to talk about me coming here to stay with you guys?”

  “What’s there to talk about?”

  Nick closed the door and sat on the bed across from his son. “Other than the fact that your mom and I are divorced, and I’m staying here for a little while?”

  Parker turned to him and met his gaze. “Why? Are you getting back together? Or just trying to mess with me and Hanna when we’re already having a hard enough time?”

  “I’m definitely not messing with you two. I would never do that, ever. But with everything going on, your mom and I thought it would be better if I stayed here.”

  “How long?”

  “Just until Ava comes back. I’m going to crash on the couch. I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

  “I don’t want you guys getting back together.”

  Nick lifted a brow. “You don’t?”

  Parker shook his head. “You’re both happier—and nicer—now.”

  “I wasn’t nice before?”

  Parker groaned. “You know what I mean.”

  “Actually, I don’t.”

  “You guys don’t really fight now. You let us do more. That sort of thing.” He shrugged and looked out the window.

  Nick tapped his knee. “None of that is going to change, kiddo. I’m just going to sleep on the couch and be here for you whenever you need me.”

  “Okay.”

  Nick studied his son, but reading him when he didn’t want to be read was like trying to read a brick wall. “Is it okay with you if I stay here for a while?”

  “You actually care what I think?”

  Nick threw his head back. “Of course I do. That’s why I’m in here talking to you.”

  “You didn’t ask me what I thought before you showed up with your bags.”

  Nick took a deep breath. “You’re right, I didn’t. I just showed up, and I’m sure that threw you off. I’m sorry, Parker. I wasn’t thinking about that. Just that your mom had invited me to stay here.”

  Parker turned back to him. “She did?”

  Nick nodded.

  “Huh.” He turned back to his desk. “I have homework to do before I fall behind.”

  “Sounds good.” Nick rose and rubbed Parker’s shoulders for a moment. “If you want to talk about anything man-to-man, I’m here. You can wake me in the middle of the night if that’s when you need me.”

  Parker turned around and smiled.

  Nick’s heart warmed and expanded. “I love you, kiddo.”

  “Love you too, Dad.”

  He squeezed Parker’s shoulders again, breathed a silent sigh of relief, then went back into the hallway. Then he leaned against the wall and realized just how tired and tense he was. A hot shower was just what he needed.

  Nick went into the bathroom and turned on the water. He found a towel, then climbed in and closed his eyes as the burning water ran down and soothed him. He stood there as time seemed to stand stil
l. The water eventually cooled, then he soaped up with body wash in a Star Wars bottle and used shampoo that smelled like grapes. Definitely the kids’ bathroom.

  He rinsed off as the water was turning cold, then dried himself and wrapped the towel around his waist. It felt like forever since he’d felt so relaxed. Now all he needed was for Ava to be returned safely, then he would sleep for a week and life would be perfect.

  Part of him didn’t want to leave the bathroom, but he needed to get dressed and then see what he could learn from Corrine. She had to be involved. If she wasn’t working with Dave, then she had to be hiding something. He must have contacted her—why else would he have taken Ava, if not to use her as a bargaining chip to get Corrine back?

  Nick flung the door open and headed for his bags to grab his clothes. It wasn’t until he reached the couch that it registered that he heard conversation.

  Garcia, Chang, and Foster all stood in the living room, talking with Corrine. Nick’s gaze locked with Foster’s. The shock and hurt in her eyes cut him to the core.

  Chang arched a brow and tilted his head. “Captain.”

  Foster pulled out her phone and looked at the screen. “I have to deal with this in the car.” She raced for the door.

  Nick reached out, but had to grab his towel as it was about to slip. “Wait, I—”

  Foster was gone.

  Nick’s insides tensed. He grabbed both bags. “Excuse me.”

  In the bathroom, he threw them on the floor and swore under his breath. He knew exactly what Genevieve was thinking, and he couldn’t blame her. It couldn’t have looked worse. Nick hadn’t returned any of her calls or texts, then he comes out in a towel at his ex’s house. He swore again and pulled on some clothes without paying any attention.

  Then grabbed his cell phone and raced for the front door.

  Everyone looked at him.

  Nick turned the knob. “I need to get something from my car.”

  Chang gave him a look like he knew better.

  Great.

  Explain

  Nick ran toward the unmarked police cruiser, his mind racing and his heart nearly exploding out of his chest.

  Genevieve wasn’t anywhere. He looked up and down the street, then he noticed movement in the back of the car.