“We’ll get to the bottom of it, Chloe. If it’s one of these guys, we’ll find out.”
As she nodded, Josh came inside. “Hey,” he said, wondering how long Chloe was going to stay. It was kind of nice having her here...and a little weird too.
“Chloe’s going over to Holly’s house after dinner,” I said.
“Oh,” he answered, relieved and disappointed at the same time.
“Hey...do you have Mr. Johnson for math?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah. I do.”
“Me too. Do you know what the assignment was for today?”
“Uh...let me look,” Josh said. He picked up his backpack from the floor by the table, and she followed him into the living room where they sat side by side on the couch. Soon they were talking about their teachers and classes.
I let out a relieved sigh that they were getting along so well. It was good for Chloe to have some normalcy right now. I also picked up that undertone of attraction and interest from both of them, and my heart did a little flutter. It was tempting to intrude on their thoughts...but that just seemed wrong on so many levels, so I resolutely put up my shields.
It was a relief when Chris came home and I could tell him what was going on. He’d heard about the AMBER alert and was shocked to find Chloe at our house. “I don’t know if they can keep this a secret for long, especially with the reporters and TV crews watching the family’s every move.”
“Yeah...well, hopefully we’ll know which cop it is by tomorrow.”
We had a pleasant dinner, and soon it was time to take Chloe to Holly’s house. She and Josh had spent all their time together before dinner, and I had a feeling we’d be seeing more of her once this was all done.
Chloe said her goodbyes...mostly to Josh, and we got into the car. As I pulled out of the garage, I made sure she kept her head down. I couldn’t see any strange cars on the street, but it was dark and I didn’t want to take any chances. With Holly’s house just around the block, it was a quick drive, and I didn’t catch sight of anyone following. Still, I pulled in the driveway and all the way to the back of the house.
Chloe jumped out and ran to the back door, but I took my time, closing the door and listening for anyone thinking about us being there. Of course, if they were in a car, I wouldn’t be able to hear them, but I had to try. Hearing nothing, I let out my breath and went inside.
Holly smothered me with a hug as soon as I entered. She couldn’t stop thanking me for my part in finding Chloe, and I kind of felt bad since it was Chloe who’d found me. I tried to tell her that, but she wouldn’t hear of it.
Holly’s husband, Dave, said hello and her three kids took Chloe downstairs. I knew the kids were dying to hear all the gruesome details, and I hoped Chloe could handle it. I sat down at the kitchen table and Holly got me a diet soda with crushed ice. She knew me so well.
“Scott’s coming over a little later, but no one should suspect anything since I’m his sister,” Holly explained, setting the soda in front of me.
“What about Kira?” I asked.
She pursed her lips. “Yeah...she’s coming over too, but not until about eleven and only for a few minutes. She’s taking this pretty hard and doesn’t want to mess up. So...do you have any leads?”
“Chloe picked out a couple of cops who looked similar to the man she saw,” I said. “So it’s not a sure thing, but I’ll be going in tomorrow to question them. So it should be resolved by then.”
Dave was thinking that didn’t sound like a sure thing at all. How was I going to know who it was just by talking to them? What kind of a plan was that? He didn’t like any of this and thought Chloe should be under police protection with someone who had a gun and wasn’t afraid to use it. Of course, if it was a cop...that just made it all worse. Could he protect her if a cop showed up? Beneath those sentiments was his real worry that his family could be in danger as well. He had a shotgun; maybe he’d better get it out.
“The police don’t know the extent of who’s involved, so the best way to keep Chloe safe is to keep her out of their system. Having her come here is really the best option,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I think she’ll be fine staying here with you. I know I wouldn’t want my child with anyone else. I really think this is the best plan, and I’m sure nothing will happen to you or your family.”
Dave sat back, surprised that I’d responded to his worries. “Oh...I didn’t know that. I am glad we can help her, I just hope we can keep her safe here.” Holly’s brows creased, and she shot him a glance that sent guilt flowing over him. She was thinking it was the least they could do for their niece after what she’d been through, and if he didn’t like it, he could...
“Well, I’d better be going,” I said. “Thanks for the soda. I’ll call tomorrow.”
Holly thanked me again and I hurried out to my car, hoping they wouldn’t get into an argument since they both had valid points. I pulled out of the driveway, watching closely for anything suspicious, but that didn’t stop the shiver of unease that ran down my spine. Dave was right to be concerned. Somewhere a dirty cop was out there looking for a missing girl, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was already watching me.
Relieved to enter my garage without incident, I hurried inside, grateful to be home. I let Chris and the kids know everything went well and Chloe was safe. Chris and Josh were watching a football game, and Savannah had homework, so now was the perfect time to take a bath. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically, so a bath sounded wonderful.
I hurried to my bedroom to change, and there, sitting on the bed, was the folder of my old flame and his unsolved murder. I had forgotten all about it. Picking it up, I flipped it open for another look at his picture. His eyes held warmth and a touch of mischief, like he was ready to laugh about something.
Memories of him from our time in high school flooded my mind. I smiled, remembering the car he drove back then. It was a convertible, and he would take me on long drives. Most of the time, we ended up at the lake, where we’d skip rocks and hike around until we found a good spot to watch the sunset. He always carried a camera and took a ton of pictures. Most were of me. He called me ‘sunshine,’ because of my blond hair, and said I was the most photogenic person he’d ever known. I still had a few of those photos, and I always wondered what he’d done with the rest.
I also remembered the way he smelled. Like a cross between Irish Spring and fresh-cut grass. I used to ask him what cologne he was wearing since I loved that smell so much, and he would never tell me. No matter how many times I pestered him about it. It drove me crazy. Now he was gone, and my heart ached to know he was dead...and worse, someone had murdered him.
With a sigh, I read through the report. It was basically the same thing that Dimples had already told me. His wallet was taken, but they’d never had any hits on the credit cards, so whoever it was didn’t use them. They figured some homeless people took his jacket and shoes, so that made sense in a sick sort of way. But it still broke my heart. The detectives had done a good job following leads, and my hopes sank. How was I ever supposed to solve this case?
I came to the crime-scene photos and chewed on my bottom lip. Did I really need to look at these? Taking a deep breath, I quickly glanced through them, then closed my eyes and put them away. Seeing his lifeless body propped up against a freeway pillar like that brought tears to my eyes. Maybe I shouldn’t have told Dimples I’d help him. It was just so sad. Of course, I might feel better about it if I found the killer. But what if I couldn’t?
My cell phone rang, startling me. The caller ID said it was Dimples and I froze. Had something happened to Chloe? “Hello?”
“Shelby,” Dimples said, his voice strained. “It’s Billie. She’s been shot.”
“What?”
“I don’t know if she’s going to make it. They just took her into surgery. Can you come to the hospital?”
“Of course. I’ll be right there.”
***
I hurried through the h
ospital doors and rushed to the waiting room where Dimples sat with his head in his hands. “Drew?” I’d never called him by his real name, but at that moment, it felt right.
“Shelby.” He stood and gathered me into a tight hug. I felt his regret and anguish that he might lose the woman he loved. He hadn’t realized it until this moment, and now he might lose her. What if she didn’t make it and he never got the chance to tell her? Shards of pain hit him in the chest and made it hard to breathe. She’d wormed her way into his heart, and now he couldn’t think about living without her. Why had this happened? He was the one that was supposed to get shot, not her.
I held him tight, hating that this was happening to him. A moment later, he took a deep breath and let it out, then loosened his hold on me. Still holding my arm, he pulled me down into the chair beside him, and then shook his head. Tears pooled in his eyes, but he blinked them away and pursed his lips, working hard to gain control.
“Don’t forget that Billie’s a fighter,” I said, struggling not to cry myself. “We have to believe that she’ll come through this. Don’t give up on her. Okay?” He nodded and inhaled deeply to pull himself together. “Good. Now tell me what happened. Who shot her?”
“I don’t know. I just...I had just finished talking to you and Chloe’s parents. Bates and I were watching the house after...just to see if anyone suspicious was around. Since I was going to be late to her place, I called, but she didn’t pick up. It worried me a little, but I figured she was busy and would call me back when she got a minute.” He shook his head, thinking he should have left right then, and maybe now she wouldn’t be in surgery.
“I left about a half hour later. Bates said he’d keep an eye on things so I could make it up to Billie. When I got to her apartment, the door was ajar and the place was trashed. I found Billie...” He swallowed, thinking of all that blood and how at first he thought she was dead. “She was barely hanging on.”
He leaned forward with his head in his hands, and I patted his back, then put up my shields. His grief and pain were more than I could handle, and I didn’t want to break down in front of him. He needed me to be strong, so I concentrated on that. I could cry about Billie later.
“I think I may know something about it,” I said.
Dimples’ head jerked up. “What? What do you mean?”
“Billie’s been working on the case against the attorney general, Grayson Sharp. She had a thumb-drive with incriminating information that was stolen from her desk in her office. She made a copy and hid it in her apartment. I think that’s what they were after. Maybe she walked in on them and they shot her.”
Dimples eyes hardened. “If Grayson Sharp is behind this...he will not get away with it. I will make sure of that.”
“I’ll help you,” I said, worried that he might take things into his own hands. “But be careful who you talk to about this. You don’t know who’s in his pocket. He’s got a lot of influence.”
“Maybe. But he’s not above the law.”
“That’s right. So we need to figure out how to stop him through the proper channels, and you’re just the person to do it.” I hoped he’d take that to heart and not do anything stupid.
Dimples nodded, but he was thinking how much he’d like to walk into his office and shoot off his kneecaps. After that, his questioning would begin. Then if he didn’t like the answers, he’d keep shooting different body parts until he was satisfied.
“Don’t do anything stupid, okay? Like...shoot him?”
He blinked, pulling away from his bloodthirsty thoughts, and focused on me. “Uh...no...of course not.” But he wondered how I knew what he was thinking. Just like I’d read his mind.
“Good,” I said. “Because you were looking like you had murder in your eyes, and it kind of scared me.”
“You got that from my eyes?” he asked. I nodded, and he let out a breath. Of course I did. What was he thinking? It was the stress. If he knew Billie was going to make it, he wouldn’t feel so helpless and imagine such stupid things.
Now I sighed. I didn’t want to make him feel worse...and yet...I was...and at a time like this. Ugh! Maybe I wasn’t as good at comforting people as I’d hoped. I certainly didn’t want to make him feel bad.
Just then the doctor came into the room and approached us. “Detective Harris?”
“Yes.” Dimples braced for bad news, and I caught my breath.
“Billie made it through surgery and that was huge. She’s not out of the woods yet, but she’s young and strong. Her chances of making it through this are pretty good. We just need to see how she does in the next few hours.”
He went on to describe her injuries and what they’d done, but I barely followed. Dimple’s relief mixed with my own nearly sent me to my knees. Before I knew it, the doctor had left, and Dimples caught me in a hug.
“She’s going to make it,” he said, his breath warm against my neck. He pulled away and smiled, his dimples doing that crazy dance that always cheered me up. “The doctor said I could see her, so I guess I’ll call you in the morning. Tomorrow, we can figure out exactly what happened.”
“Okay,” I agreed.
“Thanks for coming.” He gave my hand a squeeze, then rushed down the hall.
I walked out of the hospital a little lighter than when I walked in, relieved to know that Billie would be okay. Someone had nearly killed her for that stupid thumb-drive, and it made me furious.
If it was that important, I should probably go over there and see if they got it. If they didn’t, I could take it for safe-keeping. It wouldn’t be hard since I knew exactly where it was. The police might still be there processing the crime scene, so I’d be safe, and I knew Billie would want me to get it...if it was still there.
I drove to her apartment before I chickened out. There weren’t any police cars left in the parking lot, and I cursed my luck that I’d missed them. But now that I was there, I might as well go upstairs and take a look. She lived in a third-floor apartment with outside stairs on both ends. It had a nice, open feel with apartments on both sides of the open staircase with plenty of room to walk through to the other side on each floor. I’d be able to see if anyone was around, so it should be all right.
By the time I got to the top of the third floor, I was a little out of breath. No wonder Billie was so skinny. I’d hate lugging groceries up here. Her apartment was at the other end of the floor and, as I got closer to the doorway, I caught sight of the yellow crime scene tape flapping in the breeze. I trudged to her door anyway, since I’d come so far, and tried the knob. Of course it didn’t turn, but it also didn’t look like it was shut tight. With a little push inward, it popped open, and I caught my breath. It’d done it now.
My pulse raced and I glanced both ways before ducking under the tape and stepping inside. I pulled my coat sleeves over my hands so I wouldn’t leave fingerprints and pushed the door shut behind me. Hardly daring to breathe, I stood in the dark and let my eyes adjust.
I’d never been in Billie’s apartment before, but what I’d seen from her thoughts helped me get a picture of where things were supposed to be. This was nothing like that. The place was a wreck. Overturned furniture and broken knickknacks littered the floor. Stuffing spilled out of the couch where it had been ripped apart, and pictures on the wall hung askew.
Remembering my stun flashlight, I pulled it out of my purse and flipped on the light. The mess seemed even worse now that I could see it better. Stepping carefully, I rounded the corner to the hallway and into the second bedroom which she had made into an office.
The computer was gone, and everything on the desk had been swept off onto the floor. I shone the light into the mess and let out my breath. The little box lay on its side, open and empty. Relieved to find it, I picked it up and gently closed the lid. The key was missing, but that didn’t matter. I had a copy of the key that would open the secret compartment inside.
This was the box that had once belonged to Sam Killpack, a P.I. who had been murdered
, and a case I knew well since I had been the main suspect. Somehow, Billie had managed to keep it after the murder investigation, and I knew she’d hidden the thumb-drive inside the secret compartment.
I hesitated, then stuffed it into my purse, hoping I hadn’t just made a huge mistake. Leaving it here might be the safest place for it, but I couldn’t take the chance of it getting lost or taken by someone else.
A sense of urgency filled me with the need to get out of there. Since I knew the shooter hadn’t found it, I was a sitting duck if he came back to look again. I hurried to the door and pulled it open a crack, checking the hallway and staircase. Finding the way clear, I ducked under the tape and pulled the door closed, making sure it locked behind me.
I took off down the hall in a rush, but as I started down the stairs, I picked up someone’s thoughts. He was thinking about a woman with blond hair wearing jeans and a black jacket with a large bag over her shoulder. My breath caught. That was me. I glanced toward the parking lot, but it was too dark to see anyone.
He was trying to figure out my identity and what I was doing there. I wasn’t someone he’d seen around. Maybe I had come to check out Billie’s apartment. Had I gone inside? He turned his attention to taking a few snapshots of me with his phone, so I hustled back up the stairs like I’d forgotten something. He swore in his mind that he hadn’t gotten a good shot of my face and decided to follow me.
There was another staircase at the end of the hall, so I hurried toward it and crept down the stairs as fast as I dared while he ran up the stairs on the other side. Once he reached the third floor, I doubled back on the ground floor and ran to my car. I jumped inside and peeled out of there, hoping I’d gotten away before he had a chance to snap a photo of me or my car.
Breathing heavily, I clenched the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white, and it was sometime later before I could relax my grip enough to peel my fingers off. Who was that guy? Maybe he was working with the police...or he was a P.I. hired to watch her place for some reason...or, worst case scenario, the guy who’d shot her. Either way, it was a good thing he didn’t get my picture.