by Lenora Worth
Perkins went to the desk and pulled up a sign-in sheet. “About three weeks ago. That’s the night I told him to either pay up or find another place to lift weights.”
“It seems Johnson owes money to everyone we talk to,” Emmett said on a droll note.
Perkins sneered in agreement.
“I’m definitely seeing a pattern,” Belle replied as they left with Perkin’s assurance that if Johnson came in, he’d personally make sure to give them a call.
Next, they went to see Albert Stein for round three.
“You two again?” he asked, his jitters causing him to shuffle too many papers. “I told you, Lance Johnson skipped out on the rent he owes me and now I hear his car’s been impounded. I don’t know where the man is and at this point, I really don’t care.”
“Where’s your ring, Albert?” she asked, her gaze steady on his ring finger.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do.” She edged closer, Justice by her side. “You see, Lance Johnson was wearing that ring the night he attacked me and I noticed you had on a similar ring when we talked the other day. Now it’s not on your finger. I want to know why.”
“I don’t have to explain that to you,” Albert replied, crossing his meaty arms over his chest in defiance.
“But you do,” Belle replied. “I was here the other day with another K-9 officer. We found Johnson’s car and then someone started shooting at us. You didn’t seem to be on the premises. Did you fire on us, Albert?”
Albert’s beady eyes widened and filled with shock. “No, I didn’t fire any shots. I don’t know anything about that. I was at the doctor’s office all day. Gout.” His expression filled with self-pity, then he turned ugly again. “You can’t pin that on me. People shoot at each other in this city all the time.”
“But you might have to explain a lot to a building inspector,” Emmett said, pointing to the flies gathering at the overflowing trash can and a raw wire hooked up to several different electronic appliances behind the front desk.
Albert’s ruddy face turned deep red but he dug in his pocket and pulled out the ring and held it up. “Okay, all right. I took the stupid ring from Johnson’s apartment after he got behind on his rent. Figured it might be worth something since he liked to flash it around all the time. But the pawnbroker I took it to said it’s worth about twenty-five bucks, tops. That’s the honest truth.”
“Why would Johnson buy this ring?” Belle wondered out loud.
“He’s a show-off,” Albert replied. “He likes the finer things, but he doesn’t have the finesse to pull that off and he sure doesn’t have the money. He’s a loser.”
“He’s gonna be a prisoner again when I get my hands on him,” Emmett replied. “You’d better let us know if he shows back up here or you’ll be in a whole mess of trouble, got it?”
“I got it,” Albert said. “That man has been nothing but a pain in my neck.”
Belle lifted her chin. “I need that ring for evidence.”
“It’s mine,” Albert whined.
“It’s stolen,” she reminded him after she pulled a couple of tissues out of a box on his desk.
Albert reluctantly handed over the ring. “If you people will leave me alone, I’ll gladly give it to you.”
“Good idea since technically you stole it and I don’t want to take you in for lifting this cheap thing.”
“I don’t need that, either,” he said, shaking his head.
“Thank you, Albert,” Belle said with a smile. “And remember, you call us if Johnson shows his face around here.”
Albert nodded and sank down on his rickety chair.
“I kind of feel sorry for him,” Belle said after they’d left the building. “He’s obviously not in good health and he has to deal with the likes of Lance Johnson.”
“He’s a survivor,” Emmett replied. “He’ll land on his swollen ankles, trust me.”
Belle glanced over at the man who’d stood by her since the night he’d helped save her life. She did trust him, which surprised her. She wasn’t a paranoid, distrustful person to begin with but this job demanded that she couldn’t fall for any sob stories or excuses until she’d studied all the evidence and found the truth. She trusted her coworkers, but they all had a silent code that kept them at a distance, anyway. It worked like a protective shield around all of them.
And yet, she knew anyone in her unit would stand by her same as Emmett was doing. But would he be willing to take things further than just having her back?
“Well, we’ve accomplished a few things today,” she said later after they’d grabbed a pizza from a favorite hangout down the street from the K-9 headquarters. They strolled back to the unit, the last of the sun’s heat turning toward sunset.
Belle held up her index finger. “Everyone who knows Lance Johnson has it in for him, so that and the fact that he didn’t follow through with his probation officer has him hiding out. We should be able to get a warrant to search his vehicle now.”
“His ring didn’t amount to much, but Albert confessed all and should do the right thing now,” Emmett added.
“But we still have two wanted men on the loose.”
“I’m going to deepen my search for Randall,” Emmett said. “I can’t help but think he’s around for some reason. He might have heard on the news about the current murders, which were so similar to the cold-case murders. Maybe he came back to find out what was going on.”
“So you think the Emery murders were the work of a copycat—and not the same killer?”
Emmett shrugged. “I wish I knew. If my relative did commit the first murders, I sure hope he didn’t come back to kill again on the twentieth anniversary.”
“I don’t know, either. I hate to say this, Emmett,” Belle started. Motioning to a bench underneath a young oak, she sat down. Justice did the same. “But what if he came back because he’s afraid someone’s naming him for the McGregor murders? Regardless of whether he killed again or there’s a copycat. What if he wants to tie up loose ends?”
Emmett rubbed a hand down his chin and glanced at the street. “I hate to say that, too, but yes, I have thought it. I don’t know what’s going on inside Randall’s head but he has to be messed up. If I can find him and get him to talk, maybe it’ll stop him from doing something stupid like killing again.”
“But what if he’s already killed again? What if he is responsible for these new murders?”
“Then our best shot is to prove that,” Emmett replied, a tinge of anger in his words. “Not an easy task, but it’s my job, Belle. You have to know I’ll do what’s right.”
“I believe you will.”
Belle dropped it for now. Her heart beat with sympathy for this good man trying to deal with a troubled relative.
“Hey, you know I’m on your side, right?” she said, aware of other officers passing by. “You can talk to me about anything.”
Emmett’s eyes shimmered like a blue lake. “Can I talk to you about the way you make me feel?” he asked, his eyes on her.
Belle’s pulse quickened while her body buzzed with a sweet surprise. “How do I make you feel?”
“Like I want to get to know you better,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “You’re a beautiful distraction. All of this is new for me. I tend to keep to myself.” Then he gave her another quick glance. “I quit dating because of work and I pledged to never date a woman in law enforcement. Too complicated and I figure I’d go full protection mode and she’d wind up resenting me.”
Belle couldn’t hide her surprise. “Well, that pledge explains a few things. I’ve been getting mixed vibes from you since we met, but I figured you were married to your work and...you’d always be hands-off.” Shaking her head, she said, “You can relax, Marshal. I’m kind of hands-off right now, too. I’m still recovering from a man who tri
ed his best to control me.”
“That’s the problem,” he said, the sounds of traffic all around them. “I don’t want to control you, Belle. I just want to be around you and that goes against my vow to stay away.”
“And I threw you right into having to search for a relative who might be a killer and protecting me from a dangerous man. Not to mention my family’s chaos.”
“It’s a beautiful chaos,” he said. “I miss that.” Then he shrugged. “As for the rest, yes, we need to get these cases out of the way.”
“Okay,” Belle said, getting that particular vibe loud and clear. He didn’t want to take things further. Well, she didn’t want that, either. “Glad we cleared the air.”
She stood at about the same time he did and they crashed. Emmett grabbed her to keep her steady, their eyes meeting, his hands on her arms.
Emmett tugged her close, his gaze moving over her face. “I guess we could test that theory.”
“What?” She could barely breathe. Her heart fluttered away and a sweet longing stirred her soul.
Emmett kissed her right there on the street, around the corner from the front door to the precinct building. Belle should have pulled away. Too many officers coming and going, too many emotions hitting at her resistance.
But she couldn’t let go.
Emmett ended the kiss way too soon. But when he stepped back, realization flared and put out the other flame between them.
“That was a mistake,” he said. Then he quickly amended. “I mean, not that kissing you was a mistake. I liked that part. But I know better. I’m sorry I put you in a bad position.”
Belle had to find her voice and get her brain settled. “We can’t do this. Our work, the crazy hours, the cases we’re working on together. Fraternizing is never a good idea. You just said that and then you kiss me?”
He glanced around and so did she. “I’m sorry, Belle. I shouldn’t have.”
Thankful that no one was walking by, Belle called to Justice. “I have to get back. It’s late and I have reports to file.”
Emmett nodded. “I should go home and book an appointment to have my head examined.”
“Why? Are you sick?”
“No, but I know better.”
“Emmett, this threw me.” She shrugged. “I don’t have a very good record in the relationship department and you obviously don’t want a relationship with anyone.”
“Threw me, too, and threw my self-imposed pledge right out the window. But I liked kissing you and I want to kiss you again.”
Belle wanted to allow that but hesitated. “Again, not a good idea right now. We’ve been thrown together on two cases and we’re not thinking straight.”
“So you’re determined to avoid the obvious?”
“No, I’m just cautious. I like you and I owe you my life.”
“Is that why you kissed me back? Because you feel obligated, filled with gratitude?”
Belle laughed and started back around the building. “I can assure you, Marshal Gage, that right there was not gratitude.”
He caught up with her. “So you’re saying if we went on a real date and were walking through a park, you’d let me kiss you again.”
She grinned. “As long as I’m not being mauled by a criminal, yes, I’d let you kiss me again. But I’m going to have to think about this, a lot. Kissing you is one thing. But watching you walk away is another.”
A fire of frustration roared across his face. “I’ll see you around, then, Officer Montera.”
“I’ll be right here, Deputy Marshal Gage.”
She watched him walk to his truck, then turned to go inside.
And ran smack into Sergeant Gavin Sutherland.
TWELVE
“Uh...hello, sir,” Belle said, her skin burning red with embarrassment. Her gaze moved from Gavin to watching Emmett walk around the corner to where he’d parked his vehicle.
Gavin inclined his head and glanced to the street. “You and Gage seem to be on good terms.”
Not knowing what Sarge had seen, she bobbed her head. “Yes, we get along great.”
Gavin’s eyebrow twitched but he didn’t say anything to her about what he might have heard or seen. “Any work-related news for me?”
“We’re after a warrant to search Lance Johnson’s vehicle and we found the ring he was wearing.” She explained about Albert Stein. “So that verifies that Johnson had to be my attacker since it was his ring that Albert swiped. I sent it to the lab to check for DNA and fibers.” Tugging at her bun, she added, “With the fibers and epidermis particles the techs scraped from my fingernails, added to this new information, we’re building a strong case against Johnson.”
Gavin crossed his arms and pursed his lips. “That’s all great, but we need to find your attacker.”
“I’m on that, sir. He’s good at hiding but we do have people at his old hangouts watching out for him. None of them want him back, either.”
Gavin scanned the area and nodded. “And Randall Gage? No one seems to be able to get a handle on him, not even a trained US marshal who happens to be his relative.”
“Emmett’s trying, sir. He’s good at his job and I know he wants to find out the truth. He’s put out feelers and asked around all over Bay Ridge and beyond.”
“We need to track down and verify any leads, Belle.”
“We will, sir. We’re meeting up tomorrow to explore Randall’s work records, if we can find any. He works for pay under the table a lot from what Emmett’s dad left in his notes.”
“Keep your focus.”
“Yes, sir. I will. Emmett and I might be becoming friends but that’s it.”
“Right.” Gavin’s hard-edged face softened. “I remember saying that about Brianne and me, and you see where that got me.”
“You two make it work somehow,” Belle replied, smiling.
Gavin’s usually stoic expression turned into a broad grin. “Yes, we do. In spite of the odds. With her help, I’ve come a long way in learning how to deal with people. She’s part of why I’m here today. She believed in me when it seemed no one else did.” He jingled his keys. “Speaking of that, I’m going to go get Tommy from the groomer and then I’m going home to my wife.”
“Have a good night, sir,” Belle said, Gavin’s words buzzing in her head. She believed in Emmett even when some on the team didn’t trust him. She couldn’t blame Bradley or even Penny for having doubts. Emmett reminded them of the man who could have possibly killed their parents.
Whirling, she took Justice and headed to the reception desk. “Hi, Penny,” she said. “Can I ask you something regarding your parents’ case?”
Twenty-four-year-old Penny’s brown eyes took on the guarded wariness everyone around here was used to seeing. “I guess.” Her freckles looked more pronounced when she got anxious, Belle noticed.
“I know you’ve been asked this over and over, but I was wondering if you can go over with me what you remember about the man who murdered your parents.”
Penny shifted in her chair. Her mouth set in a firm line tightened and her brow puckered. “He had on that horrible clown mask with blue hair. But...his eyes. I can’t say for sure what color they were—maybe greenish—but if I ever saw him again, I think I’d know him by his eyes.”
This was all in the file, of course, and Penny had answered these questions many times the past few months since the second murders. But Belle kept hoping Penny might suddenly remember something, anything. “Okay. Maybe his eyes struck for a reason. Did you ever think you might have seen him someplace else?”
Penelope shrugged. “Bradley used to pick me up at the day care. I guess he could have been someone who dropped off his own kids there, if he even had kids. I don’t remember much but...he had to have known my parents. Why else target them? Why else leave me alive and well? And give me a toy?”
&nb
sp; Belle nodded sympathetically. “What was the name of the day care?”
“Happy Day. No. Happy Child,” Penelope replied. “Although I don’t remember being very happy there. I always wanted to be home with my parents.” Then Penny stopped, her lips twisting. “I’ve answered a lot of questions, but I’ve blocked most of that time. I think there might have been a man who always brought toys to us.”
Belle halted, remembering the picture Emmett had found of Randall as a little boy holding a stuffed dog. “What else do you remember? Can you describe the man?”
Penelope shook her head. “No. I mostly noticed the cute little stuffed animals,” Penelope said. “Whoever killed my parents gave me a little monkey wrapped in plastic. I don’t like monkeys very much now.”
Belle found the picture of Randall she’d sent to Gavin that first night. It was a longshot; Penny had been only four years old then. “Does this look like the man from the day care?”
Penny studied the picture, her expression darkening. “I can’t be sure. It’s been so long.”
“Thanks, Penny,” Belle said, wishing her friend didn’t have to go through this again. What a nightmare.
Belle and Justice headed home. Tired but alert, Belle kept an eye on the rearview mirror and thought about Emmett, her brother and her family. Then she thought about Bradley and Penny and what they’d been through. She prayed for all of them.
“Father, take care of the people I love. And please help Emmett get through this.”
Justice listened to her spoken prayers and woofed an Amen.
She loved her partner so much.
Why couldn’t humans be so easy to love?
When she got home, her sisters were sitting on the inside stairs, waiting for her.
“Belle, we need to talk,” Cara said. “Inside your apartment.”
“Okay.” Cara looked so serious. Belle’s heart rate increased tenfold. “Is everything okay?”
Anita shut the door and nodded at her sister. “Tell her.”
Cara twisted her braid and said, “When Uncle Rico brought us home today, we saw Joaquin talking to a man. It looked like the man gave him a wad of money.”