by Laura Scott
Her eyes widened. “Yes. How did you know?”
He couldn’t believe this woman dated Eden’s brother. “Why did you two break up?”
She wrinkled her nose. “He got all possessive about me, saying I belonged to him and other nonsense. I think Tayron was egging him on.”
“When’s the last time you saw Ricky or Tayron?”
“Probably four months ago, maybe longer. I don’t go to the clubs anymore because I’m focused on my career.” She frowned. “You think Ricky had something to do with this?”
Ricky or Tayron or someone trying to divert attention away from himself and onto the most likely suspects.
Too bad Max had no idea which theory was the right one.
Before he could move away, his phone rang. He glanced down, recognizing Henry Roarke’s number. Eden? He gripped the phone. “What’s wrong?”
“Just as I was approaching Eden’s building, I saw a guy dressed in black walking toward it. Cody and I gave chase, but he managed to get away.”
“Eden’s all right?”
“I texted her and she’s fine. I’m heading back to stand guard outside her door now.”
“Thanks.” Max disconnected from the call. Apparently, this attack on Patti Wang was nothing more than a diversionary tactic.
Eden was still the prime target.
SIX
Unable to sit still, Eden paced the interior of her apartment. Charlie had finally crawled out from under her bed to eat his food. He was daintily licking his paws when her buzzer sounded.
She startled so bad she had to take a deep breath to calm herself as she crossed the room to the intercom. “Yes?”
“Eden? It’s Max. Would you please let me in?”
“Of course.” She hit the button that disengaged the lock, then hovered near her door until she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. After peering through the peephole to be sure Max and Sam were the ones out there, she shifted the dead bolt and opened the door. She tried to smile. “Hey.”
His ominous expression had her stomach knotting with tension. “We need to talk.”
She stepped back to give them room to enter, then closed and relocked the door behind him. Charlie let out a high-pitched meow and sprinted toward the sanctity of her bedroom. This time Sam didn’t bark, but stood on alert, his nose quivering. The dog was growing accustomed to Charlie’s presence.
Too bad she couldn’t say the same about the cat.
“Good boy,” Max praised, reaching down to rub his partner’s silky coat. He shucked off his outer gear, then gestured toward the kitchen table.
She licked her dry lips and dropped weakly into the nearest chair. “I-is she hurt bad? She—didn’t die, did she?”
“No, she’s fine. The knife wound wasn’t very deep. It was a shallow laceration, less than three inches long.” Max’s voice was calm and soothing. “Do you know Patti Wang?”
She frowned. “No, why? Should I?”
Max hesitated, then shrugged. “She apparently dated your brother. Ricky never introduced you?”
She thought back to the last few encounters she’d had with her brother, before shaking her head. “No, but I’m not surprised. He’s been distancing himself from me lately. Hasn’t returned my phone calls since I moved. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. How long has she been seeing him?”
“Several weeks, but she says she hasn’t seen him for the past four months. Partially because she didn’t like Tayron Lee.”
She blew out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know why my brother continues to hang out with him. He’s not Tiger, but Trouble with a capital T.”
Max studied her for a long moment. “She was followed to the subway from the real-estate office located across the street from the precinct. It’s where her friend works.”
The knot in her stomach tightened. “That’s a strange coincidence.”
“She looks a lot like you, Eden. But I don’t think this is a case of mistaken identity.” His gaze was full of concern. “Henry and his K-9, Cody, saw a man dressed in black heading toward this building. They scared him off, but I think it’s clear the attack on her was a diversionary tactic.”
A hard lump formed in the back of her throat. The thought that anyone would target an innocent person because of her was horrifying. “I—don’t know what to say.”
He reached over to cradle her hand in his. “This isn’t your fault. But I think the attack on Patti was done to deliberately throw suspicion onto Tayron Lee, as if to make him look like a guy who attacks women.”
Her mind whirled. “You think Tayron might be innocent? Who would know he was a suspect in the first place? Or know about my peanut allergy? And the fact that I collect snow globes?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I keep coming back to your Geek Quad friends—they know where you live. They know how and when to divert their faces around cameras in the area.”
“But why? There’s no reason for my friends to hurt me.”
He offered a wan smile. “I know, but I can’t afford to ignore the tech angle related to the cameras. No common criminal is that good. We need to investigate all possibilities.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “I’m not leaving you here alone tonight.”
She swallowed hard, then nodded as a wave of relief washed over her. “Thank you. I appreciate that. Frankly, I was a nervous wreck the entire time you and Sam were gone, even knowing Henry was outside with Cody to alert.”
Max’s blue gaze clung to hers. “Trust me, Eden. None of us are going to let anything happen to you.”
The idea that Max had cared enough to arrange for someone to watch over her was overwhelming and humbling. “Thank you.”
He released her hand and turned toward his K-9. “I’ll sleep on the sofa again.”
She nodded and stood. “I’ll get the things you used yesterday.”
Eden stretched a sheet over the sofa, then set down the blanket and pillow. She stood for a moment, thinking about the limited amount of food in her fridge. “I should have stopped at the grocery store on the way home.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Max crossed over. “I might even give your green tea a try.”
That made her smile. “It’s better for you than coffee.”
For the second time that day, awareness filled the air between them. He drew her into his arms for a hug, but then released her. “Good night, Eden.”
“Good night.” She had to force herself to turn and walk away.
She logged into her laptop computer, grimacing when she saw there was another email from the Federal recruiter who’d contacted her two weeks ago. He was once again asking for a meeting to discuss the various job opportunities they had for her.
She closed the laptop without replying. While it was tempting to respond to the guy, she knew deep down she really didn’t want to leave the Brooklyn K-9 Unit.
Especially not after the way she’d grown closer to Max.
* * *
Max didn’t sleep well. Eden’s sofa was comfortable enough, and the Christmas lights on the tree were soothing, but the different twists in the case ricocheted through his brain.
The more he thought about it, the more he believed the attack on Patti Lee had been a diversion tactic. For one thing, the laceration on her arm wasn’t very deep. Not to mention, her former relationship with Ricky Chang was far too much of a coincidence. And Henry and Cody had seen a guy in black approaching Eden’s building.
Would Tayron Lee be so crazy as to attack his buddy’s former girlfriend as a lame attempt to throw suspicion off him attacking Eden? Somehow, he couldn’t see it.
Would one of her Geek Quad friends do something like that? Maybe, especially if they knew about Ricky and Tayron’s friendship. But how would they know about Ricky’s girlfriend when Eden hadn’t even known about her?
W
hat was the motive for all of this? Why would one of her friends come after her? And if not one of her close friends, then who?
He had far too many questions without answers.
Rolling off the sofa, he stretched and reached for his utility belt and weapon. Sam lifted his head, then lumbered to his feet. Sam headed toward the door, waiting patiently for Max to pull on his jacket, grab Eden’s keys and the leash.
Outside, he swept his gaze over the area, searching for anyone who might be watching Eden’s building, but the area was very residential. There was no one nearby and there were no businesses across the street where someone could hang out. Reassured, he headed back inside with Sam.
Eden was up and dressed when he entered the kitchen. She had a carton of eggs on the counter and was busy making what appeared to be veggie omelets.
“You don’t have to cook for me,” he protested as he unhooked Sam’s leash. He crossed over to wash his hands in the sink beside her. The entire scene felt very domestic.
“It’s my turn,” she said with a smile. “I have the tea kettle on, too.”
He tried not to wince—after all, he’d promised to give her green tea a try.
But man, he would have given a lot for a cup of coffee.
“Any news?” Eden glanced at him over her shoulder.
“Not yet.” He was hoping they’d get some answers by the end of the day. “But maybe you’ll find something on the video this time. This guy’s bound to make a mistake sooner or later.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “I was thinking last night and remembered Ricky did say something in passing about a girl he met at one of the local nightclubs. But I’m sure he didn’t say her name. And I didn’t really give it much credence. I mean, if he was seeing someone seriously I’d be interested in meeting her, but meeting a girl at a nightclub isn’t a big deal.”
He thought about that for a moment. “You mentioned Tayron asked you out all the time. When’s the last time you saw him?”
She wrinkled her nose and flipped the omelet. “I think it was about a month ago that I saw Ricky and Tayron. Ricky met up with me prior to a gaming event at The Center and of course Tayron tagged along.”
A tingle of excitement slipped down his spine. “Ricky and Tayron both go to The Center with you and your friends?”
“Not often, but they’ve gone a couple of times. Ricky was interested, but Tayron was bored by the whole thing. And he always made comments about how beautiful I was, asking why I wouldn’t give him a chance.” She shook her head. “I always tried to be nice, but that last time, I got super annoyed and told him to get out and leave me alone once and for all.”
No wonder she’d thought Tayron Lee was the one behind her stabbing incident. Telling him off in front of others was motive for an attack.
But would someone without advanced tech skills be able to create a snow-globe bomb or elude so many of the city’s cameras?
“I’d like to stay here again tonight, if that’s okay.”
Eden put their omelets on two plates and brought them over to the table. “I’d like that, thanks.” She sat and bowed her head. He did, too.
“Dear Lord, thank you for this food we are about to eat and for keeping us safe in Your care. Amen.”
“Amen,” he echoed.
She glanced up at him in surprise. “I didn’t realize you were a churchgoer.”
“Used to be.” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I haven’t attended since Jessica died.”
Her dark eyes filled with empathy. “It’s hard, isn’t it? I felt the same way after losing my father to cancer, then my mother to a heart attack. But in the end, I found comfort in being in church, and in prayer.”
“Jessica was the one who introduced me to God and faith.” He pushed the words through his tight throat. “Afterward, I found it difficult to believe in Him.”
“We all stumble in our faith at times.” She reached over and lightly rested her hand on his forearm. He could feel the warmth of her fingers through the sleeve of his uniform. “But it’s important to remember that God is there for us, no matter what. And that we need Him the most when we hit a rough patch.”
He covered her hand with his. “I can only promise to try.”
“That’s all I can ask.” She squeezed his arm, then withdrew her hand to pick up her fork. “I hope you like it.”
“Looks great.” He used the edge of his fork to cut off a piece. Flavor exploded on his tongue. “Wow, this is amazing. What’s in here?”
Eden’s bright smile warmed his heart. She playfully shook her finger at him. “Oh, no. I’m not revealing my culinary secrets.”
Max chuckled and wondered if the food was really that great or if it was the woman seated across the table that made it special. Either way, he found himself loathe to leave.
But they both had work to do. Not to mention, he needed to stop at home to shower and change. May as well pack a bag, too, along with bringing supplies for Sam, since he would be staying here until they’d found and arrested the man responsible for these attacks on Eden. And on Patti Wang.
He glanced again at the brightly lit Christmas tree tucked in the corner of the living room, protected by the baby gate. Strange that he’d found the lights comforting last night considering he didn’t have a single Christmas decoration up at his place.
Was he getting over losing Jessica? Until now, he hadn’t planned to get involved in another relationship. Yet in the span of two days, he was beginning to feel at home with Eden.
Comfortable with her in a way that was completely unexpected.
And a little terrifying.
“I really hope I can find something on the video,” Eden said with a sigh. “It’s bugging me that this guy has managed to elude us for so long.”
Eden’s comment pulled him from his turbulent thoughts. “We will. As I said, he’ll make a mistake soon. And I’m hoping the bomb squad turns up more information that could help. We also issued a BOLO on Tayron Lee last night based on the attack on Patti Wang.”
“I feel very guilty about that. I really hope she didn’t suffer because of me.”
“Hey, the guy who attacked her is to blame, not you.”
“Maybe.” Her dark brown eyes mirrored her doubt.
They’d just finished eating when Max’s phone rang. He reached over to put the call on speaker. “Santelli.”
“This is Officer Hurtz with NYPD. We’ve got information on your BOLO, Tayron Lee.”
“You found him?” Max couldn’t restrain his excitement.
“Kind of,” Hurtz said wryly. “We got word from Atlantic City that he and a guy by the name of Ricky Chang were both arrested two days ago for assault and battery and public intoxication.”
The assault and battery charges were believable, but he frowned at the timing. “Two days ago? Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent,” Hurtz said. “They were arrested at twenty-three hundred hours on Tuesday night and were about to be released this morning, until the officers saw your BOLO. There’s been a request to have them transported to Brooklyn. They should be there in a few hours.”
His gaze clashed with Eden’s. Being arrested two days ago meant that Tayron Lee couldn’t have been the one who’d followed and attempted to stab Eden or made a snow-globe bomb or attacked Patti Wang.
Which left them right back where they’d started.
SEVEN
Her assailant wasn’t Tayron Lee.
Eden placed her palms on the table to keep herself centered. All this time, she’d felt certain the man following her, who’d tried to stab her, who’d put peanut oil on her salad, had to be Tayron Lee.
The idea that there was someone else out there who wanted to hurt her was staggering. And worse, Tayron had dragged her brother into something that had landed them both in jail.
“Thanks, I
’ll be in touch soon.” Max disconnected from the call. “Eden? Are you okay?”
She tried to nod but couldn’t seem to move.
“Eden?” Max’s tone resonated with concern. He came over to put his hands on her shoulders, as if afraid she’d topple off her chair. “It’s okay. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
The warmth from his hands helped steady her. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know. I just thought for sure...” She couldn’t finish.
A flash of guilt hit hard. All this time she’d allowed her personal feelings to taint her thoughts on the investigation. She’d actually blamed Tayron for something he didn’t do.
Granted, his alibi was being in jail. But still.
She reached up and covered Max’s hand with hers. “Do you think questioning them will yield any information? What could they know about what is going on here when they were in Atlantic City?”
“We still need to understand the timeline of when they left town and find out the last time your brother saw Patti Wang. Once we tie up that end, we can move on to other suspects.”
“Okay, then we’d better get to work.” She forced herself to push away from the table. Max released her and she instantly missed his touch.
Stay focused, she warned herself. You’ve already made one mistake. No need to add another.
After leaving her apartment, they took a different route to Max’s place. She waited in the living room with Sam as Max showered and changed into a clean uniform. His apartment was smaller than hers, but neat and tidy. What struck her the most was the stark interior without the barest hint of a personal touch.
Not a Christmas decoration to be found.
Max was likely still grieving over his dead fiancée. Any interest he may have in her was nothing more than a rebound from his self-imposed isolation.
Something she needed to remember the next time she felt the urge to kiss him. She didn’t want to read more into what was going on between them. He was a coworker helping to keep her safe from harm. The last thing she needed was to open herself up to heartache.