A Cop's Promise

by Sharon Hartley

  “I’ll bet he didn’t much like being a suspect.”

  “Not much,” Lana agreed.

  “Of course, I knew he didn’t kill anybody, much less our brother. Was he pissed?”

  “Yeah, but he got over it.”

  “Chip’s a good guy,” Sandy said with a nod. “Look how patient he is with Mike. He’d be a good dad.”

  “Yeah, he would.” Lana remained quiet for a moment, watching Mike’s awkward progress. “Have you told Mom about my new living arrangements?”

  “No way is that coming from me,” Sandy said. “You haven’t told her?”

  “Not yet. She still insists Chip murdered Dan.”

  “I know. She told me.”

  “Does Mom still watch Mike when you go in the field?” Lana asked.

  “Couple of times a week.”

  “How is she doing?”

  “The same,” Sandy said.

  Which meant their mother couldn’t stop complaining about how badly life and an abusive ex-husband had treated her. She and Sandy loved their mom, and they agreed she’d gotten a raw deal. She also refused to let go of Dan. Being around her was exhausting and depressing, and Mom wouldn’t take any steps to help herself. Lana sighed. Obsessed with solving Dan’s murder, am I on track to end up just like her?

  “She mentioned you hadn’t returned her calls,” Sandy said.

  “When I do, she demands to know about my progress. It’s been maybe a week.”

  “She said two.”

  Lana shrugged. “Possibly.”

  “You need to call her.” Sandy lifted her long dark hair off her neck to take advantage of the breeze, and the sisters lapsed into companionable silence. They’d had this conversation hundreds of times.

  “I need to ask you something,” Lana said. “You need to be honest.”

  “Of course.” Sandy shot her a look. “It must be important with that kind of a lead-in.”

  “It is.”

  “O-kay,” Sandy said cautiously, drawing out the word.

  Lana took a deep breath. “Did you ever see Dan bully anyone, act mean to anyone?”

  When Sandy didn’t answer, Lana closed her eyes. Why didn’t I see it?

  “I was so much younger that Dan pretty much ignored me, so I never saw anything like that. But...” Her sister paused as if she didn’t want to voice her thought.

  Lana stared at Sandy, steeling herself for what she was about to hear. “But what?”

  Sandy didn’t look at Lana as she sipped her tea. “I was a little afraid of Dan.”

  “What? You never told me that.”

  Sandy shrugged. “He was so big. In my mind, he was just like our father.”

  * * *

  “TOUCHDOWN!”

  Chip whooped as Gary leaped to his feet, throwing both arms into the air when the wide receiver for the Dolphins sped into the end zone.

  Chip grinned at Lana, who reached over to give him a stinging high five.

  “About damn time,” Gary announced, and took a long pull on his beer, emptying the can.

  Chip had lost count of how many brews their neighbor had consumed, and the game wasn’t even half over. Plus Gary had arrived in a great mood and already high on something.

  But he’d come alone and only had to walk next door, so no harm, no foul. Lana wanted him loose, but if he got much looser, he’d pass out.

  She came to her feet as Gary settled back on the sofa. “Let me get you another beer.”

  “Thanks,” Gary said.

  “Chip, do you need anything?” she yelled from the kitchen.

  “A soda would be great,” Chip called back.

  Lana’s big plan was a bust so far. Up to now, their conversation had revolved around Gary’s job, Chip’s studies and the fact that the Dolphins didn’t have much of an offense. Other than being more talkative than Chip had ever seen him, Gary hadn’t exhibited any strange behavior, and Lana hadn’t once tried to bring up the subject of high school.

  She was playing it cool, but he suspected she’d find a way during halftime, when she planned on serving fried chicken and potato salad. She’d even baked brownies for dessert, making the house smell like chocolate heaven all morning.

  He lifted his left hand and stared at the heavy championship ring. Lana had asked him to wear it, hoping to elicit a reaction from Gary. Gary had glanced at the ring a couple of times, but so far hadn’t said a word about it.

  Chip couldn’t remember the last time he’d put on the ring. He didn’t like wearing it.

  The ring always reminded him of Dan.

  Lana returned from the kitchen and handed another beer to Gary, who mumbled his thanks.

  Chip grinned at her when she sat beside him with his soda, and she nodded encouragingly. He knew what that meant. She wanted him to kiss her.

  He leaned over and gave her a light peck on her cheek.

  “Thanks,” he murmured, as he took the cold soda from her hand. He settled against the sofa next to her and popped the tab, creating a quick icy spray.

  She blinked and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

  Chip smiled, knowing she’d expected a kiss with a lot more heat. Too damn bad. Kissing Lana was a dangerous game, one he enjoyed far too much. One he’d decided not to play anymore.

  Each time he kissed her, he found it harder and harder to stop.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  LANA PLACED THE plate of brownies on the coffee table Chip had helped her move from her apartment, and Gary immediately grabbed a huge chunk, dripping crumbs on the hardwood floor. He grunted his approval following a giant bite. Charming.

  After tasting the confection himself, Chip leaned over and kissed her on the cheek again. “Awesome,” he said. “Just awesome.”

  “Thanks,” she mumbled, pleased at the praise, although she’d been hoping for a more serious kiss all afternoon. But maybe they shouldn’t be too obvious in front of Gary. After all, he didn’t have a date.

  She’d spent all afternoon observing Gary. For sure he’d noticed Chip’s ring but hadn’t mentioned it, which frustrated the hell out of her. She’d been certain he’d comment, thus opening the door to a discussion about high school. Then she’d maneuver the conversation to Dan and watch for a reaction. All Gary had done was glance at his own hands, which seemed unusually thick, as if swollen.

  He’d had plenty of other things to say, though. At first he’d been talkative, almost giddy, exhibiting all the signs of being under the influence of some euphoria-creating substance. Like maybe the one that he sold?

  But as the game had progressed, his mood had altered. During halftime, he’d been subdued and irritated by anything she said. He’d eaten in silence. Any attempt to bring up high school was rebuffed until she’d had to back off.

  Gary uttered a vicious expletive at some event on the football field, his angry voice jerking her back to the present. Wow. A bit over-the-top.

  Chip shot him a look, eyes narrowed.

  She stared at Gary, trying to figure him out. His physical appearance had changed dramatically since high school. She didn’t remember his face being so broken out, but he now had a serious case of acne. And he’d been a scrawny dude in middle school, where they’d first met, although they were never close friends. Gary was scrawny no more. He wore a tank top, which revealed huge biceps, curly red hair and overdeveloped muscles in his back. His legs reminded her of tree trunks.

  He’d been doing far more than slurping smoothies at the gym.

  “Will you look at that shit,” Gary yelled.

  Lana refocused on the game. A Dolphins player lay injured on the field, grabbing at his knee. An official called a time-out.

  “He’s out for the effing season,” Gary said darkly.

  “Oh, dear,” Lana muttered. But now was her opportunity to start a conve
rsation.

  “Gary, what gym do you use?” she asked. “I’ve been thinking about joining one.”

  Chip swung his gaze to her, eyebrows raised.

  “South Miami Fitness,” Gary said. “It’s not far from here, pretty convenient.”

  “So you recommend the place?”

  He shrugged his massive shoulders. “It’s okay.”

  “Expensive?”

  “About like most of them.” He rose. “Listen, guys. I’m going to take off. Thanks for everything.”

  Lana blinked. The game wasn’t over, and he’d been so absorbed. Transfixed even. Unsure what to say, she came to her feet, as did Chip.

  “Everything okay, man?” Chip asked.

  “Fine,” Gary mumbled. “See you around.”

  Without another word, he stomped out the door.

  Lana exchanged a glance with Chip after the door had slammed.

  “What the hell was that about?” she asked.

  Chip shook his head. “That dude is seriously whacked.”

  “Weird. Was it because I asked about the gym?”

  “Maybe,” Chip said. He grabbed the remote and froze the screen, which also thankfully muted the blaring noise from an advertisement for a car dealership.

  Lana collapsed onto the sofa. “What a disaster.”

  “Hey, don’t be hard on yourself. The food was delicious.”

  She threw him a grateful smile. “Thanks, but my plan is a failure so far. I got no new information.”

  Chip sat beside her on the sofa. “He wouldn’t let you near the subject of Southeast High.”

  “No kidding.” Lana sighed, grabbed a potato chip from the bowl and took a bite. “I wonder why.”

  “High school might not be a pleasant memory for Gary. Being bullied isn’t fun.”

  “No one would bully him now,” she said. “Did you see those arms?”

  “Did his muscles impress you?”

  Lana made a face at Chip. “Please. He looks grotesque, unnatural.”

  “Unnatural is the right word,” Chip said.

  “Maybe a better word is anabolic steroids?” she asked.

  Chip nodded. “I think so. He has all the signs of steroid abuse—mood swings, acne. Did you notice how swollen his hands were?”

  She nodded. “But why would he take steroids to bulk up? He’s not a professional athlete. He wasn’t even an athlete in high school.”

  “I don’t know,” Chip said. “Maybe because he was sick of being a victim. Like you said, no one would bully him now.”

  “I think he wore that tank top to show off.”

  “I agree,” Chip said. “Gary is proud of his new body.”

  She nodded, releasing a long breath. “I wonder what he’s selling out of his home.”

  “Maybe he’s a steroid pusher,” Chip suggested. “Makes sense since he’s obviously using them.”

  “Maybe,” Lana agreed. “Did you think Gary was high when he first arrived?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “But steroids don’t make you euphoric.”

  “Lots of other drugs do, though,” Chip said.

  “Yeah, like heroin. And other opioids, of course.” Heroin had become a huge problem for the police because it was cheaper than legal pharmaceuticals. Legitimate patients got addicted to their pain meds and then turned to heroin as a substitute when they couldn’t afford their prescriptions.

  “I read heroin use is on the rise,” Chip said.

  She nodded. “Because it’s readily available and cheap.”

  “But does Gary fit that profile? Did he have an injury requiring pain medication?”

  Lana thought a moment. “I haven’t uncovered anything in my investigation. But long-term steroid use can make it hard to sleep, and according to my research, users often turn to opioids to help with insomnia. Maybe he crashed and that’s why he left so rudely.”

  Chip crossed his arms. “This is all speculative.”

  “Spoken like a lawyer.”

  “That’s right,” Chip said. “Lawyers deal in proof. I didn’t see any needles in his home, and I didn’t see any track marks on his arms.”

  “Yeah, me neither. Although he might use his thighs to hide it,” she said. “If he’s been using steroids long-term, he’s injecting.”

  “More speculation.”

  Lana lapsed into silence. What a complicated mess. Looking around the room, she released a breath. Talk about messes. She rose and gathered the dirty dishes and empty beer bottles left behind by Gary. Even if he wasn’t a drug dealer or an addict, their neighbor was a complete slob.

  Chip reached for the potato chips and came to his feet. “Let me help you.”

  “Don’t you want to watch the end of the game?”

  “I’d rather use the time to study.”

  Chip carried the remains of their party into the kitchen while Lana rinsed the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. When finished, she dried her hands on a towel and turned to find Chip covering the leftover chicken with aluminum foil. And doing a good job of it, too, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  She leaned against the counter to watch. She couldn’t remember her father or Dan ever even entering the kitchen, while Chip obviously knew his way around the place.

  He glanced up. “We can have leftovers later if we get hungry. Or have sandwiches for lunch tomorrow, although we’re low on bread.”

  “It’s my turn to go to the grocery,” Lana said as Chip placed the neatly covered chicken inside the refrigerator. “I’ll go while you’re studying.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Realizing she was staring at him, Lana tossed the dish towel onto the counter. She stepped closer and raised on her toes to kiss his cheek.

  “Thanks for your help,” she murmured, placing her hands on his shoulders. She raised her gaze to find his intense blue eyes drilling into hers. What she read in his expression made her breath catch.

  “You’re welcome.” Chip lowered his mouth to hers and, without thinking, she opened for him. He began a slow, sensual exploration with his tongue, and she got lost in a cascade of heat and sensation. She slid her fingers along his neck and into his hair, loving its silky texture.

  Yes, this was what she’d wanted him to do all day.

  * * *

  CHIP TIGHTENED HIS hold on Lana. When she didn’t push him away, he skimmed his hands down her back, caressing her curves, enjoying the feel of her, the smell of her. He wanted to bury himself in her, hold her forever in this kiss.

  She felt good, perfect, as he knew she would. In some mysterious way, she completed him and always had. He hardened. Lana was exactly what he needed in his life.

  Unable to stop himself, and not wanting to stop, he cupped her firm buttocks and gently pressed into her. Encouraged when she didn’t back away, he deepened the kiss, and she made a sexy noise in her throat.

  He wanted her, and right now he wanted her to know it. Her response told him she wanted him, too, so why not take her into his bedroom? He’d wanted to make love to her forever. Her response told him she wouldn’t object.

  With a groan, Chip broke the kiss and stared at Lana. God, she was beautiful.

  She blinked open eyes darkened with her own desire and peered into his face as if she’d never seen him before.

  Their breath sounded loud and labored in the quiet of the kitchen. The refrigerator’s motor clicked on, rousing her. Holding his gaze, she raised her fingers to her lips and smiled.

  “Was that more practice?” she whispered.

  He grinned. “I think we’ve figured out what we’re doing.”

  She stepped away and seemed to come back to herself, but he didn’t want to lose the intimacy of this moment.

  “You’re a good kisser,” she said.

 
“I like kissing you.”

  “Why didn’t you kiss me in front of Gary?”

  Because I like kissing you too much. “Maybe I was too busy watching his strange behavior.”

  She nodded. “Something is definitely going on with our neighbor. I’ve just got to figure out what.”

  Chip sighed, knowing the moment was gone as soon as she started thinking about her investigation.

  “Are you really going to join Gary’s gym?” he asked.

  “Thinking about it. I’d like to observe Gary’s behavior during a workout, perhaps question other members about him.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “What’s wrong with joining his gym?” she asked.

  Chip sighed. “For once please think about what you’re doing.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I always think about what I do.”

  “Really? First you had me ask Gary for a recommendation for his employer, then we move in next door and now you’re going to join his gym? Anyone would think that behavior’s odd. It’s like you’re stalking him, for God’s sake.”

  “Maybe so, but we know why.”

  “But think about this. Gary’s behavior tonight proved something’s off about him. And it’s more than a lack of manners.”

  “That’s putting it nicely,” she muttered.

  “This isn’t funny, Lana. If he’s really guilty of something illegal,” Chip said, “whether trafficking in drugs or murder, you need to be careful around him. He’s dangerous.”

  “You forget I’m a cop.”

  “Oh, I never forget that,” he said. When she was on patrol, he constantly worried about her. But of course she didn’t know that, wouldn’t like the idea if she did.

  “Good.”

  He placed a hand on her arm. “But remember whoever murdered Dan used a Taser.”

  “I know that. I told you, remember?” She shrugged off his hand, retrieved the dish towel from the counter and folded it in half. “And I’m always careful.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re too impulsive. And you don’t see what’s going on around you.”