Secrets of Redemption Box Set

by Michele Pariza Wacek

  I shot him a look. “Seriously? As a friend?”

  He put his left hand over his heart and his right hand up. “I swear it. Mother’s grave, pinky swear, all the rest.”

  “Fine.” I picked my wine up again. “What are you curious about, Mr. Cat?”

  He paused and played with his beer. “Actually, I have a better idea. Let’s play a little game.”

  I stared at him. “A game?”

  “Yes. Let me share a story. Hypothetical, of course.”

  “Of course,” I muttered.

  “So, let’s say there’s a death,” Daniel continued. “Someone died unexpectedly, but on the surface, it looks like an accident.”

  “Like ... maybe she fell down the stairs,” I said drily.

  He beamed. “Exactly. And then the last person to see her alive shows up uninvited a few days later where the unexplained-but-accidental death happened, and starts snooping around.”

  “Is there a question lurking around in there somewhere?”

  “Ah, yes, I was just getting to that. Would you say that was a wise decision on the part of said ‘suspect?’”

  I rolled my eyes. “Honestly. That’s the best you can do?”

  “Did I forget to mention that this is purely hypothetical?”

  “Well, hypothetically speaking, maybe that person is afraid of being railroaded and blamed for something that isn’t her fault.”

  “Ah, yes, that is certainly a consideration,” Daniel said. “But here’s the thing—perhaps by showing up unexpectedly and uninvited, the precise thing that person was trying to avoid is instead set into motion.”

  “Is that another question? Or have we moved into the lecture part of this story? I’m having trouble telling the difference.”

  He grinned. “No lecture. This is all just hypothetical. Of course.”

  “Oh, of course.” I paused to take a sip of wine. “Well. We’re speaking hypothetically, right?”

  Daniel nodded. “Of course.”

  “Well, then, hypothetically I would say maybe she sees a pattern forming. That, years ago, something similar happened where she was the last person to see someone before she disappeared. That, while she knew there was a risk, she was willing to take it, because she didn’t like the pattern she was noticing.”

  “But don’t you think, hypothetically, that she would want someone in her corner? Maybe even a cop who believes that she wasn’t involved in the incident from years ago OR the one now? And maybe even believes that there is something fishy going on? And don’t you think she’d be aware (at least on some level) that when she does things like show up at a crime scene unexpectedly and uninvited, she’s actually hurting her own case, because it makes her look even more guilty?”

  Man. When he put it that way, my earlier actions really did seem pretty stupid.

  He must have seen something that revealed that thought on my face because he pressed his advantage. “And, if say, someone saw her there, someone who was already suspicious of her, it would just make everything worse?”

  “Hypothetically, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  I looked away. Was this the time to confess to him what I was really investigating?

  “How can I do nothing?” I finally asked. “You didn’t see her, Daniel. Something weird is going on.”

  “I believe you.”

  Shocked, I jerked my head around to stare at him. “Really? You believe me?”

  He gave me a sideways smile. “Is that so surprising?”

  Considering he was one of the few people who had believed me about Stefan, probably not. But still, I was having trouble trusting men—or at the very least, my judgment of them. I found my cheeks warming under his intense gaze. “It’s just ... you’re investigating me. Wouldn’t you find it surprising, if the roles were reversed?”

  “You were never seriously considered a suspect,” he said. “For one thing, Pat’s death appears to be nothing more than a straightforward accident. Unfortunate, yes, but an accident nonetheless. But,” he paused, as if gathering his thoughts. “Look, there’s ... well, there’s a lot of strange things happening right now. Things you don’t know. And maybe they’re not related, but ...” his voice trailed off.

  “But you think they are,” I finished.

  “I actually don’t know what to think. My head says one thing—my gut says another.” He shook his head. “Maybe there’s nothing happening. But I would feel better if I didn’t have to worry about you running around town stirring things up and getting in over your head.”

  “What might I be stirring up, precisely?” I asked. I couldn’t help the warming I immediately felt knowing he worried about me. He’s engaged, Becca.

  He gave me a lopsided grin, making my heart flutter. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

  “I’m serious, Daniel.” Although I could feel my own lips twitch upwards. “What if what’s going on directly affects me?”

  His entire body went still. “Why would you think it affects you?”

  “I ... well ...” Flustered, I wasn’t sure how to answer. Just like that, the cop was back—all hint of teasing gone. I could practically feel his entire body vibrating with tight, coiled energy just waiting to be unleashed. “It just seems like I end up in the middle of a lot of things happening in this town,” I said lamely.

  “Like what?”

  I gave him a look. “You know what.”

  He half-smiled although it didn’t completely reach his eyes. “Other than being the last to see two people before they either disappeared or died?”

  How about other than my nightmares? A footprint in my yard? A dead rabbit? Someone maybe being in my house?

  Yeah, there were a whole bunch of ‘other thans.’ But, would listing all of those actually sound convincing or like I was losing my mind?

  I decided to avoid the question. “Isn’t that enough?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Has something else happened?”

  Crap. Was I that easy to read? “It’s nothing.” I reached for my wine.

  He wasn’t going to let it drop. “What’s nothing?”

  “I just ... look. It’s probably nothing. Really.”

  “Probably nothing? Like the ‘nothing’ you saw today at Pat’s house? The curtain moving?”

  Now I was the one leaning forward. “Was there someone there after all?”

  “Inconclusive.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “What does ‘probably nothing’ mean?” he countered, picking up his beer without drinking it. Instead, we just stared at each other and I found myself flashing back to the cowboy. He had been almost pretty, yes. But there was nothing pretty or delicate about Daniel. He was all masculine with strong angles and rugged edges.

  And the intensity in his eyes took my breath away.

  Suddenly, my own stupidity washed over me. Daniel was engaged. I was a two-time marriage loser. I was playing with fire.

  “I have to go,” I said, reaching around to grab my purse before remembering I already paid for my drink. I could wait for Mia in the car. “I can’t do this.”

  “Do what? Where are you going?” Daniel asked as I collected my phone and slid off the bar stool. He said my name but I shook my head and hurried out of the bar.

  Once outside, I sped around the building to the back lot where I had parked my car. Fumbling for my keys, I managed to drop my purse and watched as half the contents spilled out onto the ground. Swearing under my breath, I bent over to pick everything up, and promptly dropped my phone.

  “Why did you run out?” Daniel was there, kneeling in front of me as I tried to gather my belongings. “What’s going on?”

  I didn’t dare meet his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  He picked up my phone and held it out to me. “Mayb
e I can help.”

  “I doubt it.” I very much doubt you can help fix my no-good, ridiculously bad, horrible judgment when it comes to men. I reached for my phone as we stood up but he pulled it back, out of my reach.

  “Talk to me.” He dangled my phone close to his face so I had no choice but to look at him.

  “You’re holding my phone hostage?” I tried to lunge for it, but he held it over his head. “You’re a cop. You’re supposed to uphold the law, not steal from people.”

  “I wasn’t always a cop.” There was a dangerous glint in his eyes.

  “So what, you’re going to steal my phone if I don’t talk to you?”

  “You may be surprised what I’m capable of.” His voice was quiet but that did nothing to hide the steel behind his words.

  Despite the fact that everything about him—from the way his jaw was set to the expression in his eyes—was warning me not to push him, I also realized I was tired of feeling like I had no control over my own life.

  “Give me my phone back!” I threw myself at him, trying to pry his fingers from my phone. There was a blur of confusion and somehow, I found myself in his arms, pinned against the wall of the bar, his hard body pressed against mine, his face just inches away. I wanted to protest, to push away from him, but instead I found myself softening, melting into his heat. I felt his warm breath against my cheek and noticed the hint of surprise in his eyes, like he too was wondering precisely how we got here. Then his mouth came down on mine.

  He tasted of beer and fire but his lips were gentle, almost teasing. I was burning up, my legs no longer able to support me, as I wrapped my arms around his neck. My brain was screaming at me … stop, this is a really awful idea … a new low even for someone with my terrible standards.

  He broke contact first, backing away from me so suddenly I almost collapsed into a puddle. Only the wall against my back held me up.

  “I ... I didn’t mean to do that.” He was breathing hard and his eyes didn’t meet mine. He ran his hands through his hair. “Sorry.”

  My lips felt bruised and swollen even though the kiss had been gentle. “It’s okay,” I said. It’s okay? Really? That’s all I have to say right now? How lame.

  Was it even true?

  He wiped his mouth with his hand, nearly clocking himself with my phone. “Oh, uh, here.” He held my phone out. “But I ...”

  “There you are, Becca,” Mia’s voice cut in. “Oh, and Daniel. You’re here, too.”

  Oh, thank God. I quickly turned to see her walking toward us. I was so happy to see her I could have kissed her.

  She paused, looking at us warily. “What’s going on here? Did I interrupt something?”

  “I was just giving Becca her phone back,” Daniel said smoothly, pushing my phone into my hand. “So, Mia was who you were meeting? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Well, we weren’t going to stay,” I said quickly, hoping I could herd Mia into the car and get out of here.

  Daniel raised his eyebrow. “You weren’t going to stay? Then why were you meeting here?”

  “I ...” The way he was looking at me made me so flustered, I couldn’t even make my mouth work.

  “I’m her witness,” Mia said, still eyeing us suspiciously. “Or maybe babysitter would be a better word.”

  Daniel turned to Mia. “Witness? Babysitter?”

  Mia shot me a puzzled look. “Didn’t you tell him?”

  “I ...” Now they were both staring at me and I wished the ground would open up right then and there and swallow me whole. I licked my dry lips and tasted beer. I could feel myself blushing.

  “What is going on between you two?” Mia asked.

  “Nothing important,” Daniel said, and I felt my back arch defensively. Nothing important? “I want to know what’s going on. Mia, what did you mean by ‘witness’ and ‘babysitter’?”

  “Becca thinks there might be someone in her house,” she answered, looking at me unhappily.

  Daniel whirled back to me, his eyes so angry they looked murderous. “You what? Why didn’t you tell me? I’m the cop here. What in the holy hell is wrong with you? With both of you?” He included Mia in his glare. “What the hell? You two were really going to go confront someone who could be dangerous alone?”

  “It’s not like that,” I burst in, finally getting my mouth to work. “I don’t even know if there was someone in the house.”

  He crossed his arms. “I want the whole story. Now!”

  God, I felt like an idiot. All this fuss for what? An unlocked door? A dead rabbit? Some dirt on the floor? Maybe seeing a curtain move and hearing a click? I should have just marched myself into my house and did my own search. At least then I could have skipped this whole nightmare freak show. I could be happily tucked in bed right now … without the memory of Daniel’s lips on mine.

  Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “I’m waiting.”

  I took a deep breath and told him the whole story, trying not to wince at how stupid it all sounded.

  If anything, Daniel’s expression seemed to grow even blacker the more I talked. “Is that all?”

  “She also saw a footprint outside a few weeks ago,” Mia piped in. At my look, she shrugged. “Becca, I think he needs to hear all of it.”

  I closed my eyes. “It may have been from Chrissy or her friends. It may not even have been a footprint. Maybe it was, ah, from an animal or something.” Even to my own ears, I sounded weak and unbelievable. Daniel was probably even more convinced someone had been lurking around outside my house.

  “Christ, Becca,” Daniel said through gritted teeth. “Do you have any idea ...” his voice trailed off and he shook his head. “Come on.” He turned and began walking away.

  Mia and I looked at each other before hurrying to catch up with him. “Where are we going?” I asked.

  Daniel glowered at me through eyes like slits. “Where do you think? I’m going to search your house.

  Chapter 15

  Daniel was very thorough.

  He insisted on checking the house out alone while Mia and I hovered together on the front porch. From what I could see as I peered in, he checked every room.

  Even Aunt Charlie’s bedroom.

  I had opened my mouth to protest before quickly realizing how silly I was being. Of course every room needed to be checked—including Aunt Charlie’s.

  When he finished, he gestured for us to come in.

  “No one’s here,” he said, slipping his gun back into the holster. “I can’t tell if anyone was here before but there’s definitely no one here now.”

  Considering this was good news, he didn’t look very happy.

  “You checked the basement?” I asked.

  He nodded. “And the Studio. And the garage.”

  Oh, the garage. I had forgotten about it since I only used it for storage.

  “Well, that’s good,” I said. “Thank you.”

  Mia hadn’t said much other than hissing, “What is going on between you two?” into my ear as we waited. I had waved her off but now her eyes darted between us, birdlike.

  Daniel didn’t say anything either. He simply folded his arms across his chest and glowered at me.

  I glanced at both of them. “So ... goodbye? I’m safe now, right?”

  “Becca, why didn’t you tell me?” Daniel asked.

  I lifted my hands in the air and dropped them down. “Tell you what? A whole bunch of maybes and things I could have imagined? I have no proof. Why would I bother you with it?”

  Daniel raked one of his hands through his hair. “First of all, you’re not bothering me. And second, you don’t know the whole picture.”

  I put one hand on my hip. “So, tell me then. What is the whole picture?”

  He shook his head. “It’s late. I don’t want to get into it now. We can talk about it later. Ton
ight, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  “What?” The memory of being in his arms, his lips on mine, flashed into my head. The thought of being alone with him, even if he was sleeping on a different floor, was unacceptable. “You will not.”

  “Becca, I don’t think you should be alone right now.”

  “I’ll stay,” Mia piped in. I turned to her in surprise. I had almost forgotten she was standing there. “I don’t mind.”

  “You sure?” Daniel asked.

  “You don’t have to,” I said to Mia, although secretly I was glad she offered. “Honestly.”

  “I’m sure,” Mia said.

  Daniel nodded. “Call me if you see or hear anything suspicious,” he said, more to Mia than me. Mia nodded.

  “Yes, Daniel, of course I’ll call you if anything happens in my house,” I said.

  He shot me an unreadable look before letting himself out. I paused to flip on the outside light, then followed him outside. I shut the door firmly, hoping Mia would take the hint and not try and listen.

  “Daniel,” I called out.

  He paused halfway down the walk and turned to me. His face was in shadow, the lights on the porch unable to penetrate the darkness around him. He didn’t say anything … just waited.

  What do I say? The kiss hung between us. Worse, I couldn’t see his face, so I didn’t have a clue what he was thinking or feeling.

  “I ... I guess I just want to thank you again,” I said.

  “You don’t have to thank me,” he said, his voice gruff. “It’s my job.”

  His job? That brought me up short. “I thought you were off duty.”

  “You’re never off duty when you’re a cop.”

  Were you a cop when you kissed me? Was that part of your job, too? “Well, thank you, anyway. And apologize to Gwyn or whomever you were meeting,” I turned to go back inside.

  “I wasn’t meeting anyone,” he said. “Especially not Gwyn.”

  I turned back. “What do you mean?”

  Even in the darkness, I could see him shrug. “We broke up.”

  “What? When?”

  “Officially, last Sunday. But we’ve been drifting apart for a while now.”

  Something clicked inside. “Is that why she wasn’t wearing her engagement ring Saturday night?”