Safe Guard (The DeLuca Family Book 2)

by Amy Reece

  “Agreed. Let’s focus on solving this case, all right?”

  They worked silently for nearly an hour. Finn stood to stretch and refill his mug, then sighed harshly when the front door opened. “Agent Dickbag is here. This day just went down the crapper.”

  Chris looked up and saw Jared Daniels enter the building, looking extremely pissed. “What now?” she muttered. “Agent Daniels, what can we do for you today?”

  He walked briskly to their desks. “You can tell me what the hell you think you’re doing.” His jaw was tight and she could see a pulse pounding in his temple. “You questioned two members of the Argyros family.”

  “We did, as part of our murder investigation. Why does that bother you, Jared? We question people every day.” She was not in the mood to deal with his uncooperative attitude today.

  He leaned down, putting his handsome face within an inch of hers. “Stay out of my investigation. The Argyros family is off limits to you, do you understand? Stick with the Fiore’s. They’re small time and should be enough to keep the New Mexico State Police busy for quite a while. Stay away from the Argyros family, Detective Hart. I’d hate to see anything negative happen to your career.” He finished with a growl and spun on his heel without giving her a chance to reply. He flung the front door open, slamming it against the wall as he left.

  “Looks like you managed to piss off the nice FBI agent. Good job, Chris.” Finn placed a mug of coffee in front of her.

  “Hmm,” she murmured as she sipped. “I’d sure like to know why. He’s awfully adamant about us staying out of his business. Kind of makes me wonder if there’s more to it than not trusting local law enforcement to do it right.”

  “What are you thinking?” Finn leaned back in his chair with his mug cupped in his hands.

  “I’m not sure, but it might be interesting to find a way to look into Special Agent Daniels’ financials.”

  “You think he’s on the take?” Finn looked around as he whispered the words.

  “I hope not, but it certainly crossed my mind. Shit! I hate this kind of stuff!” She wrenched open her top drawer and rummaged around until she found half a bar of chocolate. She stuffed a large piece in her mouth and sat back, chewing as she tried to regain some sense of equilibrium. She hated the thought of a fellow law enforcement officer betraying his oath to protect and serve.

  “So, what are we gonna do about it?”

  “Well, we’re going to keep investigating the Argyros clan, for starters. Beyond that, I don’t know. We need to keep it on the DL until we know more. God, Finn! Why does everything have to be so fucking difficult?”

  “Are we still talking about Agent Dickweed?”

  “Among other things.” She growled the words around another mouthful of chocolate.

  “I’ll make a few calls. I’ve got a buddy who might be able to help us follow the money.”

  “Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “I guess we better do that. I’ll make a few calls too.”

  An afternoon of prying into the private life of an FBI agent left her on edge and aching all over. They had discovered nothing unusual about Daniels, except that he spent an inordinate amount of money on video games. If he was on the take, he’d hidden it well. By the time she got home, all she wanted was a long run followed by a hot shower. She threw on a pair of running shorts and a ratty t-shirt, grabbed her keys, and headed out. She made it to her favorite trail in the foothills within fifteen minutes, then settled in for several miles of mind-calming running. Two miles in, Bob finally caught up with her. She’d seen Hugh and his dog a mile and a half earlier, of course—she was a cop, after all, and always hyper aware of her surroundings—but had decided to ignore them.

  “Hey, Bob.” She took out one of her earbuds to address the dog and stopped to pet him. He wriggled with excitement, then turned and ran back to his master. She stood and crossed her arms. “You followed me?”

  Hugh jogged up, looking amazing in his shorts and tight t-shirt, but panting slightly. He wasn’t a runner, but had gamely joined her frequently over the last few weeks. “Oh, you know. Bob and I were just out for a little run. It’s funny we ran into you, huh?”

  Funny. Sure. “Hugh. What are you doing?”

  “Fighting for you, Chrissy. I’m sorry. Can we talk?”

  She wanted so badly to give in, but she wasn’t ready to risk her heart again so soon. It was too painful. “No.” She hated the crestfallen expression on his face, but stiffened her resolve. “I’m not ready.”

  “Chrissy.” His voice broke as he whispered her name.

  She sniffed and wiped away the tear streaking down her cheek. “I want to finish my run before it gets too dark. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you. Bye, Bob.” She turned resolutely, put her earbud back in, and ran down the path, away from the man she loved.

  ***

  She had just logged on to her computer the next morning when Finn looked past her, grinning.

  “Hugh! Hey, man! Did you bring bagels? Best brother ever!” He dug into the paper bag Hugh set on his desk.

  “Here, Chrissy.” He handed her a paper cup of coffee and a wrapped bagel. It was her favorite, of course: whole wheat sunflower seed with a veggie shmear. Damn it.

  She was tempted to ignore his offering, but that would be juvenile. Besides, she hadn’t had time for breakfast. “Thanks.” She narrowed her eyes at Finn as she sipped the gourmet piñon roast, which was far superior to the swill in the break room. Finn shifted his gaze guiltily and devoted his full attention to the green chile cheese bagel Hugh had brought for him.

  Hugh stayed to chat with Finn for a few more minutes, then said he had a meeting and left.

  She sipped her coffee silently, staring calmly across her desk at her partner.

  “What?” he finally asked.

  “Stop butting in.”

  “I didn’t, I swear! He texted and asked if I wanted a bagel. What was I supposed to say?”

  She could tell by the way he still wouldn’t look at her there was more. “And?”

  “And nothing.” But it was a weak whimper. “Shit! Fine! He asked about your favorite. What was I supposed to say?” he repeated.

  She made a derogatory, dismissive sound and turned her attention to her work.

  “Women,” Finn muttered and buried himself in his own work. They didn’t speak for over an hour.

  Her phone buzzed with a text as they were coming back from lunch and a witness interview for a white-collar crime case they were trying to close.

  Cara: Girls’ night tonight. I’ll pick you up at 7.

  She sighed.

  Chris: Hugh and I broke up.

  Cara: I know. He’s not invited.

  Chris smiled, glad to not lose her friendship with Hugh’s sisters. She’d been worried the breakup would cause Izzy, Mel, and Cara to shun her. She should have known better.

  Chris: OK. I’ll be ready.

  Cara: Good. We’re going to Anodyne, so wear something fun. No frumpy jeans!

  Chris: God! Bossy much?

  Cara: Damn straight! See u 2nite.

  She put her phone in her back pocket and stared at Finn. “Your wife and sisters don’t seem to care I broke up with Hugh. We’re going out tonight.”

  “Makes sense. We’re meeting at Hugh’s to watch the game.” He didn’t look up from his computer. “Of course they care about the break up, but they’re not about to stop being friends with you.”

  She thought about Hugh’s family while she dressed for the evening. She was fascinated by how close they were, yet they still bickered and nagged each other regularly. They had accepted Mel as one of their own and Chris had secretly hoped they would one day do the same for her. That might be off the table now, but at least she’d still have their friendship.

  Cara showed up fifteen minutes early, looking gorgeous in a sheer floral tunic paired with leggings and ankle boots. “Ooh, girl! You look fierce! I decided to come early to make sure you didn’t try to rock the post-breakup look.”

/>   “Nope. I’m a free agent and see no reason to mope around in sweatpants.” She tried to infuse her words with believability. She’d forced herself to put on a dress and heels and had even delved into her seldom-used makeup drawer for a touch of mascara, blush, and lip gloss.

  “That’s the spirit. We’re going to meet Mel and Izzy there, since she had to drop Janey off at my parents’ house.”

  They found a table at the popular downtown bar and were sipping drinks when Mel and Izzy arrived.

  “You look fantastic, Chris!” Izzy said as she hugged her. “What are you drinking?”

  “Jack and Coke.”

  “Sounds perfect. I’m not in the mood for anything fancy tonight.”

  They flagged down a waiter and ordered appetizers to go with their drinks. Chris was waiting for the awkward conversation; the other women held their peace until the waiter returned with their drinks.

  “So…” Mel began. “Are you okay, Chris?”

  She looked at the three faces staring back at her and saw nothing but concern in their expressions. She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. “I will be. It sucks, but…” she said with a shrug.

  “What happened?” Izzy asked.

  “Hugh didn’t tell you?” She was shocked; she assumed he would have told Izzy, at least.

  “I’d like to hear your version.”

  Although she would prefer not to re-hash it, she realized these women were her friends and had her best interests at heart. “He can’t handle my job. He’s freaking out about the danger.”

  “That’s Hugh, all right. He’s always been overly protective.” Cara sipped her margarita for a few seconds. “It annoys the crap out of me most of the time.”

  “That’s pretty much what Hugh told me,” Izzy said. “Any chance you’ll forgive him and get back together?”

  Chris shrugged again. “I can’t be with someone who doesn’t support my career. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am to give it up for a guy.”

  “Absolutely,” Cara said while the other two nodded. “Hugh’s being an ass about it.”

  Chris smiled sadly and sipped her drink. “I miss him,” she whispered.

  “You’re in love with him.” Mel reached across the table and covered Chris’ hand as she spoke.

  Chris couldn’t speak without crying, so she squeezed Mel’s hand and nodded once.

  Cara stood abruptly and walked away, returning a few moments later with four small glasses. “I believe this calls for shots.”

  “Tequila?” Mel asked.

  “Of course.” Cara raised her glass. “To Chris, a badass cop who doesn’t need a man telling her what to do.”

  The others joined in her toast and slammed back their shots.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hugh

  He waited impatiently for Izzy to arrive at the office the next morning, pacing in the reception area. She had spent the previous evening with Chrissy and he was desperate to find out what she knew: did Chrissy talk about the break up? Did she tell his sisters and sister-in-law what a complete ass he’d been? Did she mention him at all?

  Izzy walked in a few minutes later and stopped short at the sight of her brother stalking back and forth in front of her office door.

  “What did she say? Is she ever going to talk to me again? Do I have a chance?”

  “God, Hugh, let me at least get a cup of coffee before the interrogation, please?” She pushed past him into her office.

  He rolled his eyes, but hurried to fetch her a cup from his own office. Maybe he’d get some answers out of her if he provided the coffee she obviously needed. She looked a bit worse for wear this morning. He returned to her office and placed the steaming mug in front of her.

  She grabbed it and sipped, cursing softly when she burned her tongue.

  “Rough night?”

  She grunted and shrugged. “I was not the designated driver and Janey spent the night at Mom and Dad’s house. Let’s leave it at that.”

  He wondered how Chrissy was faring this morning; she could generally hold her liquor pretty well and he’d never seen her tipsy, but he didn’t know if she was perhaps trying to get over him. He wasn’t proud of himself for hoping that might be the case. He watched his sister sip her coffee carefully for several minutes. “Come on, Iz! I’m dying here. Throw me a bone!”

  She shifted her eyes above the rim of the mug and stared at him. “Fine,” she said as she set the mug on the desk. “She misses you.”

  He stared back at her, unbelieving. “That’s it? She misses me? Ah, hell, Izzy!”

  “Yeah, okay.” She took another sip of coffee, as if to fortify herself. “Listen, Hugh. You screwed up big time. Chrissy is a career woman. She’s never going to be the little stay-at-home wife you want her to be. Maybe she’s not—”

  “Jesus Christ, Izzy! I never said I wanted her to be a stay-at-home anything! I’m glad she has a career! I just want—”

  “What? What do you want?”

  “Chrissy!” he exploded and collapsed into a chair in front of her desk. “I want Chrissy. That’s all. Sorry for yelling.”

  Izzy looked like she was trying not to smile. “It’s okay. I’ll forgive you if you’ll fetch me a couple aspirin.” She waited while Hugh left her office to get some aspirin from his bathroom. He returned and placed the two white tablets and a small bottle of water in front of her. “Thanks.”

  “What am I supposed to do?”

  “Do you love her?”

  “Of course he loves her.” Cara leaned against the door frame, a green and white paper cup in her hand. “He’s acting like a complete dumbass, but he does love her.”

  “Do you ever work?” Hugh asked irritably.

  “It’s fall break for the balloon fiesta, remember?” She sauntered into the office and sat in the other chair.

  He had completely forgotten about the International Balloon Fiesta, held every year in October. He had planned to take Janey this year, but it had completely slipped his mind. God, I’ve got to get my shit together! “Is there any way I could convince you two to give me some actual advice rather than double-teaming me about what an idiot I’ve been?”

  “Aww, where’s the fun in that?” Cara asked. “But I did actually come here to problem solve. The question is: what are you willing to do to get her back? Beyond plying her with flowers and bagels, that is.”

  “And beyond sending your dog to do your dirty work,” Izzy added.

  “I delivered the bagels myself, you know.”

  “Whatever. She’s pissed way beyond flowers and food.”

  “Hugh, this is more than a simple misunderstanding,” Cara added. “Your crappy attitude toward her job is a deal-breaker.”

  “I know.” He buried his head in his hands. “I’m fine with her being a cop, you know. At least I was until some asshole started threatening her and Finn.”

  “It totally sucks, and I get you being scared shitless, but calling the governor’s office to try and get them removed from the case was way out of line,” Izzy said, while Cara nodded in agreement.

  “Yeah, okay. I get that. But what do I do? I can’t lose her.”

  “You’ve already lost her,” Cara whispered.

  “No.” He shook his head and stood to pace again. “I refuse to accept that.”

  “Calm down.” Cara stepped in front of him, taking his face between her hands. “She broke up with you and she meant it. But with some hard work you might be able to get her back.”

  “Hard work? I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “Good.” She returned to where she had set her over-sized handbag and fished inside. She crossed to him again and handed him the small white business card. “This is the counselor that helped me deal with all the fallout from my divorce. Go see her.”

  “I don’t need—”

  “Yes, you do.” Both women spoke at the same time.

  “Hugh.” Izzy took his hand and pulled him back to sit next to her on the sofa. “You are the
best big brother in the entire world, and you’ve always protected us. You’ve always been the strong one, but if you want Chris in your life, you’re going to have to learn to let her be strong too. I don’t think you’ll be able to do that all by yourself. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help once in a while. Go see the counselor.”

  He stared at the small white card with simple black lettering. “Fine. I’ll give her a call. But you two can’t tell anyone—not Finn or Mel or especially Chrissy.”

  “Of course not,” Cara said.

  “Not a word,” said Izzy.

  He grunted something unintelligible and returned to his own office, shutting the door firmly behind him. He stared at the card again. Janet Davis, PhD, LPCC, LMHC. That’s a whole lot of letters. Well, buck up and give the woman a call. Chrissy is worth it. Fifteen minutes later he had his first counseling appointment the next day. All right. At least it’s something. Now maybe I can get my head straightened out so I can accept Chrissy’s job and all the danger that goes with it. He was proud of her, but the thought of the threats Uncle Teddy had passed on were still there, niggling in the back of his mind. He thought he might be able to deal with a general, abstract level of danger in her career, but a direct threat leveled against his girlfriend and his brother was another matter entirely. He simply couldn’t let that go. But what could he do that wouldn’t further damage the possibility of getting back together with Chrissy? It would have to be something she wouldn’t find out about. Think, Hugh! You used to be a fairly smart guy. You earned an MBA before your twenty-fifth birthday. Surely you can—

  He sat up straight as inspiration struck. That’s it! I’m a businessman, after all! I should have thought of this from the beginning! He made a quick check of his bank account balance, grabbed his checkbook from his desk, and left, telling Malva not to expect him back until after lunch at the earliest.

  Uncle Teddy was in his office when Hugh arrived at Bella Marcone. “Hugh, good to see you. What can I do for you, my boy?”