“How did you know they’d be so good?” she asked, alternating now between sips of her beer and his fries, wishing she’d ordered them instead of her watery chicken soup.
“I used to eat here,” he said. “Back when I was working at the stable.”
“That’s right. I remember you often left muffins in the tack room. Erin and I were always hungry. There was one kind she liked that no one else ate so she always got double.”
“Banana and chocolate chip.”
She paused, a fry halfway to her mouth, astonished he remembered. There had been a lot of kids around. Of course, Justin had a razor-sharp memory to go with his brilliant detective mind. She had no doubt he’d nail Matthew Friedel to the cross. Robert had confided that over the last few years Justin had achieved a ninety percent closure rate. Obviously Justin couldn’t say much about this case but it was impossible not to dwell on Savannah. And while Nikki had worked hard to smooth her impulsive nature, it was natural to ask him questions.
“Why do you think Matthew killed her?” she said.
Justin took a sip of coffee, the muscles of his tanned throat rippling. He seemed to be debating about how much to reveal. “He probably didn’t plan to,” he finally said.
She nibbled on the tip of another golden fry. Matthew had obviously been meeting Savannah for some time, judging by the amount of horse manure piled around the tree. And he’d deliberately misled the searchers, sending them to the north and hoping they wouldn’t find her body. DNA analysis of the blanket would likely show they’d been having sex. Perhaps Savannah had threatened to tell his wife.
But was that enough reason to kill someone?
“Killers have different motivations,” Justin said. “At the time, they can be overpowering.”
She must have voiced the question aloud or else, as usual, Justin had guessed her thoughts. And though she understood he couldn’t talk about the case except in generalities, it was impossible to tamp down her anger. A girl’s life had been snuffed. And Savannah’s family would never be the same.
“Matthew wasn’t even upset,” she said, angrily jabbing her fry into the white mound on Justin’s plate. “Only worried when his riding business could re-open. And he spoke about Savannah in the past tense. What a creep.”
“You won’t meet the cream of society in this business,” Justin said, pulling away his plate so she couldn’t keep layering her fry in salt. “Is that what turned you on to him? How he talked about her in the past tense?”
“That and his shoes. It was as if he’d searched for the smallest ones in his closet. And it didn’t make sense he wasn’t wearing practical barn boots.”
“Very observant.” Justin gave an approving nod. “You did excellent work today, you and Gunner. And he deserves a reward.”
He lifted the steak from his second plate, slipping it beneath the table, and it was then she realized why he’d ordered two meals. She peered beneath the table, smiling as Gunner gulped down the boneless meat. She never fed him from the table but Justin made his own rules and obviously he still had a soft spot for Gunner. Besides, her dog did deserve a steak.
“By the way,” she said, straightening in her chair. “Tony mentioned you paid a lot of money for Gunner. I thought he flunked out because of the climbing problem. But Tony said the protection unit could have used him, even though he was turning aggressive. Why did you give him to me?”
“You and Tony certainly found a lot to talk about,” Justin said, jamming his knife into the last piece of steak.
She’d learned from long experience when he didn’t intend to answer her questions. Generally it was because he thought she should work out the answer on her own. But lately he was becoming even more difficult to read.
“Some day I’ll pay you back,” she said, reaching across the table and touching his wrist. “I didn’t realize you’d spent money on Gunner. But I’ll be forever grateful.”
Justin stiffened and she quickly moved her hand away, pretending she was going for the last fry.
“I didn’t want him stuck in riot control,” Justin said. “That’s no place for a nice dog like him.”
She nodded in total agreement. Compliments about Gunner were always welcomed. And the beer, along with Justin’s company, had left her unusually mellow.
“Yes,” she said. “He’s much too nice for that. And I really don’t mind that he’s aggressive with men.”
Justin looked up from his plate, his eyes glinting. “Neither do I,” he said.
CHAPTER TEN
Nikki settled deeper into the car seat, relaxing against the comfortable headrest. Justin was excellent company and he always drove an understated but powerful vehicle. If the day had started at the restaurant, she would have considered it a wonderful day. Any time with him was well spent. But it didn’t seem right that she felt so warm and mellow while Savannah wasn’t able to feel a thing.
Justin always knew how to soothe her though. She remembered every one of his pep talks, from the time Stormy had dumped her in the brook to when she’d been overwhelmed in Japan, believing she’d never complete her martial arts certification.
She turned her head, studying his chiseled profile. The sun had lowered but the glow from the dashboard revealed his half smile. Clearly the restaurant break had left him content as well, rather amazing considering the fact that he and his partner would soon be grilling a killer.
She gave a pensive sigh. “How do you deal with all the sadness? Case after case? Days like this?”
His clipped shrug spoke volumes and she realized he wasn’t as unaffected as he appeared. It took a moment for him to answer.
“I compartmentalize,” he said, his voice as gruff as it had been that long ago day when an abandoned kitten has been run over by a car. He’d sent her inside to brush Stormy so she didn’t have to see the tiny broken body. But she’d felt his sorrow, had spotted him reverently burying the animal, and the knowledge that he was similarly moved had been as comforting then as it was now.
“I try not to get too close to the victims,” he went on. “Or their families. Sometimes it’s a struggle.”
“I feel guilty when I forget.” Her candid admission surprised her. Blocking emotion had always been her way of coping with pain. But being at the stable had stirred up a variety of feelings, many of them not good.
“We’ll always be shaped by Erin.” He reached over and squeezed her knee. “There’s no way around it.”
She couldn’t remember the last time he’d touched her like that, and she clutched at his hand, keeping it close, needing the warm contact. “Do you think she’s still alive?”
He turned his wrist and now he was the one holding her hand, calm and comforting. “No,” he said. “No, I don’t.”
Hearing that from others always left her feeling angry. Betrayed. But it was different coming from Justin. She even remained composed enough to voice the haunting question, one that left her nights sleepless and her bed sheets a tangled mess. “Do you think she’s buried back there?” she asked. “Somewhere near that horse property?”
“I haven’t looked at the file lately. But I had a cadaver dog in there. Found nothing.”
“I didn’t know you’d done that.” Her leg twitched in reaction, picturing him trudging through those dense lonely woods, hoping he’d find Erin—hoping he wouldn’t.
“It was one of the first things I did when I made detective.”
She wanted to thank him but her throat had thickened and she didn’t trust herself to speak. She pressed down on her restless leg, trying to still the movement as she blinked out the side window. All this time she’d thought the police had forgotten, that they’d shoved Erin in the cold case drawer. Even Robert rarely discussed her now that most of his contacts had retired. But Justin hadn’t forgotten. And that knowledge made her feel much less alone.
“Thank you,” she finally managed, swallowing back the persistent lump clogging her throat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“
Didn’t want to get your hopes up. And you would have been out there, dogging me like a tick when it was more important that you be studying.”
“But you knew I’d show up today. You even knew I’d enter by the brook. And you let me stay.”
“You’re older now. Not so impulsive. Besides, you made a good case for Gunner. He has a good nose and the instincts to go with it. His foundation training was excellent. It was a no-brainer.”
He sounded defensive, as if justifying the decision, and she sensed he would have let her stay even without Gunner. As the ranking detective, it had been his call to make.
“I appreciate you letting me stay. You’ve always been so kind.”
“Not something I’m often called,” he said dryly.
“But you are.” She squeezed his hand then pressed a kiss on the back of his fingers. They were thick and warm with a prickle of hair that tickled her lips, and they smelled good. Fresh and woodsy. She inhaled deeper, catching a hint of fries and something else. The masculine smell she always associated with Justin.
Oh, no. She realized she was sniffing his fingers like an adoring dog and dropped his hand, heat creeping across her cheeks. She’d worked too hard hiding her attraction to let it escape now, in this rare moment of weakness. Luckily her street was the next intersection. It couldn’t come quickly enough. Her face was hot, the air in the car stifling. Dammit, her entire body tingled. But she didn’t want Justin to guess her feelings.
Behind her, Gunner whined and pressed his nose against the back of her neck, as if checking her temperature. She shifted, pressing her shoulder against the door.
“It’s the next turn, second duplex on the right,” she muttered, even as he cut the wheel. Of course he knew where she lived. He’d been there several times. Had installed Gunner’s dog door.
His vehicle jerked to a stop in front of her house. Uncharacteristic for a driver of Justin’s caliber. Normally she would have teased him about driving like a teenager, but her lips felt thick and all she wanted was to escape, to hide from his astute eyes. She fumbled for her seatbelt even as he swung open the driver’s door.
“Stay, Gunner,” he said, stepping out.
Seconds later, he opened her door, tugged her out and shifted her against the fender. He stared at her face for a long moment, as if conflicted. Then his eyes locked on her lips and his mouth lowered, covering hers, leaving her too shocked to move. But the inertia only lasted a second. Because she’d been imagining, hoping and picturing this kiss for years and she knew what she wanted.
She rose on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless with want.
“Are you finally ready for me?” he asked, his voice gravely.
She didn’t understand his question. He must know she was ready. Her leg was twined around the back of his calf, her hand tucked beneath his shirt, and she couldn’t stop her fingers from running over those warm ridged muscles. She’d admired them in the gym before, all shiny, strong and sweaty. But she’d never been able to touch them—not the way his girlfriends did—and all she could do was stare up at him in a mix of shock and desire.
He swore, but it was the sexist, gentlest curse she’d ever heard him use, and then he was kissing her again, his lips back over hers but this time his tongue moved inside her mouth with a dominating sweep. Warmth melted through her, reaching her very core.
Way too soon, he lifted his mouth, his hand cupping the back of her head, his eyes a question.
“Wow,” she whispered, gratified by the relief that played across his face. But if the way he kissed was an indicator of the other things he did, she understood why all his girlfriends wanted him back. She certainly didn’t want him distancing himself from her. But a month together, heck, even one night, might be worth it. She wasn’t a fan of long relations anyway.
She still couldn’t believe she was wrapped in his arms, her fingers beneath his shirt, free to explore whatever part of that body she wanted... Then it hit her: He wasn’t touching her anywhere except with his mouth. As usual, she was the one who was recklessly forging ahead. Clearly he didn’t share her urgency.
“Guess we had a little too much to drink,” she said, forcing a laugh, giving him a way out even though they both knew he’d sipped nothing but coffee.
He dragged his thumb over her lower lip. “We’re not going backwards with this, Nik.”
He hadn’t called her Nik in a long time and certainly never with such a bedroom voice. Frankly she wanted him in her bed, and there seemed no good reason to keep denying it. “Then let’s go inside,” she said.
He splayed a hand around the back of her neck, the touch of his fingers creating another delightful rush of sensation. “I can’t stay,” he sighed. “Not tonight.”
It seemed his touch had totally wiped away the knowledge that he was waiting on warrants. And he needed to be sharp for the interview. Needed to make sure he didn’t slip up, for Savannah’s sake.
“Of course you can’t stay.” She pushed her arms to her side and stepped back. “Go and nail that creep. I’ll see you when you’re free.”
“Yes,” he said, his gaze holding hers. “You will.”
Succinct, but there was a wealth of meaning in his words, and her heart gave an ecstatic kick. Because Justin always did what he said, and judging by the way he was devouring her with his eyes he didn’t intend to stay away for long.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Caramel macchiato!” Sonja’s eyes widened with delight. “You know it’s my favorite. But that’s extravagant.”
“We’re celebrating,” Nikki said, closing Sonja’s door and bobbing her head at Gunner. “He was amazing yesterday.”
“I heard about a dog tracking a suspect at some riding stable,” Sonja said. “Did you and Gunner help with that?”
“Yes, and we might have a chance to work with the police again. The head of the K-9 teams is adding us to his call list. He’s really nice. Even Gunner liked him.”
“So that explains your aura today.” Sonja’s head tilted, her eyes narrowing. “It’s different, not so dark. I’m seeing a hot guy, someone you actually want to spend time with.”
“Knock it off,” Nikki scoffed, taking a quick sip of coffee. She was never certain if Sonja could actually see things. Her friend had been correct on a few occasions, and she would always be grateful that Sonja had convinced her to buy a spare tire, two days before a very inconvenient flat. But tire trouble was in most drivers’ futures.
And the only time Nikki had requested Sonja’s help with finding Erin, it had been an agonizing waste. She and Robert had pounded the pavement for weeks, talking to every sex worker, spurred by Sonja’s vision of Erin surrounded by concrete. Other than meeting some interesting ladies, Sonja’s lead had been a total bust. Of course, the fact that Sonja believed Erin was dead had colored the search, and by tacit agreement neither of them discussed her psychic powers again.
Now though, Sonja stared with assessing blue eyes, looking as if she could strip away the protective armor and see the suspicious soul Nikki always kept hidden. “Don’t push this guy away,” Sonja said softly. “Not everyone will leave you.”
“I’m going back to my office if you intend to psychoanalyze me.” Nikki softened her words with a smile because she was in an exceptionally good mood. And though Tony was undeniably hot it was Justin who had left her floating on a cloud. Or more honestly, swept away on a rush of lust.
She’d always wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by Justin, and the reality was so much better than the imagining. Her lips tingled just thinking of his touch and she was intensely curious what his next kiss would be like. And where it would undoubtedly lead. However, her relationship with Justin was far too fragile to discuss with anyone, even Sonja.
“Drink your coffee and admire the super dog,” Nikki added, still smiling. “He really was awesome.”
“Tell me about it.” Sonja gave an agreeable nod, defe
rring with her usual graciousness. “Can you talk about what he did?”
“Not much,” Nikki said. “It’s confidential and I’m not sure what information the police have released. But I can say that tracking all your farm animals certainly helped. So thank you. And Gunner loves horses. He even licked a gelding’s face.”
“I’m not surprised,” Sonja said. “Beneath that ferocious appearance, he’s a real gentleman. He wants everyone to be safe and feels duty bound to make that happen. Especially if it pleases you.”
Nikki nodded, impressed at Sonja’s accurate assessment. Sometimes her friend said the wisest things.
“But how did you get invited on the case?” Sonja asked. “Did Robert have a contact with this new guy? By the way, that shade of lipstick does amazing things. It’s not often you wear a sexy color, not at the office.” Sonja’s eyes were twinkling now. She might be a psychic fraud but her observational powers were top notch.
“You look stunning,” Sonja went on, her approving gaze dropping over Nikki’s silky blouse and fitted black pants. “I gather you’re expecting company.”
“Just Robert,” Nikki said. It was doubtful Justin would have any free time over the next couple of days. A detective working a fresh homicide meant endless hours of gathering evidence and chasing a variety of leads. There was no telling when he’d call. But just in case he did drop by, she had taken extra time to dress.
“You didn’t put that makeup on for Robert,” Sonja said. “And I want to know everything. Not about the case but about the guy that has you looking like a gorgeous runway model.”
Nikki made a chopping motion with her hand, rose and headed toward the door, followed closely by Gunner. Justin was still too fresh to share and she hadn’t been joking about leaving, if pushed. “An all-seeing psychic shouldn’t have to be told anything,” she said over her shoulder. “Just look it up in your tea leaves or something.”
“If you’d sit still long enough for a reading,” Sonja said, “I could do that. Remember, be careful who you trust!”
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