Forever Hers

by Walters, Ednah

  No recording.

  Frowning, he checked each camera, rotated the lenses and viewing the four doors from various angles. The cameras were working, but their range was limited. The bastard hadn’t come close to the house. As soon as Noble sent him what he’d asked for, they’d have a better quality surveillance system with an audio feed too.

  “Are they working?” Amy asked.

  “Yes, but he didn’t come near the doors.” Eddie moved away from the computer. “I’m going to talk to the neighbors to see if they saw anything.”

  “No,” Amy said. “Don’t involve them, Eddie.”

  “I’m not going to tell them anything. Someone must have seen him lurking around, that’s all.”

  “What good would it do if they did? He was here while I was gone.”

  Eddie hated the way she was beating herself up. “Listen, when I talk to them, I’ll use the burglars as an excuse. Your name won’t even come up.”

  Amy sighed. “That might work. The night you arrived, two men tried to break into the house. I chased them away.”

  Eddie swallowed a curse. “Chased them? How? Why didn’t you say anything? The police have no report of the burglars coming here.”

  “I didn’t report it.”

  Yeah, her misplaced distrust for the police. The woman gave a new meaning to the word stubborn. “I will need details of everything that happened.”

  “Yes, detective,” she snapped. “Anything else?”

  He had a lot more he wanted to say and none of it was pleasant, but his gaze connected with Raelynn, who was sucking her thumb and watching them with wide eyes. He’d completely forgotten the child’s presence. Her eyes spoke volumes, like she was watching a rerun of a horror movie. Eddie silently cursed Nolan Reither to hell and back.

  “I’ll check the perimeter of the house and lock up,” he said.

  “Be careful.”

  The concern in her voice was like a balm to his bruised ego, but he couldn’t afford to be distracted. The bastard got to Raelynn on his watch. Eddie was determined to make it a one-time thing.

  He nodded and started out of the room then paused and walked back to where Amy sat with Raelynn. He squatted until he was eye-level with the child.

  “Is Nolan your fake daddy?”

  She nodded.

  “Then I promise you that I will find him and lock him away, where he won’t bother you or your Mommy ever again.”

  Raelynn nodded, then lifted her hands toward Eddie. He moved closer and she wound chubby arms around his neck. Eddie closed his eyes and repeated the vow he just made. No matter what it took, he would get rid of Nolan, so when he left, Amy and her daughter would be free of the bastard forever.

  He opened his eyes and found Amy. There was vulnerability in her eyes and something else he couldn’t afford to analyze. He wanted to tell her he was only doing his duty. Nothing more. Nothing less.

  “Take her,” he whispered.

  For a moment, Raelynn clung to him. He wasn’t an emotional man. In fact, he despised men who showed their emotions in public. But seeing the vulnerability in Amy’s eyes and feeling Raelynn’s tiny body pressed against his shoulder did something to him inside. He fought it. He had no room in his life for sentiments. In his line of work, getting emotionally involved got you killed.

  ***

  Outside, he exhaled and shook his head to get in the game. Though the temperature had dropped, die-hard water sports fans still zipped across the lake. If he weren’t aware of all the craziness happening around this lake front community, he’d say this was the perfect place on earth. The sun had set, leaving streaks of gold and pink in the western sky. The rippling water caught and reflected the colors, adding to the picturesque view.

  Eddie walked around the house searching for anything that bastard might have left behind. He moved away from the house and searched the grounds closer to the neighbors. The neighbor’s grass was shorter. When had they cut their grass? He hadn’t seen anyone mow their lawn since he got here. He picked up the blades, smelled them. Fresh. Something else caught his eyes—cigarette filters.

  He squatted and picked up one. He smelled it. The scent was strong, the filter end still pinched. It was recently smoked and might have the smoker’s saliva. Because of the suspension and the fact that this wasn’t his jurisdiction, he was in no position to collect evidence that could be admissible in court. Sally, on the other hand, could.

  He pulled out his cell phone to call her.

  “Fitzgerald.”

  Eddie turned. A red-headed man in khaki shorts and a dressy shirt hurried toward him. Sam’s father. They’d met the day after Eddie arrived. “Leland.”

  “What do you have there?” the man asked, coming to stand by the tree.

  During their brief conversation, Eddie had mentioned he was a cop. “Cigarette butts. You don’t smoke, Leland, do you?”

  The man laughed uneasily. “Gave up a year ago.”

  He had the look of a man who slipped now and then. Eddie held up the stub he’d picked up. “Is this your brand?”

  Leland shook his head. “I’d never do that near the house. My wife would hit the roof. How did you know?”

  “My father tried to quit several times. Someone stood under this tree and smoked these cigarettes earlier today.”

  “One of the guys who did our lawn smoked,” Leland said. “He wasn’t our regular guy. In fact, his buddy said our regular guy was down with the flu.”

  Sounded fishy. “Do you have the phone number of your regular mower?”

  “Yes. Why? What’s going on?”

  “To verify that the men who worked on your lawn were speaking the truth. With the burglars robbing this community still at large, anything out of norm is suspect.”

  Leland scowled. “You think they could have been scoping my place?”

  “That’s possible. Two men attempted to break into this house the day I arrived and Raelynn’s mother chased them away.”

  Leland’s jaw dropped. “Really? She didn’t say anything to me or Gerry.”

  “I don’t know the details, but these burglars should be behind bars. The cigarette stubs might give the police something to work with.”

  Leland nodded. “I’ll get the mower’s phone number.”

  “Oh, Leland, I’d prefer you give the police the number and tell them exactly what you saw, what the mowers said and their description.”

  “You want me to go the police station right now?” He didn’t mask his reluctance.

  “No, one will be coming here once I make this call. Stay inside and wait for her.”

  Eddie’s call to Sally was brief. He took pictures of the evidence just in case and continued his search before slipping back inside the house, where Amy was telling Raelynn a story. Her words caught his attention.

  “We were planning a big wedding when the bad men attacked. Your father was so brave. He died protecting you and me.”

  “But I was in your tummy and he never saw me,” Raelynn said.

  “He did. Remember the picture I showed you? The sonogram?”

  Raelynn nodded.

  “He saw it too.” Amy pressed her lips to Raelynn’s temple. “He loved you very much.”

  “But the bad men hurt him.”

  “Yes, they did.” Mother and daughter were silent then Amy added, “We will always remember him for his bravery and love.” Another silence. “Come on. It’s time for bed.”

  She stood with Raelynn and left the living room without making eye contact with Eddie. In fact, she deliberately avoided looking his way, which made him wonder how much of what she’d told Raelynn was true. Amy didn’t seem like a dishonest person, but he’d met his share of women willing to lie to their children about why their daddies were abusive or incarcerated or dead. But lumping Amy with other women made him uneasy.

  If Nolan wasn’t Raelynn’s father, it might explain his lack of conscience toward the child. Or maybe he had been jealous of Raelynn’s father. There was more to A
my’s story than a simple case of an abusive, crazed ex-husband.

  Eddie got up to make her a drink. He’d noticed a coffee mug by her computer while she worked. He opened the fridge and retrieved a bottle of beer for himself while he waited.

  The coffee was ready when Amy walked into the room. She’d changed into shorts and a large T-shirt with a drawing of a mummy chasing a human and the words Zombies Hate Fast Food. She had T-shirts with the craziest slogans.

  “Is she okay?” he asked, handing her the mug.

  She wrapped a hand around the hot surface as though seeking warmth. “Yeah. She tends to go through these stages when she wants to hear that story over and over.”

  “When she needs affirmation that her father loved her,” he said.

  Amy nodded then gave him a tiny smile. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Eddie. I appreciate what you told her earlier about locking Nolan away, but I’d rather you didn’t make her any promises you can’t keep. She’s had enough disappointments in her short life and I don’t want you or anyone adding to them.”

  Eddie nodded. “I get that. However, I never make promises I don’t intend to keep. If I say I’ll catch Nolan, I will catch him. I’m good at what I do.”

  Amy studied him for a very long time, then she shook her head. “You are cocky.”

  “Just stating a fact.”

  She chuckled, then her gaze went to the chess board, and doubt and wariness left her face. “So, do you want to play?”

  “I don’t know.” He wanted to hear about her past. However, she wasn’t ready to trust him yet, unlike Raelynn. He’d set out to make the child feel at ease with him. With Amy, the same approach wouldn’t work.

  “I promise to let you win,” she said and grinned naughtily.

  He chuckled. “Okay. What if I win straight and square?”

  She gave unlady-like snort as if to say that was unlikely. Once again, that snort did it for him. He was going to enjoy outsmarting her. “If I win, you answer any five questions I ask.”

  Her eyes lit up at the challenge. “And if I win, you answer my five questions.”

  “Deal.”

  They carried their drinks to the living room and settled around the coffee table. She sat cross-legged on the couch, while he chose the floor across the coffee table from her. He had to look up at her but he didn’t mind. He liked the view.

  Funny how she somehow managed to look sexy and sweet at the same time. He took a swig from his bottle and watched her set the board.

  “Black or white?” she asked.

  “Black.”

  “We’ll trade sides after I win.”

  And she called him cocky? “Naturally.”

  Board set, she made her first move, moving her knight. He countered by moving his. Her pawn…his pawn…her bishop… he brought his by her knight. Back and forth they went. She scrunched her face and chewed on her lower lip as she contemplated move after move, but the first game ended in a draw.

  “Again. I’m opening.” Her voice dared him to say otherwise. “You’ll open twice too.” He admired her determination. Her father had done an amazing job of teaching her, but she was no match to him. So far he was just playing defense.

  “You should be ashamed of yourself for lying to me,” she mumbled, rearranging her pieces. “You are good.”

  “I never said I wasn’t.”

  She scrunched her face and moved, but once again, he had her on the run. She was better than he’d thought. She leaned forward to study the board better and Eddie grinned. His position on the floor was rewarding. The V neckline plunged even lower as she leaned forward, giving him an enticing view of her breasts straining against a black lace bra. He imagined removing her T-shirt, carrying her to his bed and burying his face between her perfect—

  “Your turn,” she said.

  He looked at the board, moved his next piece and immediately realized his mistake, but it was too late. She played and laughed, sapphire eyes lighting up.

  He had been distracted. Deliberately. “You sneaky…you distracted me.”

  “Not my fault you are easily entertained. Check and mate.” She jumped up and danced. “I won…I won…I won.”

  She was the worst winner ever, yet he found himself laughing at her antics. “Now I know where Raelynn gets her attitude from. Next round.”

  “Oh no, you don’t,” she said, sitting down. “I want answers.”

  The gleam in her eyes said she was up to something he wouldn’t like. He sipped his drink. “Okay, shoot.”

  “When and why did your mother leave your family?”

  He stiffened. Memories sneaked in, blindsiding him. He rubbed his eyes and pushed them aside.

  “Eddie?”

  “That’s two questions,” he hedged.

  “Okay, I’ll rephrase. Tell me about your mother?”

  CHAPTER 9

  Eddie grimaced. “My mother lives in New York.”

  Amy waited for more. He didn’t speak. “And?”

  “I was fourteen when she left.”

  The bleakness in his voice said he hadn’t forgotten the incident. Amy wanted to reach out and touch him. “Why?”

  He shrugged. “Motherhood didn’t fit in her schedule. You know, book signing tours and conferences. She’s now a very successful author.”

  How selfish of her. On the other hand, her parents often left her with nannies to attend conferences. She’d thought they went on vacations without her. Unlike Eddie’s mother, they’d come back and get immersed in their work. She wasn’t sure what was worse, not having a parent around, or having them and being ignored.

  “How did you father take it?”

  “I’m not sure. We don’t discuss her.” Eddie leaned back and crossed his arms. “He never remarried, so maybe he still loves her. Who knows?”

  “Do you see her often?”

  “Not since high school when she stopped by my school. I made it clear then I didn’t want a relationship with her.”

  Amy blinked. “You haven’t forgiven her?”

  He shrugged. “She didn’t ask for my forgiveness, just tried to justify her actions.”

  Would she forgive her parents for not believing in her when she told them about Nolan? She didn’t know. She was an only child and Raelynn was their only grandchild, so she’d have to do a lot of soul searching. The last three months, she’d wanted to call them so many times, but stopped out of fear that the phone call could reveal her whereabouts.

  “Are you an only child?” Amy asked.

  “I have a baby sister, Lori. She was five when our mother left.”

  “Wow. That’s Raelynn age.” No wonder he’d reacted the way he did when he’d learned she was a writer. No wonder he refused to forgive his mother. That was selfish, cold and cruel.

  He picked up his bottle and chugged then gave her a speculative look. “What would you do if your publisher asked you to do a tour?”

  “They already did and I said no. Raelynn needs me.”

  “What if she were older? Would you take her with you?”

  Amy knew what he was thinking. He’d been abandoned when he was a teenager, old enough to accompany his mother. “I’d hate to take her out of school, so the answer would still be no. Fame isn’t everything. If I had to, I’d schedule short summer tours when she can come with me.”

  Eddie drained his drink then rested his elbow on one bent knee and leaned against the chair. “How many questions was that? Six?”

  “No way. That was one. The little ones were to clarify things. Just like the ones you asked don’t count. One down, four to go.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, tigress. Shoot.

  “Why a cop?”

  “My father is a cop. I’m following in his footsteps.”

  He wasn’t the type to follow anyone. “Really? Not to serve and protect, create order out of chaos?”

  He chuckled and got up. “Do you want more coffee?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She dangled her mug by its handle, but bef
ore he could take it, she moved it away. “Admit I’m right. You like order and chose the only profession where you can create it without being labeled anal.”

  He laughed and snatched her cup before she could pull it away again. “I’m not anal. And don’t mock order. It makes the world function.”

  “You really want to open that can of worms?” she asked. “Because I’ll out-debate you—”

  “With the craziest reasoning this side of the Mississippi River,” he retorted.

  She grinned. She did like to win and often used whatever argument to prove a point. She watched him even though she shouldn’t, loving the way he filled his jeans. Amy went on her knees for a better view when he bent to throw away the beer bottle and retrieve another from the fridge. She quickly turned around when he looked over his shoulder.

  She now knew why he was so regimented. His entire outlook stemmed from a single incident he hadn’t controlled—his mother leaving them.

  “Here’s a fun question. Why is an L.A.P.D detective taking a three-week vacation in the middle of summer…alone?”

  “Are you asking why I’m not vacationing with a girlfriend?”

  She wasn’t, but why not. “Yes, and why now? Isn’t crime at all time high during school break?”

  “Not in L.A.” He came back with their drinks and took a side chair. Moving languidly, he leaned back then proceeded to study her with a hooded look. He had lashes like a girl’s except his were natural.

  “Okay, fine. Why now?” she pushed.

  He hesitated. “Technically, I’m not on vacation.”

  He really didn’t want to discuss this, which only piqued her interest. “Meaning?”

  “I was suspended.”

  “No way. For what? Overzealousness in maintaining order?”

  “I punched the D.A. and a senior officer.”

  She stopped smiling. “Why would you do that?”

  “They were freeing criminals and blaming it on my former partner and mentor. I lost my cool and slugged them.”

  She could see him defending someone he cared about. “What did your partner do?”

  “Nothing. They claimed he tainted evidence because he was on the take. You know, accepted money from local drug dealers. He is a good officer and a great father. I would have known if he were on the take.”