Chapter Four
“Good morning.” Instead of flinching, Sky opened the door wider, and invited him in. That was a switch. Dirk smiled.
She held up a mug. “Dark roast—my favorite. I’ll replace it when I get to the store.”
“Our guests provide their own food so there’s always something left either in the cabinet or the freezer. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
She went to the kitchen to refill her mug and bring another for Dirk. There was no room on the table with all of her stuff scattered on it. He found himself enjoying watching her. The way she moved. Her intense look.
She thrust the two mugs at Dirk to hold, only to widen her eyes when she realized he was lacking half of his left arm.
Here it comes. The pitying look, the gaze going anywhere but on his empty sleeve.
He placed one of the mugs on the cabinet, then the other.
“Sorry,” she said.
He shrugged. “Afghanistan.”
“Sorry, again. Let me move this stuff out of the way.”
“I’ll help.” He started to pick up a china coffee cup only to have it snatched out of his hand.
“I’ll do it.”
He watched as she threw everything except her laptop on the sofa, but lovingly placed the cup and a couple of rings on the kitchen counter.
“There.” She sat down, waved for him to do the same.
“If you want sugar or cream you’re out of luck. The last few guys took their coffee black.”
“Just the way I like it.”
There was something on her mind. Whatever it was filled the room.
She sat opposite him and sipped her coffee. There were no pitying looks. Actually, she didn’t seem to pay any attention to his missing arm at all. Unusual.
She looked different this morning. With her hair down, slightly curling around her face, she looked softer. In sweats she looked as if she were going for a run or maybe a bike ride, a stark contrast to her ultra-conservative outfit of the day before.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”
“How did you know I had a story?”
“I’m not blind.”
She cleared her throat. “Are you a PI?”
“I am.”
“My story is long and ugly.”
“I’ve finished the morning lessons so I have a little time.” Not exactly true. He’d promised to help his brother Coop this morning with a new dog. He would understand.
“Have you read about the Martin Oakes murder? The man found stabbed to death in his office—his wife charged with the murder?”
Dirk nodded. Checking police reports was a must for a PI. There were all kinds of interesting items buried in there.
“The woman charged is my sister.”
“I see.” He hoped he kept the shock out of his voice.
Sky’s face clouded. “You don’t see. She’s innocent.”
“There’s money missing.” A lot, if he remembered correctly.
“She doesn’t have it. Neither do I.”
“Why would anyone think you did?”
If Sky Chapman was involved in a murder and the missing millions it was little wonder she needed protection. But just how involved could she be? She looked frightened, not guilty.
She walked to the sofa. “When I entered my apartment yesterday, I found it trashed. What you see is everything I have, plus the few clothes I bought on my way here. This note greeted me on my way out.”
He took it and read, then stood and went to the kitchen, opened a couple of drawers. “There you are.” He pulled out a box of plastic bags, took one, and put the note inside. “This is why you need a guard dog?”
“Isn’t it enough?”
“Tell me the rest.”
“My sister is under the illusion I can fix this—find the money and the killer so she can be released from prison and get on with her life.”
There was more, but from the look on her face, Dirk didn’t think more would come right this minute. “What do you want me to do?”
She dug in the pocket of her sweats and pulled out his card. “I looked you up last night. Your PI firm has a good success rate. I want to hire you to help me free my sister.”
“This is all you own?” He looked at the meager pile. A small bank envelope was visible. Even if it contained hundred dollar bills, it was clearly not enough to begin the thorough investigation this called for.
“Don’t worry about being paid, Mr. Browning. My sister has money. If she can’t pay you, I will. I won’t screw you out of your fee.”
He looked at Sky Chapman closely and saw the determined gleam in her eyes. No, she wouldn’t. But did the firm want to take on a case of this size and scope right now? Their caseload was heavy.
The sun coming through the window highlighted her brown eyes. They glinted golden for a second before they welled with tears. She needed help in the worst way. Could he deny her?
“Never mind.” She pushed back from the table. “I’ll gather my things and be out of here in a few minutes. Thanks for the hospitality. It came when I needed it most.”
She gave him a quick, sad smile and ducked into the bathroom.
Could he take the case? He and his brother, Coop, discussed and agreed on what they would or would not get involved in.
Murder and missing millions could turn out to be a bitch to solve, if they could solve it. So far, the money hadn’t been found. Did that mean it was in someone’s pocket, or was it waiting to be picked up?
It was possible it was lost forever. Just as possible someone had it safely in his or her own account. If either option were true, the killer would be difficult, if not impossible to find.
Unless Sky’s sister was guilty and had been put behind bars before she could retrieve it.
Regardless of the difficulties, there was no way he could turn Sky down. He should discuss this with Coop, who wasn’t a hundred yards from where he sat. But he didn’t trust she wouldn’t be gone before the discussion was over. He jumped from the table, went to the bathroom door where she had disappeared, and knocked. “Ms. Chapman…Sky? Can you give me more details? It will make it easier to start an investigation.”
The bathroom door opened so fast he almost fell against the wall. “Does this mean you’ll take my sister’s case?”
“Only if you cooperate fully.”
She had changed into jeans and a T-shirt and pulled her hair back into a bun. He wanted to pull the plug on that and let it fall loose again. He shook his head at the nonsense.
“I can do better than that,” she said, as she hurried back to the sofa, scrambled around for a pen and pad before she went back to the table to sit down. “If you have time, let’s get down to business.”
She may have shed her professional outfit from yesterday, but sitting straight in her chair, a pen in hand as she started a diagram, added names and information, he was reminded of his sixth grade teacher, and the way she looked when trying to explain a problem to a room full of active, uninterested kids.
“What do you do?”
“For a living?”
“Yep.” He tried to guess. School teacher, maybe. CEO of a mid-sized corporation—more than possible: something requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to persuade. Definitely.
“Bank. Financial advisor. Which may be why I’m considered a suspect. The missing funds were sent to my bank before they disappeared.” She pushed the piece of paper toward him. “This is all I know.”
He eyed her again. Yeah, she looked like she worked at a bank.
Shoving the paper closer, she pointed out and explained each item. Yep, just like a teacher. “My brother-in-law worked for Steel Financial Services. He was a VP and supposedly made the bucks. At least my sister spent as if he did. He was also a womanizer and screwed anything in skirts. I knew it from the moment I met him, but my sister wouldn’t listen.”
“Maybe she got sick and tired of his escapades and did him in.”
“You don’t know my sister. She would much prefer to make his life miserable. She’d never kill him.”
“Why not?”
Sky gave him a twisted grin. “You’d have to know my sister. She enjoys handing out misery.”
“What is the evidence against her?”
“Martin was killed in his office. Security cameras show Dory entering and leaving. The knife had her fingerprints and her clothes had traces of his blood.”
“Pretty convincing.”
“There’s more. His computer was on, the money was missing, and both Martin’s and Dory’s bloody prints were on the computer. The authorities think she sent the money off to parts unknown and they think one or both of us know where it is.”
“Is it true?”
“My sister is computer illiterate. And I have no idea where the money is. If I did, I would turn it over to Steel and be finished with this mess.”
He sat back. Sky’s sister was probably guilty as hell and out of pity or sisterly love, Sky was ready to do anything to get her out of jail, even if it meant putting her own life in danger. “Show me what this means?” He pointed to a name and lines of explanation.
“Quentin Steel is the owner and CEO of Steel Financial Services. According to my sister, he knows the password for every computer in his office and could easily have been the one to transfer the money. If so, and Martin found out, guess who had to go?”
“I suppose he has an alibi.”
“He does.” She pointed to another name. “Cherise Prince. Dory claims Cherise and Martin had an affair a year ago. My sister found out about it and raised so much hell he called it off. She claims Cherise hated her and Martin. She’s Steel’s assistant and could easily have the password to Martin’s computer.”
“Why would your sister raise so much hell if she was accustomed to his affairs?”
“Cherise was the last straw. Dory said she’d had enough and threatened divorce if he didn’t break it off. I suppose a break-up was cheaper.”
“So, you have two suspects and no proof.”
“That’s where you come in.”
Why did clients make their dilemma sound easy? Here’s the problem, solve it. Shouldn’t take more than an hour, just like on television.
“First, tell me about your sister.” From what little Sky told him, she sounded like a spoiled, rich-man’s wife. He wanted to be wrong.
“Dory and I are nothing alike. We never have been.”
“Most siblings aren’t. My brothers and I are all different.” He didn’t mention that each had a different set of parents.
“We were more than different. The only thing that attached us to one another was our parentage. Even that was tenuous.”
There was more here than she wanted to reveal right now. He let it pass. “How did you plan to check out the suspects?”
Brown eyes widened. She had no idea. Sky Chapman was as out of her element as he would be sitting in her shoes at the bank.
He picked up the bag with the threatening note. “I don’t suppose you showed this to the cops?”
“No. I didn’t. I did call FBI Agent Hansen after I left my apartment and told him how it had been trashed. Either he didn’t believe me or he thought I did it to draw suspicion away from myself.”
“Do you know if the Prince woman has been questioned?” It wouldn’t be that hard to find out. He knew a couple of cops on HPD’s payroll. His brother Matt could help. The FBI was involved and even if it wasn’t Matt’s case, he’d be able to find out what was going on.
“No idea.”
“I’ll need to see your apartment. Do you have security?”
“In the building? Yes. Why didn’t I think of that? The person who entered should be on the tape.”
“I’ll check it out. Then I need to interview your sister.”
“Before you talk to the suspects?”
“Absolutely.” If the woman was a dingbat, he didn’t want to steer the focus of the case in the wrong direction.
Dirk stood, grabbed the bag with the note, and the diagram, tucked them in his shirt, and headed outside. “Are you coming? You want to see what Sully can do, don’t you?”
“I’m right behind you.”
Coop wasn’t going to be happy. Dirk could tell Sky no, but his conscience wouldn’t let him.
He had no idea how he could keep her safe; find ten million dollars, and a killer.
He did know he would do all an ex-Navy SEAL could.
Chapter Five
Across the field a man waved and came toward them. Lanie locked a dog in a pen and also headed their way. As they grew closer, Sky eyed the man who had to be Dirk’s brother. Both were big men with broad shoulders and biceps that told her they worked out, but Dirk’s hair was lighter than his brother’s. Though they both had blue eyes, Dirk’s were more vivid. Deeper.
“Hi again.” Lanie smiled. She was dressed in jeans and T-shirt with another shirt over it. It was cool this morning. “Quite a storm last night.”
“It was,” Sky agreed. “I’m grateful for the use of the bungalow and for your wonderful soup and pie. Thank you.”
“Not a problem.”
Had she ever felt as happy as Lanie looked right now?
“Coop.” Dirk nodded when the man joined them, another gorgeous German shepherd at his heels, this one with more black than tan. “This is Skylar Chapman. Sky, this is my brother, Cooper Browning—Coop. He and Lanie aren’t really newlyweds; they just act like it.”
Coop stuck out his hand. Sky liked him immediately. His eyes were smiling; his short, dark hair tousled from the slight breeze. “Welcome. How do you like Sully?”
Sully had followed her out and sat beside her. She reached down and ruffled his fur. “He’s wonderful.”
“Then you’re in for a treat,” Coop bragged. His eyes turned remorseful. “I’m sorry he has a problem we can’t seem to correct.”
“Coop, we need to talk after this little demonstration.”
“We’ll have to cancel our Saturday morning session at the office.” It was a ritual. Those who could make it showed up, shared coffee, donuts, and discussed their toughest cases.
“We don’t have anything on the agenda that can’t wait until Monday.”
“Agreed. I’ll make a couple of calls and see you at the homestead when you’ve finished.” He turned to Sky. “See you later.”
Coop gave the dog accompanying him a signal and, with an arm around Lanie, walked to the pens.
“They’re a beautiful couple.” Sky admired the way the two seemed to enjoy each other. Leaning toward one another. Touching. Looking into each other’s eyes. They had the kind of togetherness Sky had only read about. “How long have they been married?”
“Over a year.”
Not really newlyweds.
Dirk led Sky and Sully to the field and started explaining the hand signals until Sky was comfortable telling Sully to come, heel, sit, and guard. Sully responded so fast it made Sky’s head swim. “You’ll have to learn German to give the verbal signals.”
“I’m sure there’s a reason for using another language.”
“To throw the enemy off-kilter.”
“Smart. Luckily, I’m fluent in German. This is going to be fun. There shouldn’t be a problem.”
He gave her a closer look.
“Great. I’ll get a list to you. For now you’re on your own.”
Sully was trained. She wasn’t. “I need more practice.”
“That’s what this is. Practice. It’s not something you’ll get in a day. Just decide which command you want to give and see how Sully reacts. If he doesn’t recognize the signal, he’ll just sit there and stare at you.”
They practiced for an hour. Sully was brilliant. Sky wasn’t. But she was learning.
Dirk called a halt. “You’re doing good.”
“Not good enough.”
“We can practice again later. Right now, I need to talk to Coop about your case.”
“Not without good reason.” Dirk’s mouth hardened.
She stopped. Sully came to a halt beside her. “I really need your professional help.”
Dirk’s eyes lit up once more and she found she liked him better that way. What was she saying? She liked the help he could give her. She liked the fact that he was offering her a means of protection.
Still, he was an attractive man. She would have to be careful—keep an emotional distance, and not get caught up in the throes of a situation that could lead to a disaster. She wouldn’t risk that.
Not Skylar. She’d vowed years ago to avoid that particular failing.
When they were back at the bungalow, she turned to face him. “I would like to stay here for a while. At least until we can get a handle on my sister’s situation.”
“Not a problem.”
She stepped inside and was back in seconds with the bank envelope. “I prefer to pay by the week.”
“Rent isn’t necessary. The place will be empty for several weeks. It’s yours if you want it.”
She pulled out a handful of bills. “I insist.” She refused to be a charity case. She’d pay her way now and, if need be, later with money from her portfolio if it became necessary.
“It would make me feel better if you simply enjoyed your stay here.”
“I’ll find another place, then.”
“Fine.” His face turned stormy. “ Fifty a week.”
She handed him a fifty. “Will Sully be all right here if I go to the store for a few things?”
“He’ll be fine. But someone threatened your life. You have to be on your guard every minute.”
“You’re not saying you expect me to sit here and do nothing while you chase after the bad guys, are you?”
He didn’t answer the question. “I have to talk to Coop about the case, why don’t you come with me? Lanie will be glad to take you shopping and you can meet Shorty and the baby.”
“Shorty?”
“My mom.”
“And Coop’s?”
“Coop’s grandmother.”
Her brow wrinkled.
Wounded at Home Page 4