Dirk laughed. “We’re not a normal family.”
Understatement. “But you’re close?” From what she’d seen so far, they were nothing like her family. Which was good. Who would want to live in such a dysfunctional environment?
“Oh, yeah.”
She stuck the envelope in her pocket, grabbed her bag and followed him. “Where is the homestead?”
“Not far.”
“Are we walking?”
“Do you like to walk?”
“I do.” It was a perfect day. A nice breeze combined with a clear sky. She felt safe here. No one knew where she was. Not even her sister. And Sky wouldn’t tell her. The bad guy, whoever he or she might be, wasn’t likely to show up. By some chance, if that happened, Sully would take care of them. She glanced at Dirk. Despite the loss of half an arm, he looked perfectly capable of taking care of himself in a dangerous situation. She took a deep breath. “I smell flowers.”
Dirk chuckled. “Wait until you see Shorty’s garden. She has a green thumb and the homestead shows it.”
Another house came into view. This one looked older than Dirk’s, but well kept. The yard was bursting with color. Petunias in purple and white, along with roses in all colors, took up a wide bed. Then there were geraniums, verbenas, and irises. She wanted to grab a pair of scissors and make a bouquet. “You were right. The place is beautiful.”
“C’mon. Wait until you meet Maggie.”
Sky had stopped so long to admire the flowers that he was at the door waiting. “Who’s Maggie?”
The door opened. Lanie stood there with a baby in her arms. “Meet our daughter, Maggie.”
The child was beautiful. Her hair and eyes were the same color as her mother’s. Maggie smiled a two-tooth smile. Sky reached out her arms and Maggie smiled wider.
“I think she likes you.”
They walked into the den, which opened into a large, modern kitchen. “Can I hold her?”
“I think that’s what she has in mind.” Lanie laughed as she handed Maggie over.
“If you’re not too busy, Lanie, could you take Sky to the store? She’s going to stay a while in the bungalow and needs a few groceries.”
“Be glad to.”
“Do you have a baseball cap or a hat and some sunglasses? We’re keeping her presence here quiet.”
“If you’ll hold Maggie for a few minutes, I’ll gather them up and be right back.”
An older woman, no more than five feet tall, stepped into the den. “Who do we have here?” she exclaimed as she came toward them.
“Shorty, this is Skylar Chapman—Sky for short. She’ll be at the bungalow for a while. Sky, this is my mom. Everyone calls her Shorty.”
Sky shifted the baby to one arm, stretched out the other. “Glad to meet you.”
“Isn’t our baby girl adorable?”
“She is. And cheerful.”
“Maggie almost always has a smile.”
“Except when she’s hungry.” Lanie chuckled as she joined them.
“I’ll be with Coop. Sky and I will get out of your hair when she gets back from the store.” He looked at Lanie. “Don’t forget, we have the get-together tonight.”
“Get-together?” Sky frowned.
“You’ll have to come.” Shorty reached for Maggie when Lanie led the way to the door and Dirk disappeared down the hall. “The brothers have a to-do every Saturday evening for the crew who work for their PI firm and whoever else might be around. Tonight is Dirk’s turn.”
“And you promised a couple of desserts,” Shorty reminded Lanie.
“I need a few items at the store before I can get started. So this trip is necessary.”
“Then the two of you better be on your way.”
In minutes the women were in Lanie’s dark blue Ford Taurus. Though a few years old, it looked new. “I really appreciate this,” Sky said as she pushed her hair under the baseball cap and put on sunglasses. “I feel so foolish.”
“There’s no need. I was in a real predicament when I came here. Everyone helped me. Not just Coop, but his brothers and Shorty.”
“Who is the third brother?”
“Matthew Montgomery, Special Agent for the FBI. Everyone calls him Matt.”
FBI! Ohmygod. Would he turn her in? Would she lose this safe place before she had a chance to enjoy it? “I think it would be better if I leave before Matt finds out I’m here.” Her insides clenched into knots.
“Why?”
Sky clamped her mouth shut. She’d said too much already. Brother Matt could get her into more trouble. For a short while she’d felt safe. Now that feeling was gone, replaced once more with fear.
“Are you all right, Sky?”
“Fine. You have all been so kind, but I can’t continue to take advantage of your goodwill.”
“Have you decided whether you’ll take Sully or not?”
“I would love to have him. I’m just not sure I can afford him.”
“If you want him, Dirk can probably work something out.”
Lanie pulled the car into a parking space at the big box store. “Let’s get what we need. We can talk later.”
Sky wasn’t sure. Should she cut and run or give the third brother a chance? Did she have a choice? Of course she did, but these people were easy to be with, and Dirk’s firm could possibly help her. If she left, she’d have to hunt for another PI. It wouldn’t be easy to find one she trusted as she did Dirk. Then wondered how he’d captured her trust so quickly.
After making up her mind, it didn’t take long to finish shopping. Sky picked up the bare essentials—bread, cereal, and milk for breakfast, lunchmeat, cheese, and salad greens. She passed a display of ground turkey and grabbed a package. She wouldn’t be here long enough to do any amount of cooking, but threw in the basic ingredients for either spaghetti or a taco salad.
By the time she was finished, Lanie was waiting for her. It wasn’t long before they were back in the car and heading to the house. Despite her decision, Sky was concerned. A brother in the FBI could spell trouble.
“I see that you’re worried, Sky. You needn’t be.”
How could she not? She couldn’t get into this with Lanie so she changed the subject.
“Why do all of you call your place the homestead?”
“When the brothers were in Afghanistan and almost lost their lives, Shorty divided her acreage into three parts. Each brother was given the title to fifty acres when they got home. Coop’s fifty acres came with the original house. He remodeled it—twice, and intends to do more. It’s been the homestead ever since.”
“That was lovely of her.”
“She’s a remarkable woman.”
“I have a question. How can Shorty be Dirk’s mom and Coop’s grandmother?”
Lanie laughed. When she could talk, she sputtered. “Why don’t you ask Dirk?”
Sky vowed to do just that.
Chapter Six
“A case this big will take up most of our time,” Coop explained. “With the workload we have now I don’t see how we can do it.”
“I realize that,” Dirk responded. “But how can I let this woman charge after those she thinks are involved without a clue how to go about it? She’s a banker, for God’s sakes, not someone capable of detective work. If she came face-to-face with a killer, she probably wouldn’t even know it.”
“Skylar Chapman is an attractive woman. Are you sure that’s not the real reason you want to get involved? Work toward solving the case while you sweet-talk the lady into your bed?”
Dirk stood, his one hand clenched.
“I’m not looking for a fight, Dirk. I’m stating the facts. You’ve pulled the, get-what-you-want and dump-them later routine since high school.”
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in any kind of relationship.” And he sure as hell didn’t want one now.
Coop chuckled. “I have to admit you’ve slowed down a bit. You have some kind of charm the ladies like that you don’t mind takin
g advantage of.” He paused, looked closely at his brother. “Frankly, I don’t see it.”
“Damn you, Coop. Sky reminds me of Ms. Trent. Do you honestly think I would make a move on someone who reminds me of the woman who scared the shit out of me every day in the sixth grade? Besides, I’ve never romanced a client and don’t intend to start now.”
He gave Coop a long look, one that said, look at your own actions before you criticize mine.
Coop threw his hands up in surrender. “Okay. I give up. When did Matt say he’d be here?”
“His cousin dropped in last night. Matt is trying to get rid of him.”
“You mean he’s writing a check so the guy will disappear.”
“Most likely.”
There was a knock on the door before it opened. Matt walked in and threw himself into a chair.
“How much did he take you for this time?” Coop asked.
Matt glowered. “Lazy sonofabitch. Can’t hold a job, but, as usual, he has an out-of-this-world idea that will make a killing.”
“What’s his big idea this week?”
Matt wiped his face with a hand as if wiping his cousin away. “Not important. He’s out of my hair now.”
“Until next time,” Dirk reminded him.
Matt leaned closer. “What’s the problem?”
Dirk was comforted by the presence of his brothers. They were always there when he needed them. “I have a case the Feds are involved in.” He told Matt Sky’s story.
Dirk showed him the note in the zippered bag. “This is the warning left on her door. Can you have it checked for prints?”
“I prefer not to get involved.”
“C’mon, Matt. It won’t take long.”
“I’m going to stay out of it. Not for my sake, but yours. If the Special Agent in Charge thinks I’m snooping into his case, I’ll not learn a thing.”
“So what do I do with it?”
“Didn’t you say Sky talked to Agent Hansen? Let her give it to him.”
“I don’t have a choice. Now tell me what you know about the case.”
“Nothing other than what I’ve read in the paper.”
“Can you find out what your buddies know and get back with us? We’re starting out in the dark on this one.” Dirk watched Matt closely. He had a strict code of ethics that never wavered. If looking into a Federal case handled by another agent or another department was off-limits, he wouldn’t go there.
“No promises. From what you’ve told me it sounds complicated. Where’s the money? Does the wife have it tucked away overseas somewhere? Did she kill her husband? Or did someone frame her?”
There was a soft knock at the door.
“Must be Sky.” Dirk hurried to let her in.
He motioned to the only empty chair in the room. “Sky, this is my brother, Matthew Montgomery. Matt, this is Sky.”
Sky’s face paled when they shook hands. “Why did you call him? You know the FBI want to talk to me.” She glared at Dirk. “I’m tired of their stupid questions. They need to look elsewhere for the guilty.”
“Matt’s not here in a professional capacity. He’s here as my brother. I thought he might be able to throw some light on the case. Sorry to say, he knows no more than we do.”
“Dirk told me your story. You’re in quite a mess.”
“You’re not going to turn me in, are you?”
Matt’s eyes narrowed. “Should I?”
“My sister didn’t kill her husband and she didn’t take the money. Neither did I. Whoever did must have lost it in a multitude of transfers. Now that person thinks I know where it is.”
“And?”
“Look. I’m good at what I do, but I haven’t had time to trace the money. I have no idea where it could be, but I intend to do my best to find it.”
“Would your sister know?”
“Absolutely not. She’s about as blind at a computer as I am at…at…flying a plane.” She paused. “My sister is a beautiful woman and as willful as sin, but she didn’t commit murder.”
“How do we know she isn’t lying? Maybe she has the banking numbers hidden and wants you involved to throw suspicion away from herself.”
Sky’s face drained of color. “You’re mistaken. I think she happened to go to Martin’s office that night and found him dead. Otherwise, no one would look at her for murder.”
“She wanted a divorce. Maybe he didn’t.”
Sky stood. “Thank you gentlemen for your time. I’ll leave now and you can get back to your work.”
When she got to the door, she turned back. “I won’t pretend to work with anyone who doesn’t believe me. My sister is innocent. So am I.”
She started out the door.
Dumbfounded, Dirk jumped up and went after her. “Sky. Wait. Matt was hard on you, but it’s his way to allow you to convince him of the truth. Why don’t you come back and see what he has to say?”
“I heard exactly what he said. This will never work. I’ll find someone else.”
Dirk grasped her arm, not wanting her to leave, and not knowing why it seemed so important. “Hear us out.”
“I’m tired, Dirk. I’m going back to the bungalow and pack my things. There are other PI firms out there. I’ll find one that will believe me.”
Open-mouthed, he watched her leave.
He stormed back to Coop’s office. “How could you do this? Sky isn’t the kind of woman you mess around with. You either believe in her and agree to help, or you tell her straight-out you have reservations, and move on. You’re a hard-ass, Matt.” He swung out of the room to follow Sky.
Lanie met him at the door. “What happened in there? Sky went out of here as angry as a hornet. What did you guys say to her?”
The smell of chocolate and strawberries washed over him. For the first time in his life, Dirk’s sweet tooth didn’t scream for a treat. “I have to talk to her.”
“Then you’d better hurry.”
Dirk remembered being this upset only once before, the day he was ten and went to Coop’s house after school only to find his mom had dropped off all his things and left town. Forever.
It was a kick to his heart that caused a wound that never healed.
This shouldn’t feel that bad. One client more or less didn’t matter and their firm was busy. So why did he feel as if his life depended on Sky staying?
It didn’t make sense.
He took off at a run and hurried after her. She was loading her car when he got there. “You can’t leave, Sky. How are you going to protect yourself?”
Sully looked from one to the other as if waiting for a command.
“If you’ll agree to it, I’ll sign a note for Sully and pay you when I can access my portfolio. We’re strangers, so I’ll understand if you don’t trust me, but I promise I’m good for it.”
“With or without Sully, you can’t go off on your own. I have an idea what you intend to do, but you can’t do this alone.”
She sat down in an old chair on the porch. Her hands were shaking. No doubt her legs were as well. He could kick Matt. And kick himself for asking him to come over and discuss the case. Now Sky was upset and he didn’t know if he could convince her to stay. He didn’t have a clue why it was so important to get involved, but the feeling was gut deep. He’d had them before and never been wrong. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake now.
Her hair had come loose, probably from the run over here, and she looked vulnerable. Lost. He fought the urge to pull her close and hold her until the shakes left. Instead, he waited.
She looked up at him and her eyes turned golden. “I’ll do it alone if I have to, Dirk. It’s not what I want. Goodness knows, an amateur doesn’t have any business out there looking for a killer. But if I don’t do something, Dory will never get out of prison.”
For all Dirk knew, the sister belonged just where she was. “I would like to go to your apartment Monday morning, check out the damage, take some pictures, and take a look at their surveillance tapes before I
interview your sister. Will you go with me?”
She looked him in the eye. “Do you believe me?”
“I believe you think your sister is innocent. Until we prove otherwise, I believe the same.” What else could he do? The deep down feeling that this was the right thing to do resonated through him like a drumbeat.
She smiled. And her entire face changed. Skylar Chapman was much prettier than he’d first thought. He turned away. Coop was wrong about him. He’d never do anything to hurt this woman.
He looked at his watch. They’d missed lunch and tonight he was hosting the get-together. “You didn’t pick up sandwich makings, did you?”
“Almost,” she grinned. “I can whip up a salad.”
“We can discuss the case if you do. After that I have to make a run to Conroe.”
Her eyebrow shot up.
“I’ll explain while we eat.”
Ten minutes later they were seated at the small table with a salad and a bottle of water. Dirk dove in. He’d missed breakfast and this was a late lunch. “My brothers and I rotate each Saturday to throw a get-together for the gang at the PI firm, even those who help out from time to time. You should come.”
“What kind of get-together?”
“Casual. Some food. Lanie makes the desserts. I’m telling you, she could open a bakery. She’s that good.”
“What are you serving tonight?”
He took another bite of lettuce, tomato, turkey lunchmeat, and cheese before answering. “I ordered barbecue and all the trimmings. Have to pick them up in an hour or so.” He looked up from his food. “Will you join us tonight?”
“I’ll pass. I wouldn’t know anyone there except your family.”
“Not an excuse. We’re handling your case now. The gang will know you by Monday morning anyway.”
He could tell she was mulling it over. “I’ll think about it if you tell me how Shorty can be your mom and Coop’s grandmother and where Matt fits in. Not one of you look alike. Physically, each of you must work out, yet you share no features. Still, you claim to be family.”
Dirk chuckled, pushed back his empty plate. “Coop’s parents died in a car accident when he was barely two. His dad’s parents were their only relatives. Shorty, whose name is really Margaret and who Maggie is named after, and her husband James Cooper Browning, who Coop is named after, gladly took him in. I came to know them when we started school.” It wasn’t easy telling his story, so he glossed over most of it. “My mom was busy and I stayed with the Brownings more than I stayed at home. When I was in the fourth grade, my mom left me with them permanently. She died shortly after, and they adopted me. So I’m their adopted son, while Coop is their grandson.”
Wounded at Home Page 5