by Lisa Harris
“Venessa,” Madison said, squeezing the baby’s bare toes. “You remember my partner, Jonas.”
Venessa nodded. “Yeah. It’s good to see you again.”
He smiled at her. “Are you okay?”
“Not really.” Venessa’s voice cracked. She turned to Madison. “I told Jimmy when you moved in how much safer I felt knowing we had a US Marshal for a neighbor, but I was alone when it happened, and it really freaked me out.”
“Can you tell us what you saw?” Madison asked.
“I was trying to put Charlotte down for a nap. I thought I heard something. Jimmy said I’m always paranoid, but you know how it is. When he’s out I always feel uneasy.”
“I understand,” Madison said. “Go on.”
Venessa pulled a strand of her hair out of her daughter’s fingers. “You know how Charlotte’s room overlooks your backyard. I heard something, so I put her down and went to check out the noise. There was a figure moving across your backyard, and then they broke into the back door. And I have video to prove it.”
“You recorded it?” Jonas asked.
“I’d left my phone downstairs. My husband is always reminding me to keep it with me so he can get ahold of me, but instead I grabbed the security camera we keep in the nursery so we can watch her.”
“Can I look at it?” Madison asked.
“Of course.” Venessa handed over her phone. “I pulled up the footage on our monitor app.”
Madison held it up so Jonas could watch as well.
“Right there,” he said. “Freeze the footage.”
“The picture’s actually fairly clear,” Madison said, staring at the paused recording. “But he’s wearing a hoodie. You can’t see his face.”
Madison turned to Venessa. “Can I keep the SD card?”
“I can go get it if you’ll hold Charlotte for a moment.”
“Of course. I’ll have our IT guy go through the footage. It’s very possible he’ll be able to pick up something we missed.”
Venessa handed Madison the baby, who immediately grabbed for Madison’s hair. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help more.”
“You did great,” Madison said, carefully disentangling Charlotte’s fingers. “Especially thinking to record it.”
“I looked over the footage as well,” Officer Acosta said. “He was in there six minutes. And like I said earlier, it’s the same pattern we’ve seen in the area where one goes in the house, while the other one keeps guard from the street in a getaway car.”
“They must have heard sirens,” Madison said, automatically rocking the baby against her chest.
“More than likely.” Officer Acosta’s phone went off. “Please excuse me.”
“You’re good with kids,” Jonas said as the officer walked away.
Charlotte had nestled into her shoulder and was starting to fall asleep.
“I can’t tell you how many nights I went over to Danielle’s and rocked her babies to sleep to give her a break,” Madison said, resting her chin against Charlotte’s head. “Her two oldest were super colicky, and her youngest just doesn’t like to sleep. I think he’s afraid of missing something.”
“My mom said I was like that.” Jonas shoved his hands into his back pockets. “You’d make a great mom.”
She felt herself flush and hid her reddening cheeks by burying her face in Charlotte’s hair. “What about you? Do you see yourself with kids someday?”
“I don’t know. Felicia brought it up a few times, but the idea of fitting family into a career isn’t easy. I think she was convinced that I wasn’t willing to put her and family above a career.”
His confession surprised her.
“And now you feel like you’ll never know?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Or maybe she just wasn’t the right one for you. I don’t know. Life and love get complicated. But love and the right relationship is worth it.”
She looked down at Charlotte, who was fast asleep, and felt her own body relax. As much as his confession surprised her, her own response had taken her off guard. Talking about love and relationships wasn’t something she was used to doing. Neither was opening up her heart.
Venessa hurried out of her house toward them. “Here’s the SD card. I have another one, so you can keep this one.”
“Thank you,” Madison said, handing Charlotte back to her. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I think so. Jimmy’s on his way home now, and you can be sure that I’ll lock up the house once I’m inside.”
“If you need anything, you can just call.”
“I will. Thank you.”
The wind was starting to pick up as Madison headed back to her house with Jonas. She’d forgotten that a warm front was predicted to come in later tonight, bringing with it the possibility of storms and more wet weather.
Once she’d given her statement to Acosta and his partner and sent them on their way, her thoughts shifted back to the break-in. She’d never been one to live in fear or worry, but somehow the thought of sleeping here alone left her uneasy. Maybe it was because memories of the last home invasion still hovered too close to the surface. Her physical therapy and doctor appointments had been the constant reminder that the past was still very much a part of her present. And now with a second break-in . . .
She thought about calling Danielle as she and Jonas walked back inside the house. She could always spend the night there but knew her sister would only worry more. Besides, there was nothing anyone could really do at the moment. Days like this she missed her mom. Missed the comfort and protection her dad used to be able to offer. When he’d wrap his arms around her in a big hug and make her feel like she was a kid again. Safe and loved. There were days when she could almost forget he was sick. But there was nothing he could do either.
She turned to Jonas as she flipped on a couple lights. “You can go home. I’ll be fine. I’ll meet you back at the office in the morning.”
Jonas shook his head. “You’re not staying here tonight. Not alone, at least.”
“I’ll be fine, Jonas. I’ll make sure the alarm is set tonight. And before you suggest I go to Danielle’s, I have thought about it, but I’m not dragging her into this again. The last time I was on a case that turned personal, her family ended up in a safe house.”
“We have no reason to believe they are at risk this time,” Jonas said.
“I know. I just . . . I can’t forget that whoever shot Luke—whoever shot me—is still out there. And if this was somehow connected—”
“But why?” Jonas stepped in front of her. “When they broke into your house before, they didn’t try to hide the fact that they’d been there. They didn’t make it look like a robbery by stealing a handful of cash. There were no games. They even left a black rose like the ones you find on Luke’s grave every year so you knew who was behind it. So if this was them again, why make this look like a random burglary?”
She crossed her arms, hugging herself. “I don’t know.”
“You can come stay at my place.”
“I’m not leaving, Jonas.” She headed into the kitchen, grabbed a couple water bottles, then tossed him one. “I can’t let whoever’s behind this scare me.”
“Then I’ll sleep on the couch here.”
She twisted off the lid and chugged half the bottle. “You know you’re impossible.”
He smirked. “But I also come with a loaded Glock and the ability to defend beautiful ladies.”
She ran her hand unconsciously across the scar on her stomach. “I don’t need a bodyguard—”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a superhero, though my cape is at the dry cleaners.”
“Very funny.” She glanced up at him. “You can stay. But just so you know, I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can.” He smiled. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I just lost one friend. I can’t lose you too.” He grabbed his keys out of his pocket. “I keep a gym bag in the car wi
th a change of clothes. I’ll go get it, then make sure all the doors and windows are locked.”
“Make yourself at home. I’ve got leftover Chinese takeout in the fridge if you’re hungry.”
She started for the living room, then turned back toward the hallway. Something Jonas had said stuck with her. Why make this look like a random burglary? She walked into the extra room she planned to make into an office and stopped in the doorway. On the surface, it didn’t look as if anything had been touched. Against one wall was a rolltop desk that had been a gift from her father and held two file folder racks where she’d organized evidence from Luke’s case. On a second wall, she’d piled up two dozen boxes she still needed to unpack. A third wall held the eight-by-four-foot bulletin board she’d mounted to the wall.
She stood in front of the board that held evidence she’d arranged from Luke’s murder: time lines, photos, police interviews of witnesses, including the woman who called 911 that day, plus a list of patients with possible grudges against Luke. But nothing had gotten them closer to the truth.
Jonas leaned against the doorway and cleared his throat. “Everything okay?”
She stared at the board, dread sweeping over her as she turned around. “What if this wasn’t a random break-in?”
TWENTY-TWO
Jonas sat on the edge of the desk while Madison stared at the bulletin board covered with dozens of crime scene photos and notes. From what he knew about her late husband’s case, he could tell the board outlined Luke’s crime scene. But the one obvious omission was any photos of Luke. Something that he couldn’t blame her for. Though he also couldn’t help but wonder if her husband’s murder, the home invasion, and the shooting three months ago hadn’t affected her more than she’d chosen to let on. She’d clearly spent a lot of hours organizing all the evidence from the case and meticulously labeling everything.
She turned around. “What if the real target was this room? The robberies have been on the news. It’s the perfect cover.”
“Is anything missing?” Jonas asked.
“I’m not sure, and it will take some time to go through everything. But after spending five years going through every scrap of evidence from Luke’s case, I know what was on this board and in my files. I just . . . I can’t put my finger on it, but someone has been in here.”
“We could have CSU check for fingerprints. See if they can get a match.”
Madison nodded, distracted by her theory.
“I’m assuming you have copies of everything?” Jonas asked.
“Everything’s digitally backed up, yes. And besides, anything I have was copied from the official evidence report.”
“I know you’re still searching for answers,” Jonas said, hoping he wasn’t overstepping his welcome. “Have you been following any new leads in Luke’s case? It’s possible your questioning has someone nervous.”
“Maybe.” She pointed to the photo of a thick black ring etched in silver. “I made some more phone calls last week. Called a couple new sellers who stock these kinds of rings on Etsy. It’s always a long shot, and I don’t really expect to get any new information, but that’s how cold cases are solved. New witness testimony, going through all the evidence again and again. We all know how easy it is to zero in on a theory then miss what’s right in front of you.”
Jonas studied the photo she’d pointed out. “It’s a unique ring.”
She rested against the desk beside him. “It’s a gaming ring they found at Luke’s murder scene, but I was never able to find the owner.”
“A gaming ring?”
She turned to him. “I’d never heard of them either, but you can get custom-made rings for your favorite video games.”
“I’ll admit, that theory makes sense. You started asking questions and are getting close to the answer. Maybe whoever is behind all of this wanted to see what you know.”
Her shoulder brushed against his as she moved away from the desk. She was dressed in gray sweatpants and a T-shirt. His gaze drifted to her lips. They were off the clock, and his compartmentalizing wasn’t working. Maybe he shouldn’t have offered to stay. His instinct was always to try and fix things, but he knew she was able to take care of herself.
Leave your heart out of this, Jonas.
If he’d learned anything with Felicia, it was that his job and relationships couldn’t mix. And in the end, if he didn’t rein in his feelings, it could ruin everything between him and the best partner he’d ever worked with. But then why was his mind screaming to take a chance, forget about logic, and simply tell her how he felt?
“Jonas?” She touched his arm, her expression full of questions.
“Sorry, I’m listening.”
“You look tired. We both are. We can take this up again tomorrow.”
“It’s not that. Really. And I am listening. You’re the one I’m worried about. With everything that’s going on, this is just another layer of stress.”
“There is nothing to worry about. The house is locked, and I have you as my bodyguard. What else do I need?”
He looked around the room. “You spend a lot of time in here.”
“Sometimes, when I can’t sleep.”
“How often?”
“Some nights.” She shrugged. “Maybe most nights.”
“And your dreams?”
This time she didn’t answer.
“You’re still having nightmares, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
He shot her a smile. “Since when have you worried about bothering me?”
“You’re such a comedian.”
“Seriously.” He nudged her with his shoulder. “I thought by now that you knew I’m here for you. For anything. Day or night. But you have to let me know what you need.”
“You’re here, aren’t you? Right now.”
“Yes, but sometimes I’m not sure how best to help.”
“If you ask me, you’re doing a pretty good job.”
They locked eyes for a second, and Jonas had to look away to keep himself from making a rash decision . . . like kissing her.
“Good,” he said, clearing his throat, “then here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll have CSU come tomorrow and take fingerprints. There’s a good chance they can find something. In the meantime, you need to get some rest.”
She yawned, proving his point. “You might be spot-on, but I’m worried I’m not going to be able to sleep.”
“I happen to have a couple ideas that might help.”
She smirked. “Still trying to fix things?”
“Just let me have free rein of your kitchen for a few minutes,” he said as they headed out of the office. “I’ll meet you on the couch in the living room.”
“I’m not sure what I think about your taking over my kitchen.”
Jonas laughed. “Trust me.”
Her lips parted. “You know I do.”
Five minutes later, he handed her a mug and sat down on the other end of the couch.
“What is this?”
“My grandmother’s remedy for sleepless nights. She used to make this for me. It’s warm milk, with vanilla, nutmeg, and sugar, and it’s guaranteed to make you sleep like a baby.”
Madison took a sip and smiled. “Wow. This is delicious, and after a day like today, I can definitely use all the help I can get.”
“There is one other thing she always used to do that is guaranteed to help you relax.”
Her smile widened. “Considering I’ve loved all your ideas, I’m game.”
“Okay then. Take off your shoes and scoot your feet over here.”
“Seriously?” Her brows rose. “A foot rub?”
“Yep.” He waited till she situated herself, lifting her feet into his lap, then he started the massage.
“How are you not taken?” She leaned her head against the couch and let out a soft sigh. “I mean, really. Warm milk and foot massages would melt any girl’s heart.”
Includin
g yours?
He shoved away the thought, but he was getting too close and forgetting to safeguard his heart. “I hope you don’t think I just go around massaging women’s feet. They might get the wrong idea.”
She looked up and caught his gaze. “If I didn’t know you better, I might think you were flirting with me, Jonas Quinn.”
“I just want you to know that you don’t have to do this alone.”
“I know, it’s just hard sometimes.” She took another sip of her milk while he kept rubbing her socked feet. The lighthearted mood between them had vanished. “Danielle’s got her family plus my father to worry about, and as much as I try to help, I feel like it’s never enough.”
“You’ve both got your hands full.”
He searched for what he wanted to say to her as he watched her begin to relax on the other side of the couch, sipping his grandmother’s recipe. He wanted to tell her what had started to transpire in his heart the past few weeks, but he’d promised himself he wouldn’t go there. Especially now. No. If he were smart, he’d accept that there could never be more than friendship between them.
“How are you?” she asked, setting her cup on the end table next to her. “I know I’m not the only one this case has thrown off.”
He rested his hands on her feet. “I’ve called Hazel several times, but I’ll try to follow up and see what I can do to help soon. I can’t imagine what she’s going through, and now she’s having to plan a funeral.” He closed his eyes for a second, taking a deep breath. “I know she’ll have a lot of support from her church, but this still isn’t going to be easy.”
“No, it’s not.” Madison leaned back against the pillows. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being here for me. Not just for right now, but for everything you’ve done over the last few months to help get me back on my feet. You’re a good friend, Jonas.”
And if I told you I wanted to kiss you right now, what would you say?
He swallowed hard. No. Why did his mind keep going there? They were friends. Good friends. But that was all. “I am always here for you. You know that.”
“I do, and I appreciate that.”