“I got it from Zach Miller,” Gina said, mentioning their mutual college friend. “We’ve kept in contact and he’s mentioned both your names recently, so I called him and he had the number.”
Derrick and Dani glanced at each other, and Gina worried they were upset with Zach.
“Don’t get mad at him for telling me, or for not warning you that I was in Portland,” Gina said quickly. “I told him how afraid I was this man would kill me and made him promise not to tell you I was in town. I thought after our past you might refuse to see me. Under the circumstances, I’m sure you would’ve done the same thing Zach did.”
Derrick didn’t speak, but a pensive expression claimed his face.
“What I want to know,” Dani said, tilting her head, “is what does Lilly’s death have to do with this, and how would killing her help this guy?”
“I don’t know,” Gina admitted. “At first I thought he was hoping to exchange her for me, but when he killed her...” She shrugged. “We kind of look alike and it was dark in the house, so maybe he mistook her for me. Then when he got inside he realized his mistake, but Lilly had seen him by then. He could have been worried she could identify him.”
“What about you?” Dani asked. “Can you ID him from the attack?”
Gina shook her head. “He wore a mask last night, but when I saw him tonight he wasn’t wearing one.”
“Odd,” Dani said. “Were there signs of a struggle on the boat?”
Gina nodded.
“Then your friend could’ve tried to get away and jerked off his mask in the scuffle. Once she saw him, he had to keep her from talking.”
“Or...” Derrick’s eyes darkened “...he wanted you to know that he’d hurt the people around you and keep on hurting them until you surrender to him.”
“So that means he’ll keep coming after me. I need to leave town again. I...” Panic rose up her throat and choked off her words. She swallowed hard. “I’ll have to do a better job of disappearing this time. I don’t have any connections to Portland, and he still tracked me here.”
“Did you use your credit card or phone?” Dani asked.
“Yes. I had to call into work and needed to pay for my plane ticket and the cab fare to Lilly’s house.”
“Plane tickets and cab fares can be tracked through credit card receipts,” Dani said absently. “Though he’d have to possess computer skills to do so. And, of course, he’d have to get the cab company to reveal the address where the driver dropped you.”
Derrick ground his teeth together. “If he found Gina using her cards or phone, the man knows what he’s doing. We need to implement preventative measures. Starting right now, don’t use your phone or credit card again.”
How was she going to live without any money? “I don’t have much cash left.”
“We’ll help with that,” Dani offered. “I’m sure once our family hears about your situation, they’ll agree to take on your case. The Justice Agency often helps people who need us but can’t afford to pay.”
“I can pay you. I put Jon’s insurance money in a college fund for Sophia, but if you can wait until the account matures, I’ll withdraw the money.”
Derrick’s mouth turned down. “We won’t take your money.”
“But—”
He fisted his hands. “No buts. We once meant something to each other, and I won’t let you pay for my help.”
With the stubborn set of his shoulders and scowl on his face, Gina knew better than to argue. But there was no way she would take charity from a man she’d hurt so badly. Once they apprehended her attacker and solved Jon’s murder, she’d find a way to reimburse Derrick before she walked out of his life for good.
* * *
Sophia fell asleep with her thumb in her mouth, and Gina laid her on the sofa while Derrick watched her tender care of the child. His desire for a family of his own spiked.
What had he been thinking when he’d insisted on taking Gina’s case?
Sure, he lived for helping people in distress. He’d even trained for it with his criminal justice degree. Losing both of his parents to a car crash when he was eleven and the driver getting off with a minor punishment gave him the ability to relate. An ability that deepened further when his adoptive parents were killed, and he and his siblings founded the Justice Agency. He’s always been passionate about preventing others from suffering his losses and feeling his pain.
But help Gina? She was the woman he’d loved. The woman who still stirred his interest despite their rough breakup. He’d faced murderers with ease, but how did he handle this? How was he supposed to act around her and keep his interest in check?
Especially when he saw the warmth and love on her face when she looked at Sophia. She tucked her legs up under her on the sofa and buried her chin in the collar of his old flannel shirt. He’d often found her in a similar position on cold nights in college.
“Done,” Dani announced as she came back into the room.
“You got a hold of all the siblings that quickly?” Derrick asked.
She nodded.
“Are they on board with helping?” Gina asked, hope alive in her voice.
“Sorry.” Dani shoved her phone into her pocket. “But they insisted on coming over to talk to both of you before deciding. They’re on their way.”
“Here?” Gina dropped her feet to the floor. “Tonight?”
Dani arched an eyebrow. “Is that a problem?”
“No...I...I guess not.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Derrick’s hand automatically dropped to his gun. “None of them could’ve gotten here so fast.”
Dani drew her weapon and stepped in front of Gina. “I’ve got them covered.”
Derrick eased up to the door and looked through the peephole. He blew out a pent-up breath and unlocked the door. “It’s Mitch.”
“This can’t be good,” Gina said as she came to her feet and stood next to Dani.
Derrick opened the door, but concern for Gina kept his focus on her. She stood the same height and was as regally gorgeous as Dani, but that’s where their similarities ended. Gina’s dark hair with red highlights caught the lamplight and contrasted with the pure yellow of Dani’s. Plus Gina’s nose was wider and her lips fuller than Dani’s.
Perfect for kissing. The thought came unbidden as he remembered the kiss at the mall.
Get a grip, Justice. Think of anything but that.
He looked around the room, seeking a distraction from his thoughts. He had a trip planned to the Rogue River in a week, and his mouth was watering for the taste of fresh salmon.
Yeah, that’s it. Whenever she got to him, he’d think about fishing.
Mitch punched Derrick playfully in the arm. “You lost in space, bro?”
“Do you have an update for us?” Derrick asked, avoiding Mitch’s question and closing the door.
“That and questions for Ms. Evans.” Mitch strode into the room with his usual take-charge attitude.
Dani gave Mitch a quick hug. “You’ll be happy to know Kat’s on her way here, too.”
He flashed a quick smile. “Unfortunately, I’ll likely be back at the scene before she gets here.” His professional mask back in place, he thrust out his hand to Gina. “Ms. Evans. I’m Detective Mitch Elliot.”
“Please call me Gina.” She released his hand, clamped hers behind her back and planted her feet wider.
She’d always stood at attention for bad news or criticism in college. Came from years of standing up to her father. She thought it made her look tough, but he knew she was at her most vulnerable right now, tugging hard at his emotions already raw from seeing her again.
Salmon. Steelhead. Trout. All waiting for me.
“Please sit.” Mitch gestured at the sofa and Gina complied. “I’v
e had a chance to look at the alleged homicide scene.”
“You said ‘alleged.’” Gina stared at Mitch. “Does that mean you haven’t found Lilly?”
“I’m sorry, but no, we haven’t. Not yet.” Mitch sat on the arm of a chair. “We did find signs of a struggle at the house, and I have few questions for you.”
Gina flashed a worried look at Derrick.
Despite his resolve to stay aloof, a protective feeling washed over him again. He wanted to take her hand and comfort her. He should simply leave Gina’s case to his family and bow out before the feeling grew into something more, but that wasn’t an option. No matter the emotional toll being with her took on him, he wasn’t leaving her care to anyone else. Not even his well-trained siblings.
FOUR
Gina heard Mitch greet Ethan Justice on his way out. Mitch was returning to Lilly’s boat to supervise evidence collection. He’d asked her to recount her harrowing nightmare and had asked for clarification on a few points, but overall, the questioning had gone better than she’d hoped. She believed it was in part due to his standing in the Justice family. True, Mitch was a member by marriage, but she could see he was loved and respected and that he returned their respect by treating her kindly.
Ethan, Derrick’s oldest adopted brother, shuffled into the house carrying a car seat and a large shopping bag with stuffed animals peeking over the top. “Where do you want all of this, Dani?”
“By the stairs is fine.” Dani took the bag from his hands and faced Gina. “I arranged for items that Sophia might need tonight.”
Gina stared openmouthed as Cole followed behind, the second Justice brother loaded down with more items.
“You didn’t buy all of this, did you?” she asked.
“No. Ethan bought it for his son,” Dani answered. “A big, strapping baby boy like his daddy. His name’s Bobby, and he’s three months old.”
“That’s great,” Gina said sincerely. Back when she and Derrick had been dating, she’d always liked Ethan. “I love that he’s named after your father.”
Sadness darkened Dani’s eyes, and Gina felt bad about bringing up the loss of their adoptive father, who was killed along with his wife in a home invasion.
Dani set the bag on the floor and appraised Gina. “I’m surprised you remembered his name.”
“Trust me. I haven’t forgotten a thing.” Gina’s words slipped out before she thought about how Derrick would take her answer. She glanced at him in the kitchen to see if he was listening, but if he’d heard, he didn’t let on.
“That’s everything.” Still exuding calm and focus that Gina associated with Ethan, he stepped over to her and stuck out his hand. “I’m Ethan, in case you’d forgotten.”
She shook his hand. “I appreciate your kindness, but don’t you need these things for Bobby?”
“Don’t judge us—” he shoved his hands in his pocket as a flush crept up his neck “—but with this being our first child, we went a little overboard.”
“Ha! A little?” Cole joined them. “You could care for all of the babies in a third world country with the stuff you bought.”
Ethan frowned. “Suffice it to say we’ve got two of a lot of things.”
“Then thank you for your generosity,” Gina said earnestly. “I’ll take good care of it until we’re free to go back to San Diego.”
Cole offered his hand next. His handshake was quick and firm, his face displaying no emotion as he gave his name.
A man of few words, this was so typical for him that Gina didn’t take offense. “Nice to see you again, Cole.”
The front door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man as good-looking as the Justice men stepped into the room. Gina didn’t recognize him, but the others clearly did.
“Luke.” Dani rushed across the room. “You didn’t say you were coming over.”
“Self-preservation. If I wasn’t here to speed things along, you’d never get home.” He grinned and pulled her into his arms.
Cole rolled his eyes. “Dani’s husband, in case you didn’t catch that.”
Luke kept one arm around Dani and smiled at Gina. “Luke Baldwin.”
“Nice to meet you, Luke.”
Gina wasn’t surprised that Ethan, Kat and Dani had married. All of the Justices were interesting, caring people. She glanced at Cole’s finger and spotted a wedding ring, too.
“So everyone but Derrick is married now,” Gina said before thinking it through.
Dani looked at her twin. “And it’ll be a million years before that happens. He’d have to quit making up reasons to break up with a woman first.”
Brow furrowed, Derrick joined them. “Kat will be here any minute,” he said, referring to Mitch’s wife, the last Justice sibling, “so let’s finish taking care of the baby stuff and get seated.”
Dani looked at Luke. “Would you be a sweetie and carry the crib to one of Derrick’s spare rooms? That way Gina can put Sophia down before our discussion gets loud and wakes her up.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart,” Luke said with a smile.
Dani grinned back at him and seemed to get lost in his eyes.
Derrick faked a prolonged gag, but Gina felt a pang of jealousy at Dani’s happiness. A happiness that had always been out of Gina’s reach.
Luke grabbed the crib. “Follow me, Gina.”
“You’ll want a baby monitor to keep tabs on her, too.” Ethan rifled through the large shopping bag as Gina picked up Sophia. She took the monitor and followed Luke up the stairs.
Thankfully, Sophia didn’t wake when Gina settled her into the crib and set up the monitor. After one last look at the little sweetheart, Gina tiptoed out of the room. She approached the stairs and heard Kat greet the others.
Gina tensed. Of all the siblings, Kat had been the most vocal in her condemnation when Gina had broken off with Derrick. A warm welcome was the last thing Gina expected. Kat had always been the defender of the family, watching to make sure no one messed with her siblings’ emotions.
Gina steeled herself and marched down the stairs. Kat looked up, her eyes following Gina down the stairs. Gina forced herself to relax. She wouldn’t let Kat’s attitude deter her from offering a friendly greeting.
“Thank you for coming, Kat.” Gina smiled and set the monitor on a table by the sofa.
Kat nodded, but it was clipped. “Let’s get down to business. The sooner we figure out what’s happening, the sooner you can go back to your old life.” And get out of ours was the unspoken subtext.
“So grab a seat, everyone, and we’ll get started,” Derrick said cheerfully, but the look he gave Kat didn’t reflect his tone.
Gina expected coming back into the Justices’ lives would be fraught with turmoil. But actually experiencing it? That was more difficult than she’d thought. Maybe she really would be better off finding someone else to help her.
When all of them had taken a seat, she ran her gaze over the group. “I’m guessing my past with Derrick is the reason you decided to stop by instead of simply taking the case. Maybe it would be better if I found someone else to investigate and protect us.”
“No!” Derrick shouted.
His family members stared openmouthed at him.
“I mean, no,” he said calmly while peering at Gina. “We’re the best investigators you can find. Plus you’d lose valuable time by looking for someone else.” His eyes radiated passion and pride in his work.
He really was the man she’d once fallen in love with. A man who put helping others ahead of his own personal strife. The kind of man who would put her first at all times. The kind she fell for and fell hard.
But he’ll disappoint you again, she reminded herself. Just like Ben. Men always lead you on then disappoint.
He came to his feet and surveyed his family,
his focus lingering on Kat. “Anyone have a problem with taking this case, speak up now.”
When no one said a word, Gina decided to acknowledge the elephant in the room. “I appreciate your help, especially with how I treated Derrick in college. I can only say I was young and thoughtless. I was trying to protect myself, but I could have—should have—found a way to do so without hurting him like that. If I could have a do-over, I would handle it much differently.”
Everyone except Kat visibly relaxed a notch.
Fussy baby sounds came over the monitor, and Gina said, “I hate to keep you here longer than necessary, but would you mind if I check on Sophia? After everything that’s happened in our lives lately, I’m a bit paranoid about her safety.”
“Go ahead,” Ethan said. “If my wife and I’d been through what you’ve experienced, we’d do the same thing.”
“Thank you.” She climbed the stairs and felt all eyes on her, but she resisted looking back. She didn’t need to hear their conversation to know what they were saying to Derrick. She hurt you, they’d say. Why are you so adamant about helping her? She doesn’t deserve it. Let her find someone else like she suggested.
At least that’s what she’d be telling a sibling of hers in a similar situation. More than ever, she was thankful God provided people like the Justices with skills to protect her and find Jon’s killer. She could only hope they would be able to look beyond her faults and work together to keep her alive.
* * *
Derrick preempted his family’s questions by updating them on the case—including Mitch’s involvement. When he’d finished, he sat in his favorite leather chair, planted his hands on his knees and waited for the first comment.
“With the investigation into her friend’s disappearance just beginning, you must have considered she could be the killer,” Kat said, sounding less than pleased.
Before Derrick could answer, Cole’s focus zeroed in on him. “Do you think she’s telling the truth?”
Though Derrick had waffled at first, he believed Gina’s story. He nodded.
“I believe her, too,” Dani said. “And if we’re going to work with her, it’s time for us to leave the past behind.”
Dark Tide Page 4