A door slammed down the hall, and he whipped his head up and searched the area as he quickly moved her inside. He closed and locked the door, that hard mask covering his face again.
“This is why your suggestion to keep things professional is such a good idea.” He shrugged out of his backpack. “No more mooning at each other out in the open like that.”
She nodded, but she was disappointed at how easily he dismissed their ongoing attraction while she was still struggling.
He drew latex gloves from the pack and shoved them into the pockets of his jeans. “Walk me through the apartment and show me the path your attacker traveled.”
Good. Focus on the attack. That’s sure to get rid of any warm feelings. “Since there was no sign of forced entry, I think he used a key to come in the front door. Where he got one, I haven’t a clue.”
“Could someone have duplicated your or Jon’s key?”
“My keys were always with me except at school, where I lock them in my office. Jon left his at home when he was deployed. After the accident, the police had them until they returned his things to me.”
“Maybe someone conned one out of your building manager. We’ll talk to him before Quentin.” He surveyed the room. “Where’d your attacker go after he entered?”
“Nothing was disturbed out here, so I’m assuming he wanted to talk to me before searching for the drive. If that’s true, he headed straight to my room and would’ve come this way.” She started down the hallway. “This first room is mine. Sophia’s is next and Jon’s is...was at the end of the hall.”
“That means your attacker wouldn’t have needed to go beyond your door.”
“That’s my take on it.” She stepped into her room.
Sheets and blankets dangling from the bed brought back visions of the night. The attacker’s hand going over her mouth. The gun pressed to her head. The resounding click of the trigger when he’d fired. Her mad scramble out of the covers to grab her gun from the drawer.
Panic pressed on her mind, and the room closed in. A sob climbed up her throat, but she swallowed it back and forced her shoulders into a hard line.
“I was awake but I was listening to music on my headphones, so I didn’t hear him until he came into the room.” Her voice came out in a whisper. She pointed at a small cardboard box on the dresser. “The flash drive he wanted was with Jon’s things in that box. I got up and gave it to him. That’s when he pulled his gun and cocked the...” She couldn’t recount her story again. Not in the room where it happened. She turned away.
“Hey.” Derrick stepped close and rested his hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay.”
A shiver racked her body. “It was terrifying.”
Derrick slid his hands down her arms, and his touch pulled the sob out. She looked up at him, trying to focus on his eyes to calm her nerves, but tears clouded her vision.
“Shh, don’t cry.” He gently drew her to his chest.
She tried to keep her tears at bay, but she couldn’t hold them back. She hadn’t cried since the attack. Now she let them go. Freely, voraciously, she cried, clinging to his shirt and soaking it while he rubbed soft circles on her back. When she could finally breathe again, she leaned back and peered at him.
“Sorry.” She pressed her hands against his solid chest to put distance between them.
He held fast with one arm and swiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “No need to apologize. Is this the first time you’ve let yourself cry?”
She nodded.
He trailed his finger down her face and let it fall. “Feel better?”
Did she? Or did his kindness make her feel worse? She’d forgotten how wonderful it was to be with a man who could be so tender and loving. The longing that followed was the last thing she needed right now.
“I’m good.” She extracted herself from his arm. Digging a tissue from her jacket pocket, she dried her eyes.
His focus never left her. “You ready to go on?”
Was she, or was she more ready to forget their agreement to keep things professional and move back into the safety of his arms?
Not an option.
With iron will, she nodded then walked to the other side of the room. “When his gun jammed, I grabbed mine from my nightstand and fired at him. He ran. I followed to make sure he left through the front door then I called 9-1-1.”
“I know that was hard, but hearing the details will help me know where to look for evidence.” He dug the gloves from his pocket and snapped them on. “I’ll start by collecting a sample of the blood you mentioned. Can you show me where it is?”
Her face still burning from his touch, she rushed past him and led the way back to the family room. Near the front door, she pointed at the bloodstains on the tile floor.
He pulled swabs and evidence bags from his pack then squatted and studied the area. “Not a lot of blood but enough to at least consider that you winged him.” He took out a swab and set to work.
She felt useless—and she needed to stay busy to keep her mind off the connection that still existed between them and off the attack. “What can I do to help?”
“There’s really nothing you can do while I gather the evidence. Your role comes when we talk to Quentin.” He put the first swab in a bag and peered up at her. “Is there anything you need to do around here? Something not in the areas your attacker traveled.”
Gina didn’t have to think long about his question. “I’d love to grab a few things.” She tugged on her plain black shirt. “Something a little nicer to wear and some supplies for Sophia from her room would be good. And my violin. We left with the barest minimum of things.”
“You can get the things from Sophia’s room, but please wait until I finish processing your room before going back there.”
She wouldn’t admit it to him, but she’d gladly wait to have him accompany her. She might want her favorite clothes, but she suspected it’d be a long time before stepping into her room no longer made her cringe in fear.
EIGHT
“I found enough blood on the floor to suggest Gina winged her attacker,” Derrick said over the phone to Kat. “If so, he could’ve sought medical attention.”
“Let me guess,” Kat replied. “You want me to contact all the hospitals and clinics in the area to see if a man came in with a questionable injury?”
“Yes, and I need you to get started on it immediately.” Derrick put the last forensic sample into his backpack and zipped it closed then joined Gina at the dining room table.
“That means I’ll have to put aside my investigation into the crash.”
“Then do it,” he said forcefully as the images of Gina cowering in fear in her room kept pummeling his brain. “The faster we act, the better our chance of finding the man who attacked Gina before he tries something again.”
Gina tensed at his comment and Derrick felt bad, but he had to convince Kat to make his request a top priority. “Call me if you find anything before we get back to the hotel.”
“Please,” Kat added.
“Please,” Derrick repeated as Gina leaned forward and mouthed “Sophia.” Derrick nodded and said into his phone, “Gina wanted me to ask how Bug is doing.”
“Gina, really?” Kat laughed. “You’re obviously growing attached to Sophia. Are you sure you’re not the one who’s interested?”
“Kat,” he warned, “this isn’t the time to get into it.”
“Okay,” she conceded surprisingly fast for her stubborn personality.
Derrick didn’t take comfort though. He knew that even though she’d let it go now, she’d bring it up again. “So about Sophia?”
“I have the monitor right next to me, and she hasn’t stirred.”
“I’ll tell Gina.” His call waiting beeped, and he looked at the screen.
“I have to go. Dani’s on the other line. Make sure you call if you find anything.” Derrick clicked his call waiting. “Sis.”
“Good, I’m glad I caught you,” she said excitedly. “I’ve got an update on the case.”
“Tell me it’s good news,” he demanded as Gina watched him carefully.
“Could be,” Dani replied. “I’ve got Ethan and Cole with me. I just need to add you and Kat for a quick video call.”
“No can do. Kat’s at the hotel, and I’m with Gina at her apartment.”
“And how are things going with you and Gina?”
Wondering the same thing, he looked at Gina. “About as well as can be expected.”
“Ah, I get it. Gina’s right there and you don’t want to elaborate, but I can hear the tension in your voice.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know,” she said, sounding surprised. “For years, I was really miffed at her for taking off on you, but after nearly dying last year, most things that bothered me just don’t seem so important anymore.” She paused. “I’d be glad to threaten your life if you think it’ll help you the same way.” She laughed.
He groaned. “Time for the call.”
“Then I’ll phone Kat. By the time she’s logged on, you should be ready, too.”
Gina watched him warily. “Good news?”
“Dani thinks it could be. Either way, it’s important enough to get our entire family on a video call.” He dug his tablet computer from the backpack. “I’ll set up the screen between us so you can participate in the call, too.”
He set his computer on the table then straddled a chair and clicked on the video settings. As the little button on the screen whirred, indicating the computer was connecting to his wireless provider, he glanced at Gina.
She’d twined her fingers together, settled them on her lap and now was staring at them. She’d been through so much in the past few months. Losing Becki and Jon. Becoming a full-time mother. And now a creep was trying to kill her. Took a strong woman not to completely fall apart under that kind of stress. But then, the way her father had ignored her while she was growing up had made her strong and independent. Just like God said when He promised to bring good things from bad.
How about manning up and seeing how He’s doing that for your good, too? Maybe find a way around your problems.
“Ready, guys?” Dani’s voice suddenly came over his computer.
He focused on the screen, which was divided into sections. Dani’s face filled a large center box and the other siblings peered from smaller boxes surrounding her. He turned the computer so both he and Gina could see the screen. “Go ahead, Dani.”
Gina sat forward. “Before you start, I’d like to ask if anyone has an update on Lilly.”
Kat shook her head. “I talked to Mitch a few minutes ago. They’re still looking for her.”
“Any leads at all?” Derrick asked.
“Only the slug recovered from the siding of your house. Until they find Lilly, he has nothing to compare with it. But you know Mitch. He won’t give up until he’s found her and the shooter.”
“She’s right, Gina,” Ethan said. “Mitch is one of the best.”
“One of?” Kat repeated, smiling. “He is the best.”
Despite Kat’s joking, Gina stared at her clenched hands again.
“You’ve made progress though, right, Dani?” Derrick asked, hoping to ease Gina’s discouragement.
“I did,” she said. “I accessed Jon’s personal email account and found an interesting email to Quentin. It’s about an off-book investigation the two of them were conducting into their teammate Perry Axton’s death.”
“Perry?” Gina looked up. “But the official investigation was closed a while ago.”
“Maybe they recently discovered something new.” A bright box glowed around Ethan’s picture as he talked. “Something that got Jon killed. Gina, can you share what you know about Perry’s case?”
“All I know is that he was killed in a drug raid about six months ago. The team was trying to arrest some big drug lord, and Perry got caught in the crossfire.”
“You said the case was closed.” Cole’s deep voice boomed through the speakers. “Who investigated his death?”
“I can answer that,” Dani announced, preempting Gina. “I did a little research before I called. The San Diego Police Department and the Coast Guard both investigated the case.”
“So if the SPD was involved, that means Perry died in the area.” Derrick pondered how this case might be related to Jon’s death. “Anyone prosecuted for the murder?”
Dani shook her head. “Not that I can see, but I wanted to get this information to you before digging any deeper.”
“Here’s a crazy thought,” Ethan jumped in. “What if Perry was killed by friendly fire? Maybe Quentin was the shooter. He covered it up. Jon found out about it and was going to report Quentin. So he ran Jon off the road.”
Cole frowned. “I hate to say this, but it wouldn’t be the first time a soldier was killed by friendly fire and someone covered it up.”
Gina shook her head. “I don’t buy it. Quentin and Jon were best friends. He wouldn’t kill Jon for any reason.”
Derrick met her gaze. “But you think he might be the man who attacked you, and that your attacker was Jon’s killer. At least you were leaning that way last night.”
“I know. I just...I can’t believe it, I guess.” She looked so forlorn that Derrick took her hand, noting that her fingers were ice cold. He cupped them between his, and surprisingly she didn’t pull away.
“Let me work my sources to see if I can get a copy of the official Coast Guard report,” Cole offered.
“I’ll try to get the same report from the police.” The box around Kat’s picture lit up. “If I can get the ballistics information, I’ll ask Mitch to compare it with the slug recovered from this morning’s shooting.”
Derrick sat forward. “Gina and I are talking with Quentin next. Maybe I can get him to open up about Perry’s death.”
Cole scoffed. “Good luck with that. Getting anyone in the military to talk with a civilian about a mission is about as likely as getting Kat to quit meddling in our lives.”
All the siblings smiled, including Kat. For a moment, at least, but then she stabbed a finger at her screen. “Mighty brave of you, Cole, to attack me while I’m not there to defend myself.”
Dani swung around, and her arm flew past her web camera.
“Ouch, Dani.” Cole rubbed his shoulder. “What was that for?”
She laughed. “I punched him for you, Kat, and he’s crying like a baby.”
Kat chuckled. “Serves him right.”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “Can we focus? I’d like to get home sometime today.”
“Uh-oh,” Kat said. “Sounds like Bobby kept you up last night again.”
Dani nodded. “He’s been a real bear all day.”
“Focus, people,” Ethan grumbled.
“See?” Dani laughed then fell silent for a moment.
“Okay, seriously, guys—enough.” Ethan cleared his throat and they sobered up. “Just a word of caution. Without any proof of the friendly fire theory, let’s not embrace it at the cost of investigating other motives. I don’t want us to lose sight of the fact that Quentin bought this crazy expensive boat and the motive we’re looking for could still be money.”
“I’ve been thinking about the boat,” Gina said. “He could’ve won the lottery or gotten an inheritance.”
Derrick couldn’t believe she was still defending him. “More likely he got involved in drug smuggling through his job.”
“No!” Gina said firmly.
“I know you don’t want to think a family friend is involved in the drug trade,” Ethan said, �
�but people can disappoint us.”
Gina looked straight at Derrick and he assumed she was thinking of his inability to commit to her.
“Hey,” Dani said, “let’s not come to blows over this. After all, it’s pure speculation. Maybe I can find something in a search of Jon’s computer that will help solidify one of our theories. I can walk Derrick through it when we get off the phone.”
“Good luck, bro.” A note of sarcasm vibrated through Ethan’s voice. “You’re in for an hour or more of geek speak.”
“Ha-ha,” Dani said quickly. “Keep laughing and good luck getting help the next time you need something tech related to solve one of your cases.”
Instead of the support she’d hoped for, Derrick and his siblings laughed harder, confident she wouldn’t follow through on her threat.
“See what I put up with, Gina?” Dani complained. “I save them all the time when they run into dead ends, and I get no respect.”
Gina’s mouth opened and closed as if she didn’t know how to respond to their banter. With the tense family she grew up with, she’d always been unable to lighten up when visiting his family in college.
Ethan leaned closer to his camera. “Don’t worry, Gina. Dani may be a pain in the rear, but we love her just the same.”
“Before this conversation deteriorates further,” Dani said, “I’m kicking all but Derrick off the call. Say goodbye, everyone.”
A chorus of goodbyes sounded through the computer. As the various windows closed, Derrick was struck by how much he actually missed his family and wished they were here to help with the case. He wasn’t sure if it was from his worry over Gina or if the time spent with her reminded him of his dreams for a family of his own.
Dani clapped her hands, the sound resounding through Gina’s apartment. “Okay, let’s get started. Take me over to Jon’s computer and boot it up. That is if you can figure out how to turn it on.”
“Funny.” Derrick grabbed his tablet and crossed to a small desk. He found the computer running and shook the mouse to wake it up.
Gina pulled a chair up to the computer. “Jon and I shared this so you’ll have to use his login. It’s jonw, all lowercase.”
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