“I hope you’re not blaming yourself for this.” Gina searched Sophia for any injuries. “You had no way of knowing this monster had found us.”
“Hey, Bug,” Derrick crooned over Gina’s shoulder. “Sorry for the scare, but you’re fine, aren’t you?”
Sophia gave him a big, toothy grin and held her arms out to him. Gina wasn’t ready to give her up, but her powerful little legs thrashed about, so she passed her to Derrick. She expected him to joke with Sophia or jiggle her, but what she didn’t expect was for him to cradle her gently against his shoulder while sighing out a long breath. Sophia snuggled closer and contentedly plopped her thumb in her mouth.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered. Then, as if he suddenly realized people were watching him, his expression morphed into his usual tough-guy facade, and he started firing questions at Kat about the incident.
Gina tried to pay attention, but the only thing that was important to her right now was that the man didn’t make it through the window and he didn’t touch Sophia. Once she was sure of those facts, she focused on Sophia and Derrick again and questions flew through her mind. Would Derrick be a good father? One who would attend ballet and piano recitals, get up in the night with a sick child and walk the floor with her? Teach her how to drive and interview her first boyfriend?
A vision of Derrick, his hand clamped on his gun and this hard look trained on a potential boyfriend, made Gina smile.
Sophia had taken to him and he to her. Babies had good instincts. Gina honestly believed he’d be an excellent father. The opposite of her father.
But you know better.
He might love a child. Might be a caring and tender man, but he wouldn’t provide the stability a child needed any more than her father had.
“Did you hear me, Gina?” Kat asked.
Gina snapped her focus to Kat. “No, sorry. I was too busy thinking about Sophia.”
“Most rental cars today have GPS trackers installed for security reasons,” Kat said. “We’re thinking the attacker found us by tracking the car. We’ll have Dani see if he could somehow access this data and check for a security breach in their system.”
Gina thought about it. “If that’s true, why didn’t he follow us to the apartment?”
“Only he could know that,” Derrick said. “But I suspect the thought of setting this trap and lying in wait for you here was the better option.”
“Then thank you for thinking ahead,” Gina said earnestly.
Derrick didn’t acknowledge her thanks but said, “Ethan’s arranging for a clean car and for us to stay with his friend Tracy Walden from the FBI. She’ll pick you and Sophia up as soon as she can get free.”
“You’ll go with us, right?” The plea flew from Gina’s lips, sounding needy and distraught—things Gina hated being.
“Yes. Kat will deliver our rental car to another hotel. She made a reservation there using my credit card. Hopefully your attacker will think we’re holed up inside and watch the wrong location.”
Moving Sophia again would be a hassle, but Gina would find a way to deal. “What about our things? Can we take them with us, or will the police need to look at everything first?”
Kat and Derrick shared an uneasy look.
“What’s wrong now?” Gina asked.
Kat took a step closer and lowered her voice. “Detective Paulson doesn’t seem very motivated to investigate. He thinks this may be another hoax.”
Gina looked at the detective as he lounged on the other side of the room, barely bothering to process the scene. How could such a detective keep his job?
Anger mounting, she faced Kat. “I get that he doesn’t believe me, but you’re a former cop. I thought he’d at least believe you.”
“It’s not all that surprising,” Kat replied. “Cops aren’t always fond of investigators. They feel like we get in the way. Even more so with a former cop turned P.I. They take our career change personally. Like we’ve sold out.”
Gina crossed her arms and looked back at the detective. She didn’t know what she’d have to do to convince him to take this seriously, but she’d certainly try her best. They needed all the help they could get to find this creep before he succeeded in harming her or Sophia.
* * *
Derrick hated not having Gina next to him. Not that she was far away. Just down the hall in one of Tracy’s bedrooms with Sophia. Though Sophia had long ago fallen asleep, Gina refused to leave her alone. He didn’t blame her. He’d reacted so powerfully when he’d held Sophia in his arms, he’d insisted that Gina leave the door open so he could make sure they were both safe.
“They’ll be okay, you know.” Kat packed the forensic samples they’d collected at the hotel and at Gina’s apartment into an overnight shipping box for the lab.
“How do you know what I was thinking?”
“Please. You’re the easiest one in the family to read.” She thumped him on the head. “You’ve always been an open book and always will be.”
Derrick stared up at her. “If I give everything away, then explain how I was such a successful detective.”
She sealed the box. “I didn’t say you were an open book at work. Just when your emotions are involved.”
“This is work,” he said, trying to convince himself. “We’re charged with making sure nothing happens to them, and I’m concerned for their safety.”
Kat met his gaze and held it. “It’s more than concern. You’re letting Gina get to you again. And don’t get me started on what that precious baby is doing to you. You’re gaga over the little sweetie.”
He thought to deny both of her comments, but he’d be lying and he wouldn’t disrespect his sister that way. But he also wouldn’t discuss Gina when his feelings for her were a jumbled mess in his mind.
“Maybe you should go sit with them,” he said. “That way you can quit distracting me, and I can get some research done on Perry Axton’s death.”
“Ha! Like I’m the distraction.”
He glared at her. “Just go. I’m sure Gina would like the company.”
“Fine, but let me know if you find anything out about Perry so I can prepare before tomorrow’s interview.” She put the box on the table and gave it a pat before leaving the room.
Derrick turned his back to the bedroom and forced his mind on to the story he’d been reading on his computer. Kat had scheduled an appointment to talk to the San Diego police detective in charge of Perry’s case, but Derrick believed in learning all he could as soon as he could, so he’d started his own research, beginning with the long list of news stories about Perry’s death. Derrick scanned the list and chose several posts to read. Learning nothing new, he skimmed through a few more stories, and on the last one, his mouth fell open. He reread the text.
“Crazy,” he whispered. Their investigation had just taken an interesting turn, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it, other than Gina was in even more peril than he could’ve imagined possible.
“I completed my rounds and everything’s quiet,” Tracy said, coming into the room. Still dressed in her work clothes—a nondescript gray pantsuit with a white blouse—the agent stopped next to Derrick. “Research?”
He nodded. “You know anything about Renato Ontiveros?”
“Sure, everyone in law enforcement around here knows about Ontiveros. He’s a particularly ruthless drug runner.” She pulled out a chair and sat. “Why the interest in him?”
“He was initially arrested for the murder of Perry Axton when the CG team tried to board his boat.”
She rested her elbows on the table. “With his illegal activities, it’d make sense that he returned fire when they tried to apprehend him.”
“You know anything else about him?”
“He’s been suspected in a number of heinous murders, but he’s skated every time.” H
er eyes creased. “If he’s the man after Gina, then the stakes in this case have just escalated exponentially.”
Derrick glanced at the screen again and looked at Ontiveros’s mug shot. “I don’t have proof that he’s our man.”
“What say I make a pot of coffee and you, Kat and I sit down to talk about it?”
“That’d be good.” Derrick glanced toward Gina’s bedroom. “But let’s keep this conversation between the three of us for now. No sense in worrying Gina unless we’re certain a ruthless killer like Ontiveros is indeed the man trying to end her life.”
TEN
Derrick pulled into the parking garage at Gina’s apartment building the next day and peered in the rearview mirror to confirm Gina remained out of sight. She hadn’t wanted to leave Sophia with Kat, but when Tracy volunteered to stay, Gina capitulated.
After the information Derrick had discovered on Ontiveros, he would’ve gladly left Gina at Tracy’s house with its higher security. But without Gina, he wouldn’t get anywhere in questioning Quentin. And Derrick wasn’t about to bring their number one suspect to the safe house for questioning.
“You can sit up now.” Derrick parked in the apartment garage and turned to Gina. “Not that I have to tell you this, but stay close by my side. We’ll go straight inside.”
She nodded, but she was clearly distracted.
“I get that you’re worried about Sophia, but two capable professionals are protecting her.” He waited for Gina to look at him or say something, but she didn’t respond. He placed his hand over hers resting on the seatback and waited until she met his gaze. “I need you here, Gina. Now. In the present. Not distracted. If your attacker has somehow followed us, you need to be able to react at a moment’s notice. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded, but it was a weak gesture.
“Do you want to call Kat and confirm Sophia’s fine before we go inside?”
Her eyes brightened. “Can I?”
“Of course.” He dialed Kat and handed over his phone.
“What’s wrong, Derrick?” Kat’s voice was so loud Derrick heard it in the front.
“It’s Gina and nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay with Sophia.”
He couldn’t hear Kat’s response, but the glimmer of a smile on Gina’s lips said the house was secure. His heart did a silly little flip-flop from the smile she’d rarely displayed the past few days.
“Thank you for being so understanding, Kat,” Gina said. “I promise not to call you again for at least five minutes.” She said goodbye and handed the phone back to him. “Thank you, too. I know I’m overreacting, but she’s just a helpless baby.”
He stowed his phone. “Believe me, I don’t want anything to happen to Bug either.”
“You’re going to be a wonderful father.” The sincerity in her voice caught him by surprise.
“Not anytime soon,” he said quickly before he allowed her suggestion to give him hope for something he’d never have. “Ready to do this?”
“Yes.” Confusion lingered on her face, likely from the way he’d shut her down, but he wasn’t going to discuss it.
Outside, he secured his arm around her. Though it was for safety, he was growing fond of having her by his side. He kept her snugly in his care until Quentin answered the door and greeted them cordially.
Derrick didn’t buy the pleasant act. Around six-two and built like a linebacker, Quentin fit the description of Gina’s attacker, and Derrick wouldn’t take his eyes off the man. Not for a second or even a nanosecond. Bad things happened that fast and left people scarred for life.
Quentin stepped back and Gina headed inside. Derrick followed but stationed himself in the entryway. From this location, he could see Gina continue into the toy-cluttered family room yet still view Quentin as he closed the door.
“You can have a seat, man,” Quentin said as he passed Derrick.
Derrick leaned against the wall to convey a sense of ease but remained on high alert. “No, thanks, I’m good.”
“Suit yourself.” Quentin plopped onto a leather chair made for his large size.
Gina sat on a sofa in the middle of the room. “Where are Val and the kids?”
“Val said you wanted to talk about the night you were attacked, so I thought it’d be better if we didn’t have little ears listening in.” Quentin leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. “Is that why you’re here? To talk about that night?”
“Partially,” Gina said. “There’ve been additional incidents since that night.” As she recounted Lilly’s murder, her voice trembled and her eyes filled with pain.
Derrick couldn’t stand to see her distress and do nothing about it, so he crossed the room and stood behind her. Hopefully she felt his support, even if he didn’t reach out and touch her.
“I’m sorry about all of this, Gina,” Quentin said. “I didn’t know your friend, though, so I’m not sure how I can help.” Derrick hated to admit it, but the guy sounded sincere.
“It’s not just Lilly.” Gina’s voice was growing stronger. “The same man shot at me in Portland and almost killed me, too. Then he tried to abduct Sophia yesterday.”
Quentin winced and ran a hand around the back of his neck. “Whoever’s doing this seems pretty determined to get to you. Maybe you should find someplace safe where he’ll never locate you.” He looked at Derrick. “If you care about Gina and Sophia, you’ll get them out of San Diego today.”
“So you think the danger is focused here? Sounds like there’s something you know about this but aren’t telling us,” Derrick said, keeping his cool when he wanted to shake the man to get him to quit talking in circles. “Like maybe you have more information about the attack in Gina’s apartment.”
“As I told Gina that night, I don’t know anything that can help. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see this guy means business. She’d be better off away from it all.”
Gina peered at Quentin. “The attacker broke in to get Jon’s flash drive. If we can figure out what the log Jon put on the drive means, we might be able to catch this man once and for all.” Gina coupled her plea with an imploring look. “Please help us, Quentin. You have to know something. Otherwise, why did you ask to look through Jon’s belongings? You must know what the log is for.”
“I’m sorry.” He looked away. “There’s nothing I can do.”
He was lying. His body language cinched it in Derrick’s mind. But if Gina’s plea didn’t get the man to speak, Derrick couldn’t change Quentin’s mind and it was time to move on. “Perhaps you can tell us about Perry Axton’s death?”
Quentin whipped around to look at Derrick. “What’s Perry’s death got to do with this?”
“We’re not sure yet,” Derrick said, playing it cool. “What can you tell us about how he died?”
“Not a whole lot to tell. He was killed on a drug raid. All of us saw him go down. It was dark, and no one caught a clear view of the shooter. We hoped to convict the gang leader we arrested for it, but that didn’t pan out.”
“You’re talking about Renato Ontiveros.” Derrick was glad he’d decided to forewarn Gina about Ontiveros.
Quentin nodded. “If you know his name, then you know he’s bad news. The team would’ve liked to see him go away for life, but when the bullet that killed Perry didn’t match Ontiveros’s weapon, there was nothing anyone could do, including the police.” Quentin sat forward. “That’s really all I can tell you. I’d like to join the kids at that park. So if you’re finished...”
Not so fast. “Your wife told us you went out of town after the attack on Gina.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Where’d you go?”
Quentin crossed his arms. “That’s classified.”
Derrick could tell the guy was digging in h
is heels. It was time to cut to the chase. “Is the source of the money for your boat classified, too?”
Quentin cast a pained look at Gina then came to his feet and planted his boots wide. “If you suspect me of something, come right out and say it. If not, we’re done.”
“Did you have anything to do with Jon’s death?” Derrick asked, surprising the man.
“No.” He gestured at the door. “It’s time for you to go.”
“Please, Quentin.” Gina stood. “Can you at least tell me where you went the night I was attacked so we can prove you aren’t involved?”
He firmed his jaw and shook his head before heading to the door and jerking it open. They stepped outside.
“Get her out of town, man.” After a last look at Gina, Quentin closed the door.
“That didn’t go so well,” Gina said.
“I don’t know,” Derrick replied. “At least we learned he was on Perry’s last raid. He could’ve killed him with friendly fire. And we know he’s hiding something.”
“So I didn’t imagine it then. He really is acting weird.”
Derrick settled her under his arm again and started down the hall. “I don’t know how he usually behaves, but if I’d hauled him in for interrogation when I was on the force, I wouldn’t have let him leave until he’d told me what he was hiding.”
She looked up at him, searching his face. “Too bad you’re not a detective, or you could detain him.”
“Trust me,” Derrick said with all the confidence he could muster. “I’ll still figure out what he’s hiding. It’ll just be more of a challenge.”
* * *
Gina knew Dani was arriving today, but she was still surprised to see her in Tracy’s kitchen with Kat when they returned. Sophia lay on her back on Dani’s long legs as Dani bent down and planted kisses on Sophia’s face. She giggled and Gina felt the first genuine smile surface since the near abduction, making her content to stand and watch them.
Derrick didn’t seem to have as much patience but marched past Gina and knuckled Dani on the head. “Glad you got here okay.”
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