Dark Tide

by Susan Sleeman

  Gina focused on Quentin. “We’ve had a break in the case. I thought you should hear about the man we think is trying to kill me.”

  Quentin appraised her. “So I’m not your prime suspect anymore?”

  “You’re not off the hook yet,” Derrick warned. “But someone else has come to our attention.”

  Gina launched into Ontiveros’s story, making sure Quentin knew the danger Ontiveros posed. “We have an uphill battle to stop him, and I’m hoping you’ll finally agree to help us.”

  Quentin rubbed his hand over his head and seemed to war with a decision. “I’m so sorry. I hate that this creep is after you, and you know I’ll do everything I can to keep him away from you.”

  “Is that so?” Derrick crossed his arms. “Then why have you been stonewalling us?”

  Quentin firmed his jaw. “I was under direct orders not to talk.”

  “I don’t understand,” Gina said.

  “It all started when Perry died. When the ballistics for Ontiveros’s gun, or any of the other guns confiscated in the raid, failed to match the slug recovered from Perry’s body, Jon thought Ontiveros had pulled a fast one.”

  “So this is about Perry, then,” Gina said.

  Quentin nodded. “At least, I’m pretty sure it is now that you tell me Ontiveros is involved in the attempts on your life.”

  “But how could this possibly relate to me?”

  “Jon couldn’t let Perry’s death go. The official report said Perry’s shooter must’ve been one of Ontiveros’s goons who fell overboard after he was shot. The raid happened at sea, so they didn’t recover a body or gun. Jon was the team leader and felt guilty for Perry’s death. Though he thought he’d seen Ontiveros fire the fatal shot, the scene was so chaotic that his testimony on that point wasn’t given much weight. So he started investigating on his own. I thought it was pointless until he found two other cases involving ballistics and Ontiveros’s men.”

  “When was that?” Derrick asked.

  “The afternoon he crashed. He called me and said he’d received a log that proved Perry’s case wasn’t as clear-cut as we’d believed. He said he’d show the log to me when he got home.”

  “But he didn’t get home,” Derrick added.

  “You knew about the log?” Gina let her disappointment flow through her words. “How could you keep that from me?”

  Quentin flinched, but she didn’t care. She felt betrayed.

  “I knew about the log, but I’ve never seen it, so I couldn’t help you.”

  “Same difference,” Derrick said.

  “Maybe, but like I said, I was under direct orders not to talk about it.”

  “Why would someone order you to stay quiet on a closed case?” Derrick asked.

  “After Jon’s death, I convinced my supervisor to reopen Perry’s case. But he didn’t want anyone else to know. He feared if word got out, it would distract the team and put them in danger on raids. And he also worried that Ontiveros would get wind of it and flee before he was apprehended.” Quentin made eye contact with Gina. “I’m sorry, Gina, but you know how it goes when a commanding officer puts a gag order on something. I have to obey. If we don’t have that discipline in the military, we don’t have anything.”

  “I understand,” Gina said, and she really did. “Jon lived by that code, and I know you have to also.”

  “So why are you talking now?” Derrick asked, suspicion still lodged in his voice.

  “The CG investigators have given up. Said they can’t find a thing to prove any wrongdoing in Perry’s case, and if they couldn’t find anything on Perry’s shooting, there was no point in looking into Jon’s accident.” He shook his head sorrowfully side to side. “Just like that. They give up on two of the finest men I’ve known. Two of our own. I want you to find whoever killed Perry and Jon and bring them to justice. I’ll help in any way I can.”

  Derrick cocked his head and stared at Quentin. “Sounds like a nice story. But with no proof of what you’re saying, I won’t rule you out as a suspect.”

  Quentin’s nostrils flared. “I wasn’t even in Portland when Gina was attacked.”

  “Where were you?” Gina asked calmly, hoping her tone would keep the situation from escalating between the two men.

  “I’d tracked down a lead on Ontiveros. I took my boat and followed up on it.”

  “Any proof of that?” Derrick demanded.

  “Right here in my wallet.” Quentin dug in his back pocket, while Derrick watched Quentin’s every move.

  Gina winced at the ferocity in Derrick’s eyes. Hoping Derrick would remember her pleas from yesterday, she stepped closer to him and caught his attention. She took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. He caught on and did the same thing, making him visibly relax.

  “Here.” Quentin pulled receipts from his wallet and shoved them at Derrick. “I bought gas at a few stops.”

  Derrick held up his hand. “We’ve already seen the charges on your credit card. All they prove is that your card was used to buy gas, not that you used it.”

  Quentin fired a testy look at Derrick. “I understand how much you want to help Gina, so I’ll ignore the fact that you dug into my finances without authorization.”

  “Are you trying to avoid the question?” Derrick challenged.

  “No. I stayed at a marina overnight.” Quentin offered the name of the marina and the owner’s name. “I talked with the owner about his son who’s in the Coast Guard, so I’m sure he’ll remember me.”

  Derrick pulled out a notepad and jotted down the information. “I’ll follow up, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility that you hired someone to go after Gina.”

  “If I paid someone, there would be a financial trail. You’ve dug into my credit cards, so I’m sure you’ve looked at the rest of my finances, too.”

  “You could have hid it. After all, there’s no transaction history for the purchase of your boat.”

  “Got the money from my uncle.” Quentin lifted his chin. “Before he died, he buried a box on his property and told my aunt I was to dig it up and not tell anyone about it. It was filled with cash and a letter telling me to buy the boat. They didn’t have any kids, and he wanted to give me what I’d always dreamed of.”

  Gina blew out a frustrated breath. “Why didn’t you just tell us that?”

  “I should’ve reported it to the IRS, but then they would’ve confiscated the money. My uncle wanted me to buy the boat, so that’s what I did.” Quentin looked away. “He was involved in some pretty bad stuff. Criminal stuff. I figure he got most of his money illegally. I know I should have refused it, but I’ve always wanted the boat.”

  He paused and looked squarely at Gina, embarrassment crowning on his face. “Not that there’s any good excuse, but you know how much money we make on the team. I’d never be able to afford a boat on my salary, and I’m not about to leave the Guard. So I gave in. Made a rash decision. Then I thought about what I’d done and figured if people knew where the money came from, they’d judge me. Maybe someone would report me to the IRS, and I’d go to jail. So Val and I made a pact to keep it to ourselves.”

  “I so hoped you weren’t involved in Jon’s death or the attacks against me.” Gina threw her arms around Quentin’s neck and gave him a quick hug. She looked up at him. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”

  “I’m not worthy of your kindness, Gina. If you need to report me for the money, go ahead. I deserve it.”

  “It’s not up to me to report you, but I imagine you’d feel a whole lot better if you told the IRS what you did.”

  “I’ll give it some thought,” he said warily. “If you need anything else from me let me know.”

  “Maybe you could help us now.” Gina looked at Derrick.

  He shook his head.

  “Why not
?” she challenged.

  “Because he doesn’t believe me,” Quentin said. “And until he does, he isn’t going to let me anywhere near you.”

  Derrick’s brow rose in surprise.

  “Hey, man,” Quentin said, “we may have our differences, but I’d do the same thing.”

  Derrick nodded.

  Gina looked at him. “I don’t agree with you, but I can see there’s nothing I can do to change your mind.” Gina gave Quentin another hug and they departed.

  Derrick pulled her close and marched toward his car as if he was angry. The minute he slammed her car door, she saw him pull out his phone and dial. He slid behind the wheel and she listened from the backseat as he tasked Ethan with calling the marina to verify the alibi and double-checking Quentin’s finances. He ended the call and cast an irritated look in his mirror.

  “What’s with the scowl?” Gina asked. “It’s clear you still don’t believe Quentin, so why aren’t you happy to make the call just for the chance to prove him wrong?”

  “Think about it,” he said. “If Quentin is truly innocent, then that means Ontiveros is now our prime suspect.” He lifted his eyes to the mirror. “I’d rather be hunting down just about anyone than a known killer who continually evades the law.”

  * * *

  Phone to his ear, Derrick paced in the study at Tracy’s house. Maybe he’d misunderstood Ethan.

  “You’re sure Quentin’s telling the truth?” Derrick asked, though he knew what the answer would be.

  “Sorry, man,” Ethan replied. “He was at the marina just like he said. And even after double-checking, his finances received a clean bill of health.”

  “Still doesn’t clear him 100 percent.”

  “No one will be cleared 100 percent until you find the actual killer. But spending any more time on him will sidetrack you from the real suspect.”

  “I get it, bro,” Derrick said reluctantly. “I may not like it, but I get it.”

  “Trust me. After the way Jennie was hunted down a few years ago, I can totally see why looking at Ontiveros as our prime suspect has you spooked.” Derrick sighed, recalling the situation Ethan’s wife had gone through. “Just remember everything worked out with Jennie, and it won’t be any different for Gina.”

  A long pause filled the phone, and Derrick assumed Ethan expected him to say something. But what could he say?

  “I moved the whole team to working on Ontiveros full-time,” Ethan finally said. “If anything turns up, I’ll let you know.”

  As Derrick hung up, he couldn’t stop the memories of Jennie’s run for her life. The killer had almost bested all of them. Ethan had been beside himself.

  Much like you’re acting with Gina.

  Derrick knew it was time he admitted Gina was right. Losing his parents had made him hold back to keep from getting hurt. Now he had to find a way to get over it before Gina and Sophia walked out of his life for good.

  SIXTEEN

  “The log,” Dani shouted from the dining room, bringing everyone running. “I’ve found the log.”

  Gina hurried across the room. “Where’d you find it?”

  Dani stabbed a finger at her computer screen. “On an online storage site. Jon must’ve uploaded it in case he lost the flash drive.”

  Gina stared at the screen. “How in the world did you know to check there?”

  “I found his login for the site hidden in his computer’s deleted files.”

  “Let me see it.” Derrick barreled past Gina and studied the screen. “It looks like a police log of some sort, doesn’t it?”

  “Maybe an evidence log,” Dani said.

  Kat pushed between them and perused the screen. “I agree. Now we just have to figure out which law enforcement agency it’s from.”

  Dani nodded. “Since Jon was investigating Perry’s death—”

  “It could be for the San Diego police,” Derrick jumped in excitedly.

  Dani pulled the computer back in front of her. “I’ll try to track the numbers to see if Perry’s case number is on the list.”

  “Shoot a copy of the log to my phone.” Derrick dug his keys from his pocket. “I’ll head to the police station and show it to Detective Gleason. Hopefully he can confirm it’s from their department. Maybe he can also figure out if it links to the other cases with ballistics issues.”

  Gina stepped forward. “I suppose there’s no point in asking if you’ll let me go with you.”

  He looked at her, his eyes warm and tender, and gently took her hand. “I’d feel better if you’d stay here. Would you mind?”

  “Feel better? Mind staying here?” Dani’s voice climbed higher with each word. “Since when did a Justice male start acting all wishy-washy when someone’s life was in danger?”

  “Talk to your other brothers,” Derrick said, but his eyes never left Gina. “They’ve been this way since the day they got married.” Derrick squeezed Gina’s hand and then departed.

  His touch lingered, as did the warmth from his gaze. She didn’t know what to make of the change in him, but she knew it made her heart swell, and she struggled to contain her hopefulness as Kat and Dani both intently studied her.

  “I need to check on Sophia,” she said quickly then fled the room. She peeked in the bedroom door, but as she suspected, Sophia was fast asleep. She closed the door and stood in the hallway. For the first time in a few days, she found herself with nothing to do but analyze Derrick’s behavior.

  Forget about him. Get busy. Do something.

  She’d seen dishes in the sink earlier. She could take care of them and not only repay a little of Tracy’s kindness but also occupy her mind. She hurried to the kitchen. Her mind continued to drift to Derrick, so she started humming a violin concerto.

  “One of my favorites,” Kat said from behind her, making Gina jump.

  “You scared me.”

  “Sorry. I needed more coffee.” Kat lifted the coffeepot and eyed Gina. “But since we’re alone, I’d like to talk to you.”

  Assuming Kat wanted to discuss what had just taken place with Derrick, Gina stifled a groan and forced herself to meet Kat’s gaze. “If this’s about Derrick again, don’t worry. I haven’t encouraged him at all.”

  Except for the kiss. The wonderful kiss that you returned wholeheartedly. She blushed at the thought and looked down at the dishes.

  “I shouldn’t have warned you off like I did,” Kat said, making Gina’s head snap back up. “I’ve had a chance to get to know you better. It’s clear you care about Derrick and want what’s best for him.”

  “I’m glad you can see that,” Gina responded, though she was flustered to think that her feelings were so transparent.

  “He told me about your father the other night, and I can totally see why you ended things with Derrick in college.”

  “Okay.” Gina tensed as she waited for the other shoe to drop.

  Kat gripped her cup so hard her fingers turned white. “I won’t understand if you lead him to believe there’s a future with you and then bolt.”

  “Again, you have nothing to worry about. I know there’s no future with Derrick.”

  Then why are you still hoping for one? Especially when you have Sophia to think about?

  “You believe that’s what you’re conveying to him, but I see the opposite,” Kat said. “You have to decide what you want. If you want to risk him not being able to commit for the chance at having a relationship again, then go all in—and be there for the long haul. If not, keep your distance.”

  Her comment about commitment made Gina really consider what would happen if she gave in and embraced her feelings for Derrick, but all she could see was him letting down not only her but a tearful Sophia. Gina’s heart broke at the very thought. Even if she could let go of her trust issues and
pursue a future with Derrick, she couldn’t put Sophia at risk for disappointment. Of that, she was certain.

  * * *

  Seated next to Detective Gleason’s desk, Derrick leaned closer. “You’re sure the log is a ballistics report from your department?”

  “I’m positive.” Gleason handed Derrick’s phone back to him.

  Derrick let the news settle over him and pondered the implication. “We need to review the cases listed on the log to see what they have in common.”

  “We? There’s no ‘we’ in this.” Gleason eyed Derrick. “I fully intend to do a thorough review. After you leave.”

  Derrick didn’t know what it would take to get this man to bend the rules a bit, but Derrick wouldn’t let the detective shut him out. “Could you at least run the numbers through the database to let me know if Perry Axton’s case is on the log?”

  Without replying, Gleason turned his attention to his computer. He pecked at the keyboard with one finger then sat back. Derrick was tempted to look at the screen, but he had to give Gleason the same respect he would demand if he were in the detective’s position. The screen flashed and Gleason stared at it. He suddenly hissed out a breath and gave Derrick a pointed look.

  “Message received,” Derrick said, knowing that the log held Perry’s case number but the detective wouldn’t outright confirm it.

  “I may be pushing my luck here, but how about checking for two of Ontiveros’s goons?” Derrick slid a piece of paper holding the names of the men who’d escaped prosecution due to ballistics discrepancies across the desk.

  Gleason followed the same routine, including the hissing breath and pointed stare. Derrick resisted shooting his fist in the air at the firm connection between Ontiveros and Jon’s death.

  Gleason held up the paper. “What do these guys have to do with your case?”

  “Each of them escaped a murder rap when ballistics for their weapons didn’t match the slugs recovered from the bodies.”

  Gleason’s eyes narrowed. “You think the tests were falsified?”