"Are you ready?" Danni asked.
He turned to see her gazing at him, her concern revealed in the corner creases of her eyes. "I was just thinking."
"About?"
"What it would be like to live in a place like this, like a real family."
She appeared startled by his admission. "You mean, complete with a wife, two point four children, and a dog?"
He grinned. "You can keep the point four children, but yeah, something like that."
Danni turned to stare at the house. "I suppose it's like most things—better imagined than actually lived."
"That's a pretty cynical view."
She grinned wryly. "Hey, I grew up in a house a lot like this."
Sam stepped out onto the porch. "Are you two going to come in or stay out there all night?"
"Why do I suddenly feel like I'm fifteen again?" Danni whispered to Nick.
He chuckled, and they stepped out of the truck. He guided Danni, with the backpack over her shoulder, down the walk and up the porch steps.
Nick hung back as Danni and Sam hugged. He hoped, for Danni's sake, the retired cop wasn't involved in anything illegal. Danni stepped away, and Sam held his hand out to Nick, who shook it firmly.
"Good evening, sir," Nick said formally.
Sam's eyes twinkled. "Nice to see you and Danni aren't fighting like cats and dogs anymore."
"We still have our moments," Danni said.
"Life would be pretty boring without them," Nick added.
Sam chuckled and ushered Nick and Danni into the house, which smelled of meat and spices, with the underlying scent of fresh coffee.
"Nancy's in the kitchen," Sam said, steering them in that direction.
The country kitchen was large and airy, with an abundance of cupboards and countertops. An older woman, who had to be Nancy, was stirring something on the stove. She turned, and her thin face lit with a bright smile.
"It's been too long, Danni," she said.
Danni crossed the floor and gave the slender woman a delicate hug. "You weren't supposed to go to any trouble," she scolded Nancy as she released her.
"This? I would've made the same for just Sam and myself." She raised pale blue eyes to Nick. "And you must be Nick."
He smiled. "That's me."
"I met you years ago, when Sam took me over to the youth center. You were with Paddy."
Although there was no sign of censure in her features, Nick detected coolness in her tone and couldn't hide his own defensiveness. "Without Paddy's help, I probably would've ended up another statistic in the prison system."
"I'm sorry," Nancy said sheepishly. "It's just that sometimes I wanted to strangle that man. He left a beautiful, intelligent daughter alone at home while he tried to save the world."
"Only a small part of it," Danni said quietly. "And the more I see of what he did at the center and how much he helped Nick, the more I realize how little I really knew him." She shrugged. "Besides, I didn't need Dad's help to get into trouble. I did that pretty well on my own."
Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "He was a fine man, Danni. I'm glad he and you were starting to reconcile."
Nick suddenly felt like an outsider and realized this must have been how Danni felt all those years while Paddy took care of "his boys" rather than her. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
"Why don't you get the kids something to drink while I finish up out here?" Nancy suggested.
"The kids are perfectly capable of getting their own drinks," Danni interjected smoothly. "Would you like some help, Nancy?"
"I think everything is done."
Amid teasing and joking, they spooned food into serving bowls and piled sliced beef onto a platter, and carried it all into the dining room. Nick's mouth watered at the banquet of pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and gravy, not to mention a salad and fresh baked bread. It was just the sort of meal the two point four children would expect to eat.
Danni filled water glasses from a pitcher in the refrigerator while Sam poured red wine. Once they were all seated around the table, they bowed their heads as Sam said a prayer. After that, Sam raised his wineglass, prompting Nick, Danni, and Nancy to do the same.
"To Paddy Hawkins," the older man said.
The toast was echoed around the table, then everyone sipped their wine. In the solemn silence, Nick pictured Paddy and mentally raised his glass to him.
Thanks for everything, Paddy. His gaze sidled to Danni. Especially for your beautiful, passionate daughter.
Bowls were passed around the table, and plates were filled. The meal was interspersed with compliments to the chef and small talk.
To Nick, it was like being a part of some family TV show. The warmth surrounding Danni and her surrogate parents enveloped him, brought him into a world where he'd previously only been a spectator. He could see why Danni was so adamant about Sam not being involved in anything illegal. It went against baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie to think this nice old couple were accomplices in theft and murder.
Despite Nancy's protests, everyone helped to clear the table.
"Nick and I can take care of these," Sam said, motioning toward the dirty dishes now stacked on the kitchen counter. "Why don't you and Danni go on into the front room and catch up."
Nick caught Danni's concerned gaze, and she made a barely discernible nod toward Nancy. If he hadn't known about her condition, he would still have guessed something was wrong by the yellowish pallor of her skin and the increased trembling of her hands.
"Good idea," Danni said, and Nick could hear her forced cheerfulness. "You have to tell me about your latest trip. Las Vegas, right?"
As Danni and Nancy left the kitchen talking about Wayne Newton and one-armed bandits, Nick found himself alone with Sam.
"She likes to have people over, but it's hard on her," the retired cop said in a low voice.
Nick studied his weary and drawn face. "Hard on you, too."
Sam shrugged as he started the warm water tap. "You rinse, and I'll put them in the dishwasher."
Nick rolled up his shirtsleeves and held the first plate under the running water. He handed it to Sam. "Danni told me about her illness."
"She only knows what I told her."
Nick glanced sharply at the gray-haired man. "What do you mean?"
Sam hunched his shoulders. "Nancy has maybe six months before she won't be able to get around anymore. Then her organs will start failing. She'll be gone in less than a year."
Nick felt Sam's soul-deep anguish. "I'm sorry." He rinsed a handful of silverware. "You should tell Danni."
"I will, but not yet. She just lost her father."
"And she'll be losing the woman who's been like a mother to her in less than a year. She has the right to know." Nick swallowed. "To prepare."
Sam bowed his head, and Nick allowed him his privacy as he continued his task in silence.
"I'm glad Danni's got you now," Sam suddenly said.
Nick jerked his head up. "We're friends. Nothing more."
Sam chuckled, although it held a watery note. "Open your eyes, Rocky."
Nick pressed his lips together. He wasn't ready to pursue that avenue yet. "Danni said you and Nancy have been able to take some trips, do some fishing—things you always wanted to do."
Sam slid the top rack out of the dishwasher and stacked the glasses in it. "A lot of cops end up getting divorced at least once. I was lucky. Nancy sacrificed for me— evenings and holidays alone, putting up with my moods after a rough day at work. Hardly a word of complaint, even when we found out we wouldn't be able to have children. She's been my rock. I owe her everything."
The older man rubbed his face. "If she knew I took out a loan against the house so I can give her those trips and fishing excursions, she would skin me alive." He laughed weakly. "But it's a small price to pay to see her happy."
Thickness filled Nick's throat. Would he ever love someone as much as Sam loved his wife?
Sam closed the dishwasher, and hi
s expression took on its more characteristic gruffness. "That loan is only for you and me to know about. I don't want Nancy finding out from you or Danni."
Nick nodded as he dried his hands on a towel hanging from the refrigerator handle. He'd have to tell Danni where Sam got the money, but he'd make sure she didn't tell Nancy. Although it was a relief to know Sam wasn't using dirty money, the explanation was heartrending.
Sam slapped Nick's shoulder. "What do you say we join the womenfolk?"
Nick grinned at the old-fashioned term and followed Sam to the front room. He spotted Danni and Nancy on the love seat, and when Danni glanced up, he noticed moisture glimmering in her eyes. He took a step toward her, but a brief shake of her head stopped him.
"Nancy was just telling me about the latest fishing trip. Sounds like she's the fisher-person in the family," Danni teased Sam.
Nick, however, saw the stress lining her brow and in her tightly clasped hands. He wondered if Nancy had told her the truth about how long she had to live.
Nick sat back on the sofa across from the love seat and listened to the affectionate repartee between Sam and Danni. He caught Nancy's gaze, and they exchanged amused glances. Clearly, Nancy was accustomed to their banter.
After they'd eaten cheesecake for dessert, Sam asked them about the investigation into Paddy's death. Danni told him about her truck being broken into, about Matt Arbor and Marsel Malone and how they might be related to her dad's "suicide." She glossed over the auto thefts and the details of Nick's book, however, but did include their suspicions about Gilsen.
Sam took a sip of his coffee. "I was afraid of that," he said with a low, nimbly voice. "I tried to help him. Got him into the Marines, but then it was up to him." He looked at Nick solemnly. "You made the right choices, Rocky, but Paul... He liked to take the easy route. While, he was in the service, he was nearly court-martialed when he was implicated in a supply scam, but there wasn't enough evidence."
Startled, Nick sat up to listen more closely.
"When he got out, he disappeared into southern California," Sam continued. "A few years later, I hear from him. He's doing good, says he's started a security company."
Nick's gaze flew to Danni, whose eyes had widened.
"Home security?" Danni asked Sam.
The ex-cop nodded. "That's right."
"He told me he'd opened his own business in San Diego and done well," Nick said. "He never gave me any details, but I assumed it was a dot com company like he started here."
"So why'd he move back?" Danni asked.
"He said he needed a new challenge, so he sold his company for a nice profit," Sam answered.
"He also said he wanted to help kids like you helped him," Nancy interjected softly.
"Which is why he volunteers at the center," Nick said, although he suspected there was a lot more to it than humanitarianism.
"From a security to an Internet company?" Danni scowled. "Those aren't even close."
Sam's eyes narrowed. "That's why I did a little more digging. It's a dummy company. He's got an office and a phone, but he's never there."
"So, what do you think he's into?"
"Don't play coy with me, Danielle Hawkins. I've known you too long for those kinds of games." The older man sighed and drew a hand across his still-thick hair. "Even though I thought you and Rocky were chasing your tails by looking into Paddy's death, I think you're onto something. If Gilsen thought Paddy was a threat to him, I don't think he'd hesitate to kill him."
Danni broke the ensuing silence. "Why didn't you tell me you were helping Paul? Especially after he tried to rape me."
"That was my fault," Nancy said, her sunken eyes distressed. "I told Sam you'd be hurt if you found out. I knew you'd think he was choosing Paul over you."
Like Paddy chose Rocky over you. The words weren't spoken aloud, but Nick heard them plainly.
Sam reached for his wife's hand, which she clasped between both of hers.
Danni stared at their intertwined hands, and her eyes reflected poignant sadness. Nick ached to hug her and hold her hand, tell her he was there for her, that he wouldn't abandon her. But he couldn't make that kind of promise.
He glanced at Nancy and noticed how tired she suddenly appeared. Although it was early—only nine o'clock—he cleared his throat and said, "We should get back to the house. Gus probably needs to be let out."
When Danni glanced at him, he inclined his head toward the older woman. Danni understood immediately and rose.
Nancy roused. "Are you leaving already?"
"I'm afraid so," Danni replied softly. "Nick's dog is staying at Dad's place with us, and we can't leave her alone very long."
Sam helped his wife up, and they escorted Nick and Danni to the door. Danni retrieved her backpack and, after a round of hugs and handshakes, Nick guided her to his SUV. They didn't speak until they were out of the neighborhood.
"She's lost even more weight," Danni said, her voice husky.
Nick remained mute, allowing Danni to talk at her own pace.
"She doesn't have as much time as Sam told me," she continued. "Probably a year, maybe less."
Nick glanced at her as one tear rolled down her cheek to glisten in the muted glow. She didn't seem to notice. He clenched his jaw but only reached for her hand and held it as he rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.
"She said Sam wanted to protect me, like I'm still a little girl." Anger leached into her tone.
"He loves you," Nick said gently. "They both do."
Danni turned her head to gaze out her side window. "I love them, too." She took a deep breath and used her free hand to swipe away the single tear trail, then faced Nick. "Nancy said Sam took out a loan against the house to pay for all their trips."
"She knows?" Nick asked, surprised.
"Nancy always took care of the finances when Sam worked. He took over after she was diagnosed, but she's a smart woman. He couldn't hide it from her."
"When Sam told me about it, he wanted to make sure neither of us told Nancy."
"After she found out what he'd done, she said she was upset. But then she realized why he'd done it, and she didn't have the heart to tell him she knew."
"He did it because he loves her."
Danni nodded.
They lapsed into a lengthy silence.
"Do you think you'll ever love someone that much?" Danni asked softly.
Nick's heart skipped a beat and he concentrated on the feel of Danni's hand in his. "I'd like the chance to find out."
She cast him a quizzical frown, but he ignored it. He couldn't explain, even if he wanted to. Danni was the most exasperating, frustrating, stubborn woman he'd ever met. She was also the most compassionate, exciting, sexy woman he'd ever met. He could grow old with her and never lose his fascination with her—of the facets he'd uncovered and those still unearthed.
Nick turned onto Paddy's street, and Danni tensed. "Look."
He followed her pointing finger to a silver car parked in front of her father's house. As they neared it, the first three letters of the license plate became clear: ECU.
"He's got a lot of balls coming back here," Nick growled.
Danni dug into her backpack and pulled out her cell phone. She punched the On button, but nothing happened. She tried again. Nothing. "Damn it! The battery's dead."
Nick parked along the curb in front of the neighbor's house. "We can use Mrs. Countryman's phone."
Danni nodded as she withdrew her revolver from her backpack. She'd removed her shoulder holster on the way to Sam's, not wanting to wear a weapon to dinner.
Opening her door carefully, she slid out, and Nick joined her, hunched against the side of the SUV. She tilted her head to the side and her brow creased. "It's too quiet."
"It's nearly ten o'clock," Nick said.
Danni grabbed him. "No. Gus should be barking."
Alarm gripped Nick's gut.
Danni's fingers tightened around his arm. "We can't just charge in there. Like
you've told me before, we need backup, which means we call nine-one-one."
"But—"
"No. We do it by the book this time."
Mrs. Countryman's front door creaked open, and Nick and Danni spun toward it. The petite woman was wrapped in a long bathrobe with fuzzy slippers on her feet.
"I called the police when he went into Paddy's house," she called out in a low voice.
Nick couldn't help but smile.
"Good work, Mrs. Countryman," Danni said, also keeping her voice down. "How long—" She broke off and ducked behind the Jeep, pulling Nick down with her. "He just came out."
Nick was gratified to see Mrs. Countryman retreat into her house. He peered through the darkness and saw a shadowy figure descend Paddy's porch steps. The man was dressed in black, and he moved with the stealth of a professional soldier... or thief.
Nick pressed his back against the Jeep, his arm against Danni's. "Now what?" he whispered.
"I can't let him get away."
Although Nick was torn between taking Gilsen down themselves and waiting for the police, he knew they didn't have much choice this time. Gilsen would get away if they didn't do something.
"You wouldn't happen to have a spare gun, would you?" he asked, his lips close to Danni's ear.
"No. You stay here, out of the line of fire."
Fear flashed through him. "What're you going to do?"
"What I was trained to do." She took a deep breath and suddenly stood, her gun held between her steady hands. "Freeze, Gilsen."
And he did freeze, for a moment. Then he brought his own weapon up and squeezed the trigger. Instead of an explosive bark, there was a muted cough.
A silencer. The bastard was using a silencer.
Danni got off one shot and dropped beside Nick. "He's using a—"
"Silencer. Yeah, I heard."
Loud cursing surprised Nick, and he and Danni peered around the Jeep's front end to see Gilsen kicking a flat tire. "Good shot," Nick said.
"I didn't do it, but that was going to be my plan."
Arouse Suspicion Page 24