She raised an eyebrow. “You certainly know how to court a girl, don’t you, Inspector?”
Heat seared his face. “No, I meant...”
She tipped her head back as she laughed and when he saw the bruises Marcus had left on her throat, it took all his strength not to bolt back to the station and beat Lowell to a pulp. He swallowed his anger like a very large and bad-tasting pill.
“That’s not even the slightest bit funny,” he said, clearing his throat and carefully sitting down next to her.
Together, they swung for a few seconds in silence. Eventually, she spoke. Her voice soft.
“Is Marcus at the police station?”
“Yep, and that’s just where he’s going to stay,” Daniel said. “You’ll have to come down there first thing in the morning to make a statement. These things need to be dealt with immediately for the best chance of prosecution.”
She put her feet to the floor and the seat abruptly halted. “Prosecution?” She paused. “Look, you may as well know I won’t be any pressing charges.”
“What?” He snapped his head round to look at her. “You’re kidding.”
Her eyes darkened. “Don’t raise your voice at me. I know what I’m doing.”
“He’ll come after you again, Julia. Surely you know that?”
She didn’t answer him and Daniel shook his head in disbelief. “The moron thinks you love him, for crying out loud.”
Her eyes grew wide with what Daniel could only describe as fear. “What? He told you that?”
“Yes. And I’m guessing from your reaction, it’s not true. So why wouldn’t you want him standing in court for what he did to you?”
She sighed. “I’ve already told you, I’m leaving town soon. I don’t want to have to wade through weeks of legal procedures just because he grabbed my throat. It’s not worth it.”
“And if he does it to someone else?”
She locked eyes with him. “That’s not fair and you know it.”
He lifted his shoulders. “It’s still something you have to think about. The law is about people, Julia, not one person.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I know that.”
“Then why are you letting him get away with this?”
“Daniel—”
“What, Julia? What do you want me to say?”
Her eyes slowly opened. “God, what a mess.” She sighed. “How did all of this happen? Last week I was relieved to have found such a great new job and the chance to get away for awhile. Now I’m caught up in a murder investigation, as well as dealing with Marcus turning into a raving lunatic.”
Daniel resisted the urge to take her hand in his and instead blew out a breath. “I hate to say this, but if you know that about him, you have to press charges.”
Her gaze shifted, became harder, more determined. “I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to. Marcus is upset that I don’t want a relationship with him, that’s all. As soon as I’m gone, he’ll forget about me.”
Daniel turned away from her to hide his rising frustration. “Believe what you want. It’s obvious he understands you better than I do. He laughed in my face when I told him you’d press charges.”
“Don’t judge me. You don’t have a clue what’s going on with me right now.”
“Then tell me. Or maybe he’s right about you loving him, after all,” Daniel said, sounding petty even to his own ears.
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I don’t love him. I’ve told you it was me who called the dating off, let alone anything else.”
He still couldn’t look at her. Still couldn’t stop asking her questions. “Why? What was it that made you call it off?”
“Isn’t it obvious? He isn’t the same person he wants the rest of Corkley Park to believe he is. Even before what happened today, I just sensed something cold in him. It was unnerving how he could turn on the charm one minute and be quiet and brooding the next.”
“He hasn’t been violent toward you before today?”
“No, he hasn’t,” she said. “I wouldn’t put up with that from any man. Ever.”
“And the mark on your wrist?”
She wouldn’t turn her head. “That was the first time, but it was already finished between us when he did that.”
“Julia, come on.”
Finally, she met his gaze. “What? You think I’m lying? That he beat me?”
“No, but I want you to press charges. Get him locked up.”
“No.”
“Do you really think he’s going to stop? I’ll have no choice but to let him go in the morning and he’s just going to love coming back after you and rubbing my face in it.”
“Ah, so this is about you?”
He pulled back his shoulders. “Of course not, it’s about you. You and the fact that I am paid to protect the innocent from being hurt by people like Lowell.”
“I won’t be here much longer. He can hardly get to me in the middle of the ocean, can he? As long as he doesn’t find out I’m leaving, he won’t know where I am.”
Daniel shook his head, not wanting to be reminded of her leaving any more. “What about other women, Julia? You don’t strike me as someone who doesn’t care. I’ve seen the way people look at you around here. People do not love someone as much as they do you without good reason.”
“Daniel, please. Just respect my decision.”
“You’re seriously not going to pursue this? You’re going to let him get away with it?”
“I can’t.”
That word again. He’d heard her say ‘can’t’ countless times since meeting her. This determination to escape, to deal with Derek’s murder with absolute resolve instead of leaving things to the police—-the fact that she wouldn’t press charges against a waste of space like Lowell. It all spoke volumes to Daniel. This had nothing to do with what was going on right now, and everything to do with her brother’s death. He was sure of it.
He should know, he’d done the exact same thing for the ten years following his own father’s death.
“You do understand domestic violence is an epidemic, a preventable disease that’s taking over the country?” Daniel asked quietly. “If a guy can grab a woman by the throat, he will be capable of much more in the not so distant future.”
“You’re doing it again. I know this, but I will not change my mind. I can’t and won’t be pressing charges.”
Daniel knew he should be able to control his frustration but with Lowell about to get away with grabbing her, it was impossible. “This is crazy.”
“Daniel—”
“Look, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I know how these things work. He beats you, I haul his ass his jail, he gets released and then you let him back into your life. The cycle goes on because you’re going to let him beat every ounce of self-confidence out of you and by the time you need me, I’ll be too late to save you.”
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it? Do you know how hard it is for guys,” he stopped, shook his head. “Sorry, cops like me to swallow the fact that sometimes we’re too late?”
“Are you still talking about Marcus’ attack on me today? Because if you are, you weren’t too late. From my point of view your timing was spot-on.”
“He still hurt you. You still have his finger marks on your neck, for God’s sake. Who says next time he won’t kill you? What if I’m too late then?”
He was trembling. Daniel got up from the seat before she noticed. Taking a few steps away from her, he slowly counted to ten before he heard the clink of china on stone as she placed her mug on the floor. He held himself tense, praying she didn’t approach him. But God wasn’t listening. She gently touched a hand to his elbow.
“Were you too late for someone else?” she asked. “Is that what this is about?”
He turned to face her, placing his hands on her upper arms. “Julia, listen to me. You’re beautiful, funny, talented. Don’t waste your time on a guy like that.”
<
br /> “I’ve already told you, it was over before it began. I’ve got this whole thing under control. I know what I’m doing. What did you mean about being too late?”
He ignored her question. “There are no guarantees in this world. Don’t you get that?”
She flinched as though he’d struck her, shook off his hands. “I’m the last person on earth you need to tell about guarantees. Believe me.”
Their eyes locked and Daniel’s chest burned. He looked from her hair, to her eyes, to her chin and finally to her lips.
He blew out a breath. “I’d better go. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.” He turned to go and then stopped, his back to her. “You’re different, Julia,” he muttered. “You’re special. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I can’t hear you. You’ll have to turn around.”
He turned and she took a step closer. Daniel’s heart rate increased as he registered the way her gaze locked onto his mouth.
“I said…” he began, but the words stuck.
Did she feel it too? Did she feel this ‘thing’ between them? He cleared his throat. They stood just inches apart. The moon illuminated the space between them, basking her face in the soft light. Daniel could hear his own pulse beating loud in his ears. He wanted nothing more than to reach forward and pull her to him. Nothing more than to kiss those soft, inviting lips and hold her safe in his arms. How could he feel that way after only knowing her for two days? He blinked.
“I’ll be in touch.”
He turned and power-walked back around to the front of the house. Once he had slid into the front seat of his car, he dropped his head to the steering wheel. He hadn’t been serving in Corkley Park for a month yet and now he was heading up a murder investigation and embroiled in the domestic life of the key witness.
Not only that, Julia Kershaw was doing things to his insides that no one had ever done before. Oh, he recognized the stirring further down his anatomy but the pain in his chest? That was bad. He didn’t like that one little bit.
****
Four days had passed since Derek had been killed. Julia wandered down the high street with a shopping basket over her arm, feeling as helpless as she had the day Phil had been shot. She hadn’t heard anything from Daniel, or any of the police, in two days, and it was driving her mad. She’d decided to drop in on Thelma, hoping she could at least provide some comfort to the elderly widow, if nothing else. The smell of the freshly baked scones drifted from inside the basket. She had also picked up some strawberry jelly and clotted cream. She’d get some flowers and spend her Sunday afternoon keeping Thelma company.
“Going for a spot of lunch somewhere, Julia?”
She jumped at the sound of Marcus’ voice so close to her ear and looked left and right for the protection of other people. No matter how many times she’d told Daniel she had the situation under control, Marcus’ assault had frightened her more than she’d ever admit.
People were around, but oblivious to her upset, and she seriously worried if her decision not to press charges was the right one. Not only was Marcus the town’s bank manager, he was a very handsome man. It didn’t matter that the devil could take any form, there was a real possibility that other women would fall for his charm and end up in the same situation.
“What do you want, Marcus?”
“You weren’t there to greet me at the station doors when poor Detective Inspector Conway had to release me. I was sorely disappointed.”
“I had more important things to do.”
“More important than to witness my liberty and your lover’s failure?”
“Daniel is not my lover and he didn’t fail,” Julia said through clenched teeth. “He wanted me to press charges and you and I both know you would not be standing here talking to me now if I had decided to do so.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “Daniel, now, is it? Are you positive the handsome detective hasn’t been inside your panties?”
Her stomach recoiled. “Don’t be disgusting, Marcus.”
He took a step closer. “Why didn’t you press charges against me, Julia? That’s the real question.”
She shifted the basket and folded her arms across her chest. “Because I don’t think you’ll be dumb enough to try anything like that again.”
“Really?”
“Really. Not with me...or anyone else.”
His grin turned wolverine. “You know, you’re right. I don’t know what came over me, grabbing you like that. I’ve never touched any one in such a primitive fashion before. That’s why I’ve come to a decision.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Which is?”
“I am ridding you from my mind, Julia,” he said, throwing his hands melodramatically into the air. “We obviously have an extremely detrimental effect on each other. I think it best we go our separate ways.”
“I’m glad we finally agree on something,” she said, then started to turn away. “Have a nice life.”
His arm shot out and he gripped her hard at the elbow, his fingers pinching the flesh. “There’s no need to be so final about it, darling. I’m sure we’ll still see quite a bit of each other.” He paused. “In fact, I’m positive we will.”
“Take your hand off me right now, Marcus. You don’t frighten me.”
He dropped her arm. “We’ll see about that. Bye, bye, then. I’ll be seeing you.”
Julia cursed the shaking in her hands at the sickening realization that Marcus might just play her like a puppet until the Princess II sailed. She watched his retreating back. But what could she to do but keep dancing to each pull of his string until she left?
Her cell began to ring and she pulled it from her bag. The name on her caller ID reminded her why she had no option but to dance to Marcus’ tune. Closing her eyes, she flicked open the phone.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Oh, Julia. Where are you? You need to come home. I just can’t cope with everything that’s going on today.”
Slowly Julia opened her eyes. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Your father suggested we go out for a picnic.”
She said it as though he’d suggested they go skinny dipping in the ice-pools of the Artic.
Julia sighed. “What’s wrong with that? That’s a great idea. You could go down to the beach...”
“The beach? Oh, you’re as mad as he is! I’m not ready, Julia. Why does nobody understand? No, don’t answer that. I know exactly why nobody understands. It’s because they haven’t had their sons shot and killed.”
“Dad has, Mom.”
“Dad? Dad? He didn’t give birth to Phil—I did!”
“That doesn’t mean Phil’s death meant any less to Dad. You’re not being fair, Mom. We’re all suffering—”
“Don’t you dare, Julia. Don’t you dare compare yours or your father’s grief to mine. Ever.”
The line buzzed dead in Julia’s ear. She closed the phone as another heavy weight dropped on top of the load already on her shoulders. Over the last six months she had watched her mother, once a strong, capable woman, slowly become a quivering, unreasonable shell of her former self. And what made Julia feel so guilty was she needed a break from it. She needed to get away before her mother’s sorrow buried her, alongside her brother.
If she could just do something more to track down Derek’s killer, she could leave feeling as though she’d done something to appease Thelma, if no one else. She flicked open the phone and then snapped it shut again. No, Daniel would ring her when he had any information. She had given him her number and he knew where she lived.
She would just make herself useful and try to help Thelma because God knew she was doing a lousy job of helping her mother.
A little while later, Julia sat on Thelma’s sofa, watching her pour tea into bone china cups. “How are you feeling?” she asked gently.
“Oh, not too bad, dear. I’ve had lots of visitors. Everyone is being so kind. Your friend Suzie dropped by yesterday, and the day before. Such a big heart. Derek
thought the world of her.”
Julia smiled. “And she him.” Her smile faded. “It was horrible telling her about his death. She knew about his debts, Thelma. Did she tell you that?”
Thelma nodded and passed Julia her cup. “She said she felt awful not telling me herself but knew it would be better coming from Derek.” She drew in a breath. “This whole sad scenario is Derek’s own fault, and he should’ve stepped up to his responsibilities and told me.”
“He didn’t deserve to die though, Thelma.”
“No, no, of course not.”
Julia watched her friend over the rim of her cup. “You look tired. Are you sleeping?”
“A little.”
“Once I finish this cup of tea, I want you to try to get a couple of hours of sleep, OK? You look worn out.”
“I will, dear. I will. I just wish he was still here with me, that’s all.” Her voice broke.
“Oh, Thelma.” Julia hastily put down her cup and pulled Thelma in close. “It’s going to be OK. We’ll find out who did this to Derek and when we do, they’ll have us all to answer to.”
An hour later, Julia closed Thelma’s garden gate behind her, feeling sad and dejected. Thelma was still in an understandable state of distress and Julia knew only too well that for Thelma to have any chance of closure, she needed answers. She’d promised Thelma she would go straight to the police station and find out the current state of play.
She got into her car and started the engine. Her feelings about going to the station were mixed. On one hand she was keen to find out any new discoveries, but on the other, she was a mess of nerves at seeing Daniel again. The last time she’d seen him, standing together in her back garden, the moonlight their only witness, she’d wanted him to kiss her. To take it all away for just a few seconds.
Something had passed between them and whatever it was, it had been palpable. She’d felt as though she could’ve reached out and touched the connection between them like it was a durable length of twine. If she were honest, it had shocked her because she had accepted what she felt for him was nothing more than good old-fashioned lust, lust on which she had no intention of acting upon. Julia Kershaw was not, and never would be, a one-night-stand kind of girl.
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