Police Protector

by Dani Sinclair

  “I haven’t lied to you.”

  “You’re right, you’re stalling.”

  Her hand fell away. Reluctantly, he turned to face her. “Casey went missing early this morning. She either walked out of the hospital on her own or someone helped her. Either way she’s vanished.”

  For a moment, shock left her speechless. Kyra gaped as if trying to absorb the words. “I thought there was an officer stationed outside her room.”

  He repeated what Todd had told him.

  Her face pinched with fear. “Jordan has her! Or those men!”

  He shook his head. “We don’t know that. It’s entirely possible she walked out on her own.”

  “You don’t believe that.”

  “I choose to believe that.”

  “If she did, she went home,” Kyra announced with certainty. “She has to be crazy with worry over the kids. We have to get over there!”

  “Not in Whitney’s car.” On that, he wasn’t going to budge. “No car’s safe on ice, but that one doesn’t weigh enough to do anything but slide all over creation. We’ll wait for Todd to bring us a cruiser.”

  “We can walk! She only lives a block away!”

  “Ice skate, maybe. Walk?” He shook his head. “No way, Kyra. If you haven’t looked outside, the world is one big ice rink at the moment.”

  “I can make it.”

  “I wouldn’t bet against you, but if you fall and break your neck how is that going to help Casey or the kids?”

  “Lucan, I have to go!”

  He took her shoulders, holding her gently. “I understand. I do!”

  She calmed slowly.

  “Think about it. If Casey goes to the house, what’s the first thing she’s going to do? She’s going to look for her purse and her cell phone and call you, right?” He watched her consider his words.

  “We left them there.” Her eyes were dark with worry.

  He nodded and pressed home his advantage. “Wait for Todd.”

  “She could be in trouble by then.”

  “She could be in trouble right now. You know that, Kyra. I’m not going to lie to you.” He squeezed her shoulders reassuringly and released her. “As soon as the sun comes out the ice will start to melt. This is D.C., not Boston. We heat up fast around here.”

  “So I noticed.”

  Her feeble attempt at a joke surprised him. At the same time, it reassured him. She’d accepted what he’d said. “Regrets?”

  “None.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Put some water on to boil while I start these eggs.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Neither am I, but we need to eat something. This could be a long day.”

  Kyra nodded once and turned to find a pan. Her shoulders were stiff, telling him she was still upset, but she was smart and logical. They both knew the odds were high that Casey wasn’t going to call. And there wasn’t a thing they could do about it at the moment.

  They worked together and sat down at the table. Kyra ate dutifully in silence for several minutes before setting down her fork.

  “We need to find out why Jordan Fillmont has no history. Why haven’t they run his prints yet?”

  Lucan paused, a fork halfway to his mouth. “There was a computer glitch.”

  “That was yesterday. They must have something by now.”

  He chewed and swallowed without tasting. He set his fork down as well. The entreaty in her eyes was more than he could stand. “You’re right. Todd may have heard something. We’ll ask as soon as he gets here.”

  They cleaned the kitchen and Kyra helped him fold the blankets and take them back upstairs. Todd still wasn’t there so Lucan tried using a snow shovel on the iced-over front porch.

  “No ice melt?” Kyra asked after nearly falling.

  “Sure. Two full bags in the trunk of my unit.”

  “Not helpful, O’Shay.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  The sun made a belated appearance between the clouds and the temperature began to rise. Kyra went back inside to call Lucan’s mother and check on the kids. When she returned a short time later he could see she was upset.

  “Maggie woke with a bad dream last night. Your mom had a hard time getting her calmed down. She lost some bauble her bear was wearing and she’s having ten fits over it. Even Kip is upset. I talked to him for a minute and he kept saying he had to find the bear’s necklace or Maggie wouldn’t stop crying.”

  Lucan heard her guilt that she wasn’t there to deal with the children.

  “Mom’s got years of experience. She’ll calm them down. There’s nothing we can do right now.”

  “I know. I’m just frustrated.”

  He held her tight. The sound of an approaching sand truck raised his head. To Lucan’s surprise, Lieutenant Chrissy Jessup was right behind the truck in an unmarked cruiser. Todd’s unit followed close on her bumper.

  Chrissy had clout. The county truck dumped an extra load in front of his house and into the apron of his driveway so she and Todd had a place to park. The sun had stopped playing around and was finally contributing wholeheartedly to the de-icing process. The sound of dripping water was everywhere.

  Todd got out first and began spreading ice melt in their path so they could walk up the driveway without falling.

  “Lieutenant,” Lucan greeted the woman.

  “Nice parking job, detective.” Jessup inclined her head toward Whitney’s car. “You should treat that better. That’s one sweet piece of machinery. Berringer says your sister-in-law is selling it?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to take it off her hands,” he heard himself say. Glancing at the small car, he realized he really did want to own it, no matter that it was out of his price range and totally impractical. He’d always coveted that car.

  “Lucky man. Mind bringing it by one day so I can look it over?”

  “I’d appreciate it, actually.”

  She gave him a piercing stare. “That hurts to look at.”

  Self-consciously, he fingered the swelling on the side of his face.

  “I haven’t seen what’s left of your unit yet, but I hear you had to be pried loose.”

  He shrugged. “I left my can opener at home that day.”

  With a lopsided grin, she winked at Kyra. “I’m Chrissy Jessup.”

  Kyra took the proffered hand. “Kyra Wolfstead. Nice to meet you.”

  Todd finished spreading the ice melt around and joined them.

  “Did we get results back on Fillmont’s prints yet?” Lucan asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t make it as far as my desk this morning.”

  “Don’t hold your breath,” Chrissy told them. “Rhea left early yesterday and didn’t make it in this morning. Rhea Loosh is in charge of that department,” she added for Kyra’s benefit. “Her kid fell on the ice. She had to take him for X-rays. We were supposed to have lunch today so she called me to cancel. And while I hate to rush off, I need to get back.” The last was aimed at Todd. To Lucan she added, “Try not to wreck this unit, okay? I just got it running again.”

  “Do my best.”

  Todd rolled his eyes, but he had a silly grin on his face as he handed Lucan a set of keys and followed in Chrissy’s wake.

  “Interesting lady,” Kyra commented.

  “She comes from a long line of auto mechanics, including her mother. Add to that four older brothers and I’d have to say Chrissy knows more about cars than anyone else I know.”

  “Todd seems smitten.”

  Lucan locked the front door. Together they made their way to the parked cruiser, careful to stay in the areas Todd had salted. “The two of them have been dancing around each other for months. He says she intimidates him.”

  “I can see why. Should make for an interesting relationship. I like her.”

  “So do I.” He glanced at her. “I’ll take you to my mom’s.”

  “After we stop by Casey’s house.”

  He frowned.

  “Don’t
say no,” she admonished.

  Lucan sighed. “I’m willing to drive past and see if there’s any sign that someone went inside.” He hesitated, not wanting to say it, but knowing he had no choice. “But I’ve been thinking about this, Kyra. You need to consider the possibility that Casey may not be an innocent victim.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Kyra’s chest tightened. “Casey’s not a criminal. You’re wrong.”

  “I hope so. I really do, but don’t discount it out of hand. I know she’s your sister, but you should prepare for the possibility.”

  Her cell phone rang before she could argue further. She answered as they climbed in the car.

  “Hey, babe.”

  Kyra groaned, wishing she had checked the caller number before answering. “Simon, this isn’t a good time.”

  “Has something happened?”

  Kyra stopped herself from blurting out that the police had located Casey and lost her again. That she had spent the night in Lucan’s arms and was very much afraid she’d fallen in love with the man. That her world was spinning out of control and she was feeling overwhelmed. “No.”

  “Okay, look, I thought over what you said last night. Kyra, I’m just not ready for fatherhood or the marriage thing. I like you. But we agreed from the start that this was no chains, no regrets, right? You can do better than me, babe. I’m a free spirit, a live-in-the-moment kind of guy. You ought to look for someone like O’Shay. He seems more like the hearth-and-family type to me.”

  Kyra closed her eyes against a sudden need to laugh hysterically.

  “Anyhow, I’m heading back to Boston as soon as they open the airport again and I can get a flight out.” He paused and added, “Unless there’s something you think I can do to help you find your sister.”

  She glanced at Lucan. He gave no sign that he was listening even though she was certain that he was. The car’s wheels spun, searching for traction as he pulled away from the curb.

  “There’s nothing you can do right now, Simon. But thanks for the offer.” She appreciated that he meant it, but wished he’d hurry and disconnect.

  “So we’re okay then? Friends?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. That’s good. Let me know when you find Casey. If there’s anything I can do to help you with research or whatever give me a call, okay?”

  “Absolutely,” she agreed absently as Lucan turned onto Casey’s street. “I have to go now, Simon. Have a safe trip back.” She disconnected.

  “Simon’s heading back to Boston,” she told Lucan.

  He pulled in front of her sister’s house and put the car in Park before looking at her. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m relieved.” She held his gaze.

  “Should we talk about last night?”

  Her lips curved. “What, you want me to tell you how good you were?”

  Twin spots of color bloomed on his cheeks but he never lost a beat. “Praise is always welcome.”

  Kyra laughed softly. “Egotist.”

  He smiled and turned his attention to the house. Ice reflected diamond-bright and glittery beneath the morning sun. Nothing marred the brilliant perfection of the surface sweeping the lawn from curb to porch.

  “There’s no sign anyone has been here.”

  Her disappointment was crushing.

  “Where would she go, Kyra?”

  Lucan’s gentle tone made her want to cry in frustration. “I don’t know.”

  “She must have friends, someone she would call.”

  “I don’t know her friends.” The admission was painful. She hadn’t realized how very little she actually knew her sister.

  “Wait,” she implored as the car started to roll forward. “Aren’t we going to check inside?”

  “If she made it this far we’d see footprints or tire tracks in the driveway. Something.” Lucan waved a hand to indicate the yard.

  She stared at the pristine expanse defeated. “I was so sure she’d come here.”

  Putting the car back in Park, Lucan turned to her. “Most of the side roads are still a mess. No one with any sense is out here driving around, Kyra. Let’s assume she got a ride from the hospital and is hunkered down somewhere waiting until she can get here safely.”

  Kyra released a sigh. “You’re a good man, Lucan O’Shay.”

  “Glad you think so. I’ll take you to Mom’s now.”

  She stayed the hand that would have put the car back in gear. “What are you going to do?”

  “Swing by the precinct and see if someone in Rhea’s office has the results of the fingerprint check on Fillmont.”

  “You’re supposed to be on leave.”

  His lips curved ruefully. “It will only take a minute.”

  “I’d like to go with you.”

  He hesitated. “What about the kids?”

  Kyra wavered. She should go straight there, but the kids were safe for the moment and she had to know. “You said it would only take a minute.”

  Lucan hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. It’s on the way.”

  “Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. When she would have pulled back, Lucan stopped her, kissing her with gentle thoroughness before letting her go and putting the car in gear.

  “You have a way of sending my common sense right out the window.”

  “You’re a good man, O’Shay.”

  “You said that before.” He shot her a glance. “But you should know I’m not that good.”

  She smiled. “You were pretty extraordinary last night.”

  “Tell me that again when I’m not driving on ice.”

  “Where would be the challenge in that?”

  Lucan grinned. He knew she was determined to stay cheerful and upbeat even though she was worried sick over Casey.

  The ice continued melting as the sun raised the outside temperature. Between the melting and the sand the county trucks had laid down, they made it to the station without mishap.

  Once inside the busy precinct, Lucan was hailed by fellow officers. He waved and returned greetings, but kept walking, Kyra at his side.

  “Is your captain going to be upset you came in?”

  “Probably.”

  He led her to an open room housing computer work stations. A handsome black man looked up as they approached his desk. “O’Shay! Nice color you got there,” he greeted, staring curiously at Kyra.

  “Thanks.” Lucan didn’t bother with introductions. “Anton, do you know if a match came through on Jordan Fillmont?”

  “Sure did. About an hour ago. I left the info for Berringer. I was told you were taking time off to recover.” He looked pointedly at Kyra once more.

  “I’d introduce you, but it’s better if I don’t. What you don’t know can’t get me in more trouble.”

  The man called Anton raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “Your funeral, man.”

  Anton opened a different file on his computer. “Jordan Fillmont, aka Ronnie White, with a history going back to sealed juvie records. They caught him in a fencing sting in Illinois two years ago. He turned state’s evidence against a major player with some nasty connections. A conviction would have been his third strike. He knew he was going down hard if he didn’t cooperate, so he helped them nail a guy they wanted for a string of homicides. Then he fell off the radar.”

  “Witness protection?” Lucan asked.

  Anton’s teeth flashed once more. “Got it in one. Ronnie White became Jordan Fillmont. Now it looks like he’s our problem.”

  “What was his M.O.?”

  “B and E. Breaking and entering,” he added for Kyra’s benefit.

  She smiled. “I’m a lawyer.”

  “Oh.” His eyebrows went up another notch.

  “Forget she said that,” Lucan advised.

  “Right.” He returned his focus to Lucan.

  “Would you print me out a copy of the report?” Lucan asked.

  “Uhhh…How much trouble am I going to get into?”

  “
None if you don’t mention it to anyone.”

  “Uh-huh. It’s gonna cost you. I need a bear carving like you did for Rhea. My wife really liked that bear and she’s got a birthday coming up right after the holidays.”

  Lucan glanced at Kyra and quickly looked away. “How about a cat?” he temporized. “I’ve got one almost finished.”

  “Even better! Sometimes I think she likes that big lazy tom of hers more than me.”

  “Who wouldn’t? Cats are neat.” Lucan inclined his head at the messy desk.

  “Low blow, O’Shay. Just remember who’s doing who a favor here.”

  “When’s her birthday?”

  “The twelfth.”

  “I’ll try to have it finished by then.”

  “Deal.” He handed Lucan a printout of the report.

  Kyra didn’t say anything until they were outside the building and heading for the car. “I would have waited in the car if I’d known my presence was going to get you in trouble.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Okay. So those woodcarvings on your bookshelves are your work?”

  He tensed. “No. My grandfather did those.”

  “And the bear and the cat?”

  He shrugged without looking at her. “I whittle a little. My grandfather was better. Rhea did me a favor once, so I gave her a bear for her birthday.”

  She said nothing more until he got in the car and started the engine. Lucan was embarrassed, she realized. The tips of his ears were red and not from the cold. He avoided her gaze.

  “I thought whittling was a lost art. Did your grandfather teach you how?”

  “Yes. It’s just a hobby, Kyra.”

  Whittling explained the small scars on his hands and fingers she’d noticed earlier when they’d made love, but obviously his hobby was something he was self-conscious about.

  “I’ve always wanted to learn how to use a scroll saw, myself.”

  His eyebrows rose in surprise. “A scroll saw?”

  She shrugged. “I love some of the fancy scroll work I’ve seen in Europe. I’d love to be able to do that myself.”

  “Why don’t you?”