“Jordan stole the necklace off her dead body?”
“Actually, her necklace had broken in the struggle. White ordered them to finish loading the van, picked up the pendant and took the ring off her finger. No doubt he would have taken her earrings as well, but Montgomery and Krinegolt were in a panic to leave. They’d started to suspect he was holding out cash on them, but they didn’t know he took the woman’s pendant and ring until it made the news. They were furious. They knew the jewelry would tie them to the murder. White insisted he had them someplace safe and knew a jeweler who would break them down and get them a good price.”
“But they didn’t trust him anymore, so he ran.”
Lucan shook his head. “No, that’s where things got complicated. They were upset with White, but they still had two more robberies planned. They went ahead with the Fisk job and were set to go again when White stared out the window that fateful Sunday. Bill Jaff, the golf pro, was showing a man around. White recognized him immediately as an enforcer for the man White had sent to prison.”
“A contract killer?” she yelped.
“Well, we’d never be able to prove it, but essentially, yes. White fled and called Casey to warn her.”
“Nice of him.”
“Yeah. He didn’t know Montgomery and Krinegolt were off that day and had decided to go to your sister’s house to recover the ring and the pendant. They wanted to destroy them and get the money they were sure White was holding out on them.”
“But Casey didn’t know what they were talking about. Why didn’t she recognize them?”
“They were wearing ski masks. She’d barely met either of them if you’ll recall. When they didn’t have any luck finding the stuff they decided to hold her until White gave them what they wanted. They were driving a car Krinegolt had stolen so no one would be able to ID them from the license plate.”
“The car my sister wrecked.”
“Exactly. Montgomery knew one of the club members owned a furnished rental unit that was standing empty, so they took your sister there.”
“She escaped and the contract killer wanted to use Casey the same way. But he thought I was her.”
Lucan nodded. “When you got away at the shopping center, we think he decided to hole up in Casey and Jordan’s house. He figured one of them would show back up sooner or later.”
“Which I did. My sister has deplorable taste in men.”
He pulled into his driveway. “She seems to be wondering about your taste as well.”
“My taste is impeccable.”
He grinned. “No argument here.”
Lucan seemed nervous as he led her up to the front porch and unlocked the door. She put it down to anticipation, which only heightened her own.
The scent of pine hit her the moment he opened the door. He hit the light switch as she stepped inside. Instead of the floor lamps, a softly glowing Christmas tree came to life.
“Lucan! When did you do this?”
“Tonight. Todd helped me. That’s why I was so late. I know how much you enjoy sitting by Mom’s tree. The thing is, I don’t have much in the way of ornaments. I thought maybe you could help me shop for some.”
Pleasure flooded her. “You even decorated the bookcase!”
Greenery and red candles adorned the shelves. Two red stockings hung to either side of the fireplace opening. The tree itself was bedecked with what looked like a million twinkling lights and tiny red bows. A white angel perched precariously on the topmost branch of the slightly crooked tree, its fiber optic wings changing color.
“You did this for me?”
“Do you like it?”
“No, I don’t like it, I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Tears stung her eyes. She closed them so he wouldn’t see. She couldn’t believe how much crying she’d done since coming here, even if these were tears of joy for a change.
“Hey. Are you crying?”
She sniffed. “Not yet.” She opened her eyes to find him smiling with such utter tenderness she thought her heart might burst with happiness. Until she saw his serious expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Kyra, I’m a cop.”
“I know.” Fear nested in the pit of her stomach.
“My mother, your sister and my sister-in-law are already planning our wedding.”
Somehow, Kyra kept her expression neutral.
“I don’t work a nine-to-five job. I see and deal with the things most people only read about. Sometimes what I see is hard to leave behind when I’m off the clock. Cops miss dance recitals and little league games. We work through holidays and birthdays. That sort of thing takes a toll on relationships.”
“This is sounding an awful lot like an ‘it’s been fun, but’ speech.”
“No!”
‘Good, ’cause it needs work.”
He ran a hand through his hair. His features were strained. “I’ve got one failed marriage already. You need to understand—”
“That loving a cop is hard work?” She closed the distance between them and aimed her index finger at his face. “I’ve got news for you, O’Shay, loving anyone is hard work. Think you’ve seen me at my worst? Wait for a bad day.” She jabbed the finger in his chest. “You love me. Say it.”
The tension ebbed from his body. “I thought I had.” He nodded to the room.
“Not good enough, O’Shay.”
He clasped her upper arms. “Words are easy.”
“But important.”
“Yeah. Yes, they are. I love you, Kyra.”
Her heart hitched in relief. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Not hard at all.” And he claimed her mouth the way he’d claimed her heart.
They finally came up for air and she gazed around the room, at the love he’d put into decorating it for her. “I love you, Lucan.”
“That being the case…” His smile was achingly tender. “I’d get down on my knees, but I’m afraid I might spoil it and not be able to get up again. There wasn’t time to pick out a ring, but I was wondering if you’d consider marrying me.”
Her heart sang. “Already did that. The answer is yes.”
“I’ll give you time.
She shook her head and pulled his down for another quick kiss. “I don’t need time, Lucan.”
The tenderness of his smile made it hard to breathe. “Then how would you feel about eloping?”
Laughter welled in her chest. “And deprive our families of a wedding extravaganza?”
Lucan heaved a mock smile. “It was worth a shot.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “I’ll take you any way I can get you, Lucan O’Shay. Bring on the justice of the peace if that’s what you want. But you have to tell your mother.”
“No thanks, I’m not that brave. Oh well, Maggie will make an adorable flower girl.” He clasped the side of her face. “I love you, Kyra.”
“I love you, too. Shall we head upstairs?”
He laughed. “Why waste time? We’ve got a couch, a rug and a Christmas tree.”
“Fine, but it’s your turn to be on the bottom.”
“Race you upstairs?”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4495-9
POLICE PROTECTOR
Copyright © 2009 by Patricia A. Gagne
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