~
Adams was waiting when they got to the police station. The sergeant had called for a report, and when he got the news they’d caught their man, he’d come in.
Duke and Mark took Humphrey down to get him in the system. Brit and Quarles followed Adams to his office to give him the details.
“With no weapon, we’re really going to need to speak to his girlfriend,” Adams said, looking at Quarles.
“We’ll find it,” Brit spit out.
Adams glanced at Brit and then back at Quarles. “CSI will go over the truck. I read your report this afternoon about the security guard. You know how to get in touch with McKay, don’t you?”
Quarles nodded. “I think I can find her.”
“I’ll call you with a time tomorrow. Without a weapon for evidence, the DA will want to talk to her.”
Brit felt his gut knot.
“Fine.” Quarles said, a fine line of worry etched between his brow.
“I don’t want anything biting us in the butt on this one,” Adams said. “I want to take this guy down.”
“Not any more than I do,” Brit spouted out.
~
Brit glanced at his watch when he let himself into his house. Midnight. He removed his gun and dropped it on the fireplace mantel. Quarles, Duke, Mark, and the other two officers had gone out for a celebratory beer. Brit, much as Keith had done most nights when he was alive, had bowed out.
He needed to see Cali, to feel her next to him. Maybe then he’d stop second-guessing what he felt, second-guessing what she felt for him, and possibly what she felt for the man he’d put in jail tonight.
Before he left the living room, he felt the familiar brush against his leg. “Hey.” Studying the cat, he kneeled. As usual, she backed up when he held out his hand. “Come on.” The cat darted away.
Oddly enough, he felt rejected, but he didn’t know why. He didn’t even like cats. And as soon as things calmed down, he’d find the shelter that didn’t put the animals down.
He eased into his bedroom. Looking down at Cali, Brit exhaled as the night’s tension evaporated. She rested on her side and hugged a pillow as if she’d needed something to hold when she’d drifted off to sleep. Had she missed him? By damn, he’d missed her.
For several seconds, he just stood there and watched her breathe. He wondered how she was going to react when he told her they’d caught Humphrey. Would she be eager to get back to what she’d called her “normal life?” Would she rush back to her apartment? Where would this leave them? What would she say if he asked her to stay here?
Logic said it was too soon to offer any type of a commitment. But nothing about any of this felt logical. The fact that he wasn’t panicking about the idea of a commitment wasn’t logical.
Again the thought of Stan Humphrey having ever touched something as sweet as Cali brought a knot of jealousy to his gut. Didn’t she know she deserved so much better than that jerk? He shut his eyes when another question bounced back. Did she deserve better than Brit Lowell? He sure as hell didn’t have what one would call a good relationship record. Hell, most of his involvements with women couldn’t even be called relationships.
He’d liked it that way. And for a damn good reason.
He’d watched his mom and dad and then watched his mom and her four, five or was it six husbands now, do the relationship dance. While his gut churned at the idea that he might be like either one of his parents, the truth was he didn’t really know how a normal relationship should go. Hence, his fear of actually getting into one and being horrified that he had more of his parents in him that he wanted to admit.
Closing his eyes, he tried to nudge the thought from his mind. Taking a deep breath, he caught the scent of cigarette smoke. He sniffed his shirt sleeve, then went to grab a shower.
~
Cali woke up when the mattress shifted and she watched a naked Brit slip into bed beside her.
“Hey.” His shower-warm body, still moist, came closer. “Do you always sleep in the nude?”
“Don’t tell me that’s bad manners, because I was hoping you might join me.”
Grinning, she touched his face, just to make sure he wasn’t a dream. He’d shaved and smelled like soap. “What time is it?”
“Almost one.” He ran a hand through her hair.
She remembered what she’d discovered about the two officers, but Tanya hadn’t called her back. The idea of telling him something that came unsubstantiated from dreams with her dead mom didn’t feel right.
Then she remembered where he’d been and she sat up a bit. “Did you catch Stan?”
He seemed to study her. “Yeah. He came to the hotel just like we thought he would.”
A thousand questions ran though her mind. Had Stan confessed to the murders? Had anyone been hurt? But for some reason, she was a tad nervous to ask, afraid he’d read something more into her curiosity.
“Tomorrow you’re going to have to go in and answer some questions,” he said.
“What kind of questions?” And a thought crossed her mind. “Did someone find out about us?”
“No. The DA just needs to ask a few questions about the bracelet.” He paused. “If the subject comes up about us, I expect you to tell the truth.”
“I would, but I’m not going to offer the information. The DA shouldn’t ask about my personal life, should he?”
“No. But if it comes up, I’m serious, don’t lie.”
She nodded then pillowed her head on his chest. “I can’t believe it’s over.”
His hand brushed across her back, and he told her about the arrest. When he finished, she lay there, trying to figure out what this meant now. She could go back home. Not too long ago, that had been so important to her. Not now.
He rolled on his side and faced her, his look in his eyes told her whatever he had to say was serious. “Do you think I can become part of your ‘normal life’?”
“I was hoping you’d want that.” She propped up on her elbow, running her fingers through his wet hair and wondered how big a part of her life he wanted to be. Because the whole relationship hadn’t begun in a normal fashion, she didn’t know how it was supposed to work now.
“What is it?” he asked as if trying to read her mind.
She grinned. “I thought you promised me make-up sex?” she whispered in his ear.
“Hmm. I think I can do that. But first I’m going to have to get you naked.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“It’s almost time now,” her mom said.
Cali looked up. Her mother stood in the doorway, wearing the same navy suit she’d worn in all the dreams.
“Time for what?” Cali asked.
“To pass on. You’re going to be okay.”
“I am?” Cali tugged at the sheet when she realized she hadn’t put on any clothes after she and Brit had made love. Twice. And it had been just as amazing as their first time.
A flock of nerves buzzed around her stomach when she remembered her mom could read her mind.
“It’s okay.” Her mom grinned. “He’s a good man. But you’ve got to remember that you can’t fix him. He’s got to fix himself.”
“He’s not broken,” Cali said.
“In his own way, he is. But everyone has their issues to deal with. Like you.”
“I’ve got issues?”
Her mother stepped closer. “You just need to re-find yourself. You lost yourself when
you started taking care of me. But you’re making headway. Making friends. Learning to stand up for yourself a little better. You need to start painting again.”
“I stand up for myself,” Cali said.
“Most of the time. But your nature is to turn the other cheek to avoid conflict. And you’ve got some conflict coming up. Just remember that a little conflict won’t kill you. Sometimes, it even makes you stronger.”
Confused, Cali got the feeling her mom was talking about conflict with Brit. “What’s going to happen?”
“Just hold your chin up, girl. You have to do what your heart tells you to do. In the end, he’ll be forced to respect that.”
Cali sat up. “I don’t understand.”
Her mom walked over and pressed her soft palm on Cali’s cheek. “Forward. Move forward.” Her smile widened. “I love you. You were the best thing I did in my life.”
~
The telephone startled Cali awake. She sat up and felt the tears on her cheeks, and the dream came back to her all at once. Brit rolled over and grabbed the phone, then he looked at her. Concern tightened his brow. She pulled the sheet up to dry her face.
“Hello?” Brit said. “Yeah, just a second.” He covered the receiver. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “Who is it?”
He didn’t look convinced, but held out the phone. “Tanya.”
Cali took a deep breath before answering. “Yes?”
“You were right,” Tanya said. “I got Mrs. Chavez this morning. She looked at an old newsletter. It was them. Mike Anderson and Keith Bolts. Originally, it was supposed to be Mike Anderson and some other cop, but he had to cancel at the last minute and Bolts came instead.”
Cali bit down on her lip. “Thanks. I’ll call you later.”
She handed Brit the phone. He hung it up. “What was that about?”
Cali debated on how much to tell him. “I had Tanya check on something.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Remember how I told you that I thought I knew Officer Anderson?”
He sat up, the sheet slipping down his naked chest. “Yeah.”
“Well, last night I realized where I knew him from.”
“Where?”
“The same place I knew your partner from.”
“Quarles?” He studied her.
“No. Keith Bolts.”
His brows rose in small arches over his eyes. “You knew Keith, too?”
She nodded. “I saw them both at a meeting for At-Risk teenagers. They came to speak there in September.”
He pushed a hand over his face. “Both of them?”
Now she had to tell him the hard part. “In my dreams, Mom told me that remembering where I met them was important. I think it could be some clue to solving the case.”
He half-laughed, half-moaned. “You dreamed you met them?”
“No, I saw them. I had Tanya check to make sure they were really there.”
Sitting up, he ran a hand through his hair. “Do the kids go to these presentations?”
She nodded. “It’s actually put on for them. They bring in speakers from the community to encourage them.”
“Are some of them gang members?” he asked.
She saw from his expression that what she’d said had become important.
She nodded. “I don’t know any of them personally, but I know several go to our school. The lady who heads the organization works out of the district office. I would assume she would be the person to talk to.”
He jerked the covers back and stood up. He was naked, but didn’t seem to care. “This could be it.” He swung back around and looked at her in an odd way. “Your mother told you this?”
Cali nodded, trying not to look below his waist, but she couldn’t help herself. Goodness, he was beautiful. Had there been a day when she didn’t enjoy looking at a man’s body?
He leaned down and kissed her. “Can you be ready to get in your car in ten minutes? I want to check this out.”
“Yeah. But I have to shower or I’ll smell like sex.” Suddenly, a big smile started in her chest and met her lips. Brit believed her. That felt good. She let her gaze travel down again. Then she grabbed the sheet, pulled it around her, and waddled into the bathroom.
Brit laughed then said, “I’ve seen you naked, Cali. I think it was just last night that I came up close and personal with every inch of you.”
“Yeah,” she called back, feeling her face flush at the memory of how thoroughly they’d both gone over each other. “But if you see it all the time you’ll stop appreciating it.” She dropped the sheet and stepped into the shower.
“Not in this lifetime, sweetheart,” he said and joined her in the shower.
They took a little longer than ten minutes.
~
Once they were out, Brit dressed and called Quarles. “Hey, I’ve got something I’ve got to check out this morning.”
“I was just about to call you. Adams wants Cali at the precinct at ten. The DA is coming to talk to her.”
Brit frowned. He wanted to be there when they questioned her. But he had to check out what Cali had told him. “Okay. But can you be with her? So she won’t be alone in case I don’t make it back by ten?”
“Sure, but where did you say you were going?”
“I didn’t say,” Brit answered, not wanting to explain. Hell, how could he explain? Even the fact that he believed Cali left him feeling a little strange. But he did believe her.
~
“Miss McKay, I’m Sergeant Adams, and this is Shane Paxton with the DA’s office.”
Cali nodded at the heavyset older man and the beautiful redhead beside him. The woman wore a dusty green business suit that came a little too short on one end and a little too low on the other. She glanced at Cali with disinterest. Cali managed to offer the woman a smile. Ms. Paxton didn’t feel inclined to return the gesture.
Cali fidgeted with her purse strap. Brit’s partner stood beside her as if to offer support. The sergeant motioned to John and looked back at Ms. Paxton. “This is John Quarles. He’s new to our department. He’s working the case.”
Ms. Paxton glanced around, and disappointment seemed to pull at her painted lips. “I thought Brit was working the case.”
“Quarles and Brit Lowell are partners.” Adams motioned toward the table. “Let’s sit down.”
Cali didn’t miss the fact that the woman had referred to Brit by his first name. Then she remembered Brit mentioning his last girlfriend’s name was Shane. Oh, great! Surely, she wasn’t about to be interrogated by Brit’s old girlfriend.
“What can I do for you?” Cali forced a pleasant tone, but she wanted to finish this conversation before it got started.
“I need to go over your statements to make sure we’ve got a case against...” She looked at the file. “Stan Humphrey.”
Cali nodded. “I’m not sure what I can tell you that I haven’t already told the police.”
”Actually you can tell us a lot.” She had a snippy voice that Cali didn’t like. The fact that she was beautiful and had probably slept with Brit didn’t help.
“Stan Humphrey gave you a diamond bracelet, right?”
Cali forced herself not to frown and she started comparing herself to the sleek redhead. Red had beautiful brown eyes, exotic eyes. And she had at least two inches on Cali, too. Which meant the woman had longer legs. Men liked long legs.
“Yes, I told the police that. And I gave it to Brit... Detective Lowell.” Cali caught herself making the same mistake the woman had earlier.
The redhead raised a thinly plucked eyebrow. “Did Mr. Humphrey tell you where he got the jewelry?” Now instead of disinterest, the woman gazed at Cali as if she were something the buzzards had abandoned for some better looking road kill.
Cali brushed her fingers along the table’s edge. “No. It was a gift and I didn’t ask.” She chose not to tell her that the piece of jewelry had been slung at her during an argument.
“What kind of business did you think your boyfriend was in, Miss McKay? I’m sorry, I’m assuming he is your boyfriend.”
And I’m assuming you were the woman who stuck a condom in the pocket of the man I’m now sleeping with. “We were dating at the time and Mr. Humphrey is a musician.”
“And not anymore?”
“No.” Cali wrapped her finger around her leather purse strap and stared down at her black slacks and wished she’d worn something less teachery.
“Didn’t I read in here that he was livi
ng with you?”
“He was staying with me while he found an apartment.” How long would she be paying for that mistake?
“Hmm.” Ms. Paxton flipped through the pages. “Funny, it seems all these reports were written up by Brit. Did you ever make a report, Mr. Quarles? Or was Brit mostly on the case?”
Unlike Cali, John Quarles seemed completely relaxed. “I’m sure they just haven’t gotten filed yet.”
The D.A. smiled, but it looked transparent. Then her gaze hit Cali again. “Was Mr. Humphrey doing well in his career?”
Cali tried to imitate John’s relaxed composure. “I don’t think so.”
“So tell me, Miss McKay. If you knew your boyfriend wasn’t financially stable, then how did you think he could afford to give you such an extravagant gift?”
Cali stiffened her shoulders at the implied accusation. “I thought the bracelet was fake. Detective Lowell can even tell you that I’d thrown it away. He dug it out of my garbage the day he came looking for it.”
The woman looked at John. “I’m surprised Detective Lowell isn’t here now to offer her his support.” Her brows arched. “He’s so good at supporting his female witnesses.” She hung her implication out like underwear on a clothesline.
John squared his shoulders, but some of his cool composure slipped and hit the floor. “Brit had some other matters to tend to this morning.”
The woman’s gaze landed back on Cali. “Tell me. Did you have the opportunity to see the detective this morning?”
Chapter Forty
“Ma’am, I’m with the Hopeful Police, Detective Brit Lowell.” He sat down across from Mrs. Chavez in her candle-scented, peach-colored office. Oddly, the middle-aged woman didn’t appear surprised to see him.
“Detective Lowell? Your name came up at our last meeting. Mrs. Craft mentioned she was going to ask you to speak to the group at our next quarterly meeting.”
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