by Clare Revell
“Yeah, well, I’m not your mother.”
“Or their nanny.”
Amy refused to give in. “Come on. Sooner you stop arguing, the sooner we’re home.”
Vicky tugged at her and signed. “Can we go to the park?”
“Not tonight, we’re going straight home.”
She signed again.
Amy shook her head. “I didn’t catch any of that.”
“Is Daddy coming home tonight?” Jodie translated.
“I don’t think so. It’s more likely to be tomorrow rather than tonight now. Or if it is tonight it’ll be long after you’re in bed and asleep.”
Jodie groaned. She pulled out her phone and dialed. “Dad? Yeah, Amy’s being mean. She’s picking me up from school like a baby, and she won’t take us to the park tonight.”
Amy raised an eyebrow and shook her head as she walked.
Jodie’s tone became indignant. “No, I’m not acting like a baby. When are you coming home?” She paused. “Oh.” She thrust the phone at Amy. “He wants to talk to you.”
Amy took a deep breath. “Hello.”
“Hey Amy.” Dane’s voice thrilled her, making her hair stand on end. Almost as if he were caressing her. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. Aside from being an ogre tonight, apparently. I might have to change my name to the green cross woman.”
“So I gather. And the name change sounds good. She’ll live.”
“I hope so. They miss you.”
“I miss them. Should be back tomorrow, just got a couple more things to do up here. Might even drive back tonight, we’ll have to see how it goes. I got to go. Give Vicky my love—” There was a squeal of brakes and the line went dead.
Vicky held out her hand, her face falling as Amy gave the phone back to Jodie.
“He got cut off. He did send his love though. Said he’ll be back either late tonight or tomorrow during the day. We should go home, it’s getting dark.”
“Not for an hour yet.” Jodie pouted.
Amy dropped it and changed the subject. This was by far the best way to deal with Jodie at times. What she’d do when Jodie figured that one out, she wasn’t sure. But for now the plan worked every time. “What do you want for dinner?”
“Pizza.”
“Want to help make it?”
Both girls nodded.
“OK. Come on then.”
Dane slowly pushed himself up from the dash. His chest hurt where he’d been thrown into the seatbelt as Nate had performed an emergency stop to avoid hitting the car that suddenly stopped in front of them.
“Are you OK?” Nate asked.
Dane nodded, mentally doing a once over. “I’m fine. What about you?”
“Fine.”
“Uh oh, trouble.” Dane nodded as a man leapt from the car and rushed towards a woman pushing a pram.
The man pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed at the woman, yelling at her to move away from the pram. The woman shook her head, holding the pram tightly.
The man grabbed her arm, pulling at her.
Nate looked out of the window. “So, do we dial 9-9-9 and call it in or go be heroes? Bear in mind he’s armed and we’re not.”
“We go be heroes, of course. Silly question.” Dane grinned. “Call it in after.”
He opened the car door and stepped out. “Everything all right?” he asked, walking carefully over to the gunman.
“Don’t move.” The gunman pointed the gun at him. “Just leave. This doesn’t concern you.”
Dane nodded to the woman. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t place where he’d seen her before. “And it does her? Just let her go.”
The gunman pointed the gun at the woman’s head. “I said leave. She and I have unfinished business.” He broke the woman’s hold on the pram and dragged her with him towards the car.
The woman screamed, reaching for the pram, heedless for her own safety. “Not my baby! Sara!”
Dane didn’t back down, aware of Nate circling around behind the gunman. He grabbed the pram, pulling it safely behind him. “Then why don’t you just sit down and talk about it. Hurting her isn’t going to accomplish anything other than you getting into trouble. You let the baby go, now let her go and we can sort this out.”
The man pushed the woman into the car. “I said back off. It’s none of your business.”
Nate moved in fast to disarm him, but the man fired first.
Pain shot through Dane’s shoulder, and he fell against the car, clutching it. Stars danced before his eyes, and he glanced down. Blood seeped through his fingers.
Salt stung his eyes.
His knees buckled.
A car drove away at full speed.
A voice echoed his name. “Dane… Dane…You stay with me, mate…Help’s on the way, just stay with me…”
Faces swam in front of him, slowly at first, then faster, almost on a carousel.
Jas…Jodie…Vicky…Nate…Amy…
Everything went black.
14
Dane sat on the bed in the ED and looked at Nate. “How much longer do we have to sit here?”
“I have no idea. Until the doc says you’re good to go, we have to stay put. I really am sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. If I got a quid for every time you’ve done that in the last hour or so, I’d be able to retire.”
“Sorry.”
“Stop it. You did what you had to do.”
“And got you shot.” Nate looked down at his hands. “He got away and took the woman with him. At least the baby’s safe. Baby’s fine, by the way. She’s up on the children’s ward until the local boys trace her father.”
“And you saw the number of the car and descriptions of all of them. He won’t get far. And being hurt in the line of duty happens.”
“I got you shot. I’m sorry, I feel horrible.”
“You feel horrible?” Dane rolled his eyes. “You’ll feel even worse when I start charging you for apologizing. Did you pull the trigger? No. Therefore it’s not your fault.”
“But—”
“Nate,” he said, totally exasperated now. “Enough. No buts. I’m going to be fine. ‘Sides, you owed me.”
“Huh?”
“I punched you the other week and laid you out in the car park. Remember, you told me to count my blessings, so I said one and decked you. Then you made that stupid comment about at least I didn’t do it in front of the Guv.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yeah, that. So call it quits and forget about it. I’m sorry we didn’t get to see your friend.”
“I’ll ring him later.”
The curtain opened. “Can’t you two stay out of trouble for five minutes?”
Dane looked up. That wasn’t who he was expecting to see. “Guv?”
DI Welsh smiled slightly. “In the flesh. How are you doing?”
“Sore, but I’ll live. It missed anything vital and went straight through. How did you find out?”
“Nate rang, a few minutes before the local boys did.”
“This isn’t Nate’s fault, no matter what he thinks.”
“I know. Do you still have the…” Welsh gestured.
Dane nodded. “Yes.”
“Good. I’m taking you both back to Headley Cross now. My car is outside.”
Nate looked at her. “What about the pool car?”
“The AA will tow it back. It won’t work without the spark plugs.” She patted her pocket. “You’ll come back to the station, and I’ll debrief you on this trip and this morning’s incident. I don’t want you talking to the local boys.”
“Guv?” Dane exchanged a puzzled look with Nate.
“I’m pulling strings. You two report to me and no one else.”
“With all due respect,” Nate began. “Dane’s been shot. He needs rest…”
“And he’ll get it. But not here and not before I’ve spoken to you both and got it on the record.”
“What about our things?”
“The guest house you were staying in caught fire a couple of hours ago. It looks as if the fire started in your room. Of course, you were both here or on the way here at the time. But I don’t like it. I want you out of here ASAP.”
“But the doc…” Dane began.
“That’s an order, Sergeant. Janice will be waiting at the station to check you over and do anything that needs doing.”
Nate shook his head. “And the woman? Do they know who she is yet?”
“They’re looking for her. And no, not yet.”
An orderly came in with a wheelchair.
“I can walk,” Dane protested.
He broke off at the black look that crossed his commanding officer’s face. He sat in the chair. What was going on? What had they innocently walked in to?
Morning came all too soon. Amy pulled the lounge curtains and jumped as next door’s cat peered in at her. She shook her head as the feline hopped down and walked away, its tail high in the air. A dead mouse lay on the window sill. Amy let out a deep breath. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t normally this nervy. Maybe things were just getting too much.
A scream came from the kitchen, and she ran through the hallway. “What’s wrong?”
Jodie pointed, still screaming. A dead bird lay on the windowsill.
“Calm down. It’s probably just that menace of a cat.”
“Don’t have a cat.”
“Next door do. It was on the lounge windowsill just now and left a mouse there as well. I’ll get rid of the bird and the mouse, just give me a minute.”
“Don’t touch it.”
“I’m not going to.” Amy pulled a plastic carrier bag from the drawer and went outside. She carefully slid her hand into the wrong side of the bag and picked up the bird without touching it. “See, not a problem.” She moved across the garden and picked up the mouse as well.
Jodie screamed again making Amy jump.
“Now what?”
Jodie pointed to a dead squirrel.
Amy sighed. “Just let me get rid.” She scooped it up in the same bag and then sealed it. She put it into the dustbin and went inside to wash her hands thoroughly. She looked out over the back garden as she did. Gold, red and yellow leaves lay scattered across the otherwise empty lawn. This time of year was so pretty, but so untidy.
The doorbell rang. Jodie looked over. “I’ll get it.”
“Thank you.” Amy finished washing her hands and then reached for the towel.
Jodie came back in with a huge bunch of flowers. “They’re for you.”
She took them. “I wonder who sent them.”
“Probably Dad.”
“Why would your father be sending me flowers?” She flicked Jodie’s nose. “Have you got everything?”
“Yes I have. And my food tech stuff. We’re making bread this afternoon. There’s a card. Can I read it?”
“I’ll read it when I get back. We should go or we’re going to be late.” She put the flowers on the counter and headed out to get the coats. “Come on, Vicky,” she yelled up the stairs.
Jodie followed her. “Who’s Kevin?” she asked holding out the card.
“I don’t know a Kevin,” Amy said. “And you shouldn’t open other people’s mail.”
“I just thought they might be from Dad. What does ‘condolences’ mean?”
“It means being sorry for something.”
“OK, so what did Kevin do wrong that he had to buy you flowers to say sorry for.”
Amy sighed. “I told you, I don’t know a Kevin. Let’s go.”
She took the card from Jodie and shoved it by the telephone.
She walked the girls to school, and waited until Vicky had gone in, before letting her mind run over the flowers. She only knew of one Kevin, and he wanted her dead. But why would he be sending her flowers and how did he know where she was? Was everything else that was happening connected? Was he trying to intimidate her? Or scare her? Because if that was his intention, then he’d succeeded.
The bad feeling in her gut grew as she got closer to the house. Her heart sank as she saw more blood coating the door. This time spelling her name. That definitely was not the work of the cat. And a little sick for a mere schoolboy crush.
She quickly cleaned it off and then deadlocked the front door. She picked up the card and read it, the hair standing on the back of her neck. She shivered and set the burglar alarm before she headed into the lounge.
Booting up the laptop, she carried it into the kitchen and set it on the counter. She poured a cup of coffee, sat on the stool, and settled down to watch a cooking show she’d missed the previous evening. The main news page caught her eye and she clicked on the link. Rosalie’s picture filled the screen. Pastor’s wife falls from cliff.
Tears filled her eyes, as her hand rose to her mouth. Nooooo….
Dane sat quietly as Nate drove him home. It had been a long twenty-four hours. The guv had been relentless with her interviewing, not leaving anything to chance—taking the rest of the night the drive home hadn’t. He rubbed his shoulder, the sling restricting all movement in his left arm.
Nate glanced at him. “I wish you’d agreed to time off.”
Dane pulled a face. “It’s Friday. We’re off until Monday anyway. I was wondering if you’d take the girls to the church bonfire tomorrow night.”
“What about you and Amy?”
“I can’t drive, neither does she. You can’t fit all of us in your car. Just take the girls. I can always burn the rubbish in the incinerator if Amy wants a fire.”
“Maybe we do that anyway. Or build a bonfire. I can bring fireworks.”
“I promised the girls they could go to the church one.”
Nate parked outside the house and held his hands up in an expression of defeat. “In that case I’ll take them. I’ll pick them up at five.”
“Thank you.” He opened the door. “I’ll see you then.” He watched Nate drive off, and then headed up the path. He unlocked the door and stepped over the lintel.
The alarm started beeping. “What the…” Maybe Amy was out. He deactivated it and hung his coat on the rack. Something fell in the kitchen.
“Amy?”
No answer.
“Amy, is that you?”
He headed to the kitchen and pushed open the door. Amy sat on the stool, tears streaking her face, totally distraught. Running across the room, he pushed the laptop to one side, before sitting beside her and wrapping his good arm around her. What could have happened this time? He held her tightly as she sobbed. “Lord, I don’t know what’s upsetting Amy right now, but You do. Be close to her, comfort her.”
He glanced at the laptop, and his heart skipped a beat. Shock flooded him, twisting his stomach into a hard knot. “Noooo—”
He pulled his phone from his pocket, stifling the gasp of pain. He speed-dialed Nate.
The phone rang five times before Nate answered. He could hear the indicator ticking and the car engine in the background. “Holmes.”
“Nate, it’s me.” Dane took a deep breath. “Sorry to make you pull over.”
“Are you missing me already?” Amusement filled Nate’s voice.
“Something’s happened.” He let his tone convey urgency, knowing his partner would pick up on it.
“You need me to come back?”
“Ye…” His voice cracked. “Yes.”
“What’s up?” Nate’s tone turned concerned yet professional.
“Ray Malone’s wife was killed yesterday. Fell off the cliff according to the news.”
“Hang on. You’re saying she committed suicide?”
“It doesn’t say, just that she went over the cliff. But there are references to postnatal depression.” He drew in a deep calming breath. “Nate…”
“What?”
“Just get back here, pronto.”
“On my way.”
Ten minutes later, Nate’s car pulled up on the dr
ive. Dane left Amy long enough to let him in. She’d stopped crying, just sat leaning against him, pale and drawn, staring at a bunch of flowers next to the laptop.
Dane took Nate’s coat, kicking the door shut with his foot.
Nate didn’t bother with the niceties of hello. “Ray’s wife? Are you sure?”
“It’s on the news. Amy was upset when I got home. The article still up.”
Nate followed Dane into the kitchen. “Amy…”
“Hi, Nate.” She looked up from ripping a tissue to shreds.
Dane sat and wrapped his arm around her again.
Nate stopped at the breakfast bar and pulled the laptop across. It didn’t take his partner long to make the connection that he had. “That’s her. I don’t believe this. We were there. We should have stopped this from happening. You reckon they killed her?”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
“Maybe if we’d gone to see Ray sooner, we could have stopped her from leaving.”
“We were on the way there,” Dane reminded him. “But like you said in the hospital, at least we saved the baby.” But even that felt a hollow victory now.
“I just don’t believe what I’m seeing.” Nate looked back at the screen. “Postnatal depression…but even so…”
“You know Ray?” Amy asked quietly.
Nate nodded. “Yes, I do. I met him in London back in April. We’ve kept in touch on and off ever since.”
“I went to university with Rosalie. She was all I had and now, now I don’t have anyone.” She dissolved into sobs again.
Dane closed his eyes, his face creasing with pain as Amy moved against his chest.
“You need more pain meds?” Nate asked.
“It might be an idea.”
“Where are they?”
“Still in my coat pocket, which is hanging in the hall.” Dane nodded to the door.
Nate stood. “I’ll get them.”
Amy looked up. “Pain meds?” Her eyes widened as she took in the sling for the first time. “You’re hurt? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You were upset. I didn’t want to worry you further.”
“What happened?”
“I got shot. It’s a very long, boring story, not worth repeating.”
The color drained from her face. “Dane…”