Pain licked at my heart as I remembered.
"So we figured we were screwed. We followed Fluffy for a while, kept an eye on you guys. We searched everywhere we could think of for some clue. His car, his desk. One of us patted him down at the funeral home. Nothing. None of you were spending big, no abnormal behavior. We finally came to the conclusion, maybe he told the truth. Maybe he really did give all that money to charity."
He shifted again and from the corner of my eye I caught movement outside the window. Nathan? Oh please, let it be Nathan.
"Then, last year, I'm cleaning out files on my computer. I see this picture of the four of us. We'd stashed the money not too long before and were feeling pretty damn good. Someone made a joke how we looked like a bunch of cocky roosters, said he should take a picture. He did and sent it to me. I put it in my files, forgot about it. So I find the picture, look close, and there's this statue thing in the background."
He ran his hand over the figurine, almost lovingly.
"I remember Sean joking that day, how he got a guardian angel for his daughter. How the angel would protect you guys, even if he was gone. Didn't seem like a big deal then, but the more I thought about it, the more I wondered. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to know."
"So you broke into our house and took it." The chill turned to an arctic wave flooding my body, vying with white hot anger. "You bastard. Do you know what happened to my sister?"
"She was knocked out for a while, but not hurt bad. I kept track. Like I said, I didn't hit her hard."
"Not physically hurt, but…" No, I wouldn't tell this guy any more. Pulling in my temper, I loosened my fists. "You put the statue in that pawn shop. Just to draw me out?"
"I dicked around, trying to work out the password. Couldn't ask anybody for help. So yeah, I decided you, or your sis, or your mom might still be looking for the statue. You might have figured out what Sean hid inside, if you didn't know before. I put it in a few shops, told the owners there'd be a reward if they gave me the address of whoever bought it. You guys had moved, by then."
"And you couldn't look us up with your police contacts?"
"Couldn't leave any kind of trail. Besides, I wanted to see who might come sniffing around. Maybe Sean had others involved. I figured, if someone wanted it bad enough, they'd come after it. Low and behold, old Max calls me, gives me your name, tells me you have it shipped next day to Florida. Now that sounds like a woman who wants this doo-dad pretty bad."
My head whirled, and I fought to concentrate. How could Dad have done this? "I don't have a clue what the password is, really, and my mom and sister don't either. Dad didn't tell us what he was up to. If there was a wad of cash, we sure didn't see it. I can't help you even if I wanted to, and if you don't leave right now, I'm calling the cops. The real ones."
He laughed. "You always were a feisty kid, your dad said. Cops don't make shit for money; maybe you figured that out. Once in a while, we get a chance to stash a few dollars away for ourselves. Not stealing. It's illegal bucks, belongs to the bad guys. So we help ourselves to a little. Everyone does it. Nobody on the force is going to listen to you, but you listen to me."
He stood now, feet apart, eyes cold and hard as an iceberg. "I don't believe you. I think old Sean told you how to open this file. No one's going to get hurt if you tell me, but someone will if you don't. I know you've moved, but I can find your mom and sister."
My heart almost jumping out of my throat, I edged toward the door again when suddenly, the lights went out. I shoved a stool in his direction and heard the guy curse and stumble. I turned to run, then, arms wrapped around my waist.
"Trust me."
Nathan's voice, his scent, his body close to mine, giving me strength.
"I do."
"Run. Down to Tiki Largo. Stay around people. I'll be there in a few minutes."
CHAPTER TWELVE
I fled, as fast as my sandals let me. I found a quiet corner at the restaurant and hid, trying to slow my heart rate. I should call the police. No, Nathan would have done that, before he rushed in, wouldn't he? I paced for what felt like hours but I'm sure was less than ten minutes before Nathan came trotting up. Not caring who saw us, I threw myself into his arms and he held me tight. Finally, I pulled away.
"Are you okay? What happened to that man?"
"He's gone, and I got the flash drive."
"He gave it to you?"
"I had to break a couple of his fingers, but yeah, he eventually came around and realized it belongs to you. I also suggested, unless he wanted more bones broken, that he forget all about you, your family and whatever's on this stick."
I looked at him closer and hissed when I saw a red mark on his face. I touched it lightly, then buried my head against his chest again. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to get involved in my family's shit. Did you make the lights go out back there?"
"I did, and it's okay. I haven't kicked anybody's ass for a while. Felt good. What I need now, though, is a pain killer. Come here."
He took my hand, pulled out his keys, and led me behind the bar.
"Got some business to take care of," he told the busy bartender, who merely nodded and waved.
He unlocked a door, and we stepped into a building that served as a large storage facility. But not large enough that I wasn't aware of him, and the slight sweat he'd worked up, doing lord-knows-what to that guy in my room. The scent hit me like a slap, making my knees buckle. He flipped on a dim light and I glanced around, then sat down abruptly on a box. He reached out for me, but pulled his hand back before it made contact.
"You okay?"
"Big adrenaline rush wearing off. I'm okay." Good save. No way would I let him see how strongly he affected me. "I'll be all right. Give me a minute."
He opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle. Reaching up on a shelf, he took down two glasses and balanced them on another box.
"I don't like to drown my troubles with alcohol. Doesn't work. I've seen enough of that in my life."
"We're not drowning them, just taking them out for a swim." He gave me a smile, trying to calm me. "This is the high-end stuff, so sip it slowly and savor it."
"Why are we drinking in a storage room when a thief is getting away?"
Nathan poured two shots, took a sniff of his and passed one to me. "We'll go after that guy. Later. My priority now is making sure you and your family are safe. I don't think…" he reached into his pocket, then held a credit card up to the light. "I don't think Mr. Turski is going to bother you anymore. Not right away. I heard your conversation with him. Most of it. Did you tell him the truth? You really don't know what's on this drive or how to get into it?"
I took a small sip of my drink. Bleh! Whiskey. It might be high end but it tasted like lighter fluid. "No, I didn't have a clue that my dad put that drive in the statue. And I have no idea what he would use as a password."
"Do you want to try opening it?"
Part of me did, part of me wanted to throw it into the ocean. If my dad had secrets, I didn't want to know. I got the statue, and the name of the man who attacked Michelle. I could get a PI to follow up, find the guy, get the bastard put away. Turski. That name sounded slightly familiar. Dad talked so little about his work at home, especially not in front of Michelle and me.
"Aren't you going to call the police?"
"No, not yet. I did just contact the security agency I hired, based on your recommendation. I'd planned to have them start next week, but I upped their start date to right now."
I took another sip, and this time, the liquid sliding down my throat brought a welcome warmth that slowed my heart rate and made me realize how cold I was. As usual, Nathan seemed to read me, and picked up on my slight shiver.
"Drink up. We'll go back to your room and plug this in."
Third sip was the charm. The whiskey tasted passable, and the warmth reached all the way to my toes. Nathan turned out the light, locked the door, put our glasses behind the bar, and we headed out
. The minute I set foot into my suite, a fierce shudder ran through my body. I could have been hurt, or even killed. Nathan must have sensed my dread, or maybe he picked up the same vibration I did.
"I've got a better idea. You pack a few things; we're getting out of here. You'll sleep in the extra bedroom in my condo tonight."
No way did I want to argue with getting out of the suite. The very air in the room had taken on a malevolent feel. But damn it, staying with him, not a good idea. I had to keep out of Nathan's bed. And to keep him out of my heart. How could we spend a night in the same place, without winding up tangled together? I wanted to believe I was strong enough, but he drew me like a dog to a steak. A thick, juicy one that tasted oh-so-good. Impossible to resist.
"I'll be okay here. You scared Turski away. I'll keep my phone close, just in case."
"No, you won't. Come with me."
That tone made me clench my teeth. I parked my hands on my hips. "You might be my boss at work but you're not telling me what to do with my life."
He turned, from where he'd been examining a window. "Stop being stubborn. You know staying with me is the best plan. What if Turski wasn't working alone? What if there's someone else with him on this island?"
"Which is why we should call the police. Let them handle it."
"You want to get the cops involved? Give them the flash drive? I have all the respect in the world for the police, the good ones, but believe me, they can't do any more than my people can as far as security. And since Turski is ex-law enforcement, they might not look at your side of the story too favorably. Didn't you hear what he said?"
Damn it. Much as I'd like to believe Turski lied, that other cops weren't mixed up in questionable activities, a level of corruption existed on any police force. What if Turski had people down here, connections, to whatever he was up to? "I don't want to spend the night with you. Even in another room."
A flash of hurt moved over his face, but I'd already told him where I stood and he said he would respect my feelings.
"I own two other condos in the building. They're both furnished. You can stay in one of them if that would make you feel better."
I lifted my chin. He'd have to get over his hurt feelings. "It would."
"We'll open the flash drive, see what's on there. I've got a frozen pizza we can heat up. And I promise to keep my hands off you."
Heat rose to my face, and I turned away from him, heading to my bedroom. He could make all the promises in the world. Would I keep my hands off him? Still spooked, I flicked on every light and kept Nathan in the corner of my eye, while I threw toiletries and a change of clothes into a bag. Damn that Turski! Ruining my little slice of paradise with his evil.
+++
Amber insisted on driving her own car the short distance to my condo building. We parked, then took the elevator to the fifth floor. The blinds were open when we walked in, and she immediately headed across the living area to look out the window that spanned almost the entire end of the room. I picked this corner unit for my own because of the fantastic view. It overlooked a small canal that housed an array of boats, whose lights now shimmered on the water like diamonds on black velvet.
"I'll leave the lights off, if you'd like. The view at night is something, isn't it?"
"Sure is."
"Since you didn't seem too wild about that whiskey, would you like a glass of Chardonnay?"
"That would be great. Thanks."
I stopped at the dining room table and turned on my laptop, and as soon as it booted up, sent a message to all Bay Paradise Resort department heads, telling them a security company would be on the grounds starting that night. Then, I went into the galley-style kitchen. Not a large room, but enough for what I needed, since I didn't cook much.
At first, I planned to only rent a place down here, but after spending a few days, decided to buy a penthouse condo. Several more units in the building were for sale, and after finding a competent management company to handle the leasing and maintenance, I determined they would be a good investment and bought them too.
Amber prowled the spacious living room, too wound up to sit still, apparently. For good reason. I watched her while I turned on the oven, wanting to make sure she was coping.
"You bought this place furnished, right?" She tossed a pillow out of the way, sat on the couch, stood back up.
"What, you don't think embroidered manatee pillows are my style?" That got a ghost of a smile. "Yes, I bought all the units furnished. I don't have this many knick-knacks in any of my homes, and the paintings I own are originals. I'll furnish this one more to my taste. Eventually. Why don't you unlock the sliding door, kick off your shoes and go outside? I'll get dinner started."
I poured a wine for her and another whiskey for me. A double. I needed the anesthesia effect and needed to come down. Turski landed several punches and my jaw throbbed. Fucker. I didn't condone using violence to solve problems these days, not like in my early years. Usually. This time, I made an exception.
When I'd arrived at Amber's suite and heard a male voice, I'd headed for the open window. I caught snatches of the conversation and since I had no idea if the man inside was armed, I didn't rush in. Instead, I'd found the electrical disconnect at the main power box and flipped it, then grabbed her and told her to get out. She did what I said, for a change.
While smacking Turski around, I wanted to hurt him, bad. Amber was mine, and nobody messed with mine. I'd settled for breaking two fingers, then taking his gun and the flash drive and lifting a credit card from his pocket. He demanded to know who I was, wanted to keep on fighting, but since I held his weapon, he was out of options to do anything except what I told him and get the hell off the island. He'd be back for Amber and that drive. I saw it in his eyes. I'd only scared him away for a time.
Before he moved on her again, I would stop him for good.
I put the pizza in the oven and pushed down my anger. No need to upset Amber any further. She stood out on the balcony, the wind whipping her hair around her face. She'd taken my advice and ditched her sandals. Good. She needed to unwind, to let go of the stress from this night.
I joined her and took the flash drive from my pocket. "Ready to see what's on here?"
She looked into my eyes, curled her fingers around my hand, took the device and slid it into her pocket.
"No. Not now. I want to look at this by myself."
"What, you don't trust me? Anything that's on here, about your father, I won't share. With anyone."
"It's not that, it's just… I need to do this on my own. My family, my past, they're not your problem. I can't let you help me. If I do, you'll creep into my life and I don't want you there."
A drop of rain fell on my hand, the one she still held. "Why not? We're attracted to each other, that's obvious. I want you, want to get to know you better. I've shown you that by now. You're right, what you said earlier. It might be hard to combine our lives, once we leave here, but I want to at least try it. Aren't you willing to even do that?"
She dropped my hand, and another splat of rain hit my face. "No. I need to spend my time taking care of Michelle. Now that I have a name, I can hire a PI, get him to track down Turski. And I'll have to work on finding the password to open this drive. I've got too much to do to get caught up in a relationship."
"That's bullshit and you know it." Hard as I tried, I couldn't keep the anger at bay any longer. "I've got people who can crack any type of password code, and they can find Turski faster than a detective. I can save you time. What's holding you back? Why won't you let me help?" My voice had risen but I couldn't stop.
"Because this is my problem." She stepped away from me, her eyes open wide, hands twisting in front of her.
She was frightened and after what she'd been through tonight, I should back off. But I didn't. "And I'm telling you, I can help. It makes no sense for you to push me away. So why are you? Tell me." I grabbed both of her shoulders, just as a crack of thunder blasted.
Rai
n fell the next second, heavy and cold. But neither of us moved.
"Because it's my fault!" She wrenched away from me, snarling, fury blazing in her eyes. "I'm the one who caused Michelle to be attacked."
"You? You told someone to come in and hit your sister and steal a statue?"
"I left her alone when she asked me to stay. I might as well have." She wrapped her arms around her body. "Michelle had a cast on her foot. She'd fallen off a curb and broke her ankle. She could hardly get around on crutches and was having a tough time. I was bored, tired of taking care of her, and invited a guy over. John and I had just started seeing each other and he wanted to do something that night."
She turned slightly, as though she couldn't look me in the eye. "Michelle is fragile, always has been. She doesn't deal with stress well. It's one of the reasons we lived together, so I could keep an eye on her. She's also gets these feelings, premonitions, ones that have come true. So I should have listened. John wanted beer that night and there wasn't any in the house. Michelle didn't want me to leave. Said she had a bad feeling. But I ignored her because I didn't want to make John angry. I wanted him to like me. So I went with him to the store and left her there."
She bowed her head and my heart ached for this beautiful woman, who saw herself as unattractive, trying her best to please a man. One who didn't deserve her.
"When I got back, Michelle was on the floor. I thought she was dead. I've never been so scared in my life. She was out for a few days, then regained consciousness, but she was never the same. Like I told you, the docs say there's nothing physically wrong with her but she's shut herself away. And it's my fault." The last line she delivered with a wail that carried above the noise of the wind and tore my heart further.
Shit, no wonder she closed down and wouldn't let anyone in, carrying around that guilt. From what I heard of her conversation with her mom, she got little support from that direction.
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