The Warrior In Me

by Anita Philmar

  “Right, and you want to go with us.” Sebastian swiveled in his seat and noted the frown on her face.

  She shook her head. “No, you’re right. Running around town looking for Devin will only make me a target. What we need is a place where I can hide close by until one of you finds him.”

  “She’s right. He could be at the lab, his apartment, or at a doctor’s appointment. We need to narrow the search and only bring Lily in when we’re certain of his location.” His partner seemed to be in perfect harmony with her. At every step, he’d supported her desire to play an active part in this investigation.

  Why?

  Sebastian shoved aside the question and reviewed the different safe houses they had in the area. All were over an hour away. “Yes, but where?”

  “Why not somewhere no one would expect me to be?” she muttered.

  Sebastian ignored her. “Mark’s place is too obvious.”

  “I’m thinking if we can get into Devin’s apartment. One of us could stay with her there. We’d be on the scene when he came home, and the police shouldn’t have reason to search for her there.” Bruce glanced in the rearview mirror and nodded to Lily who sat behind him. “Is that what you had in mind?”

  “Exactly.” She leaned back and crossed her arms again. “Also, it would cut down on the chance of us missing him if he stops by his apartment.”

  Sebastian hated the know-it-all look she sent in his direction. “And what if his place is locked up?”

  She tilted her head and lifted her brow as if questioning his abilities as an investigator.

  “It shouldn’t be hard to get inside the place. It’s an older apartment building, and they probably haven’t changed the locks for years. We can at least take a look around and change our plans if it becomes a problem.” Bruce leaned forward and flipped on the radio. Hard rock blared through the speakers.

  Immediately, Sebastian turned the knob and cut the volume to a bare minimum. “I take it it’s been decided that’s what we’re doing?”

  “Hey, it’s your call, but if you expect to ever—” Bruce cleared his throat and wiped his hand across his mouth. “I believe it’s the best alternative on a whole list of bad ones.”

  Sebastian checked his watch and scanned the line of cars out the front windshield. Almost four o’clock. They should make it to Devin’s apartment within the next two hours depending on rush hour traffic. Hopefully, they’d find him reclining on his couch, and this would all be over before it ever got started.

  “By the way, can we pick something up to eat on the way?” Lily asked, wistfully. “I’m starving.”

  Resting his head against the headrest, Sebastian closed his eyes. “Probably a good idea because there’s no telling how long we’ll be stuck at Devin’s.”

  Oh, the fun of surveillance.

  ****

  Lily stood against the wall while Sebastian hovered nearby, blocking her view of Bruce’s breaking and entering skills. They had parked around the corner and entered the apartment complex through the back entrance.

  She looked up into Sebastian’s handsome face. All day, he’d stood guard over her, keeping himself between her and any type of danger he perceived. His overprotective attitude had grated at times, but having him so close kept her from losing hope of finding answers. He really did care for her, and though she found it hard to believe, he even claimed to love her.

  A warm glow filled her, lighting a desire for a future with him. Unfortunately, she learned not to count on happy-ever-after’s. At every juncture where things had appeared to be coming up roses, a devastating event occurred—her parent’s accident, Mark’s demands on her to become more socially inclined, and now, his death and the murder charge hanging over her head.

  This time, she’d be prepared. Instead of thinking about love and happy-ever-afters, she’d stick to the here and now. “Do you guys do this very often?”

  He glanced down the walkway and inched closer. “No. Usually the people who hire us want a security system set up, or they’re looking for some type of protection. B&E isn’t part of our services.”

  The door squeaked on its hinges.

  Bruce straightened and drew open the door. “Let’s get in before anyone sees what we’re doing.”

  Sebastian gave her a meaningful look, which silently reiterated what he’d been telling her for the last couple of hours. She followed his rules and didn’t move when he disappeared inside Devin’s apartment.

  After what seem like an eternity, but in reality probably only amounted to a few seconds, he said, “All clear, come on in.”

  Bruce directed her inside and closed the door as soon as they were over the threshold. A click and light flooded the front living area.

  Sebastian stood by the door leading into the kitchen. “It looks like he hasn’t been here in a couple of days. No water in the bottom of the sink or anything else out on the counter.”

  “Devin is rather a neat freak. He always cleans up after himself and complains loudly if others don’t do the same.” Lily wished she knew where he might be. He’d mentioned a girlfriend several times over the last few weeks, but she couldn’t remember ever hearing him say her name. “He might be at his girlfriend’s place. Though, he never told me much about her.”

  “That’s right. She was one of his students, wasn’t she?” Bruce walked across the room and stuck his head into the bedroom. “The bed is unmade, so he had to have slept here recently.”

  “Or someone else did,” Sebastian supplied. Then he examined the items on the card table in the dining area.

  Lily walked over to him and laid her hand on his back. “What are you looking at?”

  He shifted to one side.

  A small box, a baggie of green mush, empty pill capsules, and a small plastic measuring spoon sat on the table. All the things Devin would need to create Mark’s vitamin tablets.

  “Holy shit,” she choked out and leaned into Sebastian for support. Before she could say anything more, a loud hammering came from the front door.

  “Police, open up!”

  Lily’s knees wobbled, and if not for Sebastian, she would have crumbled to the floor.

  “Easy, there.” He placed a hand under her elbow and held her upright.

  “Hang on, we’re coming.” Bruce hurried back across the apartment and opened the door before he lifted his hands in surrender.

  A plain-clothes officer stepped inside, followed by Detective Callahan.

  He quickly scanned the place and strolled straight for Lily.

  She held up her hands and backed away from Sebastian. She didn’t want him getting hurt. “I’m unarmed, Detective. We just came here to talk to Devin.”

  “We figured as much. We’ve had the place under surveillance since you disappeared.” He stepped forward and drew out his handcuffs. “Lily Winslow, you are under—”

  “Wait a sec, Detective. It looks like you may be charging the wrong person for Mark’s murder.” Sebastian pointed to the items on the table. “Bruce, call Zane and tell him to meet us at the police station.”

  Detective Callahan stuffed his cuffs back into his belt. “And who’s to say you didn’t just plant this here? Bill, did you see them carry anything up with them?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t bring it in with them?” Officer Bill stepped closer and checked out the evidence spread before them.

  “Great, then we best get an investigation team out here.” Detective Callahan waved at the man to take care of the matter and turned back to Lily. “You’re still under arrest, by the way, so don’t get any idea this has gotten you off the hook.”

  The walls around her began to close in. Air left her lungs, and none reentered to replenish her supply of oxygen. She opened her mouth to tell the good detective she understood. Then the world went black.

  Only a step away from Lily, Sebastian turned just in time to see the color drain from her face. If not for his quick reflexes, she would have crumbled to the floor. Instead, he
managed to scoop her up in his arms before her knees completely gave out. “Damn it, Lily, you said you could handle this.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Detective Callahan followed Sebastian into the living room.

  After laying her on the couch, Sebastian sat on the edge beside her. His heart hammered in his chest. He should have known she wasn’t prepared to go to jail. The idea of being locked away probably reawakened her fear of being back in the psych ward. “I believe she just fainted. She has sort of a phobia about being confined.”

  Detective Callahan nodded and turned to Bruce. “Have her lawyer waiting for us when we reach the precinct. Once we’re through interrogating her, he should be able to post her bail so she won’t have to spend the night.”

  Sebastian held Lily’s hand and glowered at the detective. “Why would you tell him such a thing if you believe Lily is guilty?”

  “It’ll speed up the process. Otherwise, we’ll have to wait for Zane to arrive before we can talk to her.” The detective glanced at the table in the other room. “It might also be helpful, if we could locate Devin Fleetwood. No one seems to have seen him since you two disappeared.”

  “We can’t help you,” Sebastian commented. The color was returning to Lily’s face. “We want to talk to him, too.”

  “You boys have a theory?” Detective Callahan nodded his head, as if open to hearing what they had to say.

  The hand under Sebastian’s moved, and Lily’s eyes sprang open. She looked straight through him.

  “Easy, sweetheart, just take a deep breath in and let it back out.” Sebastian watched her chest move up and down. “Good, girl, now just stay with us, and we’ll make this process as easy as possible for you.”

  Her eyelids drifted closed, and she moaned. “Have you talked to Zane, yet?”

  Sebastian smiled, happy to have her back with them and already working on how to get her out of jail as soon as possible.

  ****

  “Detective, I believe with the evidence you found at Devin Fleetwood’s apartment you have no grounds to hold my client.” Zane’s voice was edged with authority.

  Lily wondered if he’d made a mistake by giving up his career as a criminal lawyer. Yes, he might enjoy business law more. Still, he had such presence.

  Sebastian brushed his hand across her shoulder and drew her attention. “Lily, you don’t have to answer any of Detective Callahan’s questions if you don’t want. Bruce and I have already discussed our theory of why Devin may have killed Mark.”

  “Then what else do I need to say?” Lily turned to the detective. “You probably know more than I do.”

  “Not quite. Sebastian said you did a DNA test to see if Mark was Devin’s father.” The detective stared at a large notepad for a moment before looking up.

  “Yes, well, at first we believed Devin might have killed Mark because he wouldn’t help with his cancer treatment. But now we know Mark isn’t his father, and I’m thinking Devin might have been upset when Mark wouldn’t tell him who his parents were.”

  “Did you know?” Detective Callahan fired off the question without warning.

  She opened her mouth.

  “Not at the time,” Zane answered for her.

  “And who are they?” The detective’s gaze swung between her and Zane.

  Unwilling to divulge the information without Zane’s approval, she turned to him. “What should I say?”

  “Detective, it’s been a very long day for Mrs. Winslow. We would both appreciate a less demanding approach.” Zane patted her hand. “After discovering Violet is Devin’s mother, Lily came to see us. While reviewing past events, it was determined, but hasn’t been confirmed, that I am Devin’s father.”

  “And you just found this out today?” Detective Callahan’s tone didn’t hold the sharp edge it had only moments ago.

  “Yes, and as soon as I discovered the truth, we tried to contact Devin. You’ll find a message from me on his answering machine.” Zane retrieved his briefcase, which sat next to his chair, and laid it on the metal table.

  “Hold up. What about the gun?” Detective Callahan shifted his focus to Sebastian. “Didn’t you say something about Karen Winslow threatening Violet with a gun?”

  Lily swiveled to look at Sebastian. “Why would you tell him that? Violet doesn’t even remember what kind of gun it was.”

  Sebastian’s grip tightened on her shoulder. Suddenly afraid she’d revealed something she shouldn’t have, she sealed her lips shut.

  “Because the box of bullets on Devin’s table are the same caliber as the ones they found in Cain’s chest.” His answer sliced through her, slashing away all hope of Devin’s innocence in Cain’s murder. She had believed he had justifiable cause for wanting Mark dead, but why Cain?

  “But…” The sound of glass shattering around her replayed through her head. If what Sebastian was telling her was true, Devin wanted her dead, too. Amazed at how badly she underestimated him after their years of association, she figured his temper had driven him to kill Mark. But to kill someone for no other reason than to keep from being discovered seemed outside of what she believed him capable of doing.

  She blinked, and a wave of uncertainty washed over her. What did she know about Sebastian? They had only been together for less than a week, a few stress-packed days and some wild hot encounters.

  Maybe, she should rethink the idea of getting involved with anyone. Her track record of reading people correctly sucked.

  Even worse, she’d have to face the media tomorrow, after the news of their Neanderthal research hit the news tomorrow. She’d have to address questions regarding Mark’s murder, which would surely be a topic for speculation.

  She silently groaned and dropped her head to her chest. Lucky me.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Doubt filled Lily’s eyes when she looked up. Sebastian knew the second she realized her perceived theory was, in truth, a reality. Damn, he hated she had to go through this. “Don’t go there, sweetheart. Anyone who is willing to poison a person is also willing to pull the trigger to keep from getting caught.”

  She nodded and turned to Zane. “I never saw Devin, Mark, or anyone other than Sebastian, Bruce, and Cain with a gun.”

  “Violet doesn’t remember much about it either, Detective. It happened over twenty years ago when Karen and Mark were getting a divorce.” Zane straightened and shoved back his chair.

  Confident she’d be released, Sebastian needed to figure out where best to take Lily next. If the police dropped their arrest warrant, they could head anywhere they wanted as long as they could be reached and return to the city in a reasonable amount of time. “I have to agree with Zane. It’s been a long day, Detective. If you have any more questions, you can call or visit us at Mark’s house.”

  He stood and helped Lily to her feet. The slight tug to free herself immediately set him on alert. Something had upset her. She had been fine when they entered the interrogation room. What had changed?

  Detective Callahan moved to the door. “I’m dropping the charges against you at the moment Mrs. Winslow, but stay in the area. I don’t want to have to go searching for you again.”

  Lily nodded and followed Zane out of the room.

  Before Sebastian stepped through the door, Callahan detained him. “Look I appreciate you’re helping with this case, but I don’t believe your job is over. For whatever reason, someone has it in for Lily Winslow.”

  Sebastian didn’t want to get into a discussion with the man, not when Lily hadn’t bothered to stop and wait for him. “Thanks, Detective, but don’t worry, I’m not letting down my guard. And I’ll keep you informed if anything happens or I discover any additional information.”

  Hurrying through the station, Sebastian slowed his pace once he caught sight of her standing beside Bruce at the exit. “Lily, I’m glad to say we can finally take you home.”

  “I’m not so sure I wouldn’t prefer to go somewhere else,” she muttered under her breath.

  S
ebastian wasn’t sure if she didn’t want to go home because of the bad memories the place inspired or because of something he’d done. He got the feeling it was the latter, but he’d deal with it after she was safe, wherever that might be. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and followed Bruce out to his car.

  All the way back to Mark’s house, he tried to figure out what might be her problem. Even after he had her tucked away in bed and she lay securely in his arms, he couldn’t seem to let go of her comment or the wall she seemed to be building between them. Why?

  “Lily, where did you want to go?” he whispered low enough not to wake her if she happened to have already fallen asleep.

  She rubbed her face against his shoulder. Moisture tickled his skin. What the fuck?

  He rolled her over and pinned her to the mattress. Tears streamed down her face. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  Wiping at her face, she choked out, “That’s not the problem.”

  “Then what’s going through that head of yours because you lost me back at the police station when you mentioned about not wanting to come back here.” Sebastian’s eyes had adjusted to the ambient light, but he wanted to see her face clearly and be able to read her expression. Stretching across the bed, he flipped on the lamp. “Now explain.”

  Her weepy gaze twisted through him, demanding he do something to make things better for her. She lifted her hand and patted his cheek. “This isn’t your fault. I’m probably just exhausted, but I feel as if I need to escape. Tomorrow the article about the Neanderthal’s DNA will hit the newsstands. People will want someone to talk to and as the leading scientist at the lab, I’ll have to respond.”

  “And you’re not feeling up to the task?” With everything that had happened over the last week, he could understand her desire not to face the media.

  She grimaced. “I’ve never been good at dealing with people. I’m a science geek, remember?”

  “An incredible, sexy, science geek who’s been through hell this week,” he revised her description, hoping to lighten the mood.

  “Yes, well, you’re probably the only one in the world who believes that. Most people see the white lab coat and write me off. Mark’s the one who had the ability to convert our research into a topic everyone could understand, not me.” She toyed with his hair, as if she’d lost interest in the impending release of her research. Her eyelids drifted closed.