by Diane Burke
He took deep, calming breaths. Be patient. His fingers adjusted the lens. Her eyes drew him into their green depths. Eyes darkened with questions and fear.
She was beautiful, more so than any of the others.
He’d make sure she remained conscious for every second of the exquisite, endless pain he’d bestow upon her.
“Beauty is only skin deep,” he whispered into the darkness. No one else could see the black, evil heart within her. The selfishness. The cruelty. But he could. And she’d pay.
He blinked hard. Had the words escaped his lips or were they only within his mind? Had anybody heard? He looked around. No faces coming to neighboring windows to investigate. No porch lights suddenly turned on. His heart stopped hammering. He was safe.
She stepped inside the house. The detective blocked his view. As the minutes passed, his annoyance at not being able to see her grew. He chewed on his lip until he tasted his own blood and fought the urge to venture out of the shadows to pace. Seconds passed. Minutes.
Be patient. It’s not time. There’s no hurry. No hurry at all.
When she came back into view, she glanced out the window and seemed to look directly at him. He jumped back and then he relaxed. She couldn’t see him in the darkness. He was the one with the advantage. His grin broadened.
The woman’s face shifted, contorted, features fading in and out of focus. It couldn’t be. He pressed against the eyepiece wishing away the image he saw. Mother? Painful cramps seized his stomach muscles. Dropping his camera in the grass, he dry-heaved into the bushes. It’s not my mother. A low, animal-like keening filled the night air. Did that sound come from me? A second wave of nausea twisted his gut and memories of his childhood bombarded his mind. He trembled with intense hatred.
He tried again to see through the window. He held the camera to his face. Steady. Steady. The woman appearing in his camera lens this time wore the softest expression. Innocent. Loving. Liar. I know what you are. He moved deeper into the darkness and sat on the ground. Get hold of yourself. You know she’s not your mother, idiot. You killed her with your bare hands. Now calm down and stop acting like a moron.
“Don’t call me a moron!” he hissed into the night, twisting his neck, looking behind him, beside him, searching for the taunting voice. “You don’t have to be so mean.” Only silence answered.
He raised the lens again and took another look at the scene inside.
See. It’s the boy’s mother, idiot. Not yours.
He moved farther into the darkness as the woman walked back onto the porch with the man. He patted her shoulder and then bounded down the stairs. She waved goodbye as he hurried down the sidewalk. Go ahead, fool him but you can’t fool me. He wanted to snatch her and end it now.
Wouldn’t it be a delight if he waited for the cops to leave and grabbed her tonight? They wouldn’t be expecting it. The thought of making fools out of the police was almost more than he could bear. But he had to wait. There was another child who needed him and he’d already committed himself to help. But he would return. Soon. Very soon.
He wiped sweat from his cheek. Or was it tears? He had waited long enough. It was time.
Tony sat in his car and stared at the brightly lit house. He knew Erin was safe. Police were everywhere. But still he hesitated to leave. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. The sweet smell of her breath. The flush of her skin. Her green eyes wide with expectation and something more. Something he didn’t want to recognize or admit.
He flashed back to the moment he heard her address coming across the scanner. Adrenaline laced with fear had raced through his blood and remnants of terror caused his pulse to gallop. She could have been killed tonight. This was not a random burglary by a kid high on dope. Erin was a target. And that knowledge took his breath away.
Tony turned the key in the ignition. The last thing in the world he needed was an emotional entanglement with a single mother and her kid. He was a cop, and proud of it, but it’s not a job for a family man. Family man? Where had that thought come from? No way. Not him. He slid the car away from the curb.
He had been holding his emotions in check, refusing to get too close, care too much, because someday he might find himself in danger. He never wanted to cause another person that fear or pain. Tony grimaced at the bitter irony of the situation. Who would have believed that Erin would be the one in danger?
A serial killer? Lord, isn’t this a lousy way to teach me that cops aren’t the only ones who can be in danger? Not that I’m second-guessing You or anything. I know You see the whole picture of our lives and I can only grasp a piece at a time. But, Lord, please help me. How am I supposed to keep this predator away from her door when he has already slipped in right under my nose?
The thought sickened him. He shook his head. Erin. His heart ached thinking about her. She needed him. She needed his expertise. His strength. His protection. She needed him to be the best cop he knew how to be.
But what about his needs? When had those needs started to include her presence in his life? He paused at the Stop sign and looked at Erin’s house in his rearview mirror. He had to get out of here. He had to go someplace where he could think straight—and pray.
EIGHT
Jack wrapped his arms around Tony’s legs. An instant rush of affection for the boy seized his heart.
“My bike’s the greatest. I can ride it all by myself. But Mom won’t let me take it outside.”
“I will let you take it outside,” Erin corrected as she came down the hall and met Tony in the foyer. “Tomorrow morning.”
“But I want Tony to see me ride now.”
Tony slipped past the child’s walker. “Your mom’s right, partner. It’s going to be dark out there soon.”
“Oh-kay. But watch me ride to the kitchen.” Jack hurried over to his bike.
“As you can see,” Erin said, “your gift is the highlight of his day. But his birthday isn’t for another three weeks. Today is Amy’s birthday. Don’t you think it a little confusing to be giving him his gift so soon? And on Amy’s birthday?”
“I gave Amy a big wheel. She’ll think I gave Jack the bike so they can ride together and, in a way, that’s true. Besides,” Tony said, “I remember how upset Jack was about not being able to ride bikes with his school friends.” Tony nodded toward the bike. “When one of the guys at work told me about this bike, I couldn’t resist taking a look. It’s built with three wheels for stability and has a back and straps for extra support for children with his muscle problems. I know it’s not a two-wheeler, but he’ll be able to ride in the cul-de-sac now with his friends. I thought it important to give it to him before the school year ends so he won’t continue to feel excluded.”
“Thank you.” Erin stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips softly against his. Electricity shot through every nerve ending in his body. He held his breath so tightly his lungs threatened to burst as her fingers caressed the side of his face. He had to muster all the masculine control in his power not to crush her to him and kiss her with the passion and desire he held at bay.
Erin made him feel things he didn’t want to feel. She made him think about the possibilities of commitment and family. Even though he’d never had anyone to teach him how, maybe he could learn to be a good dad. His job taught him what not to do. Maybe if he did the opposite it would be okay.
Tony gazed into the green depths of her eyes. Maybe he wasn’t destined to live alone, to be married to his job. He had never entertained these thoughts before and wasn’t sure he wanted to think about them now, but lately they cropped up in his consciousness with regularity. Erin made him feel—hope.
“Beep. Beep. Me, too. Vroom. Vroom.”
Tony side-stepped just in time to keep his feet from being flattened by a tiny, blond-haired girl speeding past on a Big Wheel.
“That’s Amy. What can I say? Your gift was a hit with her, too. Enter at your own risk, Mr. Detective.” Erin laughed and the deep, throaty sound made him smile. “Things are pretty
wild here today. If you can make it to the kitchen in one piece, the adults are hiding out in there.”
Tony hung his jacket on a hook by the door and followed Erin’s lead. The aroma of roast beef and fresh coffee teased his nostrils and reminded his empty, rumbling stomach just how hungry he was.
“There’s the lad,” Tess announced and cleared a spot for him. “What’s your poison?”
“How can I resist your Irish coffee, Tess? No one makes a better brew.” He sat and nodded a greeting to both Patrick and Carol.
“Hello, Mr. Fitzgerald. Nice to meet you again.”
“I don’t call meeting during that horrible incident two nights ago a real introduction. You can call me Pat or Fitz. Just don’t call me late for dinner.” The man’s grip was stronger than Tony expected. The old man’s gaze followed Tess about the room. Tony knew there was more afoot here than just being a neighbor.
“Hello, Carol.”
“Nice to see you again, Tony. The way we met is a memory I plan to keep for a long time. It isn’t every day I get to witness my best friend mortified.”
Tony laughed. He found her friendliness and honesty refreshing and took an instant liking to her.
“Thank you for the gift for Amy. That was generous and unexpected,” Carol said.
As if on cue, Amy slammed her Big Wheel into the leg of the table and the adults scrambled to save their cups from spilling.
“Amy, honey, watch what you’re doing,” Carol gently scolded her daughter.
“I’m dwiving, Mama.”
“I see that, sweetheart, but it’s time for dinner.” Carol lifted the child to her lap, kissed her blond curls, then settled her into the booster seat beside her. “Driving is for outside play.”
“You have an adorable daughter, Carol,” Tony said.
Carol returned his smile. “Thank you. She is, isn’t she?”
“I want to sit next to Tony.” Jack climbed up on the empty chair to Tony’s left.
“Hope you brought a healthy appetite,” Tess said.
“To your house? I’ve been starving myself all day in anticipation of the best cooking in town.”
Tess blushed and everyone chuckled.
Roast beef, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, biscuits and two slices of birthday cake later, Tony leaned back and groaned with satisfaction. The past hour had been filled with the sound of children’s voices, laughter and good conversation. He’d watched the interactions around the table with interest. All this touchy-feely family stuff was not good for his self-preservation. He’d lived quite well through the years without the idea of a family of his own ever crossing his mind. He wanted to keep it that way. Didn’t he?
Erin and Carol excused themselves to prepare the children for bed. Patrick stood up, thanked Tess for a fabulous meal, leaned close to Tony’s ear and whispered, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll make your getaway, too. Carol’s going out tonight and the other two are planning to watch a chick flick.”
“I hear you, old man.” Tess turned from the sink and stared him down. “Jerry Maguire is not a chick flick. It’s about a sports agent. Since when is a football movie considered a chick flick?”
Patrick stood his ground. “Football movie my Irish…”
“Watch your language in this house.” Tess planted her fists on her hips and feigned anger but amusement glittered in her eyes and teased the corners of her mouth.
Patrick looked back at Tony. “They say it’s about football so poor, dumb fools like me agree to sit down and watch it. I made that mistake years ago when the movie first came out.” He waved his hand in the air.
Tess slapped Patrick’s arm with a dish towel. “Go away with you now. Coming here and sampling my fine cookin’ and then putting down the entertainment I picked.”
Patrick clasped Tess’s hand and planted a kiss on the back of it. “The cooking was fine, indeed. That it was.” He headed for the back door and just before he left, he looked over his shoulder at Tony and yelled, “Run, son. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Tess threw the dish towel, but it hit a closed door.
Tony laughed, grabbed a clean towel from the drawer and helped Tess finish the dishes while Erin and Carol put the children to bed. He was putting the last dish away when Erin returned. Wisps of hair escaped her fasteners and curled against her skin. The natural rosy glow of her cheeks created a beauty that didn’t require makeup. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She moved toward him with lightness and confidence. He found it increasingly difficult to take his eyes off her.
“Jack’s already asleep.” She smiled at him and his pulse thundered against his wrists.
Tony placed a cup of coffee on the table in front of her.
“I drink too much coffee, but thanks.” She took a sip. “I’m going to turn into a coffee urn.”
“It would be the prettiest coffee urn I’ve ever seen.” He grinned when a fresh rush of color tinged her cheeks. Boy, he loved teasing her.
“Amy’s down for the count, too.” Carol’s voice sounded from the doorway. She had changed clothes and now wore a simple but flattering black silk dress. Her blond hair hung loosely on her shoulders. She was a strikingly pretty woman, Tony thought, but she couldn’t hold a candle to Erin’s natural beauty.
“I wish you’d tell me who you’re meeting,” Erin said. “It’s not like you to keep secrets from me.”
“I know. I just want to be sure this is going where I think it is before I bring him home to family and friends.”
“Must be serious,” Erin said.
Carol’s voice grew wistful. “This could be the love of my life…for the rest of my life.” Carol frowned. “Are you sure you don’t mind Amy spending the night?”
“How can you even ask? You know how much I love that little girl.”
“I know. But—” she glanced at Tony, smiled sheepishly and looked back at Erin “—I thought you might have plans of your own for the evening.”
Erin laughed and nudged her friend toward the door. “Wake me when you get home. I don’t care what time it is. I want to hear every detail.”
Carol hugged Erin. “I won’t be out too late.” Glancing his way, she smiled, said good-night and left.
Tony joined Erin at the table and gestured toward the empty doorway. “Something wrong?”
“No, I guess not. But the secrecy bothers me. She’s dated before and always fills me in. I don’t understand why this one is such a Mystery Man.”
“Maybe because this one matters.”
Erin raised an eyebrow.
“The relationship is new. Fragile. Exciting. Maybe she’s not ready to share what they’ve found with the world just yet.” He kept his voice low, steady, trying not to reveal what effect her nearness was having on him. He didn’t want to ruin the moment. But he didn’t know how much longer he could be the perfect friend, the shoulder for her to cry on, without wanting more. And more was the last thing he could let himself want.
“Maybe. But I’m getting the goods when she gets home tonight if I have to sit on her until she spills her guts.”
“Wish I knew earlier how you respond to secrets. I would have kept one or two myself.”
Erin lowered her head, but not before he saw a smile pull at her lips.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just an invisible fly on the wall over here,” Tess said. “I’ll just take myself into the living room and set up our ‘chick flick’ for tonight. That is, of course, if the two of you are inclined to join me.” Tess took off her apron and paused in the doorway, a devilish glint in her eye. “You know, it’s the oddest thing. The oven’s been off for hours but the heat in this room is unbelievable.” Her chuckles followed her down the hall.
Tony’s expression made Erin pause. He was deep in thought, eyebrows furrowed together, chewing on his lower lip.
“Something wrong?”
“What did you say Carol’s last name is?” Tony asked.
“Henderson. Why?”
/> “No reason.” He rubbed his hand through his hair like she’d seen him do a hundred times before when something puzzled him. “I know that name.”
“You met her at the Easter fundraiser. And I talk about her all the time.”
“True. But you don’t use her full name. You just refer to her as Carol or Amy’s mom. I’m not sure you ever mentioned her last name before, did you?”
Erin wore a puzzled expression. “I really don’t know. Does it matter?”
“Carol Henderson. Her name’s nagging at me. I’ve heard it, but I can’t place it.” He shrugged. “It’ll come to me.” He stood up and offered his hand. “We’d better go. Tess is waiting for us and I have it on good authority that this is a movie I don’t want to miss.”
“Really?” Erin placed her hand in his and stood. “You like romance movies?” She couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.
“Shh,” Tony whispered, drawing her close. “I love romance movies. But you can’t say a word. It would ruin my tough-guy reputation and I’d have to take drastic measures to keep you silent.”
“Really? What drastic measures?”
He claimed her mouth with a kiss filled with so many promises that Erin was sure she’d never be able to speak again.
The next day
“Fwoot Loops,” Amy said, holding up her cereal bowl.
“Froot Loops it is.” Erin settled the child in the booster chair and filled her bowl.
“Me, too,” Jack said.
“Startin’ a child off first thing in the morning with a bowl full of sugar is asking for trouble,” Tess said as she entered the kitchen. “They have enough energy as it is without spoon-feeding them more.” She waved a hand in the air. “I know, I know. Nobody asked me.” Tess sat at the table.
“Good morning, Tess.” Erin chuckled and poured herself a bowl of the colorful cereal.
“I only see three bowls.” Tess sipped some juice. “Aren’t we missing somebody?”
Erin laughed. “Carol’s probably still sleeping. I didn’t hear her come in last night, so it must have been late. I decided to let her sleep in.”