by Diane Burke
“Them? What about me? I aged five years out there on the porch.” He rubbed her hands, then perched a hip on the arm of the sofa. “Tell me what happened.”
“Patrick found the package on the front porch and gave it to me. After the children left, I opened it and found my scarf and that terrible, disgusting note.” Erin looked straight at him, her prior fear replaced with anger. “I don’t want this maniac anywhere near my children. What can I do to help you catch him?”
Tony couldn’t take his eyes off her. The flush of color in her cheeks, the flash of anger in her green eyes, the animation in her expression. He smiled. “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”
“Tony.”
“I know.” He raised his hand to ward off any verbal attack. “This is not the time or place. But remind me later to pick up this conversation when things have quieted down and returned to normal.”
Her expression darkened. “Will anything ever be normal again?”
The sadness in her voice reached him at a level he had not experienced before. He wanted to draw her close and keep her safe in the shelter of his arms. The sincerity and depth of those feelings shook him to the core. She looked at him as a trusted friend. Nothing more. Nothing less. That’s what he wanted, wasn’t it? No strings, no expectations. So why did his heart skip every time he looked into her eyes?
“Why don’t you go to your room and lie down?” he suggested.
“Lie down? Sleep is the last thing I want to do.”
He tilted her chin with his finger. “Then don’t sleep, just rest. I’m going to call this in and get some help out here. Meanwhile, I’ll go next door to tell Patrick and Tess what happened.”
“I’ll tell them. I’d feel better if I could help.”
He grabbed her arm and stopped her as she headed toward the door. “You can help…by taking some time to clear your head and get a second wind.” He gave her a gentle push. “Now go. I’ll fill you in on our progress afterward.”
She moved down the hall, each step slow and cumbersome as if it took every ounce of strength she had in her body to keep moving forward. The smile slid from his face. He hit speed dial on his cell phone. “Hello, Spence? It’s Tony. Listen…”
FOURTEEN
Erin opened her eyes. Light spilled in from under the bathroom door and illuminated her surroundings just enough to assure her she was safe and lying in her own bed. The digital numbers on the clock on her night table glowed 10:00 p.m. She rubbed her eyes, stretched and sat up. Two hours, gone. She could have sworn she wouldn’t have been able to sleep. But then again, maybe sleep wasn’t the right word. Maybe passed out cold would be a better description. Someone moved around on the other side of her bathroom door. Before she could be frightened, she heard a knock. The door swung open and Tony poked his head inside her room. “Good, you’re up.” He turned on the bedside lamp.
She shielded her eyes against the sudden brightness. “I’m awake, but I can’t promise all my brain cells are up and running yet.”
Tony smiled.
“How are the children?” she asked. “What’s been happening for the past two hours? Have you…”
“Whoa.” Tony held up his hand in a halting motion. “The kids are fine. Tess is fine. Patrick is fine. The house is fine. Everyone is A-okay and there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Nothing to worry about?” Erin laughed humorlessly. “A deranged killer left a package on my front porch and you tell me there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Okay, let me amend that statement. No one but cops are around here at the moment. My team picked up the package to be checked for forensic evidence. The porch and the kitchen have been dusted for prints. Spence and Winters, the other detectives on the case, are in the kitchen waiting for me. I’ve called my sergeant and he’s arranged for temporary police protection. Two officers will be here at all times starting first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow morning?”
Tony nodded. “Our bad guy has accomplished what he set out to do. He wanted to terrorize you and he did. You’ll be safe tonight. I personally guarantee it. I’m going to be your bodyguard.”
“You?”
Tony gently twisted one of her auburn curls around his finger. “Did you think after everything that’s happened that I would leave you?” He leaned closer, so close she could feel a brush of air skim across her face when he spoke and could smell the cool crisp mint of mouthwash on his breath. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Trust me.”
Erin saw determination and something else, something tender in his eyes. “I do trust you, Tony. I think I always have.”
He pulled her into his embrace and gently kissed her. “I have a surprise for you,” he whispered, his lips moving against hers.
Erin chuckled. “You do, do you?”
“Are you ready?” Encircling her from behind with his arms, his hands resting firmly on her forearms, he brushed her ear with his lips and whispered, “Close your eyes.”
She did as requested and melted back against the solidness of his chest. Slowly, he urged her forward.
“Where are we going?” She hoped nowhere. At this moment she wanted nothing more than to spend forever cradled in his arms.
“We’re almost there. A couple more steps.” He led her across the room. “Okay,” Tony said, letting go and stepping away. “You can look now.”
Erin opened her eyes. She stood in the bathroom doorway and sighed with delight. Candles glowed from every surface, immersing the room in a soft, inviting light. A light floral scent filled the air. The bathtub brimmed with bubbles. A small stool, holding a tray of cheese, crackers, apple slices and grapes rested beside a crystal pitcher of iced tea on a small serving table he had set up beside the tub. Smooth jazz flowed softly from a portable CD player on the floor beside the stool.
“Tony, this is beautiful.”
He stepped away and placed a towel on top of the closed toilet seat. He hung her robe on a hook by the linen closet. When he faced her, he looked embarrassed and unsure of himself. Maybe even a little vulnerable. “Anyway…”
“Anyway…” She gazed into his face. “I think you are the most thoughtful man I have ever met. Thank you.”
The smile on his face reached up and lit the depths of his eyes. He was obviously happy he had pleased her. “You’re welcome. I’ve got to get out to Spence and Winters. We’ve still got a lot of work to do. When we’re done, I’m going to sack out on the sofa for tonight. Now get yourself into those bubbles before the water gets cold and I’ll see you in the morning.”
After he left, Erin undressed and slid into the steamy water. When was the last time she had pampered herself with a hot bubble bath? Eons ago. She leaned her head back against the tiled wall, the rounded edge of the tub fitting perfectly in the curve of her neck and basked in the water’s warmth. The smooth jazz sound of saxophones wooed her with their melancholy. The floral scent and the room’s candlelight glow added the final touch to an already-surreal experience.
Erin’s eyes burned with unexpected tears. You were right, Carol. Why didn’t I listen to you? Tony is everything I could ever want in a man. I’ve been a fool about a lot of things lately. About time I got my head on straight, don’t you think? Erin wiped the tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand. I wish you were still here. I wish I could tell you what he did for me tonight. The candles flickered like a sudden wisp of air had passed by and a trace of a smile curved her lips. Maybe you already know. She took a sip of her iced tea. I miss you, Carol. I always will.
Erin lingered in the tub until the water turned ice-cold and gooseflesh covered her skin. She dried herself quickly and dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. She finger-combed her hair and applied a soft-colored lipstick. She couldn’t do much about her puffy eyes, but she was determined to appear as calm and in control as possible. Taking a long look in the mirror, she approved of her appearance. If she could help it, no one would look at her and know that inside reigned chaos,
fear and grief.
Erin knelt beside her bed and prayed. She expressed her gratitude that the children hadn’t been home this evening. That Tony and his team were down the hall working into the wee hours of the night trying to catch this killer. She asked God to continue to protect her family and help her deal with the smothering weight of her grief.
Picking up the Bible from her nightstand, she decided to go see what was going on. She promised herself she would stay out of the way and wouldn’t interfere. She could sit quietly in a corner and read. Or maybe she’d go next door and camp out in the living room with the kids. No matter what, she knew she couldn’t stay here alone in the dark.
Erin moved on the pads of her feet as silently as a cat. She paused in the foyer. Every light was lit. Several police officers moved through the house, busy doing one task or another. She almost turned around and went back to her room when she heard someone call.
“Hey.” In seconds, he was at her side. He tilted her face and studied her red-rimmed eyes. “Are you okay? The bath was supposed to make you feel better.”
“I’m fine.” She offered a weak smile. She was anything but fine. Moisture still clung to her eyelashes and her lower lip quivered as she fought back more tears.
He slid an arm around her shoulders and led her into the living room. They sat on the sofa and he cradled her against his side. He looked down at her. “Penny for your thoughts.”
This time her smile was genuine and an unfamiliar tightness filled his chest. She looked so…vulnerable. He wanted to make all the bad things that had invaded her world disappear. No phone calls. No threatening notes or warped gifts. No grief or pain.
Erin gently clasped his fingers. “Thanks, Tony. For everything.” Her touch sent a powerful surge of emotion through his body. He wanted to protect this woman at all costs. He imagined he would volunteer to don armor and slay dragons if it meant he could keep her and her family safe. He breathed in sharply and stood up to put a safe distance between them.
Safe distance? Who was he kidding? China wouldn’t be far enough away.
The scent of spring flowers still clinging to her skin followed him. He inhaled deeply and tried to diffuse the escalating tension building between them.
Her body visibly shuddered. He didn’t know if it was a chill after her bath or fear over what had happened this evening. He wanted to gather her in his arms and hold her close. But if he did, would she be able to feel the pounding of his heart? Would she sense that when she was near he couldn’t draw a deep breath? Then he saw it in her eyes. Complete and total trust. After all, he was her friend, her confidant. Good guy Tony. He didn’t need to be adding to her stress by letting her know how his feelings for her had changed. Particularly now.
Father, help me do the right thing. This woman needs my help, my friendship, nothing more. Maybe in another time and place I can let her know what she’s come to mean to me…but I know, Lord, not this time and not this place.
His gaze fell to the Bible in her hands.
“What are you reading?” He rested a hip on the arm of the sofa.
She opened the book, removed a cloth bookmark and stared at the pages. “When the minister read the twenty-third psalm at Carol’s grave, a certain verse kept pulling at me.” She smoothed her hand over the page and then read, “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.’” When she looked up at him, her eyes shimmered with tears. “Do you think it’s true, Tony? Do you think God was with Carol when she died?”
Tony slid to the floor and knelt on one knee so he could look directly in her eyes. “Didn’t you tell me Carol had a strong faith?”
Erin nodded.
“Then she would have turned to God in her hour of need. I believe the instant she reached out in prayer He wrapped her in His presence. Evil may have claimed her body, but God held tight to her heart and to her soul.”
Erin nodded and began to sob.
Tony continued to kneel in front of her and offered a silent prayer that God would help heal her broken heart.
When her crying slowed, Tony clasped her hands in his. “Give all the pain and fear to God, Erin. Let Him help you through this.”
She lifted her head and looked at him. “I’m trying, Tony. But sometimes my prayers seem like mere whispers in the dark.”
Tony smiled. “God hears whispers in the dark, Erin. It’s His specialty.”
Friday, 4 a.m.
You’re letting him ruin everything.
He pressed his hands against his forehead. “Shut up!”
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
“No, I’m not. Leave me alone.” He whimpered and rocked back and forth. The crushing pain in his head escalated. He squeezed his eyes closed as hard as he could. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t do anything with this pounding pain.
You should have taken her by now. You should have punished her for her sins.
A deep, animal wail sounded from the depths of his soul. He pounded both hands on the steering wheel. “Go away. Leave me alone.”
Seconds passed. Minutes. The voices stopped. The pain eased. He could open his eyes. He could breathe.
He stared at the house, shrouded in darkness except for the light in the living room window. The cop was with her. A wave of rage washed over him. “No!” He slammed his fist against his thigh. He wouldn’t let that cop ruin his plans. What were they doing in there? He knew. It wouldn’t matter to either of them that other cops continued going in and out of the house like it had a swinging door.
“What kind of mother are you? You send the children next door because you’re too selfish to be the mother you’re supposed to be. Instead you invite him into your home, probably into your bed.” His throat contracted with his screams. He choked and coughed until his eyes watered and his breath came in short, painful gasps.
He had a plan. There was nothing that cop could do to keep him away from her. Nothing.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. A sticky residue clung to his skin. He lowered his hand and stared at it. Blood. On his hands. On the steering wheel. He stared at the body lying on the seat next to him. It hadn’t been so messy with the women. Maybe because the man had foolishly tried to fight for his life.
He stared at the dead man. How ironic. A cop hiring a private eye. Wasn’t that a laugh? The cop sure didn’t get his money’s worth. The private eye had been snoozing on the job. Never heard a thing until it was too late. He pushed the body to the floor and turned his attention back to the house.
Maybe he was wrong. Maybe Erin was upset about the gift he had given her and they were just talking. But he knew better. Erin was just like his mother, just like all unmarried women, selfish.
A tear flowed down his cheek.
FIFTEEN
“Do I smell bacon?” Erin slid onto a kitchen chair.
Tony glanced over his shoulder. “Good morning. You look wide awake and perky this morning.”
Erin groaned. “I thought Christians weren’t supposed to lie.”
Tony chuckled and turned back to the stove. “Bacon and eggs coming up any second now. There are two aspirin to the right of your coffee mug. Just in case last night’s tears left you with a headache.”
Erin grabbed the coffee like a lifeline. “How can you be so cheerful after sleeping on that lumpy sofa all night?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he said, emptying the contents of the frying pan onto her plate. “Since you didn’t leave until four in the morning and the guys just left a few minutes ago, and it’s only six-thirty now, maybe my body didn’t have time to locate all the lumps.”
Erin swallowed the aspirin. “Sorry. But wasn’t that the best Bible study ever?” She grinned. “One thought led to another and the verses just jumped off the page.”
Tony returned her grin. “The Holy Spirit blessed this house last night. That’s for sure.” He wiped his hands on a towel.
Tony busied himself tucking his walkie-talkie into the lea
ther holder on his belt.
“Going someplace?” she asked.
“Sarge called my cell phone a little while ago.” He turned to pick up his suit jacket. “The entire team has been called in for an emergency meeting.”
Erin froze. “Did they catch him?”
“No, he would have told me if they had.” He picked up his wallet and slid it into his back pants pocket. “But he seemed excited. We must be getting closer.” He kissed her forehead and hurried into the foyer.
Erin followed on his heels. “Tony, wait.” She caught up with him at the front door. “Promise me you’ll call me the minute you know anything.”
“I’ll call.” Tony stepped onto the porch. He glanced at his watch, looked up the street and then back at Erin.
“What?” she asked, joining him on the porch.
His expression showed every bit of his internal turmoil. “It’s six-thirty. Last night, we arranged 24/7 protection for you, but the men aren’t due here until seven. I don’t want to leave you alone.”
She laughed and grabbed the lapels of his jacket. She inhaled the musky scent of his cologne and fought the urge to bury her nose against the pulse in his throat. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, buddy, but it is not becoming when you act like macho man. Don’t treat me like some helpless little flower who can’t take care of herself for thirty minutes. I won’t stand for it.”
Tony grinned. “Ah, there’s my Irish spitfire back again.” He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her. He raised his head, but didn’t release her. “Seriously, are you sure you’re going to be okay if I take off?”
“I suppose you’ve never heard of dead bolt locks and pepper spray?”
He grinned again, released her and took another glance up the street.
“What?” Erin followed his gaze. “That’s the second time you’ve looked up the street. What’s going on?”
Tony wore a sheepish grin when he turned back to face her. “You’re going to be mad at me.”