by Jo Davis
Shane stopped a few feet from Chris and bent over, hands on his knees. He straightened, obviously upset and trying hard not to show it in front of the little girl. Robyn wasn’t any happier, and returned to her chair on shaking legs, desperately squashing her doctor’s urge to rush over and check him from head to toe. And also to keep herself from smacking him for that stunt.
Chris and her daughter stood, laughing together, and he brushed the grass off her first, then himself. Belatedly, he realized Shane was close by and seething. Bending, he said something to Maddy and pointed toward Robyn. Probably to keep her from overhearing when Shane chewed out his ass.
Indeed, Shane leaned in, and though Robyn couldn’t hear what was said, it was apparent from his gestures and the tension in his body that he was making his feelings known. The smile slid off Chris’s face, and immediately something strange happened in Robyn’s chest. He looked sad and contrite now, and she found she didn’t like that at all. Even though he’d scared her, he hadn’t meant to. He had only been playing with Maddy.
After Shane stalked off, Chris hung his head for a moment. Then he heaved a sigh and headed in her direction.
Reaching her mom, Maddy was bouncing. “Did you see me throw the football? Chris showed me how!”
“I saw, sweetie! You did great.” She got an exuberant hug and a smack on the cheek.
“Thanks, Mommy!”
Chris approached and gave her a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry about that. Didn’t mean to scare anybody.”
“That’s okay—I know you were just having fun with Maddy and I appreciate it. But don’t do it again or I’ll be forced to whip out my stethoscope.”
His eyes lit at her teasing. “Doesn’t sound like much of a threat.”
“More like a promise.”
Maddy tugged at her sleeve, interrupting. “Can I have some cookies?”
Robyn glanced toward the dessert table. “Start with two.”
“Why don’t I go with her?” Shea offered, giving Robyn a knowing look.
“Okay!” The little girl took Shea’s hand and went along willingly.
“She’s a great kid,” Chris said sincerely.
“Thank you. I think so, too.”
“I really am sorry.”
“I know. You startled several people, I think, but I’m sure they’ve already forgotten.”
He grimaced. “I’m not so sure about Shane. I’ve got to see him every day at work, so I’m sure I’ll hear about my stupidity again.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” she insisted. “It was a joke.”
“A bad one. I wasn’t thinking, and considering how worried he’s been . . .” Suddenly he smiled brightly. “You’re right. It made Maddy laugh, and that’s all that counts.”
Oh my God. Is this guy for real? Nobody is this sweet.
“So, your list of things you like to do for fun,” he began, gaze intense once again. “Would that happen to include having dinner at a nice restaurant with me?”
She’d been half expecting him to ask, had been anticipating it. She liked this man, and she wanted to go. But the last time she’d been vulnerable . . . Her heart froze in her chest and she couldn’t get the acceptance out if she tried.
The problem was fear, plain and simple. She’d already had her heart broken cleanly in two, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to face that again.
“Surprised you, huh?” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Tell you what. Think about it, and if you want to accept, Shea has my number. Call me anytime, okay?”
“I—I’m sorry, Chris.”
“Don’t be.” He stood. “Guess I’d better go. I’m not really off tomorrow and I’ve got some leads to chase. It was great seeing you again.”
“You, too,” she managed. “Thanks for entertaining Maddy.”
“No problem. She’s an awesome little girl.” He waved as he headed for the patio door. “Bye.”
“Bye,” she said. But he’d already disappeared inside. As soon as he was gone, it was as though a cloud had eclipsed the sunshine.
And she didn’t like the sense of loss that sort of stole her breath. Not one bit.
* * *
On the Tuesday after the party, Chris was still cursing himself for being an idiot. He couldn’t help but feel he’d given up too soon when Robyn had hesitated.
But he’d gotten nervous, and when she’d seemed far from thrilled at his invite, his confidence had suffered a serious blow. All he’d been able to think of was getting away as fast as possible.
Maybe it was for the best. There was no doubt that his illness, whatever it was, had him in its grip again. The downward slide was moving faster than it had last time. Steadily, it was stealing his strength, his appetite. How long before he crashed and didn’t come out of it?
Helpless anger coursed through his body. Why was this happening? What was wrong with him?
He went for his walk before work, because he was a stubborn bastard; the gym was out for now, but he could do this much. Then go to work and pretend nothing was wrong. Fake it till you make it.
On his new route, which involved cutting down Robyn’s street, he wondered where she’d been. He’d been by each morning, but hadn’t seen her or Maddy out front again. Knocking on her door entered his mind, but he wasn’t sure his presence would be welcome. The last thing he needed was to come across like a stalker.
So he was excited to see that this morning she was out front watering the flowers in the beds around her trees. A pair of old jeans hugged her curvy figure, and a pastel purple T-shirt emphasized her breasts. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, the strands catching fire in the sunlight. Exhaustion forgotten, he hurried his steps and called a greeting as he got closer.
“Hello.”
Turning, she saw him and smiled. That she wasn’t running in the opposite direction was something, at least.
“Chris! How are you?”
“Doing okay. Just been busy. You?”
“Same.” She squinted at him in the sunlight. “You’re late this morning. I already took Maddy to school.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve got the crime presentation over there in a couple of hours, so I decided to fudge going in to work.” He made a face. “I got stuck wearing the dog suit, so I figured they owe me.”
She laughed, the musical sound going straight to his groin. “Can’t say I blame you. That’ll be a sight to see.”
“What?”
“I’ll be there.” Her expression was mischievous. “I took a later shift at work so I could volunteer at school today. Can’t wait to see you in action.”
A groan escaped his lips. “You’re not serious. I’m not going to do anything but stand around looking stupid. My partner is doing all the talking.”
“So? I’m sure the kids will love it.”
Fantastic. My humiliation will be complete. Valor—1; Chris—0.
“Maybe I’ll call in sick.”
“Oh, you won’t do that.”
“You sound pretty confident.”
She nodded. “The guy who enjoyed playing with my daughter the other day doesn’t have it in him to disappoint a bunch of kids.”
“Ugh. You’re right. I could get hit by a bus, though. It happens.”
Shaking her head, she walked over to the side of the house and turned off the water, then tossed down the hose. “You’re something else—you know that?”
“Um, is that a compliment?”
Instead of answering, she walked back to him and asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Well enough to humble myself in front of ninety first graders, the staff of the school, and a few more besides. Does that satisfy you, Doc?” He hoped his grin fooled her, and it seemed to work.
“I suppose.”
He checked his watch and felt a surge of disappointment. “Better
go. I have to get home, change, and go pick up the stuff for the presentation before Tonio and I head to the school.”
“Tonio?”
“Tonio Salvatore. He’s my partner. He wasn’t at the party, so you probably haven’t met him.”
“No, I don’t know him. Well, I guess I’ll see you later.”
“All right. See you.”
This time, she didn’t offer him a ride home, and he fought a sense of discouragement. On one hand, she seemed reluctant to spend more time with him. On the other, it almost seemed that she had wanted to make a point to let him know she’d be at the school today. Perhaps she’d been burned before, but it could be that she just wasn’t into him. After all, she hadn’t mentioned his dinner invite.
Maybe she’d accept if he asked again? Should he? He wanted to spend time with her so badly. He’d never felt like this before.
He made it home with barely enough time to shower and get dressed. Then he drove to the station and picked up the awful brown suit, dragging the thing through the hallways taking endless amounts of shit from the guys.
There were times in a man’s career when he was way underpaid for what he did. This was one of those times. The only thing keeping him from going right back home was what Robyn had said about the kids enjoying the presentation. He knew she was right.
Damn him and his soft spot for the little ankle-biters.
“Pop the trunk,” he said shortly, waving a hand at Tonio, who was climbing into the driver’s side of the Taurus. The trunk opened, and he stowed the suit in the back before assuming his spot in the front. “Don’t say a word.”
“I wasn’t going to.” But the asshole was smirking.
“Yes, you were.”
“But if you’re good, I’ll toss you a bone when we’re done.”
He snorted in spite of himself. “Fuck you, man.”
“Not even on your best hair day.”
When they arrived at the school, his partner found a visitor’s parking spot in front and pulled in. Tonio grabbed the handouts and some age-appropriate swag, including Valor the Crime Dog bookmarks, pencils, and coloring books, while Chris retrieved the suit.
In the office, they signed in and the principal, a friendly older woman, welcomed them. After they’d been fussed over and flirted with by several of the office ladies, which the normally reserved Tonio completely lapped up like a cat with a bowl of cream, the secretary directed Chris to the staff restroom to put on the suit.
In the small room, he struggled to get the thing on over his clothes and pulled up. Finally, he secured the bottom half with the suspenders and stared at himself in the mirror. Without the head, he looked more like a sasquatch than a dog. Picking up the head, he left the bathroom and found Tonio waiting in the office.
“Ready?” his partner asked.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“They said the kids are assembled in the cafeteria.”
“Lead the way.”
As they exited the office, Chris finally bit the bullet and stuck on the head of the costume—and almost gagged. “Jesus, it smells like a gym locker in here.”
“I can imagine. I doubt they sanitize it when they put it away each time.”
“Oh, gross.”
Their entrance at the front of the cafeteria caused an excited buzz. As the teachers quieted the students and made the introductions, Chris scanned the edge of the sea of small bodies for Robyn. He found her toward the back, smiling and chatting with a man Chris assumed was another parent. She and the good-looking guy seemed pretty chummy and something unpleasant unfurled in his gut—jealousy. He didn’t like the feeling.
Belatedly he realized that Tonio had introduced him, and everyone was waiting for him to wave or something. He did, and was gratified at the kids’ happy faces. Somehow that made wearing the stinky costume, not to mention feeling like a giant ass, worthwhile.
The presentation wore on, and Chris did his job, walking around some but mostly standing off to the side while Tonio outlined crime prevention and how to get help in case of emergency.
And as the hour wore on, Chris began to get hot. Dizzy.
The familiar nausea began to build in his stomach, the feeling of lead weighing his limbs. It was getting harder to breathe. Casually, he made his way to the side, where he leaned against the wall, but that didn’t help much.
If he didn’t get some air and sit down, he was going to pass out.
Pushing off the wall, he waited until Tonio paused to have the teachers pass out the bookmarks before approaching and tapping him on the shoulder. Tonio turned, a question in his eyes.
“Tell them Valor has to leave,” he whispered.
“What? Why?”
“Just tell them . . .” Spots encroached on his vision. “I’m about to hit the floor, man.”
Tonio’s expression mirrored alarm, which he quickly masked. “Go, I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Thanks.”
“Kids, Valor has to go fight crime now,” his partner said loudly. “But why don’t we all wave good-bye to him and show him how much we appreciate him being here today?”
The man was good, he’d give him that much.
The students waved, calling out their good-byes with enthusiasm, and he waved back until he’d exited the cafeteria. Then he staggered down the hallway, rounded a corner, and ripped off the costume’s head, letting it hit the tiled floor. Leaning against the wall, he wiped the sweat from his face and struggled to pull the cool, fresh air into his lungs.
“Chris?”
Struggling to appear normal, he straightened and faced Robyn, who was bearing down on him with rapid steps and worry etched on her pretty face. His dignity was officially shredded. Stopping in front of him, she pushed a lock of sweaty hair off his forehead and then felt the skin there with the back of her hand.
“I saw you leaning against the wall, and then you left so suddenly. I was worried,” she said, voice soft.
“Oh, it’s just this damned suit. This thing is way too hot and I had to get some air. No worries.”
Not swayed, she took his wrist and held it between her fingers for a few seconds. “Your pulse is racing.”
He mustered a grin. “That’s because of you, gorgeous.”
Letting go of him, she huffed a laugh. “Right. You never quit, do you?”
“I don’t know the meaning of that word.” He took a deep breath. “In fact, I was wondering if you’d thought about—”
Just then, Tonio rounded the corner carrying the leftovers of their materials. “Hey, are you—? Oh. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Damn his timing!
Robyn eyed Tonio, offering him her hand. “Hello, I’m an acquaintance of Chris’s. We’re neighbors.”
“Oh?” He shook her hand, glancing between them.
“I’m also a doctor, actually. I know he hasn’t been well, and I was just checking on him.”
“Not feeling well? Is that so?” His partner shot him a pointed look.
“Isn’t there something called a HIPAA law?” he muttered.
“You’re not my patient,” she shot back. “That makes me simply a concerned friend.”
“Friend?” That perked him up. Now they were getting somewhere.
Whatever she might have said was cut off as the phone in his jeans buzzed. Stifling a curse, he slipped off the suspenders and dug around in his suit until he snagged the device.
He glanced at the display and then to Tonio. “It’s Rainey.” Punching the button, he answered. “Hey, Cap.”
“You two done playing Wonder Dog? I’ve got a ho- micide with your names on it.”
His adrenaline kicked into overdrive as he fumbled in his pocket for his notepad. “Address?” He scribbled as the captain rattled it off.
“I know you two are backed up, but from all
appearances this one started as a burglary. Seems the victim may have surprised the intruder.”
“You think it’s related to the other break-ins?”
“That’s what we pay you the big bucks for. Go find out.”
“Yes, sir.” Ending the call, he jumped around, kicking off the suit before gathering it. He looked at Robyn with real regret. “I’m sorry, that was our captain. We have to go.”
“Oh.” She seemed to deflate a little. “No problem. I’ll talk to you soon?”
His heart lightened. “I’ll look forward to it.”
He and Tonio hurried from the building, not bothering to sign out. Once they were in the car and on their way, Chris told him what little he knew.
“We caught a homicide. It appears the victim surprised an intruder.”
“That’s why you asked Rainey if it could be related to our burglaries.”
“Yeah. It might be a stretch.”
“Or not. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
Tonio followed the directions to the address Chris loaded into the GPS, and soon they were parking in front of a nice home in a newer neighborhood. A couple of uniformed officers were waiting, and had stretched yellow crime scene tape around the perimeter of the yard and driveway.
One of them was young Officer Jenkins, or “Jenk” around the station, who had had his homicide cherry popped a few weeks earlier when he’d responded to a call at a motel and ended up with a murder victim. That had turned out to be Shane and Taylor’s case, the one that had caused Chris to crash the surveillance van and almost get himself killed.
Jenk didn’t seem any happier now than he had back then. “Hey, guys. Brace yourselves, it’s a real fucking mess in there.”
“Never saw a pretty murder,” Tonio said shortly.
Jenk flushed. “Just sayin’. Anyway, we’re still waiting on the ME.”
Chris nodded. “All right, we’ll be careful.”
He and Tonio donned latex gloves and pulled covers over their shoes. Then they made their way inside, where Chris saw that Jenk was right—the house was a disaster. At least the living room was. Lamps were on the floor, smashed, as were picture frames, books, magazines, and various knickknacks. A fight had taken place, and every item in the battle zone had fallen victim.