“Yes, ma’am.”
“If you feel tempted to go against those two directives, I suggest you reach out to Clarke first.”
“Okay. I will. Thank you, Chief.”
Melissa held her breath, afraid to speak until Clarke led Dunn out of the office.
“You all right?” Troy asked.
“Are you?” She stood up, antsy and searching for the right direction. “This all but confirms Everleigh is innocent and there’s a killer out there on the loose.” In all her years on the force, she’d never expected to deal with something like this in Grave Gulch. “Has Ellie found anything?”
“She will,” Troy said. “I’ll spare you the techno-speak, but she’s confident she can recover the files Bowe stole.”
“Good.” She’d had tough days on the job, but she’d never felt quite as ill-equipped as she did right now. Something was critically wrong with her forensics team. “I’ve only dealt with cases like this in a hypothetical ethics scenario.” She paused to take a deep breath. “How is it we’ve missed the right killer in two cases?”
“We were deliberately misled,” Troy said. “Now that we can see the facts and evidence clearly, we’ll make progress in the right direction. On both cases.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“What are you going to do?” Troy asked.
“The only thing I can do,” she said. “Make the calls.” He walked out and she closed her office door, keeping the blinds down for complete privacy. Her pulse pounded in her temples, but aspirin wouldn’t help this headache. At her desk she rested her head on her folded arms, waiting for the pain to recede. An innocent woman might have been convicted without her grandmother’s rash actions. What would it take to recover the community’s trust?
When she was sure her stomach and head were settled, she picked up the handset and dialed the DA’s number. The conversation with Parks was remarkably brief and, once more, a case was officially out of her hands. Next up, the mayor. No surprise that discussion ended in a summons to his home office for a private meeting. As she drove out to the mayor’s house, a patrol tailing her as a precaution against Orr, she wondered if this would be her last act as the chief of police. Her foot eased off the gas pedal as the possibility of being removed from her post sunk in.
What would she do? Being chief of police had been her ultimate goal. Invested in the community and career, she’d never thought she might lose the job. Not like this. Unshed tears burned in the back of her throat and she continued to the meeting. Job first, emotions second.
* * *
When Antonio got the call that Melissa was finally on her way, he gave instructions for the staff to set up the dinner he’d ordered in the suite and open the wine. Whatever had happened after they’d left her house, he wanted to pamper her a bit. He doubted she took enough time for herself in general, but definitely not when she had two killers on the loose in her city.
He refused to overthink it and simply followed his intuition about wanting to end the day on a happier note. They didn’t know each other well on an emotional front, but he was looking forward to rectifying that tonight. He’d had a few hours to think it through, and he wanted to see where all these sparks led them.
He was downstairs in the lobby, eager as a kid on prom night, when her SUV pulled up in front of the main doors, followed by a patrol car. Good. He would’ve been frustrated if she’d put herself at risk.
Her smile for the valet was warm and a little weary when she handed off her keys. He thought that curve of her lips brightened a bit when she saw him. She walked straight to him, then seemed to catch herself, sticking out her gloved hand as if she was here for an official meeting. He couldn’t stop the laughter. She was adorable.
“Is your long day over?” He guided her toward the elevators on the far side of the lobby, his hand barely touching the back of her coat. That wisp of contact sent a tingling hum of anticipation through his system.
“Finally.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it,” he said.
“Seriously?”
“As much as you want to share.” Apparently that wasn’t a common response. Good. He didn’t have any intention of being a common occurrence in her world.
At the elevator reserved for his elite clientele, he pressed the button, helping her out of her coat while they waited. When the car arrived, they stepped in and he entered the code to access the secure suite on the top floor of the hotel.
With her hands full of her coat and purse, he brushed his lips across hers. “It’s good to see you.”
She stared up at him, her blue eyes a bit dazzled. He kissed her again, pleased that he could, savoring the easy connection.
The chime sounded, announcing their arrival at the suite. The doors parted to reveal a marble foyer and Melissa’s gasp was a sweet reward to his ears. The staff had set out a vase of fresh flowers on the table by the door, giving the air a hint of spring.
“Welcome to your home away from home,” he said, grinning. He threw open the door to the suite and she walked in ahead of him.
“This is…” She turned a slow circle as he closed the door. “Wow. It’s wow.”
Her eyes were huge and he took great pride in seeing her so impressed. “And completely secure.” He took her coat and hung it in the front closet. “Make yourself at home. Your gun safe is right here,” he said, pointing to the console table near the door. “I wasn’t sure where you wanted to stow it.”
“Thanks.” She stowed her weapon and then didn’t seem to know what to do with her hands. “Your office is stunning and completely you,” she said. “This is just layer after layer of luxury.” She ran her hand over the distressed leather sofa. “In a really comfortable way.”
“That might be the best compliment I’ve ever received.” Her cheeks turned rosy. “And this suite has the best view of the lake for miles.”
“Seriously?”
He gestured toward the double French doors. “See for yourself.” She dashed over, as delighted as a kid in a candy store. Her excitement gave him a rush of happiness he hadn’t felt since…well, not since Karen.
The women he dated now expected the luxury, the indulgences of spending time in his world. Melissa seemed overwhelmed, as if every bit of polish, from the crown molding to the antique rug under her feet, was a miracle to be celebrated. Since when was refreshing so damn arousing?
While she delighted in the view outside, he knelt to start the fire. Gas logs, but the warmth and ambiance were real enough.
“Where did my suitcase wind up?” she asked, turning back to the room.
“Bedroom.” He gestured toward the open door across the room. “Dinner is in the oven and the wine is breathing, but it’ll keep if you aren’t ready to eat.”
“Oh, I’m starving,” she admitted. “Just let me get out of these boots.”
He’d noticed everything had its place in her house and she seemed to maintain that habit here, as she tucked her boots under the console table by the door.
She joined him at the table, where two places were set. A pitcher of water was within easy reach, as well as a basket of the hotel’s famous rolls and a fresh salad. “I’m in trouble now,” she said on a laugh. “Those rolls are addictive.”
“You want the recipe?” he asked, with a heavy dose of flirting. “I know a guy.”
“I bet you do.” She sipped her wine and then filled the water glasses while he served up the spicy chicken casserole he’d requested for them tonight.
“This is amazing,” she said after the first bite. “I don’t recall seeing this before.”
“Family recipe,” he said. “Sometimes I just want the flavors I grew up with.”
She hummed in agreement. They chatted about their favorite comfort foods as kids, promising to exchange a couple of recipes.
“More wine?” he as
ked when they’d had their fill of the food.
She covered her glass with that fine-boned hand. “On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Tell me what we’re doing. Please. I really enjoyed, um, earlier,” she said, color suffusing her face. “And I appreciate the safe place, I do. It’s just…I’m not sure what’s going on with us.”
He gathered her close and just held her for a moment. “I don’t know if I have all the answers,” he said, leading her toward the chairs in front of the fire. If he sat with her on the sofa, he wasn’t sure he’d keep his hands to himself. That would only blur the lines when she wanted clarity. Returning to the table for the wine, he brought the glasses to the table tucked between the chairs.
“You surprise me,” he admitted. “Yes, the suite is for our protection, but I want to spend time with you, apart from the crisis that brought us to this point. I want to give you a more normal evening. I think we could both enjoy more time together, if you’re willing.”
“This is so far from normal for me,” she said with a light laugh. “But it’s wonderful, too. Thank you. For the protection, and what seems to be a friendship with superb benefits.”
He couldn’t stop the grin. “If you’d be more comfortable with the whole thing, I can move downstairs to the office.”
“No. I’d feel awful if you did that.” She peered over his shoulder. “Worst case, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“That’s absurd.”
She arched an auburn eyebrow in challenge. “Is it? Emergencies happen at the most inconvenient times.”
“So I discovered this afternoon.” He reached over and touched her hand. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She wrinkled her nose, pursed her lips and then nodded. “You’re aware we found discrepancies in the evidence against Everleigh Emerson,” she began. “I have a forensic scientist coming in to review our original findings. Troy called because of developments involving Randall Bowe, our forensic scientist. He signed off on the Paxton case and the Emerson case.”
“Progress?”
“Not the direction I’d hoped for,” she replied. “I believe in my people. I trusted Bowe, and he’s run for the hills.” She wound her sleek ponytail around her hand. “It’s hard for me to accept that he’s made unforgivable errors, or worse, been actively manipulating cases. That’s caused you tremendous grief, and without Hannah, Everleigh might have wound up in jail.”
His fingers tingled, ready to feel that glossy hair in his hands again. “Might have?”
“More developments,” she said. “That’s why I was so late. The DA and the mayor had to say their piece when I gave them the updates.”
He fought the urge to bluster in her defense, but when she smiled he realized that wasn’t what she needed.
“I expect the DA to release Everleigh tomorrow.”
“And her grandmother?”
“No idea, though I hope they work it out soon. It’s only a matter of time before me or someone else in the department bumps into one of those protestors.”
“I heard she was moved to the prison infirmary.” To his shock, her eyes welled with tears. “My mistake, I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“Of course, you should have. I caught the news on the drive over.” He reached for her but she waved him off. “I’m okay. Really. The guilt just gets heavy. Everleigh was nearly convicted and her grandmother was only trying to help.”
He clasped her hands. “Melissa, let me be a friend.”
“None of my friends have all of this.”
“I guarantee if they did, they’d share it with you.”
Her blue eyes were wide and full of emotion when she lifted her gaze to his. “That’s a lovely thing to say.”
“Trust the expert observer.” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “You have the loyalty of your department.”
Her gaze slipped to their joined hands. “We’ll see if it lasts. Staying up here with you feels like hiding.”
“To me it feels like hope.” He heard the words, felt the rightness in them. “Come here.” He drew her over to sit with him on the sofa, caving to his need to touch her. He traced the smooth line of her jaw, watched her lips part.
This time her lips tasted of wine and an essence that was uniquely hers. As she relaxed into the embrace, he eased back. “To me the police department in any town is a vague necessity. I valued the work and the officers, but it never clicked for me how much each of you do. When the GGPD let Orr walk, I was angry in part because his violent behavior proved I’d misjudged him. It was easier to lay all the blame on the police and not take any on myself.
“Seeing you in action these past days has opened my eyes. Not just to you, but to what you do.” He tipped up her chin so he could look her in the eyes. “You don’t change the rules to fit the person.”
“Of course not.”
He smiled. “You lead with knowledge and balance it with compassion. Up close, it makes you even more beautiful.”
“Antonio.”
This time when she kissed him, he didn’t let her stop.
CHAPTER 12
Melissa had been a coward, waking early and slipping out of Antonio’s arms, out of the suite, before he woke up. She’d left a note, claiming an urgent meeting and suggesting they meet for lunch, but now she wasn’t sure that would be enough.
If there was a protocol for how to behave when a sexy man was going over and above to protect his latest romantic partner, no one had shared it with her. She hoped she wasn’t giving him a reason to move on too soon.
It would be so easy to count on Antonio, to get used to conversations over wine and kisses in the dark and his body keeping her warm through the night. But she couldn’t read too much into this interlude. He didn’t do long-term and he hadn’t made any promises.
“You’re in early,” Troy said, sticking his head into her office.
“Same to you. Any lead on Bowe?”
He shook his head. “His phone hasn’t come back on. Probably ditched it by now.”
“Have you found anything linking Bowe to the victims or any suspects in the Paxton or Emerson cases?”
“Not so far. I’m digging into his financials today and Ellie’s been here all night reconstructing deleted files from the server. She says she’ll have enough for the forensic guy from the state to start on soon.”
“That’s some progress,” she said. They had to keep working the cases. “The DA’s office will drop the charges against Everleigh soon. Today, probably,” she told him. “I want to get through some paperwork before Parks gives me the go-ahead for the press conference. Then I’m going over to County.”
Troy frowned at her. “You want to be there for her release?”
“Yes. We owe her an apology and if I can do that without a media circus, maybe she’ll believe I’m sincere.”
“Mel, come on,” Troy protested. “We worked the case we were given.”
“You think Bowe will show up and apologize for nearly destroying her life?” At Troy’s grunt, she responded, “Exactly. I’m going. You don’t have to like it. Go find Bowe.”
“Yes, Chief.”
She read through the summary of overnight calls and checked for updates on the search for the black car Orr had been driving the night he’d taken shots at Melissa and Antonio. So far, no one had spotted it, not even in her neighborhood. They’d just have to keep searching. If he was close enough to leave photos on her door, he was too close. And too cocky.
It was midmorning when Parks finally called, reporting the release paperwork for Everleigh was in progress and her family had been notified. “What about Hannah McPherson?” Melissa asked. “The protests are getting louder every day.”
“I’m aware,” Parks said. “I’ll let you know when we make a decision on that one.”
Fo
r several minutes, Melissa debated how to handle it. She wanted to apologize to Everleigh before the media swarm began, which meant the press conference had to wait.
She had her coat on and was nearly out the door when Desiree appeared, Danny on her hip. The little boy pushed away from his mother, reaching for Melissa. She happily accepted the sweet toddler hug.
“How is my little man today?”
“Happy and healthy as ever,” Desiree replied.
“Good.” Melissa looked at Desiree. “Did someone call you in?” The last thing she needed was a new case.
“No. I wanted to ask if there was anything I could do to help Hannah.”
Melissa rolled her eyes and tickled Danny’s tummy, making the boy giggle. “Your momma is silly.”
“I can’t imagine being so desperate for someone to listen,” Desiree said.
“You wouldn’t have resorted to kidnapping,” Melissa stated. Melissa sympathized with both women and she couldn’t say she knew what she would do in either situation since she wasn’t a mother. She seemed to be locked into the role of doting aunt with her young cousin. That status wouldn’t change as long as she was with Antonio. But what would a family with him be like…?
She handed Danny back to his mom. “I’m sorry I can’t talk longer, but I’m on my way out. If you want my advice, write a letter to the DA on Hannah’s behalf. As the victim’s mother, that will carry the most weight.”
“I’ll write the letter,” Desiree said, her voice sad as she kissed Danny’s hair. “I just didn’t want to cause trouble between us.”
“Not a chance,” Melissa said. “As a friend as well as your cousin, I think it’s a great idea. You’ve got a big heart, Desiree, and I think Hannah is lucky to have a sympathetic mom in her corner.”
“You’re the best.” Desiree gave her a big hug.
But Melissa didn’t feel anywhere close to the best at anything as she drove out to the county jail with a patrol car behind her as protection. She gripped the steering wheel as another wave of frustration washed over her. Thanks to Bowe’s betrayal, the GGPD’s reputation might well be shattered and she didn’t even understand why he’d tampered with evidence. On top of that, she was more than halfway in love with a man whose personal goals didn’t line up with the commitment and family she craved.
Harlequin Romantic Suspense January 2021 Page 40