“Yeah. You okay?”
“So far.” Keira was peering into the fog, trying to assess the situation. “I don’t see him anymore. Did you get him?”
“I don’t think so. Stay put. I’m coming to you.”
“He has a gun.”
“Not anymore. He dropped it over here when he went after you.”
“What if he has another one?” She inched closer to the body of the car for cover as Nick joined her.
“Good point. Where’s our backup?”
“There weren’t any units available. I tried to phone Dad but the call went to voice mail.”
“That shot should bring somebody soon. In the meantime, take my gun and sit tight while I see if I can track him down.”
“Be careful, okay? I…”
“Keira?”
She could still hear Nick speaking but his voice was beginning to sound distant, as if he were calling to her from atop the lighthouse and she were a ship sailing out of the bay.
The fog around her became an impenetrable curtain. Her lids drifted closed. The blackness was punctuated by brief flashes reminiscent of fireflies, darting and dancing on a warm summer’s night.
Her body seemed to be falling gently, like an autumn leaf borne on the wind, rising for a moment, then dipping before finally coming to rest on a soft bed of grass.
A sensation of being cradled persisted.
Totally at peace, Keira surrendered to unconsciousness.
Nick was still sitting on the ground beside the car with Keira in his arms when the first squad car arrived, its siren blaring and lights flashing.
The officers bailed out, drew their guns and stayed low as they approached.
Even with headlights shining in his face, Nick was able to recognize some of the Fitzgeralds.
“She’s okay,” he announced loudly to allay their fears. “She’s starting to come around. I think she just fainted.”
Aiden, still in his suit and tie, knelt beside them and took his daughter’s hand. “What happened?”
“We surprised a burglar.”
“And?” The look in the man’s eyes was filled with the fire of a protective parent.
“And,” Nick said with equal anger, “I have no doubt it was Anthony Carlton. He was apparently trying to break into my apartment. I told Keira to stay in the car but you know her. She must have decided there was a weapon in the trunk because she got out and tried to open it. That’s when he grabbed her.”
“Where were you while all this was going on?”
“Picking myself up off the ground. I’d managed to get his gun before he broke away from me. I fired once. The angle was iffy because of the houses across the street so I had to aim high.”
“Did you hit him?”
“I doubt it. He didn’t flinch but he did take off.”
Rising, Aiden barked orders to the group of officers, then spoke into a handheld radio.
Nick only half listened to the chief’s report and instructions. All he cared about was the featherlight woman in his arms. Her breathing was steady and strong. So was her pulse.
She stirred. Moaned softly. Nick caressed her cheek, taking care to avoid the redness that was likely to become a bruise. He understood the rage Aiden was feeling. If he’d had Carlton in custody at that moment, the others would probably have had to protect the felon from him instead of the other way around.
“Easy, honey. Take it slow,” Nick crooned as Keira’s eyelids began to flutter. “I’ve got you. The cavalry has arrived. We don’t have to do anything except sit here for a few minutes while they beat the bushes.”
Her eyes widened in fright. “Did he get away?”
Nick nodded. “Yes. But we’ll get him. Your dad put out an APB and a full description. There aren’t many places around here he can hide. Not for long.”
Sighing, she levered herself into a sitting position and tried to smooth her skirt over her skinned knees. “Ouch. Good thing I don’t wear nylons often. This pair is ruined. I hope my dress is okay.”
“I just hope you are. Everything else can be replaced.”
“Um.” Smiling slightly she winced and touched her cheek. “He walloped me good. I suppose I’ll have a bruise.”
“Consider it a badge of honor,” Nick said. He brushed her bangs off her forehead with his fingertips. “You were amazing.”
“I’d have been a lot more impressive if I’d been armed,” Keira said. “This is the last time you’ll catch me out and about without my gun.”
“A holster would have looked a little funny strapped on over that red dress.” The urge to kiss her was strong enough that he had difficulty resisting it.
“I don’t care. The next fancy outfit I buy is going to have room for a Glock. Maybe two.”
“I believe you.”
Because she seemed to be getting more and more restless, Nick got to his feet and offered his hand. “Stand up slowly, just in case you’re still woozy. You don’t want to pass out again.”
“I never faint,” Keira insisted, although she did take his hand and continued to hold it. “I must have hit my head when I fell or something.”
“Then we need to get you checked. Where’s the nearest hospital?”
“Don’t be silly. Charles can look me over, at least enough to tell that I’m okay and keep everybody from fussing over me.” She glanced toward her father. He and a few of the other officers had gathered in front of the mill. “Did you explain what we saw?”
“Not in detail. I had my hands full when the chief pulled up.” He grinned for her benefit. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you. It would have been more fun hugging you if you hadn’t been semiconscious at the time, though.”
“Yeah, well… Come on. I want to talk to Dad.”
“There is one question you haven’t asked me yet,” Nick said.
“You mean the identity of the guy you were wrestling with? I don’t need to. I recognized him from his mug shot. We almost captured Anthony Carlton.” Sobering, Keira paused. “I’m sorry he got away because of me.”
“Don’t take it personally. He got away because he’s trained as well or better than you and I are, plus he had the advantage of surprise. We’ll get him.”
“What do you think he was doing breaking into your apartment?”
“I don’t know,” Nick said flatly, “but I’m going to find out. I just hope we spotted him on his way in instead of on the way out.”
“Oh, my, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I had. Thank goodness you were a witness. I may need one.”
“You think he planted something incriminating inside?”
“It’s possible. With him, anything is.” Nick quickly recalled details of the dummied-up file before continuing. “He was involved in extortion and drugs back in Boston.”
“Then Dad knows that. I wouldn’t worry about planted evidence. Even if we do turn up something suspicious, your prints won’t be on it. There’ll be no question about your innocence.”
“Right,” Nick said, although he could think of several ways Carlton might try to frame him, including stealing an incriminating item from the Boston P.D.’s evidence locker. All Nick would have had to do was forget to wear gloves one time and his prints would have been left behind.
Had he? When he’d been working undercover, he hadn’t been able to glove-up at all. That was the rub. If Carlton had managed to get his hands on something that Nick had touched in the past, something that hadn’t been picked up as evidence when the extortion ring had been exposed, it was actually possible that might make him look guilty.
There was only one way to find out. He had to check the apartment himself. And Keira had to be with him to testify to his innocence in case he did spot something odd.
Considering the way she was still holding his hand as if she never intended to let go, it didn’t look as if keeping her with him was going to be too difficult.
Getting permission for anything from her father was another matter. I
f looks could have killed, Aiden’s glare when he’d arrived on scene would have already planted Nick as deep as poor Olivia Henry. Or deeper.
“Is it okay if we go in?” Nick asked the chief with attempted nonchalance. He shrugged for emphasis, pretending it didn’t matter. “No hurry, of course. I just thought I could tell if anything had been disturbed.”
“All right. Go. But my daughter stays out here.”
“Sorry, Dad,” Keira said with a sweet smile and an exaggerated shiver. “I’m really freezing. I need to get out of this icy fog and it’s much warmer inside.” The smile spread. “Besides, the whole FBPD is here. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not the felon I’m worried about,” Aiden snapped. He fell into step beside them and Nick could feel his withering gaze as he added, “All right. If you’re going in, so am I.”
Although Nick would have preferred a few moments alone with Keira, he didn’t miss the obvious benefit of having the chief with them. The man might be an overprotective father but he was also a seasoned lawman. Planted evidence would stand out to him the same way it would to Nick. At least, he hoped so.
Opening the apartment door and switching on the lights, Nick spotted several problems immediately. A window had been smashed to gain access so the room was getting chilly. Far worse, there was a bundle of tightly wrapped plastic lying on the kitchen sink in plain sight. It had been slit on one end with a knife that was still sticking out of it. White powder had dribbled onto the counter below the slash.
“That’s probably not flour,” Nick said, pointing. “And it’s not mine.”
Beside him he felt Keira’s fingers tighten on his. “Of course it isn’t.”
“We’ll bag that and have it examined,” the chief said, “and not in Boston. Until I get the lab results back you’re relieved of duty, Delfino.”
Keira’s instant response was almost a shout. “What? You can’t do that. What happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’?”
The sadness in the chief’s expression struck Nick as an omen of worse news. He was right.
“The same goes for you, Officer Fitzgerald. I’m sorry. That’s the way it has to be. I can tell you’re far too involved in all this to remain impartial. I’ll expect your guns and your badges on my desk tomorrow morning.”
SEVENTEEN
Nick had one enormous problem—besides the planted drugs. His computer and its carrying case held personal research he’d done on the FBPD. Therefore, if anyone went to the trouble to examine it, his IA division cover would be blown for sure.
Drawing Keira aside he proposed a plan. Her eyebrows shot up as he spoke but she didn’t refuse outright.
“You want me to help you break the law?”
“I wouldn’t exactly put it that way.”
“Oh? Then how would you put it?”
Nick shrugged. “Let’s just say it would be expedient if my laptop didn’t become part of a long, drawn-out investigation. You can see that, can’t you?”
“Why don’t you just ask for it?”
“Would you hand it over to a guy you suspected of dealing drugs? No? I didn’t think so. But all my pictures from the Henry funeral are on there, plus notes I made that I haven’t printed out yet.” He paused, letting her think, before he said, “Please?”
“I am going to be in so much trouble if you turn out to be a crook.”
“I promise I’m not. Besides, you sort of owe me after keeping Carlton’s ID a secret. If I’d known who we were dealing with right away, it might have made a difference.”
“How?”
“Well, for one thing I’d have been more on guard.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you told me to do?” Keira asked, faking a pout.
“Yes, and I was right. I just didn’t take my own advice seriously enough.” His voice lowered and he leaned even closer. “The laptop is in the closet right next to the front door. Do you think you can grab it if I cause enough of a distraction?”
“The question isn’t if I can, it’s if I will,” she said as she began to chew on her lower lip. “There has to be another way.”
“Okay, fine,” Nick said more loudly. “You stand right here while I go ask.”
He was one-hundred-percent sure that the chief would deny his request no matter how rational it sounded. The real question was what Keira would decide to do once she was certain he had made every effort to obtain the computer through proper channels.
“Excuse me, Chief Fitzgerald,” he called, crossing the room quickly and placing himself on the opposite side of Aiden so the chief’s back was toward the exit. “I was wondering if I might take a few personal items with me since I won’t be able to stay here tonight.”
“Out of the question,” Aiden barked back. “I wouldn’t even trust you with your toothbrush at this point.”
“Am I free to leave, then? I’ll be glad to hang around in case you need me. Whatever you say.”
“Go. The less I see of you right now, the better I’ll like it.”
A surreptitious glance over at Keira gave Nick the impression she was still undecided. Her arms were folded across her chest to hold her coat closed and she looked as if she was shivering. That settled it. His undercover assignment was doomed. The minute the chief checked his laptop he’d learn the truth—and more.
In Nick’s opinion, the only plus in the whole mess was that he’d been able to recheck and substantiate a lot of the information the department had provided regarding the Henry murder. His report wasn’t quite complete but it did pretty well exonerate the Fitzgerald Bay Police Department. At least there was that in his favor.
Keira turned and led the way out the door as Nick followed. He placed his hand lightly at the small of her back and guided her down the walk to where they’d left her father’s car.
“It’s all right,” Nick said. “I understand. It wasn’t fair of me to ask you to do something you felt was wrong.”
She turned, made a face and him, said, “Now you tell me,” and pulled the computer case out from under her coat.
Nick was so shocked he almost dropped it when she shoved it at him. “You did it!”
“Yes, and I don’t know why.”
“I do.” He bent closer and brushed a kiss across her cheek. “You’re amazing.”
“I’m crazy, that’s what I am. Dad is going to be livid if he ever finds out and I’m such a terrible liar he’ll probably see the guilt written all over me.”
“Just avoid him for a little while longer, then,” Nick urged. “I’m going to rent a room at the inn for tonight since I can’t go back inside. That way you’ll know where to find me.”
“I can’t believe anybody would buy a stupid frame like this.” Shaking her head she glanced back over her shoulder at the condo. “How can my father be so close-minded? He suspended us both.”
“That’s his basic problem,” Nick explained sagely. “It’s not you and me anymore, Keira, it’s us. We’ve become a team and everybody knows it. If I’d been in your dad’s shoes, I’d probably have done the same thing.”
“It’s still wrong.”
“Sometimes things aren’t clearly black or white. In this case, the chief is just playing it safe.” When Nick took a step back she reached for him but he evaded her touch. “Promise me you’ll have Charles check your head?”
“I suppose so. Where are you going?”
“I can’t stay here with this,” he said, tucking the computer case inside his jacket as best he could. “I’ll head for the inn. It’s not far. I can walk.”
“What if Carlton is out there in the fog waiting to pounce?”
“Chances of that are pretty slim,” Nick assured her. “And you’ll be safe enough with all these cops around. Tell the chief where I’m headed and then see if Charles will make a house call to check you over. I still don’t like the fact that you passed out.”
“Okay.” Keira’s voice drifted after him as he strode off. “Be careful.”
He waved without
turning around. She was right about the chances of an ambush while he was on foot. Nick would like nothing better than to have another opportunity to face and capture his sworn enemy.
And while he was at it, to avenge Keira for the bruise on her cheek. When he’d seen her go down…
Nick’s stomach clenched. If anything had happened to Keira he’d have never forgiven himself. Imagining it had been bad enough.
Thinking back, he realized that for the second time in his life, he had almost prayed.
That would never happen, of course. He’d been able to handle plenty of crises by himself in the past and nothing had changed since then. He was ready for whatever Carlton or any other criminal dished out.
Now that he’d turned a corner, he let the leather case swing in time with his strides. Aiden’s actions regarding the planted evidence were one more step toward total exoneration. When he had suspended Keira, he had gone a long way toward proving he ran a clean department. Coupled with the results of the interviews Nick had already conducted and the conversations he’d overheard, he knew he was going to be able to officially clear the FBPD of any wrongdoing.
He pictured Keira’s lovely face once again and a familiar twinge of guilt and regret hit him. He’d have to face her, of course. Tell her everything himself rather than merely confess to the chief and then leave town. He owed her that much. And more. But it was going to be the most difficult thing he’d ever had to do.
As Nick saw it, the only advantage would be that if he left, Anthony Carlton would undoubtedly follow him. It was almost worth it to know Keira and the others would then be safer.
Now, if he only knew who had murdered Olivia Henry he’d have all the loose ends tied up.
Yeah. As long as you didn’t count what this entire assignment had done to his heart and soul, he added, sobering.
Stepping up onto the porch of the inn, he stomped his feet on the mat, then sighed deeply and went inside.
“Look straight at me,” Charles told Keira. “I want to check the reactions of your pupils.”
“I know that. We had to take an advanced first-aid course at the academy.” She grimaced and felt the tenderness of her bruised cheek. “I’m fine, okay? I only called you because I’d promised Nick.”
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