When a Heart Stops

by Lynette Eason

  2:27 P.M.

  Dominic answered his phone on the third ring. “Hey, what do you have?”

  “Nothing on the guy that slammed into Serena. But the ME says that the bullet hole in the back of the officer came first. Then the execution-style one to the head,” Colton reported.

  Dominic felt no surprise at this. “So we were right. There’s two of them. He’s got a partner.”

  “Sure looks that way.”

  “What about the identity of the girl from the trunk? Anything more on her?”

  “Yep. It’s Kelsey Nicholson. The parents are devastated. Apparently she’d been going down a bad path since the shoplifting incident, she just hadn’t been caught with anything since. They found drugs in her backpack and in her car and said they figured it was just a matter of time before she was caught. The fact that she’s dead really hit them hard, though.”

  “Was she in the high school album?” Dominic tensed waiting for Colton to confirm his suspicions.

  “Nope. I looked.”

  His tension dissipated. “Then there goes our theory.”

  “Actually, she went to school with Alexia and Serena, she just wasn’t in the album. Turns out she cried sick that day. Her mother remembered because Kelsey refused to have her picture taken. She had a scar under her eye from a car accident the year before. Hated having her picture taken.”

  “But she graduated with them.”

  “She did.”

  “So our theory’s back on.” And so was the tightness in his gut. Dominic nodded to himself. “All right, I’ve still got to go talk to Nate. I called and let him know what happened and he said he could still meet later today.”

  “Want me to go with you?”

  “That’s all right, I’ve got it covered.”

  “Good deal.”

  Serena was more than ready to leave. While her mother stood off to the side speaking into her cell phone, she slid off the bed and got up and moving. Dominic was hanging up his phone as he came back into the room.

  “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” he asked.

  “I’m getting out of here. I don’t have a concussion, just aching muscles and a headache. I took some meds for that, so I should be good to go in a little while.”

  Dominic gave her a look that said he didn’t believe her. “Yeah? You’re moving a little slow.”

  Snagging her purse, she touched the swollen side of her face with the other hand. “I look like a clown, don’t I? Or a domestic violence victim.” She grimaced.

  “You look like you went a round with Mike Tyson. But you can take pride in the fact that you look like . . .” He winced. “Well, maybe not like you won, but like you put up a good fight.” He smiled.

  “Ha. Smooth, Dominic, smooth.” But she couldn’t help the small smile. She knew the bruises would heal in time, but the fear this person had instilled in her would take longer to fade.

  Her mother slid her cell phone in her purse and said, “Your father is on his way up here. Do you need a ride home?”

  Serena thought about the man who rammed her car and killed the officer behind her. “No thanks, Mom. I’m good. Dominic can take me wherever I need to go.” Then again, maybe she shouldn’t assume. “Right?” she asked, hoping he understood why she didn’t want to be in the car with her parents.

  “Sure. We need to talk anyway.” The look in his eye said he got it.

  A knock on the door captured her attention. “Come in.”

  Her father stepped into the room and she introduced Dominic. “This is my dad, Joel Hopkins.”

  The men shook hands and her dad turned to her and said, “Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up.”

  She hugged him. “It’s all right. Where’d you go?”

  He shot a look at her mother, then back to Serena. “I had a little business with the bank.”

  “Oh.” She frowned, wondering if there was more to it than he was telling. Probably.

  “Dominic is going to take me home. But I appreciate you guys coming to see me.”

  Serena’s mother hugged her. Hard. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You scared us.”

  “I know, but I promise, other than a few bumps and bruises, I’m all right.” She patted her mom’s back and her dad slipped over to wrap her in his arms and press a kiss to the top of her head.

  “You scared us, darling,” he said, voice low, slightly shaky.

  Serena inhaled the scent she’d known from childhood. Old Spice and . . . Dad. It gave her comfort. He stepped back and cleared his throat. “You know we’re here if you need us.”

  “I know.”

  Her father nodded and took her mother’s arm. “We’ll be checking on you.”

  They left and Dominic moved toward the door. “You get your discharge papers?”

  “I did.”

  “Did you let your boss know you were down for the count?”

  “I thought you said I could take comfort in the fact that I looked like I won.” She shot him a mock frown and he grinned.

  She shrugged. “I called him. The other ME will cover any emergencies.”

  He held the door for her. “So, where should I take you?”

  “Home, I guess. Until my headache calms down, I don’t think I’d better attempt anything that requires thinking.”

  Together, they walked out of the hospital to the police parking area where Dominic opened the passenger door to his unmarked car.

  Serena slid into the seat and leaned her head against the headrest. Please make this headache go away.

  “Are you all right?”

  She lifted her head and looked at him. “I’m fine. I’ll let you know if I’m not, okay?”

  “Tired of hearing that question?”

  “Beyond tired,” she laughed. “But thanks for caring.”

  He shot her a warm look, then focused on the road.

  She leaned her head against the headrest again. “You still want to take the boat out in the morning?”

  “Sure! If you think you’re going to feel up to it.”

  Pleasure centered itself in her midsection. Along with a good measure of relief. She’d begun to wonder if all of this drama would cool his interest in her. But if he hadn’t wanted to go, he could have made up some excuse about not being able to take a break from the case instead of finding a way to cover it.

  “Great. We’ll head out around 8:00?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “I have another question for you.”

  He lifted a brow. “Sure.”

  “Will you check my house and garage and make sure no one’s there?”

  His smile immediately morphed into a frown. “Of course.”

  She told him about her weird experience in the garage right before she got slammed by the car.

  He lifted a brow. “And you’re just now telling me this?”

  “Sorry. I kind of had other things on my mind. And I really don’t think anyone was there. I’m just jumpy and scared.”

  “With good reason,” he reminded her.

  Dominic pulled into her driveway. After a thorough search of her garage and house, he pronounced it intruder free. “But there will be an officer outside all night.”

  “Great. Thanks.”

  He lifted a hand and pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear, then curved his palm around the back of her neck. Shivers danced across her skin and she didn’t move.

  He leaned forward and she stilled. Waited. Hoped her eyes conveyed the fact that she would welcome his kiss. His phone rang and he stiffened. Let out a disbelieving snort, then tapped her nose with a forefinger and said, “I’ll be here bright and early.”

  Serena let him out of the house, bolted the door after him, and set the alarm. Frustration nipped at her.

  Her heart still pounded with the knowledge that he’d planned to kiss her goodbye. She grimaced and figured there’d be another opportunity.

  With a sigh of longing and a groan of pain at the throbbing in her head, she reached for the
painkillers she’d had filled at the pharmacy, cut a pill in half, and popped it.

  There was no way she was taking a whole pill that would knock her out. She needed to sleep, but she also needed to be able to wake up if someone tried to get in her house again.

  27

  SATURDAY, 7:46 A.M.

  Saturday morning dawned clear and hot. Serena rose and dressed in her swimsuit, blue jean shorts, and a hot pink tank top. Matching pink flip-flops completed her ensemble. Yoda’s nails clicked on the hardwood floors as she walked behind her.

  She definitely felt better. And knowing another officer was still watching her house added to that feeling.

  In the garage, she pushed aside the tarp that had covered her boat before Dominic pulled it off last night to check the inside. She opened the garage, pulled the rental Suburban out, and maneuvered the vehicle until she could hook the boat trailer up to the hitch.

  Just as she was finishing up, Dominic parked in front of her house. He hopped out of the car and waved to the officer, who waved back and drove off.

  “Hey,” Dominic called. “I could have helped you with that.”

  She smiled, ignoring the pull of sore skin stretched tight over the swollen area her attacker had hit yesterday. The pain medication had allowed her to fall into a fitful doze. She’d only gotten up about four times to check the window and make sure the cop was still watching her house.

  “It’s no problem. I’ve done it a million times.”

  He planted his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Impressive. You’re quite the independent woman, aren’t you?”

  She cocked her head and shrugged. “When it comes to some things, yes.”

  He nodded toward the Suburban. “Nice rental. Looks familiar.”

  “Very funny.” She shook her head. “At this rate, the rental place won’t have any vehicles left by the end of next week.” Serena opened the driver’s side door. “My dad had it dropped off for me late last night.”

  She motioned for Dominic to get in. “If you’re comfortable towing a trailer, it’d probably be better if you drove. You know, pain meds and all.”

  He grinned, walked passed her and around to the passenger door, and opened it. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

  She laughed as she came around the car, took his outstretched hand, and climbed in. He jogged to the driver’s side, slid in, and pulled out of the driveway.

  He expertly navigated the vehicle on the road, dividing his attention between the side mirrors and the road. She appreciated his vigilance. “How’s Michelle’s mother doing?”

  He glanced at her for a split second before turning his gaze back to the road. “She’s hanging in there. They did surgery on a ruptured spleen. She also had a head injury and is still in a coma. Right now, it’s just wait and see.”

  “I’m so sorry for them.”

  He said, “I am too. Even though Chad and Stephanie have their problems, Alexia says she’s a good woman and a great mom to Michelle.”

  “I’ve been praying for her.”

  He shot her a warm glance. “You’re a good person, you know that?”

  Serena let out a little laugh. “I’m not sure about that, but I believe God can do amazing things if his people will take the time to pray about them.”

  Without taking his eyes from the road, Dominic reached across and entwined his fingers with hers. “Thanks. I believe that too.” He drove in silence for the next minute or two while she relished the feel of his calloused palm against hers.

  “Did Rick say when he’d be done with your car?” he asked.

  “Sometime tomorrow, or first thing on Monday, I think. I’m not holding my breath.”

  “I understand that. Everything always takes longer than we’re told.”

  The thirty-minute drive out to Lake Murray passed quickly with small talk and anticipation of a quick two-hour escape. Maybe they’d be able to stretch it into three or four hours.

  Once they got the boat in the water, Serena took the wheel and steered them out into the middle of the lake. After cutting the engine, she opened the glove compartment to put the key inside for safekeeping and gasped.

  Dominic moved next to her. “What is it?”

  She pointed. “Wrappers.”

  He lifted a brow. “You either have major junk food issues or . . .”

  “ . . . or someone’s been using my boat as a trash can.”

  She flashed back to the feeling of someone being in her garage. “Who would do this? How would someone be able to do this?”

  “Do you have some kind of bag you use for trash?”

  “Yeah, lift up that cushion, there should be several in there.”

  Dominic did as she instructed and pulled out a plastic bag. “I’d prefer paper, but this’ll have to do.” He gathered the plastic wrappers and placed them in the bag. “I’ll have Rick run them for prints.”

  Serena frowned and sighed. “I don’t want to let that ruin our morning. We can’t do anything about it at the moment. Let’s just enjoy our time out here, okay?”

  He gave her a lazy smile and lifted the cushion to put the trash bag back into the storage compartment. “I love that idea.”

  Serena felt her heart lift and climbed from the helm to the bow where there were two bolted lounging chairs. She slipped into one and Dominic claimed the other. She said, “The sun feels good on my face. It’s not as swollen as I thought it would be.”

  “It looks pretty sore.”

  “Oh it’s sore all right.” She reached up to touch her cheek and the puffiness under her right eye. Thankfully, it would fade in time.

  Dominic pulled a bottle of sunscreen from his bag. “Want some? I can do your back.” He grinned and the glint in his eyes made her stomach flip.

  She’d already sprayed sunscreen on this morning before getting the boat ready. She stood and grinned back. “I’d love some.”

  Dominic stood, keeping his balance easily on the gently rocking boat. But instead of spraying the liquid right onto her skin, he lathered up his hands and placed them on her bare shoulders. She’d shed her tank top the minute she’d stepped on the boat. The modest one-piece black suit she wore covered everything it was supposed to, but she knew it was flattering and Dominic was enjoying the view even though he acted like the perfect gentleman.

  Glad the sun gave her an excuse for pink cheeks, she slid the sunglasses down to hide her eyes.

  “Turn around.”

  She did and his hands slid over her shoulders to rub the lotion in. His touch sent tingles rippling up her nerve endings. Serena cleared her throat and said, “You know, that’s spray sunscreen. You didn’t have to get your hands all messy.”

  He gave a low chuckle under his breath. “Then what would I use as an excuse to touch you?”

  When he finished her back, she turned and looked up at him while he kept his hands on her shoulders. “You don’t need an excuse,” she whispered.

  His eyes darkened and he lifted one hand to push her sunglasses back up on her head. “That’s good to know because I’ve been trying to figure out how to do this since I saw you.”

  He lowered his head and she froze as she waited for something to happen. A phone to ring, lake security to pick this moment to do a life jacket check, a speeding boat to send waves rocking their way.

  Something.

  Instead, she felt his warm lips cover hers in a light exploratory kiss. When she didn’t pull away, he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her closer.

  He didn’t have to ask twice. She lifted her hands and settled them on his sun-warmed biceps.

  The kiss seemed to last forever—and then it was over. Her heartbeat tripled and her blood hummed through her veins at warp speed.

  And she noticed all the tension had seeped from her tight shoulders.

  Dominic lifted his head and looked at her for a long moment. Then he touched his forehead to hers. “I care about you, Serena. A lot. You’re an amazing woman and I’m . . . I want t
o get to know you. More.” He swallowed. “Especially when this case is over and we don’t have all this craziness going on.”

  Serena bit her lip, flashes of her father’s domineering, controlling ways snagging a corner of her mind. But while Dominic seemed to have some of those characteristics, he didn’t use them to further his own agenda. At least he didn’t seem to.

  Uncertainty crossed his face and she slid her hands up to cup his cheeks. “I’d like that.”

  Relief made him slump and then he pulled her close again for another heart-stopping kiss. When they parted, he said, “You scared me when you hesitated. Don’t do that again, okay?”

  Serena laughed, feeling the pull in her injured cheek, but not caring as her heart felt light and carefree for the first time in . . . forever. “Okay.”

  For the next two hours, they played like children, letting the cares of the world fade while sunning themselves on the cushions at the front of the boat, then diving into the lake to cool off.

  Finally Serena wrung the water from her wet hair and said, “I’m starving. Do you want to eat at the marina?”

  “Sure. Sounds good.” He patted his flat belly. “I’m running on empty myself.”

  She pulled two bottles of water from the cooler and tossed him one. After taking a long swig, she cranked the boat. Over the hum of the motor, she heard Dominic’s cell phone ring.

  Dominic groaned as he snatched it and Serena cut the motor.

  “Hey, Colton, what’s up?”

  “Thought you might be interested in this little piece of information I just got.”

  “What’s that?”

  Dominic hit the speaker button as his eyes met Serena’s. Colton said, “Leslie and Patricia both had their alarm systems worked on in the last month.”

  Dominic stilled. “Okay.”

  “We think that’s how he’s getting in without setting off the alarm.”

  “So, he’s messing with the alarm system, then posing as a representative of the alarm company, getting the homeowner’s passcode, sneaking in at night, drugging the victim and carting her off to kill her.”

  “Possibly.” He thought for a moment. “And they’re single women who live alone. At least these two have been.”