by Terri Reed
They said their goodbyes quickly and made their way to his car.
“Where to?” He started the engine.
“Just drive.” She sat back, trying to regain her equilibrium. What was it about Parker that made her forget herself? She nearly laughed aloud at the absurdity of the question. The answer was obvious. Everything.
“You gonna tell me what had you so freaked earlier?” Parker asked, breaking the silence. They were passing through town now. The shops were closing up for the night. A few pedestrians strolled down the sidewalks.
Jolted out of her musings, she thought back to the moment she’d met Dante Frears’s gaze. Melody certainly didn’t run in his circles, so she’d never seen the man up close before. He always sent his donation checks to the youth center through the mail.
So seeing him, seeing his almond-shaped silvery-blue eyes had sparked a sense of recognition so strong she’d been unable to function for a moment.
She shifted in the seat to face Parker. “I think Dante Frears may be Daniel’s father.”
Surprise flashed across Parker’s features. “Why do you think that?”
“They have the same eyes.”
He was quiet as he turned off the main road. “How can you be sure? You haven’t seen your nephew in five years.”
Gazing out at the looming trees of the Lost Woods ahead of them, she said, “Daniel’s eyes were a different blue than Sierra’s. They were almost silver just like Frears’s.”
“A lot of people have light blue eyes. Even Captain McNeal has them.”
She shook her head. “The captain’s eyes are more robin’s egg blue than silver.”
“For real?” he scoffed. “How do you even notice the difference?”
She rolled her eyes. “You are such a guy. But it’s not only their eye color that is similar. The shape. The tilt. The look. Daniel’s eyes are exactly like Frears’s.”
“It could be coincidence,” he stated, bringing the car to a halt in the parking lot of the entrance to the Lost Woods. Up ahead, the trailhead marker could be seen in the beam of the Mustang’s headlights.
“I don’t believe in coincidence.”
He cut the engine. “But eye color and shape are not enough to prove anything. Certainly not to prove Dante Frears is Daniel’s father.”
She leaned her head back against the headrest. “That’s true. And I guess it wouldn’t be a good idea to go up to him and ask if he’d had a relationship with my sister.”
Parker undid his seat belt. “No, that would probably be a huge mistake. He and Slade are good friends. Offending Dante Frears could damage your career.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Still, she couldn’t shake the idea that Daniel was Dante Frears’s son.
“Do you hear that?” Parker rolled down his window.
Melody tilted her head to listen, trying to discern the origins of the various noises of the woods. In the distance, she distinctly heard a dog barking. “Do you think that’s Rio?”
“I don’t know.” He opened the driver’s side door. He reached inside his jacket and withdrew his service weapon from the shoulder holster he wore. “Let’s go find out.”
Melody undid her seat belt, grabbed her weapon from her purse and climbed out of the car. Following behind Parker, she picked her way through the gravel parking lot as best she could, given her high-heeled sandals. When she stepped onto the trail, her heels sank into the soft dirt. She wasn’t exactly dressed for a chase through the woods.
Parker paused to wait for her. She waved him on. “Go ahead. I’m right behind you.”
The barking faded. The darkness swallowed them up. Light from the moon barely penetrated the canopy of tree branches. Pungent, earthy smells teased Melody’s senses. She quickly lost sight of Parker on the trail ahead. Shadows shifted and swayed all around her, disorienting her.
She proceeded a little farther down the path then halted. “Parker?”
No answer.
A rustling from her left jackknifed her heart like an injection of epinephrine. She tensed. Darting for the cover of a tree, her breathing turned shallow and loud in her ears. Her finger hovering over the trigger of her gun.
A man stepped into view and her breath caught in her throat.
* * *
All around him the black forest created a dense barrier between him and his quarry. Parker stopped to listen. Silence, except for a chirping cricket or two. He could no longer hear the dog barking. He ground his teeth in frustration.
Doubling back the way he’d come, he expected to find Melody close by. But darkness hid her. Trees loomed to his right and his left. A spear of concern skewered him. “Melody?”
She stepped out from behind a tree trunk. “Here. I wasn’t sure it was you.”
A shaft of moonlight streaming through the branches touched on her like a beacon. Her blue eyes and dress reflected the light, making her appear ethereal.
The anxious tension in his shoulders released but a different sort of tension filled him. Longing to take her into his arms spread through him, making his pulse pound. He strode toward her, willing his heart rate to slow and pushing the longing back to the edges where he wouldn’t be tempted to give in to it.
She held her weapon at her side. “Could you tell which direction the dog went?”
“North. If I had Sherlock with me, I’d have followed.” But Sherlock was kenneled at the training center so Parker could attend the party. And he couldn’t forget about Melody. No way was he leaving her alone out here even if she was capable of taking care of herself.
“Do you think it was your captain’s dog?”
“Could be. Like I mentioned before, a shepherd matching Rio’s description has been spotted in the woods since his disappearance. And let’s not forget about that informant fessing up that Rio was taken by The Boss to find something in these woods.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Daniel died in the north part of these woods. Whatever The Boss is looking for is most likely tied up with Daniel and his death.”
“But that was five years ago. Rio was taken only four months ago. I don’t see the connection.”
“The connection is these woods. They hold secrets.” Her voice trembled.
He wasn’t sure if he heard distress or just the effects of the cool night air. He doubted she’d admit to any fear so he went with the latter. “You’re cold.”
He shrugged off his jacket and laid it over her shoulders. “Come on, let’s get you back to the hotel.”
When they arrived at the hotel, he parked in the hotel’s underground parking garage and they took the elevator straight to the tenth floor. Officer Truman was already there waiting for Melody.
“I’ll say good-night,” Parker said at the door.
She slipped off his jacket and handed it to him. A soft smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you.”
Feeling her smile all the way to his toes, he folded the jacket over his arm to keep from reaching for her. Get back on track, Adams. “Tomorrow I plan to take Sherlock back to the woods and see if he can pick up Rio’s scent.”
She glanced back through the open suite door to where Officer Truman sat in a chair reading a magazine, then gazed back at Parker. “That’s a good idea. It’s too bad we didn’t have him with us tonight.”
He smiled as her words echoed the thought he’d had earlier. They were so in sync with each other. It was a bit disconcerting and yet...he found he liked it. He wished they could be alone for a few more minutes. “Yes. Though we are hardly dressed for traipsing in the woods tonight.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Too true. You look handsome in your tux, by the way.”
He sucked in a quick breath at the compliment. Though he’d already told her she looked stunning, he felt compelled to tell her again, just in case she forgot. “You are beautiful.”
In the dim light of the hall, he could see her cheeks flushing. Their gazes locked, held. His nerve endings came alive with the velocity of an electric curr
ent. The impulse to kiss her overwhelmed him.
With a control he hadn’t had to employ in a long time, he forced himself to remain still. Kissing her would be a bad idea. He’d been asked to keep her safe. And she was. The hotel was secure. She had a female officer in residence. There was no reason for him not to back away and say good-night.
Yet he didn’t want to leave her. But staying was out of the question. Seeing her tomorrow was a given. “Would you want to come with Sherlock and me to search the woods in the morning?”
She blinked, a slow sweep of long lashes. “Yes. Yes, I would.”
Her voice sounded a bit breathless as if she, too, were struggling with the attraction arcing between them.
He was relieved to know he wasn’t the only one feeling the magnetic draw. All the more reason for him to be professional and rein in his longings. Tomorrow in the light of day, he’d have better control of himself. “Okay. I’ll swing by tomorrow around eight.”
“I’ll be ready.”
After a heartbeat, he turned to go.
“Parker?”
He braced himself and turned to face her. If he didn’t retreat soon, his control would slip and he’d kiss her for sure. He wondered what she’d do if he did. The question had him stepping toward her.
“I know I’m right about Dante Frears being Daniel’s father.”
He silently groaned. A reality check if ever there was one. He’d hoped she’d let that theory go. He understood how important figuring out what happened to her nephew was, but he was worried about her. “Melody—”
She held up a hand. “I know. The only way to prove it would be DNA. And getting Dante Frears’s DNA would be difficult unless he freely gave it.”
“Approaching him about it would cause problems for you and the department.” Needing to touch her, to show that he cared for her, he tucked a curl behind her ear. “Don’t torture yourself with this. Daniel is gone. Whoever his father was doesn’t matter anymore. He can’t be doing anything for the boy.”
A flash of pain crossed her face.
An answering ache throbbed through Parker. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, but it’s not healthy for you to continue down this path. Your memory of your nephew’s eyes isn’t grounds to start an investigation into one of the town’s most prominent citizens.”
Her mouth twisted, and disappointment lingered in her gaze. “I suppose you’re right.”
Although she’d acquiesced, unease slithered down his spine. He knew her too well to believe she’d drop the subject so easily. “I know you want to find answers. I want to help you. We’ll keep digging, I promise. We’ll find out who killed your nephew and why.”
“You’re a good man, Parker.” She leaned in to kiss his cheek.
Her words wrapped around his heart. Tender affection bloomed as her soft lips branded his cheek. He had to dig deep down for another ounce of control to not reach for her, to pull her closer and brand her as thoroughly. He couldn’t forget they had an audience. But Officer Truman wasn’t as big a concern as Parker’s pounding heart.
He was in trouble. Big, big trouble. And he hadn’t a clue how to get out of it.
Or if he even wanted to...
* * *
“Well, that was unproductive,” Melody groused.
She was tired and her feet hurt. But at least today she was prepared for a romp through the forest. Last night she’d been dressed in heels and a form-fitting dress that had not only restricted her movements but had made her feel as pretty as Parker had said.
She still had to pinch herself every time she replayed his words in her head.
Which happened several times throughout the night and this morning while they’d searched the woods with Sherlock for two solid hours hoping to find Rio’s scent. The beagle had tracked a rabbit to its burrow, found a baby bird that had fallen from its nest and led them on a merry chase through the trees only to halt at a fire access road.
“Not necessarily,” Parker countered. “I’m betting that access road has more traffic on it than it should. I sent the CSU team to take imprints of the tire tracks we saw. They’ll compare them to the forest-service vehicles.”
He held the door to the youth center open for her. She walked past Sherlock, the cord of his leash rubbing against her pant leg.
“And if they don’t match, we’ll know for certain someone has been using that road unauthorized.” That was sound logic. And hopefully, from the impressions, they’d discover what type of vehicle had been there recently. At least it would give them something to go on. Melody hoped Rio was still alive and well. She sent up a silent prayer for Rio’s safe return. So many people were waiting for the dog to come home. Most important, Captain McNeal’s son.
“I’ll be back at five to escort you to the hotel,” Parker said after she’d unlocked her office door and pushed it open. “How about we grab dinner together?”
An excited flutter hit her tummy. Another social outing? As a protective measure...or because he had feelings for her? Did she for him? Yes. Yes, she did. Friendship, caring, affection. Nothing too scary. Nothing she couldn’t handle. Or voice out loud. “Okay. Sounds good.”
With a salute, he and Sherlock left. Melody entered her office and sat at her desk. There was plenty to keep her busy for the next several hours, and the time flew.
A knock drew her attention. Ally stood at the threshold of the office.
“So everything is all set for tonight’s movie night.”
Melody waved her in. “Good,” she said. “You did a great job with the last one. I’m sure this one will be a success, as well.”
Ally smiled. “I don’t think I’ve told you how much I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to help here. Being a part of the youth center has changed my life.”
Melody remembered the angry and defensive girl she’d once been. “You’re welcome.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Daniel before.”
A shaft of grief speared Melody. “I understand. Is there anything else you want to tell me now?”
The young woman shook her head. She walked to the framed photo sitting on top of the filing cabinet, and picked up the picture of Daniel and Sierra taken a year before they died.
“I miss him,” Ally whispered.
Melody’s heart squeezed tight. “Me, too.” And Sierra. “Can you hand me that photo?”
Ally brought it to the desk. Melody stared at the picture of Daniel, studied his eyes. The photo was taken outside of Sierra’s apartment building. Sunlight reflected in Daniel’s silvery-blue eyes. Eyes eerily similar to Dante Frears’s.
“I want you to look at something for me.” Melody turned to her computer. Her fingers hit the keyboard and a few seconds later Dante Frears’s image appeared on the screen. Almond-shaped silvery-blue eyes stared at the camera in a publicity head shot.
Melody held the photo of Daniel next to the computer. “What do you think?”
Confusion wrinkled Ally’s brow. “About what?”
Melody didn’t want to lead her to seeing the similarity. “Look at their faces. Tell me what you see.”
Ally considered for a moment. Her eyes widened a fraction. “Their eyes. They have the same eyes. Who is that man?”
“Dante Frears.”
Ally’s mouth formed a stunned “oh.”
ELEVEN
Elated that someone else saw the uncanny resemblance, Melody was more determined than ever to find out the truth.
Jim Wheaton stepped into the office. “What about Dante Frears?”
Melody motioned him over. If he saw it, too, then Parker would have to believe her and help her figure out how to confirm her suspicion. “Dante Frears might be Daniel’s father.”
Jim’s steps faltered then he rushed the last few feet to her side. “You’re joking. Dante Frears can’t possibly be your nephew’s father. That’s ridiculous.”
“Look closer. They have the same eyes,” she insisted.
Jim’s gaze b
ounced between the two images. “No. I don’t see it.”
“I do,” Ally stated. “And that would make sense.”
“How?” Jim barked. “How could Dante Frears, a well-respected and wealthy citizen of Sagebrush being the father of some drug-addicted punk make sense?”
Melody’s temper flared. “Daniel wasn’t a punk. He was a troubled kid. And my nephew.”
“A kid dealing drugs,” Jim shot back.
She narrowed her gaze on him. “That’s only speculation.” At least it had only been speculation until Ally had confessed to her yesterday that Daniel had been dealing. But Melody hadn’t shared that information with Jim. And frankly didn’t feel the need. Not with his surly attitude.
“Everyone knew it. You’re the only one who wouldn’t believe it,” he countered.
Was that true? She searched her heart. Deep inside she knew what he said was true. She hadn’t wanted to believe her nephew was dealing. “He had a partner.”
Jim drew back. “He did? Who?”
Melody shook her head. “I don’t know yet. But I intend to find out.”
“You’re like a dog with a bone. Let your nephew rest in peace. Stop trying to stir up trouble. Especially with Dante Frears. He’s one of the center’s top donors.”
Beads of sweat rolled down Jim’s temple. Overly hot or nervous? Why was everyone so afraid to upset Dante Frears? First Parker, now Jim. Just because the man had wealth enough to spare didn’t mean everyone should walk on eggshells around him.
“I know that,” Melody stated. “Which is why I won’t say or do anything until I have proof.”
“There’s no proof to find.” Jim’s gaze narrowed. “You told me your sister wouldn’t tell you who fathered Daniel. She obviously didn’t want anyone to know. You should respect that and drop this whole thing.”
“Daniel found out who his father was before he died,” Melody informed him.
Jim pulled a face. “No way.”
“I’m pretty sure he talked to the man,” Ally interjected. “Daniel kept saying the guy would pay for not acknowledging him.”
Jim whipped around to stare at Ally. “Did he say who this man was?”