In Too Deep

by Lynn H. Blackburn

  “You’re planning to stay at Leigh’s, right?” Ryan asked.

  “Yes,” Adam said. “Like Gabe said, there’s no way we can risk having Sabrina unprotected. Too many unknowns.”

  “Agreed. I’m going to be sure we have a couple of deputies at the house tonight.” Ryan made it sound like it was perfectly normal to need a few deputies parked outside the house at night.

  “Sounds good.” Adam could have been agreeing about the weather. When had this all become commonplace?

  After a chorus of “See you later,” Adam’s hand closed over her arm so gently it was more a caress than a hold. “I need to stop by my desk for a second,” he said. “And then we can go. Are you okay with that plan?”

  “Sure.”

  They walked to Adam’s desk, and true to his word, he paused just long enough to grab a jacket and a notebook before returning to her side and directing them to the elevator.

  It wasn’t until they were outside that he turned to her. “Bri, I want you to know you don’t have to do this. Taking you to my parents’ for dinner was not even in the same galaxy as what I’d had in mind for a first date. My mom, she can’t help herself. But she’ll totally understand. I can tell her you were tired. Or needed to work.”

  She was pretty sure he was just trying to give her an out. She could guess, or she could just ask him to be sure. “Do you want me to come with you?”

  He tilted his head toward hers. “Always.”

  For a three-second count, she forgot how to breathe.

  “But,” he continued, “that doesn’t mean my mom gets to decide how we spend our evenings. You never have to do something, or go somewhere, just because she asked.”

  She found her lungs again and took a deep breath. She hoped she wouldn’t regret this. “I want to come.”

  “Why?”

  Could she tell him? Could she risk that kind of vulnerability? “Because you’ll be there, and honestly, even though I think I’m horrible for you, I’d rather be with you than anywhere else.”

  Adam did that thing again where he tilted his head and leaned toward her. It wasn’t something she’d ever seen him do with anyone else. Like he was giving her his full attention and also maybe like he might be thinking about kissing her.

  “Okay.” His voice had a huskiness that hadn’t been there before. “Let’s go.”

  Two hours later, Adam leaned back in a chair in the breakfast room.

  Sabrina and his mom were chatting like long-lost friends. His dad was resting his elbows on the table—Grandmother would never approve—and laughing.

  Was he having an out-of-body experience?

  This . . . his parents and his . . . well, could he call her his girlfriend? Probably not. A bit presumptuous. His date? No.

  His friend?

  Yes, but . . . so much more.

  Sabrina took a sip of her tea and made eye contact with Adam over the rim of her glass.

  He was fairly confident she wasn’t miserable, but he didn’t want to press his luck any further. “Mom, Dad, this has been great, but—”

  “Oh, goodness. Look at the time.” His mom’s face was a mask of worry. “You’ve had such a traumatic couple of days and here we are keeping you from your rest. Which you need.”

  His dad yawned on cue. “They need? We”—he waved his hands between them—“need.”

  “True,” she said. “Sabrina, dear, if you’ll come with me, I’ll get your coat for you.”

  Uh-oh. This had the markings of sabotage.

  As soon as they were out of earshot, his dad tapped the table. “I need to talk to you about something.”

  “Okay.”

  “Those photographs in the office today—”

  “Dad, I can’t talk to you about an ongoing investigation. You know that. Honestly, the captain never should have let you in there.”

  “But you do need to talk to me. More than you realize.” His dad rubbed his face with his hands and sighed. “I know what the connection is.”

  He did? “What?”

  “Barclay Campbell.” There was no equivocation in his dad’s voice. He was as certain that his cousin was involved as he was that the sky was blue or that Grandmother would be wearing her pearls on Sunday.

  But Adam couldn’t stop himself from asking. “Are you sure?”

  His dad nodded.

  “I still don’t see it.”

  Sabrina’s voice carried down the hall. They were coming back.

  “Look for it,” his dad said. “You’ll find it. And Adam?”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Be very careful. And keep that girl close. He’s always been mean. I wouldn’t put anything past him.”

  The worried expression on his dad’s face melted into a genuine smile when Sabrina reentered the room, her coat draped over her arm and his mom beaming at them.

  “Adam, dear. I know you’re both tired, but Vanessa left us a note. They finished the lights this afternoon. I’m sure it would be a lovely way to end your evening.”

  His mom was brilliant. He’d owe her forever.

  They said their good nights, and his parents retired to their room. Instead of leading Sabrina to the front door, he directed her to the back.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  It didn’t take long to find the remotes. The staff had left everything lined up the way they did every year. He flipped a couple of switches and then took Sabrina’s hand. “Come on.”

  They stepped out onto the back patio and Sabrina gasped. “What is this?” She spun in a circle, her mouth in a perfect little O as she took in the glittering scene.

  “Most people have backyards,” he said, “but not Campbells. We have gardens.”

  Sabrina laughed.

  “Every year at Christmas, Mom and Dad would take us to see the lights at the park by the lake. We’d drive through and ooh and ahh at all the displays. It was a tradition we all loved. But one year . . . I’m not exactly sure how old I was. Six? Seven? Anyway, I got chicken pox. We couldn’t go anywhere. I was miserable. I gave it to Alexander. We were covered in spots, and the fact that we were missing our Christmas festivities made it even worse. This was before Aaron came along.”

  “Anyway, as we were in our rooms moping, Dad cleaned out every store in town of Christmas lights and decorations. He worked for three days out here. The gardener, the housekeeper, everyone chipped in. They still talk about how much fun it was for them that first year—they were keeping it a secret from us. When they were done, they brought us out here in our pajamas and flipped on the lights, like we were in some kind of movie.”

  “There have never been movie Christmas lights as elegant as these.” Her voice was hushed but playful.

  “Well, I think Mom drew the line at some of Dad’s suggestions. Anyway, you can imagine how much we loved it. Of course they had to do it again the next year, and we got to help.”

  “Do you still help?”

  “Every year.”

  He’d tried to refuse the year after Aaron died. Aaron, his baby brother, had loved the lights and to put them up without him had seemed like it would dishonor his memory. Adam had been so angry that the car had hit Aaron’s side instead of his. So burdened by the guilt that came from knowing that he’d insisted Aaron switch seats with him. He’d been so mad when his dad insisted they all get out there and set up the lights. But somehow stringing the lights had given them a way to talk about Aaron without crying for the first time in months. It had a healing effect none of them had expected and had made the lights even more special than before.

  Adam shook away the somber direction his thoughts had taken.

  “I’m usually here for the entire setup, but I got busy with this case, so I haven’t been here the past few days.”

  “I’d say you had a good excuse.”

  Sabrina wandered through the flower beds and bushes, the trees and fountains. In the glow of the twinkling lights, she looked like an angel. After a few
minutes, she settled on a bench with a perfect view of the entire garden and Adam joined her.

  “Your parents aren’t what I was expecting.”

  “What were you expecting?”

  “I guess I thought they’d be more like your aunt Margaret.”

  “That’s understandable.”

  “When your mom said dinner would be casual, I was expecting at least three courses, but she really did mean casual. When she pulled out the paper plates and the chicken salad . . .”

  “Were you disappointed?”

  “No. I was delighted. I realize she may have done it on purpose to put me at ease, but I like her even more for it.”

  “I like her a lot too.”

  They sat in silence, the water falling through the fountains, the wind rustling the trees, the lights throwing shadows on the ground.

  “You’re a lot like your dad.” There was something in Sabrina’s whispered words that rattled Adam. “He’s a man of conviction, I think. I’m not good at reading people, but I feel . . .”

  Feel? Sabrina didn’t talk much about feelings.

  “I don’t know how to describe it, but I feel something similar around you and your dad. You make me feel safe. And so does he. Like he’s the kind of man who wouldn’t let you down.”

  Ah.

  “Bri, I would never—”

  “I know.” She rested her head on his shoulder and if it had been ten degrees warmer, he would have gladly sat there until dawn. But a shiver rippled through her and he knew it was time to go.

  “Can we come back?” she asked as they walked toward the gate that would take them to the driveway.

  “Any time you want,” he said.

  He opened the gate for her to go through, but she turned back to him. “I had a lovely evening, Adam. Thank you. And thank you for sharing your lights with me. They’re so beautiful.”

  “I wouldn’t want to share them with anyone else.”

  “Really?”

  She looked up and he reached for her face. Her arms slid around his waist and the space between them evaporated as he pressed his lips to hers. Gentle. Soft. Her mouth quivered beneath his for a brief moment before he pulled away.

  He’d never been a kiss-on-the-first-date kind of guy.

  But then again, he’d never had a first date quite like this one. And never with a woman as extraordinary as Sabrina Fleming.

  The reflection of hundreds of twinkling lights shone in her eyes. And something else. Something that scared him more than Lisa Palmer’s killers or Barclay Campbell’s evil schemes.

  Trust.

  Her trust was hard-earned and could be far too easily lost.

  She stepped onto her toes and kissed him. It was over much too soon. She stepped back but took hold of his hand before walking through the gate, pulling him along with her. There was a chance he’d forgotten how to breathe. Or talk. Or do both at the same time.

  Sabrina Fleming had kissed him.

  He would never be able to walk through the garden Christmas decorations again without remembering this night.

  Father, please let her be the one with me in the years ahead.

  15

  Wednesday morning was not off to a fabulous start.

  Sabrina had spent the night at Leigh’s. She’d been so tired when she and Adam had returned to Leigh’s last night that she hadn’t had the energy to do more than take a few bites of the yummy dessert Leigh had made before she had to tell everyone good night. She’d expected to see them all at breakfast, but when she got up this morning Leigh was the only one home.

  There was some sort of investigator meeting at seven this morning they all had to attend, so she hadn’t seen or spoken to Adam since last night.

  She’d been a bit forward last night. Kissing him like that. She didn’t know why she’d done it.

  Well, okay. Maybe she knew why. Kissing Adam Campbell had the potential to become a favorite pastime. But . . .

  “Dr. Fleming, are you okay?”

  Sabrina looked up from the monitor. Her favorite grad student, Chance Lawrence, stood in the door of her office.

  “I’m fine, Chance. What can I help you with?”

  “There’s a cop in the hall. He wouldn’t even let me scan myself in until he’d compared my ID to some list. And then there was another cop inside who asked me what my business was and how long I intended to stay.”

  “Oh, yes. I gave them a list of approved students who could enter. Nothing to worry about.”

  “With all due respect, it doesn’t seem like nothing to worry about.”

  Officer Dave had moved closer to her office door and now stood only a few feet away from Chance. “Dr. Fleming.”

  Chance jumped.

  Dave stared Chance down but spoke to Sabrina. “Everything okay?”

  “Completely fine,” she said.

  Dave’s response to her assurance was to step back. Two feet.

  Chance turned back to her, eyes wide. “What on earth are you working on, Dr. Fleming? No one will tell us anything. You look like someone beat you up, and you’re moving like you’re eighty. No offense.”

  “None taken. And I’m sorry, but I can’t talk about it,” she said. “I can assure you my injuries are healing nicely, and Dave is harmless to anyone who doesn’t try to harm me.”

  Chance nodded, but the worry didn’t leave his face. “Okay. If you won’t tell me why we’re under lockdown, will you tell me what’s up with the flowers? We’ve got red roses by the door. Purple roses in here. Did you start dating a florist and not tell anyone?”

  “I’d forgotten about the red roses. Would you mind getting rid of them?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Very seriously.”

  “Okay.” Uncertainty dripped from each syllable. “Do you want me to get rid of the purple ones too?”

  “No!”

  Chance backed up a step and threw both hands in the air. “Sorry.”

  Dave came all the way to her door this time. “Dr. Fleming?”

  Sabrina couldn’t stop the frustrated groan that slipped through her lips. “I’m fine.” She blew out a long breath. “Dave, I’ve asked Chance to dispose of the red roses by the door. But if anyone touches the flowers in here, you have my permission to chop off their fingers.”

  “Very good, Dr. Fleming.” Dave stepped away from her office.

  “It was a joke,” she called out after him. He turned back to her, his face a stone. Then winked.

  Whew. At least Dave wouldn’t be lopping off phalanges anytime soon.

  “Chance, I apologize. I’m a bit tense and I’m working on some critical files right now. But I’m fine. I hope your holidays are lovely and I’m looking forward to your project for the spring.”

  How many times had she told people she was fine in the last five minutes? Why wouldn’t anyone listen?

  “Thank you, Dr. Fleming. I’ll check back in on you later, okay?”

  “Not necessary.”

  “I want to.”

  “Fine.”

  Chance left the room and she checked her watch.

  Again.

  For the fiftieth time in the past hour.

  Get it together, girl. It was one kiss. Well, two. And he’s working.

  Maybe some caffeine and one of the muffins Leigh had sent with her this morning would help her focus.

  She pulled herself out of her chair—her abdomen and rib cage were still tender to the touch, making it difficult for her to maneuver—and popped a salted caramel coffee pod into her single-cup brewer.

  The water hissed and a hint of sweetness wafted toward her. She left her coffee to finish and went in search of the muffins.

  “Excuse me, Dr. Fleming?”

  Oh, for the love. All she wanted was a muffin. And her lab back. This was usually her favorite time of year. She loved her students. Well, most of them. But she relished the few weeks of the year when most of them were gone and the lab was quiet.

  Having protective cops dog
ging her every move was not working for her.

  “Yes, Dave?”

  “I’m very sorry to bother you, ma’am, but Investigator Campbell is on his way up.”

  Adam arrived two minutes later. She saw him on the monitors as he spoke to the officer in the hall. He moved with purpose. Intensity. Almost with . . . ferocity?

  He was worried. Very worried.

  The realization startled her. The emotions of most people were a total mystery to her. But not Adam’s. At least not this time.

  He walked into the lab and barely spoke to Dave. He came straight to her office and closed the blinds on the windows facing the main part of the lab before he reached for her and she settled into his arms. He buried his face in her hair and for a long moment, all she could hear was the sound of his heart beating.

  “I need you to do something.” The words were so quiet, they were barely more than breath.

  She nodded.

  “I need you to do one of your deep dives—like what you did on Leigh’s case.”

  She had the skill set, but it wasn’t strictly her area of expertise. More of a hobby she’d picked up over the years as she worked with FreedomForAll. Not everyone with computer forensics skills also had good—for lack of a better term—hacking skills. But she did. “Who?”

  She heard him swallow. “Barclay Campbell.”

  She knew that name. In fact, he’d been on her personal radar for the past year. She’d been involved on a case where they freed three young women being trafficked from a spa. Barclay Campbell owned that establishment, but there’d been no evidence that he’d been aware of the situation. He’d said all the right things and used the right tears at the right time but hadn’t convinced her. She suspected that, at the very least, he’d chosen to turn a blind eye.

  But she’d never looked into it quite the way Adam was asking her to look. And while her abilities weren’t in question, she couldn’t help but wonder why Adam wasn’t asking the techs from the sheriff’s office to do this.

  “Why me?”

  “Because I know he doesn’t have you in his pocket.”

  The implication being he didn’t trust his own forensics team.