The Right Woman

by Linda Warren

  She talked to her grandmother and Jassy, too, and her features were animated, her beauty captivating. She and Serena were identical in looks yet their personalities were quite different. Serena was outgoing and friendly, while Sarah was quiet and reserved. Sarah had an inner softness that she hid behind a shield. It was exactly as Boyd had said. She was a combination of fire and ice and the coolness was the first thing that everyone noticed. Oddly, it was just the opposite for Daniel. He noticed her inner strength, her love for her sister, that need for love and the great pain she took to make sure no one got near the real Sarah.

  She clicked off and laid the phone down, a content look on her face. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I needed that. I was going to call today, but thought I’d wait until tonight when Serena was home.”

  He eased onto the sofa and stretched his legs out in front of him. “Everyone okay?”

  “Yes,” she answered. “Jassy just couldn’t understand why I had to work—that’s what Serena told her. I think they plug Jassy into an electrical socket every morning. She’s like a live wire.”

  “I noticed that. She has lots of energy.”

  “Gran said Serena wasn’t like that and Ethan said he wasn’t, either. They don’t know where she gets her overactive personality from.”

  “Were you like that?”

  “Good heavens, no. I was very shy. At times, I felt isolated from the world.”

  “I felt that way, too.” He surprised himself, telling her this.

  She sat cross-legged, facing him. “Did you?”

  “Not exactly the way you were. My brother and I went to boarding schools and we spent very little time at home. It wasn’t exactly an idyllic childhood.”

  “I always dreamed of having a real family, mother and father, brothers and sisters—a Norman Rockwell painting type thing.”

  “A simple, happy life,” he remarked.

  “Yes. I guess that’s why I feel the need to hold on to Gran’s house. I’m trying to find that happy family and that is so unrealistic.”

  “But it’s what you needed at the time.”

  “Maybe,” she admitted, brushing a speck of dust from her jeans. “I can’t afford to keep it much longer. Serena says I need to sell and move into something smaller, but I’ve been so undecided, so torn.”

  “Because you don’t want to disappoint your grandmother?”

  “Yes,” she admitted again, and that forlorn voice got him. She was like a little girl lost, desperately trying to find her way home.

  “Sarah, you do realize that if you sell the house, your grandmother will still love you.”

  “I realized that for the first time last night when she offered to come with me.” She blinked back a tear.

  They stared at each other. He tried to hide what was in his eyes, his heart, but he knew he’d failed.

  Sarah lost herself in the warmth of his brown eyes. She’d never noticed that he had the most beautiful eyes—like dark chocolate—warm, inviting and irresistible. She saw something else, too. Daniel cared about her…and it didn’t bother her. She rather liked it.

  “Dan—” His name was cut off by a bumping at the door. Before she could catch her breath, Daniel was on his feet, gun in his hand.

  “Go to the bedroom,” he said in an urgent whisper. “Close the door and get your gun.”

  She rushed to do as she was told even though she was trembling uncontrollably. Picking up the gun, she tried to remember how Daniel had said to use it, but her mind was short-circuited by the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She peered through the slightly open door and saw Daniel pull the curtain back to look outside. He lowered his gun and she knew everything was okay.

  She released a taut breath, laid her gun down and went back into the other room.

  Daniel shoved his gun into his holster. “It was the people next door. Must have been out partying and drinking because they couldn’t find their room.”

  She stood there staring at him and she had the same urge she had earlier, but this time, without a second thought, she acted on it.

  She walked to him and slipped her arms around his waist. He stiffened and she whispered, “Hold me.”

  His arms tightened and she rested her head on his chest, listening to the staccato rhythm of his heart. In his arms she felt safe, secure and a lot of other things. She’d never met anyone like him before—willing to give so much of himself without asking anything in return. She’d been so confused about Daniel and their relationship. No. It wasn’t that she was confused—she just hadn’t wanted to admit that she felt anything for him. But when she’d looked into his eyes a moment ago and seen how deeply he felt for her, she couldn’t deny any longer how he made her feel. Her arms crept up around his neck as she gave full rein to everything in her.

  “It’s okay, Sarah.” His voice was hoarse.

  She stood on tiptoes and kissed the throbbing pulse in his neck, feeling his tension, his shock, and it drove her on. Her lips trailed to his ear, across his cheek, then to his mouth. At the first tentative brush, he groaned and covered her lips with an explosion of senses. Her hands cradled his head and the kiss deepened, both giving, both taking, and Sarah let all that fire flow through her—Daniel’s fire, warming the coldest part of her.

  She pressed against him, needing to feel that closeness, that masculine body. The action didn’t shock or repulse her and all she could think was that she wanted more.

  Daniel’s fantasies didn’t measure up to the touch of Sarah’s lips, her voluntary touch. He was drowning, going down so fast that he couldn’t think—all he could do was feel and the feeling was everything he wanted it to be and more. He’d waited forever for a response from her and it had nothing to do with protection. It was all emotion and passion.

  You’re too emotionally involved.

  From out of nowhere Bill’s words squeezed through the passion and the cop in him quickly surfaced. He broke the kiss and stepped away, holding both hands up.

  “I can’t do this,” he said, his voice husky.

  Her lips were moist from his and her blue eyes were almost purple from desire, which turned to humiliation at his obvious rejection.

  “You’re in my protection,” he hastened to explain. “I can’t take advantage of you.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I kissed you,” she reminded him.

  He closed his eyes briefly to shut out her words and her beautiful face. “I know and that makes this even harder. Please don’t take this as a rejection. It isn’t, but I have to keep my head clear—for you and your safety. So please go to bed and close the door.” Lock it. Bolt it. Put a chair under the doorknob.

  Sarah turned and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Since her life was in danger, they couldn’t get distracted by something so basic. She understood that. There would be time later to enjoy each other. Two days ago if a man looked at her, it upset her. If a man touched her, it paralyzed her. Now it excited her and she knew it was because the man was Daniel.

  She sat on the bed and smiled. Finally she could see everything so clearly. For years she’d been yearning for love and with Greg she’d thought she’d found it. Then Greg had been killed and her nightmare began. She hadn’t wanted to ever feel love again—that’s why she had so many conflicting emotions about Gran and Celia. But they loved her and she could now accept their love wholeheartedly without resentment. That realization broke the lock from around her heart and she also could see Daniel more clearly. What she’d seen in his eyes over the years was a lot more than concern—that’s what had really irritated her. She wasn’t ready to accept anything on a personal level from him. She touched her lips. Now she was. Her smile broadened and she lay down, cherishing this newfound freedom.

  Daniel fell onto the sofa and buried his face in his hands, restraining himself from following her. His ethics kept him rooted to the spot. The needs of the man in him kept him bound in turmoil.

  Fear, desire and passion were closely entw
ined. He’d thought that many times in his career, but tonight for the first time he’d dealt with it in a way he never had before—personally. When they kissed again, he didn’t want fear involved in any way. He wanted it all from the heart and he wanted all of Sarah.

  As the darkness spread outside, he wasn’t sure exactly when that would be. He stretched out on the sofa and soon ran through his mind like a repetitive word in a nursery rhyme.

  Soon. Soon. Soon.

  CHAPTER TEN

  EARLY THE NEXT morning Daniel peered into Sarah’s room and saw that she was sound asleep. Her red hair was splayed across the pillow and she looked lost in peaceful dreams. That’s what he wanted for her—to find peace and happiness and that home she wanted. Maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to believe that he could be a part of it.

  A knock at the door spun him around and he whispered outside the panel, “Who is it?”

  “Chad.”

  Daniel undid the lock and let Chad in. He had a large bag of groceries.

  “Did you get something she likes?”

  “Yes, sir. Lots of fruit and yogurt?”

  Daniel slipped into his jacket. “Good. Like yesterday, just let her sleep and open this door to no one.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ll call later.”

  Daniel immediately drove to the police station and started the background check of each officer, sorting through their personal files. He learned more about the people he worked with than he’d ever imagined. He thought he knew them, but he didn’t. Kevin had been married three times and paid child support for three kids to three different women. Lee’s wife had been arrested for shoplifting years ago and Jack’s wife had actually worked in one of Boyd’s strip clubs as a waitress before Jack married her. That got his attention. Daniel didn’t understand why none of this had been brought out five years ago. Evidently Internal Affairs didn’t think it was relevant, or they’d checked it out and found nothing. This time, though, Daniel had to dig a little deeper.

  Will knocked on the door and came in. “We got Freddie,” he said.

  “Really?” Daniel raised an eyebrow. “That didn’t take you long. Where did you find him?”

  “That sleazy bar he always hangs out in. Bartender said he’s been there every day. Don’t understand why Jack and Tom couldn’t find him.”

  “He probably hid from them.”

  “Maybe,” Will conceded. “He tried to get away from us and I had to run six damn blocks to catch him.”

  “Have you questioned him?”

  “Yes, and he said he doesn’t sell drugs anymore.”

  “Yeah, right,” Daniel replied. “Keep pressuring him. Freddie doesn’t take pressure well.”

  “Yes—”

  Before Will could finish, Tom came in. “Heard you found Freddie.” He spoke to Will.

  “Sure did. He was holed up in that same old bar he frequents. Don’t know how you missed him.”

  “Goddammit,” Tom exploded. “We checked there three times.”

  “You didn’t check very well,” Will shot back.

  The tension became tangible and Daniel spoke up. “Keep the attitudes under control. I want information out of Freddie now.”

  “Yes, sir,” Will said and left.

  Tom looked at Daniel. “I’m sorry. He wasn’t there when we checked.”

  Daniel’s eyes didn’t waver from Tom’s. “I’m taking your word on that, but if there’s some reason you and Jack can’t work together productively then I need to know.”

  “It’s my fault, Daniel,” Jack said from the doorway. “We spent a lot of yesterday tailing my wife. I think she’s seeing another man.”

  “Dammit, Jack. We have a rapist and murderer out there and you’ve got you head in the clouds. I could relieve you of your duties for this.”

  “Please, Daniel. It won’t happen again.”

  Daniel sighed. “It had better not. Now get back to work before I change my mind.”

  Jack walked out.

  “Tom,” Daniel called before he could follow. “Stop covering up for Jack—that’s not like you.”

  “Daniel—”

  “Just get to work—and I mean police work. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes.”

  His whole department was falling apart and he felt this was only the beginning of the upheaval that was to come.

  Russ came into the room looking a little worse for wear. His shirt and jacket were wrinkled more than usual and he had a growth of beard, which was a mixture of red and brown.

  “You look like hell,” Daniel said.

  Russ dropped a folder in front of him. “You would, too, if you hadn’t been to bed.” He pointed to the folder. “Run your baby browns over that.”

  Daniel quickly read through the contents. “Well, I’ll be a son of a bitch.”

  “Interesting isn’t it?” Russ nodded. “It took some digging, but I found Boyd still owns some clubs in several alias names. Bastard hardly ever uses his own damn name.”

  “We discovered that five years ago,” Daniel told him. “But I thought all his holdings were seized by the feds.”

  “He’s a slick bastard. He managed to hide a lot of money and property. I went over that list of aliases you gave me and searched until my eyes were bloodshot, and lo and behold, this is what turned up. Boyd transferred ownership of one club to Arnie Bishop after the first rape and murder and another club after the second one.”

  “And for what in exchange I wonder.”

  “That’s the big question. I watched Arnie’s sorry ass last night hoping he’d meet someone who’d give me that clue. He sat at one of the clubs until after midnight talking to the bouncer, who we also have a tail on. He then went home to his mansion and I mean mansion—swimming pool, tennis court, gated privacy fence with a guard. He lives there with his twenty-three-year-old wife. He’s fifty-six. Charming, hmm?”

  “Yeah.” Daniel closed the folder. “Bishop’s in this up to his eyeballs.”

  Russ flopped into a chair and propped his feet on the desk. Daniel stared at the bottom of Russ’s shoes.

  “Do you know there’s a hole in the sole of your right shoe?”

  “Yep. Keeps me awake on these twenty-four-hour shifts.”

  Daniel shook his head. Getting to know Russ was downright scary, with a little humor thrown in for relief. Russ was exactly what you saw, though—a hardworking cop getting the job done any way he could, regardless of other people’s feelings.

  “Doesn’t it bother you?”

  “Not as much as what Boyd and Bishop are trying to get away with. Have you come up with anything?”

  Daniel knew he could trust Russ. He was unsure of a lot of things, but he was positive about that. “What do you know about Jack’s wife?”

  Russ shrugged. “Not much. Very good-looking, was a waitress I believe.”

  “A waitress at Bare Babes.”

  “Goddammit.” Russ swung his feet to the floor. “Jack never mentioned anything like that and I used to have a drink with him every now and then when he was dating her. Evidently you didn’t know about this, either.”

  “No. He never said a word during all the raids, during all of our investigations of Boyd.”

  “How’re you going to handle it?”

  “Very carefully.” He didn’t mention anything about Jack’s breach of duties. He’d have to tell the lieutenant first.

  “You find out anything on my guys?”

  “Haven’t gotten to them yet so I’ll probably wait until I’m through before taking action.”

  “That’s probably best.” Russ stood. “I’m going home to take a shower and sleep for a couple of hours, then I’ll get back on Bishop. Joel’s watching him now. Have you checked on the Wallace girl?”

  “Yes. Everything’s quiet there. Will’s questioning Freddie Frye to find out if he supplied the party. Other than that, it’s quiet, and that has me worried. Something’s going to happen and I hope we’re ready.”

>   Russ’s hand went to his mouth and Daniel realized the proverbial toothpick was missing.

  Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Lose your security blanket?”

  “About four o’clock this morning I jerked awake and almost swallowed the damn thing, so I threw it away. I could sure use a cigarette.”

  Daniel smiled and handed him a pencil. “Chew on that until you find another.”

  Russ took it, grinning. “Are you saying my toothpick-chewing is less offensive than smoking?”

  “You got it. And when you ask Faith out, don’t have a toothpick or a cigarette in your mouth.”

  Russ’s grin widened. “Haven’t you noticed that when I have something in my mouth I don’t talk as much.”

  “Good point.”

  Russ twisted the pencil. “So you think I have a better chance with Faith than with Sarah?”

  Daniel stared at him. “Definitely. Sarah is off-limits.”

  “To everyone but you.”

  “Don’t start,” he said, knowing Russ was only trying to get a rise out of him. “I’m not in a mood to get into it with you.”

  “Hell, Daniel, arguing with you is the best part of my day.” Russ moved toward the door. “I’ll catch you later.”

  Daniel went back to his search.

  SARAH’S MORNING went smoothly. She talked to Brooke and the police had her looking at more mug shots, but she seemed in good spirits. Her parents were taking turns staying with her and that gave the girl an added sense of security. Love had amazing powers, as Sarah was discovering herself. She’d felt alone most of her life, but now at this dark time she felt truly loved by her family. And fear could not defeat that. Nor could it defeat her appreciation of Daniel.

  The day seemed endless. She played cards with Chad and thought about Daniel. She kept glancing at the clock, counting the hours until he was back. For years she’d ignored her feminine side; her looks and her attitude were all tempered by what had happened to her. At last she was finding her way back to the woman in her…all because of one special man. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel his lips on hers—tender yet strong, tempting an eager, natural response from her.