Finding Justice

by Rachel Brimble

  She dropped her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. His door opened and he slid into the seat. Sensing him watching her, Cat prayed he possessed enough patience to give her a moment to regain her equilibrium.

  Thankfully, he did.

  The engine purred to life. “Hotel California” blared from the speakers and the alloy wheels crunched over the graveled parking lot before he pulled onto the smooth Tarmac of the main road. His silence only lasted to the end of the song.

  “Cat?”

  Turning her head on the headrest, she opened her eyes. “She’s dead, Jay.”

  He frowned and faced front. His hand left the gearshift and covered hers where it lay on her thigh. “How bad was it?”

  She tightened her hand around his fingers. “Bad. It wasn’t until I saw her picture, saw her lying there in the grass, that it truly hit me.”

  His jaw tightened. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I couldn’t imagine seeing Sarah that way.”

  Cat stared as he faced front. Would she suspect every word he said from now on? Every look? Every caring gesture he offered her? She turned to the windshield as regret wound tight inside her. Bennett had ordered her to tell Jay nothing, but instinct told her that letting him know certain things could help her eliminate his guilt. Doing that was rapidly becoming her priority. If she could trust Jay, the burden would be so much lighter.

  “The first thing we need to do is go back to Clover Point. Back to where she was found.” She stopped. “Damn. I forgot to ask Bennett who found her.” She looked at him. “Do you know?”

  “The press said she was found by someone staying at the holiday park adjacent to the forest. Apparently, the guy was walking his dog in the forest. No name was given.”

  She reached into her bag and extracted her phone. “I’ll make a note on my phone to call Bennett later. See what they found out about this dog walker. I can only assume there was no suspicion, because I’d like to think Bennett would have told me otherwise, but then again...” What did she really know about Bennett’s generosity at this stage? About as much as he knew about hers. The promise to exchange new information wasn’t going to be easy and they both knew it.

  “So what did he tell you?” Jay asked.

  Cat looked up from her phone, her heart picking up speed. “Not much. His reception to my involvement was as frosty as I expected.”

  He glanced at her. “So going to see him hasn’t helped us at all.”

  Feeling like a fraud but not having any other choice, Cat shook her head. “Not really, but that’s okay. We’ll do this on our own if we have to, right?”

  He nodded and stared ahead. “Right.”

  A few seconds passed in silence as Cat looked out of the side window. He would’ve heard the lie in her voice as clear as day. It couldn’t be helped. The last thing she wanted was to give Bennett a reason to bar her from the investigation.

  Jay coughed. “Do you want to head straight back to the Clover Point now?”

  Cat turned. “Soon. Do you think we might grab something to eat and drink first? I ran out of the house—”

  “Yeah, you did. Why?”

  Heat assaulted her cheeks. His irritation was palpable. She lifted her shoulders, forcing breeziness into her voice. “I couldn’t sleep so I went out for a run. When I saw the time, I thought it was easier to get a taxi than wait for you to get showered and dressed.”

  “Liar.”

  Damn it. Denying the accusation was futile so she said nothing.

  He stared straight ahead. “You were avoiding me. Admit it.”

  She grappled to find a plausible lie that might have a chance of appeasing him, but couldn’t. Jay was the person she’d always struggled the hardest to deceive and now it seemed that, even with all her police training and experience, her poker face was as effective as a toddler lying to her mother.

  “Fine. I’m lying. I left because I wanted to do this alone without a big recap about our conversation last night to distract me. Okay?”

  He lifted his hand from hers. “I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I’m not surprised you don’t want to talk about it. I’m just happy you’re talking to me at all.”

  Guilt seared like a brand across her chest. She was more than talking to him. She still suspected him. An overnight think on their conversation had left Cat’s sheets knotted around her body from the constant tossing and turning. He’d shared something so painful, so full of misplaced responsibility, that her anger had soon abated and become something worse. Fear. Fear that if Jay was brave enough to tell her his secrets, he would expect her to do the same.

  The thought of telling him about the current state of her mum sent chills down her spine. She didn’t want his pity and she certainly didn’t need him to take on the role of understanding ex-addict. Which was exactly what he’d do. He’d want to help her mum, and Cat. She drew in a shuddering breath and released it.

  “Jay, listen to me. There are things—”

  “Do not say there are things we all regret. I know you mean well, but I’m a million miles away from platitudes and understanding. I wanted you to know how I let Sarah down and how guilty I feel about not being able to make it up to her. That’s it. I don’t want your sympathy.”

  Cat swallowed her confession with difficulty, but managed it. “Right.”

  “The most important thing is that you know how sorry I am and that I will never ever let anyone down like that again. Not ever. Especially you.” Their eyes locked. “Do you understand?”

  She nodded. “You’ll always be there for me. I get it.”

  After a moment, his brow smoothed and he smiled. “Good, because now we’re back together, Miss Forrester, there’s little chance of you disappearing from my life again.”

  Her heart kicked. “What do you mean back together? We’re not back together, we’re friends who are looking—”

  “If you want something to eat and drink, I know just the place.”

  Any further words dissolved helplessly on her tongue. She silently berated herself. Coward. Turncoat. Selfish, borderline masochist. Cat fumbled her fingers along the door panel beside her and pressed the button to lower the window. She inhaled deeply. The air was cool against her hot face and slowly her heart rate slowed.

  She concentrated on the passing view as Jay maneuvered the car farther along the sunlit promenade of Cowden Beach. The glorious white-gold sand of the beach with its stacked charcoal-gray rocks sent a barrage of memories and emotions from happier times surging to the surface. Smiling, she sat straighter in her seat to watch the kids tossing balls and Frisbees back and forth, dogs running and playing, and couples walking hand in hand along the shore.

  Cat turned away as a rush of longing rose inside of her. A longing for days gone by when she was oblivious to the heartbreak of her nearby future.

  “Where are we headed?”

  “We need a pit stop at Marian’s.”

  Cat smiled. “Ah, the famous Marian.”

  He turned and winked. “The one and only.” His grin was wider than the ocean.

  “You really like this woman, huh?”

  “I love this woman, and so will you. Guaranteed. She’s my savior, the one Dad put me working with when I first came out of rehab. There was no way I was going to stray from the straight and narrow path with Marian watching my every move. Believe me.”

  Cat snorted. “You sound almost scared of her.”

  He glanced at her. “Laugh all
you want. You haven’t met her yet. Once Marian wants something from you, she pulls out one of her lattes with a honeycomb muffin on the side...” He blew out a low whistle. “Then you’re hers.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  JAY GLANCED AT CAT AS they walked toward the bakery. The distance between them was tantalizingly close but no matter how strong his urge to take her hand, he wouldn’t. He meant what he’d said in the car. He had no intention of letting her go or letting her down now they were reunited. It had been hard telling her about his appearance at Sarah’s school, the estrangement between them and his ensuing journey down hell’s path, but the relief it was out there lifted a ten-ton weight from his shoulders.

  His breath flowed easier from his lungs and his optimism soared for the first time in a long time. Cat was still there, and even better, she was talking to him. Anything less and he wouldn’t have blamed her. Her silence would have just been another blow he deserved to suffer.

  Ten years ago he’d told his mother he’d marry Cat Forrester, and now she was back in the Cove, all his feelings for her came crashing back. From the minute he saw her on the train, he’d struggled to keep his eyes off of her, wondered if he’d ever take her in his arms and kiss her again. It was pathetic and fruitless. He saw the suspicion in her eyes—sensed her distance.

  He would be stupid to think or expect differently. At least, for now.

  Once they found the real killer, maybe some of the love in her eyes would return. Maybe she would trust him again. Give them a chance. One thing Jay was sure of, he wouldn’t let her leave without telling her how he felt. His life would not veer off-kilter in such a massive way, as it had a year after she left. God willing, in time, he’d get his girl and they’d be happy.

  Jay smiled as he watched her denim-clad butt sashay closer to the bakery. She made him feel amazing, capable of anything and, more important, capable of making her happier than she ever imagined. Okay, so he hadn’t been happy to find the guest bedroom empty when he woke that morning, but since when had Cat ever done anything he’d expected? Never. It was just something else that attracted him to her. Her independence and strength made her sexy as hell.

  But now was not the time for dwelling on rekindled love affairs. They had a job to do. Looking around, Jay pondered the lunchtime rush of people that entered Marian’s Bonniest Bakery like an endless stream of hypnotized ants. He had no idea how Marian would react to Cat or vice versa. With two women as fiery and strong as they were, it could mean a whole lot of trouble.

  When Cat stopped outside the open bakery door, Jay stepped beside her and leaned toward her ear. “Ready?”

  She turned and arched an eyebrow. “She’s one woman. One woman who runs a seaside bakery that you happen to own. What’s the matter with you?”

  He huffed out a dry laugh. “I own this place on paper only. Marian runs the show. If I so much as tried to exert my authority, she’d yank down my trousers and spank my ass without giving a damn who saw her.”

  Her disdainful expression changed as her mouth stretched into a gleeful grin. “I’m liking her already. Seeing your ass being spanked is way up there on my to-do list.”

  He winked. “Hey, anytime you want to spank it, just shout.”

  She shoved him playfully. “Very funny. Clearly the woman scares you to death. As for me? I’m used to entering crime scenes. One woman and a bakery aren’t going to scare me.”

  He opened his mouth to protest when her cell phone rang. Lifting a finger to his lips, she pulled the phone from her pocket. “Number withheld.” She pressed the talk button. “Cat Forrester.”

  A dart of concern shot between her eyebrows and her finger slipped from his mouth. Her gaze flew left and right along the street. “You’ve got my number? What’s that supposed to mean? Who is this? Hello?” She snapped the phone shut and fisted her hand into her hair. “For God’s sake.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s started.”

  “What has?”

  “Our first crank call.” She looked around again as though scanning for watching eyes. “I’d better let Bennett know.”

  “What did he say? I’m assuming it was a man?”

  She met his eyes. “Yep, but I very much doubt it was the one we’re looking for. It’s probably nothing.” She paused to look around once more. “What I don’t understand is, I haven’t advertised I’m a cop and I’ve only been here two days. If that was Sarah’s killer, which I doubt, how the hell does he know I’m here and how did he get my number?”

  Not caring whether it earned him another shove, Jay slipped his arm protectively around Cat’s waist. “I don’t know.”

  She gave a soft smile. “Hey, I’m used to this sort of thing. Don’t worry about it. The likelihood is he saw me coming out of the station and thinks I’m some kind of specialist Bennett brought in.”

  “You going to ring Bennett now?”

  “Uh-huh.” She stepped away from his arm and dialed. After a moment, she shook her head and mouthed “voice mail.” She cleared her throat. “Inspector Bennett? Sergeant Forrester. Just had a crank call and thought you should know. Some idiot saying he had my number and I’d be hearing from him again. Clearly, he watches far too many cop shows on TV. The number’s withheld but I’m betting it’s a throwaway phone of some sort. The voice was muffled, amateurish. No techno stuff. I’ll try you again later.”

  She shut off the phone. “Hopefully Bennett will ring me back soon, but I doubt it will lead to anything.” She slipped her phone back into her pocket. “This may well be the first of many, so you can stop looking like you want to punch someone.” She smiled. “It wasn’t our man, Jay.”

  Jay stared as he uncurled his hands. His knuckles throbbed. “How can you be so sure?”

  She lifted her shoulders. “Instinct. Come on. I can’t wait to meet the woman who has you scared of her.” She stepped inside the bakery.

  Jay shook his head. The woman’s spine looked straight enough to snap in two. This wasn’t good at all and if she thought for one minute he’d let anyone come within ten feet of her, she was wrong. However, now wasn’t the time to tell her he wouldn’t be leaving her alone anymore or that he wanted her sleeping in his bed from now on. She’d more likely check into a bed-and-breakfast to prove a point.

  He inhaled the smells of freshly baked bread, sugar icing and fruit jam of every imaginable flavor as they walked farther into the shop.

  “Oh. My. God,” Cat murmured and pressed her hand to her stomach. “What is that smell?”

  He smiled, pushing his concerns to the back of his mind. For now. “That, my dear, is the sweet smell of heaven.”

  “God above, if I worked here, I’d be rolling back home every night, not walking.”

  He laughed. “Which is exactly why Dad started me working here after I came out of rehab.”

  “As punishment?”

  “No, because if I could concentrate on work here, I could pretty much concentrate anywhere.”

  Her green eyes pierced him to the spot. “You really worked here? I thought you were joking. I can’t picture you behind the counter in an apron. Whatever you’ve done.”

  “Well, you’d better picture it because it’s the truth. Marian and George are a phenomenal couple. Between them, they helped save my life.”

  She pressed a hand to his chest. “Wait. George and Marian are a couple? Wow, the naughty old dog.”

  Jay would’ve paid a hundred thousand pounds just to keep her eyes s
hining the way they were right then. “It all happened after...after your dad died. They got married about five years ago, after meeting each other when George was visiting one of his army pals in Bristol. He came back with Marian and the two of them lived in separate places while they...courted.” He smiled. “Got married two years later.”

  She grinned. “That is so sweet. Well, good for George.”

  “Exactly. They’re funny as hell together but their love is obvious. Nothing gets past them. George took me straight home to my dad after Sarah rang him, and when I came out of rehab, Marian took me under her wing and worked me from the bottom up.” He pulled his shoulders back with pride. Her gaze tipped to admiration—a welcome change from the lasers of disappointment they’d shot at him last night. “I swept the floors and baked bread, cleared tables and served behind the counter. It wasn’t until I could ice a birthday cake fit for a king that Marian told Dad I was ready to move on to something else.”

  She grinned. “I love it. Jay Garrett learning the ropes.” She looped her arm through his and the contact sent a bolt of electricity straight to his gut. “Maybe I need to repaint my growing picture of you.”

  “Was it that bad?”

  Her smile wavered and she looked away across the shop. “Not bad. Safe.”

  “What do you—”

  “Forget it.” Yanking on his arm, she pulled him toward the counter. “Come on, I want to meet my new friend Marian.”

  Hope vibrated inside him and he tried to keep a handle on it, but her insinuation that she was protecting herself spoke volumes. He smiled. She sensed the renewed attraction between them. How could she not? It was strong enough that neither of them could possibly ignore it.

  Almost every one of the eight booths was taken and another ten or so people waited to be served. The cottage-style bakery, with its pine tables and chairs set with navy-and-white gingham napkins and tablecloths, drew people of Templeton Cove like bees to honey. Marian rushed from the ovens to the counter, shouting out good-hearted reprimands to anyone not waiting their turn, while two young girls helped serve.