“What are you still doing up?” Clay marched straight over to Sierra, who was sitting at a table in the middle of the room.
Dark circles hung under her eyes, and strands of hair had escaped her ponytail.
Clay lifted her from her stool by the elbow. “Come on. You look awful, and you’re going to bed.”
“Gee, thanks.” She eyed her bother. “I wanted to get through my photos from the high school.”
“I thought you turned everything over to the Bureau forensic team,” Toni said.
“I made a copy of the pictures before I gave them the memory card.” Sierra grinned, and Toni looked for a resemblance to Clay’s bright smile but didn’t see any at all.
Clay crossed his arms. “Resting for the baby is more important than reviewing the pictures.”
Sierra opened her mouth, looking like she planned to argue.
Clay moved closer. “Don’t make me wake Reed up. You know I will.”
“Fine. I’ll leave right after I lock up this evidence.” She grabbed three bags lying on a table covered in white paper. “You go ahead and get Toni settled for the night. I can find my own condo.”
“And have you go back to work the minute we leave?” He eyed his sister. “Not happening.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Not purposefully, but I can just see it. You discover or think of something on the way to the evidence lockers and forget you were on your way out.”
“Fine, then. Hold on.” She took the bags across the room to the lockers.
Clay followed her with their letters. “Work on them tomorrow only.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted and tucked them in another locker.
“Do you know if the FBI called Kelsey to recover the remains?” he asked.
“If they did, she hasn’t told me.” Sierra deposited the items in a locker and closed it. “Wouldn’t be great if she got called out tonight though. She needs her sleep even more than I do.”
Clay looked at Toni. “Kelsey is expecting too. Not sure when.”
“She’s only said she’s due in April a million times.” Sierra wrinkled her nose at her brother. “But just like a guy not to remember the details.”
“She’s having a girl,” he said and raised his chin. “See, I remember details.”
Sierra swatted a hand at him, and he circled an arm around her back then gently knuckled her head. She looked up at him with a fond smile and they started for the exit. This was exactly the way Toni had imagined having a sibling would be like, and seeing them together left her feeling sad that she was an only child.
In the hallway, they boarded the elevator and took it to the sixth floor. Clay kept his arm around his sister. She rested against him and yawned, covering her mouth.
“See,” he said. “You really are tired.”
“Never said I wasn’t, but I know how important this investigation is to you both.”
“We’ve waited a year to find Hibbard,” Toni said. “One more night shouldn’t make a difference.”
“But I—”
“But nothing,” Clay protested. “Your health comes first.”
Sierra looked at Toni. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
She shook her head. “But I always wanted a sibling.”
Sierra fixed her focus on Clay. “Where I often wished I was an only child.”
“Hey.” He removed his arm and mocked upset.
Sierra chuckled. “Seriously, these guys can be a real pain at times, and then they do something like this to show they care, and it’s all forgotten. I’m really blessed.”
Clay’s feigned bad mood disappeared, and he grinned at his sister. “I’m only looking out for the future flock of Byrds.”
Sierra groaned. “And then there’s the lame humor.”
“Saddle me with a name like Byrd, and I got teased enough as a kid that I figure I can use the lame jokes as an adult.” He met Toni’s gaze and laughed.
His laughter was contagious, and she joined in. She loved this insight into his family life. His tender care of his sister endeared him to her, and she could imagine he would be even more protective and tender with his wife. Especially so if she was pregnant with his child.
The doors slid open. A good thing as she was starting to imagine what his child might look like. What their child might look like.
He held out his hand, gesturing toward the end of the hallway. “We have to cross the skybridge to get to the condo towers.”
“The view of the city from there is amazing.” Sierra took off down the hallway, but her feet were dragging. At the skybridge she paused. “See what I mean?”
Toni looked through the floor-to-ceiling glass toward the city skyline, lights twinkling in the clear night. The moon shone on the glass above, and a soft glow brightened the area.
“It’s beautiful.” Toni glanced at Sierra then looked at Clay, who was intently watching her. His focus had been on Sierra, and Toni had honestly missed having his sincere concern focused her way.
“You two could stay here and look at the view,” Sierra suggested.
“I think we’re better off getting a good night’s sleep.” Clay gave his sister a pointed look.
She held up her hands, but an impish expression had claimed her face. “I’ll let it go. For now.” She spun and marched across the bridge, a renewed purpose in her steps.
Not having a clue what had just transpired between the pair, Toni followed, feeling the floor sway beneath her feet. They boarded another elevator, and Clay tapped buttons for floors three and five.
“Sierra’s on five,” he said.
Toni leaned over to look at Sierra. “One thing before you go. I’m on leave, and Adair forbid me from working on the investigation.”
“So don’t say anything to Reed,” Clay added.
“What investigation?” Sierra wrinkled her nose. As the doors opened on five, she turned back to look at Toni. “It was good to meet you tonight, and I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Toni smiled but didn’t add the getting to know you part. They were headed back to the coast in the morning, and Toni doubted she would see Sierra again.
The doors closed, and an unusual sense of peace and stillness from the easiness of the siblings’ banter filled Toni. She never had that sense of lightness with her dad. An excellent taskmaster, he always kept her busy and working hard. He’d rarely been satisfied with her results, so she had to try harder. Work faster. Be better.
That didn’t give her much downtime growing up. She’d once thought her dad acted this way because he missed her mother so much, that if he took time to breathe, he would fall apart. But then, she remembered he’d been that way before her mom died, so maybe it was just his nature. In any event, it became a habit for her, and now she rarely relaxed.
They hit the third floor and stepped into a long hallway with only two doors.
Clay went to the closest one. “Brendan’s just next door and I’ll be staying with him if you need me. I’ll just grab a few things for the night and let you get some sleep.”
She nodded, but she really wanted him to stay for a bit. Not the night, of course, but just until her eyes started drooping.
He unlocked the door and held it open. She’d only gotten a quick look at his place when they’d dropped off her suitcase, and she looked forward to taking the place in now. She entered the family room, and her mouth fell open. She didn’t expect this. Not in a million years.
A tall and trim older woman with spiky blond hair hopped up from a huge sectional and rushed toward them. A man looking like an older version of Clay with salt-and-pepper hair, more salt than pepper, remained seated but peered over the sofa at her.
“Mom. Dad,” Clay said, sounding as surprised as she was. “What are you doing here?”
His mother rushed to him and clasped his arms. “You’re okay?”
“Fine. Why?”
Her honey-brown eyes narrowed. “
I was talking to Erik and wormed out of him that you had a major scare today.”
Clay slipped out of her hold. “It was nothing.”
She clasped the sides of his face and stared him in the eye, a fierce mother-bear expression in place. “You’re sure you’re fine.”
“Positive.”
She lowered her hands to his shoulders and turned him in a circle, running her gaze over every inch.
“Mom,” he said. “This is embarrassing. I’m not a little kid anymore.”
“Peg, give the guy a break,” his dad said.
A quick nod, and his mother turned her attention to Toni. “Peggy Byrd, and you must be Toni.” She stepped over to Toni and slid an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you settled in.”
“My mother is everyone’s mother.” A hint of humor lingered in Clay’s voice. “And this is my dad, Russ.”
Toni glanced at him as Peggy led her to the other part of the sectional. His grin reminded her of Clay. Clearly, most of the boys took after the dad, but Erik and Sierra resembled their mother.
“Nice to meet you, Toni.” Russ smiled, then shared a what-are-you-gonna-do look with Clay, who remained standing.
“Now, Toni.” His mother removed her arm. “I just made a pot of chamomile tea. Would you like a cup?”
“Not everyone likes tea,” Russ said. “At least me and the guys don’t.”
Peggy ran her gaze over Toni. “Toni is obviously not one of the guys.”
“Tea would be nice.” Toni settled onto the soft cushion. She’d never had chamomile tea in her life but had heard it helped with sleep, and she could use help to still her mind tonight.
“Get her a cup, would you, son?” Peggy flicked her hand in the air as if swatting at a mosquito but didn’t take her gaze off Toni. “We heard a lot about you and your father from Clay. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Toni said, realizing this was the second time someone had mentioned Clay talking about her.
She watched him go to his very contemporary kitchen and lift down a mug for her tea. How much had he told his family about her? And why had he even mentioned her? Did he share all of his investigations, or was she an exception?
Interestingly, she wanted to be the exception. To be important enough to him to share with the people closest to him.
“He was torn up for months.” Peggy dropped onto the plush sofa next to Toni. “Never seen him so upset.”
“Mom.” Clay poured tea from a contemporary gray teapot into the mug.
Why did he even have a teapot when his dad claimed they didn’t like it? Perhaps his mother brought it with her, or maybe he kept one just for her. From what Toni was learning about his love for his family, she could see him going out of his way to have a pot for his mother to use when she visited.
“Erik mentioned you ran into a snake,” Peggy said. “And that you had a bad experience with one as a child.”
“That’s personal, Mom.” Clay handed Toni a mug of steaming tea and eyed his mother as he rested on the arm of a leather chair.
Toni cupped the hot mug in her chilled hands and smiled at the older woman who Toni already liked. Sure she was a bit nosey, but she seemed free to express her emotions, and Toni could feel the woman’s legitimate concern. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago, and I didn’t know until tonight that it still had a hold on me.”
She recounted the incident, not surprised when her voice started to waver. She took a sip of the tea, liking the apple flavor with a hint of honey sweetness. “This is good.”
A wide smile danced across Peggy’s face, and Toni saw Sierra in the smile.
“A girl after my own heart.” Peggy leaned closer. “You can’t imagine what it’s like to be surrounded by so many guys for your entire life. Poor Sierra has taken the brunt of my need for girl talk. But now I have Harper and Jenna. True, they’re not yet officially members of the family yet, but Aiden and Harper have finally set the date. May fifteenth. She’s an Olympic skier, so they have to work around her competition and training schedule.”
“Congratulations. That must be so exciting for you.” Toni tried to sound cheerful when she’d never been one to get excited about weddings. Could be because she never had a mother to talk to about them and didn’t have many girlfriends. And no way her dad would have a conversation about such a girly thing, plus her grandmothers were both gone, as was her one aunt.
Peggy nodded enthusiastically. “Brendan and Jenna are getting married in March, and Brendan has already petitioned to adopt Karlie. She’s Jenna’s four-year-old daughter. Jenna’s husband died.”
“Now, Peg,” Russ said. “Toni doesn’t need to hear the entire family genealogy in one sitting. She’s had a long day.”
“And here I was planning to talk about Sierra’s baby next.” Peggy grinned at her husband.
Toni honestly liked hearing about the family. It took her mind off her own situation. Plus, she loved learning more about Clay and how he’d grown up. From seeing his parents, she understood why he was such a well-adjusted guy.
“In fact.” Russ stood. “Now that you know Clay is fine, we should be getting out of their hair.”
She looked up at her husband. “But I’ve barely had a chance to talk to Toni.”
“I’m sure you’ll see her again.” He took Peggy’s hand and lifted her to her feet.
She glanced between Clay and Toni, mining for information, but Toni had no idea what she was searching for. Her gaze fixed on Clay. “Don’t miss Sunday dinner, and please bring Toni.”
“We’ll be staying at the beach house. It’s closer to tonight’s crime scene. And before you say anything, all the guys will be staying with us. That is, if it’s okay with you that we use the place.”
“Of course it is,” Russ said. “I always love being there in the winter. Like the beach a whole lot more when it’s raining and the wind is blowing the waves in.”
“But you’ll all come back for dinner.” Peggy issued the statement in a tone Toni wouldn’t dare to argue with. Peggy kissed him on the cheek and drew him close for a hug. “Be careful. And keep Toni safe.”
“Always.” He pulled back.
Peggy came over to Toni and squeezed her shoulder. Oddly, Toni wished for a hug of her own, even though she wasn’t much of a hugger.
“I’m so glad to have met you.” Peggy gave Toni another one of what seemed to be her very frequent smiles. “Please let me know if there’s anything you might want for dinner on Sunday, and I’ll be glad to make it for you.”
“I don’t know—”
“Of course you’ll be there.” Peggy smiled again.
Russ handed Peggy a bright red coat from the end of the couch. With a flick of her wrists, she tossed it over her shoulders and headed for the door.
“Night,” Russ said, following her.
Toni watched them leave.
When the door closed, Clay turned to Toni. “Sorry about that. I had no idea they’d be here.”
“It was fun to meet them, and now I understand a bit more about you.”
“You mean why I’m a lunatic?” He laughed.
No. why you’re the special person you are.
And why working together to find Hibbard was going to be so very difficult if she didn’t find a way to gain control of her growing feelings.
Clay packed a bag for the night and decided he might as well prepare for the next few days too. He didn’t like the reason for their trip, but they would be headed to one of his favorite places—the beach house handed down from his grandparents. He had no idea how many days to pack for, but the house had a washer and dryer, so he could do laundry if needed.
He closed the duffle and changed the sheets on his bed for Toni. Warmth curled in his heart just thinking about her sleeping in his bed. It was almost like an unspoken connection between them.
He shook his head. He’d been taking hints from his mother for too many years to find a wife, and he needed to forget abou
t anything developing between him and Toni. They would always have the memory of losing her father to overcome to be together, and he doubted she’d dealt with it. After all, it was clear tonight that she hadn’t gotten over losing her mother, and how many years had passed?
He shoved the dirty sheets into the hamper in the bathroom. Put out fresh towels and took a minute to clean the sink with a disinfecting wipe. He wasn’t the neatest of guys, not like his brother Brendan, but he wasn’t a slob either. None of them would disappoint their mother that way.
He chuckled. To anyone watching the family from a distance, they might think the guys were all henpecked. Truth was, they often did things out of respect for their parents. Their mom and dad raised them with the utmost care and compassion, and each of the kids wanted to make them proud and repay them by becoming the adults their parents had hoped they would be.
His phone rang, and he dug it from his pocket to see Kelsey’s name on his screen.
“Hey, Kelsey. What’s up?” he asked, assuming her late-night call would be related to the body they’d found.
“Just a heads up.” She sounded very alert despite the time of night. “The FBI called me in to recover the body at the high school, and I’ve done a preliminary assessment.”
“Glad to hear they chose the most qualified person in the area for the recovery.”
“Thanks to Hunter,” she said, referring to Hunter Lane, an FBI agent who’d married Maya, the Veritas Center’s toxicology and controlled substances expert last year. “He caught the investigation and persuaded Adair, who’s heading it up, to go outside of their agency and call me so they could get things moving forward.”
Perfect. Hunter might be a good source for them. “I’ll be sure to thank him, but that’s not why you’re calling, is it?”
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