He turned his computer to face Toni. “Look at this.”
“It’s Heidi,” Toni said.
She didn’t need to identify her as they both knew she was the girl who ratted out Hibbard and he’d had her killed. Problem was, they hadn’t been able to prove it.
Toni looked up. “If we’d had this when we tried to prosecute Hibbard for her death, he would’ve been behind bars, and we wouldn’t have tried to arrest Kraus that day. Maybe my dad would still be alive.”
“But seems like your dad was looking for Lisa, and he wouldn’t have stopped just because we arrested Hibbard. Plus, I think Kraus would’ve kept the business going.”
“True,” she said, a faraway look on her face.
“If Hibbard was serving time, you would never have found out about Lisa and your grandparents.”
She sat back. “I wonder if my dad would ever have told me about them.”
“Doesn’t seem likely, right?”
“Right.” Her voice broke, and her eyes were dull with pain.
Clay took her hand again.
She stared at their hands as if contemplating something big, then looked up. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?”
“Sure.” He nodded at the deck. “How about outside? I could use some fresh air after this.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll grab our jackets.” He went to the hallway, where they’d hung their coats on pewter whale tail hooks, wondering what she might tell him as he put his on.
Would she ask him to stop touching her? Tell him to back off? Leave her alone?
He didn’t know how he’d react if she did. Or maybe this was just about the investigation.
He held out her coat, and she shrugged into it. He started to reach for her hair stuck inside the collar, but if she planned to tell him to back off, he didn’t want to compound things. Plus, his mother was watching them, and he didn’t want such a personal touch to get her hopes up.
He opened the door for Toni, and she stepped out. The rain had cleared, and a million stars filled the sky as the rolling ocean waves lapped the shore. The moon shone bright, but soon would give way to the morning sun, and the air temperature was chilly, but otherwise he couldn’t ask for a more romantic setting. When had he gone to wanting romance with her in the middle of a horrific investigation?
She went to the railing and leaned on the weathered wood. He joined her but faced the house to be sure the blinds were all closed and they had the privacy he desired.
He turned to face Toni and rested his elbow on the deck rail, acting casual when his insides were quivering. “What did you want to talk about?”
She looked at him and held his gaze. “I wanted to make sure you knew how thankful I am for your care and concern. For everything you’re doing to help me.”
“I hear a but coming.”
“Not a but, really. More of a What are we doing? I mean, you’ve made no secret of the fact that you’re interested in more than a working relationship with me. Not only telling me, but you’ve held my hand several times tonight.”
Here it comes. “Does that bother you?”
“Bother me? No. But it makes me wonder if we’re confusing support with other feelings. We could be caught up in one of those relationships that can happen when two law enforcement officers work an investigation together. Those relationships often fall apart when they return to the real world.”
“Does this thing between us feel temporary to you?”
“I could be confused, especially with all the stuff going on in my life.”
He came to his full height and turned her to face him. “I know what I’m feeling isn’t comfort. Isn’t temporary.”
“How can you be sure?” She sounded breathless.
“First, because I’m in awe at how amazing you are. Strong. Independent. Someone who stands up to me.”
“I didn’t think you liked that.”
“I don’t really, but I respect the fact that you’re comfortable enough in yourself to stick up for what you believe in.”
“Good to know. I’ll be sure to keep doing that.” She gave him a coy smile.
His heart warmed. “But it’s not just that. When we’re not together, I think about you and want to be with you. When we are together, I feel a sense of completeness that I’ve been missing. I’ve had these feelings for you all along. They haven’t faded one bit.
“And right now,” he plunged ahead. “You look so beautiful in the moonlight, and I want to kiss you.”
She let out a soft breath that fanned over his face, but didn’t speak.
He took her silence to mean she was considering the kiss. “Can I?”
She glanced at the house. “Your family.”
“Not even my mom would peek through closed blinds. My dad wouldn’t let her.” He smiled and cupped the side of her cheek, touched by the softness of her skin. “Unless you say no, I’m going to—”
She plunged her hands into his hair and pulled his head down. Their lips met. He was stunned for a moment but quickly circled his arms around her slender waist and drew her tight against his body. He gave in, and surrender had never felt so good.
Toni lost herself in the kiss. In the warmth of Clay’s lips in the cold air. In the feel of his hair, coarse yet soft. His toned body against hers. He was all guy most of the time, and yet, he was tender and kind. Caring and compassionate. And he could be all hers if she wanted.
But did she want? She had no idea, but at least she was considering it now. And until she knew the answer to her questions, should she be kissing him and encouraging him?
Breathless, she leaned back, suddenly feeling shy. This wasn’t her first kiss by any means, but she hadn’t dated much and had never felt this deeply about any other guy.
“That was wonderful.” His smile was intimate and dazzling at the same time.
Her heart tumbled, rolling over and over, falling, and she had to rest her hands on his shoulders not to cup the back of his head and initiate another kiss.
“I feel like I might’ve misled you,” she said. “I’m not ready for anything more.”
“I know.” His smile remained. “But was it great for you too?”
“Yes,” she admitted, but at his joyful expression, she extricated herself from his hold and took a few steps back before her determination melted. “I don’t want to do that again until I’m sure of my feelings.”
“Don’t want to or won’t?”
“Won’t.” She had to shove her hands into her pockets to keep from touching him. “It’s not fair to you.”
He looked at her long and hard. “And if I say it’s fair?”
“You can’t though, can you? And be truthful.”
His smile evaporated. “No.”
“So let’s agree to keep things professional until the investigation is over, and then we can revisit this.”
He started to reach out for her but let his arms drop. “Obviously it’s not what I want to hear, but sure. I can do professional. At least I hope I can. If I mess up, tell me.”
“Thank you. Your positive response just confirms what a great guy you are.” She smiled at him.
“I’m disappointed, but you didn’t completely shut me down, so I have hope.” He gestured at the door. “We should get back to work before the way you look in the moonlight destroys my resolve.”
She’d gotten what she wanted—time to figure things out. So then why did she drag her feet as she headed back inside?
Clay took her coat to the hooks, and she watched him as she took a seat. When he started in her direction, she jerked her focus to her computer, but as he sat next to her, all she could think about were those hands on her. That body next to hers. Those lips kissing hers.
She touched her lips and felt the warmth. Could almost feel him kissing her again.
Frustrated, she got up and almost ran to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She drained it in seconds.
Drake joined her to refill his glass. �
��Having a hard time, huh?”
“What?” Did he know what had transpired between her and Clay? Could he? Did she look like she’d just been kissed?
“Your feelings for Clay,” he said, his tone low as if he wanted to keep this between them, for which she was grateful.
She should’ve known the family would notice the tension when she came back inside with Clay.
The heat of a blush crept up her face. “We’re just two professionals working together.”
“You may be, but Clay’s been obvious about his feelings for you from day one.” Drake shoved his glass under the refrigerator dispenser and ice clinked down into his glass.
She glanced at Clay to find him watching her and Drake. He didn’t look away when she caught his eye.
“He’s a terrific guy,” Drake said. “One of the best. I might razz him a lot, but he’s great. All my brothers are. Mom and Dad made sure of that.” He gave her a playful smile and put his glass under the water dispenser. “Oh, and God might’ve had something to do with it too.”
She smiled at Drake and realized how much she’d missed in life by being an only child. No, not an only. Just an only for the first thirty years.
“Uh-oh.” Drake pulled his glass free. “What did I say to put that look on your face?”
She’d thought his big family would overwhelm her, but they were so open and caring, and she was starting to feel a part of the family. “I was thinking about how great it was to have siblings.”
“And your only sister is missing.”
“Yeah.”
“I might be known for being blunt, but I didn’t mean to be insensitive. It’s gotta be rough for you right now.”
“It is.”
“Then let’s get back to work. And remember. Clay’s a great guy.” He grinned. “Almost as wonderful as me.”
She smiled back as she knew he was hoping for when he made the joke. “You, Drake Byrd, are a great guy and quite a catch too.”
His mouth dropped open, as she’d hoped, and on that note, she spun and marched over to her computer. Somehow her talk with Drake put things with Clay in perspective for her, and she could now settle down and do her job. Be sure her father’s killer was prosecuted and find her sister. Then, she would seriously consider her conversation with Clay, and maybe, just maybe, she would become part of this very special family in the future.
21
Sierra yawned as she drank her tea across the dining table from Clay at six a.m. His parents were still sitting on the couch, and everyone else was vying for a shower. Thankfully, Clay had gotten in the guy’s bathroom first.
Sierra’s phone dinged.
“Who’s texting this early?” Clay asked. “Let me guess. Reed.”
“Nah, I talked to Reed while you were in the shower. It’s Chad.”
“Anything interesting?”
“He got the twine samples from both agencies. They’re a match.” A victorious smile lit her face.
“That’s great.” Clay considered grabbing another of his mother’s cinnamon rolls sitting in a container within reach. “Anything that sets it apart from the average twine out there?”
“It’s a common polypropylene sisal tying twine, but here’s the thing.” She paused and a self-satisfied grin crossed her face. “It’s made locally and specifically manufactured to be used in machines to bind Christmas trees for bulk shipping.”
“Christmas trees?” Clay’s excitement piqued. “Then I wonder if Trent’s people recovered any twine at Sharkey’s place. Or even Raders.”
“I wish we had access to all the evidence,” she said. “Would make things so much easier.”
His sentiments exactly. “You’re taking pictures for Kelsey today, right?”
She lifted a hand. “Don’t even ask me to tell you what I see.”
“I wasn’t planning to,” he said, but maybe she knew him better than he knew himself. Maybe he was going to ask. He was desperate for official information, that was for sure.
Frustrated, he planted his hands on the table. “The only thing left to do is review more videos, but they’re not telling us anything. It would be great if we could interview the families of the missing girls we identified, but I won’t do that.”
Sierra set her mug down. “Why not?”
“They need to hear about their missing daughters from law enforcement. Not us. And I don’t have much else to go on. I had Erik and Nick both hunt for any connections to Hibbard. Both struck out.”
“Sounds rough.”
“You want to hear rough.” He snapped forward. “Let me tell you about the countless videos we watched. Defenseless young girls violated by a monster. Hibbard in all of them. And he’s still free to keep doing it. This is now just as much about stopping the abuse than anything. I have to stop it. Don’t you see? Just have to.” Exhausted from his tirade, he leaned back.
Sierra squeezed his hand. “I’ll pray for the girls and all of you. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Those videos must’ve been horrible to watch.”
“It was worse for Toni, but of course she was adamant about reviewing her share. The whole time she had to be imagining what happened to Lisa. I wanted to protect her, but she’s an equal partner in this investigation, and I need to respect that.”
“I get it. Reed still keeps trying to shield me from the bad things I see, but it’s the profession we’ve chosen, and you both have to let us do our jobs.”
“But I don’t have to like it.”
Sierra’s mouth dropped open. “You’re in love with her.”
“Am I?” he asked, but he knew the answer.
“Sure seems like it.” Sierra sounded a little bit too eager. “She’s a wonderful person, and I’d love to have her in the family.”
“You’re getting a little ahead of yourself there.”
“You know me.”
“Yeah, mini-Mom.” He laughed and it felt good to let a bit of his frustration and angst go. And good to have a talk with Sierra. Since she got married they didn’t get together as often as they used to, and he missed her. Not that he would admit that to her.
Footsteps pounded down the hallway. Blake, dressed in his usual work attire of black tactical pants and coach’s shirt embroidered with the Veritas Center’s logo, stepped into the room. He bid Clay’s parents a good morning on the way past.
“Mom made coffee,” Clay said. “Mugs are above the pot, but I gotta warn you. It’ll be strong.”
“The stronger the better. Amelia might not be here, but I still woke up like it was her middle of the night feeding.” He shook his head and made his way to the counter.
Sierra poured more hot water into her mug. “So that’s what I have to look forward to.”
“For a while anyway.” Blake turned with a stoneware mug, steam rising from it.
Clay told him about the twine. “Means we’ve tied Rader and possibly Sharkey together in another way.”
“Tied?” He groaned. “Pretty bad pun for this time of the morning.”
“His puns are usually bad, no matter the time of day.” Sierra laughed.
“Guilty, but in this case I’m so tired, I didn’t even know I said it.”
Blake took a sip of his coffee. “You still want me to talk to Trent this morning.”
“Actually, I’d like to meet with him again. Compare some notes. Maybe he’ll reciprocate if we share more of what we know.”
Blake’s eyebrow went up. “If I were still sheriff, I wouldn’t, but then he’s not me.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Clay challenged.
“Fear of details getting out to the public and compromising the investigation.”
“Here’s the thing, though.” Clay leaned forward. “He’s got to be dealing with far more than he can handle. He either takes our help or he’ll have to call in the state police or FBI.”
Blake leaned back against the counter. “He doesn’t have to do either of those things.”
“But he has so much on his plat
e. The body at the high school. Rader’s murder. Likely six or more bodies found on Rader’s property. And now, he has Sharkey in custody and pictures of murdered individuals and videos of Hibbard with underage girls. Tons of them. How does Trent handle all that himself with limited resources?”
“I agree he needs help.” Blake crossed his feet at the ankles. “Just pointing out he doesn’t have to call in help. It’s up to him.”
Clay was starting to get frustrated with Blake. “And what would you do if you were in this situation?”
Blake tapped his finger on his mug and stared at it for a few seconds before looking up. “You know me. I’m a control freak and would like to keep things in house if I knew we could do the job well. So maybe I’d look for people I could trust to deputize and bring onto my force.”
“You wouldn’t call in another agency?” Clay clarified.
“Not if I had qualified people I could tap. Too much red tape and jockeying for control. Wastes time. But if I had someone I could trust to run point on each of these areas, that’s what I’d do.”
“Like who?”
“Me for one. Trent could use me.” Blake’s eyes brightened. “In fact, I might go ahead and suggest it. Even go so far as to volunteer.”
“Then who else?”
“Gee, I wonder. If I only knew someone who was a former law enforcement officer.” Blake grinned.
“That settles it.” Clay stood. “Get your things. We’re going to see Trent.”
Toni sat at the dining table feeling odd being at the Byrd’s beach house without Clay. She’d laid down for a quick nap before her shower but was so exhausted that she actually slept through her alarm and didn’t hear others stirring. By the time she got up, Clay and Blake had gone to meet with Trent. Clay had left a cryptic note saying that he had high hopes for the meeting and would be back soon to tell her about it.
Peggy set a plate of pancakes on the table. Drake grabbed the platter, but instead of taking any, he handed it to Toni. “Take them while you can.”
She smiled her thanks and forked two of the perfectly browned discs dotted with dark chocolate.
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