Silent Night Suspect

by Sharee Stover

  “Hey, don’t do that to yourself.” Slade tugged her into his arms.

  This time, she succumbed to his embrace, allowing the warmth and protection he offered. She soaked in his acceptance and pushed away the years of rejection she’d harbored too long. “It’s stupid to think I could have stopped his addiction, but the guilt is easier to deal with than admitting he loved drugs more than he loved me.”

  “I don’t believe that. He was sick and blind. You’re so worth loving,” Slade assured her, his breath hot against her ear.

  She had to establish distance before the moment lingered. Yet she didn’t move.

  His phone rang, providing the necessary separation. Slade released his hold on her and stood. He spoke quietly and turned his back to her, moving into the hallway.

  Asia stretched her sleeve over her hand, creating a barrier, and seized the whale. She needed answers now, not later. She slid the item into her hoodie pocket. What Slade wasn’t aware of, he wouldn’t report. At least not yet.

  Slade returned. “Beardly’s on his way up.”

  Asia nodded, thankful he couldn’t see her heart thudding inside her rib cage. “How did he know—”

  “Good question.” Slade moved toward the door. “Let me do the talking.”

  Asia trailed behind him, determined to smuggle the figurine out of the apartment undetected. Her pulse increased at the sight of Beardly closing the distance between them. She kept her hands in her hoodie pocket, wrapped around the whale.

  “Trooper Jackson, Mrs. Stratton. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

  “We were just leaving.”

  Beardly blocked the path. “Imagine my surprise when I recognized the address on the request for an evidence tech. Good thing I was already in the neighborhood.”

  “Sergeant Oliver suggested we have Asia visit her apartment to see if the familiar surroundings would help her memory return.”

  Beardly narrowed his beady blue eyes. “Hmm—and did it?”

  “Walking into the aftermath of a tornado deterred us,” Slade responded.

  “That’s too bad. No twinge of memory at all?” Beardly addressed Asia.

  “No, sir,” she squeaked under his penetrating gaze.

  He spoke to Slade. “Home invasion?”

  “More like a desperate search for something, based on the way they destroyed her belongings.”

  “No kidding? What do you suppose they were looking for, Mrs. Stratton?”

  She swallowed. “I have no clue.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you weren’t at home when it happened. You could’ve been seriously injured.” He pinned her with a glower. “You know, the DA has been quite interested in this high-profile case.”

  Asia maintained her position, afraid to draw attention to the whale that seemed to weigh a hundred pounds in her hoodie pocket.

  “I’ve heard that. I’m sure you’re eager for a solid lead on the real killer.” Slade’s steely tone added to the palpable tension.

  “We’re closing in on a viable suspect. I’m anxious to make the arrest.”

  The cold air kept Asia from completely suffocating under the unspoken accusation.

  “Well then, we’ll let you get to work.” Slade ushered Asia past Beardly.

  He restricted her departure, stepping in her way. “Trooper, I may have further questions. Perhaps you should stick around.”

  The whale in her pocket grew heavier by the second. Asia turned to Slade. “I’m sorry, but my shoulder hurts. I should rest.”

  Beardly’s feigned compassion was nauseating. “Of course. You’re still recovering from a terrible series of events. Please go on ahead. I’ll be in touch. I hope you feel better soon.” He shifted enough for them to pass, but Asia felt his stare on her.

  She didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until she exhaled on the last stair.

  Trey met them in the parking lot. “What was that all about?”

  “Beardly’s intimidation games,” Slade growled.

  “I’m amazed at his response time. That’s got to be a new record,” Trey replied.

  “Yeah, makes me wonder...”

  Asia remained silent while the men conversed, impatient to get into the car and inspect the whale.

  “We’re headed back to the house.”

  “Roger that.” Trey released Magnum. “We’ll go help Investigator Beardly.”

  Once she and Slade had driven a block from her apartment complex, she spoke. “That man makes me nervous.”

  “Yeah.” Slade gripped the steering wheel.

  Asia retrieved the whale, catching a glimpse of Slade’s double take in her peripheral. “What did you do?” he asked.

  “Not sure yet.” She turned the object over in her hand. “There’s an opening.” She inserted her fingernail and tugged, sucking in a breath.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Asia withdrew the strange square item. “There’s a key.”

  “I told you not to touch anything.” The curiosity in his tone overrode the scolding in his words. “Do you realize what would’ve happened if Beardly knew you’d taken that?”

  “Yep. I’m not waiting on everyone. I need answers now. And it seems I have one. Besides, I used my sleeve, so technically, I didn’t violate your rules.”

  Slade shook his head and sighed. “What’s that for?”

  She passed it to him for inspection. She’d seen these before, but it wasn’t a key for a regular lock. More like a—“Locker key! Zander worked out at the YMCA all the time.”

  He grinned. “Well, I can’t say I agree with your method, but good job. Guess that’s our next step.”

  SEVEN

  Before she talked herself out of it again, Asia asked, “I’m sure I’ll regret this, but why aren’t you more upset with me? I took the whale before the evidence people did their thing. Why the sudden change in your by-the-book ways?”

  A shadow passed over Slade’s face. What was he hiding?

  “Does this have something to do with the call you got at my apartment?”

  “No, that was Trey letting me know Beardly had arrived.” Slade merged onto the highway leading out of town. “Trey’s handling the report on your apartment, and the evidence folks will be busy documenting everything. So we’ll maximize our time and deal with that key. However, since you mentioned it...”

  Asia rolled her eyes. Here it came, Slade’s tiresome attempt to talk her out of investigating her own case. Give the man an A for effort. “Don’t waste your breath. I’m doing this with or without you.”

  Slade’s lips flattened. “Before you get angry, let me explain my next statement. I’m all for discovering the locker contents ourselves, but it’s in your best interest to have Beardly gather the evidence. We could have him meet us there to witness the discovery. Then if we encounter unwanted visitors, we’d have backup.”

  No way, Procedure Boy. Asia sat up straight, shoulders back. “I am not handing this key over to anyone until I see the contents for myself first.”

  “Asia, this isn’t up to you—”

  “Absolutely not. If you try to force me, I’ll...I’ll...” She’d what? Swallow the thing?

  Slade lifted a hand in surrender. “Relax. Don’t get yourself in a tizzy.”

  “Funny. Give us a little time to work through this before you go back to your straitlaced ways.”

  “For the record, I let you take the whale.”

  “You didn’t know I’d taken it.”

  “Fine, but I also didn’t make you return it to the scene.”

  “And I appreciate that.” A twinge of guilt inched up her spine for putting Slade in a bad position. “Whatever the ramifications, I’ll own them. You can deny any knowledge of the key in the whale.”

  Slade’s tone was harsh. “I’m not into using other
s as my scapegoats.”

  Asia nearly doubled over from the verbal blow. His comment was a dig for the way she’d dumped all her anger on him. The familiar comfort of defensiveness returned.

  “Understand, we’re withholding evidence—”

  “We are not. Stop with the rules. We have no clue what’s inside the locker. It could have Zander’s old dirty socks.” Yet, based upon what Slade had said, Zander died hiding the contents.

  “Asia.” His voice held a warning.

  She ignored him. Until she discovered what Zander intended by giving her the whale, she wasn’t inviting anyone else into her messed-up world. But what if the mysterious locker held drugs or money? Would she look guiltier?

  Slade was risking his career and life for her. What right did she have to argue with him? She was no expert in spy missions. If this qualified as a mission. “I’ll let you lead, but no reinforcements until we see what’s in the locker.”

  “Fair enough.” He turned left, heading out of town.

  Where was he going? “The YMCA is the other direction.”

  The corner of Slade’s lip curved upward. “Prudent preplanning is necessary.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Quenten’s men seem to be a step ahead of us. Let’s trip them up a bit.”

  “What’d you have in mind?”

  He grinned and accelerated onto the highway. “An incognito operation.”

  The next closest town was twenty minutes away with a population of three hundred and didn’t host an excess of shopping possibilities. Working to keep the bossiness from her voice, she offered, “The mall is also in the other direction.”

  “Who needs a store? My aunt loved costume parties. She’ll have what we need in her basement.”

  He’d thought through their next steps and produced a creative idea, but failed to factor in the time delay. She bit her lip to keep from voicing her annoyance.

  “You’ve witnessed firsthand the determination those men have to find whatever that card holds. They won’t give up.”

  “That’s for sure. Do you think the card’s in the locker?”

  “Maybe. Let’s put distance between us and your apartment. Let them think we’ve come up empty-handed rather than lead them straight to the source.”

  “That does make sense.”

  He grinned. “Will you look at us? The cooperative dream team.”

  “Whatever.” She shook her head, feigning irritation.

  “For the record, I value your opinions and ideas. Sometimes—not often—they might even be better than mine.”

  “I’m so glad you recognized that. Now I don’t have to pretend complacency.” She settled in the seat.

  “I have sisters, remember?”

  “You’re well indoctrinated. Remind me to thank them.” Not that she’d ever follow through with that commitment. Existing within the wild and entertaining Jackson clan, who laughed a lot and loved hard, had been great seventeen years ago. Acclimating to the perfect family now was inconceivable. Truth be told, she’d never belonged in their world. Or with Slade.

  Asia bit her lip, wanting to ask the tough questions. When did the clock run out on her freedom? Would he arrest or just detain her? The answers wouldn’t help though.

  Other than the fact they were running for their lives, being in his company had become easier, as if no time had passed between them. But a lot of time had passed and left demolished dreams, broken hearts filled with loss and changing goals. The familiar whispers of doubt reminded her of the way Slade had betrayed his partner, and in doing so, he’d betrayed her. Asia closed her eyes, trying to focus on anything except the painful thoughts demanding attention.

  No. She wouldn’t go there. She must remain in the present, not lost in the past. No matter how many times she’d pushed Slade away, beaten him with her hateful words and accusations, he’d been there for her. Even to the point of responding to a bizarre message requesting he meet her at the decrepit mobile home.

  Asia bolted upright in the seat. “Whoever sent you that text had knowledge of our history.”

  “I considered that too.”

  “A mutual friend or work contact? Or someone close to Zander?”

  “Anybody come to mind?”

  “No. Zander’s issues left us without friends or community. I kept to myself. It was easier than having to explain his random binges and disappearances.”

  Slade nodded in understanding, and she caught a glimpse of the small scar on his right cheek. Before her head reasoned with her hand, she gently touched the healed wound.

  “Proud of your tree-house-assault handiwork?” Slade asked with a grin.

  She quirked a brow. “That’s not fair. You’re the one who talked me into climbing the stupid thing. It’s not my fault you fell off.”

  He gave her a playful poke. “No way, Stratton. When I wasn’t looking, you bumped—or pushed—me out of the tree.”

  She shook her head. “Hold on. We were eight years old, and as intelligent a child as I was, premeditating your fall from the tree wasn’t on my agenda.” She snickered. “But if that’s what you need to tell yourself and everyone else, for the sake of your dignity, we can pretend.”

  The vehicle jolted into a pothole and she grasped his arm, the hard muscles unyielding beneath her touch. Solid and strong.

  Slade turned to face her. “Sorry about that. Didn’t see it coming until it was too late.”

  Couldn’t have said it any better. Asia pushed back, then dropped her hands in her lap. Warmth radiated up her neck and her mind blanked.

  For the first time since waking across from Nevil Quenten, the fear of prison wasn’t what scared her most. It was the realization that she was softening toward Slade. Everything within her wanted to ignore his kindness and stay aloof, but the tug to embrace forgiveness pulled harder.

  What had they been talking about? “Sorry, I’m still trying to get my heart rate down,” she sputtered. True, but not for the reasons he’d be thinking.

  “I’ll pay better attention to the road,” he promised. “Almost there.”

  She nodded while her mind continued to wander. Though it wasn’t logical, she felt safe with Slade. Zander had left her to fend for herself, and the vulnerability had prevented her from sharing those fears with anyone. She couldn’t afford visible weakness, even if it meant pretending strength. Being in Slade’s care provided comfort, however fleeting it might be. The self-protection she kept in place guarding her heart shifted as she gave herself permission to trust him. She had no one else to turn to.

  His friendship had been a lifeline throughout her tumultuous marriage—the only constant she depended on until Slade turned Zander in. Looking back, his timely demand that she end any communication with Slade explained a lot.

  Her husband’s facade of jealousy masked his true intentions. Zander stopped loving her a long time ago, so that hadn’t been his motive. The truth dawned on her. He wanted to ensure she had no association with Slade.

  Asia snorted, attracting Slade’s attention. She coughed to cover the embarrassing noise.

  Zander’s misdeeds had merited reporting. Blaming Slade had been easier than admitting her husband chose everything except her. The rejection severed her confidence. His untimely death left her with a haunting, unanswerable question. Why hadn’t she been enough?

  “I sure hope this key is worth all the effort Zander took to hide it.” And all he’d suffered to keep it hidden. Asia rolled the item in her hand. Did it hold the answers, or something more incriminating?

  * * *

  Asia lifted the blond wig from the bathroom counter and balanced it on one hand while using the other to finger-groom the wayward strands.

  True to his word, Slade had found a large plastic tub filled with costumes in the basement of his aunt’s home. They’d spent over an hour rummaging throu
gh the mixture of odds and ends to come up with a believable ensemble for each of them.

  She tugged the hairpiece down over her ears, then tucked her own stray locks of dark hair inside. The wig’s short wisps aged her twenty years and transformed her into a stranger. She slid a pair of black-rimmed eyeglasses on her nose and studied her appearance. Adorned in the navy business suit, she didn’t recognize herself. Perfect.

  A knock followed by Slade’s baritone voice interrupted the inspection. “Ready?”

  “Come on in.”

  The bathroom door swung open. Slade took a step forward then leaned against the frame, sporting a full graying beard, complete with matching eyebrows that sprouted above his round spectacle frames. His red-and-blue-striped sweater-vest complemented the khaki pants.

  Asia tried—unsuccessfully—to stop the burst of giggles that escaped.

  “I take it my disguise works?” Slade wriggled his eyebrows, making them dance above his glasses.

  “Whew, give me a second.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “It’s perfect. You remind me of old man Jenkins. Although I think Trey will be our true litmus test.” She smoothed down the jacket and fluffed her wig. “Let’s do this.”

  Asia tucked her arm into his crooked elbow, and they made their way to the living room.

  Trey glanced up from the newspaper he held, wearing a wide grin. “You two look great. Asia, you resemble Aunt Velma in that outfit. And, Slade...well...you’re looking more like Dad.”

  Slade glanced down. “Yeah, I noticed that too.”

  Trey folded the paper. “Are you sure you don’t want me to follow you?”

  Magnum lay at his feet, his triangle-shaped head over enormous brown paws. He raised a furry eyebrow but didn’t move.

  “No, but keep your phone close. If there are any issues, I’ve got you on speed dial. We plan to be back within an hour.”

  “Alrighty.” Trey lifted his paper again.

  Asia aimed for the garage, but Slade grasped her arm. “We’re riding in style.” He pointed out the window to the seventies sedan—complete with chipping two-tone, blue-and-white paint and rusted everything else—parked across the street.