Page 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sam caught the bug at the tail end of its run through the tristate area.

He didn’t get as sick as most—and Clara credited that to his strong constitution, boosted by some extra doses of blood mixed in the soups and stews she made for him.

At his insistence, she’d gone back to work. Though they’d hit a nice jackpot with Zach Tarrington’s cash tips, they couldn’t afford to have both of them off work for too long.

She came home on his third day down to find him not only up and around, but with supper waiting.

“Sam! You shouldn’t’ve done all this. You only kicked that fever out yesterday.”

And to make sure it had stayed out, she put the back of her hand on his forehead.

“Feeling pretty good, and I figured we both deserved a steak dinner, so I went out and bought us some T-bones.”

He gave her a wink out of eyes she found, with relief, clear.

“I can’t fry up chicken like my Clara, but I know how to fry up a steak. You let me know when you were heading home, so I got them and taters staying warm in the oven. Got some peas and carrots going because I know how you are about putting something green on the plate.”

Delighted, she gripped her linked hands under her chin. “This is such a treat!”

“You sit right down at the table, babe. I’ll get us some cold beers.”

“I could sure use one. I put in a day and a half on shift, I swear. Three-car pileup, and we got the injured.” She sat, sighed as her feet thanked her. “A couple treated and released, another concussed, and we got two in surgery. I’m glad to put this day behind me.”

“You do that now.”

He brought the beer, then took out the plates to add the carrots and peas from the saucepan.

“This looks so good. Biscuits, too!”

“Not your homemade ones. I popped them out of the Doughboy roll.” Grinning, he mimed slapping the package on the edge of the table.

“They look just right. I’m so glad you’re well again.”

“Me, too, babe. We sure had us a down-and-out February and right into March between us. But that’s over now, and we’re good to go.”

“Spring can’t come soon enough.” She ate a bite of steak. “This sure hits the spot. You’re my hero, doll.”

“You’re my queen, babe. With all the blowing and hacking we’ve done, we haven’t had much time for our most important work.”

“That’s the God’s truth.” She cut open her baked potato. As the steam rose, she loaded on the margarine. “I did do some looking and calculating while you were down. But I can’t deny I was distracted with you so sick. Just couldn’t clear my head of the worry.”

“No worries now, babe.”

“There were two I kept going back to, but I need to look again, see if I get my feeling.”

“Tell me about them.”

“I got a man, sixty-two if I recollect. In for gall bladder surgery. Should’ve been routine, but he coded on them in recovery. Now we know, doll, there’s a reason for that.”

With the sober nod of the faithful, Sam cut another piece of meat. “His time. Just that simple.”

“That’s right, but they brought him back. He’s up Farmington way, has his own little hardware business.”

“We took the last from Uniontown.”

“I know it’s close, but that’s why we wait awhile, and we got the van painted up. I haven’t heard anything about them looking for a white van either.”

“If he gets your feeling, babe, we’re heading for Farmington.”

They clinked beer bottles.

“The other’s a woman. About forty-six, I think. This one electrocutes herself. Not on purpose. She’s changing out a ceiling light for a fancier one. And didn’t she forget to turn off the power? I swear, it strikes me as meant to be.”

With a shake of her head, Clara scooped up some peas and carrots.

“Gets that bad shock and falls off the stepladder, knocked herself out. Her daughter was there, pregnant daughter at the time, and called nine-one-one, did CPR. She was gone for about four minutes before the EMTs got there and used the paddles. She’s outside Kingwood.”

“When she die, babe?”

“Last March—near a year now. And the man, he died in May.”

“After dinner, we’ll take a look at both. Maybe me being with you and back a hundred percent’ll help bring on your feeling.”

She sent him a slow smile. “I get all kinds of feelings when you’re with me.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “We’ll work on those after. I sure have missed making love to you, babe.”

“We’ll make up for lost time. For the mission, and for us. Sam, I swear, this steak’s done to a turn.”

“I rubbed a little something extra on it, let it sit awhile, before I fried it up. I knew we both could use it.”

“It’ll help get us back to full strength.” She ate another bite. “Plus, adds flavor.”

As Sloan debated coffee or Coke for her drive to work, someone hammered on her door. She wrenched it open to find Drea with a jacket thrown over pajamas.

“Who’s hurt? Are you hurt? Mom and Dad—”

“I’m fine, they’re fine. Everything’s fine. Everything’s amazing.”

“You’re in pj’s,” Sloan said as she shut the door.

“I couldn’t wait. What’s different?” Drea demanded. “Come on, come on, you see everything! What’s different?”

“Having you beat on my door in your pajamas to start. What’s—” Then she grabbed Drea’s left hand, stared at the ring. “Oh my God.”

“Isn’t it beautiful? Isn’t it perfect? I’m getting married!” She threw her arms around Sloan and bounced.

“Wait. Wow. Wait. Didn’t you meet him like five minutes ago?”

“Three months!” When she drew back, Drea’s eyes sparkled like the diamond. “And I know that’s fast, but I’m so in love with him. He’s in love with me. We’re looking at next fall for the wedding.

“Be happy for me!”

“I am.” A quick internal evaluation found that truth. “God, of course I am. You just knocked me back. Way back.”

Drea turned two circles.

“I had to work a little late yesterday, so he said he’d take care of dinner. I figured he’d pick up a pizza or whatever, but when I got home, he’d made dinner.”

“He cooked?”

“Shrimp scampi, and it was good, too. I thought he was flustered and nervous because of that. I mean, he cooked, and he had the table set with candles and flowers. He had a bottle of champagne and music on. It was so sweet. So romantic.”

Sloan knew Drea prized both the sweet and the romantic.

Now tears added more sparkle to Drea’s eyes. “Then he—oh, Sloan—he got down on one knee.”

“He did not.”

“He did, he did! Then I knew, of course I knew, but I couldn’t even speak. He said he loved me, that I’d shown him what it was to love. He wanted to build a life with me, make a home, a family together. And he promised to work every day to be the man I deserved, to be the partner I could count on.”

Nailed it, Theo , Sloan thought.

“Who could say no to that?”

“Not me.” On another circle, Drea held her left hand high to admire the ring from another angle. “I knew you’d be leaving for work, so I ran over here as soon as he left this morning. Now I have to run back and tell Mom and Dad. You’ll be my maid of honor, won’t you, like we promised each other when we were kids?”

“If you didn’t keep that promise, I’d find a way to make your life hell. My little sister’s getting married. I need to process.”

“You’ve got until September or October.”

“I don’t have to ask if you’re sure. It’s all over you.” She took Drea’s hand again to take a better look at the ring. “And he gets you. It’s a pretty big rock, but it’s classy, not flashy. Classic and elegant and very, very you. He’s a really great guy, Drea. He almost deserves you.”

Drea wrapped around her, and on a long sigh swayed. “I’m so happy. I have to go tell Mom and Dad.” She gave Sloan a long, hard squeeze.

When Drea rushed out, Sloan walked slowly back to the kitchen. She grabbed a Coke—quicker—then put on her outdoor gear.

She needed to think about this. Yes, it was Drea’s life, and her sister was more than capable of making her own decisions.

But she needed to process.

She thought about it on and off during her workday, and made her mental list of pros and cons.

Since Travis was family, she shared with him at the end of the day. But started her roundup end to beginning.

“We had a couple of guys racing their snow machines. Damn near ran over a group of snowshoers. I let Sanchez take the lead with them, and before they got pissy—and they were about to—she charmed them.”

She went through the rest, back to their first call involving a birder who’d gone off the trail and gotten lost.

“We got him back on track, and suggested he get an actual compass rather than depending on a phone app. And Drea’s engaged.”

“Sounds like— What? To the new guy? The carpenter guy?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s quick work.”

“I know, right? But after—” She tapped her index fingers to either side of her head. “I have to say, and I hate using the phrase, but they’re made for each other.”

“Did you run him?”

“Yeah. He’s a good guy, Cap. I can wish they’d known each other longer, but it’s their life. And they’re looking at a fall wedding, so that’s time. I really like him, and when I push the that’s quick aside, I really like him for Drea.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” He angled his head. “You’re a good judge of people, and their character, and Drea’s a smart, more-than-capable woman. What’s your dad think?”

“I haven’t talked to him, since I just found out this morning. But he likes both Littlefield brothers, a lot.”

“Yeah. So he’s said.”

“Next time you get a chance, you can come by, see what they’ve done at my place. Just a couple of rooms, but it’s good work.”

“Good work’s always valued. You did some of your own. I’ve heard from the leads on the Anderson and the Rigsby cases. They’re not completely convinced of the connection, your motive theory—you got O’Hara on board with Tarrington—but it’s a new angle, and one they’ll pursue. They’ll share their files with each other, and with us.”

At the last, Sloan let out her held breath. “It’s not a coincidence, Cap.”

“I agree with you, but then I know you, they don’t. My impression is Detective O’Hara gave this a firm push on your behalf.”

“Then I’m grateful for it. Cap, they’re already at four weeks since Tarrington. The pattern’s been four or six weeks between.”

“Understood. And understood by the leads as well. And you understand the difficulties.”

She’d gone over it all herself countless times.

“Different jurisdictions, only one—potential—witness. And medical intervention’s used routinely and often to shock someone back. I should know. I’m one of them.”

He leaned forward, his face stony. “You’ve convincingly laid out a theory where you fit the description of a target. If I believe your theory, and I do, that person or persons unknown are abducting people who’ve received that medical intervention, and who live in the radius you outlined, you fit.”

“I was treated outside that radius,” she pointed out.

“You’re my sergeant, Sloan. You’re also my family. On both levels, I want you to stay alert and aware.”

“That I can promise.”

“You’ll get the files by tomorrow. Go home. I need to call Dean and tell him he’s on the next step to being a grandpa.”

“You would.”

Grinning, Travis leaned back in his chair. “Oh, I can’t wait. Payback for him buying me a cardigan with patches on the elbows when Marlie got pregnant. I’ve got my eye on slippers when it’s his turn.”

Amused, she headed out. She felt pumped at the idea she’d be able to work all three cases—on her own time, in her own office, but she’d have more details.

Whether the devil was in them or not, answers often were.

And she had plenty of questions.

She’d go home, change out of her uniform. She’d toss something together for dinner and eat in her office, where she’d try to find some answers with the details she had.

But first, she decided, she had to make one stop.

She drove past her house and turned into Nash’s drive.

Just his truck out front, which she’d expected, since she’d talked to her mother earlier and Elsie had bubbled over about planning a wedding.

She imagined Drea and Theo enjoyed one of her mom’s home-cooked meals while celebrating and planning.

When she knocked and didn’t hear Tic’s happy bark of greeting, she imagined he enjoyed his dinner with Mop.

Nash opened the door; she felt a quick sting of regret.

He looked like a man who’d put in a hard day of work, and that appealed to her. Some might say he needed a trim and a shave, but she wouldn’t, because the just-a-little-scruffy look appealed, too.

“I wanted to talk to you if you’re not too busy.”

“If you’re here to discuss wedding plans because I’m best man and you’re best woman, I’m closing this door and I’m locking it.”

“That’s not what I want to talk about.” Or only indirectly, she thought as she stepped in.

“Fine. I’m about to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I guess you want one now.”

“No, really—”

“Come on back. I want a beer.”

“This really won’t take long. And you don’t sound thrilled about my sister and your brother.”

“I’m fine with that,” he said as he walked back to the kitchen. “It’s the whole wedding thing. I’ve had friends do the wedding thing. It’s enough to make your eyes bleed.”

“At some point we’ll have to get in on that, but it’s not what…”

She got her first glimpse of the kitchen.

“You—” She pushed back her hat. “What? This is… You don’t even cook.”

“Technically, grilling bread and cheese is cooking. It requires heat and a pan.”

“But this is…” She ran a hand over the smooth surface of the counter on the enormous island. “This isn’t why I came either, but I’m taking a minute.

“You have a six-burner stove, double ovens, and the biggest refrigerator I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s a big space.”

“The wine rack.” A vertical series of diamond shapes stained to match the exposed beams on the lofted ceiling. “You made that?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s good. It’s all really good. Enough rustic with that, the exposed beams, the original wood floor, the open shelves to keep it from pushing into slick and sleek. It suits the house.”

“I think so.”

When she turned back to him, he held out a glass of wine.

“Oh, I really… thanks. Okay, I’d rate this kitchen as a cook’s dream, so you’d better start collecting cookbooks. Did you know Theo cooked Drea dinner?”

“Yeah.” He got out bread, cheese, butter. “CJ gave him the recipe because he couldn’t stop obsessing. He tried it out on me first. Pretty good. Are you cold?”

“No. Oh, coat.”

“Just toss it on a stool. You can pretend you’ve hung it up.”

“Did you know he was going to propose?”

“Yeah.” He got out a skillet, set it on a burner. “I went with him to pick out the ring. He wanted backup.”

Nash glanced at her. “If you’re pissed I didn’t mention that to you, get over it.”

“I’m not. If you’d told me, it means you don’t have a vault.” Resigned, knowing he had one added more appeal, she drank some wine. “It’s a beautiful ring.”

“He didn’t really need me. He took one look at it, and that was that. Sort of like when he took one look at your sister.”

“It’s really fast.”

“That’s what I said. But.”

“Yeah, but. I really like Theo.”

“Good. I really like Drea. And if we didn’t, it’s still up to them.”

“Right. Better that we like them, though. And they’re good together.”

“Agreed. But I’m warning you, if this is leading up to best people duties, I’m kicking you out.”

“That can wait until after the wild joy settles down some. Besides, all you really have to do is throw him some guy party, show up, and give a toast.”

“You’re getting dangerously close to the boot, Sergeant Cooper.”

“It applies to why I’m here. My sister’s going to marry your brother. That makes us in-laws.”

“Does it?”

“Sort of, anyway. So it’s awkward for you and me to continue to sleep together.”

“How do you figure?”

“My family’s big on gatherings. Not just holidays, but Sunday dinners once or twice a month, summer cookouts, and all of it. It feels awkward for us to have a sexual relationship when our siblings are married—and knowing Drea, probably starting a family within the year. Which adds a mutual niece or nephew to the mix.”

“You can overthink. Probably makes you good at your job, but boy, can you overthink.” He flipped the sandwiches, gave them a little press with the spatula. “You do realize the two of them getting married doesn’t make sex between us incestuous.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” She tossed back some wine. “I said ‘awkward.’”

He got plates out from one of the glass-fronted cabinets, then flipped a sandwich onto each one. After walking with them to the island, he set them down. Then pulled her off the stool, kissed her.

“Doesn’t feel awkward to me.”

“Because you want sex.”

“There is unquestionably that. Add, I find you a very interesting woman, one I enjoy spending time with even without the sex. But I still want that,” he continued as he walked over to what she saw was an enormous and mostly empty walk-in pantry with lowers that matched the island and coffee station.

He brought back a bag of chips.

“I love my brother, and since I’m already solidly in serious like, I’m probably going to end up loving your sister. You love your sister, and you’ll end up loving my brother. And none of that has anything to do with two consenting adults having sex.

“Now eat your sandwich.”

She stared down at her plate. “It’s weird, you have to admit it’s a weird situation.”

“I’ll give you slightly strange. Slightly strange doesn’t bother me or I’d never have bought this house.”

She looked around the kitchen. “It’s going to be a terrific house.”

“It’s on its way.”

Since it was there, and looked good, she picked up the sandwich. “I’m not starting on my kitchen. This makes me want to even though mine’s less than a quarter of this size. But I’m not because I have to start thinking about the exterior as soon as the weather breaks enough for that. The size says I should probably go for white cabinets.”

“Not in that house.”

“No, not in that house. But—not thinking about it.” She bit into the sandwich. “What are you going to do with all this storage, and a pantry as big as—no, bigger than—the room I use as an office?”

Like her, he looked around. “I don’t have a clue.”

She shifted to him. “You’ll figure it out. Figuring things out’s something we have in common.”

“What are you figuring out?”

“Oh, I’ve got multiple things going. On a personal level, what color house do I want, how wide do I want for the front porch I need. How to handle the inevitable questions when people find out we’re sleeping together. Which they will.”

“How about—just try this on: None of your business .”

“I don’t say that to my family.” She waited a beat. “Would you?”

“To Theo? Unlikely, as he wouldn’t judge.”

“I’ll figure it out.” She shrugged and ate another bite. “On a professional level, I’m trying to figure out what drives someone to abduct people who’ve been resuscitated.”

“How’s that going?”

“It’ll go better when I get the files on the Anderson and Rigsby cases. My captain said we should have them by tomorrow. When I’m cleared to talk to the wife and girlfriend—Rigsby—and Anderson’s husband, family, I might scratch up a little more.”

She reached for some chips. “The lead investigators on the three cases are cross-checking with each other, and that may break something open. For now, I’ll go home and work with what I’ve got.”

Picking up her wine, she smiled at him. “And I don’t have to make my dinner.”

“Let me know if you need somebody to bounce things off of.”

She considered him. “If you give me an hour to go back over some things, make some more notes, I could use that. Since I’ve decided to go with ‘slightly strange,’ you could bring a change of clothes.”

Coolly, he went for more chips. “Sounds like you assume I’ll sleep with you.”

“I do. I do assume that.”

“Then finish your sandwich and get lost. I’ll be there in an hour or so. I want to run some baseboard first.”

She nodded. “I’m going to tell you something about the guy I was with for a while before I got shot.”

He shifted enough to meet her eyes. “See, that’s something I find awkward, and unnecessary.”

“Maybe it’s both, but I just want to say I never bounced work around with him, I never even considered doing that. Not only because I had Joel, but because he wasn’t interested. He never asked and wouldn’t have listened. And he couldn’t have run baseboard if you held a nail gun to his head.”

“So those are points for me.”

“They are.”

“I’ll make sure to add them to the scoreboard.” He ate some chips as he studied Sloan’s face. “In return I’ll tell you one thing about the woman I was with for a while before I moved here. She’d hate this place.”

He glanced toward the wide window and the sprinkle of moonlight through the dark.

“That’s not a dig, it’s just fact. New York’s her place. And this really isn’t.”

“So, my point?”

“I guess it is.”

“I’ll add it to my spreadsheet.” She rose, kissed his cheek. “Thanks for the sandwich.”

Later that night, the blue van parked at the far end of the lot, and kept watch.

One by one the shops in the strip mall closed. Owners or managers came out, locked up. Drove off.

They watched Lori Preston do the same.

“A little later than yesterday,” Sam noted down the time as he had the night before. “That tattoo parlor’s the only other place still open, and that doesn’t close for another hour.”

“I swear I don’t understand why people want to mark up the body the good Lord gave them.”

“If I was to get a tattoo, it would be right over my heart. It would say CLARA , because that’s the name that lives inside my heart.”

“Oh, you!” She swatted and giggled.

“We could try for her, babe.”

“Not tonight. No, not tonight, doll. We keep an eye tonight.”

But because that feeling grew in her, she nodded. “Soon, though. I got an idea on it. Let’s follow her on home. I think this is the place to do it, but let’s follow her on home again, just to see what’s what.”

Impatience scraped, but love smoothed it out again. “You know best, babe.”

She gave his hand a pat. “I believe I do. Just wasting this stolen life she got. Working late every night, going home in the dark to an empty house. And how many people did we see going in that place of hers this last hour?”

“About three, and only one left with a shopping bag.”

“Wasting this stolen life.”

The wrongness of it struck Clara to the core and brought her pain. To ease that hurt, she thought of Zach Tarrington’s repentance, and his homecoming.

“We’ll send her to a better place.” She patted Sam’s hand again as he started the engine. “But not tonight.”