BAD Beginnings (6 page)

C
hapter Nine

G
emma cringed and the walls
shook when Logan’s office door slammed shut. Hmmm. The vacation was over. For both of them, Gemma thought. The lab had spent the rest of the weekend scouring the car for evidence or DNA. There was plenty of DNA but none of it matched to anything in the cases. Additionally the old pre-sun and fun man had returned. Her case was dead.

Her boss called as she drove that morning and set up a meeting for 6 p.m. “We need to get a status on your case load.” She sighed. Case Load. That was code for you’re about to be fired…or transferred from said case. Or demoted.

She frowned at the file she’d opened on her desk, her cryptic list of discoveries. Which had zero connections that would help her case.

“Gemma, do you have a minute?” Logan’s gravely voice jolted her awake and she clicked the close button before he reached her desk. “I need your help.”

She smiled, thankful he couldn’t see her computer screen. “Sure, what can I do?”

Well, at least his voice hadn’t gone back to the old stiff mode. He frowned. “Do you have access to check the accounting system for me?”

“No. You’ve never authorized it. I had hoped to view your reports and help you with some of the bills but you never turned in the forms.”

“It looks like I was in such a hurry to leave, I think I may have approved a check twice. Tell me who to talk to in accounting and I’ll get you set up. Can you run a report on all the payments over five thousand that I’ve done in the past month? Also, I’ve totally forgotten my password and need to access the computer. I changed it before I left and then spaced it out. Who do I need to see or call about getting it reset?”

He had obviously forgotten a lot more than just his password. Maybe he’d overdosed while away? It was odd how he seemed to grow a five-o’clock shadow so early. Had he always done that and she never noticed? She cleared her throat. “Once you authorize, I’ll take care of it. You’ll have the report in about fifteen minutes and I’ll call technology about the password. They’ll get you in.”

He hesitated at her door as if to say more, then turned. “Logan.” He whirled back and she tossed the keys his way. “Thanks.”

“Sure, no problem. How are you getting home today? Want me to drop you off?”

She shrugged. Yeah, drop me off at the precinct. Sure. “No, I have a friend coming by, but thanks for the offer.”

Ten minutes later, she deposited the paper on his desk as he scanned through account reports with a furrowed brow. Odd that he had suddenly taken an interest in the status of their financials. Was there an issue? Is that why he left for a while?

She tried to peer over his shoulder at the screen but he adjusted around, blocking her view. “Were you able to deliver the check the other night to the D.A. while I was passed out on the floor?”

“Oh, yeah. I handed it to him after the nurse arrived and started barking orders. You sure know how to host a party. First, you bring everyone to tears and they start breaking out the checkbooks. Second, you take a dive that sends them even further into palpitations. If we’d stayed, what would you have done next?”

He picked up a pencil and chewed the eraser, contemplating the question. “Most likely race for the door. Oh, yeah, that’s exactly what I did, wasn’t it?”

“Yep, and I’ve already gotten calls from the event coordinator about that. She was ‘disappointed’ you weren’t able to fully represent the company at the gala—but hoped you were okay. That last part was added when I told her we thought you had a minor concussion and needed to be off your feet for a while.”

His head was buried in the report she’d dropped on the desk, scanning numbers and turning pages. He highlighted a few lines as he moved through the stack. “Ah, there we go.” Whatever he had been searching for was found. “It seems I’ve missed a payment to my mother.”

“For what?”

“The VAA-Victims Advocacy Group. See?” He dropped a forefinger to one of the highlights. “She gets them every month and delivers them herself.”

“How do you know that? You haven’t seen her in years.” Gemma knew that for a fact as he’d been followed enough to know everyone he talked with intimately.

“That’s why she’s here. We missed a check. Seems her cause is suffering.” Gemma was pretty sure the only cause suffering was mommy herself.

“Oh. But the check is on the list. See, right there. It’s been paid this month.” He squinted at the entry she referenced.

“Yep. That’s odd. Can you see if it cleared the bank? Maybe it was lost in the mail or something. I wonder why we don’t do this electronically. It’d save a lot of effort.”

“And rob her of a little grandstanding?”

Logan clucked. “Good point. Mind checking for me? I plan to do a little work then go for a walk.” He smiled to dismiss and she left to research the check status.

Fortunately, the cleared checks were stored in the system, so a few clicks and she could see each payment. Interesting. All, except the last check had been signed by Sharon on behalf of the organization. The account numbers all matched. The last check was stamped with the organization’s full name. Gemma absorbed the printed names below the stamp. And swore. For the families of Allison Gerner, Natalie Harkins, and Cassidy Bairn.

Bingo.

Gemma practically floated into the precinct at 5:30. Apprehensive glances her way told her to beware but she ignored them. She had found a lead. Finally. No matter what happened next, that check was a solid tie to Logan’s mother and hence him. She shook off the coldness in her shoulders that made her question the thought of Logan’s involvement. A month ago she was certain he was her guy—or at least associated somehow. Now? She wasn’t sure.

Until the check.

“Look at this.” She slid the copy under her boss’ nose and interrupted his reading of a case file.

“It’s a copy of a check.”

She grinned and nodded. “Yep. To a fund set aside for the victims. Look at the names.” She ran a finger over the signatures, then flipped the paper and tapped at the corner. “And if that’s what I think it is, it’s a fingerprint. And a blood splatter. We just need to run it through the lab and—”

The casters below his chair squeaked as Chief Warner leaned back to scrutinize the paper enclosed in a zip-lock. “It could be any fingerprint and anyone’s blood. What makes you think it’s important?”

“The date. It was written the same day that Hannah Hellsner went missing. The day Logan left for vacation.”

Warner hitched his brows and surveyed the check further before clearing his throat. “Okay. Have it tested. See if we can get a DNA or print match. We’ll need to go talk to the people at that non-profit too. ”

“No problem.” She snatched her evidence and whirled to leave.

“No. Not you.” Warner’s voice squelched her mood. She waited. Was this when he told her she was off the case? Despite her new find, he’d decided to pull the plug? Give her walking papers? “Get Garret or Brown to go. You’re still his assistant, remember?”

Oh. “Yeah, right. Got it.” She pulled the door open and rushed out before he changed his mind.

C
hapter Ten

T
he sense of urgency that
had enveloped him from the start had crept back. Baden growled and picked up the list of numbers he’d accumulated. Where the hell else do you look for a beat-up unidentified person—or body? Guilt was a dangerous roommate and the longer he delayed, the more likelihood the real Logan would surface. Or die if not found.

For all the other things Baden had become, that wasn’t one of them. He’d be damned if he ever became responsible for someone’s death. So he dialed them all and again found zip. The last number on the list stared at him.

Gemma.

She seemed pretty good at solving every other problem he’d encountered. What would she say if he called and asked about one more?

Hey there. Where exactly would I find a missing and badly beaten lowlife or maybe a dead body?

No. That was probably too much. Besides, the guy had taken the time to clean his place so he wasn’t dead, just missing. And of course, he was still a lowlife. That wasn’t going to change, but Baden wasn’t sure where else to look. Could the guy be hiding?

He smiled. Yeah, who wouldn’t want to hide from Mommy dearest?

He dialed Gemma.

*

Gemma tracked down both Garret and Brown at the tavern three blocks from the station. It was a local hangout for the department after hours and all sorts of cases had been broken open or solved over a few beers with the right people. Not to mention, the barmaids were always a bit flirtatious and filled with uniform-lust. Brown, being the machismo guy he was, loved the attention. Garret just went with the flow and followed his partner. Ironically, the girls fawned over Garret’s nonchalance more than Brown’s bigger, badder aura.

Gemma grinned as she approached, hoping Chief Warner briefed them in advance. Her experience was the guys hadn’t wanted to help the new girl. Had to be that she was green, because none of these guys would have a problem with a woman on the force. Right? Right. “Hey guys. Can I bother you for a minute or two?” She slipped behind Garrett and signaled for a beer. He held up his bottle too and made a scribble signal then pointed to his chest. Obviously, her drink was going on his tab.

“I understand you need a bit of our stellar investigative skills. We’ll go by tomorrow first thing.”

“You’ve seen the check?”

He nodded. “It’s about time you came up with solid evidence. We can take it from here.”

Gemma’s face flushed and her skin started to prickle. “You’re just going by to ask questions. Period. I’m still in this, but they can’t see me. For all they know, I’m still his assistant—and they can’t know about the check or how you found it. Capiche?”

He gulped the beer, then swiped his mouth. “Yeah. Sure. Any specific questions you need asking? Or we just scoping things out?”

Brown, half listening, tore his gaze from the barmaid at his side and grinned. “Tell us what you need. We’re on it, babe.”

Gemma’s eyes flared. Did he really just call me babe and wink at me? NO way. “Well, now that you ask.” She slipped a finger down her neck, into her bra, and pulled out a piece of paper. Squelching the laugh as their mouths dropped, she slid the paper toward both. “If you can find out these things, that’ll do. Babe.” She blew a kiss at Brown and chugged the beer, then slammed the bottle on the counter. Both men jolted, then glanced at the paper as she strutted away.

She checked the mirror over the bar to see Garret punch Brown’s arm and laugh. “Did you see where she pulled that from, man? Bronze it, dude.”

Gemma rolled her eyes and stepped to the street as her cell buzzed into action. Logan. What could he possibly want this time of night? “I’m off duty, you know.” She snapped her fingers, realizing it had sounded more like a cop than an assistant.

His voice was soft as he snickered. “I’ll pay you overtime. You busy?”

Overtime? Sure, like that had ever happened. “As a matter-of-fact, I am. I’m out with friends having a drink. Is there a crisis at work or something? Don’t tell me. You missed me already.”

“Something like that. Where are you? I’ll meet you there.”

Nope, not happening. “I was just leaving. I’ll meet you at the Cracker Barrel by your house in thirty. Good enough?”

“Great! Thanks.”

Maybe if he’d stop taking afternoon walks, he wouldn’t need to work this late. She shrugged and headed for her car. She’d have to speed a little to get there.

The parking lot was full when she arrived. People packed the place no matter the time of day. She glanced at her watch and shook her head. Almost nine p.m. So much for a quiet discussion with the boss. As she worked her way through the crowd to his table, the smell of bacon, grease, and bread was a step back in time. It reminded her of a trip to her grandparents as a child. Her insides warmed.

“Damn, Gemma. Do you also sleep in business clothes? Don’t you ever get tired of wearing a skirt?” Logan drew a coffee cup to his lips and blew a waft of steam from the liquid.

If you only knew. She hadn’t put a skirt on in four years prior to taking this gig. The chafing from her firearm had been a bruiser for the first few months. “Actually I’d give my eye teeth to put on sweatpants right now but I haven’t been home.”

“Sorry about that.”

“No worries. So, why am I here? And what are you doing working this late?” She grabbed the water by her plate and sucked in a drink. His face was somber. The five-o’clock shadow from earlier in the day had grown thicker. His hair was spiked on top as if he’d run fingers through it—a nervous habit he’d developed since his return. Or maybe since the haircut?

“I wanted to show you something.”

“Gemma! Oh. My. God!” A squeal erupted and Logan spurted coffee back into the cup. Gemma cringed at the voice. Not now. Dammit, why hadn’t I picked somewhere a little farther away? She glanced around and her stomach sank. Somewhere where I wouldn’t be known. Before she could turn, her face was smothered between two hefty arms in a bear hug, reminding her that the high pitched squeal accompanied a very, very toned body.

Of her sister.

Gemma panicked as she wriggled free from her sibling. Would he see the resemblance despite the color in Gwen’s hair? Would she blow her entire two-year’s work? She had to stop her sister from doing the normal chat-a-person-to-sleep routine. Before she chatted Gemma right out of her case.

“Gwen, can’t you see I’m busy?” She nodded at her companion, thankful this time she was sitting with the hottest guy in the room. Sliding a hand down Gwen’s arm, she grasped her fingers and squeezed. Hard. A quick frown and the slightest of nods was the only way she could warn her. Hopefully she read the clues. Don’t blow this. Don’t rat me out.

Gwen’s eyes darted from Gemma to Logan, then she slid her mouth into a wide smile and leaned forward, hand outreached. “Hi, I’m Gwen. Gemma’s sister.” Oh, God, no. Stop. “Older sister but who can tell, right? And you are?”

Logan had that dear-in-the-headlights look men get when faced with a situation that was so far removed from their intended agenda it wasn’t even on the same planet. He set the cup down and took her grasp. “Logan. Nice to meet you. Gemma’s told me so much about you.”

Liar.

She had never spoken of her family at all, but saying it certainly seemed to charm Gwen. He poured on another of those million dollar smiles that recently sent her bones to Jell-O and swept a hand toward the empty seat by Gemma. “Care to join us?”

“No!” Gemma’s voice was sharp and both of them jumped. Gwen started to sit but Gemma grabbed her forearm and yanked her to her feet. She shot a glance at Logan. “We’ll be right back, okay?” She rattled off her order in case the waitress came back and dragged Gwen to the bathroom.

Inside, she whirled. “What the hell are you doing? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Gwen wiggled her eyebrows. “Don’t you mean about to get busy? Dang, Gem, since when did you start dating hunks? Please don’t tell me he’s a cop, too? Oh, God, your partner? Is he your new partner?”

Gemma shook her arm. “Shut. Up. No, he’s not my partner. He’s my suspect. And he hasn’t a clue who I am, so stop. Leave. Don’t blow this. Okay?”

Gwen’s face turned ashen. Her eyes started to water. “Oh. No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-- How was I to know?”

“You weren’t. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone.”

Her sister tilted a brow. “Then maybe you should have picked a spot that’s not five easy miles from our parent’s house? And mine? You know, it’s no wonder you’re struggling with this case. Sometimes you’re a real moron. I have to hand it to you, that guy looks a hell of a lot better in person. The papers don’t do him justice. He looks all arrogant and uppity in print.” Gwen turned to the mirror, pulled a lip-gloss from her bag, and applied shine to her perfect mouth. Gemma had always been irritated that Gwen had all the feminine perfection in the family. “So, let’s go back out there and rattle his cage, what do you say? Maybe together we could—”

“We aren’t doing anything. You are leaving.”

“No way. I want to meet this guy and understand why you think he’s got a sick side. So far, all I see is sheet candy.” She giggled.

“Gwen!”

“Besides I’m meeting Doby and his friends here for dinner. They’re probably already out there somewhere. I just walked in.”

“What? No way! I can’t see them. They’ll—”

Gwen patted her arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll just fill him in. Hang on a sec.” She drew a phone from her purse made a few taps on the keys and pressed a button. “There, I just texted him that you’re here and on a case…and not to rat you out.”

Her phone bleeped. She glanced at the screen and giggled.

“What?” Gwen tried to peer at the display but Gemma yanked it back.

“He said no problem, he’d be happy to help out.”

Yeah, right. “That’s not what he said.”

“Uh, well, he said he’d be happy to give you shit but he won’t blow your case. Come on, let’s get back out there. I want to meet our potential criminal.”

“We don’t know he’s—”

“I know. I know. Innocent until proven guilty. I got it. But dang, won’t it be fun trying to investigate that hunk of ass? Mmmm, mmm. Put me alone in an interrogation room with him anytime.”

“Need I remind you, you’re married?”

“Hey, just because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.” Gwen strode back to the table, intent on getting said look. “Speaking of menus, I hope Doby ordered for me, I’m starving.”

Gemma scanned the room searching for her brother-in-law, who also happened to be a cop. There, in the corner. Why hadn’t she noticed the three uniforms earlier? Shit. She was ruined for sure. Logan had seen them.

He smiled as the two girls approached before darting a glance at the table of law enforcement. “Looks like we don’t have to worry about safety or robbery tonight, right?”

Gemma laughed nervously. That’s the least of my worries at the moment. “Don’t mind them. So—”

A chair screeched in the corner and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Uh-oh. Doby started their way. She knew that look. It was the time-to-mess-with-little-sis look. She prayed for a wreck or a burglary. Anything to get him moving somewhere other than the table she occupied. With Logan.

“Gemma? What are you doing out this late? Isn’t it past your bedtime?” Doby nodded at Logan. “Hey.” Code for who-the-hell-are-you?

“Very funny. Logan, meet my brother-in-law. Soon to be ex if he doesn’t behave.”

Logan’s face paled. She’d seen that reaction before. People either adored, hated, or feared cops. Which was it with him? She studied his features for a sign. He cleared his throat. “So I guess I know who to call next time I have a ticket. Gemma, I don’t remember you mentioning a sister or cop in the family.”

“You never asked. And I don’t think I’ve mentioned anything about my family at all. It’s never come up. I gathered you didn’t want to know.” Not to mention, she had no desire to tell.

Doby kissed his wife and squeezed her tush. “I ordered for you, babe.” Ignoring a burst of laughter from his table, Doby slid into the seat by Gemma. “So, when are you gonna give our girl here a break?” He focused on Logan and waited.

“Excuse me?”

Silence. Tick. Tick.

“You know, a vacation. She hasn’t been to a single family outing in two years. And by the looks of her, she’s aged five years in the process. What exactly are you doing to her?” The heavy innuendo wasn’t lost on her intended dinner partner.

Logan seemed to come to terms with the cop-thing and squared his shoulders. He shifted in his seat to add height before speaking. “You’re the cop. You tell me. To what exactly are you inferring, man? This is a business dinner with my employee where we had intended to discuss work. Wherever your mind went, I suggest you rein it in and think before you say another word.”

Doby blinked. He grabbed Logan’s water glass and stole a sip. “I’ll be watching you. I don’t care who you are. We…” he darted a finger between Gwen and himself, “will be watching you.”

Logan nodded. “Fair enough. Hopefully I won’t bore you to tears in the process.”

Doby took his wife’s hand and escorted her to the waiting table of food. Gwen waved sheepishly over his shoulder.