Christmas Cover-Up (10 page)

“Nope. Not a word.”

He hadn’t thought she would. Then again, she and Erica were tight, so... “Oh.”

“But women notice these things, you know?”

“Especially Erica,” Brandon said, his lips curving into a sardonic smile. “Now that she’s found the love of her life, she’s determined everyone in her path will do the same.”

Max grinned. “Poor Brandon. And yet you keep coming over and giving her opportunities to set you up with her friends.”

Brandon patted his trim belly. “If she wasn’t such a good cook, you wouldn’t see as much of me.”

Jordan knew that wasn’t true. The man was crazy about his niece, Molly, and was very protective of his sister. When she’d almost been killed by the woman who’d kidnapped her daughter, Brandon and Erica had grown even closer, watching out for one another and pulling together as siblings often did when a crisis hit a family. He looked at Jordan. “But if Erica says she’s attracted to you, she is.”

“Maybe.” He wasn’t going to debate his romantic life. Or the lack of. He glanced at his watch and wished they’d get onto another subject. Katie was fine, safely in her hotel room and most likely sound asleep. And he wanted to hurry up with the dinner and discussion and get back to her. In fact, if his invitation to dinner hadn’t felt more like a business invitation over a personal one, he’d just go ahead and leave.

But Erica wanted to talk about the case, and Jordan appreciated her willingness to feed him a home-cooked dinner while she did it.

Max pulled at his lower lip. “I hate that Katie didn’t feel like coming, but she probably needs the rest more than she needs the food.”

“She’s definitely had a few long days.”

“Max, are you two ready to eat?” Erica asked from the door. Molly stood behind her, flour streaks covering her face and clothes. Jordan’s gut clenched like it did every time he was around small children. It wasn’t that he didn’t like them—he did. They just brought back bad memories. Memories he fought off on a daily basis. Memories he kept at bay most of the time by avoidance. He found working himself to death was better than alcohol. He had enough issues and didn’t need to add to his troubles by becoming a drunk.

And prayer. Sometimes prayer helped, too.

He tuned back in as Max said, “We’re more than ready. Bring it on.” Max stood and Jordan followed him into the kitchen.

He hated that Katie wasn’t there, either. He missed her presence. How odd. He shot a text to Cort.

How is she?

Cort responded,

Fine. Sleeping, I think. Lights have been off for about half an hour now. Quiet.

Great. Keep me updated.

Will do.

Jordan put his phone away and bowed his head as Max led the blessing.

Erica looked up after Max said “Amen,” and said, “Fill me in on Lucy Randall’s case and the progress you’ve made, will you?”

Max choked on his laughter. “Let the man eat, Erica.”

She flushed. “Sorry.”

Jordan cleared his throat and dug in. While Max and Erica discussed whether or not Erica should hire another person for the Finding the Lost agency, he could feel Molly watching him. When he looked up, he saw her slide Nellie a green bean. The dog ate it.

When Molly realized she’d been caught, her gaze flew to her mother and then to Max, then back to Jordan. She lifted a finger to her lips, and Jordan couldn’t help it. He bit back a smile and gave her a slow nod. No way would he rat her out.

Her eyes sparkled with mirth, and she happily plopped a bean in her own mouth. The knot in his belly eased, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe the past could fade after all.

“Don’t you think, Jordan?”

Erica’s question made him blink. “Huh?”

“You weren’t listening to a word we said, were you?”

“Ah, no, sorry. I was...um...thinking.”

Erica narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure I can guess what you were thinking about.”

Jordan felt a flush start to creep up the back of his neck. “Hmm. I won’t argue with a woman who feeds me.”

Erica laughed and backed off. Jordan enjoyed the food and the company, and even some of the teasing, but he was ready to get down to business. Erica seemed to sense his restlessness and said, “Max, why don’t you and Jordan take your coffee into the den. I’ll get Molly settled and be there shortly.”

Max stood. “Why don’t I get Molly settled and you and Jordan can start talking?”

“Guess that’s my cue to shove off,” Brandon said. He looked at Jordan. “I’ll see you later.”

Jordan nodded.

“Don’t forget, we’re having Christmas dinner here,” Erica said.

Brandon frowned. “Right. I may have to work. We’ll see.” He left and Erica sighed then stood and gave Max a smile that made Jordan ache to have someone look at him that way. No, not someone. Katie.

He swallowed hard and followed Erica into the den. The coffee warmed his hands.

“So tell me the latest. What have you learned from Mrs. McKinney?”

* * *

Katie sat up and looked at the clock. She’d been asleep for an hour and fifteen minutes. Now her nerves hummed and her senses spun. Knowing it would be a futile effort to try to go back to sleep, she tossed aside the covers and turned on the light.

She wanted her house back.

She wanted whoever was trying to kill her behind bars.

She wanted to find her sister.

She wanted a relationship with Jordan.

That last admission wasn’t easy, but it was one she couldn’t deny.

And she wanted her mother to love her. It seemed that no matter what she did or how hard she tried, it was never good enough.

Tears threatened at the thought, and she pushed them back. She couldn’t dwell on that or she’d go nuts. For the next fifteen minutes, she paced the room. Then picked up the phone and dialed her parents’ number.

Her mother answered on the second ring. “Hello.”

“Hi, Mom.”

“How are you, Katie?”

She swallowed. “I’m doing okay. I wanted to let you know that I hired a maid service to come clean your house for you next week.”

Silence echoed for a brief moment, then her mother said, “Well, that’s very nice. Thank you.”

“Sure.” Katie took a deep breath. “I was wondering if you’d like to meet for breakfast one day soon. I’m working a rather complicated case right now, but—”

“I don’t think I’ll feel up to that, Katie, but thank you for the invitation.” The oh so proper politeness made Katie want to weep.

“Okay, well, maybe another time. Is Dad around?”

“Hold on.”

Katie bit her lip. She almost wished her mother would yell at her. Anything would be preferable to the cold, polite attitude.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Dad.”

“Hi, sweetie.”

“She’s not warming up at all, is she?”

His sigh echoed. “I’m working on her. At least she’s speaking to you.”

“True.” It was only in the last few years that her mother had climbed far enough out of her depression to even interact with Katie. And every once in a while Katie thought she caught a glimpse of longing and love in her mother’s eyes. But before she could act on it, her mother shut it off and shut her out.

It broke her heart. “I’m doing everything I can to make her love me, Dad. What else can I do?” Her voice cracked on the last word and she wanted to call the words back. “Never mind. You don’t have to answer that.”

“Katie—” His voice wobbled and he cleared his throat. “Your mother loves you, honey. She loves you so much.”

“No, I don’t think she does,” she whispered. “I think she hates me.”

“Oh, baby...”

“I’m sorry, Dad, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Forget it.” She took a deep breath. With an effort, she shoved aside the hurt, wondering if she’d ever get used to it. “Dad, I need to ask you something and I want a straight answer.”

“What’s that?”

“You asked me to drop Lucy’s case.”

“Yes.” She heard his wariness, but appreciated he didn’t push the subject of her mother.

“Why?” He sighed and didn’t answer. “Dad?” Katie prompted.

“Because it’s dangerous,” he blurted. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. Please, Katie, don’t put yourself in any more danger.”

Katie sat stunned. Hearing the worry in his voice nearly undid her as much as her mother’s coolness.

“How do you know I’m in danger?”

“Landing in the hospital isn’t enough? That fire was deliberately set. The police officer I talked to said you were shot at. You need to stop looking for Lucy.”

“Dad, I don’t even know that the fire or anything else going on is related to looking for Lucy.” She suspected it, of course, but had no real evidence of it.

“Well, I do,” he snapped.

Katie paused. “You do? How?”

A heavy sigh filtered through the line. “I...”

“You what? Tell me.”

“I got a phone call. Someone with a low voice told me to warn you to stop looking for Lucy—or he’d make sure I had another daughter disappear.”

Katie sat frozen. Shock raced through her. “When was this?”

“Right after the fire.”

“That’s why you came to the hospital. To tell me to stop looking for Lucy.”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes at his husky admission.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the phone call?”

“He said not to. Said he’d come after your mom and me if I said he called, so you can’t say anything.”

As she absorbed the shock that someone related to Lucy’s kidnapping had contacted her parents, she said, “He probably didn’t want me to try and trace the call.”

“Katie, please, drop it. Lucy’s gone. It’s not worth your life.”

“Dad, this is the whole reason I became a detective.” She paused. “If I stop looking for her, he wins,” she whispered. And her mother would never forgive her. She had to find Lucy. “You really want that?”

“Of course not,” he snapped. Katie bit her lip and waited. He finally said in a softer tone, “Of course I don’t want him to win, but honey, I can’t lose you, too.”

Heart in her throat, Katie finished the call with her father with promises to be careful. For a moment she sat there, marveling. Her father loved her enough that he didn’t want her looking for Lucy if it put her in danger. She swallowed hard at the realization and wished her mother felt the same way.

Clamping down on her emotions, she called Gregory and filled him in. “Will you try and trace the call and see if the officers on duty in that area will ride by my parents’ house more often?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.”

Phone calls finished, her mind in a jumble of thoughts, she was debating her next move when her stomach rumbled.

Katie dialed one more number.

“Hello?”

“Do you have any leftovers? I’m starving.”

Erica laughed. “Of course. I was just sitting here with Jordan talking about your case. We’d love for you to join us.”

In the background, she heard Jordan’s low rumble. “Tell her I’ll come get her.”

Erica started to repeat it, but Katie said, “I heard him. Let me talk to him a minute, please.”

She waited while Erica passed the phone to Jordan. “Hey.”

“Hey, you don’t need to come get me. I’ll get Cort to follow me.”

He paused. “I suppose that would work. Or you could just let him drive you.”

“No. I want my car.” She didn’t know why she did.

“But Cort’s perfectly capable—”

“I want my car, Jordan.” He went silent and remorse for snapping at the man who was only trying to help washed over her. “I’m sorry. It’s probably a control issue. Everything in my life is out of control. The least I can do is drive myself.” She hadn’t meant to be quite that blunt. Hadn’t even planned on using those words. But there it was. Some subconscious need to be in control had surfaced.

A sigh reached her. “I get it. Just be careful. I’m calling Cort now.”

Katie hung up and shrugged on her heavy coat, wincing at the pull in her shoulder and ignoring the various aches and pains she was going to have to live with for a while. She grabbed her weapon and keys and walked out the door.

A light rain fell, and she wondered if it would cause problems on the road. The asphalt didn’t feel slick beneath her feet and the temperature hovered just above freezing. She’d be all right.

Katie said, “He wants you to follow me.”

Cort waved his phone at her. “I know. No problem.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I don’t mind.” Cort’s dark eyes twinkled at her. “You have him wrapped, my girl.”

“What are talking about?”

“You two’ll figure it out. Now go get in your car in case someone decides to play target practice with your head.”

Katie smirked and climbed into her car. She set her phone in the cup holder and waited for Cort to pull behind her.

With his headlights in her rearview mirror, she made her way out of the parking lot and turned left, staying in the right-hand lane. Cort pulled in behind her. Regret filled her that her search for Lucy had caused such disruption in so many lives. She flexed her fingers around the steering wheel and clicked her blinker to turn right even as she pressed the brake to slow for the approaching light.

A car flashed past her then slowed. Her stomach clenched into a knot. She gripped the wheel tightly and kept her eyes on the guy. His brake lights winked at her just before she pulled up beside him.

She turned right on red. Cort’s headlights disappeared for a brief moment, then were there again. Her phone rang. She glanced at the number on her caller ID. Jordan.

Katie grabbed the phone. “Hello.”

“Just checking on you.”

“I’m fine.”

“Where are you?”

“Holcombe Street. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”

“All right. Cort still behind you?”

She checked the mirror. Bright lights behind her about two car lengths back. “Right behind me.”

“Be careful, Katie.”

“I am. I’m going to check in with Gregory and get the latest on Mr. Young. I’ll see you in a bit.”

He hung up and she bit her lip. Her heart was doing things it shouldn’t be doing. Not for him. Jordan Gray was off-limits, but she couldn’t seem to keep her distance. He was exactly the kind of man she wanted. And his parents would probably never be able to accept her.