Dead Wrong (10 page)

“But still, he was your father.”

“He was. Until he turned the gun on himself. Then he was just a sad, pitiful man who’d ruined my life.” Tears starting to fall, she looked up at Mitch. Her heart clenched at the tender concern in his eyes. “I lost my whole family in one night.”

He slid his chair closer and turned her by the shoulders so she was facing him. “This is why you’re always so afraid of your family getting hurt.”

“Partly,” she said, wanting to stop talking about this but also wanting to get it out and move on with life. “But honestly, I always knew my dad would go too far someday and something bad would happen.” She shook her head again. “That sounds horrible, doesn’t it? I knew he was going to kill her and yet I didn’t find a way to stop it.”

He scooted even closer, and he wiped away a tear with a gentle finger then settled his hands on her knees. “You were only eleven, Kat. Just a child.”

“And yet—”

“And yet you thought you should’ve been able to save her and now you’re afraid you’ll fail the people you love.”

She nodded. “At least we’re all out of law enforcement now and not risking our lives every day.”

“Believe me, I get that.” His voice rang with sincerity and she knew they were kindred spirits in this. “You want everyone you care about out of harm’s way.”

“Now if only I could get Tommy to retire.”
And you, too,
she thought, wondering what it would be like to be married to a cop and see him head into the line of fire every day. The thought sent a chill down her back. “I don’t understand how anyone could marry someone in law enforcement. That’s the last thing I’d do. I could never sit around and wait for that death notification call.”

His eyes went dark and sad, and he pushed back, straightening his shoulders and holding his body rigid. Her comment clearly bothered him. Was it because he was starting to care for her, or because he was thinking about his prior engagement to a police officer? Did it matter? Not really. Despite her attraction to him, she couldn’t commit to a man with such a dangerous job. She was starting to accept that some things were out of her control but giving into her feelings for Mitch wasn’t one of them. This was her choice and she chose to keep her heart safe.

TEN

“T
here’s no Paul on the list.” Kat dropped the papers, clearly frustrated. Mitch knew that he should feel the same way but he was still distracted by her bomb about never marrying a police officer. He couldn’t let it go.

She told him this, just when he was ready to admit for the first time since losing Lori, he wanted more in life than being on his own. Maybe with Kat. But now he knew he had no chance with her. None. Not if he was a detective, and he’d never leave his job. Not as long as there were potential murderers with little regard for life out there like the man who killed Lori.

His phone chimed, and Kat jumped.

“That’ll be Tommy.” Mitch smiled as he rose, but it was hard to make his lips turn up. “I’ll let him in.”

The conversation kept running through his head as he headed down the hallway. Kat may have ended any notion of a relationship between them, but at least he now understood why she hated for anyone to tell her what to do. Why she had control issues, as Cole said. And why she said being married to someone you love could be a prison sentence. She wasn’t talking about the thought of being with him, she was speaking of her father.

And Mitch had repeatedly behaved just like her father and told her what to do. Maybe he could cut back on giving directions. Maybe ask instead of tell. At least he planned to try.

He jogged down the stairs to the door. He smiled in earnest when he saw Tommy stomping his feet outside trying to stay warm. His partner hated the cold, and keeping him waiting was bound to irritate him.

Mitch turned the lock and felt a blast of cold air mixed with drizzle. “Roads still okay?”

“Yeah, but not for long.” Tommy shivered as he stepped inside while holding several plastic evidence bags.

“I hope they hold out. I can’t imagine the mess I’ll find from Princess if I get stuck here tonight.”

“We could head to your place right now.”

“I need to stay here with Kat.”

Tommy quirked a brow. “Where’s the family?”

“They’re out knocking on doors of Bodig’s clients.”

Tommy stopped and caught Mitch’s gaze. “And Ethan left you in charge of his sister?”

“He’s on his honeymoon.”

“Okay, so Cole then.”

“Yeah, he’s cool.”

Tommy’s mouth dropped open. “Cole? We’re talking about Cole Justice?”

Mitch laughed. “Yeah, why?”

“Since he came back from his second tour, he hasn’t said more than two words to me. Kat says he’s really struggling to acclimate into civilian life again.”

“He seemed okay to me.” Mitch started walking again and Tommy caught up to him.

“So was Paul on the client list?” Tommy asked.

“No Paul or Ray.”

Tommy caught Mitch’s gaze. “You think Bodig’s boss played us?”

Mitch shrugged. “He didn’t seem to be hiding anything but he wasn’t overly cooperative, either.”

They went into the conference room and Tommy gave Kat a jab to her good arm, which Mitch was beginning to notice his partner always did when he greeted her. “You look like you could use some sleep.”

“Didn’t your mother teach you not to tell a woman she looks tired?” She smiled up at him, a smile Mitch also noticed she reserved for those she truly cared about.

“You?” He grinned. “You’re not a woman. You’re my ex-partner.”

“Can I see the threat?” Mitch asked, wishing he’d been on the end of one of those private smiles.

Tommy flipped through the evidence bags and handed one to Mitch, then straddled a chair next to Kat. “Basically Paul was busted for possession. The dad thought the kid should’ve gotten probation, but Bodig recommended incarceration. He thought the dad was unfit and the kid needed to get out of the home.”

“So how’d Paul die?” Kat asked.

“Killed in an altercation in lockup.”

“So we have a dad who thinks Nathan’s decision could’ve gotten his son killed,” she said, her voice full of enthusiasm.

“A good motive for murder if ever I saw one,” Mitch said, catching her enthusiasm. “Now all we have to do is figure out Ray’s and Paul’s identities.”

“We should be able to run Paul down pretty easily,” Tommy said. “Can’t be that many kids killed in lockup.”

“Would be faster for me to put pressure on Weichert in the morning to see if he left this one off the list on purpose,” Mitch said.

“You think he’s covering something up?” Kat asked, her eyebrow rising.

“I think this threat seems credible, and Weichert said there weren’t any credible threats. Makes me think he was trying to hide it.” Mitch flipped through the other letters, scanning them for validity then looking at Tommy. “These aren’t as compelling, but we need to evaluate them, too. Can you get a warrant for his work email account to see if there are others?”

“With these threats, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Tommy offered. “I found personal emails in his files, too. I’ll request a warrant for both accounts first thing in the morning.”

“This should also be all we need to finally get that warrant Weichert’s demanding,” Mitch added. “I’d rather not talk to Weichert again without the warrant so can you work on that one first?”

“You got it.” Tommy gathered the bags together. “Doesn’t seem like there’s anything else we can do tonight. I suggest we head out before the roads get any worse.”

Mitch flashed him a surprised look. After their discussion a few minutes ago, Tommy knew they couldn’t leave.

“What?” Tommy stared back. “She’ll be safe at your house.”

“Looks like the roads are freezing up,” Mitch said to Kat, making sure his tone wasn’t bossy. “Would you mind coming home with me so I can let Princess out before she makes a mess?”

She eyed him for a few seconds, looking surprised that he was asking instead of telling. Then, even though her expression said she thought better of it, she nodded. “I’ll text Cole on the way, and he can pick me up there.” She stood and lifted her coat from the back of the chair.

“Vest, please.” Mitch nodded at her bulletproof vest.

She didn’t argue but put her coat on and slipped the vest over it. Mitch grabbed his jacket, and they all headed down the hall.

At the door, Mitch turned to Kat. “If you don’t mind waiting here, I’ll pull up the car.”

Tommy faked gagging himself. “What happened to you, partner? ‘If you don’t mind, would you pretty please.’ Enough already. I’m gonna be sick.”

Kat started laughing, her eyes so alive Mitch had to draw in a breath.

“I never thought I’d say this, but he’s right,” she said after her laughter stilled. “I like the real Mitch Elliot better.” She smiled softly up at him, and when their eyes met, his heart exploded with warmth, and he couldn’t look away. The gaze heated up and everything around them blurred. He could look into those honey-brown eyes forever.

Tommy cleared his throat. “Uh...hello? Are you getting the car or are we gonna stand here all night?”

Mitch reluctantly pulled away and with one last look at Kat, he navigated slippery sidewalks to the parking lot. He’d been kind and polite, yet she admitted liking the real him. Maybe there was hope for him after all. He probably shouldn’t be thinking this way, but how could he not after that intense gaze.

And her laugh. He smiled as he climbed into his car. A full smile that rang true in her eyes. He could get used to seeing her like that. Actually, he wanted to get used to it—wanted to see her laugh like that again and again.

“Get a grip, Elliot,” he mumbled to himself. “It was just a laugh.”

He brought his car to the front and noted the sound of the tires crunching over a thin layer of ice. Could be a dicey ride home.

Tommy opened the front door and leaned in, a good-natured smile on his face. “Might want to cool it, partner. Another look like that one and you’ll scare her away.” He backed out, made a sweeping bow like the gentleman he rarely was and grinned at Kat as she climbed in.

“See you tomorrow, Justice.” He shut the door and pounded on the roof.

Mitch navigated the slick streets lined with trees glistening with white ice crystals. But the road was another matter. It was coated with black ice, the dangerous kind of ice. The kind you couldn’t always see and prepare for, and mimicking the way he was feeling about Kat. One minute they were sharing longing looks the next he did something stupid, and she wasn’t talking to him. Then they were back to the looks, but he didn’t really know where they stood.

He glanced at her as she peered out the window. “You never said if I’m forgiven for calling Cole.”

She met his gaze, and he made sure his eyes were filled with the sincere contrition he felt.

She shook her head as if she didn’t want to forgive him, but she would. “We’re good, but don’t ever do something like that again.”

“I won’t,” he promised and hoped he could keep his word. A car pulled out ahead of him and as he slowed, the rear end of the SUV fishtailed before he brought it under control.

“The roads are worse than I thought,” Kat said, sounding and looking worried.

Not like a former cop to be this concerned about a little ice. At least not for her own safety. He glanced at her and saw the same look as when she’d found out he’d called her family and put them in danger.

Right. The other Justices were on the road.

“You should call them,” he encouraged as he eased the car forward. “It’s the only thing that’ll give you peace.”

She focused a narrow-eyed gaze on him. “So now you can read my mind, huh?”

“It’s not hard to see you’re concerned about your family.” He felt her intense study, but concentrated on the icy road. “You’ll worry until you know they’re fine.”

She didn’t say anything so he looked at her again. Her eyes had narrowed even more. He’d said something wrong again, but he didn’t know what. “Kat?”

“It’s okay. I don’t need to call them.” She spoke with quiet, but desperate firmness.

He slowed at a red light. “I won’t think less of you, if that’s what’s stopping you.”

“Actually it’s not. I’m trying not to worry so much and trust that God will take care of us.”

“Good luck with that.” He shot off a quick response, but when a look of uncertainty came over her face, he regretted it.

“You don’t think I can do it?” She ended with her cute little jaw angled defiantly.

“I think you can do whatever you set your mind to. I’m the one who can’t seem to find solid footing with God again.”

She studied him intently. “You know, Mitch Elliot, for a cop, you’re a pretty nice guy.”

He laughed. “Wish that hadn’t been couched with
‘for a cop,’
but thanks.”

“Wait, I didn’t mean it to sound so bad. I meant, cops can sometimes be hard and cold. But you’re not.”

He winked at her. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Color rushed up her neck and over her face, and he couldn’t help but smile over the effect he seemed to have on her.

Her phone rang, and she quickly busied her hands by digging it out, but he could see the tough little ex-cop turning a deeper shade of red. Even more charming. Too charming. Strong and soft at the same time.

The light changed, and he shamelessly listened to Kat’s conversation with Dani while navigating the slippery streets. Sounded like none of the siblings’ visits had produced a lead and they were soon going to call it a night.

She hung up, and he felt her eyes on him again. “It seems to me,” she said, “you know a whole lot about me and I know next to nothing about you.”

“Hey!” he protested and gave her a quick smile. “You know that I’m a nice guy.”

“Quit avoiding the subject. Tell me more about your family.”

“Not much to tell, really. My dad died when I was fifteen. Cancer. My mom about ten years ago. Cancer again. Angie is my only sibling.”

“Great job on giving me the facts. Now how about telling me something about them.”

“Like what?”

“Like does your sister live in the Portland area?”

“Yeah, somewhere in town. We kind of lost touch when I stopped enabling her drug problem.”

She stayed silent for long moments. “That must hurt to know she’s close but not be able to see her.”

“Honestly?” He glanced at Kat and saw the concern in her eyes making him want to be open with her. “It’s harder to see her suffering than not to see her at all. That sounds cruel, but watching someone you love fall apart and realize it’s all your fault is tough.” He tightened his fingers on the wheel.

“Your fault?”

“After my dad passed away, it was my responsibility to keep the family going. Between my mom’s long illness, working to help with the bills and going to school, I missed seeing Angie get involved with the wrong crowd until it was too late.”

“That’s a whole lot of responsibility for a fifteen-year-old, Mitch. Sounds like you’re being a little hard on yourself.”

He slowed and eased the car onto his driveway. “You feel the same way about what happened to your mom.”

“That’s different.”

“Seems like the same thing to me.” He killed the engine and shifted to look at her to bring his point home, but before he could continue, he spotted someone sitting on the steps. Just a shadow of a person really.

“There’s someone on the stoop.” He pointed at his back door. “Stay here and stay alert.” He climbed out and drew his weapon as he made his way toward the door.

“About time you got home.” The female voice was as familiar as his own.

“Angie?” he said, spotting his sister curled in a ball on the steps.

She was shivering and soaked. Her hair was stringy and her clothes dirty. The same condition as when he’d seen her a year or so ago.

“Why are you here, Angie?” he asked, hating that he sounded so distrustful, but she only stopped by when she needed something.

“I wanna get clean.” Her words were slurred.

He sighed and tried to read her expression, but she was high and it was dark. She’d claimed to want to get clean a hundred times before and he’d fallen for it each time.

He should just send her packing, but God help him, he couldn’t do it. Not even after all the experts recommended letting her hit rock bottom for her own good. He was going to cave in and let his only living family member come inside and maybe, just maybe, let her tromp all over him again.