Deadly Bonds (15 page)

“A recording? That’s good, right?”

“It is. But the trace didn’t lead anywhere.”

“Has there been another murder?” Maybe that was why Holt looked so grim.

“No, but Toxin wants me to jump through some hoops.”

“You don’t have to do anything he says, you know.”

“But if I do...”

“What did he promise you in exchange?”

Holt scrubbed a hand across his jaw, then pinned Damian with his gaze. “Information on Sam’s murder.”

The air left Damian’s lungs in a whoosh, as if someone had punched him in the gut. He sat back in his seat, as if it would help absorb the shock. “
My
Sam? What could he possibly know? You profiled him as, what, thirty-five or so? He would have been a teenager at the time of Sam’s murder. Hell, he would have been about Sam’s age.”

“He says he knows something. And he’s willing to offer it in exchange for my cooperation.”

“What does he want you to do?”

Holt huffed out a breath. “Take Sara to some banquet.”

“That’s odd, isn’t it? Why would he want you two in a public place?”

“I haven’t figured that part out yet.”

“If it’s too dangerous...”

“It’s probably the safest way to try to catch him.”

“Right. We could have SSAM agents and CPD in place. We’d scope the perimeters, not get caught unprepared...”

Holt’s gaze was unrelenting. “I wanted you to hear about this guy’s bait from me...but he could just be yanking our chain.”

Damian smiled grimly. “Don’t worry about me. He can’t promise anything I haven’t already hoped for. Funny thing about hope...it never completely dies.”

* * *

“There’s someone here to see you,” Cheryl said from the doorway.

Sara glanced up from the computer screen where she’d been looking over the spring schedule. It was always strange to think about spring break and matriculation dates when there was frost on the lawn and Thanksgiving was around the corner. Of course, if next Friday’s visit from the board didn’t go well, she might not be here in the spring. “Who is it?”

Her secretary’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “Dr. Patterson.”

She experienced the same reaction whenever she heard his name—a stutter in the pulse, a rush of blood to her cheeks, a hitch in her breath. She liked to think it was from extreme annoyance, but she was afraid it was so much more. That the man could still have such an effect on her after all these years...well, she didn’t want to consider what that meant. She stood and smoothed her hands over her skirt. “What does he want?”

Cheryl glanced over her shoulder into the outer office area, then stepped aside.

“To apologize.” Holt filled the doorway, a bouquet of bright spring flowers in his hand. Did everyone have spring fever? The dreary fall weather should have smothered those impulses. October’s Indian summer had given way to a chilly, damp November that finally fit her mood. There were even rumors of a big pre-winter snowstorm headed their way next week.

All these thoughts were an attempt to distract herself from the visual impact of Holt. He seemed thinner, more jagged around the edges. Her fingers twitched, wanting to smooth the lines that bracketed his eyes.

Holt walked up to her and held out the bouquet. “I need to talk to you. Alone.” He’d dropped his voice so that Cheryl couldn’t hear. While Sara could ignore the flowers, the entreaty in his eyes was hard to resist.

Sara looked over Holt’s shoulder. “Can you close the door behind you, Cheryl?” Still grinning, Cheryl did as requested, leaving Sara and Holt facing each other, so many words unspoken between them. She tried to remain impassive, but Holt shifted his weight and looked away as if nervous, and part of her was hopeful. Had he come to beg forgiveness? “What did you need?”

“You.”

Her pulse fluttered so wildly she was sure he could see it jumping at her neck. She fisted her damp palms to control her reaction, but was forced to uncurl her fingers to take the flowers Holt suddenly thrust toward her.

“These are a peace offering.”

She laid the bouquet on her desk. “You wanted to take things slow, and then I never heard from you again. Was that slow enough? Or are you just here to pick up Theo and knew you’d bump into me? Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have made a scene.”

The intensity in the set of his jaw, in the line of his shoulders, told her he was primed for battle.
With her?
“I’m here to pick up Theo, but I need you to come home with us too.”

Her head was dizzy from trying to read between the lines. “After weeks of not hearing from you, you want me to come away with you for the weekend?”

“No, I
need
you to come.”

“I don’t—” She stopped as he gripped her shoulders. His nostrils flared, his eyes dilated. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was panicked that she might say no. She should say no. She
would
say no.

Absently, his thumbs stroked along her collarbone. “Come home with me and Theo for the weekend. Stay with us. His birthday is tomorrow. It’ll be fun. A new start.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You want to go from no contact to staying overnight at your house?” His invitation wasn’t one born of passion and excitement. Everything he’d done to date told her he clearly wasn’t ready for a relationship, at least not with her. The whiteness around his lips made it clear he was issuing the invitation against his will. But why? She planted her fists on her hips. The movement had him dropping his hands to his sides. “I think you’d better tell me what’s going on.”

He looked so lost she almost agreed to go with him just to relieve his pain. “Toxin requested our presence at a banquet in downtown Chicago.”

She sank onto the desk. “
Toxin?
I thought he was in jail.”

“Brady was framed. He’s been released. The real Toxin decided to step forward and contact me—a phone call this time. He’s getting braver. We just need to do what he wants until we can trip him up.”

“We? You
and
me?”

Holt sat down. He suddenly looked tired. “Believe me, it wasn’t my idea. He’s insisting I wine and dine you.”

A bubble of laughter moved up through her chest and lodged in her throat. “
Wine and dine?
”

“He’s got it in his head that I should be your hero, and that you deserve a good man.”

“Well, at least he got that last half right.”

He looked even more miserable. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this, Sara.”

“You’re not the one demanding my presence.”

“In a way, I am. His connection to me, his comfort level with me, is our best lead yet. I need to exploit that to catch him. He’s expecting me to take you to the banquet.”

“And if I say no?”

“I can’t say I’d blame you. Hell, half of me hopes you will. It might keep you safe.”

She mulled that over. He cared enough to worry about her safety. That was something, anyway. Not exactly what she’d wanted from him, but...something. “But then you wouldn’t catch Toxin.”

His gaze met hers and held. Beyond the misery, there was determination. “We’ll catch him. Eventually.”

Possibly after he’d killed again. Or several times. How many people would die before they got another lead like this?

The thought of spending all weekend in close contact with Holt did strange things to her insides. She wasn’t sure it was a good idea while her heart was still healing. “Why would I have to be there all weekend? I could meet you for the dinner. Or I could stay at a nearby hotel.”

He started shaking his head the moment she’d asked the question. “I want to make sure you’re safe. Toxin is watching. He said as much.” His gaze went to the flowers. Her stomach plummeted as she realized what they represented—not Holt’s contrition, but that he was currently at the mercy of an evil puppet master. “He could have followed me here. He seems to be watching my every move. Some of the things he said...he’s close enough to have been watching you for weeks now too. The school will be empty for the weekend. I don’t want you here alone.”

“What about Becca?”

“She has a prior commitment this weekend. I’ve had a private bodyguard nearby for the past few weeks—”

“You
what
?” She hadn’t had a clue he’d been
that
worried.

“—but I’d rather have you near me so I can be sure you’re safe.”

The seconds ticked by as he waited for her to respond. If Toxin wasn’t caught soon, the killer could remain near her school, possibly a threat to her boys. If she could stick things out with Holt for a few days, they might catch a killer, but at what cost to her heart and her pride?

The door to her office opened a crack, then all the way. “Jeremy told me he saw you come in here.” Theo entered, but didn’t move to greet Holt.

Cheryl appeared behind him. “I’m sorry. I asked him to wait outside.”

“It’s okay.” Sara smiled at Theo. “Bet you’re looking forward to the weekend, with a birthday and all.”

He shrugged. “We’re supposed to paint my room.” He glanced uncertainly at Holt. “If we can find the time.”

“Oh yeah, you mentioned that. Sounds like fun. You’ll be ten?”

“Finally.” He rolled his eyes as if he’d suffered some long wait. “I could bring you a piece of birthday cake, if you want.”

“No need,” Holt said. “She’s coming home with us. We’ve got big birthday plans for you, bud.”

Sara raised her eyebrows.

“You
do
?” Theo looked at Sara and grinned. “Really?”

She swallowed her anger at Holt. “Why don’t you go outside while your dad and I finish our conversation. We’ll have our chess game later.”

“Yeah, okay, since you’ll be at our house and all.” Theo seemed confused but interested in the prospect. He left her alone with Holt.

“You’ll come?” Holt’s hazel eyes were laced with concern again.

“I don’t see as I have any choice.” He’d found her one weak spot. She wouldn’t break Theo’s heart now.

“I’m sor—”

“No, please, don’t say it. We’re not going back to that routine again.”

“I’ll need you to stay through the night of the banquet. I can bring you back to the school the next morning. Until Toxin is behind bars, I plan to keep you close.”

With his statement, a shudder traveled over her body. She turned to hide her response, shutting down her computer and tucking papers into a drawer until she recovered her composure. “We’re going to have to set some ground rules.” She met his eyes. “No physical contact.” Not that he wanted any from her, but she’d be damned if she’d let him make the rules this time.

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

“That’s too bad.” His words shocked her into stillness. He had to be joking.
He
was the one who had doubts as to whether he wanted her or not. He strode to the door and opened it, pausing to look back. “You’d better get packed. Do you have to stay until all the kids are picked up?”

“Most of them are gone already, but Cheryl and Coach will stay until everyone is accounted for. Just give me twenty minutes to pack.” She’d need ten just to calm her frazzled nerves. It would require all her battered defenses not to make a fool of herself over Holt this weekend.

“I’ll be out front with Theo.”

Sara stopped at Cheryl’s desk and handed her Holt’s bouquet. “These are for you.” The last thing she needed was a reminder who pulled the strings in this puppet show. Toxin was in control of her destiny at the moment, and those kind of strings threatened to strangle her.

Chapter Fifteen

Holt spoke briefly with the security guard posted in a car across the street, then trotted back to his son. Theo unlocked the front door and stood aside as Sara and Holt carried in two bags containing their fast-food dinner. The aroma of fries and greasy burgers mingled with the familiar smell of home. Elizabeth’s bowl of potpourri on the living room table was oddly out of place now. While Holt had eventually donated the items from her side of the closet, there were still touches of her personality and influence everywhere. He hadn’t thought of what it would be like to invite another woman into the home he’d shared with her. A twinge of sadness told him he still had emotions to deal with, but they weren’t as overwhelming as he’d feared.

Theo bounded past him to the kitchen, on a quest for sodas to go with dinner.

“Wash up,” Holt called after him. He turned to take the bag of food from Sara and caught her looking at a shelf, her attention on a picture of him with Elizabeth and Theo, taken a couple of years ago, before Elizabeth had known she was ill. In it, they were smiling as they hugged on Loyola Leone Beach, one of their favorite destinations for family daytrips. “There’s a spare bedroom upstairs. I’ll get you guys settled with some food and then get your things from the car.”

“No hurry.” Sara’s gaze went to him, and his heart twisted at the sadness he saw there, a mirror of the grief he’d been facing down for over a year now. “Is it hard to live with all of these reminders of her?”

“It’s more comforting than sad, I guess. At least, now it is.”

“I was the same way about my parents’ things after they died. It was hard, but certainly not as hard as it has to be on Theo, losing his mother while he’s so young.” She shook her head as if shaking off her mood, like some kind of snow globe in which she could reset her feelings. “Never mind me. This weekend took me by surprise.”

That was an understatement. He’d dumped a load of guilt and pressure on her, told her she was being watched by a killer, and yet she’d taken it on without further argument. Sara was full of surprises as well.

“Maybe eating will help.” Holt said as Theo came in balancing three cans of soda in his hands. Holt smiled, but watched his son and Sara carefully for signs of strain as they sat on the living room rug, around the coffee table. “Hope you don’t mind having a little picnic. Theo has a school project spread out on the kitchen table.”

“No, this is perfect.” Sara tucked her jean-clad legs under her. “I like casual.”

Though there was a formal dining room just off the foyer, Elizabeth’s rented hospital-style bed had been set up there in the final weeks, while she received hospice care and had needed more space. Holt hadn’t had the energy to return the dining room furniture from storage after the room was emptied. He wondered how Theo felt about that—it must be a constant reminder that his mother had spent her final days there.

But, at the moment, Theo was under Sara’s spell. She radiated positivity, laughing with him and talking about his week. Conversation turned to Theo’s interests.

“Did you show your dad your comics yet?” Sara asked. Theo shook his head. “Why not? They’re really good,” she said, more to Holt than Theo. Holt felt a pang of jealousy. “Well, maybe one day, when you’re ready?”

Theo shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. At least making comic books doesn’t get me in trouble like getting caught under the stairs, right?”

Holt’s parental alarms went off. “
Caught?
Doing what?” But the pair was absorbed in a discussion of some game involving an assassin.

“Have you really played Death Files?” Theo asked Sara.

“Yes,” she replied. Both Theo and Holt looked at her in surprise. “What? You both play. Why is it a shock that I do?”

“I’ve played the newer games on occasion with Theo,” Holt said. “But those first-person shooter games? Overcomplicated, if you ask me.”

Sara grinned. “Well, you don’t hang out in a school full of video-game experts day after day without picking up some tips.” She winked at Theo. “You’ll have to show me what you’ve got while I’m here.”

Theo gobbled down the last of his burger and nearly launched himself off the floor. “How about now?”

Sara laughed and Holt’s heart clenched. When was the last time this house had been filled with laughter? “It’s all right with me if it’s okay with your dad.”

Holt grinned at their enthusiasm. “As long as there’s no bloodshed. But first, clear your project off the kitchen table. We’ll need somewhere to eat all weekend.”

“I will.” Theo hurried off.

Sara watched him leave. When her blue eyes turned to Holt, her confidence had evaporated. “You’re sure it’s okay? I know some parents don’t like their kids to play.”

“It’s fine.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “If you’re sure you’re up for it.”

She pretended to look offended. “You doubt my mad gaming skills?”

“Theo’s pretty good.”

“And his dad? Care to show me what you’ve got?” Her eyes sparked with wicked humor and his blood heated.

“I’d love to show you.” He’d dreamed of showing her many things. At this moment, the thought of pushing her down to the carpet and picking up where they’d left off on her couch weeks ago had his interest stirring.

Her laugh pulled at something in his chest, as if she were reeling him in. He tried to resist the pull, but his gaze locked on her lips, then shifted to the long column of throat that moved as she laughed. His lips twitched, wanting to taste that milky skin.
Oh
,
what I could show you right now
,
Sara Burns
... The bolt of lust that shot through him had him looking away.

“Well, you’ve got a couple of days to put your talents on display,” she said, grinning, apparently unaware of his discomfort.

An entire weekend of laughter and fun? As long as he knew SSAM and the CPD had security constantly monitoring the house, and he had the private security guard stationed across the street, maybe he
could
relax just a bit. “I’m glad you came, even if my methods to get you here were slightly devious. This time, I won’t apologize.”

Her laughter evaporated. “I was going to agree before you told Theo I was coming. You didn’t have to coerce me. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

“You’re a generous, brave woman, Sara.”

She looked away, balling up her hamburger wrapper and stuffing it into a bag. “Yeah, right. So generous that men can’t wait to get away from me.” She pushed up from the floor. “Forget I said that. It’s been a long week and I’m tired.”

Disappointment filled him. How had he killed the playful mood? And why wasn’t he relieved that she was keeping her emotional distance? “I can show you to your room. I’ll make Theo understand.”

“Oh, no.” She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook that easily. Besides, I think some stress relief via video game is just what the doctor ordered.”

“You go ahead. I’ll be along in a minute.”

A few minutes later, as Holt straightened up the living room, he heard Theo’s and Sara’s cheers and groans. He checked in once more with the guard outside and unloaded the bags from the car, placing Sara’s suitcase in the spare room.

He took Theo’s backpack to his room. The outer space theme made him smile. A mix of the things Theo had had as a baby—the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling that Elizabeth had carefully arranged into constellations, the pillow she’d sewn in the shape of a smiling half-moon—and the Star Wars posters and figures Theo had asked for a couple Christmases ago. All of it would be gone tomorrow. Theo had asked to entirely redecorate his room for his birthday.

His son was ready to move forward. Bittersweet emotion had Holt’s throat shrinking. Elizabeth should have been here for this milestone. She would have been coordinating the décor, as well as planning a big Thanksgiving feast for the entire family. But she wasn’t. And he was tired of waiting for her to come back. The love he’d felt for her had become a deep, tender love during her months of illness. With Sara, he’d felt a spark of passion he hadn’t expected. An echo of what he’d suppressed a decade ago. It scared the shit out of him. “What do I do, Elizabeth?”

There was no answer from his dead wife. And since there would be no concrete answers, he’d do what he always did. He’d go with his gut. He’d sworn to protect Sara while she was under his care this weekend. But once Toxin was finally behind bars? Would he be happy Sara was out of his life, no longer stirring unwanted emotions, or would he miss her laughter and passion? Either way, he’d proceed with caution. Theo came first. And Theo was enough to fill his life.

But as he stood in the doorway of his den, watching the play of lights across Sara’s and Theo’s intent expressions while their cyber characters locked in virtual battle, he was worried his son didn’t have the same reservations. Theo had already made room in his heart for Sara. Perhaps Holt’s heart was expanding as well.
Game on.

* * *

Despite the number of children in her life, Sara hadn’t been to a children’s birthday party since...well, since she’d been a kid. As an only child, she didn’t even have nieces or nephews to dote on. Theo knocked on her door as she was pulling her hair into a ponytail.

“Happy birthday,” she said.

He sat on her bed. “I can’t believe I’m ten. Double digits.”

She laughed and sat down next to him. “Take it from someone who’s been there for a while, double digits aren’t so bad. So, tell me what’s on the agenda.”

Theo shrugged. “I don’t know. Dad’s got a whole
thing
planned, I guess.” She hid her surprise. When had Holt found time to prepare a kids’ party? “He’s in the kitchen making my favorite brunch—French toast and bacon. He says we’ll need our energy to survive today.”

“It does sound like he’s ready for some serious partying.”

“Yeah. We should start fueling up.” He led her downstairs to the kitchen, where Holt was removing a jug of milk from the refrigerator. A birthday cake took up an entire shelf inside.

She recognized the symbol, a mask that looked as if it were made of metal. “Transformers. Any friends coming?”

Holt shot her a look and a short shake of his head. It was obvious she’d said something wrong.

Theo didn’t seem upset, though. “Nope. Just Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa Patterson. And you.”

“Theo didn’t want to invite anyone outside of family,” Holt explained.
Family.
Sara tried hard not to feel like a third—or fifth—wheel. “But the cake’s for later, bud. We’ve got breakfast and then the hunt begins.”

“I know, Dad.” Theo rolled his eyes like a proper ten-year-old.

“Hunt? That sounds ominous.” Sara surveyed the food on the table. A plate heaped with slices of steaming French toast. A decanter of syrup. A small dish of powdered sugar and another of fresh berries. Holt had put on an impressive spread.

Holt rubbed his hands together. “And when we get back from the hunt, we’ll have the cake and ice cream. Today is all about seeking the perfect sugar high.”

As they enjoyed the brunch, Sara observed this new, boyish side of Holt with wonder. Perhaps the video games had unlocked something last night. He’d certainly had a wicked gleam in his eye when he’d trounced her on the virtual battlefield.

As they finished their food, Holt sat back. Sara licked a dab of syrup from her fork. “Who knew your mad skills extended to the kitchen?”

When she looked up, her chuckle lodged in her throat. His gaze was on her lips, and she could feel the air sizzling between them. She set her fork down, aware that Theo was still in the room and she couldn’t lean over and kiss Holt the way she wanted to at that moment. It didn’t look like Holt would object.

“But it sounds like you’ll be showing us a lot of your hidden talents,” Sara said. “What, with re-decorating an entire room. That should take up a large chunk of the day.”

“Don’t forget time for presents,” Theo added, then slanted a look at her. His grin stretched from ear to ear. “What’d you get me? Another journal?”

“Theo.” Holt’s voice held a warning, but reminding him his son was in the room seemed to do the trick. The heat was gone.

Sara hadn’t had the opportunity to get a gift, so she’d had to improvise. She thought she’d done well, considering her limited time and resources. “You’ll have to wait and see.” Holt looked at her in surprise, but she ignored him. He wasn’t the only one capable of surprises.

“Grandma and Grandpa will be here any minute,” Holt told Theo. “Why don’t you go find the first clue to the hunt? It’s somewhere in the blackness of outer space.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “That’s got to be my room. Blackness...probably my closet.”

“Then I’ll expect you back at the table in T-minus-two minutes with an idea of where we lift off to next.”

Theo hurried out of the kitchen, leaving them alone.

Holt turned to her. “Don’t get his hopes up.”

“Excuse me?” Her good mood evaporated like a drop of water hitting a hot skillet.

“He’s attached to you. Promising things you can’t deliver will only crush him later.”

“And who says I can’t deliver?”

Holt arched an eyebrow.

“It’s a
surprise.
” The silence dragged on, but she refused to give him an explanation. He was suddenly determined to think the worst of her—like he had of the old Sara. Why? To put distance between them?
Too late
,
Holt Patterson.
If the look in his eyes a moment ago was any indication, he was fighting his attraction as much as she was.

“It had better be the good kind of surprise.”

Her temper heated. “You drag me here, insist I take part in your family activities—” A twinge of guilt nagged at her. She’d actually found herself wanting to participate in the family fun.

“Only because you’re here anyway—”

Ouch.
“—and then accuse me of making Theo become attached to me?” She huffed out a laugh. “You are un-freaking-believable, Holt Patterson.”

“Are we interrupting?” Betty and Ron Patterson pushed their heads inside the kitchen doorway. Apparently deeming the territory safe, Betty stepped forward and gave Holt a peck on the cheek. Her gaze surveyed him with a mix of concern and interest before swinging to Sara. “Good to see you again, Sara.”