Skylar (The Love Family Series Book 1) (7 page)

“We don’t know he was working for her, but maybe she promised him money and didn’t pay him when we both survived. Money is a reason to kill,” Declan was quick to say.  “But we’ll know soon enough after we find him. This island isn’t big enough for him to just disappear. I’ll contact all of the hotels and pass his picture around and start looking through each of their lobby security feeds. Maybe we can trace his steps”

“That’s assuming he’s still here,” Luke added.

“Only one way to find out. We’ll know more once you review the ferry footage, but in the meantime, I’m going to put out an APB on this bastard and start searching for him. He doesn’t know this island. There are only so many places he can be staying.”

Chapter 7

After getting settled in the cabin and eating a light lunch, Skylar popped in the first surveillance security disk from the ferry. She relaxed on the couch and propped her feet on Luke’s lap as they watched the tourists coming and going from the boat, both searching the crowds for the killer. His fingers dug into her soles, releasing the tension she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying.

“You know, I can think of several other things we could be doing.”

His hand slowly crept up her thigh and she swatted at him. “Work first, play time later.”

“You’re right.” He lifted her feet and slid off the couch to sit on the floor. “There’s plenty of time for that later.”

Plenty of time? “Luke, when are you scheduled to go back?”

Luke shrugged. “When I’m ready. I mean I have to go back and get some things handled, but…” He paused the DVD and turned to look at her. “I’m buying a building here on the island and opening one of my labs. It’ll be my home base.”

Words escaped her. “Come again?”

He laid his hand on her leg. “I’m moving home, Sky. This is where I belong.”

She sat up on the couch, and butterflies danced in her stomach. “I don’t understand. I thought you liked New York and big-city living. Why would you do that? Please don’t say that you’re doing it to be near me.”

Luke rose. “What if I was? What would be so terribly wrong with that idea? After last night, I thought it was settled, that we’d see where this relationship took us. I’m an all-in kind of guy, Sky.”

“Luke, you have a life outside of the island. What if we don’t work out? Are you going to uproot your employees again and leave?”

He sat on the couch beside her. “You’re breaking us up before we even get off the ground, Sky. Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun?”

“Me!” She scooted him out of the way and moved to the middle of the living room. “I’m not the one jumping the gun and buying a freakin’ building.”

He shrugged. “The building is a sound investment for my research, and I’ll be closer to my parents and my best friend, not to mention you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Who else knows about this? Does Declan know?”

“Of course he does. I had to ask him about the Dagger Building and what they were involved in. Other than him, only my assistant, Justin, knows.”

She turned and let out a sigh. “All of your employees…”

“Those people will be just fine.” He rose and moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’m keeping the other building, and they’ll have a choice before I bring in help from outside the company. No one is going to lose their job.” He pressed a kiss to her neck. “And as for us, sure I want us to work out, and I’m thinking one day we could have a future, but I’m willing to wait until we’re on the same page. I’m not proposing, Skylar. I’m making a move back to the town where I grew up.” He turned her in his arms. “You’re a bonus.”

Skylar chewed her bottom lip. Her heart thumped against her ribs as she replayed his words. He was moving here. He was moving back. Her lips formed into a smile, and she watched his eyes twinkle with light. “Okay.” She nodded. “I know it’s your choice. I just don’t want you regretting it.”

“I won’t,” he was quick to assure her before laying a kiss on her lips. He turned her and smacked her on the ass. “Now, let’s get back to work. The sooner we’re done, the faster I can take you to bed.”

With almost forty-eight hours of video to review, she got comfortable on the couch and hit the play button, trying to analyze every person that came and went. Four hours later, she rubbed her tired eyes and hit Pause, glancing over her shoulder to watch Luke washing dishes.

“Sorry I didn’t help.”

“You are helping.” He glanced back at her. “You’ve got the boring job of looking for a needle in a haystack. “I guess since you’re not screaming, you haven’t had any luck yet?”

She rested her arms on the back of the couch. “No and all the colors are making my eyes cross.” 

Luke turned off the spigot and dried his hands on a towel. “Maybe you should take a break. It looks like the storm is taking it’s time arriving. How about a walk?”

She checked the time. “It’s almost eight.”

Skylar’s cell phone rang and their gazes darted across the room.

“Who would be calling you?”

She shrugged and stood. “I don’t know. Olivia’s manning the store. Maybe she’s having a problem.”

She answered, “Hello?”

“Ms. Love?” She could barely hear the man through the distinct sound of sirens wailing in the background.

“Yes?”

“This is Fire Chief Buchannan. We need you to come down to your shop.”

Her heart raced at his words. “Is everyone okay?”

“There was a casualty, but not from the fire, ma’am. I’ll explain when you get here.”

Oh god. “Yes, of course. I’ll be right there.”

She shoved the phone into her pocket and manically searched the table for Luke’s keys.

“What’s wrong?”

She shook her head and he took her hands.

“Sky, talk to me.”

“There’s been a fire. Someone was hurt. I have to go.”

He nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

“I need the keys.”

He pulled them out of his pocket and dangled them in front of her. “I’m driving. You can call Declan and Olivia on the way.”

Her feet tapped on the passenger floor mat as Olivia’s phone went to voice mail for the second time. “She’s still not answering.”

“Maybe she’s talking to the fire guys.”

She punched in Declan’s number. He answered on the first ring. “I just heard. Where are you?”

“We’re five minutes away. Are you there? How bad is it?”

“I’m just pulling up. Oh, Sky….”

“What?”

“Fire is shooting from the roof.”

Skylar closed her eyes and lowered her head. Tears welled behind her eyes. “They said there was a casualty.”

“I’m walking up to the ambulance now. Hang tight…”

What seemed like an eternity passed while she waited for Declan to tell her who was hurt. “Sky.” His voice lowered, and anger seeped from the edges. “It’s Olivia. She’s got blunt force trauma to the back of the head, and they’re taking her to the hospital. I’m going with them, and when you’re done with the fire department, meet me there.”

Her forming tears slipped free. “Don’t leave her, Declan. Do you hear me? I’ll be there as soon as I can, but you don’t leave her side. Promise me.”

“Sky, I won’t leave her. I promise.”

She hit End and rested the phone in her lap. Luke entwined his fingers through Sky’s. “What did he say?”

“Olivia has blunt force trauma. He’s going with her to the hospital. We have to deal with the fire before I can get to her.”

He squeezed her fingers. “He’ll keep us posted.” She tried to give him a reassuring smile and failed miserably.

“If anything happens to her…”

“Olivia is in good hands. Dec will protect her with his life. You and I both know that.”

She took a deep breath and wiped her tear-stained face. “You’re right. I know you are. We can handle this.”

He pressed his lips to her hand. “Of course we can, baby.”

Skylar turned her gaze to the window, the passing beauty of the island tainted by what unimaginable scene might lie ahead. Olivia in the hospital and their shared store potentially in ruins. Her gut clenched as she swallowed around the lump in her throat. The killer and his trail of destruction would haunt her memories for years to come.

“Oh my god.” She pointed to the smoke billowing over the tops of the trees as lightning flashed across the angry sky, the storm slowly making its way toward the island. The old legends believed it to be an impending omen, but she disagreed. The water was a blessing to her, a source of nutrients for their green vegetation to thrive. Only time would tell if the rain did more damage than good concerning the fire looming in the distance.

Luke turned on Pike Drive and slowed as he approached the chaotic scene. Fireman swept water, spraying from the hose, back and forth across the rooftop of the two-story building as others scurried around the street. Bile rose to her throat, clogging her words. One of her most dreaded fears was realized. Townspeople and bystanders stood at a safe distance, watching as her life fell into ruins. Luke parked and they both got out. She stood motionless by the door, watching the destruction of her life’s work as the fire licked the night sky.

Luke appeared by her side, putting a reassuring hand on her back. “You’ll rebuild.”

She turned to look at him, biting back the tears. She nodded as he led her toward the young fire chief, Cole Buchannan.

“Chief,” she called out, sidestepping over the hose running along the ground. “I’m Skylar Love.”

Cole glanced up from his clipboard and met her halfway. “Ms. Love.” He turned toward the building. “As you can see, you’re looking at a total loss.” He turned back to her, ignoring the horrendous scene behind him. “It’s still too soon to speculate, but we believe it was arson. A witness saw a man running from the back entrance after hearing a woman’s scream.”

“My business partner, Olivia Parks,” she answered, unable to take her eyes off the carnage of everything she’d spent her life building. “You say there was a witness?”

“Yeah, he’s the one that called the cops and carried Olivia to safety when he noticed the fire inside the building. Right now we’re just trying to contain the blaze. We’ll be here for hours making sure that it’s out. We haven’t found anyone else. Do you know if anyone was working?”

She shook her head. “There shouldn’t have been. My partner and I do the closings at night after we send the staff home.”

Luke wrapped his arm around her waist in support.

“Chief, I appreciate everything you’re doing, but we’ve got to go to the hospital to check on Olivia. Is that all you needed?”

“I understand.” Cole unclipped a card from his clipboard and handed it to her. “The fire inspector will call you with his findings, and we’ll keep you apprised of the situation.”

“Thank you.” Luke shook the chief’s hand before leading Skylar away. She glanced at the black charred brick on the building one last time as she climbed into the SUV.

Luke climbed in the other side and buckled his belt but didn’t move to start the ignition as he quietly observed the scene. “Sky, I think we should leave the island.”

“What? No,” she answered without hesitation. “This asshole is not running me out of my damn town.” She spoke her words through gritted teeth. “The only thing this shithead has done is piss me the fuck off.”

“Sky…we don’t even know that it was him.”

Sky rested her head against the seat and inhaled a deep, calming breath to combat the raging nerves running through her body.

“Don’t we?” She glanced at him. “Who else could have done it?”

“I don’t know.” He started the ignition and did a U-turn toward the hospital.

Chapter 8

Luke pulled up to the front of the hospital ER and stopped. “Go ahead. Go find her. I’m just going to park.”

She pulled the handle on the door, only stopping when he placed his hand over hers. “Sky…this guy is still on the loose. Be careful.”

“I will.” She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss before sliding out. She headed inside the building. The ER was quiet. She passed the few patients waiting and approached the check-in desk. “I’m here to see Olivia Parks.”

“I’m sorry, miss. I have strict orders that all of her visitors have to be cleared by the police.”

Sky pressed her lips together. She’d asked for this, protection for Olivia, and it wasn’t the damn nurse’s fault she was following orders. “Tell Declan Love that his sister is here, and if he doesn’t let me back this minute, that I’m going to make a scene.”

The nurse’s lips twitched. “Yes, ma’am.”

She quickly picked up the phone and lowered her voice as she talked. Seconds later, after hanging up, she gestured to the door. “You can go back. Exam Room 3.”

“Luke Tanner is behind me. He’s also allowed,” she informed the woman.

The nurse gestured to the locked door and pushed a button, turning the light green.   

“Thank you,” Sky called over her shoulder while opening the door and quickening her steps through the hall. She didn’t have to read the door numbers to know which one was Olivia’s room. A cop stood guard in front.

“Skylar.” He gave her a quick nod and stepped aside.

“Luke Tanner is parking the car. Let him in when he arrives.”

He gave her a quick nod before she walked inside the room.

Olivia lay on the bed, her angry eyes narrowed at Declan as he stood next to the bed, with a smile on his face.

“Am I interrupting?”

“Tell your brother I’m not staying with him.”

Skylar’s gaze darted to Declan. “Sorry, Olivia, I agree with Declan. Under the circumstances, it’s best that you do stay with him.”

“Unbelievable.” She hit her hands against the mattress. “My own best friend isn’t on my side.”

“Oh, honey.” Skylar moved to sit on the bed next to Olivia. “There’s a killer on the loose. He’s tried to kill Luke and me, and now he’s burned down our shop and hurt you. I just want you to be safe. Will you do this for me?” Sky pushed out her bottom lip and batted her eyelashes.

“Seriously, the pout face?”

Skylar grinned. “Whatever it takes.”

“Fine.” Olivia sat up farther on the bed. “Now tell me about the damage.”

“Total loss,” Luke answered, walking in the door.

“No.” Olivia gasped, her gaze darting to Skylar for confirmation. “Tell me he’s lying.”

“Afraid not.” Skylar rested her hand over Olivia’s. “But just think. We wanted to remodel. Now we’ll just have to redo the building to go with it.”

“When I suggested remodeling, this isn’t exactly what I meant.”

“I know.” Skylar gave Olivia a sad smile. “The shop closed at six tonight. What were you doing there so late?”

“I wasn’t,” she answered. “I’d already left and was halfway home when I realized I had forgotten the bank bag, so I went back. I unlocked the back door, walked in, and struggled to get my key out. I saw the guy out of the corner of my eye and screamed. That was the last thing I remember.”

“You think she interrupted him?” She turned a worried gaze at her brother.

“It’s possible.”

She glanced over her shoulder at Luke. His brows furrowed as he rubbed his chin. “The guy who called the police said that he heard her scream, and saw the man run. He must have been leaving after starting the fire.” 

She pushed all thoughts of the man ruining her life out of her mind and returned her gaze to Olivia. “How are you? Have you seen the doctor yet?”

“Yes,” Declan answered. “She’s got a slight concussion and he wants to keep her overnight for observation.”

“I can answer my own questions,” Olivia snapped.

Declan’s brow rose, but he remained silent.

“I should be released tomorrow.”

“Dec, are you staying with her, or are you posting guards?”

“I’m staying.”

“No, you’re not. I don’t need you here.” Olivia huffed.

“Olivia. You need someone with you,” Sky calmly reminded her.

“Then you stay with me, Sky.”

“You know, that’s not a bad idea,” Declan answered.

“What?” Luke protested. “Are you nuts?”

Declan nodded toward the door. “Come on, Luke. Let’s go get some coffee and give the girls a few minutes alone.”

****

Luke followed Declan out of the room, clenching his fists at his sides. “What the hell are you thinking?” he demanded as they neared the waiting room.

“I’m thinking this is our only break to catch this creep.”

“I don’t know what plan you have rolling around in your head, but you are NOT using them as bait.”

Declan poured two cups of coffee, handing one to Luke. Declan poured sugar in his. “Let’s face the facts. If this guy even remotely thinks Olivia can ID him, then he’ll be gunning for her. My guess is he shows up here to finish the job before she can give the police a sketch.”

“And you think them staying here is good, why?” Luke asked before sipping his black coffee, letting the liquid warm his throat.

“That’s easy. We’ll set the trap. When he shows up, bam, we got him.”

Luke rubbed his neck. “And just how are you planning to do that?”

“We’ll act like Olivia and Skylar are getting settled in their room, and we’ll move them into the next room through an adjoining door with a guard posted inside the room. If the killer thinks that Olivia and Sky are easy to access, he’ll jump at the chance to kill two birds with one stone.”

“And you’re going to be waiting for him?”

“I’ll call in the detail and make sure the place is covered. They’ll dress undercover as doctors or whatever. I’ll be waiting in the room, and you can watch from the security office. When you see him on the monitors, you can alert us he’s on his way. I’ll also pass out his picture to the rest of the security staff.”

“And if he doesn’t show?”

“Then Olivia is placed under guard until the threat is neutralized, and Sky and you go back into hiding.” Declan clapped Luke’s shoulder. “Listen, we know what this asshole looks like now. When we catch him, and we will catch him, we’ll get the answers, even if I have to beat them out of him.”

Luke’s cell rang and he was quick to answer. “Tanner.”

“I’m at the hotel. Where are you? We need to talk,” Justin said in a worried tone.

“I’m at the hospital. What’s up?”

“I need you to come back to the hotel. I have an update on the building.”

“I can’t leave….”

“Yes, you can,” Declan said.

“Hang on a sec.” Luke covered the phone with his hand.

“You need to leave so the guy thinks the girls are alone. I’ll get you a doctor’s pass, and you can park in the garage when you get back. Slip in through the side door and go straight to the security office.”

Luke let out an exasperated breath and uncovered the phone. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Meet me in the bar.” He disconnected the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. “Declan, I’m counting on you to keep her safe.”

“Dude, she’s my sister. My mom would kill me if I let anything happen to her.”

“Are you going to tell them your plan?”

“Are you crazy? The less they know the better.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Luke tossed his coffee in the garbage. “Tell Skylar I had to run to the hotel. If I go back in there and tell her, she’ll protest to come with me.”

“She’d kick my ass if I let you go alone. I’ll send one of the guards with you, just in case.”

“Fine. Tell her I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

****

Luke bustled into the hotel lobby and straight to the bar, where Justin was waiting at a table in the back, sipping a Crown and Coke, his drink of choice. He waved a folder in the air.

Luke sat where he could keep his eye on the cop waiting outside and anyone who might come up behind him.

“What’s with the cop?”

“Long story. Too long to get into right now. What was so important?” Luke asked, leaning back in his chair, trying to act relaxed when that was the complete opposite of how he felt. Trepidation had churned in his gut when leaving the hospital, leaving Sky for the first time since everything started. He glanced back out front, trying to recall if the security tape was still around the restaurant next door. A sobering reality; their hell had all started here.

Justin slid the file over to him. “I have the appraisal on the Dagger building and the information on the owner. It’s the Dagger’s daughter. They were probably tipped off by the local cops that they were going to get arrested and started transferring assets.”

Luke kept his gaze down as he flipped through the file. “Careful what you say about the locals; I’m one of them and I know for a fact this town isn’t run that way.”

Justin’s hands shot up in the air. “No offense, Luke.”

He flipped past the parents to the appraisal and flipped to the last page where the total was. Satisfied, he shut the file and slid it back. “Give her the asking price.” He rose and turned to walk away.

“You don’t even want to negotiate?”

He slowly turned back to Justin. “I want this done, and I want to be moving in staff and furniture within the month.”

Justin picked up the file and nodded. “I’ll make the call and get them to push through a closing.” 

“I have to go.”

****

When Declan came back from getting coffee, he announced that Luke had left to go back to the hotel. Skylar was ready to strangle her brother. Even with the assurance he’d taken a uniform with him, it still left her uneasy. The only thing that kept her mind from worry was helping Olivia room hop after being kicked out of the first assigned room and having to move next door. After leaving them alone with a uniform in the room, her brother disappeared, saying he’d be back later to check on them. Skylar helped Olivia into the bed. She pulled the covers up over Olivia’s legs.

“I’m not an invalid, Sky.”

“Shut up and let me baby you.” She grinned.

“Bite me.” Olivia smiled.

“Aw, now there’s my smartass best friend…she’s still in there.”

Olivia chuckled. “You wouldn’t love me any other way.”

“Two peas in a pod as my brothers used to call us.” Skylar walked over to the water jug and shook it. “You’re on E. I’m going for a refill.”

“Sky, that’s not a good idea.”

The officer moved to block the door. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, ma’am.”

“Henry, my name isn’t ma’am.” Skyler pulled her revolver out of her jeans and showed Henry. “I’ll be fine. I’m going right down the hall for a refill. I’ll scream and shoot if anything happens to me, and not necessarily in that order.”

Henry’s lips twitched. “You’re going to get me fired, Skylar.”

“Nah, it can be our secret.”

She gently shoved Henry out of the way. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. What’s going to happen? If I know my brother, he’s got cops all throughout the building, and we’re on the fifth floor.”

He frowned but didn’t stop her from leaving. “I’m timing you.”

She grinned and opened the door, whistling her way down the empty corridor into the break room. She moved to the ice machine and shoved the container beneath it. The cubes in the machine crunched as they fell into the oversized thermos.

“Don’t be stupid,” a man whispered in her ear while shoving his gun in her side. The thermos in her hand dropped to the floor, and ice skittered across the linoleum.  His hands made quick work over her body before pulling the gun hidden in her waistband. He jabbed his gun back in her side. “You make a sound, I’ll shoot you, and then I’ll come back and shoot the cop and the girl hiding in the room.”

“Why are you doing this?”

He shoved the gun in her side harder. “I said not a sound.”

She chewed her lip as she let him lead her out the security exit, knowing this might be the last few moments of her life. She tripped on the stairs as he rushed her down the flights and continued into the underground parking garage, shoving her out through the exit. When the door clicked closed behind her, she swallowed around her apprehension. 

“Why are you doing this? I don’t even know you.”

“Shut up,” he said louder as she struggled from his grasp.

****

“Boss, she went for water two minutes ago and isn’t back.”

“I know,” Declan huffed into the phone as he jumped down the stairs two at a time. “He’s headed for the parking garage. I’m two flights behind them. Send backup.”

****

Luke parked in the doctors’ lot, closest to the door and got out, heading for the door when it burst open. He ducked behind a concrete column and peered around the edge to find Skylar with the guy from the bar. Her demand for answers was visibly making her assailant pissed. The exit door kicked open again, and Declan eased out with the gun pointed at the pair.