A Reason to Believe (24 page)

but he caught movement out of the corner of his

eye. The sheers were undulating at the windows.

He was so fixated on the movement that when a

newspaper fell suddenly onto the coffee table right

in front of him, he jumped.

“Christ, Abby,” he gasped. “What…”

The pages of the paper began to lift and rattle,

stirred by a phantom wind. They turned in a

dizzying rush and Matt stared, wide-eyed, as the

paper crackled loudly in the silent house. As

abruptly as they’d begun, the pages settled and the

newspaper jerked closer to him, turned at an angle.

The headline was unmistakable even in the eerie

gloom.

Child’s Father Soon To Be Indicted, Many

Speculate. Assistant District Attorney Refuses To

Comment.

Matt read it, his heart sinking. He lifted his head

and could feel her watching him. “I know, honey.

We know it wasn’t your dad, and we’re doing

everything we can.”

The paper protested again, lifting and shaking.

“Abby, I know your dad didn’t do it. I do. But

there’s only so much…”

The paper flew at him. Matt managed to get his

hand up just before it hit him square in the face.

The pages fell into his lap, spilling onto the floor.

The unexpectedness of it left his heart pounding.

He knew she was gone even before the heavy

feeling in the room faded.

He took an unsteady breath and looked down at

the disorganized pile of newsprint.

“Okay,” he muttered, his voice sounding shaky

even to his own ears. “Clearly, doubting your

existence is no longer an option.”

* * *

Kiernan about his midnight visitor. Matt was

already dressed and had downed half a pot of the

strongest coffee he could stand by the time Kiernan

wandered, bleary-eyed, into the kitchen.

“Sorry. We talked late and then overslept…”

“We’ve still got time. But we’ll have to

leave…” Matt turned, and the words died in his

throat. Kiernan was wearing jeans and a snug red

T-shirt. Matt was so distracted by the fit across his

muscled chest and flat stomach it took him a

moment to read what was written there. When he

did, he made a startled sound.

Kiernan glanced up and grinned as Aidan came

into the room and rolled her eyes.

“You cannot wear that shirt in public,” she said,

scowling at him.

He looked down at it and back up, blinking

guilelessly. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Well, first of all, it’s so tight I’m surprised you

can breathe. No one needs to see your little boy

nipples.”

“Hey,” Kiernan protested.

“And secondly,” she went on, “I will not be

seen with someone wearing a shirt that declares he

puts his feet back and spreads them for the police.”

Matt snorted, unable to contain his amusement

even with his hand over his mouth.

She shot him an arch look. “You are not helping.

Do not encourage him.”

“Don’t worry,” Kiernan assured his sister. “I’ve

learned something new being here in all of this

snow.” He picked up a black sweater he’d tossed

on the table and pulled it on over his head.

“Layers, sister mine. You need to dress in layers.”

The drive to the train station was slowed by

crawling rush hour traffic. Matt dropped Kiernan

and Aidan off with her luggage and went to park as

they made their way into the crowded station. By

the time he caught up with them, they were standing

near one of the train’s open doors. Aidan was

talking rapidly.

“Remember to eat. I mean it, Kier. And try to get

some sleep. You know what happens when you get

overtired. Consider checking back into the Hilton,

will you, please? I know you’re all caught up in it

right now, but…” She saw Matt approaching and

bit her lip. “Just use your head, all right?” She

studied Kiernan’s face. “I don’t like leaving you

here.”

Kiernan tugged a strand of her long, dark hair.

“Relax, Mum,” he teased. “I’m a big boy.”

She enveloped him in a fierce hug. “Take care

of yourself. Please.”

He patted her affectionately on the back. “I’ll be

fine.”

Aidan’s eyes lifted to Matt, fiercely blue in the

bright morning light. “If anything happens to him,

I’m holding you personally responsible.”

“I’ll make sure he’s all right,” Matt promised

solemnly, and he meant every word.

Aidan nodded curtly and stepped back. “All

right, then.” She smoothed her hands over

Kiernan’s shoulders. “No longer than a week,

Kier. I mean it. You have things to do at home.”

Kiernan dropped his hands into his pockets.

“Say hi to Brian for me.”

“I will.” Aidan’s cell phone rang, and she

answered it with a brusque greeting, holding an

abbreviated conversation before she hung up.

“That was the Hilton,” she said as she dropped the

phone back into her pocket. “There’s something at

the front desk for you. I told them you’d come by

and get it. Don’t forget!”

Finally, as the doors down the train began to

slide closed, she had no choice but to board,

hauling her rolling suitcase behind her. They

lingered on the platform as the train pulled out,

Kiernan waving cheerfully until his sister

disappeared from view. He turned and looked up

at Matt, eyes avid.

“So, where to now?”

“Breakfast. I’m starving.” They headed toward

the exit.

“Cool. Me too. I don’t suppose you have a

Denny’s here? I’m a total sucker for the Meat

Lovers Scramble.” He wiggled his dark brows at

Matt mischievously, the double entendre clear.

“You lied to your sister.”

Kiernan looked confused. “I did?”

Matt nodded. “I’m convinced you actually are

five.”

Kiernan caught Matt’s elbow with a laugh. “Aw,

Matt! I’m so proud. You made a joke.”

Kiernan laughed again when they pulled into the

parking lot of Denny’s. They walked in through the

fingerprint-smudged glass doors and were

immediately assaulted by the sound of children

squealing and the mingled scents of bacon and hot

coffee. A hostess showed them to a booth in a far

corner.

Matt removed his coat and tossed it into the

booth. Kiernan did the same, shooting Matt a

playful look as he reached for the hem of the dark

sweater.

“No,” Matt said sternly. “You leave the sweater

right where it is.”

Kiernan scooted into the seat across from him.

“Spoilsport,” he muttered, but his lips were curved

in a teasing smile.

* * *

dish away, wiping his mouth on a paper napkin. He

leaned back in his seat, laying one arm casually

along the back. “So, are you going to tell me why

you didn’t sleep?”

Matt’s fork stopped halfway to his mouth, and

he met the inquisitive gaze. “What makes you think

I didn’t sleep?” His enjoyment diminished, he laid

his fork on the plate.

“Well, let’s see,” Kiernan mused. “You were

up, dressed and had finished half a pot of coffee by

the time I walked into the kitchen.”

“Maybe I only made half a pot of coffee.”

“Nice try. You look like you haven’t slept, all

right?” He leaned forward, his arms crossed on the

table. “And I don’t think it’s because the couch is

uncomfortable.” He arched one brow. “When did

she turn up?”

Matt stared into the knowing eyes and pushed

his own plate away. “Not sure. Some time around

two, I think. I had just dozed off.”

“At two?”

“I had a lot on my mind.”

“So did I. And I had a nosy sister pestering me

about it.”

Matt grimaced. “I’ll bet.”

Kiernan’s mouth twitched into a lopsided grin.

“She’s seen worse, believe me.”

“Do I even want to know?”

“Probably not. Anyway, your social call at 2

a.m. Did she say anything? Actually manifest?”

“No. But her message was clear. We’re not

moving fast enough for her.”

“How do you know?”

“Because she showed me a newspaper article.

When I told her we were doing the best we could,

she threw it at my head.”

Kiernan looked surprised. “Seriously?”

“Does it sound like I’m kidding?”

Kiernan leaned back, chewing his lower lip

thoughtfully. “What was the article about?”

“The state of the murder investigation. The

headline was referring to the fact her father was

soon to be indicted.” Matt ran his fingers through

his hair before rubbing at a stiff muscle in the back

of his neck. “I can’t say as I blame her. She knows

it wasn’t him. She must feel like she’s screaming

the truth and no one is listening.”

Kiernan’s hand came to rest over his on the

tabletop. “We’re listening. We just have to get her

to tell us the right things.” He reached for his coat.

“Come on. I want a look at that article, and we

should start going through the names on the guest

list. Oh, and we should probably go by the Hilton.

If I don’t, Aidan will just nag me half to death until

I do.”

Matt’s muscles stiffened as they approached the

hotel, and he searched the streets for any sign of a

dark sedan. He pulled into the valet parking area at

the Hilton, his eyes avidly scanning the circular

drive. When the bright-eyed young valet

approached his door, Matt pulled out his badge

and held it up to the window. The kid stopped and

backed away immediately, eyes wide.

“So, is there some sort of moratorium on how

many times you can flash that thing while you’re on

suspension?”

Matt glanced at Kiernan in irritation, only to see

his eyes gleaming with suppressed humor. “I’m

going to check out the entrance and the lobby. You

will stay in this vehicle until I come back for you.”

“Yes, sir!” Kiernan saluted.

“I’m not fucking around here, Kiernan. You

either do this my way, or I drive out of here. The

last time we were near this place, someone took a

shot at you. For all you know, they have the

building under surveillance. We will do this my

way, or not at all.”

Briefly, Kiernan looked like he might be going

to argue, but ultimately he nodded.

Matt got out of the SUV and locked it, and then

walked to the valet who was watching him with

avid eyes. “I’m going to take a look around and

then come back. The vehicle is to remain where it

is, and no one is to go near it. Am I clear?”

The boy nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”

The lobby was crowded, which instantly set

Matt’s instincts on alert, but nothing appeared out

of the ordinary. There was no press loitering, no

one acting suspiciously. He considered going to

the concierge desk himself, but even he

acknowledged it would be high-handed. When he

was

convinced

no

one

was

lingering

unnecessarily, he went back to the Bronco and

opened the passenger door.

“You know, all your precautions are just

drawing more attention,” Kiernan said as he slid

out of the seat. “All these people will wonder if

I’m some sort of mafia character with my own

bodyguard.”

There did seem to be a number of people

watching them curiously. “At least they know you

have a bodyguard. And anyone who might have

considered messing with you will think twice.”

Kiernan looked up at Matt with teasing

appraisal. “I’ll bet you could be pretty scary if you

put your mind to it.”

Matt gestured brusquely with his head and

remained slightly behind Kiernan as they walked

through the sliding doors and to the concierge

counter. The clerk on duty was an attractive older

woman. She looked up with polite interest as they

approached.

“Hi,” Kiernan said, charming smile in place.

“My sister received a call this morning. Something

was left for me? My name is…”

“Mr. Fitzpatrick,” she said smoothly. “Of

course, I recognize you. If you’ll wait one moment,

please.” She picked up a telephone receiver and

spoke softly when it was answered, then smiled at

him when she hung up. “It will be brought to you in