Promise Renewed (11 page)

Her own background wasn’t as nice and tidy.

Darin broke into her thoughts. “Since you’re new, what’s your first impression of the squad?”

“Good. Professional. On a personal level they act as if they care about each other. Like a family.”

“There’s a bad apple in there somewhere.”

“We’ll find the rotten one,” she promised.

“I asked my brother-in-law to look into their backgrounds. He checked them and their bank accounts.”

“This the one you told me about?”

“Max has a computer genius on the payroll. He can get information we can’t.”

“Handy person to know,” she commented. She knew all this, of course. But would this genius turn up more than she had?

“Bernie looked at each one of them, at their backgrounds, their lifestyle. He checked their finances. All of them could use more money. I guess if you get right down to it, everyone can. But when I look into their eyes, I don’t see any one of them capable of the treachery it took to have one of their own shot and killed,” Darin admitted. “Hunter was somewhere he shouldn’t have been. Maybe he recognized the mole and whoever it is either killed him or had someone else pull the trigger. We won’t know until we ID him or her.”

“I agree. We’re just speculating. Not good. There are six people we have to check out, plus the captain. Most of them are innocent. I’ll keep that in mind when I do my research.” Except she’d already been over everything out there and found nothing.

She was going to have to dig deeper and she was going to have to add Captain Wells to the list.

Somebody was hiding something.

“The captain
can’t
be involved,” Darin said, his voice low. “He’s the one who sends us on our calls. We trust him—we make busts every day of the week at his request. How can he be guilty?”

“Anything is possible.”

“All I can see is the image of the guys loading the truck that night. All wore baseball caps. Only one wore his shirt out and over his jeans.” He looked over at her. “Just like the photo.”

“Can we be sure it’s the captain in the motel room?” she asked.

“If Hunter said he was, we can be sure. He was the best investigator on the team.”

She watched Darin. His face was pale, his hands clenched on the steering wheel. This investigation was taking its toll. Could he handle the pressure? Going undercover was never easy. This operation would be a bitch in more ways than one.

Added to the mix, she was attracted. The attraction frightened her more than the part she was playing now or the one she would play later.

Chapter Eight

Dwanda placed a stack of paper plates on the food table. Her husband, Jesse, set up two long tables and all the chairs he could find. “Hope we have enough,” he told Darin.

“I’m more worried about the food.”

Dwanda watched Darin slice brisket, put it in a roaster. “You have enough for twice this many people.”

“You should talk. I saw the bowl of potato salad you brought. Looks more like a dishpan. But what about the rest?”

“These meet and greets always turn out just right. Don’t worry about it.”

Dwanda’s kids, Kaleb and Kimberly ran over. “Is it time to eat?”

“Shoo! Go play,” Dwanda ordered, waving her hands at them. “Folks aren’t here yet.”

“Give them some cheese and crackers,” Darin suggested.

Dwanda made them a plate and sent them on their way.

“You should get yourself a couple of kids, Darin.”

Darin chuckled. “Now why would I do that, Dwanda? After watching you corral yours, it only makes me want to stay a bachelor.” But his thoughts automatically flew to Gina. Which scared the hell out of him. Over the years, he’d convinced himself he was destined to be the bachelor in the family. He was different than his siblings. Quieter. Definitely not the marrying kind.

In the very near future he and Gina would pretend to be husband and wife. That should prove interesting. Part of him was excited at the prospect because he’d never been undercover before. The other part gave him chills just thinking about it. Could he do it? Could they?

“Hey everybody,” Hank called out. With a large casserole dish in one hand and his son in tow, he ambled over. Jake saw the other kids and ran to join them. “What can I do?” He put the casserole on the table.

“Ice,” Darin said. “It’s in the freezer in the garage. There’s an ice chest there. You know the drill.”

Hank went off to do his chore as the rest of the squad showed up. Melanie and Leya were alone, bringing dishes of food with them. Ernie was with his wife, four kids, a case of soft drinks, and a huge chocolate cake. Joe Lennox walked in with a grin and a big box of Kentucky fried.

The only missing squad member was the honoree. Darin looked at his watch. She wasn’t late, as everyone else came early to help.

With plenty of food why was he so nervous? This wasn’t the first time he’d entertained. Hell, he’d had the entire family here right after he bought the house and wasn’t nearly this nervous.

There she was—her sister with her. His heart gave an involuntary stutter. What was wrong with him anyway? Why this reaction? He was glad to see she’d followed his advice and brought her sister. He wanted Gina to be comfortable and thought it would be easier with family.

Though he could see a resemblance the sisters didn’t look much alike. Her sister’s forehead was higher, her cheekbones wider. Both had blondish hair and gorgeous blue-green eyes. He thought Gina was the prettier. Today, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She had on a pair of white capris and a red T-shirt that hugged her body.

Everyone was dressed for the warm day. Most of the men were in shorts and T-shirts, the women shorts or capris. But no one looked as good as Gina. Her smile made the day brighter, and Darin found himself humming. Which was so unlike him he stopped immediately.

When she walked up to him and smiled his heart did a little bounce. “I hope you don’t mind. I thought you might like a couple of bottles of wine. Maddy made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.”

“Mind? Are you kidding? Where are those cookies? And wine is always good. We’ll open it later.”

Introductions took up the next thirty minutes as Maddy was introduced to Darin, then the squad. Family members came over to meet them with smiles and handshakes.

“Can I help?” Gina asked Darin when everyone had settled down.

“Nope. Just go and enjoy yourself.”

They exchanged a knowing look.

It didn’t play well to spy on his co-workers. As he looked across the lawn at them, they looked the same as always. Relaxed and friendly. At work they were friendly, but professional.

Innocent.

If so, how did the drug lord get inside information? Why had Hunter warned him of a mole?

Darin’s thoughts flew to the photo found in Hunter’s house. Could the snitch be their captain? He shook his head. He couldn’t see it.

Gina started to work the party. Watching her in action was like watching a choreographed dance. She shifted from one to another with ease. He’d bet each conversation was layered with questions.

She was a pro.

Even with misgivings about the job facing them, he felt lucky to have her working with him.

****

Gina couldn’t help but enjoy herself. Despite the fact she had a job to do it was a fun outing. The day was warm, but not hot. Festive tablecloths covered the tables. An American flag was stuck in the ground at the corner of the house. Country-western music blared from a CD player somewhere.

Various groups stood in the shade of an oak tree, sipping beer or tea, and watching the kids having a great time. A ball game was in progress in the far corner. It was a good thing Darin had a big backyard.

Gina had left Maddy to do her own thing. Right now Hank’s young son had her cornered. Good. Maddy loved children. They were her life.

Gina hadn’t been the least bit surprised at her sister’s choice of career. After their horrendous childhood why wouldn’t she want to work with the Children’s Protective Agency? She’d made it her goal to save as many children as she could.

Gina thought her sister took her job way too seriously. There were weeks on end when Maddy didn’t take a break.

Now, she looked at her fondly. Listened.

“Can you play ball?” Jake asked.

Maddy was down on her knees in the grass so she could look eye-level at Jake. “Are you kidding? I love to play ball.”

“Can you pitch?”

“Can I pitch? Wanna see?”

Jake laughed, took her hand when she stood. The two of them wandered off to join the game in progress.

Maddy was happier with kids than with adults. Which had been the selling point to get her out of the house today.

Smiling, Gina walked up to Melanie. “This is so nice of all of you to do this.”

“I thought the same thing when they threw one for me.”

“I thought I heard you talking about a boyfriend. Why didn’t you bring him with you?”

Melanie rolled her eyes. “Jimmy was coming until he got a call from one of his shop workers. There was a problem no one else could fix.” She paused, made a face. “It’s always like that. You wouldn’t believe the things he’s missed.”

“Tough for him, sad for you.” Dwanda called Melanie over to give her a hand, which gave Gina the opportunity to visit with Leya. She hadn’t quite made the rounds before Dwanda was banging on a bucket to tell them the food was ready.

Kids came running. Parents yelled for them to go wash their hands. For a while chaos reigned. But in the end everyone got served. Amid groans from the adults and cheers from the kids, Melanie and Leya set out the desserts.

Conversation never stopped.

They
were
like a big happy family. Only one of them was a mole. It was her job to find which one. It had been her good fortune when Darin asked for her help. It made her job easier.

She didn’t like the idea of playing husband and wife in an undercover sting any more than he did. If she could stop thinking of him as a good-looking available male, she’d do fine.

Gina looked over at Maddy. Jake sat on one side of her, Hank the other. Whenever Jake asked a particularly cute question, she’d turn to Hank and grin.

No sooner had they finished eating than Jake wanted Maddy to go play again.

Gina kept one ear on their conversation, the other on those around her.

“Why don’t you slow down for a few minutes, big guy,” Hank said. “Give the lady a break.”

“She likes to play ball. And she can really pitch.”

“I know. I saw her.” No amount of conversation would change his mind. Jake was determined to get Maddy up and going again. “Go ahead. Start playing with the other kids. Maddy will be along in a few minutes.”

None too happy, Jake did as he was told.

“You made quite an impression on him,” Hank said.

Maddy chuckled. “He’s adorable. Smart, too. Is he in school?”

“Kindergarten.”

“He’s at an impressionable age.”

“He likes you. Believe me, Jake doesn’t like many women.”

“Oh? Why not?”

Hank’s brow wrinkled. “I think it’s because his mother died. He resents that other kids have a mom and he doesn’t.”

“How sad.”

“What do you do?”

Their conversation was off and running.

Gina was more than surprised. Other than on the job, Maddy had nothing to do with men. But there she was, deep in conversation with Hank. It was as if they were old friends.

Interesting.

Gina turned her thoughts to her job and made the rounds of the squad again. Thanks to her newbie status, her subtle questions didn’t raise an eyebrow.

The sun was tilting to the west when the party broke up. Ernie was the first to take his family and leave. The others drifted away soon after. Before she left, Dwanda walked over to Gina. “Tomorrow night, my house. Don’t forget.”

“How could I?”

“It’s going to be leftover night.” She held up a foil wrapped package. “Brisket and potato salad, plus whatever else I can dig up.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Good. See you then.”

Melanie came over to say goodbye. “Friday night is happy hour at my condo. Why don’t you join us?”

“Who is us? Will I know anyone?”

Melanie laughed. “You’ll know everyone. We have girl’s night the first Friday of every month. The guys stay home, and we sit around, gripe, talk, and drink wine.”

What a break. Gina accepted with pleasure.

Only Hank and his son were left when Darin opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for Gina, another for himself. Sitting down in one of the lawn chairs he breathed a loud sigh of relief.

“Was it
that
bad?” Gina asked.

“No. But I’m glad it’s over.”

Hank, Maddy, and Jake were at the far end of the table, Jake telling kindergarten jokes, Maddy countering with her own.

“They’re having a great time,” Darin said as their laughter carried down the table.

“They are.” Gina frowned. “It’s so unlike Maddy.”

“Why?”

Gina hadn’t meant to speak her thoughts. She shrugged in answer to his question. “She’s shy,” she said vaguely, vowing to keep her thoughts to herself from now on.

She looked at her sister again. Maddy wasn’t faking it. She really was having a good time. Which was a good thing. Gina frowned. Hank would be the next person on her list to check. Her sister would not be hurt.

“They look nice together. Like a family.”

Gina turned to Darin. “Do you have a large family?” She felt like a fraud. She knew about his family. All of them. Even about how years ago his sister TJ had saved the ranch from foreclosure. Her husband Max had helped, but that was before they were married.

It didn’t take much research to find out the oldest son, Donovan, had taken over the reins of the ranch after their dad was killed in a tractor accident. He’d helped raise his brothers and sister and seemed content until something took him to San Antonio for a month. His mom was forced to hire someone to help with the ranch chores. Gina had dug deep to find out what took the oldest son off the ranch, to no avail. Unbeknownst to the Callahans, Phyl, the new ranch hand, had a killer after her. Because the family was close and loving everything turned out okay and Donovan fell in love. They married, he adopted her son from her first marriage, and they now had a daughter. According to Gina’s report, they were a happy and contented family.