SEE HIM DIE (10 page)

“When it happened, Luke’s partner called me.” Blake propped against the railing. “The hardest part was telling my mom.”

“Are your parents still alive?” She missed her parents so much.

“My mom is. My dad lost his battle with cancer about five years ago.”

“I lost my grandfather to cancer.” Julie closed her eyes and inhaled deeply of the night scents. The sweet vines flowering along the picket fence. The rich, damp earth and the murky water. She pretended not to notice the warm, subtle scent of the man next to her. He smelled fresh, the slightest hint of sweet with woodsy undertones. Manly and plain good.

Get your mind out of places where it doesn’t belong, girl
. “Do you have other siblings?” She moistened her lips.

“Three sisters. How about you?”

She shook her head. “There’s only me.”

“You have your friend.”

“I do. Marie’s like a sister to me.” She could never forget that. “I hope she’s okay.”

“I’m guessing it’ll take more than losing her home to take the lady down. I get the impression she’s pretty tough.”

He was right about that. Marie was the strongest person Julie knew. “You think the shooters came back and started the fire.”

“It’s possible. They’re trying to scare you off.”

“They’re doing a stellar job.” Julie hugged herself.

“I will do all within my power to keep you safe.”

His quiet words eased the loneliness just a little. “Thank you.”

“We should get some sleep.”

She took a deep breath. “Good idea.”

They moved at the same time and ended up bumping into one another.

“Sorry,” they said in unison.

Julie laughed. “I guess I’m more tired than I realized.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Well.” She smiled up at him. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

She moved and this time he waited until she’d headed for the door.

“Wait.” She hesitated and turned back.

He bumped into her again. This time the full frontal contact sent desire zinging through her veins.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

“No, it was my fault.” She smoothed her hands over her hips. “Do you have a bedroom preference?”

He grinned. “I might keep the answer to that question to myself.”

More of that sweet desire sung through her. “I guess I’ll take the yellow room.”

He nodded.

“Good night.” She laughed softly, wishing with all her heart he would kiss her. “Again.”

As if he’d read her mind, he reached out and took her face in his hands. He leaned toward her slowly. She thought she might die of anticipation before his lips brushed hers. He kissed her. Soft at first, and then he deepened the kiss. She melted against him. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d been kissed—much less kissed like this.

Her fingers knotted in his shirt and she wanted more.

He broke the kiss, his forehead pressed against hers. “Good night,” he whispered. “I should secure the house.”

Then he was gone.

No matter how turbulent her life was right now, she was reasonably sure she would be dreaming about that kiss for many nights to come.

Tuesday, June 30, 7:15 a.m.

Blake stood outside the door to her room for a whole minute before he worked up the guts to knock. When he’d rapped his knuckles against the door, he waited some more. He’d tossed and turned all night thinking about that kiss. No matter how much he’d enjoyed it—no matter how long he’d been dreaming of doing just that—he owed her an apology.

Since she still hadn’t answered his knock, she was probably hoping he’d go away. She’d been through enough. She didn’t need him satisfying his own selfish desires at her expense. Giving himself grace, he’d thought he saw the same longing in her eyes. Had he misread her?

The door opened and whatever thought he might have had next vanished. She’d braided her long blond hair, making her look even younger and incredibly innocent. Instinctively, he shoved his hands into his pockets to prevent touching her. Standing here, looking at her, he was damned sure of one thing: he could not trust himself where this woman was concerned.

“Good morning,” he finally had the gumption to say.

“Good morning. I need a shower and a change of clothes.”

“There’s a small shop before you get into town. The lady sells homemade things, including clothes. We’re less likely to be spotted by anyone who might be looking for us if we stay off the beaten path.” Avoiding any place with security cameras would be the smart thing to do. Barton had endless resources. If he wanted to find Julie, it wouldn’t take him long. Blake had leased this place using his mother’s maiden name, Grant. He had hoped this time would come—the time when Barton understood an enemy had breached his perfect life. Blake doubted the step would do more than slow Barton down if he had his dogs out sniffing around.

 “Makes sense. You already made coffee?”

He nodded. “There’s no cream.” He stepped aside for her to exit the bedroom.

“Black is good.”

He followed her, trying unsuccessfully not to focus on the sway of her sweet hips. She hadn’t mentioned the kiss and she didn’t seem angry with him. Maybe he’d read her right after all.

When she’d poured her coffee, she maintained a safe distance near the small dining table. He went back to the front window where he’d left his coffee on the desk. Whoever had decorated the place had been smart to place the small writing desk near the large window that overlooked the water. One of these days, he should lend the place to Lutz for a quiet writing weekend.

Julie made a satisfied sound, drawing his attention back to her. “You make good coffee, Detective.”

He’d thought they had gotten past the formalities. “Blake,” he reminded her.

Her gaze rested on his. “Blake,” she repeated. “We should talk about what happened last night.”

Oh hell. He’d been focused for so long on bringing his brother’s killer to justice, his instincts about everything else were rusty. He’d been right the first time. He definitely owed the lady an apology.

“I was out of line,” he confessed. “I hope you’ll accept my apology. I won’t cross the line again. You have my word.”

She made a surprised face and then she blew out a big breath. “Wow. Talk about missing the mark.” She shook her head and gave a dry laugh. “I was way off base. I hardly slept at all last night. I couldn’t quite believe a guy like you was actually interested in me… as a person.”

He set his cup aside and moved toward her. “A guy like me?”

She shrugged. “You know, a good guy.” She chewed that sweet bottom lip a moment. “A seriously hot good guy.”

He hesitated a few feet away, not trusting himself to get any closer. “Why wouldn’t a good guy be interested in you?”

“Back in school, I was the bookworm no one noticed.” She stared at the floor. “Then I chose the wrong guy.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I didn’t miss the way the cops looked at me—the way you look at me. I didn’t get it at first. The more I found out about Austin, the more I understood. You figured I was like him. What woman would be so stupid as to not know her husband was some sort of mobster?”

That was it. He took the coffee cup from her and set it aside. When she didn’t resist, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight against his chest. “No one is judging you for what he did. You didn’t know.”

She peered up at him, her eyes bright with emotion. “If that’s true, why do you regret kissing me?”

He laughed, couldn’t help himself. “Baby, I absolutely do not regret kissing you. I was worried I might have misread what you were feeling.”

She looked away. “You didn’t misread anything.”

He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her face back to his. “I’m glad.”

“My husband was murdered three days ago. I think there’s a name for a woman who wants another man so soon.”

“Your
estranged
husband,” he reminded her. “How long had it been since the two of you were… intimate?”

She chewed on her lower lip for a moment, making him itch to soothe that tender flesh with his mouth. “More than six months.”

He stiffened. That bastard had neglected her for that damned long! “He hadn’t been your husband for a long time, Julie. You’ve done nothing to be ashamed of.”

“So.” She went up on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his. “I can do that and you won’t think badly of me.”

Blake stopped breathing. “No way.”

She reached up with both hands and traced his face with her soft palms. “This is okay, too?”

“Definitely.” His arms went around her waist. He ushered her closer, wanted her to feel the effect she was having on him.

Her lips closed over his. He let everything else go and sank into the kiss. Her body melted against his and every inch of him went hard as a rock.

His cell rang.

He stilled.

She drew away.

He cleared his throat and grabbed his cell.
Lutz
. “Yeah,” he said in greeting.

“Where are you?” Lutz demanded.

The urgency in his partner’s voice set Blake on edge. “What’s up?”

“You gotta get in here, Duncan. Cannon is demanding to see you. Is the Barton woman with you?”

Blake gritted his teeth. The answer to that question was none of his business. “What does Cannon want? I’m on leave.”

“Barbie White was murdered, man. Her body was discovered around four this morning. Half a dozen witnesses have placed you and the Barton woman at some Orange Beach club with her just before midnight. I don’t know what the hell is going on, buddy, but you’re in some deep shit. Cannon’s about to issue BOLOs on both of you.”

Blake shook his head. “I’ll get back to you.”

He ended the call with his partner still shouting at him.

“What’s wrong?”

Blake hated like hell to give her the news. “Barbie White is dead. Witnesses have placed us with her last night. The police are looking for us.”

Julie contemplated the news for a moment. “What do we do?”

He was a cop, and yet every instinct he possessed urged him to go deeper into hiding rather than to play by the rules. But this wasn’t just about him. “We can turn ourselves in or we can hide out until the real killer is found.”

“I don’t like either idea.” She held out her hand. “Can I use your phone to call Marie and see how she’s doing?”

“Sure.” He placed the phone in her palm, the tips of his fingers tingling where they touched her skin.

Julie put through the call and padded to the other side of the room to gaze out at the bay beyond the canal. The cottage wasn’t quite on the bay, which made it affordable, but there was a decent view beyond the canal. He’d first come to this place to find relief. Watching Randall Barton had started to mess with his head and he’d needed to clear away the chaos. The guy was damned good at maintaining a perfect façade. No one gave more to the community. The cops either overlooked or didn’t recognize what he was. Most, in Blake’s opinion, truly believed Barton was the generous rich guy who supported the community. He felt confident there were a few higher-ups who were in bed with Barton.

Whatever the case, the man knew exactly how to keep his hands clean. All the more reason to be rid of his brother. Austin had grown lazy or uncaring. It had only been a matter of time before he would have caused real trouble for Randall. Why was it Cannon didn’t see that undeniable point? Blake had believed his L.T. to be one of the good guys. He hoped he hadn’t misjudged the man.

Julie ended her call and wandered back to the kitchen side of the room. “The fire marshal said it was arson.” She passed his cell back to him. “She has great insurance so she’s going to rebuild. Until then, she’s renting a townhouse from her wine supplier.” Julie shook her head. “I feel terrible about this.”

“It’s a tough break,” Blake agreed. As for the other, he’d made his decision. “I think it’s best if we cooperate with the investigation at this point. I can call Lieutenant Cannon and set up a time to go in if that works for you.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Can we drop by that shop you mentioned and pick up some clothes first?” She plucked at her tee.

“Absolutely. I’ll make the call to Cannon.”

“I guess I get first dibs on the shower.”

Blake pressed his lips together and managed to prop a smile in place as he hit the contact for his L.T. He managed to keep that smile until she disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.

If he’d ever wanted anything more than to follow her into that bathroom, he couldn’t remember what it was.

He hoped he got the opportunity to show her how a real man treated a woman like her.

11:20 a.m.

Julie fastened the final button of the silky, pale blue blouse she’d decided on. The shop Blake had noticed was priceless. The owner and two of her friends made all the clothes from natural fabrics manufactured right here in the States. The choices were nice and very well made.

The jeans were a little tight but it was the closest to her size they had in the shop. She stared at her reflection. Her life was in shambles. She was the prime suspect in Austin’s murder. Julie wasn’t sure if she’d have a place to live or a job when this was over—assuming she wasn’t in prison. She wouldn’t blame Marie if she wanted some distance. Whatever happened, she prayed justice would prevail. She was innocent. She thought of Blake and his brother. They deserved justice, too. When this was all over, would he stay in Mobile?

The image of the handsome detective waiting for her in the living room made her smile. She would never forget that kiss. As long as she lived, there would never be another kiss that moved her so completely.

Maybe it was the stress of the situation. Wasn’t there a name for the intense emotions experienced by people trapped in a situation like this? She doubted Blake would want to pursue a relationship with the former sister-in-law of the man he believed killed his brother.

Julie wilted onto the toilet seat. How could Randall be so compassionate on the surface and such a monster deep down inside? How would she ever trust anyone again? Blake Duncan’s handsome face filled her mind once more. He had an agenda, too. As honorable as the desire to bring his brother’s killer to justice was, how far would he go to make that happen?

Would he let her down, too?

Julie chewed her bottom lip. Her life was too uncertain right now to be worrying about whether she could trust a potential relationship candidate.

“You haven’t even buried your husband yet.” She stood, took one last look in the mirror, and went to face the music. Lieutenant Cannon wanted them in his office at three. Blake had said they would stop for lunch on the way. She’d passed on breakfast, but her stomach was rumbling for attention now.

Blake was on his cell when she found him on the screened porch. Whoever he was speaking to, he didn’t sound happy. She hoped nothing else had happened. She wished she had her own phone. Marie had Blake’s number now, but Julie still felt naked without her phone.

“Thanks for the heads up.” Blake ended the call. His square jaw could have been chiseled from stone. He was angry.

 “Has there been a new development?” Julie wrapped her arms around herself and held her breath as she waited for the news.

Blake shoved his phone into his hip pocket before brushing his thick hair back from his forehead. “Cannon has decided that when we arrive you’ll be arrested for the murder of Austin Barton.”

“Oh my God, but I didn’t do it.” Were they even looking for the real killer?

“I know you didn’t. The problem is they now have the murder weapon. The nine millimeter the evidence says you purchased.”

“But I didn’t buy it. I’ve never fired a gun, much less owned one.” She pressed her fingertips to her eyes. “This is insane.”

“This would be the time to hire a good lawyer.”

Julie dragged her fingers down over her lips. “When I tried to hire one for my divorce, none of them would even talk to me. They didn’t want to go up against Austin. How many do you think will want to represent his accused killer?” She dropped onto the sofa. “How did this happen?”

Blake sat down next to her. “Randall obviously decided to get both of you out of the way in one fell swoop.”

“He delivered my car back to me and transferred ten thousand dollars into my bank account. Why would he do those things and then do this?” What kind of person did that?

“He’s a master at deception. He never allows the mask to slip.” Blake covered her hand with his own. “Austin’s murder was a risky move even for a man as powerful as Randall Barton. His motive for making that move must be a strong one.” He gave her hand a little squeeze. “I’m thinking Austin told Randall you had somehow discovered the list and Randall opted to neutralize the threat.”

Fear coiled around her heart. “I suppose that’s possible.”

“Either that or Randall simply wanted Austin out of the way. The best way to cover up his murder is to see that you go down for it. Cheating husband gets his from brokenhearted wife. It’s a tale as old as time.”

“If Randall ordered Austin’s murder with the intent to blame it on me, then he’s the one who had the gun bought in my name.” Julie couldn’t believe it.

“You said he had your car delivered to you?”