Wish of the Heart (7 page)

Cross continued his questions. “Was your gas tank full?”

“Probably not full. More than half. I don’t like to go below half in case I have trouble getting to a station.” Macie glanced at Detective Petry, but he seemed content to simply observe as she was questioned.

“Do you smoke, Ms. Connor?” There was the merest suggestion of a drawl in Cross’ words.

“No.” Macie tried to read his expression, but he kept his expression neutral, though his eyes were sharp and alert.

“No smoking materials in the car?” he pressed.

Macie shook her head. “No. I keep coins in the ashtray.” The change was handy for tolls.

Cross made a note. “What other items did you have in the car? Any personal items?”

Macie pictured the cluttered interior. “Some music CDs. Jumper cables. Random stuff in the back seat. An umbrella, I think.”

“Anything of value?”

“Not really, no.” It had never seemed smart to leave anything valuable in the car. She didn’t want to end up with a broken window.

“A gas can?”

“No.” Macie resisted the urge to put her finger in her mouth. Nail biting was a habit she’d given up long ago.

Cross closed his notebook. “I may have more questions for you later. Right now, we’re completing our on-scene investigation and then the car will be towed.”

“Can I see it?” Macie asked.

“The area is cordoned off right now. There’s really not much to see. Detective Petry has additional questions for you.”

“Yes. Okay.” Macie walked to the lone guest chair in the cramped office. The faded vinyl seat was split but Macie sat down anyway. Discomfort soon had her fidgeting.

“Ms. Connor?” Petry’s soft voice didn’t fit with his stern demeanor.

“Yes?” Macie looked up at the officer. His square face was serious and his suit crisp for such an early hour.

“You’ve been at home all night?” Petry asked.

“Yeah. Aren’t there security cameras in here?” Macie looked at the ceiling. Blinking cameras were attached high on the wall in two corners. She hoped they weren’t fake.

“Yes, there are and we’ll be taking a look at the footage.” He paused, taking stock. “Do you know of anyone who’d want to do you harm?”

“Do me harm?” Macie flipped her hands over, hiding her scratched palms. Her action didn’t escape his scrutiny.

“Do you have any names for me?” His pencil poised over his notebook.

Macie hesitating, weighing her words. “I can’t think of anyone.” She’d never been a good liar and, under these circumstances, she was worse than usual.

“If you think of anything, you call me.” The officer handed her a card.

Macie rose. “I will. Am I needed for anything else?” She steadied herself, resisting the urge to bolt.

“We’ll be back in touch with you,” he said as if he could read her thoughts.

“Okay.” Words bubbled up in her throat, threatening to burst free. She wanted to tell him about Karen, the laptop, the subway, everything. Petry’s manner invited confidences, but she couldn’t do that. She shouldn’t do that—yet. She wanted to talk to Rylan. She
needed
to talk to Rylan.

Macie walked out of the office with slow, deliberate steps. She removed her phone from her pocket and a text popped up.

Good thing you weren’t in the car.
 

Macie froze. She didn’t know the number. She dialed Rylan as her eyes swept the street.

“Macie?” Rylan sounded sleepy.

Macie told him what happened to her car and about the text she’d received.

“Go back to the parking garage. Stay there. I’ll come meet you.”

“Okay.” Macie retraced her steps. When she reached the parking garage, she stayed on the sidewalk.

Detective Petry came out. “Did you think of something?”

“Uh no. A friend is coming to pick me up,” Macie explained.

“Okay. Hold on to that card,” he responded.

“I will.” Macie hid her hands in her pockets and resisted the impulse to pace. The minutes crawled by. Pigeons pecked at the curb, and she focused her attention there. Anything for a distraction.

A cab pulled up and the door opened. Rylan was in the back seat.

Macie slid in beside him. “I’m so glad to see you.” She pressed up against him, savoring his warmth.

“Macie …” He grasped her hand tightly.

“I know what you’re going to say.” Macie didn’t want to go to the police, not yet. She wanted to find answers first and present them with the evidence. She wanted it to be solid. She sensed justice for Karen was within reach, and she wasn’t going to stop until she had it.

“Okay, I shouldn’t have to say it again.” Rylan stroked her hair.

Fear seized her heart. “Where’s the laptop?”

“At my place. I didn’t take it anywhere else.”

“I don’t think we should leave it unattended.” The computer was their hope of finding the truth. Macie didn’t want it out of her sight again.

~ * ~ * ~

The elevator doors opened and Macie sprinted down the hall, Rylan on her heels.

“Macie, calm down. The doorman wouldn’t let anyone up when I’m not at home.” Rylan’s keys jangled in his hand.

“Open the door, please.” On the cab ride over, her anxiety ballooned until her throat clenched.

Rylan unlocked the door and Macie rushed inside. Books and paper lay strewn across the floor.

“Was this how you left things?” Macie knew it wasn’t.

“No.” Rylan’s eyes settled on the table. “The computer.”

“Karen’s laptop?” She knew it. It was gone. Macie gasped for breath.

“No, mine. I put Karen’s back in the chest.” Rylan strode through the kitchen. “Someone came in the service door.” The back stairwell contained the garbage chute, and most residents kept their recycling there as well. It was only used by building employees.

“Doesn’t that lock from the inside?” Macie asked.

“It does, but the latch was forced.” He pointed to the twisted metal.

“Check the chest, please. Check it right now.” Macie didn’t hide her urgency.

Rylan hurried the bedroom, and Macie darted after him. He went straight to the closet and flung open the door. He pulled out a chest from the back, partially hidden by clothes, opened the lid and lifted out the contents. Prying up the false bottom revealed the computer.

Macie sighed with relief. “I don’t know how to proceed now,” she admitted.

“I do. We’re taking the laptop and going to a hotel. I’m calling the forensic accountant. I want him to look at the files.”

Chapter 10

The air in the hotel room was stale, and Macie opened the window. “I’ll need to get some things from my apartment.” A posed painting of a child eerily staring into the distance decorated one wall.

“I don’t think you should go home. Whatever you need, we can pick up in the neighborhood.” He rifled through the basket of travel-sized toiletries on the vanity.

“Rylan …” Macie didn’t like feeling restricted.

“Someone threatened you and tried to hurt you. Don’t give them more chances.” Rylan’s tone was firm.

Macie didn’t want to believe Rylan was right. She couldn’t let fear get in the way. “I wasn’t even in the car. It was meant to scare me.” They’d checked the phone number of the text online, and it only led them to a throwaway cell phone.

“What about the subway? Knocking you on the tracks isn’t just a scare,” he pointed out.

“We discussed this before. We don’t know it was related.” Macie wanted to dismiss what he said, but the pattern was there. Admitting it might break the dam that held her fear at bay.

“We don’t know it wasn’t,” Rylan argued.

Macie sighed. “You’re right. I know you are. It’s frustrating.” Macie looked around the small room, already feeling the walls close in around her. A king-sized bed covered by a floral spread dominated the room. An upholstered chair sat in the corner and another wooden chair rested at the desk, which also held the television.

“Let me make arrangements to have the accountant come by, and then I’ll help you come up with something to pass the time.” Rylan let Macie see his want for her.

Sensual interest pushed her irritation away. “You’re going to keep me from getting bored?” Macie smirked.

“Oh yes, I’d be happy to do so.” Rylan’s tone promised tantalizing possibilities.

“That is so incredibly generous of you.” Macie welcomed his desire over his worrying.

Rylan laughed. “I know.”

While Rylan made arrangements for the accountant to come see them, Macie took off her blouse. She caught Rylan’s eye and was rewarded by the blaze of excitement in his face as he watched her. She unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. She removed each piece of clothing slowly, one by one, as Rylan tried to focus on his phone call.

When she was naked, Macie flipped the comforter off the bed and crawled onto the mattress. Under Rylan’s watchful gaze, she spread her legs, moistened a finger, and brought it to her clit.

Rylan coughed into the phone, but his attention remained fixed on her. “No, everything is fine.” His voice was strained.

Macie closed her eyes. Ripples of pleasure radiated from her core as she touched her most sensitive spot. Knowing Rylan watched every move increased her ardor. He deserved a little discomfort for being so domineering, even if he was trying to protect her.

Rylan ended his call, and she heard the rustle of fabric as he disrobed. The mattress shook and he was on her, warm muscle pressing her into the mattress.

“You’re so sexy. I love to watch you.” He growled as he nipped her neck, moved to her collarbone, and then the side of her breast. His fingers pinched her nipples and his tongue followed, licking and sucking the erect tips.

“Mmmm, I hope I wasn’t too distracting.” Macie chuckled deep in her throat. The expression on Rylan’s face as he talked on the phone had been priceless—excitement tinged with a hint of irritation. She knew he’d pounce as soon as possible, and she hadn’t been wrong.

“You were completely distracting—in the best way,” Rylan murmured against her breast.

Macie reached between his legs and cupped him. She squeezed gently and moved her palm to his shaft. Wrapping her fingers around him, she stroked his erection. A drop of slick fluid escaped the tip, and she spread it over his skin.

Rylan’s hands skimmed over her waist and gripped her hips. “I want you, even though you’re so very naughty. Maybe because you’re so very naughty.” He captured her wrists and stretched her arms over her head. “You look so sweet, with your wide innocent eyes, but I know better, don’t I?” He chuckled.

“If I’m naughty, it’s because you bring it out in me.” She lifted her hips underneath him.

“I’m glad.” He reached between her legs, testing her readiness with his fingertip. “I like my wicked, sexy Macie. She makes me ache.”

“I’m aching, too. Don’t make me wait,” Macie begged.

Rylan positioned himself between her legs and sank into her, inch by slow inch, until they were one.

~ * ~ * ~

Macie paced back and forth at the foot of the bed before sprawling on the stained chair in the corner, swinging her crossed leg.

Rylan sighed and rubbed his neck. “Macie, do you want to get something to eat?”

“No, I’m too keyed up. I’m not leaving now.” Macie’s fingers drummed the threadbare arm of the chair as she eyed the short man at the desk.

Charles, the forensic accountant, hunched over the computer, his eyes only inches from the screen. Occasionally, he’d grunt or make a random exclamation. Each time, Macie braced for an announcement from him, but none was forthcoming and her agitation increased.

Rylan stood behind Charles, his hands on his hips. Occasionally he peered closer when Charles would run his finger down the computer screen.

Finally, Charles snapped his fingers and turned. “You see this here, someone’s hidden a worksheet. They probably meant to delete it. Who knows? But these payments, some of them are attributed to different vendors on the first sheet.”

Realization formed within Macie. “Could that be evidence of embezzling?” She crossed the carpet with quick steps.

Charles nodded. “If I had to guess, I’d say yes, someone was trying to be tricky. Frankly, they didn’t hide it very well. It’s pretty obvious. I almost feel bad taking your money to look at these.”

Macie peered at the computer. “How much does it add up to?”

Charles scratched his chin. “Almost a million if you go through all seven spreadsheets. Chump change to a company like this.”

“Do you know where it went?” Rylan asked.

“Nah. You can’t tell from here.” Charles sat up in his seat.

“If you had to guess?” Macie pressed. Finding the money was bound to incriminate someone.

“Probably they issued checks made out to a different vendor than they recorded,” Charles shrugged. “Could even have been an electronic transfer. Those records aren’t here.”

Macie slapped her hand on the table. “Maybe Karen looked for them.”

Charles rolled his shoulders. “The indication is here, but you need more.”

Chapter 11

Rylan held Macie’s hand between his. “It’s time to go to the police. I’m not letting you stall any more.”

“No, I agree. I’m going to call Detective Cruz,” Macie said. They’d done what they set out to do—find evidence. It was time to turn things over to the police. Past time, really, if she was honest with herself.

“He’s retired.” Rylan rubbed her back with slow, lazy circles.

“Yes, but I’d rather make a contact through him. Are you suggesting we walk into a police station and tell the desk sergeant?” Macie was still disappointed the computer hadn’t told them more.

Rylan laughed. “Don’t be snarky. I’m on your side.”

Macie took a deep breath. “Yes, you’re right, of course. I’m sorry. Now that this is leading somewhere, I just want it to be over.”

Rylan released her. “Your idea is as good as any. Call him.”

Macie went to the phone and dialed. Her heart raced. Cruz wouldn’t be happy. He would have expected her to contact the police before now.

A woman answered. “Hello?”

“Could I speak to Detective Cruz, please?” Macie asked. The woman sounded too young to be Cruz’s wife.