Happily Never After (17 page)

Chapter 21

Bode arrived at the precinct and dropped down into his chair. He’d just logged into his email when Steve strolled up and rested a hip on the corner of his desk. Both men remained silent and after a minute, Bode sat back. “What?”

His partner grinned. “That sure was a domestic scene this morning. Is your little black book being retired?”

“Don’t start with me,” Bode warned. “I’m just helping a friend. I’d do the same for anyone.”

Steve laughed and stood up. “Okay, you’re off the market. The least you can do for your best pal is pass the information along. There’s no sense wasting something that valuable.” He paused for a moment. “You’re serious about this woman, right?”

He grumped. “Can we just get to work, please?”

Steve chuckled. “You’re the luckiest bastard I ever met.”

“Yeah, call me Mr. Lucky. Some sicko wants to whack the woman I’m dating,” he said in a dry tone. “Let’s meet in ten and go over what we know so far.”

Bode gathered his notes and went over to the whiteboard to write down what little information they had.

Steve came back in and refilled his cup. When he finished adding several packets of sugar to the strong coffee, he went to read the writing on the board.

He looked back over his shoulder at Bode. “We don’t have much to go on, do we? I’ll add my notes about the fire to see if we’re missing anything. Who is Joe Graham?”

“He’s a guy Kelsey met when she moved to Redding. They’ve had coffee a time or two. He might have been in the crowd of gawkers at the fire.” He winced as he massaged the knot of tension at the back of his neck.

“You think he could be part of this?”

Bode frowned. “I don’t know what to think. This guy just
happens
to meet Kelsey at her hotel and then
happens
to be at her favorite coffee shop. Was he targeting her for a purpose? I don’t know, but it seems strange that he up and disappeared. We need to see if there are any ties to Robbins.”

“Think they could be working together?” Steve asked.

“Maybe. Did you receive Kelsey’s old case information?”

“Her conviction rate was unbelievable. You can bet she wasn’t winning any popularity contests. The locals there are going through records for the whereabouts of recent releases and family members. We’ll get a list and send it to her to read over.”

A tall scruffy looking man entered the room. He carried the athletic build of a younger man, but his leathery complexion made him appear like he’d been around the cop shop for a long time.

“Captain.” Bode greeted his boss.

“Taggert. Where are you with the Brackston case?”

“We’re working with DPD for other connections in her cases. So far, Miles Robbins is the most promising. His brother Otis Warren was the guy who attacked Kelsey. He was going back to prison, probably for life and blamed her. Maybe Robbins did too. It seems far-fetched that he moved from Dallas to Redding without a reason. We’ve still got people searching for him, but he’s a ghost.”

“Morrison, give us a minute,” his captain said with a frown.

Steve’s brow raised in question as he passed his partner on the way out of the room.

Bode waited for what his boss had come here to say with a sense of uneasiness.

“How is Kelsey?” the man asked in his deep voice.

“Sore but nothing too serious. She’ll go back to work after Thanksgiving. She was lucky. The seatbelt kept her from being seriously hurt.”

Captain Roberts stared him straight in the eye. “I enjoyed meeting her last night at the fundraiser. She’s a very bright young woman. I was a little surprised when you showed up at the dinner. I didn’t realize you were in a personal relationship with anyone.”

Bode’s stomach grew tight and hardened. His private life was just that, private. “We met through David and became friends.”

“Isn’t she at your house?”

He stared fixedly at his boss. The man already knew the answer since that’s the address where the patrolmen were assigned to guard Kelsey.
Where is he going with this?

His shoulders lifted in a negligent manner. “She’s living in the director’s apartment at the community center. If someone is threatening her, I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to be surrounded by innocent children. Hopefully, we can find this guy and she can go home.”

“Still, I wonder if you’re too involved to be in charge of this.”

Bode tamped down a surge of anger before giving the man more fuel to remove him. After a deep breath, he answered in a calm and detached voice. “Well, Captain, I don’t think my personal interest in Kelsey will be an issue. We’re in the investigative phase. When the time comes, you can make that call. For now, I’d like to stay on the case.”

The big man remained motionless without saying anything. He walked toward the door but stopped before exiting and looked back over his shoulder.

“Okay, fine for now. Keep me in the loop on this and tell me if anything changes regarding your objectivity.” He paused a fraction of a second before continuing. “Find this guy before he tries again.”

Bode worked the phone, talking to people acquainted with Kelsey either in a personal or professional way. At two, he called to check on her and verify the replacement officer had shown up. At seven, tired and hungry, he drove home.

The desire to see her and make sure she was okay had him pushing the speed limit. He turned onto his street and gaped at the sight. All the lights in his unit were on, and several cars sat parked in front. It appeared like someone was having a party.

He parked in the garage and strode into the kitchen. A pleasant aroma reached him, and his empty stomach growled. A large pot of chili simmered on the stove with cornbread muffins on the counter.

Laughter came from the living room, so he followed the sound. His jaw dropped in astonishment. Officer Johnson, Officer Kendall, Ann, and Riley Smith were playing cards with Kelsey as if they were all the best of friends.

Anger threatened to choke him. He stalked across the floor and placed one hand on each side of Kelsey. Itching for a fight, he bent down close to her face. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Ignoring his apparent fury, her innocent face smiled up at him. “You told me I couldn’t leave so I talked everyone into coming over here—”

He shook his head to clear it, the urge to throttle her riding him hard. “I told you not to go out, but I also said no one was to come in.” His enraged eyes swiveled toward Officer Johnson with an unspoken reprimand.

The young patrolman shifted uncomfortably, and both officers stood up at the same time, mumbling about needing to go.

Kelsey frowned at his actions. “Listen, don’t blame them,” her voice rose in indignation. “I insisted they eat dinner to repay them for having to sit around and babysit me all day.”

“It’s their job. They’re here to protect you, not to amuse you.” He could see every nick, cut, and bruise and it ratcheted his temper.

Before she responded, Ann got to her feet and addressed Bode. “We’re going to take off, too. We did have reasons for coming over here today. She needed someone to talk to. I came because she needed me, and Riley came to make sure her PTSD symptoms didn’t overwhelm her.”

Riley helped Ann into her jacket. “Just because this nutcase is real, doesn’t mean her issues have gone away. So, Kelsey, don’t make trouble for yourself and Bode,
chill out
.” Ann accepted Riley’s offered arm and they left.

He stared down into Kelsey’s face. Her defiant blue eyes flashed anger at him, unwilling to give an inch, which fueled his own bad mood.

“What don’t you get about me trying to keep you safe?” he demanded in an icy voice. “Do you not understand
someone attempted to kill you?”

“I understand perfectly. Remember, I’ve lived through this particular nightmare before. I don’t need you to micromanage my life, and I don’t intend to live in a bubble. Now back off and give me some room.” She pushed him away, then jumped up from the table and hobbled away on stiff legs.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and let her go, knowing he was too frustrated to follow.

Kelsey made her way up the stairs and into the master bedroom.
What a jerk. What does he think I’m going to do, sit here and twiddle my thumbs?
He doesn’t understand me at all
. She slammed the drawer shut after grabbing a short gown.
I hid the last time, but I’m not going to again.

Bode wanted to protect her by wrapping her in cotton. Not going to happen. Weariness enveloped her as she changed clothes and decided to use the spare bedroom. It was empty except for a small bed that got used when someone visited. Perfect.

Humming a lullaby, she stared at the ceiling. The fear she had kept at bay by concentrating on her friends cascaded down on her, stealing her ability to breathe.

A sense of helplessness brought tears close to the surface. After several hours, her muscles relaxed enough for her to drowse off. The door banged open and she shrieked as someone scooped her up.

Struggling to get her bearings, she recognized Bode’s scent and her racing pulse began to slow. He muttered, but she couldn’t understand the words. Standing by the side of the bed, he dropped her. The bounce brought her wide awake.

“Are you crazy? I know why I’m mad at you but what are you mad at me about?” she screeched.

His impassioned eyes glittered down at her. “What do you think you’re doing? We’re not traveling down this road, honey. If you’re pissed off at me, tell me or punch me but I’m not letting you shut me out.” His chest heaved as he finished in a whisper.

Her heart swelled with a feeling she’d never known before and she reached up for him. He went down beside her and wrapped his arms around her so tight it was hard to breathe. All the fight vanished from them both and they simply held one another.

When she wasn’t mad, she was scared spitless. Someone wanted to kill her. The reality of that statement caused a sour taste in her mouth and an involuntary shudder rippled through her. Bode tightened his hold. Her head was nestled against his neck, his lips pressed against her hair.

He was the first to speak. “When I killed that poor woman, I couldn’t understand why she purposely moved in front of my target. Why would she give her life to protect a piece of scum who filled her life with disappointments?” Lost in memories, he stroked her arm. “Her eyes were still full of love for that crazy bastard when she drew her last breath.”

She tried to sit up, but he held her against him so she couldn’t move.

“I understand now.” His voice came out rough.

Sobs tore from her throat as he rubbed her back. The tears were for them both. The urge to tell him how much she loved him battled to be free. Only the dread of his reaction kept her silent. What they shared was so new and fragile. Would he accept her love? He made it clear he wasn’t looking for a relationship.

She turned toward him, and his lips caressed hers. The instant he did, a surge of hunger rushed through her, and she deepened the kiss. Desire ignited and she shifted so their bodies aligned.

A hungry growl worked itself free as he tugged her gown off. His own shirt was dealt with in a flash. She touched his smooth skin and once again marveled at how beautiful he was. Her lower body tingled in a delicious way.

Resting on his elbows, he licked her pulse line. “What do you want, honey?”

“I want it all.” Her sigh came out breathless.

“Hold on.” Bode rolled off the side and yanked his jeans down. He returned to the foot of the bed and kissed his way up her body, pausing to swirl his tongue in her navel, before continuing his path.

She groaned as the intense pleasure built. Her hands wound in his thick hair and she tugged until he was where she wanted him. Their joining was all-consuming, just as it was each and every time. She floated over the edge as he reared back and joined her.

A long time passed before either could stir. He rolled over, taking her with him. She found herself on top of him looking down into a face so dear to her. He smiled when she kissed his eyelids, his cheeks, and even the small corners of his mouth.

“Bode?”

“Mmm, I’m a limp noodle.” He opened drowsy lids. “Have I told you how much you rock my world?” His hand stroked up and down her spine.

“Do you think I should get my scars fixed?”

“Do
you
want to?”

She couldn’t answer for the emotion that clogged her throat. Their first night together, she’d been shy and self-conscious. Afraid the marks would repulse a lover, she tried to hide them. That night and every night, he made her feel so desirable she’d forgotten about them.

He rolled again, so she was beneath him on the bed. One of his fingers traced around her lips. “Do you know what I see when I look at you?” His voice was husky, thick with emotion. “I don’t notice the scars at all. I see the courage and strength it took for a woman to fight her way back from the brink, and it takes my breath away.”

“I love you, Bode.” The words erupted without warning. No way to call them back.

The silence was deafening.

“Kels, I can’t—”

Her heart stumbled before finding its rhythm again. A tidal wave of pain swept through her, even though it shouldn’t have. He’d made it clear from the beginning that he didn’t want a commitment. “Don’t,” she whispered.

His expression tight with strain, he looked like a man backed him into a corner. “I care about you. I do. But now’s not the right time for this conversation. Do you understand?”

Her throat worked, but nothing would come out. She swallowed the hurt and pasted on a smile of nonchalance. “I do. Understand. Let’s forget I said anything.”

He lay down beside her, nestling her beneath his chin. Once again, she was thankful for years of practice masking her emotions. Her face appeared content while her happiness shattered into a million tiny pieces.