The Unrelenting Tide (Islands of Intrigue: San Juans - Christian Romantic Suspense) (17 page)

“So, you’re saying you have feelings for me but you don’t want to follow through on them?”

Closing her eyes, unwilling to see the pain she caused him any longer, she nodded. He chuckled and her gaze flew to his. Bending quickly, he placed a kiss on the end of her nose. She blinked.

“Alright.” He shrugged. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned for the door, picking up his black leather jacket from where it hung on a dining chair.

Bereft, she took a step backward, leaning her trembling form against the steadiness of the refrigerator behind her. “Tomorrow?” The word was little more than a whisper and anger balled her hands into fists. She had just bared her heart and he took it in stride, as though she’d told him he had lint on his sleeve. Did he really feel so little for her?

Pausing at the door he faced her. “I promised Marissa she could come watch me play in the Annual Baseball Benefit tomorrow.”

“You what?”

Arching his shoulders, he stretched his arms out in front of him with an innocent grin. “I figured it would be fun for her, and what better place to insure your safety than in a group with a bunch of firemen and cops?”

“What if I already had plans?”

“You didn’t. I asked you when we talked on the phone, remember?”

“Right.” She shrugged. “Fine. See you tomorrow.” Would she be safe tonight? If Stephan Abernathy was innocent, and Robert Dawson didn’t seem to be the man who’d stalked her in California, where did that leave them?
Right back at square one with a world full of suspects
. She sighed. It was going to be a long night sitting up and keeping watch.

Carcen reached for the door handle but didn’t go out. For a long moment he studied her, working one corner of his lower lip. He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Finally, he said, “Remember I’m right up the stairs. Goodnight, Devynne.”

She swallowed. “Goodnight, Carcen.”

He zoomed in on the kitchen through the night vision goggles doing his best to keep his anger in check. She’d looked so gorgeous at the diner. Almost like she used to look… before. But she’d made him so angry! Maybe he should just come out and tell her who he was. A little fear in her eyes would be a good thing once in a while.

He took a calming breath and focused his attention on the couple down in the house.

Carcen was there at the window, saying something to her. She was just out of sight blocked by the wall and the corner of a cupboard.

He zoomed in, just able to catch a glimpse of her arm above the counter.

Blinding light burnt through his retinas and he jolted back with an oath. Blasted woman had turned on the lights! With thumb and forefinger he massaged his eyes, willing them back to usefulness even as he fumbled in the duffle for his other pair of binoculars.

By the time he could see more than spots, Shania stood at the fridge cleaning it out like her life depended on it.

Carcen stepped up behind her and his lips moved as he said something to her.

“Get away from her you—”

Shania stood and turned from her task and Carcen smoothly pulled her into his arms.

His heart stuttered before the surge of blinding rage set it to pounding hard enough that he could feel the pulse of it against his ribs.

And then Carcen kissed her!

His jaw went slack. It wasn’t just Carcen, either. That little wench was kissing him back! Wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into it.

He cursed.

Well… it looked like it was time for another lesson on betrayal. Apparently the last one hadn’t been strong enough. He shoved the binoculars into the duffle and yanked it off the ground. The sight was nauseating. He wouldn’t stay here and watch another moment of it. But he’d make her sorry.

And that was for sure.

Chapter 15

As Carcen climbed the stairs to the guest house he blew out a breath, scrubbing his hands over his face. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d handled the situation right. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Devynne off by pushing her into this too quickly. He himself had been surprised by his feelings for her. Devynne had always held a special place in his heart from the moment of Kent’s death but the last thing he’d anticipated was that he would fall in love with her. He frowned. Maybe he’d been in love with her all along and was just now realizing it.

He scanned the grounds, already planning how he could keep watch on her house tonight. They wouldn’t have to worry about how to work out their relationship if he couldn’t keep her safe in the meantime.

As he pushed the key into the guest house door he fumbled for his phone and punched on Sanchez’s name.

“‘Lo?” A couple of heavy puffs of breath and a soft grunt followed the greeting.

“Donny? Devynne told me about Abernathy. What did he have to say for himself during your little chat?”

In the background something dinged, like a car chirping that keys had been left in the ignition, followed by a soft thud. “Not much. Said he’d just pulled in there to grab a bite to eat, seen them there, and thought he’d step over and say hi.”

An engine started, rumbling softly through the connection.

Carcen frowned. Donny should have been home several minutes ago. “Where are you?”

Donny chuckled. “I’m heading back home now. My county-paid meal got interrupted before I could order dessert. After Abernathy took off, I went back in and had a slice of pie. Not a bad substitute for fresh oysters on my deck.”

Carcen cringed knowing the rookie wasn’t going to like what he had to say next. “Well, get a few hours sleep. I need you here at Devynne’s place at 4 A.M. so I can catch a couple hours sleep before the big games tomorrow.”

Donny groaned long and loud and Carcen hung up while he was still grumbling, knowing the kid wouldn’t let him down.

He made a pot of mule-strong coffee and then stepped out onto the guest house deck which overlooked the main dwelling. He took a big swig as he angled a glance toward the heavens.
God I’m going to need a lot of help on this case. And while You’re at it, could You work this out between Dev and me if it’s meant to be, because this is going to be a little awkward for us right now
. Stepping down from the deck, he set off to traverse the property, taking another hefty swig of the black brew. It was going to be awhile before relief came and he needed to stay awake.

When Carcen pulled into the station parking lot the next morning, Shannon’s cruiser was already parked in her slot. His eyebrows lifted and he glanced at his watch. She must have taken the 6:25 over from Anacortes.

Well he was glad she was here. They didn’t have much time before they needed to be at the high school field for today’s game.

He pushed aside his sports bag, grabbed his gun and badge off the passenger seat and swung the belt around his jeans. He hadn’t bothered with his uniform today. Hopefully this chat with Dawson wouldn’t take too long. But there were a couple questions he wanted answers to before Monday.

His stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him he hadn’t taken time to eat before he left the house.

Shannon was working at the computer at the main reception desk when he walked in. He glanced past her, taking in the empty room. “Where’s Boyd?”

She kept her gaze glued to her computer screen. “He told me what you wanted. I already have Dawson in the holding room. I sent Boyd home to help Sally pack all their stuff to the Roche Harbor field.”

Since Shannon didn’t seem in the mood to converse with him, and Harry, Dawson’s lawyer, hadn’t shown up yet, Carcen took a moment to pour himself a cup of the thick black brew that Shannon thought passed as coffee in the break room. He was going to need it. Sanchez had shown up right at 4 A.M. but it had taken a bit to let go of all the scenarios scurrying through his thoughts and when the alarm had gone off at 7:30 he’d wanted nothing more than to chuck it right over Devynne’s roof into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

He pulled open the fridge. Nothing but a small block of moldy cheese and a couple of hard-as-bullets donuts leftover from who-knew-when. He chucked them into the trash and tried to douse the grumbling in his belly with another swig of Niemeyer’s black death.

“Looking for this?”

He spun around. Niemeyer held out a white bag emblazoned with the blessed Doctor’s Office Café emblem and emitting the scent of their delicious breakfast burritos. He grinned and snatched the bag. “Careful there. Your wings are starting to show.”

She smiled. “I know. Listen, Carcen I’m sorr—”

“Shannon? It’s forgotten. We’re all good.”

Her face reddened, but she seemed to take him at his word. With a nod, she headed back to the main room.

Offering up a quick prayer of thanks, he dug into the first of the three breakfast wraps inside.

He was just finishing the third when Harry showed up. The man was wearing a baseball uniform emblazoned with the fire department logo.

“Harry! I’m crushed.” Carcen clutched at his chest. “Didn’t you play for the good guys last year?”

Harry chuckled. “Hey I get clients from both you guys. I have to spread the love a little!”

Carcen grinned. He did understand but he wasn’t about to let the man off too easy. This morning’s game was to benefit both the Friday Harbor fire department and the police station. Neither force was big enough to staff a whole team themselves, so they relied on local volunteers to fill in the empty slots for each side. Despite the fact that he sat behind a desk for a living, Harry was a first-rate pitcher.

Harry folded his arms. “So listen… I need to do a little warming up. Any chance this could wait till after the game today? I’m free all afternoon.”

Carcen clenched his jaw. He really wanted to find out anything Dawson knew, but he wasn’t going to be able to do anything with it till Monday anyhow. He supposed a few hours couldn’t hurt. He clapped Harry on the back. “Alright. Let’s play the game first so I can send one of your fast balls sailing right back over your head to the other side of the fence.”

Harry chuckled.

“Niemeyer?” Carcen called. She would be none too happy that she’d come in early this morning for nothing.

“Yeah?” she poked her head into the break room.

“Can you put him back in his cell?” He gave her a sheepish smile. “We’ll pull him out again after lunch. Harry wants to go warm up for the game.”

Niemeyer rolled her eyes but nodded her consent.

“Alright. See you out there, then.” With that, Harry jogged out the door.

Shannon was just pushing Dawson, hands cuffed behind his back, ahead of her toward the cells when Randy stepped into the station. Since he lived just a couple blocks away, Carcen had offered to give him a ride to the big game.

Carcen grinned at him, taking in the police department logo on his uniform, glad he would play for their team this year. The man looked positively uncomfortable out of his normal suit and tie but he had a mean swing and a keen eye.

Randy tugged at the knees of his baseball pants and eyed Dawson warily as if the man might leap across the room and attack him where he stood.

Dawson glowered at Randy as he passed him but only said over his shoulder to Niemeyer, “What’s a guy got to do to get a cup of coffee around here?”

“What? The late dinner Sanchez brought you last night isn’t going to keep you through the day?” Shannon rolled her eyes at Carcen with an expression that said,
He really thinks we aren’t going to feed him
?

Carcen gestured to Randy with Dawson’s file. “I just need to lock up this file and I’ll be right with you.”

Rubbing his hands together, Randy nodded, still seeming distracted by the prisoner. Or was it the officer? Carcen grinned. Niemeyer would be a challenge like none his friend had ever faced, he felt sure.

He locked the file in his desk drawer and when he stepped out of his office a moment later, Randy was handing a Styrofoam cup of steaming black coffee to Niemeyer who thanked him and returned down the hall apparently to hand it off to Dawson.

“We’d better get going. I still need to get changed, and swing by Dev’s place to pick up her and Marissa.”

Randy’s eyes lit up. “Alright! Let’s get to it then.”