Arouse Suspicion (20 page)

And now she was fairly certain who that ringleader was.

"Care to guess what letters Paul Gilsen's license plate starts with?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

Nick didn't look pleased; he'd obviously figured that one out. "It'd be easy enough for him to make contact with different cops at the center," he said. "Feel them out. Find out which ones might be open to a little graft."

Danni sighed. As far as she was concerned, her gut instinct about Gilsen had been validated by the matching partial plate. However, she didn't enjoy hurting Nick. "I'm sorry. I know you and Paul were friends."

"A long time ago. I guess he didn't escape the neighborhood after all." He glanced at his watch, his face an expressionless mask. "It's three-thirty. I have to go back to the house to let Gus out."

"We should change for dinner, too." Danni gathered their notes and the printouts and slid them into a large envelope.

Nick picked up Danni's backpack and slung it over a muscled shoulder, while Danni carried the papers.

Cathy was busy on the telephone again and merely waved as they left.

When they arrived at Paddy's twenty minutes later, Danni scanned the neighborhood with a practiced eye but saw nothing that roused her suspicions. Nick let Gus out in the backyard while Danni checked the answering machine for messages and found the light blinking.

"Danni, it's Karen. I heard you and Nick were staying at Paddy's. I just wanted to tell you how much I respected your father. He taught me a lot about being a police officer. He also talked my ear off about you." Quiet laughter. "I really hope you can drop by Hennessy's later. I know your dad will be there in spirit."

"Who was that?" Nick asked as he and Gus came in the back door of the kitchen.

"Karen Crandle, just reminding us to stop by Hennessy's."

Nick leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, while Gus went to sit by Danni's feet. "What do you want to do?"

As she considered his question, Danni unwrapped the second burger she'd gotten for lunch and squatted down by Gus. She tore a chunk off the cold sandwich, and the dog took it from her fingers. "She was Dad's partner."

Nick nodded but didn't speak. It seemed he was conceding this decision to her, just as she'd given him the choice to trust Alex Levin earlier.

Danni gave Gus another piece of the burger. "It wouldn't hurt to drop by on the way to Sam's."

"And maybe Paul Gilsen will be there."

"Do they know each other?"

"They both volunteer at the center."

Duh.
If Danni didn't have a mangled burger in her hands, she would've struck her forehead in exasperation. "We might be able to ask him some questions. He'll be less likely to try anything in a bar surrounded by cops."

Nick glanced down at his feet. "You didn't ask Levin why he lied to us last night."

It took Danni a moment to recall what he meant. She fed another piece of hamburger to Gus before speaking. "About seeing Gary in the computer room?"

He met her gaze steadily. "Yes."

Danni forced herself to hold his gaze. "If he's at the party, I'll ask him then."

Nick's attention shifted to Gus, who was staring at the remains of the burger in Danni's hand. "Go easy on that, Gus. We're going to be gone a few hours this evening."

Danni looked at the dog, who stared at them with pleading, liquid brown eyes. "Don't turn those baby browns in my direction—beam them at your master."

Gus let out a short bark, then nosed Danni's hand.

"All right. Just one more," Danni said. She fed her the last chunk of meat, then tossed the wrapper and the remnants of the limp bun in the garbage.

"You may have a mess to clean up when we get back tonight," Nick warned.

"She's your dog."

"You're the one who gave her the burger."

"But she's
your
dog." She glanced at the ugly teapot-shaped clock above the stove. "We'd better get ready if we want to stop at Hennessy's first." Suddenly feeling more lighthearted than she had in some time, Danni charged out of the kitchen, hollering, "First dibs on the shower."

Five minutes later, Danni felt a cool breeze as the shower curtain was pushed aside and Nick joined her beneath the steaming spray. Muscled arms wound around her waist from behind, and she leaned into his welcome warmth.

She tipped her head back against his shoulder and gazed up at his sinfully sexy smile. "Is that your rifle, soldier, or are you just glad to see me?"

He nuzzled her ear with his nose and whispered, "This rifle's locked and loaded, baby."

Laughing, Danni turned within his embrace and put her arms around his neck. "Fire at will, soldier."

"Yes, ma'am."

Nick then proceeded to earn his sharpshooter's badge.

Danni shifted on the passenger seat of Nick's Jeep, her body still humming with lingering pleasure. Shower sex wasn't new, but shower lovemaking definitely was a novel—and fulfilling—experience.

Nick glanced at her, a knowing grin on his freshly shaven face. "Something wrong?"

Danni searched for a snappy comeback, but her body and brain were too content to dredge up a sarcastic retort. "Not a thing, unless having this strange urge to shower again is wrong."

He chuckled and reached over to clasp her hand, which rested on her thigh. "It must be contagious; I've got the same urge."

"We're both out of luck. No urges satisfied until we get back to the house."

"Is that a threat?"

"A promise."

Nick's gaze fastened on her lips, and his eyes smoldered.

Danni glanced out the windshield to see the curb growing closer. "The road, Nick."

He jerked his attention back to driving and smiled sheepishly. "Drive. Now. Urges. Later."

Danni's cheeks warmed, and she lowered her window to breathe in the cool, damp air. It took the remainder of the trip to Hennessy's to bring her body temperature down to normal.

After Nick found a parking place a block from the popular police hangout, he and Danni got out of the Jeep. Danni glanced at her backpack on the floor between the two seats.

"We'll only be there a few minutes," Nick said, obviously guessing her thoughts. "And I don't think we had a tail over here."

Danni granted him a quick smile. "How would you know? You barely kept us on the road."

In the late afternoon shadows, Nick's flush was barely perceptible. "I didn't see a light-colored sedan following us."

Danni took pity on him. "I didn't either. And nobody knows where we're parked." She shut the passenger door, leaving the backpack inside the SUV, and joined Nick on the sidewalk.

He took her hand in his, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Danni curled her fingers around his without a ripple of awkwardness. It felt... natural.

Hennessy's was as full as Danni had ever seen it. She paused just inside the door, frozen for a second by the deja vu of familiar faces and shoptalk. Phrases and tones sparked memories of coming here after work with her former partner Scott.

"Danni?"

Nick's gentle voice enticed her out of the past. She squeezed his hand, silently thanking him. He smiled down at her.

She allowed him to tug her through the crowd as she kept her face down, hoping no one would notice her. She hadn't even considered how difficult it would be, being around her former colleagues again.

"Danni?"

She glanced up at the sound of her name and spotted Joe Tygard directly in front of her. "Joe. How are you?"

He frowned. "Is that all I get after all this time—'How are you?'" The husky redhead picked her up and hugged her tightly. "Damn, it's good to see you again. Alex told me he's talked to you a few times this week."

"He answered some questions for me," Danni said, embarrassed. "I'm really sorry I haven't kept in touch, Joe. It's just..."

"I know. You, me, Alex, and Scott—the four musketeers. Nobody could stop us."

"Only a bullet." Danni's throat constricted as she remembered that night when she'd failed her partner. She blinked back moisture and suddenly became aware of Nick's scowl directed at Joe. "Joe Tygard, this is Nick Sirocco. Nick, Joe Tygard. We went to the Academy together."

Nick shook Joe's hand, the grip lasting longer than usual. She shook her head at the sterling example of male posturing.

"Tygard," Nick said.

"Sirocco," Joe said.

They finally ceased the arm wrestling contest.

"I didn't see you at Dad's funeral," Danni said to Joe.

"I was out of town with my fiancee. Visiting the future in-laws," Joe replied.

"I didn't know you were getting married."

Joe ducked his head as his face reddened. "Alex said I should call you."

She punched his arm. "You should've."

Joe surveyed Nick from head to toe. "So, this your latest?"

It was Danni's turn to flush. "Not exactly."

"Yes," Nick said a split second later.

She glared at Nick. "We're investigating Dad's death."

"I thought it was ruled a suicide," Joe said, puzzled.

"That's the official ruling, but we believe he was murdered." Danni paused. "Is Alex here tonight?"

Joe shook his head. "I saw him in the locker room before I came over here. He and Helen are going up to a B and B in Seattle for the weekend. They were leaving as soon as he got home."

Danni hid her trepidation. "Alex didn't mention that when I talked to him earlier."

"I'm not surprised. He told me it was Helen's idea. He wasn't too keen on it, but you know how Helen can get sometimes."

Danni did know how stubborn Helen could be.

"He'll be back Monday?" Nick asked.

"He said he would be. Anything I can help you with?"

Danni shook her head. "No, but thanks." She smiled. "It was good seeing you again, Joe. You'll have to introduce me to the future Mrs. Tygard."

"Maybe the four of us can go out together some evening."

"We'd like that," Nick said smoothly.

"Later, Danni," Joe said and disappeared into the crowd.

"So Levin skipped town," Nick said.

Despite her bad feeling, she couldn't help but defend her friend. "He went on a romantic getaway with his wife."

"Getaway. Appropriate word."

Uncomfortable with Nick's—and her own—misgivings, Danni clasped his hand and tugged him forward. "Let's find Karen, say our good-byes, then get out of here."

They found the tall blond standing in the center of a small circle of patrolmen. She spotted them immediately and excused herself from the group. Wearing hip-hugger black trousers with black chunky-heeled boots and a snug green knit top, she looked more like a college student than a cop. "I'm glad you two could make it."

Nick smiled. "I doubt you would've even missed us with this mob."

She donned a pout and put an arm around Nick's waist. "I'm hurt you'd think that."

Danni, smelling the liquor on the woman's breath, released Nick's hand and took a step back. How many times had Danni drunk too much here at Hennessy's with her coworkers? Scott had always made sure she made it home safely.

"We just wanted to wish you the best of luck in Denver," Danni said, suddenly wishing to escape the world that had once been hers.

"Thanks, Danni," Karen said warmly. She reached over to clasp Danni's hand. "I wish my dad was half as proud of me as yours was of you."

There was no mistaking the envy in Karen's voice, and Danni's breath stammered in her throat. "I never realized he talked about me so much."

Karen shook her head in tolerant amusement. "You were his favorite topic."

Nick smiled tenderly at Danni. "I keep telling her that, but she won't believe me."

Uncomfortable being the center of attention, Danni changed the topic. "Was Paul Gilsen going to drop by?"

Karen's brow furrowed. "Who?"

"Paul Gilsen. He volunteers at the center in the computer room," Nick explained.

"Is he the nice-looking, dark-haired man who supervises the computer room?" Nick nodded, and Karen continued, "I've seen him around, but didn't know his name. I doubt he'll be here. Why, are you looking for him?"

"We just want to ask him something," Danni replied, stifling her disappointment. "Good luck in Denver, Karen."

"Good luck to you, too, Danni." Karen hugged her, then Nick. "Good-bye."

With the awkward farewell behind them, Danni and Nick made for the exit. However, they were stopped half a dozen times by officers offering belated condolences to Danni for the loss of her father. Once on the sidewalk, Danni breathed deeply of the cool, fresh air.

"I don't want to go through that again," she murmured.

Nick shrugged. "It could've been worse."

"How's that?"

"They could've ignored you completely."

Danni wasn't so certain that would have been worse.

Chapter Nineteen

Because of their stop at Hennessy's, it was 6:15 when Nick pulled up to Sam's house.

He gazed at the home with its white siding, front porch with a glider swing, well-trimmed lawn, and fenced backyard. A sharp yearning pierced him. More than Paddy's, this house emanated warmth, coziness, and merry Christmases around a tree decorated with ornaments handed down from one generation to the next. All the things he'd never known.

"Are you ready?" Danni asked.

He turned to see her gazing at him, her concern revealed in the corner creases of her eyes. "I was just thinking."

"About?"

"What it would be like to live in a place like this, like a real family."

She appeared startled by his admission. "You mean, complete with a wife, two point four children, and a dog?"

He grinned. "You can keep the point four children, but yeah, something like that."

Danni turned to stare at the house. "I suppose it's like most things—better imagined than actually lived."

"That's a pretty cynical view."

She grinned wryly. "Hey, I grew up in a house a lot like this."

Sam stepped out onto the porch. "Are you two going to come in or stay out there all night?"

"Why do I suddenly feel like I'm fifteen again?" Danni whispered to Nick.

He chuckled, and they stepped out of the truck. He guided Danni, with the backpack over her shoulder, down the walk and up the porch steps.

Nick hung back as Danni and Sam hugged. He hoped, for Danni's sake, the retired cop wasn't involved in anything illegal. Danni stepped away, and Sam held his hand out to Nick, who shook it firmly.

"Good evening, sir," Nick said formally.

Sam's eyes twinkled. "Nice to see you and Danni aren't fighting like cats and dogs anymore."

"We still have our moments," Danni said.

"Life would be pretty boring without them," Nick added.

Sam chuckled and ushered Nick and Danni into the house, which smelled of meat and spices, with the underlying scent of fresh coffee.

"Nancy's in the kitchen," Sam said, steering them in that direction.

The country kitchen was large and airy, with an abundance of cupboards and countertops. An older woman, who had to be Nancy, was stirring something on the stove. She turned, and her thin face lit with a bright smile.

"It's been too long, Danni," she said.

Danni crossed the floor and gave the slender woman a delicate hug. "You weren't supposed to go to any trouble," she scolded Nancy as she released her.

"This? I would've made the same for just Sam and myself." She raised pale blue eyes to Nick. "And you must be Nick."

He smiled. "That's me."

"I met you years ago, when Sam took me over to the youth center. You were with Paddy."

Although there was no sign of censure in her features, Nick detected coolness in her tone and couldn't hide his own defensiveness. "Without Paddy's help, I probably would've ended up another statistic in the prison system."

"I'm sorry," Nancy said sheepishly. "It's just that sometimes I wanted to strangle that man. He left a beautiful, intelligent daughter alone at home while he tried to save the world."

"Only a small part of it," Danni said quietly. "And the more I see of what he did at the center and how much he helped Nick, the more I realize how little I really knew him." She shrugged. "Besides, I didn't need Dad's help to get into trouble. I did that pretty well on my own."

Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "He was a fine man, Danni. I'm glad he and you were starting to reconcile."

Nick suddenly felt like an outsider and realized this must have been how Danni felt all those years while Paddy took care of "his boys" rather than her. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"Why don't you get the kids something to drink while I finish up out here?" Nancy suggested.

"The kids are perfectly capable of getting their own drinks," Danni interjected smoothly. "Would you like some help, Nancy?"

"I think everything is done."

Amid teasing and joking, they spooned food into serving bowls and piled sliced beef onto a platter, and carried it all into the dining room. Nick's mouth watered at the banquet of pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and gravy, not to mention a salad and fresh baked bread. It was just the sort of meal the two point four children would expect to eat.

Danni filled water glasses from a pitcher in the refrigerator while Sam poured red wine. Once they were all seated around the table, they bowed their heads as Sam said a prayer. After that, Sam raised his wineglass, prompting Nick, Danni, and Nancy to do the same.

"To Paddy Hawkins," the older man said.

The toast was echoed around the table, then everyone sipped their wine. In the solemn silence, Nick pictured Paddy and mentally raised his glass to him.

Thanks for everything, Paddy.
His gaze sidled to Danni.
Especially for your beautiful, passionate daughter.

Bowls were passed around the table, and plates were filled. The meal was interspersed with compliments to the chef and small talk.

To Nick, it was like being a part of some family TV show. The warmth surrounding Danni and her surrogate parents enveloped him, brought him into a world where he'd previously only been a spectator. He could see why Danni was so adamant about Sam not being involved in anything illegal. It went against baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie to think this nice old couple were accomplices in theft and murder.

Despite Nancy's protests, everyone helped to clear the table.

"Nick and I can take care of these," Sam said, motioning toward the dirty dishes now stacked on the kitchen counter. "Why don't you and Danni go on into the front room and catch up."

Nick caught Danni's concerned gaze, and she made a barely discernible nod toward Nancy. If he hadn't known about her condition, he would still have guessed something was wrong by the yellowish pallor of her skin and the increased trembling of her hands.

"Good idea," Danni said, and Nick could hear her forced cheerfulness. "You have to tell me about your latest trip. Las Vegas, right?"

As Danni and Nancy left the kitchen talking about Wayne Newton and one-armed bandits, Nick found himself alone with Sam.

"She likes to have people over, but it's hard on her," the retired cop said in a low voice.

Nick studied his weary and drawn face. "Hard on you, too."

Sam shrugged as he started the warm water tap. "You rinse, and I'll put them in the dishwasher."

Nick rolled up his shirtsleeves and held the first plate under the running water. He handed it to Sam. "Danni told me about her illness."

"She only knows what I told her."

Nick glanced sharply at the gray-haired man. "What do you mean?"

Sam hunched his shoulders. "Nancy has maybe six months before she won't be able to get around anymore. Then her organs will start failing. She'll be gone in less than a year."

Nick felt Sam's soul-deep anguish. "I'm sorry." He rinsed a handful of silverware. "You should tell Danni."

"I will, but not yet. She just lost her father."

"And she'll be losing the woman who's been like a mother to her in less than a year. She has the right to know." Nick swallowed. "To prepare."

Sam bowed his head, and Nick allowed him his privacy as he continued his task in silence.

"I'm glad Danni's got you now," Sam suddenly said.

Nick jerked his head up. "We're friends. Nothing more."

Sam chuckled, although it held a watery note. "Open your eyes, Rocky."

Nick pressed his lips together. He wasn't ready to pursue that avenue yet. "Danni said you and Nancy have been able to take some trips, do some fishing—things you always wanted to do."

Sam slid the top rack out of the dishwasher and stacked the glasses in it. "A lot of cops end up getting divorced at least once. I was lucky. Nancy sacrificed for me— evenings and holidays alone, putting up with my moods after a rough day at work. Hardly a word of complaint, even when we found out we wouldn't be able to have children. She's been my rock. I owe her everything."

The older man rubbed his face. "If she knew I took out a loan against the house so I can give her those trips and fishing excursions, she would skin me alive." He laughed weakly. "But it's a small price to pay to see her happy."

Thickness filled Nick's throat. Would he ever love someone as much as Sam loved his wife?

Sam closed the dishwasher, and his expression took on its more characteristic gruffness. "That loan is only for you and me to know about. I don't want Nancy finding out from you or Danni."

Nick nodded as he dried his hands on a towel hanging from the refrigerator handle. He'd have to tell Danni where Sam got the money, but he'd make sure she didn't tell Nancy. Although it was a relief to know Sam wasn't using dirty money, the explanation was heartrending.

Sam slapped Nick's shoulder. "What do you say we join the womenfolk?"

Nick grinned at the old-fashioned term and followed Sam to the front room. He spotted Danni and Nancy on the love seat, and when Danni glanced up, he noticed moisture glimmering in her eyes. He took a step toward her, but a brief shake of her head stopped him.

"Nancy was just telling me about the latest fishing trip. Sounds like she's the fisher-person in the family," Danni teased Sam.

Nick, however, saw the stress lining her brow and in her tightly clasped hands. He wondered if Nancy had told her the truth about how long she had to live.

Nick sat back on the sofa across from the love seat and listened to the affectionate repartee between Sam and Danni. He caught Nancy's gaze, and they exchanged amused glances. Clearly, Nancy was accustomed to their banter.

After they'd eaten cheesecake for dessert, Sam asked them about the investigation into Paddy's death. Danni told him about her truck being broken into, about Matt Arbor and Marsel Malone and how they might be related to her dad's "suicide." She glossed over the auto thefts and the details of Nick's book, however, but did include their suspicions about Gilsen.

Sam took a sip of his coffee. "I was afraid of that," he said with a low, nimbly voice. "I tried to help him. Got him into the Marines, but then it was up to him." He looked at Nick solemnly. "You made the right choices, Rocky, but Paul... He liked to take the easy route. While, he was in the service, he was nearly court-martialed when he was implicated in a supply scam, but there wasn't enough evidence."

Startled, Nick sat up to listen more closely.

"When he got out, he disappeared into southern California," Sam continued. "A few years later, I hear from him. He's doing good, says he's started a security company."

Nick's gaze flew to Danni, whose eyes had widened.

"Home security?" Danni asked Sam.

The ex-cop nodded. "That's right."

"He told me he'd opened his own business in San Diego and done well," Nick said. "He never gave me any details, but I assumed it was a dot com company like he started here."

"So why'd he move back?" Danni asked.

"He said he needed a new challenge, so he sold his company for a nice profit," Sam answered.

"He also said he wanted to help kids like you helped him," Nancy interjected softly.

"Which is why he volunteers at the center," Nick said, although he suspected there was a lot more to it than humanitarianism.

"From a security to an Internet company?" Danni scowled. "Those aren't even close."

Sam's eyes narrowed. "That's why I did a little more digging. It's a dummy company. He's got an office and a phone, but he's never there."

"So, what do you think he's into?"

"Don't play coy with me, Danielle Hawkins. I've known you too long for those kinds of games." The older man sighed and drew a hand across his still-thick hair. "Even though I thought you and Rocky were chasing your tails by looking into Paddy's death, I think you're onto something. If Gilsen thought Paddy was a threat to him, I don't think he'd hesitate to kill him."

Danni broke the ensuing silence. "Why didn't you tell me you were helping Paul? Especially after he tried to rape me."

"That was my fault," Nancy said, her sunken eyes distressed. "I told Sam you'd be hurt if you found out. I knew you'd think he was choosing Paul over you."

Like Paddy chose Rocky over you.
The words weren't spoken aloud, but Nick heard them plainly.

Sam reached for his wife's hand, which she clasped between both of hers.

Danni stared at their intertwined hands, and her eyes reflected poignant sadness. Nick ached to hug her and hold her hand, tell her he was there for her, that
he
wouldn't abandon her. But he couldn't make that kind of promise.

He glanced at Nancy and noticed how tired she suddenly appeared. Although it was early—only nine o'clock—he cleared his throat and said, "We should get back to the house. Gus probably needs to be let out."

When Danni glanced at him, he inclined his head toward the older woman. Danni understood immediately and rose.

Nancy roused. "Are you leaving already?"

"I'm afraid so," Danni replied softly. "Nick's dog is staying at Dad's place with us, and we can't leave her alone very long."

Sam helped his wife up, and they escorted Nick and Danni to the door. Danni retrieved her backpack and, after a round of hugs and handshakes, Nick guided her to his SUV. They didn't speak until they were out of the neighborhood.

"She's lost even more weight," Danni said, her voice husky.

Nick remained mute, allowing Danni to talk at her own pace.

"She doesn't have as much time as Sam told me," she continued. "Probably a year, maybe less."

Nick glanced at her as one tear rolled down her cheek to glisten in the muted glow. She didn't seem to notice. He clenched his jaw but only reached for her hand and held it as he rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.

"She said Sam wanted to protect me, like I'm still a little girl." Anger leached into her tone.

"He loves you," Nick said gently. "They both do."

Danni turned her head to gaze out her side window. "I love them, too." She took a deep breath and used her free hand to swipe away the single tear trail, then faced Nick. "Nancy said Sam took out a loan against the house to pay for all their trips."