ChasingShadows (7 page)

Fear wove through him as he recalled her fainting spell. If
she suffered similar trauma during each case, he wondered how she’d managed to
survive all those years.

“Do you recognize it, Andrea?”

She peered into the clear bag. “Never seen it.”

Juliana maintained a wary distance, her eyes inquisitive.

“It’s a piece of a Scottish clan medallion
¾
”

“
Scotland Forever
!” Juliana blurted out. “The ring
tone on the kidnapper’s cell phone. I knew it sounded familiar.”

Alex’s jaw dropped. “You sure?”

“Positive.”

He pulled his own intact keychain from his pocket. “These
are sold at Celtic stores and festivals. They make them into Celtic heritage
wear—pendants, cap badges, brooches, keychains.” Alex flipped it, revealing the
smooth backside. “Most are sold in pewter or silver. Gold pieces are usually
custom-made.”

He pointed out the design on the two keychains. The name
‘Campbell’ was written above a boar’s head logo on the one he just found. “The
coat of arms and motto are different for each clan. Clan MacKenzie has a stag’s
horn, and this is a boar’s head.”

Andrea’s expression turned doubtful. “What if Lisette found
it somewhere?”

“It’s his.” Juliana clutched her throat. “I sense it.” After
a tense moment, she removed her fingers from her throat and held out her palm. “Let
me touch—”

“No.” Alex shoved the evidence bag in his pocket. No way
would he let her go through that again. At least, not yet.

She rolled her eyes. “Alex, it won’t kill me.”

“We have to dust it for prints. Come on.” Alex strode toward
the front door. “I’ll take you home.”

“Please stay, Juliana,” Andrea pleaded. “I really want to
catch up. You can help get my mind off…” Tears pooled in her eyes.

It devastated him knowing that Lisette was out there at the
mercy of the beast who’d abducted her. And it tortured him to see his sister so
distraught and helpless. If Andrea wanted Juliana to keep her company, why
should he object?

If Juliana stayed, she might tell Andrea why she disappeared
for twelve years. He desperately wanted to know. Yet, on the flip side, he
feared the truth.

And because of what had just happened, he wanted Juliana to
work with him at the PD. He wanted her insight on the case as an impartial party.

Who are you kidding? You just want her there.

He left the decision to Juliana.

Chapter Four

A cooling breeze stirred the balmy summer night. Palm trees
swayed, fronds rustled. Stars winked at them, and a full moon shed light on the
parking lot as they walked toward the building. Appreciative of the extra
illumination, Alex couldn’t take his ravenous gaze off Juliana.

James met them outside Alex’s office. Alex dangled the
plastic bag holding the Scottish keychain for James’ perusal. He pointed out the
engraved markings on the reverse side, hoping the symbols would provide
evidence as to the creator. Alex gave James a quick rundown on the night’s
activities.

James turned speculative eyes on Juliana. “You said you
weren’t a touch telepath.”

“I wasn’t.” Exhilaration lit up Juliana’s face. Her eyes
twinkled and a slight smile tugged at her lips.

Alex scrawled a deli order on a scrap of paper and handed it
and the evidence bag to James. “Take this into forensics, and order up dinner.”
He took Juliana’s elbow and guided her into his office. A tremor surged up his
arm from contact with her silken skin. He hated removing his hand from her arm
to shut the door.

As soon as Juliana entered his office, her gaze flitted to
the Scotland posters covering his walls. Their dream vacation in Scotland after
college had evaporated the day Juliana disappeared. The posters served to
remind him of the ruined fantasy. Dismally, he realized he should have removed
them ages ago.

Juliana sank into the visitor chair near the door, silent
and stiff.

“Spill it.” He eased behind the desk, folding his arms
across his chest. “What else did you see in your vision?”

“I wasn’t sure how much to reveal to Andrea.”

A spasm knotted his gut. Did he even want to hear?

Juliana fiddled with her braid, twisting it around her
slender fingers. The action brought back painful memories of combing his
fingers through the glossy mane of gold. He quickly shook the memory off. She’d
always played with her hair when she was nervous. It didn’t look like that habit
had changed.

Alex pulled the chair away from his desk and dropped into it,
relieved to take the load off his tired body.

Juliana looked into his eyes, her emerald gaze transfixed. “At
first, he was gentle with Lisette, earning her trust. Now she fears him.” Juliana
set her purse on the desk and clasped her hands in her lap. “He’s impatient and
obviously not used to children and their emotions.”

Alex expelled an anxious breath he wasn’t aware he held. He
expected worse. “What else?”

“He received a phone call. He’s angry because Lisette won’t
eat. The caller’s apparently someone Lisette knows, because he told the person
to bring what she likes to eat.” She halted and looked down at her lap. “He’s
out for revenge.” Juliana lifted her head, her face pale.

Alarm traced a thin line down Alex’s spine. “He hasn’t hurt
her?”

“Not that I could tell. But he’s angry, vengeful.”

Alex rose and turned to stare out the windows. Several
uniformed officers stood by a row of marked police cars, bantering and
laughing, preparing for a night patrolling the streets.

Moments later, Juliana’s warm hand touched his arm, coaxing
him around.

“I’m so sorry, Alex,” she said softly. “I know how this
hurts.”

He turned around, fists clenching. “Do you really?” he
snapped.

She flinched, and he instantly regretted the words. She’d
been through enough criminal cases to know how they affected the victims and
their families. Despite his harsh words, she stepped closer and wrapped her
arms around his waist.

Instinctively, his arms encircled her, and he rested his
cheek on top of her head. Her light berry-scented shampoo smelled heavenly, and
he breathed in deeply. His initial embrace was unforgiving, and he didn’t
loosen his hold until Juliana made a small sound in her throat, and he realized
he was hugging her too tightly.

She unfolded an arm from around his waist and ran her
fingers through his hair, smoothing the chaotic spikes. Her touch was almost
unbearably gentle, and her hug settled him more than he should allow.

Regret flashed inside him. He hated that Lisette’s
kidnapping was the reason that had brought Juliana back into his life.

Alex cupped her face, and he looked deep into her sultry
eyes and lost himself in their depths.

Sighing, he drew her closer still until her breath grazed his
mouth. With growing insistency, his lips met hers, and he felt a matched hunger
in her. The kiss deepened as control melted, and they abandoned themselves to
the fever that had lain dormant for over a decade.

She stroked his back, her hands searing his skin through his
shirt. Her breasts crushed provocatively against his chest, kindling a desire
he raged against. The heady scent of her familiar floral fragrance created
mayhem with his senses.

Not until his tongue slipped between her soft, luscious lips
did her arms wrap around his neck, pulling his mouth harder onto hers. Her
mouth tasted of mint and simply Juliana as his greedy tongue probed and battled
hers. When his hands moved to cup her firm, rounded butt, reality whacked him.

What the hell was he doing?

Abruptly, he broke off the kiss and jerked out of her arms. The
ties that once bound them were racing back with such velocity that his tightly held
control had slipped.

Uncertainty tinted her rosy cheeks.

“I’m sorry.” He stared at the posters on the wall, the files
stacked on his desk, at the carpet, anywhere but at Juliana.

The energy between them proved volatile. He feared breaking
the fragile bond if he moved, yet he needed distance from her.

As if she felt the same need, Juliana eased back and the air
stirred around them, tension-laden. She bumped into his leather chair, caught
the back with her hand. “I…it’s okay.” Her voice was thick, husky.

Silence loomed between them, and Alex experienced an intense
desire to read her mind.

As if on cue, James flung open the door, dispelling the
sexual edginess pervading the room. Renewed focus on the case provided the
welcome diversion Alex craved.

From Juliana. And from what once was.

James stopped mid-stride into the room and flashed Juliana
his trademark crooked smile.

A seed of jealousy sprouted inside Alex. Grimacing, he tossed
off the unsettling mood and motioned for James to take a seat. “Let’s go over
the interviews.”

He let Juliana have his chair as he sprawled in the other
visitor chair next to James.

James plowed right in. “Do you think the perp’s name is Campbell?”

“Campbell’s a Scottish clan name. Under each clan, there are
variously named septs.” Alex adjusted his chair so his line of sight included
both James and Juliana. “He may be a Campbell, or not.”

He ignored the interrogation list James shoved at him. James
let it drop on the desk. “No one has a clue who could’ve snatched Lisette.”

Alex rested his elbows on his knees, chin in his palms. “Give
me the short list.”

“Grandparents. Jasmine, the twenty-year-old they hired as
part-time nanny—”

Alex’s perpetual disgust of Lisette’s grandparents exploded
from his voice as he said, “Lisette’s supposed to spend time with her
grandparents, not some damn babysitter.” He slammed a fist on the desk. “They
have her one damn weekend a month.”

A clerk pushed the door open, delivered dinner and fled the
squirrelly atmosphere. Thankful for the diversion, Alex dug into the bag and
produced deli sandwiches and canned sodas. Juliana stretched across the desk to
grab the sandwich he offered.

She unwrapped the turkey and cheddar cheese sandwich. Her
eyes widened in hunger and awe. “You remembered my favorite.”

His mouth twisted in a wry smile. He didn’t know if she
hungered for the sandwich or for him. And why the hell did he care? He massaged
the nape of his neck.

“This is heavenly,” she said after a couple of bites.

“Best deli in town,” James agreed, his mouth full as he
tackled his own hefty sandwich.

Alex’s stomach flip-flopped at the sight of his untouched
meal. “Where were we?”

“The list,” Juliana replied.

James chugged down half a soda and continued, “The
ultra-rich grandparents, nanny Jasmine, Sharon and Matthew Douglas and Bremley.”

“Who’s Bremley?” Juliana sat back and rubbed her stomach.

“The Chambers’ butler,” James mumbled through a mouthful.

Alex tore the wrapper off his hoagie and bit off a large
bite. The normally superb roast beef was tasteless tonight. He swallowed
roughly and set the sandwich down, pushing it aside. “Andrea hates that
bastard.”

“He’s a tough nut to crack,” James said. “Icy, sarcastic,
knows nothing. I get the impression he’d do anything for them, above or below
the law.”

Alex smirked and said half-jokingly, “Wouldn’t all butlers? Isn’t
that their job?”

“Like I’m supposed to know?” James snorted. “Do I look like
I can afford a butler?”

“Put a tail on him.”

“Wouldn’t hurt to put a tag on them all, man. But Hayes
won’t bite without more evidence.”

Alex fingered his scar. It always itched like crazy when a
time bomb ticked in his pocket. “What’d Bremley say about taking Lisette and
the nanny to the park?”

“Chauffeur was sick that day, so he filled in.”

Alex flipped open the interview file. “Did you interview the
chauffeur?”

“He’s not full-time. Got his phone number, left a message.”

He skimmed the grandparents’ interviews. Grantham and
Samantha Chamber were perfect targets. They had millions of dollars and owned a
dozen businesses. They couldn’t escape the disgruntled masses with those bucks.
Probability was high that they were involved. Somehow.

Alex tossed the file across the desk and studied James. “How
did old man Chamber come across?”

“A cold, arrogant SOB. Hard to figure where he’s coming from.
All business. Need to do background intel on the whole family.”

The Kentucky Derby that had pounded through Alex’s head
earlier had dwindled to a greyhound race. Despite the alleviation of pain, Alex
snagged the aspirin bottle off his desk and washed a couple down with his soda.
“Samantha Chamber?”

“Distraught, knows nothing. Says she loves Lisette.” James’
voice hardened in anger. “They have an airtight alibi, not that it matters. That
kind of money, they could have paid for an alibi without cracking open the
checkbook.”

* * * * *

Listening with one ear, Juliana’s gaze wandered around the
room. She examined the overflowing bookcase behind the visitor chairs, the
dented file cabinet shoved in the corner. She smiled at Lisette’s artwork
tacked to the wall behind Alex and James. The framed photograph of Alex and a
laughing Lisette perched on his shoulders entranced her.

Several moments of contemplative silence passed before
Juliana said, “It wasn’t Grantham Chamber.”

Alex lifted his eyes in an assessing stare. “He could have
hired someone.”

Juliana shook her head. “Maybe, but I don’t think so,” she
said pensively. “Lisette was comfortable with the kidnapper and trusted him at
one point. If she only spends one weekend a month at her grandparents’, and
most of that time with the babysitter, she probably isn’t real comfortable with
her grandparents. It could have been the butler if he spent time with Lisette
and the nanny. Or Grantham could have hired the butler to do it, in that case.”
Juliana studied her soda can, deep in thought. “How long has this nanny
arrangement been going on?”

Appreciation flickered across Alex’s face, and her heart
tingled.

“Long enough.” Alex shrugged. “Lisette’s afraid of her
grandfather. She was glad she didn’t have to see him much.” He rubbed his jaw. “If
Grantham hired someone to snatch her, Lisette would’ve gotten to know him at the
estate.” He rose and paced the cramped room. “James, did the household staff
indicate if Lisette befriended anyone else?”

“No. They keep Lisette on the estate with Jasmine at all
times.”

“Not true,” Alex snapped. He scowled. “We know Bremley took
them to the park last week. Sharon Douglas saw them.”

“Right.” Alex’s gruffness didn’t perturb James. “On the
question list for Sharon.”

Juliana asked, “Did Jasmine foster a relationship for this
purpose? With Bremley?”

James knocked down the last of his soda and slam-dunked the
can into the trash bin. “During the interview, Jasmine was antsy, said cops
made her nervous. Her grief seemed real. She said she loves Lisette like a
little sister. But I have a gut feeling she’s holdin’ out.”

Juliana leaned forward and crossed her arms on the desk. Theories
and fatigue made her head reel. “What did Jasmine say about the park outing?”

James grimaced as he stretched out his long legs. “Same as
Bremley. It was a play date with Lisette’s friend.”

Alex halted his pacing and stared at James. “Did Andrea
verify the play date?”

“It was legit. Andrea was pissed ‘cause Jasmine didn’t clear
it with her first. Lisette didn’t mention it either.”

Juliana spotted a picture of Andrea and Lisette halfway
hidden behind a stack of files on the desk corner. Andrea shared Alex’s auburn
hair and blue eyes, which augmented her natural beauty. The smiling, happy
person in the picture belied the distraught, terrified mother she saw earlier
that evening.

“This sounds like a cliché, but what’s the butler’s story?” Juliana
pinned her gaze on James. Alex scrutinized her as if she sat buck-naked,
leaving her feeling disconcerted. She folded her arms across her breasts.

“He’s not off the hook. He wears the same shoe size as the
plaster. Evasive, no alibi.” James’ face hardened and an angry light gleamed in
his eyes. “He forked over his one and only pair of athletic shoes for
inspection. They’re brand new, never been worn.”