For the Sake of Their Baby (6 page)

“She’s pregnant with
my
child,” Alex said, his eyes blazing, his voice no longer teasing. “She’s
my
wife. I know what condition she’s in.”

Ron glanced at his sister. “Calm down. Give the man a chance.”

Liz was secretly thrilled to hear Alex leap to his own defense. As someone who had spent far too many years swallowing her emotions in deference to her uncle’s tyranny, she’d always admired the way Alex stood up for himself. He was a man of action. Giving up control and taking the blame for a murder he hadn’t committed must be galling.

“Things aren’t always as they seem, Emily,” Liz said gently. She looked back at Alex and added, “But they’re my friends, Alex. I trust them. Please, swear them to secrecy and tell them what’s going on.”

She could almost see the wheels turn in Alex’s handsome head. “If it means that much to you,” he finally said.

“It means that much,” she told him, and then excused herself. She knew if she stayed at the table, she’d be inclined to blurt out every detail, and this was Alex’s situation to control. She unhooked her coat from the rack on the way out, nodding at people she knew, but desperate for an infusion of fresh air.

Pulling her coat close around her, she stood beneath the gaily striped green-and-white awning and took deep gulps of air suffused with the pungent smells of the sea.
Her frayed nerves and restless stomach slowly began to relax.

This old part of the city hadn’t been affected much by her uncle’s mall. Gift stores, restaurants and galleries still thrived when the tourists came to town during the summer and now, for the holidays, twinkling lights and garlands of fake greenery gave every storefront a jaunty air. A few blocks east, however, the shopping mall had exacted a huge toll. All these years later, there were still empty buildings. It was hard for a Ma and Pa bicycle shop to compete with any of the huge chain stores.

She sighed deeply. She’d give Alex a few moments to tell Ron and Emily as much as he thought wise, then return.

Looking up the street toward the new library, she instantly spotted the sheriff’s car parked half a block up on the other side. She searched the opposite sidewalk. There he was, Sheriff Roger Kapp, standing not a hundred feet away from her, talking to one of his deputies.

Liz felt the instant urge to retreat. Should she go back inside the restaurant? Would Kapp see her if she moved and then would he follow? Did it matter? Alex wasn’t an escaped felon. But the thought of a scene in front of Emily and Ron wasn’t pleasant. Indecision caught her like a mouse under Sinbad’s paw. Naturally, because she didn’t want him to, the sheriff looked up and locked gazes with her.

She tried a smile and a nonchalant wave.

He pointed at her.

There was nothing to do but stand there and wait while he sprinted across the street.

The sheriff was a powerfully built middle-aged man with sandy hair just beginning to gray at the temples and a drill sergeant gaze Liz felt sure intimidated the inno
cent as well as the guilty. He wore his uniform like a second skin. In deference to the drizzly chill, he also wore a padded jacket.

Over the years, he’d been a frequent visitor at her uncle’s Victorian estate. It was well known that Devon Hiller’s campaign support had helped win Roger Kapp the last sheriff’s election a few years back. She wondered how Kapp would fare in the upcoming election without her uncle’s backing.

Kapp stopped a few feet away, his gaze traveling her figure. In her white maternity sweater and slacks, wearing the heavy black coat, she felt like a beached Orca whale under his careful scrutiny.

“Elizabeth,” he said, tipping his hat.

“Sheriff.”

“Looks like it’s about time for that baby to pop.”

She said, “A few more weeks.”

“How’s everything going for you?”

“Pretty good,” she said, wondering if his question was more complicated than it sounded.

“You know, I was noticing the last time I was at your place that you don’t have a decent lock on your front door. I know you have that squawking Siamese cat to warn you when strangers come around, but that cat isn’t a Rottweiler, he can’t really protect you.”

“No, he’d just purr a robber to death.”

“Reason I got to thinking about it all of a sudden is that your hubby made bail. I suppose you know about that damn jury.”

She diplomatically decided not to mention the fact that she also knew the mishandling of the original investigation by the sheriff’s office had contributed to the jury’s indecision. His insinuation that she needed a lock to keep Alex away was offensive, but for now she de
cided to let it slide. She said, “Yes, isn’t that wonderful news?”

A frown drew his brows together and when he changed position, she was aware of the creaking sound of his leather holster. “I guess that depends on your point of view.”

“I just have a feeling that everything is going to work out great.”

“It almost did,” he persisted.

Resisting the urge to turn around to make sure Alex wasn’t on his way out the door, she added, “Is there something I can do for you, Sheriff?”

“Just a friendly word for an old friend’s niece,” he said, his gaze never leaving her face. “Alex Chase is rotten through to the core, just like his father and his brothers. It wouldn’t surprise me if he turns on you, next.”

“Why would he turn on me?”

“Maybe you know something he doesn’t want you to talk about.”

“Like what?”

“Little details, things you might not even know you know. How about I come out to your place tomorrow afternoon and we’ll have ourselves another conversation about the night your uncle died. I’ll bring along a few tools and install a decent lock for you while I’m there.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said, thinking fast. She couldn’t decide if she should mention Alex was living with her or not. Surely, he already knew, didn’t he? Didn’t Kapp’s deputies keep track of things like that? “I took care of it,” she said cautiously.

“Good, glad to hear it. I’ll be to your place right after lunch, okay?”

“Fine. I have nothing to hide.”

Sheriff Kapp grinned. “Now, Elizabeth, everyone has something to hide.”

“Do you say that from personal experience, Sheriff?”

Kapp chuckled. “I swear, there’s a little of your uncle in you, after all.”

Liz decided she’d think about his remark later, but she was pretty sure he hadn’t meant it as flattery.

His expression grew serious and it seemed to Liz as though he was ready to touch her arm. At the last second, he tucked his hand in his jacket pocket instead. “If someone is chasing your uncle’s fortune,” he said, “then you’re the next one in line.”

“That’s absurd.”

“I hope so. Don’t worry, though. We’ll have Alex Chase back in custody before you know it.” With another tip of his hat, he nodded.

Liz watched him sprint back across the street where he hooked up with his deputy and the two of them entered a small cafe on the corner well known for its fish and chips. Relieved that Alex hadn’t come outside, she thoughtfully re-entered the restaurant, moving through the tables as quickly as her bulk allowed.

Was it a coincidence that Kapp had shown up on this street when she just happened to be standing there? Since he didn’t seem to know Alex was staying at the house, did that mean he was following
her?

Alex wasn’t at the table. She looked around the restaurant and saw him leaning against the brick wall in back, talking on the phone. She also saw the turned heads of nearby diners and knew the fact that Alex had dined at Tony-O’s would spread through the small town like a rabid brush fire. Joining Ron and Emily, she took a deep breath. Her stomach had immediately retied itself in a knot.

“You look contemplative,” Ron said as she sat down.

“I just ran into Sheriff Kapp.”

Emily’s sharp intake of breath was followed by a hasty search of the restaurant. Did she expect the long arm of the law to reach right into the restaurant and snatch Alex away? This reaction surprised Liz who thought Emily’s reserve about Alex would be a lot harder than this to wear down. “The sheriff?” Emily gasped. “Here?”

“It’s okay, Emily. He’s gone. I’m so glad you listened to Alex.”

“I can imagine how much it meant to you to learn that Alex is innocent,” Ron said. “However, frankly, I don’t know how much of his story Emily believed.”

Emily had recovered her composure. To Liz’s dismay she said, “Not very much.”

“He told us he’s innocent,” Ron said.

“What good is the word of a murderer?” Emily insisted.

“
I
believe in him,” Liz said gently. “Totally.”

“But he confessed. You have to be cautious—”

“He said there were details he couldn’t talk about,” Ron interrupted. “I don’t think he likes Sheriff Kapp much.”

“That’s true,” Liz said, once again appreciating Ron’s levelheaded insight. “The sheriff won’t rest until Alex is convicted. In fact, he’s coming out to my place tomorrow after lunch to interview me again. I know Alex doesn’t want me telling the sheriff the truth—I’m just not sure what to do.”

“I think you should listen to your husband, Liz,” Ron said.

Emily shook her head. “How can you say that? Alex Chase is a murderer.”

“He’s not,” Liz said yet again. Glancing from one to the other, she added, “Don’t tell Alex about Kapp, okay? He has enough to worry about right now. He’s trying to protect me from everything and everybody.”

Emily pointed over Liz’s shoulder and said, “Speak of the devil.”

Alex put his hands on Liz’s shoulders as she turned to gaze up at him. “Are you okay?”

“The fresh air helped.”

“Are you hungry?” he added. “Shall I order something for you?”

“No, really, I couldn’t eat a bite.”

“I just talked to Dave down at the station. Are you ready to go?”

Liz decided she’d rather face Kapp than more of Emily’s blatant animosity. She said, “You bet.”

Alex put on his jacket and took out his wallet. “Lunch is on me,” he said firmly as he laid money on the table. Looking at Ron, he added, “Thanks for listening. I appreciate what a good friend you’ve been to Liz during these…trying…times.”

Ron retrieved Liz’s purse from her chair and handed it to her. “Liz is special to a lot of people, Alex.”

“And you’ll be wise not to forget that,” Emily added.

“Emily!” Ron snapped.

Emily looked at Liz. “If you need anything, and I mean
anything,
call me…or Ron.”

“I will, thanks.”

“She’ll be fine,” Alex said. “I promise you.”

Emily opened her mouth, apparently thought better of what she’d been about to say, and closed it, her attention riveted on her untouched salad.

“You two run along,” Ron added. “I’ll try to get
through to my hardheaded sister. If there’s anything I can do to help, just ask.”

Alex said thanks and Liz promised to call Emily. As Alex took her hand, Liz realized how tempting it was to believe things were eking their way back to normal, and yet that wasn’t really true and might never be. Studying the faces of the many acquaintances who watched them leave, she wondered, was the murderer among them? If he or she was, what did they make of Alex’s hand wrapped around hers?

“You are aware that your friend Emily is trying to marry you off to her brother, aren’t you?” Alex asked as they stopped in front of Liz’s car. She’d swept the street with a frantic glance as they emerged from the restaurant; Kapp’s car was still parked across the street but he was apparently still inside the cafe. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Alex’s truck was parked a space away. That truck was yet another of his belongings that Liz hadn’t gotten around to getting rid of.

She said, “Don’t be silly.”

“Don’t be naive. She hates me.”

“She doesn’t even know you.”

“Which means she hates me because of what she’s heard about me.”

“She and Alex have been staunch allies, Alex.”

“Staunch allies of yours.”

“Whatever.”

“And they both know you filed for a divorce, right?”

They not only knew, but Emily had actively encouraged her. She’d pointed out that Liz was young, she had a baby to consider, a future. Alex was as good as gone—forever.

Liz spared Alex this information. Instead she said,
“Twenty-four hours ago, this entire town was under the impression you were a murderer because you told them you were. Emily doesn’t know you well enough to accept your word as quickly as Ron does. You have to give her a while.”

“I don’t have time to win a popularity contest.”

She shook her head.

“I’m sorry,” he added with a sigh. “I have a feeling Emily isn’t going to be the only one in town who will feel that way about me.”

Liz unlocked her car door and slid inside. “Thank you for telling them you’re innocent. No matter what, they’re friends and I don’t know how I could have kept seeing them and talking to them without them knowing.”

“Ron is a good listener. I told him just about everything except about your scarf and your late-night visit to your uncle. Those details have to be kept secret, honey. I’ll meet you at home after I see Dave. We need to talk.”

Liz had a very quick internal dialogue about whether or not to set Alex straight regarding such mundane things as respecting boundaries when this greater issue hung over their heads like smoke hangs over an imploding volcano. She decided she might as well be honest with him. She said, “You shouldn’t have followed me today. I told you I was going to a business meeting. You showing up like that made me feel as though you didn’t listen to a word I said.”

“But it wasn’t business.”

“That’s not the point. I just want you to know that from now on, you need to respect my independence.”

One hand on top of the car, the other propped on his denim clad leg, Alex leaned down. His face was so close she could smell his aftershave. It had been months since
she’d sniffed this exact odor and the way it came when mixed with his body heat. It made her head swim.

“I have nothing
but
respect for you,” he insisted.

She made herself get over the arousing sensation of his proximity. She made herself get over the desire for him that seemed to permeate every inch of her body and grew stronger with each passing moment. “Good. I’ve been on my own for six months.”