Game On (5 page)

Her heart ached for him. He did need help, but…but she just couldn't do it.

From the parking lot, a woman lifted a camera and snapped.

5

“Hey, what are you doing?” Nikki yelled.

The woman snapped another picture and then turned. Her walk turned into a jog.

Nikki pushed past Lucas. “Stop. I only want to talk to you.”

“I can't. It's against the rules.” The woman opened a car door and jumped in.

Nikki ran faster. What rules? What did that even mean?

Lucas sprinted past her.

The car jerked forward.

“Stop her, Lucas. We need to talk to her.”

He jumped in front of the grill, but the car swerved around him and surged forward. Nikki took a picture right before it disappeared from view. Tapping the screen on the camera, she enlarged the picture. The license plate was smeared with mud. There was no way to identify that woman or her car.

Lucas walked up. “Well, do you believe me now?”

“It would be a little hard not to. Did you hear her? She said it was against the rules. I…I don't know what to say.”

“Say you'll help me?”

Just looking at him brought forth all sorts of emotions she'd rather not deal with—or even think about. He was the first man she'd loved and the first to break her heart. But he needed help. “We can talk about it while you fly me up to North Carolina. If you were serious about that.”

He grinned. “That's a start.”

“I need to make a quick stop at my apartment. Then we can be on our way.”

“Sounds good.”

Twenty minutes later, Nikki unlocked the door to her place. “It's not much, but it's home.”

“And a home is a wonderful thing. I'm sure it's lovely.”

“Not really.” She opened the door. “I'm not much for decorating. Too busy.”

They walked in.

He looked around the apartment. Nothing on the walls. No pictures. Just the furniture, a TV, and a few old newspapers. It looked more like a motel room than a home. “I like minimalist.”

“Always the politician, aren't you?”

“It's second nature to me.”

She looked longingly at the sofa. It had been an exhausting day. She turned to Lucas. “I'll pack a few things and then we can go. Make yourself comfortable. You might even find an apple in the fridge if you're hungry.”

“We can go through the drive-thru on the way to the airport.” Lucas sat on the sofa.

As she packed, her mind swirled. There was no doubt Lucas had a problem. Now that she'd seen it with her own eyes, she couldn't just turn her back on him. But this was an impossible situation.

But it seemed as if this was a God thing, this business of forgiveness.

If someone had asked her before today, she'd have told them Lucas McMann was a closed chapter in her life. A lesson learned. Nothing but a distant memory. Boy, had she been wrong. She'd been shocked at the intensity of her feelings when she'd seen him.

That anger couldn't be a good thing. Her Christian mentor kept telling her forgiveness was about letting go of the anger, not about letting the person she was angry with off the hook.

Maybe it was time to try God's way, which was better than her way.

She wasn't sure she could, but she was ready to give it a shot. She zipped up the bag and walked out into the living room.

Lucas sat in a chair. His eyes were closed.

“It's very nice of you to fly me to Maiden.” She sat down in a chair.

He smiled as he opened his eyes. “It's not a problem. I haven't seen my mother in a while, so I can help you and make her happy at the same time. A win-win situation.”

“I know you said there were no strings attached, but when I get this family situation resolved, I'll do the best I can to figure out what's going on. Then we can stop it.”

“I would love for you to do that, but I don't want you to think that you have to because I'm flying you to Maiden. I told you there were no strings attached, and that's what I meant. I gave you my word…as a Christian.”

“You're a Christian?” Of course, he had known the words to the Christian praise songs on the radio. She should have figured that one out. Some detective she was. “I only became one a few months ago. It's made a huge difference in my life. I'm so…I'm not sure how to explain it. All I can say is I'm happier than I've been in a long time. But I still have a long way to go.”

“It's really not all that hard. Just love God and love others. If you can do that, you'll be fine.”

“Easier said than done.”

“That's for sure, but God has a way of getting us to the right people when we are in need. I think that's why your name popped into my head as I was praying about this situation.”

Could Lucas be right? Could she be the answer to his prayers—to anyone's prayers? It didn't seem possible after all her mistakes.

“I can't thank you enough for agreeing to help me.”

“No problem.” Nikki didn't think she'd actually forgiven him yet—but some of the anger was gone. Agreeing to help Lucas was a first step. It certainly wasn't because she wanted to see him. Just seeing him sent her into a tizzy. She didn't like tizzies. Memories pushed their way to the surface. Nikki shut them out. The past couldn't be changed, so why dwell on it? She stood up. “Well, let's get this show on the road, shall we?”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grinned, took a pen and a checkbook from his pocket, and wrote something with a flourish. After he tore the check out and set it on her coffee table, he looked up. “Speaking of plans, do you have one?”

“I'll become your very best stalker. By following you, I should be able to spot your other stalkers. I'll take some of my own pictures and then ID them. Then I can talk with them. One of them will tell us the truth.”

“How can you be so sure of that?”

She had no idea, but she wasn't going to admit it. “I have my ways.”

“That sounds good, Nikki. I like it. I knew you were the right person for the job.”

“I guess so.”

“I can't tell you how much this means to me.”

“It's not personal, Lucas. I would try to help anyone who came to me with this kind of problem.”

“So what do you want me to do?”

“Go home and act normal. I'll take care of the rest.”

“I don't know what normal is anymore.”

“Act like a politician.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. Politicians hide their private problems from the world. They have to look confident to the public, to their constituents. Be strong. Be confident. In other words, be a politician.”

“Good advice.”

“I thought so. Remember, this is a job. Nothing more, nothing less. It's not personal, Lucas.”

Their gazes met. The moment stretched out.

“I know that. Still, I can't thank—”

“You don't have to keep saying it. I heard you the other five times. And besides, I haven't done anything yet. Let's see if I can actually solve the case first.” As Nikki was closing the door, the intercom buzzed. She walked back in and pressed down on the talk button. “Hello.”

“It's me.”

Unbelievable. One problem solved, but now she had an even bigger problem—how to get rid of Lucas?

****

Lucas turned back.

The blood had drained from Nikki's face and her expression was panicked. Nikki stared at the intercom. “Stay there. I'll be down in a minute. Don't move.” Even her voice was shaky.

“Who was that?”

“That's my niece.”

Then why wasn't she happy? Her worry had come through loud and clear during the phone conversation with her sister. “That's wonderful. All's well that ends well, right?”

She smiled—a forced one. “Absolutely, just a little shocked. I had no idea she'd come here. It never even occurred to me.”

“It's a good thing we hadn't left yet.”

“I guess I won't be needing that flight to Maiden after all.”

He could have used some time with Nikki to talk about the events of the past few months. It would be nice to confide in someone who actually believed him. “I can fly you both back. It will be a little crowded but still safe.”

“No. No. No.” She shook her head as if she were a bobble doll. “Not necessary. I…we…I'll figure something out.”

She was definitely weirded out about something. Maybe it wasn't her niece downstairs waiting, but why would she lie?

“It's not a problem at all. I'll get you there a lot quicker. Might be fun for your niece. What was her name again?”

“Cassie. Cassie Martin. Don't worry, I'll still take your case. I promised and I will.”

“That didn't even occur to me. I trust you. Don't you think you should go get her before she runs away again?”

“Why would she do that?”

“It was a joke, Nikki.”

“Oh, yeah. Thanks for your offer, but it's not necessary. I'll drive. It will be better if I have my car in DC anyway.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am and I know this will sound a bit strange, but can you go out the back entrance? If you walk across the street, you'll be able to catch a taxi. I think it would be better if no one knew I was working for you.”

Most people were excited for friends and family to meet him. After all, he was a little bit famous—at least in North Carolina. “Why?”

“I think it would be better if Cassie didn't see you. She's a teenager. They are sometimes a little too curious about things that are none of their business. I don't think it would be good for this to get out. Do you?”

“I suppose not. She sounds just like her aunt. I remember you were always way too curious. Must be what took you into the detective business.”

“Could be. It's better if she doesn't know I'm working for you. Or it might be posted all over the internet. She'd promise not to tell anyone, but she'd tell her best friend, and before you know it, it would have gone viral.”

“Yeah, that wouldn't be so good.”

The intercom buzzed.

Nikki pushed the button. “I'll be there in a minute.”

“What's the problem?”

“Nothing. Just hold.”

“OK.”

Nikki turned back to him. “Do you think you'll be able to find a way back to the airport? I'm really sorry about this.”

“I'm sure I can manage.” He grinned. “I got down here, didn't I?”

“Great. I'll be in DC in a few days. But I won't be in contact with you. You go about your life and I'll be watching and waiting. If you see me, don't talk to me.”

“Makes sense.”

“I need your home address.”

Nodding, he handed her a business card and gave her a thumbs-up. “Looking forward to it.”

“Remember, if you see me, ignore me. Do not talk to me. This will only work if people don't know that we know each other.”

“Will do.”

Nikki stopped at a door. “Here's the steps. If you don't mind waiting for a few minutes, I'll go get Ca—my niece.”

“Not a problem.”

“I'll be in contact with you in a few days. In the meantime, just do what you do. And don't order any pizzas.” She walked towards the elevator.

Lucas made his way down the steps. He looked at his watch and sat down. Five minutes should be enough time for Nikki to retrieve…whoever it was. Maybe it wasn't her niece at all.

That could explain why she'd acted so strange. He had no idea what other cases she might be involved with. He sent up a prayer for her safety and waited some more. He respected Nikki enough to do what she'd asked.

6

When the elevator door closed, Nikki was able to breathe. There was no way she wanted Cassie in the same room as Lucas. The thought made her slightly sick. Good thing he lived in DC.

The elevator door opened.

At fifteen, Cassie was already taller than Nikki. She had none of the Kent coloring. Instead of blonde, her hair was fiery red. Unlike most redheads, her complexion had no freckles. Instead, she had a beautiful ivory skin tone that made most teenage girls envious. And those pale blue eyes.

The exact shade she'd stared into earlier.
Beautiful
was the only word to describe her daugh—niece. Cassie was her sister's daughter. They had the birth certificate to prove it. And now that their parents were dead, only three people knew the truth. Nikki, her sister, and her brother-in-law. And it would stay that way.

“Cassie.”

Cassie turned to her with a sunny smile. “Auntie Nikki.” Cassie ran to her.

Nikki hugged her. “How did you get here?”

“Don't ask questions unless you want to know the answer.”

“Oh, but I do want to know.”

Cassie did a hair flip. “Doesn't matter. I'm here safe and sound.”

“We'll talk about it later. You are not off the hook, little miss.” Nikki didn't want to get into an argument, but she wouldn't let Cassie think what she'd done was all right either. “Why didn't you answer my calls?”

“I was so close I wanted to surprise you.”

It was a day full of surprises.

“Your mother's very worried.”

A little smirk appeared on Cassie's face.

“That is not nice. Your parents love you very much. There's no reason to torment them the way you do.” Nikki stabbed the up button.

“I'm not tormenting them.” Cassie shrugged. “Not really.”

They stepped into the elevator.

“One of these days, you'll go too far and get yourself hurt.” Nikki's eyes filled with tears. This was ridiculous—she needed to get control over her emotions. She turned towards the elevator panel and hit the number three.

“No need to worry about me, Auntie. I can take care of myself. Just like you can.”