Ghostly Liaison (28 page)

“Are you sure you don’t want to go home? I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything.”

He exhaled as if she frustrated him, and maybe she had. “You don’t have to stay on my account. I’ll be fine.”

“That’s not what I meant. I only want you to be comfortable.”

“Well, I won’t be comfortable at home. Not without Barnaby there.”

“Oh. I didn’t think about it like that.” She snatched two mugs from the cupboard and poured the hot beverage. “How do you take it?”

“Black.”

Black? Yuck. Coffee wasn’t coffee unless it had cream and sugar. At least she didn’t have to worry whether or not she got his right. She fixed hers and carried the mugs to him. He took his and she sat on one of the chairs at the table.

“I don’t bite, you know.”

She chuckled. “I know.”

He patted the cushion beside him. “Sit with me. Please?”

She shouldn’t, but he was hurting, waiting for word on Barnaby. All the more reason to offer comfort, right? Once he heard the dog would survive, then they would go their separate ways. It was for the best.

She sat on the couch, leaving enough room for a football player to squeeze between. He shook his head, but kept quiet.

For the longest time he stared into his mug looking lost and ran his finger around the rim. What could she say that didn’t sound corny?

He ended up breaking the silence. “What kind of poison do you think was in that hamburger?”

She relaxed. While talking about Barnaby wouldn’t get his mind off the dog, at least he wasn’t mentioning that hug. “Probably strychnine.”

Back during her junior high school days, she’d seen firsthand what the poison could do. Some sicko had gone around poisoning dogs with the crap, her neighbor’s dog included. They’d gotten treatment quickly for their pet, the only thing that saved him, unlike most of the other animals hit. She prayed Rob had brought Barnaby in on time.

“Shit. That’s not good.”

“No, but you can’t look at it that way. Barnaby threw up and not because of the poison. The meat was spoiling, probably what made him sick. And you were able to get him here quickly. All those are in his favor.”

“I want to wring Carl’s neck.”

Again with the accusation. “What makes you think he’s responsible?”

“Ever since Charlie’s death, Barnaby has growled at him. I never questioned it, just assumed Barnaby was having a bad day, missing Charlie maybe. But today when he growled, it dawned on me why. He was there that day, which means he knows it was Carl. Then Carl practically ordered me not to bring Barnaby in to work anymore. I kind of lost it and practically accused him of murder.”

She scooted closer. “Oh, Rob. No.”

“Yeah, I know. Pretty stupid move, huh? And now he’s taken it out on a defenseless dog.”

Bridget closed her eyes. Carl might be to blame, but Rob wouldn’t have lost his temper if she’d kept her mouth shut. Barnaby had to survive. She couldn’t handle another death on her conscience. “Would Carl have access to strychnine?”

“Possibly. He had a rodent problem a while back. Said he found the perfect solution, but never elaborated and I never asked. I swear, if he’s involved….”

“Have you asked your investigator? Could he have been following Carl?”

Rob’s face lit up as if he’d won the lottery. He put his coffee on the side table. “That’s it! You’re a genius.”

He called the investigator and made arrangements to meet. Just as he slipped the phone into his jeans pocket, Kate entered the room.

Bridget held her breath and prayed,
Please be good news
. Any other kind would be devastating.

* * * *

He’ll live
.

Those were the best words Rob’s ears would ever hear. And what manly man thing did he do once Kate uttered those wonderful words? Cried like a baby, what else?

He covered his face, but stopping the flow proved impossible. Barnaby would live. Relief came over him so strong, he couldn’t control the dam.

He stood and hugged Kate. “Thank you.”

She patted his back. “You’re welcome. Now go on home. I’ll be staying with him tonight.”

He released the best doctor in all the world and found Bridget beside him. He took her hand. With her touch alone she gave him comfort, peace. Without her, he wouldn’t have survived the last few hours.

He swiped his arm across his eyes. “Can I see him?”

“He’s still sedated and is on an IV. Don’t you want to wait until tomorrow?”

He shook his head. “Please. I won’t be long. I just need to see him.”

Kate nodded. “You know the way.”

He held onto Bridget and headed down the hallway.

“Don’t you want to be alone with him?” Bridget asked.

Not if he could help it. He was through with being alone. “I want you there.”

Barnaby lay sleeping in the middle of a large pillow. Rob rubbed a spot above the dog’s eyes and kissed him on bridge of his the nose. The contact didn’t affect Barnaby in the slightest. No more spasms. Just an even breathing. What a wonderful sight to behold. Rob choked back a sob.

“You okay?” she asked.

He nodded. “I guess I never realized how much he means to me. Am I being sappy?”

“No, of course not. You love him.” She sniffed.

He turned at the sound. Tears filled her eyes, too. He pulled her close. “Thank you for being with me.”

“You’re welcome.” She pulled away and wiped her eyes. “I’m glad he’ll be all right. He’s a sweet dog.”

Rob wouldn’t let her get away again. No sirree. He’d been stupid staying away as long as he had and he would make it right. “I didn’t ignore your call. When you called the first time.”

“What?”

“And I was planning on seeing you tonight. To surprise you with the paneling.”

“Really?”

He held her face. “Of course, really. Why would you doubt that? Haven’t I made my feelings clear?”

“Yeah, but after I put you to voice mail that night, you stopped calling. I just assumed—”

“I was trying to give you some space.” A mistake he would not make again.

“And you’ve been angry. Charlie said.”

God, what else had Charlie told her? She couldn’t have told Bridget the truth. That this past week had been the worst of his life and that not being able to hear her laugh, see her lovely smile, or be teased by her, had torn him up inside. And maybe he couldn’t say that all to her right now—why give her a reason to run?—but he could show her how he felt.

He held her face in his hands and kissed her. She tensed and might have stopped breathing, but within moments she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She molded against him and opened her mouth, inviting him in.

Encouraged, he hugged her closer and kissed her deeper, exploring everything she had to offer, every last sweet and delicious part of her. The way she grabbed him as if he weren’t close enough gave him hope. And while he’d love nothing better than to take her right there on the floor, he wanted more than sex from her. He just wanted her.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, bringing him back to reality. Reluctantly, he ended the kiss and smiled. “Still think I’m angry?”

“No.” Bridget’s cheeks were inflamed, her lips red and swollen, and she busied herself with smoothing her shirt. But she hadn’t hit him and she wasn’t frowning. She also hadn’t told him to take a hike. Maybe, just maybe, he’d finally made headway.

* * * *

Bridget ran her fingers across her burning lips. That kiss wasn’t from someone who had moved on. And she certainly didn’t react like she should have. Her body sensed victory over her mind, which hadn’t objected in the least.

Rob rubbed Barnaby on the head. “I’ll be back tomorrow, fella. Love ya.”

His mood had definitely improved and she couldn’t blame him. Knowing Barnaby would be okay lifted her spirits, too. Maybe now Rob could go home.

They left the dog and headed for the lounge. He took her hand and squeezed it. “You okay to leave?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Let’s go.” He pulled her toward the door.

“Go? Go where?”

“To the PI’s office. We’ve got thirty minutes.”

She shouldn’t go with him. She should just go home. But how could she with him so happy and her headache gone? She couldn’t spoil that. Besides, it was only the private investigator, not a date. Plus, being knee-deep in the whole situation, she’d like to see it through to the end. “I need my bag.”

He released her long enough for her to fetch her backpack out of her locker.

She climbed into the truck and emptiness settled over her. No Barnaby wagging his tail. No Barnaby resting his head on her lap. Was this what Rob would experience at home?

Rob climbed inside, his presence practically charging the air. Her body tingled. She needed to focus on something else. Anything else.

“Is that what you do all day? Feed the animals? Clean their cages?”

Good, he wasn’t talking about their kiss. Work she could discuss. She shrugged. “I take them for walks and bathe them, too. I don’t have the credentials to do much more.”

“Are you happy? Working there?”

“I don’t know. Does it matter? It’s a job.”

“So was nursing, wasn’t it? Why’d you really quit?”

“Well, I had this accident….” She didn’t mean to sound snarky; it just came out that way.

“But you seem capable. Is there some reason you can’t be a nurse?”

Okay, maybe talking about work was a bad idea. And mentioning the headaches would be bad. He’d already freaked out after her declaration of the ones Charlie brought on.

“Before, you said you quit because you thought you were going crazy. You know better now.”

“That was part of it.”

“What’s the other part?”

“No one wants a cranky-assed nurse, okay? I’m not the same person I was before. I just don’t have the patience for it anymore.”

He snorted. “Cranky-assed, huh? Okay, so what about veterinary medicine? You think you might go that route?”

“I don’t know. What does it matter what I do anyway?”

“Everything you do matters to me.”

Oh crap. Did he still think they were dating? Well, she hadn’t told him otherwise. Good Lord, what had she gotten herself into? And why was it so hard to tell him no? He held her heart and wasn’t letting go, that’s why.

The truck jostled onto a driveway and came to a stop. They’d arrived at a one-story house that had been converted over to a business. Most of the homes on the main drag had done the same after the street enlarged to four lanes. The sign on the building indicated the home of Parker Investigations. Bridget slid out and met Rob at the front of the truck. He took her hand and squeezed, as if she’d bolt or something.

He let himself in and pulled her along. She loved holding his hand, but might have let go if not for the fact her body continued to ignore her mind. Not that her mind was putting up much of a fight.

The reception area was deserted. A bell sat on the counter among a pile of file folders and mail. Rob pinged it.

“Be right there!” a man called from down the hall.

Bridget’s nerves got the better of her and she squirmed in her skin. She shouldn’t fear this guy, because Rob would never give away her secret. At least, she was pretty sure he wouldn’t.

A tall, sandy-haired man came through the back door. Wearing jeans and a faded T-shirt, which proclaimed he ran the 5K marathon, he smiled at his two visitors. Bridget couldn’t make out the date on the shirt, but if this guy ran the race, it had to be many beers ago. His investigative skills must not require any muscles.

“Mr. Parker? I’m Rob Gentry. This is my friend, Bridget Quigley.”

Mr. Parker, who stood a good two inches taller than Rob, held out his hand and Rob took it. “Ahh, yes. Call me Dean. You might not believe this, but I was getting ready to call you when you called. I’m glad you could make it tonight. I didn’t want to come in tomorrow.” He offered his hand to Bridget and Rob had to release her so she could take it. “Come on in the back. We can talk there.”

No sooner had she released Dean’s hand, when Rob’s took its place. They followed the burly man down the hall into his office, or what used to be a bedroom. The old closet had been converted into a little alcove and contained two file cabinets with more file folders stacked on top. They all settled into chairs, Rob and Bridget in front of an old beat-up desk covered with various papers and files, which Dean slid behind.

The man had a serious filing problem.

“I think your Mr. Anders knows he’s being investigated.”

Damn. If Carl knew about the investigation, how would they ever catch the guy in the act?

“What makes you say that?” Rob asked.

“Oh, the way he’s always looking behind him. The way he drives, as if he’s trying to lose a tail.”

“You didn’t manage to follow him to Sycamore Lane today, did you?”

“I’m afraid not. Like I said, he drives like he’s being followed and my man lost him.”

Rob fell back into his chair. “Dammit. I was hoping we had him.”

“Why? Did something happen today?”

Bridget squeezed Rob’s hand. “Rob thinks Carl might have poisoned his dog.”

“Oh? Did you call the cops? They might be able to help.”

“I did earlier,” Rob said. “They’re checking it out. Having him spotted in the area would have been a big help.”

“I’m sorry. I did look into the businesses you deal with and couldn’t find him involved with any of those. Not illegally, anyway. It’s possible he’s working under the table, but that would require major undercover-type work, and I just don’t have that kind of manpower. But if you want to go to that kind of expense, I can recommend someone.”

Bridget had hoped for better news. “Are you saying he’s not embezzling money from Rob’s company?”

“No, just that I couldn’t find any sign of it. You’ve had the books audited, right?”

Rob nodded.

“How about your supplies? Is it possible you’re getting substandard parts at premium rates? Could be one way he’s skimming you. Some of those businesses you mentioned haven’t had a very good record with the Better Business Bureau. You might want to check out some of your projects and make sure you’re getting what you paid for.”

Rob leaned his head back. “Man. I was hoping you had better news.”