Hell Is Burning (60 page)

“Wedding eve jitters,” Greyson stated. “I didn't sleep the night before we were married.”

“Me either,” stated Emma.

“While he was awake, he worked on the searches, and has more suspects for us.”

That piqued Emma’s interest. “While Tessa is showering, why don’t you tell me what he found?”

Greyson picked up his phone and tossed it to Curtis. Since Brynn’s death had been closed, he was back on the team. “Share it, son.”

Curtis scanned the information as they drank their coffee, and finally he gave them a report. “It seems that all of the women had the same hit on their credit cards. The bakery next door seemed to keep popping up.”

“Yeah, James Bleu said they got coffee and baked goods there,” Greyson admitted.

“Well, Paris ran the owner and staff, and he got a hit.”

Emma sipped her coffee. “What did he find?”

“Wade Grosse is the owner. There was an article in the local paper not that long ago. He wanted to expand his bakery into the next space, but the gym bought it up first. He was really pissed. He said that the county commissioners screwed him over by not considering his bid first, since he had the existing business.”

“So, you’re thinking he’s trying to get even by killing women who work out there?” Steele said.

“What’s a better way to take down a business than make them look like a serial killer is hunting in their midst? If the gym closes down, they can buy up the space,” Greyson stated.

“It looks like we need to interview Wade Grosse,” stated Emma.

“There’s more,” Curtis stated. “Paris also found something interesting.”

“What?”

“One of the employees of the bakery also showed up on the gym’s membership list. Lester Pappel takes yoga classes there.”

Greyson thought about it. “Well, the gym is right near where he works. It might simply be that.”

“He has an arrest record and two PFA’s against women.”

Well, that bumped him to the top of the list.

“We’ll need to speak to him too,” Emma stated.

“How about the DNA run?” Greyson asked. “Has Max found a match to the semen found on our victim?”

Curtis shook his head. “No report yet.”

“I’ll light a fire under him.”

Granted, they all knew why the man was backed up. They’d dumped a lot of trace in his lap, and he still had other priority cases.

“I’ll head in to help him,” Steele stated. “After this morning’s wedding, I’ll go in and start processing some trace too.”

Emma appreciated it. She knew the ME didn't have to do that, but he was willing to take one for the team.

“I’ll go with you,” Dante stated. “I don’t have anything to do today. All’s quiet at the Croft Bank and Trust.”

Greyson lifted an eyebrow.

“I’m funny, I know.”

Before he could reply, the gate bell rang, and they could hear Chris Ford’s voice over the intercom.

Emma stopped her husband when he stood. “I’ll go. We need to talk.”

He watched her leave the room as the chef began bringing in breakfast.

“Will she be okay?” Curtis asked.

“Yeah, she’ll be fine. Emma is really tough.”

And she’d proved it.

As Chris approached the house, he felt like heading back home. What did you say to a woman who obviously loved you, and you reciprocated by nearly getting her killed?

It was awkward.

Ford was pretty sure he was going to screw this up.

In his hand, he held a bunch of flowers. He was hoping that would speak volumes, since he wasn’t a bouquet kind of man.

As he went to knock, the door was opened. There stood Emma, and she looked like hell. There was a knot on her forehead, her lips were split, and she had what appeared to be the beginning of a black eye.

Crap!

He’d caused this.

“Emma.”

“Morning, Chris. Come on in.”

He didn't move.

“What’s wrong?”

“These are for you.”

She took the flowers and sniffed them. “You’re the only one who gave me flowers. You just scored some points,” she teased, holding out her hand to him.

He didn't know what to do. This was all foreign to him. A part of him wanted to accept it, and a part wanted to run for his life. It was easier being alone.

This was hard.

When he still didn't move, she placed the flowers on the table by the door before moving outside were he stood frozen in place. She took his hand and led him to a spot on the stairs.

“We need to talk.”

He let her lead.

“Chris, I’m sorry that I upset you. It never occurred to me that giving you a gift would freak you out. I assumed we were friends, and that you’d see it that way.”

“We are friends, Emma. I care a lot about you. I just feel bad about nearly getting you killed.”

“That’s on Trudy Booker, not you. She was playing a sick game, and we all got caught up in it. She was sleeping with the new commissioner.”

Yeah, he knew. The man had come clean after Dimitri Gideon put a bullet in her head.

“Are you going to let her destroy what we have?” Emma asked.

He didn't speak.

“I’ll be brutally honest, Chris. I love you.”

He stared openmouthed.

Emma laughed. “Not like I love Greyson. You can breathe. You’re getting red.”

He tugged at his collar.

“You fill an important role in my life, Chris. Greyson’s the love of my life, Curtis and Dante are like children, and you’re like my brother. When I lost mine, there was a hole in my heart. For some reason, you filled it.”

He was touched.

Greyson was very astute.

He’d been right.

“So, my first instinct is to do what I can’t do with my real brother. Gage has been gone for so long, and I finally have that feeling back with you. Giving you that gift was to take care of someone I care a great deal about. I wasn’t able to protect Gage. I just wanted to keep you safe.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you. My ex-wife had money, and she always made me feel like I was less than her because of it. When you gave me a condo, I was freaked out. I didn't want to lose what we have. I love you too, Emma.”

She sniffled. “I really want you to have it, but if you can’t, I’ll accept that. Since we own that building, Greyson will break all the leases and clear it out. Then we’ll rehab it and you won’t pay any rent. Then you can save up for your own condo if that’s what you want.”

He laughed. “You’re relentless.”

“I am.”

“I’m going to accept your gift, Emma. I’m not ashamed of you and Greyson. You’re my friends and family. I’ll take the condo, and trust that you won’t use it to hurt me.”

She smiled over at him. “I don’t hurt the people I love--not intentionally.”

“I believe that too.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and her hand on his leg. “Thank you for having our backs, Chris.”

He took her hand in his. “It’s my pleasure, but you’re still not getting preferential treatment in the workplace. You let one detective slide, they all follow.”

Emma laughed before standing. “We should grab breakfast. Today is about Tessa and Paris. Then we have to get back to work. New leads came in, and I have a job to do or my boss will flip out.”

“You should be taking a day off. Why don’t you play queen of the castle and take a break?”

She grinned. “Hell no! I’ve worked a week on this. It’s going to be closed, and soon. I can tell.”

Emma held out her hand, waiting for him to trust her with that too.

Chris took it, but before he knew what was happening, Emma was up on her toes and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

His free hand went there.

“Let’s go celebrate family.”

He grinned. “That’s a damn good idea.”

       
         
* * *
  Croft & Croft  * * *

Tessa was a nervous wreck.

She was dressed and pacing the room. The entire time Emma was helping her, she wanted to puke. Not because she was afraid to get married, it was all because her nerves were tied in knots.

Paris was there, and all she wanted was to be his wife.

When Emma came in with the veil, and a beautiful bouquet of roses, she stopped pacing.

“Is it time?”

Emma laughed. “Just about.”

She took deep breaths.

“You’ll be okay. I just saw Paris, and if you think you’re a wreck, you should see him.”

“Is he okay?” she asked, concerned for him.

Emma hugged her. “Yes, he’s good. It’s the vows, isn't it?”

She nodded. “I’m beginning to think the standard ones were probably a better idea. I’m scared I’ll screw them up.”

“You won’t. I’ll tell you a secret.”

Tessa was all ears.

“The second you get up there, you’re going to go into the zone. It’s like an interrogation. Everyone is nervous the first few seconds, but then you find your groove. Just don’t call him your old boyfriend’s name.”

“I’ve never had steady relationship before him. Paris is the first and last.”

Emma loved weddings. This was why.

These two were meant to be together.

“Okay, here are your flowers,” she said. “I also have something for you.”

Tessa watched her cross her room to the jewelry box. Emma pulled something out and returned to her side.

“Greyson gave me this on our wedding day. I would love if you wore it.”

She placed a sparkly bracelet around Tessa’s wrist.

“I didn't have family with me the day I married him, but you do. You have us, Tessa, so stop being nervous.”

When it was clasped, she stared down at it, trying not to cry. “Thank you, Emma. This means a lot to me.”

She hugged her. “You’re going to be very happy with Paris. I can tell.”

Tessa didn't disagree. This was the best day of her life, and she knew it. This was what she was born for all those years ago. It was why she survived being discarded by her mother.

The day she was created, it was for Paris Archer.

When the music started playing out in the garden, Emma knew that was her cue. Paris had a surprise for his bride, and she needed to get Tessa away from the balcony.

“Shall we?” she asked, holding out her hand.

“I hope I don’t blubber all over this dress!”

Emma knew what was coming. It was going to be a cry fest. “Don’t worry about it. You won’t be the only one weeping.”

That, she knew for sure.

As he sat in the garden, Paris Archer was a hot mess. He was scared shitless he was going to fail--not at being a husband--no.

He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to stand there the entire ceremony. If he fell, that wasn’t a good way to start off his marriage. When he saw Greyson approaching, he needed a pep talk.

“Tell me I can do this.”

“You can do this.”

Paris stared at him. “Really? That’s all you got? You run a building full of people who get shot at and that’s all you can muster?”

Croft began laughing. “I’m going to be right there beside you. I’ll keep you steady, and if your legs give out, I’ll catch you. Just the fact you’ve come this far, Paris, that’s amazing.”

“I need to give this to Tessa. She needs this.”

He crouched down beside the man. “She loves you regardless of you standing up on your wedding day.”

Paris knew he was right. “I need this.”

Greyson patted the man on the leg. “I know you’ll make it. When we practiced, you stood for fifteen minutes straight. You got wobbly, but there’s a cane right here to lean on. You’re getting stronger every day, my friend. It’s only been months. In a year, it’ll be easier. I have faith in you.”

He heard people approaching, and when he looked over, he saw his parents.

“How?” he didn't understand.

“Did you think I would let you get married without them here?” he asked. “Really? Where’s your faith in your best man?”

He wiped his eyes. “Thank you.”

Greyson gave the man a few minutes to greet his parents. Instead of sticking close, he called the front desk of Sky Villa. “Is everything ready?” he asked.

“Yes, Mr. Croft. It’s all handled. Your people left about ten minutes ago. We’re going to miss having you here,” William stated.