Hidden in the Shadows (33 page)

“I don’t want even the shadow of a hint of impropriety on you during this investigation,” she explained.

“Maria, they know about us. That we’re dating was one of the first things I told Russell.”

“I know. But him having that knowledge and us flaunting are two different things. This investigation will be over soon enough, and then I’ll be more than happy to go home with you.”

He eventually ceded to her wishes. Unable to see each other, they spent hours talking on the phone every night, long conversations that jumped from topic to topic. They learned more about each other that way than they would have if they’d gone on twenty physical dates. The conversations had only strengthened her longing for Wyatt, and from the things he’d said to her, she knew he felt the same.

Finally, the investigation was finished. As Maria dressed, she was giddy with excitement. Today was Jason and Hannah’s wedding day, and after the ceremony, once Wyatt’s duties as a groomsman were complete, he was all hers.

Standing back from the mirror, she studied her reflection carefully. Remembering the evening just a few short weeks ago when she’d been preparing for her date with Damon, she laughed at the difference in the way she felt and looked.

Instead of the severe outfit she’d worn for Damon, she’d donned an understated, but form-fitting silk dress that shimmered with muted reds and purples. She’d piled her hair up on top of her head, leaving a few tendrils loose to curl softly around her face. Looking at the effect, she nodded her approval. She’d almost driven Stacy, who hated shopping, nuts searching for the dress, but the finished package was worth the time and effort.

As she went downstairs and passed the spot where Whitaker had died, her mood faltered a bit. All of her friends and family had questioned her decision to move back into the condo, but Maria stood firm.

“If I don’t take it back from him, he wins.”

To her surprise, Ethan and Gordon had taken it upon themselves to handle the cleanup. Since Whitaker had been shot in the chest, there hadn’t been a lot of tissue or blood spatter to deal with, though the carpet had been ruined. Within a day after the scene had been released, the mess was gone, and the condo was livable once again.

More information came out once Whitaker’s residence had been searched.

“We know from what he told you that when he was growing up, he was bullied pretty badly,” Wyatt told her one night during a long conversation. “He had a hit list of people whom he swore vengeance on all those years ago, and he kept to it. We found it at his house.”

Maria was appalled. “I have to feel a little sorry for him because of the bullying, but that’s no reason to do what he did. Why did he wait so long to get revenge?”

“From what we can tell, he was perfecting his craft. We found records that showed he’d been embezzling from some of the businesses whose books he managed, both here and in Florida. That’s where he’d been living the past several years.”

The notion was staggering. “All that grief and pain, the results of seeds sown so long ago.”

“Thank God society is starting to catch on and finally understand just how destructive bullying can be.”

Waiting in the hall for Stacy, Maria found her gaze returning to the bare spot where the carpet had been removed. That Doug Whitaker had never found the strength and truth within himself that would have set him free was something she found tremendously sad. The doorbell rang before her mood could turn too contemplative, and she hurried to answer it. The sight that met her eyes as she opened the door had her grinning with admiration.

“Dang, girl. Gordon won’t know what hit him.”

Stacy, looking very much like a young Audrey Hepburn, tapped her foot on the sidewalk. “I’m not dressed up for him,” she said as Maria locked the door. “Is it too much?”

“No, it’s perfect. You’re gorgeous.” Stacy wore a green wool dress that showed off her tiny waist. Maria had to bite her tongue to keep from pointing out how closely the color came to matching Gordon’s eyes. “You should wear dresses more often. Or color, for that matter.” Most of the clothes the detective owned were muted and neutral, even her non-work garments.

“Uh-huh. I can just see me taking down a suspect in three-inch heels and this skirt. Come on. Let’s get to the church so we can get the good seats.”

Maria laughed. With any luck, she wouldn’t be coming back to her condo tonight. Excited and scared, she could hardly wait.

~ * * * ~

All day, as he’d helped with wedding preparations, Wyatt found himself smiling at the oddest moments.

“I didn’t realize you were that happy to see Jason get married,” Ethan said when they had a moment alone together in the church’s back room.

Shrugging into his tuxedo jacket, he just sent the detective an indulgent look.

“So you got the all clear from the state?” Ethan asked as he straightened his own jacket.

He gave a quick nod. “This morning. I told Jason as soon as I heard, and I’ll make an announcement to the rest of the department Monday. I’m glad he’s dealing well enough with the shooting that it hasn’t interrupted his wedding. I was worried about that.”

“Yeah, we all were. He had a few rough days, but he realizes he didn’t have a choice. I think having someone to talk to about it helps.” Ethan helped him fix his bowtie. “What about Marsha and Julie?”

“Rhonda’s not going to compel Dr. Jenkins to release her records. There’s no physical evidence, and at this point, it would basically be my word against Marsha’s. No good would come of pursuing it.”

The detective stood back, looked at the tie critically, and made a small adjustment. “That has to be a weight off your shoulders.”

“Son, that’s probably one of the biggest understatements I’ve heard all year.” Looking around to make sure no one was headed in their direction, he reached into his pocket. “You shared a secret with me a few weeks ago. Let me share one now?”

Ethan’s excitement was palpable. “Please do.”

Wyatt handed him a small box, and watched nervously as Ethan opened it. For a minute, the detective didn’t speak, but just stared at the ring inside.

“The ring is beautiful, but isn’t this a little sudden?”

“I don’t think so. I hope not, anyhow. We’ve known each other for years, and in the past few weeks, we’ve spent more time getting to know each other than most couples probably do in two years. Even though we haven’t been able to see each other since the shooting, we’ve spent two, three, sometimes four hours on the phone every night. I guess we’ll see if it’s too soon when I get Maria’s response.”

Ethan smiled. “Point taken. And for what it’s worth, I’m excited for you. When are you going to ask her?”

Wyatt exhaled shakily. “At the reception. I’ve had Sonny section off a little part of the deck. Think she’ll say yes?”

“I think so. Mind if I tell Beth?”

The box safely tucked into his pocket once again, Wyatt smiled. “Go ahead, but just Beth. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself.” They started down the hall to the back of the church, where the rest of the men had gone to try to calm Jason down. “How is Beth?”

Ethan moved his shoulders in a restless shrug. “Over the moon and heartbroken at the same time. We’re still not on speaking terms with Mom and James. He did call us, explained about her medical condition, and we talked to Richard about it. From what he says, with levels as bad as Mom’s apparently were, she’s lucky she didn’t die. It looks like the whole attitude shift can be laid at the feet of the thyroid condition, but I find that a little hard to believe.”

“I’m sorry, Ethan. I know it’s hard going right now. Hopefully Richard’s right, though. I imagine rebuilding the trust is going to be a long process.”

“Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of. But if the Hudsons can forgive me for the role I played in Beth’s shooting, surely I can forgive my mother for the things she said. It’s not any different, right? Alcohol abuse or hormonal imbalance, neither of us was in our right mind, so to speak.”

Wyatt gave him a quick, one-armed hug. “It will all work out in time. For now, just try to enjoy your secret, and let your parents take care of themselves. Make sure they know you’re willing to try to rebuild the relationship, and go from there. It’s all you can do, and if you try to push it, you’ll drive yourself crazy. Trust me, I know these things.”

Ethan shot him a half-smile. “Yeah, I guess you do.”

Chapter Fifty One

A couple of hours later, Hannah and Jason were married, and the wedding party had moved to the Lighthouse for the reception. Taking advantage of the long receiving line, Wyatt whisked Maria through a second door into the banquet room. From there, he led her out onto the restaurant’s deck. Though cold, the night was clear, a full moon providing plenty of light. The staff had set up heaters at intervals along the balcony, and the air was almost pleasant until the breeze picked up.

“Where are we going?” Maria asked.

“You’ll see.” In a few seconds, they’d reached a screened-off section of the deck. Moving the louvered screen aside, he ushered her inside a little nook tucked away on an isolated corner of the deck. Once the screen was back in place, he turned and pulled her into his arms.

“Finally! If I had to wait one more moment to feel you in my arms, I think I would have exploded.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled. “I know. I feel the same way.” She looked around the small area, taking in the small heater, the candles, and the table. “Did you have this set up?”

He grinned. “Maybe.” Bending his head, he kissed her. Several minutes later when he finally raised his head, their smiles were gone, burned away by the heat of the kiss.

“I wish we could stay here all night,” she said, resting her cheek against his shoulder.

Clearing his throat, he nuzzled her neck. “I was rather hoping you might be interested in going home with me tonight.”

“Really? Well, I guess I could let you twist my arm.” She sighed as he claimed her lips again. After a few minutes, she pulled back to ask, “When can we leave?”

Laughing, he picked her up and twirled her, causing her to grip his shoulders tightly. When he set her back down, he sobered. “I need to ask you something.” Drawing back, he pulled the box out of his pocket and carefully folded her hands around it.

Maria stared at him, stunned. Her voice was a bare whisper. “Wyatt?”

He nodded at the box. “This was my mother’s, and her mother’s before her. Mom gave it to me before she died. Julie never wore it; I never offered it to her,” he hurried to assure her.

With trembling hands, she opened the box. Inside, on white satin, was an exquisite antique ring. Gold was woven with a delicate touch around a ruby, with small diamonds on the band. The gems sparkled in the moonlight.

“I know this may seem sudden, but I feel more for you than I’ve felt for anyone in my entire life,” he said. “When we’re together, I feel alive and at peace at the same time. I don’t know how to explain it. Something inside me resonates when I’m with you.” He had to stop and clear his throat. “We talked about marriage on the phone, about what we wanted from life, and I think we both want the same things. I know that I want to spend the rest of my days with you. And if you want the same, I’d love to try to have children. I can’t guarantee anything—we may never have that opportunity—but I’m willing to try.”

As Wyatt knelt in front of her, she stifled a sob. For a long, long moment, he looked up at her and then, with a trembling sigh, he asked, “Maria Pace, will you please consent to be my wife?”

Laughing, tears falling, she eased down to her knees in front of him, the ring box clasped tightly in her hand. She nodded, wiping tears away as she held out the box to him.

His hands were shaking almost as much as hers, but Wyatt managed to take the ring out of its nest and slip it onto her finger. Maria’s face showed her surprise. “I had Stacy get your ring size for me, and had it sized to fit.”

Maria pulled him in for a kiss. “I love it. I love
you
. Oh, Wyatt.”

They held each other, pressing soft kisses and whispering promises, until finally he groaned. “My knees are too old for this, and it’s way too cold out here.” Standing, he drew her up with him. “All the pictures have been taken, all my duties as groomsman are finished, and I would very much like to take you home now. If you’re agreeable.”

Her response was eager. “Please?”

With one last kiss, he moved the screen aside and led her back to the door to the banquet room. He stopped before they went inside and turned her to face him, drawing her close. “I never thought I’d be this happy, love like this. Especially after the last few years. Thank you.”

“I never thought I’d feel this way, be this loved, either,” she told him, touching his face with her fingertips. “How’d we get so lucky?”