Love's Protector: A Maverick's Shield Novel (8 page)

“So…”

“So…I find that awfully strange considering the fact that in the report Mrs. Pruitt said she didn’t even
see
her face.”

“Maybe he just got mixed up; it has been twenty-seven years Jason.”

“True, but that’s also what he told Chandra yesterday. Besides, cops are trained to retain certain information no matter how old it is because they never know when they’ll need it. It seems to me that
that
particular information wouldn’t have been forgotten.”

“I agree, especially since police reports can be easily obtained by anyone depending on who’s behind the desk.”

“Can we also agree that between the obvious attitude Daniel Riley was giving us and the threats you’ve received that there’s a very strong possibility that your mother didn’t die of a congenital heart defect?”

“We can.” She knew in her heart that her father’s suspicions were warranted. This just confirmed it. The phone calls and the visit to Riley’s house made her go from being terrified and frustrated to being full of
fretfulness. Now that the pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, at least in theory, she once again began to question whether she was prepared to know the answers she was seeking. She more than likely would never be. It was just a bridge she’d have to cross when she got there.

“Don’t you think we should talk about what happened?” Jason asked as he and Amour shared a large plate of chicken nachos. Neither of the two had eaten all day so they decided to stop at Mandie’s for dinner.

She scooped up a chip as cheese stretched off the plate. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about what happened between us yesterday.”

She chewed a few times and then swallowed. “Oh, that.”

“Yes
that
.” He frowned. “I don’t think we should pretend it didn’t happen.”

“I never said that we should. Where are you going with this Jason?”

“I’m not looking to date anyone and I’m not looking for a relationship.”

“Whoa!” She threw her hands up. “Did I say that?”

“No, I just wanted to make that perfectly clear to you just in case that kiss meant more to you than it did to me.”

She laughed. “Are you serious with this? What makes you think that I felt that way to begin with? Even if I did, you sure know how to make a woman feel like shit for doing so! As I recall,
you’re
the one that said I was beautiful and
you’re
the one that kissed
me
!”

“Well, you are beautiful Amour, and you look damn good in a bikini. When I saw you in it, it turned me on so I acted accordingly and since I can’t control what my dick does, I wasn’t sure if you took my erection as something more than it was. It’s nothing personal sweetheart, I tell all women I’m involved with this ahead of time.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Who the hell said that we’re involved?”

“I meant that in general, I know we’re not involved in
that
sense but like I said, if you were thinking about us being that way, it’s not gonna happen because I don’t do relationships.”

She pointed her index finger at him.  “Let’s get one thing straight, not once did any kind of relationship outside of the professional one that we are currently having cross my mind. Yes, we had a moment but that was just it…a moment! I’m not looking for any kind of personal relationship with you either so don’t flatter yourself and furthermore, that kiss was not all that! Now take me home, I’m tired.” She quickly rose from the booth they were sitting in and pulled a wad of bills out of her purse. “Here’s the money for my portion of the food. I wouldn’t want you assuming I have it in my head that we’re engaged or something just because you bought me
nachos!”  She slammed the money on the table and stormed out of the restaurant into the parking lot.

The entire drive home was quiet and awkward. Jason felt like crap for what he’d said to her. She was pissed, and he could tell from the rapid pace of her breathing and the fact that she wouldn’t even look at him. Once they’d gotten to her suite, she’d gone straight to her room without a word and slammed the door. He knew it was cruel to say those things but he had to do so because he couldn’t allow their relationship to become personal. The kiss they shared evoked feelings in him that he’d never felt before and he was quickly beginning to discover that it was more to his mind and body’s reaction to her than simple hormones.

Something about Amour was different. He wasn’t sure what it was exactly but he definitely felt it. Although she’d told him in the restaurant that she didn’t share his feelings, he knew she wasn’t being entirely honest with him. He could tell by her reaction yesterday when he’d suggested that they spend the night together. He had seen how flushed she became and the arousal in her eyes when she’d glanced over his body. The way she’d cuddled with him in bed last night also sent the same message. He had to keep a sexual distance between them because getting involved with her would not be good for either of them. She lived halfway across the country with an ill father to take care of… and him? Well, he
was
Martin Kincaid’s son after all…with Martin Kincaid’s blood flowing through his veins as well as his tendencies. Being in a committed relationship with this woman or any woman just wasn’t in the cards for him. Not now, not ever.

* * *

Amour remained quiet during breakfast the next morning; she was still upset.  Jason had ordered pancakes, eggs and bacon as a peace offering, but she wasn’t the least bit impressed.

“How your food?” he asked.

“It’s fine.”

He inhaled deeply and then slowly let it out. “Look I’m sorry Amour. Are you going to be mad at me from now on?”

She gave him an unrelenting look. “Maybe.”

“Amour, I meant what I said about relationships but I had no right to assume that you wanted one or
me
for that matter. I’m usually not like this…well I am, but I’m not a
blatant
asshole. I apologize for the way I spoke to you but not for what I said. I shouldn’t have been so harsh.”

She looked at him as if he was less than an imbecile. “Well I meant what I said as well. I don’t want nor need anything from you except your
help with this case. Once this is over and done with, I’ll pay you and then I’m leaving. So you can rest easy knowing that I’m not out to trap you into some kind of relationship. Got it?”

He threw up the okay sign with his fingers.
“Got it!”

She definitely needed to change
this
subject because she was about five seconds away from throwing him out on his ass and that would get her exactly
nowhere
. “I think we should be figuring out what our next move should be.” She sipped her orange juice. “I take it we’re going to pay Mrs. Pruitt a visit today?”

“Yes, looking forward to it actually.”

“Well, I hope we get something of substance out of her. If she’s as senile as Daniel Riley says she is then it’s doubtful but definitely worth a shot.”

“Do you wear that bracelet to bed?” he asked looking down at her wrist.

That
question came out of nowhere. “Yeah, I never take it off.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Well, it was my mother’s so it kind of makes me feel close to her even though I didn’t get a chance to be, you know?”

He nodded in agreement. “Then it’s good that you have it.”

She parted her lips to respond but her phone rang on the table next to her before she was able to. She looked at the caller ID, and then back up at him. “Blocked number. That’s what
he
always calls from.”

“Answer it.”

She took in several breaths before pushing the answer button. “Hello?”

“Pumpkin?”
  the low voice spoke.

A sigh of relief washed over her.
“Hey dad.” She could see Jason relax as well out the corner of her eye.

“Hey baby! Are you okay out there?” His voice seemed stronger today.

“Yes daddy, I’m fine. Why is your number blocked?”

“My cell is dead so I’m using the phone in my room, these are blocked. Only the one at the main desk isn’t.”

“Oh…how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine baby.” He fell silent for a few seconds, and then spoke again. “I would be a lot better if you would forget about all that craziness out there and come back home.”

“I can’t do that daddy; I have to know and you should want to as well.”

“You’re just as stubborn as your mother you know that?”

Hearing her father saying the very words the man who threatened her life had spoken, made her instantly feel cold. “I’m ok dad. I have someone here helping me.”

His voice became slightly louder.
“Who?”

She knew her father would be worried, but she didn’t want to lie to him. “His name is
Jason, I met him a few days ago.”

“A few days ago?
Amour, who is this guy? Are you sure you can trust him?”

“Yes daddy! He’s a bodyguard, believe me I’m protected.” She gave Jason a wink and he smiled back at her.

“Why on earth do you need a bodyguard? What is it that you’re not telling me Amour?”

She’d understood how he would jump to that conclusion, so she tried her best to reassure him.
“Nothing dad. I’m fine, I’m just being cautious that’s all. Jason is taking very good care of me. Try not to worry okay.”

“Alright sweetheart.
I know you’re a smart girl, but you’re also my
only
girl and I just want you to be safe. If you say this Jason guy is alright then I’ll have to trust that. I’m not entirely comfortable with any of this, but I won’t try to stop you anymore.”

“Thanks dad. I’ll be careful.”

“Please be. You’re going to keep your promise and come home if things get too rough out there aren’t you?”

“Yes dad, I will.”

“Good!”

“Daddy, are you sure mom didn’t have any friends or people that she talked to regularly?”

“Not that I knew of but then again, I was at work most of the day so she could have. You could get her things out of storage and see if that will help you.”

“What things?”

“All the things she had in the house. I didn’t want to take any of that stuff with me nor did I want to throw it away so I left it in a storage unit out there.”

“What’s in it?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t look through any of it. It was too difficult for me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this before I left?”

“I didn’t think it was important. It’s just all of her old belongings she had in the house and I also didn’t think that you would actually go through with this.”

“Do you still have the key?”

“Yes.” He took a small breath. “But I haven’t paid the bill in over a month.”

“Daddy!
They’re going to auction off all of her things.”

“I know baby. I wanted them to.”

“Why?”

“Because those things were the past Amour!
My memories are all I need of Carly.”

She wasn’t going to get into this argument with her father again so she receded.  “Where’s the storage facility?”

“Amour, don’t do this!”

“Daddy, please! You just said you wouldn’t fight me on this.”

“Alright.” He took another breath. “It’s at a Public Storage on Pico Boulevard in West L.A.”

“Thank you.”

“Amour.”

“Yes daddy.”

“Whatever happens, I just want you to know that I love you with all my heart and you will always be my baby girl; nothing will ever change that.”

“I know, I love you too and I always will.”

“I hope so,” he said quietly, and then he was gone.

She wasn’t sure where those last words from her father came from, but they made her worry about him. His health wasn’t the best and now she was not only fourteen hundred miles away from him, she had him stressing over this. He’ll be ok…he has to be or she wouldn’t be able to live with herself. Be that as it may and as much as she loved her father, she had to keep going. “Let’s go.”

“Is everything okay?” Jason said as he cleared the dishes off the table.

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” Her mouth spoke the words and it probably believed them. Her mind on the other hand, would definitely need a lot more convincing.

Jason glanced at Amour across the truck as she stared out the window. “Did your father upset you?”

“No, he’s just worried that’s all.”

“Well, you are his only child. I know I would be freaking out by now.”

“He is.”

“What did he say?”

“The usual, I want you to come home now, you’re just as stubborn as your mother…”

“He was hard on you growing up wasn’t he?”

“Not really.” She looked up at him. “He was about normal.”

“Lucky you.”

“Why do you say that? Was your dad strict?”

“That’s an understatement,” he said faintly.

“What do you mean?”

He did
not
want to talk about this at all. “Nothing.” He’d hoped she wouldn’t ask him anything else about it. He was relieved when five minutes had gone by and she hadn’t. As he stopped at a red light, a thought suddenly occurred to him. “What did you say your father said to you on the phone?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You mentioned that he said something about you being like your mother.”

“Oh, he said I was stubborn just like her.”

“That’s what the person that called you said the other night isn’t it?” he said accusatively.

“Yeah…so?”

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think that’s kind of strange?”

“What are you saying Jason? You don’t think…”

“It’s quite a big coincidence Amour.”

“Stop it!”

“Look, I’m just saying! That could’ve been his way of getting you to come home. He hasn’t exactly hid his disapproval of you doing this.”

“No Jason! I know my father, he’s a lot of things, but cruel isn’t one of them. He would never deliberately scare the shit out me just to get me to do something.”

“Amour please
think about this. He has so much to lose if anything happens to…”

“He didn’t do this!” she interrupted. “Can you just trust that I know my father better than you do?”

“Ok, I’m sorry. Let’s just go talk to Mrs. Pruitt, we’re here now.”

Abigail Pruitt’s quaint Mar Vista home was the quintessential “little old lady” house right down to the lace curtains and the plastic on the furniture. She sat in a large white rocking chair in the living room across from Jason and Amour who were sitting on one of the two large floral sofas. The smell of potpourri in the air reminded Jason of his mother. She also loved the smell of it so she’d kept it all over the house. It was a surreal reminder, but also a troubling one.

“Abigail, this is Amour Graciette and Jason Kincaid. They’re here to see you,” her nurse said as she cleared the empty dishes from in front of the old lady and flicked off the television.

“Thank you Millie,” Mrs. Pruitt said softly as the woman went into the kitchen.

The elderly woman’s slow drawl reminded Jason of the week he’d spent in North Carolina on a case a few years back where he’d guessed she was a native to. “Hello Mrs. Pruitt,” he said with a smile.

“Please, call me Abigail.” Her aging skin wrinkled around her green eyes as she looked up at Jason and smiled. “You remind me of my late husband.”

“Do I?” Jason replied.

“He was quite the looker just like you.” She turned to Amour. “Is this your husband dear?”

Amour awkwardly looked at Jason and then turned back to Abigail. “No, he’s just a friend of mine.”

“Well why not? Every girl should have a nice strong handsome man like him to keep her warm at night.”

Her words instantly brought Jason back the memory of the night he and Amour spent in bed together. He cleared his throat. “We’re just
friends ma’am.”

“What’s the matter sugar, you don’t think she’s gorgeous, because I do.” She gave Jason a quick wink as she continued to talk. “Surely you find her attractive.”

This conversation was beginning to make him very uncomfortable and from what he could tell, so was Amour. He felt a sigh of relief when Millie entered the room with a tray full of drinks. The distraction allowed him to change the subject. “We’d like to talk to you Mrs. Pruitt, about something very important.”

“Please, have some lemon aid, its home made.” She picked up one of the glasses and sipped from it.

Both Amour and Jason gave her a simultaneous “Thank you.”

“Anytime, now what would you like to talk about?”

Amour spoke before Jason could. “We would like to ask you a few questions about my mother Carly Graciette.”

“Carly…I remember her. She was a sweet girl; very young.” She sat her drink down on the table and wiped the corner of her mouth with the napkin she held in her other hand. “That was your mother?”

“Yes she was,” Amour replied.

“Well I’ll be. You were a tiny little thing the last time I saw you. Boy, have you grown up to be quite a woman.” Her eyes squinted as she gently dug her finger in her head full of silver hair and scratched her scalp. “I thought it was something familiar about you. You look just like her.” She turned to look at Jason. “This one here used to love my oatmeal raisin cookies. She ate five or six of them every time I made them. She ate so many one time she got sick. I’d never seen such a young child eat so much. Good thing she was potty trained or else I would’ve had a mess on my hands that day.” Jason chuckled as Amour’s face turned red from embarrassment. “Would you like me to make you some now? It’ll only take a half hour. I already have the batter made up; I’ll just tell Millie to pop them in the oven.”

Jason spoke before Amour could protest. “Sure, we’d love some.”

“Great.” She instructed Millie to bake them and then focused her attention back to them. “So you’re Ted’s little one.”

Amour looked up at her and smiled. “Yes I am.”

“Your father was a wonderful man. He loved your mother very much.”

“How could you tell?”

“Honey, any man who sends a chuffer driven limousine to pick his wife up for a night on the town is a pretty good man in my eyes. He also brought her flowers almost every day.”

“Really?
My
father?”

“Yes, long stem roses. I would always see her with them smiling from ear to ear.”

“Wow!” Amour said in surprise.

“Now, back to those questions,” Jason said in an attempt to rush the conversation along.

Abigail turned to Jason. “Sure sweetheart, what do you want to know?”

Jason swallowed a gulp of his lemon aid. “Do you remember anything at all about the day Carly died?”

“It’s kind of fuzzy. See it was so long ago and my memory is not what it used to be.”

“You said that you saw someone at her house that day.”

“That’s right. I was in my garden pulling up my tomatoes when she first arrived. She had on a long brown coat with a big hat and sunglasses. I remember because I was wondering why she was wearing all of that. The weather was much like it is now.”

“Did you hear anything?” Amour asked.

“Yes. About twenty minutes later, I heard your mother screaming. She was telling her that she wasn’t going anywhere and to get out of her house. The whole thing was weird though.”

“Why is that?” Jason asked.

“Well, it seemed like I could almost recognize the woman’s voice but I just couldn’t place it.”

“You have
no
idea who she could’ve been?”

“No, sorry.”

“Anything else?” he asked.

“Just the woman leaving.
She stormed out in a pit of fury, got in her car a drove off.”

Jason rubbed his knuckles against his chin. “You didn’t see her face?”

“No, I only saw her hair. I’ll never forget it because it was very red.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed as the old lady confirmed what she’d said on the report and not what Daniel Riley had told them the previous day. “Do you remember about what time of day this was?”

“Around two o’clock because my favorite soap was on. I was inside by then washing my tomatoes when I saw her leave the house. I can see Miss Carly’s front porch from my kitchen window. This one visited her quite a bit. I would see her and her fiery red hair parked outside the house at least two or three days a week. Funny thing is she never got out the car until that day.  I couldn’t see her face those other times either because just like that day, she always wore sunglasses and some kind of hat.”

“Was she parked outside earlier that day?”

“No, not that day. This time she pulled up, got out and went straight inside.”

“Are you sure you didn’t hear anything else?” Jason asked.

“Between the two of them, no but I did hear the front screen slam closed again and the big crash though.”

“What crash?” Amour asked.

“When Miss Carly had that heart attack and fell to the floor. Poor thing must’ve tried to get out the door and didn’t make it.”

“Did you hear the crash before or after the woman left?” Jason asked inquisitively.

“It was after, maybe about twenty minutes or so. At first I thought maybe Miss Carly had dropped something so I went on about my business. Next thing I knew the cops where here.”

Jason bit his bottom lip and frowned. “Did you go over there Mrs. Pruitt?”

“No, I stepped outside when help arrived.” She turned to Amour. “Your father was already there. Poor thing, he was so broken up over what happened. A heart attack at her age; who would’ve ever thought that?”

“Who indeed.”
Amour whispered under her breath.

Jason faced Amour when he’d heard what she’d said. This was beginning to get to her. He could tell because she had started to bite her nails. He slowly turned to face Mrs. Pruitt again.

“Do you remember anything else? Anything at all?”

“No, I’m afraid that’s it…other than the police questioning me.”

“Do you remember exactly what you told them?”

“Same thing I just told you. You can ask one of them yourself if you want to, he’s still there.”

“Do you know his name?”

“I sure do, Robert Westfield”

Amour instantly perked up. “As in
Captain
Westfield?”

“Why yes! He was one of the officers that investigated that poor girl’s demise; him and his partner Officer Riley.”

Jason looked into the old lady’s eyes. “Are you sure about this Mrs. Pruitt?”

“Oh yes, I know every officer in there. I’ve known a lot of them since they were in diapers.” She took in a long deep breath. “Smells like your cookies are ready. I’ll have Millie fetch them for you.”

Amour and Jason gave each other the “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” look. This case was starting to get more peculiar by the hour.  Up until today, Jason had thought he’d seen it all. He had no clue what Amour had gotten him into in the beginning of this investigation, but judging by what’s been happening so far, he had the feeling they were both in for the ride of their life.