Random Acts (18 page)

“Okay.” Patrick grabbed his daughter’s hand, drawing her close. Pressing a kiss to his daughter’s head, he said a silent prayer,
Thank you, Lord, for keeping my precious Ava safe tonight.
He held her for a moment longer before she pulled away.

“Dad,” she said, sounding affectionately annoyed, “I’m not a baby.”

Patrick planted one more kiss on the crown of her head. “I know. Can’t I give my Snugglebugs a kiss goodnight?”

Ava giggled. “Night, Dad.” She took a few steps toward the stairs and spun around, her thick ponytail swinging around with the motion. “Don’t be mad at Miss Danielle.” She lowered her gaze then lifted her bright green eyes to meet his. “I had so much fun on the hayride. And you were late,” she reminded him in an accusatory tone. “But I should have come right back. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too. I’m glad you had fun.” He crouched down in front of his daughter and took both her hands. “I want you to be safe, that’s all. My job is to protect you. And sometimes even people you think you know can be bad.”

Ava’s brow furrowed. “I was just playing with Miss Debbie’s baby.”

“I know, sweetheart. But next time, don’t go off without telling someone first.”

“Okay, Dad.” Ava gave her father a quick peck on the cheek. With one hand, she swung around the wood banister and landed on the first stair. “
Tomorrow
can we go over and see Miss Jenny?”

“We’ll give her a call,” he said, noncommittally.

“Make sure you come up soon so we can say our prayers.”

“Give me a few minutes.”

“Okay.” Ava raced up the stairs. Near the top, she grabbed the railing with both hands and leaned toward the bottom. “Make sure you thank Miss Danielle again for me. I had a really fun time today.”

Patrick straightened and ran a hand across his neck. He turned around and found his mother standing in the kitchen doorway watching him, her features pinched. “I’m tired, Bunny. I’m going to fix myself dinner and hit the sack.” He opened the fridge and pulled out some leftovers. Bunny took them out of his hands and busied herself preparing him a meal.

“Thanks, Mom, but I’ve got it.”

Bunny lifted a pale eyebrow. “Let me.” She tore off a piece of paper towel and placed it over the dish before she put it in the microwave. Patrick plopped down on a kitchen chair and waited for the inevitable. His mother punched a few buttons on the microwave before spinning around. She planted a fisted hand on her hip. “Now do you understand my concerns?”

Leaning forward, Patrick rested his chin in the palm of his hand. “In regard to…?”

Bunny tipped her head, giving him a pointed gaze. “You let Danielle watch my granddaughter and this happens.”

“Ava is fine.”

“Danielle’s clouding your judgment,” Bunny said, her eyes flashing with anger. “You need to distance yourself from her.”

Patrick let out an exhausted sigh and chuckled. “I have a job to do. I’m investigating her sister’s accident.”

Bunny tilted her head. “That’s all it is? A job?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” Bunny opened the utensil drawer and pulled out a fork and knife. “Don’t let Ava get too attached. She’ll be awfully disappointed when
she
leaves. And she will, you know.”

Patrick scratched his head. “I appreciate your concern, Mom, but there’s nothing to worry about.”

Bunny shook her head and pointed at him. “You need to think of Ava. Danielle’s shown today she’s not a responsible adult. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“That’s not fair and you know it.” He closed his eyes, hating to think what might have happened to Ava. Was his mother right?

“I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to my granddaughter.” Bunny drew in a deep breath through her nose and hiked her chin, yet her composure slipped a fraction. “Here. Eat your dinner before it gets cold.” She grabbed his plate from the microwave and set it in front of him.

Patrick stabbed a potato with his fork. “Nothing’s going to happen to Ava.”

Bunny patted his shoulder. “I worry.”

He covered her hand with his. “It’s okay. There’s no need to worry.” His stomach churned, taunting him.

Danielle’s hands trembled. She climbed the back steps of Patrick’s house and lifted her hand to knock when she heard Bunny’s strained voice through the closed door.

“Danielle’s clouding your judgment. You need to distance yourself from her.”

Danielle froze. Her pulse roared in her ears. Her first instinct was to turn, leave, since she was obviously interrupting a private conversation.

She heard Patrick’s deep chuckle. “I have a job to do. I’m investigating her sister’s accident.”

“That’s all it is? A job?” Bunny’s voice sounded uncertain.

“Of course.”

I have a job to do.
Patrick’s honesty stung like a slap in the face. The wind whipped up, pushing leaves across the porch. The scraping noise made the small hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge. She glanced over her shoulder. The deep shadows in the darkened yard made it virtually impossible to see beyond the small ring of light seeping out from the Kingsley home.

The conversation inside seemed to fade away, yet Danielle paused. She glanced at the pink cell phone Patrick had returned to her only an hour ago. She was supposed to give it to Jenny. Instead, she found herself here when the only thing she wanted to do was go home, pull the covers over her head and forget this day. But she didn’t have a choice. Taking a deep breath, she knocked. Patrick pulled the door open. Tufts of his hair stood on edge as if he had been dragging his hands through it.

“Come on in.” He stepped back, allowing her to pass.

“I’m sorry to interrupt.” More than he’d ever realize.

“You’re not interrupting anything,” Patrick said, giving her a tired smile.

Bunny lifted her hands. “I was just going up to bed. Night, Danielle.” She gave Patrick a knowing glance before she turned to climb the stairs.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s late. Has Ava gone to bed?”

“On her way. What’s up?”

Danielle pressed a few buttons on Jenny’s cell phone and handed it to him. Apprehension rolled over her in waves. He glanced at the message glowing on the screen.

“
Sat big nite. U need 2 make delivery—B.
”

Patrick looked up with hardened eyes. “Did Jenny see this?” He read it out loud. “Saturday big night. You need to make a delivery. B…Billy?”

“Jenny didn’t see it. The phone was still in my purse when I heard it chime.” She crossed her arms and drew up her shoulders, trying to stave off the cold. “I’m afraid…for Jenny.” She shook her head. “The caller and number are restricted. It’s not a big leap to think B stands for Billy.”

Patrick glanced toward the stairs. “Let’s talk outside.”

Danielle followed him onto the porch. He braced his hands on the railing. His breath came out in a little puff of clouds. She hugged herself and rubbed her arms, trying to keep her teeth from chattering.

He cut her a sideways glance before returning his gaze to the yard. “We never suspected Jenny of dealing.”

Danielle bowed her head, feeling her knees get weak. She must have audibly gasped, because next thing she knew, Patrick pulled her into an embrace and ran his hands in circles over her back. She pressed her cheek against his broad chest and clung to him, a safe harbor in the storm. Eyes closed, she savored the fleeting sense of security, getting intoxicated by his fresh scent.

Patrick was the first one to break the silence. “I don’t think Jenny’s dealing. This text right now is too convenient. Someone’s trying to shift the blame. Billy maybe?”

Danielle drew in a deep breath and stepped back. “There are a bunch of calls from restricted numbers over the past week on this phone. What if…” Anger bubbled up. What if her sister wasn’t so innocent? She couldn’t voice her suspicions.

A pained expression darkened his eyes. “I’m sorry this is such a mess.” He bowed his head briefly before meeting her gaze. “I should have protected your sister the night she got hurt…” He let the words trail off. “But we have someone on Billy Farr 24-7. We’ll get him. I promise.”

“But what about Billy approaching Ava at the festival?” Danielle rubbed her forearms, trying to quell the tremble rioting through her.

“Ava was with Debbie and her daughter. Billy didn’t show up until he found you. My officer confirmed that. He was under constant surveillance.” The look in Patrick’s eyes seemed to plead with her to trust him.

“I have to tell you something else. Something I promised Jenny I would keep in confidence.”

“What?” Patrick’s brows drew together.

Danielle let out a sigh. “Henry was Jenny’s supplier. She promised me he only did it for her, because she was desperate. But now I’m not so sure.”

Patrick plowed a hand through his hair. “I’ll talk to him.”

She placed a hand on his forearm. “Can you do it without it looking like I betrayed Jenny’s confidence. Our relationship is strained as it is. If he’s just some mixed-up kid like her, I don’t…” she closed her eyes and tipped her head back, “…I don’t know what to do.”

“Trust me. I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you.” Danielle’s eyes drifted over to Gram’s house, dark except for the light glowing from the front window. A chill raced down her spine. “I don’t feel safe here.”

Patrick ran a finger down her cheek. His tender touch melted her resolve. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Danielle worked her lower lip. “I’m going to convince Gram to visit her sister in Buffalo for a little while.” She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I don’t want her in the house…in case. But I don’t think I’ll be able to convince Jenny to leave.”

Patrick nodded almost imperceptibly.

Her eyes locked with Patrick’s. Deep inside something shifted. Could she actually trust a man? Trust this man? She nodded, as if answering her own unasked question. What choice did she have?

“You’re welcome to stay here. We have an extra room,” Patrick said.

Danielle tipped her head and studied the wreath of fall foliage adorning the door. When she’d first moved to town, she’d envied the warm
Leave It to Beaver
family living next door. She used to lie in bed at night and wonder what it would be like to have a mother and father and a normal house. Back then, she would have given anything to be part of the Kingsley home. But she wasn’t a little girl anymore.

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine. I’ll set the alarm.”

“Good. And I’m right next door.” Patrick reached out and stroked her cheek with his thumb.

Her eyes drifted closed at the intoxicating gesture. She sensed, rather than saw, Patrick moving closer to her. She felt his lips brush her temple before he abruptly pulled back. “Maybe when this is all over…”

Danielle blinked a few times, relishing his gentle touch more than she should have. She took a small step backward. Wrapping her arms around her middle, she tried to keep her lower lip from trembling. “Let’s not kid ourselves.” She spun around to face the darkened yard, away from Patrick’s hurt look. “When this is all over, we’re both going back to our own lives.”

A disturbing thought slowly seeped into her brain. An awareness. Suddenly she was convinced Patrick wasn’t the only one watching her.

The Protector cruised by the Carson house with his vehicle’s lights off. He was surprised to see the light on in the front room, the shades drawn. His fingers itched. Something told him this problem wasn’t going away.

Jenny was home now but didn’t seem to be talking. How long would that last? If that meddling sister kept hammering away at her, she might get some ideas. She might think it was okay to stand on her own two feet. To destroy everything important to him.

He doubted her amnesia act. But how long could fear buy him silence? He couldn’t take that chance.

He scrubbed a hand across his face. The minute he’d met the waif, he’d had her pegged. She acted all sweet and innocent, but he knew she was trouble. A shadow crossed behind the blind. He stepped on the gas, easing past the house. He imagined her turning the deadbolt, putting on the chain. Security for the naïve. He ran a hand across the smooth steering wheel.

His gut told him his time was running out. He had unfinished business.

Chapter Fourteen

Danielle slid her cell phone across the yellow legal pad. Bowing her head, she threaded her fingers through her hair and massaged the back of her head. Great way to start the day. She let out a long breath, knowing she should be relieved her boss had approved another week’s personal leave, but she wasn’t. Her most important files had already been handed over to coworkers. She’d have to work ten times as hard to make up for the lost time and to prove herself again. The only bright spot was the bank had set a firm date later in the month to review Tina’s foreclosure file.

“What’s eating you?”

Danielle’s head snapped up. Jenny stood in the doorway dressed in gray sweatpants and an oversized Mayport State University sweatshirt.

Job woes momentarily forgotten, Danielle jumped to her feet, the chair scraping across the linoleum. “Here, have a seat.” All the bandages had been removed from Jenny’s face, but it was still marred by discoloration. Jenny’s hands trembled.