Suspicious Minds (Squeaky Clean Series, Book 2) (27 page)

"Single and working a dead-end job aren't reasons to want to end it all. Things will get better."

"Better?" I screeched.

Her chin bobbed again. I imagined that bobble-head doll again. This time, I pictured jerking its annoying head off and flushing it down the toilet.

"The nurses overheard that your boyfriend just broke up with you. I know that can be hard. I'm single myself, you know."

"I broke up with him" If those nurses were going to eavesdrop, they needed to learn to do it properly.

"And you work cleaning up crime scenes? I know a very nice lady who can get you some temp jobs as an administrative assistant-" Her condescending voice grated on my ears like techno music at a symphony.

"I like my job! Maybe I won't even get my degree in forensics, and I'll just do this for the rest of my life!" I paused and tried to think of something wise to end with, and ended up with, "So take that!"

Her head tilted compassionately. "I'm going to recommend some counseling for you."

Chad gripped her arm and led the woman to the door. "Ma'am, she doesn't need counseling. Not anymore than anyone else does, at least" He nudged her out. "Have a great day."

As soon as she disappeared from sight, I erupted. "Can you believe the nerve of that lady? Coming in here and making all of those assumptions. How dare she?"

"You are hugging a book with `Suicide' splashed across the cover."

"It's for a paper-"

Chad shushed me. "I know, I know. But just think about how it looks."

"My life isn't that awful. I know people who have it far worse" Mr. Hermit, for starters.

"You're right."

`And I like being single. It's better to be single than to marry the wrong person.

"Absolutely."

"Is this why they've been keeping me here all day? Because the nurses thought I was suicidal?" I threw my legs off the side of the bed. "I'm going to give them a piece of my mind"

Chad urged me back into bed. "They were just trying to do their job"

"I'll show them a thing or two about doing their job." I turned toward the door. "Eavesdrop on this, you good-for-nothing-"

"Gabby, now they're going to recommend you for anger management. Calm down."

I slumped back into the mattress. "Fine" I really wished I could cross my arms because it would go perfectly with my immature sigh and lower lip thrust.

"Let me find the doctor and see about getting you discharged"

"Please do"

An hour later, Chad wheeled me out-to my van. I'd forgotten that we'd ridden together to the job site. So it made sense that he'd taken my vehicle home last night and then brought it back this morning. And who was Ito complain? I needed a ride home. And Chad was there for me.

As soon as I settled into the passenger seat with my seatbelt secured across my tender shoulder, I made up my mind. "I need to go clean up the site we started yesterday."

Chad cranked the engine and gave me a sideways glance. "No"

I felt myself straighten at his defiant response. "No what?"

He shook his head and began backing the van out. "No, you're not going back there"

Was Chad Davis telling me what to do? I guess he didn't have me all figured out yet. If he did, he'd know that I hated being told me what to do! "I promised the homeowner that I would clean up there, and I need to finish the job"

"I'll finish it up as soon as the police release the scene" His hands gripped the steering wheel and his eyes focused on the road.

I wanted him to look me square in the eye so he could see my determination. He seemed to sense my laser-vision gaze and refused to return it. "I'm sure the homeowners want to get back into their house, though"

"I'm sure they don't. A man committed suicide between those four walls, and you were almost killed there. I can't imagine they'd be in a big hurry to come back to home, sweet home!"

Chad could be so infuriating. And he still wasn't looking my way. The nerve.

"You need to go to your apartment and rest," he continued, as if he were my guardian or something. What is it with people trying to tell me what to do? After my last hospital visit, Riley had acted like a prison guard, making sure I didn't leave my apartment. Parker had constantly tried to boss me around. And now Chad thought he knew what was best for my life. Didn't these people know that I didn't need anyone watching over me? I was a woman. W-o-m-a-n, and I'd say it again. Thank you, Peggy Lee.

I continued to stare at Chad, daring him to look my way. "Resting is overrated"

Chad ran his hand through his sun-bleached hair and sighed. Finally, he turned his head and connected with my eyes. Frustration screamed from his weary-looking pupils. "Why don't you just let me take care of you?"

I leaned back into my seat, confused. "Why would you want to take care of me?"

He looked away and sighed again, then continued driving. Why was everything so complicated? Silence reigned for the rest of the ride. We pulled up to my apartment building, and Chad raced to the other side of the van to help me out. I let him, against my better judgment. I knew he just wanted to be useful, so why not let him feel good about himself?

Then he helped me up the steps like I was a little old lady or something. And I let him.

Then he helped me into my apartment as if I were a fragile piece of glass or something.

And I let him.

What was wrong with me?

Once inside my apartment, he patted the sofa cushions and motioned for me to come hither. "Why don't you, like, sit down and let me get you something to drink?"

I scowled, knowing I was acting like a spoiled brat but not caring. "I'm not thirsty."

"Why don't you just sit down then?"

I stared at the couch. "Because I don't want to"

"Why not?"

"Because I just don't!"

He sighed and did the hand-through-the-hair move again. "What do you want then, you cantankerous woman?"

"I wish I knew." I sat on the couch, and Chad immediately growled his irritation at my complacency. I glanced back at him. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm being difficult. I'm ... I'm frustrated at circumstances beyond my control" There, I'd said it. I'd admitted my insecurities.

He plopped down beside me. "The Elvis thing getting to you?"

"It's got me all shook up"

He groaned, and I smiled before turning serious.

"I like being good at things, Chad. I like being in control and confident, and I don't feel like I'm going anywhere with this case. What does that say about my future in police work?"

"You'll figure out the case"

I cut a sharp glance at him. "How do you know?"

"I just do" He lowered his voice. "You're Gabby St. Claire. Why would I doubt you?"

I searched his face for a sign of sincerity ... or a clue that he goaded me. He at least had the audacity not to smile or let his eyes twinkle for once.

Chad Davis was a great guy, I decided. I underestimated him too often.

I took note of the intensity of his eyes, the indention in his ear that told me he probably had had an earring at one time. My gaze swept the scruff on his face. Before I even thought of doing so, I reached forward and touched his cheek, felt the prickles there. "Are you growing a beard?"

"What do you think?" He rubbed his chin and winked. "Is it a good look?"

If he wanted to look like a homeless man, maybe. "Not really"

Our gazes caught. I should have realized what was happening and run away as fast as possible. But I stayed put with my gaze locked on Chad and his gaze locked on me.

Then we kissed, a slow, electrifying, yet urgent kiss.

I kissed Chad as if I hadn't kissed someone in months, when in fact it had been mere days. As easily as switching off a televangelist, I shut down my inner alarms. Gabby On-the-Rebound St. Claire again sought comfort in the arms of a man. And was thoroughly enjoying it.

Someone knocked at my door. Of course. I probably should have rejoiced at the interruption. I felt my cheeks flush as I pulled back and glanced at Chad. "I should get that"

The heat of his fingers on my arm matched the heat in his eyes. "Just because you should doesn't mean you have to"

I felt myself wanting to go down a path I shouldn't. "Oh, but I do"

I pushed myself from the couch-by all means fleeing temptationand pulled the door open. Riley. He always seemed to be my conscience when I needed one. Why would right now be an exception?

"I heard you were in the hospital" My neighbor stepped inside and rubbed my uninjured arm. The worried wrinkle I'd come to expect knotted his forehead. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"Just a little gunshot wound. Nothing that time and some painkillers won't get me through."

"What can I do for you? I would have gone to the hospital, but I was out of town doing research and-" He stopped when Chad appeared behind me. His gaze darted back and forth between the two of us. "Am I ... interrupting something?"

I felt myself blush again and averted my eyes to the floor. I'm not sure what came over me because the reaction was so unlike me. I nodded toward the man I'd just been making out with and cleared my throat. "Chad just brought me home from the hospital"

Chad reached his hand forward, as laid-back and carefree as ever. "Good to see you again, Riley"

Riley seemed to hesitate before extending his hand. "Chad. I'm glad you could be here for Gabby. Good to see you, also" He took a step back from me. "Do you need anything? Chad, I'd be happy to sit with her for a while if you need to get home"

I waved my hand in the air. "Hello? I'm right here. No need to make decisions about me as if I'm invisible" I felt like an eight-year-old in the middle of a custody battle.

"Nah, it's all good:" Chad waved Riley off. "I don't mind staying"

"Actually, I need to be alone in order to rest" I shooed them both toward the door. "Thanks for your kind offers, but I'll be fine."

"You shouldn't be alone-"

"How do I know you're going to rest-"

"You're just going to have to trust me on this one." Once they were both outside my apartment, I stuck my head out the door. "But thank you both. I'll call you if I need you"

I shut the door before I heard any more protests. Right now, I just needed to be away from everyone in the male species.

I LOOKED at the grass atop Mt. Trashmore, green and bright as it should be since the world's largest compost pile rotted beneath it. In honor of Mr. Hermit, I'd brought one of his pink flamingos. Taking a breath, I stuck it deep into the earth. Pastor Shaggy stood beside it, wearing a rock band T-shirt, faded jeans, and a gray blazer. He held a small Bible in his hands. Beside him stood Amy, holding a dollar-store vase with Mr. Hermit's ashes inside. A few members of Riley's church were there, including Riley. Chad and Sierra had also shown up. We formed a circle around the flamingo.

Pastor Shaggy cleared his throat. "We're gathered here to honor the life of Richard Spruce. Not much is known about Richard. He seemed to prefer living a life of solitude"

Did he really prefer it? Had he a choice in the matter? Or maybe no one had liked him, including his family.

He continued. "I firmly believe that every life should be honored, and I applaud Ms. Gabby for caring enough to organize this ceremony for Richard Spruce"

A few strangers paused from flying kites to come join us. I don't think they realized we were in the middle of a funeral. I mean, how many funerals included pink flamingos and an eclectic group of outcasts? Strangely enough, I could hear the song "Super Freak" playing from somewhere below-near the skateboard park, I think.

I glanced around again, searching the crowd. I'd mailed the letters to Richard's son, and I held on to this irrational hope that he'd received them and changed his mind about coming today. Apparently he hadn't. None of the faces gathered around registered any deep, personal loss. Sadness bit down on my spirit.

"The Bible describes heaven as a place where there will be no more pain or suffering," said Pastor Shaggy. "Believers will walk on the streets of gold. Heaven is a glorious place that's promised to those who believe in Jesus and accept him into their lives"