Tessa's Treasures (5 page)

“You’re getting kinda agitated on behalf of a friend’s sister.” One side of Marshall’s mouth lifted in a knowing smirk. “Okay, that’s doable. When do you need the information?”

Lucas stared at him with narrowed eyes. “Now.” He pulled a paper from his shirt pocket and slapped it on the desk. “Here’s his full name, date of birth and Social. I’ll wait.”

“No way. I’ll take care of this and get back to you. You may not remember, but we do important work here. I have a meeting in twenty minutes. When I get back, I’ll get on it.”

“Come on, Bran. The woman could be in danger.” He hoped nothing would come of his suspicions, but until he was sure, the knot in his stomach would continue to grow.

“All right, if it will get you out of my hair, I’ll do some checking now. But not with you breathing down my neck. Go next door for a cup of coffee, and I’ll call you.”

****

It would’ve been better if he hadn’t had all that coffee. Or maybe the drumming in his chest had to do more with fear.
This is crazy. You have no reason to believe this madman will come after her.

Fifteen minutes later Lucas' cell phone rang. “Raven.”

“Your guy was released six weeks ago.”

“Damn. Text me his parole officer’s name.” Silence followed. “What? Didn’t you get his name?”

Marshall cleared his throat. “It’s a she, actually, and yes I have her name, but I don’t know what good it will do you.”

Lucas felt blood drain from his face. “Why?”

“She hasn’t heard from him since his release.”

“Shit!” Lucas snapped the phone shut, threw money on the table and strode out of the coffee shop.

****

Tessa tested the lock on the store’s back door as the now familiar Jeep slipped into the parking space next to her car. She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled as the window slid down. “I thought you were going to be in Oklahoma City for a few days?”

Motorcycle sunglasses, a lopsided grin, and windblown hair set her heart to thumping.
Stop this. At your age, you should be past these kinds of reactions.

“Tied up all the loose ends and was able to leave earlier than I thought. Hop in, we’ll grab some dinner.”

“You’re going to go broke feeding me.” She shook her head as she walked around the side of the vehicle and climbed in. All of a sudden, her day had brightened.

“Nah. I found a new Chinese restaurant, lots of vegetables. Sound good?”

Tessa nodded her answer and pulled her hair back in a quick pony tail. The bun was halfway down anyway, and the wind coming in from the open window cooled her cheeks.

Lucas swung the Jeep into a turn, maneuvered onto the highway and headed out of town. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and whistled softly. “Know what’s wrong with the safety belt law?”

“No, what?”

He glanced at her and grinned. “A guy can’t put his arm around his girl and pull her close, like we used to do when we were young.”

She stiffened, heat diffused her face.
I’m so not ready for this.
“I’m not your girl.”

He chuckled, obviously undaunted. “Oh no? What are you?”

Sadness because it was past time when it could’ve been more swept over her and tears of regret threatened. “A friend.”

“Ah, we need to work on that.” He pushed the button on the dashboard and Toby Keith wailed his latest hit.

Tessa watched him from the corner of her eye He continued to drum his fingers on the steering wheel as the wind lifted the edges of his hair and he lip-synced to the music. He had such a restless energy. That certainly hadn’t changed over the years. He’d been a forceful influence on her brother. The two of them had gotten into enough mischief in their teen years that the entire police department breathed a sigh of relief when they left for college at OSU in Stillwater. Now her brother was Chief of Police and Lucas had just finished an illustrious career with OSBI. You never knew.

****

Tessa pointed her fork at Lucas' plate. “Eat some of that broccoli!” All the meat from the beef and broccoli was gone, as was the rice, but the soggy green vegetable sat lonely on the plate, swimming in brown gravy.

His guilty smile reminded her of a little boy. “I did!”

No little boy, this one.
She lifted her eyebrows, but was unable to control her smile. “With your eating habits, I’m amazed you’re not a candidate for a heart transplant.”

“Not me. Blood pressure, one ten over eighty; cholesterol under one seventy-five.”

“No way.” She sat back, drawing her brows in. Even his internal body was as good as his external. Visions of all her salads, sugarless tea, tofu, and yogurt flickered through her mind.
Not fair.

He took a sip of the fragrant tea. “Good genes.”

Good genes indeed.
“I thought all law enforcement types were stressed to the max.”

Lucas leaned forward on the table, deftly moving the plate of broccoli away from him with one finger. “That’s where my boat comes in. Whenever I had the opportunity, the boys and I would hit the lake. There’s no feeling in the world like racing along the water, wind whipping across your face and through your hair. It’s a whole new feeling of relaxation you’ll never understand until you experience it firsthand.”

He looked so happy when he spoke of the boat. “How old are the boys now?”

“Just turned twenty-five. It’s been years, really, since we took the boat out, all of us together. They’re both married—too young, I thought. To sisters, can you believe that? They had a double wedding. It was crazy.”

“Two daughters wedded for the price of one? The parents must have been thrilled.”

“I kinda had the impression it was more the parents’ idea, but it all came together okay. Brian and his wife Carole have two little girls—not twins, much to her relief. Although they are only a year apart,” he added with a smirk. “Jason and Janet have a son.”

“So you’re a grandpa?”

“That’s one thing I miss about Oklahoma City, seeing the kids. But the boys are busy, and don’t have a whole lot of time for the old man.”

“I doubt that. I’m sure they miss you very much.” Would the grief ever go away? She’d lost her baby in the second trimester, after being tossed down the stairs during one of Dean’s rages. His only response had been
good riddance, bitch.
She religiously took her birth control pill every day after that.

Why did she ever think she’d been in love with him? The disastrous marriage put a huge dent in her self-confidence. She could no longer trust her instincts when it came to judging a person’s character. Especially law enforcement types.

She pushed the thought aside. Lucas wasn’t at all like Dean. But then, she hadn’t thought Dean was the monster he turned out to be, either.

Lucas studied the check, added some bills and took her hand. The night was warm for early June, a sure sign of arriving summer. They strolled to the jeep and he helped her in. Both quiet with their thoughts, it made for a comfortable ride back to her car.

Her stomach clenched when he turned off the ignition and dimmed the headlights after he pulled in next to her car. She wanted to feel his lips on hers again. At the same time, she was terrified of the feelings it evoked.

One hand rested on the steering wheel, the other moved up and down her arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. Deep blue eyes bore into hers, making her squirm. “How can I convince you to be more than a friend?”

He reached over, unclicked her seat belt. A whiff of musky after shave and the heat from his skin burned through the silk of her blouse, sending a flood of awareness across her skin. “I’m not interested in anything more than friendship,” she whispered and leaned away.

“The pulse at the base of your neck is hammering.”

He gently massaged her shoulder, slid his hand into her hair. Tugging her close, he lowered his head, blocking out the lamp that lit the parking lot. She sighed as he brought his lips to hers. Soft, warm. She’d never experienced such fire and a sense of security at the same time. His tongue skimmed her lips, inviting her to open. When she did, he groaned and pulled her closer. Her hand slid up his chest to rest on a strong shoulder. Solid and firm, her fingers wrapped around his flesh and anchored her world as her heart continued to beat out of control.

Lucas released her lips and rested his forehead on hers. “You know I would never hurt you.”

Tessa pulled back, her eyes narrowed. “Why did you say that?”

He ran his knuckles over her cheek. “Because I never would.”

“I think I’d better go now.”

Lucas touched the tip of her nose with his finger. “Okay. I don’t want to scare you.”

Her chin came up and she stiffened her shoulders. “I’m not scared of you.”

“Good.” He winked and scooted across the seat to open his door. As he came around the vehicle, he stopped and stared at the building. “Tessa?”

She jumped down to join him. “What?”

“Didn’t you put the lights out when you locked up before?”

“I thought I did. But it appears there’s a couple still burning.” She started forward, but came to an abrupt stop when his hand squeezed her shoulder.

He continued to stare at the building. “Do me a favor and get back in the jeep.”

Her mouth went dry as dust. “Why? Do you think someone’s in there?”

“Probably not, but old training is kicking in.” His firm hand settled on her upper arm as he walked her back, opened the Jeep door and escorted her in. “Where are your keys?”

She rummaged in her purse, pulled out a key ring, selected one, and handed him the ring. “It’s for the front door.”

He leaned over, gave her a light kiss. “Do you have overhead lights in there?”

“I do, the switch is on the right side of the door. Although I never use them, I prefer the table lamps.”

“Stay here, I’ll come get you once I’m sure it’s safe.” He closed the door and made a hand gesture for her to lock both doors.

In all the years she’d had the store, there had never been a problem. Truth be told, she’d never once in all that time left the lights burning in the shop after closing.

He proceeded around the building. In less than a minute the overhead lights illuminated the inside. From her seat in the Jeep, she saw him, hands on his hips, surveying the store before he walked slowly toward the kitchen before disappearing from view.

The back door opened. With his cell phone pressed to his ear, he waved at her to join him. Heart pounding, she got out of the Jeep. When she neared Lucas he took her hand and squeezed. The conversation from her end sounded like he spoke to the police.

She took a deep breath, and allowed him to lead her into the kitchen, which looked fine.

Lucas tilted his brow, looking at her uncertainly. “Tessa’s Treasures, corner of Main and Sixth.” He glanced around the room. “Doesn’t seem to be.” He squeezed her hand again. “Okay, we’ll be here.”

She stepped through the kitchen door to the store, and gasped.

Chapter Five

Dean Phillips slammed his suitcase on the bed. In the glare of the flashing neon sign outside the motel window, the cheap furniture glowed a garish red, then shadowy black. He snapped the switch on the wall and dragged the drape over the window, blocking out Lawton, Oklahoma. Only years of burning anger, and a need to teach his bitch of a wife a lesson, made him come to this godforsaken wasteland.

A copy of a contract with the hired pilot was tucked securely in his front pocket. Once he took care of business, he’d be on a plane to South America to live like a king with the money he’d socked away while he was still on the job. Selling confiscated drugs had been a lucrative trade. One that had made him a wealthy man. And one he intended to continue with his partners in Colombia.

He flopped down on the musty smelling mattress, linking his fingers behind his head. Maybe he’d order a pizza and get some porn flicks to pass the time. Or go to the sleazy bar he’d passed on the way in, and find some badge bunny to take care of him. The wobbly ceiling fan barely created a breeze big enough to matter. He grinned.

Watch out, sweet little Tessa, I’m on my way.

****

Every table lamp in the store sat on the floor, burning brightly. All the items on one wall of shelves now sat in neat rows on the counter.

Lucas flipped his cell phone closed. “The police are on the way.”

Her gaze roamed the room before she turned to him. “I don’t understand. What happened?”

“I’m willing to bet kids broke in to cause trouble.”

She let go of his hand and headed to the counter.

“No, honey, don’t touch anything.” Lucas rested his arm around her shoulders and tucked her alongside him. “The police need to see exactly what happened.”

Without the support of his arm, she would have slid to the floor. “I don’t feel so well.”

He led her into the kitchen and pulled out a chair. Once she sat, he eased her head between her knees. “Take deep breaths.” He hunkered down alongside her, rubbing circles on her back. In the distance the wail of police sirens pierced the air.

Someone had been in her store. Touched her things. Waves of revulsion washed over her in a high tide of fear. Would she never have a safe place? Tessa raised her head, tears tracking down her cheeks. “Why would someone do this? It doesn’t make sense.”

“That’s why I think it was kids messing around, but let the police handle it.” He handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. Lucas' warm hand on her back helped calm her. For the first time in her adult life, she had someone to lean on. Being alone, making her own decisions, facing problems by herself had become a habit.

If only she was brave enough to let someone in.

“I’m going to talk to the police. Stay here until you feel better.”

She eased out of the chair and followed. “I’m okay. I want to talk to them too.”

A tall, slender police officer stood in the center of the store, hands on his hips. After gazing around the room, he let out a low whistle. “Hey Tessa, what’s goin’ on?”

She blinked through watery eyes. “Hi, Wally. I don’t know what happened. Isn’t this weird?”