The Black Sheep's Redemption (8 page)

“Not here. Fiona gave it to me. I think she got it from the café, so…”

Owen nodded. “It’s probably a long shot, but we can try. Let’s put it in a separate bag.”

Demi got another bag and placed the can inside.

Owen said, “Charles has told me some details about your past when he had me run a background check on you before hiring you. Of course, there wasn’t anything to learn because it was on the name you were given in the hospital. Can you fill me in a little better?”

She took a deep breath. “I’m not sure. Like I said, I don’t remember what happened.” She dropped her eyes then looked back up at him. “I can tell you what I was told.”

“If you don’t mind sharing that. Start from the beginning.”

Demi nodded. “I was found on a street after dark in a back alley in Springfield, Massachusetts. I had several bad head wounds. I had no identification on me and no one had reported me missing.” Reaching up, she pulled the glasses from her face and looked at them. “They found my glasses next to me. One of the officers came to see me in the hospital and said it looked like someone had deliberately crushed them. He wanted to know what I’d done to make someone so angry.” Tears filled her eyes.

Charles wanted to punch his brother for asking her to relive that. But if it helped them find a clue to her past, he supposed it had to be done.

Blinking back tears, she said, “The police put my picture on the news and asked for information about my attack. But again, no one came forward to identify me—or offer any information.”

Charles felt his heart twist once again. “That must have been awful. I’m so sorry.”

She nodded. “Beyond awful. I healed pretty fast physically even though I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. When it came time for me to leave, I just wanted to get away. So I went to the library, did a little research and found Fitzgerald Bay. I got on the bus—” she spread her hands “—and here I am.”

Owen clicked his pen and put his little notebook in his back pocket. “All right. I’ll see if I can find anything in any of what you’ve told me to help track down your identity.” He left with promises to stay in touch with any news.

Charles turned to Demi. “So someone was in your apartment that day.”

“It looks like it.”

In an unexpected move, he pulled her to him for a hug. He was almost surprised that she didn’t resist. Instead, she settled her head on his shoulder with a small sigh.

His hand raised up to give her a comforting pat on the back but then he found himself cupping her chin tilting her head to look up at him.

Questions danced in her eyes along with a look he interpreted as wariness. Immediately, he let her go and cleared his throat. She was right to be wary, to be cautious. She didn’t know who she was or whom she might belong to. The lack of a ring on her left hand didn’t mean there wasn’t a wedding license in some drawer somewhere.

He cleared his throat. “If you’re all right, I think I’ll take off.”

He saw her swallow. But she nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

With one last lingering look, Charles let himself out of the apartment and waited until he heard the lock click into place. Then he leaned against the wall and pulled in a steadying breath.

He decided coming face-to-face with Olivia’s murderer wouldn’t shake him up any more than his growing feelings for the woman behind that door.

NINE

“I
’m not seeing him, he’s a murderer.”

Charles Fitzgerald overheard the elderly woman’s comment and closed his fist around the pen he’d just used to sign his name. Not exactly how he wanted to start his Monday morning.

Another unhappy patient.

There’d been a lot of them. As a result, the practice had suffered. He’d called in a favor from a med school buddy to come work with him and help keep the practice from going under. It worked, but left Charles with more free time than he liked. And now he had another patient refusing to see him because of this cloud still hanging over his head.

He’d hoped this week would be different. Apparently last week was an aberration. Things had started out wonderful this morning. The minute Demi had stepped into his house, the children laughed and chattered a mile a minute. She’d grinned and waved him on his way.

Arriving at the office with a smile on his face hadn’t happened in a long time. Since Olivia’s death and the string of accusations that had followed.

The smile had faded as the first person in the waiting room realized Charles would be his physician and mumbled he was feeling better. The man couldn’t move fast enough to get out the door.

Things had been heading south ever since.

And now this.

If something didn’t break soon in the investigation into Olivia Henry’s death, his mind might be the first thing to snap.

Being under suspicion of murder for the past four months had gotten old fast. But it sure made clear who his friends were. And weren’t.

“Ma’am.” His secretary, Cecily Cross, couldn’t have been more professional although Charles knew her well enough to hear the underlying thread of steel in her tone. “There’s no evidence that Dr. Fitzgerald had anything to do with it or he’d be sitting in jail. He’s a highly skilled doctor who has an open appointment. If you don’t want to see him, we’ll have to reschedule you with another appointment.”

“I was told Dr. Hansen would see me.”

“And I told you he called in and said he couldn’t be here. He had a family emergency.” Cecily’s exasperation with the woman finally peeked through. Charles caught her eye and waved his understanding. He saw Cecily draw in a deep breath and get her thinly veiled indignation under control. “Fine.” Cecily consulted the computer in front of her. “How about Wednesday morning at nine o’clock?”

The woman gave a disgusted moan, but nodded, “Very well. I suppose it’s not an emergency. Please tell Dr. Hansen I’ll be here at nine sharp and I expect him here, too.” With a nod and a sniff of disdain, Mrs. Bertha Gold turned and toddled out the door.

Cecily eyed him from behind the desk. “You’re too nice to people like that.”

Charles sighed. “I can’t do anything about Mrs. Gold and her attitude. I suppose until it’s proven without a shadow of a doubt that I didn’t have anything to do with Olivia’s death, I’m just going to have to deal with that kind of stuff.” He shrugged. “I’m getting used to it.”

But he wasn’t. The brave face he showed to the world hid his hurt and shame that people he thought were friends would believe him capable of such a thing. And truth be known, the longer this dragged out, the harder it was to keep the faith that the real murderer would be found.

Faith. Sometimes God seemed so far away. But, if Charles were honest, it was because he’d pushed Him away. The initial devastation he’d felt with Kathleen’s abandonment had morphed into an anger that God hadn’t stopped her from leaving. Now that Charles had healed from the hurt of his divorce, he wondered why it was harder to forgive God than it had been to forgive Kathleen.

Because Kathleen was human. She was supposed to make mistakes.

But God was perfect. And He could have stopped it all from happening. Just like He could reveal Olivia’s murderer and end all the anguish Charles was now going through.

“Charles? You okay?”

He jerked, realizing he’d been standing there, staring at the door Mrs. Gold had exited. “Yes, sorry. I’ll be in my office working on the files. Let me know if there’s anything you need.”

Cecily shook her head and muttered under her breath something about being innocent until proven guilty. Charles appreciated the woman’s loyalty, but couldn’t help wondering if he wouldn’t feel the same way if the shoe were on the other foot. Would he be so judgmental if it had happened to one of his friends? He hoped not.

Back in his office, Charles picked up the picture of his children. Aaron and Brianne were his world. Thank goodness they weren’t old enough to understand what was going on with their father.

His cell phone buzzed, interrupting his depressing train of thought.

“Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Owen.”

“What’s up?”

“Just wanted to see if we were still on for a fishing trip sometime soon. I think we all need a break.”

Charles shuddered. He didn’t want Owen taking a break. He wanted to know who had killed Olivia. Forcing some levity into his voice, he said, “Sure.” But he couldn’t help asking, “Anything on the case?” No need to specify which one.

When Olivia had been found dead and he’d first been questioned, he’d been sure that the case would be wrapped up quickly and life would return to normal.

But it seemed like Olivia’s murderer had been careful and clever.

Owen’s heavy sigh didn’t lift his spirits. “No. But we’re working on it basically day and night. You know that. I called the lab ten minutes ago, pushing them to get us those DNA results. I feel certain that’s the key in clearing you. Unfortunately, they’re backlogged and we’re waiting our turn in line. But they promised us no more than a week. A week, Charles, and you’ll be cleared, all right? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we’re going to get the creep who did this.”

“I know. It’s just…”

“No need to explain. I understand.” Owen changed the subject. “How are the twins? I guess they didn’t miss you last night.”

“No, they were still sleeping when I got home.”

“Well, Paige wants to see them again soon. She had a blast with them yesterday.”

Paige. Owen’s nine-year-old daughter. The daughter he’d just discovered and was building a relationship with.

“They’re great. They love Demi and are perfectly happy with their little world. I’ll bring them by the bookstore soon and Paige can read them a story or something while I have a cup of coffee or catch up on some sleep in one of those big comfy reading chairs.”

Owen laughed then sobered. “Sorry it’s taking us so long to figure this out, bro.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

“But hang in there, we’ll get it done.”

“I know.” He paused. “Any calls after Demi’s picture went up?”

“Yeah. We’re sorting through them. When you do something like that, all the weirdos come out of hiding.” Charles winced.

“So,” Owen said. “Douglas and Merry are getting married in two weeks. Let’s try to make the fishing trip before then.”

“I’ll look at my schedule and let you know.”

Owen hung up and Charles dropped his head in his hands. Closing his eyes, he drew in a deep breath and prayed out loud, “Lord, I know I haven’t been very talkative lately, but I’m thinking that’s a mistake. Please help me out here, if You would. I really need a break somewhere.”

* * *

Demi really needed a break. Not from the children or her job, but from her thoughts. “Hey, guys,” she said to the kids who were digging in the sand. “What do you say we get cleaned up and go into town to get some ice cream?”

“Ice cream!” Brianne was the first to respond. Of course. Demi laughed.

“Dino, too.” Aaron held out the toy to her.

“Does Dino want ice cream?” she asked.

He grinned and nodded.

“All right, let’s go. Everyone on the bicycle.” Charles had provided her with a double-stroller-like contraption that could be pulled behind her bicycle. She’d used it often last week when they got antsy or sleepy. Helmets on and strapped in, the twins sang a song about ice cream while Demi pulled out the cell phone Charles had given her and pressed the number one. Charles had programmed his cell number for her. He answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Hi, how’s it going?”

“It’s going.”

Demi frowned at his tone. He sounded…frustrated. “I don’t know how busy you are, but I thought I’d let you know that I’m taking the children up to the Sugar Plum Café for a scoop of ice cream.”

“Are they wiggle worms today?” The frustration had disappeared to be replaced with a warmth that entered his voice every time he referred to his children.

Demi relaxed a bit as she swung a leg over the seat and got herself situated. “They are, but they’re excited about the ice cream.”

He paused. “I’ll meet you there. I could use a break.”

“Really?”

“Actually no. I’ve had a pretty long break already, but I need to get out of here. See you in a few minutes and be careful.”

“Will do.”

She hung up and looked back at her little charges all buckled in to ensure their safety. Blankets tucked in around them would keep them warm from the cool morning wind. “Ready?”

“Ready!” they yelled in unison.

Demi pressed the pedal and they were off.

Ten minutes later, she directed the bicycle into the parking lot of the Sugar Plum Café.

It was eleven o’clock and the lunch crowd had already started filing in. But she knew there’d be a spot in there somewhere for her, Charles and the children.

Unbuckling them, she took a little hand in each of hers and together they walked toward the door.

“Hey, wait up!”

Demi looked over her shoulder and felt her heart give a little skip when she saw Charles, still in his white lab coat, heading their way.

“Daddy!” Brianne pulled from Demi and launched herself at her father. He caught her in a hug and kissed the top of her dark head.

Aaron seemed content to watch their exuberance. Demi had a moment where her world spun around her and she pictured herself doing the very thing Brianne had done. Only she was throwing herself into Charles’s arms to receive his kiss on her lips. A
welcome home, I’m glad to see you
kind of thing.

“Demi? You okay?”

His question burst her daydream and she could feel a flush creeping into her cheeks. Turning toward the store to hide the fire in her face, she said, “I’m great. Let’s get that ice cream.”

Once they got the children settled in high chairs with bibs and a large supply of napkins, they started in on the treat.

Brianne managed to get most of hers in her mouth. Aaron wasn’t having much luck. Demi took his spoon to help him. She looked at Charles. “Has Owen run my picture on the news yet?”

He nodded. “Yes, Owen said they were filtering the calls. When they get something worth following up on, we’ll be the first to know.”

Demi bit her lip and slid another small spoonful of vanilla ice cream into Aaron’s waiting mouth. “Good. I think.”

“It will be.”

“Did he mention that I have amnesia?”

“No, he didn’t want to invite any troublemakers or people who might want to take advantage of you. Instead, they ran the picture with the story that you were looking for your family and if anyone recognized you and knew who your family was, they were to call the eight hundred number at the bottom of the screen. As it is, we may have to weed through some crazies.”

Demi grimaced. She hadn’t thought about that. When the police had run her picture while she’d been in the hospital, she hadn’t even considered that scenario. The police must have made the judgment calls in that case, too.

“Well, if this isn’t a nice cozy scene.”

Demi froze as she recognized the voice of Burke Hennessy. She glanced up to see him bearing down on their table.

Charles’s posture went rigid. Demi ignored Hennessy and concentrated on feeding Aaron, hoping the children didn’t pick up on the sudden tension.

“What do you want now, Burke?” Charles asked.

“Don’t you have patients to take care of, Dr. Fitzgerald?” He didn’t give Charles a chance to answer before he said, “Oh, that’s right. You’re a murder suspect. I imagine not too many people in town are in need of your services these days.”

Charles’s face went red and his hand clenched.

Demi looked at the man who seemed to have nothing better to do than cause trouble. “Could you please just leave us alone?”

Burke snorted. “Hiding behind a skirt? Who taught you that, your dad?”

Charles stood. “Burke, I’d like nothing more than to smash your face, but I’m praying real hard that I have more class than that. If you want to take this outside, I’ll go, but you might want to think twice about how that will look to your constituents.”

Demi blinked at the lightning-fast speed at which Burke backpedaled, his hands held in a conciliatory gesture. “Hey, no need for that.” Then he dropped his hands and his eyes hardened. “But you can tell your father that I’m calling him out in a debate. I’ve had enough of this Fitzgerald monopoly in the police department and the town. Tell your father I’ll be in touch.”