The Drowning Pool (17 page)

Contrary to Evie’s opinion, he observed an iron-clad rule: off-duty he did not worry about work. It was just he sometimes considered himself on-duty when he might well be off. But he refused to take himself too seriously. That was his technique for keeping things in perspective. Maintaining a proper degree of objectivity was crucial. Stepping outside himself and being the impartial observer of life, the spectator sitting on the sidelines, he was able to analyze events, to develop insights. He refused to brood over the Bradshaw case. This evening he had family responsibilities, and that was what mattered most. He felt he had his priorities straight.

He went upstairs and changed into comfortable, casual clothing, then knocked at his daughter’s bedroom door.

“Who is it?” His older daughter’s voice reminded him of a flute.

“Your father, last I heard. Can I come in?”

“Sure, Dad.”

He opened the door and looked at her. Even without any make-up, Evie was very pretty. She was innocent-looking and would always appear younger than her years, possibly due to the small pug nose with freckles scattered over it. Her eyes, like his, were gray. They sparkled with smoky warmth. Jean sat cross-legged on the bed while Evie studied herself in the mirror over her dresser.

“How was your shopping expedition?”

“Very successful. I found just the right pair of jeans.”

“Jean says you already have twenty pairs.”

Evie shook her head. “She tends to exaggerate. Don’t you?” She nailed her sister with an accusing look.

Jean lowered her head. “Think I’ll go watch T.V. for a while.” She left quickly, aware Evie was annoyed with her.

Gardner sat down on the chair by her desk and watched as Evie combed out her medium length, shiny hair. Her face glowed with youthful enthusiasm and vitality. He could still remember when he felt like his daughter, full of the sense of possibility.

“So how old is this boy?”

“He’s going into his senior year.”

“I suppose that means he’ll be driving?”

Evie nodded her head and gave him an anxious look. “He’s a really safe driver.”

“And you would know that because?”

Evie bit down on her lower lip. “Everyone at camp says so. He’s the most responsible counselor.”

“The kid’s what, seventeen? How long has he had his license?”

“Don’t give me the third degree, Dad.”

“Does he know you’re only fourteen? Does he know you’re going into your freshman year of high school?”

Evie stood up, trembling. “Dad, please don’t ruin this for me. Go back to work again. That’s where you want to be anyway, isn’t it?” Evie started to cry, and Gardner took her into his arms and held her.

“I’m sorry, honey. I just want to keep you safe. You’re my little girl and I worry about you.”

Evie shook her head. “I’m growing up. Please don’t smother me.”

He nodded. “All right. By the way, you were terrific today. Very mature. A big help with our company.”

“Thanks for noticing,” she said, mollified. “Mom never thought I was very mature.”

Gardner frowned. “Your mother did have a way of telling people what she thought. Her opinions were often negative. Doesn’t mean what she said was true. She won’t ever be asked to give a course in public relations. If she could have seen you today, she’d talk differently.”

Evie lowered her eyes. “If you say so.”

“Tell me one thing. Do you like the boy as much as the idea of going out on a date, or is it difficult to distinguish between the two at this point?”

“Daddy!” She gave him a hurt look that made him regret his comment. “Gary really is nice.”

At that moment, Kim called him downstairs. From the tone of her voice, he knew Evie’s date had arrived.

“Honey, I’ll chat with him for a few minutes while you finish getting ready.”

“Okay, but no more third-degree tactics,” she warned.

He gave her a quick hug and left the room. Downstairs in the living room, a nervous young man sat on the sofa.

“So you’re Evie’s date,” Gardner said.

“Yes, sir, and you’re her father?” The question was rhetorical.

Gardner’s mind moved ahead, framing a few questions. He seated himself opposite the teenager.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Evie. She says you’re a great police detective.”

“My daughter tends to be prejudiced.”

Kim smiled and gave him a meaningful look as she left the room.

The youth looked far from relaxed. Gardner took a moment to look him over. Evie’s young man was a sloppy dresser. Jean was right. His jeans were faded and ripped over one knee, shirt open carelessly at the neck. At least the kid wasn’t wearing an earring; that always put him off. No tattoos or visible piercings. Gardner went through a mental checklist. The shaggy head would have benefited from a haircut and the youth did wear dark glasses. That bothered him.

“I don’t think I caught your name.”

“It’s Gary Sargent. I like your daughter very much.” Gary Sargent’s face turned red.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Gardner assured him. “We’re pretty fond of her too.”

The boy smiled for the first time.

“Where are you planning to go tonight?”

“I was thinking about taking Evie to a movie. Do you think she’d like that?”

“I’m certain of it. You will try to bring her home early?”

“Sure,” he mumbled.

Gardner carefully studied the sunglasses the young man wore.

“Are those prescription lenses?”

“These? Yeah, they are.”

“May I see them?”

Gary removed the glasses and handed them to Gardner. The gold rims were expensive and stylish.

“I’m kind of myopic—near-sighted, that is.”

“So I see,” Gardner responded, looking through the tinted glass. He observed the boy’s eyes. The pupils were not dilated and the irises were a clear, bright blue. He was convinced that Gary Sargent was not on drugs. He returned the eyeglasses. “Attractive frames, but isn’t tinted glass a little tiring on the eyes in the evening?”

“Sure, but my regular glasses are so wimpy-looking. I’d feel like a dork wearing them.”

“You might consider contact lenses. Evie wears them.”

“She does?”

“When they begin to bother her eyes, she wears her glasses. She’s slightly near-sighted herself. If you were to wear your regular glasses, I’m certain she’d think nothing of it.” Gardner hoped he wasn’t delivering his message in too heavy-handed a manner, but Gary didn’t seem offended.

His daughter made her entrance looking very attractive, and her escort was quick to tell her so. Gardner called Kim back into the living room and they exchanged good-byes. After the young couple had gone, Kim turned to him.

“So what do you think?”

Gardner shrugged. “He’s okay I guess.”

“Does that mean you approve of him?”

“I’ll tell you all about it. But first, where’s Jean?”

“She’s watching television upstairs. I think Evie said something to her about staying out of the way.”

“Let’s give her something else to do.”

“Like what?”

“A walk in the mall maybe. It’s a perfect evening to go out for some ice cream.”

“It’s probably going to rain again,” she hedged.

“Doubt it.”

“The truth is, I’m trying to lose weight. Ice cream will only tempt me.”

“Frozen yogurt then. And we’ll start a diet together tomorrow.”

“You don’t need one.”

“Neither do you. You look terrific. Come on, Kim, it’s Saturday night. Let me take you out for a little while. A walk on the wild side. I feel like having a sundae.”

He ran his hand down her arm, saw the goose bumps form there. She turned her face up to his.

He knew she was expecting him to kiss her. He decided not to disappoint her. Their lips touched, brushed, and then the kiss deepened. When they came apart, she was just as breathless as he was.

“Stay over tonight. Don’t go home. We need to be together.”

“I’m not sure,” she said.

He saw the doubt in her eyes. “I’m not giving up on you, on us. We belong together. I know given your past, it’s hard for you to trust men, and particularly cops. But I’ll always be there for you. I’ve made some mistakes in my life. I don’t intend to repeat them.”

He kissed her again, this time hot and hungry.

ELEVEN

On Sunday morning, Mike Gardner woke up a little before eight a.m., glanced at the clock radio, and then closed his eyes again, rolling over on his side. Patterns of color and light danced beneath his eyelids as he reached over and felt for Kim. His hand lightly brushed her thigh. She moaned and moved slightly toward him. The touch of the soft curves of her body made him want her again. They’d made love last night, but he wanted her still. His groin pushed up against her buttocks, pressing into her.

“Are you asleep?” he asked.

“No, I’m awake now. I’ll go put the coffee on and start breakfast.” She mumbled her words in a tired manner.

“You’re a guest here.”

“I’d like to fix breakfast for you.”

“I’m not hungry—for food.” He nibbled her earlobe then kissed the curve of her neck.

She pulled away from him. “You’re really attracted to me?”

“More so than ever. You’re a beautiful woman.”

“Funny, my mirror doesn’t tell me that.”

“Let me be your mirror.”

They didn’t do much talking after that, instead making love in a passionate manner that reflected their affection and shared intimacy. Hands, lips and skin touched. His hands moved downward over her hips, over the roundness of her derriere. She explored his body as well. His mouth went dry with lust as her tongue trailed down his chest and stomach. And then her clever hands took over. She came astride him and took hold of his erection. She spread her hands on his chest and closed her eyes, lowering her body on to his with erotic slowness. She was moist and open and exciting. She clenched her inner muscles around him. The pleasure was almost too much to endure. He realized that this was the first time she’d taken the initiative in their love-making.

“Ride me hard,” he demanded.

She opened herself to him completely, trusting him. Her body met each thrust as he joined with her, completing her, filling her. When he came at last, she was right there with him. He felt the explosions that rocked her body. They shattered together.

“God, how I love you,” he gasped, as she collapsed against his nude body.

She caressed his cheek and kissed his brow. “I love you too,” she said.

“Do you?” He wasn’t certain he’d heard her correctly. It had been a while since she’d told him that.

“I must be totally crazy, but I do.” She playfully traced the dimple in his cheek with her forefinger.

* * * *

After Kim had showered, dressed and had gone downstairs, Gardner took his turn in the bathroom. As he dressed, he could smell the fragrant scent of fresh coffee brewing in the kitchen. He heard someone knocking lightly on the bedroom door.

“Dad.” It was Jean. “Kim sent me up to tell you that breakfast is almost ready. She seems really happy. She’s singing.”

Gardner smiled to himself. This was turning out to be a special morning. When he got down to the kitchen, he found Jean helping Kim with the preparation of what looked like a terrific meal. There were scrambled eggs, cantaloupe, toast, blueberry waffles made with fresh berries, and hot oatmeal. After that breakfast, he was ready to face whatever the day might bring.

“You’re a wonderful cook,” he commented as he rose from the table. “I didn’t know that.”

“Actually, I don’t cook much. It doesn’t pay for just one person. But Jean was a big help. You could say I felt inspired this morning.”

They exchanged a meaningful smile and he squeezed her hand.

“I wish you would stay with us all the time,” Jean said to Kim. “It would be so cool.”

Kim turned to him, hands on hips. “Mike, did you tell her to say that?”

“Me? No way. I guess great minds think alike.” He kissed his daughter’s forehead. “Right, Jeanie?”

“Sure, Dad.”

Kim followed him upstairs and watched as he got into his gray suit. “I thought I’d head home this morning.”

“Can you come with me? I have to visit a frightened young woman who’s in the hospital.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Louise Scofield.”

She paled visibly. “What happened?”

“Tell you all about it on the way.”

“First, I need to stop at my apartment and change. I’m not dressed properly for a hospital visit.”

“Anything you say.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Before we go, I’ll check on Evie.”

He knocked on his older daughter’s bedroom door. She’d slept through breakfast in spite of the clatter they’d made. Now she called out for him to come in. She was still in bed with the sheet pulled up to her neck, her young, oval face flushed with morning radiance.

“How was your date with Gary last night?”

She yawned and smiled. “Just great. I really like him.”

“Why don’t you tell your sister about your date while you have something to eat? The waffles are still warm.” He gave her forehead a quick peck and hurried downstairs.

Kim watched as he went through the daily ritual of unlocking his holstered revolver from the desk drawer in the living room. He checked his .38 caliber Smith and Wesson Chief’s Special in a precise manner. He checked his Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8 revolver in a precise manner. He preferred it to the Glock automatic, the latest issue. “You be careful,” she said, eyeing the weapon.

“Me? I was born careful.”

“Sure you were.” She shook her head in a dubious manner.

“Did I ever tell you that my mother named me Michael Careful Gardner at birth, just to make certain?”

She groaned, which made him smile and want to hug her.

“Sometimes you’re a very strange man.”

“But sexy?”

“Definitely that.”

* * * *

County Regional was a twenty-minute drive from Kim’s apartment. Mike parked his car and checked his watch as they walked briskly through the main entrance. It was clearly later than he’d anticipated arriving.

“Sorry for slowing you down,” she said.