Trouble Walks In (10 page)

Without another word, Terrence stepped out of Maddy's office and strode toward Drummond's.

“Are you okay?” Sharon asked, looking from Maddy to the hallway. She was fiddling with a pen and reminded Maddy of a frightened little girl. “Should I call security again?”

“No.” Maddy sat back in her chair and gripped the armrests in an effort to maintain a calm facade. “Stay clear of him. He won't pull anything else with Terrence here. Rocket should be up here any minute,” she said, referring to the behemoth who worked daytime security in the building. “I'm sure Drummond will calm down as soon as he sees Rocket's on the case. Leave my door open, and let me know as soon as security—”

The ding of the elevator floated in the air, the sound a reminder of the bells Maddy had heard during boxing matches. She scrambled out from behind her desk and stepped into the hall just in time to see Rocket, all six foot four inches of him, holding the elevator doors open for Drummond. He had stopped shouting but was muttering furiously under his breath, while still shooting a hateful glare in Maddy's direction.

“Thank you, Rocket,” Maddy shouted. “I'm sorry for the trouble.”

“Oh, you'll be sorry alright,” Drummond barked at her as he stormed into the elevator. He went back to muttering when Rocket turned around and shot him a look.

“Anytime,” Rocket said firmly. He nodded, and light flashed off his smooth, bald head as he punched the lobby button. “And it's no trouble at all.”

The doors slid closed, and Maddy breathed an audible sigh of relief. After dealing with that jerk, going to Old Brookfield didn't seem anywhere near as daunting as it had a little while ago. In fact, now more than ever, she wanted to see Ronan and that naughty grin of his.

“Are you okay, Maddy?” Sharon asked quietly.

“Yes. It's done.”

Maddy gave Terrence a tight smile as he headed to his corner office.

“You will see to his client list, won't you, Madolyn?” Terrence called to her.

“Absolutely, sir.”

“Do you still want to go over that party list?” Sharon asked. She had a notebook in her hands and was fiddling with the pen again. “Or should we do it later?”

“Let's hold off on that. Please pull Drummond's current client list and email it to me. All sales—active, completed, and pending. I want to beat the smarmy son of a bitch to the punch.” Maddy gave Sharon's arm a reassuring squeeze and looked around at the rest of the staff who had gathered to watch the previous shit show. “Back to business, everyone.”

Amid a flurry of whispers, everyone retreated to their respective desks, but Sharon remained next to Maddy.

“I think we should call a meeting before we close for the week,” Maddy said quietly. “I'll clear it with Terrence. Check the booking calendar, and find a time when everyone is in-house. All brokers and support staff in the conference room… We should tie this up before the holiday. I leave bright and early on Saturday, so that only gives us today and tomorrow to put a bow on this mess. I'll be able to stay on top of everything else via email and so forth while I'm gone, at least. God bless the Internet.”

With the suite quiet and calm once again, Maddy disappeared into the sanctuary of her office and closed the door tightly. Part of her, a really small part, wondered if she should be leaving town after all this, but she quickly shoved that notion aside. She had made a promise to Jordan, and there was no way on earth she would break it.

Besides, what could Drummond really do to her anyway?

* * *

Ronan tossed his toiletries bag into the suitcase and zipped it closed, the noise immediately capturing Bowser's attention. After assessing the situation and finding no imminent threat—or snack—the bloodhound settled his snout back onto his paws in his well-worn bed and drifted right back into sleep.

“Lucky bastard,” Ronan groused. “I don't envy much about being a dog, but the ability to sleep on demand is pretty awesome.”

He wasn't exaggerating either.

Thanks to the six different searches they'd executed over the past three weeks, Ronan
should
have been able to pass out at a moment's notice. But sleep had eluded him, which was a first. Ronan had been the king of the catnap; his brothers could be causing a colossal ruckus, and he would sleep right through it. Nothing kept him from his sleep. At least, that is, until a certain sultry brunette had gotten under his skin and into his head.

“Woman has me spinning,” he muttered. “And now I'm talking to myself.”

Ronan took his suitcase out by the front door of his apartment, and the phone in the back pocket of his jeans buzzed. He set the bag down and yanked the phone out to see his captain's number glaring at him from the screen.

“Damn it,” he whispered.

He hit the Answer button with his thumb and took the call, at the same time walking to the kitchenette and grabbing a beer out of his fridge. He hoped like hell that they weren't about to catch a case. Technically he wasn't off the clock until tomorrow; if they needed him for a search tonight, he'd have to go.

“Hello?” Ronan lifted his shoulder and held the phone to his ear while quickly opening the beer. “This is McGuire.”

He tossed the cap in the dingy, white garbage pail and leaned one hip against the counter, staring at the frosty bottle. No sleep, and if he was catching a case right now, no beer.

Damn it.

“The son of a bitch dropped another one,” Captain Jenkins said flatly. “No ID yet. The body was found this afternoon along the Bronx River Parkway, right by the zoo, about a half mile from where they found the Bowman woman. Female. Same MO.”

“A serial killer,” Ronan murmured.

“You said it.” Jenkins voice was tight with tension. “Feds are already here. They set up shop down at the first precinct. Those boys don't waste any time.”

Ronan's gut swirled to the point of nausea. He hadn't heard from Maddy since yesterday. She usually answered his text messages quickly, but so far, she hadn't responded to the one he sent last night. He squeezed his eyes shut and forced himself to stay focused and keep breathing. A moment later, he felt Bowser's warm, furred body as the bloodhound leaned all his weight against Ronan's legs in a comforting gesture.

That damn dog knew him better than most people.

“The vic. Age?” he bit out. “Hair color?”

“It's not your lady friend, McGuire,” Jenkins said calmly. “Besides, I wouldn't call you with something like that. Jeez, man. I'd deliver that in person.”

“You're sure?” Ronan's words were clipped. “It's not Maddy? You've never met her or seen her. How can you be sure?”

“C'mon, I do my homework,” Cap said. “When you started acting like a monk, I had to find out who this broad was who could get you off the market. I seen her picture on that fancy realty house website. Anyway, this definitely ain't her. Your lady is a curly brunette, and the vic was a redhead and older, late forties. You said you wanted to stay in the loop. So…consider yourself looped.”

“Thanks,” Ronan said with a short laugh. He let out a slow breath and sat on his couch, with Bowser dropping right in front of him. “Sorry. I'm exhausted, and I guess it's starting to show.”

“Good thing you're going on vacation, then.”

“You said it.” Ronan stroked Bowser's head. “We both need a break.”

“Your lady friend gonna be there too?”

“Yes, Cap. Maddy will be there.” Ronan shook his head and smiled. “She's the maid of honor and I'm the best man. Our presence is required. The wedding's two days before Christmas, and I think she's staying on through the holiday too.”

“Good,” Jenkins said with a gravelly laugh. “Then be sure to catch her under the mistletoe. You been lettin' her run away from you long enough.”

“Cap…”

“Alright, I'll stop breakin' your balls. You and Bowser have a good vacation, and I'll let you know if there are any other developments with the case. But other than that, I don't wanna see or hear from you until January second. Got it?”

“Yes, Captain.” Ronan saluted and made a face at Bowser who practically rolled his big, brown eyes. “We got it. McGuire and partner signing off until next year.”

Jenkins's guttural belly laugh could still be heard when Ronan hit the end button and tossed the cell phone on the cushion next to him. He ruffled Bowser's ears while he finally took a long-awaited sip of his beer.

“I don't know about you, partner, but I'm glad as hell that Maddy is getting out of this city for a little while. With any luck, they'll find the SOB doing this before we get back.”

Bowser barked his agreement and trotted off to the bedroom. Ronan grabbed his cell to text Maddy. He debated mentioning the latest victim to her but thought better of it. The last complication Maddy needed before going back to Old Brookfield was worrying about that ugliness. No, she had enough on her plate with the wedding and facing the flood of memories that would undoubtedly swarm her when she got back home. Besides, they didn't know yet if the latest victim was connected—although Ronan's gut told him she was.

Nope, he would keep it simple.

See you tomorrow.

His thumb hovered over the keyboard for a moment before he added:

Last one to town buys the first round of beers at Skinners.

* * *

Ronan lay in bed for what felt like forever. He tossed and turned, but sleep refused to come. He couldn't stop thinking about Maddy and the latest victim, and to make matters worse, she
still
hadn't texted him back.

He grabbed the spare pillow and punched it before turning on his side and pulling it against him. Yeah, it was pathetic to be more familiar with spooning a pillow than a woman. He didn't
sleep
with women. His college girlfriend had been the exception to the rule, mind you, and the only girl he might have really loved. But after that, he'd never fallen asleep with anyone. Nope, Ronan was really good at sticking around for a little while and then bailing out.

Then why the hell could he think of nothing else but
sleeping
with Maddy? He screwed his eyes shut and recalled her perfume, a tantalizing mix of fresh-from-the-shower clean and vanilla. Damn, what he wouldn't give to have her here next to him, to pull her soft, curvy body against his and revel in the warm expanse of that lovely skin.

It wasn't about sex. Nope, that was a lie. It wasn't
only
about sex.

He wanted to discover every possible way to bring her pleasure, but his desires went beyond the physical. In fact, right now, he'd give almost anything to have her here with him. To simply hold her and feel her body rise and fall against his with the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.

A grin curved Ronan's lips. That would be the best sleeping pill ever.

The phone on his nightstand buzzed, the dim glow lighting up the room with the announcement of an arriving text message. Ronan grabbed it and squinted as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the screen. A second later, a full-blown smile cracked his face.

Sorry I didn't get back to u sooner. Crazed at work. Got an asshat fired. Couldn't sleep. Decided to drive out tonight. Looks like the beers are on u. Safe travels. C u tmrw.

Ronan texted back quickly.

Sounds good. C u soon.

He flopped back in bed and pressed one hand to his bare chest, a smile still lingering on his lips. With his eyelids growing heavy, one thought drifted through his mind… Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

The dining room of Kelly's Old Brookfield Inn was blissfully quiet when Maddy came down for her coffee. Since it was in her hometown, she had never stayed at the quaint New England inn before, but over the years she had referred countless prospective buyers there. The massive eighteenth-century colonial was on the edge of town at the end of Main Street, which made it the perfect location for potential residents to check out the storybook hamlet of Old Brookfield.

The original structure, a grand white colonial with black shutters and lovely flower boxes in the summer, had been built by the Kelly family in 1745. It had been updated over the years and passed on through the generations, keeping it in the family, until Imogene and Bob had turned it into a B and B in 1986.

The lace-covered dining table was set for twelve, and a festive holly arrangement rested at the center of it all. The entire inn was decorated from top to bottom for the Christmas holiday, including three differently themed trees. Though the smallest of them all, the dining room tree sat in the corner by the bay window and was covered in blue and silver bows amid a blanket of twinkling white lights. The tree blended perfectly with the shades of periwinkle, cobalt blue, and white that adorned the lush dining room. A fire crackled in the marble fireplace, giving the entire space a warm and welcoming feel.

Maddy went to the large antique buffet table along the wall and poured herself some coffee. Based on the untouched cups and saucers, she was the first guest downstairs. No big surprise there. She'd woken with the sunrise and wanted to take a run before the holiday shoppers were out and about. Facing her old friends and seeing the familiar faces from town would be both wonderful and gut-wrenching at the same time.

“Is that my Maddy?”

Imogene's sweet voice drifted through the sunny dining room. Maddy turned to see the older woman emerge from the kitchen with open arms and a huge smile on her face. She was wearing a well-used apron over a pink sweater and blue jeans, and her long, white hair was tied up in a bun. Surrounded by all the garland and holly, she fleetingly reminded Maddy of Mrs. Claus. The swinging door shut behind her with a whisper as she rushed over and wrapped Maddy in a hug.

“Hey, Imogene.” Maddy fought the sudden swell of emotion when the older woman's arms curled around her. “It's great to see you.”

“Honey, let me look at you.” Imogene pulled back and squeezed Maddy's shoulders, while her bright-green eyes studied Maddy from head to toe. “My, my, my. New York City looks good on you, but I am pleased as punch to have you back home. We have missed you around here! Jordan is doing a fine job with the flower shop, and that new real estate agent lady is perfectly nice, but she's not you.”

“Thanks,” Maddy said shakily. She sipped her coffee to try to steady herself. “I have to admit, I've missed being here. I guess it's like that old saying goes, there's no place like home.”

“Yes, indeed.” Imogene nodded and gestured to the table. “Now, how about you have a seat and I'll bring you some breakfast. We have the full-court press today. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage. You name it and it's yours.”

“Oh, no, Imogene—thank you,” Maddy said quickly, then took another gulp from her cup. “I'm just having some coffee before my run, but I'll definitely take you up on it afterward. In fact, I may have to increase my time today just to account for all of that food.”

“Alright then. Breakfast is served until eleven, and we offer a light dinner from four until seven in the evening.” Imogene wiped her hands on her apron before going about the table and straightening what looked perfectly straight. “But you know that, I suppose. Have you seen anyone else yet?”

“No.” Maddy drained the rest of the coffee and looked for somewhere to put the empty cup, but Imogene swept over and took it from her hand. “Thank you. I, uh, got in kind of late last night. I'm sorry I disturbed you and Bob.”

Maddy tightened her ponytail, and her cheeks heated when she recalled how Bob had come running to the door in his pajamas, tightening his robe.

“Oh, now, honey, don't you give it a second thought.” Imogene laughed out loud. “It's his own damn fault. We knew you were coming home late, and that man was supposed to leave you the keys in the old milk box on the porch. I just sent him over to the market to pick up some more bacon, or he'd be out here now saying hello to you too. I swear.” She waved one pudgy hand in the air. “It's a good thing we never had children. I can barely keep track of
him
.”

“Rick was forgetful too,” Maddy said with a small smile. She caught Imogene's eye and saw sympathy there. “But when you love someone…”

“Amen to that, darling.” Imogene grabbed Maddy's hand and gave it a squeeze. “He was a good man.”

“He was.” Maddy's smile grew. For the first time in a good long while, she wasn't racked with grief when Rick's name came up. Instead, there was warmth and fondness, even gratitude. “I was lucky that I had so many years with him. Married or not, we had a lot of fun. I suppose that's more than most people get.”

“Oh, now, honey,” Imogene said with a short laugh. “You are a sweet young thing. You can still get married and have a family. Take Gavin McGuire, for example. His poor mama
never
thought he'd settle down, and look at him. Next weekend he gets an instant family with Jordan and her girls. Carolyn is over the moon.”

“I'm sure she is,” Maddy agreed. “If she's even
half
as happy as Jordan and Gavin are, then she's probably ready to bust.”

“You know who should watch out?” Imogene lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Gavin's brothers. Mmm-hmm. Now that Gavin is tying the knot, Carolyn has a bee in her bonnet about getting all her other boys married off.”

“Oh really?” Maddy could barely hide her amusement. “She's looking for brides for her sons?”

“Oh well, come on now.” Imogene's cheeks turned pink. “I wouldn't go that far. It's just that she sees how happy Gavin is and, well, I suspect she wants that for the rest of them. They're all as handsome as God could make them, so it can't be for lack of opportunities. Those boys have always been like catnip for the girls.”

“That's true,” Maddy said quietly. Images of Ronan flickered through her mind. “Not an unfortunate-looking one in the bunch. But I think those McGuire men are married to their jobs.”

“Oh please.” Imogene rolled her eyes. “
All
men are married to something—chasing women, work, play, what have you…at least, until they find
the one
. Then all bets are off. Nothing turns a man around like falling in love with the right woman. The same goes for us ladies, mind you. Life and love are both meant to be shared. What sense is there in working or living if you have no one to enjoy it with?”

Maddy nodded her agreement, and her thoughts went to Ronan. He had quickly become the first person on her mind every morning and the last one she thought of at night. It was time to admit to herself that her fears of falling for Ronan were a day late and a dollar short.

She'd already fallen for him. Big time.

“Thanks, Imogene,” Maddy whispered. She pulled the older woman into another big hug. “You have a knack for saying exactly the right thing at exactly the right time.”

“Sometimes.” Imogene laughed and patted Maddy's cheek. “But if you ask Bob, he'll say that I'm too meddlesome.”

“No way.” Maddy shook her head. “You know, after my mom died, you were like my surrogate mom. Honestly, not only for me. Imogene, you're like the town den mother. So thanks…for the coffee, the lovely room upstairs, and the years of great hugs.”

Tears filled Imogene's eyes and her lips quivered, but the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs had her swiping them away. A family of four, the parents and two sullen-looking teenagers, came around the corner and into the dining room.

“It smells wonderful in here,” the dad said.

As the family settled in at the table, Imogene put on her best smile and grabbed the coffeepot.

“You go on your run now, honey,” she whispered. “We have a full house for the holidays, but I'll be sure to save some for you. The food will be here when you get back…and so will I.”

Maddy gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and headed out for her run. She pulled on her gloves and the wrap to cover her ears and fleetingly wondered if she should have added another layer.

The moment she stepped into the chilly December morning, she noted the stark difference between the air in Old Brookfield versus Manhattan. There were no choking fumes of car exhaust, and the dank odor of old garbage was missing. Instead, there was only the crisp, clean scent that was a combination of bread from the bakery down the road and a hint of salty ocean air. The streets were quiet, and while a few cars drove past, there were no blaring horns or screaming cabbies.

It was slower here.

Peaceful and welcoming.

She trotted down the front steps of the wraparound porch and walked toward the center of town. She had been greeted by the twinkling array of Christmas lights that were on almost every tree in town when she drove in last night. The massive towering pine in the little park by the town hall was decorated as it always had been, but for some reason, it looked even more spectacular than she remembered. Maybe it was because she had lived there for so many years; after a while, she had stopped appreciating the beauty that surrounded her.

Distance and time had given her a whole new perspective.

Her car had been the only one on the street last night; she'd pulled in close to midnight, and at that time, most of Old Brookfield was asleep. She must have sat in the car staring at that tree for close to twenty minutes, and the entire time she had questioned her decision to leave town.

A pang of regret had swelled when she thought about going back to the city.

Maddy started to do some stretches on the park bench but stilled when the firehouse caught her eye. Rick was gone. That part of her life was over. Ronan had been absolutely correct; she had been using Rick's death as an excuse. She'd left Old Brookfield last year to try to escape her grief, but of course, she couldn't run from it. She had done a damn fine job of compartmentalizing it and putting it away, but that couldn't make it disappear. Moving to the city merely allowed her to grieve alone, which was what she had wanted at the time. She hadn't wanted to burden anyone else or be the grieving girlfriend that people looked at with abject pity.

So what now, smarty-pants?

As Maddy took off on her run, she played that question over and over in her mind. Imogene was right. Life and love are both meant to be shared, and only one person in Maddy's world could possibly fit that bill.

Now all she had to figure out was how to go about it.

A smile played at her lips as she turned the corner by the flower shop. It was a good thing she had Jordan to lean on for dating advice because while Maddy was great at business, she sucked at all the girlie stuff. She had a sinking suspicion that Jordan would be more than happy to oblige.

* * *

“Gavin, you have to have a bachelor party,” Ronan said incredulously. He dropped his bags on the floor of the kitchen, and Bowser sat next to him. “Tristan, Finn, and Dillon are all coming home on Wednesday, and we've already got everything planned for that night. The wedding isn't until Saturday, and the bachelor party is totally on the up-and-up.”

“Oh man,” Gavin groaned. “No strippers or any of that crap. Please.”

Ronan's big brother closed the refrigerator door in the spacious yellow-and-white kitchen of their childhood home before placing the carton of milk on the granite counter. He looked happier and more at ease than Ronan had ever seen him. A major part of that had to be because of Jordan.

“It's good to be home,” Ronan said with a heavy sigh.

He'd missed moments like this more than he cared to admit. The plate of cookies, their mother's famous oatmeal chocolate chip, were still warm from the oven, and he'd smelled that delectable aroma before even stepping foot in the house. He had planned on bringing Bowser out to the cottage first, but that smell had made his stomach rumble, and he'd had to investigate.

Ronan sat on the stool while Bowser gave him that mournful, watery-brown gaze.

“You're not getting any of these cookies.” Ronan peered down at his partner. “I mean it.”

The dog snuffled as though totally annoyed and lay down on the tiled floor.

“Are you sure that's a dog? He's as big as a horse.”

“Yeah? Well, he thinks he's a person.”

“You better get him out of here before Mom gets back.” Gavin took one of the cookies and pointed at the bloodhound. “She's gonna flip if she finds out he was in her kitchen. She and Dad will be back any minute. They had to go into town to pick up her dress or something.”

“I know.” Ronan let out a heavy sigh. “I don't think she's really allergic to him, but his shedding makes her nuts. That's why we're staying out in the cottage. Speaking of which, I was surprised to find you in here. You and Jordan bought that place on the beach last year. What gives?” He grinned. “She sick of you already?”

“No, wiseass, we decided that I'd stay here during the week leading up to the wedding.” He shrugged. “You know, throw some tradition into our untraditional situation. I'm staying in my old room, though, so you and Bowser can have the cottage while you're here.”

“Thanks.”

Bowser barked loudly and wagged his tail, still staring at the cookie in Ronan's hand.

“You can't have chocolate.” Ronan ate the rest. “Cut it out. No one likes a beggar.”

“I mean it,” Gavin warned. He poured two glasses of milk and slid one over to Ronan. “About Bowser
and
about the bachelor party.”