Beauty and the Chief (15 page)

“Maybe what you felt was his cheek. The scar he has there. You were frightened and it was dark.” He tried to reason as his hands moved up and down her back in an effort to soothe her.

“No,” she whispered one last denial, going limp against him. She was relieved that he didn’t try to stop her tears but held her as she cried. She was drained of all energy when the flood finally ended. Her eyes felt too heavy to keep them open, she closed them, and she gave herself over to him to hold up.

“Come on, you need to get some sleep. It’ll be better in the morning.” He brushed his lips against her temple.

“Why do people say that?” She managed to raise her head and open her eyes to look at him.

“Probably because they don’t know what else to say to make it better.” He brushed his lips to hers. She nodded, moving with him as he turned. Instead of stopping to collect Abby next to his sleeping son, he kept going toward the stairs.

“Where are we going?” Her brain was too sluggish to wrap around where he was leading her.

“I’m going to take you upstairs, find you something to sleep in. While you change, I’ll come down and get Jordan and tuck him in. If he heard that, he would say he’s too old,” Mark said trying to add a touch of lightness. “Then I’ll come back and tuck you in. You may have to fight my son for your dog.”

“I can’t sleep here.” She blinked to clear the sleepy, muddled feeling from her mind.

He turned to face her straight on, placing a hand under her chin to tilt her face up to look at him. “Yes, you can and you will. Don’t worry, I’ll control myself. In fact, I will be across the hall. I want you awake and your full attention on me when we make love for the first time. Tonight, I wouldn’t get either of those things. You’re worn out. Your emotions have been tossed all over the place today and you’re still torn up about Toby. So don’t argue. You shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

The kiss he gave her wasn’t filled with passion but it was enough to blow the last of the circuit she still had functioning in her brain.

She was hardly aware of him leading her up the stairs. She was in the center of a room before it registered it had to be his. “This is your room?” She turned to study it, even her sluggish mind could take in the details.

It was a wonderful room that fit him very well. The bed was beautifully carved wood. She knew he had picked it out himself. It fit him so nicely and looked so comfortable, she wanted to curl up in and be surrounded by it.

“Yes.” His answer finally registered. He opened a drawer of a tall dresser and pulled out a pair of old, worn sweat pants. “These will drown you but will have to do.” He opened another drawer and took out a T-shirt.

“You picked your bed.”

“Yes. You don’t like it?”

“I love it. It’s beautiful.” She ran a finger over it and almost giggled at the surprised look on his face. She must be getting punchy.

“High praise from the designer. How do you think the painting you have over your fireplace will look hanging over it?

She squinted, trying to picture it and shook her head. “No, it’d be better on the wall over there.”

He followed her finger and nodded. “We’ll have to check it out, but, not now. My designer needs to get some sleep.” Again, he guided her, but this time it was across the hall and down several doors. “The bathroom is there. You can sleep here.” He opened the bedroom door.” Get changed and I’ll be back in a minute to check on you.”

It’d taken him five minutes to get Jordan settled in bed. Abby once again was stretched out beside his son with Jordan’s arm draped over her. Mark smiled. It looked like Jordan was getting a dog. Closing the door behind him, he crossed the hall to the guest room. At the sight of the woman standing in the middle of the room, his heart crumbled.

Jillian stood statue stiff, looking utterly lost. His sweat pants and shirt bagged on her. She looked adorable and forlorn at the same time. She didn’t hear him push open the door or step up behind her.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her. She jumped slightly then went weak against him.

“I don’t know what to do.” Her voice was hushed. She turned to him. “I can’t believe that it’s Toby − that he could kill those women. Mark, it’s so impossible.”

“Try not to worry about it.” He brushed the hair back from her cheek.

“I can’t help it. I keep seeing him huddled in a cell.”

“I should have told you. We moved him over to the psychiatric ward at the hospital for evaluation. He’s not in a cell.” He didn’t add that part of the reason he pushed so hard for it tonight was for her benefit almost as much as knowing Toby couldn’t handle being in the cell. His heart jumped at the look of relief Jillian gave him.

“Thank you.” She leaned into him.

He gratefully accepted the hug, running his hands up and down her back. When he felt the shiver of released tension quake her body, he eased back. “Let’s get you to bed. You need some rest.”

“It seems like you keep trying to get me into bed.” An impish look crossed her face, and he couldn’t hold back the groan.

He met it with honesty. “You shouldn’t tease a man who wants you as much as I do and has been celibate as long as I have. I’m trying to be honorable here.”

“Mark.” This time it was her that brushed a hand over his cheek. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. So much has happened today. It was just that today we got engaged.” She looked stunned at the realization. “It feels like we’ve been together forever.”

He understood what she was experiencing. It was the same for him. It seemed weird to even think of life before her, and he couldn’t imagine it without her. “I know. A lot has happened lately, but would you mind making this a really short engagement? I want the wedding to be nice,” he added hurriedly, “but, is a couple months possible?”

“I’d say it’s a definite possibility, especially if I set my mom and Nan on it. How about we pick out a date in the morning, and get them working on it?”

“I’m for that.” He kissed her hard this time letting passion seep through.

“Umm. That was very nicely done.”

“What was?” He tried to look innocent.

“Distracting me.” She smiled. “I feel better now.”

“Good, climb into bed and I’ll tuck you in. I’m afraid you’ve lost Abby to Jordan. She’s curled up beside him.”

“I make her sleep on the floor at home,” she said pointedly as she slid under the covers.

“Well, it’s only for one night.”

The look she gave him said ‘yeah, right’.

He laughed. “So maybe both the Richards men will get sleeping companions out of this wedding.” He leaned in to kiss her. She was so beautiful. Her golden hair was fanned out on the pillow around her head. The haunted look that had been in her eyes was now gone, though the drowsy appeal remained.

He brought the blanket to her chin, not that it did anything to hide her allure. He couldn’t keep from running his fingers over her cheek. Her skin was so soft. A smile crested her lips, and more than anything he wanted to slide in beside her.

“How’s your ankle?” He tried to think of a safe subject.

“Better. Just a touch tender. Are you going to sit with me until I go to sleep?”

“I thought I might, since my son has your dog.”

“Oh, I see. I guess that’s only fair.”

“You said Abby wasn’t allowed in your bed. Does that mean I have to lie on the floor?”

“You said she was in bed with him.”

“Lying right beside him, his arm wrapped around her.”

“Then I guess it would only be fair.” That was all the encouragement Mark needed. He stretched out beside her on top of the covers and pulled her to him. Her arm came out to drape over his chest, and she sighed next to him.

“Go to sleep.” His voice came out a husky growl, but she just smiled and complied.

He was there. She could feel him over her. Light glinted off the knife as it descended. “Love me, Beauty.” The haunting words snaked out of the darkness. “No!” She screamed, fighting back at the grotesque features. She dug her fingers in, wanting to free herself from the demon. She felt rough skin and tried to pull back.

“Love me, Beauty.” The voice came again demanding that she comply.

“No!” she cried. “No, I love Mark.” Her mind caught on the name and formed a picture of the man who held her heart. She clung to it and used it to pull her free of the nightmare.

***

Light filtered in around the curtain, giving a faint illumination to the room. There was nothing threatening in the unfamiliar surroundings as Mark’s scent helped wipe away the dredges of the dream. Mark − a smile made its way to her lips canceling the last tendrils of fear. She pictured him the night before tucking her in bed, lying beside her, his arm draped over her, sheltering her.

The thought of sleeping beside him the rest of her life brought a rush of excitement. They were going to set the date this morning. He said he wanted the wedding as soon as possible. Well, she could agree with that.

Stretching, she pushed back the blanket. There was no sign of anyone in the hall when she peeked out. She almost laughed at the image of herself in the mirror. Her hair was a wild mess, and her shape was almost obliterated by Mark’s clothes. Happily, she wrapped her arms around herself.

Back in her room, she looked at her clothes draped over the chair. A sound out the window caught her attention before she could start to change. She pushed back the curtain and blinked as the sun blinded her for a moment. She had to blink again as a tear rushed into her eyes at the sight below of the boy and dog playing in the backyard.

Jordan and Abby raced across the grass together. Abby no longer showed the effects of the attack. She bounced off as Jordan flipped a tennis ball high into the air. Tears threatened to slip free as she realized that it wasn’t only her dog, but her son, enjoying their time together.

She was so wrapped up in the sight that she didn’t hear the man come up behind her, but she didn’t jump when his arms circled her. His lips on her neck did bring a shiver of awareness though. He worked his way up to her cheek. When he came in contact with the moisture, he froze, his arms tightening.

“Are you all right?”

Jillian nodded then swallowed so she could get the words out. “Look at them,” was all she could manage to reply.

She felt his body relax. “They’re having a great time.” His lips returned to nibble against her neck.

“I have a son.” She sniffled. Again, his arms tightened around her, but it was in a hug.

“I take it you don’t mind that.” His words were thick with emotions.

Again, she felt too choked up to get words out so she just shook her head.

Mark turned her in his arms and, with one hand cupped her face, tilting it up to him. “I love you.” His head dipped, and she was rewarded with a kiss that sent her heart soaring higher. When his kiss ended several minutes later, she had to rest her head on his chest to catch her breath. His heart thundered under her ear.

“So how many kids would you like to have?”

Her heart skipped a beat. “I always thought a couple would be nice.”

“A couple would be very nice,” he agreed easily, his hands moving up and down her back. “Have you thought of a date yet?”

“No, but you’re right. I don’t want it to be too far away, maybe about two months.”

“I can agree with that if you can. Shall we go look at schedules then call your parents? I was wondering about driving out to meet them next weekend after the soccer game.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

***

“Toby, I need you to talk to me. I need you to tell me about Sandra.”

“I like Sandra. She is my friend. I didn’t hurt her, I promise. And I wouldn’t hurt Jillian. I didn’t mean for her to fall.” He looked as if he was about to cry. “I shouldn’t have yelled at her. Is she mad at me?”

“No. She’s not mad.”

“Why didn’t she come to see me then?”

“She wanted to, but I asked her to let me talk to you first, and she had to go to work. Will you answer my questions? Your mother said it was all right if you talked to me.”

He nodded. “She told me to talk to you. She said you would stop asking questions if I asked you to. That you would be nice and not get mad at me.”

“That’s right. She said you didn’t want her in here. She can be in here if you want.”

“Uh, she’s been crying. I don’t like to see her cry.” He looked downcast.

“It’s all right, Toby.” Mark tried to calm him. It was hard not to feel like an ogre when the man looked so helpless. He knew it was no act. He was like a little boy. Jordan was much more mature than Toby. Mark couldn’t help thinking how he would feel if Jordan was in that chair.

The only thing was, if Toby went out of control, Toby had the strength to take out a couple guys before they could get him restrained. He had the sore ribs to remind him of that. Bottom line, he had trouble seeing Toby killing women.

Jillian was right. It just didn’t seem to be in his personality, but what if there was another personality in there? He’d talked to Toby’s mother for quite some time, and she was certain there wasn’t. It just didn’t add up. Toby was following Jillian. There was no doubt on that, but still.

“Toby, why are you following Jillian? We found pictures in your car of her.”

“I like to take pictures of her. She’s beautiful. She smells nice too.”

Mark could agree with that.

“And she’s always nice to me. I guess maybe I shouldn’t have taken pictures of her without asking. But, I liked having them. I have pictures of Sandra, too.”

“Yes, I know, we found them.”

“She knew I took them. She posed for me.”

“Okay. Toby, will you tell me about the book?”

“What book?” He looked up at him, then to Andrew standing in the corner.

“The book of Beauty and the Beast we found in your car.”

“I didn’t steal it. It was sitting on my car yesterday morning when I came out. I didn’t know whose it was. It didn’t have a library sticker on it, so it wasn’t a library book. I looked. I put it in the car so the sprinklers didn’t get it wet. I was going to ask the other kids if they lost it, but I didn’t get back to.”

“So it was just sitting on your car?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Did you read it?”

This time he shook his head. “No. I know the story. Mom used to read it to me. And we have the movie.”

“You like the story?”

He nodded.

“But, you didn’t read it.” Mark pressed for an answer.

“I didn’t. I promise I was going to give it back.” His look was full of remorse.

“All right, I’ve got to go now. Do you need anything?” He found himself asking.

“Can I get some more breakfast?” Toby looked hopeful.

“I’ll see what I can do.” He studied him a second before walking out of the room.

Andrew followed him. “What do you think?”

“If I go with my gut, I think he’s telling the truth.” Mark went over everything in his mind, and it still just didn’t add up that Toby was the killer. Looking back at his second in command, he put the question to him. “What do you think?”

“I’m in agreement. That isn’t an act in there, and I don’t think he has it in him to avoid leaving evidence and not getting caught sooner.”

“But, if it isn’t him, then the real killer is close enough to know Toby hangs around Jillian, to use him to throw us off the trail.”

“You going to release Toby?”

Mark paused to think. “No, I want to get the lab results back first. Toby said he didn’t read the book. Let’s see where his prints show up. If they’re all over the pages, then he lied to us. But, if they’re only on the cover and a few pages inside −” he let it hang, but Andrew caught on the same line of thought.

“You think the only fingerprints we’ll find are Toby’s?” It was more a statement than question.

“Yeah, I do. It’s too neat and tidy for Toby to have it there in the car like that. I don’t like it.” Mark grew thoughtful again.

“I could play devil’s advocate for a while and ask you if it’s not just wishful thinking for your fiancée.”

“You could but you won’t because you agree with me.”

“Yup. The blood type is the same but so is a lot of the population. I think when the DNA tests come back we’ll have proof Toby’s innocent.”

“Which means the killer may still be after Jillian. I’m going to head over to her shop and check on her.” The sentence was barely out when his phone rang. Mark looked at the caller ID and bit back a groan. “Hang on a minute, it’s the mayor.”

He answered the call and was even less happy when it ended. “I’ve got to go over to the mayor’s office for a minute. Someone leaked that we have a suspect in custody, and they called a press conference. There’s supposed to be someone with Jillian.”

“Right, I’ll double check to make sure we’ve got a man on that. Then I’ll have someone get Toby some more breakfast and go down to the lab and see if they have anything yet on the book or if I can hurry them along.”

“Thanks. Give me a call as soon as you hear.”

“You really are worried.”

“I don’t think we have a lot of time. If it’s not Toby, the guy will have to know it won’t fool us long. Then we’ll be back after him.”

“You want me to bring Jillian in?”

Andrew’s comment went with what Mark was thinking. He knew Jillian wouldn’t like it, but maybe it was time. “No, I’ll give her a call now and stress not to go anywhere without the officer, and as soon as I’m done at the press conference, I’ll head over there.”

He set off down the hall, bringing up Jillian’s number. “Jillian.” He felt a wave of relief when she answered.

“How’s Toby?”

He smiled at her greeting. “He’s fine. They’re just getting him his second breakfast.”

“You don’t think it’s him?” She sounded satisfied.

“It’s still out,” he said, not that it seemed to do any good.

“You don’t. I love you.” There was no missing the warmth in her tone that came over the line.

“I love you, too,” he said in a low voice, not breaking his stride. “Do me a favor. I’ve got another press conference right now. Then I’m heading over there. Promise me, if you have to go anywhere, and I mean anywhere, even to take out the garbage, take the officer on duty. You got it?” He winced at the forcefulness in the words.

“Mark.” There was a tremor in her voice now.

“Just promise me.” He reached the parking lot and waited for her answer.

“I promise.”

“Good, I’ll give you a call as soon as the conference is over. Love you.” It felt good voicing the words and hearing her return them before disconnecting. His car was right there. He had to force himself to walk past it toward the city building. He could see the group of reporters already gathered.

***

Jillian slipped the phone in her pocket and felt a wave of unease. Mark was worried. He hadn’t even bothered to hide it.

“Hey, Cherry Blossom, something wrong?” Nan’s voice cut in her thoughts.

Jillian jerked a little. “Oh, no.”

“Don’t tell me you scared him at how fast we’re moving on setting things up.”

The smile crept back to Jillian’s lips. “I didn’t get to tell him. He was on his way to a press conference.”

“He said he wanted soon, and you two did agree on the date, Sugar Plum.”

This time, the shiver that went through her was one of excitement. Looking at their schedules, they’d picked a date just eight weeks away. The shortness of the time frame seemed staggering, but since she’d arrived at the shop this morning, Nan and her mother had been on the phone and computer sending things back and forth.

They had already lined up the location and caterer. They were now flashing up picture of dresses for bridesmaids and tuxes to give her ideas. She and Mark had an appointment for pictures early Saturday morning. She made a mental note to make sure he could make it.

She also had an appointment to look at dresses Monday morning with her mother and flowers in the afternoon with the florist she favored. She couldn’t believe all that had been accomplished in a couple of hours. All the while, she was trying to get some work done.

She turned back to the order form she was filling out when the phone rang again.

“Taylored Designs, this is Jillian Taylor.”

“Yeah, Miss Taylor.”

Jillian strained to hear the caller. The voice sounded very nasally and muffled on the phone. “I’m helping Ryan Stoddard at the Van Buren Mansion, and he found something he wanted you to have a look at right away. He was wondering if you could come right out.”

She glanced at her watch. Mark said he was coming over right after the press conference, but that would take at least a good hour, she was sure. That should give her plenty of time. She just hoped it wasn’t anything serious. “I can be there in about fifteen minutes,” she said, and the phone cut off in her ear.