Crime & Passion (3 page)

Donovan nodded and walked to his desk. He
flopped into the chair, fear clutching his chest. So far, at least,
no one knew about him punching Frank.

Eric glanced up from the papers in front of
him. “You okay?”

Closing his eyes and leaning back, Donovan
didn’t respond. If word got out Stephanie was a suspect and it
looked like she wouldn’t get her children back, there was no way
she’d keep quiet about the threats he made yesterday.

He had to find more suspects before that
happened.

***

“I knew California was a bad idea!”

Madeline sighed, shifting her cell phone to
her other ear before taking another sip of tea. The hot bath hadn’t
done anything to steady her nerves, and her mom’s hysterics weren’t
helping much either. “You make it sound like I moved to L.A.
There’s hardly any crime in this dinky town. I promise you, I’m
fine.”

“But a body? Madeline Josephine Scott, what
if the killer saw you?”

“The police are keeping an eye on me until
the killer is caught,” Madeline lied. “Don’t worry.”

“I’d feel better if you came back to Utah,
sweetheart.”

“What for?” Madeline blinked back sudden
tears. It had been five months since she caught her maid of honor
in bed with her fiancé, and the pain and humiliation remained.
“Coming back is not an option. Please, don’t worry about me.”

A knock sounded against her door, and
Madeline stifled a relieved sigh. “Somebody’s here. I have to go.
I’ll call on Sunday. Kiss, kiss.”

Madeline hung up before her mother could
respond and tightened the sash of her robe to make sure her silky
pajamas didn’t show. She crossed through the small living room to
the front door and peered through the peephole. Officer Andrews
stood in the outer hallway, shifting from side to side.

He was dressed all in black rather than his
police uniform, and his short, brown hair spiked up in front. The
slight graying at his temples gave him a distinguished look. His
penetrating eyes stared directly into the peephole, as though he
could see Madeline on the other side.

Smoothing her wet hair against her head, she
pulled open the door. “Donovan? Was there something more you
needed?”

Donovan’s eyes traveled up and down her body,
spending an inordinate amount of time on her bare legs beneath the
short silk robe. “Nice outfit.”

Though her cheeks burned, Madeline refused to
lose her composure. Her robe was perfectly respectable, even if her
uninvited guest wasn’t. “Can I help you?”

He nodded. “You might be the only person who
can
help me.”

Madeline tipped her head sideways,
considering. Donovan clearly was no longer on duty, and he already
acted a little too friendly earlier. What, exactly, was he asking
for? “I’m sure lots of other girls would love to help you, and
probably have.”

He laughed. “I know I come on a bit strong,
but I’m here about the murder investigation—not that I’m sorry I
got to see your gorgeous legs.”

Madeline’s mouth worked a few times, but she
was unable to form words as Donovan pushed past her into the
apartment.

He looked past the short hallway to the
cheerily painted living room and let out a low whistle. “Yellow
walls? I’m surprised. I had you pegged for a lavender girl.”

Madeline folded her arms. “What is it that
you want?”

“Is anyone here with us, or can we talk in
private?”

“We’re alone.” She shut the door and led him
into the apartment, gesturing toward the gray suede couch. “Have a
seat. Would you like some tea?”

“Is that all you have?” Donovan sat down and
grimaced. “I suppose if you don’t have coffee, that’ll have to
work.”

Madeline tightened her lips and spun on her
heel, marching into the kitchen. What was wrong with the man?
Couldn’t he just ask politely for coffee like a decent human being,
instead of acting as though she offered him dog piss? She thought
about the instant coffee granules sitting in her cupboard. It would
only take a few seconds to make him a cup.

Grabbing a mug, she filled it to the brim
with hot chamomile tea. If he couldn’t show any manners, she saw no
reason to go out of her way to please him.

She stormed back into the living room and
shoved the mug into his hands. Hot liquid sloshed over the side of
the cup.

He jerked one hand away and shoved it into
his mouth, muffling curses as he sucked off the scalding tea.

“Oopsie,” she muttered, sinking gracefully
into the armchair and crossing her legs. She tugged her robe down
as inconspicuously as possible, just to make sure Donovan didn’t
see more than he should. “What is it you need to know, Officer
Andrews?”

Donovan sipped his tea and pulled a coaster
out of a stack on the coffee table. He put the mug down and leaned
back. “Officer Andrews is it? Guess I overstepped my mark. I’m just
so used to women...” He shrugged.

“Throwing themselves at you?” Madeline
finished with raised eyebrows. “Giving you whatever you want?”

“Something like that.” Donovan settled back
into the couch, his eyes tracking her every movement. “Look,
Madeline, I’m sorry if I offended you, but I could really use your
help. I need to know if you remember anything else about the
runner.”

Madeline had searched her mind all night. She
wouldn’t impede an investigation because of Donovan’s deplorable
manners. “The runner held something in his hand. It might have been
a small baseball bat. Do you know what kind I mean? I think it’s
called a Louisville Slugger.”

Donovan shot out of his relaxed pose and
leaned toward her with narrowed eyes. “Or perhaps a police
baton?”

“Could’ve been.” She nodded. “I couldn’t see
it well, but the shape was cylindrical.”

“How big was it?”

She held her free hand about a foot and a
half from her mug of tea. “About like this from what I remember.
Might have been a little bigger.”

Donovan shook his head and took another sip
of tea. “Damn,” he muttered softly.

As an officer, she thought he’d be happy to
hear that news. It was another clue, at least. She’d been thinking
about it all night. The victim was a big man and would have been
hard to strangle unless he was incapacitated. “Do you think maybe
the killer hit the victim and knocked him out before choking
him?”

“It’s a good theory, especially if the killer
was a smaller person,” Donovan agreed. “It’s one of the reasons my
Chief wants me to look at you a little harder.”

“M—m—me?” Madeline shook her head
frantically. “I couldn’t. I
wouldn’t
!”

“Don’t worry.” He reached out and patted her
bare leg. “I told Chief Stone the same thing.”

The skin he touched seemed to burn with the
heat coming from it. Why did he so unsettle all her senses?

His fingers slipped away from her knee,
caressing it lightly. “I’ll need an account of your activities
today for the record,” he said, “but I don’t think you’re
guilty.”

“I’m glad to hear you don’t truly consider me
a suspect. It would have been a bit difficult to keep control of
Brutus and take down a huge man at the same time.” Madeline took
deep, calming breaths and sipped her tea. They couldn’t really
suspect her. Obviously, the small-town police were panicking. In
cop shows, they always blamed anyone new to town. That had to be
the case here. She looked back at Donovan. “I’m sorry, but I really
don’t know anything more.”

“Well, remembering the bat or whatever it was
is helpful.” He ran his hand over his face and shook his head,
looking tired. “Unfortunately, it makes me look guiltier.”

“You?”

He must have seen the shock in her eyes,
because Donovan held out a hand in a placating manner. “Sorry. I
shouldn’t have said that. I promise I didn’t do anything, but I
have a couple very good reasons for wanting this case wrapped up in
a hurry.”

“I suppose if you’re a killer, I’ve already
let you in my house, so there’s not much to do about it now.” She
set her tea down, pleased when the cup went smoothly onto the table
and didn’t rattle. Yep, she was a cool cucumber. She had murderers
in for tea every night. No problem here.

“Look, Maddie, I promise I’ve done nothing
wrong. Well, not much wrong.”

“My name is Madeline,” she corrected softly,
wondering if she could make it to her bedroom, lock the door, and
call 911 before he caught her.

“Sorry. You look like a Maddie.”

Donovan stared into her eyes for several
breathless moments, just long enough for Madeline to wonder if he
was about to hurt her.

He finally shrugged and looked away. “The
problem I have is Frank Johnson liked to beat his wife. I can’t
tell you how many times I went to that house.” He stood and began
pacing the living room like a restless beast. “Yesterday, he hit
his little girl.”

She sucked in a shocked breath.
How could
any man do that to his own family? Especially his child?

Donovan pivoted on his toe and stalked back
toward her, breathing hard and clenching his fists. “Horrible piece
of shit that he was, I wish someone hadn’t picked today to kill
him. I could be in trouble.”

He really did sound like a man desperate to
clear his name, not a killer.

“Why might you be in trouble?” she asked.

“Because I was stupid.” His eyes met hers
again. “I lost it yesterday, roughed him up, made some threats. I
shouldn’t have, but I was so angry.”

“And now he’s dead.”

“Lucky for the world, unlucky for me.”

Anger emanated off Donovan like a palpable
force. Madeline watched him as he prowled. He had the graceful body
of a runner. Although he would definitely be strong enough to
strangle someone, Madeline wondered if she’d jumped to conclusions
too quickly.

If he really had killed that man, he’d gain
nothing by talking to her about it. Also, he’d genuinely seemed
surprised when he looked at the body.

Madeline settled back in her chair, deciding
it wouldn’t be necessary to call 911. “Judging by how inappropriate
this entire conversation is, I can see you aren’t great at
following police procedure. However, anyone would have wanted to
beat up a guy like that.”

“That’s the thing. Tons of people hate him.
His wife probably killed him so she could get her kids back, but I
think she’ll point the finger of blame at me.”

Madeline shook her head. “I’m pretty sure you
shouldn’t be telling me all this, especially not if I’m a
suspect.”

He laughed. “Probably not, but we suspects
have to stick together.”

It would serve her best not to respond to
that. “You said you had several reasons for needing to round up
suspects. What else is going on?”

Donovan made another trip around the room and
stopped in front of Madeline. He planted a hand on either arm of
the chair and leaned into her. A tingling of excitement passed
through her as Donovan’s warm cheek pressed against hers and his
hot breath blew in her ear.

“Chief said I can’t date you while I’m
involved in this investigation.” He pulled slowly away from her,
the slight stubble on his cheek revving up her senses as it brushed
against her. “I want to finish this case quickly...very
quickly.”

Madeline tried to calm her erratic pulse as
she watched Donovan cross the room and open the front door.

He turned to look at her. “Lock this behind
me, Maddie.”

Madeline struggled to open the door of Woofy
Cuts against the harsh wind whipping through town. Wasn’t
California supposed to be the land of sunshine, bikini-clad babes,
and over-muscled idiots? Perhaps only the southern part of the
state boasted those attractions.

She stepped into the interior of the shop,
trying to smooth her tangled hair. Walking seven small dogs this
morning, while dealing with the weather, was a test in patience.
However, all the yappy dogs were safe in their homes, and Madeline
only arrived ten minutes late to work.

“There you are, Madeline. I was just about to
call you.”

Madeline glanced across the pink and blue
room at her employer. Oversized bones decorated the walls and
shelves of supplies for sale covered the left-hand side of the
store. Her boss stood near the styling stations in the center,
checking the grooming supplies.

Lindsey Butters was everything Madeline
wished she could be: blonde, blue-eyed, and petite. Madeline
guessed Lindsey to be in her forties, but no one would ever know
that from looking at her. The woman had the looks of a short
supermodel in her mid twenties, though Madeline suspected Botox had
a hand in Lindsey’s wrinkle-free face.

“Sorry about that,” Madeline said, walking
past the customer seating area. “I had the Pomeranians this
morning. You know how much trouble they cause with the other dogs.
It’s amazing I’m here now.”

“Oh, I’m not angry you’re late.” Lindsey
shook her head, bobbing perfect curls against her shoulders. “But
after you found that body last night, I have more reasons to worry
about you walking alone out there.”

The memory of Frank Johnson’s lifeless eyes
filled her vision for a moment. Madeline’s hand trembled slightly
as she opened the door to the coat closet and hung her jacket.
“How’d you hear about that?”

“It was in this morning’s paper. Brandon
Feldman must have worked all night to prepare the story so
fast.”

Madeline sighed and checked the white board
to see how busy their schedule was today. She should’ve known the
resident gossip, otherwise known as owner of the newspaper, would
blab her life to the entire town.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like Brandon, not
exactly. The man had tried many times to convince Madeline to go
out with him since she arrived in town. She turned him down each
time, though she wasn’t sure what made her cautious of him. He
seemed nice enough. One thing was certain; he was nothing like
Donovan.