Crime & Passion (35 page)

“As your friend, there’s something else I’d
like to talk to you about.” He stopped walking and turned to face
her. The intensity in his eyes frightened her a bit. “But you
really aren’t going to like this.”

She swallowed hard. “Okay.”

“It’s about your boyfriend.” His gaze shifted
to the restaurant behind her. “He’s not a good person.”

Madeline tried not to let her irritation
show, but she’d had enough of everyone’s attitude against Donovan.
“I know you don’t care for him, Eric. You’ve made that perfectly
clear. But you also have no reason to think he’s done anything
wrong. Can’t you see someone framed him?”

“You still believe that story about being
framed?”

“Of course I do, and it sounds like the DA
believes it too.”

Eric narrowed his eyes. “What do you
mean?”

“The DA is considering dropping the charges.
That’s what they’re talking about right now. I think it’s going to
happen because he
is
innocent.” Madeline turned around,
walking up the beach toward the restaurant. “Donovan has plenty of
faults. Murdering people isn’t one of them.”

Eric kept pace with her. “How do you know
that for sure? I’ve heard some things in the last few weeks—things
that have me concerned.”

“Eric, stop. I don’t want to hear this.”

“You don’t know about his past.” Eric caught
her hand in his, tugging on it to slow her down. “I’ve seen his
file, Madeline. Even if he doesn’t pay for these crimes, he’ll get
caught eventually for something. I’m worried about you. What if
you’re next? Chief Stone says—”

“You’re being ridiculous.” Madeline whirled
around to face him. “Why would you believe Chief Stone? He wants
Donovan to be guilty because he can’t handle the fact that his only
daughter is psycho and probably the one killing people.”

“That’s not what’s going on.”

“Isn’t it?” She put her hands on her hips and
glared at him. “Did Stone send you here? Is this his way of putting
pressure on me so I don’t press charges against Suzie, by
threatening to come after Donovan and accuse him of more
crimes?”

He held up his hands, palms outstretched
facing her. “No. No. That’s not it at all.” He shook his head. “I’m
sorry. I’m just watching out for you. I shouldn’t have brought it
up. But I don’t want...”

His hands dropped and he shrugged.

Madeline took a deep, calming breath. She
considered herself a reasonable person. Maybe Eric truly was trying
to help her. In any case, it would be better to hear what he had to
say so she could warn Donovan. “What don’t you want?”

“I don’t want him to hurt you,” he finished
softly. His eyes narrowed, concern shadowing his face. “He’s a
violent man, Madeline.”

“Only to people who deserve it.” She started
back up the trail, anxious to get into the restaurant. Donovan was
probably there by now. She was tired of Eric’s accusations.
Whatever he and Stone were up to, they would never convince her
Donovan was bad.

Eric walked her to the doorway in silence,
but he grabbed her shoulder before she entered the building.
“Madeline, are you in love with him?”

She didn’t answer for a minute, unsure
whether she wanted to admit anything to Eric. Finally, she nodded.
“I am.”

“So, there’s nothing I can say to convince
you he’s bad news?”

“No. There isn’t. The only people he ever
harmed deserved it.”

Eric raised an eyebrow. “Even the kid he
killed in LA?”

The breath stole from Madeline’s lungs. Chief
Stone really was sharing all Donovan’s secrets.

“If you’re trying to shock me, don’t waste
your time,” she said, not bothering to hide the irritation in her
voice. “Donovan told me about that. It broke his heart to shoot
that kid. It’s one of his biggest regrets and worst memories.”

Well, not
the
worst memory.
Madeline shuddered as she thought of everything Donovan had seen in
his life.

“Is that what he told you?” Eric rolled his
eyes. “And, of course, you believed him.” He shook his head. “If
he’s so sorry, why didn’t he ever bother to contact Benny Stark’s
family and apologize? He was cold to them Madeline...very cold. You
don’t know Donovan Andrews as well as you think you do.”

Shocked, Madeline watched Eric whirl around
and storm to his car. He climbed in, slammed the door, and revved
the engine before screeching out of the parking lot.

What was that all about?

Donovan walked into the diner behind Jeremy,
searching the room for Madeline and her parents. They were sitting
together at a table near the back of the restaurant. He wanted to
surprise her and give nothing away about his good news, but he
couldn’t stop his smile from spreading as he looked at her.

When Madeline’s eyes met his, the look on her
face changed his smile into a frown. Something was wrong.

She stood as he approached. “Are you okay?
They didn’t pin more charges on you, did they?”

Donovan shook his head. Obviously, she had
worked herself into a frenzy worrying about him. He gave her a
chaste kiss on the cheek, conscious of her parents watching.
“Darling, he dropped all charges.”

Her eyes widened. “Dropped them? You’re
serious?”

He nodded. “It’s over.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” She grabbed his face in
her hands, planting a passionate kiss against his lips.

Unable to stop himself, Donovan slipped his
arms around her waist, drawing her to him. If she didn’t care about
her parents watching, why should he?

Beside them, Jeremy cleared his throat.
“Kids? I think we should sit down now.”

Madeline broke off the kiss and her face
twisted into a smile as she sat down. “This is great news. I’ve
been worried.”

“Me too.” Donovan took the seat next to her.
“Good thing I got myself such a great lawyer.”

Jeremy took a chair at the head of the table
and opened the menu in front of him. “To be fair, it was Madeline
who gave me the best idea.”

“What did she do?” Keith asked.

“Reminded me spouses couldn’t be made to
testify against each other.” Jeremy looked at Keith and Karen and
winked. “I spoke with DA Sorenson a few minutes before the judge
came in. I may have accidentally let it slip that Maddie is crazy
about Donovan and they’re planning to get married soon.”

Karen’s mouth fell open. “What?”

“You never told us that, Maddie,” Keith said
at the same time.

Madeline raised an eyebrow at Donovan before
facing her parents. “We talked about it, but Donovan said no.”

“Because I want a real marriage, not one
we’re forced into,” Donovan corrected softly.

Karen took a sip of her water, a puzzled
expression on her face. Donovan thought she would ask more about
their ‘engagement,’ but she surprised him.

“So, that was enough to get the charges
dropped?”

“Well, no,” Jeremy admitted. “The DA shared
evidence that points away from Donovan—though I would have seen
this myself soon enough and submitted it. Apparently, they found
fibers on the ropes used in the crimes that they can’t link to
Donovan. And trust me, they’ve been trying. The fibers don’t match
anything in his car or house.”

Donovan put his arm around Madeline’s
shoulders, quite content at their cozy setting. It was almost like
having a real family dinner, something he didn’t have much
experience with. If only Maria were with them, it would have been
perfect.

He banished that thought, wanting to stay in
his happy mood. “With everything else Jeremy had as far as
character witnesses and the deal with my phone, Sorenson knew he’d
never obtain a conviction.”

“That’s it then?” Madeline asked. “You can’t
go to prison?”

“Not unless he finds concrete evidence
against me and reopens the case...which he won’t, since I’m
innocent.”

She sighed. “I was so sure something would go
wrong. Eric scared me today.”

“You talked to Eric?” Donovan wasn’t sure
why, but dread trilled along his spine at this news. “What did he
say to scare you?”

“I thought Chief Stone would find a way to
make the charges stick...either that or make up new charges. Eric
seemed eager to help him.” Madeline shook her head. “It’s not
important now.”

Eric had bothered Donovan ever since they
first met. They’d never had the kind of partnership Donovan enjoyed
with Henry. He’d never trust Eric with his life, and apparently
couldn’t trust Eric with his girlfriend, either. “What, exactly,
did he say?”

“Oh, you know. The usual. You’re a horrible
person.” She kissed his cheek. “It sounds like Chief Stone filled
his ears with lies and partial truths, and I think Eric wants to
protect me from you.” She laughed and leaned in close to whisper in
his ear. “But I don’t need his protection.” She slipped her hand
beneath the table and rested it on his knee, nestling her head
against his shoulder.

Donovan decided not to make an issue of it
here, but he didn’t like that man hanging around. Eric had seemed
jealous of his relationship with Madeline from the very beginning,
almost like he wanted Maddie for himself. Donovan could only wonder
what kind of things Eric told her and what the younger man’s game
was.

One thing he was sure of, Donovan didn’t want
her alone with Eric ever again.

***

After saying goodbye to her parents and
Jeremy, Madeline drove the short distance back to her apartment.
Next to her, Donovan fidgeted in his seat. She could tell he was
itching to ask her more about Eric. He’d seemed restless ever since
she mentioned him.

“Talk to me,” she said, pulling into her
parking spot and turning off the car. “What’s bothering you?”

“Why were you with Eric?”

Jealous much? At least that means he
cares.
Madeline struggled to keep a straight face. “I took a
walk while waiting for you all to show up at the restaurant. He
came along.”

He sat silent for several moments. “Were you
alone with him?”

She pursed her lips, trying to find the best
way to explain things. Obviously, Donovan truly was jealous. It
would be stupid to let that continue. Madeline didn’t think mind
games were the way to promote a healthy relationship, even if
secretly she liked knowing he didn’t want her spending time with
other men.

“He saw me walking to the beach and came
along to protect me. That’s it. I wanted some fresh air, but he was
right, I shouldn’t have gone out alone.”

Donovan grabbed her hand in his. “You planned
to walk on the beach alone? What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t.” She shrugged. “It was stupid, and
I’m sorry. I do miss my daily walks though.”

“I miss running,” he said, nodding. “How
about we start going to the beach together every day?”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

“I know it’s not up to me, but...”

“What?” she urged when he didn’t
continue.

Donovan signed. “I’d really like it if you
didn’t see Eric anymore. I think he has a crush on you.”

Madeline laughed and squeezed his fingers
tightly in hers. “Eric’s fixation is on you, not me, but I’ll keep
my distance from him.”

“So, what did he say to you anyway?”

She hesitated. Eventually Donovan would go
back to work with these people. Would it do him any good to know
what Chief Stone had tried to do? On the other hand, it could
happen again, and Donovan deserved to know he couldn’t trust
Stone.

“Chief Stone shared your file with Eric and
told him about Benny Stark.” She felt bad when Donovan flinched at
Benny’s name. “But Eric also said something strange. I think you
need to watch out for him.”

Donovan raised his eyebrows, clearly
encouraging her to continue.

Madeline tried to remember Eric’s exact
words. “Something about the way you treated Benny’s family. He said
you were cold.”

“That I was cold to them, very cold,” Donovan
whispered.

She widened her eyes, surprised. “That’s
exactly what he said. How did you know?”

Donovan ran his free hand across his face and
leaned against the headrest. “Stone must’ve dug up the old news
reports. After Benny died, his family demanded a public apology and
filed a lawsuit against me and the department. They wanted a large
sum of money.”

“And did they get it?”

He shook his head, not looking at her. “I was
so ashamed, Maddie, so sorry for what I’d done. I did my job, but
it was the worst thing I’d ever had to do. I wanted to apologize. I
wanted to give them all the money I had.” He turned his head to
look out the passenger window.

The silence stretched out and Madeline
hesitated to break it. She wished she could help heal Donovan’s
pain. Perhaps sharing the memories with her would help a
little.

“Want to tell me what happened?” she asked
softly.

“My Captain said an apology was an admission
of guilt, and since I didn’t do anything wrong, I couldn’t do that.
He said I had a responsibility to the city. A lawsuit of that
magnitude would’ve bankrupted the department.” He turned back to
face her and tears glittered in his eyes. “The Starks went to the
press, and the papers were only too happy to report on the
department’s lack of understanding. That’s what the papers reported
about me. That I was cold.”

Madeline lifted Donovan’s hand to her cheek,
trying to somehow send him support through her touch.

“In the end,” he continued, “the Starks got a
pretty good amount of money in a private settlement from the
department. Not what they wanted, but it was something. No matter
how badly I wanted to, I was told not to contact them. I couldn’t
apologize. I couldn’t even tell Benny’s mom that he said he loved
her.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. That must have been
so hard on you, all these years.” She kissed his fingers softly. “I
wish I could help you.”