Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 (7 page)

The same for the back entrance. The cameras inside the building showed a tenant currently using the laundry facility. Another was working out in the rec room. The elevator cameras didn't reveal anything new and there were only cameras stationed at the bottom-floor stairwell entrances. No one had used the stairs that morning.

Did the perp live in the building? Was this break-in tied into the break-ins at the museum? To Rosa's and Michael Jeffries's deaths? This case kept expanding and becoming more convoluted with each passing moment, like a big spiderweb, weaving back and forth and intertwining. But who was the spider setting this all in motion? Or was Adam imagining connections that didn't exist?

The not knowing irritated him like a pebble in a shoe. He turned to Lana. She'd been hanging back, quietly observing as he watched the video feed. Though her eyes held a large dose of worry, she was stoic and in control of herself. No weeping, no hysterics. Just like the night at the museum. He admired her self-control. She wasn't one to crack under pressure. “You doing okay?”

Her mouth stretched in a tight smile. “Peachy.”

“When the CSU techs get here, will you be ready to go upstairs and walk through the apartment with me?”

“Only if you and Ace give me the all-clear,” she stated, her chin tilting up in challenge.

“I wouldn't have it any other way.”

They rode the elevator up to the fifth floor. All was quiet. They approached her apartment door. Ace put his nose to the carpeted hallway and sniffed all the way to Lana's apartment, but the lack of a growl told Adam there wasn't anyone in the apartment. However, the door stood wide open as if yawning. Adam threw Lana a curious glance. Had she left it open or had the perp waited until she'd left the floor before taking advantage and leaving? Possibly walking away as if nothing were amiss.

“I left the door like that. I didn't go in.”

Mildly surprised considering she'd gone on the offensive when she'd seen the arrow in jeopardy, he gave her an approving nod. “Good. You'd be surprised by how many people would have gone barging in to see what was missing. Totally messes up the crime scene and jeopardizes any evidence collected not to mention you'd have no idea if the intruder was still inside.” He gestured for Lana to back up a few steps to where they would wait until the apartment was searched for any trace evidence. “The crime scene techs will be here soon.”

She rubbed her arms. “Why would someone do this?”

Remembering that she had a civil protection order out on her ex-husband, Adam asked, “Do you think your ex-husband might have gained access somehow?”

She grimaced. “I don't see how. The front and back entrances are the only ways into the building. We would have seen him on the video cameras.”

Adam stroked his chin as his gaze shot down the hall to the lit sign for the stairs. “Not necessarily. The intruder could have gained access to the roof and come down the stairwell.”

“Well, I can guarantee you Mark is not Peter Pan and didn't use pixie dust to land on the top of the building.”

He liked that she could joke even when upset. “Maybe he's part monkey and climbed.”

“Or sprouted wings and flew.” She shook her head with a smile touching her lips. “I can't imagine that no one would have seen a man scaling the side of the building in broad daylight.”

Okay, so that theory was flawed. Adam wasn't sure how the perp entered.

But obviously he had. If the way the perp had circumvented the alarms system at the museum was any indication, the man knew his way around technology. The apartment building's security wouldn't be a challenge. Adam was only glad Lana hadn't been in the apartment when the intruder arrived.

She might have defended herself or worse yet, called on her martial arts training and attacked the perp again. And ended up with more than a knock on the head and a few stitches. The thought of her hurt clawed through him with dread and anguish, leaving behind scratches of unease. The intense response wasn't limited to Lana alone. He told himself he'd be upset if any witness he was protecting were hurt.

The DC patrol officer joined them while they waited for the CSU team.

“As far as I can tell the back entrance hasn't been tampered with,” the young officer told Adam.

Adam wasn't surprised considering what they'd seen on the security video.

An hour later, the crime scene technicians finished up while Adam, Lana and Ace waited outside in the hallway. Ace rose to sniff the tech's shoes, lost interest and sat on his haunches waiting for a command. “Not much evidence to collect. We lifted a few prints. We'll run them, see what pops.”

“Stop by the front reception desk and take a look at the security system. There's a chance it's been tampered with,” Adam instructed the techs. “Also, collect the video feed. Have facial recognition identify everyone on the tapes.”

“Will do,” the lead tech said.

The DC officer accompanied the CSU team to the ground floor.

When he and Lana were alone, Adam gestured to the apartment. “Shall we?”

Squaring her shoulders, Lana nodded. Ace stuck close to Lana's side as she moved tentatively into her apartment. Her lips pressed together and she blinked rapidly. Adam recognized the signs of fighting tears.

He slid an arm around her shoulders. “It's okay to mourn the damage and be angry at the person responsible. It's better to let all the emotions out than to keep them stuffed inside.”

“Are you speaking from experience?”

He'd opened himself up for that question. Regret balled in his chest. Deciding to answer honestly, he said, “Yes.”

The damage for him hadn't been a torn-apart home but a destroyed career.

Dreading more questions, he cleared his throat, wishing he could as easily clear the past. But he couldn't. And talking about it with this woman who was virtually a stranger wasn't happening. There was work to be done. “Can you look around to see if anything is missing?”

She nodded and gingerly worked her way through the apartment. A few minutes later, she said, “There doesn't seem to be anything missing. However nothing is where I left it. Someone was searching for something. But I don't have anything worth stealing.”

Adam wasn't sure what to make of the recent events. The mystery of why someone had broken into Lana's apartment gnawed at his mind. Needing action and knowing Lana was no longer safe staying in the apartment, he said, “Pack a bag. I'm moving you to a secure location.”

She blinked. “Where?”

He hated to admit he wasn't sure where. Taking her to his apartment wouldn't be appropriate. His studio wasn't set up for female houseguests. A thought popped into his mind but he'd need to okay it with his captain. And then his brother.

He took out his cell phone. “I'll let you know the details in a few minutes.”

Accepting his words, she disappeared into her bedroom. He dialed his captain. When Gavin came on the line, Adam filled him in on the situation. “I need to move Lana. I thought I'd see if Joe and Ruth could take her in for a few days.”

“If your brother and his wife are amenable that would be a good solution,” Gavin said. “Keep me in the loop.”

After assuring his captain he would, Adam called his brother Joe. He quickly gave him the details.

“Let me call Ruth and get back to you in a sec,” Joe said and hung up.

Adam tucked his phone in his pocket and stared at the broken chairs. Only a few hours ago he and Lana had sat at the table eating pastries and drinking coffee. The day had started out with such promise. But then Lana had basically been told she wasn't wanted at her job and now her apartment had been trashed.

Sometimes the unfairness of life got to Adam. If he didn't believe in God's goodness and mercy, Adam wasn't sure how he'd cope.

Lana stepped into the living room with two rolling suitcases and a large bag slung over her shoulder. Adam pressed his lips together to keep from chuckling.

She made a sheepish face. “I didn't know how much to pack or for how long, so I figured more is better than not enough.”

She was rattled and holding it together at the same time and his respect for her billowed. “There are no baggage fees.”

He was grateful to see her quick smile.

His phone trilled. His brother calling back.

“Ruth says bring her over,” Joe said when Adam answered.

Relief flooded Adam. “Thanks, bro. I owe you one.”

Joe snorted. “Dude, one? You're not very good at math.”

Adam laughed. “True.” Joe had been Adam's rock when Adam's world imploded five years earlier. Joe had suggested to General Margaret Meyer that she hire Adam for the elite K-9 unit she had put together. To Adam's surprise and delight she'd offered him a position despite his troubled past. He would always be grateful to his brother for his guidance and support and the general and the K-9 unit's captain for taking a chance on him. “See you later.”

He put the phone back in his pocket, then reached for Lana's bag. “We're all set then. I'm taking you to a very safe place.”

“Where?”

“My brother's home. He and his family live in military housing. A gated community. The most secure place I can think of. You'll be safe there.” He held her gaze. “Trust me.”

“I trust you.”

SIX

I
trust you.

During the twenty-minute drive from Lana's apartment complex to the military housing community known as Bellevue, located along the Potomac River and near the navy's research and development facility, Lana grappled with the realization she did trust Adam.

He may have originally believed the worst of her, but he'd allowed room for her innocence. He was a good police officer, a man dedicated to his job. Which at the moment was protecting her. So yeah, she trusted him.

At least with her life. But she wouldn't be crazy enough to trust him with her heart.

She kept her gaze trained on the scenery outside the window instead of on the man sitting next to her. The beauty of the community impressed Lana as they were waved through the gated checkpoint and drove deeper into the neighborhoods.

The rain had abated and the sun shone in full force. Rolling hills of green grass, play structures, gazebos and sport courts were filled with activity on this spring day. Mothers out with their children, men and women, presumably military personnel, taking a few moments to grab a game of hoops or picnic with their families. Rows and rows of town houses lined the streets. American flags fluttered in a slight breeze.

The homey scene created an ache deep inside where she held the dream of living in such a place. She wanted a community of her own to belong to. A place to call home that she shared with the man she loved.

Mentally, she scoffed. Love? The concept was so far from her grasp. She'd learned the hard way love could be deceiving, brutal and full of pain. Yet she knew love existed. She'd seen the love between her parents. But opening herself up again, putting her heart at risk scared her too much to think she might try again.

Adam pulled the vehicle to the curb in front of a town house with a red door. Two tricycles stood abandoned in the driveway. A white picket fence closed off the small front yard with a neatly mowed postage-stamp-size lawn. A Yorkshire terrier, only about ankle-high, jumped up and down near the fence, barking. The front door opened and a blonde woman stepped out to wave at them.

Lana smiled back but her stomach rolled. She hated imposing on strangers. But her life was in danger and Adam was convinced she would be safe here. “Are you sure this is okay?”

Adam laid a hand on her arm. “It's going to be fine. Come on. I want to introduce you to Ruth.” He climbed out and walked around to the back of the SUV. Lana popped open the passenger door and stepped onto the sidewalk. As Ace jumped down from the back the smaller dog's bark changed to a yapping sound that could only be described as glee. Ace waited for Adam's okay, before hopping over the fence with ease to frolic with the tiny brown-and-gold one.

“That is so cute,” she said to Adam.

“Ace and Tink love each other.”

“Tink as in Tinkerbell?”

“Yep. The girls named him that.”

Lana laughed and took one of the wheeled bags from Adam.

Ruth opened the gate. She was tall, willowy and her bright green eyes studied Lana and the bandage attached to her head. Concern deepened the emerald depths as she stuck out her hand to Lana. “Hello, I'm Ruth. Welcome to our humble abode. Joe will be home later.”

Lana shook the woman's hand. “Lana. I appreciate your willingness to open your home to me. I'm sorry to inconvenience you.”

“Not at all. We're glad to help.” Ruth stepped back to allow them to move past her. “I'm surrounded by kids and a dog all day. Joe works long hours. I'm looking forward to having another grown-up around.”

As she followed Adam inside, the smell of fresh-baked cookies hit Lana's senses and made her mouth water. The house was a great room style so the living room flowed into the dining area and kitchen. Blond hardwood floors stretched the length of the first level with colorful area rugs providing warmth and texture.

Toys were strewn all over in a messy clutter. A large plasma television dominated the long wall. A piano sat in the far corner. Bookshelves filled with books and DVDs stood next to the large picture window overlooking the front street. So different than her own apartment. She liked this messy, homey house. A place where a family lived.

Lana's gaze was riveted to the two little tow-haired three-year-old girls sitting at the dining table. Identical cherubs if ever there were any. Both girls were covered from head to knee with frosting as they attempted to decorate cookies.

The girls noticed them at the same time and in unison squealed in delight. “Uncle Adam!”

They scrambled from their chairs to race toward Adam. He squatted down, opening his arms wide. The girls launched themselves into his embrace with giggles and laughter.

“They love their uncle,” Ruth said with an affection-filled smile.

“I can see that.” Lana could also see the girls were smearing yellow-and-pink frosting on Adam's shirt. She stifled her own giggle.

Ruth clapped her hands. “Girls, we have a guest.”

Adam relinquished his hold on his nieces and straightened. Reaching out a hand to snag Lana's he tugged her forward. “This is Lana. Your mom and dad have invited her to stay with you for a few days.” He turned to Lana with a twinkle in his eyes. “These two ragamuffins are Tara and Kelsey.”

Lana stared at the two children, wondering how to tell them apart. The girls gave Lana shy smiles.

“It's nice to meet you two. Looks like you're having fun with the cookies,” Lana said.

“We are,” one of the twins said.

“We're decorating Easter cookies,” the other twin said.

“Come on, we'll show you,” the girls said in unison.

Both girls grabbed one of Lana's hands. Surprise raced over her as they pulled her toward the table. She'd never been around children much. Didn't know how to interact with them.

Looked like she was going to have a crash course in how to relate to children. Probably a good thing if she hoped to become a mother to her nephew. She threw a panicked glance to Adam. Why did the amused approval in his gaze make her want to succeed?

* * *

Adam couldn't believe the change in Lana as she and the twins decorated cookies. She glowed. Her dark eyes gleamed from within and the easy laughs and giggles were nothing like the stoic and aloof person he'd met last month.

“She's good with the kids,” Ruth commented.

“Yeah, she is.”

“You sound surprised.”

He turned to his sister-in-law. “I am. She said she hasn't been around children.”

“Well, she's doing fine.” Ruth grabbed the handle of one of the rolling suitcases. “Let's put these in the guest room.”

Tugging the other case and Lana's large bag, he followed Ruth upstairs to the room he'd used when he'd landed here after his FBI career died a flaming death. The room looked the same. A full-size bed, dresser, TV, nightstand and chair in the corner. The blinds were open, letting the sunlight splash across the flowery bedspread. Too frilly for his taste but comfortable.

Ruth leaned against the doorjamb. “So spill. What's going on? Why is she in hiding?”

Adam explained the situation.

Ruth whistled. “That stinks. I like her.”

“You just met her.”

With a shrug and grin, Ruth countered, “I have good people instincts. If you recall I warned you that Shelia wasn't a good fit for you.”

He did remember. Ruth had tried to tell him Shelia wasn't the right woman for him. But he'd had to discover that his college sweetheart hadn't wanted to be the wife of an FBI agent. She'd broken off their relationship when he was accepted into the academy. He decided then not to get involved again until he was ready to settle down. So far he'd kept that vow and intended to until he returned to Colorado.

“Lana is a nice woman.” Though he hadn't thought that at first. A good lesson in not judging a person on first impressions.

“She's pretty, too.” Ruth's eyes gleamed.

“And she lives here. You know I've put in for a transfer back home.”

Ruth sighed. “I know. I'm not happy about it.” She pushed away from the door. “I hope you find the arrow and nail the jerk to the wall for hurting Lana.”

“That's the plan.”

They headed downstairs. Lana stood at the back patio door watching the twins playing with Ace and Tink. She turned as they approached. The softness in her gaze and the tender smile on her lovely face smacked Adam in the chest like the business end of the expandable baton hanging from his utility belt.

Silhouetted by the sun, her long dark hair shone and her curvy figure made his mouth go dry. She was beautiful. He wished he could snap a photo of her. But using the camera on his phone probably wasn't a good idea. Not only would it be creepy, but would wipe away her smile in a heartbeat.

“They are so cute,” Lana said, turning back to watch the girls chasing the dogs.

“Adam tells me you're taking some vacation time from your job,” Ruth said.

Lana nodded but didn't turn around. No doubt the subject hurt. Adam could see her smile fading and he hoped she didn't withdraw into herself.

Ruth gestured to Lana and then to herself and mouthed, “We'll be fine.”

He hoped so. He didn't analyze why he was so worried about Lana's emotional health. He didn't normally go in for mushy stuff. He touched Lana's shoulder. “I'm going to head out. I have a meeting at headquarters. Do you have my card?”

She faced him. “Yes, I do.” For a moment a flare of panic glittered bright in her eyes before cooling. “Thank you, Adam, for all you've done.”

He didn't like the tone of dismissal in her voice. And if he hadn't seen the momentary vulnerability that told him she was putting on a brave front, he'd have felt a bit put out. But he had seen the look and knew she was uncomfortable with him leaving. It couldn't be helped. He had every confidence she'd be okay with Joe and Ruth and the girls. Lana just needed to believe that, too.

Ruth cleared her throat. “I'll get the girls so they can say goodbye.” She slipped out the sliding patio door.

Gathering Lana's hands in his, he said, “I see you're fretting. Don't. You're safe here. We're doing all we can to find the arrow and the thief.”

She gave him a trembling smile. “I know you are. And I know I'll be safe here. I just—” She licked her bottom lip. “When will I see you again?”

“You said the custody hearing is tomorrow?”

She nodded.

“I'll escort you.”

She blinked. “You will?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

The girls barreled through the door and wound themselves around each of his legs. Tink raced a circle around them and Ace stood beside Lana, leaning into her leg. Laughing, he walked stiff-legged, carrying the twins toward the door.

“No, no. Don't go,” the girls chanted between giggles as they hung on.

At the door, Ruth extracted the twins and hustled them back to the kitchen. Tink followed his people, leaving Adam alone with Lana and Ace. The dog didn't seem to want to leave her side. Adam didn't blame him. He would rather stay with Lana, too.

He whistled and Ace snapped to attention. Adam opened the door, gestured for Ace to go outside.

“I'll see you in the morning,” he said to Lana. Why did this suddenly seem like such a long time?

Before he closed the door, she stepped close, putting a hand on his arm. “I appreciate everything you're doing for me. No one's ever had my back like this before.”

Her words made him feel ten feet tall. He covered her hand with his own. The heat of her skin burned through his palm. “I'm doing my job.”

But deep inside he knew there was more than duty driving him to want to protect her, to be there for her in her time of need. He'd let his guard down enough for her to create confusion within his heart and mind. If he wasn't careful his attraction to the appealing and beautiful art curator would turn into something emotional, something he had no intention of pursuing. This wasn't the right time.

The sooner he found the arrow and the person who'd hurt Lana the better. Then he could move on with the plans he had for leaving Washington, DC, and returning to Colorado. Plans to start a new life. One that wouldn't include the beautiful and puzzling Lana.

Or him risking his heart.

* * *

The next morning, Lana picked up the mug of coffee in front of her. Her shaky hand caused the liquid to slosh. Afraid she'd spill it, Lana quickly set the cup on the kitchen counter.

“Nervous?”

Returning Ruth's smile with a wry one of her own, Lana nodded. “Yes.”

Ruth arched an eyebrow. “Because of the custody hearing or because Adam will be here in a minute?”

A flush of heat tiptoed up her neck. She could hedge, deny that Adam affected her in any way, but she decided honesty would serve her better. “Both.”

Yes, the thought of appearing before a judge who would decide her and Juan's fate had her nerves stretched tight like a rubber band. And seeing Adam again, being close to him, having his support, simultaneously thrilled and scared her.

She wasn't looking for an emotional attachment to the man. She'd had her fill of romance and been disappointed. She wasn't planning on going down that road anytime soon.

However, she couldn't deny her attraction to Adam. What woman with a pulse wouldn't be attracted? Those broad shoulders, that square jaw, those intense blue eyes...

“I thought so.” Ruth wiped down the counters with a rag. “Adam's a great guy.”

“He is,” Lana admitted. “But it's not like that.” Ruth gave her a dubious glance. Lana rushed to explain. “We aren't romantically involved. Never could be. He's just doing his job. After the break-in at the museum and then my apartment, he feels that I'm in danger. I'm grateful for his protection and his support.”

“Right.” Ruth's dubious expression belied the single word. “Why never?”