CHAPTER 11

Pushing through the glass and steel door, Danni hurried from the lobby of the central precinct police building into the fresh air. Freedom at last. At least for the moment, until she could fully assess what had just happened.

The noonday sun had chased away the morning chill, so she shrugged out of her sweater, threaded it through the handles of her handbag, and stopped to catch her breath. Why was it suddenly so hard to breathe?

Because more than the weather had changed in the last three hours?

Everything she had counted on or believed to be true—her faith in the judicial system, the trust she’d had for Rob, and her ability to read people—had been hijacked by an unseemly stalker who had turned out to be a cop.

None of that made any sense, even if Danni dared believe it, but enough rang true that it took her breath away. She already had doubts about Rob. But those were more about his ability to commit, not about his character. There was no way the man she had known for close to three years could do what those men had alleged.

She straightened her shoulders and turned to the right, the closest route to Amoré and the normalcy she now craved. Her perspective would be better there. This place was skewed toward the criminal elements of life. And while law enforcement was a good thing, these people had no idea who Rob was.

He was a consummate professional. And he didn’t like to get his hands dirty, period. Much less deal in something like illicit drugs. If Rob had a fault, it was his dedication to his work. And, while that might be frustrating, it wasn’t a crime.

And to accuse her of being involved? She half coughed, half laughed. Samuels and his superior were operating off a ridiculous notion. They were operating on half-truths. Miscommunication. And, unfortunately, probably rumors. She shook her head. But how long would it take to straighten it all out?

In the meantime, she had too much to do, starting with the Chamber lunch at the restaurant today. Jaycee had to be frantic by now.

She checked her watch again. Half-past twelve o’clock. Jaycee would be beyond frantic. She would be furious.

Danni’s pulse quickened. The panic—and doubt—was trying to return. Please God, not another fainting spell. They always came at the worst time, when she needed her wits about her the most.

She inhaled a ragged breath. Then another. Breathing and exhaling deeper each time. She had learned how to fight this, at least when she knew it was coming on. Back in the interrogation room, she had been blindsided by Ridge’s accusations. But here, she could win.

She grew stronger with every breath until she could finally move forward again. Halfway between the police building and Sixth Avenue South, the cityscape began to spin around her, and she reached out. But she had nothing to hold on to. Not a pillar, not a sign post, and certainly not Rob. He had put her in this place, and all she had to lean on was her own determination. And the belief instilled in her by her father that she could do anything she set out to do. That she was strong enough.

She picked her way to the corner. Moving forward, despite her anxiety about what was ahead. The tiny spring buds and delicate green leaves on the trees to her left were proof life remained.

Reaching the street, she hesitated, then turned to look back at the concrete and glass edifice where she had spent the last few hours. She drew in another breath and started across Korean Veterans Boulevard. She would prove to Caleb Samuels and Martin Ridge that she and Rob had been wrongfully accused.

A car horn blared, bringing Danni back to the moment, and she jumped backwards onto the curb, motioning for the vehicle to pass. It might be better if she stopped thinking about the injustices of the judicial system and concentrated on what she was doing.

Looking both ways, Danni hurried across the busy throughway into the shadow of the Music City Center. She had to decide what to tell Jaycee.

Agent Ridge had warned her not to say anything about their conversation, even suggesting she could be charged with obstruction. He had also said telling someone might jeopardize their safety. The last thing she wanted was to drag Jaycee, or anyone else, into this mess. If only Rob had been concerned about the same thing. Of course if he had been in town, she might not have had this encounter with the TBI.

She reached into her handbag for her phone. She would let Jaycee know she was on her way. But before she could send a text, the phone rang. It was the chef.

“Where are you?” Jaycee had an edge to her voice.

“I’m just leaving—”

“I need you here as soon as possible. Michael didn’t show up for work. I’ve called and called him, but I can’t get an answer.”

“Isn’t this the second time in a few weeks?”

“Yes. And today of all days! You need to talk to him, Danni. It isn’t like Michael to let us down like this.” Jaycee’s voice drifted off. “Hold on, I’ll be right there.” She returned to the phone. “But right now, I have to finish serving the Chamber luncheon. How soon can you be here?”

“I’m fifteen minutes away.”

“See you then.”

Jaycee hung up, and Danni quickened her pace. Jaycee would be lost without Michael’s help. The young man, almost ten years their junior and fresh out of tech school, had worked his way to lead server and “chief motivator” at Amoré. Michael inspired his team members like no one else. And his smile won over even the most dissatisfied customer.

Thinking about her employees—and knowing Jaycee needed her help—was good medicine. Danni hurried down the sidewalk toward the Omni, leaving the morning’s problems behind her. She would think about them later.

Right now the restaurant needed her more.

“So what happened?” Jaycee blotted perspiration from her forehead and then tucked the dish towel into her apron strings, the luncheon now behind them.

“You mean this morning?” Danni set another stockpot on the counter.

Her friend rolled her eyes. “Yes, at the police station. What took so long? I thought you were just signing paperwork.”

“It’s a mess.” Danni tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, buying time for her reply. “The man who broke into Rob’s condo has a history of drug problems, and they want to know why he chose that particular unit.”

“You mean they think Rob is connected to drugs?” Jaycee continued to wash dishes.

“Why would you even ask that?” Danni gasped. “You know that’s not true.”

“I don’t know. I’ve always thought that man was up to something.” Jaycee glanced Danni’s way.

“That’s not fair, Jay. They’re just concerned that word may have gotten out that he keeps money at his condo. And that he’s out of town a lot.”

“What about the man who attacked you? Have you found out how he entered the building?”

Danni could feel heat rushing to her cheeks. “Well, we didn’t talk much about that, but I’ve heard that our entry code somehow made it to the street. And the guard was in another part of the building when at least one of the men entered. That’s been corrected now.”

“Are you comfortable with that?” Jaycee looked concerned.

“I wouldn’t use the word comfortable, but I’m hopeful it could never happen again.” She folded her hands and changed the subject. “So how do you think the luncheon went?”

Before the chef could respond, a server interrupted.

“Ms. Kemp. A police officer is here to see you.”

Danni froze. What could they possibly want now?

“Ms. Kemp?” The young girl repeated.

“D-did he say why he was here?” Danni stuttered.

“He didn’t say, ma’am. He’s at the front door.” The server nodded toward the dining room and walked away.

Jaycee arched her brow. “Aren’t you the popular one?”

“This is starting to get ridiculous.” Danni glared at the chef and took off for the front.

When she arrived, she was relieved to see a uniformed officer she hadn’t met. Hopefully that meant his visit was unrelated. “How may I help you, officer?”

“Does Michael Ryan work here?”

“Yes.” Danni glanced to her right and saw Jaycee had joined them. “However, he’s not working today. Is there a problem?”

“I’m sorry to have to inform you, ma’am.” The man removed his hat. “But Mr. Ryan was found dead this morning. He was outside his apartment building.”

Danni gasped. “How? What happened?”

The officer pointed to a nearby table. “Please. Have a seat. I need to ask you a few questions.”