CHAPTER 30

The next morning, I dressed in jeans and big baggy T-shirt to hide the wire taped to my midsection, which ran up to the top of the sweatshirt. Javier had slept on the couch while I tossed and turned in my bed until I gave up and made some coffee.

“There. Is that comfortable?” Javier placed a tiny object in my ear. He would be there, in my ear, if I were to freeze up or forget something.

I glanced up. “It’s fine. Guess you’re my handler, huh?” I made a sad attempt at humor to add a little levity to the heaviness in the room.

“You don’t have to do this. We can find another way.” His words were sweet, and I smiled.

He and I both knew I had to go through with it. He’d done his best to persuade the detective to go with another plan. One that wouldn’t put my life at risk. It felt nice to know he had my back.

With his big hands on my shoulders, he gave me a look I feared I’d never see from a man again. One that said, If you say the word, I’ll damn the world to save you. “Promise me this. If you ever feel threatened in any way, use the code word and I’ll get you out.”

My code word was coffee. My idea. I was to yawn and say, Wow, I could really use a cup of coffee.

“I promise,” I choked out as my phone rang with Eddie’s ringtone.

With our gazes still locked, I fixed a smile into place and lifted the phone to my ear. “Hey, Eddie. How are you feeling today?”

“Hon, it’s me, Lindy. Your dad is doing very well. So well he’s become a pain in the butt to deal with. We’re having a hard time keeping him from watching the news or reading headlines. He wants to talk to you. Please try and keep the stress off him.”

“I wouldn’t dream of adding to his troubles. The department has it all in hand and he’ll be glad to know they can manage while he heals.” I turned away.

“You know how he is. Unless he’s in the middle of whatever case that’s being worked, he’s out of sorts. Thanks for understanding. Are you okay, hon? Sam was so enraged by what happened at the diner that he didn’t come by last night.” Lindy sounded like a concerned mother, and that made me smile. She’d taken a bit of ownership over Sam and me.

“I’m perfectly fine. The shock was earth-shattering, for sure, but I’m trying to hold it together, and I’m just grateful no one was hurt.” I walked outside onto the deck and lifted my face toward the sun. The wonderful rays always made me feel whole.

“I’m so glad, honey. The last thing you need in your life is more trauma. You’re a strong woman and can handle whatever is thrown your way. I just want a bit of peace for you.”

I smiled. “A bit of peace sounds heavenly.”

“Your dad’s yelling for the phone again.” Her voice went up a couple of octaves. “It was wonderful talking to you too. Here’s the grumpy old man.” She chuckled.

Boy, were we all going to pay when he found out.

A couple seconds later Eddie came on the line. “I’m not grumpy. Y’all are treating me like an invalid.” I heard a little more grumbling in the background followed by, “Pumpkin, where’ve you been?”

“I’ve had a cold. Your immune system doesn’t need anything else to fight. I’m positive Lindy and Sam told you. How are you feeling?” I kept my tone upbeat and my smile fixed into place.

“I’m right as rain.” Typical Eddie. Downplaying anything to do with his health. “I need to see my baby girl. You don’t sound all that sick. I think you should come see your old man. I’m home now and nearly losing my mind watching Lindy’s home improvement shows.”

I laughed and Javier poked his head out the doorway. I held up my finger. “I promise I’ll be over the second I’m completely well. Lindy would skin me alive if I brought illness into the house. And—”

“Hang on a second, pumpkin. Lindy, could I have a cup of decaf ? Thank you, darlin’.”

Lindy mumbled something and there were kissing noises. Guess they’d made up.

“All right, we’re alone now. Tell me what in the hell is going on?”

“N-nothing. I’m just getting ready to go in to work.”

“Don’t lie to me, young lady. Lindy won’t let me have the remote or my cell phone, she keeps taking calls out of the room, and Sam’s face nearly cracked in half, trying to keep his smile in place. He looked like the joker or an escaped mental patient. His constant yes sirs tells me something is going on. I want to know everything this minute.”

“Eddie!” Lindy came in and saved me. “Let the girl go. You’re getting yourself all worked up.”

“She’s my daughter and I want to know what’s going on, and she’s going to tell me.”

I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I must have had a helpless look on my face because Javier held out his hand. I took the out he was offering me. “Look who’s here! Javier wants to speak with his sheriff.”

“What’s he doing at your house? Has he overstepped his bounds?”

I shoved the phone into Javier’s hand, mouthed a silent thank-you. And rushed inside to hide.