Arouse Suspicion Page 3

  "She'll be out in a minute," Cathy said to him, her eyes laughing.

  "Thanks," Nick growled.

  Only three years out of covert ops, and already he'd lost all of his stealth skills. Jimmy and Marquez would rag him mercilessly if they found out.

  Only they wouldn't find out, because they were gone, just like the other two men who'd been part of his close-knit Ranger team.

  Danni came out of her office, a welcome diversion from Nick's downward-spiraling thoughts.

  "Mr. Sirocco," she said coolly.

  "Ms. Hawkins," Nick responded deliberately. In contrast to the stained trousers and businesslike jacket she sported yesterday, today she wore chunky black boots, black jeans, and a black, red, and white plaid blouse with a white knit shirt beneath it. Also, yesterday she hadn't been wearing a brown leather shoulder holster with a Smith & Wesson .38 nestled within it.

  "I appreciate you bringing me the answering machine." She held out her hand for it.

  He shook his head. "We listen to it together."

  Danni's lips lost their lushness as she pressed them together. She crossed her arms and rested them below a nice set of breasts. He lifted his gaze to meet hers and wasn't surprised to see stubbornness in her eyes. If he hadn't been at the receiving end of her obstinacy, he would've admired her backbone.

  Danni and Nick's staring contest continued until the woman conceded and stepped back. "Come in."

  With neither of them speaking, Nick set the answering machine on her desk, and Danni plugged it into an outlet.

  "Are you ready?" Nick asked hesitantly. Although he'd listened to the message numerous times, it would be the first time for Danni.

  She gave a terse nod.

  Nick pressed the Play button.

  "You have one old message," the flat monotone stated before Paddy's voice came on. "Message one."

  "Rocky, it's Paddy. I need to talk to you. Something's going on at the youth center." He cleared his throat. "I have a feeling I know what it is, but I need your help to prove it. Call me as soon as you get this message. If I don't hear from you tonight, I'll call you in the morning." A weak chuckle. "Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction."

  Nick hit the Stop button as the now-familiar pang of guilt settled in his gut. He lifted his gaze to Danni, who was staring down at her lap. Her long curly hair obscured her face, and he had a hunch the veil was intentional.

  He wouldn't push her, not yet. Hearing her father's voice had probably been pretty traumatic.

  "So you're Rocky," Danni commented, startling Nick.

  Of all her possible reactions, that wasn't even on the list. "Paddy called me that when I was a kid," he admitted. He hadn't liked it in the beginning, but Paddy hadn't cared what Nick thought, and he had come to appreciate the nickname. "He said I was always looking for a fight."

  She raised her head, and though her eyes were dry, red lines shot through the whites. "I did a lot of thinking last night."

  Although Nick's mind raced, he remained still, waiting for her to continue.

  "Did you know Dad was Catholic?" she asked.

  "No."

  She focused inward. "The Church used to say that if a person killed himself, he'd go directly to hell. They changed their tune on that a few years ago, but Dad grew up believing it. As far as I know, he attended Mass and took Communion every Sunday, and went to confession once every two months like a good Catholic."

  "How about you?" Nick asked quietly.

  "He made me go with him until he couldn't put me over his knee anymore. But he never stopped going. Never stopped believing. His funeral Mass was the first time I'd stepped inside a church in nearly ten years." She took a deep breath. "Do you have any idea what he might've been talking about?"

  Nick's mind took a second to catch up to her question. "Not really. It sounds like he stumbled onto something at the center, but..." He shrugged. "I don't know what it might've been."

  "But he specifically said he needed you to help prove whatever it was. Why?"

  Nick had racked his memory for something, anything that might answer that question. Why? All he'd done was worsen his headache. "I don't know. It could be anything, from drugs to gang activity to whatever." He threw his hands in the air. "The center is supposed to be a place to get them away from that kind of stuff, but sometimes it doesn't work that way. Some of the kids there have juvie records. Most of the others have had a close brush with the law. Sometimes the center is the last chance they have before juvenile detention."

  "You would know. You were one of them," Danni said.

  Nick stiffened defensively, then forced himself to ease his tense muscles. "I was one of the lucky ones, thanks to your father."

  Danni's jaw muscle knotted, but she didn't look away. After a long bout of silence, she said, "Maybe some of the kids are dealing there. Maybe Dad found out about it."

  Nick thought for a moment. "I don't think so. Not that kids don't murder people, but I can't see a kid being that inventive—making it look like suicide."

  Danni drummed her fingers on her desk. "You're probably right. But from Dad's message, it seems that his murder was related to the center."

  It was the first time she'd actually stated that Paddy had been murdered. Something had convinced her Nick was right. "So what did you find out?" he asked.

  She smiled slightly, as if her opinion of him might have risen a notch or two. "I obtained a copy of the coroner's report. Just as I was told, there were burn marks around the entrance wound. There was also gunpowder residue on his fingers, another indicator that he'd fired a weapon."

  This wasn't what Nick was hoping to learn. "That's why it was ruled a suicide."

  "That's right. Except Dad was at the shooting range that day, putting in his monthly firearms practice. That could account for the residue on his fingers."

  "But wouldn't it have worn off?"

  "It can take up to twenty-four hours for the residue to disappear completely from the skin."

  Nick sat stiff-backed in his chair, his mind racing. "Did the killer know that he'd been to the range?"

  Danni shrugged. "If it was someone in the department, like you suspect, then yes, he could've. The schedules are posted where everyone can see them. But there's something else that's bothering me."

  Nick wondered why all of it didn't bother her. Hell, it bothered him. Just hearing the cold, analytical words of the autopsy made his skin grow clammy. "What's that?"

  "Who did he trust enough to get that close to him?"

  Her question solidified a hard fact. "He knew his murderer."

  She picked up a green paper clip and bent it open, making it look like a fishhook. "Proving it will be hell."

  "I know. I tried."

  "I heard." Danni straightened another curve in the paper clip. "It seems you've made quite a name for yourself."

  "What're you talking about?"

  Danni tossed the now-straight paper clip onto her desk and leaned forward. "Why didn't you tell me you'd pissed off everyone?"

  Busted. "All I did was ask some questions."

  "You pretty much accused everyone of being involved in a conspiracy." Danni shook her head. "If the killer is hiding within the force, you've built a wall we'll have to take apart one brick at a time in order to find him."

  Nick rubbed his throbbing brow. "Nobody believed me. Hell, you didn't even believe me, and you should've been the first one to stick up for Paddy."

  Danni's face reddened, and she picked up another paper clip, this one blue, and began unbending it. "You're right. Even though Dad and I weren't on good terms for over ten years, we were slowly starting to mend our fences. I should've known he wouldn't kill himself."

  Nick had the insane urge to comfort her in his arms, but he suspected she wouldn't appreciate his sympathy. "You were in shock," he said lamely.

  Danni's head came up, her eyes snapping and glittering. "Don't make excuses for me, Sirocco. I screwed up."

  Although surprised, Nick under
stood her lashing out at him. She was in pain, and he kept prodding at the festering wound.

  Her phone buzzed.

  Frowning, Danni hit a button. "Yes?"

  "It's two o'clock," her receptionist said.

  Her scowl grew. "Thanks, Cathy." She faced Nick. "I've got a surveillance job."

  "Can't it wait? We should go over to the center."

  "No. I've already put it off a week, with Dad's funeral and all, and I can't afford to lose a client." She stood and grabbed what looked like a man's old suit coat from the back of her chair. She donned it and tugged her hair out from under the collar. Her curls spilled across her shoulders, catching the light and reflecting reddish tints.

  She paused and caught his gaze. "If you're right about the killer being a cop, you're in more danger than I am."

  "What're you talking about?"

  "You didn't exactly use tact and discretion at the station when you were asking questions about my father. That, and the fact Dad thought you could've helped him tells me you're the one with a bull's-eye painted on your chest."

  Nick hadn't even considered his own safety, but that wasn't his foremost concern. Still, if he could use her logic for his objective... "You could be right. We should stick together until we figure out who killed him."

  A little furrow wrinkled the skin between her eyebrows, like she suspected she'd been played. Then the now-familiar stubborn glint entered her eyes, and Nick held up a hand. "No, Danni." Her name slipped out unintentionally. "One person's already been murdered. If we're going to find the truth, we need to work together. I was in the army, so I know how to take orders." He smiled in what he hoped was a disarming way. "Besides, if you don't let me tag along, I'll just follow you, and that'd be a waste of our natural resources."

  Startled amusement tilted her lips upward. "Are you always so full of shit, Sirocco?"

  "Only when I'm trying to win friends and influence enemies."

  "You've certainly influenced me," Danni said. But Nick could tell most of her hostility toward him had faded. Maybe they could actually work together without maiming one another.

  She picked up a backpack from behind her desk and slung a strap over her shoulder. Nick followed her out of the office and stood by the door as she spoke to Cathy.

  "I won't be in the office the rest of the day unless Willy has some afternoon delight and I can get the evidence I need right away." Danni picked up the camera with a mega-telephoto lens sitting on the desk corner. "Mr. Sirocco's going with me. We're going to be working together on a temporary basis."

  Cathy's gaze slid over to Nick and back to her boss, but not before he noticed the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "A temporary... partner?"

  "Something like that."

  "Oh, I almost forgot. Sam called to see how you were doing."

  "If he calls back, tell him I'll try to touch base this evening."

  "Be careful."

  Danni gingerly tucked the camera into her backpack. "This job is a piece of cake."

  Cathy nodded, but her worry didn't fade. "I know, but humor me."

  "I thought Beth was the mother hen in the office." Danni touched Cathy's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

  Nick opened the door and allowed Danni to precede him. "Do you want to take my car?" he asked.

  Danni shook her head. "I'll drive. My pickup's right here." She pointed to a battered twenty-five-year-old Ford truck with more than a few dents and scratches. It looked like something the Clampetts would drive.

  "Got anything newer, like an Edsel?" he asked dryly.

  She sent him a glare that might have brought down a lesser man, but Nick Sirocco had been an Army Ranger, trained to endure enemy interrogation techniques.

  "It has two very appealing features," she began. "It's paid for, and it runs. Get in, unless you plan to waste natural resources." She walked around to the driver's side.

  Knowing he was beat, he said, "I just have to get Gus."

  She froze and peered at him over the truck's hood. "Who's Gus?"

  "My dog. Gus, short for Augusta," he replied, then added with a shrug, "She likes going for rides."

  Sighing, Danni glanced at her watch. "Whatever. Just make it fast. We're already late."

  Nick strode to his Jeep to retrieve Gus and the notebook he'd brought as an afterthought. The mutt danced about his legs, her tail wagging with excitement as they rejoined Danni.

  Gus trotted over to Danni, who held out her hand with the back faced outward. Gus sniffed her knuckles and gave her approval with a swipe of her tongue. Only then did Danni pet her.

  Put two females together, and they start bonding, Nick thought in amusement. Next thing you know, they'll be exchanging shampoo brands.

  "Gus, come." The dog returned to his side after one more lick to Danni's hand. "Up," Nick said, motioning into the truck's cab. Gus jumped up and settled in the center of the bench seat, tongue lolling.

  Nick and Danni climbed in, and she headed south, merging with the early afternoon traffic.

  "So where are we going?" he asked.

  "A car dealership on the east side. My client thinks her husband's having an affair."

  "I thought this was a surveillance job."

  "It is. We'll be tailing him to try to get some compromising pictures."

  "You quit the force to do this? Why?"

  Danni's jaw clenched, and the softness she'd revealed earlier disappeared. "My reasons are none of your concern, Mr. Sirocco."

  "Touchy, aren't we?"

  She glowered but didn't say anything. Paddy had never told him why his daughter left the police force, and Nick hadn't been curious enough to press him. Now he wished he had.

  "So the philandering husband's a used car salesman?" Nick commented.

  "He actually owns the lot." Her bristles retracted. "But Willy is pretty much the stereotypical sleazeball."

  He huffed a startled laugh.

  They arrived at their destination, which had a sign that read: Willy's Used Cars, No Lemons, Only Lemonade. The place didn't look like much; the dirt lot covered only half a block and the vehicles were either mundane sedans or soccer-mom vans. He couldn't think of a more depressing way to make a living.

  Danni drove around to the back of the dealership and parked across and up the street.

  "Why here?" Nick asked.

  "See that black Mercedes?"

  He nodded.

  "That's Willy's."

  "Our Lothario?"

  "Our sleaze."

  "Maybe he's only lonely."

  "Maybe if he spent more time with his wife, he wouldn't be." Danni angled him a glare, though her sunglasses lessened the impact considerably. "Just like a man to defend another man's right to screw around if he gets the itch."

  "I didn't say that." How the hell had she come up with that?

  "Whatever." She turned her attention to the used car lot and the tiny gray building dropped into the center of it. "Hand me my backpack, please."

  He retrieved it from behind the seat and passed it to her.

  "Thanks," she said absently.

  She withdrew the camera, and Nick returned the backpack to its former place.

  Danni pushed her sunglasses up on her head and aimed the camera at the car dealer's office, extending the tele-photo lens as far as it would go.

  "See anything?" Nick asked.

  "No. It's early yet. His wife said when she's called the dealership around three-thirty, Willy's usually gone. Only he doesn't get home until late in the evening."

  Nick shot his wrist out from his sleeve. "It's only two-fifty now." He shifted in his seat, moving Gus slightly so he could see Danni's profile. "Was your secretary talking about Sam Richmond?"

  "First off, Cathy's a paralegal. If she hears you call her a secretary, you'll be singing soprano for a week."

  Nick flinched reflexively. "Point taken."

  "And yes, it was Sam Richmond who called. Do you know him?"

  "He was Paddy's partner. Used to
help out at the center, too. He was a three-point man."

  She smiled "I know. Sam taught me how to shoot hoops."

  "What about your da—"

  "He was always too busy," Danni replied curtly.

  Frowning slightly, Nick filed away the information.

  Danni kept her gaze aimed at the car lot, her camera lens balanced on the steering wheel. "Do you know of anything that was bothering my father? Maybe a case?"

  "He didn't mention anything in particular. His partner, Karen Crandle, said he'd been upset about something lately, but she didn't know what."

  "When did you speak with Karen?"

  "She called me after his body was found. She was pretty shook up. I tried contacting her again, but she didn't return my calls."

  Danni sent him a sidelong glance. "Did you find out why?"

  "At the funeral she apologized. She said it'd been pretty hectic at the station. She looked worn out."

  "Did she believe it was suicide?"

  "She told me he wasn't looking forward to retiring, but she didn't think he was depressed enough to take his own life. But she believed the evidence."

  The air in the truck's cab felt close and sticky, and Nick rolled down his window. The damp breeze carried the scent of more rain. What else was new in the Pacific Northwest?

  Gus put her two front paws on Nick's left thigh and stretched her nose toward the window. She wagged her tail across Danni's face.

  Danni sneezed and pushed aside Gus's tail. "Next time Gus sits in the back end."

  "But she likes riding in the front."

  Danni rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. The expression gentled her features, and Nick found himself grinning with her over Gus's antics.

  After maneuvering Gus's backside away from her face, Danni became pensive. "Why?" she murmured. "What did Dad stumble across that was big enough to warrant murder? And why didn't he bring it to the attention of someone in the department?"

  "Maybe he was trying to learn more before making any accusations."

  "Why did he call you that night and not me?" Frustration bled into her tone.

  "Maybe he didn't want to worry you."

  "Or maybe he didn't trust me to help him," she said bitterly.

  Stunned, Nick could only stare. Paddy had always spoken about her with pride.