Always Yesterday (10 page)

“I just hate to eat alone. Don’t worry—I’m not an ax murderer or anything. I just thought if you were here by yourself, too, we could talk about babies and pregnancy and stretch marks.” Delanie paid for her order. “It’s okay if you don’t want to.” She raised her left shoulder in a
whatever
gesture.

Brandi picked up the tray with her order on it. “Sure, I guess. I’ll grab us a table over that way.” She pointed in Eli’s direction, and he quickly raised the newspaper he’d carried in—just in case. He couldn’t risk her seeing him. She’d flee for sure.

“Her back is toward you,” Delanie said softly into her lapel.

He lowered the paper just enough to keep an eye on things. His gaze connected with Delanie’s for a brief second as she set her tray on the table. This being her first undercover assignment, she handled herself well, like a pro. She was relaxed and natural. He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised; everything about her was exceptional.

“Do you have stretch marks?” Delanie made a disgusted face, and Eli smiled.

Brandi only nodded.

“Man, I have like two hundred of them.” Delanie looked around. “Are you expecting someone?” She crinkled her nose the way she often did when she asked a question.

“No, why?”

Delanie shrugged. “I don’t know. Your eyes are darting around like you’re searching for someone.”

“Good girl!” Eli whispered. “Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.” Delanie had taken a bite of her burger when he started talking. She was a quick thinker. That way she had a natural break in conversation with Brandi and could focus on his words.

“So when are you due?” Delanie asked between mouthfuls.

“I’m not really sure.”

Eli wished he could see Brandi’s face—easier to read a person.

“So I guess you don’t know the sex of the baby, then?”

“I don’t really want to talk about babies.” She rose. “I gotta go.” She left her barely touched lunch behind and rushed from the food court.

Delanie turned to watch Brandi depart. Eli scanned the area, but no one was following Brandi as far as he could tell. “Stay put,” he told Delanie. She kept eating as if nothing had happened. He carried his paper casually to the trash. While facing the can, he said, “I’ll see if I can find her.”

Chapter 8

The following morning Delanie tied the laces on her running shoes. She’d started jogging with her dogs before work and then leaving them at her parents’ for the day. Twelve hours was too long without a puppy potty break. Her parents had a doggie door, so her pets were free to roam in and out.

“How does someone just disappear?” Delanie asked Hank as she hooked his leash to his collar. They’d lost Brandi, and Joe was not happy. She still hadn’t shown up at home when they left at the end of their twelve. Delanie worried about her and prayed for her all night. The girl was afraid. Delanie knew in her gut that someone had threatened Brandi.

“Junie, I’m in no mood to chase you around,” Delanie informed the beagle when she dodged Delanie and dove under the bed.

The doorbell rang. Delanie glanced at her watch. Her gut tightened. Nobody came this early with good news. She ran downstairs, checking her peephole before throwing open the door.

“Eli! We’re on duty early. . . .” His expression silenced her.

“Mind if I come in?”

She stepped aside, her heart pounding. Closing the front door, she leaned against it for support. “What’s wrong?” Fear lodged itself in her throat, and she barely got the words out.

“Brandi’s dead.”

She buried her face in her hands. “No!” Lifting her head and focusing on Eli, she begged, “Please tell me it’s not true. Please.” Tears streamed down her face, and his face grew hazy.

He took a step toward her. Hank growled.

“Hank, settle.” At her command he lay next to his mistress, eyes on Eli, ears pointed straight ahead.

Eli pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and wept for a girl she barely knew; yet it felt very personal. He held her and stroked her hair, offering comfort.

“Is this our fault?” She raised her head and sniffed. “Did we carelessly endanger her just to close a case?”

Eli’s eyes glistened. He swallowed hard. “We followed orders, Delanie.” Using his thumbs, he wiped the tears from her cheeks, then rested his forehead against hers.

Junie barked, and they both jumped. “We were just about to take our daily jog.” Delanie glanced at the dancing beagle. “I think she resents your intrusion.”

“Mind if I go with you?” He was in jeans and a T-shirt, but at least he had on his running shoes.

“If you want.” Was he or Joe worrying about her safety?

He nodded. “I’ve got my workout clothes in the car. I usually hit the gym before I pick you up in the mornings. I’ll just be a minute.”

While he was gathering his clothes, Delanie went into the downstairs powder room and splashed water on her face. Had she made a mistake changing assignments? More important, had she made a mistake approaching Brandi at the mall?

“I don’t think I’m cut out for undercover work,” she said when Eli reentered her town house.

He sent her a compassionate smile, his eyes bearing sorrow. “Sometimes—like today—I know I’m not.” He touched her cheek for a second, then closed the bathroom door.

Delanie caught her breath and rubbed her fingers where his had just been.
I’ve got to be careful. He’s doubly dangerous when he’s nice.
She grabbed Junie and snapped her leash in place. Moments later the four of them were out in the crisp autumn air. Eli tried to take Hank’s leash, but the German shepherd wanted no part of that. Junie, however, had no qualms, so he jogged with the little dog running beside him.

Delanie set the pace and led the way. Eli had no problem matching her step for step, and at the end of the five miles, he seemed to barely break a sweat.

“I need to drop the dogs off at my mom’s before work,” she said, breathing hard. She halted when reality hit her. “We’re not on stakeout today, are we?”

“Sarge told us to take the day off since it’s Friday, but on Monday he wants us to find the guy responsible for this.”

“A three-day weekend? I feel at a loss to know what to do with myself.” She stretched her legs while they stood on the corner of her parents’ street. “I may have to go sit in my car for a few hours just to survive.”

He grinned at her joke, and her stomach flitted and fluttered. He sure was cute when he smiled, even with hair that needed a trim and a face that needed a shave.

“My parents live down this way.” She pointed. “My mom’s expecting me, so if you want to head back to your car. . .”

He shrugged. “I’ll go with you.” He headed in the direction she’d pointed.

Delanie grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop. “Eli, am I in danger?”

“Sarge doesn’t want you to be alone until we know for sure.” They started walking again.

“So you’re stuck spending your day off babysitting me?”

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to hang, get to know each other better,” Eli reminded her. “You finally got your wish.”

“I changed my mind,” she informed him—half joking, half deadly serious.

“Gee, thanks.” He wore a hurt expression.

But she knew just what they’d do; she’d take him to the youth center. Once he saw how great it was, maybe he’d realize it was the perfect place for his guys to hang out. Then they’d all hear the Word taught, even Eli. Could be a win-win situation—at least that was the hope of her heart.

❧

“Here we are.” Delanie led him up the hill at the end of the cul-de-sac to a beige two-story with white trim. This was how he’d imagined her growing up—the perfect well-manicured neighborhood with quiet, tree-lined streets. Following the sidewalk up to the front door, Delanie pulled a key off a chain around her neck. She unlocked the door while Hank and Junie did some sort of happy dance; apparently they enjoyed their visits here.

“Mom?” she called.

Her dad came out of his office, just to the left of the front door. He was tall, in good shape, and toted a full head of silver hair. “Morning, honey.” He hugged Delanie and kissed her check.

“Detective Logan.” He held out his hand, welcoming Eli.

“Chief Cooper.” Eli bobbed his head once.

“I heard about the girl who was murdered last night. I’m sorry.” His expression held concern. “Any leads?”

“No, sir.”

“It’s always harder when it’s a kid that dies.” He shook his head.

“Where’s Mom?” Delanie glanced toward the stairs.

“She had an early meeting this morning. I’m on my way out.” He again kissed Delanie’s cheek and patted Eli’s shoulder. “Lock up on your way out.”

“’Bye,” Eli and Delanie said in unison.

While Delanie put the dogs out back, Eli’s gaze roamed the great room. It was warm, peaceful, inviting—everything his place wasn’t growing up. Another reminder Delanie Cooper was out of his league, which didn’t matter, because he wasn’t looking anyway, he told himself again.

On the walk back to her house, Delanie wanted to stop at Walden’s for a mocha ole, and they decided to grab breakfast. Being with her felt natural, and their conversation was comfortable. Frankly, it caught him by surprise. He asked about her job on the force, what she’d done so far and who her partners had been, and he shared the same information with her.

Eli checked her town house thoroughly before leaving her safely locked inside—doors and windows secure—then he ran home, showered, and changed. Her home was cozy—a lot of plants, a lot of candles, but not too girly. Nothing fluffy or ruffled. Her taste was simple. He liked it. A man could live there contentedly.

What am I thinking?
He caught himself again. Entering his apartment, he was hit with dark, drab, and undecorated. He realized that though his place was clean and tidy, he was ready for more of a home. On his way to the shower he checked on his dad. He was still passed out in his bedroom, fully clothed, shoes and all, lying on top of the covers. Eli shook his head, wishing there was a way to save his dad from this life he’d chosen. But Eli had tried numerous times and in numerous ways. As the old saying went, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink—or stop drinking, as the case may be. Eli threw a light blanket over him and shut the door.

When he picked up Delanie, she told him she had two things she planned to accomplish today. The first, meet her friend Kristen for coffee and information. The second, go by the youth center and do some cleaning. Since he was curious about the youth center, her plans suited him just fine.

They met Kristen at a café near her office and shared a quick cup of coffee. He noticed her scrutinizing him when she thought he wasn’t paying attention.
Wonder what Delanie’s said about me.
She handed Delanie a manila envelope on her way out, apologizing for the rush, but she was working on a case that went to trial next week.

Delanie perused the information from Kristen while he drove to the center, not far from downtown in a warehouse district. The old brick building didn’t look like anything special on the outside, but the inside impressed him—it was definitely teen-friendly.

“Want a tour?” Delanie asked.

“Sure.”

She flipped on the lights. The high small windows kept the building only dimly lit. Now it was bright, and Eli marveled at all they’d done. “This is quite the place.” The walls were painted in loud primary colors, and they’d clustered areas together, giving a warm sense rather than a large warehouse feel.

Delanie smiled. “All done with many loving donations and tons of hard work. You should hear the noise level in the evenings and on weekends.”

His gaze traversed the huge room. “I bet.”

“Except for the kitchen, bathrooms, library, and movie room, everything is in this main area. We figured without walls it would be easier to keep an eye on everything going on.”

The entrance was at the center of the building’s facade. Off to his left were a couple of pool tables, foosball, Ping-Pong, and several dartboards. “Impressive.” Delanie led him to the right, past several couches set in groupings with chairs and love seats surrounding TVs.

“Those are for video games. We closely monitor the games and are selective with what they can play. Now several companies are producing Christian versions of video games, which makes us even happier.”

“So everything was donated? It’s really pretty nice stuff.”

“I know. Isn’t it great? A lot of retailers got on board and gave us brand-new stuff. It was so much more than we imagined or hoped for. We sort of expected outdated electronic equipment and old, worn-out plaid couches.”

“And what’s wrong with worn plaid couches?” Eli joked. “You could be describing my place.”

“Nothing is wrong with them,” she assured him. “We gladly would have accepted anything and been thrilled to receive it, but my point was, God always gives so much more.”

They’d been working together almost a month, and this was her first mention of God. Eli had expected it long before now. “And sometimes He gives so much less.”