Crossing Danger: A Shelby Nichols Adventure (6 page)

“Okay. That makes sense.”

“So this is what we’re thinking,” Dimples continued. “Holly’s here, but she’s headed home. In a couple of hours, when it’s dark, you can take Chloe over there. Just make sure she stays out of sight. Has she picked out anyone from the pictures yet?”

“Um...no,” I said. “I think it’s going to take a while, but I’ll call you with a name when I have one. I was wondering if I could be there when you talk to them...you know...so I can tell if it’s them or not? Just in case she’s not sure. You’ll let me do that, right?”

“Yes,” Dimples said. “And Shelby...if you get any feelings...or premonitions about anything, don’t hesitate to call me. I don’t want anything bad to happen to Chloe.”

“Thanks. I won’t, and I’ll call you as soon as I have a name.”

We disconnected, and my heart warmed that Dimples believed in me and my premonitions. Lots better than anything I’d heard from Bates. I told Chloe the plan, and she was disappointed that she wouldn’t be staying here. I think it was mostly because of Josh.

“I’ve been through this binder twice,” she said. “And I’ve narrowed it down to two guys. It’s just so hard to know from a picture. I think if I saw him in person, it would be easier to tell.” She pursed her lips in frustration.

“Let me see,” I said. She showed me their pictures, and both men were the same ones I’d picked out. “This is good. I can let Dimples know, and he can check into what they’ve been up to. Maybe tomorrow I can talk to them, and we’ll know which one it is by then. This is great.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes. Soon you’ll be back home, and your parents will probably ground you forever...but at least you survived. I have to say, I’m impressed that you could take care of yourself and think so fast on your feet. You did an amazing job to get out of that situation...and coming to see me...that was genius.” 

Her lips turned up in a small smile, but even my kind words did little to dispel the gloom of what she had gone through. She closed her eyes, thinking it was stupid she’d put herself in that position in the first place. Her parents were going to kill her. And Liam had died...right in front of her. It was horrible.

“So what was it like staying in the library all night?” I asked, hoping to take her mind off Liam. “I think it would be kind of scary.”

“Yeah...it was a little. But the lounge area is really small, and I put a chair up under the doorknob so no one could get in. Before I did that, I found one of my favorite books and a flashlight and read most of the night.” She was thinking she mostly kept reading so she wouldn’t have to think about what had happened or replay the scene of Liam’s death over and over in her mind.

“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” I said. “But you’ll get through this. I know...I’ve seen someone die before too, right in front of me, and it definitely leaves a mark, so if you ever need to talk...I’m here.”

“Really?” she asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” I admitted. “It was awful.” Actually, I’d seen quite a few people get shot and killed, but I wasn’t about to tell her that. Not when I was trying to forget them myself. “It’s better if you don’t dwell on it. But please feel free to talk to me if you need to...I really do understand how it feels.”

“Thanks Shelby,” she said, gazing at me, her eyes wide with awe. “So you’re doing okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “And you will too, just give it some time.” My phone rang, and I checked the caller ID. “It’s Holly. I’d better answer.” I pushed the button and barely said hello before she started talking.

“Shelby! Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe Chloe is really there. Is she all right?”

“Yes...she’s good.”

“I can’t tell you how grateful we are that you’ve got her. All of us. And my poor brother. It’s been a nightmare.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “I’m sure it has...but she’s here and she’s safe. What time do you want me to bring her over?”

“Um...Detective Dimples said to wait until it got dark.”

“Holly! You didn’t call him Detective Dimples did you?”

She chuckled. “No...but you’ve told me enough about him that the minute I saw those dimples, I knew exactly who he was. I’m glad you know him. Oh, and he’s lots nicer than Bates.”

That brought a smile to my lips. “Thanks for saying that, but I think Bates is okay as long as I’m not around. Anyway, I’ll text you before we leave, but we should be there after dinner, probably around seven, seven-thirty?”

“Sounds great. Give Chloe my love...and just a sec...here’s Scott.”

“Shelby!” Scott said, sounding out of breath. “Thank you...I don’t know what to say...but I’m so relieved...”

“Thanks is fine...hey...I’m sure you want to talk to Chloe...here she is.”

I handed her the phone, and she swallowed before taking it. “Dad...I’m so sorry...I never meant...”

He cut off her apology, telling her how grateful he was that she was all right and how much he loved her. I busied myself with dinner to give her some privacy. She spoke to her mother as well and, a few minutes later, handed me the phone, wiping tears from her eyes. “I’m going to use the bathroom.”

“Sure,” I said.

I glanced through the roster at the pictures of the men one more time. With both of us picking out the same people, I had to believe it was a good sign that it could be one of them. I pushed Dimples’ cell number and waited for him to answer. He picked up after the first ring.

“Okay...I’ve got the names. Are you ready?” I rattled them off, and he didn’t sound surprised or upset, but what did I know since I couldn’t hear his thoughts? “Do you know either of them?” I asked.

“Yeah. I know them both.”

“Do you think one could be involved?”

“Shelby...I just don’t know. I’m still in shock that she saw a cop in the first place. I don’t want to believe one of our own could be involved in this, but if they are...well...I guess we’ll find out. Can you come down to the precinct tomorrow?”

“Sure...but how are you going to get them to meet with us without scaring them off?”

“Leave that to me. Just be ready. I’ll call you in the morning and set up a time to talk to them. Be careful tonight. Bates is the only one besides me and the captain that knows we have her, so she should be safe, but we can’t be too careful.”

“I will,” I said. “See you tomorrow.” We disconnected, and the enormity of what we were trying to pull off filled me with doubt. It was too bad the police couldn’t do any more to protect her, but this plan should keep her safe.

“Did you give him the names?” Chloe asked. She had perked up quite a bit, now that she knew her parents weren’t furious with her.

“Yes.”

“Did he know them?” She was worried that he’d believe the cop over her, especially if they were friends.

“We’ll get to the bottom of it, Chloe. If it’s one of these guys, we’ll find out.”

As she nodded, Josh came inside. “Hey,” he said, wondering how long Chloe was going to stay. It was kind of nice having her here...and a little weird too.

“Chloe’s going over to Holly’s house after dinner,” I said.

“Oh,” he answered, relieved and disappointed at the same time.

“Hey...do you have Mr. Johnson for math?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah. I do.”

“Me too. Do you know what the assignment was for today?”

“Uh...let me look,” Josh said. He picked up his backpack from the floor by the table, and she followed him into the living room where they sat side by side on the couch. Soon they were talking about their teachers and classes.

I let out a relieved sigh that they were getting along so well. It was good for Chloe to have some normalcy right now. I also picked up that undertone of attraction and interest from both of them, and my heart did a little flutter. It was tempting to intrude on their thoughts...but that just seemed wrong on so many levels, so I resolutely put up my shields.    

It was a relief when Chris came home and I could tell him what was going on. He’d heard about the AMBER alert and was shocked to find Chloe at our house. “I don’t know if they can keep this a secret for long, especially with the reporters and TV crews watching the family’s every move.”

“Yeah...well, hopefully we’ll know which cop it is by tomorrow.”

We had a pleasant dinner, and soon it was time to take Chloe to Holly’s house. She and Josh had spent all their time together before dinner, and I had a feeling we’d be seeing more of her once this was all done.

Chloe said her goodbyes...mostly to Josh, and we got into the car. As I pulled out of the garage, I made sure she kept her head down. I couldn’t see any strange cars on the street, but it was dark and I didn’t want to take any chances. With Holly’s house just around the block, it was a quick drive, and I didn’t catch sight of anyone following. Still, I pulled in the driveway and all the way to the back of the house.

Chloe jumped out and ran to the back door, but I took my time, closing the door and listening for anyone thinking about us being there. Of course, if they were in a car, I wouldn’t be able to hear them, but I had to try. Hearing nothing, I let out my breath and went inside.

Holly smothered me with a hug as soon as I entered. She couldn’t stop thanking me for my part in finding Chloe, and I kind of felt bad since it was Chloe who’d found me. I tried to tell her that, but she wouldn’t hear of it.

Holly’s husband, Dave, said hello and her three kids took Chloe downstairs. I knew the kids were dying to hear all the gruesome details, and I hoped Chloe could handle it. I sat down at the kitchen table and Holly got me a diet soda with crushed ice. She knew me so well.

“Scott’s coming over a little later, but no one should suspect anything since I’m his sister,” Holly explained, setting the soda in front of me.

“What about Kira?” I asked.

She pursed her lips. “Yeah...she’s coming over too, but not until about eleven and only for a few minutes. She’s taking this pretty hard and doesn’t want to mess up. So...do you have any leads?”

“Chloe picked out a couple of cops who looked similar to the man she saw,” I said. “So it’s not a sure thing, but I’ll be going in tomorrow to question them. So it should be resolved by then.”

Dave was thinking that didn’t sound like a sure thing at all. How was I going to know who it was just by talking to them? What kind of a plan was that? He didn’t like any of this and thought Chloe should be under police protection with someone who had a gun and wasn’t afraid to use it. Of course, if it was a cop...that just made it all worse. Could he protect her if a cop showed up? Beneath those sentiments was his real worry that his family could be in danger as well. He had a shotgun; maybe he’d better get it out.

“The police don’t know the extent of who’s involved, so the best way to keep Chloe safe is to keep her out of their system. Having her come here is really the best option,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I think she’ll be fine staying here with you. I know I wouldn’t want my child with anyone else. I really think this is the best plan, and I’m sure nothing will happen to you or your family.”

Dave sat back, surprised that I’d responded to his worries. “Oh...I didn’t know that. I am glad we can help her, I just hope we can keep her safe here.” Holly’s brows creased, and she shot him a glance that sent guilt flowing over him. She was thinking it was the least they could do for their niece after what she’d been through, and if he didn’t like it, he could...

“Well, I’d better be going,” I said. “Thanks for the soda. I’ll call tomorrow.”

Holly thanked me again and I hurried out to my car, hoping they wouldn’t get into an argument since they both had valid points. I pulled out of the driveway, watching closely for anything suspicious, but that didn’t stop the shiver of unease that ran down my spine. Dave was right to be concerned. Somewhere a dirty cop was out there looking for a missing girl, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was already watching me.

Relieved to enter my garage without incident, I hurried inside, grateful to be home. I let Chris and the kids know everything went well and Chloe was safe. Chris and Josh were watching a football game, and Savannah had homework, so now was the perfect time to take a bath. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically, so a bath sounded wonderful.

I hurried to my bedroom to change, and there, sitting on the bed, was the folder of my old flame and his unsolved murder. I had forgotten all about it. Picking it up, I flipped it open for another look at his picture. His eyes held warmth and a touch of mischief, like he was ready to laugh about something.

Memories of him from our time in high school flooded my mind. I smiled, remembering the car he drove back then. It was a convertible, and he would take me on long drives. Most of the time, we ended up at the lake, where we’d skip rocks and hike around until we found a good spot to watch the sunset. He always carried a camera and took a ton of pictures. Most were of me. He called me ‘sunshine,’ because of my blond hair, and said I was the most photogenic person he’d ever known. I still had a few of those photos, and I always wondered what he’d done with the rest.

I also remembered the way he smelled. Like a cross between Irish Spring and fresh-cut grass. I used to ask him what cologne he was wearing since I loved that smell so much, and he would never tell me. No matter how many times I pestered him about it. It drove me crazy. Now he was gone, and my heart ached to know he was dead...and worse, someone had murdered him.