Fatal Intent (Desert Heat Book 3) (16 page)

“Um,” Alex said, caught off guard. She should pay it herself. She was an adult, and her dad couldn’t afford to keep paying Rick to bail her out of trouble. Neither could she, for that matter. “Do you have a payment plan?”

Rick laughed. “We’ll work something out, kiddo. Come on, let’s get this over with so we can both hit the sack.”

Alex made the rest of the drive with more confidence she was doing the right thing. She’d talk to her dad, spend the night, and then head for Tempe. She had a house to move into, and a family waiting anxiously for her to get home.

TWENTY-SEVEN

“So, even though I’m pretty sure, I gave a swab to the police lab for DNA. They’ll try to get some from the bone marrow to match it, and when it does, we’ll be able to bring Mom home and give her a decent burial.”

Alex concluded her story and ventured a peek at her dad’s face. She’d kept her eyes off him after she started telling the story, not wanting to intrude on his grief. She’d been right to do so. Her poor dad looked like a train had hit
him
.

“How…” It was the first word he’d spoken since she sat him down and told him she knew what happened to her mom. He’d seen the story on TV of her sojourn with the Patriots, and they’d gotten all of the necessary stuff out of the way before she brought it up. Yes, she’d been foolhardy. She wouldn’t do it again (this with her fingers crossed). No, she hadn’t suffered any harm, just a bad scare.

And then it had been time to tell him she’d heard something she was ninety-five percent sure was about her mom. He’d started to answer, but she shushed him.

“Let me tell it my way, Dad. Then we can talk about it. Be strong, this isn’t an easy story.”

His face settled into resignation, and he nodded. She started with the brutal truth, hastily averting her eyes from the shock in his, and then went back for the detail that made the connections for her.

Now he was struggling with what to say or ask first. Finally, he held his arms out to her and she rushed into them, daughter comforting father and father soothing daughter. She felt his acceptance of the truth in the shaky but tight hug he gave her. After a few minutes of tears and sighs, she pulled back and really looked at her dad for a change.

I’m too self-absorbed. When did he get this old?

“Dad, would you like me to call someone? Jen or Wanda? Or do you want to start making arrangements? We’ll have a memorial service, won’t we?”

“Yes, I think so. But not until the confirmation. I’d like to keep it quiet until then. I’ll tell Jen. We’d better have Dylan with us when we tell Wanda. Did you know she’s given him medical power of attorney?”

“No, I didn’t. Is she… sicker than I thought?”

“I don’t think she’s in immediate danger, but she’s got to avoid stress. I think this news can wait, don’t you?” Her dad gave her a pleading look and she understood it wasn’t only for Wanda’s sake. He wanted time to absorb it himself.

“Sure, Dad. Do you need me to stay another day? I thought I’d spend the night and then head for Tempe. I’m already late registering.”

“No, that’s fine. Are you and Dylan okay? He told me you were having a bit of a communications issue.”

Dad’s color was already returning, she saw. Alex laughed, and said, “I guess you could call it that. I’ve been avoiding his calls so he couldn’t tell me not to do what I wanted to do.”

“Bad habit, kiddo. Dylan’s got a good head on his shoulders. You might want to listen to him now and then.”

“I know, Dad. He was right, it was dangerous. But without it, we wouldn’t have learned how they sign their attacks, and I wouldn’t know what happened to Mom. It was worth the risk.”

“Only because you’re safe now. If something had happened to you…”

“It didn’t, okay? I’m done with them, and moving away. If I leave them alone from now on, they’ll probably leave me alone, too.” Alex got up and started for the kitchen. “Want me to make some dinner?”

“Wait a minute. You said they sign their attacks? What do you mean?”

Alex clapped her hand over her mouth. “You can’t print that, Dad. It’s something the police had me hold back.”

“Oh. Well, I wasn’t going to print it, unless you’d like to write the story. I guess you can’t tell me, huh?”

“Can’t tell him what?” Rick stood in the doorway. “Sorry to just walk in. I guess you guys didn’t hear me knock.”

“Hi, Rick,” said Alex. “I was just going to fix some dinner. Want to stay?”

“Sure. What can’t you tell him?”

“Hey, I’m right here,” said her dad.

“What can’t she tell you?”

“You’re a persistent bugger, aren’t you?” her dad grumbled.

Alex smiled at Rick and shook her head at her dad. “Yes, I can tell you. I trust you not to let it go any further. The Patriots leave a small P somewhere, carved either into the victim or at the crime scene. When I convinced the police they were behind the attack on Dawn, they went to the place it happened and found the P scratched into the concrete barrier. About the size of a quarter, easy to miss.”

“Why do they do that? Doesn’t it mean they’re more likely to get caught?” Alex’s dad was looking to Rick for the answer.

“We don’t know yet, but it’s been going on since before Harvey Lloyd was convicted. I personally think it’s like counting coup.” Rick grinned as Alex shook her head.

“But the tribes around here don’t do that,” she said.

“The Apache did.” Rick and her dad said it at almost the same time, and Rick added, “Coke.” Then he punched her dad lightly in the arm.

“Jeez, how old are you, twelve?” her dad grumbled, pretending to be hurt and rubbing his arm.

“Well, we don’t know why they do it, but the police are going to interview Harvey Lloyd and see if he’ll tell them. They’re going to tell him there’s a possibility of a new trial because there may be new evidence that will clear him. Maybe it will be enough.”

“Will it really clear him?” Her dad was again addressing Rick.

“Who knows? All they’re going to say is maybe.”

Alex finally escaped into the kitchen and started looking for something that would be quick and serve three. It was good to be home for a while, with two of her favorite people arguing good-naturedly in the background. It was even better to know her dad would recover quickly from the news about her mom. She hadn’t expected that.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Dylan and Alex were finally communicating more than once a day again, a welcome return to what he considered the norm. He went to work on Tuesday full of anticipation. Not only would this be his first day on his new job, but he expected Alex to arrive shortly after he got home in the afternoon.

He knew she had gone in person to Dodge with news about her mother, but she hadn’t told him the whole story yet. He couldn’t get a read on it. Alex was happy about being reconciled with her dad. If she was happy about finding her mom, he couldn’t tell.

She was still puzzled about one thing, and they’d discussed it. Dylan assumed the police would get to the bottom of it, even as he understood how much Alex wanted to solve the mystery. Why had the Patriots, who’d always been a one-issue group, suddenly changed their focus from Latinos to Native Americans?

Dylan had to admit it made no sense to him, either. Rather than discuss it to death, he’d prefer to let the police do their job and worm it out of someone inside the organization.

When he thought about the risk Alex had taken, Dylan by turns was enraged and retroactively terrified for her. She would have to promise not to do anything so risky again, or it was a deal breaker. Or, so he told himself. Deep down he knew he’d forgive her again and again if he had to.

The question of the day was whether to make Alex’s homecoming special by taking her and the kids out to dinner, or might she prefer a cozy meal at home, some quality time with the kids and then a romantic evening after the boys went to bed? No reason they couldn’t have the last no matter which choice, of course. He asked the boys, dinner at home or at a restaurant.

“Mickey Ds!” Davi shouted. It was already his favorite restaurant after only two whole days in the larger town.

“I don’t think so, buddy. It needs to be a nicer one than that,” Dylan explained. “Unless you think she’d like to stay home with just us. Then I’ll cook dinner.”

“I think you should choose a restaurant,” Juan said. With an earnest expression, he explained his reasoning. “You’re not a very good cook.”

Dylan laughed. “A restaurant it is. I know. She never gets to cook fish, because her dad hates it. Shall we go to a seafood restaurant?” He realized his mistake when both boys turned dubious faces on him. “Ok, let’s let her decide. You guys go wash your hands and faces. And change your shirts if you’re dirty. We want Alex to know we got all cleaned up for her, right?”

Better change my own shirt.

Dylan was already wearing civilian clothes, because his Forest Service uniforms wouldn’t arrive for a week or so. He was anxious to get out on patrol, but he’d be desk-bound until he was properly outfitted. Still, a fresh shirt wouldn’t hurt. He was pulling a polo shirt over his head when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” yelled Davi. Dylan raced to avert the disaster and arrived just in time to see Davi fling the door open and charge Alex. She was laughing when he took the couple of steps necessary to grab her before she was knocked off the porch.

“Easy, buddy,” he said to Davi. Eyes shining, he took Alex in his arms. She felt so good there. There was nothing like hugging the woman you loved. He eased up only enough to dip his head for a lingering kiss. Davi cut that short with an editorial comment. “Ew.”

Alex laughed again and wriggled free. “Come here, Davi, I want a kiss from you, too.” The child took off with Alex in hot pursuit. When she caught him, she picked him up, barely able to hold him as he struggled, and kissed him all over his face. Then she set him down. “Wow, you’ve grown a foot! And you’re almost too heavy for me. Dylan will have to catch you and hold you for me from now on.”

Davi threw her a wild-eyed look before he ran down the hall, vigorously rubbing his face with both hands.

“He’s rubbing off your kisses,” Dylan teased.

“No he isn’t, he’s rubbing them in. Where’s the little professor?” she asked.

“Getting ready. We’re taking you out to dinner to celebrate.” Dylan caught her in his arms again. “I think I’ll give you the same treatment you gave Davi.”

Glancing around, Alex whispered, “I have a better idea.” She lifted her face for Dylan’s kiss and wasted no time at all before sliding her tongue between his lips. They were still locked in a passionate embrace when they heard Davi again.

“I told you they were all mushy,” he said.

Dylan took his time ending the kiss and then looked down. Davi and Juan were standing next to him, staring upward.

“Hi, Alex,” said Juan.

“Hi back,” she said, stooping to hug him. “Are you too big for a kiss?”

“I guess not, but on the cheek please. I don’t think I’d like what you were doing with Dylan.” Juan’s thoughtful assessment made Alex laugh again as she hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Okay, I’ll try to remember. Hey, Dylan says we’re going out for dinner. Where do you guys want to go?”

“Mickey Ds!” Davi shouted again.

“Seafood,” Juan said, but with such a woeful look that Alex turned a questioning gaze on Dylan.

“I think he takes after your dad,” Dylan explained.

“Oh! Then we’d better go somewhere everyone can get what they want.” Alex named a popular chain restaurant, which met with everyone’s approval, and they trooped out the door again.

It was only in the restaurant, when he had a chance to observe her while she wasn’t forcing a smile for the boys’ behalf, when Dylan realized Alex wasn’t as happy as she seemed. There was a shadow behind her eyes that he wanted to chase away with sweet lovemaking. He hoped she’d be ready for that tonight. He certainly was.

~~~

Once they’d put the little boys to bed, Alex dropped the act she’d been keeping up all night. She’d wanted to make it a joyful occasion, and it had been. Once or twice she caught Dylan’s speculative gaze, and she knew there’d be no putting off the discussion about her mom. It was best to just do it, get it over with.

The thought made her weary, though. How to convey to Dylan the numb acceptance she felt, now that she knew her mother really wasn’t coming back. She should be grieving. After all, it seemed she’d been preparing for this news all her life. Even when her dad steadfastly refused to give up hope, she’d known. How could she grieve for someone she barely remembered?

Dylan brought her a glass of wine. “Maybe this will help,” he said.

She sipped at the rich, ruby red liquid and made a face. “I think this is an acquired taste.” She took another sip. That one was better, but still something she would have to get used to if she were going to drink it regularly.

Dylan took a sip of his own. If his face was a mirror of her own, he’d done well not to laugh at her. She couldn’t suppress a snigger. Dylan smiled, and she knew it was because he’d managed to lighten her mood. She scooted closer to him on the couch.

“I’ve already told this story to one man I love. Telling it again requires snuggling, Dylan. It’s so sad.”

Dylan made appropriate comforting notices and opened his arms for her to snuggle in. “Whatever it is, babe, just tell it in your own time. If you don’t want to talk about it tonight, we won’t.”

“No, I have to. Let me get it over with. My mom is dead, Dylan.”

His arms tightened around her. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s not all of it. She died horribly, and in mental pain.” Alex began to cry softly as she told him the rest of it. She hadn’t been able to cry before, and now she recognized that not being able to cry was part of her own anguish. A person ought to be able to cry over her mother’s death. Dylan had cried for his mother. What kind of a monster was she?

The tears partially healed her hurt. At last, she was able to express her anguish that her mom had died alone, in despair. Dylan rocked her gently as she sobbed, kissing her temple, her hair, her forehead.

Alex sat up at last, her eyes sticky and red. “I look like a mess. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, babe,” Dylan said. “I understand. You needed to cry. Tell me the rest. How can you be sure the woman was your mother?”

“Right now it’s circumstantial, but I know it as well as I know my own name. The circumstances fit together too well, but they’re doing DNA comparisons, so we’ll know for sure soon. Dad’s planning a memorial service.”

“I’m sure that will help give you both closure.”

Alex got up to wash her face. “I guess you’re right. I don’t actually know what closure is. I’ve always known my mother wasn’t coming back. At least, that’s how I felt. In fact, it’s the same way I know this woman was my mother. Maybe I’ve got a psychic connection or something.”

Dylan got up and followed her into the bathroom. “I’ll tell you what you’ve got,” he said. “You’ve got a bedroom without a stick of furniture in it. Want to sleep with me tonight?”

Alex turned around, wiping her face with a grubby hand towel and then looking at it in consternation. She looked up at Dylan and smiled. “Did you do that on purpose?”

“Not exactly,” he said, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him. “Okay, yeah. But to be fair, you were supposed to put your stuff on the truck with ours and then you would have had your own bed and everything.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to share yours. Why didn’t you put the boys in separate rooms?”

“I didn’t want to assume. You know what that does.” Dylan wiped his thumb across a spot where the towel had left a dirty streak. “Come on, I think you’d better share my bathroom, too.”

“Oh yeah? You think I’m dirty?” Alex was flirting openly now, wanting to put the evening’s conversation behind her and not think about anything but the interrupted relationship for the rest of the night.

“I certainly hope so,” said Dylan. With that, he scooped her off her feet and sidled through the hallway with her, while she laughed and protested he was going to bump her head against the wall. They gained the master bedroom with no major mishaps and he set her on her feet.

“Alex, please tell me you’ll be here with me every night for the rest of our lives.” His beautiful face had turned solemn, his eyes searching hers.

Alex lifted her hand and traced the full lips, following her finger with her own lips and reveling in the soft warmth. With her eyes open, she kissed Dylan as tenderly and lovingly as she knew how. For a moment, she drew back. “I promise.”

Dylan’s arms went around her and he almost crushed the breath out of her as he dropped his lips to her neck and nuzzled her there. Time stopped while they stood and kissed, desperately trying to make up for lost time and for all the hurt they’d inflicted on each other.

Finally, Dylan loosened his grip on her and stood straighter. “I think I finally understand, Alex. I won’t ever stop you from doing what you have to do. Just please, try to be safe. I need you. The boys need you. We need to be a family, and we can’t do it without you.”

Alex swayed forward to lean into him again. “I’ll remember. Thank you, Dylan. I know I’ve been a brat. Can you forgive me?” She looked up at him, just taking in his face and the look of love he lavished on her.

“Already have. As long as you forgive me for not understanding what drives you. I’ll try to stop being a caveman.” Then he got a little smirk. “Did you know you have dirt on your nose?” He laughed out loud when she pushed away from him and took a swing at him.

“I do not!”

“I suggest you look.”

Alex went into the master bath and discovered she did have dirt where there’d been none until she used the boys’ hand towel. There were going to be some changes around here, or she’d know the reason why. The first item on her agenda was teaching the boys how to wash properly. Then she thought of Dylan’s smirk. She had an idea how to wipe that off his face.

While standing behind the closed bathroom door, she took off every stitch of clothing. When she’d stared at her own naked body long enough to start blushing, she stepped outside the door.

Dylan was waiting for her right where she’d left him, and as the door opened, he said, “Come here, woman. I need to…” His words cut off abruptly as he caught sight of her. When he spoke again, it was to say, “Oh, my God!”

In one swift step, he was wrapped around her again, kissing her passionately and roaming her skin with his big, rough hands. Alex leaned into the warmth of his hands, even as her own were busy finding the buckle of his belt.

“It’s been so long,” she murmured.

“Too long,” he agreed.

“I can’t get…”

“Let me do that.”

As they spoke in unison, they looked into each other’s eyes and saw the same desire looking back. Dylan swiped at the switch for the overhead light and softer light bathed Alex as she strolled to the bed… their bed.