In His Sights (7 page)

He peered around the corner—and fear seized his lungs.

The cop's eyes met his, over his dad's shoulder. A slight smirk tilted the corner of the man's mouth, and then he returned his attention to the other man. What was that about? Couldn't he see the busted lip, the torn clothes, the bruises? Just to be sure, the little boy stepped into full view of the officer.

But the cop never looked his way again. Instead, he closed his hand around a wad of bills pressed into his palm. And then he turned and walked away without a backward glance.

Dad had nearly killed him afterward.

That had been the day he'd truly lost hope. When the son of a bitch had walked away, that had been the end. The last slam of the cell door. The moment he knew:
You're in hell and never getting out. Nobody cares.

Unfortunately, that cop was gone from the earth long before his plans for revenge had taken flight. But then he'd spotted Detective Ford. The man looked so much like that other cop he'd known it was meant to be.

Ford was the perfect substitute. If the original sinner had already escaped him through death, a stand-in would do. They were all alike anyway.

Pushing himself to his feet, he walked on trembling legs to the bathroom. There, he scrubbed his hands, watching blood and soap suds swirl down the drain. He'd made a bad mistake. It wasn't supposed to be like that, quick and easy. Yes, it was messy, but the bastard didn't
suffer
! Well, only for a minute. But not nearly enough.

“Not like I've suffered my whole life!”

He shouldn't have risked another so soon; he shouldn't have gotten impatient with the slow as shit pace his plans were progressing. He'd already taken measures to gain the attention of the authorities, and that should have been enough for now. He knew that. But the temptation had been too much to resist. All their pretty things! He loved looking at the riches he never had. Gazing upon the treasured mementos knowing he was going to crush the happiness they represented, just as his had been crushed.

He'd almost been caught today. It would have been over much too soon.

It had to end; he was cool with that. But he wasn't ready. There was still so much more left to do.

When he'd shown them all the error of their ways, he'd go gladly.

And not one second before.

“Okay, are you going to tell me what has you in such a funk?” Shea asked.

Sitting at the break room table, Robyn looked up from her unappetizing turkey sandwich and pretended not to have a clue what her friend was talking about. “The cafeteria food,” she quipped, poking at the hoagie roll. “I think I saw it move a second ago.”

Pulling up a chair, Shea shot her friend a droll look. “Really? That's the story you're going with?”

“Have you taken a look at the meat? It's as gray as one of the cadavers we worked on in medical school.”

“I don't think your problem involves bad turkey. In fact, I happen to know someone who's walking around lately with a very similar expression to yours.” Leaning back, Shea crossed her arms over her chest.

Robyn's heart did a funny little dance. “Who?”

“Oh, come on,” her friend said with a snort. “Chris is moping around like he lost his best friend, which is very unlike him.”

“That doesn't mean it has anything to do with
me
.” Though she sort of hoped it did.

“It's you, trust me. I don't think he's ever heard the word
no
before. Women are usually throwing themselves at him.”

That
was an annoying thought. “First time for everything,” she muttered.

Shea laughed. “You've got it so bad. You two are going to be a perfect match. I just know it.”

“Um, we've only met a couple of times and I haven't even agreed to go out with him.”

“But you will!” She leaned forward. “You like him and he likes you, so let me ask—what the hell are you waiting for?”

Some of the old hurt rose and she tamped it down with an effort. “You know why I don't date, Shea. It's been tough to let myself get too close to a man. Or anyone new at all, for that matter.”

“I get that. But, honey, it's not like he's proposing marriage. What's it going to hurt to have a meal with the man?”

“I don't know if—”

“Look, at worst, you'll hate each other, which I don't think is going to happen. At best, you get closer to someone who could become a good friend and companion, maybe more. What do you have to lose?”

“My peace of mind?”

“Do you really have much of that?” Shea questioned gently. “You stand to gain so much more than you'd lose at this point. And you know, if we were talking about
anyone but Chris, I wouldn't be pushing. I know my cousin, and he's solid gold.”

Robyn bit her lip, thinking about everything her friend had said. “It's not just me. I have to think about Maddy, too.”

“Yes, and that's understandable after what both of you have been through. But you can't cushion her with bubble wrap. Didn't she have a great time at the party the other day?”

“She did.”

“And didn't she hit it off with Chris right away?”

“Yes, and he was wonderful with her,” Robyn admitted. “She hasn't stopped talking about him since.”

“Well, there you go.”

Doesn't Maddy deserve an awesome man like that in her life? Don't I?

“Listen, I'll think about it. That's all I can promise right now.”

Shea beamed at her, probably sensing Robyn was ready to cave. “That'll do.”

“So glad you approve.”

Ignoring Robyn's sarcasm, her friend pulled out her cell phone and sent a quick text. Immediately, Robyn's phone vibrated and she saw that Shea had texted her Chris's number.

“That's his cell,” Shea told her.

“Okay. Thanks.”

Then Shea launched into the most recent hospital gossip. Robyn, however, was listening with only half an ear while the other woman chattered about who was dating whom, hospital politics, and whether any money
would be spent to improve the staff lounge. There wasn't a ton of hope among the staff for the last item.

By the time she and Shea departed and Robyn had thrown away her unfinished lunch, she'd come to a decision. One that involved making a phone call to a man she hoped hadn't yet written her off.

Checking her watch, she decided she had just enough time to find out if Chris was still interested. Excited, she hurried outside, pushing through a side door into a peaceful area sculpted to look like a garden. Visitors and staff alike were welcome to use it to take a break, gather their thoughts, or whatever they needed. It was currently unoccupied, and the perfect place for a private call.

Quickly, she checked the text again and repeated the number to herself. Then she placed the call, waiting on pins and needles as it rang. A familiar voice answered on the third ring.

“Detective Ford.”

She tried to sound confident, not nervous, and wasn't quite sure she succeeded. “Chris? This is Robyn. I hope it's okay that Shea gave me your number.”

“Oh, hey, Robyn! Of course, that's more than okay.” He sounded really happy to hear from her, and that made her insides quiver. “So, does this mean you've done some thinking about having dinner with me?”

“Yes, and I'd love to. If you're still interested, that is.” There were those nerves, making an appearance and doing their best to rattle her composure.

“You're kidding, right?” He laughed. “I feel like I've just won the lottery.”

Her face stretched into a broad smile. “I wouldn't go that far.”

“Believe me, I
would
. So, when are you free?”

“I'm off tomorrow night, if that works.”

“Perfect. What's your favorite kind of food?”

“I'm not picky,” she said honestly. “I can eat almost any kind of food except Indian. I can't stand curry.”

He chuckled. “I'm with you there. How about I give it some thought and surprise you?”

“Sounds fine.” Inside, she felt giddy. When was the last time she'd been surprised?

“What about Maddy?” She tensed, but before she could say anything, he rushed to reassure her. “Don't get me wrong, she's more than welcome on our first date. I just need to know so I can choose accordingly.”

He was officially too good to be true.

“I'll get a sitter,” she told him. “I'd like to get to know you before I bring her along.”

“That's more than fine. Pick you up at seven thirty?”

“That will be great.”

“All right, see you then, gorgeous.”

“I'm looking forward to it.”

“Me, too.”

She hung up, almost drunk on the rush. The pure joy.
I did it. I'm going on a date with a handsome, charming man for the first time in two years.

Well, longer than that if she was counting. Because it had been much longer than two years since Greg had been any kind of companion. She wasn't going to think about that, though. Not when she finally had a nice evening to look forward to.

Sticking her phone in her coat pocket, she walked back inside to see Shea and Lee, a male nurse, standing at the nurses' station. They were talking, looking over a chart, Shea no doubt having to take the man in hand again for screwing something up. Honestly, Robyn didn't know how much longer the director could put up with him. Shea spotted Robyn and then waved as she approached, giving her a tentative smile.

“Well?”

“Date, tomorrow night!”

“That's great.” Her friend gave her a brisk hug.

“A date?” Lee studied the two women with a curious expression on his face.

Shea let go of Robyn and made a face at him. “Yes, you know—two people go out and have dinner, maybe get some nooky for dessert?”

“Shea!” Robyn's face flamed. “Okay, this is where I get back to work. See you later.”

“Don't do anything I wouldn't do,” Shea called out, looking downright smug.

Shaking her head at their antics, Robyn hurried back into the building. But she was lighter in spirit than she had been in a very long time.

Tomorrow night. She couldn't wait.

*   *   *

Chris was flying high as he pulled onto his street. So much so that at first his brain didn't register the water flowing like a mini river down his driveway.

Water line break.

“Shit!”

Throwing the Camaro into park, he shut off the
ignition and ran into the house, searching everywhere for running water and damage as he went. He was relieved to find that the break wasn't inside the house—that would've been a major disaster, considering the new carpet, furnishings, and God knows what else.

Continuing his search, he found a soggy patch of grass in the backyard, water gurgling and spewing at a rate that made him cringe to think of his next water bill—especially if this had been gushing all day. Why the hell hadn't one of the neighbors called him? The people on each side of him had his cell phone number, but they must not have been home.

First, he found the meter and shut off the water. Once inside again, he phoned the utility company and was informed that the earliest they could send someone out to look at the pipe was tomorrow. But in all reality, it would be several days before the actual repair could be made. It seemed their schedule was very backed up.

That meant he couldn't stay here. No running water for dishes, the toilet, or the shower made that impossible. He considered his options. A hotel would be easy, but over several days could get expensive. He could stay with Shea and Tommy, but the thought of cohabitating with his nosy cousin and having her grill him about Robyn didn't appeal at all.

Staying with Shane and Daisy made the most sense. Their house was a bit more crowded now that they had Drew with them, and the teen was always having friends over, but he could deal if they could. With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and went back into the house. It rang a couple of times before Shane answered.

“Hey, cuz. What's up?”

“Not my impressive ten inches, that's for sure.”

Shane laughed. “Ten? Who's delusional?”

“Not me. But I didn't call to make you feel inadequate,” he joked. “Especially when I need a favor.”

“Anything, you know that. As long as it's legal, that is.”

“Good, because I need a place to crash, maybe for a few days. I have a water line break here at the house.”

“Ouch.” His cousin's voice was sympathetic.

“Yeah. I'm not going to have any water until they can get it fixed, so I'm kind of in a spot. I know you've got more people in the house these days, though, so if it's a problem I can go somewhere else.”

“Say no more, and bring your ass over before I kick it. We've got four bedrooms, and the spare two are rarely used unless Blake stays over in one of them.”

Blake was a young man of about nineteen that Taylor and his girlfriend Cara had recently helped to get his life together. Everyone really liked him, including Chris. He was a good kid who'd once had it pretty rough, and he had become Drew's best friend.

“Thanks, man. I'll be over after I scrounge up some dinner.”

“Nah, fuck that. Daisy's making fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Pack, then get over here and come help us eat it all.”

His mouth watered. “Well, twist my arm . . .”

“Ha! No force involved, I'm thinking.”

“You're right. See you soon.”

Moving quickly, he pulled a duffel bag from the closet and threw in enough clothes for two days, both work and
casual. A pair of lightweight shorts for jogging followed, tennis shoes, plus socks and underwear, his toothbrush and his deodorant. After a brief inspection, he was satisfied. Shane and Daisy would have anything else he needed.

He locked up, then made his way back to the car, tossed in his bag, and left. Briefly, he worried that the utility people coming to look at the pipe might interfere with his date, but then he cast that fear aside. Nothing was getting in the way of his evening with Robyn. Not going to happen.

Twenty minutes later he was turning down Shane's driveway. Well, the place was Daisy's now also, but this property and the one next door, beautiful tracts of land located right on the Cumberland River, had been left to Shane and his sister, respectively, by their parents. Shane had built his house here a few years earlier, and then Shea and Tommy had built on her portion after they'd gotten married. The siblings and their families lived barely a few hundred yards away from each other.

Chris couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. And a little left out sometimes.

But that feeling was false, and totally on Chris. Shane and Shea were more like siblings to him than cousins, which was the main reason he'd moved to Sugarland a few months back. He had badly needed family, people who cared for him, and he'd been welcomed with open arms. Why would he ever feel left out?

Because they have families that take up their time and attention now, and you don't.

Shutting out that destructive voice, he grabbed his
bag and headed for the porch. There he rang the doorbell and was greeted by an enthusiastic Daisy. She flung her arms around him, giving him a big hug as the aroma of fried chicken drifted out to assault his nose.

“Hey, stranger!” The tall blond juvenile officer gave his cheek a kiss and pulled back to smile at him. “Get in here. Where the hell have you been lately?”

“What do you mean? I just saw you at work three days ago.” He stepped inside to see Shane rise from his recliner and stretch, then start toward him and Daisy.

“Work doesn't count! I've been inviting you over to dinner for weeks, and it takes a busted water pipe to get you here? I don't know whether to be happy or insulted.” The quirk of her mouth and humor in her blue eyes told him which it was.

“Can we settle for happy?” He sniffed appreciatively at the air.

Laughing, she draped an arm over his shoulders and guided him into the living room. Shane met them halfway and thumped his cousin on the back.

“That didn't take long.”

“Food was mentioned,” he said. “I have my priorities in order.”