Open Wounds (20 page)

But Darryl had a point. The case they were working was dangerous and if they didn’t get their distance they could easily wind up getting one or both of them killed. That didn’t mean she didn’t hate him for suggesting it.

“You take the car. I'll have one of the guys swing round and pick me up.”

Kellie nodded and stepped back. “Goodbye. Take care Darryl. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She turned and started quickly away. Usually she wasn’t such a coward but she needed space between her and Darryl. Needed it like her next breath. Had he heard the finality in her voice? The pain consumed her.

“This isn’t over,” he called out to her. “When the case is over, you’d better watch out because I’ll be coming for you, Kellie Munroe, and I won’t be letting go.”

She picked up her speed.

Chapter 30

A few days later, Kellie hit the print button and waited for the printer on her desk to spit out her report. The temperamental beast wheezed sickly before finally relinquishing the paper. She gathered up the pages and signed the bottom of the document before stapling it into to the manila folder resting on her desk.

The siege and corresponding paperwork on the Houston was over and the three bodies belonging to the party who’d opened fire on the LAC
—
along with their executioner—had been brought to the morgue for identification.

The case against Coleani continued to move slowly. The man had not managed to stay in power for as long as he had by being sloppy. Kellie felt frustration at every turn. She’d hoped by now that they would’ve been able to build a strong case, but if anything she felt further away from her goal than the day they’d started.

She hadn’t seen Darryl again since the hospital despite her weakening resolve, especially at night when the memories of how he felt against her body were the strongest. She longed to be held by him again, longed for more mornings like the one they’d shared in bed, and felt a tightness in her chest and a deep sorrow inside her. She knew she was doing the best thing for them both by maintaining distance but she hated herself for it. Only knowing there could be no future except heartache stopped her from throwing herself at him.

It would be foolish to hope. Sure, the idea had appeal.

Home. Love. Family.

Everything she’d been deprived of in the past. But it was too risky, and she felt hollow inside. Darryl deserved so much better than her. She would never be normal, her issues running so deep they might never be resolved. Kellie wasn’t even sure if she had the capacity to love and she didn’t want Darryl to end up hating her for never being able to give him what he’d eventually want from her.

She ached knowing he’d never be hers, but she wasn’t selfish enough to keep him when she knew nothing would come from their relationship. For a brief moment she’d been sublimely happy, then the world had come crashing down beside her and she was forced to sift through the rubble.

Despite the arrest warrant out for Wayne Burton, he’d yet to be located and she’d been placed on desk duty by her boss. She’d been practically chained to her cubicle, which may have helped her to keep her distance from Darryl, but it made overseeing Mia difficult. Thankfully, her friend had graciously kept her informed on the meagre developments in the case. Carlisle had also insisted she speak with the site psychologist, so she’d spent two hours with the woman. She left feeling raw and in a worse emotional place than when she’d first walked through the door. 

Kellie brought up yet another report template and began filling out the relevant information. She was so engrossed in deciphering her own notes that she didn’t hear the man approach her desk.

“Such a nice office, Ms. Munroe,” he said.

Kellie startled, and found herself staring into the cold eyes of Dick Coleani. She tensed and took a deep breath in an effort to control her outward appearance. Her mind might be wreaking havoc on the inside but her expression remained composed and indifferent. Kellie fought the urge to throw her letter opener at him. The scum had some nerve to sully the LAC with his stench.

“Mr. Coleani, to what do I owe this honour?” she asked, distain dripping from her voice.

He stepped closer. “I’m just visiting the detectives downstairs, trying to help out in Michael’s case.”

“Come to sign a confession, have you? That would certainly make things easier,” she said flippantly, even while her stomach knotted.

He smiled, baring his teeth which were slightly yellowed, a colour that no amount of cleaning could possibly remove. “I’ve also come to make arrangements for Mikey’s body.”

She nodded. “Probably would have been easier to have buried him after you shot him, huh? That way you could’ve bypassed all that red tape.”

Coleani grinned as if she truly amused him. “You’re nothing like your mother, you know that? She was so pliable. No sense of self-respect. Do you know I punished her every time you interfered with my business? In the end, she enjoyed it.”

Bile rose and her throat burned in an effort to keep from throwing up. She’d seen the bruises on her mother’s skin, yet the woman had always brushed off her concern. Knowing Coleani had touched Jules gave her the shivers, but to know her mother had unduly suffered at his hands because of her actions gave her pause. Kellie had never expected retaliation. She’d been foolish and her mother had paid the price.

She blinked back tears for her mother, who had tried her best and had taken the brunt of Coleani’s anger for her. She wanted to rip this man apart with her bare hands. The letter opener looked extremely good right now.

She remained quiet lest she open her mouth and allow him to see how much his words affected her. He eagerly waited for a response. She would not give him one
—
at least not the one he was after.

“I never thought a perky little blonde could cause so much trouble,” he commented when she didn’t rise to the bait.

“Yes, well, we know how you deal with trouble don’t we, Mr. Coleani? You’re leaving quite a few bodies in your wake.”

His eyes hardened. “You may want to take note of who you’re talking to, little girl. I have eyes everywhere. Call off the investigation or you’ll find you’re the one getting buried.”

Kellie sucked in a sharp breath. “Is that a threat? Note who
you
are talking to. I am not a little girl. I am a sergeant in the NSW police force.”

He snarled. “I don’t give a shit who you are. Back away or you’ll find yourself in a world of pain.”

Her ill-advised temper reared its ugly head. “What will you do? Sic Wayne on me?” she asked tartly even as her heart beat wildly in her chest.

He stepped closer again, his voice dropping an octave. “Oh no, Ms. Munroe, it’s not
you
I’ll attack. It’ll be your friends downstairs. Your buddy Nick, the instructor. How about dear Amelia…or what about your current fuck, Detective Hill? Yes, I know all about you. Do you really want to be responsible for whatever happens to them? Good day, Ms. Munroe. Please take some time to consider what I’ve said.”

He walked out of her office like a king, as if he owned the building and had every right to be there. Kellie slammed a fist against her desk, hard. The sound echoed in the empty room. Her stomach knotted as once again she felt impotent, weak, and unable to defeat one man. She fought for control, breathing heavily in an effort to calm the rage and helplessness she felt. Tears rolled down her cheek.

Days like these she wished she had a bottle of Wild Turkey in her bottom drawer. She yanked a tissue from her purse and dabbed at her rebellious tears, then blinked and took a moment to regain her composure before applying corrective foundation to her mascara streaked cheeks. When she had successfully covered up her temporary loss of control, she stood and adjusted her dark grey pencil skirt and jacket.

For the first time, she felt thankful the elevator moved so slowly to the second floor. She was in no rush, but even so, the doors opened before she was ready and she stood staring out at the Pig Pen.

“Stop whatever you’re doing in regards to the Coleani investigation,” she told them as she drew near, hoping her voice would remain steady and clear and not broadcast her fears.

“What?” Amelia looked up from her desk, followed by the three other detectives. She felt Darryl’s stare acutely and it burned her. She refused to look in his direction, knowing she would crumble if she did.

“Do as I say, Detective Donovan. You have your murderer lying in autopsy.”

“And what of
his
murderer? Coleani is up to his ears in this.”

“He may well be.”

Amelia snorted. “You know he is.”

“As far as IA is concerned, the investigation into your conduct is finished. All that’s needed to close the case is my report. I will advise you of the outcome. And unless you have direct evidence linking Coleani to the shootings, the LAC doesn’t have the manpower to continue looking into it.”

Amelia raised an eyebrow, clearly biting off what she wanted to say.

Kellie turned and started back toward the elevator. She passed Nick, who asked, “Has this got anything to do with the fact Dick Coleani just left?”

She ignored him and quickly retreated, trying to hide her fear. Coleani didn’t make idle threats. She jabbed her finger against the
up
button and was relieved when the doors immediately opened. Kellie slipped inside. A moment later, Darryl’s large form dominated the small space.

Kellie sank into the corner, careful not to touch him.

The doors closed, trapping her inside with him. She did her best to ignore him even though every breath she took brought his scent deep into her lungs.

“Want to talk about it?”

She didn’t bother to pretend she had no idea what he was talking about. “No.”

“Dammit,” he snapped, and she spun around to face him in surprise. He sounded so pissed, and she’d never seen this side of him before. And it was directed at
her.
“What do I have to say or do to make you trust me?”

“I do trust you,” she said softly and meant it.

“Then why do you shut me out? I can help you. I want to help you if you’d just give me a chance. We all do. You’re not in this alone.”

She had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about Coleani. He was frustrated with her just as she knew he would be, only it had come quicker than she’d anticipated. Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe Darryl would stop fighting her and just give up. There could be no future for them. They’d had a good time, enjoyed some fine memories. Now it was over.

Tears pricked her eyes. When had she become so damn emotional?

He huffed out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair when she didn’t answer him. “I know Coleani said something to you. Is that why you ordered the investigation to be stopped? What was it? Did he threaten you?”

Kellie witnessed a myriad of emotions cross his face—anger, frustration, sympathy, concern, and love.

The last had her heart thumping in her chest.

Her throat started to close and one tear escaped the tight hold she exerted. She shook her head. “No. He threatened Nick, Mia, and
you.
I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”

He crossed the short distance and pulled her into his arms. She went willingly and held onto him like a woman drowning, which she supposed she was. She shut off the feelings that rose to the surface at his nearness, and allowed herself this one moment before reality closed in once more. His strong arms enveloped her and warmed her cool skin.

She wanted to bury Coleani but not at the risk of the people she cared about. Hell, she wasn’t even sure anymore if it was a need for justice against his crimes or pure revenge that drove her. She cared for Darryl but wasn’t sure if she could go to distance. Loving someone left her open to be hurt. One thing she’d promised herself she’d never be again.

“We can look after ourselves,” he said.

“He abused my mother because of me.” She trembled and pulled back. “He hurt her, Darryl.”

He cupped her cheek gently. “That wasn’t your fault. Men like Coleani find any excuse to inflict pain. Don’t let him place guilt on you. You’re an amazing woman, Kellie Munroe.”

“You’re just angling for more sex,” she joked, lightening the mood.

His eyes heated. “Is it working?”

“Yes. Damn you.”

“Damn us both.” He leaned in to kiss her, but the carriage stopped and the doors opened to the fourth floor. He groaned. “We can’t give up. Coleani must be stopped,” he said as she stepped out.

No, she had no plans to give up.

Whenever Kellie was pushed, she pushed right back. She admitted to her fear. Being faced with one’s worst enemy, a man who placed everyone she held dear on the chopping block, could do that to a woman. But if anyone would be punished for her actions, it would be her.

Now that the adrenaline had left her system and she was able to think clearly again, seeing Coleani here in her office had only made her angry…and more determined than ever to put the son-of-a-bitch behind bars where he belonged.