Sin With Cuffs (24 page)

Having steamy, passionate sex with Liam was one thing, but expecting or believing that one day they could be the couple they once were was ridiculous. They were different. He was different. And maybe, problem was, she wasn’t as different as she should be. She’d been good at pushing away anyone who reached the deepest parts of her. Her life had always been about survival, and living in survival mode for so long, how could she possibly change?

“Your bag is upstairs in the guest room.” Liam told her when he returned to the room. 

She offered him a smile. “Thanks.”

“I know this isn’t easy, Holly. I know you’d rather be home, or maybe as far away from this town as you can get, but my home is your home for now.”

His last words “for now” were like lead to her bloodstream. What was she expecting? She was foolish, she knew. “I know it can’t be easy having me here.”

“It’s easier than you think. Do you understand that I have to go back into the office?”

“I know. It’s enough that I’m staying here. I need to get my head together. Alone time may be exactly what I need.” But was that the truth? A part of her wanted to crawl into Liam’s arms and cry until she fell asleep.

“I could stay,” he said.

“And do what? You have an investigation going on and you’re needed.” The words burnt her tongue. Lies usually did. “I’m fine. You should go. You have people depending upon you.”

He stared at her with a penetrating gaze. She knew he was looking for any weakness so he could stay. Then he left. And she was alone. Silence spoke volumes.

* * * *

Holly took a long hot shower. She dried off then did a quick combing of wet hair, applied moisturizer, and was left wondering what she would do next. She could have gone to sleep, but emotion had her restless.

Downstairs, she found herself in the kitchen. Opening the double doors on the fridge, she peered in. Just as she’d expected, it was empty unless a green pepper, cucumber and a beer could be considered substantial. She sighed and shut the door.

Filling the kettle and starting the stove, she rummaged through the cabinets for tea and settled for an herbal cinnamon blend. Leaning against the counter and staring at a picture of Liam in his uniform, she jumped when a knock came on the door. No one would come visiting when Liam’s car wasn’t out front.

Switching the stove knob to off, she walked as light-footed as she could to the front door and pressed her ear against the wood. There was nothing but the faint sound of the wind whistling. Peering through the spyglass, she saw no one. She waited, counting to ten, then finally opened the door. Still no one.

Starting to close the door, she saw the large white envelope. Glancing around the front yard and along the street, she couldn’t see anyone or anything suspicious.

A car slowly drove by and she realized it was a police car. She waved and she received a beep in return.

She quickly bent, grabbed the envelope and hurried to shut the door. Her name was scrawled on the front. Fear skipped along her nerve endings.

With trembling fingers, she turned the packet over and unclipped the metal clasp. Flap open, she reached in and brought out the contents. Pictures. The darkened foyer made it difficult to see anything. Switching on the light, her mother’s face stared back at her. Holly’s stomach turned. She looked at the next photo. Her heart sank. It was a picture of Liam and Vicki, his hands on her mother’s shoulders. Vicki was wearing a slinky gown. Holly had a sudden urge to vomit. Her eyes blurred as she dropped the pictures to the floor.

This wasn’t possible. She knew Liam, didn’t she? He wouldn’t do this. He wasn’t like this. But would Vicki? Holly wanted more than anything to believe her mother, her flesh and blood, could never do this.

She looked down at the proof lying at her feet. Through a fuzzy gaze, she saw that on the back of one picture were bold black words:

The evil is all around you.

Holly had always been sensible; however, no logic remained. Everything was out of control. Her grandma’s death. Her love affair with Liam. Danielle’s death and then Vicki dying. Now pictures.

Her cell vibrated. Taking it from her pocket, she read the ID. It was Liam. She couldn’t talk to him now. Holly dared not look at the pictures again. She needed to get away, from Liam and from everything.

Pound! Pound! Pound!

Someone was at the door.

Her mind spun in circles.
What should she do?

Liam’s words rolled through her mind.
“You’re unsafe.”

Rushing into the kitchen, she scanned the room for something to use for protection. She grabbed the first thing she came to—a butcher knife, much like the one used to kill Danielle.

Clutching it tightly, Holly willed herself to go to the door. Through the safety of the barrier, she asked, “Who’s there?”

“Holly?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Officer Hartman. The chief sent me.”

Stepping away from the door, Holly glanced through the glass again. Officer Hartman stood on the porch. Breathing in a long breath, Holly chastised herself. She was losing her mind. How long could she live in fear?

Unlocking the door, she remembered she still held the knife, which could be hard to explain. Her purse sat on the table in the foyer and she dropped the blade inside. Next were the pictures. She used her foot to push them into the shadows. By the time she had the door open she was breathless. “Officer Hartman, sorry it took so long.”

His gaze narrowed. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine under the circumstances. Did you say the chief sent you?”

“Has he spoken with you yet? About apprehending the suspect?”

“They caught James?” That was quick, she thought. Relief took some of her tension away.

He nodded. “He asked me to come over and get you. He needs to speak to you about details of the murder.”

“Details? Does he need me tonight?” How could she face him after seeing the pictures? Now that James was behind bars, she could go back home and figure out her next step.

“I’m afraid so, Holly. I can’t let the chief down.” He chuckled.

“Sure, I understand. Will you give me a few minutes to change?”

“Take your time. I’ll wait here.”

Holly went upstairs, quickly dressed and met Officer Hartman on the porch. Her nerves were on edge, but the sooner she got this over with she could focus on getting her life back in order. “I’m ready. Shall I ride in the back of the cruiser?”

“If you don’t mind. No worries. It’s dark. No one will see you.”

If only that were true, she thought as she climbed into the back and he slammed the door. Laying her purse to the side, the blade reflected the streetlight.
Oh no!
She forgot she had it. And they were already pulling away from the curb.

Carrying a knife around after her prints were found on the one that killed Danielle was a bit suspicious, but now that James was apprehended, the case would be solved. She’d be in the clear.

* * * *

Liam hit the call button on his phone. It was the third time he’d attempted to call Holly. It was going straight to voicemail. She’d turned off her cell. This time he left a message.  “Holly, call me. It’s important. James is in jail. We are questioning him now but something isn’t right. I can feel it. Don’t answer the door for anyone.” He hung up. His gut sank.

Heading into the outer office, he stopped at Officer Hartman’s desk. “Hey, Reed…,” Liam called to the only other Officer in the room. “Where’s Hartman?”

Reed shrugged a shoulder. “Said he had some important business to take care of.”

Liam thought that was odd. The man had been acting awkward since the murder.

Instinct fired up inside Liam.

Opening the top drawer to Hartman’s desk, he rummaged through paperwork. He opened the bottom compartment and found a shaving kit, and other personal items. He started to close the door when something made him look again. Bending, Liam picked up the pouch and emptied the contents onto the desk. A can of shaving cream, a used razor and a cologne bottle scattered across the top. Then he saw what had grabbed his attention. A bracelet wrapped around the lid of the bottle. He looked closer and realized it matched the one Danielle had been wearing—except this one had the key.

Everything started to make sense. The missing link had been right under his nose. Liam tore the bracelet from the bottle, causing the glass to shatter and cologne splashed everywhere.

“You okay, Chief Ryan?” Reed asked.

 “No, I’m not.” Liam sprinted to the exit door. “I’ll be back.”

“What about the suspect’s interrogation?” The Officer asked.

“He’s not going anywhere.” Liam didn’t hear a comeback because he was already through the door and on his way to his vehicle.

It took Liam three minutes to pull in front of his house. The lights were on but there was no sign of Hartman or Holly. The house was empty. After investigating, he saw that even Holly’s purse was missing, yet her clothes were still in the guest bedroom. He rushed back down the stairs, checking his phone for any missed calls or messages.

At the door, he stopped to check his phone. In the corner of the foyer he noticed a pile of papers. Flipping on the light, he realized they were pictures.

He stared at the photos and anger shot through him. He gritted his teeth and practically crushed his phone in his hand. Officer Hartman had a reason to be at the bed and breakfast. He was spying on Liam and took the pictures. Punching in a familiar number, Officer Reed answered. “Track Hartman’s cruiser. Give me exact whereabouts. Now!”

The line went quiet until finally Reed came back on and gave Liam an address.

Clicking off, Liam shoved the phone into his shirt pocket. “Gotcha!”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

HOLLY STARED THROUGH the window as they headed south out of town. She pecked on the glass between the front and back seat. “Officer Hartman. Where are we going? The station is the opposite direction. I thought you said Liam is at the office.”

“Sorry, Holly. I hope you don’t mind but I need to take a detour.”

“Can you take me back home? Now! I’ll call Liam and he can pick me up.” Fear developed inside her stomach, twisting like claws through her veins. She clenched her hands into fists, nails snapped and her knuckles stung from the force.

“No.”

Holly dug into her purse and grabbed her phone. Clicking the button, nothing happened. Turning it over, she popped the back off. The battery was gone. She brought her gaze onto Hartman. Had he removed her battery while she was upstairs changing? “Pull over, Hartman.”

“No. We have plans.”

Sliding close to the door, she tried the handle. The door wouldn’t open and she knew he had her trapped.

Holly wasn’t sure how far they’d driven into the country until he finally turned off onto a gravel road and parked. She scanned the area but didn’t recognize anything through the fog. Fear consumed her as she realized Liam didn’t send Hartman to get her.

Hartman got out of the car and came around to open the door. “Come out,” he said.

Holly didn’t move. She skipped through scenarios inside her mind, until she concluded her chances of getting away were better outside of the vehicle. Sliding out of the backseat, taking her purse with her, she took several steps but stayed at the back of the car. “Why are you doing this?” she asked.