Читать книгу To Trust a Cop - Sharon Hartley - Страница 13

CHAPTER FOUR

MERLENE SURRENDERED TO the tide of pleasure sweeping through her, oblivious to anything but the power of Cody’s kiss. Magic, that’s what it was. Sweet, soul-stealing magic she was powerless to resist, had no wish to resist.

He made a husky noise, a rumbling deep in his throat. Arms corded with muscle gathered her close. He was warm, strong, solid as an ancient oak. She arched toward him, needing to get closer, wanting to feel the safety of his strength crushed against her.

Until an insistent, shrill beep echoed through the Toyota.

She stiffened and pulled away. Cody eased her back against her seat but didn’t release her.

“Ignore it,” he growled.

She swallowed. “It’s D.J. He’ll be worried.” She cringed at the catch in her voice but grabbed her cell phone.

“Oh, well...if it’s D.J.,” Cody muttered as he slumped against the passenger seat.

A green light glowed in the dark car when Merlene flipped open her phone. What had just happened? Her heart galloped as she focused on the keypad. Fighting to control her trembling fingers, she punched in D.J.’s speed number. He answered immediately.

“What’s going on, Merl?” D.J. barked. “Why didn’t you answer?”

“Nothing is going on, D.J. I couldn’t get to my phone in time.” No need to tell him why.

“You scared me a bit,” her boss said. “I got plumb worried.”

“Sorry. But everything is fine. The doctor arrived home around nine and is probably tucked into bed for the night. I’ll go on home around midnight as usual, get some sleep and be back here before he leaves for work tomorrow.”

“Sounds good,” D.J. said. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

“You feeling okay?”

“Fine.” D.J. hung up, and the tone of the off button sounded in the quiet car.

“He likes to check on me,” Merlene said. Watching the light of the numbers dim, cold reality settled over her. What would have happened if D.J. hadn’t called her? She needed to get Cody out of her car.

“You’d better go,” she said.

Cody turned to her with a frown. “What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong? What was right? Good Lord, how could she make out in a car like a hormone-impaired teenager? During an assignment, no less.

“I’m working, and you shouldn’t be here,” she said. “Now who’s the one interfering?”

His brows arched. “What?”

“You heard me. You’re interfering with my investigation, distracting me from the job.”

“Come on, Merlene. I’m keeping you company on a boring stakeout.”

“What would your precious police department think about me crashing one of their stakeouts and seducing an officer on duty?”

He opened his mouth to speak, then tightened his jaw without speaking. She looked away, recalling how easily she’d given in when he’d urged her lips apart. Furious with herself for succumbing to his potent attraction, she searched for the quickest way to make him leave. So what would piss him off? She could ask for money. That should work.

“How much is the Miami-Dade P.D. willing to pay for help with your little problem?”

“Pay?”

She shrugged. “I don’t work for free.” Yeah, maybe this was a lame idea, but the best she could come up with on short notice. Next time she’d know better than to unlock the car door.

“You know damn well I’ve been pulled from the case. I can’t pay you. I hoped you’d cooperate.”

“Typical of the police.” She folded her arms across her chest and stared out the windshield. “All take and no give.” Her cheek tingled from the scratch of his beard. She longed to run her fingers where he’d touched her. She didn’t dare look at him.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Finally he sounded angry. Took him long enough.

She shrugged. “Money talks. I have bills to pay.”

He lifted her hand and wiggled the finger with the diamond ring. “Doesn’t your ex-husband pay your bills?”

She snatched her hand back. “That’s none of your business.”

She held her breath waiting for his reaction.

“No,” he said, dragging out the word. “I guess it’s not.” He opened the car door, then paused and glanced at her over his shoulder. “I’ll be sure to tell my sister you liked the soup.”

Merlene watched him walk away, surprised by the tears stinging her eyes. With him gone, her car felt empty. Lonely. Lifeless.

Her heart felt empty, too. Like a big pit she’d seen once in the Ozark Mountains.

She hated the look on his face when she’d asked for payment. Now he obviously thought she was a greedy witch. She only asked for money to get him out of the car.

But she would make the video he requested and send him a copy. He might call her to say thanks, but she suspected there was a good chance she’d never see him again after this little episode. Who could blame him?

The thought that she’d never see him again made her sorry she’d answered D.J.’s call.

She’d been hungry most of her life. Sometimes for food, always for love. When very young, often escape from freezing weather was what she hungered for most. But when Cody kissed her she’d felt...full, as if she finally had enough of whatever she needed. Well, at least she couldn’t imagine needing anything else during that kiss.

Problem was, this new sense of fullness was addictive. How could anyone resist a feeling that made you feel so good, even if lasted only briefly?

Yeah, and wasn’t that the way drugs worked? She thought of the pill mills Cody had told her about tonight, and how her client’s husband helped make addicts out of good people. What would be so wrong with letting herself go with Cody? Just enjoy his company and see what happened? She’d been resisting him solely because he worked in law enforcement, following her years-old logic that told her all police officers had to be jerks.

She knew that couldn’t be true. Not all of them, anyway.

Cody definitely wasn’t a jerk. Jerks didn’t bring you vegetable soup. Jerks didn’t tell you how evil pill mills were connected to your case. And how could a jerk kiss like that?

Anyway, he had shared information with her. Probably about as much as she’d shared with him.

With him she felt so...what was it? Alive. New. With Cody it felt like the past didn’t matter, that she didn’t have to be that hungry little girl from Missouri. She could be somebody different, somebody new.

* * *

STOMPING BACK TO his car, Cody decided Merlene Saunders had a chip on her shoulder that stretched all the way to Branson, Missouri. Why did everything in life always come down to greed? Cody jerked open the driver door and slammed it behind him.

Oh, but he knew why. People always want what they don’t have. His old man had wanted way, way too much, more than he could ever get on a cop’s salary. He understood exactly what desperate yearning had done to his hardworking father, and it was never going to happen to him.

Cody cranked the engine, his angry thoughts now focused on his dad. What had happened to him to make him turn? He knew his father hadn’t been dirty his whole career. For a treat, his family used to eat in a neighborhood café near their home on Friday nights. What was the name? Smitty’s, named for the owner. Money was always tight, but Smitty had some kind of deal for early diners. His mom raved about the meat loaf. He and Annie loved the outings because the early-bird meal came with dessert, one of the choices being their favorite: hot apple pie.

Smitty usually came out to say hello and every time offered to pick up the entire check because his dad was a police officer. But his dad always paid the bill, refusing to take anything from Smitty. Not even a free cup of coffee.

“But it’s just a way to say thanks,” Smitty would say. “Really nothing. Cops put their life on the line every day.”

“That’s my job,” his dad had always responded seriously. “And it’s my privilege to uphold the law.”

Cody remembered practically bursting with pride because of his dad’s honesty. He’d decided right then he wanted to grow up and be exactly like his dad. Be honest. Be a cop. Uphold the law.

And he’d wondered a million times since what had happened to make Dad change. He’d even considered the idea the refusals had all been for show in front of the family. If the wife and kids hadn’t been there, would Dad have let Smitty pay the tab?

Cody maneuvered his vehicle onto the roadway. He’d never know. He’d never know what it was his father had wanted so much that he had to turn crooked, forced him to end his own life.

Merlene Saunders sure as hell wanted something. Probably another rich doctor who could buy her more flashy gems to adorn her skin, skin that in his opinion needed absolutely no help from bling.

Now that his initial anger had ebbed, a heavy sense of disappointment weighed him down over what had happened with Merlene. He liked Merlene. He liked her sassy attitude, even if it drove him nuts, and she was definitely easy on the eyes. He’d been looking forward to getting to know her better.

For sure kissing her had been a pleasure. He shifted in the seat, remembering how she’d felt in his arms. Yeah, he’d like to get to know her a lot better, but not if money was what spun her world.

Why hadn’t he noticed such a materialistic streak in her? Had he been so blinded by her beauty? Missing a trait like that sure as hell wasn’t like him. She’d even called him observant, which had led to that fabulous kiss.

Well, the department wouldn’t pay her, and he wasn’t about to. He never had money left over from a paycheck anyway, didn’t have a dime saved anywhere, didn’t want to be a slave to possessions, didn’t want to end up like his dad.

Money talks. Yeah, right, it always does.

How could a woman come apart like warm honey in his arms and then freeze into a sheet of ice in seconds? Why had Merlene pushed him away? She was interested in him. He would have to be blind not to have picked up on the signals, the way she secretly checked him out. Even his sister had noticed their mutual attraction this afternoon.

Annie! Damn. He’d forgotten that his sister and Charlie were bunking with him tomorrow night while their home was tented for termites. She’d asked for the couch, but of course he’d give them the only bed in his one-bedroom apartment.

Annie had reminded him about the plan this afternoon, and he didn’t have any food in the house. He glanced at the digital clock on the dash. After ten. Too late to pick up groceries now. He’d have to make time tomorrow. Nah. Better yet, he’d order pizza. Charlie would love that idea.

He probably should straighten up the place, though, maybe run the vacuum. If not, he’d have to listen to Annie grumble about how he should get married, have kids, settle down. Cody sighed. Fat chance that would happen anytime soon. The only women he met were on the job.

Like Merlene. Would he ever see her again? Did he want to see her again? Hell, yes. What was it about her? Merlene might be greedy, but he’d never been this intrigued by a woman.

* * *

CODY OPENED HIS door to his sister and nephew the following evening, hoping a little family time would improve his mood. He needed a distraction so he could stop thinking about one certain female private investigator.

He and Charlie talked baseball stats and who would make the playoffs over a pepperoni pizza, boring Annie to eye rolling, until she announced since tomorrow was a school day, Charlie had to go to sleep.

“Look at this place,” Annie said, as she collapsed onto the sofa beside him after her son had reluctantly crawled into Cody’s bed. “When are you going to buy some furniture?”

“This place is good enough for you and Charlie to crash in,” Cody said, glancing around the small, sparsely furnished room. His secondhand belongings suited him fine.

Annie sighed. “Don’t get huffy. You know we appreciate not having to pay for a motel. Besides, Charlie insisted. He wanted to talk to you about sports, sports and more sports.”

Cody nodded. “And we know sports are way over your head, Annie Oakley.”

She punched his shoulder. “Annie Oakley! Nobody can call me that but you, Cody Wyoming.”

He grinned at his sister over the strange names their mother had cursed them with. Thank God Annie was better now, finally able to smile again, enjoy life. She’d had a difficult couple of years after her husband had overdosed on pain meds following complications from back surgery. Pills he’d obtained from another unscrupulous doctor. Yeah, just hand over the cash and the doc was only too glad to provide relief. Mark had been a damn good man, but one with a low threshold for pain. Addiction sent him on a downward path that had spiraled out of control.

Annie plumped a cushion behind her and turned to study him. “So now you can tell me more about that gorgeous new girlfriend who came to the game yesterday. Where did you meet her?”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Yeah? The two of you seemed awfully engrossed in each other.” Pinching him lightly in the ribs, she continued, “You almost missed Charlie’s turn at bat.”

“Strictly business, Annie.” He knew eagle-eyed Annie had noticed his interest in Merlene.

“Why is everything always business with you, Cody? You need to lighten up.”

“I take my work seriously.”

Annie waved her hand. “Everyone knows that. You’ve spent years trying to make up for Dad’s mistakes. It’s time to stop and get a life.”

Cody glared at Annie. First she ragged him about Merlene and now their father. If he didn’t love his sister, he’d arrest her for disturbing his peace. “I’ve got a life, thank you very much.”

“What life? You work constantly and don’t own a thing so that, God forbid, you won’t become attached to anything. You even drive a county car. I’m wondering what you do spend your paycheck on. You must have a mint stashed away.”

“Not everyone worships money. I don’t need material things, Annie. They’re not important.”

“Please.” She held up her hand. “You talk like some wigged-out new age guru when I know what you really like is to watch grown men bash each other’s heads in on Sunday afternoons. But that’s only if you’re not at work trying to arrest felons and bash heads yourself.”

“I’m sorry you think so little of police work,” Cody said in his most wounded tone.

“It’s not that.” She sighed. “Cody, you don’t have anything to prove. No one thinks you’re going to end up like Dad. And buying a few nice things wouldn’t mean you’re greedy.”

“I’m happy with what I’ve got.”

“Hey, it’s me, your sister. I know how badly you want kids. If you don’t settle down and get married, you’ll never have them.”

“I’m twenty-nine. I’ve got plenty of time.” He closed his eyes. He’d had this conversation with his sister too many times. Hell, yes, he wanted kids, but she didn’t get how hard his job was on a relationship. Or how important his job was to him.

“Did you at least give her my soup?”

“Yes, I gave her your soup. She enjoyed every drop.” An image of Merlene placing her delightful lips around a spoon loaded with veggies flashed into his mind. He’d enjoyed every drop right along with her.

Annie nodded. “Good. Now call her up and ask her out.” She tugged on her thin, straight blond locks. “I’d give anything for hair like that.”

He stood, now pushing away a mental image of Merlene wrapping dark hair around a long, graceful finger. Annie wasn’t providing a distraction. She was making him think about Merlene even more.

Call her up and ask her out? If he did, would she accept?

He stood. “It’s been a rough day, Annie. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get some shut-eye.”

Annie rose beside him. “I hate that we’ve thrown you out of your bed. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Go to sleep.”

She grinned at him. “You don’t fool me, Cody. You just don’t want to listen to me nag anymore.”

“You got that right. See you in the morning, Annie.”

“I hope you don’t have one of your horrible nightmares tonight.”

“Good night, Annie.”

“You should buy a condo,” she said, moving to the bedroom. “You can’t rent forever.”

* * *

MERLENE REACHED FOR her video camera when a dark-colored sedan pulled into Doc Johnson’s driveway. She glanced at her watch. Almost midnight.

Definitely not Linda’s BMW, but she’d record the license plate for Cody. She zoomed in on the rear of the car until she got a good image of the numbers as the car doors opened.

Two men dressed in dark slacks and casual jackets exited the vehicle and moved toward the front door. Merlene lost them when they moved behind a hibiscus hedge.

She lowered the camera. Strange. Who would visit Doc Johnson in the middle of the night? She’d planned to leave in another few minutes.

She jotted the plate number and a description of the vehicle in her notebook. Tomorrow she’d call Cody with the information.

He’d still be furious with her for throwing him out of the car last night, but that was tough. The man knocked her rational brain patterns out of whack. She needed to stay away from him.

Why did she find Cody so bone-meltingly sexy? She doodled his name on the side of her notebook, then scratched it out. She’d be fine as long as she didn’t see him. Or think of him.

Her head jerked up when a loud crack sounded from the Johnson house. Then another, and another.

She froze, recognizing the noise. Gunshots.

Her heart pounded inside her chest. When she remembered to breathe, her inhalation sounded shaky in the quiet of the car. What the hell was going on inside that house?

She picked up the video camera and refocused on the car in the Johnsons’ driveway. The same two men rushed toward the vehicle as Merlene hit the record button.

One carried a gun.

Her mind racing, she continued to record as the sedan careened out of the driveway and raced north on Granada Avenue. The car skidded while making a sharp left turn, bounced off a street marker, then disappeared.

Merlene lowered the camera, took a deep, painful breath, then exhaled with a whoosh. She glanced back at the house.

She had to call the police. This was one time when she had no choice. Still...she hesitated. Every time the cops got involved in her life, disaster followed.

If she called the police, it would blow her surveillance of Dr. Johnson clear to Missouri...but she had to do something. She couldn’t just sit here and ignore what she heard and saw.

One of the men had waved a pistol. What if he’d shot somebody? Like Dr. Johnson.

She dug in her console for Cody’s card.

He answered on the third ring with a groggy “Hello.”

“Cody, wake up. Something’s happened.”

“Merlene?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I—”

“What’s wrong? Where the hell are you?”

“I’m in front of Doc Johnson’s house and—”

Merlene paused as she heard a female voice questioning him in the background. Cody told the woman to go back to sleep.

Damn, a woman was with him. She shut her eyes. What the hell was she thinking to call Cody? She knew better.

“What’s going on?” Now Cody sounded wide-awake.

“Never mind,” she said. “I shouldn’t have—”

“Talk to me, Merlene.”

“I think someone just shot Dr. Johnson.”

* * *

CODY RACED FROM his apartment in West Miami to Coral Gables, barely slowing down as he sped through intersections. Merlene had sounded terrified, the first time he’d ever heard anything but bravado in her voice.

All he could think about was getting to her.

Johnson’s neighborhood remained quiet as he pulled up beside her Toyota. He’d monitored the Gables police frequency, and no one else had called in a disturbance.

He eased himself into the tiny seat beside her.

“Thanks for coming,” she said, eyes wide, cellular phone in her right hand.

“Let me hear it again,” Cody said.

She related the story exactly the same way the second time.

“What if he’s in there bleeding to death?” She closed her eyes. “I should have called 911.”

Cody placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Hey, take it easy.”

Her chest rose as she inhaled deeply. “You didn’t hear that loud crack. You didn’t see those men run away.”

He released her and opened the car door. “I’ll check it out. Wait here.”

Exiting the car, he wondered why the hell he was bending the rules for Merlene. He’d known her...what? Less than a week and he was about to peer in the front window of Dr. Richard Johnson’s house, a man that two days ago was the subject of an investigation he’d been abruptly ordered to terminate. He’d played it strictly by the book for years and now—

A car door closed behind him. Cody whirled around.

“I told you to wait in the car,” he growled as Merlene moved close. A flicker of distrust flashed through her eyes, an expression he’d analyze later.

“I’ll make a better witness if I see what’s going on. Besides, you might need me.” She clutched her cell phone as if it were a lifeline.

He stared into her stubborn face and couldn’t think of how to dissuade her.

“This is my client’s house. I have her permission,” Merlene insisted. She dug in her pocket and held up a key. “I’ve never used it, but Pat gave me this just in case.”

“You have a key to this house?”

“So it’s not trespassing, is it?”

He shook his head. “I don’t even want to think about that.”

He turned and moved through the front yard. Merlene stayed with him.

“Do you think we’ll be able to see anything through the front window?” she whispered near his ear. “There’s a light on in the foyer.”

He held up his hand to slow her down, then edged forward. “We won’t need your key. The door is wide-open.”