Cautiously they followed Frank back to his little car.
I parked over there. Kristina dug into her pocket for her keys.
Gabe took her hand. Well take mine.
He led her to his black 4x4. Once settled inside, he pulled out of his parking space and followed Franks car onto the tollway back to Millers Rest.
Nice ride, she commented, her tone bland.
Unsure if she was mocking him or not, he said, I like it.
It suits you.
Meaning?
All of our choices in life reveal a little about us.
Shed become philosophical in the past eight years. And what does my rig say about me?
You like to be in control and have a lot of power. Black is the absence of light. Its mysterious, serious and dramatic.
He wasnt sure exactly how to take that. And you know thishow?
She waved a hand. Just one of the many things I learned in college.
Ah, yes. Shed been enrolled at Boston University when theyd met. He couldnt remember her major. You a psychologist or something?
No. Just took some psych classes.
So what color car do you drive?
She gave a small laugh. Oh, my car wont reveal anything about me. Its my grandmothers car.
He glanced sideways, taking in Kristinas profile, liking the straight line of her nose and the arch of her brows. Her cheekbones were high and her jawline strong yet feminine. Shed actually grown more beautiful over the years.
Shed taken off her black cap. Her long blond hair fell over her shoulders, the strands illuminated against her black clothing.
Gabe slowed the car as Frank parked at the retirement center and hurriedly entered the facility through a side entrance. Investigations over tonight. Unless Gabe wanted to break in and follow, which he didnt. He made a U-turn and headed back the way theyd come.
Did you find out anything about Carl and Lena? Kris asked.
Not yet. He put his hand on her shoulder. This isnt some game, you know.
Im not playing a game, she said with a huff.
You cant go around sneaking through the night like some superhero looking for danger. Eventually youll find it, and then what?
She batted her lashes at him. Ill call you.
The mockery in her tone made his lips twitch but deep down he did want to be the one she turned to.
As she had today.
Pushing away that errant thought, he had to make her understand that putting herself needlessly in danger was not a good thing. Listen, Kristina. I appreciate your loyalty to your grandmother and her friends, but you cant go around sticking your nose where it doesnt belong.
No one else will believe Grams, she asserted defensively.
Its difficult to believe such accusations without concrete proof.
Well, thats what Im trying to do, find proof, she shot back.
But you could get hurt.
I didnt.
Gabe sighed.
She touched his arm, drawing his gaze. There was no mistaking the sincerity in her eyes. God sent you to protect me.
Gabes stomach sank. That kind of thinking can get you killed.
Through the slit in the curtains inside his apartment at the far end of the retirement center, Frank watched the dark vehicles taillights as it left the parking lot. His gut churned. What should he do?
After turning on every light, he grabbed the phone and punched in a number.
A few moments later a groggy voice answered. Hello?
Its me, Frank.
Do you know what time it is? What do you want?
Ive got a problem. I think Sadie Arnolds granddaughter followed me tonight. I think she saw me.
Dont be ridiculous. Why would she do that?
I dont know, he whined. Shes been at the center a lot lately. I dont like the way she looks at me.
Have you been careless?
He plopped down on the old blue couch that had come with the room. No. At least he hadnt thought hed been. What should I do?
Stop worrying. Shell be taken care of.
She will? Frank breathed a sigh of relief. He didnt have to do anything. Good. Okay, good.
Now, good night, Frank.
He hung up and hugged his waist, trying to settle the gurgling in his stomach.
The headlights of Gabes SUV sliced through the dark to illuminate the road back into the city. Gabe glanced at Kristinas pale hand still resting on the sleeve of his jacket. His words hung in the air. He flicked a peek at her face and met her gaze. With the faint bit of moonlight, he could see the stunned concern in her expression.
How can you say that? Kristina finally asked, tightening her hold on him.
He forced his gaze forward to the road. You cant count on God to send someone every time you get in trouble.
I trust Hell provide what I need. Tonight, He provided you. She tapped his arm before withdrawing her hand. God takes care of those who love Him.
He glanced her way. The earnestness in her expression made Gabe tighten his grip on the steering wheel. You sound like my mother. Shes always saying things like that.
So I take it you dont believe in God.
Concentrating on the road ahead, he replied, I dont believe in anything I cant see, touch, taste or smell.
What a Doubting Thomas you are. Dont you put stock in gut feelings?
He frowned. Of course I do. Ive had plenty and theyve kept me alive. But thats not God.
How do you know? she challenged. How can you be sure those feelings werent God warning you?
I just am. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Once his ex-partner, Brody McClain, had asked him the same question, right after theyd survived a shoot-out.
Gabe had felt something, an inner knowledge things were about to go bad, a feeling that had made him pull Brody back from the door just as the wood exploded in a spray of gunfire. The incident still puzzled him.
But God protecting him? No way. God hadnt been there when Gabe had been a child and needed Him. Why would God suddenly take an interest in him as an adult?
So after collegewhat? he asked, needing to change the subject. He hadnt divulged information about his childhood to her the first time around and he had no intention of doing so now.
Im a photographer and I love it. She shifted toward him, her face animated in the moons glow. I was fourteen when Grams gave me my first camera. I never went anywhere without that little Nikon.
I remember. Shed carried the thing with her all the time. He hadnt given it much thought then.
Drove my family crazy because I was always snapping off shots. She looked out the front window. Every summer my parents sent me away to Camp Greenleaf. The only thing that made camp bearable every year was my camera and Meg McClain.
Thats how you two met?
Yep. She liked going there.
And you didnt like camp.
She plucked at a wayward strand of hair. Not really. I wasnt used to the rustic life, which earned me a lot of teasing.
I can imagine, he murmured, thinking back to the days theyd spent together. Shed liked restaurants and the ballet. Hed preferred sidewalk vendors and baseball games.
Whats that supposed to mean?
He shrugged. Youre a Worthington. Used to the good things in life.
She sighed. Were back to that old argument?
No, he stated firmly. He didnt want to rehash the past. I saw the picture in the paper of the new hospital wing named after your family. Nice.
Yeah, nice.
The derision in her voice made him curious. You dont like hospitals?
I dont like my family putting their name on a building. Its too
Pretentious? he teased, expecting to ruffle her defensive feathers.
Exactly.
Interesting. This was a different side to the woman hed known. He pulled up alongside her car. Youve changed.
She titled her head, her hand on the knob. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Im not sure yet.
She laughed and stepped out. When she opened the door to her car, he called out, Ill follow you. Make sure you get home safely.
No need. Ill be fine, she said before slipping inside.
True to his word, Gabe followed her.
Kris thought that was sweet, really sweet. Her senses still struggled to accept how shed reacted to his near-kiss earlier. One second they were following Frank and the nextwham. Gabe had been so close, she could breathe in his aftershave, could see the darkening stubble where his beard would grow in and his strong mouth drew her like a beacon on a stormy night.
And being held that close felt soright.
Even more so than before. At age twenty, shed been in awe of Gabe. He was older, handsome and the opposite of everything her parents expected for her.
In retrospect, his unsuitability had been part of Gabes appeal. Hed been exciting, dangerous and forbidden. And for three glorious months that summer, shed felt alive.
Until her parents demanded to meet him.
Then everything fell apart and Gabe had walked away, taking her heart with him.
Shed nursed her wounds while she finished her education and then finally decided she had to get over Gabe. Shed dated several attractive, appropriate men and had even become engaged to a nice man whom her parents approved of.
But shed broken it off because even thinking about spending the rest of her life with Tom Roberts had given her anxiety attacks. Tom had liked her familys prestige and power too much and he hadnt wanted Kris to continue with her photography once they were married.
She knew then that she was done looking for Mr. Right. God was going to have to bring the right man to her.
She parked in her usual spot and got out, just as Gabe halted beside her and rolled down his window.
This is where you live? His dubious expression was priceless.
With a sweeping gesture at the two-story warehouse converted to loft apartments, she said, Home sweet home.
Id have expected you to live in Beacon Hill near your parents.
She gave him a tight smile. This is what I can afford and its a safe neighborhood.
He leaned an elbow on the window ledge. What? Mommy and Daddy dont pay?
Anger swept through her. This was exactly why she went by Kris Worth for her professional work, because people like Gabe expected her to live off her parents. No. They dont. Everything I need is close at hand. I have easy access to downtown and the park is within walking distance. And I have lots of space for my business. The other residents are a good group of people. Were very close-knit.
Interesting, he commented with a bemused half smile.
Uncomfortable with the focus on her, she asked, What are you going to do about Frank? And Carl and Lena?
He shrugged. Nothing tonight. Ill look into the situation more tomorrow.
At least he wasnt blowing her off. Good. Let me know what you find, she said and hurried inside.
Before turning on her lights, she went to the front window of her living area. Gabe sat in his car, his gaze trained on the building. Probably waiting to see which floor was hers. If she didnt turn on the light, would he come charging up to see if she was okay? The thought intrigued her and made her heart pound. What would she do if he did?
She reached over to the table lamp and flipped on the light.
Gabe drove away. Yep, hed been waiting to make sure she got into her apartment safely. A pleased rush filled her. It was kind of nice having him worry about her like that. Of course, he was just doing his job, she reminded herself. Protecting people was what he did for a living. She was just one of those people.
She took her camera to the back half of the apartment, which had been converted to a photography studio. Shed had walls removed, the floor redone with hardwood and had lighting equipment mounted in strategic places. The remodel had used her entire savings, but the space worked well. And she loved her life here.
In one corner was her processing station. Gabe may not think there was anything more they could do tonight, but Kris knew otherwise. She hooked up the camera to the desktop computer and downloaded the pictures shed taken.
Within a few minutes she was viewing the shots of Frank and the mysterious man in the alley. She had a clear shot of Frank handing an envelope to the man. Another of the man sliding the contents into his hand. She zoomed the picture in.
Gotcha! she stated to the photo. With satisfaction and anticipation, she grabbed the phone and called BPD and asked for Gabe, figuring hed be back at his desk by now.
She was told he was off duty. So hed been investigating on his own time. She liked that. She insisted the desk sergeant get a message to him as soon as possible. He couldnt promise her anything.
Deciding shed have to wait until morning to further the investigation, she readied herself for bed. Her sleeping area was cordoned off by a sliding divider. A four-poster bed, brought from her parents home, sat in the center of the room. A small vanity and chair sat beside the window that overlooked the courtyard behind the building. A flowered love seat with a fat tabby cat curled on a cushion took up the rest of the wall space. Just as Kris was crawling beneath the down comforter, the phone rang.
Yes?
Kristina, its Gabe. I got a message you called. Whats wrong?
Kris smiled at the concern in his voice. Nothings wrong. But I have something to show you. Can I e-mail some pictures?
Can it wait until morning?
Anxious to show him her find, she hesitated. I suppose. Its just you said we needed proof that Frank was doing something illegal before you would question him, right?
Right, he replied cautiously.
Well, I think I have the proof you need.
Kristina, listen to me. Dont do anything or say anything about this until I get there in the morning.
Her eyebrows rose. You want to come here?
Yes.
Okay. A thrill of anticipation skipped over her skin. First thing?
First thing. And, Kristina?
Yes?
Make sure you lock your doors.
I always do, she answered before hanging up. But just to be sure, she double-checked. Sure enough, locked.
Back at her bed, she snuggled beneath the covers, convinced that tomorrow shed be able to put Grams mind to rest.
Hopefully, with Gabes help.