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.
THREE
The next morning, Gabe pulled his wool sport coat shut against the brisk air as he left his car and walked to Kristinas apartment building. He still couldnt believe she lived here.
He pushed the buzzer next to K. Worth. A moment later the door unlocked and he went inside. The large entryway was sparkling clean. The tiled floor shone with polish and the silver row of mailboxes looked brand-new. So much for slumming.
An elevator took him to the second floor. Kristinas apartment was at the far end. A large wreath sporting a red bow hung around the peep hole. He knocked on the steel door.
The door slid open. She stood there with a smile on her face. Hi.
Good morning, he managed to say past the tightness in his throat.
He shouldnt feel this pleased to see her. This was police business, not a social call. Yet he couldnt take his eyes off her. He really should have just had her e-mail the pictures, but hed been curious. He wanted to know more about the woman shed become.
Her faded jeans rode low on her hips. A bright coral, formfitting, long-sleeved sweater accentuated her curves. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a strange-looking rope with multicolored beads hanging down at the end. Mascara darkened her lashes and her lips were glossy. Inviting. His mouth went dry as memories of last nights escapade stormed through his mind. He should have kissed her and not worried about the consequences.
Come in, she said with a sweep of her hand.
Forcing himself to focus, he stepped into her apartment and realized hed misjudged her. Hed expected a contemporary setting with high-end furniture and expensive decorations. His gaze cataloged the interior. The walled-in, small living room looked cozy with well-worn leather seating and a scarred coffee table strewn with photography magazines. In the corner stood a small Christmas tree, the lights twinkling.
A beautifully carved, yet beat-up armoire sat against one wall. Its opened doors revealed an older television, a stereo and lots of books. To his right was a small eating area and an even smaller kitchen. And he assumed the closed, sliding partition led to her bedroom and bath.
This way. Kristina walked toward a curtain, which she pushed aside and motioned him through.
The enormity of the loft-style photography studio surprised him. A large bay window dominated the far wall. Light stands and a stack of props took up one corner. A changing area and a workstation occupied the other two corners. The middle was open and a tripod with a camera sat at the ready.
Large photographs in minimalistic frames were stacked in a corner.
Great space, he commented. He walked over to the framed pictures. The one face-out was of what looked like an African village.
Thank you. It took me a while to get it the way I wanted.
You did a good job. He motioned to the photos. Did you take these?
She nodded, her expression a bit apprehensive, as if his opinion mattered.
Flustered by that thought, he flipped through the stack of images. More of Africa, others looked to be in an Eastern European setting, while a few were definitely South American. All third-world communities. Impressed by both the pictures and the fact that shed gone to these places, he said, These are great.
Thank you.
Her pleased smile zinged through him, creating a wave of unexpected yearning that tightened his chest. He moved away from the photos and back to business. So, what did you have to show me?
Her eyes gleamed with excitement. She rushed to the workstation and picked up several pictures. Check these out.
Gabe studied the images. The first two were of Frank as he walked away from the camera toward the dark alleyway. The second showed the man in the shadows, his face unfortunately obscured by darkness. The third showed Frank handing over the envelope. The fourth was of the man emptying the contents into his hand. And the fifth was a zoomed-in shot of a dozen pills in various shapes and sizes.
Gabe raised an eyebrow. Looks like Franks into drug trafficking.
See, I knew there was something off about him, she gloated, looking quite delighted with herself.
Gabe liked her enthusiasm but he couldnt let her think shed done a good thing. The thought of her getting hurt made his shoulder muscles tighten. Yes, you were right. But you took a risk.
The enthusiastic light faded from her blue eyes. Didnt we have this discussion already?
Never hurts to reiterate. Besides, this doesnt mean he had anything to do with Carl and Lena. We still havent established anything has happened to them.
When will you?
Soon. He hoped. Then he could stop torturing himself with her company.
He moved toward the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Christopher Columbus Park. The fountain shot water in the air and a woman with a dog jogged along the winding paved path. Beyond the park, the blue water of the Atlantic sparkled in the winter sunlight. Sails ruffled in the morning breeze. Die-hard sailors in this cold weather. He shivered.
Kristina halted beside him. Beautiful, isnt it?
Very. So was she.
On summer evenings I can watch the performance artists, she stated softly. She turned her gaze on him.
Gabe found himself staring into eyes darker than the ocean and alive with intelligence. She regarded him frankly, with no guile or coyness.
So unlike the woman shed been.
He could like this new person. He didnt want to. He couldnt risk that kind of pain again. I should go.
She nodded slightly, opened her mouth as if to speak but then seemed to think better of it.
What? he asked.
Would you mind if I took your picture? she asked.
A dry laughed escaped him. I dont know
She moved to her camera and detached it from the tripod. You dont have to do anything. Just be.
Just be? How did one just be?
She held the camera to her eye, the round dark lens trained on him. The soft snap of the shutter was the only sound as she moved around him. He wasnt sure if he should move or stay still, so he just stood there trying not to tense. She angled the camera and clicked away. He wondered what she saw worth photographing.
Do you like ice cream? she asked.
He arched an eyebrow. Yes. Doesnt everyone?
The click of the camera echoed in the loft. What kind?
Chocolate.
She lowered the camera. Just plain old chocolate?
He shrugged. Yeah.
Okay. What are you doing tonight?
Tonight? An unexpected rush of anticipation arced through him.
I plan to take Grams for ice cream. I think shed like to meet you. Considering.
She wanted him to hear her grandmothers story about people missing from the retirement center. I dont think thats a good idea considering the last time I met your family.
She frowned. This is my grandmother. Not my parents. I think its important for you to meet her and see for yourself that shes not some loony person.
I dont know. Social events with the Worthingtons werent high on his list of repeat experiences. The last time hed met Kristinas family, theyd made their feelings about his unsuitableness loud and clear. But this wasnt her parents, just one elderly woman. And it was his job.
Please, she said, her blue eyes direct and earnest.
What happened to the haughty woman whod interrupted his life yesterday? Kristina was a puzzle, one he wasnt sure he wanted to solve. But hed gone this far, and who knew what other kinds of trouble Grams and Kristina would get in. Okay.
She beamed. Great. Meet us here about seven?
Thats fine, he agreed as he walked toward the curtain.
Kristina followed him to the door. Thank you for taking care of this, she said, indicating the pictures in his hands.
Not a problem. Promise me you wont do any more amateur sleuthing.
She grinned. I dont make promises Im not sure I can keep.
He groaned. Just stay out of trouble, okay?
Ill try.
Her words werent convincing. Gabe had a feeling that trouble and Kristina would be meeting again. And he could only hope hed be there to protect her.
Kris had picked up Sadie early in the evening and brought her back to the loft, where they waited for Gabe. She still couldnt believe shed invited him for ice cream. And was even more surprised that hed said yes.
Why would he say yes?
She doubted he harbored any residual feelings from their short time together that summer many years ago.
But what a summer. Shed thought she owned the world when shed met Gabe. He had just started working for the Boston Police Department. Hed been to-die-for in his uniform. She hadnt stood a chance. Of course now she realized how foolish shed been to think they could have a future together. Hed taken one look at her family and bolted in the other direction, leaving her heart in tatters.
Shed seen him once since then. At Megs wedding last year. Gabe looked even more dashing in his navy pinstriped suit and tie than in his uniform. Kris had left as soon as she politely could to avoid having to talk with Gabe.
And then what did she go and do? Seek him out, hoping hed solve the mystery of the missing residents. Brilliant. Not.
Krissy, stop fidgeting, Sadie commanded from her spot on the couch as Kris continued to tidy the already neat room. The boy will be here in due time.
With a sheepish smile, Kris refrained from straightening the magazines on the coffee table. Sorry. Im just anxious to find out if Gabe talked with Frank and, if so, what happened.
Sadies gaze narrowed. From what you told me about those pictures you took, it sounds like Frank is doing something illegal. Maybe he harmed my friends because they caught him taking their drugs.
Taking a seat beside her grandmother, Kris gathered Sadies arthritic hands in hers. Im sure Gabe will figure out where your friends have gone.
You trust this boy? Sadies blue eyes bored into Kris.
Grams, hes not a boy. And please dont call him that when he gets here. And yes, I do trust him. With the mystery of the missing retirement residents. Definitely. But not with her heart. Shed tried once. Wasnt going to repeat that mistake.
Sadie grinned. Protective of his feelings, are we?
Kris kept her expression dispassionate. No, of course not.
Ah, so you just dont want to be embarrassed by your old grandmother.
Trapped, Kris shook her head. You calling him a boy would be embarrassing. But Im never embarrassed by you.
Sadie squeezed her hand. At least you arent. Your mother, on the other handvery embarrassed.
Kris frowned, hating that her parents werent as loving toward Sadie as shed wished theyd be.
The doorbell rang, sending Kriss heart pounding. Taking deep breaths, she walked slowly to the door though her feet wanted to rush. But she wasnt going to let Sadie see her eagerness to see Gabe. Eagerness born out of curiosity to know what hed found out, not because she longed to see him again. Or kiss him.
Wait a sec! Where had that thought come from? She flashed to when hed pulled her into his embrace and shielded her from view with his body. Okay, so maybe she did want to kiss him. But only to see if kissing him as a grown-up would be different than when she was a naive girl mooning over a handsome uniformed police officer.
She tugged on the hem of her shirt and smoothed a hand down the silky fabric covering her stomach, wishing she could as easily smooth her nerves. With a smile she hoped didnt look too eager or too contrived, she opened the door.
Gabe held a bouquet of colorful flowers in his hand. Kris blinked back the sudden mist in her eyes. When was the last time a man had brought her flowers?
A very long time.
Gabe smiled but didnt offer her the flowers. Hi.
Should she reach for them or wait until he presented them? Hi, yourself. Come in.
She moved aside so he could enter. He slid out of his overcoat and hung it on the peg beside the door. He was so tall and good-looking in his navy slacks and red shirt stretching over his chest and flat stomach. His honey-blond hair had been tamed, revealing the slight graying at the temples. She resisted the urge to reach up and release the riot of waves.
Gabe headed straight for Sadie and, to Kriss amazement, handed her the flowers. Even as disappointment cascaded through her, her heart sighed at the sweet gesture. Sadies face lit up with delight as she gathered the blooms close and breathed in.
These are lovely, Sadie said, her eyes watery. Thank you, young man.
Youre welcome, Gabe replied. His gaze sought Kris.
For a second she thought she saw a question in his eyes. Was he seeking her approval? She smiled and nodded her thanks and was gratified to see him relax. Interesting, and something to definitely think about later. But she had some other questions and wanted answers.
So, what happened with Frank? Did you arrest him? Did he admit to selling pills? Did he do something to Carl and Lena?
Gabe held up a hand. Hey, there. Slow down. I did bring Frank in for questioning. He said the pills were over-the-counter stuff he was giving to a friend who couldnt afford any. He claims not to know anything about Carl or Lena. And since we havent established anything has happened to Carl or Lena, or that the pills in the photo arent what he claims they are, I had to release him.
Kriss shoulders dropped. Well, what have you found out about Carl and Lena?
Not much. I visited the retirement center again and spoke with Ms. Faust. Shes sticking to her story that both left on vacation. I saw their rooms, still full of their stuff. Ms. Faust said shed fax over their itineraries as soon as the centers computer system came back online. Apparently theyre shut down for some upgrades.
Sadie sighed, though her eyes looked troubled. Maybe she is telling the truth. I mean, she wouldnt risk lying to the police, would she? Im just a senile old woman who is reading too much into things.
But you found Carls wallet in Franks cart. What did he have to say about that? Kris asked.
He shrugged. Found while cleaning the dining hall and was going to turn the wallet over to Ms. Faust but it disappeared.
Kris hated thinking that theyd really been chasing the shadows of Sadies imagination. But thats how it looked. And by the sympathetic look in Gabes eyes, he thought so, too.
Needing to lighten the mood and distract Sadie, Kris said, These are such beautiful flowers, Gabe. It was very thoughtful of you. Let me put them in a vase.