James BarretRomana rolled the name over, caught Dylan staring and set it aside.
You look frazzled, he noted in his more usual low-key fashion.
She regarded the ends of her hair and tried not to picture what his idea of frazzled entailed. When his gaze slid to her face, she caught just enough of his expression for comprehension to click in. You thought it was because of Warren Critch, didnt you?
He jiggled a wire. Hes never been happy about what you did in that alley.
I dont believe this. With a fatalistic laugh, Romana circled away, then returned. Im surrounded by enigmatic men. Give me something, Dylan. You hate me, you dont. You want Critch to hurt Jacob and me, you want him to fail. Youve seen him, you havent-what is it? Talk to me. React. Emote.
He straightened, and his eyes-not as penetrating as Jacobs-captured hers. Warren and I talked on the phone the day he was released. One conversation, two minutes long. I thought he wanted money. He said he didnt. He just wanted me to know he still thinks about Belinda every day, and he lives in that downtown alley every night.
Romanas hackles rose. Jacob didnt kill her, Dylan.
Someone did.
Yes. Her mind slipped sideways. Someone did. Then with conviction, But it wasnt Jacob.
Dylans chuckle had a raw edge. You know, I can almost believe you. You sound so sure of yourself. He stepped closer. But I dont think youre as certain as you pretend to be.
No way would she be intimidated by him. Romana held her ground and her nerve. She lifted a finger to his chin and tapped it in a manner intended to provoke. You know, Dylan, it seems to me that someone must have redirected all those cards Critch wrote to Jacob and me while he was in prison. The postmarks said they were mailed from northern Kentucky. And you are, or were, his brother-in-law.
Dylans eyebrows came together. Warren wrote to you?
Subtly threatened is the way I see it now. He made sure that Jacob and I received Christmas cards every year, to let us know, I imagine, that he wasnt going to forget about us, or the part he felt we played in Belindas death.
Wilted organ music hovered in the air between them. Dylans features remained cold. If Warrens been threatening you, then he must still believe Knight murdered Belinda. I sorted through her stuff after she died, Romana. There was nothing that incriminated anyone else.
Anyone else? Romana challenged softly. Or anyone at all?
If human features could take on the characteristics of a granite carving, Dylans did at that moment. She could almost hear the war that raged inside his head. He so wanted Jacob to be guilty. He needed to hate a specific person, not a faceless, nameless entity.
Before he could respond, they heard a rustle of fabric in the hallway. Romana didnt have to look to know who was there.
Jacobs hands were jammed in the pockets of his leather jacket. His expression was far less promising than Dylans. You want to take a swing at someone, pal, take it at me. He started toward them, slowly, deliberately. Romana did her job in that alley. Im the one who saw Belinda before she died.
Dylans gaze flicked from Jacob to Romana and back again. When he finally spoke, it was in a controlled undertone. Belinda said that Warren used to go down to the basement and brood when he got angry. Sometimes, hed stay down there for hours, once for a whole day. Eventually, hed come up, and when he did, hed always find a way to get back at the person whod angered him. Warrens had six long years to brood about you two. Now that hes out, my guess is hell let his vindictive side take over-until the source or sources of that feeling are eliminated.
I AM SO, SO TIRED OF BEING threatened. Romana stalked back and forth in the hospital parking lot. Her white coat flapped open around her ankles, and a playful wind blew her long hair around her face. Critch is convinced that you murdered his wife. Dylans ninety percent sure of it. Even Fitz, my own cousin, thinks youre dangerous. Me, I still choose to believe you didnt do it, because I think youre a good person, and I know youre a good cop. No, better than good, youre an excellent cop. She paused, slanted him a contemplative look. The kind of cop female rookies fresh out of the Academy probably still fantasize about.
Jacob had been leaning against the front fender of his SUV while she vented her frustration. Now his green eyes shifted from the distant line of freeway traffic to her face.
Did you have fantasies about me, Romana?
She resumed her pacing, but at a slower tempo. I might have. Amusement kindled at his expression. Come on, Jacob, I was young, not happily married and not liking that fact one bit. You were an unattainable male. You didnt notice me. Amusement blossomed into a laugh. Dont be polite and pretend you did. Rookies are a pain, necessary to the force, but a pain just the same. I remember one time A sudden thought struck. Oh, no! She started to look at her watch, remembered shed loaned it to her sister-in-law and grabbed Jacobs arm. What time is it? A frustrated sound escaped. It cant be seven oclock? Im supposed to be in the park, watching Teresa figure-skate.
Are you serious? He trapped her wrist before she could search for her keys.
Its for a Christmas play, Jacob. Pageant in the Park. The deputy mayors wife put it together. Tonights only a dress rehearsal, but I promised Id be there, and I never break a promise, especially not to a seven-year-old child.
He held fast even when she gave her wrist a tug. Romana knew she could have made a more determined effort to release herself, but her skin felt oddly warm under his fingers, and there were fiery little arrows currently racing up her arm to her throat.
Huh. She paused for a moment to marvel. Didnt expect that.
Jacobs expression altered slowly, went from exasperated to intrigued. He loosened his grip, but didnt release her. Instead, he drew her closer and looked down into her eyes.
The pulse at the base of her throat beat like an erratic drum. Logically speaking, she should feel uneasy about this. After all, wanting to believe wasnt the same thing as actually believing. Jacob had no alibi for the night Belinda Critch had died. But he did have the most riveting features, especially his eyes, sea-green with the barest hint of gray. And then there was his mouth
Imuhhmm-lost the thought. And possibly her mind with it. But right then she didnt care. She was too busy wanting to pull that incredibly sexy mouth of his down and kiss him until she couldnt think about anything else.
Shed wanted to kiss him almost from the first time shed met him. Being married, shed felt guilty about that, so shed made a point of not looking any more than necessary-until Connor had cheated on her.
Probably a good thing, she murmured.
Jacobs eyes fixed on hers. Good things have the potential to turn bad, Romana. His lips twisted slightly. Voice of experience.
She tipped her head to regard him. Surely one kiss couldnt hurt. She was no longer married-thank God and Grandma Grey-and dress rehearsals, even when run by political figures, seldom came off on schedule.
As was her habit, Romana deferred to her feelings, or in Jacobs case, her hunger. Maybe it hadnt been appropriate at the time, but she couldnt deny that shed fantasized about the gorgeous, dark-haired cop whod made detective even before shed entered the Academy. Shed glimpsed him from time to time at the station, had actually worked with him once on a murder investigation. But shed been young back then, painfully inexperienced and probably fortunate that her male partner had watched over her like a scowling papa bear.
Romana eased forward, smiling as his eyes heated up. Danger spiked through anticipation. Her skin was already hot, and hed barely touched her yet.
She rolled her hips, just a bit. Are you going to let me seduce you, Detective?
His eyes strayed to her mouth. Thinking about it.
Large flakes of snow drifted from a starless sky. The traffic noise became a distant buzz in her ears. As she raised her head, he ran his thumb and fingers upward along the curve of her throat until they formed a V beneath her chin.
Excitement glimmered. The desire she felt for Jacob had been in hibernation for a long time, and it wasnt taking much to wake it up. This probably wasnt a good idea, or a smart one. But it was just forbidden enough to be irresistible.
A blanket of snow covered the ground. The city glowed silver and gold. The night air had a bite, but it was nothing compared to the jolt that ricocheted through Romanas system when Jacob took that last step and lowered his mouth to hers.
Her head spun in delicious circles. He tasted like sex and cool water, a tantalizing contrast. His tongue made a thorough exploration of her mouth, and she felt a sigh rise up in her throat.
Now this, she thought hazily, this was a kiss. A wicked, soul-stirring, heart-hammering kiss. And it was exactly what shed wanted, what shed needed from him tonight.
But even off balance, there were limits. Giving his lower lip a nip, she pulled away. It was either that or move the whole thing into his SUV.
Guess I still have a few lingering fantasies. She disentangled her hair from his hand. Youre a great kisser, Detective Knight-for a man who prefers his own company.
He ran a thumb over her jaw. Are you trying to get a rise out of me, Romana?
She shimmied her hips against his. I dont need to try. I already have. She gave him another quick nip.
His eyes tempted her to do it all again-until she spied the gleam deep inside them.
She took a wise step back. I need air, Jacob. Youre making me dizzy.
Sounds promising.
In spite of herself, Romana couldnt resist hooking two fingers in the top of his waistband. Smart was one thing, but there was no need to end the moment in a blind rush.
Youre such a conundrum, she murmured as he ran his hands up and down her arms. I have a feeling Im going to The thought died when she spotted the object several feet in front of her. Rectangular shape, bloodred color and all too familiar to her these days. Oh, damn, she breathed.
What? Jacob swung his head, followed her gaze to the windshield of his SUV.
Thats one of Critchs envelopes. She made a quick sweep of the lot. And I swear it wasnt here a moment ago.