He allowed her to pass. When he entered the small bedroom, he halted abruptly. Meghan Henry cradled the sleepy toddler in her arms as she sang. The sound of her voice and the sight of her cuddling the child wrapped around Ryans senses. His chest tightened.
Meghan bent close to coo as she bounced the sleepy little one in her arms. The red dress she wore heightened the color of her cheeks. Tenderness softened the brackets that had pinched the corners of her mouth the last time hed seen her-when shed stormed into his office demanding to know what he was doing to solve her cousins murder. The love shining in Meghans hazel eyes was unmistakable. And curious.
The sight unexpectedly touched something deep inside Ryan.
Seeing this softer, calmer side of Meghan appealed to him on an elemental level-which set his teeth on edge. He didnt understand why the sight of her holding a baby would make his insides melt and his heart ache.
Hed been there in the hospital when his nephew Sean was born. Watched his sister Fiona care for her newborn boy, heard her make the identical cooing sounds that were now emanating from Meghan. Hed witnessed plenty of women attending to children of various ages. But he hadnt felt this same strange expanding pressure building in his chest.
He softly cleared his throat to announce his presence as much as to release the tension knotting his shoulders.
Meghan glanced up. There was no surprise or repentance in her tear-filled eyes. The gentle smile curving her lips hit him in the solar plexus like the business end of a nightstick.
His mouth went dry. Whoa, buster. Dont go losing perspective because of this woman.
He drew in air and forced himself to push back the warmth burrowing deep inside him.
What are you doing here? he asked, careful to keep his voice low so as not to upset the toddler who stared at him with bright blue eyes.
Following a lead the same as you, Meghan replied in a soft tone.
Frustration roped a knot in his chest. Youre interfering in my investigation. If you had a lead, you should have come to me.
She arched an eyebrow. Distrust oozed off her in waves.
That rankled. What do you know?
I know Christina and Burke Hennessy werent the upstanding citizens everyone believed them to be, she said.
He frowned. It was no secret that there was little love lost between the Hennessys and the Fitzgeralds. Burke Hennessy had been a prideful bully but thered never been any hint of illegal activity associated with the lawyer and his socialite wife. So what would have led Meghan to make such a judgment? Had she uncovered information critical to his case? If you know something that will help in my investigation into Burke Hennessys death, youd better tell me.
Keep your voice down, she instructed with a pointed look at the toddler in her arms now squirming to be set free.
Reining in his frustration, he forced himself to let the questions go. There would be time enough for that later. Im taking Georgina into protective custody.
In a low voice, she asked, So you do think Christinas responsible for her husbands death?
I do.
She nodded as if satisfied with his answer. Do you have a car seat?
His stomach sank. He hadnt expected to find Christina much less the toddler. No.
I do. So I guess well be taking my car.
Shed come prepared. Why? The question hovered on the tip of his tongue, but a strange sense of urgency tingled at the base of Ryans neck. Pushing back his need for answers, he said, We need to go.
No ones going anywhere! A womans nasal voice invaded the room.
Meghan let out a gasp of alarm.
Ryan whipped around and found Christina Hennessy filling the doorway. The once-polished socialite now looked harried-her usually perfect blond hair mussed and her slacks and blouse wrinkled as if she hadnt changed clothes in several days. An almost wild fervor glittered in her green eyes setting off alarm bells in Ryans head.
But the.38 revolver she held aimed at Meghan froze his blood.
A woman on the edge with a gun. A bad combination.
Beside her stood a muscle-bound thug with a nasty-looking scar running down the side of his face.
Anger directed mostly at himself shuddered through Ryan. Hed been so distracted by Meghan and the ridiculous soft emotions she had inspired that hed let his guard down. He hadnt heard danger approaching. His instincts had kicked in too late.
His skills were rusty. Too much time spent at a desk and not out in the field.
Where was Jackson? Ryan could only hope the rookie wasnt lying dead outside.
Time to take control. Rapidly assessing the situation, he decided the best option was to keep everyone calm and his service weapon holstered. The quarters were too tight, the chances of someone getting hurt too great. Hed have a better opportunity of disarming Christina and dealing with her thug outside.
He slowly raised his hands in entreaty as he stepped in Christinas line of sight. Hopefully, he provided an effective shield for Meghan and the toddler. Lets stay calm and talk about this.
Give me the kid! Christina demanded, gesturing the gun with jerky movements.
No ones giving anyone anything. Except for when you give me that gun.
Ryans heart hammered in his chest. Fear that she might accidently shoot one of them squeezed his lungs. He forced himself to remain calm, to sound composed. Put down the gun, Mrs. Hennessy.
Her lips drew back, baring sharp white teeth. Youre a Fitzgerald. What are you doing here?
We were worried about Georgina. Ryan eased forward a step.
Christina stepped to the side. Shes fine. Were all fine.
Ryan mirrored her move. Mrs. Hennessy, we need you to come in to the station house. We have some questions to ask you about Burkes death.
She frowned. Ive answered all your questions. Im the one who found him.
There was something decidedly off about this woman. Ryan knew he wasnt dealing with a rational person. Best to appease her and keep this from turning into a deadly situation. Yes, you did. We have just a few more things to clear up. Then you and Georgina can be reunited.
Christina jerked slightly. Move out of the way, she cried. I want the baby.
Odd how she kept referring to Georgina in such a distant manner. Not sure what to make of it, Ryan glanced at Meghan holding the now fussy toddler.
Fine, Ryan said, keeping his voice low and composed. We can all move into the living room, okay? Its a little cramped in here.
Instead of retreating, Christina moved fully into the small bedroom. The thug hovered near the door, blocking them in.
Out, Christina said, motioning wildly with the gun.
A fresh wave of alarm that shed discharge a stray shot rammed through him. He had to get Meghan and the toddler out safely. Keeping his arms wide and moving slowly, he reached his hand back. Meghan, come here.
Shifting the eighteen-month-old onto her hip, she eased toward him, slipped her hand into his and held on tight. Making sure he stayed consistently between Meghan clutching the baby and the madwoman with the gun, he moved them toward the door.
Tell Muscles here to get out of the way, he instructed.
The thug made a threatening growl low in his throat.
Christina snorted. Go on, Jay. Lead them out.
With a scowl, Jay led them back down the hall. Ryan positioned Meghan and Georgina in front of him and hustled them toward the living room. Christina filed in behind Ryan, ramming the muzzle of the gun sharply into his kidneys.
For a second he contemplated disarming the woman now, but if she got off a shot and missed him, the bullet could hit Meghan or the baby. A risk he wasnt willing to take. He had to be patient. There would be a moment to strike.
He leaned in close to Meghan and whispered, Be ready. Protect the baby.
Her honey-blond hair tickled his cheek as she nodded.
In the living room, Jay barred the exit with his massive frame.
Helen Yorke lay in an unconscious heap on the floor. Horror shot through him. He sent up a silent plea, praying she wasnt dead. He didnt want anyones death on his conscience.
Georgina let out an unhappy wail.
Meghan made a distressed sound at the sight of Helen. What did you do to her?
Christina cackled, an unhinged sound that raised the fine hairs at the back of Ryans neck.
Shell be fine. Jay has his uses. Christina attempted to step around Ryan toward Meghan, and Ryan could see Helen begin to stir. Give me the child.
Noting that Christinas finger wasnt on the trigger, Ryan seized the opportunity. He grabbed hold of the gun but also Christinas hand and swung her away from Meghan.
Christinas hold on the gun slipped. The revolver clattered to the floor and slid across the hardwood out of sight beneath the aged leather couch.
Owwww, Christina screamed in fury. Jay!
A roar echoed in the small house, arising from Jays barreled chest.
Meghan cried out a warning. Ryan, watch out.
Ryan pivoted. Too late. Jay jumped on Ryans back before he could get to his own holstered weapon.
Jays bulk drove Ryan forward. Pain shot up Ryans leg as his left ankle buckled. He hit the floor with a smack to his knees and nearly collapsed beneath Jays gorilla-size weight.
His injuries making him want to do a little roaring of his own, Ryan instead gritted his teeth and grappled with the thug, trying to gain the advantage. Ryan drove his head back into Jays pectoral muscle and thrust his hip up, creating an angle. Jays beefy fists cracked across Ryans ribs with painful impact. Ignoring the jarring hits, Ryan continued with the move, driving his hips across Jay and flipping him over.
Ryan wrapped his legs around Jay and yanked him down while hooking his forearms around Jays neck and squeezing.
Just as hed thought. Gym muscles. All show, no go. It took a lifetime of grappling with three brothers to make a man a real fighter.
Georginas frantic cries bounced off the walls.
From his peripheral vision, Ryan saw Christina scrambling to recover her weapon from beneath the couch.
Meghan, run! he yelled.
Disregarding his directive, Meghan handed the screaming toddler to a now conscious Helen. Meghan launched herself at Christina and knocked her aside. The woman went flying on her backside and slid to a stop. Her beige slacks hitched to her knees. A cream-colored sock sagged at her ankles. Her brown loafers had dirt on the bottom.