There was a second blood sample found on the rock used to kill Olivia. DNA testing finally eliminated my brother Charles as a suspect. I wouldnt be surprised if Christina Hennessys DNA is all over that rock.
She was glad his brother was no longer a suspect in Olivias death. Charles Fitzgerald had been Olivias employer. Shed been his twins nanny. Meghan knew Olivia had loved those kids.
When the charm was identified as Christinas, he continued, I wondered. Then she skipped town with Georgina, coupled with Burkes deathleads me to believe shes got a dark side. Now we know for sure shes capable of violence. When we take Christina into custody, well run her DNA. If it matches
Then she was at least there when Olivia was killed. She could have been struck with the same rock, for all you know.
True. Unless she confesses, the evidence places her at the crime scene but doesnt make her a murderer.
Meghans reporter instincts were clamoring, sensing a bigger story than shed originally anticipated. One worthy of catapulting her career forward. Just what the story entailed she had yet to determine. But Ryan, if these masked gunmen are connected to Christina, then whatever shes into, its bigger than my cousins or Burke Hennessys death.
He ran a hand through his hair. Youre right. But I dont have a clue what shes gotten herself into or how big it is.
Setting aside the lure of a big story for the moment, she put her hand on his. Promise me, Ryan, the priority will be getting Georgina back safely.
He covered her hand with his. I promise.
She swallowed a tide of unease. She could only hope once she told him the truth about Olivias parentage hed be a man of his word and keep his promise.
The next morning, Ryan sat at his desk staring out the window of his office in the fishing village where hed grown up. It was a beautiful June day, the sun was shining, a nice breeze blew in from the bay, and the townspeople were busy with their lives despite that fact that twice in the past six months thered been a murder in their quiet haven. Two more than thered been in the past several decades.
Frustration beat a steady tempo behind his eyes. The town and its people wouldnt be safe until he got to the bottom of Olivia Henrys and Burke Hennessys deaths.
But did those two murders have anything to do with the van that ambushed him and Meghan yesterday?
The van was nowhere to be found, Christina Hennessy and little Georgina were still missing, and Ryans father wanted to call in the FBI. Ryan knew they should. Their police department wasnt equipped to do a full-scale investigation across state lines. But losing the case chafed.
A knock at his door brought up his gaze. Meghan Henry stood in the doorway. His breath caught in his chest. Her cheek still bore the mark from the hit shed taken by Christinas thug. But nothing could detract from the natural beauty she exuded. Today she wore white capris and a light purple flowing top. She looked like a fairy princess. All she needed was a crown of flowers.
He frowned. When did he become so whimsical? That wasnt like him. Morning, Meghan. Hows your shoulder?
She briefly touched the place on her shoulder where a bullet had grazed her. The bandage covering the wound wasnt visible beneath her top. Doctor says it will hurt for a while, but will heal. Dropping her hand, she asked, How are your injuries?
Barely noticeable. Except when he breathed real deep. But admitting to the vulnerability wasnt going to happen.
Barely noticeable. Except when he breathed real deep. But admitting to the vulnerability wasnt going to happen.
She strode forward and stopped at the edge of his desk in a swirl of energy. Has there been any news about Georgina?
No, Im sorry, there hasnt been. Im about to call the FBI and hand over the case to them.
She drew back. No. You promised youd find Georgina.
Meghan, this is bigger than this department can handle. Christina has crossed state lines. Though technically, she hasnt kidnapped her child.
Anger flashed in her hazel eyes. But Georginas not hers!
He understood her upset but he had to follow the law. Thats for a judge to decide.
Georginas in danger. You saw Christina. Shes nuts. If nothing else, she held a cop at gunpoint. Surely that warrants you pursuing her.
Were doing everything in our power to bring her in.
You maybe, but not your father. Hes as responsible for Olivias death as Christina.
My father? The woman had obviously lost her mind. Maybe the blow to the head had loosened something. What are you talking about?
She waved a letter in the air. The letter from Olivia, he guessed.
Your father knew that Olivia had come to Fitzgerald Bay looking for her baby girl, and he chose to ignore her pleas for help.
He let out a scoff full of annoyance. That is untrue. My father barely knew Olivia.
Really? Is that what he told you? She shook her head. Im not going to let you all sweep this under the rug. If your father had done the right thing to begin with Olivia would never Her life would have been different. Better. She wouldnt be dead now.
Fury swept over him at the implication in her words. What are you saying?
Your father is also Olivias biological father. Olivias your half sister.
No! Not possible. His father was the best man he knew, as solid a citizen as they came. A churchgoing man who loved the Lord. The role model Ryan could only hope to live up to. Dad would not have ever cheated on his wife. Theyd had the best marriage, until Maureen Fitzgerald had passed away from cancer a few years ago. Her death had hit them all hard.
Now this reporter was disparaging his father. Hed see Meghan Henry locked behind bars before hed let her destroy his family.
FOUR
Meghan waited, watching Ryan as he absorbed her announcement. The blue shirt of his uniform matched his eyes. Eyes that now gathered storm clouds. Shed known this wouldnt be easy, and he wouldnt take it well. But the truth had to come out.
Her body tensed, ready to react if he so much as twitched in her direction.
He remained very, very still. How dare you make such a slanderous claim.
Im not claiming it. Olivia is. Shed been as shocked as he apparently was when shed read the letter that outlined how Olivia had sought help with the situation from her biological father when she first arrived in Fitzgerald Bay. Aiden Fitzgerald had refused. Your father and my aunt Tara had an affair.
In one fluid, swift motion, he reached across his desk and snatched the letter from her hands before she even had time to react.
Stunned, her heart hammered in her chest and blood pounded at her temples. So much for those self-defense classes shed taken. They hadnt prepared her for Ryan Fitzgeralds ninjalike moves.
Ryan unfolded Olivias letter and read the contents. His face paled. He shook his head. This cant be true.
You believed her about Georgina, she pointed out.
Shed known the news wouldnt be received well. Shed witnessed how the breath of scandal had rocked the Fitzgerald clan over the past few months as Charles Fitzgerald had become the number one suspect in Olivias murder.
Now with him cleared, she was sure the family would do all they could to keep this information about Olivias parentage from surfacing. But she couldnt allow that. Aiden Fitzgerald had helped take away Meghans one known remaining relative. Meghan would make sure he atoned for his part in Olivias death, because now her only living relation was missing and in danger.
My father wouldnt have done such a thing. Ryans voice shook with rage and disbelief. And if you breathe a word of this to the public, Ill lock you up so fast you wont know what hit you.
Oh, shed known all right. But she was done being anyones victim, even a gorgeous lawmans. Shed ditched that label a long time ago. Meghan would only bow down for God.
You cant suppress the truth, she said. You read the letter. Olivia came here and contacted her father first. He refused to help her. If he had done what he should have, she wouldnt be dead now.
Theres no proof of any of this. He reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a thick file. He flipped through until he found what he was looking for. Holding up a sheet of paper, he said, This is Olivias birth certificate from Ireland. There is no name listed under father.
Thats because your father refused to acknowledge her. It was heartbreaking to read Olivias words of the father who hadnt wanted her, but she had known about him her whole life. Thats why she came to him for help.
I refuse to believe it. The letter fluttered to the desktop.
Doesnt matter if you want to or not, its the truth. She reached for the letter.
He grasped her wrist with firm, but gentle pressure. The fight-or-flight response roared through her system like a runaway train engine. She reacted instantaneously, calling upon the self-defense classes shed taken last year, by twisting her arm and jerking toward where his thumb lay against her wrist bone, knowing that was the weak point of his hold. She broke the contact and jumped back. Shed come a long way from the frightened young woman whod been too afraid to do anything but accept the way her husband treated her.
They stared at each other for a long, tense moment. Ryans cold blue eyes drilled through her. She regained her step, aware on some level she had messed with his control. She rather liked having some leverage.
I think you should leave. He rounded the desk and crowded her back several steps.
The urge to cower gripped her, but she held her ground. However she couldnt stop the instinctive flinch as he reached past her to open the door. His big warm body didnt touch her, but the air swirled around her with his heat. The spicy scent of his aftershave filled her head, invading her senses. Her fingers curled into fists. She didnt want him inside her head.
Run along now, Miss Henry, he said, stepping back.
Being dismissed like some errant child infuriated her to no end. Look, you dont have to like me, but you have to treat me with respect.
Respect? He nearly sneered. You come into my office and accuse my father of He made a noise in his throat. You could have written that letter, for all I know.