Appearances, Jake knew now, were too often deceiving; women werent always what they seemed. The sexy waitress attracted him more strongly than his ex ever had, and if that wasnt enough of a warning to steer clear, he had his current case to focus upon. He couldnt risk the distraction.
Rina waved a hand in front of his eyes and grinned. Obviously she knew his mind had been not on her words, but on the waitress who fascinated him. Considering hed insisted on meeting at this place, at this hour, on the same night for the past few weeks, Jake figured his thoughts were pretty much transparent.
As I was saying, she reminded him, I had to walk Norton before meeting you, and he didnt want to go. I mean, hes trained to go on command, but you have to get him out onto the street, first. The poor thing hates the hot concrete on the pads of his paws. There I was, literally dragging him down Park Avenue, while he was trying to drag me back home. Can you imagine the sight?
Jake shook his head. The dogs a wuss, he muttered. He glanced over her shoulder, looking for the woman of his fantasies, but in the moment hed refocused on Rina, she had disappeared. Disappointment gripped him as hard as the desire had earlier.
Rina patted his hand. Shell be back. And Nortons not a wuss, hes just particular about what he likes, who he likes
And who he doesnt, Jake said, recalling the puddle that had ruined his new sneakers on their first meeting.
Well, regardless, he was Roberts dog, and Im all he has left now.
Jake leaned forward in his seat. So how are you, really?
Rina had decided not to accompany her husband on a business trip, and hed died in a car accident while rushing home to avoid an overnight stay. Shed been consumed with guilt and grief, and Jake had made it a priority to keep her spirits up. That included meeting her for dinner or drinks a few times a week. Almost a year had passed-a year in which Jake had kept up the routine because he enjoyed it, too. Rina was stronger now. Even the jokes had come more freely to her of late. Jakes mission had been a success. It had also recently led to his obsession with a woman he didnt know.
Actually, thats what I wanted to talk to you about. How Im doing. Im going to take a vacation. A friend invited me to spend the summer with her in Italy. And I really need the break. I need to get away and
I think its a great idea. Jake didnt hesitate. Not only would the vacation do wonders for Rinas mental health, but it would keep her out of the country and safe until Ramirez was behind bars. Anything that gets you out of that mausoleum of an apartment is good by me. Besides, all that marble and china made Jake nervous. Every time he turned around in the penthouse, he felt in danger of breaking something.
Im glad you think so. But about the penthouse?
Mausoleum.
Whatever. I need you to stay there while Im gone and watch Norton-and before you say no, think about the whirlpool and the pool. Theyll do wonders for your rehabilitation. She opened her brown eyes wide and fluttered her thick lashes.
Not a good sign, he thought, and he knew he was in deep. I dont need physical therapy. Im doing some exercises the orthopedist recommended, and my shoulders just fine. He caught her stare and realized hed been subconsciously rubbing the muscle with his hand. He quickly wrapped the hand around his glass, which had grown warm to the touch.
She raised an eyebrow. The department says otherwise.
Much as he loved Rina, no way could he let her in on the fact that he had been undertaking strenuous rehabilitation. Her well-meaning concern often translated into talking at inopportune moments and generally butting into his life. He couldnt risk her informing the department that hed be in shape sooner than they thought.
The department has no say unless I choose to go back, he told her. And he was no longer sure he wanted to. Getting hit by a bullet and damaging his shoulder while diving out of harms way had nothing to do with his uncertainty. The circumstances surrounding the episode did.
Louis Ramirez, who had been drug trafficking on college campuses and had access to major dealers, had been ripe for the picking. As a detective on narcotics detail, Jake had invested all his time and energy on the scum. Hed seen one too many co-eds in the morgue thanks to Ramirezs tainted goods, too many once fresh-faced kids now addicted. Jake had sworn hed nail the crook, and had skirted the edges of proper police procedure to arrange a bust that would put Ramirez away for a long time. Hed trusted a snitch, something he regretted the instant the first bullet was fired and he realized he and his fellow officers had been set up.
But theyd gotten their man, anyway. After the hail of bullets that had stolen Franks life and sidelined Jake, Ramirez had been taken into custody. And he would have stayed there, too, if Jake hadnt been down for the count. If some rookie hadnt screwed up and failed to give proper Miranda rights. Ramirez had walked, on a technicality. It wasnt the first time Jake had seen a criminal go free but it was the proverbial last straw. Jake was disgusted, disillusioned with his role in bringing in the dregs of the earth only to have his efforts thwarted courtesy of Americas judicial system.
The detective Ramirez killed had been a good man-a man with a wife and kids-and though all cops knew the risk, Jake would have preferred to take the fatal bullet instead. He had no little ones who needed a father. Jakes weekend visits and phone calls to Franks family were a poor substitute for the real thing.
The system pisses me off and Ive had it with the whole routine, he said, giving his sister the gut-honest truth.
So Franks gone and youre just going to give up?
Her tone conveyed disbelief, possibly because she knew Jake better than anyone. She knew his friendship with Frank and his family ran deep and she understood the pain of losing someone. But she also knew her brother. Jake Lowell didnt throw in the towel, and he never left a job undone without a fight.
Ill redirect my energies, he lied. He didnt want to upset Rina by admitting he planned to get Franks killer on his own.
Jake couldnt bring Ramirez in on any of the charges stemming from the original bust, but no doubt the guy was still selling drugs and somehow hed slip up. Between Jakes off-duty digging and the official information two of his detective buddies continued to feed him, Jake would nab Ramirez. It was only a matter of time. But he wouldnt have the freedom to follow up leads if he was constrained by his superiors and newer cases hed no doubt be assigned.
Jake also needed personal R-and-R. Time without the pressure and restrictions of the job to find out what direction he wanted to take in life. To decide what the restlessness hed been experiencing lately meant. Was it the gritty life of a cop and the disillusionments that came with the job that had worn him down, or something more? Jake didnt have any answers. And he had a hunch none would be forthcoming until his mind was free of Ramirez.
His lieutenant would jump on him if he thought Jake was ready, so allowing a prolonged recuperation provided the perfect excuse. Can we change the subject? he asked his sister.
She shrugged. Suit yourself. Let the muscle atrophy until you cant make it work. Then when you want to go back, youll flunk the physical and-
Rina, he said, warning her with his tone.
But he understood her concern because it mirrored his feelings for her. There was nothing he wouldnt do for his sister. She knew it and played him shamelessly, but he adored her, anyway. Without a doubt, she had the same loyalty toward him, which prompted her pushing him now.
She held her hands up in surrender. Okay, Ill back off. So will you stay in the penthouse while Im gone?
He raised an eyebrow. Given her usual propensity to butt in where she didnt belong, Jake didnt buy the easy subject change, but he was grateful for the reprieve. Couldnt you put the dog in a kennel?
Norton doesnt like kennels. He gets nervous. And if you wont watch him, Ill have to stay home.
Never mind, he muttered, resigning himself to animal-and apartment-sitting for the summer. His fate had been sealed from the moment shed batted her brown eyes at him across the table. It didnt matter where he set himself up, as long as he had the freedom to come and go as he pleased on his quest for Ramirez.
With Rina out of town, Jake had nothing and no one cramping his movements. Besides, she needed the break. You should get away, and if you need my help to do it, Ill stay, even if it means walking that pathetic excuse for a dog in public, he said, infusing his voice with warmth and humor. Once he said yes, hed never knowingly make her feel guilty and, besides, he and Norton had developed a grudging respect for one another.
Her face lit up in a way Jake hadnt seen since before her husband passed away. Oh, thank you.
Before he could blink, she was up and around the table. She wrapped one arm around his good side and kissed his cheek. Thank you. You cant imagine how depressing its been for me alone in the penthouse. This trip will help me put the memories behind me, she whispered.
Thats all I want for you. He squeezed her back. Now, can you get off me before the humidity glues us together?
She laughed and resettled herself in the chair. Now that weve dealt with my life, such as it is, its time to deal with yours.
Jake groaned. I knew my reprieve was too good to last. Ill make a deal with you. Go to Italy and have fun. Come back happy, and then well deal with my life. By then Jake should have Ramirez back behind bars where he belonged. But he knew Rina wasnt just referring to work.
Rina glanced over her shoulder. I dont know, Jake. If you wait too long, someone might snatch her up. For all you know, she might already be attached.
No ring, he said, and immediately regretted the admission.
Then, do something about it, his sister said, challengingly.
He wanted to rise to the bait as hed often done when they were children. But he couldnt. After his ex-wife, the only women hed consider now were the ones who were safe, who didnt threaten his sanity or his heart. Considering the strong pull she exerted over him, Jake had a hunch this one was capable of doing that and more. With the Ramirez case hanging over his head, Jake didnt have time for distractions. And she was most definitely a distraction.