The Right Woman Page 15

  “You know what I see in your eyes?” she asked, her voice a thread of softness.

  He shook his head, his pulse jolting like a faulty engine.

  “I see love, not lust, and that’s the way I will see myself—feminine, attractive and very human.”

  In slow motion, he reached out and pulled her against him, holding her, breathing in the scent of her hair, her skin. “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah,” he groaned into her neck.

  She kissed his cheek, his chin. “Love me, Daniel. Love me tonight.”

  “Sarah.”

  She placed a finger over his lips. “Shh. Don’t think about duty, the killer or Boyd. This night is ours and let’s make the most of it, then we can face tomorrow—together.”

  He stroked the smoothness of her back and her body responded, ached for more. She turned her face to his and his mouth took hers gently, stoking the fire, and she opened up for Daniel as she had for no other man. All he had to do was to take what she was offering.

  Their lips and tongues touched, tasted and discovered each other. Sarah was beyond thinking and she knew that finally she was ready to love again.

  Daniel pulled back only to slip out of his T-shirt, but he couldn’t stay away long, taking another kiss as he kicked off his shoes while undoing his belt and jeans. Soon all his clothes were on the floor and he gathered her body against his and she reveled in his masculine body against her. They fell backward onto the bed and neither seemed to notice the impact.

  Daniel gazed down at her with heavy-lidded eyes and caressed her breasts, her stomach and lower, touching sensitive, moist and intimate places. His hand was like a salve on a wound, cleansing, healing, until the old fears completely vanished and her fingers became bold, kneading, stroking along his chest, flat stomach and male hardness until breathing became an effort.

  “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah,” he moaned raggedly.

  “Yes, yes, yes,” she answered in the same tone. She didn’t even know what the question was. All she knew was that she wanted Daniel with everything in her.

  Daniel rolled on top of her, his mouth on hers in fevered elation. She opened her legs, welcoming him.

  “Protection?” he gasped against her.

  “No.”

  He pulled away for a second and reached into the nightstand for a plastic packet. “I don’t like these damn things,” he mumbled as he ripped it open and sheathed himself.

  Sarah watched, her breathing labored. Soon he was back with her, kissing, caressing, stroking until she could take no more. “Now, Daniel.” A long sweet breath left her as he entered her, filled her. With each thrust her breath became sweeter and sweeter until her body moved in perfect harmony with his. So long denied, so long ignored, her body convulsed with such intense pleasure that she cried out his name and clutched his back.

  She kept holding on to Daniel, not wanting the sensation to ever go away, not wanting to ever leave his arms.

  Daniel’s release shook his whole body and he knew the world had stopped turning. It had to because nothing would ever match this moment, this time out of time, except loving her over and over and….

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  DANIEL DRIFTED IN AND out of sleep with his arms around Sarah and he felt truly blessed. He’d never witnessed such strength and courage in one person. He knew she could face whatever lay ahead. And he’d be right beside her.

  The blaring of the alarm brought him fully awake. He jumped out of bed and quickly slipped into his jeans then grabbed his gun.

  Sarah sat up, brushing hair out of her eyes. “Daniel, what is it?”

  He glanced at the alarm panel on the wall. “Someone’s coming through the back door. Get your gun.”

  “It’s downstairs in my handbag,” she cried, scrambling to her knees.

  Daniel raced to a dresser, opened a drawer and pulled out another gun. He handed it to her, trying not to stare at her loveliness. He had to stay focused. “The safety’s off, so be careful.”

  His cell phone beeped and he clicked it on. “It’s Russ,” he said to her. “The alarm has gone off at the police station.” He turned his attention back to Russ. “It’s the back door. Send a car. I’m going down to check it out. Keep talking to Sarah so you’ll know what’s going on.”

  Daniel gave her the phone and her hand trembled slightly. He kissed her briefly. “It will be okay.” Then he was gone.

  She bit her lip and got out of bed, searching for her clothes. She was in her jeans in a matter of seconds and she could hear Russ’s yelling for a response. “Yes,” she said into the receiver, shimmying her way into her T-shirt.

  “Do you hear anything?”

  “No. Just the alarm.” As she said the word, the alarm cut off. Then she heard Daniel’s voice.

  “Sarah, it’s okay. It’s my brother Drew. Tell Russ.”

  “It’s his brother,” she said to Russ, her heart rate slowing.

  “What the hell is it with his family?” Russ bellowed.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Tell Daniel I’m posting a guard outside and the first Garrett that shows up is gonna get shot. This is like some Mickey Mouse show. Do these people know we’re after a rapist and a killer?”

  She suppressed a retort because it would be wasted on Russ. He was a cop to the core and if anything got in the way of him doing his job, he became unbearable. For once, she was glad he was on her side.

  “Tell Daniel to call me.”

  “I will,” she said, clicking off. She put the gun back in the drawer and made her way downstairs.

  Daniel was in the den with a younger man in jeans, sneakers and a big coat. His hair was dark like Daniel’s, but otherwise they didn’t resemble each other much. Drew was shorter and very thin.

  “How’d you get here, buddy?” Daniel was asking in a soothing voice.

  “I—I—I walked.”

  “It’s over three miles.”

  “I—I—I have to see you.”

  “I know, buddy.” Daniel put his arm around his trembling little brother. “But it’s five o’clock in the morning and I don’t like you walking the streets at this hour. Are you cold?”

  “N-n-no. I’m hot.”

  Daniel helped him off with his coat. “How did you get into my garage?”

  “I—I—I remember the code. I—I—I’m not stupid.”

  “No, you’re not.” Daniel nodded. “You remembered it from that time you stayed with me when Claude took a vacation.”

  “Yeah, and when…when Claude say I c-couldn’t go fishing, I waited until he fell asleep and I—I came here.” Drew twisted his hands.

  “Come on, Drew, sit down,” Daniel said as he led him to the sofa. Drew was very agitated and nervous, and Daniel wondered if he’d missed taking his medication.

  Drew made a face. “Claude made me mad.”

  “Why?”

  Drew plopped down. “A-a-always telling me what to do.”

  “I know that’s hard, buddy, but we’ll go fishing when I’m through with this case. Do you understand?”

  “You after a bad guy?” Drew asked, his voice excited.

  “Yeah. A real bad guy.”

  Drew fidgeted. “I—I—I wanna go fishing.”

  Daniel didn’t want to disappoint his brother. “Me, too, but think what fun we’ll have when we do go. Half the fun is in the planning.”

  “I—I—I can’t go. Have to stay here.” Daniel didn’t understand what he was talking about and he feared Drew was close to having another seizure. He had to find out if he’d taken his medication.

  “I’ll call Claude and ask him to pick you up. Okay?”

  “Okay.” He seemed to calm down a little.

  Daniel called Claude, who was driving around searching for Drew. “He’s at my place,” he told him.

  “I’m so sorry, Daniel.”

  “He’s very agitated. Has he had his medication?”

  “No. I found his pills on the bathroom counter. He’s been very good about taking them, but your mot
her has him so upset.”

  “Yeah,” Daniel sighed. “He seems more upset than usual.”

  “I’ll come and get him. Once he takes the medicine, he’ll calm down.”

  “Okay, Claude,” Daniel said. “Drew can be a handful, but please be diligent about him taking his pills.”

  “I will.”

  Daniel hung up. “He’s on his way,” he told Drew.

  Drew plucked at his jeans. “H-h-he’s gonna be mad. Call me stupid.”

  “No, he…”

  “I—I—I’m not stupid,” Drew shouted. “I’m not and Mom can’t make me go.”

  Daniel squatted in front of Drew realizing just how much turmoil Drew was in. “Look at me,” he said, and as Drew raised his head, Daniel saw his eyes were feverish. Hurry up, Claude. “You’re not stupid. You’re special and I love you and I promise you don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to. But you have to take your medicine.”

  Drew thought about it for a second. “I—I—I want my medicine.”

  “Claude will give it to you when he picks you up.”

  “Okay. I—I—I want to stay in Dallas.”

  “Okay, then.” Daniel patted his knee, realizing Drew was out of it.

  Daniel glanced up and saw Sarah standing at the foot of the stairs. He caught his breath at her natural beauty. She had her jeans and T-shirt on and her feet were bare. Her red hair was in disarray and her features serene, but he focused on her eyes. Despite everything, she looked happy and he felt a moment of sheer joy.

  “Buddy, I’d like you to meet someone,” Daniel said, getting to his feet, his eyes on Sarah.

  “W-w-who, who, Danny, who?”

  Daniel held out his hand and Sarah came to his side and gripped it tightly.

  “This is Sarah Welch. And, Sarah, this is my brother, Drew.”

  “Nice to meet you, Drew,” Sarah said.

  “You’re pretty,” Drew replied.

  “Thank you.”

  “A-a-are…are you Dan-ny’s girlfriend?”

  Daniel squeezed her hand. “Yes, she is.”

  “Danny’s got a girlfriend.” Drew put a hand over his mouth and giggled.

  The phone rang and Daniel went to answer it.

  It was Russ again. “There’s a man outside your condo and he says he’s there to pick up your brother.”

  “It’s Drew’s caretaker. I’ll send him out.”

  “Daniel, I’m not quite sure how to say this since my social skills are lacking, but get your family the hell out of this picture. Do they not comprehend what the hell’s going on?”

  “They don’t know what’s going on,” Daniel replied, realizing things were getting more complicated with every interruption.

  “Your security has been blown to hell.”

  “I’m not sure it makes a difference. Someone knows our every move anyway.”

  “That sure gets to me, but maybe today we’ll find some answers. I’m on my way to wake up Arnie Bishop and haul his ass to the station for questioning. Do you want to be there?”

  “Yes. I’ll be there in about an hour. When I leave the condo, have the guard follow me.”

  “So you’re bringing Ms. Welch to the station, too?”

  “You bet. I’m not letting her out of my sight.”

  “This could be a problem.”

  “It had better not be, Russ, because I honestly don’t see any other way to do this. If anyone is dumb enough to come into the police station for her, they’ll have an army to contend with.”

  “Yep. You’re right. I’ll have Chad on hand if you need him.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ll see you at the station for Bishop’s questioning, then we’ll go to Lieutenant Tolin’s show-and-tell, which should be interesting.”

  “Okay. Tell the guard that Drew’s coming out.”

  “Will do.”

  Daniel hung up and heard Sarah talking to Drew. His face was animated as he watched her. Daniel noticed that he wasn’t stuttering.

  “Daniel catches lots of fish and we drink beer and do guy things. Daniel says we can only drink two beers. I want more and I sneak it when Daniel’s not looking.”

  “Why do you do that?” Sarah asked.

  “Because everyone treats me like a baby and I’m not a baby. I’m a man and I can do what I want.”

  “Does Daniel treat you like a baby?”

  “Sometimes. He’s my brother, my best friend, but he…”

  “He what?”

  Drew linked his fingers together. “He wants me to be careful, responsible.”

  “That’s how adults should be—careful and responsible.”

  “Yeah,” Drew said, his eyes bright. “Daniel wants me to be an adult.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m an adult,” Drew pronounced loudly. “And nobody tells me what to do.”

  “Just people who care about you.” Sarah smiled.

  “Daniel does and he…”

  Daniel hated to break up the conversation, but the guard was waiting and if he didn’t send Drew out, Russ would be calling. There would be plenty of occasions later for Drew and Sarah to get to know each other—when things weren’t so dangerous.

  “Time to go, buddy,” Daniel said. “Claude’s waiting.”

  Daniel helped him into his coat and walked him to the door.

  “’Bye, Sarah,” Drew called.

  “’Bye,” Sarah called back.

  Daniel hugged him. “Love you, buddy. Please take your medication.”

  “I get my medicine now. ’Bye.”

  Daniel opened the door and the guard escorted Drew to Claude. He closed the door, turned the deadbolt, set the alarm and went back to Sarah.

  She went into his arms as if she belonged there.

  “I like Drew,” she said. “I think counseling would help him.”

  “He likes you, too. He doesn’t open up to many people, but you had him talking up a storm. You’re a damn good counselor.”

  “Thank you.”

  He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly, then deepened the kiss to a level he needed. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I saw you on the stairs.”

  She ran her fingers across his naked shoulders, loving the freedom to touch him at will and loving the need in her to want to do it. “You feel so good,” she murmured, her eyes dreamy.

  He kissed her nose, her cheek. “Oh, sweet lady, it’s only started. I wish we had all day, but we have to get to the station.”

  “Mmm.” She rested her head on his chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heart. “I just want to hold you before the chaos of this day starts.”

  They stood holding on, both knowing that the events of this day would change their lives forever and both hoping they had the strength to face it.

  THE DRIVE TO THE STATION went without incident. Sarah stayed in the conference room with all the files and background checks Daniel had been researching. Chad stood guard outside the door. At Daniel’s request, she went through the files to see if she might catch something he’d missed—anything that would tie an officer to Boyd.

  Daniel met Russ and Joel in the hall outside a questioning room with a two-way mirror. He looked at Russ. He had the same wrinkled clothes on that he’d worn the last time Daniel had seen him and his beard was thicker.

  “Have you had any sleep in the last two days? Not to mention a shower and shave?” Daniel asked.

  Russ scratched his beard. “I’ve had a couple of hours’ sleep in the car and I’ve been showering in the officers’ locker room—haven’t had time to shave, been busy chasing your damn relatives and covering your ass.”

  “I appreciate it, Russ. I really do.”

  The two men stared at each other, both knowing their relationship was changing—they were now friends.

  Russ grinned. “So you trust me now, huh?”

  Daniel met his eyes squarely. “With my life…and Sarah’s.”

  Russ held out his hand and seemed at a loss for
words, which was definitely a first. Daniel shook his hand. Neither said a word. They didn’t have to.

  Homicide Lieutenant Charles Bauer, Narcotics Lieutenant Bill Tolin and Hannah Corbett, an A.D.A., walked up.

  “Do you have anything?” Lieutenant Bauer asked.

  “No,” Russ replied. “We’re letting him stew for a bit.”

  “Let’s see what he has to say,” Hannah said.

  “Russ, go by the book,” Lieutenant Bauer warned.

  “Ah, Lieutenant, I’ll be a model cop.” Russ winked and turned to Daniel. “Ready for Bishop?”

  “You bet. And I promise not to interfere with your questioning.”

  “Hell, Daniel, don’t take the fun out of everything.” He straightened his jacket, which was a lost cause. “Just be prepared for a lot of attitude. He’s pissed at being brought down here at this hour.”

  Russ opened the door and they went in.

  “Detective Garrett,” Arnie sneered. “You went to see my client without my permission.”

  Arnie reminded Daniel of a toad—slippery, fat, with eyes that bulged out of his bald head. “A lot of things are done without your permission, Arnie.”

  “Not as many as you’d think,” Arnie snickered.

  Russ pulled out a chair and sat across the small table from Arnie. He chewed on a toothpick and watched Arnie, then he placed a folder in front of him. “Let’s get down to business.”

  “I’m not telling you a goddamn thing. I’ll have your badges for daring to arrest me.”

  Russ laughed. “Tell you what, Arnie. You can have my badge as long as you’re on death row with Rudy Boyd.”

  “You son of a bitch. You got nothing on me.”

  Russ opened the folder and laid some papers in front of Arnie. “Boyd transferred the ownership of clubs after each rape and murder to you. Of course, the clubs were in one of Boyd’s fictional names, but we still found the transfers. Why?”

  “Because he owed me the money, dammit. I’m an attorney and I don’t work for free.”

  “You sure don’t.” Russ placed more papers in front of him. “Boyd gave you power of attorney over his bank account—the only one that wasn’t seized by the cops five years ago. There’s a tidy sum in the account, more than enough to cover your services.”