The Right Woman Page 21

  Sarah started to close the door when Chad opened his eyes and saw her.

  “Ms. Welch,” he muttered in a weak voice.

  “What?” The young woman immediately jumped up as if something was wrong.

  Sarah had no choice but to enter the room.

  “It’s okay, honey,” Chad said. “This is Ms. Welch, and Ms. Welch, this is Niki, my girlfriend.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Sarah said, and Niki tried to smile, but Sarah could see how incredibly exhausted she was.

  “Why don’t you go get some coffee and something to eat,” Chad suggested.

  “I…”

  “I’ll stay until you get back,” Sarah offered.

  Niki rubbed her eyes and stood up. “Okay. I won’t be long.” She kissed Chad and quietly left.

  “Gosh, Daniel said you were fine, but it’s good to see with my own eyes,” said Chad.

  “It’s good to see you, too. The nurse said you were doing great.”

  Chad glanced away. “I should never have let Drew in the house. I just never dreamed he had anything to do with all of this. I feel so responsible—as if I’ve let Daniel down.”

  “Don’t blame yourself. I told you to let him in, remember? And if you hadn’t, they’d have found a way to break in. I’m sure Daniel doesn’t blame you for anything, either.”

  “I suppose.”

  Sarah thought she should change the subject. “I like Niki.”

  Chad raised his eyes. “She’s been here since they brought me in. My friends and parents have been in and out, but Niki hasn’t left and I can’t get her to go home.” He looked at Sarah. “She really loves me and we talked for a long time. I guess I had to get shot to do that, and you were right, she was insecure about my feelings. I finally have this love thing figured out.”

  “Have you?”

  “Love is when you want to be with that person more than anyone and you’re there for that person no matter what. Even if I was paralyzed, Niki would still be here. I know that beyond a doubt.”

  “You have that besotted look in your eyes,” she teased.

  He grinned. “Yeah.”

  They were silent for a moment.

  “Daniel was here earlier and he looked like his heart had been ripped out.”

  Sarah’s chest tightened, but before she could say anything, Niki came back and Sarah said her goodbyes.

  In the hall she paused to gather herself. Daniel, where are you? Please talk to me.

  She hurried to Brooke’s room before she got bogged down in crippling thoughts. Brooke and her parents were getting ready to leave.

  “Oh, Ms. Welch,” Brooke ran to her. “You’re okay.”

  “Yes.”

  “Detective Devers said the rapist was killed and it was safe to go home.”

  “Yes. It’s over.” Sarah wasn’t sure how much Russ had told her, but from what she knew of Russ, probably not much.

  Brooke heaved a long sigh. “I’m glad. I’m ready to go home.”

  “That’s a good sign.”

  “I’ve talked with Dr. Mason and I really like her. Not as much as you, though,” Brooke added quickly.

  “It’s okay, Brooke, as long as you’re talking to someone.”

  “Dr. Mason said Brooke could go back to classes whenever she wanted.” Brooke’s mother spoke up. “What do you think?”

  “That’s up to Brooke,” Sarah replied. “The sooner you get back into life, the sooner you can put all this behind you.”

  “But it never really goes away, does it?” Brooke asked. She sounded so sad.

  “Honey, let’s go.” Brooke’s father tried to stop Sarah from answering and Sarah understood why.

  “Did Dr. Mason set up some appointments for you?” she asked instead.

  “Yes.”

  “Then we’ll talk about your question in those sessions. Just remember you did nothing wrong and you have nothing to be ashamed of.” Like I have been for so many years. That had been the root of all her insecurities. But not anymore—thanks to Daniel and her many talks with Brooke. She’d stripped because she’d made a conscious choice to stay alive. That was nothing to be ashamed of—if anyone didn’t understand that, then they didn’t deserve to know her.

  “Dr. Mason said there’s a rape victim’s group that I could join.”

  “Yes. That would be very helpful.”

  Brooke looked down. “I don’t know if I can talk about it in front of other people.”

  “If you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to. You can just listen. Sometimes it helps to hear what other people have been through.”

  Brooke gave her a shaky smile. “I’m glad I got to meet you. You helped me more than I can tell you.”

  “Thank you,” Sarah said. “I’m glad I met you, too.”

  “I’ll see you in the office,” Brooke said as they left.

  Brooke was going to be fine, Sarah thought as she made her way down the corridor. She kept looking for Daniel, hoping he’d be here. She asked at the desk and they said he’d stopped by earlier.

  Russ had said she had to give a statement so she decided to do it now. Maybe Daniel was at the station and she could talk to him.

  When she got there and asked the officer at the desk, he said Daniel wasn’t in. She then asked for Russ and was shown into the same room she’d been in earlier. She took a seat and waited. She glanced around—all the files were gone, there were only a couple of desks and chairs. A few hours ago she’d sat in this same chair waiting for a killer to be caught, but it was tolerable because Daniel had been with her. Now everything had changed. The killer was dead, Drew was dead and Daniel was suffering. That she couldn’t reach him was intolerable.

  Russ came charging in. “Sarah,” he said in surprise. “What are you doing here?” He still wore the same rumpled clothes of the night before. His beard was now almost full and the toothpick was back in his mouth.

  “You said I needed to give a statement,” she reminded him.

  “Don’t you want to give that to Daniel?”

  “Yes, but he’s not here.” She frowned. “Russ, have you been here all night and all day?”

  “Yep. We finally got everything out of Arnie and Tom and the A.D.A. feels she has enough to get an indictment and conviction so I’m fixing to go home and crash for a few hours. Hell, I might crash for two days.”

  “Has Daniel been in?”

  “For a little while, then his father called and he had to leave.”

  “I see,” she replied, then bit her lip. “I might as well give you my statement. Daniel needs to be with his family.”

  Russ hesitated for a second. “Okay. I’ll get a tape recorder.”

  For the next thirty minutes she told Russ everything that happened after she’d left the station. She didn’t leave out a thing, not even the part where she started to strip to keep Claude occupied, hoping to catch him off guard.

  Russ clicked off the machine. “I’ll get it typed up and you can sign it tomorrow.”

  She stood. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Sarah.” She glanced back at him. “I apologize for ever calling you Colder Than Ice. It took a lot of courage to do what you did last night.”

  More courage than she’d thought she had. “Don’t shatter all my illusions, Russ. Let me go on thinking you’re a macho, insensitive, tough guy.”

  He grinned. “I can do that because most of the time it’s true.”

  “Good night, Russ.”

  He followed her to the door. “I’ll give the A.D.A. a copy of your statement and if she needs you to testify, I’ll let you know.”

  “She won’t be testifying.”

  Sarah swung around to face Daniel and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. Like Russ, he still had on the same clothes of the night before and they were more wrinkled than Russ’s. His hair was tousled and he had a growth of beard, but the pain in his eyes was vivid and strong and it took everything in her not to reach for him.

  “Tha
t’s not your call,” Russ said.

  “She’s not testifying,” Daniel repeated.

  Russ held up both hands. “Okay. I get the message and now I’m going home before I have to punch you in the mouth.” He walked off down the hall.

  “You won’t have to testify,” Daniel said. “I’ll see to that.”

  “I’m fine,” she told him. “I can handle it.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “You’re not putting your life on the line again.”

  She took a deep breath, not knowing if Daniel was thinking straight or if he was thinking at all. “Daniel, that’s not like you. You believe in justice.”

  “Justice? There is no justice.”

  She touched his arm and he jerked away. “Don’t touch me.”

  She fought for a measure of control. “Talk to me,” she pleaded.

  “Talking won’t help. Talking won’t solve anything.”

  “Daniel, please…”

  “I’m tired, Sarah, and I’ve completely used up every resource I have to continue this fight against evil. Evil always wins.”

  “No, Daniel. Love always wins.”

  His eyes caught hers and they were glazed over with an emotion she couldn’t describe. “You’re wrong. I loved you with everything in me and look how I’ve hurt you. I can’t…”

  He turned and quickly strolled away.

  “Daniel,” she called and ran after him, but he disappeared too quickly. She stopped, her heart pounding in her chest.

  No, Daniel, no. Love will win. I promise.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  DANIEL WENT STRAIGHT to his desk, picked up his resignation letter, walked into Bill’s office and laid it in front of him. Bill glanced at the letter then at Daniel’s face.

  “We’ve been through this, Daniel.”

  “This time it’s final.”

  “The case is not finished. There’s a lot of paperwork to do and loose ends to tie up.”

  “Russ is capable of handling all that. It’s his case.”

  “He’s also involved in the shooting and will be busy answering a lot of questions until it’s ruled a clean shoot.”

  “Joel will take up the slack.”

  Bill watched him for a moment. “I’m sorry about your brother.”

  “Thanks,” Daniel muttered.

  “Take some time and…”

  “No,” Daniel stopped him. “I’m through as a cop. I’m completely burned out and I’m not any good to anyone like this.”

  “There’s so many things I could say to you right now, but I have a feeling you don’t want to hear them.”

  “No, sir, I don’t.”

  Bill leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk. “How’s Ms. Welch?”

  Daniel’s stomach tightened. “She’s holding up.” He caught Bill’s eyes. “And just so we’re clear, she will not be testifying.”

  “That’s up to the D.A.”

  Daniel’s eyes darkened. “You’re not listening to me. She’s not getting on a witness stand to put another bastard behind bars. What good does it do? The bastard can still go on with his illegal activities and make her life a nightmare in the process. She’s done enough for this stinking system.”

  Bill got up and walked to Daniel, putting his arm around his shoulder. “The system stinks. I agree with you. Having a traitor on our force hasn’t helped. Our department will undergo a thorough investigation by Internal Affairs, but you did a great job on this case. You insisted on taking Sarah Welch into your personal custody and even though it went against the rules, I agreed. If you can’t see anything else, see that you saved Ms. Welch’s life. Right now you need some rest.” He pointed to a box on a chair. “I had Kevin and Will bring some of your things over—shaving kit and clothes for a few days. The condo has been sealed off by the crime lab until Internal Affairs finishes its investigation. It’s probably not a good idea to go back in there just yet anyway.” He patted his shoulder. “Get some rest and we’ll talk again.”

  Daniel picked up the box and walked out, feeling numb.

  He checked into a motel, removed his clothes and fell across the bed. The horror of what had happened still had control of him, but the lieutenant’s words sneaked through. If you can’t see anything else, see that you saved Ms. Welch’s life. That Sarah was safe was his last thought as exhaustion claimed him.

  SARAH SET THE SALADS on the table and put the ice cream in the freezer, trying not to think about Daniel. She’d try again tomorrow to talk to him. She wasn’t giving up.

  Gran came into the kitchen. “Oh, you’re back.”

  “Yes, and I brought chef salads and double-fudge ice cream.”

  “Yummy,” Gran replied, sitting at the table.

  “Coffee or tea?” Sarah asked.

  “Tea, please. It’s in the refrigerator. I already made it.”

  “Oh.” Sarah was a little surprised because Gran was used to being waited on. It had been a big problem between her and Serena. These days, though, Gran helped out a lot. They were all going through changes.

  “Thanks, Gran.” She filled the glasses and brought them to the table.

  “Serena called and said they made it home fine.”

  “Good. I’ll call her later.”

  Sarah handed Gran silverware and a napkin.

  “When I was at the ranch, Jassy and I had ice cream every night. Serena would eat about a tablespoon and Ethan would tease her, but Serena’s always been very conscious about her diet, her weight and her looks.” Aurora opened the napkin and placed it in her lap. “I’m afraid she got that from me. You’re different, more adventurous and accepting. I guess you got that from Celia. Oh, my.” Gran put a hand to her cheek. “I forgot. Celia called and said for you to call her right away.”

  “Oh, no,” Sarah groaned. She’d been so worried about Daniel that she’d forgotten to call Celia to let her know she was home. She got up and reached for the phone. “I’d better call her now.”

  Celia answered on the first ring. “I’m sorry, Celia. Things have been rather hectic,” Sarah immediately apologized.

  “That’s fine, honey, as long as you’re okay.”

  “Yes. I’m fine and back at home with Gran.”

  “I’m sure Aurora’s pleased.”

  Sarah closed her eyes at the undisguised sarcasm and she wasn’t in a mood to get into this tug of emotional war.

  “I just wanted to let you know I’m going to a bird show in Houston for a few days,” Celia was saying. “Why don’t you come along for the ride? It will get your mind off things.”

  “Thanks, Celia, but I can’t leave right now.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Why did everyone keep asking her that?

  “Yes.”

  “I love you, honey. Take care of yourself.”

  Sarah took a soft breath, feeling blessed that she had so many people who loved her. “Love you, too. Have a good trip. I’ll talk to you when you get back.”

  Sarah hung up, took her seat and picked up her fork.

  They ate for a while in silence.

  “She’s off with those birds again?”

  Sarah slowly laid down her fork, knowing she and Gran had to talk. “We have to talk about Celia.”

  Gran glanced up. “Why? I’d rather not discuss her at all.”

  “That’s just it,” Sarah told her. “I’m tired of being caught in the middle of you and Celia and I’m tired of being made to feel guilty because I love both of you.”

  “Oh, darling, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”

  “But you do, and Celia does, every time one of you says something nasty about the other.”

  Gran dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “It’s just that Celia and I have a past.”

  “Yes. Serena and I are the results of that past. You and Celia were best friends in high school and she slept with and married your boyfriend, John Welch. Then many years later, Jasmine, your daughter, our mother, stole John from Celia. It�
�s like a badly written soap opera, but it’s my life and I just can’t take any more resentment. Life is too traumatic to keep this up.”

  Gran got up and hugged Sarah. “Darling, don’t get upset.”

  “I just want some peace.”

  She kissed Sarah’s forehead. “I’ll try to curb my resentment toward Celia, but it’s hard for an old person to change years of habits. For you, though, I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  “Where’s that ice cream?” Gran asked, obviously trying to lighten things up.

  They ate ice cream and talked about Jassy, one of their favorite subjects. But Sarah knew they had something else to talk about. It wouldn’t be easy.

  “How do you feel about this house?” Sarah broached the subject.

  Gran swallowed a spoonful of ice cream. “I’ve lived here most of my life. It’s big and familiar. It’s home.”

  Sarah bit her lip. Gran’s answer made this even harder.

  “It’s your home, too, isn’t it?”

  Sarah licked ice cream from her lips, trying to think of the right words. “I’ve tried real hard to feel a connection to my mother, to Serena and to you in this house, but I’ve always felt out of place, as if I didn’t belong here.”

  “Darling…”

  “Please, Gran, let me finish,” Sarah stopped her, needing to say her part. “Through the trauma of the past few days, I realize that belonging has nothing to do with this house. It’s in here.” She placed a hand over her heart. “It has to do with love. I now feel that love and I feel part of this family.”

  “I’m so happy, darling.”

  “I just can’t afford for us to stay here any longer. The upkeep is astronomical.”

  “Serena mentioned this, but I haven’t said anything because I wanted you to stay here as long as you wanted.”

  “I wanted us to stay here, too,” Sarah admitted. “I needed to feel close to my mother and my new family.” She turned to face her grandmother. “How do you feel about moving into something smaller? Maybe a two-bedroom condo with no yardwork.”