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Although it was just past six o’clock, it was still light outside, and Caroline could see the yellow police tape that surrounded the residence.
The sight of so many law enforcement personnel seemed incongruous, given the affluent neighborhood of mansions and meticulously manicured lawns. Crime in this area was virtually unheard of, and Caroline couldn’t believe anyone would have the nerve to commit such a heinous act in full view of the street, the neighbors and anyone else who might be watching. Of course, it had been close to midnight when the crime had occurred, so the likelihood of any witnesses was slim to none. Her father had always preferred to stay up until the wee hours of the morning.
“Maybe it was just a random act. He liked to stay up late, so maybe someone saw his light on and just chose him arbitrarily.”
She didn’t realize she’d said the words aloud until Jason thrust the car into Park and turned toward her.
“Everything indicates he was targeted.”
“But why? He’s a good man—the best. Why would anyone want to hurt him?”
He didn’t answer, shifting his attention toward the house. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Caroline followed his gaze to where several officers stood near the wide front porch, watching them. She recognized Deputy Black, who had followed them to the house in a separate car. Unlike the other men, he stood vigil near the sidewalk and scanned the surrounding area as if on alert for any unseen threat.
“I need to do this,” she finally answered, reaching for the door handle.
As she approached the porch, she was conscious of Jason’s protective bulk close by her side. The other officers stood back and allowed them to pass. Caroline climbed the steps slowly, aware that her heart was thudding hard in her chest. The front door was open, and she could see two more men standing inside the house. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight of the blood.
The dark stain spread across the hardwood floor just inside the entryway and seeped into the edge of the Persian-style carpet. She had a sudden, vivid image of her father opening the door, only to be greeted by an explosive bullet to the chest. She envisioned him staggering back into the hallway and collapsing onto the floor as his assailant stood over him. The picture was so real, and so frightening, that for an instant, she couldn’t breathe. She heard a roaring in her ears, and black wings fluttered at the edge of her vision. She was only vaguely aware of strong arms coming around her as the floor rose up to meet her.
* * *
“PUT YOUR HEAD down and take some deep breaths.”
Even if Caroline had wanted to refuse, Jason’s hand was at the back of her neck, large and warm, urging her head down toward her knees. She was perched on the edge of the passenger’s seat, and he was crouched on the curb in front of her.
“I’m okay,” she protested weakly, although she wasn’t at all sure that was true. Her head still felt fuzzy, and there was the oddest flip-flopping sensation in her stomach that seemed to increase with the gentle pressure of Jason’s fingers against her nape.
“Just relax,” he insisted, his voice soothing her frayed nerves. All these years, and he’d never quite lost the distinctive accent of the inner city where he’d grown up. But Caroline liked the inflection. It was a reminder of where he’d come from and just how tough he was. She really believed that with Jason around, nobody was going to get near enough to hurt her.
She drew in a shaky breath and raised her head enough to look at him. He was so close that for a moment, she was disconcerted. His skin was burnished to a warm hue from the sun, but up close, she could still see faint traces of the scars he’d borne as a teenager, which had made him seem so dangerous and mysterious to her. There was one that bisected his left eyebrow and another along the chiseled rise of his cheekbone, as if he’d taken a blow that had split the skin.
But it was his eyes that made it difficult for her to catch her breath. They were clear and pure, caught somewhere between green and gray. In the late afternoon sunlight, they appeared bottomless, and Caroline had a sense that if she looked deeply enough, she might even see the secrets that he tried so hard to keep.
“Hey,” he said, peering up at her. “Sure you’re okay?”
She nodded and tried to pull herself together. “Yes, thanks. I’ve never actually keeled over before. Sorry about that.”
He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “It’s not an uncommon reaction, although it could have easily been avoided.” He arched one eyebrow in a look that clearly said he’d warned her. “Once the investigators are finished, I’ll send out a team to clean up.”
