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As it was, Nico was sure Gabe had stabbed Rania. They had Rania’s journals as proof she’d seen him and Jayden together, which gave him motive. Nico had also gone over everything they knew about Rania’s case with a fine-toothed comb and had found a clue in the coroner’s report on Rania’s death that he’d missed the first time around. Of the three drugs found in Rania’s system, the coroner had commented on the use of adrenaline by the doctor. He said that adrenaline could be used in some cases to stimulate an increase in blood pressure, but recent research showed it should no longer be used in emergency cases, as this was documented to result in severe hypotension or lower blood pressure, the exact opposite result a doctor was looking for. Had Gabe known this and purposefully overdosed her on adrenaline? So instead of trying to save her, he was trying to finish the job he’d started? Nico had berated himself for not reading the report more carefully, relying on Tyrell to pass on the findings instead. But without a confession, this clue wasn’t enough to convict Gabe, and they were still digging for that final bit of evidence that’d tie him unequivocally to the murder. Even though Nico was sure Gabe was responsible for Rania’s murder, the specter of the Hobart serial killer still hung over the station. Some of his team were still clinging to the theory that while Gabe was responsible for Floyd’s murder and Lacey’s kidnapping, maybe Rania had been murdered by this mysterious killer.
Nico thought back to when the district commander had first told them about the serial killer all those weeks ago, and how he wished he could be the primary on the case, how it’d make his career if he ever caught one. Now, he wasn’t so sure. He no longer needed the glory of bringing down a serial killer. Actually, it was almost the opposite. With Lacey in his life now, all he wanted was a happy existence and a solid career. One he could be proud of. But to have a serial killer in their midst would put them all in danger. A danger he could happily live without.
At least Karim was free now. He’d returned to Hobart with his family, a broken man, still searching for answers. Nico found it hard to feel sorry for Karim. He was still using cocaine—Nico had confirmed that through his connections in the drug trade. And he still couldn’t forgive him for turning up at his door that night, trying to get to Lacey.
He looked up just as she brought her coffee over and planted herself in his lap, and he put away all thoughts of Karim and the sad possibilities of the wrong paths the Syrian man was sure to take from now on.
“Are you ready for Monday?” he asked, nibbling gently at her ear.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, placing her mug on the table and swiveling on his lap so she straddled him. “I’m not scared, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Scared? You?” He made a grunting sound and kissed the tip of her nose.
Lacey was due to start her job in the force as a first class constable with the Burnie police on Monday, and he couldn’t be prouder. She would start by walking the beat, just like all the other junior constables. Nico hadn’t decided how he might be affected by seeing her at work every day yet. Trying not to treat her any differently to the other young cops.
But then again, everyone would know she was different. Know she was special to him. They’d just have to deal with it, he decided. Because Lacey was special.
“I hope you’ve been keeping those judo skills up to par,” he joked.
“Oh, don’t worry, I could still take you down any day of the week.” She raised a playful eyebrow and ran a finger down his chest, tracing the ridges of his abs, and stopping to wander over his belt buckle. Slowly undoing the button of his trousers.
He smiled. Yes, she probably could. His tough little Amazon didn’t let anything daunt her.
His computer dinged, and Nico leaned around Lacey, meaning to turn it off. But the name at the top of the email caught his eyes. It was an email from Patrick McTernan, the private investigator. He’d almost forgotten he’d hired this guy in all the clusterfuck of a mess they’d endured. After Lacey had been hurt and having to wrap up a murder investigation, he’d put it on the back burner.
“Do you mind if I just open this?” he asked as she continued to fumble with his belt buckle. She must’ve caught his sudden somber mood, because she bit her lip, then stepped up off his lap.
He opened the email and began reading.
“Fuck,” Nico said softly. This wasn’t the news he’d been hoping to receive.
“What?” Lacey looked up from where she was washing out their two mugs.
“Oh, fuck.” Nico stopped reading and put his head in his hands.
“What is it?” Lacey came over, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s from the investigator I hired to look into my father’s disappearance.” He gestured at the computer screen.
“Yes. And?”
“He seems to think…” Nico looked up and began reading the email until he found the bit he wanted. “There is merit in the theory my father is still alive.”
“Oh, wow.” Lacey covered her mouth with her hand, beautiful amber eyes going wide.
“Here, read it for yourself.” Nico pushed the computer over and stood, nearly knocking the chair over in his haste. He didn’t need to read the words; they were burned into his memory like a brand. Pacing across the kitchen, he stopped at the window to stare out at the orchard beyond. Smudge seemed to catch his mood and pushed his wet nose into Nico’s hand. He let his hand rest on the dog’s head.
“It says that a man matching your father’s description, but going by the name of Reginald Smith, was living in Lorne for the past ten years,” Lacey read out, the shock clear in her voice. “He’s attached the photo Marco took. Have you seen it?” She leaned in to study the photo.
“Mmm? Yes,” Nico confirmed. But he was only half listening. It was too much to take in. The man in the photo could definitely be his father. An older, slightly softer version, rounder at the edges. But it still sent chills down his spine.
“It also says the man caught the ferry to Tasmania two years ago. But that’s where the trail goes cold.”
And that was the scariest part of all. Not only was his father possibly still alive, but he might well be living on the same little island in the Indian Ocean as Nico. Was that merely a coincidence?
“Do you believe this guy?” Lacey stood and came over to Nico. “I mean, this could all be a big pile of horseshit.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her chin on his shoulder.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “It’s certainly unsettling news. And I won’t be telling my family any of this. Not yet. I intend to investigate this further myself.” He certainly wouldn’t show his mother that photo. It was like looking at a walking ghost, and it’d send her into a hysterical panic, he was sure. Catarina had phoned him several times in the past month to ask if he had news about his father, but he’d fobbed her off saying he hadn’t heard anything, and he still firmly believed Serge was dead. Now what was he going to tell her?
“Okay. If you think that’s best,” Lacey agreed with him, but he could hear the uncertainty in her tone. He didn’t care. He wasn’t going to believe a damn word of McTernan’s report until he’d thoroughly investigated it himself. The man went on to report there’d been no autopsy of the body in the car after the crash, and hence no definitive DNA evidence to prove it was Serge. Nico would investigate that claim as well. Maybe he could get the body exhumed and have it tested… No, that was getting ahead of himself. Damn. Damn, double damn.
The last thing he needed now was the phantom of his dead father to come back and haunt him. He had everything he wanted. A great career, a comfy cottage to live in along some of the most glorious coastline in the world, and an amazing woman by his side.
Drawing in a deep, cleansing breath, he turned to kiss Lacey deeply, banishing the image of his father. He had much more important things to think about, and getting Lacey undressed and into his bed was top of his agenda right now. It was time to love his amazing woman. Everything else could wait.
