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That news didn’t really surprise Lucas. He’d suspected Ryan dated more than he admitted. The only women he mentioned were ones he’d gone out with at least three times. It was hard to say how many he’d taken out to dinner, never to call again.
He turned the boat a bit. “Maybe we’re both a littledamaged by our home lives. Seeing Dad deal with a depressed wife for so many years left its mark. Mom could seem so happy and normal, but then the tide would turn and she’d take to her bed, maybe for days. She wouldn’t eat, would hardly talk.”
“I had no idea, Lucas. I’m sorry. That had to be hard. Who cooked your meals, did the laundry, that kind of thing? Your dad didn’t seem the Mr.Mom type.”
“Oh, he wasn’t. I did those things some nights, if you can call what I cooked meals. It was mostly canned spaghetti and grilled cheese sandwiches. Anything that could be warmed in the microwave.” He shrugged. “But I was the oldest, you know? I had to take care of Ryan. At least twice a week your grandmother brought over casseroles and cookies or cake. She was an angel to us.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s why you ran interception for Ryan when he dated me. I get it now.”
True enough. He’d always looked out for his little brother, and he always would. And he couldn’t deny his beautiful neighbor was beginning to intrigue him more and more.
***
Lucas had arranged for two bikes at the marina, and though Carly had balked at the idea at first, he’d been right. It had been a short but exhilarating ride along the waterfront to the address. Lucas had taken the cargo bike with the bucket in front where Noah was secure in his car seat and little helmet, and they arrived with the baby awake but happy.
She put down the kickstand and went to unstrap Noah. He gave her a dimpled smile and waved his small fists in theair. “You liked that, didn’t you, sweetheart? I’ll have to get one of these for home.” The fresh air and sunshine were good for him—much better than being in the back seat of a car. She removed the helmet and picked him up.
With the baby in her arms, she turned to face the house. The white cottage was as cute and quaint as could be with the palm trees waving above the steeply pitched roof. A blue door under a white stoop added a welcoming touch. Her heart did a staccato pump in her chest as she stared at the house. Were answers inside, or was it going to be a dead end?
She’d wanted to call first, but Lucas had insisted surprise would be the better option. He was a detective, so he should know, but she felt uneasy about landing on the woman’s doorstep with no warning.
Lucas’s warm hand came down on her shoulder. “Relax. The baby is bound to win her over. He’s got all the right moves. Dimples too.”
She chuckled. “You have a point. Maybe I’d better turn him around so he can slay her with his cuteness.”
Noah loved to walk facing forward, so he kicked his legs when she moved him around. Supporting him with both arms, she walked toward the entrance. As they neared, she noticed the door stood slightly ajar. And something about it struck her with trepidation.
She stopped, and Lucas nearly ran into her. “Lucas, I don’t feel right about this.”
He surveyed the slightly open door. “Someone forced open the door.”
The gouges around the latch might have subconsciously clued her in to the problem. “What should we do?”
“I want you to go across the street to that café.” He pointed it out. “I’m going to call the local police before I go inside.”
Leaving him didn’t feel right, but she had the baby’s safety to consider, so she reluctantly retreated across the street to the Sandy Bar, a low-slung restaurant with a blue roof and cute beach decor. She couldn’t bring herself to go inside, though, and instead settled at a white iron dinette. The aroma of crab cakes made her stomach cramp, but not in a good way. She was too frightened for Lucas’s safety to be hungry.
She watched him talk a few moments on the phone before he drew out his pistol from its holster on his belt and advanced to the door. He nudged it open with his foot and disappeared inside. She felt like throwing up when she couldn’t see him any longer. What was he seeing inside the home? She prayed for him and whoever lived inside.
It seemed an eternity he was hidden from her sight. Sirens blared in the distance and two squad cars screeched to a halt in front of the residence. Lucas reappeared and she finally exhaled. At least he was all right. He spoke with the officers, and his grim expression did nothing to alleviate her anxiety. Something had happened inside.
She finally broke down and ordered iced tea as she waited for him to join her. One sip of the sweet beverage braced her, and she guzzled more of it down. He finally turned and came her way, and she started to stand but he waved for her to stay where she was.
He reached the table and sank into a chair beside her. “It’s bad, Carly, real bad. I found Anna Martin dead in the kitchen.”
Dead.Carly put her hand to her throat.
“Looked like she was shot by a .44 sometime late last night.The place is torn apart too. The intruder was looking for something. Very methodical and expert.”
“The Russians again?”
His hazel eyes met hers in an unflinching stare. “Maybe. Someone knew what they were doing. I’ll have to tell the detective here about the break-in at your house.”
He couldn’t be serious. She parted her lips but couldn’t speak at first. She swallowed and tried again. “Lucas, you’ll have to tell them about the egg.”
“I don’t think we have a choice, Carly. This has grown and someone innocent has died. I hate to break your trust, but if we kept this to ourselves, we would be hamstringing the investigation. What would be the first thing on your list to do if you knew this news would hit the papers?”
“I’d really need to get it verified.”
