Protecting the Single Mom Page 11

  Trent carried his M4A1 carbine and took point. Silently, they entered the building. He heard the guards’ laughter coming from the front rooms. Trent remained at the door to the prisoner’s room while his three men went inside. In seconds, Parker came out with the middle-aged man. The two other men in the team followed as Trent walked backward down the hall, his M4A1 aimed at the front of the building.

  Just as they raced out the door and down the alley to meet their helicopter, Trent received word that the Apache was having engine trouble. The pilot gave Trent new coordinates.

  Trent slapped Parker on the shoulder and signaled that everyone was to follow him. Crouching, they shuffled quickly down the alley to a street. They crossed and headed west.

  This street was broader with bombed-out buildings on both sides of them.

  Trent heard the chopper; he pointed upward.

  The chopper hovered. Parker remained next to a building, watching the alley for signs of approaching enemy.

  Trent ordered the two men to get the hostage hooked up to the guide wire.

  He watched as the first three were pulled off the ground like angels ascending. Trent turned and signaled to Parker to follow.

  Parker raced toward him. And stepped on the IED. He was only a few feet away from Trent. The blast sent Trent flying, and he landed on his backside, covered in his best friend’s blood. There were body parts everywhere, smoke. Blood. Death.

  Trent reached for Parker and opened his mouth to call to him. He heard his radio. The pilot ordered him to board. The guide wire dangled from the chopper.

  Trent scrambled to his feet. Training took over. He did as he was told.

  He didn’t remember boarding the chopper or what was said to him. He could only stare at the blood-soaked ground.

  Trent woke from the dream and realized he’d been screaming Parker’s name.

  His hands had a death grip around the steering wheel. He was covered in sweat. He pulled himself up and looked down. Somehow he’d bent the gearshift so badly, the car was inoperable.

  Something else that will come out of my paycheck.

  He had no idea how he’d explain this one.

  What he did know was that his memories were as vivid and as painful as the night Parker died. A wave of anger and sadness washed over Trent as if it would take him away in its undertow.

  Half the battles in the Middle East hadn’t been as all-consuming as these psychological wars he still waged. There had to be some way to fill the emptiness inside him.

  His only hope was that some psychologist would figure out how to rewire his brain and make the past disappear.

  Trent wiped the sweat from his forehead. His hand was trembling. He took deep breaths and blew them out as he’d been taught by therapists and psychologists. He felt his body ease. He was returning to normal.

  He grabbed his cell phone and got out of the car, locked it. The walk to the station would do him good. He needed to clear his mind.

  If only that was possible.

  Standing under the streetlight on the corner of Washington and Maple Boulevard, he punched in his passcode. He saw he had a voice mail from Cate. It had come in while he’d been asleep.

  His first thought was that something had happened. Had Le Grande come to call on her again? Or was Danny in danger?

  “Hi. I wanted to thank you for...well...for being there. For Danny and me, I mean. I was wondering if you’d like to come to dinner sometime. Gimme a call.”

  She had stumbled on her words. Oddly, she’d called late at night. Maybe she couldn’t sleep. Apparently, she was thinking about him.

  Trent felt a warm glow catch fire inside him. He remembered much too quickly how good it felt to hold Cate. She hadn’t resisted his need to care for her. That was important to him. He liked feeling needed.

  He continued walking toward the police station. He walked past Danny’s school—St. Mark’s. Trent wondered if Danny was sleeping well tonight. Or was he tormented by night terrors about the stalker in their backyard?

  It wasn’t right that a little kid like Danny should live in fear. Or sweet Cate. There were a lot of things about this world that weren’t right. But Trent couldn’t fix the world.

  Cate and Danny?

  He might be able to fix their world.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  EVERYONE WAS TALKING at once. Cate couldn’t follow a single conversation. At high noon and without a cloud in the sky, the sun warmed her back through the gold maple leaves at the deli’s street-side café table. Sophie, Katia McCreary—a newlywed who worked with Jack, Sophie’s fiancé—and Sarah were discussing floral arrangements for Sophie’s upcoming wedding. Mrs. Beabots, who sat next to Cate, was huddled with Gina, Julia and Olivia looking at invitation samples for Olivia’s wedding to Rafe in February.

  Cate’s mind wasn’t on weddings, it was on Trent. She sipped her raspberry tea.

  I must have been out of my mind to call him last night. And I asked him to dinner!

  Of course she was crazy. Who wouldn’t be with a stalker ex-husband who was also a criminal wanted by the police—in two states. Last night Cate had tossed, turned, paced and nearly pulled out her suitcases to pack. Knowing Trent was a phone call away had stopped her from running.

  She didn’t know what it was about him, but simply hearing his voice had put her at ease. When she’d started to leave the message, she’d glanced at the clock and realized it was in the middle of the night. She’d been so confused and upset, she hadn’t paid any attention to the time. Once the call had gone through, it would log the hour automatically. She’d heard the beep, and then she bumbled her way through. The dinner invitation just came out.

  The truth was, she did want to see him, and that fact was nearly as upsetting as another visit from Brad.

  For so long Cate had kept her heart unplugged. No energy, no force had fed it until Trent had put his arms around her and soothed her. Once in the circle of his arms, she couldn’t get him out of her head. But that was what she had to do. Wasn’t it?

  “Cate, what do you think?” Sophie touched her arm.

  “What?” Cate looked into Sophie’s brown eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Are you okay, sweetie?” Mrs. Beabots asked. “Something is bothering you. I can tell.”

  Cate put on her real-estate agent smile and forced her eyes to be merry. She was a salesperson after all. “I’m fine. I’ve got a big deal I’m working on, and I was thinking about how to handle it. That’s all.”

  “Really?” Katia’s green eyes grew wide with curiosity. Katia was without a doubt the most beautiful woman Cate had ever seen. Her glorious auburn hair spilled down the back of her cashmere sweater. “Is it somebody’s house we know? Are you the listing or buyer’s agent?” Katia drew a long sip of tea through her straw.

  Cate couldn’t help noticing Katia’s beautiful new wedding rings. The diamonds glittered in the sunlight. Austin McCreary was the wealthiest man in town, and he didn’t spare a dime on his new bride. From what Cate understood, they’d been in love since Katia was sixteen and had been separated by circumstances—family disapproval, since Katia was the housekeeper’s daughter—for over ten years before being reunited.

  Cate seldom took note of any of her friends’ apparel or jewelry. Her life was one of buying only what was necessary and every extra dollar went toward saving for a better house. A safer house. Until now.

  Suddenly, no place was safe for her. Even now, Brad could be across the street watching her. Sooner or later he would make a move. That she knew.

  She also knew him well enough to know that he liked playing games. Cat and mouse was a favorite. His abusive nature preened and thrilled over watching her squirm. He was planning something. She was sure of it.

  “Katia, you know I wouldn’t disclose private information
like that.”

  “Aw, c’mon. Give us a clue.” Katia leaned forward. “The Appletons’ house next to ours just went on the market. Is it that one?”

  Cate smiled. “No, Katia. And I can’t tell you how much I wish I’d gotten that listing.”

  Katia let out a deep sigh. “I know. I gave her your card as soon as Austin heard about them moving to California. If it makes you feel any better, he said that house will sit on the market for a long time. It needs a lot of repairs and updating, and they weren’t willing to do it. They just wanted to leave.”

  I know that feeling.

  Cate nodded. “He’s probably right. The only way to move it quickly is to drop the price.”

  Mrs. Beabots speared a forkful of salad. “I think they’ll come back,” she said blithely, and gave Cate a knowing wink.

  “You know something,” Cate said.

  “I might.”

  Every woman at the table turned her eyes to Mrs. Beabots. “Tell us.”

  “Yes. Spill,” Sarah urged.

  “Gretchen Appleton told me at the grocery store. She said they’ll stay in California if they get the price they want for this house. Things out there are very expensive. But the weather is nice. If Austin is right about the repairs, the house may not sell, and they’ll come back. Personally, I think they’re bored. I told her to book a cruise or two every winter and stay in Indian Lake.”

  “Good advice,” Katia said.

  Mrs. Beabots looked at Cate. “If you could sell the Appleton house to someone who was handy, say, like Luke, you’d make a good commission, wouldn’t you?”

  “I sure would,” Cate agreed, and picked up her sandwich. “I could use it.”

  Why did it always seem like everything in her life came down to money? If she had more of it, she could easily pack up and move away. She and Danny could disappear. Live well in Florida or Arizona for that matter. Money gave her vanishing power.

  If. If. If.

  Her head pounded with another dozen thoughts and complications that sprang up.

  As she looked around the table, she wondered what they all would think if they knew the truth about her. Would they still support her? Be willing to refer her like Katia had?

  “Sophie, dear,” Mrs. Beabots said. “Did you ask Sarah about using Luke’s truck?”

  Sarah turned to Sophie. “What about Luke’s truck?”

  “I’m moving out of Mrs. Beabots’s apartment day after tomorrow. I wondered if I could borrow his truck.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine, but I’ll ask him after lunch. We can help you get your things packed if you want.”

  The conversation buzzed around Cate, but she wasn’t following any of it. Then she heard her name. She was being addressed again. She smiled, but she didn’t know who was talking to her. Her mind was a maze, and she was getting lost. Maybe she’d finally gone over the edge.

  Mrs. Beabots put her hand on Cate’s shoulder and whispered, “Cate, dear. You’re not yourself at all. Would you like to come over after lunch and talk?”

  “I’m okay.” She pressed her fingertips to her temple. “A headache coming on, I think.”

  “Oh, that’s not good.” Mrs. Beabots dropped her hand. “But you know my door is always open.”

  Cate leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I do. Thank you.”

  Mrs. Beabots picked up her glass of lemonade. “I think we should toast the two brides-to-be.”

  “Cheers!” they all said, and clinked glasses.

  They finished their lunch, and as Sarah and Katia helped Olivia clear the table and take the dishes inside, Sophie hugged everyone goodbye and jogged to the hospital for an afternoon surgery.

  Mrs. Beabots buttoned her blazer and looked at Cate. “I’m very happy for Sophie and Jack, you know. But it seems like I barely get used to having one of the girls in the house and suddenly they’re getting married and moving away. The house will be empty again. At my age, you’d think I’d be used to these bittersweet times, but I’m not.” She looked at Cate with sad blue eyes.

  Cate put her arms around Mrs. Beabots. “Don’t you worry. I’ll find a tenant for you.”

  “Would you do that?”

  “Sure. No fees, either.”

  Mrs. Beabots brightened instantly. “What a lovely idea. I’d forgotten you handle rentals as well.” She picked up her vintage Louis Vuitton purse. The brass lock and key dangled from the edge of the leather handles. “You take care, Cate. And bring Danny around soon.”

  “I will. I promise,” Cate said.

  Sarah, Gina and Katia came out of the deli and said their goodbyes. “I’m getting a turkey sandwich for Danny,” Cate said.

  Sarah hugged Cate. “Julia made her brownies. I bet Danny would like one of those, too. I have to run. See you soon.”

  “Bye.” Cate waved to them.

  She swallowed a lump in her throat. These women were her friends. Real friends. They helped each other; supported each other through trials and crises. And celebrated joys together. The capacity of their ever-expanding hearts was astounding to Cate.

  All those years ago, they’d taken her in and hadn’t asked questions. They respected Captain Red and Julie, and when they vouched for Cate, that was all that was necessary. The rest had been up to Cate.

  Something told her that if she ran, she’d never find this kind of home again.

  Yet, she had to find a way to keep Danny safe from Brad.

  Cate was out of ideas. The only person in her life who knew the truth was Trent. He was her only hope.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “STAKEOUT? YOU? I hate stakeouts,” Richard said to Trent on the phone.

  “So do I,” Trent replied, looking at the repair bill he’d be paying when he picked up his car.

  “Listen, Trent. I’ve got a report on my desk that says Le Grande was spotted coming out of the John Hancock Building yesterday morning. I have another report that his car, a 2015 Cadillac CTS known to be his personal vehicle, was parked at a garage at Randolf Street for two hours last night.

  “We’ve also got a license plate on this Ford van. Turns out the van is hot.”

  “No surprise there.” Trent tossed his pen on the desk.

  “The guy is as slippery as an eel. My team went into the Hancock and arrested a couple of his dealers. For the most part, these idiots have superglued their lips. But we nabbed one punk this morning. He’s in the interrogation room now. No one has stepped up to bail him out, either.”

  “An independent?”

  “That’s my guess. He’s trying to get into the gang. But he did say one thing that was very interesting.”

  “What’s that?” Trent asked, taking his long legs off his desk. Richard never said interesting to anything unless it was big.

  “He said that Le Grande had told him that if he crossed Le Grande, he personally would go after his family and kill every last one of them.”

  “He said that?”

  “It’s in the report. That’s why we’re keeping him in custody.”

  “That paints a different picture,” Trent mused uneasily. “Drug dealing is one thing, but murder? That’s another.”

  “I’ve said all along that Le Grande is a real scumbag. We believe he sees himself as a real mafioso type of leader. He’s got connections to smuggle half a million bucks’ worth of heroin into the region. You can bet he’s going to make sure he sells every bit of it. Your raid has to have made him very, very angry.”

  “And when murderous men get desperate...”

  “They get even,” Richard finished. “If I were you, buddy, I’d watch my back. If Le Grande is in the city today, that doesn’t mean he’s not headed your way tonight. Know what I mean?”

  “I do,” Trent replied, his mouth going dry.
/>   “Like I said. Watch your backside.”

  “Will do. Thanks.” Trent hung up.

  He looked at his watch. Nearly one thirty. His car should be finished by three. In the meantime, he was starving. He took his cell phone from his jacket pocket and listened to Cate’s voice mail once again.

  He liked listening to her voice. He’d gotten her cell number from one of the many flyers she’d posted about town. He sent her a text message.

  I need to see you. When would be convenient?

  That was professional and hopefully wouldn’t cause her stress. Once he told her this new information about Le Grande, she’d be more than stressed—she’d be alarmed.

  He rose and went to Ned Quigley. “I’m going out for a sandwich. I’ll be on my cell.”

  “Sure, Trent.” Ned gave him a quirky grin. “Gonna pick up your car, too?” Ned burst into laughter.

  “Funny,” Trent replied, shoved his hands in his pants pockets and left.

  * * *

  CATE HAD LEFT her friends and gone into the deli to get Danny the sandwich she’d promised him. She went up to the counter. Olivia and Julia were busy filling orders. Most of the lunch crowd had left, but there were still a few stragglers.

  “Olivia, could you wrap up a brownie for Danny?”

  “Sure, Cate,” Olivia replied.

  “And I’ll have a tuna on whole grain,” a familiar male voice said from behind Cate.

  She spun around. “Trent.”

  “Hi.” He smiled.

  Cate felt her heart trip. Maybe from too much caffeine. No. That couldn’t be right. Olivia’s raspberry tea was decaf. It was the nearness of Trent that made her smile.

  Olivia came up to the counter. “You want the usual guacamole spread, Trent?”

  “Yes, please,” he said. “Chips and fruit on the side today.”

  “Do you eat here often?” Cate asked, making small talk.

  He shook his head. “I get it to go. Always working. But it’s such a nice day I figured I’d walk from the station. Before we know it, winter will be here.”