Mine to Hold

Chapter 9

Emmerson slammed the driver’s door of his police car shut. He pinched the bridge of his nose. So much for being honest.

“You look like shit,” Miles said.

“I feel worse.”

“The case? Or problems in paradise?” Miles leaned against the hood of the police car. He was two years younger and looked more like their mother with his light hair, light-brown eyes, and thinner frame.

But he had their father’s contemplative demeanor.

Miles would have made for an excellent police officer and for years Emmerson tried to get him to join, but Miles wanted nothing to do with the so-called family business. He rebelled more than anyone else in the family against being a cop. Even more so than Rhett and Jameson. Or even Seth, who had followed in their father’s footsteps and became a lawyer.

In their mother’s eyes, that was as honorable as being a cop, except Seth sat on the opposite side of the law, defending criminals, which always made for interesting conversation at the dinner table.

When Rhett had decided to become a private investigator, even though he’d studied to become a police officer, their mother had flipped out. She struggled with the career mostly because private investigators got in her way. But she warmed to the idea when Rhett aided her in a few investigations, doing things she couldn’t do because the law had tied her hands.

Jameson was always given a pass in part because firefighting was a first responder job. But mostly because Jameson wasn’t her first husband’s biological child and their mother had so much guilt over that one it damn near ate her alive.

But Miles had chosen to become a mechanic and their mother had no idea what to do with that.

Of course, he worked part-time with Rhett, taking on some PI cases, but that wasn’t good enough for their mother.

“Both,” Emmerson admitted. Everyone in his family knew he’d spent the night with Rumor. There was no getting past that fact. His love life was none of their business, but because of recent events, it had become a family problem. He trusted his brothers and he needed their help more than he needed his badge.

“I take it you read through what Rhett and I found.”

“I skimmed through the important parts.”

“What are your thoughts?” Miles asked. “More importantly, do you believe Rumor has anything to do with this Tony guy or even Tom Hemming and his drug business?”

Emmerson scratched his scruffy face. He hated not shaving. He once tried to grow a beard and it lasted all of two days. Glancing at the sky, he stared at a big puffy white cloud as it passed over the sun, as if it held all the answers he needed. This was by far the toughest case he’d ever worked on in his entire career. Not only because it involved two murders of women he knew, but because it now appeared to involve another woman he’d grown to care for in a short period of time.

He’d always been the kind of man who fell hard and fast. Edwina had been his first love and he had loved her with all his heart. Her betrayal had nearly destroyed him as a man, and as a police officer. For years, he found himself questioning his ability to perform his job effectively.

And his love life?

Nonexistent.

But not for lack of trying.

Until Tessa.

He tried to take his time getting to know her, but his heart demanded more and he caved, even though his mind forced him to hold back. Maybe the failure of their relationship was on him, something he struggled to come to terms with, but if he were being honest, he’d loved her too.

And there were other women he’d loved. However, he could never fully allow himself to trust.

He wanted so desperately to believe Rumor was different. Special.

“Until I speak with her about it, I’m not making any judgments.” He shifted his gaze, catching his brother’s, daring him to pick a fight.

“You haven’t said anything to her about it?”

“Not about Tony or Tom. Only that I dug into her past. She did not respond well to that.”

“Would you?”

“I’m a cop. What’s to find in my past?”

Miles laughed. “Um, I could name a few things. Like when Mom busted you for streaking.”

“Don’t be an ass. You know what I mean,” Emmerson said. “I’ve always known Rumor was hiding something. She’s been moving from town to town for fifteen years. Who does that?” He held up his hand. “Either someone who is running from something. Or someone who is…” He let the words trail off. He couldn’t even say them out loud because he didn’t believe them. Not one little bit.

“Yeah.” Miles rested his hand on Emmerson’s shoulder. “Based on her past, what she went through, and her history of moving around, I’d say she’s hiding and running.”

Emmerson arched a brow. “You’re giving her the benefit of the doubt?” The sound of an engine pulling down the street caught his attention. He turned his head.

Rhett pulled into his driveway.

“I am. She left California when she was eighteen. When Rhett and I checked into drug running in the towns she’d lived in since then, we never found anything like this. No major drug running. Nothing associated with her name. The fact that Tony was released six months ago and is now missing and Tom is in Miami, makes both Rhett and I think either she has something on them or?—”

“They have something on her,” Emmerson said.

“That’s not what I was going to say.” Miles shook his head.

Rhett stepped from his SUV. “Why are we standing out here?”

“Because Emmerson here is letting his mind go to some deep and dark places,” Miles said.

“Of course he is.” Rhett gave Emmerson a good slap on the shoulder. “Let’s go find out what your girlfriend has to say.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Emmerson muttered.

“Yeah, right. And my wife’s not pregnant.” Rhett gave Emmerson a good shove. “Whatever the actual connection Rumor has with these men is, I doubt it’s as bad as that cop brain of yours is thinking.”

“I’m just tired of women lying to me.” He squared his shoulders and strolled toward the front door, unlocking it.

“You should change out of that uniform,” Rhett said. “You don’t want to intimidate the poor girl.”

“And don’t bring your gun,” Miles added. “We’ll see you poolside.”

Emmerson made his way to the master. He stared at the bed, which she’d made. He sighed as he shed his uniform and found a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Pulling out his cell, he texted Rumor, telling her that his brothers were there and to meet them by the pool.

She responded immediately.

Rumor: I’ll be out in a minute.

At least she wasn’t ignoring him.

When he stepped from the sliders, she had yet to come out from the pool house. He joined his brothers at the table, taking the beer they had pulled from the fridge.

“How do you want to handle this?” Rhett asked. “Do you want us to start with what we found?”

“No. It’s best if it comes from me.” He took a hearty swig and stared at the door.

Minutes ticked by before Rumor emerged wearing a pair of jean shorts, a tank top, and no shoes. She’d taken her hair out of her ponytail and it flowed over her shoulders. He much preferred that look.

Without saying a single word, she pulled out a chair and folded her arms across her chest.

Not a good sign.

Rhett offered her a beer.

She shook her head.

“Look. I get you’re mad,” Emmerson said.

“Mad is an understatement, but go ahead.”

Emmerson rubbed the side of his face, wishing he’d taken the time to shave. “I’ve got a real drug problem in this town right now and?—”

“And you think I have something to do with that?”

“No,” he said quickly, interrupting her because deep down he believed that. Needed to believe that. “But someone in your past?—”

“You only know things about my past because you went digging. You have serious trust issues,” she said.

“Are you going to keep interrupting me? Or are you going to let me speak?” He glared.

She waved her hands.

Thankfully, his brothers sat quietly, sipping their beers.

“Yes. I went digging. I’m a cop. I’m renting my pool house. I wanted to know who was going to be living in my backyard. Do I believe you’re involved with this person? No. But you were in the past and I need information on him and I want it now before my mother gets involved.”

“If you think this is uncomfortable,” Miles said. “Our mother will be worse.”

Emmerson rolled his neck. “You were in foster care with Tony Angelo. What can you tell me about him?”

“Not much,” Rumor said. “We lived under the same roof for a couple of years. He got into a lot of trouble and I did my best to stay clear of him and his buddies.” She crossed and recrossed her legs three times in those two sentences.

She wasn’t telling the whole story.

Fuck.

What the hell was she hiding and why?

“What kind of trouble?” Rhett asked.

“Drugs. Stealing. You name it, he was into it,” Rumor said. “But I haven’t seen or heard from him in years.” She held Emmerson’s gaze and didn’t blink once.

Truth.

Good.

“What about Tom Hemming?” Miles asked.

“I don’t recognize the name.” Rumor folded her hands in her lap and stared at them.

“You’ve never heard of him?” Miles asked.

“I can’t say that I have.” She didn’t look up.

Lie.

Fucking A.

Emmerson gulped his beer. He wanted to stand and pace, but he needed to continue to gauge her response. He needed to have cop instincts, even if killed him. This next round of questions was going to be one hell of a conversation and Rumor was either going to lie or get up and leave. Or worse, kick him under the table. “Your last known address in California matches?—”

“Emmerson? Rhett? Miles?” his mother’s voice boomed across the Florida air like nails on a chalkboard. “Are you back here? Is Rumor with you?”

“She’s fucking early,” Miles whispered.

“Her timing always sucks,” Emmerson said. “Yeah, Ma. We’re here.” He stood.

His mother came barreling around the corner and his heart dropped to his toes.

“Tessa? Johnny? What are you doing here?” Emmerson asked.

Tessa walked with a limp and her arm was in a sling. “Jesus, Tessa. What the hell happened?” He raced to her side. He might have personal issues with the woman, but he did have a heart.

“Hit and run,” his mother said. “It could have been a lot worse. Thank God, Old Man McCurdy was there to push her out of the way.”

Emmerson ran his hand up and down Tessa’s good arm. “I’m so sorry and I’m glad you’re okay.” He stretched out his arm and shook Johnny’s hand. The only beef he had with the man was that he slept with a married woman. “Did we get a plate? A description of the driver?”

“No plate,” his mother said. “We got a description of the car, the driver, and a passenger, but it doesn’t add up.”

“Why not?” Emmerson asked.

“The car is the same make, model, and color of Rumor’s vehicle,” his mother said.

“But I haven’t used my car all day.” Rumor jumped to her feet.

His mother raised her hand. “I know that, dear.”

“What else am I not going to like about this?” Emmerson clenched his fists.

“I’ll answer that,” Tessa said. “I want to state that when we called the police, I made it abundantly clear that I knew without a shadow of a doubt it was not Rumor driving that car, but someone trying to pose as her.”

Emmerson glanced over his shoulder.

Rumor stood there with her jaw tight and her eyes wide.

“Okay.” Emmerson shook out his hands. “Please fill me in because I feel like I’m missing part of this story.”

“When I left Safe Harbor Café with Stacey, we went down the street to Oscars and got a table outside. We watched you and Rumor get in your patrol car and drive off. I was so mad at you because you wouldn’t help me, and her for what she said to me, that I didn’t want to be out anymore. It was fifteen minutes later when I was hit. I knew it couldn’t have been her.” Tessa pointed. “Regardless of my feelings, I would never accuse anyone of wrongdoing. I’m not like that. Besides, the person driving the car was obviously wearing a wig.”

“Um, while appreciate the fact you’re defending me, how do you know that?” Rumor asked.

“I own a salon. I know these things and it was the worst wig I’ve ever seen,” Tessa said.

“What about the passenger?” Emmerson asked.

“That’s the worst part about this whole thing,” his mother said. “According to Tessa here, the man was wearing what appeared to be a Lighthouse Cove police uniform.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Emmerson said.

Rumor went to sit back in the chair but missed it altogether and fell backward into the pool.

Splash.

“Shit.” Emmerson raced to the side and dropped to his knees. He reached for Rumor, pulling her from the water. “Are you okay?”

“No,” she said.

He lifted her out of the water and into his arms, carrying her to a chair. “Someone get her a towel, please.”

Rhett jumped into action.

She wiped her wet hair from her face. “I think we need to talk about what I really know about Tony and Tom.”