28. Ozzie
CHAPTER 28
Ozzie
T he desk chair whined, creaking in protest as I leaned back and stretched. My neck and shoulders were stiff after being hunched over the computer screen for the last couple of hours.
They weren’t the only parts of my body feeling it, either. I pressed my fingertips to my eyes, hoping to drum up some moisture. Between filling out reports, running searches for my other cases, and the continued search for the logo from the Hammond case, my eyes felt like I’d rubbed them with sandpaper.
Mostly, I felt like a hamster spinning in its wheel.
It had been three days since I discovered the missing sweatshirt, and I still had no clue what the logo was or where the shirt went. Forensics didn’t have it. Riggs didn’t remember seeing it. Neither did Turner. Lynne Young, Claire’s stager, never went upstairs, so she didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.
The break I thought I’d gotten with this case had officially hit a dead end.
Heels clacking on the tile floor brought my attention back to my surroundings. I glanced out the door and spotted Riggs’s assistant, Nina, walking past. She stuttered to a halt and reversed direction, poking her head in my door.
“Why are you still here?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?” Lifting my wrist, I checked my watch. “It’s only just past five.”
“Right, but you were here well before me this morning. And every morning for the last several days.”
“Crimes don’t solve themselves.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Neither do detectives who can’t see the forest through the trees because they’re burned out.”
“I’m fine.” Molars clenched, I turned my attention to the computer screen and gave the mouse a shake to locate it.
She snorted. “That’s a load of hogwash. Why don’t you head out? Take that pretty girlfriend of yours out to dinner. She could probably use the distraction as much as you. Poor thing. What happened to her office is just terrible.”
My body stirred at the mention of Claire. I’d spent every night at her place since Sunday. Work wasn’t the only reason I was sleep-deprived.
I spared Nina a quick look. “She has to work late.” Which was true. She and her staff had rescheduled appointments and showings, extending their hours to keep from losing too much ground. None of them got paid if the business didn’t sell properties.
“So get it to go and surprise her with it when she’s done.”
Giving her another look through my lashes, I tried not to look too intrigued. That wasn’t a bad idea. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”
She grinned. “You’re a quick study, Detective Quartermaine. Maybe put those brains to good use and lock down your girl? Claire Holmes is quite the catch.” Tapping a hand on the doorframe, she quickly left.
I puffed out my cheeks and leaned forward. The chair creaked again with my weight, but I ignored it and went back to scrolling through the image search I’d run on the logo.
Was she right? Not about Claire being a catch. That I knew. Claire was classy, highly intelligent, beautiful, and successful. Of course she was a catch.
But was Nina right about the need to “woo” her?
It probably wouldn’t hurt. It can’t always be about sex.
I pressed my mouth into a thin line as the thought floated through my mind. That made sense. In fact, we’d probably done things the wrong way around.
I drummed my fingers on the desk, staring blankly at the computer screen. I definitely didn’t want things to be a flash in the pan with Claire. When I moved here, it wasn’t my intention to get into a relationship so quickly. But now that she was in my life, I didn’t want her to walk away. Chemistry would only carry us so far.
Before I could second-guess myself, I shut my computer down and pushed away from the desk. I’d get another batch of crab legs, and this time we’d eat them hot.
Stepping out of the station, I stuffed my hands in my pockets, hunching my shoulders and tucking my head. The wind had a bite to it again, and the sky had that same leaden appearance from the other night when we got several inches of snow.
My phone buzzed in my pocket against my hand as I made my way across the parking lot to my truck. I hurried to my vehicle and hopped inside before taking it out to look at it. Ellis’s name lit up on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Hey, you up for a beer?”
I put my foot on the brake and started the car. Cold air blasted from the vents and the infotainment system picked up the call audio. “Can’t. I have plans.”
Ellis’s snort filled the truck cab. “Let me guess—work?”
“No.”
A beat of silence passed, then, “No way! You snagged the realtor, didn’t you?”
My lips flattened, not liking his wording. “We’re dating, yes.”
“I thought she was off-limits because of your case. What happened to that? Did you solve it?”
“No, it’s still ongoing and as frustrating as ever. Riggs just rearranged some aspects of it. Any formal contact about the case with her is going through him, and he made himself primary.”
“And you don’t mind that?” Ellis’s tone held a note of disbelief.
“I would, normally, you’re right, but he made a good point. We’re not exactly in a bustling metropolis, so chances at love and happiness don’t come along every day. I decided he was right.”
“Wait, love? You barely know this woman.”
“I know.” I rested my wrist over the steering wheel. “And I didn’t say I was there yet. But I can see myself getting to that point. Claire is amazing. Sometimes, the right one just comes along, you know?”
“Or the one you think is the right one.” Bitterness filled my brother’s voice. A pang of sorrow went through me. I hoped one day he could get past his ex-wife’s betrayal and find someone to banish the darkness from his heart.
“Don’t know if you don’t try,” I responded. “Anyway, I’m getting ready to go pick up dinner for us.” Indecision had me shifting in my seat. Ellis had called to hang out, which meant he was in the mood for company, and I felt bad for turning him down. I’d moved here to be closer to him. Not to find myself a woman and push him aside for her. “Would you like to join us? We’re having crab from Kellerman’s.”
Ellis laughed. “Are you serious? What woman wants her date to bring his brother?”
“She’s not exactly expecting me, so…”
“Even more reason for me to stay behind. Unannounced visits have a different expectation.”
It was my turn to snort. “It’s not like I haven’t stayed every night for the last several. I probably will tonight too. She won’t mind if you come eat with us.” He was starting to piss me off. Claire wasn’t the kind of woman to care if I occasionally invited my brother over for dinner. If she was, well, then I needed to rethink moving forward with this relationship. Ellis was part of my life. A big part.
I started the car and made the decision for him. “I’m buying extra. Get your ass to her house in thirty minutes.”
“Oz—”
I interrupted him and rattled off her address, then hung up. He might show up. He might not. If he didn’t, well, I guess we’d have cold crab for lunch tomorrow.
Twenty-five minutes later, I had a sack full of crab and was on my way to Claire’s.
The first flurries started to fall as I turned onto her street. Ellis’s truck was nowhere to be seen. I tried not to let disappointment take hold. I wanted him and Claire to get to know each other. Any relationship I had with a woman would need to include him.
Parking in the drive, I had a thought. It could be that Ellis wasn’t ready for the change.
With that in mind, I got out, snagging the bag of food. I wouldn’t push him. Eventually, I had faith, he’d come around.
My truck beeped as I locked the doors. Anticipation built in my veins as I faced the house and took my first steps toward it. Warm light glowed from the front windows.
She was in there. Probably cross-legged on the couch, head bent as she typed away on her computer. Yesterday, she told me she was determined to be caught up by the end of the week. I didn’t doubt she would be. The majority of her business documents were stored online, so it was mostly a matter of restoring systems and reprinting things they needed hard copies of, as well as scanning client documents, like statements that hadn’t been digitized yet, that were lost in the fire.
But she also needed to take care of herself and eat. That’s why I was here. To make her take a break.
The sound of an engine drew my attention away from the house. I glanced back to see a black truck slow and pull up to the curb.
Ellis.
A genuine smile lit my face.
The truck shut off and he got out.
“Couldn’t pass up crab after all, huh?”
He waved a hand, coming up the drive. “Not from Kellerman’s.” Passing me, he continued toward the door. “Let’s eat.”
Chuckling, I followed him. As I raised my fist to knock, I heard Pebbles sound the alarm inside.
Ellis chuckled. “Who needs an alarm system with that around?”
I grinned. “She’s effective, that’s for sure.” And probably why someone tried to take her out of the equation.
Thirty seconds later, the door swung inward. Pebbles barked from between Claire’s feet, her little tail alternating between wagging when she looked at me and going rigid when she spotted Ellis.
Claire gave us a confused smile. “Hi. What are you two doing here?”
I raised the bag of crab. “Dinner.”
“Oh.” She looked over her shoulder, then back to us. “I have a lot of work?—”
“You can take a break for food. The work will be there when you’re done, and I promise to leave after we eat if that’s what you want. Ellis wanted to go for beers, but I convinced him to come here instead. He and I can go do that after dinner.”
Her mouth pulled to one side, but she soon stepped aside and let us in. “I suppose a quick break won’t hurt.”
“You can tell him to shove off,” Ellis said as he stepped inside. “It might be good for his ego.” Grinning, he cast a quick look at me.
Claire chuckled, sparing us a glance. When her back was turned, I flipped my brother the bird. His grin only widened.
“I was sorry to hear about your office. Oz said one of your employees was there and suffered some smoke inhalation. I hope she’s all right.”
“She’s doing well. Back to limited duties. Emails and such. The doctor told her to take it easy for a week or so. Talking still irritates her throat. Makes her cough.” Claire led us to the kitchen. Pebbles trotted along, her nails tapping on the wooden floor.
I set the bag on the counter, then bent to scratch her head in greeting.
Claire took several plates from the cabinet and some utensils from a drawer, and we divvied up the food. While she retrieved cans of soda from the fridge, I carried her plate and mine to the table.
“So, tell me more about yourself, Ellis,” Claire said, settling into her seat. “Ozzie’s mentioned some, but we actually haven’t talked too much about our families.”
My brother sent me a quick, sly look before he offered Claire a polite smile. “Not much to tell. I’m older and wiser?—”
I snorted and picked up a crab leg. “In your dreams.”
He narrowed his eyes in a mock glare. “Anyway, he’s probably told you I’m in the Coast Guard. My enlistment ends in just a couple of weeks, and I’ve decided not to re-up. Gonna try my hand at commercial fishing.”
Claire cracked open a leg and dipped it in the buttery sauce that came with the meal. “Why fishing? And why are you leaving the Coast Guard? You’re only a few years away from being able to receive retirement, aren’t you?”
“Yes and no. I get some retirement no matter when I separate, but it would be higher if I stayed another four years.” He shook his head. “I just can’t, though. It’s all just become… ridiculous.”
At the tweak of Claire’s brows with an unspoken question, he elaborated slightly.
“Things have changed. It’s not the same Coast Guard I signed up to. Plus, this fishing opportunity sort of fell into my lap. I took it as a sign.”
“Fair enough,” she said.
“I’m still in the market for a house too. I haven’t forgotten. But it can wait until you’re less stressed. My lease isn’t up until September.” A wicked smile formed on his face as he cracked a leg open. “I can always move in with Ozzie if necessary.”
“Again, in your dreams.” I would happily open my home to him, but no point in not giving him grief first.
“Oh, come on, Oz. You’d let your own brother go homeless?”
I rolled my eyes, a smile toying with my mouth. “You can put your stuff in storage. Most of the time you’ll be on your boat, anyway.”
Claire’s mouth tipped up on one side as amusement danced in her pretty eyes. “In any case, I can probably put a list of properties together next week. We’ll find you something so you don’t have to rely on Ozzie to have a change of heart.” She grinned at me, softening her words.
“That sounds good. I’ll give you the skinny on this one, too, while we’re out.” He tipped his head toward me.
“Hey, no gossiping,” I said.
Claire grinned, ignoring me. “That sounds good.”
Maybe it wasn’t such a great idea for Claire and Ellis to become friends. I hadn’t considered that they might team up against me.
The rest of our meal passed in much a similar fashion. We discussed Claire’s family, talked about how the weather would start to change soon and the status of her insurance claim. I was hopeful it would move quickly, but I knew she’d still be working out of her home office and then a temporary office for quite some time.
True to our word, Ellis and I helped Claire clean up, then headed for the door so she could finish working.
She stopped me a few feet from the door with a hand on my sleeve. “You’ll come back later?”
A lick of heat lit in my belly. “If you want, sure.”
An answering fire ignited in her gaze. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, slowly letting it loose. “Oh, I definitely want.”
Ellis groaned and continued toward the door. “Just kiss her already so we can go.”
I chuckled. “Ignore him. He’s just jealous.”
With a soft giggle, she looped her arms around my neck. “I know.”
The kiss was brief, but still enough to curl my toes and make me wish I hadn’t invited my brother to tag along.
“I’m going to leave my truck in your driveway. Ellis can drive.”
“That was not part of this deal,” Ellis said.
“Your idea, you drive.” I leaned down and scooped Pebbles off the floor, handing her to Claire so she wouldn’t dart out when we left.
“Food was your idea. We’d have met at the bar if we didn’t come here first.”
“And you still would have had to drive,” I countered.
He blinked. “Fair point. Okay. Let’s go.” He looked past me and smiled. “Claire, thank you for the lovely conversation.”
“You’re welcome. We’ll have to do it again soon. You two are entertaining.” She grinned.
Feeling lighthearted and happy, I moved toward the door. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Lock up behind us?”
She nodded, coming forward. “I’ve got my guard dog too. Even sleep doesn’t completely turn her off,” she said with a chuckle.
Ellis opened the door and stepped out. “She needs a friend. One with bigger teeth.”
I wholly agreed, but doubted Claire would go for it. And I would say I’d get one that would eventually—hopefully—end up living in the same house, but I didn’t have time for a dog. I worked long, odd hours, so?—
“Hey!”
Ellis’s shout stopped my musings. I zeroed in on his tone, realizing in an instant he wasn’t talking to either of us. His attention was on the side of the house, beyond my truck.
“You’re on private property, pal.”
Ellis moved to the side, heading for the driveway, giving me a clear view of what he saw.
In the side yard, a male figure backed toward the neighbor’s drive.
I spared a quick glance at Claire. “Stay inside. Lock the door.”
She backed up and shut the door without a word. As I moved away and toward Ellis and the man in the snow-covered grass, I heard the lock click.
“State police,” I said, getting closer. I wasn’t sure if it was the same person I chased off last week, but the falling snow made everything a bit fuzzy. “Sir, can we?—”
The man took off.
Cursing, I broke into a run. So did Ellis.
“Hey! Stop!” Snow muffled my footfalls as I dashed through the grass.
Suddenly, the man turned right, running between two houses.
“Ellis! Go!” I pointed to the right as we passed the neighbor’s.
Understanding my plan, he took off down the side yard. I needed eyes on him to make sure he didn’t cross to the beach and hide amongst the rocks, but I didn’t want him to cut back this way and lose him, either.
I ran up to the corner and turned, yelling before I passed the house, hoping I had made better time without the obstacle of fences, bushes, and random yard ornaments. “Ellis!”
“Here!” He yelled from my right.
I burst past the house, and with only seconds to react, I tackled a man to the ground. Snow sprayed up around us, landing down the collar of my coat. I ignored the chill and rolled the man to his stomach, keeping hold of one arm and bending it back so his fingers were near his shoulder blades.
Ellis reached us and dropped to his knees beside me. “You good?”
I nodded, keeping my attention on the man we caught. “Why were you lurking outside the house?”
The man groaned. “Let me up. This snow is cold.”
He turned his head, and I got my first look at his face in the dim glow of the corner streetlight.
I frowned, my eyes narrowing as recognition niggled my mind.
“Warren?”