7. Reath
7
REATH
C arrying Frankie’s shopping bags, I watched as she unlocked the door to the cute, small house near Audubon Park. I’d rescued as many vegetables as I could.
“Just put those on the kitchen counter,” she said.
The house wasn’t big. The downstairs had a renovated kitchen and living area with a fireplace, and polished, blonde-wood floors. I set the bags down on the marble countertop in the kitchen. A staircase led up to what I guessed was probably two bedrooms and a bathroom.
“I was so lucky to find this place,” Frankie said. “It’s close to the park and shops, and not far from the university. And it was furnished. Although I do need to finish unpacking.”
There were several boxes stacked against one wall. I eyed her. She was talking a little fast, but she seemed to have shaken off the attack. Her dark hair was mussed and her cheeks a little pale. I could tell she was putting on a brave face.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.” She threaded her fingers together. “I can’t believe that guy was so brazen. I’m so glad you arrived.” Her brow creased. “How did you arrive just in time?”
“I was coming to see you.” I cleared my throat. “To check your home security. Then, as I was driving past, I saw you struggling with that guy on the sidewalk.”
“Oh. How did you know where I live?”
I cocked a brow. “I work in security, remember? So…the guy wanted your handbag?”
Her frown deepened, and she sat on the beige sofa. “No, he didn’t.”
Now I frowned and sat across from her in an armchair. “What did he say?”
“Not much. But he did say, ‘you’re coming with me.’”
I stiffened. “He knew you?”
“I don’t know, Reath.” She scraped a hand through her hair. “He didn’t say my name.”
“You didn’t recognize him?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never seen him before in my life. He was…average. White, brown hair, average face.”
Nothing distinctive. That would make it hard for me to track him down.
“Wait.” Her head lifted. “He had an accent. But I’m not sure from where.”
Dammit . “Okay. I’ll look into it.”
“Thanks.” She tilted her head and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “It wasn’t just a mugging, was it?”
“I don’t think so.” No, my damn instincts were pinging. There was something else going on here. I needed to get a message to Jack and find out what he was working on. And if there was anyone out to get him. I was careful to keep my thoughts off my face. I was good at it, and regularly beat my brothers at poker, thanks to it.
Frankie studied me for a second. “You think this could have something to do with Jack’s work.”
I hid a jolt. No one read me. Ever. But apparently, Frankie could.
I had the uncomfortable feeling that Frankie Parker saw more than I wanted.
“Maybe. Or maybe New Orleans just has a bad crime rate.”
“Well, thanks for the rescue, Reath.”
I glanced around. “Does this place have a security system?”
Her nose wrinkled. “No.”
“I’ll install one.”
She huffed. “Reath—”
I liked the way she said my name. Especially when she was pissy.
Damn, what was wrong with me?
I rose. “It’s what I do, Frankie. PSS can have it installed quickly.”
“Fine.” She rose as well. “Thanks, again. I’d better get those groceries put away and start dinner.”
A part of me didn’t want to leave. “If anything worries you, call me.”
“Okay.”
With a nod, I headed for the front door.
In my kitchen, I stood with a steak on the griddle pan, rice in the rice cooker, and green beans sautéing.
The lights of the city twinkled outside the wall of windows. I wondered what Frankie was doing.
Stop thinking about her.
I plated up my steak and the rest of the food, then sat at the end of my dining table. She’d be fine. She’d pulled herself together after the attack. She was strong.
And I’d have my team over there tomorrow to install a security system.
As I ate, I kept thinking about her.
I was halfway through my steak when I set my utensils down. Gritting my teeth, I grabbed my cellphone and walked to the windows. I touched the number.
“Hello?” Frankie’s voice.
“You doing okay?”
There was a pause. “Yes, Dad. I ate dinner. I locked the doors.”
Her sass had returned.
“I’m all right, Reath. I had a long chat with my mom.”
I didn’t say anything.
“God, you’re just like Jack. He doesn’t say a word, and I feel the need to spill my guts.” I heard a sound, the slap of the cushion. I imagined her curled up on her couch. “I’m a little shaken, but I’m not letting that asshole get the better of me.”
I smiled at her tone. “Good.”
“I’ve checked the locks like five times.”
My smile evaporated. I didn’t like the idea of her feeling afraid in her own home.
“But it’ll pass. And I still have my field hockey stick. I’m going to take it to bed with me.”
“You played hockey?”
“Yes. I wanted to play ice hockey, but my mom said no. We couldn’t afford it. I played field hockey in high school.” She paused. “I bet you played football.”
“No. I moved around too much. Makes it hard to train when you start at a new school too often.”
“I’m sorry. Jack told me you were in foster care.”
“Yeah.” I wandered over to my own black leather couch and sat. I rarely talked about my childhood with anyone.
“You met your brothers in foster care?” she asked.
“Yes. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. And then joining the military and meeting Jack was important too.”
“He talked about you all the time. I was kind of jealous of you when I was young. I know how close you and Jack are.”
“I don’t get to see him as much as I’d like these days.”
She made a sound. “I’ve never gotten to see him as much as I’d like. I wish Jack would stop flying off to who knows where and doing dangerous things. He pushes himself. Just like our father did.”
“I’ve tried. I’ve offered him a job at PSS.”
“Thank you.” Her tone was warm. “I worry about him.”
“He can look after himself, Frankie. He saved my ass more than a few times.”
“And I’m sure you’ve returned the favor. I think he’s envious of the life you have here with your brothers. Jack feels like he needs to prove himself. Our dad’s to blame for that. He was always teasing Jack about being too soft. Not good enough on the football field, too quiet, too weak. Our father wasn’t a bad guy, but he was a tough cop who lived and breathed his job. Jack idolized him, and it shattered him when our dad died.”
The conversation was getting a little deep and dark. “I promise Jack will be all right. I’ll talk to him next time he’s in town.” I decided to change the subject. “Your lab all set up?”
“Yes.” Excitement filled her voice. “I can’t wait to get to work on my project.”
“What is your project?”
“I’m using bacteria to generate medicine. It has the possibility to impact healthcare in so many ways.”
“Sounds useful.”
She laughed. “You sound like you’re bored, and you’re hoping I don’t go into too much detail. I do tend to go on about it.”
“Never apologize for being passionate about something, Frankie.” I paused. “I should let you go.”
“Okay. Thanks for checking in.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d appreciate it.”
“You’re not the kind of man to let that put you off. I doubt you let anything put you off when you want something. Good night, Reath.”
“Good night, Frankie.”