Chapter Twenty-Three
Emerson
I finished my coffee and watched Dominic gaze into his empty mug. It was the day he was supposed to get the assignment from his father, and I couldn’t imagine the pressure he was under.
“Hey, Dom?”
He blinked and met my eyes. The sadness in them hurt my heart. “What?”
“Nothing. Just, Dom.” I reached out, and he took my hand. “You can still walk away from it. We can leave and go somewhere no one knows us.”
Anger flooded his face. “I want your father’s name cleared.
And I will not let that bastard run my life and ruin yours.
If I do that, he’ll win, and we’ll never be free of him.
He continues to put every other cop in jeopardy, not to mention the innocent people, by allowing in the drugs he’s supposed to be cleaning up.
The garbage he allows in is probably sold to kids. ”
God, he was so fucking hot. “You’re right.”
He played with my fingers. “I’m so sorry I laid all this on your doorstep. It can’t be easy for you. All these secrets you’re keeping. Jet must be wondering what the hell is going on.”
I couldn’t deny it. “Yeah, he’s a little confused. Since he’s figured it’s you I’m with, with all this suspicion you’re under, he’s worried for me.”
He sighed. “If you want to tell him about us, I’m cool with it. This should be finished soon enough, and then we can hopefully return to normal. I’m sure he hates me now, though.”
I shrugged. “He’s not your biggest fan, but that’ll change once the truth comes out.
” Breakfast finished, I rinsed our plates and went to get dressed.
When I came out, Dominic was still sitting.
Staring at nothing. I slid my arms around him from behind.
“I’ve got to get going. I love you, and it’s going to work out. I believe it, and you have to as well.”
“I don’t know what to think anymore. But thanks. Better get going so you won’t be late.”
I made it to the station with eight minutes to spare. The guys were still talking about Dominic’s suspension.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and he won’t come back.” Finished with his tour, Clarke laced up his sneakers. “That would be the smartest thing.”
Jet cut me a side-eye. “Ready?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
We walked out together, and Jet started the car.
We drove up Main Street and hit the service road toward the strip mall.
I’d promised Dominic to check on Mr. Ackerman’s store.
Prior to all the shit happening with his father, he told me he’d found someone to take over for the disinterested neighbor kid.
But first, I needed to at least partly clear the air with Jet.
“So I wanna say something, but you need to let me talk without interrupting.”
Jet’s lips twitched. “When has anyone been able to stop you from talking?”
“Ha-ha.” I exhaled and folded my shaking hands.
“So, yeah. You were right. It is Starr I’ve become involved with.
It’s been going on for a couple of months now.
” I watched Jet’s eyes widen and his lips tighten.
“I’m not gonna get into the details, but I’m in love with him and he loves me.
None of it has anything to do with this other shit. ”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Are you seriously expecting me to believe that?
You’ve never been interested in a guy before—hell, you two hated each other—and now all of a sudden, bam.
” He pounded the steering wheel. “You’re having sex with him…
you’re in love with him. Fuck that. He’s using you. You have to see it.”
I’d expected this reaction and was prepared. “I’m asking you to respect our friendship and my intelligence. Things aren’t always how they appear.”
Instantly, Jet’s expression changed. “Meaning what? Is there something you’re not telling me? Are you in some kind of trouble? Em, if you need money, you know Harte will give you whatever you need, no questions asked.”
As a friend there was no one better, and I wished nothing more than to be able to tell Jet everything, but I was too damn paranoid.
Hearing they’d bugged Dominic’s home made me wonder if they’d done the same to mine.
And maybe my patrol vehicle. I couldn’t take the chance of jeopardizing Dominic’s mission. It might mean his life.
“No, it’s nothing like that. I swear. But you know how snap judgments or decisions are most often proved wrong? I promise you, it’s all going to turn out okay in the end.”
We arrived at the strip mall and exited our car. Beginning the sweep at Norman’s Jewelry at the far end, it was almost surreal to think of how far Dominic and I had come since that time. Jet and I entered the store to find a new salesperson there, as well as a different security guard.
“Deputies, may I help you?” she inquired. “I hope everything is all right.”
“Yes, just performing our due diligence, making sure everything is running smoothly for you,” Jet replied with a warm smile.
“New security guard?” I asked casually.
“Yes, the other man was only here for a limited time.”
“Everything’s been okay? No trouble?” Jet had wandered around the store but rejoined me.
“Yes. Shelley’s on maternity leave, and I’m working part-time. Anything I can help you look for? Jewelry for a special lady?”
It was my mother’s birthday in a few months, and I peered into the display case. Spying a gold locket, I pointed to it. “How much is that?”
She took it out and quoted me a price and put up a finger. “Hold on. Mr. Norman said if any deputy came in, we should make sure to give you a twenty percent discount because of how you helped us.”
“And Deputy Kane was one of the deputies in the store during the attempted burglary,” Jet offered.
“Oh wow,” she breathed. “Well, with the price adjustment, that brings it down to just under a hundred and fifty dollars.”
I handed her my credit card. “I’ll take it. It’s for my mom,” I explained to Jet, who I could see was curious. “Her birthday present.”
“Pretty.”
She wrapped the box in flowered paper, and I slipped it into my pocket. We walked to the other stores, took some minor complaints, and drove to the second strip mall, where Mr. Ackerman’s store was located. A familiar face greeted us behind the cash register.
“Hi, guys.”
“Theo? What’re you doing here?” I asked. “Starr said he found someone else, but—”
“But didn’t mention me?” Theo laughed self-consciously.
“I met Deputy Starr at the supermarket. He was picking up groceries for Mr. Ackerman after he was released, and he told me how worried he was that he’d lose the store because he couldn’t afford to pay the rent if he didn’t open.
I told him I knew how to work the register, and I wouldn’t mind helping out for a while. ”
“That’s nice of you. You must be exhausted, though, by the end of the day.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I just go home and crash.” He smiled tentatively at Jet. “How’re you and Harte doing?”
“We’re great. Harte loves all the gardening tips.”
Theo blushed. “We had a great talk about fertilizers and pest control. He’s a nice guy.”
“Yeah, he is.”
Theo blinked and lowered his voice. “I know it’s not my business, but is it really true?
I mean, everything they’ve been saying about Deputy Starr.
He’s always been nice to me, and the way he looks after Mr. Ackerman…
I can’t believe someone could care about a sick old man and then do the terrible things they’re claiming. ”
The damage to Dominic’s reputation might be irreparable if these rumors continued for much longer. I hurt so badly for him, it was like a physical blow to my chest.
“I’ll tell Starr you’re doing a great job. I know he checks on Mr. Ackerman every day.”
As we walked the path outside, I nudged Jet. “I think Theo has a little crush on you and your husband.”
“Nah,” Jet brushed me off. “Theo just needs a boyfriend to sweep him off his feet. He’s a great guy and deserves someone who’s going to treat him right.” We stopped in front of Dolly’s. “Would you mind if we go in?”
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. I haven’t spoken to Natalie since that night I saw her at the bar.”
We entered, and Natalie’s happy greeting faded as soon as she saw me. “Uh, hi. Can I help you?”
“Four lemon bars, two cranberry muffins, and three chocolate brownies,” Jet ordered, and I raised my brows. Natalie scampered off to fill the order, probably relieved I was ignoring her.
“Healthy.”
Jet snorted. “Dev and Brody are coming for dinner. Why don’t you join us?”
“Nah. Thanks, but I’m not in the mood.”
“Gonna see Starr?”
“Not sure.” Which was the truth. He’d warned me when I’d kissed him good-bye that he’d be out of touch until the operation was finished. I missed him already and had to laugh at myself that I was acting like a lovesick idiot.
Natalie brought the box, and Jet paid. Glad she was ignoring me while I pretended she didn’t exist, we left the store. Jet didn’t seem to be in a hurry to return to the car, and we strolled across the parking lot.
“I’m sorry you’re going through all this. I can’t imagine how hard it must be on you.”
“It’s worse for Dom.”
Jet unlocked the car, but we didn’t get in. “I’m sure it hurts that everyone’s so hard on him. I should trust you.”
“I know what it looks like, but I promise you, it’s not what you think. I can’t say anything more.”
“What you’re saying is that it’s dangerous.”
I stared at him steadily but would neither deny nor confirm.
“All right.” He sighed. “But I’ll be here for you whenever you need me.”
“Thanks,” I whispered. “That means everything to me.”
The rest of the shift passed quickly. We were called in to help the state troopers with a three-car crash, and by the time we returned to the station and changed, it was getting late.
I’d yet to hear from Dominic, and my stomach was in knots as I imagined all the terrible things that might’ve happened.
Instead of going home, I chose to drive to Mr. Ackerman’s house to see how he was feeling.
A woman in bright-pink scrubs answered the door.
“Hello, may I help you?”
After I explained I was a deputy sheriff and a friend of Dominic’s, her suspicious expression faded.
“Oh, Deputy Starr? He’s so sweet. Came to see Mr. Ackerman every single day in the hospital. I know how much Mr. Ackerman looks forward to seeing him.” She put a hand to her mouth. “He’s so alone, the poor man. No one comes by to visit him.”
“And you’re working for him?”
“Well, the state pays for some of it, and Deputy Starr pays the rest, but I told him I’d discount it because he’s law enforcement.
My brother was on the job in New York City.
He retired and lives in South Carolina now.
But family takes care of family.” She beckoned me.
“Come inside. I just made him a cup of tea. Would you like something?”
“No, please. Don’t go to any trouble.”
“No trouble at all. Mr. Ackerman, look who came for a visit.”
It had been a couple of weeks since I’d seen Mr. Ackerman. He’d lost weight and was pale, but the twinkle in his eye that had faded while in the hospital had reappeared.
“Deputy, nice to see you. Come in.” He was sitting upright on the sofa with a walker beside him and the cup of steaming tea on the table by his elbow. I sat by his side.
“How’re you doing, Mr. Ackerman? You’re looking much better.”
“I’m feeling like a new man. Nettie takes me out for a little walk in the morning, and I sit on the porch and watch the children on their way to school. I love seeing their bright little faces.”
“Sounds great.”
“The doctors said next week I might even be able to go into the store for a few hours a day if I take it easy. I need to get back to work. It keeps my blood going.”
“Now, Mr. Ackerman, you take it slow. Theo is doing a great job running the store. We stopped by earlier, and he said to take as much time as you need.”
“He’s a good boy. Lousy father, though. Ray Sweeny was always a bully.”
“You know him?”
Mr. Ackerman nodded. “Rumor was, Ray was the type who made his presence known with his fists wherever he went.”
I winced. “No one ever stopped him?”
“He was a football player, and everyone went to the games. But he dropped out junior year after his father died—fell asleep at the wheel and ran into a tree. Ray and his brothers took over the bar. The brothers married and left Appleton Falls. Ray’s wife was a sweet girl, but I guess she couldn’t take being married to someone like him any longer and ran away with a trucker who made the beer deliveries.
Left little Theo behind.” He sighed. “I’m amazed Theo grew up as nice as he did. ”
The story made me sick to my stomach. “Do you think he hurt Theo?” Knowing Theo was gay made him a punching bag for a someone like his father.
“Never seen anything on the boy. But words can hurt as bad as a fist.” He took a sip of his tea. “How’s my friend Dominic? You deputies have my respect. Out there saving lives and protecting us.”
“He’s good. Working hard.” I forced a smile. I was so worried about Dominic. I knew he wouldn’t have a chance to call or text me, but not having heard from him since early this morning, all sorts of gruesome thoughts were running through my mind.
“Not too hard, I hope. You’re both young. Enjoy every minute before you end up like me.” His laugh was wheezy.
“You’re okay, Mr. Ackerman. Your friends are all here to help, and you’ll be good as new soon.”
He gripped my arm with surprising strength. “Don’t let life pass you by. Take it by the throat and make it your own. I didn’t have the chance, but you young people today do. Don’t let fear lead you.”
I nodded at him and patted his hand. “I’m not, Mr. Ackerman.”
“Good, good. Now”—a crafty twinkle sparkled in his eyes—“do you play cards?”
I laughed. “What do you have in mind?”
I stayed way past the time I’d thought, losing three out of the four games of gin rummy we played.
“I’ll be back tomorrow with your winnings. A muffin and chocolate chip cookie. But you have to promise me not to eat them all at once.”
“Oh, he won’t, don’t you worry.” Nettie plumped the pillow behind him. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Bah,” he hmphed. “You’re no fun.”
I still had a smile on my lips walking out to the car. I sat behind the wheel and checked my phone, but it remained quiet.
“Dammit, Dom. Where the hell are you?”
I decided to wait at his house. I parked down the block and walked up the path. There was a large dark shape on the porch, and my heart pounded as I ran up the steps.
“Oh my God, Dom. Dominic.”
I rolled him over, and he moaned. His head and face were beaten and bloody. “Emmy? Help me.”
I pulled out my phone but turned around at the screech of tires behind me. McGill jumped out of the car. “Ambulance is on the way. We lost him for a little while.”
I grabbed McGill by the pristine shirt collar. “If he fucking dies, I’ll kill you myself.”
The wail of the ambulance sounded in the distance. I pushed McGill away and scooped Dom up and held him close.
“It’s gonna be okay. You’re gonna be okay.”