Chapter 11
The aches and pains from yesterday were hitting a new high today.
Stiffness had set in and moving was a new experience in pain.
David rubbed the back of his neck wishing he could turn back the clock and start his truck while inside the station.
He should be thankful he’d decided to cool down his vehicle before he got in it.
The hospital room door opened, and he glanced up to identify his visitor.
“Looking good for a man who got blown up yesterday.” Brandon grinned.
“It’d be funny if it wasn’t true.” David waved the man toward the easy chair. “Have a seat and tell me you brought those files we discussed earlier this morning.”
Brandon tapped the corner of the file with his palm. “Got ‘em right here.”
David adjusted his bed to a sitting position. His bruised body protested the new angle. “Never thought it’d hurt so bad to be thrown to the ground.”
“You did hit the pavement pretty hard. You’re fortunate there wasn’t more damage to your head.” His partner lowered himself onto the seat.
David couldn’t argue with that. The phrase ‘hit by a Mack truck’ came to mind. He blew out a breath. “Let’s see what you brought.”
Brandon studied him for a moment then nodded. “Not all the results are in, but the preliminary findings show that Eddie Winters was murdered—”
“Well, duh. We knew that.”
“Would you let me finish?”
“Go ahead.”
“As I was saying, it appears that someone beat Eddie and then put a slug in the man’s chest. What wasn’t apparent during the walk thru was that the same someone must have been looking for something, ‘cause Eddie’s pictures, email, and website had been tampered with.”
David stared at his partner. “You think this was about his crimes against children?”
“I do. But the question is who?” Brandon pinned him with a stare.
His muscles tensed. “It’s not Jennie if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“And why would I think that? First of all, Eddie might have invaded Zoey’s privacy and tried to lure her in, but that’s where it stopped. He never laid a hand on her. And second, if this was a woman, she had to be a body builder to leave his face in that bad of shape.”
David rolled his shoulders. “Sorry. Guess I jumped to conclusions.”
“No kidding. Now, let’s talk about some serious suspects.”
“Who do you have in mind?” David held out his hand for the report and Brandon obliged. He scanned the document.
“I have to confess, I was hoping you had an idea.”
“Why on Earth would I have any ideas?”
“Because someone tried to kill you.”
David’s stomach dropped. “There is that.”
“Besides, my gut says Eddie’s murder is tied to your cockroach pizza and the bomb in your truck. By the way, Megan checked the department parking lot video, but whoever it was knew how to hide their actions. She has nothing.” Brandon settled back in his chair.
Wonderful. No proof as to who put him in the hospital. David turned his partner’s words about Eddie over and over in his head. “I still don’t see a connection. Winters was a creep and hurt a lot of kids. We finally had the evidence to bring him down. How could that possibly be related to me?”
“Like I said, gut feeling. I have no proof or any reason to go in that direction, but with all my years of experience, something tells me it all ties together in a neat little package—somehow.”
“If you’re right—and that’s a big if—who would want Eddie and me dead, and more importantly, why?” David handed the paper back to Brandon.
“Don’t know.”
“Okay, forget about that for a second. What videos, files, pictures, etc. did the suspect mess with?”
“Still waiting on the lab, but I bribed Megan to give me her first impression.”
“Oh, really.” David grinned.
“Not a chance, man. I’m not interested. I’ve got teenage twins at home. You think I have time for a woman?” Brandon rolled his eyes.
David chuckled. “What did Megs say?”
“Said that it looked as though someone attempted to erase IP addresses of those who visited Eddie’s webpage.”
“Sounds like someone’s paranoid.” David rubbed his eyes and leaned his head against his pillow. They had a lot of nothing, and it was giving him a headache. But one thing still bothered him.
“Brandon?”
“Yeah?”
“What did I do to make someone want to kill me?” He sounded like a whiny child, but he didn’t care. It was one thing to put your life on the line protecting the public, but to be targeted—that was a different story.
Brandon leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “I have no idea, partner.”
The door to his room swished open a foot. “May I come in?”
David’s heart lightened at the sound of Jennie’s voice. “Sure. Come join the party.”
She slipped in and closed the door then turned and spotted Brandon. “Ah, so that’s why there’s a party in here.”
Brandon snorted. “Yeah, that’s me, Mr. Party Animal.”
Jennie smirked then turned her attention to David. “And how are you today?”
“I’m fine.” Other than I hurt all over and my head feels like it will explode any minute, I’m great.
Her hand fisted on her hips. “You do remember I’m a nurse and can see right through that macho act.”
His shoulders drooped. He should have known he couldn’t hide the truth from her. “Let’s just say, I’ve been better.”
“How’s the head?”
“Like someone is hitting my brain with a hammer.”
She nodded. “Thought so.”
“Welp.” Brandon slapped his knees and stood. “Since you’re in good hands, I’ll get out of here.” He waltzed to the exit. “I’ll check in on you later.”
“Thanks, man. And watch your back.”
“Will do.” Brandon slipped from the room, leaving David alone with the pretty blue-eyed woman at his side.
“I didn’t mean to run him off.” She slid the chair closer and eased herself onto it.
“No worries. We were at a dead end anyway.”
She nodded. “I talked with Dr. Bennett a few minutes ago. He said they were letting you loose in a few of hours.”
“Hallelujah.” David didn’t want to spend another minute longer than he had to in the hospital.
“Not so fast there, tough guy. Doc said only if you had someone to stay with. He’s not ready for you to be alone until the ringing in your ears stops. He’s afraid you’ll fall. He doesn’t want to risk it.”
David closed his eyes. Who could he stay with? His parents were out of the question. Besides, he’d insisted they head home earlier that morning. “I’ll have to think on that.”
“Afraid for your mom and dad?”
Wow, the woman was perceptive. “You could say that. Brandon and I were just talking about who might want to kill me.”
Jennie’s breath hissed.
“Sorry. I tend to be blunt. I—”
“No, it’s okay. After everything that’s happened, I can see your point.”
“So, yeah, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I might just have to stay here. It might be safer for everyone if I did.”
She tapped her finger on her lips. “I have an idea.”
He quirked a brow. What kind of crazy scheme was the woman plotting. “I’m listening.”
“What about Aunt Emily?”
He jerked forward, regretting the movement. “Are you nuts?”
“Hear me out.” She clasped his hand through the bedrails. “Aunt Em has a great security system. Not to mention she’s only a few blocks from the police station. Plus, she likes you.”
He took care when he shook his head. “I don’t want her in danger.”
“David, please think about it. She’s feistier than she looks.”
He laughed then grabbed his ribs and moaned. “You think your aunt looks mousey? Not a chance. That woman is a force to be reckoned with.”
“So, you’ll stay with her?”
He needed a place to stay if he wanted to get out of here, but with the town’s favorite resident? If anything happened to the older woman, he’d have a death sentence for sure. He sighed. “Maybe. But only if she’s aware of the dangers.”
The smile on Jennie’s face lit up the entire room. “Fantastic. I’ll call her and let her know.”
What had he done?
Not only was he a target, he’d just agreed to put Miss Emily’s life in danger.
Father, forgive me.
***
Saturday 10:00 a.m.
After three full days at Miss Emily’s, having his every want and need taken care of, including frequent visits with Jennie and Zoey, David stepped from Brandon’s sedan and retrieved his overnight bag.
He stared at his home. The place he’d bought when he moved to Pinewood Shores, forcing himself to put down roots—connect with the community.
Becoming the man that he should have been all along.
A man who put his friends and loved ones above his job.
“You sure you’re good by yourself?” Brandon leaned across the console and peered at David.
“I’ll be fine. I’m ready to be in my own bed. Besides, the injuries are dull aches now and my head has quit spinning.”
“I’ll let you get settled. Captain is having one of the patrol officers drop off your department vehicle until you get your truck replaced.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you at the station Monday morning?”
“Yes, sir. Wouldn’t miss watching you on desk duty.” Brandon laughed.
“Hey. You’re my partner. Aren’t you supposed to support me?” David quirked an eyebrow, but couldn’t hide his grin.
“Not this time, man. This should be entertaining.”
“You know I don’t sit still well.”
“That’s why it’ll be fun to witness.”
David shook his head. He patted the hood of the car. “Go home and see your kids.”
“Planning on it. And David.”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful. We haven’t found the guy who tried to blow you up.”
“Will do.”
Brandon pulled from the curb, and David turned and ambled up the sidewalk. He put the key into the lock and opened his front door.
Home, sweet home.
He scanned the quiet living room, a bit on edge. Nothing seemed out of place, but he couldn’t shake the unease. He reached into the side table drawer and pulled out his off-duty Glock.
He had finished clearing the house when someone knocked. He went to the window next to the entry and split two blinds apart with his fingers. Officer Lauren Coleman stood on his front porch, keys in hand.
He opened the door.
“Detective Whitman, it’s good to see you feeling better. Here are the keys to the black sedan in the drive. Captain said not to wreck it.” Coleman chuckled.
“Cap thinks he’s funny.” David rolled his eyes. “Thanks for bringing it by.”
“No problem, sir.” She retreated down the steps and climbed into a waiting squad car.
He dropped the keys on the side table and made his way to the kitchen.
He filled a glass of water and lowered himself onto a chair. Placing his weapon on the table, he stared at the metal object.
How had his life come to this? A target for some creep and checking his own house for an attacker.