Rumors had circulated about her antics with other officers. Some had even called her a badge bunny. Not to his face, but he knew that the rumor mill was sometimes correct. “If it’s mine I’ll do what’s right.”
“Even leave Miss Gracie alone?”
“Why? Is she that much of a threat to you? She’s trying to save you.”
“I’m not in need of saving.”
Grace came back from her last call of the day, glad it had been the end of the shift. She couldn’t decide if her bad night of sleep or Dolores’ unwillingness to believe her clouded her mind. She couldn’t make a decision on patient care. Thankfully her partner had taken control and no one died.
Her partner patted her on the back. “You okay, Grace?”
“No, but I’ll get a better night’s sleep tonight.”
In a hotel, away from Zach. First on her list was a trip to see what she could salvage from her apartment. When she walked to her car, she spotted Zach and groaned. Space from him would be delightful, but he was her only tangible link to Dolores.
Otherwise she’d be stalking the woman.
“Hey.”
Grace frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“Why?”
“You need a place to stay tonight?”
“No, thanks.”
“I talked to Dolores. I owe you an apology. She is pregnant. And the baby is mine.”
Frustration welled up inside of her, making her grit her teeth. “The baby is not yours.”
“Why would Lors lie?”
“Zach, because you’re an honorable man who would do the right thing by her.”
“How you would you know that?”
She bit her tongue to avoid blurting out that she’d known him. He shouldn’t think she’s crazy. He was the one person who she needed to trust her. “I just do.”
“Whose baby is it?”
“I can’t tell you. It doesn’t matter. She’s going to lose it tonight anyway.”
“Oh?”
His brow knitted and she wished she could take the words back. “Never mind.” She brushed past him.
He grabbed her arm. She saw the vision again.
“You can’t make a statement like that and walk away.”
“Zach, I have to. You don’t believe anything I say. So why would you believe this.”
“I talked to her because I think maybe she is in trouble. Dolores hasn’t led a blameless life.”
“The drugs, I know.”
His mouth opened, but he snapped it shut. “You know about that?”
“Yes, go on.”
“Dolores and I lost touch for awhile after the divorce. Well, as much as we could since she was dating most of my coworkers. I heard. . stuff, let’s say. Maybe she pissed someone off.”
“Do you think her capable of blackmail?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then this conversation is over.”
“Grace.”
“Stop, Zach. It’s a stretch for you and it isn’t good enough to get me in your bed. It’s just lip service.”
Celia Johnson was the last person Zach expected to invite over for dinner. But she was his sister and his dealing with Grace had made him realize that life could be short.
She showed up dressed in conservative jeans he didn’t know she owned.
“I know I don’t look like myself, but I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
He led her into his living area. She looked around and he realized she hadn’t ever been here. She was the only family he had, and guilt streaked across his soul.
“Wine?”
“No thanks.”
“No?”
“I quit drinking. It interferes with. . ” Her hands flailed as if trying to grasp a word. “My gift.” Her hands rested at her sides. “Why am I here?”
He smiled. “Cut to the chase, huh?”
“I’m a little too tired for a confrontation.”
“Sit.”
She settled on his oversized, leather couch. Crossing her legs she looked at him as if waiting for the wisdom of the ages. He didn’t know where his ability to forgive her came from. Maybe his time with Grace made him realize that Celia’s power wasn’t always a positive thing for her.
“I’m sorry.”
Celia’s black tinged mouth dropped open. “You’re sorry, huh? For what?”
He sat beside her, his jean clad knee touching hers. “For not being a very good brother.”
She chuckled, her gaze never leaving his. “You have it bad.”
“Huh?”
“This Grace has you good.” She ran a hand through her unruly red locks.
“I don’t know what Grace has. How do you know about her anyway?”
His sister just smiled. “She has a gift. She may not see it that way.”
He leaned back on the cushions Grace’s face in his mind, her lips pursed in consternation. He wasn’t one to believe in love at first sight, but he was gobsmacked by Grace. It wasn’t love, but rather some strong connection. As if he’d known her all of his life.
He was drawn to her.
“Believe her.”
“I’m trying Celia.”
He brushed a hair from her face. “Will you forgive me?”
“I had a long time ago. I knew you didn’t understand that I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I can’t control what I see, but I feel compelled to tell you.”
He nodded thinking maybe he did understand. “So what do I do about this woman?”
She laughed again. “If I have to spell that out, Zach, then you’re in worse shape than I thought.
Chapter Twenty Five
Grace couldn’t sleep. She went for a run and ended up in Dolores’ neighborhood.
No lights were on either in Dolores’ house or the garage apartment. “I wonder if that guy is going to show up?”
She sighed.
A scream catapulted her out of her reverie. She took Dolores four front steps in one jump. She knocked, then barreled through the unlocked door. “Dolores?”
With her eyes already adjusted to the darkness, she could navigate through the house to the bathroom. A light shone and illuminated a crumpled figure. “Dolores?”
Surrounded by blood Dolores didn’t move. She had a weak, thready pulse. Grace dialed 9-1-1 then returned to monitor her patient. No one else had heard the scream.
