“We’ll start with the obvious rooms. I’ll take Jay’s office. If he hid records at home, it’s likely to be in there. You check the places where Heather kept things she didn’t want Jay to find.”
Well, that was easy enough. Heather’s bedroom and Alexa’s room or the playroom. Another separation Jay insisted on. He didn’t like anyone to know a child lived in the house, so he insisted all the toys be kept in the playroom. Personally, Rowan couldn’t wait until Alexa’s toys were strewn all over the apartment. She would know her niece was safe.
Brent parked on the street behind Heather’s place, in the shadow of a large tree. His black SUV wouldn’t be seen easily. He shut off the engine, captured her chin with the palm of his hand, and kissed her thoroughly. When he drew back, he said, “Thank you for taking that leap with me.”
Rowan dragged him back for another deep kiss. “I’m looking forward to our first date.”
He smiled. “Me, too. Be thinking about what you want to do.”
“After all this excitement, I’m thinking something normal like dinner and a movie.” She paused. “What about Alexa? I can’t leave her so soon.”
“I can take you both out, or I’ll bring in dinner and we’ll watch a movie in your living room or mine. My two ladies are a package deal.”
Those words melted her heart. Brent Maddox was a keeper with a heart of gold.
They walked through an unfenced yard to the back edge of Heather’s place. Rowan stared at the fence looming in front of her, then glanced around for something to climb on. Despite her height, Rowan wasn’t tall enough to make the leap up and over. She needed a chair or bench.
“Here,” Brent murmured as he knelt in front of her, hands cupped for Rowan’s foot. “Bend your knees when you drop to the ground to absorb the impact.”
Okay, then. That worked. A boost from her handsome boyfriend was good. Brent quickly lifted her. Rowan grasped the fence and hauled herself over the top. She landed with a soft thump. Nice. Bending her knees muted the sound and absorbed the impact.
She turned in time to see Brent leap up, grab the top of the fence, and clear it almost in one motion. His landing was nearly soundless. She wondered if he might teach her to do that, but decided once she had Alexa back, the breaking-and-entering portion of her life would be over.
Brent clasped her hand and led her to the back door, scanning the area as they crossed the yard. He nudged her against the wall of the house and crouched in front of the knob, a small black bag in his hand. With quick, sure movements, Brent pulled out thin tools and went to work on the lock. Lock picks.
She had to smile at his skill. More military training? She suspected he’d picked up many interesting, less-than-legal skills in his time with the SEALs. Seconds later, he stood and eased the door open. After motioning for her to wait, he slipped into the darkened interior.
When he returned, Brent signaled for her to follow him inside.
The belongings in the house were still jumbled. Cleaning this place would be a huge undertaking. Just the idea of having to sort and box Heather’s and Jay’s stuff made her stomach knot in dread. She wouldn’t have a problem dealing with Jay’s belongings. Sorting Heather’s things, though, would hurt, reinforcing the truth her sister was gone. Rowan would need a box of tissues at hand.
“You okay, baby?” Brent whispered in her ear.
Rowan realized she’d been standing in the same place since they walked inside. She nodded. “Just thinking how hard it will be to deal with Heather’s belongings. I’m not looking forward to it.”
“I’ll help and so will the Doucets and Murphys. You won’t have to face the task alone.”
“Thanks.” She brushed his mouth with hers. To deal with this house in a timely manner would take an army of volunteers. One thing at a time, she reminded herself. Her first concern was Alexa. The rest would be dealt with in time.
When she reached for the light switch, Brent caught her hand. He shook his head. Right. Turning on the lights would be a sure sign of their presence in the house.
Rowan frowned. How would they see to find the records? It was too dark to do more than stumble over things now out of place.
Brent reached into his pocket and pulled out two small flashlights. “Aim the beam at the floor so you can see where you’re going. As long as the light doesn’t pass over the windows, no one will know we’re here,” he whispered.
She flicked on the light and discovered the beam was razor thin but powerful. Hmm. More military-type equipment? She could use one of these herself when the electricity was off, a regular occurrence at her place.
“Be as quiet as possible.” Brent dropped a quick kiss on her mouth before releasing her and heading toward Jay’s office.
Rowan hurried after him, turning off at Heather’s doorway. She stood at the threshold for a moment, wondering where to start. Her sister stashed things in several places. Rowan felt a pressing need to find the information the kidnappers wanted and get out of this house. This place was spooky in the gloom and she saw items reminding her of Heather everywhere she looked.
She went to the walk-in closet first and shoved aside clothes on the right side. A loose board on the floor in the corner was one of Heather’s favorite places to hide things from Jay.
She pried the board up with the shoe horn her sister left for that purpose. Rowan aimed the light into the darkened cavity. A black velvet bag lay at the bottom.
Frowning, she grabbed the bag and opened the top. Inside were several pieces of jewelry Rowan recognized. They belonged to their mother. She hadn’t seen these pieces for years, had been afraid they were
