Page 68 of Deep Waters
Rae looked cute when she frowned, even if I hated to see her disappointed. “Jia claims not to know anything. I think our only shot is if Brandon talks.”
“Anything he says is only likely to incriminate him further.”
“Exactly.” She wrinkled her nose, making the sprinkling of freckles there dance. “We can do another search, but if there was nothing in the safe, I’m thinking there’s just nothing to find. I’ll let Sheriff Walker know about the safe when we go into his office to review our statements.”
We bundled the kids into the car after breakfast. Violet offered to take them while we gave our statements, so at least Hana and Tae didn’t have to cool their heels waiting for us. Going over the detailstook a couple of hours. Sheriff Walker was tight-lipped about Brandon’s statement.
I could only hope there was nothing left to find at Jia’s. Rae and I didn’t need any additional unplanned visitors. Every time I thought about Rae, trapped alone in the garage with Brandon, I wanted to put my fist through a wall. She should never have been vulnerable like that.
Failing to protect her would haunt me for the rest of my life. But pride in the way she’d outsmarted him kept me from losing my shit entirely. Rae was strong. Capable. Just because she shouldn’t have had to face him alone didn’t mean she didn’t have the skills to do it. But I couldn’t help feeling that I’d failed her as a partner, even if my more rational mind had expected Gran to be there too.
Would Brandon have taken his chances with both women at home? Even if he’d been confident in his ability to cow Rae, he’d heard enough Gran legends to be wary. But there was no way I’d blame Gran for leaving. We’d grown too complacent. Just because Friday Harbor was small and isolated didn’t mean we were immune to crime. Human greed and desperation didn’t skip zip codes.
I could only hope, with Brandon in jail, the danger to Rae and the kids was over. But the whole thing was fishy. Jordan’s death. Brandon’s belief that Jodan had been hiding their illicit business at the house. There were too many unanswered questions for me to rest easy. The only thing I could do was hold on tight to Rae and stay alert. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.
If the last twenty-four hours had taught me nothing else, I’d learned Rae was my heart, and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her. If trouble came knocking, I’d be the one standing in its way.
Chapter 30 – Rae
Catching up on the eleventy-billion text messages from the Fenwick family group chat took me the better part of thirty minutes. Just enough time for Zach to finish his statement with the sheriff’s office staff. My phone pinged with one last message as he walked out.
Simon: Can we still catch up?
“How’d it go?” I asked Zach. He looked relaxed enough, shoulders at ease and the lines of tension around his mouth gone.
“Nothing exciting. I didn’t have much to share since I arrived late to the party.” He captured my hand in his, squeezing. “That’s my only regret. I wish I’d been there to protect you.”
My chest softened. He said it so earnestly.
“You were. You called for help and were there to spring the trap. I’ve never been more relieved than when I realized you were with me.”
He wrinkled his nose. “I just wish I’d been more help. In all the stories, the prince saves the princess. What are us big, strong male types good for if we don’t spring into action and protect our hearts?”
The urge to lecture him dropped away. Zach Fenwick calling me his heart would never get old.
He kissed my knuckles. “Want to grab the kids and then get lunch?”
“Yes. But fair warning: Simon texted. He still wants to talk.”
Zach’s jaw locked, his entire body tightening. Another breath and he seemed to consciously force himself to relax, the ripple starting at his shoulders until he looked less like a statue and more like the man I loved.
“Do you want to meet with him alone?”
His words felt like a test. The truth was, I didn’t. Simon was happy with Alan. I expected he’d be just as happy for Zach and me. While it felt like we were navigating a landmine, I didn’t want my oldest friend and the man I loved at odds. I’d gone into the agreement with Simon with my eyes open.
“Let’s go out to lunch together. Vi can keep the kids a bit longer, and we can pick them up afterwards.”
Slowly, Zach nodded, and five minutes later we set out for the restaurant above the marina to meet Simon and Alan.
Alan stood and hugged me. “Rae, you look fabulous. Your curls are popping today.”
I’d always liked Simon’s real boyfriend, now husband. “Hi, Alan. Thanks. It’s a beauty secret called washing my hair.” I grinned when he looked bashful. “Marriage agrees with you.” I included Simon in my smile. “You’re both glowing.”
“You look pretty content yourself there, Sun-Rae.” Simon’s gaze encompassed Zach, his expression turning cautious. “I’m glad to see you and Zach worked things out.”
We made small talk as we placed our drink and lunch orders, tiptoeing around the tension and chattering instead about Simon and Alan’s honeymoon trip. Only when we’d finished our meals did Simon catch my gaze.
“I owe you an apology,” he said earnestly.
