Page 9 of Mistletoe and Malice
Mack consulted his watch. “Meet at the Hudson estate at ten. I’ll text you the address.”
“Ten hundred hours tomorrow, you mean.”
“I mean twenty-two hundred. Tonight.”
He released a heavy sigh. “I was afraid that’s what you meant.”
Guess that twelve hours of sleep would have to wait, like his golf trip.
He called the guys with his regrets and retrieved his black Jeep Grand Cherokee from the secure parking garage. After grabbing a quick burger and fries, he drove home to the Houston suburb he and Theresa had thought would be the perfect place to grow their family. Another lifetime ago, when dreams still existed. When he still believed God actually listened.
Inside the kitchen, he dropped the file markedHudson, Riley C.on the table. Weary to the bone, he lugged his suitcase up the stairs and dumped the contents on his closet floor so he could repack it. Laundry would have to wait. As would the pleasure of sleeping under this roof for the first time in six weeks. As lead agent on an op like this, he would be on the job 24/7, stationed in the principal’s home and on their hip every time they left the premises.
If he were lucky, Miss Hudson would be a lover of daytime soaps or game shows and not want to be out and about until she had an appointment or a little shopping to do. Lunch with friends or a dinner date. Nothing that would require hours of prep work.
To keep from nodding off until he had to report for duty at the Hudsons’ River Oaks mansion, he decided on a shower. Maybe the police would resolve her case quickly, and he could finally sleep in his own bed. Alone. As he had the last four years, ever since Theresa … left.
Thank goodness for Petersen Security. Throwing himself into his work had been the perfect remedy, not allowing himself to dwell on the loneliness, the sense of betrayal, the loss of all he’d ever believed in. Home, family, love … faith.
At least the job had never let him down.
Chapter Four
Riley paced in front of the fireplace in her parents’ family room, the morning’s events rolling through her head like a security tape constantly looping.
Unfortunately, though, the police had discovered there was no actual security footage of the incident. The camera on that floor had been inoperable for the better part of the month. Now maybe they’d get it fixed.
“How’re you doing, Ri?” Fran’s voice pulled her attention to where she sat in an oversized chair with her legs folded up next to her. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine. Just … restless.” She checked her watch. “Nine o’clock. Wish the detective would get here. I feel bad to have kept you guys all day, and not for anything fun.”
“I can’t believe you stayed for lunch, although you didn’t eat more than a couple bites. In fact, you didn’t eat much dinner, either. Want me to bring you a plate of Hilda’s meatloaf?”
“No, but thank you. And I didn’t want to mess up the whole day, so I was fine staying for lunch.” If truth be told, she’d been grateful for the extra hour to sit and let her insides rightthemselves. “And, please, if y’all want to get home, I totally understand. No need for all of us to stay when he only needs to speak to Avery and me.”
“Phfft.” Fran flipped her hand toward her. “Like we’d make you do this alone. Either of you.”
“Yeah,” Barbara said. “We’re in this together. Besides, we should all hear what the detective has to say.”
Riley regarded Avery, who hadn’t said more than a few words in the past several hours. Very uncharacteristic for her usually exuberant friend. “You all right, Ave?”
Tears filled Avery’s eyes. “You might have disappeared without a trace today, Ri. And it would’ve been my fault.”
Riley’s jaw dropped. “How do you figure?”
“If I’d have gone with you, it would’ve never happened.”
Fran hopped up to join Avery on the loveseat and slipped her arm around her. “Oh, honey, it’s not your fault.”
“Not even close,” Barbara said from the couch.
“Completely agree.” Riley took a seat on the arm of the loveseat and pulled a tissue from the box on the side table for her friend. “That reminds me. Why did you come up to the garage, after all?”
Avery dabbed at her cheeks. “I decided your idea was a good one and was hoping I’d catch you to put my bags in your car too. I never imagined—” Another tear escaped. “What if Logan hadn’t shown up? What if he hadn’t wanted to get involved? It makes me shudder to think of it.”
Yeah,what if?Riley twisted the emerald ring on her right hand around her finger. She’d come face-to-face with evil today, and it would probably be a while before she could walk alone without looking over her shoulder.
She shook off the thought. “All of those what-ifs don’t matter. I’m fine. That guy was probably out hunting for someone vulnerable, like Logan said. A low-life predator. He just pickedthe wrong girl. I have an army of angels around me he couldn’t see. Please don’t blame yourself. Let’s just be grateful we’re still all here together.”
