Keep Her Safe(117)

“IA?” Canning’s frown deepens. “No one’s going to IA about this.”

“But—”

“Think of the big picture, here, Jackie. Think of what will happen if this gets out.”

“Yes, sir. I’m certainly afraid of that.” All the goodwill we work hard to build in the community? It’ll all be undone, buried under a thick layer of public distrust, thanks to one dirty cop.

“If this story leaks, this drug dealer will be back out on the street, catering to gangbangers who shoot up houses with little girls and boys in them. Why would we risk that? Over some cash?”

“Yes, sir. But—”

“Sometimes we have to do things that don’t sit well with our conscience, because it’s for the greater good.”

“I’m well aware of that, as you know, sir.” I give him a pointed look.

“And that’s what being a real leader is about. If you want any hope of replacing me one day, you will help Wilkes see that.”

“I don’t think he can be swayed. At least, not by me. I’m the devil reincarnate, as far as he’s concerned.”

Canning’s gaze flickers over the framed picture of his son for a moment, before meeting my eyes. “Everyone can be swayed.”





CHAPTER 48


Officer Abraham Wilkes May 2, 2003

“Hey, babe.” I lean over the couch to plant a kiss on Dina’s lips. “Sorry I missed soccer tonight.”

“Did you catch the bad guys?” She peers up at me with those stunning green eyes, the ones she’s blessed our daughter with. She’s not happy about all the extra hours lately, but she’s never openly given me grief about it.

That’s why lying to her about what I’m doing is especially shitty. But I’d rather lie than tell her the whole truth. At least, for now.

“Not yet. Did she go down easy?”

Dina shrugs. “She’s your daughter. Stubborn to the bone.”

I chuckle.

“I’ll bet she’s still holding on to that book.”

“Did you do the gruff voice?”

“?‘Not like Daddy does it,’?” Dina mimics Gracie’s childish timbre. “Hey, did you come home at all tonight?”

I frown. “No. Why?”

A worried look flickers over her face. “Just a feeling I had, is all. Like someone had been in here.”

“The doors were locked?”

“Yeah.”

“Anything missing?”

“Not from what I can see. I don’t know . . . it was a weird vibe. It’s probably just me, being home alone so much. Maybe we should get a dog,” she admits reluctantly, and then rolls her eyes at my wide grin. I’ve been trying to convince her to get one for years, with no luck. “You know, Gracie saw this mangy little thing at the park and tried to bring it home with us.” It sounds like an accusation. “I told her that Noah wouldn’t come over anymore if we brought a stray home.”

“He’d get over it soon enough.” As soon as he saw how much Gracie loved having a dog.

Dina levels me with a look. “We are not bringing home a stray.”

“They need love, too.” I lean down to kiss her again. “Gonna grab a shower. See you in bed soon?”

I get a coy smile in return, and it’s enough to make me rush.

But Dina’s words linger in my mind, long after her naked body lies still beside me. Enough that I find myself wandering through the house in the middle of the night, checking the locks and drawers, seeing if anything looks out of place.

I find nothing.

And yet my unease lingers.



* * *



May 3, 2003

“A head of romaine, right?” I call out over my shoulder, heading for my car.

“Please.”

“Daddy, wait! I wanna come to the store with you!” Gracie comes tearing down the steps, stopping to adjust the Velcro on her bright pink sneakers before rushing the rest of the way.

Dina and I share a knowing look. Gracie hasn’t left my side all morning. “I’ll be back in fifteen.” I give one of Gracie’s curly pigtails a light yank and then open the car door.

I freeze when I spot a black duffel bag sitting on the backseat. I don’t have to open it to guess what it is.

“You know what, Gracie May? I just remembered. I have to stop at the station today and—”

“No!” She begins to pout. “I wanna come with you!”

“You can’t today. Next time, I promise.”

“But, Daddy! I want to—”

“No, Gracie,” I say with a rare firm voice, before she resorts to a full-blown tantrum in the middle of the sidewalk. I soften it with a promise to get ice cream later.

With a huff and tears in her eyes, she trudges back up the stairs and buries her face in Dina’s legs.

“I’m sorry,” I mouth, nearly flinching at the look of displeasure on Dina’s face. “It’ll be more like an hour.”





CHAPTER 49


Grace

Noah slides in from behind to hover over my shoulder as I toss a handful of peppers into a bowl. His skin is slick with sweat, but I don’t mind. Actually, I find it appealing.