Karen Rose - I’m Watching You

„Not to her house,“ Spinnelli cautioned. „We’ll need to get someone to clean up her living room. There’s blood all over the wallpaper.“

Blue stripes. Fighting a shudder Abe visualized the scene Mia and Spinnelli had found, the dead body in her living room, the blood streaking the blue-striped wallpaper. Visualized Kristen shooting the man who’d intruded into her home. Who’d put his hands on her. And even through the horror, was fiercely proud that she’d acted with such precise calm. She hadn’t been able to fight her attacker ten years ago. Today, she’d more than made up for it.

„No,“ Abe said, his voice unsteady. „I won’t take her to her house. I’ll take her to my parents’. Everyone will be there.“ He turned to go when Spinnelli’s hand closed over his shoulder.

„I was proud of you today, Abe. You waited for us at the warehouse instead of charging in to save the day yourself. You did the right thing.“

And how hard it had been to sit there, hearing the seconds tick away in his mind, knowing Conti had Kristen, that he might be killing her at that very moment. But it had been the right thing to do. He never could have saved her alone. „Thank you,“ he whispered.

Spinnelli gave him one of those long hard looks that once again made Abe feel as if the man was looking straight into his soul. „You’re welcome.“

Saturday, February 28,

7:30 p.m.

The noise was such a welcome relief that Kristen felt tears sting her eyes. By unspoken mutual consent, she and Abe had not returned to her house, instead coming to the only place it made sense to come. Abe opened the door to Becca’s kitchen from the laundry room and it was like she’d come home. Sean and Ruth’s kids chased each other across the kitchen, Becca was watching QVC and Annie was peeling potatoes. Rachel sat at the kitchen table, working on what appeared to be algebra. The television in the living room was blaring some sports event, accompanied by the outraged shouts of Reagan men.

With a tearful cry, Rachel leaped from the table and rushed Kristen, nearly knocking her down with the ferocity of her embrace. Kristen hugged her close, rocking her gently. Rachel hadn’t been at the hospital when she and Abe had gone to see Aidan. Kristen understood the girl needed the reassurance that she was indeed unharmed. Perhaps Kristen needed the reassurance as well. She swallowed hard and drew Rachel’s head against her shoulder.

„It’s all right now, honey. I promise. It’s all over.“

„I was so scared,“ Rachel whispered, trembling. „When they said you were missing, I…“

„I was scared, too.“ She could admit that now, now that everything was over. She’d seen four men die this afternoon, one at her own hand. Somehow the reality that she’d killed a man in her own living room hadn’t yet sunk in. She supposed it would in time. For now, she held on tight to Rachel. „But you, honey, you helped save my life. Detective Mitchell told me how you recognized Owen from my office. Without you, they wouldn’t have known who he was. You helped them find Aidan, so they could get him to the hospital.“

Rachel pulled back, her lips curving in a faltering smile even as tears streaked her cheeks. „I did, didn’t I? He owes me big time.“

Kristen cupped Rachel’s cheek, wiping the girl’s tears away with her thumb. „Yes, he does. And so do I. Thank you, Rachel.“

„You’re all right?“ she asked anxiously. „Really all right? You’re not lying or anything?“

Kristen’s lips twitched. „I’m not lying. I’m really okay. Better now that I’m here with you.“

Rachel tilted her head to one side, studying her. „Aidan said you shot some guy and killed him.“

Kristen drew a breath. „Yes, I did.“

Rachel’s eyes narrowed. „Good. He deserved it.“

„Rachel, I don’t think Kristen really wants to talk about that right now,“ Becca said. She put her own arms around Kristen and brought her close. „We were so worried,“ she whispered. „I’m so glad you’re back here where you belong.“ She pressed a kiss to the top of Kristen’s head, men pulled away, briskly moving about her kitchen. „Abe, make yourself useful. Take that pie into your brother. He’s resting on the sofa in the living room.“

Abe frowned. „Aidan gets pie? That’s not fair.“

„He has a concussion. Of course it’s fair.“ She put the plate of pie in Abe’s hands. „And don’t be sneaking any on the way. Go on, now. Those boys,“ she clucked after him. „Kristen, we have a house full of people tonight. If you feel up to it, there’s lettuce and salad makings in the fridge. I could use your help, too.“

„Mother,“ Annie whispered and Becca shot her a frown. And Kristen knew Becca didn’t need any help at all. It was just Becca’s way of making her feel like family.

She was digging cucumbers out of the vegetable drawer in the refrigerator when Ruth appeared in the doorway, the baby on her shoulder. Her eyes assessed Kristen carefully, then she smiled. „I hear you had a bit of excitement today.“

Kristen heard the words, but had eyes only for the infant in Ruth’s arms. Not for one moment had she forgotten that she and Abe still had issues to discuss. She’d anticipated having a reaction to the sight of Ruth’s baby, but she was unprepared for the wave of emotion that nearly cut her at the knees, a rushing combination of yearning and fear. Yearning that she, too, could hold a child in her arms, Abe’s child. And fear that her inability to do so would come between them and she’d lose her place in this incredible family.

„Kristen?“ Ruth approached, tilting Kristen’s chin up with her free hand. „Say something.“

Kristen made her eyes blink, her lungs breathe and her mouth move. „I’m fine. It’s just the day catching up to me.“ She dropped the vegetables on the table. „But I think staying busy is the best thing. The christening was lovely, Ruth. I’m just sorry the party was ruined.“

Ruth looked unconvinced. „If you need anything, you will let me know.“

„I will. I promise.“ Kristen settled at the kitchen table and started ripping lettuce, a remarkably cathartic activity all in all. „So, Rachel, more algebra?“

Rachel grimaced. „Makeup work from all the days I missed. You’d think they’d cut me some slack, under the circumstances. But nooo. It’s all due on Monday.“

Kristen concentrated on the lettuce. „Welcome to the real world, honey.“ Where life rarely cuts you any slack. But couldn’t it, please? Just this once ?

Saturday, February 28,

10:45 p.m.

The house was quiet, relatively speaking. Sean and Ruth had gone home, taking all five children which eliminated 80 percent of the noise right there. Aidan had gone off to his old bedroom where Becca insisted he sleep for the night. Annie had also gone home, but not before quietly telling Kristen not to worry about her living room. She had some wallpaper that would be just perfect, and she’d fix it all up, better than new.

Now she and Abe sat with Becca and Kyle, the television showing pets doing amazing tricks. Abe’s arm was around her, holding her tight when she remembered. Pets . Damn. „I need to go to my house,“ she said, dreading the thought. „I have to feed the cats.“

Abe just tightened his hold. „Mia fed them. They’re fine.“

So Kristen indulged herself, putting off the nagging knowledge that there was still one major unresolved issue for just a little while longer. Then the program ended and Kyle stood with a groan.

„I’m sorry, but I have to go to bed. I’m getting too old for all this excitement. Becca?“

Becca rose, bent to kiss Abe’s cheek, then Kristen’s. „Where will you go tonight?“