Susan Sleeman - Behind the Badge

“It could help,” he murmured softly.

“Or it could put undue focus on the problem.”

“Is there still a problem? I mean other than the pain from the past.”

She raised the eyebrow near her cut and winced. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not usually.” He smiled but she didn’t respond. “I’ll stop prying if you want me to.”

“No…it’s fine. Things with Mom are starting to heat up. After no word from her for years, she contacted me recently and wants to see us. I don’t think it’s a good idea, but Nikki’s all for it. I want what’s best for her and that isn’t our mother.”

“You sound certain about that.”

“I am, I mean, I—” She bit her lip, looking uncertain. “I know I’m right, but honestly, I don’t know how to handle this with Nikki, so I keep putting it off. I’m hoping she’ll forget all about meeting Mom once we move into a real home of our own.”

He didn’t know how to respond to the problem with her mother, so he focused on the town house. “From everything I’ve heard it’s gonna be a sweet complex when it’s finished. Nikki should be real happy there.”

“I hope so, but maybe not. I know she’d rather live in a single-family home where she could play her music louder.”

Memories of Sydney living with his friend Adam brought a smile to his face. He could still picture her lounging on the sofa, flipping through a magazine, while music blared through the house.

Maybe he could lighten this conversation. “I remember when you liked to crank up your tunes in the summer, and Adam’s mom got on your case.”

She sighed, a faraway look filling her eyes. “What I wouldn’t give for those carefree summers at Aunt Lana’s place, when all I thought about were music and boys.”

She’d said boys, but he knew there had been one boy in particular she’d thought about back then. Him. Now he wondered what would’ve happened had he pursued those feelings. Would his life have taken a much different road? Maybe he’d never have left Logan Lake to go to Portland. Willie would be alive. Russ wouldn’t have hurt the people he loved.

“Don’t worry,” she said as she peered into his eyes, which he knew exposed his inner turmoil. “I might’ve had a crush on you, but that was a long time ago. If you can believe it, I’m over you.” She offered a smart-aleck grin, washing away his angst.

“Tell me it isn’t so.” He faked pulling a knife from his chest.

She laughed along with him, lifting his spirits. With their history, he’d thought he’d feel awkward around her. Instead, everything he’d seen so far intrigued him. He wanted to get to know her better. To find out the kind of person she’d become. Especially after the sad story of her parents. She really was fragile and vulnerable, despite the tough exterior she’d tried to portray all night.

Fragile and vulnerable.

Two things that didn’t jibe well with being targeted by a murderer. And two things he shouldn’t even be thinking about when he felt responsible for keeping this beautiful woman alive.

Sydney peered at Russ’s shuttered expression. She’d said something wrong but what, she didn’t know. Something special had flashed between them during the light, flirtatious banter. The exact situation she’d hoped for back in high school. Now it felt as if all the light had gone out of him, and he’d put up an invisible barrier.

Just as well. They were law-enforcement officers now, not a couple of teenagers. She wasn’t interested in a relationship with another man who’d lead her on, then balk at the responsibility of helping her raise a teen. Relationships were off-limits until Nikki was on her own.

As they finished eating, their conversation drifted back to the case. They rehashed the arrest and murder. Talked about how Garber thought the pictures of the motorcycle would lead somewhere. At Russ’s office tomorrow, they’d transfer them from her phone and enlarge them.

As if on cue, her phone chimed a text.

“Excuse me a minute.” She called up the message screen.

You seem to be avoiding my request, Deputy. Maybe I should have a conversation with that cute little sister of yours instead.

“Nikki.” Sydney dropped the phone and bolted from the table. “He’s after Nikki.”

“What?” Russ called after her.

She fled down the hall and shoved open Nikki’s door. Hoping to find her sister sitting behind the computer, Sydney stopped short. The room was empty, the window cracked open.

He had her. The killer had her.

Oh, God, no. Please, anything but this. Don’t let my baby sister be harmed. Help me find her, please, Lord. Please…

She charged back to the breakfast area and gazed desperately at Russ, who still sat at the table holding her phone. “Nikki’s not in her room. The window’s open. He must have her.”

“You’re jumping to conclusions, Syd. Why don’t you try calling her?” he said calmly, holding out her phone.

She snatched it and punched in Nikki’s speed-dial number. “Straight to voice mail. What’re we gonna do?” Panic seared along her nerve endings.

Russ crossed over to her and placed his hands on her arms. She felt the warmth of his fingers through her sleeves and wished the heat would still the alarm threatening to overwhelm her.

“Take a deep breath and calm down,” he said. “It’s not likely this creep has Nikki. She’s a tough kid. She wouldn’t let him take her without making so much noise we would’ve heard them. Maybe she snuck out.”

“She wouldn’t do that. Not after I warned her about the killer.”

“She’s a teenager, Syd. They think they’re invincible and do dumb things all the time. We should go to her room and see if we can find a lead.”

Sydney jerked away from Russ and raced back down the hall. She heard him follow. In the room, her eyes lit on the computer.

“Her life revolves around her computer. Maybe I can find something there.” She dropped into the chair and lifted the lid. After it woke up, Facebook filled the screen, followed by the little chat window with a transcript of a conversation with Emily.

Russ came up behind her and leaned over her shoulder.

Nikki had typed, Things changed. I can go. Emily responded, Seriously? Thought the warden said you had to stay with her tonight.

Sydney cringed at the “warden” comment. So what? She wasn’t Nikki’s friend or just her sister. She was her legal guardian. For all practical purposes her mother. And mothers had to be wardens at times.

Don’t care what she says. I’m going, Nikki added.

It’ll be crazy fun. Nick scored two kegs.

K. Pick me up at the corner so S doesn’t see me leave.

Be there in 5, Emily had typed before signing off.

“See,” Russ said, his tone meant to soothe but doing nothing to still her anxiety. “She went to a party. Now all we have to do is figure out where they are and bring her home.”

It was good to know the killer hadn’t abducted Nikki, but his message said he knew she wasn’t home. Her life could still be in danger.

A wave of nausea rolled through Sydney’s stomach. “The killer’s watching us. That’s how he knew she snuck out. What if he followed her?”

Russ didn’t say anything, but the concern in his eyes said he agreed. “Any idea where the party might be?”

“I’m guessing the pit.” She referred to a gravel pit just out of town. “At least that’s where most of the parties around here are held.”

“Then let’s go. We’ll issue a BOLO for her friend’s car on the way.” A Be On the Look Out would alert all officers in the area to watch for Nikki.

“You can call it in while I get my gun. I’ll meet you at the car.” She didn’t wait for agreement but ran to her bedroom, where Nikki had dropped Sydney’s backpack after bringing it in from the car.