Fearless Encounter

Chapter 2

After Brooke went to the suite and closed the door, Gabriel felt restless. He went to his room and changed into gym shorts then went to the garage. There was a fitness center near his office that he used when he needed a full workout. But the garage was large enough to accommodate his stationary bike. He turned on the overhead fan and hopped on to blow off some steam. It didn’t sit well with him that Brooke was in danger. After twenty-five years as a police officer, he wasn’t a stranger to crime—he’d seen too much of it.

He had no doubt that what Brooke had seen was real. Her reaction was enough to confirm that. He knew from investigations that the emotions of those involved often told the story. He’d learned to believe what he observed, and to listen. The issue was to discover what had happened in that alley, and that might not be easy.

Another thing that Gabriel knew for sure was that he would keep Brooke safe. He intended to find out the details of the crime and put the danger to rest. Until he did that, Brooke was his focus. He didn’t take kindly to a woman under threat. His gut wrenched at the thought, and he shifted on the seat, pedaling faster.

Brooke seemed out of her depth. Working in a restaurant, she must meet all types of people. But the earlier encounter had been a shock for her. That was evident by her behavior, her reluctance to talk about the event. He didn’t like seeing her afraid. If Gabriel had been in that alley, he would have gone after the guy. But he hadn’t been there; he’d let Brooke walk to her dinner engagement by herself. There was no doubt in his mind that he should have escorted her, no matter whether she’d thought she needed it or not.

The knot in his stomach tightened. He may not have been there at the time, but he was now. There was no question that he would do all in his power to get Brooke through the situation without harm—which was a very real possibility. Criminals didn’t take lightly to being observed in the committing of a crime. All too often, Gabriel had dealt with that very thing. A witness to a violent act was at risk. It was still a mystery what happened to the woman in the alley, but whatever it was couldn’t be good.

One thing that amazed Gabriel was that Brooke had returned to the scene. She’d cared about the victim enough to face personal danger. Likely, she hadn’t considered the consequences or how she would deal with the attacker. Yet her instinct had been good. Her heart had been in the right place. Still, he wondered if she realized her vulnerability. It was unknown how clearly the criminal saw her face or whether he would bother looking for her.

It hadn’t escaped Gabriel’s notice that Brooke was beautiful. An image of her filled his mind, her long, dark hair, lovely brown eyes, and a body with curves that made him want to hold her close. He enjoyed looking at her a bit too much. He had been aware of her beauty that night he first saw her at Jasper’s. More than beautiful, she’d been friendly in the way she interacted with the teenagers, and she’d taken care to find out his daughter’s favorite kind of cake. She struck him as brave, intelligent, and capable. How he knew all of that in such a short period, he couldn’t say. But he knew people, a skill acquired from a career where much depended on that.

Brooke would be wonderful to be with. She wasn’t dating anyone at present. But unfortunately, Gabriel wasn’t the guy for her. He had personal issues and didn’t plan on establishing a long-term relationship. Loneliness was a condition that he could deal with, and had for quite some time—ever since Margo died. The loss of his wife created a void in his heart that he lived with every day. He had his daughters and his work. And he had good friends. That was enough. It had to be.

Gabriel stopped the bike then grabbed a towel from the shelf to wipe away the sweat. Exercise was an outlet for him, and he’d used it to get through many tough times. After his wife died, he’d worked out for days, weeks in a row, until he was so tired and sore that he could have dropped over. The frustration, the loss, was overwhelming, and he needed an acceptable way to process it. He turned off the light and walked toward the house, forcing unwelcome thoughts from his mind.

He went to the kitchen for a drink of water. Then, as was his nightly routine, he did a last check of the house to make sure it was secured before going to his bedroom. After shedding the gym clothes, he took a shower, letting the hot water pound on his back to relax his tight muscles. There wasn’t much he could do that late at night. He wanted to call Abe, but that would have to wait until morning. Abe Stewart had been a good partner in the PD, and that friendship had endured. He was as loyal as they came, and just as competent. He had a moral code that he stuck to, and not all cops did. He was the one guy that Gabriel trusted, so he maintained the connection. They often teamed up to solve crimes, even after Gabriel had left the force.

Abe was aware of the incident, since Gabriel had texted before leaving the scene. If any news surfaced, the on-duty officers would contact him, and Abe would call—even if it was the middle of the night. That was an agreement they established while Gabriel was still with NOPD. It was a vital connection, as time was of the essence in dealing with crime. Delay could cost lives, so Abe would send an alert the instant he knew anything. A woman’s life was at stake, something that Gabriel didn’t need to tell him.

Tomorrow he would let his business partner know the situation. Weston Lang, a computer geek in his mid-thirties, was one of the best hackers he’d known and could work angles that Gabriel wouldn’t think of. The guy was also a licensed PI, and Gabriel had set up shop with him to start Guardian Investigation. Together they’d built up a sizable clientele.

Gabriel settled in his bed, intending to sleep well and be ready for whatever the next day brought. But sleep didn’t come quickly. He had a beautiful woman in his house, which was a distraction. Yet he wasn’t about to make a move. The only reason she was there was so he could protect her. That responsibility was one that he took seriously. Once he figured out the identity of the criminal and the location of the woman, he’d feel a lot better.

Once Brooke was safe and the danger had passed, Gabriel would like to get to know her. Since his wife had died, he hadn’t dated. He hadn’t connected with any woman in that way. The pain in his heart and the loneliness had been his life since that awful day. Being a widower was tough, and Brooke was the first woman to arouse his interest. But it probably wasn’t going to happen. It was surprising that he’d even thought of it.

Despite the late hour when Gabriel dozed off, he woke early. He dressed and brewed coffee, then texted Abe, knowing that he would be up. It was against Gabriel’s nature to wait. Abe responded quickly but assured him there was no news. It was Saturday, so he wasn’t on duty, but had left orders to be notified of any developments.

Leaning against the counter, Gabriel expelled a long breath. It had been less than twelve hours since the suspected abduction, but it seemed longer. And he needed to know more—a woman’s life might depend on it.

Brooke stepped into the kitchen wearing cream-colored pants that fit like they were made for her, and a blue sweater tight enough to stir his desire. He admired her, willing himself not to stare. “Good morning—you’re up early,” he said, as casually as he could manage.

“You should talk. It’s not even light out yet.” Brooke moved closer. “I suppose you’re going to offer me some coffee?”

Gabriel snapped out of his stupor and grabbed a mug from the cupboard. “Do you take cream or sugar?” His words sounded normal, but his emotions were anything but.

“Cream would be good.” Brooke put her hand on the refrigerator handle. “May I?”

“Please, make yourself at home.” Gabriel gathered his wits while she fixed her coffee. “We can sit in the dining room. Once the sun comes up, there’s a nice view of the garden.”

Brooke sipped her coffee. “That tastes good.”

*****

Gabriel guided her to the breakfast table and raised the blinds. The sky was just beginning to get light. The sight of the backyard and garden was tranquil, and Brooke sipped her coffee while gazing out the window. She had so many questions for Gabriel but didn’t know where to start. She’d only just met him so held back. The pictures on the walls in her room came to mind.

The photos of his family had captivated her. His wife had been lovely, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. His daughters looked like their mother, with blue eyes and blondish hair. Gabriel was in some of the photos, too. And he looked so happy. It touched Brooke’s heart to think of him losing his wife. She was curious about what had happened but didn’t want to ask so soon.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Gabriel said, his eyes lighting with a smile.

“Oh, uh… I hope you don’t mind my asking, but I’d like to hear more about your family,” Brooke said, purposely leaving it open in case he wanted to talk about his wife.

Gabriel took a gulp of coffee. “My girls are amazing. But that’s a proud father talking.” He leaned back. “Camille is my oldest, and she turned twenty-one last year and moved to California. She runs her own online clothing business and does quite well at it.”

“Why California?”

“She wanted to be on the West Coast, closer to design centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco,” Gabriel said. “And Abe’s younger sister, Mallory, lives in L.A. and was delighted to have Camille move in with her—at least temporarily.”

“Abe’s in the PD?”

“Yes, we still work a lot together,” Gabriel said. “We became good friends during my stint in the force.”

Brooke listened, glad to get to know him better.

“Amalie, my youngest, recently turned nineteen, but you probably know that.”

“Sure, the daughter who favors my cake baking.”

Gabriel smiled. “She sure does, and she likes sweets. If she knows you’re around, I’m sure she’ll try to twist your arm to make something for her.”

“What does she do?”

“Amalie is a researcher in my PI firm,” Gabriel said. “Since she was little, she gravitated to technology, and she’s quite good at it. Plus, she’s handy with social media, which is useful.”

“That’s interesting,” Brooke said, holding her warm mug in both hands. “It’s unusual for a young girl to want a career with her father.”

“True, but she chose it.” Gabriel’s eyes gleamed when he spoke about his daughters. “She wants to be a PI, and I’m sure she’ll be damn good at it.”

Brooke waited, curious how much he’d share about his wife. “Your daughters look like their mother.”

Gabriel’s expression darkened, but only momentarily. “That’s a good thing. They are beautiful.”

Sensing that he was on the verge of sharing more, she said, “What did your wife do?”

For a moment, Gabriel looked out the window. The sun was coming up, and the soft light cast a glow over the table. He looked more handsome than ever. “Margot was a nurse…until she died three years ago.” He didn’t elaborate.

Brooke did the math. Margot had died when her youngest was barely sixteen years old—a very sad thought.

“Let’s see what I can cook up for breakfast,” Gabriel said, heading for the kitchen.

Brooke followed for a coffee refill and to watch him at work. She offered to help, but he didn’t need it.

“Scrambled eggs and toast okay?”

“That sounds good. I’m hungrier than I usually am this early in the morning.” Brooke set the table, and when the food was done, they sat.

It was comfortable being with Gabriel. She tried to recall if she’d felt that way about her husband before marrying him but was sure that she hadn’t. It had been awkward even dating. She marveled at how she’d rationalized everything. Her ex had looked like a movie star, and she’d fallen for him quickly. Yet she couldn’t recall ever talking with him, except about superficial topics—or later in the relationship, fighting.

“Tell me more about you,” Gabriel said, shuffling his eggs around the plate.

“Well, you already know I’m a pastry chef,” Brooke said. “I’ve worked at Jasper’s Bistro for fifteen years. After graduating from pastry school, I worked for a variety of restaurants—sort of worked my way up.”

“Do you have kids?”

“One son…David. He’s in his second semester at UNO, studying computer science.”

“University of New Orleans is a good school,” Gabriel said. “Often kids want to go away to college, when they have everything they need right here.”

“At least he’s close enough to visit easily. He’s staying in the dorms at Scott Campus.”

“That can’t be cheap.”

“No, it isn’t,” Brooke said. “Fortunately, his father is paying.”

“He must be doing well.”

“My ex is a personal injury attorney, Everett Clark—you’ve probably seen his ads.”

Gabriel nodded. “That’s him, huh? I don’t know, but I can’t see you with an injury attorney—just saying.”

Brooke shoved her plate aside. “What can I say? He was charming, handsome, and successful. I fell hard.”

“What happened, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“He left me—found a woman who was younger, and more his type, or so he claimed.” Brooke glanced away. “For a while, I felt like such a loser. At the time it really hurt. Everett came home one day and told me it was over. He didn’t love me anymore.”

Gabriel’s eyes filled with compassion. “That’s a tough one.”

“It’s been a while now,” Brooke said. “David was only fifteen at the time. I got my life together after that.” She smiled. “I’m not saying my ego every recovered.”

“It should have. You’re a very desirable woman.”

Brooke was sure she blushed. “I recently turned forty, so I don’t object to flattery.”

Gabriel looked at her for a beat too long, but she couldn’t read his thoughts. She’d focus on the compliment, as it had made her feel good even if he was just being nice.

*****

After Gabriel cleared the dishes and refilled the coffee, Brooke mentioned the incident from the night before. He was just about to broach the subject and was glad she brought it up.

“When the station opens, I should go to the police and make a report,” Brooke said, sounding determined.

“I agree,” Gabriel said. “I’ll set up a meeting with Abe to make sure it’s handled right. I want this kept away from the press, who would just love any sensational story connected to the parade.”

Brooke sighed. “I hope that’s possible. The last thing I want is to be in the news, social media or otherwise.”

“Your job is at an upscale establishment in the French Quarter,” Gabriel said. “Not exactly low profile. Customers likely remember your delicious pastries. Overall, you’re in a more visible position than I prefer.”

“Not much I can do about that,” Brooke said. “Every minute that ticks by, that woman could be worse off. I can’t think solely of my own safety.”

“I admire you for that,” Gabriel said. “And I intend to do all I can to minimize your exposure. Mardi Gras news spreads like wildfire during this season, and word of your story would shine a light on you.”

“It can’t be that bad,” Brooke said. “Maybe I’m exaggerating what I saw, out of fear. I was upset. I could be making more out of this than I should.”

“I understand clinging to the idea that you imagined the danger,” Gabriel said. “But in my experience, danger in this city is very real. The way you described the event leads me to believe you witnessed a woman’s abduction or some type of assault.”

“I wish I wasn’t involved,” Brooke said. “I don’t have time for this. My career is demanding, especially with all the festivities. The restaurant is often packed, and a few big orders came in. I need to get busy.”

Gabriel wished he could hide her away until he knew more, but that wasn’t to be. “We’ll go make the report.”

“I have to do that,” Brooke said. “I don’t want this on my conscience.” She stood. “If a woman is in trouble, I can’t just ignore it.”

While Brooke was getting ready, Gabriel cleaned up the dishes and texted Abe to meet them at the station. Saturday was his friend’s day off, but that didn’t matter. He was a bit of a workaholic and wouldn’t mind a couple hours at the station.

The eighth district station in the French Quarter was like home to Gabriel. He knew most of the officers, except the new guys. The station’s colonial structure had quite a history. It had been built in the eighteen hundreds and was originally the Bank of Louisiana. After a couple of fires, it was rebuilt with a Greek Revival look, a boxlike European design with huge white columns.

During the drive, Brooke had been quiet. Gabriel led her inside to the expansive halls leading from the entry. In contrast to the station’s historical image, the interior was modern. The floors gleamed as if recently polished and the reception desk shined in the fluorescent light. The receptionist lifted her hand in greeting. “He’s in his office.”

Gabriel was a frequent visitor, and the staff allowed him access without the normal red tape. He turned the corner and walked toward the familiar office, but he didn’t need to go far. Abe Stewart was in the hallway, talking to a couple of officers. He stood out in the crowd. He was six feet three, with broad shoulders and a muscled frame. He shaved his head to a mere dark shadow and had a close-cropped, dark beard. In law enforcement, his Creole heritage worked to his advantage. The city was a unique melting pot of Creole, French, Spanish, and more. In many situations, Abe fit in much better than Gabriel could. His family had lived in the city for generations, so he understood much that others might not.

His friend cut an imposing figure, but his stature was sometimes misleading. He used his strength in a positive way and served the city he loved with compassion. He had been a good partner and remained a trustworthy friend. He glanced up, then dismissed the other cops. “Hello,” he said, and held out a hand to Brooke, ignoring Gabriel.

Abe towered over Brooke. She looked up and, with only a slight hesitation, shook his hand. “I’m Brooke Montgomery.”

On his way into the office, Gabriel acknowledged his friend with a nod.

Coffee was offered. Gabriel chatted a bit with Abe until the coffee was brought in. The conversation seemed to relax Brooke. She stopped gripping the chair arms and leaned back, sipping her drink.

In a calm, easy manner, Abe proceeded to interview Brooke and obtain the details of the incident she’d witnessed. He asked all the pertinent questions, giving her plenty of opportunity to respond. While she told the story, Abe typed the information into his computer. “And you hadn’t seen this woman before?”

“Not that I recall,” Brooke said. “She was elaborately dressed and wearing a mask. I’m not sure I’d recognize my best friend in a costume like that. But I clearly recall the purple hair and the sparkling tiara. She was somewhat petite, because the man seemed to completely overpower her—not only with his aggression but his size.”

Abe seemed to ponder the situation. “You’ve given us reason to open a case. We don’t have enough to locate this woman, but it’s early yet. More information could turn up.”

“And keep this quiet for now,” Gabriel said. “Like we discussed, there’s no need to involve the press—until we learn more.”

“I agree.” Abe looked at Brooke. “I would advise not sharing this information with friends or family just yet—for your own safety.”

She leaned forward. “You really think there’s a threat?”

“That depends on many factors.” Abe paused, as if deciding on the right words. “You witnessed a violent crime, which makes you a target. The question is whether the perpetrator had a good enough look at your face to recognize you. And whether he will come after you.”

Brooke didn’t respond, so Gabriel said, “We’ll be careful.”

*****

When back in the car, Gabriel turned to Brooke. “I want you to know that we can count on Abe. He will do the right thing, without getting caught up in procedure .”

“Why do you say it like that? You sound…I don’t know…annoyed.”

“I’ve had experience with the inner workings of law enforcement,” Gabriel said, realizing he was sharing more than he intended. “Never mind—you’re in good hands.”

Brooke frowned but didn’t push.

Gabriel started the engine. “I intend to stay close until we know more.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll work with my team to uncover any data that might help,” Gabriel said. “Meanwhile, you shouldn’t be alone.”

Brooke’s eyes widened. “I have to go to work, you know.”

“It should be safe with the other employees there,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at the end of the day.”

“But I hardly know you.”

Gabriel smiled. “I’m your protector.”

“Says who?”

“I say so—until the danger has passed. I don’t look the other way when a woman is in trouble.” He cringed at old memories that haunted him, but brushed the thoughts aside.

“I’m not sure my situation calls for all of this,” Brooke said. “Mardi Gras can be scary anyway, with all the weird costumes and heavy drugs and drinking.”

Gabriel wasn’t buying her “it’s nothing” argument. He pulled onto the street and headed for her condo.

“I’ll text Jasper to let him know I’ll be in shortly,” Brooke said. “I’m rarely late. I don’t want him to worry. I’ll figure out some excuse for my tardiness. Saturday is a big day at the restaurant.”

Gabriel was relieved that she’d agreed without too much protest. Once he dropped her at Jasper’s, he’d go to his office and dig for information. If one looked in the right places, there were always clues. In the PI business, he was able to employ methods that law enforcement didn’t. They didn’t have the staff for it and were bound by procedure. That was where being in business for himself was an advantage. He didn’t have to limit his methods or resources—as long as he stayed within the law.