Merry with a Gambler (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Stack (Dax)

She doesn’t know that I’ve heard the story of her family from Pax. I sense there’s more that she’s not telling. But then I’m deceiving her, too. For once the game of deception doesn’t sit well with me. Not with her. She’s not a suspect, a mark. She’s an innocent just trying to make a life.

Boots deserves better than the cards she’s been dealt. When this is over, I’ll find a way to help her. I’ve been thinking about maybe moving here, buying this condo so I’d have a place close to Pax and Nyla when I’m not working.

Maybe she could just stay here permanently. There’s room off the back, I could expand the second bedroom for the times I’m in between assignments.

Boots stands and takes my plate. “You want more coffee?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You cooked, I’ll do the dishes. Then I’m going to the library to use the computer to see what apartments might be available.”

“You don’t have a computer? How do you plan on doing your homework?”

“The library or the college has a small media center. I have a thumb drive where I save everything. The library works best, because they’re open in the mornings before I have to be at work. I’ve already started spreadsheets to track my toy sales income.”

“First things first. Let’s go to the bank and get you a box to secure your money. You don’t need to be in a rush to find a place. I don’t care how long you stay here.”

“Stack, I pay for myself. I don’t like owing people. If I stay here, you need to let me pay something.”

“Bank first, then we’ll work out a deal.” Stubborn little thing.

“I also have to get to the charity store to get some vases and the flower shop to see what flowers they have discounted. I’ve got a side job making bouquets for an event.”

“What kind of work surface and storage do you need for your flower business?”

“I can store everything in the garage if you don’t mind.”

“Sure, and there’s a small table on the deck, I can bring it in for you to use. Will that work?”

She smiles. “It will be the best setup I’ve ever had.”

She heads down the hall to grab her backpack. I pull out my phone and text I-Tee our computer guru and tell him I need one of our old computers cleaned and set up for her to use. He keeps everything since his hobby is rebuilding them.

The bank representative recommends that she list another person on the box. Since I’m there and they need ID, she uses me with the promise of asking Nyla to go back with her. My phone rings as we leave the bank.

“What’s up?” I ask my brother.

“Detective Ford is here. He wants her to file a report. Seems there’s been other thefts, and a woman was accosted in the neighborhood where Boots was living. He knows to keep your identity secret and is willing to meet you somewhere.”

“Okay, ask him to meet us at Caffeine Beach in fifteen minutes?”

While I wait for him to confer with Ford, I glance at Boots. “This is Pax. The detective wants to talk to you about the break-in. What time do you need to be at work and do you need to change?”

She shakes her head. “No, I can wear this for work. I like to get there by three-thirty, but I start at four. I need to get my bike so I can go to the Charity Shop.”

“I’ll get you to the Charity Shop in my SUV after we see the detective. It will be easier.” I turn back to the phone. “We should be good then.”

Pax comes back on the line to confirm and we head to Caffeine Beach Coffee Shop, beating Detective Ford by about five minutes. He stops and orders a coffee then joins us at the table.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Pax only had an overview so can you start from the beginning. I’d like to record if you don’t mind. I’ll still take some notes but this way I won’t miss anything,” he directs his question to Boots.

She nods and tells him everything from her point of view. When she’s done, he looks at me.

“Have anything to add?”

“When we pulled into the driveway there was a guy at the front door. It looked like he was trying to reset the lock.”

Ford raises an eyebrow. I shrug. “Different body posture for breaking in and trying to leave so no one notices. He wore gloves so you won’t get prints. Dark beanie covered his head, five-ten, two hundred-five pounds. Beer belly. Dark Carhartt style jacket, baggy jeans and construction boots. Panicked when he heard my bike and we pulled in. He took off running. No footprints inside from the weather, further proof he was leaving. The rain last night would have ruined any prints.

“As we were headed inside, I heard an old muffler sputter, probably two blocks away.”

“Anything else?”

“Boots didn’t mention that the only thing missing was a pair of her red panties.”

Her face turns about the shade I imagine the panties were.

Ford drops his gaze to his notebook where he’s made bullet point notes.

“What aren’t you telling us,” I ask.

“You may have heard a serial killer has been apprehended near here. What you may not have heard is a couple other local women have gone missing since he was apprehended. Another woman was attacked but got away. We’re assuming the new attacks are related to each other, but perhaps also to the serial killer somehow.

“We’re trying to determine if the man in custody had more accomplices than we’re aware of.”

Yeah, I’m aware. It’s the reason I’m back in town. My assignment is to identify, infiltrate and expose.

“What’s that got to do with Boots?”

“We believe that one of the missing women was taken from a place not far from where Boots lives. I’ve talked to the landlord and interviewed all the other tenants. None of the other rooms in the building were disturbed. Which makes me think it wasn’t a random break in.” He meets Boots’ gaze. “Has someone been following you?”

“I—I don’t think so. Not that I’ve noticed.”

She’s too damn innocent. “She won’t be going back to that shithole.”

Ford nods. “You need to be careful, Miss Jenner. Be aware of your surroundings. I understand you bike to and from work. You need to consider getting someone you know and trust to pick you up or call a rideshare.”

“She’s staying with me. I’ll be getting her to work and I’ll make sure her boss gets her home safe if I’m not around.”

Detective Ford pulls a card from his wallet, turns it over and writes a number on the back before standing and handing it to her. “That’s my card. On the back is my private number. Put that number in your phone. You can call me any time, day or night. Stay safe, Boots.”

We have just enough time to run her errands and get to the Sandy Sipper on time. I take a seat at the bar. Boots heads to the back room and her locker. Nyla shoots me a quick glance and follows her.

Pax slams a beer in front of me and motions me to follow him outside. I give him a couple minutes before following. I find him in the pizza shack.

“What the fuck is going on?”

“I don’t know. Someone broke into her place. I’m just glad I gave her a ride home. Why the hell are you letting her ride a bike home at two in the morning?”

“I don’t. I usually put her bike in the truck and drive her home or call her a car. But once in a while she sneaks off and I miss her.” He rubs a hand through his hair. “I fucked up last night. When I realized and got to the door to catch her, I saw her on your bike. It won’t happen again.”

“Damn straight. She’s staying with me till we figure out why someone broke into her place. Hide the damn bike for now. I’ll find her a car before I leave.”

“Dax, I don’t think this is a good idea. You’re on a case. You can’t be distracted. You’re on your own if your cover gets blown. You could be putting her in danger, too.”

“The guy last night saw the biker me. Not the guy I’ll be in a couple days. I’ll be careful. The condo is infinitely safer than that dump she was at. You got enough on your hands with Nyla, the bar, and the fallout from her brother’s trial.

“Technically the gambling ship cruises end before you close. I’ll let you know if I can pick her up, if not get her to the condo after work. If you have to take her to your place, I’ll pick her up when I can.”

“I don’t like this. I’ll talk to Steel and have him get I-Tee to dig around. Maybe we’re missing something. I’ll also talk to Ford again.”

“Ford sounded like he thought it was the area that was being targeted for women, not necessarily her specifically. Just keep an eye on her here. I’m gonna hang around for a while then go do some recon. I’ll be back to get her.”