Beach Rental(89)

Luke stood and stared out of the window. “If I say something about the theft now, after so much time has passed, it will look strange. If the authorities do check into it, he’ll implicate Juli.” In fact, when Luke had warned him off before, Frankie boasted he and Juli had worked a lot of parties together and had never gotten caught.

“Before, you were shielding your friend, your cousin. Now, you’re trying to protect his widow. I think you’ll find she’s a lot tougher and stronger than you think.”

“I can’t take the chance. First, she loses Ben. Now, she’s dealing with the pregnancy. And alone.”

“Not so alone thanks to you.”

“I want her kept safe and sound.”

Pat’s scrutiny made him uncomfortable. He turned away and spoke to the window. “Can you do that, Pat? Are you still comfortable keeping a watch over her?”

“Yes, but I don’t know how well I can protect her. There are two points of entry, one is totally outside my view and the house’s soundproofing is good. She could have a party over there and I might not hear a thing, but I’ll do what I can.”

“She’s more at risk living there alone with no one nearby. There would be a limit to what you could do anyway. In no way should you put yourself at risk.”

“I know my limitations.” Pat shifted in her seat. “What does he want, anyway? Frankie, I mean. I’ve been around enough criminals to know they usually have a reason for what they do, especially if they’re risking exposure.”

“She has money now. Maybe he thinks he can benefit from it.”

“Or—” She stopped mid-sentence deliberately.

“Go ahead.”

“Well, the Hammond party theft was only days before Juli married Ben. Suppose she did have a connection to the theft. Perhaps she has something Frankie wants back.”

When Luke had asked around looking for someone to keep an eye on Juli, Pat had come highly recommended. She was a nurse who’d never worked a typical shift in a typical hospital. She’d worked emergency services, corrections facilities, and, as she told it, at one crazy point in her life she joined the army and served a stint in the military police. She retired following a bad event she declined to discuss. Luke liked her style and respected her opinion, but he disagreed with the suggestion Juli could’ve been involved.

“She has all she needs and more. I don’t believe she’s done anything dishonest, but if she did have something Frankie wanted and she believed he would take it and go away, she’d give it to him.”

“Luke, I’m not as young as I used to be, but I hope I’ve gained in experience. I know to trust my instincts. I don’t think Juli would be in any real danger under normal circumstances, but living alone at the beach and very isolated this time of year, combine that with being a pregnant widow and she’s very vulnerable. I repeat, I’m not sure I would know something was wrong unless it happened right out front on the crossover in broad daylight.”

“She should leave the beach house.”

“And go where? She feels closer to the baby’s father where she is now. From what you’ve told me about her, this is the closest thing to a home she’s ever had.” Pat shook her head. “You talked to that man before and he stayed away. Maybe it’s time to talk to him again or talk to the police. Right now you’re trying to orchestrate a ring of protection around her. Don’t let your feelings for her cloud your judgment.”





Chapter Thirty-Two



Luke showed up on her doorstep. He was more subdued than she’d ever seen him. He must have looked a lot like that at Ben’s funeral, but she couldn’t remember seeing anyone—not really seeing anyone—that day, except the pastor whose face she’d focused on like a lifeline. Luke seemed to carry a heavy weight. His head was slightly bowed and his shoulders slumped.

She stood aside to let him enter. He cast one quick sidelong glance at her five-month belly, then walked past. He moved self-consciously. Juli was almost alarmed. She put a hand to her abdomen.

“Is there a problem?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I didn’t know how you’d feel about me.”

“Pardon?”

“If I’d be welcome here, I mean.” He turned to face her. “Have you forgiven me? You must know it was surprise speaking—not doubt about your character.”

“I do.” She motioned to a chair. “Take off your coat and have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

He stood for a moment, and then nodded. “That would be good.”