Ours(29)

“Follow me. Your family has just been contacted, and Kegon and I are about to head out to the scene.”

Jake held Sandy’s hand as they walked back to the main offices.

David raked his fingers through his hair before he continued. “The report just came in. Sabin was found murdered.” Jake froze as he looked at David, who nodded. “I’m going to confirm it, but it’s his house.”

“The killer left him in his house,” Jake shouted. “He’s only just moved out of my uncle’s place. Sabin’s fucking twenty years old. A baby.”

They walked into the room and everyone turned to him. He looked around to see Brock on the phone, his face tight and emotionless. “Who’s been contacted?”

“Your uncle and aunt were the ones who found him.”

“Fucking hell.”

Sandy jumped beside him at his yell. Jake looked down to see her gritting her teeth. He noticed that her fingers were white. He eased his grip on her hand, and she nodded to him.

“Is there anything I can do? Do you need me here? Do you want me to go so you can work?” Sandy used her free hand to rub his back. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Jake brought her hand up and kissed it. “No, don’t go. I want you with me.” He pulled her over to Brock. “Wait here a moment. I have to talk to the captain.”

Sandy nodded and shooed him away.

****

Zack had no idea what was going on. First he got a call from Brock to come and help with his mate, who was chucking a fit over losing her job. Then Brock called him again to say that their cousin Sabin had been killed.

Sandy stood by his brother Brock looking a mess. Her hair was in tangles that fell around her. Sandy’s usually immaculate suit sat off center with the top two buttons open and had crumbs all over it.

She opened her arms as soon as she saw him, and he walked into them. He hugged her tight and kissed her forehead.

“Oh, Zack, I’m so sorry.”

He nodded and looked to his brother. “Where’s Jake?”

His brother sighed loudly. He looked exhausted and miserable. “Gone to see the captain.” He closed his eyes for a moment like he was trying to gather himself. “Look, I’ve spoken to Mum and our family, so why don’t you take your woman here home? I think no matter what we would like to do, Jake and I are going to be here until late.”

Zack nodded.

“What about my car?” Sandy asked

“We’ll get it tomorrow, or someone will drop it off.”

Sandy nodded and followed him out of the room.

He’d ridden his Harley to work so he’d had to go to his garage and drive his spare car as his Land Rover was at Sandy’s.

He groaned as soon as Sandy saw his Ferrari Enzo. She started to pull him to the red sports car. He regretted getting it, but when he’d gotten out of the army, he wanted to celebrate with some of his inheritance, so he bought a couple of cars.

Sitting in his car, he looked at the time then back at Sandy. “Would it be all right if we stopped by my shop? I have clients now and contractors ringing this afternoon.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “I know I’m going to sound like a prick when I say this, but I don’t have time to grieve.”

Sandy nodded, picked up his hand, and kissed it. “That’s fine. I have nothing else to do now that I don’t have a job.” He raised his eyebrow and waited for her to tell what happened. She groaned. “I will not be going back to visit Jake at the station, that’s all I will say. You boys always get my temper riled.” She sighed and then a grin spread over her face. “If you want, I can drive.”

Sandy looked gorgeous in his car. He studied her. Her eyes were bright, her hair fell everywhere, and her smile was huge and hopeful. It was on the tip of his tongue to say “hell no,” but then she pouted. Crap. “Okay, do you know the way to my shop from here?”

Sandy’s eyes grew wide and she nodded. She got out of the car and ran to his side. He helped her adjust his seat as far forward as it would go it. He got in the passenger side and almost told her no again, when he heard vroom, vroom. Then her foot went down on the accelerator.

Zack got out of the car at his shop, and for the first time in his life, he patted himself down to check he was all still there and alive. He turned to a grinning Sandy, who ran her hands lovingly over the car and cooed at it.

The look of happiness on her face was priceless and well worth the pain he’d just gone through. “I take it you like the car.” Sandy didn’t even answer him just nodded. “So are you going to stay out here with the car, or come inside and help me check if I’m still alive after the ride you just put me through?”