Night Waves Page 8

  “An alliance. You and me. You get the inside scoop on the investigation, and I get our names in the headlines.”

  “Let me get this straight. You want me to use the sheriff to get inside information so you’ll get the publicity for it.”

  “Sure.”

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  “I told you. Headlines. It would benefit both of us. Give our careers a boost.”

  “I don’t need a career boost, and I’m not interested in headlines, unless they are the kind that says my friend has been found.”

  “I’m an opportunist, Ms. Stevens. I thought, as a reporter, you would be too. Isn’t that why you are becoming friends with the sheriff?”

  “You…” Several adjectives to describe the man came to her mind, but she refrained. “I’m not interested.”

  “Take my number.” He held out a plain, black and white business card as his calculating gaze studied her. “In case you change your mind.”

  “The answer won’t change.” Cali took the thin, inexpensive card and stuffed it into her back pocket, hoping he would back off and leave her alone.

  “Good day to you, Ms. Stevens.”

  Relieved he had decided to leave, she said, “Goodbye, Mr. Harrison.”

  “Oh, and be careful out there. You never know who you might run into.”

  Unease crept up her spine at the unexpected warning. “I’m always cautious.”

  His bushy brows lifted. “Really? Yet, you didn’t see me coming did you?”

  He turned and walked away, leaving her with the sting of his words. He had followed her, probably straight from the press conference, and she hadn’t even noticed.

  Anxious to put the incident out of her mind, Cali headed across the road to the beach, hoping to find solace in the calming sounds of the ocean. After walking for a few minutes, her breathing returned to normal as the sounds of the waves crashing against the shoreline soothed her, helping her escape from reality for a few precious moments. As the evening progressed, she kept her mind focused on the simple act of putting one sandy foot in front of the other and let all other thoughts be carried away.

  The sun sank low on the horizon, casting a soft, amber glow to the surface of Coral Isle. She passed by a young couple, strolling hand-in-hand along the foamy surf, oblivious to the chaos consuming Cali’s life. She continued past them, looking to the beach that lay beyond. A large brown sign came into view, clearly marking the beginning of the Coral Isle Nature Preserve. No one occupied the beach beyond the notice, and she relished the idea of a few moments alone.

  Cali fell into a rhythm, walking along the shoreline as the waves continued to grow deeper, stretching along the beach farther and farther up as the tide worked its way in. The beach became thinner, the passageway between the ocean and dunes narrower. Afraid of being squeezed out of walking space, she stopped for a moment to breathe in the salty sea air and embrace the solitude before heading back.

  When she turned, she immediately recognized she had gone farther than she had planned. She glanced at her watch and discovered she had been walking close to an hour and a half. How far had she gone along on the deserted beach? Alarmed by the discovery she had traveled too far, the sun seemed to hasten its decent, taking its calming amber glow with it and casting long shadows on the sand that lay ahead. The grayness of twilight descended, and she felt a prickly unease crawl along her spine. Every hair on her neck stood on end. Cali had the distinct feeling someone was watching her.

  She wanted to brush off her apprehension, to attribute it to the darkening sky, yet she’d learned to trust her instincts years ago. Using them now, she picked up speed, launching into a full jog.

  She cast several quick glances over her shoulder. No one was behind her, and no one in front. There was no evidence to support her sudden unease. But, when she had covered about a quarter of a mile, she sensed a presence some distance behind her. A dark presence, and it felt wrong. Extremely wrong.

  As the sky darkened, panic consumed her.

  Cali ran as fast and hard as she could, yet felt as if she moved in slow motion as the sand slowed her progress. Her breathing quickly became labored, her lungs screamed for oxygen. She used her initial surge of adrenaline in record time, yet was awarded with a second surge when she peeked over her shoulder again and a bright light blinded her.

  “Cali?”

  She heard her name spoken in a question, yet it sounded foreign. She couldn’t see past the light to identify the source of the voice. He knows my name! The stalker knows my name! The second round of adrenaline shot through her system and she took off faster, nearly tripping over the depressions and grooves in the sand.

  She prayed for help. She prayed for protection.

  “Wait!”

  Urgency resounded in the deep voice. A man’s deep voice. Terror filled her, taking control of all rational thoughts. Move faster. Move faster. The frightening thoughts kept her legs moving, when her sides started to ache and her deep breaths turned into uncontrolled fits of coughing.

  Heavy footsteps came close behind her, and she struggled to outdistance them. Precious seconds later, a strong arm banded around her waist, lifting her off the ground and back against a hard, solid chest. Cali screamed for help, but feared she had ventured too far out for anyone to hear. She struggled, panting for breath. She kicked, scratched and turned her head to bite a well-muscled shoulder.

  “Cali,” he spoke her name in an even, controlled tone.

  A spark of recognition hit her, but before she had time to place exactly who it was, the man dropped the flashlight into the sand and twisted her around.

  “It’s me. Sheriff Justice. It’s OK. You’re OK.” He held her by her shoulders, steadying her as she fought to gain her balance.

  “Sheriff?” She recognized the outline of his features, and the hard angle of his jaw. “Justice.” All at once, the feeling of something being terribly wrong vanished. It was quickly replaced with a sense of calmness and security. Cali wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into the firm length of his body. She buried her head under his chin, feeling his strong heartbeat against her cheek as she rested against his chest. She noticed he had replaced his standard uniform with a pair of jeans and a dark, snug-fitting T-shirt, and he smelled fresh out of the shower, as if soap still clung to his skin. His masculine scent surrounded her, providing a more intimate layer of comfort.

  He enfolded her into his arms, but the tension remained in his body. “I saw you running. Something scared you.”

  “Someone scared me.”

  He pulled back, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Did you see somebody?”

  She looked into his intense eyes. “N-no.” She shook her head. “But I felt someone nearby, and it wasn’t you.”

  “Are you sure?” He glanced over his shoulder, then his gaze came back to drill into hers.

  “I’m sure. I felt something…” she hesitated, afraid of what he may think of her relying purely on instinct.

  “Something what?” he prodded.

  “Out of place. Something just plain wrong.” She shivered as goose bumps traveled up her arms and neck. She looked away into the churning sea, not wanting to see doubt in his eyes.

  He ran his warm, solid hands down her arms, and then lifted his hand to cup her face. Using his thumb, he coaxed her chin up until she had no recourse but to meet his questioning gaze. When she discovered no doubt, no ridicule, relief swept over her, urging her to say, “And I don’t feel that when I’m with you. I feel safe with you.”

  Something flashed across the deep-blue depths of his eyes. His gaze flickered to her lips and he hesitated, before dropping his hand and leaning to recover the flashlight.

  He took her arm in his urgent grasp and began walking with her. “I’ll take you to my truck. It’s on the road directly past this dune. When we get there, get inside and lock the doors. I’m going to look for him.”

  “Do you think it’s the stalker?” she asked, breathl
ess from running and then trying to keep up with his long strides.

  “There’s a good chance it is.”

  They climbed the path up the sand dune and he loosened his grip, sliding his hand to lace his fingers with hers. Stepping in front on the narrow passageway, he half dragged her up the slope in his haste. When they crested the hill, Cali was surprised to find the road right next to the dune. She spotted the white truck, marked “Sheriff of Coral Isle.”

  Nick led her to the truck, using the remote to unlock it. Opening the door, he guided her into the passenger seat with his hands on her waist and slammed the door. The locks engaged before she had a chance to find the inside control panel and lock them first. He stopped long enough to nod his head, his eyes telling her to stay put. She nodded back, watching his determination surge forth. He turned, drew his pistol from his ankle holster and disappeared into the dark night in search of a stalker.

  Night Waves

  Night Waves

  Chapter Eleven

  Nick welcomed the adrenaline rushing through his system. It gave him additional energy as he combed the grassy dunes looking for the source of Cali’s fear. He had no doubt her instincts had been right. Someone had been out here, but his hopes of finding the person diminished with every passing moment.

  He searched the shoreline, shining his light into the darkness. The beam highlighted the sand and swirling ocean water, but he found no one lurking in the shadows. He didn’t want to leave Cali for too long, or go too far away from her, so he turned and headed back over the dunes. When he approached the side of the road, he looked for tire tracks in the sand that had not been swept away by the constant ocean breeze. He found none.

  By the time Nick returned to his truck, his fear for Cali’s safety had switched into a low, simmering anger. He climbed in, slammed the door shut and locked them inside the cab. “What were you doing out here alone?”

  “Taking a walk.”

  He clenched his jaw and blood pounded through his veins. “Taking a walk? Didn’t anything I said during the press conference sink in?”

  “Of course it did. That’s why I came out here to begin with.”

  He scoffed, “I think you’d better explain that one to me real quick. I have a mind to throw you into a cell and lock you up until this whole thing is over.”

  “I came out to the beach to sort things out. You…you released some details I wasn’t expecting to hear.” Cali gripped the handle on the passenger door and inched away.

  Nick noticed her defensive gesture but chose to ignore it. “I left plenty of details out. You have no idea what this man could do to you. And you nearly walked right into his hands.”

  Her eyes widened. “Did you see him? Was he out here?”

  “I didn’t see him. But he was here.”

  “If you didn’t see him, how do you know?”

  “The same way you did. Gut instinct.” He held his temper in check, but considering the danger Cali had exposed herself to, he had a hard time keeping his voice steady. “When I first met you, I thought you had a good head on your shoulders. I guess I was wrong.” Nick shoved the key into the ignition and revved the engine. He let it idle for a moment. “Do you want to be his next target?”

  “No. Of course not.” Cali crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t realize how far I’d walked on the beach. Then it started getting dark…”

  “Providing the perfect opportunity for him to grab you,” he snapped as a new anger burned inside. “Do me a favor. The next time you’re looking for the big story to jump-start your career, do it somewhere else.”

  Her clear-blue eyes clouded over, making her look like a wounded doe. She shrank away, and a glimmer of moisture welled in her eyes. “I would never…” her voice cracked.

  Nick instantly regretted his words. He had seen her desperate flight on the beach. He didn’t believe she would intentionally put herself in danger for a story, but he had seen such foolish acts before.

  He gritted his teeth as he put the truck in drive and pulled out onto the deserted highway. He concentrated on the road ahead, trying to give time for the magnetic force of the woman sitting next to him to lessen. After a few minutes, he realized it wasn’t working. If anything, the pull became stronger. Nick glanced her way. She had her head turned, looking out the side window with the wounded look showing through her profile. Though she kept her back straight, she’d let her arms drop to her lap, and clasped her hands in front of her. One of the thin straps on her sundress had slipped unheeded down her shoulder, and he had a sudden urge to slip it back into place. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, so he would not give in to the temptation to touch her.

  His gaze flickered from the road back to her face. With her defenses down, a hint of innocence showed through, and a touch of vulnerability became exposed. Nick felt his heart slide a notch.

  “Look, I didn’t mean…” He sighed in frustration, unsure of how to make things right between them, and wondering why he wanted so badly to see her smile. “I’m only trying to protect you.”

  Cali didn’t respond, merely stared out into the darkness.

  The silence in the truck only served to heighten Nick’s tension, causing a low throbbing ache to begin at the base of his neck. He rolled his shoulders to ease his tight muscles and glanced her way once more. She remained pressed against the side door, much like she had pressed against him on the beach. The memory of how soft and feminine she had felt stirred emotions he had kept hidden for a long time. Emotions he could not afford to let surface now, not with a stalker on the loose and an entire island of people to protect.

  As Nick pulled into the driveway at the Sea Urchin, his protective instincts overpowered his common sense. “I don’t like that you’re staying here alone. I have a cottage near the northern tip of the island. I live on the bottom floor and rent the top half to families on vacation. Right now, I don’t have any renters. You could come and stay there.”

  Her mouth dropped open, then shut again. Indecision played across her features. Instead of answering his offer she asked, “If you live on the northern tip of the island, what were you doing at the nature preserve? It’s as far south as you can get.”

  Nick claimed a parking spot directly in front of her motel room. He put the truck in park and switched off the ignition. Studying her, he discovered no underlying suspicion in her gaze, heard none in her voice. She trusted him. So, he would give her a little bit of trust back. “I was searching for the kidnapper. I didn’t mention this in the press conference, but the women who were abducted each turned up on the dunes at the southern shores. He released both of them at night, at high tide.”

  “High tide? Why?”

  He shrugged. “He called using a pre-paid cell phone. Both times. Told us where to find the victims. It’s almost as if he’s afraid something will happen to them after he releases them.” He hadn’t meant to give her details, or add his opinion to the mix, but the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to share. Abruptly ending the discussion, he stepped out and walked around to open the door.

  When Cali hesitated, he gently took her hand and urged her to climb from the truck. Her face paled as she asked, “Did he call about Serena? Is that why you were out there?”

  “No.” Surprised by the regret he heard in his own voice he continued, “I’m sorry. I went out there hoping to catch him in case he changed his routine and released her early.”

  A tinge of color returned to Cali’s cheeks as he walked her to the door. “How many nights have you been out there searching?” She pulled the room key from her pocket and looked at him.

  “Every night since Ms. Taylor…Serena has been missing.”

  Cali took in a sharp breath. “Then I owe you an apology,” she admitted.

  “For what?”

  “For accusing you of not caring about her and the rest of the people on this island. You do care don’t you?”

  “Yes. I do.”

  Softness entered her gaze before
she looked away. She tried to slip the key into the door, but the shaking in her hands prevented her from matching the key to the keyhole.

  Nick rested a hand over hers, squeezing gently. “Let me help.”

  She placed the key in his palm, but he didn’t attempt to open the door. Instead, he stepped closer, cupped her face in his hand and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. Her skin felt smooth and soft beneath his calloused touch. He lifted her face until their eyes met. “Come with me. Let me protect you.” His voice came out raspy and low.

  “I-It’s late. I should stay here and go to bed.”

  A blush rose up her neck and expanded to cover both cheeks. The innocent reaction caused an electrifying jolt through his system, filling him with a strong desire to feel her pressed against him again. He lowered his gaze to her lips, wanting to comfort her and ease the tremble in them. Wanting to taste them. When her lips parted slightly, he bent his head lower, the temptation to kiss her growing in intensity. He felt her warm breath on his skin, and smelled her sweet scent. Roses. She smelled like roses. Why had he not noticed before?