“I’m sticking with her like glue from now until we find this guy. I’ll take her with me tomorrow. I’m going to talk to a friend of Gaines. Hopefully he’ll know something.”
“That reminds me. What did his brother say?”
Jason quickly reviewed what they’d learned, West taking notes and action items in his notebook.
“I should have the autopsy report sometime tomorrow. I’ll call you since you’ll be on the road. Did you get any gut feelings talking to Stuart Gaines?”
“Not really, although I guess you could say they have motive. Roger owed his brother money and was basically living above the garage sponging off of them with no end in sight. Seems pretty harsh to kill him though when they could have just tossed his stuff on the front lawn.”
West shrugged and shoved the notebook in his pocket. “I’ve seen people killed over a hell of a lot less. A pack of smokes and a Red Bull got a guy stabbed not long ago. If you’re okay I’m going to head out. Keep in touch with me tomorrow.”
“Will do,” Jason agreed, sending off his brother with a wave of thanks. Twenty-four hours after Roger Gaines’s murder they had more questions than ever.
It was long past time to get some answers.
Chapter Nine
‡
Brinley shoved the covers down for the millionth time but instead of trying to turn over and go to sleep she swung her legs to the floor and climbed out of bed. She’d been tossing and turning for hours – first too cold, then too hot – and despite being near exhaustion it was clear she wasn’t going to sleep easily. If she’d been in her own home she would have popped an antihistamine which would have put her out like a light.
But of course she wasn’t home. Her house had been invaded. Tarnished by some asshole who had kicked in her door. Had the burglar been looking for her just as Roger Gaines had been? Or was it simply all a not-so funny coincidence that she’d had someone break into her home the day after someone ended up dead with her address in his hand?
Not to mention what her mother said about coincidences…
Jason must agree with her mother because he’d tucked her up into his spare bedroom with Huck sleeping outside the door to the hallway. She was sure she was going to wake the dog up when she opened the door and stepped over him to head to the kitchen. Maybe some warm milk would help her sleep. Even if it didn’t, she couldn’t lie here all night staring at the ceiling and running ever more disturbing scenarios through her fatigued brain.
Brinley cracked open the door just an inch but Huck immediately jumped and began a low, menacing growl deep in his throat. She patted his head and scratched behind his furry ears to calm him and he licked her hand in gratitude.
“Let’s not wake up your human, okay?” she whispered, furtively looking right and left. Jason was as exhausted as she was and at least one of them should get some sleep.
She tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen and peeked in the refrigerator. Grabbing a plastic jug of milk, she closed the door and quietly rummaged in the nearest cabinet for a saucepan.
“Do you need some help?”
Her heart stopped for a moment and she sucked in a strangled breath. Jason was standing right next to her, illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the windows. She exhaled in relief, resting her forehead on the cool wood of the cabinet and her heart started beating again. Her legs seemed to give way and she clutched the counter for support.
“You scared the shit out of me,” she hissed, her hand pressed against her chest. “My God, I thought you were an ax murderer or something.”
Jason reached behind her and flipped a switch, the room flooding with light that made her squint and wince. “I’m sorry. I heard footsteps and came to investigate.”
She blinked a few times to get accustomed to the light. “Is that how you confront an intruder? No weapon and in your jammies?”
Jason made nightwear look very good indeed. His wide shoulders strained against the soft cotton of his t-shirt that was paired with a pair of black boxer shorts that did nothing to hide the kind of muscular thighs that didn’t come from sitting behind a desk.
Suddenly the kitchen seemed way too warm and sweat was dampening the back of her neck. Lifting her hair to try and get a cool breeze, she realized she wasn’t wearing all that much clothing either. Dressed in one of Jason’s shirts that came down almost to her knees, she had nothing on underneath except a brief strip of panties. She tugged on the hem and tried to pull it lower, feeling way too exposed.
“If you were an intruder Huck would be barking his head off with your leg dangling from his teeth. I figured it was you wandering the house.”
Brinley sagged against the counter. “I was trying not to wake you.”
“I was already awake. I have trouble sleeping a lot of nights.” He picked up the jug of milk. “Were you thinking about some warm milk? How about some hot chocolate? It’s not really cold enough but I can turn down the thermostat if you like.”
“Hot chocolate sounds really good. Thank you.” She slid onto one of the barstools around the kitchen island. “I know why I’m awake. What’s your excuse?”
“It’s kind of a long story.” He poured the milk into a pan and added sugar and cocoa. “I’ve got some of those over the counter sleeping pills if you want to take one. It might help.”
Jason reached into a high cabinet above the refrigerator and pulled down a bottle. “I tried them once but they made me groggy the next day.”
“I’m desperate.” She checked the label with a knowing nod. “Just as I thought. They’re basically Benadryl. I will take one. It can take care of my allergies and sleeplessness all at the same time.”
“I took two. Maybe that was my problem. Do you want a glass of water?”
“I’ll take it with my hot chocolate. Now you said something about a long story. Well, I’ve got nothing but time before this pill kicks in. Is it a secret? Will you have to kill me if I find out?”
*
Jason’s story wasn’t a secret.
It wasn’t all that pleasant either.
Mostly he went about his days trying not to think about it. The therapist he’d been seeing talked about filling his days with good and pleasant experiences. She’d even suggested that he work on his personal relationships.
So he’d adopted Huck.
It wasn’t at all what she’d had in mind but at the time it was the closest he could come to reaching out to other human beings. It was easier now. He’d strengthened his friendships, especially with Jared and Logan, not to mention the bonds with his own family. But still on many nights sleep eluded him.
When it was dark and he was alone…that’s when the memories came rushing back.
He poured the hot chocolate into two mugs, his hands shaking slightly but not enough that she would notice. He handed one to Brinley before taking a stool at the island. Reaching into the jar on the island, he plucked out a dog treat and tossed it to Huck who downed it in one big gulp.
“You don’t have to tell me anything. I was just making conversation.”
Brinley had misunderstood his silence, mistaking it for a negative response to her query. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell her. Hell, if she hung around Tremont long enough she’d learn the story. Part of it, anyway. The details that were fit for public consumption. He’d deliberately allowed the gossip in town about him so he didn’t have to personally talk about it.
It didn’t hurt or scare him now. Mostly he kept it locked away in its own little box. Just like he had been in that hell hole of a prison.