Are you hurt? Did you stop the intruder? She grasped his wrist in her hand, much the same way hed manhandled her, and twisted it to find the wound. Despite the tempting awareness at his toasty-warm skin beneath her chilled fingers, she was more interested in learning what had happened. She knew he was affiliated with the police. Had he stepped in to prevent a burglar from ransacking her place? Had Roger followed his release from prison with a road trip to Kansas City? Had Diana shown up while she was searching the city for her? Now she looked up and met those narrowed cobalt eyes. Have you already called for help? Do I need to take you to the hospital?
A dark eyebrow arched above the rim of his glasses before he glanced down to see the source of her concern. Blinking away his apparent confusion, he pulled out of her grip to splay his fingers at his waist. This isnt my blood.
Then whose...? His stance drew her attention to the holster strapped to his belt. Had she ever seen Niall Watson wearing a gun before? His badge, yes. But shed never seen the erudite professional looking armed and dangerous the way he did tonight. Had he just come from a crime scene? You wore a tuxedo to work? Wait. Not his blood. That meant... A stone of dread plummeted into Lucys stomach. Was that Dianas blood? Oh, God. Before he could say anything, she spun around and shoved open the door to her apartment. Diana? Niall Watson was a doctor. But he wasnt hurt. That meant someone else was. Diana? Are you here?
She called out again for some sign that the young woman shed been searching the city for all day and night had somehow shown up here.
The vise clamped over her wrist again and pulled her back to the door. Miss McKane.
Let go of me. She yanked her arm free and charged toward the mess on the couch. Diana? She paused a moment to sift through the pile of unraveling yarn and interrupted projects before snatching up the overturned basket and inspecting the insides. Lucy always kept a twenty or two hidden beneath her work. The only other person who knew where she stockpiled for a rainy day was Diana. She was here. She took the cash, she whispered, her sense of dread growing exponentially.
So it was a robbery?
She startled at the deep voice beside her. What? No. I would gladly give her the money.
Give who the money?
Diana? Lucy tossed the basket onto the couch and took off for the light in the kitchen.
But she hadnt taken two steps before Niall Watsons arm cinched around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Miss McKane. Theres nothing for you to see here. I need you to come with me.
She gasped at the unexpected contact with a muscled torso and the surprising warmth that seemed to surround her instantly and seep through the layers of coat and clothing she wore. Nothing? I have to... For a split second, her fingers tightened their grip around the arm at her waist, needing his strength. Shed had a bad feeling all day. Diana Kozlow hadnt shown up for a long-overdue lunch and gab session. And then that phone call...
If the answer was hereeven one she didnt want to be trueLucy had to see for herself. With a renewed sense of urgency, she pushed the doctors arm and body heat away and turned. You need to stop grabbing me, Doctor. I appreciate your concern, but I have to
She shoved at his chest, but he released her waist only to seize her by the shoulders. He squeezed enough to give her a little shake and hunched his face down to hers. Lucy. If you would please listen.
Lucy? Her struggles stilled as she assessed the stern expression stamped on his chiseled features. When had her taciturn neighbor ever addressed her as anything but a polite Miss McKane? That couldnt be good. The tight grip on her upper arms and the piercing intensity of those blue eyes looking straight at her werent any kind of reassurance, either. She curled her fingers into the wrinkled cotton of his shirt and nodded, preparing herself for the news she didnt want to hear. Whats wrong? Whats happened? Did you see a young woman here? Is she... Lucy swallowed hard. Is she okay?
He eased his grip and straightened, raking one hand through his short muss of espresso-colored hair as he inhaled a deep breath. But he kept the other hand on her arm as if he suspected she might bolt again. If you would come with me. He pulled her back into the hallway and closed the door to her condo behind them. I need to ask you some questions.
Now he wanted to talk? After all those friendly overtures shed made to her seriously hunky and completely-oblivious-to-a-lady-dropping-a-hint neighbor, tonight of all nights was when he wanted to have a private conversation with her? Somehow she doubted that hed finally clued in on the crush she had on him. Preparing herself for a worst-case scenario, Lucy planted her feet before blithely following him into his condo. Just tell me. Did you find a dead body in there? You told me you were a medical examiner during one of our elevator rides together when I first moved in. Thats when I told you I was a social workerthat Ive seen some pretty awful things, too. But my bodies werent dead like yours. Just damaged in one way or another. Her mouth was rambling ahead of her brain. Im sorry. But you can tell me. Is this a crime scene? Is that why I cant go in there? She touched the blood on his sleeve again. Although it was dry, its presence was disturbing. Is this Dianas? Dont feel you have to spare my feelings. Ive been sick out of my mind with worry all day. I just need a straight answer about whats happened. I can deal with anythingIm good at thatas long as I know what Im facing.
You can deal with anything? He angled his head to the side and his eyes narrowed, as if her plaintive assertion baffled him. Then he shook his head. There is no dead body, he answered starkly. I dont know who Diana is. This blood is my grandfathers. He was shot yesterday afternoon at my sisters wedding.
Shot? Oh, my God. Lucys fingers danced over the ticklish hair of his forearm, wanting to act on her instinct to touch, to comfort, to fix the hurts of the world. Is he okay? I mean, clearly he isnt. Getting shot is really bad. Im sorry. Is he going to be all right? His brusque answers explained the remnants of the James Bond getup, as well as the stains on what had once been a neatly ironed shirt. But what any of that had to do with the break-in or her or possibly Diana, she hadnt a clue. Lucy curled her fingers around the strap of her shoulder bag and retreated a step. You dont need to worry about my problems. You should be with your family.
Miss McKane. They were back to that now, hmm? Im sorry if the blood upset youI havent had time to change since coming home from the hospital. He scraped his palm over the dark stubble dotting his chin and jaw before sliding his fingers over his hair and literally scratching his head. I can see I havent explained myself very well. Your sympathy is appreciated but misplaced. My grandfathers condition is serious, but please, before you go off on another tangent, would you come inside? I do have a problem that concerns you specifically. He glanced toward the end of the hallway. And I dont think we should have that conversation here.
She remembered the retired couple down the hall and nodded. The Logans. I suppose it would be rude to wake them at this hour.
A man with a wounded grandfather, a gun and a badge, and an inexplicable sense of urgency could take precedence for a few minutes over her suspicions and the futile desperation that might even be unfounded. Lucy hadnt seen Diana Kozlow in months. Perhaps shed read too much into the telephone message at the office this morning. She was probably chasing ghosts, thinking that Diana had really needed her. Roger Campbell hadnt needed her for anything more than sex and a punching board. The only reason her own mother had needed her was to ensure her own meal ticket. How many times did she have to repeat that codependent mistake?