Finding Amy

“I hear you there.” He sighed and his mouth curved into a devastating smile. “This breeze is a Godsend after the heat we’ve had this week. Eleven straight days of over a hundred degrees. That’s one record I’d rather we never break again.”

Jessica closed her eyes and breathed deep. “I could do without the heat, but I miss the long days when summer ends. It’s so nice to have time at the end of the day to go for a picnic or play at the park.”

“How is your daughter doing?”

Jessica felt a sudden warmth just thinking of Amy. “She’s doing well. She still won’t talk much, but her pediatrician reminds me that she’s been through a lot for a three-year-old.”

His quick smile crinkled the skin around his deep-brown eyes. “You both have. I’m sure she’ll come out of it soon.”

She felt like a blanket of comfort had been wrapped around her.

“I remember her golden pigtails,” he added.

“How could you remember that?” Jessica laughed. “She barely had enough hair to get into tiny barrettes then, but she loved having her hair fixed. I just happen to have pictures, if you’d like to see them.”

“I’d love to.” Sam stopped walking and motioned toward the park bench.

Sitting down, Jessica dropped her sandals to the grass and slipped them on. She pulled several snapshots from her bag, describing the pictures and who was with Amy in each. “I’m a little possessive after that night. And much more appreciative.”

“As you should be.” He took the offered pictures and admired them. “Still has that golden hair and blue eyes. She’s as beautiful as her mother.” Sam stopped speaking suddenly, as if he hated complimenting her.

Jessica felt her skin flush, whether because of the compliment or his practically snatching it back, she wasn’t sure.

“She’s a precious little girl. It’s amazing how a few seconds can change your life so drastically. I don’t know how I’d have lived with the guilt if something had happened to her, too.”

Despite her ignoring his compliment, Sam’s shoulders tensed and he edged away. She tried to ignore the pain his simple action caused her. They really didn’t know each other, and she knew better than to take his comment too seriously. He was being so incredibly polite, letting her go on and on about Amy; the least she could do was not make an issue of his embarrassment.

Sam looked across the lake, his furrowed brow and five o’clock shadow intensifying that rock-star appeal.

“Something wrong?”

Sam acted as if she’d caught him spying on someone. He shrugged. “I’m not sure. That looks like my dad.”

Odd, she thought. “He is here, remember? I’m sure he and Lidia haven’t left yet.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s still early, isn’t it.” Sam eased back on the seat, though he continued to stare across the lake. “It’s strange having him in town all the time. He traveled a lot when we were kids.”

“I’m sure that is an adjustment. How is it having him home all the time?”

Sam thought a while. “It’s different. Nice, but a little strange. I’ve been so used to keeping an eye out for my mom and sister that I feel like I’ve been demoted or something.” His brooding expression emphasized the tender side of Sam that she remembered, and she knew what Lidia admired about her youngest son. Lidia claimed he was the teddy bear of the family. He looked and acted tough, but was all mush inside.

Jessica found it difficult to build an image of a tough detective singing and playing an electronic keyboard. To say he puzzled her was an understatement. Right now, she’d give anything to see the teddy bear.

Jessica glanced at her wrist and realized she hadn’t worn a watch. She hadn’t thought the cartoon-character watch she usually wore would fit in at an exclusive hotel. “Do you know what time it is?”

Extending his arm, Sam exposed a fancy gold watch and took a quick glance. “About eight-fifteen.”

She took another sip of her ginger ale. She hadn’t seen Sam drink a drop. “Aren’t you thirsty?”

“Yeah, but drinking alcohol is prohibited when I’m wearing a weapon.”

Jessica waggled her eyebrows while examining his belt, puzzled that she saw no evidence of a gun. “A secret weapon, I presume?” She couldn’t help but look again, embarrassed that she was staring at him.

He crossed one ankle over the opposite knee and smiled, pointing to a small leather holster and a gun. “Just like in the movies. Except in real life, officers don’t drink alcohol while on duty.”

She felt her cheeks turn pink and laughed at her ignorance. “Of course. Does your ballpoint pen blow up, or is it your hidden camera?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You watch too many movies.”

“Only if there’s an attractive hero in it.” She offered her glass. “Would you like to finish my ginger ale? I’m really not thirsty, but the waiter has been so kind, bringing me refills, that I don’t have the heart to decline another glass.”

He looked shocked. “Ginger ale? Wish I’d thought to ask for a soda. It seemed like too much bother to ask for something special.” He accepted the glass and guzzled it.

“So you’d rather go without.” The pink hotel looked even brighter as the sun peeked above the mountain. Jessica studied the sky. “What a gorgeous sunset tonight.”

Sam leaned forward again, obviously too intent on the men outside the hotel to make small talk. He stood and motioned toward the ballroom. “I suppose we should head back.”

“Oh, sure. It is about time I got home.” Jessica put the snapshots back into her bag and started to stand. Sam put his coat on and offered his hand. She’d never met a man her age with such good looks and impeccable manners as well.

Jessica wondered how to broach the subject of the fund-raiser. Time was getting short and they were almost to the terrace. “Sam, there was something else I needed to talk to you about,” she said, the words barely escaping her mouth. She needed to complete her list of participants before the surgery. If she didn’t, publicity wouldn’t get out until after her sick leave was over. She couldn’t miss this deadline. This project was new to the Colorado Springs community, according to her committee members’ recollection, anyway. She knew it could be successful. It had to go smoothly—for her career’s sake, and for the well-being of the shelter.

Sam placed his hand around her waist just as she heard deep, angry voices. He pulled her into the trees.

“Sam, what’s wrong—”

He placed a finger over her lips, then turned her back toward the terrace and leaned close. “Probably nothing, but I’d rather these two not notice us.”

“Who?” Voices behind her got louder and Jessica turned.

Sam took her by the shoulders and pulled her close. “Don’t look,” he demanded softly.

“Excuse me?” She pushed against him.

His grip on her arms loosened, but he didn’t let her move away. “Pretend to kiss me—maybe they’ll think we’re just guests at the hotel out for a romantic walk.”

“Pretend…” He pulled her into his warm embrace and his face brushed near enough for her to feel that he needed to shave. “This is going to cost you.”

“Whatever you want.” His lips were a whisper away. So close she could feel the warmth of his breath. Her heart beat faster.

“You mean it?”

“Yeah, sure.” He rested his strong hand on her waist and turned their bodies slightly, looking over her shoulder. “There, that’s better.”

His words faded suddenly as his lips met hers. For a man who didn’t give a hoot about her, his kiss certainly packed a punch. Didn’t matter, she told herself. She was about to return the favor the next time he let her come up for air. Before she knew it, the only noise she heard was the musical rhythm of her own heart.

She didn’t notice the pain in her back. She didn’t notice that the sun had completely dropped behind the mountains, or that the terrace lights had come on. For a minute she wondered if Sam had forgotten that this was a ruse. Then suddenly he pushed her away and looked around, seemingly convinced that they were alone.

“Think they fell for it?” She didn’t know where she’d come up with the presence of mind to ask such a bland question when her heart was dancing.

He laughed. “Yeah, they’re gone now. Sorry about that.”

She smiled back. “Not a problem. You know what they say about paybacks…”

“What about it? Take you for coffee?”

“You’re not even close,” she said. “Very, very cold, in fact.” Jessica shook her head and crossed her arms in front of her. “That’s going to cost you. Big.”

“What are you talking about?”

“As you may or may not know, I’m the Development Director at the Galilee Women’s Shelter. In other words, I’m in charge of making enough money for the shelter to stay open. Since your mom is a volunteer, I’m sure she’s told you about the fund-raiser next month.”

He looked puzzled. “Other than talking my sister into helping with it, she hasn’t given any details.”

Jessica suspected as much. She also knew that Lidia was sure Sam would turn her down, which was why Jessica was here, getting kissed, which she hoped she didn’t have to do with every participant. She could guarantee it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as kissing Sam.

He looked at her warily. “Why?”

“I need eligible bachelors, which you must be or you’d probably be very worried about someone seeing that kiss.”

He looked either sick or angry, she wasn’t quite sure which.

She raised her eyebrows playfully. “Trust me, it’s for a worthy cause.”

He shook his head immediately. “No.”

Jessica glared at him and wiped her lips. “No? Did Sammy say no?”

There was no question now, he was angry.

“That kiss was as much for your protection as mine.”

She laughed. “Right. And that is the worst pickup line I’ve ever heard.”

“Trust me, Jessica…” His voice faded.

“I believe you said ‘whatever you want’ when I warned you it would cost you.”

Sam pulled her out of the trees and walked toward the terrace. She felt completely safe in his hands, but couldn’t deny how much she enjoyed having the advantage. She didn’t imagine he was accustomed to being at a disadvantage in any situation.

“Just tell me what I owe you.”

“Congratulations, Samuel Vance, you’ve been unanimously nominated to be one of Colorado Springs’s most eligible bachelors in our bachelor auction. One lucky woman will be your guest on the dream date of your choosing.”

The look on his face was priceless. His olive-hued complexion suddenly looked like he’d spent a month in the sun. His eyebrows drew together to form one black line above his deep-set brown eyes and the smile was long gone.

“You’re expected to be one of the top money-makers, if that helps any. And if that kiss was any indication, I’d say they’re right.”

Chapter Three

S am couldn’t imagine what had gotten into him. He wasn’t the impulsive type. And party-girls like Jessica Mathers certainly weren’t his typical weakness either. And even the hour or two he’d spent talking with Jessica blew that partying, lush image all to pieces. She hadn’t even been drinking, as he’d presumed. Her glass had been filled with nothing stronger than ginger ale. Some detective he was—couldn’t even tell champagne from soda. So what had she been drinking all those weeks at the café if she wasn’t drinking wine? It certainly hadn’t looked like ginger ale.

He’d be sure to ask his mother the next time they had lunch at the café. That is, unless his father decided to join them. The one part of his life that Sam would just as soon keep Dad out of was his love life—or lack of one. Max could not understand why Sam was still single at thirty-two. Sam couldn’t help it that his parents had been lucky enough to find the right person the first go-round. Sam had discovered quickly what a rare woman his mother truly was—strong, patient, trusting and very capable of handling a houseful of kids all on her own. With his dad out of the country much of his childhood, Sam had grown especially close to his mother, which fostered uncommonly high expectations when it came time to choose a wife. Yes, his father was a lucky man. Sam could only hope to find such a treasure for himself. When he found the right woman—if he found her—he’d take all the time needed to make sure they were right for one another. According to his sister, Lucia, Sam would never find a woman to measure up to the outlandish expectations he’d set. Only God knew for sure.

It was too late to be outside shooting baskets. Where was his brother when he needed a sparring partner?

“How’d I get myself into this mess?” he mumbled as the impact of the evening set in. Of all the women, it had to be Jessica Mathers. Hoping not to bother the neighbors, he closed the windows and started the central air-conditioning, then turned on the keyboard. He played familiar rock-and-roll tunes that helped him release the pent-up frustration so he could clear his mind and focus on the praise music for tomorrow’s service.

An hour later, he gave in to the fatigue and got ready to turn in. Sam tuned the radio to his favorite station, determined to get Jessica out of his head. Every time she drifted into his mind, he forced his thoughts elsewhere.

The replacement wasn’t much easier to deal with tonight. Visions and voices ran a play-by-play of his father talking to Alistair Barclay, a man too smooth to be on the up-and-up. Barclay had blown into town a few years ago and started throwing his weight around, along with his money.

As a part of the Vice Division, Sam was well aware of the increased drug activity in the city. With drugs came countless other problems. And instinct told Sam that Barclay was one man to keep an eye on. He drove fast cars and had a harem of equally speedy escorts to keep him company. Women with model figures and faces to match were only interested in a sleaze like Barclay for one reason, and the red comb-over wasn’t it. Sam found it amazing what money could buy. A woman’s love and loyalty was the one thing Sam refused to pay for.

Jessica invaded his thoughts again, and he forced himself to think about something easier to deal with, like Alistair Barclay.

The hotels Barclay built had brought jobs to the community, making him an instant hero to many. Sam didn’t blame those so easily influenced during a struggling economy. On the surface, even he would agree— Barclay almost looked good. He only wished he could find substantial evidence to link Barclay’s arrival to the increase of crime in the community.

Sam just happened to be more suspicious than the average citizen, which probably had more to do with why he was home alone every night. Women seemed to thrive on love, and love involved trust. Sam found it next to impossible to put his trust in anyone else. He’d seen what love had done to his brothers, what it did to the women left behind.

Emily came to mind. She’d loved Peter, but even then, love and trust weren’t enough to overcome the perils of a career filled with secrets. Travis’s wife never did adjust to the fact that her husband was a cop, and Travis still lived with weight of guilt on his shoulders.

Sam shook his head and turned out the lights. Nothing killed a perfect romance like secrets. How could he ever expect to find happiness with the odds stacked against him? His life, like his brothers’ and father’s, dealt mostly with lies and deception—rooting them out and upholding justice.

A certain brunette faded in and out of his mind as he drifted to sleep. Why couldn’t he just forget her? She wasn’t his type.

Every dream he’d had during the night came alive when he saw Jessica step through the precinct door with a springy bounce. Until she reminded him of the one thing he wanted desperately to forget…the bachelor auction.

“Afternoon, Sam. Ready to put together a dream date?” She’d obviously slept her aches away, or was on some pretty powerful medication. Her enthusiasm spread throughout the office as every detective in the building turned to see Sam’s reaction.

“I don’t remember setting an appointment.”

She lifted her hands regretfully and smiled. “I really need to finalize your selections for the newspaper ad.”

Sam leaned forward, instinctively defensive. “You didn’t say anything about publicity.”

Interest in their conversation grew by the syllable. “You wouldn’t have heard me if I had. If I recall correctly—”

Sam jumped from his seat, led her into the captain’s office and closed the door.

“Do you realize that I have a reputation in this city as a—” His words lost their punch when he discovered the amusement in her gaze. “A cynical cop, a—a respected officer. What will my fellow officers think?”

She laughed at him. He couldn’t believe her nerve.

Jessica leaned her head back, gazing into his eyes. “There isn’t a man out there who wouldn’t trade places with you in an instant.” She motioned to the outer offices and placed a hand on her hip. “And I have news for you, Sam. You aren’t nearly as tough as you try to make people think you are. But that’s okay, your secret’s safe with me.” She raised an eyebrow and smiled. “The tough silent type isn’t nearly as attractive as Hollywood wants us to believe. Marriages in this country wouldn’t be nearly as endangered if couples realized that honesty is far more desirable than physical appearance.” Jessica lifted her briefcase to the chair and shook her head. “If I can convince half the women in the shelter of that, my own pain won’t have been wasted. Now, so I don’t waste any more of your valuable time, why don’t we get to work?”

He couldn’t believe she’d condensed his own opinions and verbalized them. It unnerved him. He’d never cared half as much about looks as he did personality. Had his mother told Jessica to say that? She must have. How else could Jessica have known?

There was no doubt in his mind who was on the other side of the door when that fist hammered on the glass. Sam backed his way to the entry, hoping the captain would appreciate the humor in the situation. His hand paused on the doorknob.

“Why don’t we go to the Stagecoach for a cup of coffee and go through this?”

She stepped close. “You wouldn’t be trying to get out of this, would you?”

“Vance! Out here, on the double.” A loud voice resonated through the door.

The humor just left the office. “Honestly, I was, but since it’s for such a good cause, I’ll go through with it.” Sam turned the doorknob. “I’ll call you to set up a time to meet.”

One eyebrow lifted and Jessica’s gray eyes sparkled. “I’ll be waiting, but remember, I have to get this done before my surgery.”

Captain Sullivan’s eyes widened in surprise when Jessica eased her way past him. “Excuse me, Captain Sullivan.”

Sullivan eyed Sam, then Jessica. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, Ms. Mathers. Sam, I really am sorry to break this up, but we have a major problem in the jail.”

A major problem could only refer to one inmate— Dr. Lionel Valenti. “I was on my way there. He’s got to crack one of these days.”

Sullivan’s grimace didn’t leave much doubt what the problem was. “Your suspect just became the victim. He’s dead.”

“Suicide?”

“No, doesn’t look like it.” Sully nodded a greeting to Jessica and looked at Sam. “When you’re finished here, we need to get started on the investigation. Mayor Montgomery called the press. He’s making a statement on the evening news. We need to be ready with an announcement before rumors get started. Jessica, good to see you again.”

She smiled. “You, too, Captain. Sam, give me a call and we’ll discuss what you’d like to do.”

“Let’s make it over dinner at seven, and be sure to bring Amy. I could use a little laughter.”

Her astonishment was obvious as the words caught in her throat. “Tonight? Where?”

“I’m not sure yet, I’ll pick you up.”

“Do you…”

He laughed. “I’m sure I can find your address somehow. I have connections.”

Sam watched her leave, dreading the job ahead of him. He would definitely need some cheering up tonight, even if it involved Jessica Mathers.

He and the captain spent the remainder of the afternoon on the Valenti homicide, interrogating other prisoners, jailers and guards. No one had seen anything suspicious. They examined the visitors’ log and moved on to question the kitchen staff. It could be days before they’d know if anything showed up in the blood tests. The crime scene investigators finished taking pictures and logging the contents of Valenti’s cell. Sam stayed behind, looking under the mattress and in every nook and cranny for anything that might have been hidden.

Once back at the precinct, Sam dug deep into each witness’s profile, hoping to find some connection to the Diablo Syndicate, Venezuela, or local drug dealers. He couldn’t believe they had a connection and he’d slipped right through their fingers. Sam contacted Valenti’s next of kin, depressed to think that Valenti’s parents had to hear the news from a total stranger, under such incriminating circumstances.

This job never got any easier.

He spent two hours on the phone with the director of Doctors Without Borders, trying to evaluate whether they had noticed any problems with Lionel Valenti before the burglary that injured Adam Montgomery. He kept digging, hoping someone could identify locals in the area that Valenti had been seen with when off duty.

Either Dr. Valenti led a very isolated life, or he was very adept at keeping secrets. No one seemed to have known anything about Valenti’s personal life, who his friends had been, or where he’d lived.

Before Sam realized it, it was time to go to City Hall. The crew had set up the cameras and lights in the conference room. Colleen Montgomery, reporter for the Colorado Springs Sentinel, stood by as her father prepared for his speech. Mayor Montgomery stepped behind the podium and began by giving a picture-book description of Colorado Springs as the idyllic city.

“For the past year, however, we’ve experienced a drastic increase in violent crimes and drug-related violence.” Montgomery encouraged the community to join together to help city officials work to bring justice to criminals. Twenty minutes later a local television reporter interviewed Sam for the evening news.

Jessica closed down her computer at the Galilee Women’s Shelter, ready to call it a day. She locked the door behind her and shouldered the strap of her backpack, then walked past Susan Carter’s door. “See you tomorrow, Susan,” she said to the director.

“Come here a minute. You might be interested in this story on the news. The mayor is going to speak after the commercial.”

“Mayor Montgomery? I wonder what is up?”

“I’m not sure, but I received an e-mail from his secretary requesting my attendance at a task-force planning meeting on Wednesday.”

“Do you need coverage? I’ll be here Wednesday, but not Thursday or Friday, remember?”

Susan nodded, sending her corkscrew curls into motion. “I have your sick leave on my schedule. Are you getting nervous about the surgery?”

“No, I’m so ready. I can hardly make it through the evening with Amy some nights. That’s just not fair to her—”

Their conversation was interrupted by the return of the program. Mayor Montgomery’s picture came on, and then they moved to clips from his speech. “Violence is like a virus—it mutates and spreads, and it will take over our city if we don’t do something now. We are going to stamp out crime in Colorado Springs. Our law enforcement will work to eradicate domestic abuse, drugs…”

“That must be what the meeting is about,” Susan said.

“They have a huge job ahead of them. I admire the mayor’s determination. Someone has to do something.”

As Jessica headed for the door, Sam appeared on the television screen. Jessica stopped to watch. She admired him, anxious to see him at dinner tonight. Even if it would be official business.

“That is one handsome man,” Susan said with a teasing grin.

Jessica smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of arguing with you. I’m sure he’ll bring a pretty penny for the shelter’s budget. Which brings me to say farewell. I need to get Amy home. We girls have a business dinner to get ready for.”