Wounded at Home Read online

  Dirk handed Sky a cup of coffee, told her to help herself to the box of kolaches and got down to work. She eyed the sweet yeast-smelling treat for a minute before she passed. For the first thirty minutes those present went over every case, detailed problems, and came up with possible solutions. Finally, Dirk introduced Sky’s case and gave them a complete rundown. “Questions?”

  “We need the police report,” Carrie reminded him. “We definitely need to know what they’ve found.”

  “They’ll give you a file that points to my sister,” Sky put in.

  “We still need it,” Carrie assured her.

  “If I had the bank numbers, I would do my best to follow the money trail,” Marshall volunteered.

  Could she give them to him? That information was confidential and she could lose her job. She’d lose more if the money wasn’t found. For all she knew, she could end up in jail right next to Dory.

  Sky’s glance went to Carrie when she spoke.

  “Why don’t I go undercover at Steel’s office? I can find out more than an interview will tell us. Especially if he’s lying.”

  “Do you know how to do that? Become another person?” It sounded to Sky as if that would be the hardest thing in the world to do.

  There were chuckles around the table, but it was Dirk who filled her in. “Carrie is the company chameleon. You would be amazed at how many cases she has solved with her talent.”

  “I’m impressed. Steel will love you, Carrie. You’ll be hired in an instant.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Steel and my brother-in-law made a fine pair. Both were married, both screwed around on their wives with beautiful women. You fit the bill.”

  Carrie grinned.

  “I agree,” Dirk said. “If he hires you, tell him you have an invalid mother and can’t get to work before nine. That way you can give us an update every morning.”

  “Be careful,” Coop ordered. “If he’s a killer and finds out you’re not who you say you are, your life would be in danger.”

  “Love it.” She grinned again. “It’s been too quiet around here.” She gestured casually. “I’ll use one of my fake identities. I’ll be fine.”

  “Matt will find out where the Feds are in their investigation.”

  “I can tell you now,” Matt said from the doorway. “Got any of that coffee left?”

  Sky watched as Matt helped himself to both a mug of coffee and two apple kolaches. “Love these things,” he said as he sat down. Though still wary of his position, she admired him for doing his best for his brothers.

  “What can you tell us?” Dirk’s ice-blue eyes were alight and eager.

  “Remember, this isn’t my case. Special Agent Hansen is in charge. He’s anxious to find you, Sky. He wants to see if you know more than you told him. It boils down to this: they’re convinced your sister killed her husband and moved the money. They suspect you may know where, but are protecting your sister. Bottom line is, they don’t know where to go next. They lost the money trail and can’t pick it up. You and your sister are their main suspects.”

  Sky’s head whirled. Was she going to pass out?

  “Give her a glass of water,” Dirk ordered. Carrie handed him one and he forced it into Sky’s hand. She took a swallow. “Better?”

  “I think so.” She took another sip. “I had a feeling the FBI didn’t trust me, but hearing from an FBI Agent that I’m a suspect in a ten million dollar robbery is mind-boggling. I’m sorry.” She wanted to rail against the injustice. Her reputation as a financial advisor was impeccable—her banking experience top-notch. This would ruin her. She’d never be able to work in a bank again. With this on her record, she’d find it difficult to find a job anywhere.

  Where would she live? How?

  “What are they going to do?” The question came out weaker than she intended. But she had to know if they were ready to slap handcuffs on her.

  “They won’t say other than they want to talk to you. My advice would be to do just that.”

  How could she? Her stomach clenched. “Does my boss know?”

  “I have no idea. If I had to guess, I would think they’d let everything stay as it is for a while. At least until they get more information.”

  “Which they think I have.”

  “Exactly.” Matt nodded.

  “You need to stay at the bungalow,” Carrie suggested. “You’ll be safe there.”

  “Absolutely,” Marshall agreed. “We’ll take it from here.”

  “It’s not that simple,” Sky began. There was no way she could she stay in that small house for hours on end and not go completely mad. Besides, she had to be involved.

  “That leaves out the trip to your apartment and visit with your sister. I’ll clue you in when I get back.” Dirk started gathering his notes.

  “No!” Sky stood. “I won’t be left out.”

  “Would you rather be taken in and questioned by the FBI? I’m sure your apartment, the bank, and the jail are being watched.”

  The faces around Sky blurred. She would not cry. But how could she fight this group of professionals and stay active in the investigation when she didn’t want to be taken in for questioning?

  “Let’s follow Matt’s suggestion,” Dirk said. “Why not call Agent Hansen, tell him Sky is our client and we understand he wants to talk to her. Hansen can do their interview here. After that, they won’t have agents looking for her all over Houston.”

  “What if they want to take me in? Put me in jail?”

  “That will be our condition to allow them to speak to you. You’ll give an interview and tell all you know. Don’t hold anything back. Explain what your sister told you of her suspicions. Everything. Give Hansen the note and tell him your fingerprints are on it and why. We’ll get him to agree for the FBI that anytime they want to talk to you all they have to do is call us and we’ll set up an appointment. You’ll give them no address where you’re staying, no phone number. They’ll know that up front.” Dirk turned to Matt.

  “Will it work?”

  “It might. I’ll be able to find out whether they’ve lied about the lookouts and let you guys know. It’s worth a try. They have nothing to arrest her on so they’re not likely to go there.”

  “Not yet, anyway,” Sky said bitterly.

  “It’s as good a plan as any.” Coop nodded. “At least we’ll know where we stand. And Sky will know if she has to hide from them as well as a killer.”

  “Are we in agreement?”

  There were nods all around.

  “I’m going home to put on my most seductive business suit and apply for a job,” Carrie told them. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  “What’s this?” Matt frowned. “Are you going undercover again?”

  “Yep.”

  “Where?”

  Coop told him their plan.

  “If Steel is the person who killed Martin and moved the money, what do you think he’ll do if he finds out who you are?” A muscle ticked in Matt’s jaw.

  She came over, patted Matt’s cheek. “I’m smart enough not to let that happen.”

  Sky almost laughed. She didn’t think Carrie would have anything to worry about.

  “Do you have Hansen’s cell number?” Dirk asked Matt.

  “I have it.” Sky dug around in her bag and handed him the agent’s card.

  “I’m out of here. Actually, I was never here. Got it?” Matt glowered.

  Sky nodded.

  Dirk went into his office to make the call. Matt and Carrie left and the others wandered into their own offices. Marshall got to the door and turned back. “About those bank numbers?”

  She needed big-time help. This may be the only thing she could do. It was a risk she was willing to take.

  She wrote down the numbers and handed them to Marshall. Judging by the soft look she could see in his eyes, she would bet he was a gentle person unless riled. Then, she reasoned, all bets were off.

  Coop stood to get another cup o
f coffee. “I’m sorry about your troubles. We’ll do our best to help you and your sister.”

  “Thanks, Coop. I didn’t know where to start. I only wish I could take Carrie’s place at Steel Financial. I would love to find something on him.”

  “If he’s guilty,” Coop reminded her.

  “Of course. That’s a given.”

  “Do you know anything about your sister you haven’t told us? Something inconsequential that might help us get a handle on this?”

  She knew nothing that would help the case. As a gorgeous blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Dory turned heads. Sky’s hair was more a murky brown. She was stuck with average brown eyes and didn’t get a second look. Dory was talented in music and dance. Sky had no talent outside her job. Dory would glide into a room, or down the street, and every eye would turn her way. Sky loped from one spot to another to get the job done as fast as possible.

  “Is your sister successful?”

  “By successful, if you mean does she have dozens of friends and can throw a party people talk about for months, then yes. If you’re asking if she’s ever had a significant job, the answer is no. She played at working in a dress shop during college, but got fired because she was always in the fitting room trying on clothes.”

  Hearing a low chuckle, Sky whipped around to find Dirk trying hard to keep a straight face.

  “What did Agent Hansen tell you?” Coop had tried to calm her, but she couldn’t stop worrying. The FBI wouldn’t be as nice as this group, or as helpful.

  “He’s on his way.”

  “He isn’t wasting any time, is he?”

  “Nope. But he agreed there would be no grounds for an arrest or a trip downtown if Sky told the truth.”

  “Why would I lie? They act as if I know more than I do.” She rolled her eyes. “As if my sister and I were close enough to share secrets—as if we were close, period.”

  “You’ll have to do your best to convince them,” Dirk said, his face pinched with worry.

  Over her especially? Not likely. Sky had a feeling this PI firm worried over all of their clients.

  Chapter Nine

  Two hours of intense questioning had left Sky shaken. She couldn’t tell Agent Hansen what he wanted to know, while he kept insisting she was hiding something. Now she was with Dirk in his pickup and headed toward her apartment complex, her insides still shaking. Yesterday, Lanie had given her a baseball cap and sunglasses. Just in case you need them. She had them on now. Though the FBI might not be looking for her any longer, someone else was.

  “I still can’t believe they think I had something to do with this.”

  “It’s clear the FBI is lost.”

  “If they don’t find the money they’ll be back with more questions.” Or worse.

  Dirk grinned. “Browning Brothers Investigation Services hasn’t been involved until now. Give us a chance to get a handle on this.”

  “You can do better than the FBI?” Who was he kidding? She glanced at Dirk. He didn’t have on his prosthetic. Funny. In this short time, she’d gotten so she hardly noticed when he wasn’t wearing it. What she couldn’t ignore was his intense good looks. She edged closer to the door, determined that she would not follow the path of her mother or her sister and fall for a guy based on his looks.

  “Tell me more about your sister.”

  Could he read her mind? “What do you want to know?”

  “What was she like when you were growing up? Give me her background.”

  Sky didn’t want to go there, but if this man was going to help her, he had to know everything. “Other than my birth, I don’t think my parents knew I was alive. Everything revolved around Dory. Now that I think about it, why wouldn’t it? She was the pretty one—the talented one. Dory took dance and piano and excelled in both.”

  “What about you?”

  Sky laughed. “I took one dance lesson and refused to go back. I would look at the piano and cry.” She shook her head. “I had no talent.” Still didn’t. “Everything was about Dory. Everyone loved her. So did I. When we were kids, I looked up to her. I thought she was the smartest, most beautiful person on earth. I followed her around like a puppy, but there was no way I could emulate her.”

  “I suppose you tried.”

  “And was laughed at. So I stopped. At some point, I think I was in junior high, I finally realized how self-centered and shallow she was. I decided then I would be the opposite.”

  “How did that work out?”

  “Fine. She went her way; I went mine. After she started college and moved away, we hardly saw each other. It suited both of us.”

  “Until now?”

  “Until, all of a sudden, my sister can’t make it if I don’t help her. Ironic, isn’t it?” She paused. “I sound like the jealous sister, but it’s more than that. I missed having a family, but I built my own life and am happy with it. My mother died from cancer when I was barely out of high school. Less than two months later, my dad married again. After I graduated from college, I didn’t go back home. He moved to Florida with his third wife. I think he’s on his fourth now. I don’t keep in touch so I don’t know. If he were a better person he’d be here for Dory.”

  “Instead of you?”

  “Yes.” She crossed her arms over her chest and held on tight. “I could lose my job because of this. I suppose Dory could lose more. In the end I can’t ignore her. She is my sister.”

  Sky swiped at a tear, furious at herself for unloading on Dirk. “There,” she said, pointing to a parking spot. “That’s my designated parking space.”

  “Then we definitely won’t park there.” He pulled into a space six cars down.

  When they walked inside she didn’t have her usual sense of relief at arriving home, being able to relax, drink a glass of wine, catch up on her work, or read a good book. Instead, her stomach was in knots.

  “This way.” She led Dirk to the manager’s office. “You’ll like Mr. Bernard.”

  “All I want is to see the tapes from the day your intruder busted up your apartment.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be cooperative.” She saw him standing in the doorway to his office in his dark pants, white shirt and tie with a look of concern on his weathered face. “Mr. Bernard.” She extended her hand. “This is Dirk Browning. I’ve hired him to investigate my break-in. Dirk, this is Jerome Bernard, the complex manager.”

  “Mr. Bernard.” Dirk extended his hand.

  He barely glanced at the empty sleeve where Dirk’s left arm should be.

  “As I explained over the phone,” Sky began. “My investigator and I would like to see the tapes from Friday; the day my apartment was ransacked.”

  “This way. I’m appalled that this could happen here. We’re most diligent in the protection of our tenants.”

  “Let’s take a look,” Dirk suggested

  Mr. Bernard led them to a desk with a computer already keyed up. “I put in Friday’s tape and forwarded it to six-thirty. Ms. Chapman usually leaves around eight, so I thought that would be safe.”

  “So you’ve already viewed the tape?”

  “Certainly. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. There is one thing that looks suspicious, but I’m sure Ms. Chapman can explain.”

  “Let’s take a look.”

  Dirk sat down and started the tape. Sky looked over his shoulder. Mr. Bernard stood back with his hands locked together. He probably thought she was going to sue for lack of security.

  “It’s grainy.” The tape showed the hall leading to her apartment. “Do you know these people leaving their apartments?” Dirk asked the manager, his eyes glued to the screen.

  “I recognize every one of them. No one altered his or her usual routine. You can check several work days if you want to verify my statement.”

  “Later.”

  At eight, the tape showed Sky stepping out through her door, making sure it was locked, before starting down the hall.

  Her heartbeat accelerated. Now she would find out who had walked in a
nd ruined her things. She wanted his face in her mind for when she confronted him. Whenever she thought of her mom’s dishes she wanted to hit something. Or someone.

  When the tape showed nine o’clock, a man with a cap low on his head, dressed in khaki pants and shirt, a box in hand, walked to her door and knocked.

  Sky gasped. “Is that him?”

  “Quiet,” Dirk ordered.

  The man knocked again, opened the door and stepped inside.

  “Did you call for a delivery?”

  “No, Mr. Bernard. That’s the person who ruined my home. How did he get in? I locked the door. I always check.”

  “If you look again, you’ll see how he held the box in his left hand. You can’t see what the right hand is doing. I imagine he had one of those gizmos that can unlock a door in seconds.” Dirk motioned for silence.

  They waited.

  Forty-five minutes later, the man came out the door, the box still in his hand. He kept his head down as he walked straight toward the security camera. Then he was gone.

  “We didn’t see his face.”

  “Did you recognize his build? Anything about him?”

  “No,” Sky and Mr. Bernard said at the same time.

  “Would you run a copy of this?”

  “Already done, Mr. Browning.” He handed Dirk a copy. “If there is anything else I can do…”

  “What about the tape from cameras at the front and back door? I’ll want to see those as well as get a copy.”

  “Of course.” He sat down and put in another tape.

  They saw the unknown man enter the front door and walk brazenly down the hall as if he belonged. They couldn’t see his face. The same when he left.

  Mr. Bernard made a copy and handed it to Dirk.

  “Do either of you recognize anything about the man?”

  Mr. Bernard and Sky looked at each other before shaking their head. Sky couldn’t see the man’s face and his build could belong to anyone who was tall and thin.