Lethal Legacy: A Novel (Guardians of Justice) Page 19

  But as he locked the door behind him, he hoped Rossi would give him enough time to carry it out under optimal conditions.

  “Hey . . . isn’t that your favorite redhead?” Mitch tilted his head toward the back of the restaurant as Cole took his seat.

  “Where?” Alison craned her neck as she claimed the chair beside her brother.

  “How is it your love life always takes center stage on our after-church brunch outings?” Liz picked up her napkin and draped it over her lap, grinning at her brother-in-law.

  “I wish I knew.” Cole shot Mitch an annoyed look. Nevertheless, he checked out the direction his colleague had indicated.

  Yep. That was Kelly at a table in the far corner. She was angled away from him, but he’d recognize that hair anywhere. Besides, she was with Lauren. The man at the table, flanked by two little boys who appeared to be twins, must be her best friend’s husband.

  He allowed himself a few more seconds to enjoy the play of light on her russet hair, then settled back in his chair. Much as he’d wanted to see her this weekend, this wasn’t the place.

  Not in light of his present company.

  Too bad the Taylor clan had switched a few months ago from every-other-Sunday dinner gatherings to weekly brunch.

  Alison nudged him with her elbow. “Is that her?”

  He picked up his menu. “Yes.”

  “Aren’t you going to go over and say hello?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “She’s with friends. I don’t want to interrupt.”

  His sister huffed out a breath. “You’re just afraid you’ll have to introduce her to us.”

  He didn’t respond.

  Jake grinned and took a sip of water. “Do you blame him, Alison? Everyone at this table except you is trained to give the third degree. And you’ve mastered the technique on your own.”

  “Very funny.” She made a face at her older brother and picked up her own menu, casting one more glance over Cole’s shoulder toward the table on the other side of the room. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. They’re leaving.”

  Without stopping to think, Cole instinctively turned to catch one more glimpse of Kelly

  And that was his downfall.

  Because once their gazes connected, ignoring her—and insulating her from his inquisitive family—was no longer an option.

  “Hey . . . there’s your favorite detective!”

  Kelly’s step faltered as she and Lauren followed Shaun, a twin’s hand in each of his, toward the exit of the restaurant. It was Cole, all right. But he didn’t seem at all pleased to see her as he lifted a hand in greeting. His lips barely tipped up.

  Disconcerted by his reaction, she returned his acknowledgment and picked up her pace.

  “Kelly!” Lauren caught up and took her arm, tugging her to a stop near the foyer. “Aren’t you going to say hello?”

  “He’s with friends.” Two women and three men, to be exact. She’d taken a quick inventory of the table.

  “I think he counts you in that group.” Lauren looked past her with a smug twist of her lips. “Otherwise he wouldn’t be coming over.”

  Doing her best to ignore the blip in her heart, Kelly turned toward him.

  “Hi, Kelly. Lauren.” He stopped a couple of feet in front of them and smiled. A real smile. Warm and welcoming . . . and it lingered on her.

  That was more like it.

  “Hi. What a surprise to see you here.” Lauren motioned for the tall man with the twins to rejoin them and continued to chat, giving Kelly a chance to appreciate the gray tweed sport jacket that emphasized Cole’s broad shoulders and the same blue tie he’d worn the day they met. The one that matched his eyes.

  Too bad she hadn’t chosen attire a little more flattering than a plain black skirt and simple sweater.

  “We were just treating Kelly to a pre-Thanksgiving brunch, since Shaun and I are off to Columbus for the holiday. Otherwise we’d have her over for dinner, this being her first Thanksgiving alone and all.”

  At Lauren’s emphasis on the word alone, Kelly tuned back in to the conversation. “I won’t be alone, Lauren. You know I’m—”

  “Hey! That’s my candy!” Kevin yanked the wrapped mint out of Jack’s hand.

  “Is not!” Jack tried to grab it back.

  “Whoa!” Shaun broke up the disagreement by stepping between them. “Time to leave.” He smiled at Cole and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you. Lauren, we’ll see you in the car.”

  “I’m right behind you. And you two . . .” She leaned down to the twins’ level. “Behave!”

  They dipped their heads, chastised for the moment, but Kelly was certain the dispute would erupt again once they were out of the restaurant. Jack was still eyeing the mint clutched in Kevin’s hand.

  Rising, Lauren shot them an apologetic look. “Sorry. One of these days they’ll turn into civilized little creatures.”

  Cole grinned. “Don’t count on it. My sister claims little boys never grow up.”

  “Don’t tell me that!” She rolled her eyes, then leaned over to hug Kelly, dropping her voice. “Call me later, okay?”

  Kelly hugged her back, whispering close to her ear. “If there’s anything to report.”

  “There will be.”

  With that, Lauren released her, gave a final flutter of fingers, and took off toward the exit with her usual long-legged purposeful stride.

  “So . . .” Kelly shifted out of the path of a tray-laden waiter, trying to dredge up some small talk. “Are you having a nice weekend?” As soon as the words were out, she cringed. Talk about pathetic.

  But Cole’s comeback wasn’t. “I am now.”

  A rush of pleasure swept over her. That smooth response might be a standard male line, but it wasn’t one that had been used on her very often.

  Like never.

  The only problem was, it once again left her at a loss for words.

  As if sensing her discomfiture, Cole hooked a thumb over his shoulder, toward the table behind him. “Would you like to join us? Maybe have a final cup of coffee? I’m with my brother, Jake, and his wife, Liz. Mitch is the detective who’ll be going with me to visit Rossi in Buffalo, and the woman with the light brown hair who’s probably giving you the once-over is his fiancée—my sister, Alison.”

  Kelly checked out the table. Three of the four occupants were conversing, their perusal of her discreet, but Alison was displaying unabashed interest in her exchange with Cole. When she realized Kelly was looking her way, she didn’t seem in the least self-conscious. Instead, she smiled and lifted her hand in a friendly gesture.

  “Your sister’s waving at me.”

  He expelled a long breath. “That figures. She’s dying to meet you. Expect to be cross-examined if you join us, but I’ll deflect her questions if she gets too pushy.”

  Kelly grinned. “I appreciate the offer. But I think I can handle her.”

  “Yeah?” He studied her. “Maybe. She’s a lot more blunt with family members than with strangers. So do you want to join us for a few minutes?”

  Meet Cole’s family or spend the rest of the day alone.

  No contest.

  “Sure.”

  He took her arm, the gesture no more than politeness, but she liked his confident touch as he guided her through the maze of diners. The two men at the table stood, and Jake signaled a waiter. By the time she and Cole arrived, an extra chair had been added—between Cole and Alison, at his sister’s direction.

  Once the introductions were finished and Kelly and the men took their seats, Alison jumped in.

  “We’ve heard a little about you, Kelly, but not enough. Cole can be a clam when it suits him. You’re an artist, right?”

  “You want to give her a chance to get her coffee before you start the inquisition?” Cole arched an eyebrow at his sister.

  She shot him a disgruntled look. “This isn’t an inquisition.”

  “Keep it that way.”

  Stifli
ng a smile, Kelly turned to Alison. “Yes, I’m a watercolor artist. As for Cole being reticent, I haven’t seen that. He’s told me a lot about you.” She caught Cole’s grin in her peripheral vision.

  Alison narrowed her eyes at her brother. “I’ll bet.”

  “I think you’re busted, Alison.” Jake grinned at her across the table, draped an arm around Liz’s shoulders, and spoke to Kelly. “Our sister is the curious type—and she takes a special interest in her brothers’ personal lives.”

  “You guys make me sound like a meddler.”

  “If the shoe fits . . .” Cole picked up his coffee and took a sip.

  “You know . . . you three are going to give Kelly an entirely wrong impression.” Jake’s wife cast an amused glance at her husband and his siblings. “The truth is, despite their bickering and complaining, the Taylors are a close-knit clan.”

  Kelly smiled at the blonde-haired woman. “I already figured that out. And I must admit I envy all of you.” She encompassed the three Taylors with a sweeping scan. “I always wished I had brothers and sisters. Or an extended family. Especially on holidays.”

  A bittersweet pang echoed in her heart as she thought about all the holidays it had been just her and her dad—and all the holidays to come, without him. She was glad the waiter arrived with the food orders, interrupting the conversation. She was also grateful Alison responded with a lighthearted comment once they’d been served.

  “Well, I can vouch for the fact that Christmas morning in the Taylor household was a free-for-all. Thanks to two brothers who always raced to see who could rip open their presents the fastest.” She spread some jam on her English muffin and took a bite.

  “Maybe,” Jake conceded. “But we humored you on Halloween long after we were too old to go trick-or-treating. Remember the year she conned us into dressing like Tweedledee and Tweedledum so she could be Alice in Wonderland?” He aimed a grimace at Cole.

  “I’ve tried to forget it.” Cole cut off a bite of his eggs Benedict and pointed his fork at Alison. “I think you still owe us for that one.”

  “Repaid many times over in lasagna dinners.” Alison dismissed the claim with a breezy wave of her hand. “So what are your plans for Thanksgiving, Kelly?”

  She managed to hold on to her smile. “Church in the morning, and later in the day I volunteered to help serve dinner at a homeless shelter.”

  “Wow.” Alison stopped eating. “That’s a really generous thing to do.”

  No, it wasn’t. Kelly wished her motives were more altruistic, but the truth of it was she hadn’t been in the mood to accept any of the invitations from members of her congregation, gracious as they were. If she did, she’d have to smile and laugh and make small talk through the whole meal. That would take far too much effort. And if she stayed home, she’d end up sitting around feeling sorry for herself.

  “It’s no big deal.” She took a sip of her coffee and dismissed Alison’s praise with a lift of her shoulders. “A lot of people do a lot more.”

  “All we’re going to do is sit around and stuff our faces at Jake’s.” Alison toyed with a bite of her omelet and gave Kelly a speculative look. “What time are you serving?”

  “One to four.”

  Her face lit up. “Perfect. Why don’t you join us for dinner after you’re finished? Mitch’s dad is coming too, and our mom and aunt. We’re not eating until five, so you could make it. We can feed one more, can’t we, Liz?”

  “No problem.”

  Too surprised to respond at once, Kelly risked a peek at Cole. He’d stopped eating, fork poised halfway to his mouth, and was staring at his sister. Obviously as taken aback by the invitation as she was.

  Knowing his feelings about mixing business and pleasure, Kelly jumped in. “I appreciate the offer, but after inhaling the aroma of turkey for three hours, I think I’ll just go home, put up my feet, and have a pizza.”

  “Pizza on Thanksgiving! Cole, convince her to come.” Alison leaned across Kelly and jabbed her brother in the shoulder.

  He lowered his fork to his plate without eating the bite of eggs Benedict. “You’d be welcome, Kelly.”

  There was warmth in his voice—but the conflict in his eyes convinced her to hold her ground. “I appreciate that, but by four o’clock I have a feeling I’ll be ready to call it a day.”

  He didn’t push her—much to Alison’s disgust, if the disgruntled frown she lobbed at her brother was any indication.

  Kelly stayed another fifteen minutes. She answered some of Alison’s questions, artfully deflected others. She chatted with Jake and Liz, listened to a SEAL story from Mitch. Then she drained her coffee and picked up her purse.

  “I’ve infringed enough on your family get-together, and I have some errands to run. I hope you all have a lovely holiday.”

  She stood, and Cole rose too. As did the other two men. No lack of manners in this group.

  “You’re not infringing, Kelly. We’ve enjoyed meeting you.” Alison smiled up at her.

  “Thank you.” Despite Cole’s warnings, she’d found Alison down-to-earth, engaging, and fun to talk with. Much like Lauren. The kind of woman who would make a good friend. And maybe that could happen—if things progressed between her and Cole down the road.

  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  She considered the tall detective beside her. Another display of polished manners—or something more?

  “That isn’t necessary. Your food will get cold.”

  “Yeah, but his heart will be warm.” Alison smirked at her brother.

  Cole’s neck grew ruddy as he took Kelly’s arm. “Eat your omelet, Alison.”

  She gave him a mock salute. “Aye, aye, sir.”

  After a flurry of good-byes, Cole escorted her through the maze of tables with a muttered, “Sisters.”

  “I like Alison. She’s interested in everything.”

  “Including her brothers’ personal lives, as Jake pointed out.” Cole pushed through the outside door, into a gust of cold wind. “You’d think she’d back off a little on mine now that I’m going to church again.”

  Kelly stopped in the middle of the parking lot, buttoning her wool jacket against the chill as she swung toward him. “When did that happen?”

  He shrugged and shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “This morning. It was time.”

  “So your sister’s prodding paid off.”

  “No. If anyone can take credit for the prodigal’s return, it’s you. Our conversation last week gave me a different perspective on what happened with Sara.”

  At the staccato beep of a car horn, Cole took her arm again and guided her out of the path of traffic.

  “I’m over there.” She gestured toward her Focus, parked three cars down.

  They completed the walk in silence as she mulled over this new development, rummaged for her keys, and hit the remote. He opened the door, and she tossed her purse onto the passenger seat, then swiveled back toward him.

  He propped a shoulder against the car. “And for the record—there’s nothing I’d like more than to have you join my family for Thanksgiving. But I’d rather keep things professional until we wrap up your dad’s case. Assuming that happens soon, though, I’d like to celebrate the next big holiday with you.”

  Christmas with Cole.

  Now that was something to look forward to.

  “I’d like that too.”

  “Consider it a date.” Smiling, he pushed off from the car, waited while she slid inside, and closed the door.

  She pulled away, keeping his image in the rearview mirror as long as possible, and her own lips curved up. Lauren had been right.

  There was news to report from her impromptu coffee date with Cole’s family.

  And it was all positive.

  16

  Marco hadn’t called. Neither had Eileen.

  And Vincentio was beginning to lose hope they would.

  He drummed a finger against the steering wheel and surveyed the house he�
��d visited four days ago. His son was the problem. No question about that. Eileen had been touched by his plea. If it was up to her, he’d already have a date with his grandson.

  But Marco was a true Rossi when it came to holding grudges. To getting even. Too bad he’d shunned the family business. He’d have made an excellent don.

  With a sigh, Vincentio turned the key in the ignition. Sitting here wishing wasn’t going to change his son’s mind. Besides, based on the information provided by his source, Eileen got home earlier than usual from school on Monday, and he didn’t want her to find him lurking in front of the house. That wouldn’t help his case. Better to lay low. Give her some time to work on Marco—and hope his son’s heart would soften.

  In the old days, he might even have prayed for that favor. After all, attending church every Sunday had been part of the Rossi legacy. But it had been a tradition, nothing more, and he doubted God would be inclined to grant requests from unrepentant souls like him.

  The corners of his lips ticked up as he shifted the car into gear. He and God were alike in that regard, both extracting a price from those who did wrong and showed no remorse. Examples of vengeance from on high were all over the Bible.

  Too bad God wasn’t on his side, though. He could use some divine intervention with his ill-timed police interview too. As it was, he’d have to put his fate in the hands of Thomas Lake, whom he was scheduled to see in—he checked his watch—forty-five minutes.

  Vincentio eased away from the curb. It was a shame the boy’s father had died six years ago. Walter had been smart. Savvy. Skilled. His son had seemed sharp enough the few times they’d talked, but the younger man didn’t know his history like Walter had. Or have his father’s experience.

  Still, this should be a simple matter. When he’d been hired for the job, Carlson had had no idea who’d employed him, so there couldn’t be any evidence to link the two of them. Nor was there any now. If Carlson had made mistakes, he was the one in the hot seat. And if he did get caught and tried to finger his employer, there was no proof.