“That’s what I was thinking too.”
“All right, so this person bashes Renzo’s skull, gets in his victim’s car and drives it here with the bloody weapon riding shotgun. Why dump it here then?”
“Why stash the evidence behind Maegan’s shop and slip the note beneath a planter to tip us off to its location. Why not just leave the car at the original crime scene if he wanted us to find it?”
“It must have something to do with Maegan?”
“You think she’s in trouble?” Adrian asked me.
“Even if this guy saved Maegan from a horrible fate at Renzo’s hands, he’s still a killer. As you pointed out, he’s included Maegan in every step. It’s more imperative than ever to find out who all knew that Thom was coming to town to meet Maegan that night. She said it was spur of the moment. An email she received directly from Thom when he’d communicated with her through a local realtor the previous times.”
“We’ll track Becker down first thing tomorrow before we pay a visit to the historical society.”
It was another hour before we returned to the Goode’s home. Maegan was sound asleep in the recliner with Adrian and Sally Ann’s infant son sleeping against her chest. She didn’t wake up until Sally Ann took the baby from her arms.
“What time is it?” she asked, rubbing her tired eyes.
“Late,” I answered. “Past your bedtime it would seem.”
Maegan smiled ruefully. “Babies always make me sleepy.” She stood up from the recliner and slid her arms into her coat that I held open for her.
“Sure, that’s it,” I teased.
Maegan was unusually quiet on the short ride home. I glanced over and saw her chewing her bottom lip like she was worrying about something. I squeezed her knee to reassure her, but was uncertain what to say. It had to be a terribly frightening experience to know that someone could want to hurt her. Hell, I’d been in terrifying situations before, but at least I knew who my enemy was and had a good idea when I could expect their attack. For Maegan, she probably felt like a sitting duck.
“We’re going to catch him,” I told her once we were back at my warm house.
“I know you will, Elijah,” she said, but the tone of her voice didn’t sound as confident as her words. “That’s not what’s on my mind.” Her voice cracked and she started nibbling on her lower lip again. I realized then that she’d been biting her lip to stop herself from crying.
I’m just as nervous and helpless around a crying woman as the next guy, but I had a feeling that Maegan wasn’t one who cried very often. I knew firsthand how dangerous bottling up emotions could be. They often exploded in the worst ways and at the least convenient times. I somehow doubted that Maegan was going to start a bar fight to alleviate the tension rising inside her, but I didn’t want her to feel miserable if having a good cry would help.
I pulled her into my arms and tucked her head beneath my chin. “It’s okay to cry, Maegan. Let it out.” And she did. I held onto her, absorbing her tears and anguish with my shirt and wishing I could somehow erase her fears. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Freckles.”
“I’m not crying about that,” she mumbled against my throat.
“What has you so heartbroken tonight then?”
Maegan pulled out of my arms and raised her chin so she could look into my eyes. “It’s more than my heart that’s broken.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t have children, Elijah. I’ve known it since I was seventeen, and I’m okay with it most of the time, but it sneaks up and sucker punches me when I’m vulnerable. Holding Avery was both amazing and heartbreaking because I’ll never have that for myself. I’ll never feel my child growing inside me. I’ve wanted kids for as long as I can remember, but it won’t happen.”
I wiped her tears and pressed my lips to her forehead. Damn, my heart broke for her. “There’s more than one way to be a mom, Freckles. There are so many kids in the world who need love. One day, when the time is right, you’re going to be one hell of a fierce mama. I just know it.”
“Thank you, Elijah,” she said tearfully. “I’m so sorry for blubbering all over you when you have more important things to deal with.”
“You don’t need to apologize, Maegan. I meant what I said.” I tipped her head up and aimed my best lecherous look at her. “Damn, you’re going to be the hottest MILF the world has ever seen.”
“Oh you!” She swatted at me, but at least the sadness was replaced with mirth. “Enough yapping; take me to bed. I’m suddenly feeling more alert.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
