Patrick laughs, shaking his head. “She won’t admit it, but she doesn’t like me working with Toni.”
“I can’t say I like it myself, but if she helps us, I can overlook a lot.” For a moment, I consider assuring Elaine I’ll keep an eye on my partner, but I know it’s not necessary. Elaine’s got him tied up in more ways than one.
“If she decides to stay, I’ll ask if she’ll bunk in with Mel while we’re gone.”
Nodding, I pat the top of the car. “Will you be ready tomorrow, noon?”
“With bells on.”
He takes off, and I walk slowly toward the little cottage. It’s the only residence for several hundred feet, secluded in the sea grass, far enough away from the water that storms aren’t a problem, but close enough to run down and enjoy the surf easily.
It’s a great place. The only thing I hate about it is she’s completely alone out here, and no one is close enough to check on her. The thought twists a sick feeling in my gut.
Through the screen, I can see her sleeping on the small couch on the side porch again, but this time the side door is locked. Somewhat relieved, I pull out the key she gave me and unlock it. She doesn’t stir as I cross the small space to where she’s curled up on the pillows.
Dropping to my knees, I smooth her hair off her cheek and give her a light kiss there. She’s such a heavy sleeper now. Still, a little smile plays at the corner of her mouth.
“Melissa,” I whisper, running my thumb across her cheek. I hate to wake her, but it’s after six. Kissing her cheek again, I whisper in her ear. “Wake up, beautiful.”
She inhales quickly and pulls back, eyes flying open. “Oh!”
“I’m sorry, did I scare you?”
Covering her face with her hand, she laughs. “I was dreaming… about you.”
That sounds promising. “Something dirty?”
Her hand lowers, and she gives me those eyes. “So judgmental. I would never call what we do dirty.”
Grinning, I wrap her in my arms. “Now I feel challenged. How can I change your mind about this?”
Her elbows are bent, and she’s threading her fingers in my hair still smiling. “Whatever we do, I won’t be able to call it dirty. I love you too much.”
There’s no getting around it. She gets a kiss for that, but just as I push her lips apart, tasting her sweet mouth, finding her tongue, she puts her hands on my cheeks and moves me back.
“Tell me about today. Were you and Patrick successful? Everything work out?”
Remembering how today went, what we learned about Jessica Black and what’s coming provokes a frown I can’t hide. Melissa is on it fast. “Did she not agree to help you?”
“She agreed to help us.” Releasing her, I rise from my knees to sit on the end of the couch, pulling her feet in my lap. “And I’m more convinced than ever we’re doing the right thing. Even if it bends a few rules.”
“Sloan’s built his life around bending rules and deception.”
I’m surprised by this response from her. “So you’re not against what we’re doing anymore?”
She sighs and pushes herself up to a sitting position. “The more I’ve thought about it, the more convinced I am that even if he leaves me alone, he’ll just find a new victim. How can I let that happen?”
I unwrap the blanket and find one of her soft feet. Massaging it, I nod my agreement. She had to come to this decision on her own, and I’m glad she did.
“He would find another victim, it seems. Based on what Toni told us today.”
Melissa’s eyes drift to the screen facing the ocean and beyond it. “He was so charming in the beginning. Kind and generous.”
“You never told me how you fell in love with him, but I assumed he had to be different.”
She looks back at her lap, and I know this is hard for her. She once told me what happened with Sloan was her “humiliating truth.” I want her to know she can trust me with this. I would never judge her. Her small foot is still in my hand, and I give her arch a deep rub.
“That feels good.” She gives me a small smile, and I return it. “He reminded me of my dad a little. Not in a creepy way. But my father was much older than my mom. I’m sure they had a passionate relationship, but all I saw growing up was how he took care of her. How she would go to him for advice, and how good he was to her.”