Kline, the monster who brazenly abducted my six-year-old sister from her front yard in broad daylight, was being released early from prison on the basis of good behavior. I had no doubt he was a clear and present danger to my sister, even eighteen years later.
I remember those first few hours after we’d gotten the report of a missing child. My baby sister, an innocent little girl with her whole life ahead of her, had disappeared while riding her bike in the front yard. I’d never in my life known such abject terror. I was a rookie cop back then, not long on the force.
Fortunately, an observant neighbor remembered seeing a plumbing van parked on the street near my mom’s house at the time of the abduction. We were able to track the van to a farm outside the city, where Howard Kline lived with his invalid mother.
We found Beth, bound and gagged, lying naked on a filthy mattress on the dirt floor of a pitch-black cellar. I was the first one down those cellar steps, descending into complete darkness with only a flashlight and a gun. I found her shivering from hypothermia and dehydration, and immediately I wrapped her in my jacket. It was a miracle Kline hadn’t sexually assaulted her.
I hired Shane’s company—McIntyre Security—to protect her, covertly, until something could be done to get Kline back behind bars where he belonged. I lost my head when I discovered that Shane had become involved with my sister. I accused him of every sort of unprofessional conduct imaginable, and I made his life hell.
My sister was twenty-four then, and Shane was in his early thirties. I railed at him for being too old for her, for taking advantage of her fragile emotional state. Since the day of her abduction, Beth has suffered from crippling anxiety. She wasn’t equipped to deal with a man like Shane. I accused him of using her, of taking advantage of her.
But I was wrong.
I know that now.
He’s proven himself over and over, and he’s always been there for Beth.
And now the tables are turned, and I’m the old letch who’s being accused of taking advantage of someone younger. Someone vulnerable.
Someone who’s apparently fragile.
Shit.
* * *
I arrive at Ian’s townhouse at exactly one o’clock, just as the delivery car from a Chinese take-out pulls away. When I walk up to the front door, Ian’s there holding the door for me.
He’s got two carry-out bags in his hands. “I wasn’t sure what you like, so I ordered a few different things. We can share.”
I step inside and close the door behind me, wondering who’s watching us right now. After my talk with Martin Alexander, I have no doubt Ian’s townhouse is being watched. I’m sure a report of my arrival will go promptly back to Ian’s father.
And I guess this means I’ve already violated his warning.
Can Judge Alexander get me fired? I honestly don’t know. He does have a lot of clout in this city, though, so if anyone can do it, it’s probably him.
Ian frowns. “What’s wrong?”
I look at him—really look at him—and I see far more than a pretty face. He’s kind, caring, and full of empathy. And suddenly, I just want to protect him. I don’t want him to be hurt or disappointed, and I’m afraid if he knew what his father was up to, that’s exactly what he’d be. But I also don’t want to lie to him. “Ian.” I let out a heavy breath. “We need to talk.”
His expression falls, and the light in his eyes dims. “Save your breath, Tyler. I don’t need any explanations or excuses. Just go.” And then he turns away and heads toward the kitchen.
What in the fuck just happened? I start after him. “Ian, wait!”
He raises a dismissive hand, not even bothering to look at me. “Just go, Tyler.”
I follow him into the kitchen and watch him unpack the sacks of Chinese carryout. “What in the hell is going on?”
He turns to me, his reddened eyes filled with pain, but says nothing.
“Did your dad call you?” I say. “Is that what this is about? What did he say?”
Ian looks genuinely perplexed. “My dad? What are you talking about?”
“I saw your dad this morning. He called me to his office at the courthouse.”
“Why?”
“To warn me to stay away from you.”
Ian’s voice rises a decibel. “Are you kidding me? What did he say?”
“He said I’d lose my job if I didn’t keep my distance.”
Ian’s eyes widen, and it’s