Abandon - Carla Neggers [63]
“You want to translate what he just said?”
“He said if you break Mackenzie’s heart, he’s not going to forget.”
Rook scoffed. “You’re full of shit, T.J.”
Unrepentant, his partner grinned. “I’ll stick around in case you need a ride home.”
“I’ll need one,” Rook said, half under his breath.
Within a few more minutes, most of the law enforcement officers left. T.J. gave a deliberate yawn. “My stomach’s calling for a pizza with everything on it. Except anchovies. Anchovies and pepperoni just don’t mix.”
Rook sighed. “Two minutes.”
He walked across the steamy driveway to the porch, where Mackenzie was arguing with a young uniformed officer about how she didn’t need a cruiser making periodic checks on the place overnight. He didn’t back down—he said they’d be checking on the property, not on her. She finally relented, likely because it was the only way she’d be rid of him. The officer took his victory and retreated.
“Kid’s got a future if he can stand up to a marshal,” Rook said.
Mackenzie gave him a dark look. “They’re all creeped out about the hydrangea.”
He had no idea if she was joking, but it was clear that no one liked the prospect of a stalker—and no one blamed the ghosts for the flower and the knife. “Everyone would relax better if you just weren’t here tonight.”
“Nate and Sarah offered me their guest room, but I declined. Bad enough Sarah has this place to worry about, with a baby on the way and me here attracting trouble. She doesn’t need me underfoot at home.”
“Come back to my place. T.J.’s starving. My nephew will be there—he’s always starving. We’re ordering pizza.” Then Rook added, “You can have the upstairs bedroom all to yourself.”
She squinted at him, clearly not sure about the idea.
“Look at it this way. Either I’m staying here or you’re staying at my place. If it’s not me, you know it’ll be Nate, and why would you want that? He has a new house and a pregnant wife. He’s a senior deputy.” Rook smiled. “He’s not as good-looking.”
“I don’t know, Rook, Nate’s pretty good-looking. Of course, there’s T.J. He’s so good-looking he’s been known to stop hearts.” But she couldn’t sustain her humor, and blew out a breath. “Honestly, there’s no need for you to stay—”
“Then grab a toothbrush, Mac, because I’m not leaving you here alone.”
She shoved both hands through her hair, then let them drop. “All right. Give me two minutes.”
“Take all the time you need.”
“And I’m taking my car,” she said. “No way am I having Chief Delvecchio catch me getting dropped off at work in the morning by an FBI agent.”
Rook could see her point. “I’ll send T.J. on ahead to buy the pizzas, and I’ll ride with you.”
“Fine, but I’m driving.”
The woman was relentless, but as Rook watched her head back into the house, he noticed a slight wobble in her steps. Tonight had gotten to her. From what he’d seen of the investigators, the hydrangea and the knife had gotten to them, too.
When they reached Rook’s house, Mackenzie got to her backpack before he did, slinging it over her right shoulder and following him to the door. She’d said little in the car. He didn’t know if she was more preoccupied with what she’d found on her porch step or with the prospect of spending the night at his house.
Brian opened the door. “There you are.” He ran a hand over his head, a gesture that suggested something was up. “I was just about to call you. Some guy stopped here looking for you.”
Rook stepped inside, frowning at his nephew. “Some guy? Who?”
“I don’t know. I asked him his name, but he wouldn’t say. He just said to tell you he’s sorry he missed you.”
Mackenzie walked past Brian and set her backpack on the floor next to the stairs. “Can you describe him?”
“Late fifties, gray hair, well dressed.” Brian shrugged, regarding her with the mix of nonchalance and curiosity only a nineteen-year-old could pull off. “What else?”
“Was he dark or fair—”
“Very fair.”
“Cal Benton,” Mackenzie said.
Brian obviously didn’t recognize the name. “What’s up? This some fed deal? Is he wanted?”
“Hang on a sec,