Grave Instinct Read online

  Nikki turned and stared grudgingly at the framed photo, the one with Robert and her father, handsome in their uniforms, taken on the day they graduated from the police academy. She had the same coloring and she supposed they looked alike, although she would never admit it. Not even to Robert. She barely remembered her dad, only that her mother had always been happy when he was around and life had seemed full of love and laughter.

  He’d shot himself a day before her fifth birthday. Her mother hadn’t smiled much after that. And his death certainly hadn’t helped Erin. She’d grown from a happy, confident girl into a moody teenager, who’d completely drained their mother of every ounce of energy.

  A cell phone chimed, announcing an incoming text. Nikki swung around. Robert was already hurrying to the kitchen for his phone and she followed closely on his heels.

  His brow furrowed as he read the text. “That’s odd,” he said, slowly placing his phone back down. “We can’t get the information because Erin’s case file has been signed out for the last few months.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The usual reason is that it’s been reactivated.” However Robert’s voice was troubled and it was obvious he was reluctant to say more.

  “We know it hasn’t been reactivated,” she said. “So what are the unusual reasons?”

  “My contact says the file might contain information that someone prefers remain unseen,” Robert said. “And that they want to know the identity of anyone who shows an interest.”

  Nikki’s calm tone masked her dread but her fingers clenched the counter. “Can your friend tell us who signed it out?”

  “Yes.” Robert gave a troubled nod. “Justin Decker.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The steak Robert served was delicious but Nikki’s appetite had disappeared. She toyed with her food, barely noticing when Gunner picked up his bone and trotted off the patio and onto the pool deck. She should have opened the gate to the grassy section while Robert was barbecuing, but her mind had been whirling, trying to convince herself that there were plenty of good reasons why Justin would have removed Erin’s file.

  “You say Justin arranged for a cadaver dog?” Robert said. “If that was a few months ago, he probably just forgot to return the evidence files.”

  Nikki appreciated how Robert was trying to find excuses for Justin. However, she shook her head. “It wasn’t recent though. That was years ago, when he first made detective. I guess something else re-kindled his interest.” Unless he didn’t want anyone to see the interviews. And no matter how hard she tried to banish that thought, the facts were troubling. Especially since Justin had claimed he hadn’t looked at Erin’s file in a while.

  “I remember talking to Detective Beryl McClelland that day,” Nikki said. “She took me in the riders’ lounge and gave me a stick of spearmint gum. I assumed she was the one who interviewed the other girls. I actually called her the first week after I passed my exam.”

  The detective had been polite. Promised to let Nikki know if she had anything new and congratulated her on getting an investigator’s license. But Nikki never heard from her and later learned McClelland had retired and moved to Queensland.

  “I’d like to talk to Detective McClelland again,” Nikki said. “If I can find out where she lives.”

  “Worth a try,” Robert said. “I have a buddy in records who could be persuaded to give us her address. McClelland might have kept some private notes from that day. I know I did.”

  Nikki jerked forward so abruptly her fork clattered on the side of the plate. “You have information? But you were a cop, not a detective.”

  His face darkened and she realized she should have tempered her words. Robert was a bit sensitive about never making detective.

  But he only gave a sad smile. “I wanted to find Erin as much as you did. I didn’t think your mother could take another loss… Hey,” he said, whipping his head around. “Better get your dog out of there.”

  She followed his gaze. Gunner was sitting by the manicured flowerbed, the kangaroo bone at his feet. He knew he wasn’t allowed to dig there but soft dirt was tempting, especially when he had a bone.

  “Over here, Gunner.” She rose from the patio table and strode toward the side gate that opened onto the grass. “Bring it.”

  He scooped up his bone and trotted toward her, his tail wagging.

  “This is better,” she said, trailing her hand over his head. “Safer too.”

  She always worried he might fall in the pool and not be able to climb out. Accordingly Robert had separated his yard, even to the point of adding a special dog gazebo. He’d even offered to install pool steps at the shallow end but she didn’t want Robert going to any more trouble. Besides, Gunner was content, already headed toward the shaded gazebo with the bone protruding from the sides of his mouth. No doubt, he’d try to bury it again. She’d have to keep a watchful eye. Digging was the big downside of Robert’s bone generosity.

  She trudged back to the patio and her cold dinner. Robert’s appetite seemed similarly diminished as both of them had only picked at their steaks. Gunner was going to be one lucky dog.

  “If you kept any personal notes about Erin’s case,” she said, folding her napkin and placing it beside her plate, “I’d love to see them.”

  Robert arched a surprised eyebrow. “But you already have them. And like I told you before, I never had anything official, just bits and pieces along with your mother’s thoughts. They’re in a green folder with Erin’s name on it. The file should still be in your office. Check there tomorrow and if you can’t find it, give me a call.”

  Nikki gathered their plates, wondering how she’d missed seeing Erin’s name. She’d reviewed everything when she’d taken over Robert’s business and moved into her own space. Most of his files had been sent to storage. But if there was anything in her office that could shed light on Erin’s disappearance, she certainly wasn’t going to wait until tomorrow.

  Forty-five minutes later she was driving down the street in front of her office, searching for a parking spot. Usually she used the gravel lot behind the building. But at this time of night it was easy to snag a spot closer to the front door.

  She eased her car alongside the curb and opened the back door. Gunner leaped onto the sidewalk. Street lights spotlighted a scatter of activity: a shopper clutching a bag from a late-closing shoe store, three teens leaning against a car with a pizza box spread on the hood, and a pair of whip-thin joggers who gave Gunner a cautious berth.

  Gunner barely looked at the joggers, his attention focused on the teens and their pizza. He’d already enjoyed a meaty bone, the bulk of two steaks and a serving of kibble, but—much to her chagrin—had developed an insatiable craving for Italian food. Pepperoni pizza was his favorite.

  “Come on, Gunner,” she said, trying to hurry him into the building before the owner of the pizzeria spotted them. But it was too late. She caught the flash of a white apron and then Vinny’s toothy smile. Seconds later, Vinny bustled through his doorway and onto the patio fronting the sidewalk.

  “Are you hungry, Nikki?” he called. “I have your table ready. Please, come inside.” He held the door open, waving his arm with a flourish more appropriate to a five-star restaurant.

  “Not tonight, thanks Vinny,” she said. “I already ate.”

  “A glass of wine then? And some leftovers for Gunner?”

  Gunner greeted that offer with an enthusiastic tail wag then tilted his head, staring longingly through the window, aware that inside was unlimited pepperoni and a place where he was treated like a rock star.

  Vinny hadn’t always been so welcoming. When Nikki first leased the adjacent office, he’d complained that a big dog would scare away customers. His opinion had changed the night a strung-out addict had rushed into his restaurant, waving a gun and demanding the contents of his cash register.

  Nikki and Sonja had been eating pizza on the outdoor patio with Gunner curled beneath the table. The takedown had
been quick and explosive. Gunner had caught the man in three strides and the picture of a German Shepherd pinning the thief on the sidewalk—surrounded by fluttering dollar bills—had gone viral. People had stampeded to Vinny’s, at first out of curiosity. But they’d returned because of the mouth-watering and inexpensive Italian food.

  Somehow the rumor started that Gunner lived in the back of Vinny’s restaurant. There hadn’t been a robbery attempt since, and Vinny confided that he’d increased his menu, tripling his profits.

  “Maybe you’ll drop by for breakfast this week?” Vinny asked, dropping to one knee so he could thoroughly scratch Gunner’s chest. “You and Sonja can be the first to try our new espresso machine. We’re starting a breakfast menu. I promise our biscotti will always be crunchy and great for dipping.”

  “You’re open for breakfast now!” Nikki reached out and gave him a celebratory fist bump. Vinny and his partner worked long hours, and it was gratifying to see their hard work rewarded.

  “Yes,” Vinny said. “So you won’t have to go far for good coffee. You can pick it up here, on the house.”

  Nikki nodded but there was no way she’d accept free coffee every day. It was gratifying that Vinny was appreciative though. In the old location, Robert had been the respected investigator and she’d been the rookie. Now she was building her own connections, and it was all thanks to Gunner—the dog Justin had so generously given her.

  She promised Vinny she’d drop by soon then headed toward her office building, her steps quickening as her thoughts swung back to Justin. Her feelings about him had never been simple. Now they were more complicated. But even if it turned out she’d been the only person to vouch for his presence that day, it was crazy to think he’d had anything to do with Erin’s disappearance.

  Justin had always been professional, squashing overtures from every fawning female, no matter the age. He certainly hadn’t given Erin extra attention, at least, not that Nikki remembered. But would she have noticed? Back then, she’d been oblivious to anything but Stormy. And making sure she and Erin kept their jobs.

  Certainly those last months, the way Erin dressed had changed. She’d also been acting weird. She had always been moody but on good days she liked to recite everything that happened in school. That had stopped. At the time Nikki had been relieved not to have to listen to her sister’s endless drama. There’d been a few boys Erin had gushed about: a senior on the football team, her nerdy lab partner, and some tall guy who ate lunch with her whenever he and his girlfriend had a fight.

  But as Nikki remembered telling the detective, she didn’t know the boys’ last names and didn’t think her sister had seen any of them outside of school. Of course, at times Erin had been surprisingly secretive.

  Sighing, Nikki followed Gunner down the hall to her office and pressed in the security code. The lock beeped at the same time as her cell. She pushed open the door, pulled out her phone and checked the screen. Her heart immediately kicked into overdrive.

  It was Justin, and he wasn’t calling from his office. It was from his personal cell and the significance of that left her gripping the phone even tighter.

  She wasn’t ready to talk to him yet, torn between the thrill of last night’s heated embrace and prickly questions about his whereabouts the day Erin disappeared. It would be best to call him back after she found the file, after she’d reassured herself that he’d been in the arena the entire time.

  She reminded herself that she trusted him. Totally. But it was the memory of his hot kiss that left her rushing to press the green button.

  “Drake Investigative Services,” she said, aiming for calm and professional. Instead, her words came out annoyingly breathy.

  “Nikki.”

  Her name was all he spoke. But the sound of his deep voice made her insides do funny things. Clearly he was waiting her out, letting her set the tone. Detectives were good at that. But she’d taken similar training.

  “Justin,” she replied.

  He chuckled, a rich and deep-throated sound that made her aching to see him, when and wherever he chose. At the office, at the park or in the back of his SUV. But his voice turned cop serious. “I wanted to let you know that Matthew Friedel made a full confession.”

  It was wise not to admit that Robert had already updated her. Police didn’t like to think their office had leaks. And Justin played by the rules. It was typical he didn’t reveal that Savannah was pregnant, ever respectful of the victim.

  “I’m glad,” she said simply. “You must be exhausted.”

  “Heading home now,” Justin said. “But tomorrow I’m driving out to the K9 center to meet with the team that worked the case. Wonder if you’d like to join me?”

  Yes! was her silent answer. But it was a two-hour drive there and back, possibly a full day’s excursion, depending on Justin’s business. Gunner would be okay at home and with his dog door, he could step out into the tiny yard whenever he needed. But maybe he’d be happier if she left him in her office and arranged for Sonja to take him for a noon walk. She tugged at her lower lip. Time management was a constant issue with pets.

  “It’s okay to bring Gunner,” Justin said.

  She blew out a relieved breath. It was always easier when her dog was invited too. But offers like this were often followed by the suggestion that it might be best to leave him home. That was one of the reasons she visited Sonja’s farm so often, because her friend genuinely welcomed both her and her dog.

  She waited for Justin’s next words, guessing he would add that the center didn’t normally allow outside dogs. And was totally understandable. She didn’t want Gunner to go simply because Justin had enough rank to pull favors.

  “Everyone there will be happy to see him,” Justin said.

  She smiled into the phone, knowing she could count on him to tell the truth. And that he understood Gunner’s acceptance was important. “You’re awesome,” she said.

  Justin’s laugh was quick and entirely too sexy. “Hold that thought.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Nikki shoved the phone in her back pocket, her heart still pounding at the prospect of spending a full day with Justin. It had been years since they’d done that. Ever since Erin’s disappearance he’d been in and out of her life, never staying long but always appearing at the best and worst possible times.

  She’d never forget his chilling anger when she and a teenage friend had been caught hotwiring cars. Her friend would never forget it either; in fact, the guy had been so spooked he was now a counselor for troubled youth.

  But Justin had a gentle side. He was the one who’d found her the last time she ran away from home to live on the streets. Nikki doubted her mother had even noticed her absence. Justin had though.

  “You’ll never find Erin like this,” he had said, sitting down beside her and handing over a hot coffee and sandwich. He’d been a police officer then, but hadn’t seemed concerned about the dirt staining his crisp uniform or that the other park denizens were shooting him looks bordering between wary and openly hostile.

  She’d denied Erin was the reason of course, but after much argument, anger and protest, he’d helped her come up with a new plan: She would bide her time until she was older, until she’d gained the necessary skills and training, and was better equipped to hunt down the creep who had taken her sister.

  “I don’t want to be a cop like you though,” she had said, busy stuffing the sandwich into her mouth. “Too many rules. I want to make someone pay for what they did. Better to be a freelancer or assassin, something like that.”

  “I don’t want to have to arrest you,” Justin had said gravely. “So why don’t you finish high school and then decide.”

  He’d gone on to talk about the importance of studying hard, avoiding a criminal record and focusing on her goals, but it was only when he promised to take her to the shooting range that she’d agreed to return home. He also promised to teach her self-defense and those lessons had turned into the highlight of her wee
k. She couldn’t remember why or when they stopped.

  It might have been because Robert had given her a part-time job in his new investigative office. Or that Justin had started bringing his girlfriends to the lessons and though the women tried hard to be nice, it was obvious she was a third wheel.

  Admittedly she had abandonment issues. However, Gunner had helped a lot with that. She glanced at her dog who’d already flopped down on his mat, happy to be wherever she was. Dogs were loyal, much more than people—not counting Robert and Justin of course. At various points in her life, each of the two men had been her anchor. And she couldn’t believe she’d allowed herself to have misgivings about Justin, enough that she’d neglected a steak dinner simply to speed over to her office and check some files.

  She was here now though, and might as well see it through. She knew the contents of her file on Erin by heart, painstakingly gathered over the years. However, she’d never viewed Robert’s personal notes. Didn’t realize he had kept a separate folder.

  She hurried across the room to the locked cabinet. Her filing system was low tech, the same one she’d inherited from Robert: current cases on the top shelf, office files and accounts receivable on the middle, and old cases crammed on the bottom. Robert had turned over all the paperwork for any jobs she’d been involved with. They occupied the bulk of the cabinet since her completed cases were stored on a secure central computer.

  His system was bulky and space consuming, but she was always respectful of handwritten notes. They conveyed thoughts and intuition while typed reports were proper and precise, focusing on hard facts.

  She slid her hand behind the framed picture of Erin, retrieved the hidden key, and unlocked the bottom drawer. It had been months since she’d opened it and the green folders were stuffed so tightly it was hard to read the labels.

  She switched from kneeling to sitting cross-legged, resigned to starting at the far end and checking each file. Even then she almost missed the folder. Robert hadn’t even properly labeled it, “E Drake” was all it said, as if it hurt him too much to write Erin’s name. She understood the feeling.