Page 60 of Under Fire

She glanced at Locke when he extended his hand to her. “Yes.”

Hollis noticed others out on the dance floor, including Orin and his wife Cathy, and Terrence and his wife Sherri. When they arrived on Thursday, they had checked into the hotel before driving the rental car to his mother’s home. It was a beautiful house in Alpharetta that she and Smitty had moved into after they married. Then on Friday they had lunch with Terrence and Sherri, and joined his law partners, Shogun and Macayle, for dinner that evening.

The moment he drew her into his arms on the dance floor, she felt happy that things had turned out the way they had today. She had awakened sad, but throughout the rest of the day, she had felt a lot better. Locke had been right when he told her this morning, while holding her and gently stroking her back, that Derek would not want her to be sad. Especially not on his birthday. And that she would forever have memories of the time they had shared together, and what a wonderful brother he’d been for her.

As she and Locke continued moving to the slow music, she liked that they weren’t conversing. Just being held in his arms felt good. It felt right. He had introduced her as someone assisting on his current case, and that they were also dating. She was glad he had no problem letting everyone know they were more than business associates. Of course, his mother thought a wedding was in their future and even said so.

She decided not to tell the woman how wrong she was with that assumption. Once Locke proved Karl Halifax’s innocence, he would return to Portland and not look back. And Hollis was okay with that. What choice did she have but to be? That’s why she was protecting her heart now.

“You’re quiet,” Locke whispered against her ear.

“I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

She decided to be honest as she met his gaze. “Your mother thinks we’re getting married one day.”

“Does she?”

“Yes. She told me when we went grocery shopping earlier today.”

“And what did you say?”

“I’m sure I should have corrected her on that assumption, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her there was not a wedding in our future. She seemed so excited at the prospect.”

He chuckled. “Knowing Mom, she is. She wants grandkids.”

“Oh. I recall Mom saying the same thing to Derek. He would tell the folks that he was married to the military.” She paused and then said, “I’m sure you will meet the right woman and marry one day, and the two of you will have a houseful of kids.”

“You think so?” he asked.

“Yes. I think so.” Then, to change the subject, she said, “Nice party, isn’t it?”

“Yes, I think it’s nice. But honestly, I’m waiting for it to end.”

“Why?”

“So I can get you alone in our hotel room and make love to you.”

She smiled. “I like the way you think, Locke.”

Returning her smile, he said, “And I’m glad that you do.”

CHAPTER 24

The following week after returning to Tampa, Hollis nearly dropped the phone at what Nate just told her. There was no way she had heard him correctly. Fatigue had taken over her hearing. That had to be it. She and Locke had hit the ground running when they’d immediately resumed their investigation.

They’d reread numerous reports, discussed them again in detail, and revisited the warehouse ─ this time with Locke ─ to take more photos of the video cameras. They’d also visited several pawn shops to see if perhaps the watch was there. From what the pawn shop owners told them, Detectives Connors and Tomlin had already been around asking questions.

“I said I was able to trace the original owner of the gun as Nyla Roker.”

Hollis rubbed her temples. How was that possible? “You’re certain, Nate?”

“Positive. To put your mind at ease, Cranston was able to dig up digital information showing that eight years ago there was a robbery at Nyla Roker’s condo, and the gun is one of the things listed in the police report as being stolen. From all accounts, she and Karl Halifax got together less than five years ago, which means he wasn’t in the picture then. I’m forwarding you a copy of that police report.”

“Okay. Thanks.” She paused and then asked. “Why would someone give Karl a gun that was stolen from Nyla years ago? A gun that had the serial number wiped clean to kill Donnie Barcos. I don’t like the implications of that, Nate.”

“And what implications are you thinking about, Sunshine?”