Page 21 of Bachelor Cop Finally Caught? (Hot off the Press! 2)

“Do you think he believed you?”

“I think so. I kept my voice real casual, like it was no big deal. And then I said I had my friend on the other line, and he just hung up.”

“Did you tell Jenny about the call—or about anything you saw in that notebook?”

A bit indignantly she answered, “Of course not. You told me not to tell, so I didn’t.”

He squeezed her hands apologetically. “Sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to imply that I doubted your word.”

Her sweet smile was instantly forgiving. “It’s okay, Uncle Dan. I know you’re in cop mode right now.”

He chuckled. “Actually, I’m in overprotective-uncle mode. I’m trying to get back into cop mode.”

As he’d hoped, that made her smile. It briefly occurred to him that he wished Lindsey was as easy to appease as Polly was. He didn’t know how long it would take Lindsey to get over being mad at him for refusing to tell her the details of his investigation. She thought he didn’t trust her. Why couldn’t she, like Polly, understand that he was only doing his job the best way he knew how?

And why did he keep feeling that there was something else going on with Lindsey? Something he wasn’t sure he had the courage to confront openly?

Because it seemed less complicated to deal with an out-of-control arsonist just then than a bewilderingly volatile reporter, he turned his full attention back to Polly. He took her through the entire conversation again, trying to unearth any hint about the caller’s identity. But she couldn’t remember anything more than she’d already told him.

They’d just reviewed the call a third time when Polly’s parents rushed in, terrified that Dan’s car in their driveway at that hour meant something awful had happened. Dan reassured them quickly, but then he felt obligated to tell them everything. They had a right to know their daughter had stumbled into an investigation. He warned them to keep it quiet, letting them know that Polly’s safety could depend on their discretion, the most effective argument he could have used to guarantee their cooperation.

“One word about this to anyone,” he added, pointing a finger sternly at his sister, “and I’ll seal your mouth shut with duct tape. Got that?”

Polly giggled. Her father chuckled. Tina rolled her eyes. But no one expressed the slightest skepticism that Dan would follow through on the threat if he decided it was necessary.

If there was one place Lindsey did not want to be Sunday afternoon, it was a baby shower. And yet there she sat in Serena’s living room, watching their very round friend Claudia Franklin open gift after gift while a surrounding crowd of women oohed and aahed at appropriate moments.

“How does Stephanie feel about getting a little brother?” someone asked the mother-to-be.

Claudia smiled and idly touched her bulging stomach. “She’s excited. She says she’s looking forward to helping take care of him.”

Lucy Crews, a mother of four, laughed wryly. “Wait until you see how fast that changes.”

Sitting on the couch beside Lindsey, Marjorie Schaffer turned to hand her one of the gifts that was being passed around the room for everyone to admire. “More little blankets,” Serena’s mother murmured. “Claudia’s going to have a closet full of them.”

Lindsey made appropriately appreciative noises over the soft pastel blankets, then passed them on. “It’s a very nice shower,” she commented to Marjorie. “I know Claudia appreciates you and Serena doing this.”

“We enjoy entertaining. And besides,” Marjorie added in an undertone, “I’m hoping a baby shower will give Serena and Cameron ideas.”

“Honestly, Marjorie, they haven’t even been married a full six months yet.”

“I know.” The older woman sighed wistfully. “But I can’t wait to have grandchildren. And since Kara has no interest in motherhood, it’s up to Serena.”

“How does Serena feel about you pushing her for grandchildren?”

Marjorie managed to laugh and grimace at the same time. “I haven’t said much to her about it, of course. Only an occasional hint. But fortunately I know she and Cameron want a child fairly soon, so I’ll try to be patient.”

They admired the next gift—a tiny sleeper and bib set—then passed it on. “How is Kara?” Lindsey asked about Marjorie’s older daughter. “Have you heard from her lately?”

“Oh, she’s fine. She absolutely loves living in Nashville. And her fiancé’s doing very well with his singing career. He just signed his first recording contract, you know.”

“I can’t wait to hear Pierce singing on the radio.”

“Wouldn’t that be lovely? Kara’s so confident he’s going to be a big country star.”

“Then he has a good chance. Having someone who believes in you and supports you is half the battle.”

Lindsey hadn’t realized how much wistfulness had crept into her voice until Marjorie searched her face and laid a hand on her arm. “Would you like to help me in the kitchen, dear? We’re having punch and cake as soon as Claudia opens all her gifts.”

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