The Right Woman Part 29

"You won't have to testify," Daniel said. "I'll see to that."

"I'm fine," she told him. "I can handle it."

"No." He shook his head. "You're not putting your life on the line again."

She took a deep breath, not knowing if Daniel was thinking straight or if he was thinking at all. "Daniel, that's not like you. You believe in justice."

"Justice? There is no justice."

She touched his arm and he jerked away. "Don't touch me."

She fought for a measure of control. "Talk to me," she pleaded.

"Talking won't help. Talking won't solve anything."

"Daniel, please..."

"I'm tired, Sarah, and I've completely used up every resource I have to continue this fight against evil. Evil always wins."

"No, Daniel. Love always wins."

His eyes caught hers and they were glazed over with an emotion she couldn't describe. "You're wrong. I loved you with everything in me and look how I've hurt you. I can't..."

He turned and quickly strolled away.

"Daniel," she called and ran after him, but he disappeared too quickly. She stopped, her heart pounding in her chest.

No, Daniel, no. Love will win. I promise.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

DANIEL WENT STRAIGHT to his desk, picked up his resignation letter, walked into Bill's office and laid it in front of him. Bill glanced at the letter then at Daniel's face.

"We've been through this, Daniel."

"This time it's final."

"The case is not finished. There's a lot of paperwork to do and loose ends to tie up."

"Russ is capable of handling all that. It's his case."

"He's also involved in the shooting and will be busy answering a lot of questions until it's ruled a clean shoot."

"Joel will take up the slack."

Bill watched him for a moment. "I'm sorry about your brother."

"Thanks," Daniel muttered.

"Take some time and..."

"No," Daniel stopped him. "I'm through as a cop. I'm completely burned out and I'm not any good to anyone like this."

"There's so many things I could say to you right now, but I have a feeling you don't want to hear them."

"No, sir, I don't."

Bill leaned forward and rested his arms on the desk. "How's Ms. Welch?"

Daniel's stomach tightened. "She's holding up." He caught Bill's eyes. "And just so we're clear, she will not be testifying."

"That's up to the D.A."

Daniel's eyes darkened. "You're not listening to me. She's not getting on a witness stand to put another b.a.s.t.a.r.d behind bars. What good does it do? The b.a.s.t.a.r.d can still go on with his illegal activities and make her life a nightmare in the process. She's done enough for this stinking system."

Bill got up and walked to Daniel, putting his arm around his shoulder. "The system stinks. I agree with you. Having a traitor on our force hasn't helped. Our department will undergo a thorough investigation by Internal Affairs, but you did a great job on this case. You insisted on taking Sarah Welch into your personal custody and even though it went against the rules, I agreed. If you can't see anything else, see that you saved Ms. Welch's life. Right now you need some rest." He pointed to a box on a chair. "I had Kevin and Will bring some of your things over-shaving kit and clothes for a few days. The condo has been sealed off by the crime lab until Internal Affairs finishes its investigation. It's probably not a good idea to go back in there just yet anyway." He patted his shoulder. "Get some rest and we'll talk again."

Daniel picked up the box and walked out, feeling numb.

He checked into a motel, removed his clothes and fell across the bed. The horror of what had happened still had control of him, but the lieutenant's words sneaked through. If you can't see anything else, see that you saved Ms. Welch's life. That Sarah was safe was his last thought as exhaustion claimed him.

SARAH SET THE SALADS on the table and put the ice cream in the freezer, trying not to think about Daniel. She'd try again tomorrow to talk to him. She wasn't giving up.

Gran came into the kitchen. "Oh, you're back."

"Yes, and I brought chef salads and double-fudge ice cream."

"Yummy," Gran replied, sitting at the table.

"Coffee or tea?" Sarah asked.

"Tea, please. It's in the refrigerator. I already made it."

"Oh." Sarah was a little surprised because Gran was used to being waited on. It had been a big problem between her and Serena. These days, though, Gran helped out a lot. They were all going through changes.

"Thanks, Gran." She filled the gla.s.ses and brought them to the table.

"Serena called and said they made it home fine."

"Good. I'll call her later."

Sarah handed Gran silverware and a napkin.

"When I was at the ranch, Ja.s.sy and I had ice cream every night. Serena would eat about a tablespoon and Ethan would tease her, but Serena's always been very conscious about her diet, her weight and her looks." Aurora opened the napkin and placed it in her lap. "I'm afraid she got that from me. You're different, more adventurous and accepting. I guess you got that from Celia. Oh, my." Gran put a hand to her cheek. "I forgot. Celia called and said for you to call her right away."

"Oh, no," Sarah groaned. She'd been so worried about Daniel that she'd forgotten to call Celia to let her know she was home. She got up and reached for the phone. "I'd better call her now."

Celia answered on the first ring. "I'm sorry, Celia. Things have been rather hectic," Sarah immediately apologized.

"That's fine, honey, as long as you're okay."

"Yes. I'm fine and back at home with Gran."

"I'm sure Aurora's pleased."

Sarah closed her eyes at the undisguised sarcasm and she wasn't in a mood to get into this tug of emotional war.

"I just wanted to let you know I'm going to a bird show in Houston for a few days," Celia was saying. "Why don't you come along for the ride? It will get your mind off things."

"Thanks, Celia, but I can't leave right now."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Why did everyone keep asking her that?

"Yes."

"I love you, honey. Take care of yourself."

Sarah took a soft breath, feeling blessed that she had so many people who loved her. "Love you, too. Have a good trip. I'll talk to you when you get back."

Sarah hung up, took her seat and picked up her fork.

They ate for a while in silence.

"She's off with those birds again?"

Sarah slowly laid down her fork, knowing she and Gran had to talk. "We have to talk about Celia."

Gran glanced up. "Why? I'd rather not discuss her at all."

"That's just it," Sarah told her. "I'm tired of being caught in the middle of you and Celia and I'm tired of being made to feel guilty because I love both of you."

"Oh, darling, I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

"But you do, and Celia does, every time one of you says something nasty about the other."

Gran dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. "It's just that Celia and I have a past."

"Yes. Serena and I are the results of that past. You and Celia were best friends in high school and she slept with and married your boyfriend, John Welch. Then many years later, Jasmine, your daughter, our mother, stole John from Celia. It's like a badly written soap opera, but it's my life and I just can't take any more resentment. Life is too traumatic to keep this up."

Gran got up and hugged Sarah. "Darling, don't get upset."

"I just want some peace."

She kissed Sarah's forehead. "I'll try to curb my resentment toward Celia, but it's hard for an old person to change years of habits. For you, though, I'll try."

"That's all I ask."

"Where's that ice cream?" Gran asked, obviously trying to lighten things up.

They ate ice cream and talked about Ja.s.sy, one of their favorite subjects. But Sarah knew they had something else to talk about. It wouldn't be easy.

"How do you feel about this house?" Sarah broached the subject.

Gran swallowed a spoonful of ice cream. "I've lived here most of my life. It's big and familiar. It's home."

Sarah bit her lip. Gran's answer made this even harder.

"It's your home, too, isn't it?"

Sarah licked ice cream from her lips, trying to think of the right words. "I've tried real hard to feel a connection to my mother, to Serena and to you in this house, but I've always felt out of place, as if I didn't belong here."

"Darling..."

"Please, Gran, let me finish," Sarah stopped her, needing to say her part. "Through the trauma of the past few days, I realize that belonging has nothing to do with this house. It's in here." She placed a hand over her heart. "It has to do with love. I now feel that love and I feel part of this family."

"I'm so happy, darling."

"I just can't afford for us to stay here any longer. The upkeep is astronomical."

"Serena mentioned this, but I haven't said anything because I wanted you to stay here as long as you wanted."

"I wanted us to stay here, too," Sarah admitted. "I needed to feel close to my mother and my new family." She turned to face her grandmother. "How do you feel about moving into something smaller? Maybe a two-bedroom condo with no yardwork."

Gran looked thoughtful-not at all upset. "You know Gladys moved into a retirement villa last month. Opal is already there. It's a very nice place with separate apartments and access to a pool and all kinds of recreational activities."

Sarah pulled back. "You mean, you want to move into the villa with your friends?"

"Yes. I think I'd like that."

"I thought we'd live together." Try as she might, she couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice.

Aurora reached for Sarah's hand. "Darling, you'll be making your own life with Daniel and I'll be happier out of your way and with my friends."

"You won't be in the way," Sarah disputed, then quickly asked, "How do you know about Daniel?" She hadn't mentioned a word about her personal relations.h.i.+p with Daniel.

"I'm not completely deaf. I hear what's going on and even at my age it's not hard to figure out how he feels about you."

"Daniel is suffering and I'm not sure about the future."