Seth (The Casella Cousins Book 2) Page 4

  Seth and Julianne waited.

  Gideon was back in ten minutes. “No one’s there.”

  “What next?”

  “We call Forensics to do an assessment.”

  “I’d guess I can’t go into the rest of the house to see what’s disturbed?”

  “Sorry, we have to protect the crime scene. Anything you can tell me that you did upstairs? Like leave the bathroom messy? Throw your clothes around?”

  Seth snorted. “Are you kidding? She washes down the shower and tub before she goes to work.”

  “I know drawers and closets should be closed and I made the bed. Oh, I left a nightgown on it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am. It’s was pink, um, and frothy.”

  He said, “You all are going to have to wait this out.”

  * * *

  Julianne vowed to keep it together. She trusted Gideon like she’d trust an older brother. He sipped his coffee at the window, keeping an eye out for the crime scene team.

  “Do you guys have any questions?” he asked, glancing over to where they sat at the table.

  “How does this shake out, Gid?” Julianne kept her voice even though she was queasy inside.

  “Any crime scene is approached in a logical and organized manner. First, the police officers barricade the place off with tape. The first one in starts a security log of the people who come and go.

  “The investigator will do a walk-through to get a big picture of the break-in. Then the nitty gritty starts. The HCPD uses video equipment to document the parts of the house where the perpetrator was. Another takes photos.”

  “Why both?” Seth asked.

  “Sometimes cops can see things better than the video does. We do sketches, too.

  “Then they do the things you’re familiar with. Shoe prints fingerprints, tool marks for entry, blood spatters if there are any. DNA or prints might be taken off the handles of drawers he or she opened.”

  “Why—”

  “I have to go.” He angled his head outside. “A police car pulled into Julianne’s driveway.” He left by the back door.

  Seth turned to Julianne. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m upset.”

  He shook his head.

  “What?”

  “Inside, maybe. But you’re so cool in a crisis.”

  “Yeah, initially. I fall apart after it’s over.” She frowned. “Do you think they’ll be able to find who did this?”

  “I’m assuming they’ll have to interview you about potential suspects.”

  “Suspects?”

  “Anybody you know that might break in to your house.”

  “Oh, God, you think this is about me?”

  He put his hand over hers. She linked their fingers, needing something to hold on to. “I don’t know, honey.”

  Julianne tried to think about some of the less-than-safe things she’d done in the last year but that just upset her more. She stood. “Let’s go sit with Tommy and Carmella. I like spending time with him.”

  The four of them were involved in a hot game of Go Fish when Rafe walked through the door. “Tommy?” he said stopping. “You’re playing that game with people other than me?”

  Tommy’s face beamed. “Hi, Dad!”

  And Julianne melted. The palpable love between them filled the air, eclipsing thoughts of the break-in. And suddenly, Julianne wanted to be a mother more than she ever thought possible.

  But the good feeling was dispelled when Gideon came back inside. Rafe, who Seth had filled in out on the back patio, squeezed Tommy’s shoulder. “Tom, go on up to the playroom Nana set up for you. You can use one of the videos games. Before Tommy obeyed, he gave his father a big hug.

  They sat in the kitchen again. Gideon said, “They’re still working over at your house, Jules. But they’ve found the method of entrance. A pry tool on the back door leading to the garage.”

  “And I left the door to my house from the garage open.”

  He looked to Seth. “Didn’t you tell her not to do that after I gave you a briefing about home safety?”

  “Um, no. I wasn’t in much contact with her then.”

  “It’s not up to him to protect me. Actually, I’ve been thinking about getting an alarm system put in.”

  “I did that,” Carmella told her.

  “I’ll do it, too.” She turned to Gideon. “What else are they finding?”

  “No obvious fingerprints. But they’re testing everything.”

  “Did he get upstairs?”

  “Two drawers are ajar. Um, one is your underwear drawer.”

  She froze.

  “You’ll probably have to identify if something’s missing.”

  She could only nod.

  Seth said, “Gid, what does that mean that he went into her drawers?”

  “It could mean he’s some kind of pervert.”

  “Or?”

  “He knows Julianne.”

  * * *

  Seth awoke to screams. He bounded off the mattress, rushed out of his room and down the hall. Julianne was thrashing in Alessia’s old bed. He hurried over and leaned down. Gently he shook her. “Shh, shh, Jules, you’re having a bad dream.”

  Her arms flailed.

  “Julianne, wake up. It’s Seth.”

  She bolted upright, and they bumped heads. “Ohhh…” Her eyes flew open.

  “Ouch.” He straightened and rubbed his forehead.

  Her hands braced on the bed, she looked around. “What happened?”

  After she laid back, he dropped onto the mattress at her side. “You were yelling.”

  “I-I was dreaming.” She scanned the room. “I was here, in Ali’s room. We were all so upset.”

  “Because of the break-in?”

  “No, no.” She grabbed his hand. “You died. Oh, God, Seth, you died!”

  He recoiled some. “Of what?”

  “Of….” Her brow furrowed. “Of a stab wound, but it happened in my house by a masked man.”

  “You’re combining two events, honey, like what happens in dreams.”

  “I guess.”

  He scowled. “Your hands are shaking.”

  She bit her lip. “I can’t stop it.”

  “Want me to stay here in a chair?”

  “No.”

  “Oh, okay.” He started to stand.

  She grabbed his hand. “I want you to sleep next to me.”

  “You won’t be happy when we wake up.”

  “I’m clear-headed now. That’s what I want.”

  He’d started wearing pajamas bottoms for decency since he was staying in his mother’s house. So, he stretched out next to her. She cuddled right into his bare chest, like she used to, and his hand went to the silky skin of her arm.

  She dozed.

  But Seth couldn’t go back to sleep. He lay in the bed, holding her, and the notion that he had lost all this—and why—forced its way to his consciousness…

  She was sixteen when he first broke her heart. She’d come over to his house and up to his room. He’d smiled from where he sat on the bed with a book. “Hey, girl.”

  “Sandy Baker called me.”

  His face lost its color.

  “Is it true?”

  “Please, Jules, sit and we’ll talk.”

  “I want to know if you slept with her. Before you even slept with me?”

  “I got drunk when I went to the lake with the guys. A bunch of girls came. She was one of them.”

  He hadn’t noticed the bag she carried with her. She lifted it up. “I don’t want these anymore.” She dumped the contents onto the floor. His sweater. A necklace he’d given her. A flannel shirt. Pictures. “You can go to hell, Seth.”

  And she walked out. She refused to see him, except when they passed in the hall. He tried to talk to her but he eventually gave up. They didn’t even go to the senior prom together…

  Now, she moved restlessly beside him. Her hair brushed his cheek and he could smell the lemo
ny scent of her shampoo. She murmured in her sleep, but he couldn’t make out what she said. He stayed awake another hour. Then she stirred and nuzzled into him so he knew she was awake. “I was so scared.”

  “I know. I’m sorry this was necessary.” He gestured to the bed. To them.

  “I’ll be sorry later. But I can’t shake those horrific dreams of something happening to you.” She eased away so she could look at him. Her eyes were slumberous “Kiss me Seth. Just a kiss. Make me forget for a little while.”

  He brushed his knuckles down her cheek, though his hand was shaky. He lowered his head. The moment his lips touched hers, tears clouded his eyes. She rose up and met his mouth with hers and parted her lips. He explored the inner recesses of her mouth. She cupped his nape, drew him further into her. He took more.

  His heart hammered in his chest and he became light-headed, and unaware of his surroundings. She was all there was.

  But the throbbing in his body brought him back, and he drew away slightly. His need would eclipse his mind, which told him going any further was a mistake. “W-we,” he stammered. “We have to stop.”

  She touched his jaw, outlined his mouth. “I know. I’ll regret it if we go further.” She cuddled back into his chest again and murmured, “But I don’t regret this.”

  They both slept.

  * * *

  As she told him, Julianne didn’t regret needing Seth so she could sleep. Her reaction was honest and she could live with what she initiated. She was glad, though, that he didn’t take the kiss as a sign that she’d changed her mind. She hadn’t, but she was even more regretful today about the ending of their relationship.

  But it was what it was, and she found the strength to go for an interview with the police later that morning. His cousin Hayley and her fiancé Paul were coming to Carmella’s house to visit Seth, so she was happy to make herself scarce. At one time, Hayley had been Julianne’s friend.

  At the HCPD precinct, she was shown to a big office, messy with files piled on surfaces, stuffed shelves and cabinets which probably contained more. But the large rectangular space sported a big window open to the afternoon air. Soon, a female came inside dressed in a police uniform. “Hello, Ms. Ford.” She held out her hand and they shook. “I’m Detective Anabelle Sanders. I’m assigned to your case.”

  “Nice to meet you. Were you at my house yesterday?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t see you there.” She took a seat behind her desk and Julianne sat opposite her.

  “I talked to other police officers about what I saw when I went in, twice as a matter of fact.” Julianne could still remember the fear that had spiked through her at the intrusion into her home.

  The detective nodded. “The scene itself is not what this meeting is for. The break-in could have been a run-of-the-mill B&E. We’ve interviewed and alerted your neighbors. However, the crime might be more personal, which is why I’m here now to pry into your life.”

  Julianne liked directness. “Pry away.”

  The woman smiled. She was blond and dark-eyed, pretty, with high cheekbones. “Tell me about your daily activities.”

  “I own MusicWorks. I’m a music therapist.”

  Detective Sanders’ light brown brows rose. “For troubled kids?”

  “Yes. I also give private lessons not connected to the therapy.” She shrugged her shoulder. “I’m a noted violinist.”

  “Anybody from the studio on your radar for yesterday?”

  “My students seem to like me.”

  “Anybody like you too much?”

  She thought about Terrance winking at her. But she guessed he wouldn’t be bothered with a break-in. “No. A couple of boys flirt.”

  “You’re very attractive, Ms. Ford.”

  “Please call me Julianne.”

  The woman picked up her tablet. “I need names.”

  “Oh, God, no. Please don’t talk to anyone I teach. I need private clients to run my business and the troubled kids would be traumatized if you visited them.”

  “All right, for now, we won’t do any interviews of them.”

  “What will we do?”

  “Tell me about your dating life.”

  She flushed. But shit, she was like thousands of other people who did what she had. “I’m on RightMatch.com. It’s an online dating service.”

  The detective typed that into her tablet. “As a police officer, I have to warn you that online dating is dangerous for young women.”

  “We meet in a public place. In years past, a couple evolved into a…physical relationship, but none in the last year.”

  “I want names.”

  “For all of them?”

  “How many are there?”

  “Six. Two became intimate.”

  “Start with the earliest. We can investigate them on the internet, phone records or their car’s GPS and see where they were yesterday afternoon. If we can clear them, then no need to talk to them. If not, I’ll let you know who we have to interview.”

  She stared at the officer. “This is, um, private, right?”

  “I’m going to need other officers to help with the search. And I have to report to the two detectives assigned to the case.”

  “Detective Sanders, I know Gideon Casella. He lived next door when we were growing up. That’s where I’m staying until my house is released.”

  “Ah, yes, he was there yesterday. You don’t want him to know about the online dating?”

  “I don’t want his brother to know. We have a history.”

  “Could the brother have done this?”

  “A definite no. I was with him when this happened.”

  She cocked her head. “Is it Seth Casella? The guy who was stabbed at Legal Aid?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I’ll keep this from Gideon, then. He’s not working the case, and that’s probably why.”

  “Thanks, Detective Sanders.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “Call me Anabelle.”

  “I guess I should. Since you’re digging deep into my personal life.”

  “A necessary situation, but I can appreciate how difficult this is.”

  “Thank you.”

  After another half-hour, Anabelle said, “We’re done for now.” She pushed the tablet away. “I’ll be in touch.”

  * * *

  Seth studied his cousin, who sat across from him at the kitchen table. Her face glowed, her auburn hair was shiny, and her smile broad. Probably because of the guy with her. “You look great, Hayley.”

  “Thanks.”

  Paul, attractive in his own right with dark hair and blue eyes, slid his arm around her. “She always does.”

  “How’s the engagement going? Still blissful?”

  “Yep.”

  “No fights like in the courtroom?”

  “I didn’t say that.” She grinned. “But at least we can have makeup sex now.”

  He laughed.

  Turning sober now, Hayley donned her lawyer expression. “Enough of us. Tell me how you are. Physically and emotionally.” Leaning forward, she studied his face. “You aren’t as pale as the last time I came out here.”

  “Physically, I’m sore, but stronger. I don’t take pain pills anymore. I can get around, and I’ll be able to drive Friday.”

  “Have you been housebound that long?” Paul asked.

  “No. Mama drives me places during the day.” He looked at Hayley. “And Julianne’s been helping out.”

  Hayley’s brows skyrocketed. “Julianne?”

  Paul stood. “I think I’ll go for a walk. You and Hayley need some privacy.”

  “I—” Seth began.

  “No, don’t object. I’ll be back soon.”

  After he kissed Hayley’s cheek, then left, Seth said, “I feel bad he thinks he has to go.”

  “Don’t. He’s right. We need privacy. Now tell me about Julianne.”

  He explained the situation, including the trip to see John Cordello and the break-in.

  “So, is she
staying here?”

  “Yeah. It’s hell. I can stop thinking about her when I don’t see her but now…she was scared last night. She asked me to stay with her. We kissed.”

  “Yikes. Is she making up with you?”

  “No, she is not.”

  “Then this isn’t good.” She gestured to indicate the house. “Want to come and finish your recovery in New York?”

  “No, Mama would be offended.”

  Hayley took something out of her purse. “Here’s a key to the lake house, and don’t worry, I have others at home and an extra in my purse.”

  “That’s an idea. I could probably use some solitude.”

  “Feel free. Let us know when you’re going there, okay?”

  “Sure. So that’s my life in a nutshell.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve had a hard time. With the injury and Julianne.”

  “It is what it is.” Being with Hayley cheered him. “Tell me some good stuff.”

  “We’ve got the space for our office and are officially opening it in a week.”

  She and Paul were establishing their own firm in Brooklyn. Hayley wanted to do a lot of pro bono work, but Paul’s name would attract paying customers. He’d stopped a shooting at a charity event, and was still New York’s hero.

  “So soon. Wow. How is it living in Paul’s house?”

  “Wonderful. The space is more…intimate, smaller. But it’s got a great layout and is beautifully furnished.”

  “It probably doesn’t matter where you are, now.”

  “I guess. But the best thing is Finn’s only fifteen minutes away and we’re closer, proximity-wise, to Paul’s family. They’re a rowdy bunch, but I’m loving the difference in them from my own family.”

  “Yeah, when the Casella cousins were together, we got us some rowdy on, too.”

  “I remember. I miss that.”

  Julianne walked into the kitchen. “Hi, Hayley, Seth.”

  Hayley got up and hugged her. “I’m sorry I was so frantic at the hospital I barely talked to you.”

  “There was a lot going on.”

  “How was your afternoon?” Seth asked when Hayley sat back down.

  “Fine. It was nice seeing you, Hayley.” Julianne hurried upstairs.

  “She’s skittish around you,” Hayley told him.

  “Yeah, she has reason.” He glanced away. “Which I can never overcome, I guess.”