Page 75 of Edge of Steele
He followed her up to the door and pounded hard.
Eckles opened it and glared at them. “You ever gonna leave us alone?”
“Yes, if you’ve done nothing wrong.” Ryleigh met his gaze, her shoulders back. “Can we come in for a minute?”
“I’d rather not.” Eckles crossed his arms, a strong whiff of Italian spices and garlic drifting out of the house. “We’re about to sit down for supper. We’d like to eat in peace and have some alone time before the baby is born.”
“This will take just a second,” Finn said. “We have a photo to show you and Pauline.”
Eckles sighed and dropped his arms. “Fine. She’s in the kitchen. Wait here. I’ll get her.”
He took off, stomping in exaggerated steps.
“He isn’t happy to see us,” Finn said. “You think that means anything?”
“Maybe or he could just want his life to return to normal and be left in peace as he said. At least, that’s what I would want. Especially with a baby on the way.”
Finn imagined Ryleigh pregnant with his child, and the vision was not at all unpleasant. In fact, he liked it. He didn’t even know the guy he’d become since he’d left the SEALs and spent a couple of months caring for Avery. Changed him and his priorities, that was for sure. And he liked the new guy better.
Talk about a shocker.
Pauline lumbered into the room, slapping oversized fuzzy pink slippers on the linoleum floor. The old floral apron covering her belly was dotted with spaghetti sauce, the cause of the aroma that had made Finn’s mouth water.
Eckles trailed her. They stopped by the door, and he took her hand.
She gave them a defiant stare. “You have a picture to show me?”
“Do you know who might wear boots like this?” Ryleigh displayed the photo for Pauline, and Eckles looked over his wife’s shoulder.
“Oh. Oh! Yeah. Yeah. Dean has a pair like that. Dean Keenan.” She rolled her eyes. “He thought he looked so cool with those and his leather jacket from New Rock.”
“You’re sure he wears them?” Finn asked.
“Positive. Saw it with my own two eyes when I was in the group.” She freed her hand from her husband’s hold and planted both of them on her back. “And when Carla was here, she said he’s still wearing them. The matching jacket too. Like he couldn’t let go of the past or her.”
“I can confirm that,” Eckles said. “I never saw the boots but heard Pauline and Carla talking about them. Laughing too.”
Ryleigh looked at Pauline. “Do you know anyone else who wears this make of boot?”
“Nah, who would want to wear them?” She grimaced. “Maybe they were cool at one time, but that time has passed.”
Ryleigh stowed her phone. “Would you both be willing to testify to the fact that Keenan wears this style of New Rock boots?”
Pauline looked at her husband, and they both nodded.
“And you’re sure you haven’t seen him in years?” Finn asked.
Pauline bit her lip.
Okay, what was up with that? Had they lied again?
“As Russ told you, if you hold back, he’ll bring you up on charges.” Ryleigh shared her gaze between the couple but let it land and sit on Eckles. “And I don’t doubt he’ll do it.”
“Dean was here.” Pauline glanced at her husband. “I’m sorry. I had to tell them. I don’t want to go to jail. I just had to.”
“That’s okay, honey.” Eckles took his wife’s hand again but peered at Ryleigh. “He showed up here the day after Carla took off. Demanded to know where she was. He threatened us. Said if we told anyone he’d been here, he’d come back and kill the baby.”
Pauline rested her free hand on her belly. “I shouldn’t have told you. Now this little one is in danger.”
