“Yes, but—”
“Even if it’s true, even if Daxton is the result of Nick raping Lucy Shea, it doesn’t mean jack shit. Becoming a serial killer isn’t in your DNA. By that rationale, we should be suspicious of Imogene, as well. You need something more than just a few pieces of circumstantial evidence, especially in a murder investigation.”
“So I’m just supposed to pretend I don’t know any of this when I see Dax at my next game?” I asked incredulously, my frustration with the situation making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. This guy is smart. Smart enough to kill and not raise any doubt as to the method of death being self-inflicted. I guarantee he’s covered every track he could think of. If Daxton is involved and you accuse him of something like this, he’ll erase any remaining tracks. Believe me, bruh. I want this guy to pay for what he’s done. But I want to make sure we find the right guy this time. Not jump to conclusions.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose. Sometimes I hated how sensible Nikko could be. But Ethan had also insisted we needed more proof before accusing Dax of being a serial killer, especially considering who he was. It still didn’t make it any easier to know everything I did and not be able to do anything.
“When do you go back to California? Isn’t there a game tonight?”
“My original plan was to fly back today, but with everything going on, I’m delaying that since I’m not scheduled to pitch until Monday. But I have to leave tomorrow night. It’s one thing to skip a game I’m not playing in, which they’ll fine me heavily for, but I can’t miss Monday. It’s the last game of the regular season. And with the standings the way they are, it could be the game that decides if we go straight to the playoffs or have to fight for a wild card spot. I just don’t know how I’m going to focus enough to pitch knowing Julia’s here and that fucker’s on the loose. Sure, her brother’s close by and they’ve established a twenty-four-hour watch around my place, in addition to my regular security, but—”
“I’ll come out,” Nikko interrupted. “Once I heard the news, I was thinking about it anyway. I can catch a flight this afternoon and be there around seven tomorrow morning.”
I blinked, surprised. “What about work?”
“I have more personal time coming than I know what to do with. I’ve been on the force nearly ten years now. The last time I took any time off was…” He trailed off. I didn’t need him to spell it out. The last time he took time off was to mourn Piper’s death.
“You’d really come all the way out here?”
“If it gives you peace of mind and helps keep your girl safe, you bet I will. You’re ohana. And ohana takes care of each other. No matter what.”
I closed my eyes, instantly feeling lighter.
Like I could breathe again.
All morning, this had weighed heavily on my mind. The concern I’d leave and my biggest fears would come true. That I’d lose Julia. Lose Imogene.
If I couldn’t be here, there was no one I trusted more to keep them safe than Nikko.
“Send me what flight you want. I’ll have my assistant book it for you.”
“You don’t have to. I—”
“You’re willing to sit on a plane for nine, ten hours in order to keep my girls safe. The least I can do is pay for it. And make sure you’re in first class instead of coach, since I know you’re too cheap to splurge on it yourself.”
“I’m a simple man.”
I chuckled. “A simple man who would have to squeeze his massive frame into one of those economy seats. So send me the flight you want. I’ll make it happen.”
“Will do. Mahalo.”
“I should be the one thanking you. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“I’m pretty sure I do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”