Marie, Laura - Victoria [Cop's Daughter 1] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read online

  Cop's Daughter 1

  Victoria

  Homicide Detective Danny Mardullo is brutally murdered, and when it comes to finding his killer, no one seems to be more capable or more determined than his own daughter. Taking the matter into her own hands, Victoria, an investigative reporter, will do anything to solve the case.

  Work undercover for the DEA and FBI? No problem. Date the man suspected of murdering her father? She can do it. Victoria is determined, and she's willing to give up her life and lie to her own family. After all, she just lost her father, and she's already lost her one true love, Steven, to the war in Iraq when he was listed as MIA.

  She’s got nothing to lose until her one true love shows up very much alive and intent on starting up things exactly where the two of them left off. But she has a role to play, and she's willing to risk it all for justice.

  Note: This book was previously published by a different publisher.

  Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

  Length: 65,604 words

  VICTORIA

  Cop’s Daughter 1

  Laura Marie

  ROMANCE

  www.BookStrand.com

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  A SIREN-BOOKSTRAND TITLE

  IMPRINT: Romance

  VICTORIA

  Copyright © 2011 by Laura Marie

  E-book ISBN: 1-61034-707-2

  First E-book Publication: August 2011

  Cover design by Jinger Heaston

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  To my father, Vernon J. Geberth. I love you, Daddy.

  Laura Marie…A True Cop’s Daughter!

  VICTORIA

  Cop’s Daughter 1

  LAURA MARIE

  Copyright © 2011

  Prologue

  Steven held the picture of Victoria in his hands. It had seen better days, but its torn and worn edges proved its importance. Who would have thought that the small, wallet-size photo taken in one of those silly photo booths would have one day saved his life? Steven shook his head and stared out across the military base.

  He was a hundred percent better and had gotten a clean bill of health from the military physicians. The higher-ups wanted him to do another tour and remain as a secret operative and sniper. He was done with doing his part in the fight against terrorists. He should be dead.

  He took a deep, unsteady breath before looking back at the photograph. His beautiful Victoria had saved his life. He was as good as dead and all shot up. Even the medevac soldiers hadn’t had hopes for his survival. But his buddy Cougar had. Cougar got through the mission with minor injuries compared to Steven. He was up and about in two days and ready to take on another mission. Instead he remained by Steven’s side and coaxed him back to health. Steven had given up the fight to live. The pain was so bad and he felt so weak from the multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and four surgeries that he just wanted to die.

  Then Cougar started whispering Victoria’s name in his ear. The bastard knew how much Steven loved Victoria. Whenever they had the opportunity to talk about their personal lives Steven talked about Victoria and his plans to marry her and start a family. Cougar talked about his life back in New Jersey and living the bachelor life while using his military physique to get some serious action in the female department.

  Steven chuckled at the thought. Cougar was such a character.

  He was also insistent on getting his way once he made a decision. He swore to always be there for Steven, and Steven did the same.

  In Steven’s time of desperate need, it had been Cougar who forced Victoria back into his mind and initiated the fight of his life. He showed up every day talking about Victoria and making Steven open his eyes so he could look at the stupid picture. Cougar also kept his promise of not contacting Victoria. Steven had made Cougar swear that if he was ever hurt and seriously injured causing him to be physically debilitated that he didn’t want Victoria to see him or go through the sadness and pain. He loved her more than life itself. Steven’s heart pounded in his chest. Cougar had gotten every nurse, every doctor and staff member in the military hospital to talk about Victoria and show her picture. They were relentless, but they had helped to save his life.

  Victoria became his focus. He was going to get through the injuries and the pain. He was going to see Victoria again, marry her, and start a family. He just needed to get everything in place. Just a couple of weeks more and he would have his wish and see his true love and never leave his Victoria again.

  The sound of the engine on the military aircraft brought his attention back to the base. They would be taking off in ten minutes. He would leave Germany and head back to the United States. Steven was ready to initiate his plan. He stared down at the picture, the emotion and anticipation nearly choking him.

  I’m on my way, baby. I’m coming home to you.

  Chapter 1

  Frustrated and at her wits’ end, Victoria finally found a spot to park, and it was three blocks away from her aunt Jane’s house. She’d never hear the end of it if she arrived late.

  Leave it to her to screw up the family tradition.

  The sound of her cell phone ringing nearly caused her to hit the car she was parking in front of. Damn, she hated to parallel park. It was so time-consuming—time she didn’t have a lot of right now.

  “Hello!” Grabbing the phone and flipping it open, she took off her seat belt and got out of the car.

  “Victoria, I’m so glad I caught you. How is the article coming along?” her boss, John, asked.

  Grabbing the cake holder, then closing the door with her foot, she let out a sigh as her bangs danced in front of her eyes.

  “Everything is coming along nicely.”

  “You sound out of breath. Where are you?”

  “I’m trying to get to my aunt’s house before the parade begins.”

  Looking both ways as she held the cake holder in her hands and held the phone with her right shoulder, she squeezed betwee
n the two parked cars. It had been a tight fit, but it was the last parking spot left.

  “A parade! What are you doing at a parade when you have a deadline?”

  “Oh, come on. You know I’m never late for any of my deadlines.”

  Victoria could hear the silence as if her boss had to actually stop and think about that.

  “You’re right. I guess I just needed to talk to you.”

  “About what? I’m trying not to drop the cake I made while I’m holding the phone with my shoulder.”

  “You made a cake?”

  She released a frustrated breath, and her boss seemed to get the hint.

  “All right, I’ll get right to it. You’ve been acting kind of funny. Not yourself, Victoria.”

  Victoria nearly dropped the cake. She had been taking extra precautions as not to seem different or preoccupied. Had she failed immensely?

  “Is everything all right, Victoria?”

  “Why of course…you know how I can get when I’m so into a story I’m doing.”

  She couldn’t help but nibble her bottom lip.

  “This one was pretty intense. Plus you got the man to confess to murder. That’s not exactly an everyday occurrence.”

  “Of course it isn’t, and I appreciate your concern, but really, I’m fine.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “What about the package that came to you yesterday? After it arrived, you looked rather sad. I don’t mean to pry, Victoria, but I care.”

  Victoria felt herself panic, then she paused next to a parked car. The package her friend in the police department sent to her contained her father’s case file. Quickly, she racked her brain for an answer, a response that would surely get John to quit asking so many questions. She was determined to succeed in this investigation…she had to.

  “Oh, that was some information I thought would be of assistance in the article I’m working on, but instead it was just upsetting.”

  “How so?”

  Damn it, why didn’t he get the hint?

  “I guess…although…well, John, I hate to admit it, but sometimes the acts of the criminal element get to me.”

  John was silent a moment. Victoria didn’t care if he thought she was weak or suddenly affected by the cases she was forced to write about. What she cared about was finding her father’s killer.

  “That’s understandable, Victoria. I know how you like to keep things inside, but if you need to talk…or just someone to listen, I’m here for you.”

  “I appreciate that, John, but really, it was just a moment of stress and a reminder of why I have to do my best in this job. I want the public and law enforcement community to be knowledgeable of what’s out there, what to watch out for, and ultimately do better in their professional lives and personal lives.”

  “Well, it shows.”

  “I need to get a move on it.”

  “You really made your own cake?”

  “Yes, I did, and I need to go.”

  “Why not just hit the bakery?”

  “Bye.”

  Victoria hung up the phone, smirking at first, then feeling the uncertainty in her gut.

  Knowing she was not one to sneak around or snoop in places she didn’t belong, she couldn’t help but feel guilty, anxious, and frustrated all at the same time. All this extra work laid a toll on her, and she was tired. But she was determined. She had to figure this case out.

  All week at work, she looked forward to everyone meeting at Aunt Jane and Uncle Patrick’s house. Her aunt’s house was located on the same block as the town hall. Every year, the family would gather together to watch the parade and enjoy a feast of barbecue and traditional party foods. The Malley and Mardullo families had celebrated the town Memorial Day parade for generations. This year would be no different despite the gray cloud that seemed to linger over the family.

  Already ten o’clock, she could hear the parade starting—the bagpipes, the drums, and festivities clamored in the distance. She inhaled deeply, pleased at the smell of popcorn and the sounds that stirred emotions and memories from her childhood.

  Many residents in the town had their houses decorated with American flags, POW flags, and various other patriotic embellishments. Her uncle’s neighbor had a large statue of Uncle Sam pointing. He was well known for it.

  Most of the men in her family and some of the women were in the parade for some reason or another, and the other women in the family prepared the meals for the celebration once the others got back.

  Aunt Jane’s husband, Patrick, was Victoria’s favorite uncle and one of the local police sergeants. His son Connor, Victoria’s cousin, was a detective in the same police department. Other members of the family were firemen, police officers, or servicemen.

  Born into a family of First Responders, she understood all too well the sacrifices and dedication each family member committed to their job.

  Once again, Victoria was late.

  “Hey, Tory! You better hurry up. The parade is about to start!” Mr. Clemmens yelled as she passed by his driveway. He had all his grandchildren sitting on the blacktop preparing to watch the parade together.

  “I know...I know, thanks and enjoy the parade!” she yelled as she passed by quickly heading toward her destination.

  Forced to park a few blocks over because the traffic cops had all the streets closed for the parade, she knew she would be reprimanded.

  Victoria ducked under the yellow tape and ran through the neighborhood carrying her special homemade strawberry shortcake, her uncle’s favorite, in an enclosed Tupperware cake holder. She nearly dropped it multiple times, but finally made it to her aunt’s house before the first marchers.

  A triumph only she appeared to be celebrating.

  The street was filled with onlookers. Everyone by her aunt’s house greeted her with yells and faces that showed expressions of pure relief she’d made it on time. Victoria had a feeling Aunt Jane had already started complaining about Victoria being late or perhaps not showing up at all.

  “See, Jane, my daughter’s not a no-show,” Sherry, Victoria’s mother, teased as she took the cake from her daughter and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Hi, Mom. Hello, everyone. I’m sorry I’m late. I got caught up on a story I’m doing and I couldn’t stop. Then I had to park three blocks away.”

  The parade began, and it would be a while before any of the marchers reached the street the town hall was on. Victoria had made it and with time to spare.

  Looking across the street where the historic house, now the River Point Town Hall, stood, she relaxed in preparation of the fun day ahead.

  The town hall was an old Victorian-style home completely updated and remodeled, appealing to the small town’s unique historical aura. The enormous side lawn area was covered with people. Large tables filled with crafters and artists, along with their latest creative works, continued to set up their displays in hopes of selling out as the day continued. Victoria figured she would check out the displays later, once the parade concluded.

  “We’ll go over there later to check out the crafts. I heard Mary Duberry has a whole display of her hand-crafted jewelry,” Sherry stated.

  “That would be great. I love her jewelry,” Victoria added.

  “Hey, Tory, glad to see you made it in time. Did they block off Maple and Cherry Avenue already?” Peter asked.

  “Yes. They did. I had to park a few blocks away on Mercy Drive.”

  Victoria had a feeling her brother was trying to help make excuses for her late arrival. Her aunt was a bit extreme for her liking.

  * * * *

  The town celebration for Memorial Day would continue into the evening hours. The local fire department had set up a DJ booth, and volunteers prepared entertainment for the children and the adults. There was plenty to do.

  Victoria recalled her childhood memories of when the celebration was much smaller but still fun and exciting. She and her brothers, Peter and James, a
long with her other cousins, would enjoy watching the parade from home. After the parade, they would walk across the street to the town hall where her uncles and father handed out lollipops, ice cream sandwiches, and other goodies to all the little kids in town.

  Her father, Danny, her uncle Patrick, and her uncle Jack, who owned a local fencing company, would participate every year after marching in the parade. They enjoyed the tradition and would be doing the same this year.

  The happy memories both touched her heart and brought stinging to her eyes. Those were the days of her youth and when thoughts of tragedy and loss were never thought about. Adulthood and her father’s murder forced reality down her throat. Anger, bitterness, and loss began to burn a hole into her so deep she didn’t think she would ever recover.

  “Victoria, what was so important that you couldn’t get here on time?” Aunt Jane asked, and Victoria caught the looks from her mother and cousins. The looks warned her not to start a fight with her bossy aunt. Aunt Jane was a good-hearted person, very caring and friendly, but for some reason she felt that somewhere along the line, the family needed discipline and she was appointed leader. No one seemed to argue that fact, except Victoria. She expressed her annoyance with Uncle Patrick and asked why he couldn’t settle her down a bit. Of course, Uncle Patrick always tried to be civil and played mediator.

  Victoria recalled his words. She just wants to feel important and keep the family together. By taking charge and organizing every family gathering, she feels she’s doing this. Even with his reassurances, Aunt Jane still tended to get on her nerves.

  Sighing, she responded to her aunt’s inquiry.