by Geri Foster
She didn’t know. Her heart raced like a Quarter horse and she kept licking her dry lips. Did she dare? What in the world was the right answer? “I’m still thinking,” she replied. “This is serious.”
“What do you have to lose?”
“My freedom.”
“You call Bobby Joe coming over here and beating you to a pulp, freedom?”
“No, not that part.”
“Then what?”
She licked her lips, again. “Well, I kind of do as I please. No one tells me I can’t do anything.”
“Look,” he said, running his fingers through his dark hair. “Call Rachel and see what she thinks. That’s what’s been eating at you throughout this whole conversation.”
She wanted to stamp her foot. Did he have to be right about everything? She could never do something this serious without conversing with her best friend. Besides, Rachel tended to be less impulsive than her. Maybe she’d talk her out of the whole thing and Kendall would go to her apartment and forget about Marcus’ offer.
No, that wouldn’t happen. She liked the idea of moving in with him. Coming home to him every night. Sharing their meals together, watching TV at night, and with time, sharing the same bed.
She quickly took out her phone and called Rachel, who answered on the first ring. “You okay?” her friend asked.
Kendall glanced up at Marcus. “I’m fine, but I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
Kendall gave Marcus a quick nod then went into his bedroom and shut the door. She fell, spread eagle on the mattress. The scent of him immediately surrounded her. Tough conversation ahead.
She explained everything the best she could without her friend thinking her completely nuts, then paused. “So, what do you think?”
Immediately, she replied, “I actually think it’s a great idea. I know I was hesitant over him just moving next door, but with what you’ve said about how he feels about you, how you are feeling about him, I’m happy to hear that you’re letting him in enough to want to take this step. I’m so glad you’re finally finding your happy, Kendall.”
“You-you think it’s a good idea?” she couldn’t believe her ears. Where did Rachel’s voice of reason go? Had it disappeared in a cloud of smoke?
She had anticipated Rachel talking her out of the whole thing, not gushing over how positive it was. “I expected you to talk me out of this.”
“Why?” Rachel asked. “Like I said, it’s a good idea. As you said, he loves you, and you might just love him back in the same way. Sure, it’s a little fast, but it’s a unique situation, and when you know, you know.”
“Don’t be silly. How do you know I know anything?”
“Same way you knew how I really felt about Lucas. Just kind of a second sense, right? Isn’t that what you called it?”
“Listen, this is serious. I could be making a big mistake.”
“Your big mistake was marrying a young kid you had the hots for.”
“What? You of all people know I loved Bobby Joe.”
“No, I think he just became a habit you adapted to. You never dated anyone else, so how did you know he was the one?”
“Like I said, I loved him.”
“Did you? Or were you just a crazy, mixed up kid who got tangled up with the wrong guy?”
“Then why did everyone tell me they just wanted me to be happy? Why didn’t you say you thought it was all young love and not the real thing?”
“Would you have listened?”
She had a point. Kendall brushed back her hair and let out a sigh. “I don’t want to make another mistake. What if this isn’t love either? We’ve barely kissed.”
“Honey, you’re an adult now. You’re not the same person you were as a teenager. And you’ve had life experiences that can guide your judgment. I think you love him more than you want to admit. Your fear of having the same problems with Marcus as you did with Bobby Joe is just holding you back from letting it happen.”
“I went through hell,” she whispered.
“You did,” Rachel replied, just as quietly. “But you came out the other side. You’re alive, Kendall. You and I both know Marcus isn’t that kind of man. He’d never hurt you, he doesn’t run around, and he’s not a big drinker.”
She did know all that. Rachel was right. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Anytime. Just be careful, okay? Even at Marcus’ house. Bobby Joe will be out in in ten days and counting. You know exactly where he’ll go once he’s released. And when you aren’t there? He’s going to do everything he can to find you.”
That had Kendall nibbling her bottom lip again, along with her heart beating like crazy. She didn’t need that reminder. “You’re right, of course. I’ll feel responsible if anything happens to Marcus because of me. Are we sure this is a good idea then? I want to be able to stand on my own two feet, not get people I care about hurt. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, Kendall. I didn’t mean to scare you or change your mind. I wish it were that easy, but look at what happened Friday night. There’s independence and there’s staying alive. I’d rather have you alive.”
“I blame the law for Friday night. The judge should’ve done something about Bobby Joe five years ago.”
“Well, he’s out of the picture for a while now. I suggest you do something to protect yourself.”
They hung up and Kendall walked back into the living room, where Marcus stood with two beers in his hands. He held one out. “I thought you might need this.”
“Thanks,” she replied, reaching for the beer and deliberately allowing their fingers to touch.
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “You know, you don’t have to decide right now if you’re not really sure. It’s just an option I threw out there for you to consider.”
She tucked her head against his chest and listened to his beating heart. “I know, I’m just scared.”
“I am too.”
She reared back and looked up at him. “Really?”
He chuckled. “Hey, I’ve never lived with anyone before. You think I take this stuff lightly?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what to think. I’m sorry to be waffling, but can I let you know my answer tomorrow?”
He squeezed her tightly and she glanced up to see his bottom lip stuck out, pouting. “I guess I can spend the night sleeping on a mattress on the floor.”
She laughed. “Don’t push your luck.”
“All right, but I’m also not going to open those boxes until you make up your mind. I don’t want to repack.”
“Good idea,” she said. “Let’s go to my house and relax on the couch where we don’t have to stare at this disorganized apartment.”
“With any luck, I’ll be moving back out tomorrow. I already miss my smart TV.”
* * *
James Cole sat outside the apartment complex and watched the lawyer and Cochran’s ex move from one door to the next and wondered what they were doing. Were they neighbors?
He turned to his right-hand man, Snooky Hamilton. He and Snooky had been together a long time and had made a lot of money over the years. Snook came up with the idea to off the DA and he even offered to do the job, but James wanted that honor himself.
And he didn’t regret a thing...except that damn video.
They planned to take care of that particular problem. They now knew where the thumb drive was and from where he sat, it was easy pickings. When you’d been killing since the age of seventeen, what were two more bodies?
“You ready to do this?” James asked. “I have a late dinner date, if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. Let’s get it over with. It’s dark enough now. No one will see us.”
James stepped out of the car and closed the door enough to make sure he wouldn’t have to pull the handle to get back in. He’d no doubt be in a hurry after finishing up with the two inside.
They cut across t
he lawn of the complex until they stood outside of the apartment James had seen them enter. His ear against the door, he listened carefully, but all he heard were muffled sounds and soft laughter.
Well, they wouldn’t be laughing once he finished with them. After getting the thumb drive he had no reason to keep them alive as witnesses. He didn’t need anyone else around that could identify him. Not a chance he was willing to take. Which was why he needed to add Josh Newton to his list of to-dos.
Just as he put his hand on the doorknob, a patrol cruiser pulled up right behind their Charger. “Oh shit. The cops are here,” Snooky said, excitedly. “Just what we need.”
James watched as a tall lawman unfolded from the car. He glanced their way and put his hand on top of his gun. Not wanting to tangle with the law before getting what they’d came for, James tagged Snooky and they slipped around the side of the building and made their way to the back.
He didn’t know if they’d been seen or not, but he couldn’t afford to take the chance. “Let’s get out of here,” he said. “That’s the Sheriff we had the street fight with. I’m leaving him alone.”
He and Snooky moved quietly until they were able to make their way back to their car and drive away. Checking the rearview mirror, James finally felt safe enough to turn on the headlights.
Snooky looked behind them. “We missed a perfect opportunity, thanks to that Sheriff.”
“We’ll get what we came after. Don’t worry. It’s not like they’re going anywhere.”
“Yeah, but we have better things to do than mess with those two. I want to get the thumb drive then head back to Dallas. I hate these little podunk towns. The local sheriffs tend to be too nosy for their own good.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I get the evidence that could fry me if it were ever turned over to the law. I’m more concerned that’s what is happening, right now.”
Snooky looked at him, his brow wrinkled. “What are you talking about?”
“That lawyer was there during the shootout after the trial. That probably means he and the Sheriff are friends. My guess is that’s why he showed up. He’s come to get the thumb drive and deliver it to the Attorney General.”
“You think so? Damn, that could ruin everything. Once that happens, there will be no way we can sweep this under the carpet.”
James grew tense and gritted his teeth. “We’re heading back to camp. I want all the guys in on this. When we return, I ain’t leaving without what I came for.”
* * *
A knock sounded at the door and Marcus instinctively shoved Kendall behind him. “Who is it?”
“Me, Lucas. Open up.”
Marcus swung the door wide. “What brings you here?”
Lucas glanced around. “When I drove up I swore I saw two men standing outside your door. Were you expecting company?”
Marcus shook his head and moved past Lucas, searching the darkness. “No, not that we’re aware of.”
Lucas stepped into the apartment. “I guess I could’ve been mistaken.”
“No,” Marcus said. “I had the feeling we were being followed ever since we left the Newman’s house.”
“What were you doing there?” Lucas asked.
Marcus scrubbed his hands over his eyes then glanced at Kendall. “We might as well tell him everything now instead of tomorrow.”
She nodded.
Lucas scowled. “Usually that’s a good idea.”
“We’ve been looking for the thumb drive. Kendall’s father said he sold it to Josh Newman. We went there, and he had it, so I bought it from him.”
“Did he know what was on it?”
“Maybe. He was acting pretty strangely. Kendall’s dad told him it was Bobby Joe’s originally when he sold it to him. We told Josh we needed it back because it shouldn’t have been sold in the first place. What was surprising was how insistent he was that we get it back to Bobby Joe as soon as possible. Makes me wonder how much he knows.”
Kendall took the thing that had caused them so much trouble and handed it to Lucas. “We’re not sure what’s on it since we just got it a little while ago. Marcus was going to call you and see if it was cool if a friend of his looked, make sure it’s what we think it is. The sooner we know the better.”
Lucas took it and held it out in front of them. “This is what all the fuss is about?”
Marcus shrugged. “If Bobby Joe is telling the truth, I think it might be.”
“I’ll have to turn it over to the FBI and they’ll check it out.”
Marcus wanted to know himself if this was actually what he suspected. “You can’t wait? My friend can tear into that and in about five minutes tell you everything on it.”
Lucas remained quiet for a few minutes as Marcus held his breath. While he hated having the thing around, his curiosity wouldn’t allow him to just turn it over and maybe never know the truth.
“You might be smart to do that, Marcus. If this guy can search this and tell us if the video is on there, then at least we’ll be certain we have the evidence to put whoever took out the DA away for good.”
“I think the guys waiting for us after court Monday have to be involved in this. They wanted to keep this away from the Attorney General, even if it meant killing the person who was meant to have it, Bobby Joe, and any innocent bystanders in the way.” Marcus pointed to the thumb drive. “That could have some pretty incriminating evidence on it.”
Kendall joined the men at the door. “He’s right, Lucas. We should know what we’re turning over. And it would be smart for us to see the video. We might be able to identify who those shooters were.”
Marcus put his arm around Kendall’s shoulder. “She’s right.”
“I agree,” Lucas said. “I’ll give this back to you, but call me when you turn it over to your guy. I want to be there. Make sure he doesn’t leave with it. Don’t let it out of your sight.”
“You can depend on me.”
Lucas turned to leave.
“Why did you come by?” Kendall asked. “Did you want something?”
Lucas snapped his fingers. “Rachel sent me to see if you guys needed help moving everything to Marcus’ house.”
Kendall smiled. “I think we’re okay for tonight. We’re facing that tomorrow.”
Lucas laughed. “Okay, give a holler if you need me.”
“Oh, you can count on that,” Kendall said, laughing.
Lucas hadn’t gotten two steps out the door when gunfire erupted.
Chapter 14
Kendall covered her ears and screamed as Marcus stepped out, grabbed Lucas by the back of his shirt and dragged him into the apartment.
“My God, what’s going on?”
Marcus quickly checked to see if Lucas had been harmed. Blood drenched the sleeve of his khaki shirt. Marcus shoved the material up to see that a bullet had grazed his right arm. “I’ll be right back.” Kendall ran to the bathroom for disinfectant and gauze.
“I’d bet money those are the same guys we had a shootout with Monday,” Marcus said. “I wonder how they found us?”
Kendall rushed to Lucas’ side. He sat on the floor, his back propped against the outer wall. She smeared some salve on the wound then wrapped gauze around his bicep. Hopefully, she’d done enough until this ended and they got him to the hospital.
“Thanks, Kendall. I’m all right. It’s barely bleeding.”
“They could’ve killed you,” she said. “Rachel’s going to be mad.”
“Let’s not worry about her right now. I have other things on my mind.” He looked at Marcus. “Where’s your weapon?”
“In my apartment.”
“Kendall, get him your gun. He’s going to need it. I think the whole gang’s out there. Also, call David for back-up.”
Kendall darted to her bedroom and pulled out her nightstand drawer, removing the Glock. After handing it off to Marcus, she said. “It’s fully loaded and ready to go.”
Then, she ran to her purse and took out her cell
phone to call David. After notifying him what they were up against, she took up position behind the couch, where she intended to stay during the fireworks.
Bullets had already taken out a lamp, two windows and the center piece on her counter. Even with Lucas and Marcus returning fire, her apartment was being shot to pieces.
She realized that only the front of the apartment appeared to be under attack, while the back remained quiet. “Marcus,” she called. “Where is your gun? I think I can sneak out the back and into your apartment.”
“No,” both men said in unison. “Don’t move.”
She only wanted to help. “But there’s no one in the back yard.”
“You don’t know that,” Marcus said. “They could be out there, just waiting.”
“What’s going to happen when you run out of ammunition?” she replied. “You’re going to need that extra gun.”
“Hold tight,” Lucas said. “David is on his way, he’ll bring help.”
Shouts and shots made it sound like a war was outside, on the lawn of her apartment complex.
After several minutes, Lucas said, “Well, I’ll be darned.”
“What?” Kendall asked. “Are there more of them?”
“I’d say,” Marcus stood, smiling. “David and Tyler rounded up a few citizens. Your dad’s out there with his rifle, Frankie from the bar is there too, and so is Grandma Hope.”
“Yeah, they have them on the run. Let’s get out there so we can do some good,” Lucas said, opening the door. “We can’t stay in here.”
Kendall grabbed Marcus by the arm. “No, don’t go out there. They could shoot you.”
“I’ll be fine.” He held up her gun. “Besides, I have my lucky gun.”
She scowled. “That’s not funny, Marcus. Those are real bullets they’re shooting.”
He pulled her hand loose. “You get behind the couch and stay there. I won’t be long.”
Before she uttered another word, he darted out the door, right behind Lucas. She prayed they’d be all right. In only a matter of seconds, it seemed, the shooting stopped.
She inched open the door and glanced outside. Lucas and Marcus had men on the ground while David handcuffed the bad guys. Maybe now they’d find out what caused all this. What did those men want, and why they were shooting at them if Bobby Joe had been their target before?