by Anne Patrick
Gage came in the back door with his cellphone in hand. "Would you mind if Cade Williams dropped by?"
"Of course not."
"Come on over," Gage told him. He then put the phone in his jeans pocket and went to the coffee pot.
Stella set her cup beside him. "You can have mine. I need to go home and get some of my own work done."
"Thank you for coming over and helping this morning." Jamie put her coffee on the counter and gave Stella a hug. "And for the delicious lunch."
"You're welcome. I'll see you at church in the morning." She kissed Gage's cheek. "Will you be able to go, or do you have to work?"
"Nope, I'm off. I'll be there."
The minute Stella left the room Gage slipped his arms around Jamie and lowered his mouth to hers. He then stepped back, smiling. "I've been wanting to do that all morning."
"It has been a little crowded around here." Jamie rested her arms on his shoulders. "I'm not complaining, though. I appreciate the help."
"Jamie, there's something I wanted to say last night, but I lost my nerve." He reached up, took her hands from his shoulders, and held them against his chest. "I'm in love with you."
Her heart swelled as she met his gaze. Jamie started to tell him she felt the same way when someone knocked on the front door.
"So much for the moment." Gage chuckled. "That must be Cade. He said he was at his dad's."
She finished her coffee and added the cup to the dishwasher and started it. A few seconds later, Gage and Cade came into the kitchen.
"Hi, Jamie."
"It's good to see you again, Cade. Do you want some coffee?"
"I'd prefer tea if you have any."
"I do. Why don't you guys go on out back and I'll bring a glass for everyone."
"Is Mallory here?"
"Yes, she is."
Jamie removed a serving tray from the pantry and added glasses then the pitcher of tea from the refrigerator. As she started out the door, Gage came over and took the tray from her. He set it on the picnic table where Cade, Mallory, and Derek were now seated.
"Any news on Ricky Drayton?" Jamie asked as she handed Cade his glass.
"Some. That's one of the reasons I wanted to drop by. The coroner has placed the TOD at seven to nine days. So he could've been your intruder."
"If he was, he was also my father's killer. The man told me if I made a move, I would end up like him." The memory of that night still gave Jamie the willies when she thought about it.
As if sensing her discomfort, Gage slipped his arm around her waist.
"I talked to the owner of the garage where Drayton was employed for the last ten years. He called in sick the day Jamie was attacked at the mall. His boss didn't know much about him. Drayton kept to himself, was a good worker, never caused any trouble. Customers and co-workers all liked him. No one had anything bad to say about the guy."
"Did you ask him if Drayton had a cellphone?" Gage asked.
"Said he did, but I haven't found any proof he had one with any of the local cellular companies. He must have been using a disposable. We searched the entire house and didn't find one."
"What about family?"
"Both parents are dead. I haven't been able to locate any other family. And I haven't found any ties to Jackson Ridge, other than his being a witness in James Riedel's murder case."
Gage tightened his arm around Jamie. "No one knew of any friends?"
Cade shook his head. "The guy was pretty much a loner. There was a photograph on his dresser of a woman who looked to be around his age, but I don't have a name to go with it. Nothing was written on the back."
"The guy had to be familiar with Jackson Ridge if he directed the cops to Jennings' cabin," Gage pointed out.
"I know, but I've only found the one connection."
"Who were his parents?" Derek asked.
"Jack and Angela Drayton. Jack died three years ago in a farming accident, and Angela was killed in a car wreck almost fifteen years ago."
"Have you had a look at his finances?" Jamie asked. If Ricky Drayton was hired to kill her father and possibly blackmailed her mother, surely there would still be some proof of it.
"Including savings, he had just over seventy-five thousand."
"Wow," Mallory said. "And how old was he?"
"Thirty-one. It could've come from his father's life insurance. I haven't looked into that yet."
Or it could be blood money.
"Sounds like someone just pulled in the drive," Derek said.
"Stay put." Gage turned loose of Jamie. "I'll see who it is."
"Cade, were there any marks on him, like from a struggle?" Jamie asked. She knew she had nailed the guy with the lamp.
"His body was pretty decomposed. It would've been hard to tell if he'd recently fought with anyone."
Jamie hadn't thought of that and didn't want to.
"You've got a visitor, Jamie."
"It's Richie Gaines," Mallory squealed.
"What!" Jamie spun around on the bench. Gage walked toward her, no longer smiling. Richie was right behind him. Jamie nearly fell over trying to get up from the picnic table.
"Hey, sweetheart." Richie moved to kiss her and Jamie stepped back.
He smiled. "Sorry to crash the party." He extended his hand to Cade. "Richie Gaines."
"We all know who you are," Derek said. "I'm a huge fan, Mr. Gaines."
"Please, call me Richie. Any friend of Jamie's is a friend of mine."
Jamie sucked in a deep breath. What was he doing here? How did he find her?
"I just have to say, you two were great together in Target on Her Back," Derek said. "Awesome movie."
"Thank you." Richie shook Derek's hand. "Jamie and I do work well together."
A barrage of questions followed from both Derek and Mallory. Cade was the only one who appeared unimpressed by the man. Well, both he and Gage. With every word that came out of Richie's mouth, Jamie could sense Gage getting angrier.
Finally, he looked at Jamie. "Can I see you inside," he asked soberly.
"Sure." She followed him into the kitchen.
"What's he doing here, Jamie?"
"How should I know?" Jamie thought of the phone call earlier. She wished now she had answered.
"You didn't invite him to come here?"
"Of course not. I told you it was over between us."
"Then what's he doing here? How'd he find out where you were?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."
Jamie stormed out the back door.
Richie looked up with a smile that used to turn her into putty in his hands. "Your friends here were just telling me about your little renovation project. I had no idea you were so skillful."
"We need to talk, Richie. Excuse us, guys." She grabbed his hand and dragged him around to the front of the house. Parked next to her Tahoe was a black Jaguar she'd never seen before. "You've got some nerve, you know that."
"What are you doing here, Jamie?"
"I'm here to take care of my mother's estate. Not that it's any of your business."
"This place is a dump. Why are you wasting your time with it? Why don't you just pay someone to come in here and demolish it?"
Jamie did her best to keep her cool, but he made it extremely hard. "How did you find me, Richie?"
"I hired a private investigator. I was worried about you. If you didn't want anyone to know where you were, you shouldn't have given your real name on the police report after you were mugged."
Jamie didn't buy into his act for a second. The only person he ever cared about was himself. "Why are you here? I told you over two months ago, I don't want to see you anymore."
"Why?" he demanded.
The guy had absolutely no clue. "I think that's pretty obvious."
"Is it the other women?"
"The women, the drugs, the constant partying. Take your pick. Look, Richie, you're a very talented actor. One of the best in the business, but you're heading down a very dark path, and I have n
o intentions of joining you on it."
"Jamie, if you'll just give me another chance."
"No. I've moved on and I suggest you do the same."
"I came all this way to see you. The least you can do is invite me in for a cup of coffee."
"The Jag's a rental and the airport is less than two hours away. If you want coffee, you can stop along the way."
"Fine, if that's the way you want it." He started to walk off, then turned and glared at her. "You know, you wouldn't even be where you are right now if it wasn't for me. I'm the one who got you that part."
"What are you talking about?"
"The lead in Target on Her Back. They were going to cast another actress and I told the casting director I wanted you." He laughed. "Did you really think you landed the part on your own?" Shaking his head, he went to his car. With one last wave, he sped off, throwing gravel toward the house.
Had he told the truth? Had his influence really gotten her the part?
The screen door opened behind her. She heard Gage's boots scrape against the floorboards. Had he heard their argument? She swiped at her tears.
"Don't let him get to you like this." Gage put his hand on her shoulder. "He may have gotten you that part, but it was your talent that earned you that Oscar award. Don't you forget that."
Jamie was genuinely moved by his compassion and support. She placed her hand over his. "Thank you." Just like when they were little, he always knew exactly what to say. She turned and folded her arms around him. "I love you, too."
Gage kissed her softly on the lips. "If anymore of your boyfriends show up, I'm really going to be upset."
"Cade isn't here to see me, silly."
He narrowed his eyes on her. "Mallory?"
Smiling, Jamie nodded. "He's a nice guy. I think they make a cute couple."
"I guess she's done worse." With his arms still wrapped around her, he turned and looked at the front of the house. "So, what color are we going to paint this thing?"
"Polished stone with white trim."
"You know you could keep this place as a second home. I'm sure you can afford it, and that way I'd see you more often."
"That's true." Jamie was tempted to tell him that was her plan. There were a couple of details she had to work out first. "This probably isn't a good time to tell you this . . . I mean, I should've told you before now, but I need to leave for a few days."
"Okay." His smile vanished, but he continued to hold her. "When are you leaving?"
"Wednesday. I have to go to L.A. and meet with my producer and director on the movie I'll be starting in September. I also have an audition."
"You're coming back, though. Right?"
"Of course I am." Jamie gave him a reassuring smile. "Since I'll be flying, I'll only be gone three days. Maybe four."
"What are we going to do about us, Jamie? I mean, is there a future?"
"Why don't we talk about that when I come back?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Gage sat at his desk Monday morning pouring over his notes on Ricky Drayton and the Riedel murder case. There had to be a connection. If Rita Riedel hired Ricky to kill her family, how'd they meet? Or if Drayton wasn't hired, then he and James must have known one another.
Macy buzzed him on his intercom. "Reverend Lawson is on the line for you."
"Thanks, Macy." Gage hit the button. "Good morning, Pastor."
"Morning, Gage. Sorry to bother you at work, but Lucy Jennings asked me to call you. She would like to see you today, as soon as possible."
She must remember something about her intruder. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
Gage called Derek on his cellphone and asked him to cover for him while he went to Cheyenne, then headed out.
On the drive, Gage thought about his conversation with Jamie Saturday afternoon. He wasn't too thrilled with her having to go back to L.A., especially since Gaines' visit, but he knew if he wanted a life with her, he was going to have to get used to the idea of being separated days, weeks, and even months at a time. Her home was in Malibu. His was in Jackson Ridge. They would both have to make sacrifices to make their relationship work. He could also propose and try and talk her into moving here. On some levels, that was even scarier than the thought of attending one of her red carpet events. Gage already had one failed marriage, despite him doing everything he could think of to prevent it. Then again, Jamie and Janessa were as different as night and day. Jamie thought of others before herself, unlike his ex-wife. Jamie was also independent and knew what she wanted out of life. She was living her dream. One in which Gage wanted very much to be a part. Even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone and in front of the cameras.
At a quarter past ten, Gage stepped into Mrs. Jennings room at Cheyenne General. Lucy was sitting up in her bed watching TV. Her left arm and right leg were in casts, and the only color to her face was the dark circles below her eyes. She saw him and attempted a smile.
"Hi, Lucy. It's good to see you're feeling better."
"I am. Thanks to a lot of prayers." She clicked off the TV and laid the remote on her moveable table. "Thank you for coming, Gage. There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Your fall wasn't an accident."
"No. I may not be as agile as I used to be, but I know I didn't take a tumble down my stairs. I'm pretty sure I had some help with that."
"Can you tell me what you remember?" Gage pulled up a chair and sat down.
Lucy took a sip of her water then pressed a button raised the head of the bed. "I'd heard a noise and thought it was Daisy, my cat, wanting out. She sometimes likes to prowl at night. I went downstairs and found the kitchen door ajar. I'm positive I locked it after I watered my garden. Anyway, I locked up and went back upstairs. I don't remember falling, but I do recall having that feeling . . . oh, you know . . . like someone is staring at you. That creepy sensation."
"But you didn't see anyone?"
"No. Since I know I locked my door, though, the person who came in had to have used the spare key I keep hidden under my Geranium on the back porch. And the only person that knows it's there is my nephew."
"His name isn't Ricky Drayton by any chance?"
"No. Eddie Bryer."
"What?" He must have misunderstood her.
"Eddie Bryer. He owns the salvage yard out south of town."
"I know who he is. He's married to my ex-wife."
"That's right. I'm sorry, I'd forgotten they were married."
"I didn't know the two of you were related."
"Not many folks around here do anymore. My sister, Angela, had an affair with a married man and Ed is the product."
It felt like someone punched Gage in the stomach, sucking the air from his lungs. Was Ed's mother the woman with whom James Riedel had his affair? The possibilities and questions flew at him like he was standing in a hailstorm, each one having a stronger impact. He started with the first one that came to mind. "Did Ed ever come over to your house when he was younger?"
"Occasionally I babysat him, before Angela moved to Greensburg and got married. A couple of years later, she was killed in a car accident."
"Do you know if the man she married was named Jack Drayton and if he had a son?" If so, the stepbrothers could've been working together.
"Yes to both your questions, but I don't remember the boy's name. Angela didn't come around much after she moved. I think Jackson Ridge held too many bad memories for her. She had it in her head Eddie's dad would leave his wife when she got pregnant, and when he didn't, she was devastated."
"So you and Ed didn't see much of one another?"
"Oh, sometimes he would drop by out of the blue. He'd say he was in the neighborhood and wanted to see how I was doing, and if I needed anything. I always felt like he was casing the place, or was up to no good." Lucy took another drink of water. "I know that's not a very Christian thing to think of someone, but even when he was a little squirt, he was always getting into mischief. He'd steal bicycles, money out o
f my purse, and I didn't dare take him to the grocery store because he would swipe candy."
Seemed Ed's habit of thievery had followed him into adulthood. But was he a coldblooded killer?
"I'd been stewing a couple of days about telling you about Eddie maybe breaking into my house, but now I get the impression you're glad I did."
"Yes. I've been looking at Ed for some other illegal activities in the area." Gage didn't want to tell her he might be the reason her boy died in prison until he had proof of it. "Did you ever call Ed squirt?" Recalling the kid whom Jamie remembered who had called her that.
She smiled sheepishly as she nodded. "I know I shouldn't have, but it was better than some of the other names I felt like calling him sometimes."
"Do you know if your nephew knew who his father was?" It was the most important question he had for her. The one that would convince him of Ed's guilt.
"I don't know. If he did, I doubt they had any sort of a relationship, seeing as how the man was married and probably had a family of his own."
Gage thanked the woman and promised her he would have a talk with Ed. Gage didn't have any proof of his involvement in the break-ins, but he sure had a lot of questions for him.
While driving back to Jackson Ridge, Gage called the state lab to see if they had gotten to his blood samples yet. It usually took weeks, even months in some cases, but Gage feared he might not have that kind of time. He then called Derek and told him to bring Ed in for questioning. If nothing else, he would let the man know Gage was getting closer to putting him behind bars where he belonged.
***
Jamie finished laying down plastic sheeting in her bedroom and went out into the hallway for the paint she would be using. Searching the labels of the remaining three cans, she didn't see the ones she wanted. "Hey, Mallory, have you seen the two cans of teal paint?"
Mallory stepped out of the spare bedroom across from Jamie's room. "I used the last of it yesterday."
"There should be two more cans. I purchased four."
"I only saw two. I thought you were doing your bedroom in the lighter mint."
"No, that's for the bathroom."
"Sorry. I should've double checked with you."