“I shake Tanner awake if he isn’t already and make him get up to answer the door.”
“Exactly. Whatever made them leave the house, it was a simple matter of the person or persons ringing the doorbell and getting Walker to come to the door. After that, our unknown sub or subs had all the access they needed to the family. For that reason, I don’t think this was a stranger abduction.” She searched the gazes around the room for confirmation.
“I agree,” Raine added.
“Sounds plausible to me,” Tanner said. “All the more reason we shouldn’t trust anyone outside this room.”
Lenore ran a hand over her husband’s. “That’s a sad fact, but one I’m beginning to accept.”
Anniston had made her point and went on, “Whatever the reason, it wasn’t robbery. But they might have had something someone wanted bad enough to use the kids as leverage to get them to comply.”
Jackson was beginning to think they were heading in the right direction. “That would explain why the perpetrator had them wake up the kids.”
Anniston agreed. “Which means, if we find why Ryan had to be killed and not allowed to leave the island, if we discover what was in play and how it correlates to the abduction, then we’ll be able to make sense of all this.”
After listening to the talk, Tessa cleared her throat, leveled her gaze on Jackson. “I want to go look for Ryan’s Honda. Tomorrow. First thing. I think it’s time. I know you usually go out on The Black Rum at first light but I’m asking you to help me. You know all the places where someone might hide a car. I could drive around looking by myself for hours but I doubt it’d be as effective.”
“I know this area like the back of my hand. Good idea. We’ll drive around and see what we can find.”
Mitch had a better plan. “Take Anniston. Hell, take Garret. Use two vehicles, split up, cover more ground. I’ll take the boat out, pick up where we left off this afternoon with Walsh while you guys do a search on land.”
“That’ll work.” With a wink, Jackson crossed the room to his mom, placed a kiss on her cheek. “Now that we have that settled, today is someone’s birthday. Lately, things have been super crazy, but your sons wouldn’t let this auspicious day pass without a little birthday celebration. We’ve worked out a surprise for you, Mom.”
Mitch sat down at the piano and started tickling the keys. “Tessa, I know this is a sad day for you. But I hope you’ll understand the people in this room care about you. And because we do, we want you to help us wish our mom a happy birthday.”
Tears welled up in Tessa’s eyes at the sentiment. “I think it’s a perfect idea.”
Jackson squeezed her hand before going over to help Garret drag a set of drums from a hall closet out into the living room. The surfer took a seat behind the snare and waited for Jackson to pick up the guitar he hadn’t touched in three years.
“I’m a little rusty,” Jackson admitted as he hit the first chords of Trip Around the Sun. “Since it’s Mom’s birthday we honor her tonight with our music, if you can call it that. For years, she and Dad spent their hard-earned money on music lessons. God knows why.”
“I wanted musicians,” Lenore fired back, pleased with the turn of events.
Jackson’s lips curved up. “That might be true, but unfortunately what you’re about to hear is the result of seven years of trying. Mom, this is for you, your favorite song and then some. And while Livvy might not be here to sing for us tonight, or Blake and Ally to help us with the chorus, we’ll do our best to make this a good time the only way we know how.”
The trio blended melody and rhythm as they sang the lyrics, strong and deep. Soon the toe tapping started and everyone’s mood seemed to mellow out. They went into a rendition of Happy Birthday, Beatles style, until they segued into I Gotta a Feeling.
In the corner, Tessa nudged Raine. “Why didn’t you tell me they could play and sing like this?”
“Been a while since I’ve heard them. I just assumed they’d given it up entirely.” But she had to admit Mitch’s chorus reminded her of other nights, nights when he’d played a symphony just for her. She reminded herself she’d been nothing more than an impressionable kid. She changed the subject. “I’m thinking we should get Chinese takeout. Lenore loves the stuff but Livvy says she never orders it for herself.”
Tessa cocked a curious brow. “You’re not suggesting food from The Blue Taco?”
“Hey, who doesn’t love eating at Lee Fong’s? He makes the best Szechwan dishes around with the freshest veggies.”
“Then we should call it in.” Tessa came out of her funk. “I don’t see a cake around here anywhere either. Why don’t we run out and get her one of those with buttercream frosting?”
“Good idea, if we leave now we’ll make it before the bakery in town closes,” Raine suggested. “We’ll probably have to settle for whatever they have on hand, but hey, she won’t celebrate her birthday without cake.”
Tessa and Raine reached the bakeshop five minutes before closing. They found the only item left in the glass display case that could serve a mass of people was a multi-layer strawberry cake. Luckily it was covered in the buttercream icing Tessa craved. They paid for it and headed to Lee Fong’s where they ordered from his buffet-style hot pot selections—dumplings, prawns, scallops, clams, wontons, mushrooms, bok choy, and a variety of other veggies.
While they waited for their order, Raine kept checking Tessa’s face for any signs she was about to break down in tears. But so far the woman had showed a steel composure. “Does it feel funny to, you know, be out buying food and planning a party on the day that body was found at the cove?”
Tessa sighed and lifted her shoulders. “I’m okay. Lenore’s been good to me. I had no idea today was her special day until Jackson’s impromptu music tribute. Things have been coming at all of us so fast lately we haven’t had time for anything but craziness. So I’d like her to enjoy herself tonight. Besides, I don’t like thinking about Ryan left there like that…for so long…in the water. How many times did I go near the marina and never thought to look along Rumrunner Cove?”
“How could you possibly have known to look there?”
“I should’ve done something…more.”
Raine gave her a look of disbelief. “Unless you’re psychic you wouldn’t even know about Rumrunner Cove, let alone that’s where his body would turn up. What did your dad say? I know you called him.”
“About what I expected. He’s still holding out hope it isn’t Ryan. He’d like to believe Jessup’s theory that Ryan took off. But deep down my dad knows it isn’t like Ryan to do anything so spur of the moment and abandon the business he’d worked so hard to get off the ground.”
Raine touched Tessa’s hand. “Whatever the outcome, I want you to know I’ll be here for you.”
“This sounds crazy but I’ve come to think of you like a close friend. Jackson, too.”
Raine bumped Tessa’s shoulder. “Oh, come on. You think of him as something other than a friend. You didn’t come home the other night after going out to the bar. I’m not your keeper, but I’m able to figure out where you ended up.”
“I ended up right where I wanted to be. It was special and exactly what we both needed, a little sexual release.”
“Is that all it is?”
Tessa sighed and decided to come clean. But before she could fully disclose what was in her heart, Mr. Fong finished bagging the order and called their name.
They took the fare back to Quay Avenue and spread the goodies out in the kitchen for a buffet-style banquet.
They discovered the merriment already in full force. Mitch had popped the cork on several bottles of merlot and chardonnay. The festive mood rubbed off almost immediately. Tessa felt as though everyone else had a head start on a good buzz. She decided she needed to loosen up and play catch up. So before she dived into the food, she downed two glasses of white wine.
Jackson took notice. But after the day she’d had he wasn’t going to judge her
if she got a little tanked tonight. He glanced at the faces around the table. “Not bad for an unplanned birthday blast.”
Lenore raised her glass. “Thanks to Raine and Tessa for grabbing the meal and the cake.”
“It was our pleasure,” Tessa said, her words slurring a bit.
They partied until midnight and by the time it broke up, Tessa had polished off a bottle of wine all by herself.
Since Raine hitched a ride with Anniston back to her houseboat, Jackson helped Tessa out to her Toyota. If they were planning to get an early start in the morning looking for Ryan’s car, it made sense to spend the night together at the Waterfront bungalow.
Tessa was all for that. She took out her keys but Jackson snatched them out of her fist.
“You can’t drive in your condition.”
Her lips bowed with the grin of the very plowed. “’Kay.” She pointed a finger at him, tapped his chest. “I designate you as my good-looking chauffeur. Fetch me to the castle, my handsome hunk.”
Once Jackson folded her into the little sports car, she became a talkative chatterbox. “That was so sweet what you and your brothers did for your mom. Why didn’t you tell me you could sing like that? You’re a sweetie pie, that’s what you are, Jackson Indigo.”
“It’s not the first time we’ve cheered her up with a song or two. We thought it might be awkward without Livvy. For a few minutes there it was.”
“No, it was wonderful,” she breathed out, leaning her head back against the headrest.
He pulled into the driveway about the time she swayed in her seat. He was beginning to think she’d have trouble maneuvering out of the car and standing upright.
But she surprised him by nimbly dancing in a circle on her way up to the front porch. Into the spin though, she missed the second step and stumbled into the flowerbed.
He caught her right before she fell. “You’ve had way too much wine.”
“I believe I have. But…the day your brother’s body is found and used for fish food, you’re entitled to get wasted.”
“Aw, baby. I’m so sorry.”
She shunned the words of sympathy but turned into his arms. “You have a beautiful singing voice and play the guitar like Springsteen.”
Jackson hooted with laughter as he unlocked the front door. “Now I’m certain you’re full-on drunk.” He helped her inside, pushing her onto the sofa before she lost her footing and took a tumble.
But she was persistent. She tugged on his hand to keep him from getting up. Shoving her hair out of her face, she started pressing her body against his. “I want you, Jackson.”
“Tessa, you’re plastered.”
“Sure I am. But I still want you.”
“You have me, darling.” More than she knew, thought Jackson. “Let’s get you to bed.” He scooped her up, headed down the hallway.
“See, this is what I wanted all along,” she murmured into his ear. Linking her arms around his neck, she held on tight and went after his mouth in a sloppy effort, woozy at the movement.
He laid her on the mattress, took a seat next to her. “You okay? Your face looks a little green.”
“I’m fine. Please, Jackson. Make me forget these images I have in my head about how Ryan could’ve died. I keep thinking about him out there on that beach, cold and alone. I should’ve been the one to find him.”
“Don’t do this to yourself.”
“And something else…he was already dead by the time I got here.” She leveled her finger at him. “No sense in denying what I already know. He was gone. I sensed something bad had happened. But I didn’t do enough.”
“You did everything you could. I told my dad the same thing. Don’t let guilt eat at you like this.”
She tried to kiss him again. “I don’t want to beg, but could you take me somewhere else tonight, Jackson? Please. I’m not so far gone that I don’t know what I’m asking.” She ran a manicured nail from his throat to his chin in an attempt at seduction.
Maybe that was his undoing, or the sultry way her eyes sought out his. He took her in his arms, and rocked her. “It’ll be okay, baby. I promise.”
Moonlight and shadows danced through the curtains as he began to undress her, getting her out of the shoes first and then her top. He worked the jeans down over her narrow hips.
He removed his own shirt and shorts, tucked her under the covers and crawled in after her. Tenderly, he spread kisses along her jaw.
If the goal was to take her somewhere else, he intended to send her to the highest mountain, high enough where nothing bad could touch her, at least, not tonight.
He lingered a breath away, indulged himself in the smoothness of her skin, the softness of her lips. As she turned in his arms, he slipped his hand under the sheets and moved past the silky lace. He found her warm and wet. He took pleasure in her gasp and moan, the way she arched her back to ride out each crest and wave. He watched her give in to the quakes and tremors, her body erupting and shuddering until finally she went limp in surrender. Still clinging to him, her lids grew heavy and she finally dozed off.
He kissed her forehead and locked his arms around her in a tight embrace. “Sleep now, baby. I’m here. And I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tessa woke curled against Jackson’s side. Nestled in safety, she tried to lift her head, but the dizziness from the hangover slapped her back into her pillow. She let her woozy state even out before snuggling deeper into the warmth of his body.
Her befuddled brain fought to remember the previous day’s events—the body at Rumrunner Cove she thought was Ryan’s, the fear and sadness she’d heard in her dad’s voice over the phone, the grief at losing her only brother. It all came rushing back in a montage of emotions leading up to Lenore’s birthday party and all the wine she’d consumed to help her deal.
In response to the sheets rustling beside him, Jackson’s arms came around her in a protective embrace.
She placed a kiss on his throat. “Sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep.”
“Don’t be. We have a busy day ahead of us. We should probably get moving.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, started to stick a leg out from under the cover to get up.
But she pulled him back to nibble at the corner of his mouth. “I do need a shower, but not before I take care of you the way you took care of me last night.”
“You remember? I’m surprised.”
Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. Her lips formed in a wide sunny arch. Playfully, she poked him in the ribs. “I drank too much last night, I didn’t suffer a massive case of amnesia. Plus, my head’s beginning to feel a whole lot better. My thoughts are very clear.”
He cocked a brow. “No one could blame you for guzzling the wine.”
She winced. “Your parents probably think I’m such a lush.”
“No. They knew you were upset. You had a right to be.” He tucked strands of red hair behind her ears. “How much better do you feel exactly? What did you have in mind to start the day?”
She glided up determined to show him and forged a trail of kisses down his bare chest. “How much time do we have?”
Jackson breathed out a satisfied sigh. “We’ll make time.”
Behind the wheel of Tessa’s car, Jackson drove past wooded countryside—flat landscape with narrow stretches full of short-leaf fig that grew alongside thatch palm. These areas were too populated for hiding a car, unless the parties involved did so behind gated walls. In this section of the Keys people tended to spend the money they’d brought with them from frigid places like Caribou, Minnesota, or Madison, Wisconsin, on luxury and privacy. Since they wanted out of the deep freeze of winter once and for all, relocating and experiencing Florida life to its fullest meant they’d sought out stately houses with gorgeous views and private boat access.
The island itself was less than three and a half miles long, which meant it didn’t hold a lot of hiding places within the city limits. But south of town was
a different story.
There were dozens of places along the back roads and canals outside Indigo Key where Ryan’s Honda might have ended up. Jackson and Tessa checked out each spot while Garret and Anniston trailed after them, Anniston behind the wheel of her SUV.
Like a mini caravan the four had driven up and down the coast twice, combing basins, searching low-lying marshes and salt ponds located off the main blacktop. Some were in the middle of thick groves with acres and acres of Spanish lime trees and coastal shrub. The brush made it a likely cover for anyone to dump a vehicle in the bog, away from the prying eyes of traffic from the roadway.
The Toyota and Explorer parted company off the main route. Once Anniston took the fork to the west side of the island, Jackson veered off in the opposite direction heading southeast.
“Where are we going?” Tessa asked.
“I want to check out the restoration project, see the preserve my dad’s been involved in trying to save from Buchanan and his developers.”
“You talk as though you haven’t been out there recently.”
A pained look crossed his face. “I haven’t. It’s been years.”
He pointed to a tidal basin with vegetation in various stages of overgrowth. “Back during high school this place was someone’s private marina. The house and the forty acres belonged to an old woman who’d moved here sometime in the late thirties. When she died at the ripe old age of ninety-five, she owed a ton of back taxes. It fell to the state. I think even then my dad was afraid Buchanan would get his hands on the property. So he started lobbying to make it a natural preserve. The politicians in Tallahassee agreed with him and a conservation effort was born. But the legislators wouldn’t pump any tax dollars into the project. My dad rounded up donations, assigned teams of volunteers to work and bring it back to its glory days. The old house could be used as a decent museum but the project was always low on cash. We spent what we had on hand to bring in truckloads of fill dirt to build up the bog floor so it would hold native mangrove again and hardwood hammock. After years of neglect, the area began to come back, bringing with it the natural way of rebirth and regrowth.”
[Indigo Brothers 01.0] Indigo Fire Page 27