by Elaine Meece
Cynthia nodded, then drew in her lips to prevent smiling. “Time to get serious.”
Annie headed for the galley. Obviously, she’d gotten past her anger.
In his contacts, he hit Richard’s number.
“Brice. I was about to call you.”
“About Zurtel or my private matter?”
“Both. Ed Sawyer met with Bizer.”
“Kayla’s father?”
“That’s right. I’d expected him to meet her instead.”
“That’s odd,” Brice said. “I guess she has dear old daddy doing her dirty work. He probably wanted to tip them off we found the flaw in MX7 and that the FBI has been brought in. He could also be sharing our progress with Vega I. I’ll discuss it with Cynthia. Listen, see if you can make any connections between the nurse arrested for Garner’s death and Novik. The police haven’t found where she received any type of payment.”
“No motive?”
“Exactly. So, Detective Tabor is writing it off as a nurse playing God. The timing was just a little too perfect for Kayla Miller to buy those shares.”
“If they’re behind MX7 being altered, they’re capable of having Garner killed,” Richard said. “If you hadn’t caught the problem in the formula, there’s no telling how many people could’ve died. You may want to watch your back.”
“Anything on Hayden?”
“Actually, yes. I’m sending you a picture I found. Check it out.”
Brice put Richard on hold to check the picture. He increased the size and stared at an image of Hayden. He switched back to Richard. “That’s him.”
“The newspaper article says he’s Bobby Black, nicknamed Blackie the Blade.”
Brice knew only the mob went by nicknames. “That’d mean he has a record.”
“A long rap-sheet. He testified against Lennie Angelini, the mob boss and sent him to prison for life with no parole.”
“Is Hayden in the Witness Protection Program?”
Richard cleared his throat. “I’d bet money on it, but from what I’ve seen, he’s still involved in a local crime ring. That’s how he makes money. Pool cleaning is just a front to launder money.”
“I need to let Shea know.”
“He’s not the kind of guy who handles rejection well. She may want to disappear for a few days. I’ll contact APD and let them in on what I know about the crime ring.”
“Will they lock him up?”
Richard sighed. “Probably not. If he’s in the Witness Protection program more than likely, he’ll get a slap on the hand and relocated.”
When he disconnected, he told Cynthia. Annie stood to the side listening. He sighed. “I’m worried about Shea and the boys.”
“Shea needs to take the boys and leave. What about your house?” Cynthia asked.
“He knows where my condo is, and I‘d rather them not stay at a hotel.”
Annie placed a hand on his shoulder. “He doesn’t know where I live. They can go to my house. You can give her my parents’ address. Dad has a key to my house. I’ll call and tell him she’s coming by for it.”
“Let me check with her first.”
Once in the air, Brice called Shea. “I’m glad I caught you.”
“I thought you were going to Jacksonville today,” she said.
“We’re in flight. There’s something that couldn’t wait until we return. It’s about Hayden.”
Shea remained silent for a moment. “What about him?”
“His real name is Bobby Black. His nickname is Blackie the Blade.”
She remained silent. “Is this some kind of sick joke?”
“I wish it were. I’m serious.” Brice told her everything Richard had said. “He’s still involved with a group of criminals. You need to lock the house up and go stay somewhere else. And not my place. It’s the first place he’d look.”
“I don’t think a hotel is the safest place either,” she said.
“Annie has offered her house for a few days.”
“I can’t stay at your girlfriend’s house.”
“Yes, you can. You’ll need to pick up the key from her father. Annie will give you the address.”
He handed Annie his phone, and she read off her father’s address, then gave Shea her address. “There’s plenty of food. The only room I’d prefer no one enter is my art studio, but other than that make yourself at home. I know this is awkward, but you’ve got to think of the boys.” She paused while Shea talked. “Be safe. Here’s Brice.”
Brice took the phone. “Don’t use your cell phone. Stop by a store on the other side of town and purchase a burner phone.”
After disconnecting, he sighed. “After she packs, she’s going to your house.” He stuck his phone in his pocket. “Thanks, Annie.”
“You’re helping me with Megan and Libby. It’s the least I can do. Besides, I’m fond of your boys. I want them to be safe.”
Cynthia studied them with a sense of awareness, and she wasn’t smiling any more.
“What are friends for,” Brice said, trying to downplay his involvement with Annie. He wanted to distract Cynthia. “Hopefully, Richard will tell Tabor about Hayden. Once they have him, behind bars, it’ll be safe for Shea and the boys to return home.”
Thinking of Shea and Annie under one roof, made him nervous.
Evan entered the cabin. “Tristen wants you in the cockpit.”
Brice unfastened his seat belt, stood, and joined Tristen.
“This is the jet you’re flying to Phoenix. You should familiarize yourself with the flight deck. You’ll sit in for Evan, and I’ll talk you through a few things.”
Brice settled into Evan’s seat and adjusted it. “How old is she?”
“She’s a 2016. Her wing flap forms a sharp trailing edge during a level flight and reduces drag, then rotates downward on take-off and landing. When rotated, it forms a highly curved aft surface; then air from the slot can be blown over that curved surface to generate high lift. Yields a lower drag at cruising speed. She can land or take off on a four-thousand-foot runway.”
“But at a steeper angle,” Brice said. “It requires flying much slower near the runway. I’ve flown one.” Though he hadn’t flown for a commercial airline, he had flown in the military and on private trips with his last company.
Tristen nodded. “Great. Another reason I wanted to see you is to warn you about Cynthia. She is concerned about the amount of time you and Annie are spending together. She’s been asking if I think you are more than friends. I told her she was overreacting.”
“Thanks. I care a lot about Annie.”
“You’re not planning to get back with Shea?”
“To be honest, I’m torn. I love Annie, but I feel like I should do what’s best for my boys. That’d be remarry Shea.”
Tristen grinned. “Well, there’s always Renee. 1-800-555-slut.”
Brice laughed. “I’ll pass.”
♦♦♦
Annie thought about her art room. Would Shea respect her wishes and stay out of the studio. If she went inside, she might discover the drawings Annie had done of Brice wearing only his birthday suit.
Her motive in sending them to her house had been for a selfish reason. If Shea and the boys had gone somewhere else, Brice would join them once he arrived back in town. This way, they would go together to her house. Shea wouldn’t have a chance to be alone with him.
She couldn’t forget the concern in Brice’s eyes and voice. It showed how much he still loved Shea. Now without Hayden in the picture would Brice want to remarry his ex-wife and return home?
Annie thought she’d be sick.
Maybe she should join Cactus Point for real. That might be the only way she’d ever find a husband. Then she remembered Megan had written none of the women ever had orgasms because the men were like little hummingbirds zipping in and out, leaving a bed of unsatisfied, pollinated flowers.
What if Brice refused to help Megan and Libby because he felt obligated to remain in Atlanta to prote
ct Shea and his boys? Her face must’ve been readable. She glanced up and saw Evan studying her, his eyes full of empathy. She didn’t want his pity. She certainly didn’t want to hear him say, I told you so.
Annie walked over to Cynthia, who worked on her laptop. “Do you care for anything to eat or drink?”
“Bring me a frozen protein shake and a diet soda.”
Annie nodded, then turned her attention to Evan. “Do you care for anything?”
“No thanks. We should be landing soon.”
♦♦♦
When no one was looking, Libby grabbed an apple and headed for the stable to feed Trooper. She climbed upon the fence and extended the apple out to the big gray gelding. Fortunately, he hadn’t stomped on her the night she’d hidden in his stall.
Her heart leapt when hands grabbed her waist and jerked her back.
“You’re the one that’s been stealing apples and feeding these damn horses. Caught you,” Hawkins yelled.
“I wasn’t trying to steal. I love horses. It’s the only way they’ll get close enough for me to pet them.”
“Haven’t you been told to stay away from the horses?”
“No. Just that girls don’t get to ride them.”
He jerked her around facing him and backhanded her with his free hand.
She gasped from the stinging pain. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
“I’m not finished with you, girlie.” He removed his leather belt. “Get that dress off.”
“No! I won’t.”
“The more you argue the harder it will be.”
Libby removed the dress and stood in her under garment. “Please don’t.”
He grabbed some rope and secured her hands to the stall gate, then he picked up his belt and slapped it across her back.
She grimaced and cried out.
The gelding neighed and stomped around.
Each strike became harder than the last.
Then he stopped.
She whimpered softly, waiting for him to release her. She couldn’t see what he was doing. When she realized he was lowering his jeans, her heart raced. Reality hit her. He was going to rape her. She screamed as loud as she could.
He held her firmly and pulled her against him.
If she could kill him, she would.
The clanging sound of a metal object hitting something echoed through the barn. Then hands worked frantically to untie her.
Libby turned slowly. “Edna?”
“Quick, get your dress on and get inside. We don’t want to be here when he wakes up. Horny old bastard.”
Libby had a feeling Edna didn’t believe Hawkins had been sent by God. She slipped on her dress. “What will I tell him if he asks who hit him?”
“Did you see me hit him?”
“Well, no, but…”
“When I got out here, I found him on the ground and you tied up. So, I untied you. Are we clear?”
She nodded.
“Now get inside. Don’t be feeding those horses our apples.”
Libby ran to the house. Rather than go to her room where she could be cornered, she joined the others at the table. They said the blessing and began eating without Hawkins there. Though her backside hurt, she gobbled her food down quickly knowing she could be thrown in the potato box for days. It had happened to other girls.
Less than an hour later, Joseph Hawkins stormed into the dining room. “Who untied you?”
“If you’re a prophet sent by God, shouldn’t you know?” Libby retorted.
Rage radiated in Hawkins’ eyes.
“I did,” Edna bravely said and stepped between them. “I found you on the ground, so I untied her.”
“You didn’t try to wake me up?”
“You were breathing, so I figured you’d eventually wake up.”
“Did you see anyone run out of the barn?”
“No, when I got there it was just you and Libby. If didn’t take me long to figure out what had been going on.”
“She deserved it.”
“I wasn’t referring to the beating. Though I think that was a little harsh for sneaking an apple or two out to the horses.”
Libby admired the way Edna stood up for her. Of course, it’d been Edna who had thrown her mother under the bus.
He turned to Libby. “It must’ve been your willful mother who slammed that shovel against my skull. She’ll pay for this.” He glanced around. “Where are my keys? I’m going to go deal with her now.”
Edna handed him his keys. “I’m riding with you.”
He twisted around and glared at Libby. “I’m not done with you. Get up.”
As she’d feared, she ended up in the stinky box. She sat in the dark container, trying to breathe. But it was so hot and the air stale.
♦♦♦
Megan and the others sat eating dinner at the table. Tonight, she had placed Dan’s hand on her stomach when the baby kicked. He’d seemed pleased she’d included him in the moment.
When a truck whipped up the driveway and braked quickly, the dogs barked. Dan stood and glanced out the window. “It’s Hawkins and Edna.”
Without knocking, Hawkins entered the kitchen and glared at her with his crazy eyes. “I know you’re the one who smashed a shovel over my head.”
Megan’s heart jumped. “What are you talking about?”
“This afternoon in the barn. You must’ve walked in when I was disciplining Libby for stealing.”
“She cooked dinner tonight,” Dan said. “She hasn’t left this house.”
“What did Libby steal?” Megan asked.
“She’s been taking apples to the horses.”
“There was more to it than that. From what I saw, you intended to consummate your marriage a little early,” Edna said.
Megan’s blood boiled. “She’s only eleven. Where is she now?”
“He has her in the potato box for the night,” Edna said.
Instead of making any threats or demands, Megan walked up beside Dan and held his hand. He glanced at her, then pinned a harsh scowl on Hawkins. “We’re bringing Libby here.”
“She was sinning,” Hawkins said.
Edna frowned. “What’s the greater sin, molesting a child or stealing an apple?”
“Take her. But when she turns twelve, she’s mine.”
Dan motioned Megan out the door. “Let’s go get your girl.” In the car, he smiled at her. “But some nights, she has to sleep out on the sofa.”
“Agreed.”
On Hawkins’ farm, Megan and Dan hurried to the potato box and unlatched it.
When Libby climbed out, Megan wrapped her in her arms and sobbed. “You smell like an old potato.”
“If I’d stayed in there much longer, I’d be a baked potato.”
Hawkins and Edna drove up, and Edna joined them. “I’ll bring her belongings over tomorrow.” Edna looked at Dan. “You find out where Connie ran off to?”
“No. Someone must’ve helped her leave. Sheriff hasn’t seen her.”
Megan realized she had to get them out of there. She couldn’t let that maniac marry her little girl and take her to his bed. She’d kill him first. Though Dan had been kind tonight, she couldn’t let herself forget, he had murdered Connie.
♦♦♦
Brice hadn’t heard from Shea. He wondered if they’d made it to Annie’s house. If Cynthia hadn’t made dinner reservations for them all, he would leave tonight. He considered flying back on a commercial flight.
His phone rang. It came from an unknown caller. “Hello.”
“It’s me. The boys and I are at Annie’s house. Nice place. I didn’t realize flight attendants did so well.”
“Corporate ones do. Did you close the door to her art studio? I’d hate for the boys to mess something up.”
“I peeked inside. She’s a very good artist. I especially liked the nude torsos she drew of you.”
He ignored her comment. “What’d you tell Hayden?”
“The most believable
thing I could come up with.”
“What’s that?”
“That we’re getting back together. I told him, we were taking a family trip and would be out of town. I don’t think he’ll care.”
“That or you just put a target on my back.”
“I didn’t intend to.”
“I’ll feel better when he’s locked up,” Brice stated. “With him being in the Witness Protection Program, he’ll probably just be relocated and his name changed again.”
“You know, when you get back, we could go on a family vacation. The boys would love that.”
“I can’t. I have an out of town trip planned.”
“Cancel it.”
“That’s not an option.”
“Where are you going?”
“Phoenix.”
“Well, it’s not Florida, but maybe we can tag along.”
“Not possible. I’m going with Annie.”
“What’s more important your kids or keeping a date?”
“It’s not a date. I’m helping her bring her sister and niece home.” He explained the situation. “I can’t back out now. Their lives depend on it.”
“What about our lives?”
“They’re important to me. That’s why you’re at Annie’s.”
“I miss you. I want you back. The boys would love for us to get back together.”
“Don’t do this, Shea.” He paused. “The meeting is starting back. I need to run. Don’t underestimate this guy.”
“I won’t.” She sighed. “And tell Annie thanks. I really mean it.”
“I will.” He disconnected the call and joined Cynthia at the front of the group.
Brice found it difficult to concentrate with so much on his mind. He considered what Shea said. Now, he could have what he’d been wanting since the divorce. Then Annie’s image came to mind. He cared about her. What she’d done for Shea and his boys went beyond nice.
“Go over the stats on this month’s production,” Cynthia requested.
He probably looked like a deer in headlights. “Yes. Give me a moment.” After putting his flash drive into the computer, he activated the Power Point. “As you can see, recalling the fuel systems and building their replacements definitely was a costly setback. Zurtel took a hard hit.”