Rebecca shook her head. Something didn’t feel right. “Claire would never plan this alone,” she said. “She must’ve been manipulated by somebody. I’ve never known her to be a bad person.”
Jack raised his eyebrows. “Simon Orwell?”
“I called Mr. Orwell just a few moments ago, and he strenuously refutes any involvement in this,” Detective Harman said. “And we have no evidence to contradict his statement.”
“What will happen to Thomas Drummond?” Jack asked.
“He’s being charged with attempted kidnapping,” Detective Harman replied. “And he’ll stay in custody until the preliminary hearing. Even if he’s granted bail, I doubt he’ll be able to afford it, so I don’t think he’ll be out anytime soon. Don’t worry—you’ll both be the first to know if he’s released from police custody.”
“That’s a relief,” Jack said. “At least we know he’s behind bars for now.” He leaned across the desk. “But Rebecca still isn’t safe. What did the forensics team find yesterday in the darkroom? Were there any fingerprints?”
Detective Smith shook his head. “I’m afraid they found nothing except Mrs. Grey’s prints. But the police department received a report from the accident investigators today, and they found evidence of an explosive device in your vehicle, Mr. Jackson. It looks like a fairly sophisticated one.” His face turned grave. “I’ve formally asked the FBI to take over this investigation. It seems to be escalating pretty fast, and this county simply doesn’t have the resources for round-the-clock protection.”
“How long will the Feds take to move on something like this?” Jack asked.
“Probably a couple of days,” the detective replied. “They’ll consider what’s happened so far and review your claims about the stolen artwork. If they think there’s a case, it’ll be handed over to the War Crimes Unit. In the meantime, we’re doing all we can to find Claire Monaghan and get some answers from her. But please rest assured that you can call 9-1-1 at any time for assistance. The sheriff’s deputies will be able to respond to any emergencies.”
These words did not reassure Rebecca in the slightest, but she knew the detectives were doing their best to make her feel at ease. “Thank you,” she said. “Can I leave now? I’m late for an appointment.”
The detectives stood up. “Of course,” he said. “If we have any updates for you, we’ll telephone immediately.”
Rebecca reached for Jack’s hand, and he gripped it as she rose from her seat. He smiled at her in a way that made her feel a little calmer inside. If the police were unable to protect her, she would have to put all her faith in Jack.
*
Jack drove along Highway 20 on high alert, determined to be supervigilant. Rebecca had been insistent on continuing with her plan for the day—to visit her daughters at Sarah Grey’s house—and he certainly didn’t want to be followed to such an important location. He had woven through the streets of Bristol before turning onto the highway, using evasive maneuvering techniques to ensure that no one could possibly be on their tail. Darius had asked to accompany them, but Rebecca hadn’t wanted his presence there. Jack could understand why. Darius was often intense and overwhelming, and Rebecca was clearly in need of quiet family time. In this instance, Jack had assumed that he counted as family.
“Do you think Simon put Claire up to the kidnapping attempt?” Rebecca asked. “I can’t believe he would do something like that, but maybe I don’t know him as well as I thought.”
“If the police say Simon’s not involved, I think we have to trust in their judgment,” Jack replied. “I’m certain that the FBI will find good enough cause to open an investigation. Until then, let’s continue with our plan to visit the professor at the museum in Tallahassee.” He reached over to touch her hand but thought better of it. “Stay close to me at all times.”
“I intend to,” she said. She looked down into her lap, where her fingers were tightly wound together. “At least for the time being.”
He steeled himself to say the words that he’d been storing up since their earlier conversation. “I understand why you said those things to me after church this morning. I’m glad you explained how you feel. I can see you’re struggling with your faith.”
“I’m not,” she said. “I still have faith in God’s plan for my life.” She dropped her voice to barely a whisper. “It’s just hard to accept the plan.”
He looked over at her, but her eyes were fixed on the flat, green land whizzing past the window. “Do you think you might have gotten it wrong?” he asked. “I mean, I don’t know much about faith, but isn’t it blind?”
“Blind?” she repeated, holding up her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sun.
He pulled the visor down above his head, and Rebecca’s aviator sunglasses tipped out into his lap. He handed them to her. “I thought the whole point of faith was not knowing what the future holds, but trusting in it anyway.” He smiled. “I apologize if I’m way off track, but I’m new to all this church stuff.”
She was quiet for a moment. “No, you’re right,” she said finally. “Faith is blind.”
“So you don’t really know what God has planned for you, right?” he asked, hoping that he wasn’t overstepping his boundaries. “You’re just assuming things based on your own judgment.”
“I can’t explain it,” she said, putting her hand on her heart. “I just feel it inside.”
“Feel what?”
She turned to face him. “Loneliness.”
He wished he could screech to a halt to take her in his arms, to ease her pain, if only for a short time. But instead he asked, “Do you think God wants you to feel that way for the rest of your life?”
“I think He’ll give me the strength to live with it,” she said. “Because it seems to me that the empty feeling will never be filled.”
He tried to choose his words carefully. “Maybe you just need to wait a little longer.”
She let out a laugh, and he guessed that this was something she had considered many times already. “I’ve reached the conclusion that God must want me to dedicate my life to raising the children and serving the community,” she said. “Rather than meeting someone special.”
“You don’t know that,” he said. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right man yet.” He looked over the top of his sunglasses at her. “Or maybe you met him already and you just don’t know it.”
“No,” she said quickly. “I can’t imagine opening up the secrets of my heart to a man again.”
He smiled slowly as a thought crept into his mind—you just did.
*
Jack pulled the minivan into Sarah’s gravel driveway as the sky clouded over and the mercury dipped to a temperature that reminded Rebecca it was still winter in Florida. As soon as the tires crunched on the long path, Charlotte and Emily came running from Sarah’s neatly maintained ranch-style home. They were closely followed by Sarah herself, who made the girls stand and wait while Jack parked in the carport. When Rebecca stepped from the vehicle, they tore over to her with arms outstretched.
“Mom,” they both called in unison. “We miss you.”
She dropped to her knees, not caring about getting dirt on her tailored pants, and scooped them into her arms. “Hey,” she said with a wide smile. “I hope you’ve been behaving yourselves for Grandma?” She looked up at Jack and winked. “Because the swamp monster will get you if you’ve been misbehaving.”
The girls squealed with delight at the mention of playing their favorite game of chase. Jack dutifully played along and stretched his arms out wide, making groaning noises and walking toward them with slow, heavy steps. They turned and raced into the yard at the side of the house, running around the swing set while Jack attempted to grab them as they wriggled out of reach.
Rebecca stood and watched them. She had seen Jack play chase with the girls many times before, but this time she took the opportunity to savor it. She didn’t know how long this pretense of family life was going to last, and s
he wanted to bask in the pleasure it brought.
“Are you okay, Rebecca?” Sarah asked, rubbing her hand on her shoulder. “You look pensive.”
Rebecca bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. The last thing she needed right now was somebody showing kindness, especially her sweet and gentle-natured mother-in-law.
“I’m fine,” she said, giving Sarah a kiss on the cheek. “It’s been a difficult weekend, is all.”
Sarah led her toward the house. “We all have good and bad days,” she said. “When we go through hard times, it makes us appreciate the good times so much more.”
Rebecca gave a brittle laugh. “I’m still waiting on those good times.”
Sarah pointed to the lawn where Charlotte and Emily were giggling with joy, each one dangling from Jack’s strong arms. “The good times are right here, honey,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes we don’t see what’s in front of us because we’re too busy looking to the future.” She opened the door. “I made iced tea. You want some?”
“Sure,” Rebecca answered. “I’ll be there in a minute or two. I’d like to stay out here awhile longer.”
Sarah went inside, leaving Rebecca standing alone in the carport, contemplating her mother-in-law’s wise words. Had she really been so blind that she had failed to recognize the situation as it really was? She had assumed that her life needed to be changed in order to make it better, but would change make her happier? Was she trying to fix something that wasn’t broken? She gasped and put a hand over her mouth as an idea of such enormity entered her mind that her stomach dropped away. Could her feelings of loneliness actually be caused by pushing Jack away? She had felt more and more hollow with each day that she pulled back from him.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Rebecca,” she said under her breath. “You are not in love with Jack.”
She turned and walked into the house. Her resolve was being tested, and she would not waver.
TEN
Jack leaned back in his chair and slid his belt buckle a couple of notches further along.
“Sarah, that meal was awesome,” he said, patting his belly where it protruded a little more than when he had arrived.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she replied, gathering the empty plates together. “I love to cook.” She looked at the four faces around the table. “And I especially love to cook for my family.”
“Come on, girls,” Rebecca said, squeezing Charlotte’s arm. “Let’s help Grandma clean up in the kitchen.”
Sarah waved her hand in the air. “Jack and I can manage just fine,” she said. “The girls look tired. Why don’t you put them to bed, Rebecca? It’s been a long day.”
Charlotte and Emily looked up at their mom, clearly desperately trying to keep their eyes open and prolong the day, but they were too weary to protest.
“Okay,” Rebecca replied. “If you’re sure. I’d like to tuck them in before we leave.”
After kisses and hugs from Jack and Sarah, the girls dragged their feet along the shined wooden floor and climbed the stairs to bed, being cajoled and coaxed by their mom. Jack noticed the way Rebecca’s face had slowly changed since arriving at Sarah’s house, becoming softer and more relaxed. He knew that the sinister event of the day wasn’t gone from her mind, but being here had given her the ability to overcome its power over her. He felt it, too. Sarah’s house was like a haven of tranquility in a sea of darkness. He had always loved Ian’s family home, having been a regular visitor there even while Ian was alive. As his friendship with Ian had deepened, so too his bond with Sarah had grown until she had become something of a second mother. He loved his own mother with all his heart, but there was plenty enough room for another special lady like Sarah in his life.
He turned back to the large family dining table and rose from his chair, picking up the leftover pumpkin pie to take through to the kitchen.
“This,” he said, holding it aloft, “is too tasty for words.”
She laughed. “Ian always said that my pumpkin pie was the best in the world. But I used to joke that he couldn’t possibly have tasted every pumpkin pie in the world.”
“For what it’s worth,” Jack said, turning the dish around in his hands, “I agree with him.”
“Well, that’s no surprise,” she replied with a teasing voice. “You two always stuck together like glue on most things.”
Jack nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we sure did.”
Sarah let out a contented sigh. “It’s so nice to be able to talk about Ian with you, Jack. I worry about speaking of him in front of Rebecca.” She dropped her voice. “I don’t want to upset her.”
Jack sat back down in his chair. “She’s doing fine,” he said gently. “Don’t avoid talking about Ian. He’s still a part of the family, even though he’s not here.”
Jack looked around her large dining room, with photographs on every wall, chronicling the lives of Ian and his younger sister, Mary. The space on the walls was added to each year with new family members. Mary had recently given birth to a son, Sarah’s fifth grandchild. Sarah often said that every new addition made her feel younger and more energized. It certainly did appear to be that way, as she easily could have passed for ten years younger than her sixty-five years of age. Her ash-blond hair and lightly lined skin never seemed to look different each time Jack saw her.
“But Rebecca seemed so distant today,” Sarah said with a look of concern. “Is everything okay?” She leaned forward and put her hand on top of his. “You know her better than anyone.”
He smiled and placed another hand on top of hers, making a triple layer. “She’s under a lot of stress at work,” he said, wanting to keep the truth from worrying Sarah further. “But I could tell she relaxed while we were here. She may have been quiet, but she was happy, trust me.”
Sarah broke into a beaming smile. “That’s a relief.” She patted his hand softly. “You’ve been so good for her, Jack. When Ian left us, our world fell apart.” She tilted her head at him. “But you helped us put it back together again.”
Jack swallowed hard. He didn’t quite know what to say. “We’ve worked as a team,” he said. “And we’ve helped each other. I can’t take all the credit.”
“Ian would be incredibly proud of the way you’ve stepped up to take care of his family,” she said, her face turning serious. “You can certainly take praise for that.”
“I don’t do it for Ian,” he said quietly. His heart started to beat fast in his chest, and he avoided Sarah’s eyes. “I do it for me.”
Sarah remained silent for a while, and Jack wondered if he had overstepped. He hoped he hadn’t upset her.
“I’m glad,” she said finally. “I’m pleased you enjoy taking care of Rebecca and the children. You all look so happy together.” She drew a deep breath before adding, “Ian would be pleased about that, too.”
Jack raised her eyes to meet hers—they were a little wet in the corners, but her face was relaxed and content. “Sometimes I feel a little disloyal,” he admitted. “Ian asked me to make sure his family had everything they needed.”
“Which you’ve done,” Sarah said. “Ten times over.”
“Surely that means my job is done,” Jack said, thinking aloud. “Rebecca is doing well at work. The children are doing great in school. They have a beautiful home and supportive church.” He looked at the floor. “They don’t need me anymore.”
“Oh, Jack,” Sarah said, putting her hand flat on her chest. “Do you really think your role is just to make them strong enough to stand on their own?”
“Isn’t it?” he asked. “That’s kind of what I assumed after Ian died.”
“A lot has changed since then,” she said. “You probably didn’t notice it happening, but you’ve become a part of the family. You and Rebecca have become…”
He nervously awaited the end of her sentence.
“…more than friends.”
Jack shook his head. “We’re still just friends,” he insisted. “Rebecca made
it clear that she wants to move on with her life.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Without me.”
Sarah sighed. “I think Rebecca is struggling to understand her feelings at the moment. Be patient and give her a little time.”
“But I don’t have time,” Jack said. “She wants to make the changes to our lives as soon as…” He stopped.
“As soon as what?” Sarah asked.
He shook his head briskly, annoyed with himself for almost revealing the reality of their situation. “Just as soon as possible.”
Sarah leaned over the table toward him. “And what do you want, Jack?”
“I want things to stay the way they are.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” he said. “We’re doing fine as we are.”
“Well, Rebecca clearly doesn’t see it that way. She’s unhappy with the way things are, so that means they have to change.”
Jack raised a weak smile. “I thought you were on my side, Sarah.”
“I am, Jack,” she said solemnly. “You’ve become like another son to me.”
Moisture threatened to well up in his eyes, and he bit his lip to focus his mind. “So I need to let her go?”
Sarah shook her head. “Is that the only alternative?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “What other choice do I have?”
Sarah smiled knowingly. “You could ask her to marry you.”
His jaw dropped. “Marry me?” he repeated. “Are you serious?”
“Of course. Isn’t that what you both want?”
“No,” he protested. “Neither of us has even considered marriage as an option.”
“Not that you’ll admit to,” she said with a wink.
Jack felt as though Sarah had knocked the wind out of him, and he fell silent for a while. She was stripping him bare emotionally, and he didn’t like it. He felt exposed and weakened, and his current situation demanded that he remain resolute and strong.
Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: Trail of EvidenceGone MissingLethal Exposure Page 49