JP tightened his hold once again. Soper’s hands were still on JP’s arm and he made one more attempt to loosen his grip, but he had less leverage and strength. When he gave up, JP let up a little, trying to keep himself in check because he realized his anger was getting the best of him.
“He can’t talk if he’s dead,” Derek said calmly.
“He soon will be if he doesn’t start talkin’,” JP said, and gave him another squeeze.
“Okay,” Soper muttered.
JP loosened his hold slightly. Soper tried to pull away, so JP tightened it again.
“You’re not too smart, are you?” JP said. “In a few seconds you’ll be unconscious. Your choice.”
“Okay, okay,” Soper gasped.
“What have you done with Gene?”
“He’s with Andy.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why is Gene with him?” JP was frustrated that he still didn’t know whether Gene was a captive or a willing participant.
“Andy is tired of all the snooping around you two are doing.”
“Why? Because he killed Bullet?”
“No.” Soper said. “I don’t know. He might have, but he just doesn’t like people in his business.”
JP gave Soper another neck squeeze. “That’s not good enough. Tell me where they are, and I’ll ask him myself.”
“I told you, I don’t know.”
JP squeezed again for just a second. He knew the limits on the hold. It wouldn’t take but a few more seconds for the man to lose consciousness. Soper gasped. “Okay, okay. They’re in a round-the-clock poker game.”
“What does that mean?”
“They tag in and out.”
“Right,” JP said. “And I’m the King of Denmark.”
“It’s true,” Soper said.
“You expect me to believe Gene is playing cards with Andy? He doesn’t even like the guy. He sure as hell isn’t going to tag team with him in a card game.” As JP said it, he wondered if it was true. He didn’t really know Gene or what he might be doing. For all he knew, Gene could have killed Bullet and was letting his son take the rap. JP was afraid to trust him.
Soper insisted he was telling the truth and tried to explain where the guys were. But it didn’t make a lot of sense, and JP knew Soper would call and warn Andy if they let him go.
“How about if you just take us there?” JP said.
Soper acquiesced. JP turned to Derek. “Can you take care of him?”
“Give me a second.”
Derek walked toward Soper’s truck, which was parked on the street nearby. He opened the tailgate, climbed into the bed, and searched through the junk until he found a piece of rope. When he returned, JP let go of Soper’s neck and pulled the man’s arms behind his back for Derek to tie up.
“Do you know how to do it?” JP asked
A split second later, Derek was done. “I roped a few calves back in the day.”
As they walked to JP’s truck, Derek mumbled, “So much for askin’ questions first.”
“You can’t get lard unless you boil the hog.”
“And I thought your brother was the bad ass.”
“We both had a good example to follow,” JP said, thinking about his father.
Chapter 44
Sabre had chosen the same Starbucks where she’d met the first online dating guy. The setup was good, because Bob could sit inside and see everything that went on without Bill knowing he was being watched. Bob could also get photos without being obvious. She and Bob rode together, parked far enough away, and walked up separately, in case her date got there early.
Sabre went into the coffee shop first and stood in line. Bob came in and waited for someone to get between them, then stepped into the line. Sabre ordered a sugar-free hazelnut mocha breve decaf. It was colder outside than it had been in a while and the sky was threatening rain, but Sabre liked her spot outside, so she sat there anyway. Using the window as a mirror, she adjusted her blonde wig, then checked her phone for the time. It was 1:18 p.m. Bill wasn’t due for another twelve minutes.
She glanced in the window at Bob. He nodded toward the other chair. She moved, giving Bob a better vantage point for photos, assuming that was what he wanted. He casually gave her the thumbs up.
Sabre wrapped her hands around her cup and sipped it slowly. At 1:33, a man meeting the general description of Bill Nesbitt walked up.
“Sheila?” he asked.
“Yes, you must be Bill.”
“I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re even more beautiful than your photograph.”
“And you are definitely more handsome than the silhouette they have posted in place of your picture.”
He laughed and sat down.
Sabre picked up her cup to show him she already had coffee and subtly nodded at Bob. “I got here a little early. I’ve never done this before, and I didn’t want to go through that awkward thing about who pays.”
He smiled. “First dates are tough.”
“Feel free to go get something to drink.”
“Actually, I’ve been drinking coffee all morning. I’m already over-caffeinated.”
Sabre watched his demeanor. “You were rather mysterious in your profile about your profession. What is it you actually do?” He appeared smooth and self-confident. This was definitely not his first rodeo.
“I can’t say too much, but I gather information and analyze data that helps protect you every day.”
“Protects me?”
“Not just you—all Americans. Sometimes it’s very dangerous.” He paused. “I’ve already said too much. What do you do?”
“Nothing quite as exciting. I’m a waitress, but more importantly, I’m a mom.”
“I remember reading that in your profile. Twin girls, right?”
“Right. They are my pride and joy, and they’re so beautiful. I’m trying to get them into showbiz. They’ve already done a few gigs, some modeling and a little acting. I think they have a real chance to make it big.”
“Are they identical?”
“Yes, and they love it. They love playing tricks on people. They think they fool me sometimes, but I can always tell which one is which. But enough about that. What do you like to do in your spare time?”
“I used to play a lot of softball, but work travel keeps me from joining a team.”
“I’ve played a few softball games myself. It’s a fun sport.”
There was a moment of silence, then Bill asked, “How do you do that?”
“Play softball?”
“No.” He laughed. “How do you tell your girls apart?”
“By their mannerisms. The differences are very slight, but I’ve watched them for seven years now, and I’m probably the only one who can see it.”
“How do you know they haven’t gotten mixed up somewhere along the way?”
“Because one of my daughters has a small mole behind her ear that even they haven’t discovered. I’ll tell them someday, but for now, I’d just as soon let them think I’m more clever than they are.”
“Good move.”
There was a moment of awkward silence, which Sabre quickly filled. She needed to be interesting enough for this guy to want further contact. She hoped his interest in the twins was enough, but she had to be certain. “We can’t talk about your work, and mine is boring, so tell me about your family. Do you have siblings?”
“I’m an only child. You?”
“I have one brother. We’re pretty close.” She gave him a brief description of Ron and some of the antics he’d pulled when they were young. Bill laughed and appeared to be having a good time.
The conversation continued for another fifteen minutes, often leading back to her make-believe twins.
Bill reached across the table and touched Sabre lightly on her hand. “I don’t know about you, but I feel a connection. I’d like to see you again.” He withdrew. “Would you have dinner with me tonight?”
&n
bsp; Sabre smiled. “I’m afraid I can’t tonight. The girls have a school thing.” She wanted to keep the invitation open, but she needed time to confirm with Laura Standish that this was Bill Nesbitt. “Would tomorrow night work?”
“That would be fine.” He smiled. “Is it too soon to ask for your phone number?”
“A little, but why don’t you give me yours. When I’m ready, I’ll call you. Where would you like to meet tomorrow?”
“Do you like seafood?”
“I love it.”
“How about Ironsides on India. Do you know the place?”
“I’ve never eaten there, but I know where it is, and I’ve heard good things. Does seven work for you?”
“Perfect.” Bill gave her his phone number. As she typed it into her contact list, he said, “I don’t blame you for being cautious, but you’ll soon find out I’m harmless.” He winked and got up to leave. “See you soon.”
Sabre waited until he drove off in his white Mazda, before she stood up and went inside.
“Did you get some photos?” she asked Bob.
“I got some good ones.”
Sabre told him about the next date and getting his phone number.
“Are you crazy?”
“I’m not going to see him again. I need you to contact Laura and find out if this is the right guy. If he is, I’ll give the information to the social worker, and they’ll contact the proper authorities. Otherwise, I’ll cancel.”
Chapter 45
Derek pushed Soper into the backseat of JP’s truck and crawled in beside him. JP checked his phone for the time. It was a few minutes after one. He turned to Derek. “I have somewhere I really need to be at one-thirty. It’s important. Can I drop you and Soper off at your house? It won’t take me long.”
Derek frowned and didn’t respond.
“It’s really important or I wouldn’t ask you to wait.”
“More important than finding Gene?”
“It feels like it at the moment.”
“Okay, but I can’t put up with this jerk too long, so you’d better hurry.”
~~~
JP parked his truck between two others in the Starbuck’s parking lot. He kept his distance, but with his binoculars he could see everything. He hoped Sabre wouldn’t show up. His heart pounded when he saw her walk around the corner in a blonde wig. He zoomed in on her face. It was Sabre. She went inside the coffee shop. His first instinct was to protect her; his second was to leave and never look back. He fought both urges and waited, wondering if he should go inside. When he saw Bob enter the store behind her, he felt relief that she wasn’t alone. A few minutes later, Sabre walked out and took a seat in front of the big glass window. It wasn’t long before he noticed Bob sitting inside where he could see Sabre. JP sighed. Bob was keeping an eye on her.
He was glad Bob was there, but his thoughts soon turned to anger at him. Some friend. No matter how angry he got at Bob for betraying him, he was still thankful he was there to protect Sabre.
When a man walked up and sat at her table, JP slammed his fist on the steering wheel. He felt no pain in his hand, but he thought his heart would break. He wanted to start his truck and drive away, but he froze. He couldn’t get his hand to turn the key. Something kept him there—his need to protect her. He had an overwhelming urge to go punch the guy. Heat burned through his body, and his hand shook when he started to open the door. He pulled it shut.
Maybe it’s innocent, he thought. Maybe I’m overreacting. We’ve never actually said we were exclusive. JP shook his head. Of course, we’re exclusive. She knows how jealous I get. Maybe I’ve been expecting too much. Maybe she needed a break. Now she’s practically living with me. I never should’ve asked her to help me with Morgan. I’ve been such an idiot. Why would she want me, an old guy? She’s so young and beautiful. She could have anyone. I’m such a fool.
The longer JP sat and watched, the angrier he became, not only at Sabre, but at Bob for knowing what was going on and not telling him. But mostly he was mad at himself for falling so hard and being such an idiot. When the man reached over and touched her hand, JP couldn’t take it any longer. He took a deep breath, started his engine, and slowly left the parking lot, hoping not to draw Sabre’s attention. Within a few blocks, he was on the 163 highway, headed north, passing everyone. He was nearly to the Poway offramp when he realized he was traveling ninety miles an hour. He slowed down and called Sabre, expecting her voicemail, but instead she answered.
“Hi, baby,” she said.
When he heard her voice, he felt sick to his stomach and had to swallow before he could talk. “Where are you?” he asked.
“Bob and I are just leaving Starbucks on Kearny Mesa Rd. Where are you?”
“I have to take care of something with my brother. Can you pick up Morgan from school?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t know when I’ll be home. Is that a problem?” He tried not to sound upset, but he couldn’t get himself to say any of the things he would normally tell her. He just wanted off the phone.
“It’s fine. I don’t have any plans.”
“Thanks.”
“Be careful.”
“Yeah.”
JP was already hanging up when he heard, “I miss….”
But he didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t believe it. He hated asking her to help him right now. He didn’t want to ask her for anything ever again, but he couldn’t leave Morgan alone and he had to find Gene.
In a fog, he almost passed the turn to Derek’s house. JP tried to get his mind off Sabre. But the more he thought about finding Gene, the angrier he became. He couldn’t trust his brother. He couldn’t trust Sabre, and he couldn’t trust what he might do right now. But he had to get it together. He needed Gene to help clear Conner. JP called Derek to let him know he was just a few blocks away. As JP pulled into his driveway, Derek came out of his house with Soper still tied up.
They drove east on I-8. Soper said the place was in Crest, but he didn’t know the exact address. Twenty minutes later, they were in the small community of Crest, but it took Soper nearly an hour to find the home where the supposed round-the-clock poker game was being held. The last half-mile was a dirt road, leading to a house that sat all by itself, surrounded by trees. All they could see was a chimney.
“That’s it,” Soper said, nodding toward the bricks that stood just barely above the tree line.
JP stopped the truck among some trees, where he assumed he couldn’t be seen from the house. “I’ll walk up there and see what’s going on,” JP said. “Can you keep an eye on Soper?”
“Sure can,” Derek said.
“If I’m not back in ten minutes, come get me.”
“What should I do with him?”
“You’ll figure something out.”
“It’s just a poker game,” Soper said. “Let’s all go.”
JP ignored him, got out of the truck, and walked toward the house, staying back far enough that he wouldn’t be seen. He snuck up to the side of the house with an open window. He peeked inside and saw a man he didn’t recognize asleep on the bed. JP worked his way around to the next window, but the shade was closed and he couldn’t see in. He turned the corner and came up the back of the house to the kitchen. No one appeared to be in there, but he could hear voices coming from a room nearby. He listened carefully, trying to discern any familiar voices, but he couldn’t. He had to get closer. As he rounded the next corner of the house, he spotted another open window, stepped closer, and looked in. Gene, three other men, and one woman sat around a card table. Beyond them was the front entrance.
Just then there was a knock. Everyone, except Gene and the woman, looked toward the door.
“Who the hell is that?” A portly man reached for his hip. JP assumed he had a gun, but the guy didn’t produce it.
“Maybe someone ordered pizza,” a thin man with a long beard said.
“There’s no cell reception here.” The portly man stood and walked to
the front, keeping his hand on his hip. He opened the door, and Derek stepped inside.
“What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to Gene.”
“Come back tomorrow. We finish at noon.” The man walked to his seat, picked up the cards, and dealt a round of Texas hold ‘em. Gene folded and walked out the door with Derek.
JP hurried around to the front. “What the hell are you doing here?” Gene asked Derek as JP approached. Gene turned toward him. “I might’ve known this is your doing.”
“The real question is, what are you doing?” JP stepped into Gene’s personal space, feeling his neck muscles tighten. “All of a sudden you’re buddy-buddy with Rankin?” His voice escalated. “You said you’d help Conner. Instead, you’re off playing poker. You are your father’s son.”
JP fought the urge to punch Gene. He could feel his pulse pound and adrenaline rush through his body. He took a step back and turned to walk away.
“You’re a real ass, Jacky,” Gene said.
JP turned and said the worst thing he could think of. “You’re just like him.”
In a flash, Gene’s fist slammed into JP’s nose. They were far enough apart that he didn’t get the full impact of the punch, but it was enough. JP tasted blood.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Derek said, shaking his head.
JP reacted with a blow to Gene’s beer-weighted belly. For a second, the punch seemed to take Gene’s breath away. JP hesitated, then followed with a blow to his chin. But Gene had rocked back, and it only grazed him. Gene was quicker than JP gave him credit for. His brother came at him with several quick, snapping punches.
JP had a sensation of increased strength as he swung at Gene, but he felt edgy. His mind flashed back and forth between the times Gene had protected him and the anger that had built up over the years. Then he visualized the strange man talking to Sabre, and he hit Gene again. The second blow felt sluggish, and he knew it as soon as he let loose. Gene grabbed him and threw him to the ground like he had so many times as kids. They struggled, rolling around on the dirt, both exhausted.
JP looked up to see the poker players standing near the house, money changing hands as the spectators placed bets on a winner. JP and Gene lay still for a second.
The Advocate's Justice Page 17