Hunter glanced at the computer. “Have you had any luck?”
“No, he’s clever. I need to think of another way to track him.”
Heath handed Devin his coffee, and he and Hunter pulled up a chair by the computer. “Do you think Lerones is his real name?”
“Yes. He’s overconfident, and he’d need his references to get the job with his firm.”
“They must have been good. Ruby insisted he wasn’t guilty.”
“If he is guilty and he thinks the police are on to him, he’ll skip town,” Devin said.
“And then he’d probably change his name,” Heath added. “I’m going to hire a firm to keep track of him.”
“Do that. I want to know where he hangs out. He hasn’t seen me with Josie, as far as I know. I’d like to try and meet him and get him drunk and talking.”
“Good idea.” Hunter nodded his head. “He’s the type who’d want to brag about his success. If he can’t handle his liquor, we’ll be in luck.”
“But we need to convince the police to work with us,” Hunter said. “If we tape his conversation it won’t stand up in court, but if we’re going undercover for the police it might, unless he has a very good lawyer. Then you never know.”
“You two get out of here, and let me work. You’ve given me an idea. Let me try and get some proof he’s involved, and the police will be more apt to help us.”
“We’re on our way,” Heath said.
“Where’s Josie? Devin asked. “I hate her being alone at the hotel.”
“Josie’s with Lacey. I dropped them off at the suite before we headed here. And I saw they were locked inside safe and sound,” Hunter said. “But to make you and me feel better, we’ll go by again and check on them.”
“Great. Then I can work without worrying about her.”
“Good luck,” Hunter said as they walked out the door.
* * * *
Josie smiled when she saw Heath and Hunter through the peephole in the door. “Hi, guys. How did you know we needed company?” she asked when she let them in.
“Devin was concerned about you. We told him we’d check and see you were doing all right.” Lacey had walked to the door and Hunter hugged her. “Of course I wanted to see you, too.”
“Come on out on the patio. It’s lovely out there and the view is magnificent,” Josie said. “You didn’t look around when you dropped us off.”
“Wow,” Hunter said. “I might get a suite here for us. This would be like a second honeymoon.”
“Oh, do. Then Lacey would be close by.”
“I’ll go down and see if they have an available suite on this floor.” Hunter glanced at Lacy. “Do you want to stay here?”
“Yes,” she said, and kissed him. Grinning, Hunter strode across the living room and out. Heath followed and locked the door behind him.
When he got back to the balcony, Josie’s hotel phone rang. There was a phone on the balcony wall by the chairs. Heath stopped Josie before she picked it up.
“Does anyone know you’re here besides family and the court?”
Josie shook her head no.
“Give me time to get to the other phone. I saw one by the couch.”
Lacey watched and nodded at Josie when Heath was in place. She picked up the receiver, and Heath did the same.
“Hello.”
“Now you know I was serious,” a strange, garbled male voice came across the line.
“Who is this?”
“You know. I will be in court to see them send you to jail. Women are so stupid.” A harsh laugh echoed through the line.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I bribed the doormen at all the most expensive hotels. Then when I found the right one, I told the sweet thing on the phone at the check-in desk how I was your brother and you’d forgotten to give me your room number last night when you called. A few sweet nothings in her ear, and she forgot the rule not to tell. See you in court.” He hung up.
Heath hung up his phone. “The bastard was smart enough to disguise his voice. Plus, we weren’t expecting his call so he knew we wouldn’t be trying to track where the call came from.”
“I can’t stay here. He knows where I am.”
“He can’t get inside without you letting him in. But I’m going downstairs to speak with the manager. I have an idea. I’ll be right back.”
* * * *
Heath called a private eye on the elevator on his way down to the lobby. Terrance had worked for him before, and they’d become good friends. He had a good reputation and did a good job. The secretary answered and put Terrence on the line.
“Hi, Terrence. This is Heath Garrison.”
“What are you doing in my part of the world?”
“I have a future sister-in-law in a bit of trouble.”
“You mean a brother is getting married?” He laughed. “I didn’t think that day would ever come.”
“We didn’t either, but one’s already married and the other almost. Mom’s in second heaven.”
“I’ll bet. How can I help you? I’m assuming you need a private eye to help get her out of trouble.”
“Yes. Can we meet later? How about at the sandwich shop at the corner from this hotel in about an hour?”
“I’ll be there,” Terrance said, and clicked off.
Heath found Hunter at the check-in desk, getting two key cards. “I see you were successful.”
“Yes, and we have the opposite corner so they can easily visit each other.”
“Wait here with me. We may need to make a change.”
Heath turned to the young girl at the desk. “I want to speak to the manager right now.”
“Perhaps I can help you?” the girl said.
“Not unless you’re the person who was working last night.”
She turned and checked something. “Angie worked from four to midnight.”
“As I said, it’s important I speak with the head manager and no one else.” Hunter gave her his stern look, which usually had people immediately responding to his request. It worked. She called the manager and said he’d be right out.
An older, debonair man wearing a gray suit and highly polished shoes came out the third door down from the desk. His neat, small mustache and just-right smile completed his appearance. Heath was certain most people backed down when greeted with such a formidable manager.
“I’m Mr. Shimmer. How may I help you?” he asked.
“I’d prefer we meet in your office. I don’t think you want the people around us to hear my loud voice.”
“My, my. Are you threatening me?”
“Not at all. I’m telling the truth.”
“Well I rarely take people into my office. But I can see you are upset, and we don’t want to disturb our valued customers.” He led the way to the door he came out of and motioned Heath and Hunter inside.
A gift basket of fruit and sweets sat on his desk. “I was going up to one of the suites to deliver this gift.”
“Is it for Miss Donnelles?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I assume it isn’t from the hotel.”
“No. We had a large bouquet of flowers sent up to the room before she and her fiancé arrived.”
“May I see the card?” Heath asked.
Mr. Shimmer’s body went rigid. “This is all highly unusual. I’ll have to call Miss Donnelles and ask her.”
“Please do.” Heath tried to hold back a smile.
The manager held the phone to his ear and nodded several times. “Very well. I had to ask. Yes, I appreciate your understanding.” He placed the phone in the holder and turned to Heath. “She said to allow you any information and help you needed.” He looked in the gift basket and handed the card to Heath.
Heath’s blood boiled red. Hunter didn’t say anything, he just took the card from Heath’s hand.
Enjoy this basket of goodies. You won’t get this type of fruit and sweets in prison. Hunter frowned and swore under hi
s breath. “We have to get this bastard.”
“Sir, I do not appreciate such language,” Mr. Shimmer said.
“I’m sorry. But we are rather disturbed by what this man is trying to do to our future sister-in-law,” Hunter said.
“We have another question,” Heath said. “I understand a lady named Angie was working the front desk last night. She gave the phone number to our brother’s suite to an unknown caller. The very man we didn’t want to know where they were staying.”
“I’m sure Angie wouldn’t be so careless,” the manager protested.
“I was in the suite when the call came through. I listened in on another phone. He bragged how he sweet-talked her into giving him the number and he bribed one of your doormen to tell him they were staying here.”
Heath thought for a moment Shimmer would have a stroke. His face got very red and he staggered to a chair where he sat. “Do you need a drink of water?”
Shimmer nodded yes and Hunter poured a glass from a pitcher on the round table where the gift was displayed. He gulped the water down and took a deep breath.
“We’ll all be fired for this,” he whimpered.
“Not at all. My complaint will go no further if you will assist us in our plan,” Heath told him.
“Is it illegal?” Shimmer’s eyes were as big as saucers.
Heath laughed. “No.”
“Thank goodness,” Shimmer said, and put his hand to his chest. “What do we need to do?” Suddenly he was all businesslike.
“My brother”—Heath nodded at Hunter—“rented a suite for him and his wife on the opposite end of the hall. I want them to switch suites, but no one is to know but you. That way no one can be bribed or sweet-talked into giving away their room or phone number.”
“Certainly, I have no problem with doing as you ask, and Angie and the doorman will be fired.”
“Don’t fire Angie. From what I understand she’s young, and he’s a very experienced con man. Suspend her with no pay, and she’ll learn a valuable lesson. The doorman I have no sympathy for at all,” Heath said.
“I agree. She is only nineteen and shows great promise. The guests like her, and she’s a hard worker. But you’re right. My doormen are older and have worked here longer. I’ll find out which one took the bribe and let him go. I hope we have taken care of this problem.”
“We have,” Heath said, and he and Hunter shook his hand.
Hunter whispered as they walked to the elevator, “I’m sure he’ll be glad when we are gone from his hotel.”
Heath laughed. “He’ll probably put us on the list of guests not wanted.”
Chapter Twelve
It was late afternoon when Devin found the information he wanted. He’d been searching big city newspapers for any women charged with similar crimes as Josie. He hit pay dirt in an article from a San Diego paper from two years ago.
He read through the articles regarding the charges and subsequent trial. Mr. Dolan Lerones testified how he’d trusted his first assistant, and she’d betrayed him. All the evidence from her computer made her look guilty.
Devin felt sorry for the woman. As a last ditch effort she’d testified and told the court Lerones had taken the key out of her purse unawares and threatened her with exactly what was happening if she went to anyone. But she did, and he went directly to his bosses. The report said the woman shook and cried during testimony, and the prosecutor tore her apart. She’d gotten fifteen years in prison.
Devin picked up the phone and called Hunter. “You need to get out to California and talk to a woman named Sapphire Lyles.”
“I’m at Judge Rey’s condo. We’ve been discussing some ideas for the case if it goes to trial. Is it all right if we both meet you at the office? I have some information for you, too.”
“Sure.”
“We’re close. See you in about ten minutes.”
He’d just poured his fourth cup of coffee when Hunter and Nigan Rey arrived. “Hi, Nigan. It’s good to see you. We appreciate the time you’ve been taking to plan our course at trial, but I’m hoping it won’t be needed.” Devin told them about the information he’d found.
Nigan sat at the computer and read the articles. “I’d like to go with Hunter. I have a friend in Escondido who’s a trial lawyer. He can help us get into the prison to talk with this woman, and see a judge if she agrees to help. I haven’t seen Claude in a year or so, but we keep in touch. I’ll call him now if this is agreeable to you two.”
“Definitely,” Devin said. “Don’t you agree Hunter that we need all the help available?”
“Yes. Call him Nigan. Tell him we’ll be on the next plane out to California.”
Hunter pulled Devin aside and explained about the phone call to Josie and the reason they’d traded suites.
“I hope he does call,” Hunter said. “I’m not going to let Lacey answer the phone. Can she stay with you all until I get back?”
“Josie will be pleased, and I don’t mind. Maybe I can arrange to have their dad join us for dinner in the suite. Do you think it’s a good idea?”
“I think they’d both feel better if they allowed themselves to know him as he is now. He did come all this way. And he’s run several errands for Nigan.”
“Then I’ll do it. I’ll tell Josie and Lacey first, and then call him with the invite.”
Nigan had put his phone in his pocket. “He’ll meet us at the airport with papers to allow us to speak with her. He’ll make the arrangements while we’re traveling there.”
“Devin, arrange our tickets. I’ll drive Nigan home to pack a bag, and I’ll get our stuff from Lacey’s mother to take to the hotel. Heath is with Josie and Lacey now. After you call us about the reservations, you can relieve him of duty,” Hunter said, and smiled. “I’m sure he’s chafing at the bit. He hates to just sit around.”
“Get on your way. You and Nigan can come to the hotel, and I’ll drive you to the airport. Josie and Lacey can ride along.”
Hunter patted Devin on the shoulder. “Good work, brother. I hope this gets the charges against Josie dropped.”
“It will. I have another idea. I’m going to talk with the police and see if we can try to trap him as we discussed earlier.”
“Good idea, but don’t leave our women alone. Ask their dad to stay with them.”
* * * *
Josie had liked the idea of switching suites. She felt safer knowing only the manager knew which room they were in. Lacey was agreeable so Heath helped Josie move down the hall.
When someone knocked on the door of the new suite, Josie jumped. Heath walked to the door and peeked out. He opened the door and hugged Devin. “Welcome home. You must be exhausted. Did you have any luck?”
“I’ll tell you all about it, if someone will hand me a bourbon and coke.”
Josie jumped up, mixed a drink for him and Heath, and poured wine for herself and a glass of tea for Lacey, who was pregnant. “We’re ready,” she said and sat beside him.
Devin explained about his search and what he’d found. He also told them Hunter and the judge were flying to California. “This is the break we’ve been looking for, and I don’t imagine we’ll have any trouble convincing Ms. Lyles to help us. It will hopefully get her released from prison.”
Josie threw her arms around his neck and started crying. “Thank you.”
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. It’s almost over.”
“It will be when the charges are dropped. But I’m optimistic. I haven’t been until now.”
Hunter rang and said they were downstairs. “Heath, do you mind staying with Lacey and Josie. I was going to take them with me, but I have another errand to run afterward. I’ll tell you about it when I return. Oh, and ask your dad to have a late dinner with us. It’s the least we can do since he came this far and has been helping.” Devin rushed out before they could protest.
When he left Hunter and Nigan at the airport, he called the police station and asked if any of the detectives assigned to Josephine
Donnelles’s case were in.”
“Wallace is still here,” the operator said. “I’ll put you through.
“Hello, this is Wallace.”
“This is Devin Garrison. I’m Josephine Donnelles fiancé. I’d like to talk with you about some information I’ve found and a plan I have.”
“Is this vital to the case?” he asked in a grumpy voice.
“Yes.”
“You’re lucky I’m single, and I don’t have to be home at a certain time. I was getting ready to leave. If you can be here in thirty minutes, I’ll wait.”
“See you sooner than thirty.” Devin disconnected the call and drove out of the airport. Thank goodness he’d checked his GPS for directions.
When he walked in, the Sargent on duty gave him directions to Wallace’s office. “He’s waiting for you.”
A short man in plain clothes came to the office door. “Devin Garrison?” He squinted at Devin. “I met your brother the other night at the airport. They grow you all big in Wyoming.” He grinned and motioned for Devin to enter.
Devin followed him into a small room with a metal desk and two chairs, one behind the desk and one in front.
“Have a seat. I’m Lieutenant Wallace. Tell me your story,” he said, and closed the door.
“I think we may be able to help each other.”
“I doubt it,” the man said in a bored tone. “And we don’t need any assistance. This case is a slam dunk.”
“Only if you think you have the right person. My family and Josie’s believe she’s been setup to be tried for something she didn’t do.”
“And what makes you believe in her innocence?”
Devin told him about the case in California. “Lerones testified against the woman. That takes a lot of arrogance to feel so comfortable and pure hatefulness to help put your victim in jail for fifteen years.”
“It may be a coincidence,” Wallace said.
“Don’t give me that shit. You don’t believe in coincidences any more than I do. My brother, Hunter, and Judge Rey are on a plane to California as we speak. Wouldn’t you like to save face and help nail the real villain?”
The Unexpected Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 9