Jack kept on walking, across the patio, past the swimming pool, and onto the lawn. He paused, hoping he was far enough away from everyone. Then he lobbed the package as if it were a football, hoping it would land as far away as it could from several old oak trees and the pool house. Then he headed in the opposite direction.
Over his shoulder, Jack watched and held his breath as the package soared through the air. The box plummeted to the ground. Thump. He waited. Nothing happened, certainly not the explosion he’d expected.
One of his elderly aunts said from behind him, “I just hope that wasn’t an expensive Waterford clock, Gertrude.”
“Tsk, tsk, Beatrice. I hope not too,” replied Aunt Gertrude. “You didn’t tell me that one of our handsome nephews was paranoid—or that he could be so dramatic either.”
The box began to tick louder. Jack held his breath again. The lid popped open and out of the package burst party streamers, which littered the lawn for several yards. A Jack-in-the-box sprang out.
Jack stared at the gift and ran his hand through his hair. He felt like the biggest fool. It had just been a gag.
* * *
Puzzled, but relieved there hadn’t been an explosion, Jack strode across the lawn to more closely check out the package. He bent down and tried to see what they were dealing with.
Inside was a wind up clock, which had been ticking and had probably set off the springs to eject the top lid of the box.
Abby rushed up to him. “Why would someone do this, Jack?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
A few people laughed behind him.
Another male guest chuckled. “A prank on you, McAlister. He put it right in front of your chair at the table.”
“Very funny, isn’t it?” Jack said dryly.
“Let’s go back to the party,” someone else said behind them. “It’s just a big joke.”
Those who had gathered on the lawn returned to the ballroom and Jack and Abby were left alone.
Frowning, he straightened up and looked at Abby, shaking his head.
“Joke, Jack?” Abby asked. “A Jack-in-the-box? Too big of a coincidence that the gift represents your name, don’t you think?”
“Or is it really just a stupid prank to disturb the wedding celebration?”
A worried look flitted across Abby’s face. “Other than Monica, Jack, who would want to ruin Carly’s reception?”
“Abby, I should have told you before it could possibly be someone who is angry that I’m taking over McAlister. We’ve had some warnings. I don’t know how serious the threat is.”
“Who?”
He shook his head just as Uncle James joined them on the lawn.
“So what is it, Jack?” the elderly man asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe just a prank. What do you think?” Jack asked, wanting to get the older man’s opinion.
“I’m not sure who would do this to disrupt the reception either,” his uncle said. “But I wonder if it is something more...”
“I do, too.” Jack bent down again and examined the card on the package. “No name, which was to be expected.”
Just then, Chris, Alex, and Trent dragged back the delivery boy. He couldn’t have been more than sixteen years old.
“But I didn’t do anything wrong,” the young man complained.
Abby frowned. “He’s just a kid.”
“I doubt Monica had time to put this together.” Jack turned to the young man. “We just want to ask you some questions. Who sent this package and why the poem?”
The boy shook his head. “I don’t know who he was. He came into the florist’s yesterday and asked me to deliver this box for him as a side job. I did exactly as he instructed—presented the present and set it on the table next to the groom. In front of the Best Man. Then, I read the poem as he instructed. And he paid me well—with cash.”
Uncle James’s brow furrowed. “This is eerily suspicious, Jack. There are a couple of people who come to mind who might dislike you and me at the moment.”
“Yeah, one is Uncle Peter,” Jack grumbled. “He seems upset with me.”
Uncle James shook his head. “I don’t think your uncle would do anything harmful.”
Jack narrowed his eyes. “Then what about construction companies, my competition in this area?”
“Both Ansen Burns and Ralph Preston have the most to lose from you buying McAlister Construction. However, Preston’s my friend and he’s a nice man. I don’t believe he’d do anything like this. He was supposed to be here tonight, but he called and cancelled. Said he wasn’t feeling well...”
Jack frowned. “When we first arrived, I talked to Preston’s nephew Sam on the boat. Sam seemed angry when he knew we would be competitors in business, and then he dropped it. And Sam Preston is here at the wedding.” Jack turned to the teen. “Sam Preston has dark, reddish-brown hair and some freckles. Does this fit the description?”
The kid nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like him.”
“Thanks,” Jack said.
“Young man, after you give us your contact info, you can go,” Uncle James said.
Abby stepped closer to Jack. “Do you think Sam is still here?”
“Alex, would you go inside the house and see if he is?” Jack asked. “It might have been him, but we can’t be sure.”
Now the only ones on the lawn with Jack, were Uncle James, Abby, Trent and Chris.
And then there was Monica, who strode up to join them.
Jack’s patience with her was running out. “Why haven’t you called a cab, Monica?” he snapped.
Monica shrugged. “I wasn’t quite ready to leave.”
Jack folded his arms over his chest. “Maybe I should convince you. You know that with what you did inside, and what you did to my laptop and rental car, you’re skating on thin ice even to be here. I should call the police right now.”
Monica jutted her chin toward him. “But you said you wouldn’t!”
“I said I wouldn’t call them on the condition that you leave—and you’re still here,” Jack said in a steely voice. “If I were you, I wouldn’t bet on no police intervention, so don’t push me, Monica.”
Abby moved up to them. “Yeah, why are you still here, Monica? Leave while you still can. There are lots of witnesses, and I could have you arrested for threatening me with a bat.”
Monica made an ugly face.
Uncle James’s diminutive English Butler, Beasley, hurried out of the house, headed in their direction. “Mr. Farrington, your study has been ransacked and the safe broken into.”
Uncle James turned to his grandson. “Call the police, Trent. I’ll speak to security.”
Mr. Farrington and his butler headed for the mansion.
Jack, Trent, Chris and Abby took a look around the lawn and backyard, with Monica following behind them.
When they neared the patio and pool house, Abby stopped in her tracks. “I think it has to be Sam who broke into the safe. He told me he stayed in the house one night, instead of going back to his hotel room. Now looking back, I think he could have used the opportunity to check out the house.”
“I saw Sam upstairs, when he pretended to be coming out of your room, Abby,” Jack said, swearing under his breath. “He was probably snooping to see if he could get to the safe. Well, at least we have an idea who might be responsible. He won’t be hard to catch. He’s probably still on the grounds. When the police get here—”
Sam rushed from behind the pool house and grabbed Abby’s arm. “You betrayed me, Abby,” he snarled. “Don’t call the police, or I’ll shoot her. I know she means something to you, Jack, so I’ll take Abby with me, to hurt you—and to keep you from coming after me.”
“Let Abby go, Sam,” Jack demanded, fear soaring within him. “What do you have against me?
“I expected to inherit Preston Construction and his money. Now Ralph tells me his business isn’t doing well, and with McAlister being taken over by you, he’s already lost a few
of his best clients, who want to drop him and sign with you. If this keeps up, he’ll have to file for bankruptcy. We were already in trouble...” Sam pressed the gun harder against Abby’s head and her face paled. “I was his heir—his VP! So I’m taking some cold hard cash, gold coins and jewels to make up for it. What I took is a pittance to James Farrington, and you all owe me. My stepfather owes me... And Abby owes me.”
“I don’t owe you anything,” Abby retorted.
Sam hauled her toward the parked cars.
“Sam,” Jack ground out, “if anyone’s running your stepfather’s business into the ground, it’s you.” Jack’s gaze dropped to Sam’s overfilled pockets. They weighed him down.
If Sam tried to run, Jack would have the advantage. “You’re not going to get away with this, Sam. I’ve done nothing but buy back my family’s business. All this mismanagement was happening to your company before I even got here. And you couldn’t stand the idea of more competition. Now, put the gun down.”
Sam’s face turned bright red. “And have the police haul me away? If I’m going to jail, I’m giving you misery, too. Abby’s going with me or else.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Jack ordered.
Abby twisted in Sam’s grip. “Sam, don’t do this.”
“Don’t try to resist, Abby, or I’ll have to hurt you. You’re going with me.” Sam thrust the gun below her jaw. She ceased struggling.
Monica crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, Sam, do her in while you’re at it,” she urged.
Icy fear curled around Jack’s heart. “Shut up, Monica,” he snapped. “Sam, let Abby go and go it alone.”
Sam hauled Abby toward his car, which was parked nearby, obviously placed there to make his getaway easier. “Don’t call the cops or come after us.”
* * *
Sam gripped Abby’s arm as he yanked her toward his getaway car parked near the pool house. She tripped on her gown, and stumbled. He caught her and pulled her behind him. He yanked open his car door, shoved her inside and across to the passenger side, and took his own seat. He flung the car in reverse and then into drive. The tires squealed out of the parking area as Sam drove the car away.
“There is no way you can make me stay with you.”
Sam snarled. “You’ll stay with me long enough for me to find out what I was missing, and for Jack to at least feel a token of what I feel—his life in an upheaval.”
He was driving too fast and Abby put on her seatbelt. “Where are you taking me?”
“Canada, now that everything has gone wrong. My stepfather found out... Never mind. I didn’t plan to run, but I’m glad I was prepared if it came down to this.”
“Let me out of the car now and just go on your way.”
“Not a chance. I’d never get away with this without you as security. You’re my hostage.”
A few minutes later, he glanced in the rear-view mirror. “Damn them—they’re following us. I guess Jack doesn’t believe I’d kill you.”
Abby glanced over her shoulder. In the distance, through the dusk of the early evening, she saw the headlights of a car exiting the mansion’s parking area, right behind them.
“Of course, Jack will follow us,” she retorted. “He and his cousins aren’t going to let you get away with stealing from their uncle, or taking me like this.”
“We’ll see.” With white-knuckled fingers on the steering wheel, Sam drove the car, and the trees whirled past them.
Seeing how desperate Sam was, she pleaded, “Please let me go, and just leave Mr. Farrington’s money. You’ll get away—”
“Shut up, Abby. They’d arrest me in a minute. All I have to do is get to Canada. Didn’t figure gold and jewelry would be so heavy, but I couldn’t resist taking as much as I could stuff into my pockets. This loot will make it possible for me to live in style, outside the country.”
He patted his bulging pockets and adjusted his jacket. His gun slid from his thigh to the edge of the seat, very near Abby.
With her heart pounding, she sucked in her breath and grabbed the gun. She aimed at Sam’s chest. “Don’t make me shoot you, Sam. Now pull over.”
“Put that down,” he ordered.
“No. Pull over. We’re still on McAlister land. If you’ll let me out, I’ll walk back to the house, and you can go on your way.”
With his free hand, Sam reached out and tried to grab the pistol. “Give me the damn gun, Abby.”
Her hands shook uncontrollably, yet Abby kept the gun aimed, as steady as she could, on him. “I’m not going to shoot you, Sam. Now pull over.”
Suddenly, the gun fired off with more force and power than she thought possible. Sam screeched and the bullet slugged into the driver’s door.
“You just shot me in the thigh, Abby! Damn it! You said you wouldn’t shoot me and now you’ve grazed me with a bullet.”
“I didn’t mean to. It just went off. I just want out of this car. Now stop.”
Blood oozed from a slit the bullet had made in his pants. “You could’ve killed me.” He wrenched the gun from her hand.
“I wish I had hurt you worse. I always knew there was something about you that I didn’t like.”
The distraction caused Sam to lose control of the vehicle and they veered off the driveway. Metal screeched as they sideswiped a tree before slamming to an abrupt stop.
Stunned, and with her heart pounding, Abby looked around to see the damage after the airbags deflated. The car had landed butted up against a tree on the passenger side, preventing her from making an escape.
Sam swung open his door. “Damn it, Abby. What am I going to do now?” He swiped his hand though his hair. Then he grasped her by the arm and hauled her out through the driver’s side. “Let’s go. I’m not going to be arrested. So Jack had better back off if he wants to see you alive again. If anyone tries to take me out, you’re going with me.”
They took off on foot with him half dragging her. Her high heels sank into the grass as he pulled her along with him.
“Take off the shoes,” he ordered.
“You’d go faster without me, Sam.”
“Shut up! Take off the shoes. I need my hostage.”
Reluctantly, she kicked off her high heels and went with him.
“I have one of the small boats beached over here from last night. If we can reach it, we might be able to hunker down at the cabin on the island, and then get out of here tomorrow.”
Fury rose in Abby. “So you were using the cabin to sneak onto the grounds of the mansion at night? I thought I’d caught that creepy guy outside by the docks, but it was you. You’re the real creep. The day I fell on the island, the reason you weren’t behind me on the trail, was because you’d gone to the cabin, wasn’t it? You probably went to hide something there, in case Jack went to check out the cabin that day.”
“So what? And that’s where we’re going now.”
“I’m not going with you.”
“Oh, yeah. You’ll come with me, if I have to tie you up.” He dragged her. “So shut up. I need you as a hostage, and we’re going to make it to that boat.”
Sam pulled her along the path that ran beside the lake. When he paused to readjust the gold in his pockets he had to take his hands off her for a moment and she shoved against his side, trying to knock him into the lake.
However, to her dismay, Sam grasped her shoulder. They both tumbled into the lake with a splash that sent shock waves through Abby when they plunged under the cold water.
Frantically, she kicked to the surface. She gulped in a deep breath, but her long gown made it nearly impossible to swim. A car’s headlights swept the area. It had to be Jack. He must have seen the wrecked car, but with the evening dusk turning ever darker, would anyone see them in the water?
Sam caught her shoulders in a painful grip as she tried to reach the shore. He dragged her under in an attempt to pull himself out of the water. They flailed about. Panic rushed through her veins, though Abby managed to fight him off and get to the s
urface for more air.
“Let go of me,” she cried. “Take the gold out of your pockets. It’s pulling you under. You’re going to drown us both.”
Sam clasped her again. “I can’t.”
“Jack!” she cried just before Sam pulled her underwater again. Her lungs seemed to be crushed and she gulped water this time.
Moments later, someone pulled her away from Sam’s hold. Jack. After sputtering for air, Abby was finally able to breathe again as Jack swam and dragged her back to shore.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded, gasping for air.
“Chris, make sure she’s okay.” Jack handed her to his cousin who had stepped down the bank to give her a hand.
Abby collapsed on the shore. Chris shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket and draped it around her shoulders, while Jack returned to the water to haul Sam out of the lake.
Moments later, Sam lay back in the grass, taking deep breaths. He sputtered, “Damn you, Jack.”
“I just saved your life. You might be grateful.” Jack turned to Abby and gathered her into his arms. “Are you okay, Abby?”
Shivering from being wet in the cool night air, Abby pressed her face into his wet coat and nodded.
Sam sat up and surprised them when he pulled his gun out of his wet jacket pocket. “I’m still getting out of here. I’ll take your car.”
“Put it down. The gun’s been under water too long. It won’t fire,” Jack said.
“Why ask me to put it down if you’re so sure? It might still work.” Sam aimed at Jack and Abby. Her breath caught in her throat. Then Sam pointed to a nearby tree, and pulled the trigger. The pistol clicked. Nothing happened so he threw the gun at Jack.
Jack caught the weapon with one hand before it hit them. “Sam, you’re not going anywhere until the police get here.”
Then Jack walked over to Sam and struck Sam’s jaw with his fist. “That’s for Abby, you bastard. Now, you’re going to jail for a long time.”
Sam held his cheek. His leg bled from the gun wound. “I never wanted to kill her,” he said through gritted teeth. “I needed to get out of here.”
Weekend Wedding Deception (Dangerous Millionaires Series) Page 13