Summer Rain (Lightning Strikes Book 3)

by Barbara Freethy

  "We can stay at an airport hotel and get a few hours' sleep. What's your birthdate? I'll make the reservations."

  She gave him her personal information and then went to pack a bag.

  After making their reservations, he got up and walked back to the window, peering through the shutters at the street below. Everything looked fine, but it didn't feel that way. He didn't even know if they would be safe walking the two blocks back to his hotel.

  He wondered if they should call the police, report what happened. Maybe the cops could pull surveillance video off the traffic cameras. They might be able to find the driver of the car, or at the very least, the owner of the vehicle. But that would mean wasting a lot of time talking to the police, making a report, and it would probably yield nothing. Even if they found a license plate, he suspected that car would be long gone or hidden away and the person driving it would be even harder to find.

  Dani returned to the room with a roller suitcase. Seeing him at the window, she asked, "Is there anyone out there?"

  "It's quiet."

  "Should we call the police?" she asked, her thoughts echoing his.

  "If you want."

  "You don't think it will accomplish anything."

  "Not really, but it's your decision."

  "I don't want to wait around for the police to come and take another worthless report. I think you're right. We have to try to get out in front of this. No more denial for me. I have been a little too fond of calling everything a coincidence, not just with you, but also with my siblings. I have been trying to ignore the prophecy my great-grandmother left me along with this ring." She twisted the gold ring around her finger. "This ring led me back to the park, and the lightning showed me where you were. I think that was important. If I'm going to find the last piece of the puzzle, then I need to start looking. I don't know if the circumstances surrounding our parents' deaths are tied together, but if they are, then if we solve one mystery, we might just solve the other."

  He saw the new resolve in her eyes, the strength, and the courage, and he'd never liked her more. "So you're in?"

  "I'm in. Let's go to Texas."

  * * *

  They arrived in Corpus Christi at ten a.m. on Friday morning. They'd spent a tense night at a hotel near the airport where they'd tried to do a little research but they hadn't accomplished much. Dani had felt too shaken by her near-death encounter to concentrate, and Patrick also seemed too distracted to focus.

  Patrick had insisted on sharing a room, although they had gotten two beds, and they'd both studiously avoided any personal contact, sometimes to the point of ridiculousness. She'd never felt so awkward in her life. But she had the terrible feeling that if her hand even brushed his, her resolve would go out the window, so she'd kept her distance, and so had he.

  They'd ended up turning on the television and watching late-night comedy until they'd fallen asleep. At four a.m., the clock had woken them out of their fitful sleep, and they'd headed to the airport.

  Now, she was tired and achy from her fall, but actually happy to be out of DC, a sentiment she'd never thought she'd experience.

  "So, where do you want to go?" Patrick asked as they walked out of the airport. "My place? Your place—do you even have a place?"

  "Not anymore. I gave up my apartment when I moved to DC. When I was in town for the wedding, I stayed at my mother's house, but I don't want to bring her into this."

  "My condo then."

  "I'm not sure that's safe," she said with a frown. "Maybe a hotel?"

  "We'd have to register. That might be too easy to trace."

  "We could use a fake name."

  "True." He thought for a moment. "I have an idea. My dad owns a cabin outside of town. We could stay there."

  "It could still be traced to you, couldn't it?"

  "That would take time, as it's part of the Raleigh family trust set up by my grandfather on my mother's side years ago. Someone would have to track all that down, and we're only going to be in town a few days. I think we'll be safe there. Let's go to my dad's house and get the key."

  "Your dad's house?" she echoed in dismay. "I'm not up for talking to your father. I think we should leave our families out of this, Patrick."

  "We don't have to tell him anything. You can just be my new girlfriend. My dad will like that I want to take you to the cabin. The first time he told my mother he loved her was at that cabin. It's a special place for him."

  "I can't be your new girlfriend. I met your dad at the ribbon-cutting ceremony last weekend. He'll know we only met last week."

  "He also knows you saved my life," Patrick said with a smile. "I'll tell him I went to say thank you, and one thing led to another."

  "That doesn't make me sound slutty at all."

  He laughed. "I didn't mean it like that. He's going to think it was love at first sight, and he's not going to ask that many questions. If you have a better idea, I'm open."

  She really wished she had a better idea. "I guess not."

  "Then let's get a cab."

  A few moments later, they were on the way to Harris Kane's house. It felt strange to be back in Corpus Christi and not be going home, not talking to any of her friends, not driving down the familiar streets. For the first time in forever, she felt like a visitor and not a resident. It was odd to feel that way about the city she'd lived in her entire life.

  "Does your father know you were in DC this week?" Dani asked, turning her gaze away from the view and back to Patrick.

  "I told him I was out of town, but I didn't give him any details. We're very used to living our own lives. There's nothing to worry about, Dani. He's not going to grill you on what you know about me and what I know about you. He'll probably be happy I have a woman in my life. I can't remember the last woman I introduced him to. It might have been Amanda." Patrick shook his head in bemusement. "Time moves fast."

  "What about your father? Does he date?"

  "I don't think so. He may have taken a few women out to dinner or to coffee, but as far as I know, he hasn't gotten involved with anyone. But, like I said, we don't ask each other personal questions. He could be seeing someone, and I don't know about it."

  "Would it bother you if he was seeing another woman?"

  "No, it would be great. It's been a long time. Life goes on. I want him to be happy. What about your mother? Does she date?"

  "I have no idea. She asks me a lot of questions, but she's not good at answering mine. I do worry about her being alone. Alicia is in Miami. Jake is in town, but he's a guy, and now that he's madly in love with Katherine, he doesn't get over to see my mother that often."

  "What does your mother think about what Alicia and Jake discovered about MDT?" he asked curiously.

  "She's trying to pretend it's not there. She's even better than me at denial," she said dryly. "She keeps telling them to be happy they're alive and to move on. She would not like to see me going down the same path they just took."

  "I'd like to meet Alicia and Jake. It might be helpful for us all to put our heads together, line up the clues and the players and see where we are."

  She had a feeling that Alicia and Jake would like to do that, too. "Alicia will be back from her honeymoon tomorrow. Until then, let's work on this ourselves."

  The cab pulled up in front of Harris Kane's home a few minutes later.

  The stately two-story house on an acre of land was impressive. "It's beautiful," she murmured as she got out of the taxi. "This is where you grew up?"

  "This is it."

  "There must be money in your family somewhere, because your dad is a teacher, and I don’t think your mom made that much as a congresswoman."

  "My grandfather on my mother's side, the soldier I told you about, was also in the oil business. He didn't get super rich, but he did well. He passed away a few years ago."

  "I'm sorry for asking such a personal question; it's really none of my business. You've just gotten me into a questioning mood."

  "I don
't mind. I have nothing to hide."

  "You seem to be one of the few people in our world right now who can say that."

  "Let's stay honest with each other, Dani. If we do that, we'll always have trust between us."

  The look in his eyes brought the damned butterflies in her stomach back to life. "I can do that."

  "Me, too." His gaze lingered on hers for another moment, then he led the way into the house.

  They found his father in a large combined family room and kitchen. Harris sat in the middle of a massive brown leather couch, a baseball game playing on the flat-screen television hanging over the stone fireplace.

  Harris jumped to his feet, surprise in his face as he saw his son. "Patrick. I didn't know you were coming over today."

  Harris wore a navy-blue t-shirt and jeans with loafers on his feet. He looked a lot younger and a lot more casual than the last time she'd seen him.

  "It's a surprise," Patrick said lightly, as he hugged his father. "Do you remember Dani Monroe?"

  "Of course. It's nice to see you again. I've wanted to say thank you for saving my son's life, but Patrick was not inclined to give me your phone number." He sent his son a pointed look. "I assume you got all my texts and just ignored them."

  "I brought her here, which is even better," Patrick replied.

  "Well, sit down. Can I get you something?" Harris asked. "I just made a pot of coffee. Your aunt Jill dropped off one of her frittatas yesterday if you're hungry."

  "That sounds good to me," Patrick replied. "Dani?"

  "I would love both coffee and frittata. Can I help you with it?"

  "Don't be silly. Sit down. Make yourself comfortable."

  "How are the Rangers doing?" Patrick asked as his father moved into the kitchen.

  "Game just started," Harris said. "What do you take with your coffee, Dani?"

  "Just black."

  "Same as Patrick. You two are easy." He brought over two mugs of coffee and sat down. "It will just take a few minutes for the frittata to heat up. So what brings you two here today?"

  "I wanted to ask you if anyone is renting out the cabin right now," Patrick said.

  "No, I don't have anyone coming in until the middle of the month. Why? Do you want to use it?"

  "I thought I'd show it to Dani."

  "Really?" Harris gave them both a speculative look. "I take it the two of you have been talking since last weekend."

  "We have," Patrick said with a smile. "Dani is an amazing woman."

  "Well, I already knew that," Harris replied.

  She felt a little uncomfortable by the male scrutiny, even though it was positive. "Can I use your restroom?" she asked, getting to her feet.

  "It's down the hall, first door on the left," Harris replied.

  "Thanks." She got up from the couch, hoping Harris would quiz Patrick while she was out of the room, and then she wouldn't have to lie about why they were really together.

  * * *

  "What's going on?" Harris asked Patrick as soon as Dani was out of the room. "You never take anyone to the cabin. Is this love at first sight or is something else going on, something related to what happened in the park?"

  Seeing the sharp gleam in his dad's eyes, he realized he would have to come up with a better story. "It could be related to the attack in the park. The bottom line is that Dani and I need to lay low for a few days, and I think the cabin would be a good place for us to do that."

  "You're going to have to come up with a few more details, Patrick. The police told me that the man who attacked you was found dead of a drug overdose."

  "I didn't realize you were keeping in touch with the police."

  "I have friends in the department, and you're my son. I wanted to know that you were out of danger. It sounds like you don't think you are. So what's going on? What are you investigating this time?"

  "I'd prefer to discuss it when I have more information."

  "This has to do with your mother, doesn't it?"

  He tensed at the question. "What do you mean?"

  "Congressman Parker told me that you were asking questions about the plane crash. I couldn't figure out why you'd do that now—after all these years. I thought maybe you were just thinking about your mother because of the park finally getting done. We spent a lot of time talking about Jackie the past few months."

  "That's part of it," he admitted.

  "What's the other part?"

  "I just have some questions, and when I've tried to ask them, I've gotten the runaround. It makes me wonder why."

  "I asked a lot of questions when your mother died. I talked at great length with all the investigators. Did I miss something, Patrick?"

  He met his father's worried gaze and wished he could say no, but he couldn't. "I hope not. I need a few days to think, to put some things together, and I thought the cabin would be a good place to do that."

  "I want to help."

  "If you can help, I'll let you know."

  "Patrick, what aren't you telling me?"

  He couldn't tell his dad there were rumors of his mother having an affair, especially since he didn't believe those rumors were true. And he couldn't tell his father his mother had been murdered when he had no proof. It would only hurt him. "Can you give me a few days to figure some things out, then we'll talk?"

  His father frowned. "If you're in the middle of something dangerous because of your mother's death, I should be involved. I may not be an investigative reporter, but I have a brain. I can help. And I know more about this than you do."

  "I don't believe the crash was an accident," he said finally. "I think that mom and Senator Stuart were working on something that got them killed. But I haven't figured it all out yet, and I could be off base."

  Harris let out a heavy breath. "Well, I can't say that the thought didn't cross my mind a dozen times after she died. But there was no proof, Patrick. The FBI agents were thorough. I don't see how they could have missed anything."

  "And yet someone seems determined to shut me up," he said.

  "That's why you were attacked in the park?"

  "I'm almost certain that's why, and the fact that my assailant died under those particular circumstances doesn't make me feel better."

  "How does Dani figure into all this?"

  "I went to DC to thank her for helping me and also to ask her to get me in to see Senator Dillon, because he's avoiding me. She wasn't able to do that, but she's been helping me try to figure out some other things." He really didn't want to get into the MDT connection yet. His father had friends who worked at the company. If he let anything slip, they'd be in more trouble. "Can you give me some time, Dad?. I promise to fill you in when I know more."

  His father gave him a long, speculative look. "I can do that. But if I can help…"

  "I'll let you know."

  "In the meantime, you'd appreciate it if I didn't say anything," Harris finished.

  "Yes. And I'd like to borrow your truck, too. My car is at my condo, and I've decided to give my house some distance for the moment."

  His father frowned. "I really don't like the idea of you being on your own and in danger."

  "I don't think I'm necessarily in danger. I just need to stay under the radar." He wasn't about to tell his father that someone had almost run Dani over the night before.

  "All right. The key is by the front door. I have one more question, though."

  "What's that?"

  "Is Dani just business or is she personal?"

  "She's everything, and she's important to me," he admitted.

  "Really?" Surprise ran through his father's gaze. "That's the first time you've said that about any woman in a long time."

  "It's the first time I've felt it."

  "Then you better keep her safe."

  "I intend to."

  Fifteen

  "When you said a cabin, I pictured an A-frame with maybe one bedroom, a kitchen with a hot plate, a microwave and furniture from another era," Dani said, as she looked ar
ound the spacious, luxuriously decorated house with the ten-foot ceilings in the living room, the long oak table in the dining room, the gourmet kitchen, and the staircase leading up to the second floor. "This is bigger than any house I've lived in, and more luxurious too."

  "I told you my grandfather made some money in oil. He always called it the cabin, and the name stuck."

  She set her bag down on the dining room table and said, "Well, I think this will do."

  He smiled. "I'm glad. Do you want to take a nap? A shower?"

  "No, I'm tired but I think I'll feel worse later. We need to figure out our plan of attack."

  "I agree. I put together a list on the plane." He grabbed his computer out of its case and took it over to the dining room table.

  She sat down across from him. "I saw you tapping away on the keys during the flight. I wondered what you were doing."

  "It helps me to lay out everything I know." He read through his list. "We have our whistleblower, who apparently told my mother facts similar to what he told us—that there's a secret faction run out of MDT that is funneling money from the legitimate side of the business to fund this shadow company. This group is run by someone high up in the company, possibly one of the Packer brothers or their father or some other highly valued employee."

  "Someone with enough power to make things happen," she agreed.

  "Yes. Then we have Ann Higgins, the reporter, who probably doesn't know any more than what the whistleblower has already told us. If she had more concrete evidence, she would have used it already. So, while talking to her again might be helpful, I'm putting her farther down the list."

  "Okay."

  "Then there's the military connection between the pilots—the one who died on the plane, the one who missed the flight, the traitor at MDT who was your father's best friend, and even your dad."

  She frowned at that. "My dad should not be on the list. We can't connect him to MDT."

  "He's connected to Jerry, so, yes, he is connected to MDT."