by Robin Caroll
It didn’t make sense. “If she murdered him for money, why didn’t she stick around to claim it?”
“Because the security guard saw her.”
Rafe pulled the initial reports and scanned the details. “Back up for a minute. Who sounded the alarm? The alarm company reported the panic code came from the front door keypad.”
Hartlock hesitated. “We’ll never know for sure, but it’s possible they were arguing in another area of the house and he pressed the button for the silent alarm.”
“If you’re arguing with someone, pull a gun on him, you aren’t going to allow him to push a panic button, then go to another room before you shoot him.” It wasn’t logical. “But for the sake of argument, let’s say that did happen. So she saw him push the button, lets him get to his office, then shoots him. Minutes later the security guard arrives. What is she doing from the time she shoots Tate until the guard gets there?”
“Robbing the safe? It was cleaned out, remember?”
Rafe shook his head. “We have no proof of that. Tate himself could have emptied its contents a long time ago for all we know.”
“But she could have done it that night. He could have had bearer bonds in there that she’s been living off of for three years.”
“Okay, still for argument’s sake—she cleaned out the safe after she shot her godfather. Now, the guard comes knocking at the door. If she’s the murderer, why does she answer the door?”
“Because the guard would’ve broken it down.”
Rafe chuckled. “I’m looking at the report of the guard. Do you think he could’ve broken down that door?”
Hartlock gave a snort. “Not at all, but those guards do have a set of emergency keys, so he could’ve unlocked the door.”
“All right. Say she opens the door because she doesn’t want him to come barging in. She tells him Tate’s been shot and to get an ambulance.”
“She uses that time to sneak out the back door and disappears.”
“The file shows the security guard reported Wyatt was in her socks when she opened the door.”
“So?” Now Hartlock sounded annoyed. Because he didn’t do his best job? Didn’t follow up on some things?
“Why would she still be in her socks? If she had time between shooting Tate and letting the guard inside to clean out the safe, and by then having made the decision to run, why didn’t she take the time to put on shoes?”
“What’re you getting at, Rafe?”
“I don’t think she killed him. She had no motive, and while the scene is clean of forensic evidence, if she’s the murderer, she was sloppy. Everything we have on her disputes that she’d be so unorganized.”
“Crime of passion, maybe.” But Hartlock didn’t sound as sure of himself anymore.
“Forensically, too clean for an unplanned murder.”
A long silence settled heavy over the line before Hartlock spoke again. “Where are you going with this?”
“I think someone else shot him. She was there and tried to help, but Tate died and the killer got away.”
“If she was innocent, why’d she run? She’s one of our own, in a way . . . Why didn’t she come to us? Why hasn’t she come in since?”
And that was the one point for which Rafe had no plausible explanation.
“What do you mean the FBI killed Daniel Tate?” Hayden’s face turned red.
Bella let the dark secret spill out of her. “Just what I said. The two men who murdered Daniel were FBI agents.”
“Are you sure?”
Was he serious? “Of course I’m sure. I was there.” She trembled as the memory slipped out of her well-guarded vault and tugged on her heart.
He blinked, then let out a rush of air. “Let’s back up. Tell me what happened.”
With her heartbeat increasing, she relived the most painful night of her life. When the tears threatened to swallow the words, she paused, then continued. A final sob tore from her as she finished.
Hayden’s face was slack in shock. “And that’s why you ran?”
She nodded. “I knew if they found me, they’d kill me. Don’t you see? It wasn’t just the agents—there was someone else, someone pretty powerful, involved. How could they allow me to live and tell everyone—anyone—what I know?” She shivered. “I have no clue how high up the corruption goes. I couldn’t expose myself unless I knew. I still can’t.”
The chirping of Hayden’s cell phone broke the strained silence hovering in Bella’s living room.
He snatched the phone from his waist, his attention never wavering off Bella. “Hayden Simpson.”
She inched to the edge of the couch. Would he believe her? If Rafe Baxter didn’t think she was a murderer . . .
“I see. Are you willing to release her into my custody?” Hayden’s voice came out strained.
Her heart raced. Was someone talking about her? Oh no—she couldn’t go into anyone’s custody, even Hayden’s. They would be after her as soon as she blipped on their radar.
“Can you fax me the paperwork?” Hayden locked stares with Bella. “I’m assisting the FBI with an investigation here and it’d be difficult for me to leave right now.”
If he was telling someone about assisting, they weren’t talking about her. Then what? She mouthed a name at Hayden, “Emily?”
He gave a snap of a nod. “I understand. I appreciate it, I do.” He glanced at his watch. “If I leave within thirty minutes, I can be there before ten. Is that okay with you?”
What a relief! Emily had been found. Was she at a hospital? Releasing into his custody? She couldn’t be badly hurt.
“Thank you.” Hayden replaced the phone to his hip.
Bella stood. “Well?”
“Seems Emily’s been found. She’s at the Calcasieu Parish sheriff’s.”
“Is she okay?”
He gave a grunt. “She was arrested.”
“For what?”
“She tried to steal a car.”
What? “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I. The sheriff said they found her breaking into a car from their local rental business. She said she was just trying to get back to Hopewell, that she was just borrowing the car.”
“What about her abandoned car? Where has she been?”
“She refused to give them any more details than that. Just my name and phone number. Oh, and she mentioned several times, quite loudly, I’m told, that I was the police commissioner.” He shook his head. “The council’s going to love hearing this. I can just see my contract renewal shredding.”
Bella squeezed his forearm, her heart bleeding for him. “It’s going to be okay, Hayden. It will.”
He shrugged her off. “I guess I’ll need to call Mom and let her know. I don’t want her to keep on worrying.”
“Want to call her from here?”
“No. On second thought, I’ll wait until I know more and have Emily with me.”
Bella swallowed. “Would you like me to go with you?”
He paused. “I appreciate it, but no. I think it’s time Emily and I had a long discussion and got some things straight.”
“I understand.”
Hayden headed for the door, then strode back and grabbed the file. “We haven’t finished this discussion.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. What could she say?
“You stay here, okay?”
That despite her secrets he still knew her so well should’ve unnerved her. Instead it saddened her. She nodded again.
Hayden shifted the file from one hand to the other. “No nodding, Bella. I want your word. Promise me you’ll stay put.”
If he only realized what he was asking her . . . to put her life on the line. Put herself in danger.
“Bella!”
“Fine. I’ll be here when you get back.” He was about on her nerves.
“Promise.”
“I promise.” Surprisingly she didn’t choke on the vow.
Chapter Sixteen
“Stupidity is a talent for misconception.”
EDGAR ALLEN POE
Lars gripped the phone tighter. “You’re positive?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t make the call otherwise.” A beat passed over the cellular connection. “You know what must be done.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’ll take care of it this time?”
Lars squirmed. “Yes, sir. Consider it done.”
“Very good. Let me know when the situation has been handled.”
The connection went dead in his hand. He slipped the cell into his pocket, considering his options.
He had none.
Jack strolled into view. Lars waved him over.
“What’s up?”
Lars glanced around and lowered his voice. “It’s her.”
His partner narrowed his eyes and his voice as well. “Who?”
“Bella Miller. In that Louisiana hick town. She’s Remington Wyatt.”
Jack slumped into the chair behind his desk. “Seriously?”
Lars nodded. “And we’ve been assigned to take care of the little problem we left lingering three years ago.”
“He knows?” Jack’s eyes widened.
“Just got off the phone with him.” And Lars didn’t want to talk to him again until Remington Wyatt was out of the picture. Once and for all.
Jack let out a sigh. “What’s the plan?”
“First off I need to make arrangements to follow up with our newbie Rafe.” Lars pointed at his partner. “You don’t look so hot, Jack. I think you might be coming down with the flu. I hear it’s gonna be horrible this season.”
Coughing behind his hand, Jack nodded. “I do feel a bit feverish.”
Lars gave a slight grin. “I’ll make my arrangements. You do what you have to in order to get some sick time. I’ll pick you up tonight. Be packed and ready to go by seven.”
And soon, their little problem would be all gone and they could take their early retirement plan with no fears, no hitches.
Last night had been long, and Hayden was exhausted. He and Emily had gone at it for the better part of Thursday night, on into the wee hours of the morning, until he’d gotten the truth out of her. Now he sat at his desk, desperate for about four hours’ more sleep, trying to pay attention to Bella.
“So, let me get this straight: Emily went with Marshall Abernathy on Monday after breakfast to run some errands, as he put it.”
Hayden nodded, squinting against the bright morning sun sneaking past the window blinds.
“He drives her to Sulphur, where he picks up a boat he’d special ordered.”
Again, Hayden nodded.
“Then they go to a bar where Marshall proceeds to get plastered.”
“According to Emily, he said he couldn’t drink in Hopewell because it would kill the council’s consideration of him for my position, which Caleb Montgomery has apparently already promised him.” Hayden shifted in his seat. “You and I both know how some of the council members are.”
“Super religious.” Bella crossed her arms.
“Yeah.”
“Okay. He gets rip-roaring drunk and then refuses to give Emily the car keys. He rents them a room at the local motel.”
“Separate rooms, so says Emily.”
“And Tuesday morning rolls around.” Bella opens her hands into the air.
“Emily says she banged on his motel room around ten in the morning.” Hayden needed an aspirin. “But he didn’t answer the door. She called and had them ring his room, but he didn’t answer. Around noon he came out.”
“And they went out to lunch at some dive there.”
“Yep.” And that’s as far as he’d gotten in telling Bella the story his sister had told him.
She shook her head. “What did she say they talked about? I mean, I don’t get it.”
“According to Em, he was consoling her about her breakup with Boyd. He said he understood how she felt. That he’d been hurt in a similar way and wanted to help her.”
“How, exactly, could he do that?”
Oh, Bella was gonna love this one. “Well, from what Em says, he told her that the best way to get Boyd and MaryBeth back was to get married.” Hayden sneered, ignoring the painful pulsating at his temples. “And Marshall’s such a great guy, he volunteered to sacrifice his freedom to help her out.”
“You have to be kidding me. Please tell me you’re making this up just to get my mind off everything else.”
“I wish I were.” Oh, how he wished that were the case.
“Don’t tell me Emily fell for such a line of—”
“She said she told him she’d have to think about it.”
Bella snorted. “Why would he want to marry her?”
“The council thinks married men are more settled.”
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“I’m dead serious. They’ve hinted that to me several times over the last few months. A family unit. I mean, they push the whole family man thing hard.”
“That’s crazy.”
He nodded, then regretted it as pain shot through his temples. “And if she married him, well, I couldn’t very well speak out against my brother-in-law, now could I?”
“Oh, this is insane.”
“It gets better.” Or worse, depending upon how one viewed it. “He told her it would not only get Boyd and MaryBeth back, but it would clear her of vandalizing MaryBeth’s car.”
“How on earth did he figure that?”
“His reasoning is that if she was in love with Marshall and planning to run off and get married, why would she care if MaryBeth was pregnant and she and Boyd were looking for a house?”
Bella leaned back in the chair. “You know, warped as it is, I can see how he’d come up with that.”
“Scary, isn’t it?” He couldn’t put it off any longer. Hayden reached into his top drawer and pulled out a bottle of aspirin. He popped the top, flipped three tablets in his mouth, and chased them down with the coffee that had now chilled. He grimaced and shoved the bottle back in the drawer. “So while she was thinking about it, he suggested they look at wedding rings, just in case.”
“Oh, that’s dirty pool.” Bella crossed her arms over her chest.
“Yep. Taking a young woman into a jewelry store. That’s low, even for Marshall.” He reached for the coffee cup out of habit, then remembered it was cold and set the cup back on the desk. “They killed time until it was night again. He took her to a nice restaurant this time, probably to butter her up. Again, he got drunk.”
“So he couldn’t drive home again.”
“Right. Only this time he didn’t get them separate rooms. Em said when she complained, he told her if they were going to be married, they might as well save the money.”
“Please tell me she didn’t—”
Hayden shook his head. “She waited in the bathroom until he passed out, then took his credit card and went to the office and got her own room.”
Bella grinned. “Good for her.”
“So the next morning, Wednesday, Em went through the whole thing again, trying to get him up, all that. Same as day before, he doesn’t show until noon.”
“What’d he say about her having a separate room?”
“He never knew, according to Em. She played like she’d slept in the room but he’d passed out so didn’t remember anything.”
“Smart girl.”
Hayden pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stop the splitting pain.
“So this time Em told him she wanted to come back home. She couldn’t think about getting married without talking to Mom.”
“And what’d Marshall say?” Bella stood and moved behind him. Her cold fingers soothed his temples.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “He didn’t like it but said he understood. Then he told her he needed to run one more errand while they were so close to Moss Bluff.”
“Let me guess, she agreed?” Bella continued rubbing small circles with just enough pressure to hurt, but in a good way.
“Yep.” The lack of common sense his sister showed drove him up the wall. Or maybe he needed to get her another appointment with her shrink and up the dosage on her medication or something. “But when they got to Moss Bluff, he took her to a camp of a friend of his. It was a party.”
“Oh no.” She pushed harder on his temples.
“Yeah. Em says she told him she wanted to leave after he’d had a couple of drinks. She didn’t want to get caught with him being too drunk to drive again.”
“Probably the smartest thing she did.”
“He got angry and was showing off in front of his friends.”
Bella’s hands stilled. “What did he do?”
“He told her if she wanted to go so badly, she could just hoof it outta there.”
“And her response?” She moved back to her chair.
The pounding had lessened. “Thanks. Well, she thought he was bluffing, so she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. She thought he’d come running after her.”
“But he didn’t.”
“No, he didn’t. And she had no idea where she was.”
Bella slapped her hand on the desk. “Why didn’t she call?”
He cringed at the noise. “Her cell phone was dead. She didn’t have her charger in her purse. She’d left it in her car, which she left at Coon Lake when Marshall asked her to go with him.”
“That was two days ago, Hayden.”
“Yep. She says Wednesday night, she found a motel and got a room. Funny thing, she still had Marshall’s credit card so that’s how she paid the bill.”