Chapter Twenty-One
Andrew stayed in the dark garage, wondering if whoever had ventured there earlier would try again. If so, he wanted to be there to personally greet them. His soldier instincts had kicked in earlier.
The garage was quiet, except for the occasional rumble from his stomach. The night air outside was still. Only the sound of a few critters could be heard, chirping softly in the quiet night. At some point, he must have started to doze off, because he was suddenly awakened by the sound of someone walking outside the building. He sank lower into the back corner of the garage, trying to see who was sneaking around his family’s property.
The door opened. A large, dark figure paused briefly in the doorway, looking around. Andrew knew the man was probably scanning the garage, to see if anyone was inside. Whoever it was picked up a box and then left.
Andrew crept over to the window, but he couldn’t see anything in the darkness. The figure was gone. It had disappeared behind the tree line.
Andrew felt like he should know who had entered the garage, but he didn’t think it was his father or brother. Something about the person’s build hadn’t looked like someone from the Montgomery family, but he couldn’t be sure. It had been too dark to get a good look.
He sat in the garage for another hour, until he was sure the coast was clear. He then crept out and made his way toward the main house. He would figure out who had visited the garage. There was no doubt in his mind.
The smell of coffee greeted him as he opened the side door to the kitchen. He wondered how late his mother had tried to wait up for him. Just as he rounded the corner, he caught a glimpse of his dad sitting at the main table, a cup of coffee in hand.
“I wondered who was up.” Andrew approached.
“I just got up a little bit ago and needed to finish up some work. Where have you been?” His father pointed to several pieces of paper scattered around the main table. “Never mind. You don’t have to answer. I know you’re now an adult.”
“Hmm. I stopped by the office yesterday.”
“I heard. You should have come back. I was thinking that it’s time for you to learn more about the business.” His father turned his head toward him. His eyes looked tired.
“I’m still not sure I’m staying, Dad. I may be leaving in the next few weeks.”
“Son, you’re being ridiculous. This is your home, and we need you here.”
“Why in the world would you need me?” Andrew could feel himself growing angry.
“I’m leaving town for the next three days. I have some business in Louisiana that I need to tend to this week. I’m hoping you can take care of your mother while I’m gone. We can discuss your future with Montgomery Industries when I return. We need you to be a part of this company. After all, I’m not getting any younger, and I want to make sure the company stays in the family.”
Andrew took a deep breath. “Fine.” He felt almost defeated. Coming home had been both good and bad.
Wayne Montgomery got up from his seat and poured the rest of his coffee down the drain. “Good to see you, son. It’s nice to have you back under this roof,” he said, before walking out of the house.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Andrew found Pete Rodriguez sitting in his patrol car about a mile off the main square. He pulled his truck up behind his. He could see Pete’s questioning eyes silently watching him in the rearview mirror before opening up his door and climbing out of the patrol unit. They both stood awkwardly for several seconds, staring at each other.
“What do you want, Montgomery?”
Andrew reached into his back pocket and pulled out the knife. Pete’s right hand jerked toward the weapon in his holster. He wrapped his hand around the grip as he took a step back into a defensive stance.
“Whoa, what are you doing?”
Andrew shook his head. “Pete, can you stop overreacting? I’m just giving you back your knife.”
Pete drew his weapon as Andrew popped the knife open.
Andrew rolled his eyes. “Pete, you need more action in your life.”
“Shut the hell up, Montgomery,” Pete yelled from behind his gun. “Drop the knife onto the ground and kick it over to me.”
There were so many things Andrew wanted to say to Pete, but he knew they would all get him into more trouble. Instead, he followed orders and let the knife drop from his grip. He then kicked it over to Pete.
“That’s good.” Pete slowly lowered his weapon. “You’re in deep shit, Montgomery.”
“For what?”
“For pulling a weapon on a uniform officer.”
“As I already said, I was just giving your knife back.”
Pete glared. “What are you talking about? I’ve never given you a knife.”
Andrew clicked his tongue. “Pete, I’m not an idiot. I found your message in my truck last night. It was parked outside your sister’s house. You’re the only one who would even dare to put this inside.”
“I hate to disappoint you, but I didn’t put that knife in your truck. Trust me. It looks like a nice knife, and I definitely wouldn’t waste it on you,” Pete sneered.
“Pete, I’m tired of your games.” Andrew turned to walk away.
“That makes two of us. I’m sorry, Montgomery. You’re not leaving. You pulled a weapon on a sheriff’s deputy. I need to go ahead and take you in for more questioning, and to write up a report.”
Andrew’s head whipped back around, and he glared at Pete Rodriguez. “I’m not going anywhere with you. This is ridiculous.”
“Don’t make me force you.”
Andrew held up both hands, hoping it might calm Isabelle’s brother down. “This is bullshit,” Andrew said, realizing what was happening. He definitely didn’t want any sort of criminal record.
“Are you telling me you’re resisting arrest, Montgomery?”
“No! My hands are up! Dude. Seriously?”
Andrew couldn’t believe this was happening. He needed to hold it together. It was taking every ounce of pride in his body not to pound his fist into Pete’s face, but he knew that would only give Pete more fuel to arrest him.
He looked down at the ground, and then back at Pete. He knew that if he didn’t do as Pete said, things would get ugly, so, reluctantly, he put his hands behind his back. “Fine. Let’s do this your way,” he said defiantly.
Pete walked over to Andrew and yanked his hands even further behind his back. Andrew could feel the cool metal of the handcuffs slap tightly around his wrists. Several cars passed by. One began to honk. Andrew looked over to see some kids waving at him.
“You’re an asshole. You know that? A real asshole,” Andrew seethed, hoping Pete would come to his senses and knock off this crap. He’d dealt with his fair share of overzealous officers and soldiers while in the military, but Pete Rodriguez was definitely up there toward the top of the idiots.
“Just shut up and this may be over for you very soon. Lord knows, I’m sure the Montgomery family attorneys have already been notified and will be waiting for us when we get to the station.”
Pete opened the door, and then pushed Andrew’s head down as he forced him into the backseat of the car. Andrew had never been in the backseat of a patrol car. The thought only made him grow even angrier.
“Hey, dimwit, why don’t you go and get my keys from the truck so I don’t have to sue you and the department for allowing my company truck to get stolen?”
“Don’t worry, a tow truck is on the way,” Pete responded with a slight sneer. “It will be here any minute.”
“You just know how to pile it on, don’t you?” Andrew adjusted his arms in the seat. Pete hadn’t tried to make it a comfortable ride over to the station.
As they pulled up in front of the small brick building, Andrew saw his brother’s truck in the front parking lot. Word traveled fast in this community. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be back home.
Miles was standing outside the station with his arms crossed over his starched white shirt.
As they approached, Miles put up a hand. “Seriously, Pete? At what point are you going to stop harassing us? This is becoming a little crazy.”
“Mr. Montgomery, don’t make me get another officer out here to arrest you as well.”
“For what?” Miles said, his eyes narrowing. “You’re the one being an idiot right now.”
“Wrong, your brother here decided to pull a knife on me. What else was I supposed to do?”
“As I’ve already told you, that’s bullshit.” Andrew huffed.
Pete pulled the knife from his back pocket and held it up towards Miles. “Then what’s this?”
“The knife you left in my truck that I was returning to you.”
Just then the front door of the station opened and a large man with a round belly stepped out.
“Pete, what are you doing?” Sheriff Karl Johnson asked. A look of displeasure crossed his face.
“This man pulled a weapon on me.” He pushed Andrew forward, causing him to stumble over the large black boot still on his foot.
“Were you scared that he might chase you down?” The sheriff began to laugh. “I guess I should probably sit in on this one, since I have a feeling there’s more to the story.” He nodded to Miles.
The four of them walked into the station.
“Can I get you Montgomery boys some coffee?” the sheriff offered.
“No,” Andrew responded, shaking his head. It was almost as if he were in the twilight zone right now.
“Fine. Deputy Rodriguez, take Mr. Montgomery into my office. Miles, you will need to stay here. Although, I’m sure your attorneys are just minutes away.”
“Yep,” Miles shot back as he took a seat in the front waiting area. “John will be here in a few seconds, and he’s looking forward to talking with Deputy Rodriguez.”
Andrew turned to look at his brother. “I’ll be finished here shortly and apparently now need a ride.”
“Where’s your truck?” Miles asked.
“Over on seventh street.”
“I’ll send the guys over to get it.”
“No need,” Pete said. “It’s been towed to the lot in the back.”
The sheriff’s bushy grey eyebrows shot up. “Why did you have it towed?”
“I want to take a look inside. Mr. Montgomery approached me with a weapon, and I want to make sure there aren’t any others inside his truck.”
Andrew rolled his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Pete. I stopped my truck and was handing you back a knife you had left for me to find in my vehicle.”
The sheriff looked over at Andrew. “What exactly was left in your truck?”
“Well, I was at Pete’s sister’s house last night, and when I got into my truck a knife had been stuck into the leather of the driver’s seat. The only one who would care if I was there would be him.” Andrew nodded toward Pete. “And this isn’t the first knife that has been left for me. Two nights ago, both of my tires were slashed.”
“Someone definitely doesn’t like you being back in town.” The sheriff’s meaty fingers slowly rubbed the stubble on his chin.
“I think that someone is sitting with us right now.” Andrew glared at Pete.
Pete shook his head. “I have no clue what you’re talking about, Montgomery. I haven’t been near any of your vehicles, and I definitely didn’t leave a knife for you to find. I’m a sheriff’s deputy. Give me some credit. I’m trying to protect the public, not the opposite.”
“Pete, I think this is ridiculous. Take Mr. Montgomery’s handcuffs off and let him go. I don’t need the Montgomery family down here causing me any problems. You also need to go and get his truck and pull it around front.”
Pete reluctantly pulled the key out of his pocket. His face looked as if he was pouting. Andrew was pushed forward as Pete grabbed his wrists and abruptly took off the handcuffs.
Andrew folded his arms across his chest. He knew if he kept them down by his side, there was a good possibility that he would punch Pete in the face.
“I’m leaving. Is there anything else you need from me before I go?”
“No,” the sheriff responded.
“Good.” Andrew turned, slammed open the door, and strode out of the small room. He would be talking to Pete again real soon.
Miles was sitting in one of the old chairs in the front of the station, laughing at something on his phone.
“You need me to go in there and take care of business?” He winked at Andrew.
“No. Let’s go.”
“Sure thing. What’d you do to piss Pete Rodriguez off?” Miles came up next to Andrew.
“Slept with his sister.” Andrew climbed into the passenger seat of his brother’s truck. “Let’s go get some breakfast, and then you can take me back to get my truck.”
“Shit. You’ve only been here a few weeks and you’ve already managed to sleep with the hottest woman in town and piss off the local law enforcement guys.”
“Apparently. But I have a feeling I’m not the only one—”
“I try not to make them upset. After all, they’re the good guys and we need them to like us.”
Andrew let his head fall forward. “You sound like such a businessman.”
“That’s exactly what I am.”
They rode in silence for a little bit. Andrew decided it was time to change the subject.
“What’s going on with you and Dad and the business? I keep hearing that Montgomery Industries now pretty much owns the entire town.” Andrew glared at his brother. He wanted some answers. Too many things were happening that just didn’t make sense.
“Dude. That’s completely disrespectful. It’s more like the county, and we’re pushing forward with investments throughout the state and country.”
“In what?” Andrew paused, shocked. He had only ever known about his father’s construction business.
“A little bit of this and a little bit of that.” Miles remained coy.
“What exactly does that mean?”
“It means I’m not going to tell you anything until you finally decide you want to once again be a part of the family and work for the company.”
“Fine.” Andrew seethed inside. “Does Montgomery Industries even still do construction?”
“Of course. Our construction arm is still the biggest part of our operation, but we’ve got some ranches, as well as a large stake in a beer distribution company. That’s the side of the business that gets a little tricky.”
Andrew started to laugh. “Seriously? Beer? Why am I just now hearing about this part of the business? You might have been able to get me to come back earlier if you’d mentioned that.”
“It was Warren who helped us find that deal a few years ago and you’re only now hearing about it because you haven’t asked. You know, we’ve got a place for Andrew Montgomery in the business, if he ever decides to permanently move back to this town.”
“Is Warren also an investor in the beer business?” Andrew was becoming intrigued by how much things had changed and how everyone had grown up.
“On a much smaller level, but it’s still enough for his family to live comfortably.”
Things were starting to make more sense. He’d been shocked the other day when he’d pulled up to Warren and Cassie’s house. It had been larger and nicer than he’d expected. Really, he wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but that house certainly wasn’t it.
“Is that why you want to get into the wine business?” Andrew asked.
Miles laughed. “I guess you could say that, but really, I just like to make money. Dad and I are good at it, but the wine business will be more of a hobby. I don’t think it’s going to be that lucrative, but it’s something that makes Anne happy.”
“What’s going on with Dad? Mom says he’s always busy and it sounds like they don’t really spend much time together anymore.”
“I’m not sure. Your accident did something to him. I think the idea that our great family life was crumbling just changed him. He hasn’t been t
he same in a long time. But I will say this, the man is as tough as ever. He’s always the first one into the office and the last to leave. I’m not sure when he sleeps.”
Andrew looked out the front window as his brother drove down the narrow road that led out to the main square, and then pulled into one of the front parking spaces near a little café.
“Did Mom ask you to come over for dinner tonight?” Andrew asked.
“Yep. I’ll be there around six,” Miles said as he climbed out of the truck.
Andrew noticed several people turn to stare at them as they walked into the restaurant. The hostess looked at Miles, and then over at Andrew. “Two?”
“Hey, Olive,” Miles said. “Yes. It’s just the two of us this morning.”
Olive waved for them to follow her, and led them through the restaurant to one of the back booths. The vinyl seat had several tears, showing off the tan cushion that lay beneath.
“Thank you,” Andrew said, sitting opposite his brother. “I’ll just take a coffee. Black, please.”
Olive turned to Miles. “The same for you?”
“Sure.”
Olive disappeared, and then returned after several minutes with two small brown cups filled with coffee.
Andrew took a sip. The dark liquid was warm and smooth, and felt good on the back of his throat.
Miles also took a sip, and then peered at Andrew over his coffee cup. “All right, what happened this morning?”
“Last night, I went to Isabelle’s house. When I got ready to leave, I found a knife stuck into the leather driver’s seat of the truck. It was similar to the one that was used to slash my tires. I thought I should return the weapon to its owner—Pete.”
“Why do you think Pete did it? That seems a little crazy.”
“He’s obviously not happy about me hanging out with Isabelle.”
“You think he’s still got a grudge against you? It’s been fifteen years.”
“I killed his sister. If I had killed your sister and was sleeping with your other sister, wouldn’t you hold a grudge?”
Stay Forever Page 14