by Wendi Zwaduk
“Take my phone and call Mac. Speed 2.” He placed his cell in her hand. “Get behind me and then crouch behind the car so he can’t hurt you.”
Based on the size and shape of the object, either Joe had a bomb detonator or a recording device. Both could do maximum destruction.
“What do I say?”
“I need back-up. The man suspected of videotaping Ms Weir is sitting outside the station. Could be armed.”
“I love you.”
Her words went straight to the empty spot in his soul. She still cared. Never stopped. If it killed him, he’d keep her safe. Then he’d smother her with kisses to make up for their time apart.
Moving as little as possible, Marlon removed his Glock from his shoulder holster and kept it hidden in his jacket. If this was indeed the cretin who’d taped them, he’d go down for invasion of privacy.
“Joe? Joe Sutton?” Marlon nodded to the man and palmed his gun. “Step out of the car.”
Using the hand holding the recording device, Joe pushed the door open. “Go play cops with the big boys. Forget I’m here.”
“I want to talk to you in connection with Jade Weir.” Inching across the quiet street, Marlon palmed his weapon. “I want to see both hands.”
“She’s here and I have a job to do.” No flinch, no backing down. The guy had guts.
“Rexx didn’t ask for a skin flick, now drop your weapon.” Marlon ground his teeth together. Where was Mac?
“Ain’t no law saying I can’t have a piece.” Hand still in his jacket, Joe clicked a button on the recorder. “I got a hundred K for that video. Easiest money of my life. Made a fool of both Weirs. Now it’s your turn.”
A pang of guilt surged through Marlon. She had told the truth. The private moment was meant to be just that—private. “You invaded her privacy.”
“She’s a public figure with a public ‘figure’ and I’m cashing in.”
“I don’t see a press pass. Are you admitting you illegally taped Ms Weir engaged in sexual activity? Why do you need a gun?”
“I said it was easy money. Her dad paid me more to shut it down, but I kinda like this lifestyle.” Joe shrugged. “I gotta stay safe.”
Marlon clicked the safety on his gun. “Hands up so we can talk.”
“You can’t touch me, asshole.” He tipped his head. “Now move to the left.”
“You don’t give the orders.” Marlon’s heart hammered against his ribs. “Drop it.” Controlling his urge to attack the man, Marlon stared at Joe as Mac moved up behind the goon.
Joe’s eyes flashed in the orange light of the setting sun. “You fucked her and now it’s my turn to fuck you.” Yanking his jacket open, he tossed the recorder and aimed the gun. “You made a good blip, but her life was so much more exciting when you weren’t around.” The click of the safety disengaging split the air. “Goodbye.”
Marlon ducked as Mac charged Joe. The wild shot whizzed past his ear.
“No one kills my officers under my watch,” Mackenzie growled. The handcuffs glinted as he clicked them around Joe’s wrists. “Marlon, is Jaden okay? Check on your girl. I’ve got the son of a bitch.”
“Fuck.” Marlon jerked around, searching for Jaden. If she was hurt, he wouldn’t be held accountable for his actions. “Babe?”
“Down here.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gave him two thumbs up from her crouch next to the car. “You did it. You got rid of my peeper.”
Marlon dropped to his knees and wrapped her in his arms. Fuck the rest of the world for a few moments. She was safe. He breathed in the flowery scent of her hair and basked in the softness of her body. God, he’d missed her.
“You’ll squeeze me to death.” Her muffled voice vibrated against his shoulder.
He inched back, releasing her from his tight grip. Tell her you love her, the voice in the back of his mind urged. “We need to go fill out paperwork.”
“Of course.” Grabbing his hand, she stood and brushed loose strands of hair behind her ears. “This makes you a hero.”
Her hero?
She wobbled and grasped his sleeve. “I need to sit.”
“You okay?” A quick glance from her head to her toes revealed no blood. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I can call the EMT.”
“I’ll be fine. Just a little dizzy.”
“Then let’s get you inside.”
“No, I came here to do something and I’m going to do it.” She took a long breath and let it out slowly. “When I came to Crawford, I felt complete. I felt like I was the woman I’m supposed to be. I can’t get rid of the circus, but I liked being lowbrow. I liked being with you.”
She sighed, the sound drawn out as she bowed her head. Resignation?
“Marlon, the internet leak wasn’t of my making. If I had my way, I’d erase it from public viewing. One of Daddy’s goons shot the footage. The order was to stop at sex, but he didn’t. I lost a part of me when that went viral, but I never meant to hurt you.”
She’d offered her heart and bared her soul. The words I love you lingered on his tongue.
“But we’re not meant to be. You think Bobby’s in the picture and I can’t be sure Sabrina’s not.”
“What are you saying?”
She placed her hand over his heart. “Please remember me when you find the woman of your heart. I want you to look back at our time together fondly.” Tears glistened on her cheeks. “Goodbye, Marlon.”
He moved his mouth, but no sound came out. She offered him a wobbly smile and wandered into the department to give her statement. Running after her sounded like a damned good idea, but his feet refused to move.
The woman of his heart had slipped right through his fingers.
* * * *
Eight hours later, Marlon sat at his desk digesting the turn of events. He clicked the button on his pen. In her own way, Jaden had saved his life. Dropping the writing instrument, he closed his eyes. God knew he needed the vacation. He had an ass-load of paperwork to catch up on first. Dammit. For one of the rare times in his life, he hated his job.
The squeak of footsteps on linoleum broke his train of thought.
“Jaden left something at the house and Mom asked me to deliver it.” When he opened his eyes, Steven stood before Marlon’s desk, hands behind his back. “You want it?”
“I don’t know when I’ll see her again.” His thoughts turned to Jaden. The moment she’d told him she loved him in the living room. The times she’d called him names on the front porch. Making his heart soar while sprawled on the dining room table. Damn. He missed the sounds she made while laying next to him. Remembering each whimper, sigh, and hum jerked at his heart.
The more he thought about it, the more he realised she’d always been a part of him. With Jaden around, things were fun. She turned to him when she needed someone. Not the celebrity playboys, not the millionaires she ran with before. She chose him.
Her smile, something so simple, brightened his life. She might not be in the same room, but she was part of him just the same. She filled the holes in his soul. Through every oddball incident, every smile and tear, he loved her all the more.
“Mom’s adamant this is yours to give Jaden, so take it.” He pushed the box across the desktop with one finger. “I hope you’re part of the bomb squad. I was forbidden from opening it.”
Drawing Marlon’s attention from his musings, Steven plopped down in the plastic chair.
“Right.” Marlon shook his head. “I’m not the bomb squad, but I’ll check it out.”
“Mom’s delirious.” Folding his thick arms, Steven leant back a bit in his seat. “Said you had to have it in order for Jaden to get it. Why she waited three months is beyond me.”
Rubbing his hands on his jeans legs, Marlon stared at the object. Wine-coloured lace festooned the outside while a pearlescent ribbon kept the lid closed. Steven leant forwards in his seat. “Open it already. I didn’t think they had this kinda crap at the home and I want to know what it is.”
Narrowing his eyes as he glanced at Steven, Marlon tugged the slippery ribbon. The sides of the lid popped open, revealing a letter and a smaller box. He withdrew the envelope. The side was torn as if someone tampered with it. He unfolded the crinkled paper, grinning as Judi’s distinctive scrawl lined the page. He smiled and set the box aside to read.
This gift is intended for Marlon Cross. If you’re Steven, put this back or I’ll cross you off the list in my will. I’m not dead yet and I will have Marlon arrest you for tampering. (If you’re Marlon, you can do that, right?)
Marlon—when I first met you, I knew you’d be over a lot. She’s part of you and you can’t forget her no matter how hard you try. I want you to do something for me. In the little box, you’ll find something given to me a long time ago. It’s mine to bestow. You’ll know when you need to use it.
Don’t wait too long. You both deserve to be happy.
Love,
Judi
Marlon slumped in his seat, the weight of the page heavy in his hands. Love. The bad things didn’t really matter any longer. It was time to get down to loving her the way she deserved.
He reached for the smaller box. The dark brown felt contrasted with the pale complexion of his palm. Once again, he glanced around the room. Open the box or wait. Might as well know. He flicked open the lid and the wind rushed from his lungs. The emerald set in the simple gold band matched the green in Jaden’s eyes. Judi had given him the ring out of love. Could he in turn, give it to Jaden? She’d turned him down once before.
“You gonna sit here and gaze at that piece of costume jewellery or you leaving to do what my mom wants? Dinner’s on the table at home and I wanna go.”
Marlon glared at Steven. If he wasn’t mistaken, the gem wasn’t manmade. “Costume jewellery?”
“Dad used to give her frilly crap like that after a fight. He’d say, ‘Your mother means more to me than any coloured rock, but if it makes her smile, it’s worth every cent’. It’s junk, the jewellery, the line, all of it.”
“Thank you for bringing it by. I’ll make sure she gets it.”
Steven grunted and stood. With a nod, he limped out of the station.
Marlon toyed with the ring and sat back in his chair. So Judi found value in ‘junk’. Hadn’t Jaden said she was little more than ‘junk’? According to Judi’s note, he’d know when to give Jaden the ring.
She’d said she needed time.
The scent of her perfume, the taste of her kisses, the feel of her body against his came to mind. She permeated his life and damn, it sucked without her.
Across the room, Carol Ann sat at her desk pounding away on the computer keyboard. She held up a piece of paper “Deputy Cross. Message.”
He jumped out of his seat and snatched the note from her hand. “You’re being awfully formal.”
“You are a deputy and I am to address you as such.” She cracked her gum. “I’m delivering a message and trying to finish this report. Mac wants it by the end of the day and that’s only a couple of minutes away. Besides, it’s Saturday and I’ve got a date with Craig tonight.” Her mouse clicks echoed in the room. “Oh, and you have a visitor in the interrogation room. He showed up while you were talking to Mr Pennywood. The guy says he won’t leave until you—and only you—speak to him, so you have to stick around.”
“Does this him have a name?”
“Rexx Weir.”
He froze. Rexx…Weir? Dear God. Jaden’s father. Marlon clenched and unclenched his fists. He faced murderers, robbers, angry drunks, and the occasional coyote. He knew how to use a gun and had passed his proficiencies with the highest marks. Even Addy’s alcohol-fuelled tirades hadn’t scared him. He’d argued with the asshole three times over the phone. Why not air things in person?
“If you need me, I’ll be in I-one with him.”
Carol Ann waved and returned to her report. For a man who generally had no fear, Marlon was currently an equal combination of hard-ass and scared shitless. He knocked on the door and strode into the cramped room. “Mr Weir, I’m Deputy Cross. I hope you’re enjoying your time in Jarvis County. Here in Crawford, we strive to show you the cream of the crop of Ohio. Now, the secretary says we need to chat. What’s on your mind? You aren’t filming this for future use? I’m not ready for my close-up.”
Rexx scooted back in his chair. “Call me Mr Haydenweir.” His salt-and-pepper hair glittered in the harsh fluorescent lighting. He wrinkled his nose, making his moustache twitch. Folding his long hands, he crossed his legs. “I owe you an apology, although after your comments I wonder if it’s deserved. I came here with the intention of making peace, not adding to the problem.” He sighed. “And meeting you in person, I see why you’re the problem.”
Marlon crossed his arms. “I’m the problem? I beg to differ. I didn’t post nude photos of her online or ruin an innocent man’s career.” He gritted his teeth. He wanted her back, not to push her further away. Arguing with her father wasn’t going to win him points.
“Uh-huh.” Rexx stroked his chin. “You’re a jerk, you’re callous, and despite your bravado, you’re determined to prove you aren’t hurting as well.”
Marlon crooked his brow. “You got all that out of my short statement? Maybe we need you as an interrogator.”
“I’m in the business of people-watching. I have an uncanny ability to tell when people are uncomfortable. You, my friend, are so out of your comfort zone, it’s not funny.” He chuckled. “I have to give my girl credit. She got under your skin. She’s good at that, just like her mother.”
Ego deflated, Marlon sighed. “She did, but with the Hollywood circus surrounding her, I don’t know where I fit in. If I’m to believe her, she’s not mine to worry about.”
“What if I told you I’ve been in your shoes and know you’re making a mistake by letting her go?”
“I’d laugh.”
Rexx stood. “Want to try this again? I can see it in your eyes—you’re not ready to let her get away.” He withdrew a piece of paper from his breast pocket. “This is an invitation to the grand opening of Please Remember Me, tomorrow night. You are cordially invited, and I highly suggest you attend. It’s black tie, so you might want to rent a tux if you don’t have one.”
Marlon folded the cardstock invitation and stuffed it, along with his hands, into his pockets. “I’ll see what I can do. I’m on call tomorrow night.”
“You’ve got an evening to think things over.” Rex stabbed a finger at Marlon. The creases around his eyes deepened and a frown marred his lips. His voice held a hard edge. “Don’t be an ass because you think it makes you look right. Take it from me. You’ll have a lot happier life if you give in to her and let her smother you with love. Looking right when you’re completely wrong feels like shit.”
Marlon palmed the invitation as Mr Haydenweir walked out of the station. What the hell was Please Remember Me? And why did Rexx swear he needed to attend a gala? He didn’t have a tuxedo and wasn’t keen on dancing or mingling with the upper crust of Crawford society. He raked his fingers through his hair and sighed. He had to stop the nervous gesture or he’d be bald soon. The silence in the office suffocated him.
Time to go home.
He shuffled out into the parking lot, but stopped. Bobby Hutchins sat on the hood of the Jeep. Marlon rubbed his forehead. “Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere else?”
“You gonna go?”
“Go to hell, Hutchins. You’ve done enough damage, I never want to see your ugly ass again.”
Bobby slid off the hood and finger-combed his hair. His gaze didn’t quite meet Marlon’s. “I didn’t sleep with her.”
“Give it a rest.”
Groaning, Bobby looked up. “Yeah, I’ll admit it. I fucked Addy. I snuck around with Sabrina and I had one God damned one-nighter with Jade, but I never, ever slept with Jaden once she came back. She told you the truth and I’m sorry I was a shit.”
“Bob—”
“I put the moves on her and she
turned me down.”
Marlon’s mouth went dry. She’d turned Bobby down? His world tilted on its axis. He drew a hard breath into his lungs and let it flow over his lips. “I have to go and think.”
“Don’t take too long.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“What do you think, Sparks? Is it beautiful?” Jaden rubbed her brow and dropped the paintbrush back into the empty can. Three months of hard work translated into a nearly complete remodelling of the building and the completion of her dream. The dog barked, his nails scraping on the hardwood behind her.
“I like it, too.” She nodded and drew a satisfying breath. “What do you think, Judi?”
Hands clapped to her right. “Oh, I love it. Who knew hunter green could be so pretty! It makes the whole room seem warm, like a giant hug.” Judi snickered and wheeled up next to Jaden. “I never thought I’d see the day. Your half-formed plan is fantastic.”
Jaden turned and grasped Judi’s hand. “Well, you gave me the idea. I’m glad I ran away and moved to Ohio. PRM is the best thing I ever did.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Never better.” She gave Judi’s hand a squeeze. “Marlon dances to his own beat and my pushing won’t help. I’m giving him space.”
“You’ve become a wise girl since you moved here. How is Pia? Did she have a boy or girl?”
“Neither. The doctor said it was false labour pains and she’s still got another month to go. She’s upstairs lying down. The flight was too much for her, even with Daddy’s personal physician on board.”
“Have you talked to Marlon?”
“I nearly got him killed. I’m sure he wanted to talk, but I ended the relationship before he broke my heart.”
“I love your flair for the dramatic, but I really think you need to talk to him again. It’s the only way.”
“I want to call him, but I’m scared I caused too much trouble and wasted too much time. For all I know, he still thinks Bobby’s a threat for my attention.”
A voice called from the great room. “Jaden!”