by Grady, D. R.
Taz noticed one of the lights in her pool sparking. (She swims every day.) When she called an electrician, he told her she was lucky to have noticed the sparks, because it could have been a tragic accident if she’d have jumped into the pool.
Then, during a rainstorm here, some idiot nearly sent me over the cliff pass not far from my house. Coincidence, or someone trying to kill us? Taz and I haven’t decided what to think, but she’s moved in with me for now. (It might not be smart. Someone will probably try to burn down my house, or something.)
“This guy sound paranoid to you?” Greg murmured, and Janine nodded, but kept reading. A tight ball had formed in her stomach, one that caused sick bubbles to rise up her throat. From the sound of things, someone wanted something from Tasmin and Jonathan, and was willing to cross lines to obtain it.
“Rightfully so.” Janine frowned. Why were Jonathan and Tasmin being stalked?
Greg nodded and stared at the screen. Janine was almost afraid to keep reading.
We’re not sure what to do, but Tasmin is spooked and so am I. She’s not the type to scare easily and I guess I’m not either. I’ve got extra guards and dogs patrolling at night now.
My partner asked that we tighten security at the office, so I’ve done that as well. Her safety and that of all of our employees is our uppermost priority. I’ve considered setting someone on her, because she knows a lot and I don’t want someone hurting her for the information in her brain.
At the moment, I’ve hired extra security guards and installed more cameras. (I should have done so a long time ago.) Oddly enough, I don’t believe anyone has broken into the offices. (Dogs patrol here, and have been before all this happened.) The strangest part of this whole deal is that none of it began until my mother died.
We don’t know what to make of these occurrences, but Tasmin is extra freaked. A friend of hers recently died in a car accident. Nothing was wrong with the car, it just spun off the road and into the sea. The cops still can’t figure out what happened.
This woman was known to have seizures, so Tasmin and the woman’s family suspect she might have had one, and that’s what sent her car off the road. But in light of what’s been happening, we’re trying to be extra careful.
Can’t be too cautious, I guess.
All for now. I’m glad you’re willing to keep in contact.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morris
“Definitely some weird stuff.”
Janine nodded. The ball that had formed in her throat at the start of this email expanded until she could barely squeeze in enough air. Her training and instincts told her these weren’t coincidences – all these little things that kept happening to Jonathan and Tasmin.
“Do you think it’s bad they’re living together?”
Greg shrugged. “Makes things easier and harder.”
Thanks for nothing, pal, she thought. “That didn’t answer my question.”
“If someone wants to kill them both, their cohabitation will make it easier. If someone is trying to scare them, it might also be easier. But then, having other people around if you want to kill or harm someone also provides a witness, so that makes the job harder.”
Janine sighed. “Until we know what’s going on for sure, we really can’t determine whether it’s good they’re together, then.”
“Right.”
“Do you think they’re in danger?”
“Yeah, I do,” Greg replied without hesitation and the knot in her throat swelled to choking size.
She swallowed, hoping to dislodge the lump. That wasn’t the answer she wanted. Probably the one she needed, but not what she wanted.
“How are we going to help them?”
“Good question.”
Oh, great, he didn’t know either. Janine slanted him a look. “That’s not comforting.”
Greg smiled briefly. “Sorry.”
“Should we send this to O’Riley, do you think?”
“Yeah.”
Janine forwarded Jonathan’s messages to her former boss, wondering how to keep her maybe cousins safe and alive until they could sort the situation out.
“What are the chances of keeping everyone safe and alive until we settle this?”
Greg lifted an eyebrow. “Let’s not go into that,” he finally answered.
The lump in her throat returned.
He watched as no emotion skittered across Janine’s face. The woman was the hardest person he’d ever tried to read. That was saying something, considering he had worked with teams of SEALs, other operatives, and reported to Rich O’Riley.
He stared into the amber depths of her eyes, but saw nothing there. At least nothing he could use to ascertain her feelings on the subject of Jonathan Morris. Greg appreciated the respect and the slightly naughty look that flitted through her eyes before she concealed her thoughts again.
“I think we need to be careful,” he said, hoping she took him seriously. And not only in relation to this case, provided they even had one. He’d prefer several car bombs, an attempted kidnapping, even a murder or two to not knowing. Of course, they did have a car bomb, an inexperienced kid broke a branch on the tree outside Janine’s window, and there were the now suspicious deaths of John and Jeff Morris.
“I know,” she answered. This time she didn’t meet his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“I guess if Jonathan’s mother died of cancer, it was natural causes.”
“Right. Wonder how the arson plays in there?”
“I could ask him.”
Greg stared at her for a moment. “Yeah, you could ask him. But will he answer?”
“We can only try.”
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject:RE: Information
Hello Jonathan,
Glad for your reply. You have me worried. Your mother dying of cancer, which by the way, some of the reports I found said arson, murder, and other causes. You said she died from the cancer, soon after her diagnosis. So I took that to mean she died of natural causes. Which is still difficult.
What I’m worried about are the other things you mentioned. Like the need for extra security guards and cameras. The break-ins sound ominous. As do the attempts on your life. (I don’t think you’re being paranoid, by the way.) Tasmin’s swimming pool situation and your near swan dive over a cliff in your car sounds bad.
Especially after your mother’s death. Have you gone to the police about this? I know the man who is sheriff now, and he’s a good man. He comes from a good family and he’ll be fair and unbiased. Please go to him. His name is James Confer.
Greg watched Janine type her message, and thought about her knowing the sheriff. “How long have you been off the island?”
“Close to twenty years,” she answered absently, her eyes locked on the computer screen.
“How do you know the sheriff then?”
“His mother patched me up after the beatings and she and I still correspond.” Her answer was as close to negligent as could be.
Greg raised an eyebrow at her. “Beatings?”
She still didn’t look at him. Barely even hesitated in her typing. “Her son helped me get away from my uncle a few times. He was in the class ahead of me. A very good boy then. I don’t doubt he’s turned into a fine man.”
Since it was obvious she didn’t want to talk about this, he let it go. “You think he’ll listen to Morris?”
“I do. At this point, Jonathan needs to have the law on his side. Especially if anything happens to him or Tasmin.”
Yeah, with the amount of money he’d seen in Morris’ account, someone would profit from either or both of their deaths. “I hope they have their wills in order.”
Janine started and her eyes left the computer screen momentarily to stare at him. “What do you mean?”
“Someone will make out very well if they die. Even if only one of them dies.”
“How do you know that?”
&nbs
p; “Because I checked your cousin Jonathan’s bank account. He could buy and sell my parents several times over.”
She resumed her typing. “Should I mention for him to get his finances in order? I barely know him.”
Greg grunted. True. She didn’t want to sound like a money grubbing relative, especially in light of the fact they still didn’t know they were related for sure. “Right. I imagine Confer, if he’s honest like you claim, will tell him that immediately.”
“You’d think that growing up wealthy, as we imagine he did, Jonathan would know to have his finances settled.”
“You’d think.” He had known plenty of people who grew up with more money than they could spend, but still managed to fritter all of it away.
He peered over her shoulder to read the rest of the email she composed.
Please be careful. I’m glad Tasmin has moved in with you. Safety in numbers. I’d really like to meet you. Did you know I’m from Toliliel? I grew up there, left when I was seventeen. I haven’t been back since.
Perhaps if you and Tasmin find things heat up there too much, you might like to visit me in Hershey, PA? We could go take blood tests and confirm whether we are related. Plus, it would give you some time away from home. You would likely be safer here.
If you don’t mind the thought of staying with a “stranger”, I’d love to host you. My house has four bedrooms, so there’s plenty of room. If you let me know in advance, I’ll take some time off work so we can visit Hershey Park. Not something you should miss. (I hope you like amusement parks.)
Biting off a bad word, Greg glared at Janine. “What are you doing?”
“Inviting them up here. They’ll be safe with me.”
“But will you be safe with them? Are you nuts?” He kept his disbelief and vexation reined in, barely. Had she taken a blow to the head recently?
“They’re family. I’m sure of it. They need help.”
“Janine—”
“I can give them that help.” She turned in the chair and met his eyes head on. He saw a determination there that told him arguing would be a waste of energy and words. Her jaw was set and that same firm light glowed in the amber jewels of her eyes. She swung back to the computer.
“Shouldn’t you think about your safety, even a little bit?” He had to try, even minimally to dissuade her.
“I have training to protect them and myself.” Her lips tightened and her jaw squared. “Plus they’ll check me out before they come. We’ve already checked them out. O’Riley will find out anything dangerous.”
“What if they’re the problem?”
Janine raised a brow, and he thought he heard her sigh. “What possible danger could I be in from them?”
“Sounds like someone has tried to kill them. What if that someone doesn’t care who gets in his way and takes you out along with them?”
“I’ve lived my entire life in danger. Why change now?”
“O’Riley won’t be pleased.”
“He’s not been impressed with us, anyway. And I can’t just sit back and let Jonathan and Tasmin remain in danger. If I can help them, and I can, I will. So will the rest of the Morrisons.”
Greg nodded. The rest of the Morrisons. Them en masse would be enough to deter an army. “You have a point. If Jonathan and Tasmin’s enemy do follow them here, your family will scare them off.”
“Exactly. And it sounds like they need to be close to family right now.”
“You still don’t know they are family.”
“That’s another reason for them to come. We can have DNA tests done.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
She frowned. “What are you asking?”
“If someone wants them dead, isn’t it likely they’ll want Jonathan and Tasmin’s closest family dead, too?”
“Well, since their closest family is commander of a SEAL team and a former secret operative’s team member, let them try.” While he loved the steel in her voice and it made his heart leap, it also jetted a sensation of fear down his spine. Greg stifled the impulse to groan.
At this point, everyone making it out alive seemed like a pipe dream.
Chapter 27
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Hershey, PA
Hello Janine,
Wow, Taz and I never suspected you’d extend an invitation to us. You don’t even know us. But in light of everything that’s happened here, we think we’ll try to come. Tasmin discovered frayed electrical wires in her bathroom and someone cut the brake lines on my car.
We’re not safe here, and I did call the sheriff, whom I know. He spoke to us at length and when we told him about your invitation, he encouraged us to visit. (He said he remembers you and that you and his mother still keep in touch.) The local police have rallied around us and are working closely with our security team, which has improved our spirits. But I still think the sheriff is right in that our disappearance for a little while will be good for us.
Tasmin’s a nervous wreck, and I’m not much better. We talked the other night and realized someone could burn the house down and kill both of us at the same time. Needless to say, neither of us are sleeping well.
We plan to arrive for the weekend, if that suits you?
Please let us know.
Sincerely,
And with gratitude,
Jonathan and Tasmin
Janine reached for the phone.
“Hello?” Greg’s voice sounded gruff and husky. He’d probably only just gone to bed, and here she was waking him up. But she hadn’t been able to sleep so she decided to check email.
“I just got a reply from Jonathan.”
“And?” He yawned and she resisted the urge to join him.
“They’re coming. This weekend.”
He bit off something she didn’t hear. Janine bit her lip.
“Greg, they’re scared. Someone cut the lines on his car and frayed the wires in her bathroom.”
“Those things wouldn’t necessarily kill them.” Greg sounded contemplative, but not worried.
“No, but they could seriously harm them.”
“Right. They’re coming this weekend to your house?”
“Yes.”
“Janine, it’s Tuesday.”
She glanced at the clock. “Technically, it’s Wednesday.”
He grunted. Janine had no idea what that meant. “Do you work today?”
“Yes, I’m on dayshift this week.”
“Which means you have an early morning.”
“Fairly, yes.”
“How are you going to entertain guests when you have to work?”
“I have off this weekend. And I have four weeks of vacation. I’ll take off next week.” Yes, that was a good plan. Then she’d have time to spend with this couple who were the closest thing to blood relatives she had since finding Ben.
Greg didn’t comment and she wondered if he’d fallen asleep on her. “Are you there?”
“Yeah.” He didn’t sound sleepy. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I know. But it’s happening anyway. I have to fill Ben in.” She leaned across her desk and snatched up a pen to hastily scrawl a note to herself. Ben would never forgive her if she didn’t let him know about these unusual circumstances.
“He’ll want to meet his cousins.”
“Yes, and he’ll have to go with us to do the DNA testing.”
“You think this couple will submit to that?”
“I guess we’ll see when they get here.” But she didn’t think they would mind undergoing the testing. They sounded as interested in finding more family as her. She needed answers, at least for her peace of mind, but also for a medical history, and she doubted Jonathan or Tasmin would mind helping her locate those answers. If they all matched, they’d be included in the Morrison clan. Even if they didn’t match, they’d probably still be glommed onto by her adopted family.
Not a prospect for the fai
nt of heart, but the pair had seen enough action lately to prove their mettle.
“Which will be Friday?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“You haven’t confirmed this yet?”
“No, I have to reply to his email and then I imagine he’ll send me the details.”
“I still don’t like this, Janine.”
“I know, but it’s the right thing to do.” Never had she felt so sure before. Inviting Jonathan and Tasmin to her home felt like the only recourse she had, but it also eased the tight knot tension had formed in her abdomen. She had to meet with them. Had to offer them surcease from their problems. Had to figure out if they truly were related.
Family wasn’t to be taken lightly, ever. Because they could be snatched from a person so quickly.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject:RE: Hershey, PA
Hello Jonathan,
I’m so happy you and Tasmin are planning to come see me. I have to tell my brother, Ben, yet, but I think he’ll be as excited as I am. Provided he doesn’t have to work – he’s in the military – he’ll be around.
I do have to work on Friday, but I’m on day shift. That will give us the evening. I plan to take off work next week so we’ll have some time together. Then I won’t have to worry about you entertaining yourselves.
The family, the Morrisons, will be very interested in both of you, just so you’re forewarned. They’re wonderful, overwhelming, and loving. You’ll be sucked into the fold as soon as they meet you, so we’ll try to keep visits with them to a minimum until you’re comfortable.
All for now, as I have to work tomorrow!
Can’t wait to meet you.
Sincerely,
Janine
When she hit send, Janine couldn’t help but wonder how she would do with two extra bodies in her house. She wanted to meet this pair. And was eager to learn more about her grandfather. But she wasn’t sure if she could cope with two people, especially two she didn’t know, in her domain. This house was her haven, her space.