Splashdown: A Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 3)

by Linda K. Rodante

  He chuckled. “Not unless I have to.”

  Chapter 8

  Sharee glanced up at Lynn, then back down into the bag. Next, she moved her candy jar to the side and upended the bag onto the antique trunk she and John used as a coffee table.

  Lynn’s phone rang. She pulled it from her Louis Vuitton handbag, looked at the screen and frowned. “Dr. Richmond. I’m not answering it, but I did give him your number. He might be calling you.”

  “Why? Who is he?”

  “I met him at some community awareness meeting Representative McCloud sent me to. We started talking afterward. He volunteers his time with the foster care system but is looking to help with human trafficking or the homeless. He wants a community project with which he can be involved. But he was way too friendly, so I gave him your number.”

  Sharee sent her a look and pulled a soft peppermint from the candy jar. Lynn shook her head when she offered it. “Should I be thanking you?”

  “He talked about giving some financial support, and I know Downtown Ministries can use it.”

  “True enough. Email me his name and address if you have it, and I’ll send him an invite to the banquet.” Sharee popped the candy into her mouth and looked back down at the table. “Why would Maria give this to me?” she asked, changing the subject. “A present, you said?”

  “Well, I thought it was.” Lynn’s voice trailed off. She touched a comb, a brush, a tube of lipstick and then picked up a torn, half-sheet of paper. She read it and raised her eyes to meet Sharee’s. “Read this.”

  Sharee took it, and a moment later, her gaze met Lynn’s again. “It’s Victoria’s stuff.”

  Lynn dropped her head, staring at the items scattered across the trunk. Sharee reread the note.

  “It says Victoria was gone when Maria and Lily left the other day, so Maria tried to salvage some stuff for her. And then she never saw her again.” When Lynn made no reply, she said, “I wonder why Victoria went back.”

  “Especially with a hurricane coming.” Lynn picked up a book, ran her fingers over it. “It’s so hard to believe that a person’s life could be reduced to this.”

  Sharee reached over and hugged her, and they sat in silence for a moment.

  Lynn sniffed. “I’d like to take that jerk of a husband…and… and…”

  “Lynn, we don’t know for sure it was him, and the police are investigating.”

  “With what little evidence they could save before Bella blew in.” Lynn cleared her throat. “Who else could it be, anyway?”

  “There’s not much here. I’m sure Maria had enough stuff of her own to carry without taking too much for Victoria. This is personal stuff.”

  Lynn read the back cover of the book she held. “Look what she was reading—Rolling Thunder by Mark Mynheir. It says he’s a real detective, used to be on a SWAT team. Maybe she hoped to get some help for what was going on in her life.”

  “Or maybe she just wanted to escape.” Sharee put aside a t-shirt and dark pants. “One set of clothes, makeup, shampoo, a used bar of soap, a pill bottle.”

  “A pair of flip-flops and mosquito repellant.”

  Sharee dropped the pill bottle and put her hand out for the mosquito repellant. She shook the spray can and pushed on the top. “Empty. Guess she used it all.”

  “Believe me, they’ve got lots of mosquitoes out there.” Lynn began to load the items back into the bag.

  Sharee snatched the book from her hand. “I’d like to look at this. It’s well used.”

  “Yeah. How’s the banquet coming?”

  “The banquet?” Sharee lifted her head. Okay. Perhaps a change in subject was needed. “There’s always a lot to do the last week, but it will get done. Sure you can’t come?”

  “Another time. I’m swamped at work, and this police investigation adds to the pile.”

  Sharee took the bag from her hand. “I understand. I guess Maria didn’t know what to do with this.”

  “It just seems so useless,” Lynn’s voice rose. She stood and walked to the window overlooking the street. “What was her life for?”

  Sharee followed. “Lynn, what you did for her—leading her to the Lord—gave her life meaning and sense, even for a short time; and now…now she’s with God. No more sorrow, no more tears.”

  “I know. It’s just…” Lynn stumbled to a stop.

  “I know her story touched you, and I know why; but the police are doing all they can to find this person.”

  “Sure, just like they did before.”

  ***

  “You did what?” Keith Carpenter’s voice sounded incredulous. “Of all the stupid, idiotic…”

  Rich ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I didn’t plan it. When I walked into the deli and saw her sitting there, I just thought what a chance to catch her off guard…”

  “Uh huh, sure. I’ve seen her, remember?”

  Rich grimaced but a mental image of Lynn at dinner the night before rose to his mind. She’d turned a few heads when they walked into the restaurant but seemed oblivious. Later, she surprised him with her humor, and he had enjoyed her laughter. Maybe too much.

  “Yesterday,” he said, continuing the confession, “I’d planned to catch Representative McCloud just before he left. Thought it might be good to talk with him. That girl he’s hauling around was homeless. Her story’s been in the papers, the news. Could be something there.”

  “And you didn’t remember Lynn Stapleton worked there, did you?”

  “I had a change of plans when I saw her.” When Keith nodded knowingly, Rich scowled. “Thought I’d get her out to the homeless site, and she’d come up with something new.”

  “You took her to the homeless site?” Carpenter’s raised, disbelieving voice caused Rich to glower again. After a moment, Keith asked, “Get anything?”

  Rich shook his head. “She almost fainted from the heat. It was an oven out there. So, I took her someplace to cool off.”

  Keith had started a turn back to his desk, now his head shot back around. His body followed. “You did what?”

  Rich wondered what he’d done himself. His surplus thoughts about long, blonde hair and eyes the color of a morning sky concerned him. “Don’t worry. It won’t happen again.”

  “It better not. We have no idea if she’s involved. And she works with McCloud. I’m with you on that; all of it’s too much coincidence. I’ll interview him. You stay on Victoria Lawson. We know who she is now—but we need more. Who was she working for, and what was she investigating?”

  ***

  John parked the truck in the back parking lot of the auditorium, arriving early as Sharee had requested. A co-worker had brought her before eight this morning. Tonight’s fundraising banquet for Downtown Ministries would be his first. Thank goodness, the hurricane had not derailed it. Sharee had spent too much time and work on it for that.

  He entered the hall at a brisk pace but stopped to admire her handiwork. The place shimmered with gold and silver decorations and small miniature lights. The numerous hours Sharee and her volunteers had worked evidenced themselves in the glow of white linen tablecloths, white china, gold chargers, clear crystal, and towering blue and gold centerpieces. Fifty tables, each with settings for eight people, represented the four hundred donors they expected.

  About halfway across the large hall, among the tables, she stood talking with a well-dressed man. The knee-length black dress she wore emphasized her slender figure, giving it a gentle hug and moved as she swayed. The man leaned toward her, head bent, smiling. Sharee said something to him, and he put a hand on her arm and laughed.

  John made his way across the room. The other man’s black suit, white shirt, and cream-colored tie fit his lean body well.

  When John stepped next to her, Sharee gave a start of surprise, glanced up and smiled.

  “John.” The welcome in her voice formed a hug.

  He gave her a quick squeeze then turned to the man across from her and held out his hand. “John Jergenson.”


  The man shook John’s hand. “Zeke Richmond. I was just telling Sharee what a wonderful job she’s done.”

  John took in the glittering room again. “Yes, she has a gift for it.”

  “All that organizational talent in such a petite body,” Richmond said.

  John’s eyes came back to Richmond’s, whose look held his for a moment. John frowned, then dropped his focus to Sharee. Her face radiated excitement.

  “Come on.” She nestled her hand into his. “I want to introduce you to our President before things get crazy. Dr. Richmond, you don’t mind?”

  The man bowed. “It’s Zeke. Of course not. I’m sure I’ll see you later.”

  Sharee spun on her high heels, and they headed toward the stage area. John followed, enjoying the view.

  She threw a glance over her shoulder. “You look very handsome tonight.”

  “That’s what I’m supposed to say to you. You look incredible. Where did you get the dress?”

  “Lynn knows all the designer stores and all the sales. She took me shopping a while back.” She reached back and caught his hand. “Do you like it?”

  “Very much.” He hesitated, but couldn’t stop himself. “So did your friend Zeke.”

  “Dr. Richmond?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Dr. Richmond’s a nice guy.”

  “Yeah.”

  Her eyes held surprise. “What? He is.”

  “Hmmm…” He pictured the look on the man’s face a minute ago but thrust it aside. Sharee’s color was high, her eyes bright. He had married a beautiful and talented woman. Of course, the man had noticed.

  She made an abrupt stop, turned and pulled his hand to her mouth and kissed it. She stepped closer. “You know what I’m thinking?”

  He raised his brows, hearing the playfulness. “What?”

  She stood on tiptoe, tilting her head back, and rested one hand against his chest. “I think…”

  “Hey, Sharee, have you seen Kevin?” The voice jumped at them from across the room.

  Sharee glanced over her shoulder.

  “We’re having trouble with the sound system.”

  “Just a minute.” She hesitated and looked at John again. “I guess I’ll have to introduce you later.”

  “What were you thinking?” he asked.

  She threw him a teasing grin and started across the floor.

  ***

  Midnight had come and gone by the time John braked the truck at the back of their home. Sharee’s quiet on the way home had been companionable and daunting at the same time. The gala had gone off without anything but minor problems. The food, the speakers, the guests—an excellent evening, except… He could feel her exhaustion. She’d orchestrated the long night from the decorations, through the banquet and the speakers, to the teardown.

  Now, as she reached for the truck’s passenger door, he touched her hand. “Sharee.”

  Her head came back his way.

  “Before we get out…”

  “Yes?”

  He’d watched her speak, smile, and move among all the society people, all the wealthy benefactors. It was a side of her he barely knew. She sparkled. He liked the way she moved and laughed, and the way the dress clung to her.

  In the moonlight that shifted through the windshield, he saw her questioning look.

  “You did a great job tonight. All your planning and hard work paid off. Everything looked elegant, everything went well. I’m sure donations are up.”

  “Thank you. I hope so. We need it.”

  He pushed a strand of hair back from her face. Moonlight draped her in shimmering light. “You look gorgeous tonight. I love the dress. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He bent and captured her mouth and slid a thumb along her bare shoulder. When he drew back, he looked down at her. “How tired are you?”

  “Why?” The word held a touch of amusement. “Are you planning to seduce me?”

  He couldn’t help the grin. “Thinking about it.”

  She caught his hand where it had moved to her cheek, leaned closer and raised her face to his. He felt the quickening inside and bent his head to hers again.

  She jumped back, turned, and thrust the door open. He jerked in surprise.

  “You’ll have to catch me first.”

  “I…what?”

  “Catch me.” She said, and she was out of the truck running through the moonlight. Laughter flowed over her shoulder.

  Chapter 9

  “No.” The next morning’s light painted the floor in leaf mosaics. John hoped his voice carried to the man on the other end of the phone.

  Sharee sent him a look with warring expressions. She had the phone curled to her chest with her left hand, but with her right, she put a quick finger to her mouth—which served to irritate him further.

  He gritted his teeth. Like a number of the men he knew, he found himself walking a tightrope these days. He tried to balance his God-given leadership role against his wife’s need for independence. Right now, he was watching her “right” to do whatever she wanted battle with whatever teaching she might have received on being submissive. And he knew just how much the word submission grated on women’s nerves.

  “Sharee.” He dropped the volume and changed the tone, but changing his facial expression felt impossible.

  She put the phone to her mouth. “Dr. Richmond?” The warmth in her voice caused another spasm of jaw clenching on his part. “Zeke, I mean. Yes. I don’t think this is a good time.”

  You don’t think, John mouthed. She glared at him and turned away.

  “No, I’m sorry. It was a long night for both John and me. It’s the weekend. Perhaps another time?” She said nothing for a minute. “Thank you. It’s rewarding to hear you say that. I’m glad you liked the banquet and feel that Downtown Ministries is worthy of your support.” Quiet again.

  His instincts had been right last night, only the man was bolder than he’d thought. Calling the day after the banquet and wanting to meet her for lunch. He listened to Sharee’s continued expression of appreciation. Of course, the man would use the idea of his financial support to get close to her. Was she that ignorant of men and their lines to guess that?

  John made himself stand still, but the urge to grab the phone and let…Zeke…have a few words of appreciation from her husband forced his fists to tighten.

  Sharee clicked off her phone and set it on the end table, moving in slow motion. A moment later, she turned his way. “He could hear you, you know.”

  “All I said was no.”

  “Before I asked.”

  “You were entertaining the idea.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Your voice dripped syrup.” He tried to keep his tone under control but saw the fire jump into her eyes. He inhaled. Last night and this morning had been too good. He didn’t want to ruin it.

  “Sharee, I didn’t like the way the man looked at you last night, and I don’t think he cared that you were married. Calling here now…”

  “How can you get that from a one-minute introduction?”

  “Look,” he shortened the distance between them, “women are not the only ones with instincts. I don’t feel good about him.” When she didn’t reply, he said, “You warned me about China.”

  “Yes, but…” She stopped. Her brow creased. “But that was…”

  “What you thought it was, and I listened.” He waited. Her face changed, and she mumbled something. He put his hand into her hair, slid it back to cup her head, and pulled her forward for a kiss. “Trust me on this, will you?”

  She growled at him, and he smiled. She’d picked up a lot of his nonverbal communication since they’d married. He dropped his arm to her waist and hauled her against him.

  “Do as your husband says, wife.”

  She growled again. “He’s going to call me at the office next week.”

  “I don’t trust the man.”

  “I don’t understand why. I love
you. No one’s going to take away what we have together.”

  “The devil hates what we have.”

  “I know.”

  “Well?” He lifted a brow at her.

  “All right. Okay.”

  “Don’t see him alone—and no lunches.”

  “What? I…” Their eyes locked.

  “No lunches. That’s what he wanted, wasn’t it?”

  “You have good hearing.”

  He grunted. “And you thought about it.”

  “I wouldn’t have gone without you.”

  “Today, you mean. What if he’d called at work Monday and asked?”

  “It would be a business lunch.”

  “That’s how you’d think of it, but I’m not sure that’s his main idea.”

  “You’re jealous.”

  He frowned. “Not jealous…” He didn’t like the feeling inside him. How could he explain it? “If you feel you have to go, take a co-worker.”

  “All right, Sir.” The tone of her voice mocked. “Whatever you say, Sir.”

  “Good. Just remember it.” He laughed when her eyes narrowed, but something leaden dropped into his gut. Zeke Richmond might prove to be more trouble than either of them wanted.

  ***

  Lynn sat staring across the room, out the door to the gray waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Bella had left it churning and dark, but at least the police had let them back into their condos. The building itself needed minor repairs, but her own place needed no work, except for her to set out the things she’d taken inside. They had been spared the worst.

  Her mind wandered again as it had the last two days—the dinner with Rich Richards had occupied her thoughts more than she would admit to anyone. In fact, the warmth of his presence and the sound of his voice had echoed inside her since the drive home that evening. He’d taken her back to the office, but neither seemed in a hurry to leave. After he had walked her to her car, they stood talking for a long time. She’d even wondered if he might call later to say goodnight, but then she shook herself. They hadn’t been on a date, hadn’t been “out” together. But her emotions weren’t listening to her head.