“Ally and Jake never mentioned you leaving,” Emma said, her voice accusatory.
“They were upstairs with the baby,” Jeff said. “They probably had no idea I was gone. I didn’t want to bother them. Anyway, I went to the bar and this Sexton guy was really … odd. He asked me things about prison … and then he mentioned reading about Mom and Dad in the newspaper.
“I thought he wanted me to run drugs for him or something,” he continued. “He made me really nervous and I could tell he was packing, but I didn’t want to make any sudden moves to see what kind of gun it was or anything because he seemed agitated.
“My plan was to agree to what he wanted and then tell you guys,” he said. “Then he told me what he wanted and things kind of … spiraled.”
“What did he want?” Finn asked.
“A key.”
Finn stilled, surprised. That wasn’t the answer he was expecting. “What key?”
“The other safe deposit key, of course,” Emma said, things slipping into place. “That’s what this is all about. He killed Owen Parker to get his key and then approached you for the other key. The question is: Why does he think you have it?”
“Because I think I do.”
“Of course,” Finn muttered, rubbing his forehead. “This day just keeps getting better and better.”
“Why would you have the key?” James asked, entering the room and earning a scorching glare from Finn. “I’m sorry. I know you said not to eavesdrop but … come on … that’s not how this family rolls.”
“I didn’t realize I had the key, and technically I don’t have it in my possession,” Jeff explained. “Mom had the key.”
“But she said the driver stole the keys,” James said.
“And we all know she always tells the truth,” Peter deadpanned, moving into the spot next to James. “She lied.”
“That can’t possibly surprise anyone,” Emma said. “I’m so taking back that money we put into her commissary account. She is hateful … and evil … and she said I was fat.”
“She’s definitely hateful and evil,” Finn said. “If she ever calls you fat again I’ll beat her up … or at least send Mandy and Ally to pull her hair. You’re not fat, sweetie. Don’t ever think that.”
“I don’t care about her calling me fat,” Emma said. “Well, I care a little. I mostly care about the fact that you were shot and she lied to us.”
“Did Sheila know Finn was shot?” Peter asked.
James shook his head. “We left that part out of the discussion,” he said. “Although … we should probably check and see if she’s had any visitors. It’s too late tonight, but I can place a call tomorrow. She might’ve known about Finn’s involvement in this before we even showed up.”
“I’m going to smack her silly,” Emma muttered.
“Okay, sweetie. Take it down a notch.” Finn fought the urge to smile as he rubbed Emma’s back. “Tell us about the key, Jeff. How did you end up with it?”
“I’ve been in prison for five years,” Jeff reminded them. “I don’t have the key. I might technically know where it is, though.”
“And where is that?” Peter asked.
“Our old house.”
“That house is a hole,” Emma said, shaking her head. “It’s been condemned. The city is going to tear it down.”
“How do you know that?” Finn asked, legitimately curious.
“Because … I went to visit it after we got together,” Emma replied, opting for honesty. “I wanted to say goodbye to the old memories and focus on the new. You’ll probably think it’s schmaltzy, but I was so happy and I just wanted to put it all behind me.”
“I don’t think it’s schmaltzy,” Finn said. “I would’ve gone with you, though. That’s a terrible neighborhood.”
“I’m fine,” Emma said. “No one even noticed me. It was kind of like I was still living there actually. They had signs up about not going inside, but I ignored them. Squatters have been in there. Everything has been stripped.”
“That doesn’t mean the key isn’t still there,” Jeff said. “Before she took off Mom gave me an envelope – it was actually one of those zippered bank envelopes that you use for night deposits – and she told me to hide it for her. I thought it was a weird request, but I did what she asked.
“Then she took off like a week later and I had a whole other set of problems so I kind of forgot about it,” he continued. “Even if they tore the house down, there’s a chance the envelope is still there. I buried it.”
“I’m going to guess that part of Sheila’s story was true,” James said. “She probably stole the keys and told Ray about them because they were supposed to be partners. Then I’m guessing she took off with the keys on her own and either told Ray there were no safety deposit keys in the jar or just disappeared altogether.”
“Then how did Ray find out about the key now?”
“Maybe he read about your mother going to jail,” James suggested. “That was big news when it happened because of the standoff in the hotel parking lot. It made the evening news and all of the local newspapers. If we go through the past year’s worth of visits for your mother, I’m willing to bet money Ray Sexton is on the visitor’s list.”
“Sheila probably made a deal with him,” Finn said. “You said she needed money. I will just bet her way of getting it was supplying Sexton with the key so he could fund her life sentence, which he was probably happy to do as long as she remained silent.”
“What I don’t get is the timing,” James said. “Why is this all happening now? I mean … what are the odds Owen Parker would hire us for a job at the exact time Ray Sexton decided to murder him?”
“The answer is in this room,” Peter supplied, inclining his head in Jeff’s direction. “Owen choosing your firm was probably a coincidence. You’re well regarded and have a sterling reputation, and that’s why he picked you. Ray had to wait until Jeff was out of jail for the other part, though. He knew Jeff was the only one who could lead him to the key.”
“How did he know that?” Finn asked.
“Because my mother told him,” Emma replied. “She told Ray that she couldn’t get him what he wanted until Jeff was out of prison. Jeff was barely out twenty-four hours when Ray went after Owen.”
“And then he went after Jeff on the same day,” Finn said. “It fits.”
“I still have one question,” James said, turning his pointed gaze on Jeff. “Why didn’t you tell us all of this?”
“Because Sexton said he would kill Emma – that he would finish what our father started – if I told anyone,” Jeff said, his eyes filling with tears. “He came back yesterday to make sure I understood the threat. I was going to take him to the key then, but Grady interrupted. I didn’t protect Emma as a child. I have to do it now. He threatened Avery, too.”
“Well, we’re not going to let anything happen to Emma or Avery,” James said. “I promise we’ll keep them safe.”
“No offense, but did you make that same promise when my father escaped from prison?”
Jeff’s question was a like a knife cutting through James’ heart.
“That’s not fair,” Emma snapped. “James couldn’t possibly know how that would all play out. Don’t you dare blame him!”
“I’m not blaming him,” Jeff said. “I’m just … I can’t make a mistake where Emma is concerned. Not again.”
“We all make mistakes,” James said, his eyes locking with Mandy’s as she entered the room. “You can’t fixate on them, though. I made a mistake with your father. We won’t make a mistake with Sexton.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because this time we’re going to work together as a family,” James said. “We’re all going to fix this … together.”
19
Nineteen
Mandy found James on the back patio a few minutes later, his eyes distant as they scanned the horizon. It was early summer so the sun stayed higher in the sky each day, but the fiery globe was mak
ing its inevitable descent and the warm glow bouncing off of James’ face made him look unbelievably handsome.
He also looked unbelievably conflicted.
Mandy shuffled up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He didn’t jump, which told her he already knew she was there.
“What are you thinking?”
“That I love my wife,” James replied, chuckling as Mandy gave him a playful squeeze. “I’m thinking that we have a lot to do but nothing that can be finished tonight. We can’t go back to Emma’s old house until the morning so … it’s a beautiful night to spend with my wife.”
“That was incredibly sweet,” Mandy said. “It’s not what you were thinking, though.”
“Oh, yeah? What was I thinking?”
“What Jeff said about the day Pritchard took us captive here wasn’t true,” Mandy said, moving her hands to cover James’ hands and bringing his right arm up so he had no choice but to press his palm to the spot over his heart. “Do you feel that?”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, baby, but it’s really not necessary,” James said. “What Jeff said wasn’t wrong. I miscalculated and you and Emma paid the price. I understand why he was frightened. He doesn’t know us.”
“Shh.” Mandy’s voice was barely a whisper as she pressed her ear to James’ back and listened for the telltale beat of his heart. “Do you know how you say my laughter is your favorite sound?”
“It is my favorite sound. There’s nothing better in this world.”
“Well, this is my favorite sound,” Mandy said. “It’s always strong. Sometimes it’s excited, like it will be tonight. Sometimes it’s slow, like when we’re having a lazy Sunday. Sometimes it’s fast, like when I do something stupid and you’re convinced I might get hurt. I like it best when it syncs up with mine right before we go to sleep, though.”
“Mandy … .”
“You are not a god,” Mandy said, cutting him off. “You couldn’t have known what was going to happen. You have a strong heart, the best heart really. You feel things more deeply than anyone I know. You have to let it go, though. I had to let go of what I did, and you have to let the guilt go.”
“Can I speak now?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Mandy replied. “If I don’t like what you have to say then I’m going to cut you off again.”
James chuckled. He couldn’t help himself. She always knew how to make him feel better. “I love you, wife, but Jeff has every right to be worried. We don’t know anything about this guy and Sheila lied to us. I fell for it, too.”
“She’s a master manipulator. That’s how she’s survived for so long. We’re all together. We’ll figure this out and fix it tomorrow. I have faith in you, but you need to have faith in yourself.”
“Well, I think you’re the smartest woman in the world so I guess I’m going to have to agree with you, huh?”
“Yup.”
“I don’t suppose you’d move around the front here so I could hold you, would you? I prefer our cuddling to be a more hands-on experience.”
“I can’t do that for at least five minutes,” Mandy replied. “I’m holding you now.”
“But … I really need to hold you.”
“No, you need to let go.”
“Fine.” James blew out a frustrated sigh as he moved Mandy’s hand under his and held it. “You’re really bossy. You know that, right?”
“Just wait until we’re alone later. I’m going to boss your socks off.”
“Can I turn around and hold you yet?”
“Nope.”
“When?”
“Five more minutes,” Mandy said, grinning as she rubbed her cheek against his back. “If you ask again I’m adding another five minutes to your sentence.”
“You drive a hard bargain, baby.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
“WHAT ARE they doing?” Jeff stared out the sliding glass door and fixed his attention on the spot where Mandy and James hugged and talked. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he was pretty sure it wasn’t work related. “We’re supposed to be focusing on Sexton not … whatever it is that they’re doing. This is ridiculous.”
“Shut your mouth.” Emma’s anger and vehemence surprised Jeff. He wasn’t expecting her to be “all is forgiven,” but he certainly didn’t think she’d be directing so much ire at him.
“Excuse me?” Jeff refused to back down. “We have a crazy guy out there and he’s threatening to kill you and Avery. The supposed head of the security firm is playing ‘where are my hands’ with his wife instead of doing research.”
“That’s not what they’re doing,” Emma said, her temper on full display. “Stop being so judgmental and help us instead of working against us for a change. Do you think you could do that? You’re making me very angry, Jeff.”
“And you wouldn’t like her when she’s angry,” Finn said, handing Ally a bottle for Avery as he navigated to the spot next to his fiancée. “It’s okay, sweetie. Just … calm down.”
“No, I’m done calming down,” Emma said. “I’m sick of calming down. Everyone wants me to calm down. That’s not going to happen. Not this time.”
“If they’re not feeling each other up, what are they doing?” Jeff challenged. It seemed he wasn’t in the mood to calm down either.
“What you said to James was obnoxious … and wrong on so many levels,” Emma said, resting her hands on the back of Ally’s chair as she offered the baby a small smile and adjusted her tone. For his part Avery seemed to realize something was going on, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what. He wasn’t used to the people in his life fighting. Teasing one another was one thing. What was happening tonight was something else.
“It was the truth, though,” Jeff challenged. “He took off and left you and Mandy alone when you were at your most vulnerable. She’s the reason you’re alive and have him.” He jerked his thumb in Avery’s direction. “James didn’t show up until it was over with.”
“That is so unbelievably wrong I don’t know where to start,” Emma said.
“Can I ask why you’re angry with James instead of me?” Finn interjected. “I left, too. She’s going to be my wife and that is my son and yet you seem angrier with James. Why is that?”
“Because … because he’s the boss.”
“That’s not it,” Finn argued. “You’re upset for another reason. What is it?”
“He’s larger than life,” Jeff admitted, his voice straining. “When I first met him I was in awe. He’s strong and self-assured. Then I heard what happened and … I didn’t fault him. Dad was evil and wily and he knew how to manipulate people. Emma could’ve died, though. He never should’ve left. That’s why I didn’t want to tell him what was going on. I thought he might make another mistake and this time Emma would pay the ultimate price.”
“Do you want to know what I think is going on?” Peter asked, putting his cell phone on the counter as he strolled in from another room. He’d spent the past twenty minutes making arrangements and planning for the next day’s operation.
“I’m pretty sure I don’t,” Jeff answered. “No offense, but … you’re a mobster. Your outlook on life is very different than my outlook.”
“Yes, and yet I’ve never spent a day in prison,” Peter said, catching everyone by surprise with his mocking tone. “Don’t open your mouth, son. I have a few things to say to you and I expect to be given the time to do it.”
Jeff snapped his mouth shut, but the look on his face was murderous.
“Your problem is that you blame yourself for what happened to Emma when she was a child,” Peter said. “You were a child, too, but as her older brother you believe you should’ve stopped what your father was doing. In truth, that was your mother’s job and she failed you. For the record, had I known what your father was doing to any of you I would’ve made him disappear – and it would’ve been a painful trip. That’s something I can’t change, though. You can’t eithe
r.
“You’re so twisted with guilt that it was almost better for you when you were in prison,” he continued. “You don’t understand why Emma doesn’t hate you, because you certainly hate yourself, and you’re struggling to find out exactly who you are in this world; you’re not quite sure how you fit in.
“Suck it up, Jeff,” he said. “You’re an adult now. Emma is not the frightened and scared girl you left behind. You believed she would succumb to horrors during your incarceration and instead she thrived. She found a place where she belongs in this world, and you’re both jealous and awed by who she has become.
“I think part of you believes you don’t belong in this world with her,” Peter said. “I think your guilt is manifesting in an obnoxious, although understandable, manner. You think you failed Emma back then and now you’re wondering if you failed her again by not coming clean about what happened.
“You were trying to protect her again, which is admirable,” he said. “You made the wrong decision, though. Again. You have got to trust people. Holding James up to a higher standard than you hold yourself is neither rational nor helpful.”
“James already feels bad enough about what happened,” Emma said. “Our father terrorized us and yet James is the one who feels guilty. How is that fair? Why is it that Mandy, who should be the one most traumatized by this, is out there making him feel better when you’re the one who did the damage?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings,” Jeff argued. “I think he’s a good man. Heck, he’s ten times the man I am. I was afraid when Sexton approached me and I shouldn’t have kept what he threatened to do to myself … but I did.”
“That brings up another point,” Finn said. “You said Sexton came by twice. The first night I was in the hospital and he asked for the key. What did you tell him?”
“I stalled for time and said I had to talk to my mother first because I didn’t know what he was talking about,” Jeff replied. “He didn’t look as if he believed me, but he let it go for the time being.”
“Okay, what about the second visit?”
“He was impatient and wanted to know when I was going to talk to my mother,” Jeff replied. “He threatened me, but Grady interrupted. I haven’t seen him since.”
Deadly Reunion (Hardy Brothers Security Book 20) Page 16