“That doesn’t mean he’s not watching,” Jake said. “He probably knows that James, Emma, and Jeff went to see Sheila. He could be close and he could be working with other people.”
“I don’t think he’s working with other people,” Jeff said.
“What makes you think that?” Peter asked.
“Because the best way to keep a secret is to work alone,” Jeff replied. “That’s something everyone learns quickly when they’re in prison. Sexton might not have done time, but he understands the criminal element. My guess is that the only one he’s taken into his confidence is our mother.”
“I wonder if we should visit Sheila again,” Peter mused. “If Sexton is visiting and calling … .”
“What would be the point?” Finn asked.
Peter shrugged. “Honestly? I would like to go with Emma for the visit and make Sheila aware of the new reality I will be enforcing on her existence. If anything propels her to tell the truth, it will be that. She thinks she’s untouchable in prison, but that’s hardly the case.”
“That was … chilling,” Emma said, although her eyes brightened. “Are you really going to make her life hell?”
“You have no idea,” Peter said. “At first I was willing to let her stew in her own juices and do her own thing because I didn’t want to upset you. I no longer have that worry. She lied to us and purposely led us astray. I’m pretty sure that means she needs an … adjustment … to her attitude.”
“I would be happy for you to pay her a visit, but I’m not returning,” Emma said. “This last time that I saw her was the last time. I don’t want to play games with her. I want to take Mandy’s advice and let it go.”
“I think that’s a very healthy attitude,” Peter said. “I’m still going to visit her.”
“I want to go with you,” Sophie said. “I have some questions and I’m just petty enough to want to see her squirm.”
“Okay, that’s a start,” Finn said. “You guys can hit the prison tomorrow. We’ll try to run Sexton’s financials to find out where his home base is. I think we’re on the right track, but we’re also stuck until we get more information.”
“There is one other thing we have to do,” Emma said.
“What?”
“I have to go home tomorrow.” Emma’s voice took on a distant quality as she said the words. “We have to see if the key is still where Jeff hid it.”
Finn balked. “No. I don’t want you going back there. James mentioned that he would go with Jeff.”
“Well, as happy as I am that you want to protect me, that doesn’t mean you’re my lord and boss,” Emma said. “I want to go back with Jeff. I think we should see it one last time.”
“Well, fine,” Finn said, although he didn’t look thrilled with her decision. “If you want to go back, we’ll go back. I’m going with you, though.”
“You’re supposed to be taking it easy,” Emma argued.
“What everyone seems to forget is that I was the one who was shot,” Finn said. “This is about me, too. I will not let you go back to that house without me. Period. I’m laying down the law.”
“Oh, good, that always ends well,” James said, forcing a smile as he and Mandy walked into the kitchen. He looked strong and resolute, but Emma didn’t miss the fact that he avoided making eye contact with Jeff. “Women love it when you lay down the law, Finn. It makes them very happy.”
“No one needs your sarcasm,” Finn warned.
“You’re right,” James said, instantly contrite. “If you’re going back to the house, though, then I’m going, too. I’m not leaving anyone unprotected.”
“I’ll go with you guys,” Jake offered.
“And I’ll have Sven work with Grady to cover the area around the house in case Sexton is watching and waiting for Jeff to return,” Peter said. “If we go in two waves, Sexton will most likely only watch the first. I think that is our best approach.”
“Good,” James said. “We have a plan. Now we just have to work it.”
“And hope it doesn’t blow up in our faces,” Jeff added.
James nodded curtly. “And that, too.”
20
Twenty
“I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
James helped Finn out of his Explorer the next morning, making sure his brother wasn’t in too much pain before shifting his gaze to the front lawn of the ramshackle house Emma and Jeff shared when they were kids. He wanted to believe the house, which boasted a sagging roof, missing windows, and a hole where the front door used to be, had seen better days. His gut told him that wasn’t true.
“Emma is strong, Finn,” James said, keeping his voice low. “She feels she needs to do this. After everything that has happened to her you cannot go all alpha and tell her what she should and shouldn’t be feeling.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do,” Finn protested.
“Isn’t it?” James’ somber brown eyes were full of sympathy for his younger brother. He knew what it was like to love a woman so much the instinct to protect her from everything overwhelmed at times. He also knew that would only lead to heartbreak … for both of them. “You can’t save her from this. It already happened and she survived. Let her say goodbye. Help her to let it go.”
Finn pressed his lips together as he shifted his eyes to Emma and Jeff. They stood together, but Emma’s anger kept them emotionally distant. She refused to forgive him and the toll weighed on Jeff enough that his shoulders slouched as he hung his head.
“Did Mandy teach you that?” Finn asked. “I saw her with you on the patio last night. You were talking for a long time.”
“Mandy … has a way of looking at the world that I’m trying to wrap my brain around,” James said, choosing his words carefully. “She’s taught me a lot. The biggest thing she taught me, though, is that you cannot carry the weight of the world for another person. You can only help them shoulder the burden.”
“Oh, that’s almost poetic,” Finn teased, poking his brother’s side. He didn’t like the sadness flitting across James’ face. “What Jeff said to you wasn’t fair … and he was wrong. I think he knows that, but he feels so much guilt about what happened to Emma back then – and how he lied to her now – that he doesn’t know how to fix things. He’s not good at the talking thing.”
James offered Finn a rueful smile. “Are any of us?”
“You seem to be getting better at it,” Finn said, inclining his chin in the direction of the blonde watching Emma and Jeff from the other side of the Explorer. Mandy’s eyes were clouded and she was silent, but she was also insistent when demanding James bring her with him. He balked, but she won in the end. Jake watched her carefully as they monitored the house, making sure she didn’t wander off but also giving her space. “You didn’t even yell and scream when she announced she was coming with us.”
“That woman is a menace,” James muttered, shaking his head. “I also think she might have to ride home with Jake once we leave because I was worried she was going to jump over Emma’s lap in the back seat and throttle Jeff.”
“Yeah, I’ve never seen that many dirty looks over the course of a half-hour ride in my entire life,” Finn agreed. “Jeff needs to sleep with one eye open.”
“Mandy wanted to be here for Emma,” James said. “Since Sexton would have to be a complete moron to approach us here, I figured she was safe. Plus, well, she tends to get in more trouble when I’m not with her so I didn’t want to leave her behind.”
“She would’ve been safe at Peter’s house with Ally and Avery,” Finn said. “I’m surprised you didn’t put your foot down.”
“You put your foot down last night and look where it got you,” James argued. “The love of your life is about to relive her childhood hell. I want Mandy with me. I … need her.”
“And that’s what proves to me that love conquers all,” Finn said, patting James’ shoulder. “You never would’ve been able to admit that two years ago. Heck, six months ago it still
would’ve been a challenge. Now, though, you’re a … whipped man.”
James snorted. “And I’m proud of it. Come on. Let’s get this show on the road.”
PETER AND SOPHIE traded grim glances of disgust as they were led into the visitation room at the female correctional facility. It had taken a bit of wrangling, but Peter’s “donation” to the new outdoor area for low-risk inmates ultimately paved the way for him to visit Sheila Archibald. The look on her face alone when she recognized today’s visitors was worth the hefty donation.
“What … ?” Sheila worked her jaw as she shifted her gaze over her shoulder, almost as if she was considering asking the guards to take her back to her cell. They were already gone.
“Have a seat,” Peter instructed.
“I prefer to stand.” Sheila squared her shoulders, defiant as she stared Peter down. She didn’t give the appearance of fear, but Peter could practically feel her quaking all the same.
“Sit down, Sheila,” Peter repeated, his tone chilly. “You’re going to be here for an extended period of time and I don’t want you passing out or anything. That would just be undignified.”
Sophie fought the urge to laugh as Sheila dejectedly shuffled the remaining two feet to her chair and dramatically threw herself into it.
“I’m only sitting because I didn’t sleep well last night and I want to sit,” she snapped. “Don’t think I’m doing it because you ordered me to do it. You’re not my boss.”
“No, but I’m about to become your benefactor … of sorts,” Peter said. He had a way about him that could make people shrivel in fear without him ever raising his voice. “Tell me, Sheila, how are things for you in your new home?”
“I get by,” Sheila replied, briefly scanning Sophie’s immovable face before focusing on Peter. “I’m a survivor. That’s what I do. This place won’t bring me down, and I will walk out of here a free woman one day.”
“That will never happen,” Peter said, his voice taking on a grim edge. “I can guarantee that. Even if you somehow wrangled an exit – which is virtually impossible – you would be shocked at the number of accidents in a prison. I doubt you would escape if the time came. Call it … intuition.”
Sheila narrowed her eyes to dangerous slits. “Are you threatening me?”
“Surely not,” Peter replied. “I’m merely stating an observance. Perhaps your conversational skills are dusty given the individuals you’ve been forced to cohabitate with.”
“You talk fancy for a mobster,” Sheila challenged. “How did you even manage to get in here to see me? I left strict instructions for who I would accept as a visitor. I’m pretty sure you weren’t on the list.”
“And yet here I am,” Peter said, leaning back and draping a lazy arm over the back of Sophie’s chair. “Personally I’m not a big fan of prisons. I think they lack decorative flair. Still, when we stumbled across some interesting information last night I thought I should be the one to bring it to your attention.”
“And what information is that?”
“Well, the information that you lied about the key and you had it all along, of course,” Peter said, shaking his head as if he was scolding a small child instead of a murderous adult.
“I don’t know what you’re … .”
Tsk-tsk. Peter growled a low warning to cut Sheila off. “Another lie will not be tolerated and you, Ms. Archibald, are going to find I’m not nearly as pleasant as the Hardys when it comes to your shenanigans.”
Sheila’s eyes widened. She fancied herself in control during every situation but Peter clearly made her nervous. “I didn’t lie,” she clarified. “I just … didn’t tell the whole truth.”
“That is another lie and if you utter another one I will be forced to take drastic action,” Peter warned. “I wouldn’t push me if I were you.”
“What do you want?” Sheila practically exploded. “Why are you people even here? Where is my daughter?”
“Your daughter has wiped her hands of the situation,” Peter replied. “My daughter, on the other hand, is here because she loves it when I send a message to people she doesn’t like.”
“That would be you, in case you’re wondering,” Sophie said, speaking for the first time. “I’m really kind of excited. It’s like I’m fourteen and it’s Christmas and I just know I’m going to get a puppy.”
“Yes, and that puppy destroyed everything in the house for twelve years until his death, didn’t he?” Peter said.
“You loved him and you know it.”
“I was rather fond of the rascal,” Peter acknowledged. “I’m also extremely fond of my daughter, so I love giving her gifts.” Peter’s eyes were unreadable as they locked with Sheila’s. “She’s made specific requests where you’re concerned. Unfortunately, she does tend to gravitate toward the bloody, but that’s an unfortunate side effect of her childhood I’ve come to accept. Now, let’s try this again. Why did you lie?”
“God, I hate you people,” Sheila hissed. “I hate each and every one of you.”
“The feeling is quite mutual,” Peter said. “Your problem is that we’re free and you’re at the mercy of our whims. The money in your commissary account, for example, is now gone.”
Sheila was incensed. “Hey! I earned that.”
“Lying is not the same as earning,” Peter countered. “Now, tell me about your relationship with Peter Sexton. If you lie – even once – you’re going to see that things actually can get worse in this place. I know it boggles the mind, but I’m creative and Sophie is downright Machiavellian.”
“Son of a … .” Sheila broke off, biting her lip. “You know what? I’ll talk to Jeff. If you want answers, he’s the one I’ll give them to.”
She was negotiating from a position of weakness and Peter was having none of it. “You’ll either speak with me or find out what happens when you make me angry. Those are your choices. You have no wiggle room.”
“But … where is Jeff?” Sheila whined. “Why isn’t he here? I’m his mother, for crying out loud.”
“Jeff has made his choice and he’s opted to align himself with Emma.”
“He didn’t yesterday,” Sheila sneered. “He knew about that key and sat here and said nothing.”
“Fear is an interesting motivator,” Peter said. “Jeff was afraid for Emma and Avery. Sexton threatened them and he had no idea what to do. He was wrong, but he can hardly be blamed for not trusting us yet. Trust is earned … and we’ve earned nothing where he’s concerned.”
“Plus he told us eventually,” Sophie added. “He’s upset, but he’s helping us. He’s off getting the key right now.”
Sheila furrowed her brow as she leaned forward. “Do you mean it still really exists? I thought … .”
“What?” Sophie prodded.
“Nothing,” Sheila replied hurriedly.
“She thought the key was long gone, which is why she told Sexton she gave it to Jeff in the first place,” Peter surmised. “She planned on stringing Sexton along as long as possible so he would fund her very small life behind bars. For the record, he’s no longer allowed to visit and you’re not allowed to accept calls or funds from anyone but me, Sheila.”
“You can’t do that,” Sheila howled. “That’s unfair.”
“And yet I really can’t muster the energy to care,” Peter said. “You don’t have choices, Sheila. You have two options: You can maintain the miserable existence you have now, or you can find out what happens when you don’t have a toilet in your cell. That’s it.”
“Wow, I never thought I would hear you say the word ‘toilet.’” Sophie was impressed.
“I didn’t think she would know what a commode was and I didn’t want to explain it,” Peter said.
Sheila looked around the small room for a moment, bewildered. Finally she blew out a sigh, resigned. “Fine. What do you want to know?”
“I’ve written down a multitude of questions,” Peter said, gesturing to the notebook in front of Sophie. “I’m really looki
ng forward to going through them. It’s going to be a fun couple of hours.”
“You don’t get out much, do you?” Sheila challenged.
“More than you,” Peter replied. “Sophie, go nuts.”
“Yay!” Sophie clapped her hands. “Can we stop at a petting zoo on the way home? It feels like I’m a kid again and I want to enjoy it.”
“Whatever you want,” Peter said. “I’m going to have to burn this suit anyway. Why not add more filth to the layer already settling on it?”
“WHAT do you think?” Mandy slipped her hand into James’ as she rested her head on his shoulder and watched Emma stare at the front door of the house. “Do you think she’ll go inside?”
James shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s necessary. She’s already put this behind her. She just doesn’t realize it.”
“What about you?” Mandy asked. “Have you put things behind you?”
James cast her a sidelong look as he tried to hide his smile … and ultimately failed. Instead he used his free hand to tweak her nose. “You’re channeling a therapist these days and I find it annoying.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
James exhaled heavily and shook his head. “Absolutely not. You asked me a hundred questions last night. You just wanted to see if you could do it. When we got to ‘do I look better in blue or green’ I knew you were messing with me.”
“And yet you let me continue to ‘if we could only use one sexual position for the rest of our lives, which would you prefer,’” Mandy pointed out. “How come?”
“That was a question I wanted to answer,” James teased, grinning. “What’s your question, baby?”
“Are you going to let Jeff keep working for you?”
“Yes.”
Mandy frowned. “I don’t like him right now. I think you should fire him.”
“That’s not going to happen, Mandy,” James said. “Jeff has a right to be frightened and take up for his sister. I would do no less for Ally, and I would challenge anyone in the same position he found himself in last night. He didn’t do anything wrong and I will not endanger his future because he was upset and scared.”
Deadly Reunion (Hardy Brothers Security Book 20) Page 17