“Of course I can.” She hugged her uncle’s thin shoulders.
“Do you forgive me for pushing you and Landon together?”
She pulled back. “You did what you thought was right. It turned out to be what was best.”
“I hope he doesn’t hold the bribe against me. I like him. I think he’s a good man.”
It took her a second to absorb his words. “Bribe? How?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Her heat dropped into her stomach.
“You should speak to him.” He started to leave, but she grabbed his arm and kept him steady.
“You should tell me.”
“Fine. I promised him if he helped you, I’d help him. His sister was incarcerated for drug charges a year ago. I told him I’d see that she got a fair parole hearing. He agreed under those conditions.”
Suddenly she got a headache. So he did use her to get to her uncle, in a roundabout way?
Sliding off the stool, she forced a smile on her face. “I’m tired. The milk worked. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” She started for the stairs when she heard yelling coming from the front of the house.
“What the hell?” Uncle Brent said at the same time Cox came racing into the room followed by an enraged Lucifer. Boxy started barking at the assistant who came to a sudden halt, holding his hands up.
“Hush, Boxy,” Hazel demanded. He listened and sat.
“What are you doing?” Brent asked.
“Sorry to barge in here like this but I have something important to share with you,” Cox said.
“I’ll call security, sir, and have him removed at once.” Lucifer started to turn but Brent said, “No. I want to hear what he has to say.”
“I got a call from my partner telling me they caught the man who’s been using Shoemaker’s credit card. A man who had been living on the street here in Cheyenne. He was hired by someone to use the card across several states and given enough money so he could take up residence in Ohio. I also looked around the campaign office—”
“This is ludicrous.” Lucifer stepped forward, shaking his head.
Brent waved him to be quiet. “Did you find something, Cox?”
“Yes, I did. You’ll want to see this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a red flash drive. “This is what the killers were looking for that night at the office. Hazel said she saw Shoemaker hand something over, but my guess is he handed them a blank drive. The killers didn’t review it to see if the correct files were on it before they shot him.”
“The detectives found nothing. How did they miss it?” Hazel asked.
“Sometimes evidence is right in front of our very eyes. Just like the drive had been. He had it in the computer. I think the detectives overlooked it because they’d already decided there wasn’t a crime committed. Shoemaker had placed the drive there, hoping the killers wouldn’t think to look at the monitor.”
Brent started to reach for the drive, but Cox pulled it away. “We’ll view this together. You’ll understand why I need to keep this in my possession.”
“Fine. Let’s go to my office and we can use the computer there.”
Hazel swallowed hard. Cox glanced at her, but she averted her gaze. What her uncle had just told her had hurt her. Cox had never promised her anything, but he’d betrayed her. She was tired of being deceived—tired of feeling like she had no one to depend upon.
They gathered in the office around the computer and Cox placed the drive in. After several clicks a picture came up. Hazel couldn’t believe her eyes. Cox continued and with each click of the mouse another picture, each more incriminating than the last, came on the screen.
Hazel couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Brent dropped back into his chair, his jaw tight.
Cox grabbed the flash drive and put it into his pocket for safe keeping. “I can see how this could ruin your chances for being elected.”
After several seconds Brent brought his chin up as if he just comprehended what he was being told. “Are you suggesting I was behind this in some way?”
“What I’m saying is someone was willing to murder a man over these pictures.”
“What? I have no clue how Shoemaker came about these.”
“I think the pictures are pretty clear. He took these shots and used them to bribe you into giving him something in return. When he asked for more money maybe, or you grew tired, you decided to get rid of the liability.”
“Is this true? Did you know about this, Uncle Brent?” Hazel felt her heart drop into her stomach. She backed up, needing some space as her world turned upside down.
“I knew she was having an affair, but I swear I didn’t know about these pictures. I had nothing to do with Shoemaker’s death.”
“Sir, I’ll have Agent Landon removed at once,” Lucifer spoke up.
“It doesn’t matter now.” Brent stood, looking defeated. “I’m pulling out of the race.
“What? After everything we’ve done?” Lucifer looked defeated too.
“Hazel, please go get Vanessa. She needs to be here.”
Doing what her uncle asked, she went to wake up her aunt. And as expected, Vanessa threw a temper tantrum, accusing Hazel of lying that Brent needed to speak to her.
Ten minutes later, Hazel and Vanessa came into the office.
“This better be good!” She stopped in the center of the office realizing all eyes were on her. “What’s going on here?”
Chapter 25
Noleen motioned for his wife to come closer. Her crimson lips were puckered and her arms were crossed over her chest.
“My God. What now?” She rounded the desk and her tan disappeared under a greenish pallor.
“See,” Brent pointed at the computer screen.
“Wh-what are these?”
“You tell us,” Cox said from where he stood close to the desk.
“I-I have no clue,” she sputtered.
“Who cares about the pictures? Your husband has decided to leave the race,” Lucifer practically screamed. His tiny hands were fisted at his sides.
Vanessa looked from the assistant to her husband several swipes before she leaned against the desk for support. “What? No. I forbid you to do such a thing!” Her skin turned red and her lips were now creased.
“You have no control over me, Vanessa. Not anymore.” Noleen stared her straight in the eye.
“You-you bastard! After all that I’ve done for you. After all that I’ve given up. Over my dead body will you withdraw,” she pushed through clenched teeth, now pointing her finger at him.
“I’m the bastard? Really?” He laughed. “I’m withdrawing. It’s done.”
Her uncle appeared broken. Hazel guessed it came from more than just the campaign.
Vanessa drew her hand back, preparing to slap her husband but Hazel stepped forward, grabbing the woman’s hand. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“And what will you do about it, Missy? You can’t even find your ass from a hole in the ground. No one has any trust in you. Not even your uncle.” She cackled. “You witnessed a murder and did anyone believe you? No. You were the coward who hid in a storage room in the trash can because you were only thinking of yourself. You, bitch! You weren’t supposed to be there, but, like everything, you’re always there.” Icicles formed in her eyes.
Hazel dropped her aunt’s hand and stared in shock. “You constructed the murder to save your ass, didn’t you?”
The woman’s cold countenance was exchanged for disbelief at her own blunder. “What? No.” Her cheeks blossomed with shame.
Cox stepped forward. “You knew about the pictures. Shoemaker blackmailed you and you wanted to wipe him and the evidence off the face of the campaign so you and your lover, Simon Burbank, decided you’d take care of the issue.”
“That’s a lie!” Vanessa stammered.
“We’ll let the judge and jury decide. Vanessa Noleen, you’re under arrest.”
�
�Don’t touch me! I want to speak to my attorney now,” she demanded.
“Don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of time to meet with an attorney. Place your hands behind your back.” He took the handcuffs from his belt.
“I will not. I refuse to allow you to treat me like I’m s-some housewife. I’m a Congressman’s wife.” She gritted her teeth. “I have money!”
“Yes, you’re a Congressman’s wife and I’m placing you under arrest.” Cox was losing his patience. He strolled behind her, pulled her arms back, and cuffed her. He saw movement and Noleen’s assistant was slivering toward the door. “Not so fast, Lucifer. We’re not finished here.”
The door came open and Asa and Brooks both strolled in. Along with the two men came another, a short, balding man with a ruddy complexion and too-large glasses. Lucifer looked like he’d lost all blood in his face.
“Who are these men, Brooks?” Noleen asked.
“Sir, it’s important for you to hear what this man has to say,” Brooks took a position alongside Lucifer who was now cringing.
Asa gave the short man a nudge. “Tell the Congressman the truth.”
The mysterious man shifted from one dirty tennis shoe to the other. His shoved his hands into his front pockets and shyly looked across the room at Noleen. “I don’t know. All I do know is that I was hired to drive to Ohio. They gave me a plan. I stopped where they told me to. I used the card I was given.”
“The card with Trent Shoemaker’s name on it?” Cox asked.
“I-I guess. I needed the money, man.” He kicked the floor in frustration.
“And who hired you? Is he in this room?” Asa asked.
The man shifted his gaze, looking at Lucifer and slowly lifting his finger to point directly at the assistant who was ghostly white and noticeably trembling. “This man is a fraud!”
Cox chuckled. “I think you’re the fraud.”
Vanessa glinted with fury.
Lucifer gasped. “This is all your fault you…you stupid, stupid bitch! You had to send in that buffoon lover of yours who botched up everything.”
“Asa, can you take Lucifer into handcuffs?”
The agent smiled. “Nothing would give me more pleasure.”
“How could you?” Noleen asked Lucifer.
“Oh, come on.” He rolled his eyes. “As if you’re innocent. You wouldn’t be this far if it wasn’t for me! Do you think the road to presidency is lined with truth, honesty, and accountability? No. It’s a path of clever men who understand our nation doesn’t need another weak powerless man, but a lion. You’re not cut out for presidency.”
Vanessa simpered. “Brent, please. I’ve played no role in this. I promise. Don’t let them do this! Tell them the truth. Tell them that you know I’m innocent,” she pleaded.
Noleen’s shoulders dropped and he turned his back to her.
She broke down in tears and Cox had to hold her up.
“I hope you get what you deserve and more,” Hazel said. Her eyes were glossy with tears.
This triggered a mood change in Vanessa. She bought her chin up and the tears had disappeared. Her face became pinched and she looked old—much older than her age. “Let me tell you something, you brat. I wish Simon would have shot you while he had the chance.”
Hazel stepped forward and slapped Vanessa hard in the face, which stunned her into silence.
Chapter 26
Hazel heard his familiar footsteps in the hallway and Boxy lifted his head. She looked up from her cup of tea as Cox stepped into the living room. He wore a tired expression.
“Hey there, Boxy.” He greeted the dog who was happy to see him.
She swallowed hard. She barely knew him, and yet knew enough that he’d swept in and touched her in ways she’d never expected. “Are the trials set for Vanessa and Lucifer yet?” she asked him. Two weeks had passed since she saw him and it felt more like forever.
“Not yet. In the meantime, they’ll enjoy looking at three walls and bars.” He took a seat on the flowered chair across from her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. Thank you for coming.”
His beard was back, and the dark circles. “I was surprised to hear from you. Sorry I haven’t called.”
“I know you’ve been busy.” She almost felt sorry for him. He looked tired and probably hadn’t slept more than a few hours in the last few days, but she’d thought about her dilemma repeatedly. She had to hold to her guns. It was time she changed some things in her life. “Have you spoken to your sister? Did she get a parole hearing yet?”
His head tilted some and his gaze tapered. “Your uncle told you about Cris?”
Nodding, she sipped her tea and swallowed. “He definitely told me. I don’t understand why you didn’t.”
“It’s a difficult situation. She did get a hearing but we haven’t heard word yet what the news is.”
“I’m sure with my uncle’s backing she’ll get out early. It all worked out in the end.”
“Hazel, I—”
“Please don’t. I understand why you agreed to his offer. I would have done the same thing if it meant saving someone I care about.”
“But?”
She adjusted herself in the chair and set her full cup on the table. It had taken a lot for her to ask to see him. She’d been disappointed that he hadn’t called himself, but from what she’d heard through the grapevine he’d been busy searching for Shoemaker’s body. As of now they hadn’t found any clue where the thugs had dumped his body. Since Roman and Forty were dead too they’d probably never find him.
Tugging the front of the thick white robe tighter around her waist, she swallowed against the constriction in her throat. Meeting his gaze, she felt a stab in her chest. “I want to thank you for everything you did for me and my uncle.”
“I feel like your skirting around the real reason why I’m here.”
“I guess I am. I feel like we should discuss what we shared on the mountain.”
“I agree.” He scratched his temple.
“We were two people who found each other in a moment of crisis, and the crisis is no longer there.”
“Just so we’re clear, I’ve been in a lot of crisis situations and I’ve never allowed things to take the same step as they did between us,” he said in a tense voice.
“Are you suggesting that you reacted from something more than circumstances?”
“Yeah, I am. You can’t possibly think there wasn’t an attraction between us.”
“Maybe I did.” She got up and walked to the window and pulled back the curtain to look out. “But you needed my uncle’s help.”
“Hazel, that might have been the initial reason, but once you and I got on that mountain I realized you did see the murder.”
She turned around but didn’t realize he was standing next to her and she bumped into him. “Well, like I said, it all turned out okay.”
“Can you forgive me for not telling you about Cris?”
Planting a smile on her face, it contradicted the ache in her chest. Oh how she wanted to fall into his arms. She wanted to see him again, and again. If only it was possible. “Of course I forgive you. You’re a good guy.”
“There’s that ‘but’ again.”
“Come on, Cox. We’re from two different worlds. I need someone who understands my world and you need someone who understands yours.”
“Is that a reference toward my lack of intelligence?”
“No. Not at all. I’m only saying that you and I can’t even get through a conversation without arguing.”
He lifted a brow. “Just like that? You’re willing to pretend that there’s not something between us worth investigating?” His beautiful eyes bore into her.
“I won’t deny there’s something between us but it’s better for us to walk away now instead of dragging this out for a few weeks, maybe even a months, and then realizing what I’m saying is true.”
“I hear you loud and clear.” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bob
bed precariously. He wasn’t a man who showed emotions, not that she expected him to. He took two steps back and nodded. “If you need anything, a bodyguard again, just give me a call.”
“Thank you. Good luck in your career.”
Standing there still smiling painfully, she watched him walk through the door and out of her life. Her chest twisted and she could barely breathe. She’d grown to like Cox, maybe even loved him some, but she needed someone who didn’t see straight through her and into what she could do for him. She believed wholeheartedly that Cox had done the right thing, but unfortunately the pain was real.
From her perch at the window, she watched him cross the driveway. He stopped in front of the Humvee and looked up at her. She waved and let the curtain fall back into place, then went to the chair and buried her face into her palms.
“Sorry. I overheard your discussion with Cox.”
Hazel jerked her chin up, looking at her uncle through wet lashes. “You shouldn’t have been eavesdropping.” She wiped the arm of her robe across her nose. “That’s not fair.”
“I guess it’s not.” He took the seat Cox had been sitting in. “I’m meeting with my attorney later today to file for divorce. I want to get it over with. After my withdraw speech I’m no longer as busy.” He sat back in the chair and crossed his legs.
“I’m sorry this happened but something good will come of it.”
“I shouldn’t have allowed Vanessa to have power over me. Lucifer was right. I’m not presidential material. In fact, I don’t want to be. I want to go back to helping people”
“You’re an amazing Congressman.”
“Politics run in our blood, especially one of us.”
She opened her mouth then realized what he said. “What?”
He shrugged and gave her a smile. Some of the dark circles had vanished from under his eyes. “You heard me. Politics, my dear. You did go to school and get your master’s in political science. Maybe it’s high time to you put that degree to good use.”
“Are you telling me what to do again?”
“No, I’m only making a suggestion. The political worlds, and the government, both need and deserve an intelligent, feisty politician such as yourself.”
Tormented by the Lawman (Mountain Force Book 3) Page 18