by Dawn Brower
Jessica sat back suddenly her mouth falling open. Relief flooded her as the shock of their question dissolved. This was something she could answer easily without any concern. It couldn’t be as bad as her imagination was concocting. At least it wasn’t her that was on their radar...Perhaps she should worry more, but she had so much go wrong lately. It was nice to think of it as someone else’s problem. “He’s my accountant.”
Mr. Jones had been handling her affairs ever since her divorce from Ren. Before that, she’d let her husband handle everything. She hated dealing with money or paying bills. So she had all her bills sent to the accountant and he paid them. He also handled her trust and made her investments for her. The cost of his services was worth it for her peace of mind. She had enough money that she’d never had to worry about paying for anything. Jessica had made a lot of mistakes in her life, but overspending had never been one of them. Her father had taught her to value money, and that it was best to have a nice nest egg. If Mr. Jones was in some kind of trouble though...
Detective Jackson flipped through his own notebook and frowned. That couldn’t be good. What was he looking for? She should perhaps start to ask some questions of her own. The problem was she had no clue where to start. She chewed on her bottom lip and considered her options. “Has something happened to him?”
“That’s one way of looking at it,” Detective Jackson said. “He’s missing.”
What the hell... “Pardon me, could you repeat that?” She had to have heard him wrong.
“One of his other clients reported him missing,” Detective Hunter said. “Can you tell us the last time you saw or spoke to him.”
Jessica had no clue. She didn’t talk to him unless she had to. “I haven’t actually spoken to him in a few months. My bills are forwarded to his office each month. He contacts me if there is something important that needs my attention. Although, now that you mention it—he should have contacted me about the foundation I’m setting up. He was supposed to draw up paperwork for funds to be drawn from my trust to help the start up.”
Both detectives started writing furiously in their notepads. Detective Hunter finished first and lifted his gaze to meet hers. “How long ago was he supposed to have the paperwork ready for you?”
Jessica closed her eyes and thought hard. With all her medical issues, she’d completely forgotten about the money for the foundation. She had decided to help underprivileged kids and was seeking to start a charity that focused on them. Dr. Adams had been pushing her to finish the necessary details, and they’d discussed it at their last session. That was at least a couple weeks ago... Her accountant was supposed to send her the information sometime after that. “If my memory is accurate, it’s been a week at a minimum. I’ve been preoccupied and forgot about it.” Understatement of the year... Her selfishness had taken a different route. She’d been solely focused on how unfair life was and her debilitating health. What could have happened to Mr. Jones?
“Mmhmm,” Detective Jackson said. “Has he ever failed to deliver in the past?”
Jessica shook her head. “I’ve never had any problems with him before. He’s always been competent and dependable.”
Detective Hunter frowned. “You’re sure you haven’t heard from him?”
Jessica was starting to get annoyed. Why would she lie to them? What was she missing? They didn’t seem to believe her and she had no clue why. “I have already said as much. I probably should take a more active interest in my business affairs, but to be honest I find it all rather boring.”
“I see,” Detective Jackson said. “That’s rather careless.”
Jessica could see his point. She shouldn’t let someone else handle all of her financial things. What if he messed it all up somehow? With him missing, she’d have to take an active interest again. “How long has he been missing?” What would she have to do to get the details on her account? “If he’s been gone for a while, I wonder what’s happened to the finances he handles.”
“That’s part of the problem,” Detective Hunter said. “All signs point to the fact that he stole a bunch of money from his clients and disappeared.”
Jessica froze in her seat. “What?” She could feel the color draining from her face. Suddenly their questions started to make a little bit of sense. Mr. Jones’s disappearance was nefarious and suspicious. “He took everything?”
She hoped against all hope that he hadn’t taken everything from her, but Jessica feared the worst. That was her luck lately. First, a potentially fatal illness and now financial ruin—how would she survive this? What if her insurance didn’t pay all of her medical bills? How was she going to fight for her life if she had no money to make that happen?
“I’m afraid so,” Detective Jackson said. “I wish we had better news.”
So did Jessica. She wrapped her arms around her waist and rocked back and forth. This couldn’t be happening...
“We really are sorry,” Detective Hunter said. “I’m going to leave my card on the table. If you hear anything...”
“I’ll call,” Jessica interrupted him. “Don’t worry, I want him caught. If there is anything I can do to catch him, you’ll be the first person I contact.”
“We’ll see ourselves out,” Detective Jackson nodded at her. “We’re working hard to find him. We won’t give up easily.”
They both exited the room, leaving Jessica in silence. Her stomach rumbled loudly, and for a moment she thought she’d lose the contents of her stomach. Somehow, she managed to keep it down. It wouldn’t help the situation and she had to find some strength somewhere. Bella trotted into the room, jumped into her lap, and crawled up Jessica’s chest, resting her tiny head on her shoulder. She hugged her against her as tears welled up in her eyes. At least she had her puppy. Perhaps that was all she needed to find the strength to handle all of her problems.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Preston leaned over his desk and studied the file on his desk. The tests weren’t what he’d hoped for, but they weren’t as bad either. The problem was treatable. He should contact the patient and schedule an appointment to discuss their options, but he was having trouble concentrating on the task. All he could manage to think about was his last interaction with Jessica.
Why was she pushing him away? He didn’t understand her, and he feared he never would. The fact he ever believed he could was unbelievable. They’d taken a couple steps forward and about a thousand steps back in the past month. He’d thought they were going to have an actual relationship. What a damned fool; he was forever letting himself hope.
“It can’t be that bad.”
Preston jerked his head up and met Ren’s gaze. At least their friendship was improving. The damage to their relationship was entirely Preston’s fault. Jessica had been Ren’s wife, and he should never have allowed himself to become involved with her while they were still married. The heart wants what it wants, and Preston’s had fallen completely for Jessica—the consequences be damned. He closed the file and held it up as he said, “This could be better, but no, you’re right, it isn’t that bad.”
“What is bothering you?” Ren asked as he strolled into the room. He sat down in a chair and leaned back. “If it’s not a patient it must be something personal.”
Preston didn’t say a word. How could he discuss Ren’s former wife with him? Sure, Ren was blissfully happy with his new fiancée, but that didn’t mean he would be comfortable talking about his ex-wife. Hell, Preston wasn’t even sure if they were on friendly terms. Jessica hadn’t told him much about her interactions with Ren.
“By your silence, it must have something to do with Jessica,” Ren said perceptively. He lifted a brow and asked, “What has she done now?”
“Nothing,” he said automatically. His first instinct was always to protect her. When had he become so easy to read? “Which I suppose is precisely the problem.”
Ren frowned. “You’re going to have to explain that. I’m not following your logic.”
Preston s
ighed and rubbed his hands over his face. There was something he wasn’t fully grasping. He’d bet the entirety of his possessions that whatever Jessica hid was important. Lana had been cleverly avoiding all of his questions about her. She knew a bit, but Preston wasn’t sure what. Ren wouldn’t be a lot of help in that regard either. Jessica probably avoided Ren as much as she did him. “When is the last time you saw her?”
“It’s been a while.” He tilted his head and stared over Preston’s shoulder. “Actually, I don’t think I’ve seen her since the night Dani was shot. I can’t believe it’s been that long. I have to be wrong.”
That was around a month ago, and the very night he’d started to think they’d made some progress in their relationship. What had happened since then? Clearly, Ren had no clue. As far as Preston was aware, Jessica didn’t have any friends...
“She’s been coming in to see Marlee regularly,” Preston said.
“That’s nothing new,” Ren replied. “She started seeing her after she lost the baby and kept it up. I thought, at the time, it would be good for her and help her move on.” His lips tilted upward. “Of course, I never thought she’d move onto you...”
Preston rolled his eyes. “I’m glad you can find it all amusing now.”
There was a time when they couldn’t even be in the same room without Ren glaring at him. It made working together rather difficult on a good day. When Dani had been shot, Ren had depended on Preston to save her life. That had changed their dynamics considerably. Without that turning point, they might not have been able to turn anything around. Dani was the love of Ren’s life and the one he should have been with all along. Jessica had played a part in keeping them separated, but that was all in the past. Ren had forgiven him and wished him well with Jessica. If she hadn’t pushed Preston away...
“Not much else I can do but laugh at the entire mess.” Ren grinned. “It’s nice to see Jessica twisting someone other than me into a million knots. I’d say I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, but...”
Preston picked up a stress ball on his desk and threw it at Ren. He ducked before it bounced off of his head and the ball hit the wall. “In all seriousness,” Preston said, “I’m worried about her.”
Ren sat forward and placed his hands on the desk. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m an expert on Jessica.”
“I’m not sure where to begin.”
She looked so tired whenever he saw her. All he’d wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and make everything right for her. For whatever reason though, she wasn’t interested in seeking comfort from him. Lana was being remarkably closed-lipped too. When he found the chance, he was going to corner the nurse and try to wrench some information from her.
Jessica clearly wasn’t going to volunteer any. Her mulish attitude was downright combative and irritating to endure. If he wasn’t so worried Preston would find it all amusing. All her theatrics wasn’t fooling anyone. It was plain as day that she was hiding something.
“The last time I talked to her, she seemed like she was in a good place. She apologized and told me everything she’d done to drive Dani out of my life.” Ren sighed. “It was a lot to take in, but luckily for her I was more worried about Dani surviving the night then dealing with her shenanigans. After that, I thought you two were going to try to make a go of things.”
“You and me both,” he said, a twinge of guilt flooding him. It would never be easy to accept his role in the destruction of Ren’s marriage. He was thankful Ren was talking to him again. “Instead, she said I deserved better than her and that she was breaking things off for my own good.”
“Bullshit.” Ren tilted his head to the side contemplatively, then said with conviction, “She might be trying to change, but I don’t believe there isn’t another reason for that turnabout.”
Preston had to agree with him. He didn’t think Jessica was as selfish as Ren did, but she still didn’t do anything without an ulterior motive. He’d gotten to know her rather well over the past few years, especially in the time after she’d lost the baby. Jessica had been devastated after her miscarriage, and it had taken her a while to pull herself out of the depression. It was during that time that Preston had fallen in love with her. He saw a woman who was strong, independent, and yes, giving with the people she cared about. She may have made a lot of mistakes, but who didn’t?
“She has a puppy,” he blurted out. “Since when does she even like animals?”
Ren’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding me.”
He shook his head. “I saw it. She was taking it in to be groomed. It was a cute little bugger, but it is unlike Jessica to take an interest in an animal of any kind.”
“I wanted a dog, and she refused to let me have one,” he said with annoyance. Ren scrunched his eyebrows together. “Are you positive it was her dog?”
“Yes,” Preston replied. “She told me in no uncertain terms I was making her late to drop her dog off at the groomer. I don’t think she’d lie about something like that. What would be the point?”
Ren tapped his hand on the desk and frowned. “No, you’re right. She wouldn’t have any good reason to say the dog was hers if it wasn’t. It’s out of character for her to have a pet though. I have to wonder what sparked this need to have one.”
“Thank you,” Preston said. “That’s what I can’t stop thinking about. She isn’t making any sense. That’s why I asked Lana if she’d talk to her.”
“Lana?” Ren raised an eyebrow. “We’re talking about the same nurse who works here? Red hair, brown eyes, mouthy?”
“Yes, smart-ass. I realize Jessica isn’t one of her favorite people, but I was desperate.”
Which was putting things mildly... He didn’t have anyone else to turn to. Jessica pretty much kept to herself and wouldn’t let anyone into her life. Well, except for a damn dog.
“Lana actually agreed to this?” Ren asked in bewilderment. “She flat out refused to deal with Jessica whenever she came to the hospital in the past. I believe the last time I deigned to ask her to talk to Jessica she said I was the one who foolishly married her and I could damn well reap what I sowed all on my own.”
That sounded like Lana. She didn’t put up with anyone’s crap and stomped on anyone who tried. The doctors respected her because of that attitude, and it was what made her the best head nurse the hospital ever had. When Preston had asked her to help, it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now he wasn’t so sure.
“She’s been spending a lot of time with Jessica. I think—and I realize how crazy this sounds—they’re friends.”
“You’re joking, right?” Ren glanced around the office. “You have cameras hidden in here somewhere? This is some elaborate scheme to pull something on me, isn’t it?”
“Stop,” Preston said. “I’m serious. It’s a recent development, but I’m sure of it. Lana has been avoiding me ever since I asked her to talk to Jessica. She knows something and doesn’t want to tell me.”
“For real? That’s so—odd.”
“If I’d thought for even a moment they’d bond and shit, I’d never have asked Lana to help me. Now she has the information I need and she’s holding back. I hate to say this, but I think I miss the days that Lana couldn’t stand Jessica. That Lana would have gleefully spilled out all the details and not blinked twice.”
What was it going to take to find out what was going on with the woman he loved? Would he have to go to her house and force her to talk to him? Maybe that was the only option left to him. If he cornered her at home, she’d have no place to run. The more he thought about it, the more appealing it sounded. He was so tired of the cat and mouse game. He didn’t want to give up on her, but she was making it difficult for him to hold on to hope. Jessica was worth fighting for though. So he’d keep faith that they’d find their way through this rough patch. Whatever she was holding on to, he believed, in time, they would make it past it all.
“Lana can be stubborn,” R
en said. “I’ll talk to her and see what I can find out. She might not expect it coming from me.”
“I appreciate it.” Preston smiled. “Maybe you could talk to Jessica for me too.”
“Don’t push your luck.” Ren smirked. “You may enjoy the hazards of having Jessica in your life, but I’m rather enjoying the safety zone.”
Preston laughed. “She wasn’t that bad.”
Ren stood and headed toward the door. He stopped and turned back and said, “That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. You forget, I’ve known her since high school and was married to her for several years. She might be your everything, but at the end she was my nightmare.”
In that regard, Ren was right. Jessica wasn’t his and never truly had been. She’d wanted him more than she probably should have. Preston was perhaps a little jealous she hadn’t fought that hard for him. He’d never loved a woman the way he did her. When he was with her, everything seemed right and how it was supposed to be. She was fighting their love, and he didn’t understand it. What was she afraid of?
“Let me know what you find. I have to figure out how to get through to her, and I can’t really do that when I’m fighting blind.”
Ren nodded. “I feel for you man. Jessica isn’t going to make this easy.”
“I know,” Preston said, resigned. “But I’m not giving up.”
“Then I wish you the best of luck. You’re going to need it. If Lana spills anything, I’ll let you know immediately.”
With those words, Ren left. Preston might have the answers he was seeking before the day was out. Ren could be as persistent as Lana was stubborn. In the meantime, he’d pay Jessica a visit. Maybe he wouldn’t need the information and he could reach her through his own charming persuasion...
CHAPTER EIGHT
After the detectives left, Jessica had sat stunned in her living room. The news had been hard to process. She didn’t have the first clue how she should proceed. Finances were not her strong suit. It was why she’d hired an accountant in the first place. Never once had she considered that the man she’d given control of her money to would betray her. What a fool she’d been to blindly let him handle it all. Did she even have any money left? Her trust had some strict guidelines, and he couldn’t have possibly drained in entirely, but that didn’t mean she had any immediate funds available.