Biloxi Blue (The Biloxi Series Book 2)

by Jerri Ledford

  Unless someone else saw that check and instructed her to handle it.

  Jenna’s gaze shot to the check sitting on the corner of the desk.

  Greg Harrington. What did you do? The edges of Jenna’s vision dimmed as she considered that Greg might also have stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong. She would have to find out what he knew.

  Jenna looked at the printed page in front of her that showed…

  Nothing.

  The paper only listed numbers. Dollar amounts. No names, no discernable patterns. Even the figure that Jenna focused on might not be related to Stone Mountain.

  You know that it is.

  Jenna did. She just had no way to prove it.

  Jenna thumbed through the remaining stack of papers until she found an invoice for Stone Mountain that matched the dollar amount she embezzled. It was near the bottom of the stack among the papers that were spotted with dried blood and stuck together. She cracked the page away from the others and compared it to the list she’d found. Nothing but the total matched. Nothing connected the two except the dollar amount.

  Beth had printed the invoice but unless you knew what you were looking at, that was all it appeared to be. A legitimate invoice. Jenna admired her own handiwork. She was good. Pride pushed warmth up her neck. She felt it spread across her cheeks. Anyone looking at this invoice would think it was a real invoice, for real products provided. Jenna even managed to create a paper trail for it in the accounting system in case someone questioned it. They would, eventually, but with all the details Jenna put in place, they would ultimately pay the invoice, assuming there was an accounting error on their side.

  Except, that cow, Tiffany, couldn’t follow simple directions and a check showed up while she was out of town. The problem, of course, was that the check was made out directly to her. Ingram Logistics was included, but Jenna had handled that, too. She simply started a shell company with a similar name. Since she normally got her own mail, it had never been a problem. Until now.

  Frustration pushed Jenna back to the keyboard. She pounded in another string of commands, each keystroke more forceful than the last. By the time she hit enter she was banging on the keys.

  On screen, white words scrolled so fast against the black background they appeared as no more than a blur.

  While she was waiting for the command to finish executing, Jenna glanced at the stack of shipping manifests. Something in her brain clicked. She compared the top shipping manifest to the page of numbers and felt her heart stutter. Just to be sure, she compared several others.

  No doubt. Beth was tracking shipments. A lot of shipments. Why? Jenna compared the numbers to the shipping manifests. Everything matched except for the dollar amounts. The values listed were much higher than what was shown on the manifest.

  Jenna took a deep breath and examined each manifest line by line, a pencil clenched between her teeth. Every so often, she would use that pencil to mark a line item, then back between her teeth it went. Those items she marked seemed to fall into a single category. Pottery. Many of the other lines were all over the place. A shipment of electronics here, household goods there. In every case, it was an entire container of items. What was special about the pottery? And why would Beth be tracking these other items?

  “Honey, where are you?” Michael's voice floated up the stairs.

  Jenna jumped. Adrenaline surged into her bloodstream making her fingers tingle.

  What was he doing home?

  She shoved papers back into the bag and clicked all the windows closed on the computer screen.

  “Jenna?” A creek on the stairs.

  Jenna grabbed the bag. “I'm coming.” She shoved the bag under the desk and kicked it into the corner just as Michael entered the room.

  “Hey there. Are you working?”

  Jenna spun her chair and stood so fast she slammed her knee into the corner of the desk.

  “Ow!” She winced and rubbed the knee. The motion knocked her off balance and she felt herself tilt sideways.

  “Be careful.” Michael rushed over to steady her. He kissed her forehead. “Are you okay?”

  Jenna took a deep breath and tried to look sheepish. “Yeah. I'm just a klutz. And maybe a little hungry. I got a little dizzy there.” She held her hand to her forehead. “You’re home early.”

  “Not really. More like late.” He took her hand and led her from the room. “It's after ten o'clock. I ate at the country club. You should really eat something.”

  After ten o'clock? Jenna had no sense of time passing. Now she noticed that it was dark outside. “Wow. It’s really that late?” Her surprise was genuine. “I should eat something. I just lost track of time catching up on e-mail.”

  And trying to figure out exactly what Beth was up to.

  “You're working too hard. Going on vacation shouldn’t mean you have to come home to a double work load. I really wish you would find another job.”

  “Michael, we’ve talked about this.” Jenna didn’t want to take another job. It had taken her years to get this setup into place and now it was finally paying off.

  “I know. Let’s just not discuss it right now.” Jenna recognized that Michael was trying to placate her before it turned into an argument. He had no idea she didn’t have the energy to argue right now.

  He pulled her toward the stairs. “Let’s go relax and enjoy the rest of the night. I’ll cook for you.”

  She trailed behind him, already wishing he would fall asleep so she could get back to her digging. How was she going to relax until she figured out exactly what Beth was doing? Why was she tracking those shipments? How much did she know about Jenna’s activities? Most importantly, who knew what she had found?

  ELEVEN

  Kate stood at Jack’s front door listening to the movements inside the house. The bubbly tinkle of Lisa’s laughter drifted through the door. It was punctuated by Jack’s deeper laugh. They were sounds Kate had grown to love.

  Before her mother’s death, Lisa was a sullen, difficult teenager, looking for acceptance and love in people and activities that left her aged beyond her years. She understood how dark the world could be. Leslie’s death had been difficult for Lisa, but it also helped her to realize just how destructive her own behavior had become. Now, with the gentle patience and understanding of her Uncle Jack and regular counseling, Lisa flourished. She was becoming a strong young woman with a sense of self and others.

  Kate blew a sigh toward the door. For a brief moment, she considered just walking away. She wouldn’t, but it was tempting.

  It seemed like Jack didn’t have much time for her these days, and after springing a new partner on her today, Kate knew a fight was coming. Caleb seemed like a good guy and he really was handsome. Someone would be lucky to have him for a partner. Just not her. Her track record with partners wasn’t good.

  She drew in a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and unlocked the front door. Might as well deal with whatever the night held in store. First chance she got, she would tell Jack exactly how she felt about his surprise today. After Lisa went upstairs, of course. She would never confront Jack in front of Lisa.

  Kate stepped into the foyer and Lisa bounded out of the kitchen to greet her with a smile and a hug. It was contagious. The tension of the day eased off Kate’s shoulders just enough to let a little relaxation creep in. She felt the weight lighten and she took a deep breath.

  “Aunt Kate! It’s about time you got here. We were afraid you weren’t going to make it before supper got done.” She wrapped Kate in a long, tight hug. “Uncle Jack made fried chicken. It would have been a shame for you to miss it. He’s trying to teach me to cook, so I made the cornbread. It’s a disaster. It stuck to the pan. So, it’s more like cornbread pieces.”

  Lisa rattled from one topic to another as she led Kate into the kitchen. She didn’t seem to notice how quiet Kate remained. Typical teenager. She was so engrossed in the moment that she didn’t pick up on Kate’s reticence.

  Li
sa’s failure to notice Kate’s disposition made it easier for Kate to let it go and paste on a smile by the time they reached the kitchen. The kid was infectious. Her happiness at the smallest things was refreshing, and something Kate found herself drawn toward. The levity that contrasted starkly with Kate’s day so far was enough to convince her to leave the conversation she needed to have with Jack until later. No sense in ruining what looked to be a promising meal together.

  The dining room was brightly decorated with balloons and streamers. A large bouquet of roses graced the center of the farmhouse-style table, where they had all shared meals when they were home together for the last three months.

  “What’s this?” Kate couldn’t suppress the delight she felt at the festive decorations.

  Jack laid down the utensils he was using to manage the food and folded her in a deep, tight hug.

  Kate stood ramrod straight, arms at her side. She didn’t want him to hug her. She was mad at him. More than mad, really, but she couldn’t put her finger on what, exactly, more was.

  Still, the hug felt good and she had to fight the urge to return the embrace. Jack held her close. She could feel his face in her hair, which probably stunk of sweat and salt air. His hands worked small circles on her back and shoulders.

  “You smell good,” he murmured against her ear.

  Kate melted.

  Don’t give in. You’re angry with him. Be stronger than this.

  Despite the cacophony of voices in her head, her hands went around his waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder. The rhythmic thud-a-thud of his heart beat elicited an unbidden sigh from deep inside. She missed this. She couldn’t remember the last time he hugged her like this.

  Too soon, he pulled away, put a finger under her chin, and tilted her head up until she had no choice but to look at him.

  “Happy anniversary,” he said.

  Kate stared at him in confusion. Anniversary? They had only been together for a few months. Not even a year.

  Then understanding solidified an ephemeral thought that had been playing in the back of her mind all day. One year. She and Jack had been partnered together one year ago today.

  The realization weighed Kate’s shoulders down again. She dropped her gaze from Jack and pulled away. “Thank you,” she muttered and turned away. So much had changed in the last year. Her heart ached, tears pooled in the corner of her eyes. What she wouldn’t give to go back a few months. Before everything changed.

  Get hold of yourself. Smile and enjoy the moment.

  She turned to the dining area and surveyed the decorations. The table was already set for three and she wondered if Jack’s sudden interest in the anniversary of their partnership had anything to do with the events at work today. It had been a long time since he’d even had a meal with them. Longer since he’d cooked.

  Regardless of the motivation, Kate was determined to enjoy the meal with him and Lisa. They didn’t get the opportunity often, and she needed this right now. With all the emotions swirling around inside her, a little normalcy would go a long way. Mealtime was when they could connect as a family and she wanted that connection this one last time.

  The scent of fried chicken, cornbread, and black-eyed peas made Kate’s mouth water. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. She hadn’t taken the time to eat today.

  At the stove, Jack lifted the last of the chicken out of the hot oil. Both he and Lisa stopped. Lisa turned back to Kate. She had a strange look on her face. “Was that your stomach?”

  Jack held a golden-brown piece of chicken mid-air, disbelief on his face. “Good grief, woman. Do you ever eat?”

  Kate felt heat creeping into her cheeks. “I was a little busy today.” She hung her head. Her stomach always betrayed her.

  “Uncle Jack, you’d better hurry up. Kate’s going to starve to death before you get it done.” Lisa grabbed two serving bowls and set them on the table.

  “It’s ready.” Jack lifted a plate piled high with fried chicken. Kate’s stomach rumbled again. Traitor. Jack’s fried chicken was the best she’d ever eaten. She’d tried to make it herself, but it always ended up burnt on the outside and not quite done on the inside. Jack’s was always perfect.

  Together the three of them finished placing the hot food on the table. Kate forgot to be angry or confused. All she could think about as they each settled into their normal place at the table was how much she had come to enjoy times like this with Jack and Lisa. It felt as if they were already her family.

  The food was amazing. Lisa chattered between bites. She told stories of school friends, and made general conversation with everyone at the table. They ribbed Lisa about her crumbled cornbread. It still tasted good, but it was fun to give her a hard time.

  By the time Jack poured coffee and handed a cup to Kate, she was leaned back in her chair with her legs stretched out in front of her and a pile of dirty dishes on the table. The emotions and events of the day were nothing more than a memory, and she wanted to leave it that way. This moment was perfect. It was what she longed for all those times Jack was too busy to pay any attention to her.

  This is what normal feels like. It’s good.

  “Let’s go out on the porch.” Jack held his hand out to help her out of the chair.

  “But the dishes?” Kate sat still. She didn’t want to go to the front porch. Once they get out there, they would have the conversation she intended to have earlier.

  She no longer wanted to have it. Sometime during the meal her plans shifted. She would let it go. They could just enjoy the evening as if nothing was wrong.

  “I’ve got them, Aunt Kate. Then I’m going upstairs to study.” Lisa leaned down to hug Kate. “Ya’ll go relax.”

  I doubt we’re going to relax.

  Lisa busied herself with the dishes, so Kate didn’t have any choice but to let Jack help her up and follow him out to the long, covered front porch.

  The front porch looked out over the Gulf. The nearly-constant breeze off the Gulf of Mexico helped cool the area even though temperatures were already climbing. It was warm for late March.

  Kate dropped, cross-legged, into a chair beside Jack’s and they sat for a long time, just listening to the traffic passing by on Highway 90. Kate contemplated how to approach the subject of her new partner with Jack. Her earlier anger had cooled. Now she wondered if it was even worth being upset. Having a partner was part of the job, most of the time. She didn’t have to like it.

  In the quiet, Kate’s mind wandered. If someone had asked her a year before if she wanted a relationship, she would have said no. She and Jack had just become partners back then. It was comfortable between them. She liked it that way.

  So much had changed in such a short time. Looking back, she knew that she’d fallen in love with Jack long before either of them realized there was an attraction between them. They were both too caught up in their own past to see what might be in their future. They depended on each other as friends and partners and they were content with that.

  Now she couldn’t imagine living without him. She stared at the ring on her left hand and wondered what the future held for them. Her chest tightened and her breath caught. Would they even have a future? Since Chief Darnow died and Jack took over as chief, things had changed so much.

  No. They changed before then, and you know it.

  It was true. What changed was the way Kate saw Jack since he’d been willing to let a murderer go free because he’d killed another criminal. Seeing him in that light caused a shift for Kate. She knew he wasn’t perfect, and she didn’t expect him to be, but since Jack was promoted they hadn’t even had time to address it. To talk through it so Kate could understand why he felt that way. It seemed like Jack’s time had been sucked into a never-ending vortex of activity.

  Which he won’t talk about. Why has he shut me out?

  They weren’t talking about that, either. When Kate tried to ask him about his work, he went vague and gave her half answers. Or none at all. He would change the
subject. A few times he told her he couldn’t share details of the job. It made Kate feel like she was standing outside, looking in.

  I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.

  “So, are you still mad about Caleb?” Jack interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the current issue and the whole reason they were sitting on the front porch, in the dark, in silence.

  “I don’t even know anymore, Jack.” Kate dropped her head back onto the chair and closed her eyes.

  “I know we talked about this.” Jack shifted in his chair and his fingers found hers in the darkness. “If I had asked, you would have said no and I don’t like you being out there alone.” His fingers traced a gentle path over the back of her hand. “Especially with what happened back in December. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”

  Kate remained quiet. She didn’t know what to say. She wanted to be angry at Jack. They had talked about it and she told him she didn’t want another partner. She didn’t want the responsibility of it. But how could she be mad at him? He was worried about her. That meant he cared about her. Emotions warred in her heart and in her brain. A bloody battle that just left her confused. Unsure of what to say.

  When Kate remained quiet, Jack continued, his voice a little more defensive than before. “Someone needs to be there to protect you when I can’t, Kate. Besides, I wasn’t given a choice about this. The assignment came from over my head.”

  “What does that mean? Who made this decision?” Kate straightened in her seat and placed her bare feet on the cool wood of the porch.

  Jack didn’t answer immediately. He pulled his hand from hers and rubbed his face. She started to think this would be one of those times when he didn’t answer. He would change the subject and that would be the end of the discussion.

  Then he said, “I can’t say anything more, Kate.” He placed his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Of course not.