Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “I told you the security here sucks,” Keith finished gulping down half of the bottle of water.

  “I’ll be sure to alert my sister that you broke into her apartment to prove her security is the shits.” Sandy leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her breasts.

  “I’m serious, we should amp up her security. I mean she’s your sister.” Keith finished off the bottle of water and put the cap back on it. He held it up, and she pointed to the recycling bucket next to the fridge.

  “I’ve been trying to talk her into moving to Hopedale,” Sandy admitted, but Keith was right. Lots of times she’d come to visit Kim and people would open the security door and let her in without even checking to see if she knew anyone in the building.

  “Considering that’s where her salon is it would make more sense.” Keith propped his shoulder against the fridge shoved his hands in his pocket.

  “Yeah.” Sandy turned and stared out the window.

  “You know he isn’t getting near Evie with Trunk there, right?” Keith stood next to her.

  “I know.” She did know, but until Ruby and Evie were in front of her, she wasn’t going to be able to relax. Knowing Scott was close made her blood boil. She wasn’t afraid of him, but it terrified her that he could hurt Evie or Ruby just to get to her.

  “Ummm…. Why is there a mountain in my kitchen leaning against my fridge?” Kim yawned.

  “Hi, Kim!” Keith chuckled when she tried to push him out of her way to get into the fridge.

  “I didn’t hear the buzzer.” She pulled a bottle of water out and closed the fridge.

  “Probably because your neighbors don’t care who they let in the building.” Sandy laughed.

  “What?” She looked back and forth between Keith and Sandy.

  “Let’s just say I’m sending one of my guys to put in better locks and a security system in your apartment,” Keith told her.

  “And how exactly am I paying for that?” Kim raised her eyebrow and gave him that defiant stance that seemed to run in their family.

  “Just a haircut.” Keith smiled.

  Kim had become the O’Connor family hairdresser, but Keith always had her come to his house because he wasn’t stepping foot inside a beauty salon.

  “Sounds good but you have to come into the shop.” Kim grinned.

  “Don’t hold your breath waiting for that, doll.” Keith chuckled.

  “Okay, I know you aren’t here at this hour to test the building security. What’s up?” Kim asked.

  Sandy filled Kim in on the flight change but not why. Her sister didn’t need to be worried about Scott since she was still getting over her trauma of being stabbed. She still hid most of her scars with long sleeve shirts and high necklines, but she would never admit they bothered her.

  Sandy stood at the bottom of the escalator that brought the passengers to the gate. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet watching every person that came through the door.

  “Where are they? Are you sure Trunk got them on the flight?” Sandy asked Keith.

  “They’re on the flight, kiddo. Have some patience for Christ’s sake.” Keith said, and she turned and elbowed Keith in the ribs. Of course, it didn’t bother him.

  “I hate you.” She sighed when he laughed at her attempt to hurt him. As she glared up at him, he nodded his head toward the escalator. She looked up as Evie was trying to maneuver her way around people in front of her. Every time she got by someone she’d stop and wave to Sandy.

  “Alexandra, Uncle Keith,” Evie yelled as she jumped the last two steps and ran full speed toward Sandy.

  “Hey there, princess.” Keith’s face lit up when he lifted Evie into his arms and hugged her. “I missed ya.” Keith kissed her cheek.

  “Maybe you should’ve come to visit more often,” Ruby walked up next to Sandy and wrapped her arm around Sandy’s shoulder.

  “Sorry, Rubes.” Keith grinned sheepishly. “At least I’ll get to see you more and get lots of that great banana bread.” Ruby laughed.

  “Can I have Evie now, please?” Sandy asked because he was still holding her.

  “Alexandra, I’m so glad we’re gonna live with you.” Evie practically jumped into Sandy’s arms.

  “Me, too, but here everyone calls me Sandy.” Sandy reminded Evie.

  “Sorry, I forgot.” She hugged Sandy and whispered. “I don’t think Aunt Ruby will care.”

  “Probably not.” Sandy giggled.

  They headed back to Kim’s from the airport, so Ruby could rest, and Evie could hopefully take a nap. Kim fell in love with Evie the minute she entered the apartment. She also had made some sandwiches for them. Trunk and Keith stayed as well since they weren't comfortable with the building's security.

  “Did Keith put an ad out to find the biggest and best-looking men in the country when he hired these guys?” Kim whispered as she followed Sandy out of the kitchen with a second platter of sandwiches.

  “Probably.” Sandy laughed.

  Kim was the one to finally convince Evie to take a nap with her in her huge bed, and Sandy led Ruby to the guest room where the woman almost fell into the bed. Sandy was sure she was asleep before she left the room.

  Trunk and Keith were taking up practically the entire couch while they quietly debated who was going to end up in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup. She flopped down on the love seat and curled up on her side. She wasn’t actually paying any attention to them until Keith mentioned Ian’s name. She wasn’t really sure what he said, but the mention of his name had her heart hurting. She regretted the way she ran out on him without explaining how she felt. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep wondering what he was doing at that moment.

  Chapter 15

  He was pacing the kitchen when his front door opened, and he ran to see who it was. All he needed was someone to come in and find Gerald in his house before he got a chance to see what the man had to say. He almost bowled Isabelle over as he rushed through the doorway.

  “Isabelle, what are you doing here?” He sounded rude, but the water shut off in the shower and he didn’t know if Gerald would just come out of the bathroom before checking.

  “Nice to see you too, cuz.” He didn’t miss Isabelle’s sarcasm, and he felt like shit.

  “Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting anyone,” Ian said.

  “It’s okay. I’m only here ‘cause you left your phone at your parent’s house, and I told Aunt Kathleen I’d drop it off to you. I’m on my way to town to spend the night with Kristy.”

  “Shit, I didn’t even realize it was gone. Is everything okay with Kristy? It’s kind of late to be going to town.” Ian took his phone from Isabelle and checked the time.

  “Yeah, she’s just having some guy issues,” Isabelle said as she walked back to the front door.

  “Who is he? I’m sure one of us will kick his ass.” Isabelle, Kristy, Jess, and Pam were like the little sisters they didn’t want, but Ian and his brothers would kill anyone if they hurt them.

  “She’s fine. The guy is the one who’s playing hard to get.” Isabelle rolled her eyes. “He thinks he’s too old for her.”

  “I see. Well, let me know if Kristy needs anything.” Ian wanted to know more about the guy, but Gerald could pop out of the bathroom at any moment.

  “I will.” Isabelle hugged him as she walked through the door. “Oh, I almost forgot, Sandy, called. She said she’d call you tomorrow.” Ian cursed under his breath.

  “She’s certainly grown up.” Ian turned when he heard Gerald behind him. He looked a lot better with the scruffy beard gone and the week’s worth of dirt washed off. Gerry finally resembled the boy that grew up in Hopedale.

  “Yeah, they all have.” Ian locked the front door and motioned for Gerald to follow him into the kitchen. He wanted to call Sandy so badly, but he couldn’t take any chances that Gerald would take off or decide not to talk.

  Gerald almost inhaled the two sandwiches Ian put in front of him. Then downed two bottles of water
and a cup of coffee as Ian put the third sandwich in front of him. Ian felt awful that someone he grew up with was in a situation where he was practically starving.

  “I probably shouldn’t be eating this so fast, but it’s just been a while since I ate.” Gerald seemed embarrassed.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Ian sipped his coffee as Gerald sat back in the chair and let out a long sigh. The first thing Ian noticed was Gerald didn’t have any marks on his arms, and it surprised him because he was supposed to be a drug addict. Even though he was ravenous and was probably thinner than a man his height should be, he wasn’t showing any of the signs of an addict who was strung out. No sweating. No shaking and although he looked tense, it wasn’t the type that you see in drug abusers.

  “Before you ask, no I’m not a druggie.” Gerald seemed to be reading his mind.

  “What makes you think I was going to ask that?” Ian asked.

  “I’ve heard the stories going around about me, Ian.” Gerald rested his elbows on the table.

  “Stories don’t start out of nowhere, Gerry.” Ian sat across from him and sat back in his chair. The man dropped his head and then sighed.

  “I know, but it wasn’t me that was doing drugs. It was Luke.” The crack in Gerald’s voice said he was having a hard time with his brother’s suicide.

  “I’m sorry about Luke,” Ian said.

  “When it came out that he was supposed to have killed himself, I knew something wasn’t right. He’d been clean for six months, and he was straightening himself out. He’d promised Colleen he’d be there for her when….” Gerald stopped and looked at Ian. “I’m sorry she didn’t tell you about the girls.”

  “Not your fault.” Ian didn’t want to talk about Colleen. “So, you don’t think Luke killed himself?”

  “No, that’s why I started hanging out with Lefty. I knew the ass had something to do with it but to get the information I had to get in with that crowd. I know I’m not a cop or anything but Luke was my brother, and I couldn’t let people believe he’d killed himself.” Gerald pulled his hand down over his face and shook his head.

  “So, this Lefty, what did you find out?” Ian asked.

  “Not enough to get him arrested and when he showed up at Colleen’s the week before she and Carter….” He stopped and swallowed. “He told me he knew what I was up to and if I didn’t back off, Luke wouldn’t be the only one six feet under.”

  “He threatened Colleen?” Ian tried to remain calm, but it was getting harder the more Gerald was telling him.

  “I thought he was threatening me. He never said anything about Colleen, but I didn’t care about myself. I saved all the stuff I’d found out about Lefty and his operation. I gave it to Colleen and told her if anything happened to me, she had to bring it to the police. When she asked me what was going on, I told her everything. Carter warned me to stay away from Lefty because he’d heard the man was crazy. I told him I had to get justice for Luke and left.” He held up his empty cup, and Ian refilled it.

  “Go on.” Ian put the cup in front of him and sat down again.

  “The next thing I know my sister and her husband are dead and the police are looking for me.” It was with that Gerald finally cracked, and he sobbed. “Ian, I swear I didn’t know he’d go after Colleen. I was so glad the girls were with the sitter. She was the one that told me the police were blaming me. She said when Colleen dropped off the kids that day, Colleen looked worried and told her that if anything happened to her to get in touch with the Andersons. Leonard was her lawyer, but you probably know that. Anyway, the sitter helped me get out of Manitoba but please don’t tell anyone that. I don’t want her to get in trouble.”

  “You need to tell the police all this.” Ian was ready to call his Uncle.

  “I don’t know what Colleen did with the information I gave her. There was a lot of shit on that USB stick, and there was more I never even got a chance to look at.”

  “How do I know you aren’t trying to get this USB because it proves you’re the one that killed Luke and Colleen?” Ian had to ask. He’d seen enough crime shows to know desperate people would do anything to keep their asses out of jail.

  “You don’t. The only thing I’ve got is my word and the fact that you’ve known me almost my whole life. Do you honestly think I could kill anyone?” Gerald looked Ian straight in the eyes. “I. Didn’t. Do. This.”

  “I believe you, Gerry but you need to talk to Uncle Kurt or John or James. Hell even Nick or A.J. could help.” Ian told him.

  “Jesus, I knew John and James were cops but Nick and A.J. too?” Gerald shook his head.

  “That’s why I’m taking a huge chance having you here. My girlfriend’s a cop too.” At least he hoped she was still his.

  “I’m sorry for putting you in this situation. Maybe you’re right. Who do you think is the best one to call?” Gerald clasped his hands in front of him and closed his eyes.

  “The best one would be Uncle Kurt.” Ian held his phone in his hand and waited for Gerald to give him the okay to make the call. He was going to call regardless, but Gerald needed to think he was in charge.

  Ian tapped Kurt’s cell phone number and waited for him to answer. It was after midnight, so he was probably asleep. Kurt would know something was wrong because of the late call, but since he was the superintendent of the Hopedale division of the NPD, Ian figured he was the best choice. Besides his girls were at John’s house and the last thing he wanted was them in the middle of the situation.

  Kurt arrived ten minutes after Ian hung up the phone. His hair mussed, but what made Ian wish he’d not called him, was the glare his uncle gave him when he saw Gerald sitting at the kitchen table.

  “Please tell me you aren’t harboring a fugitive?” Kurt growled.

  “No that’s why I called you.” Ian handed Kurt a cup of coffee hoping the caffeine fix would ease the grumpiness.

  “Gerry, you’re in a lot of trouble, young man.” Kurt sipped the coffee.

  “I know Kurt, but I didn’t do this.” Gerald’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Lots of people in jail say they’re innocent. Most of them aren’t.” Kurt propped himself against the counter and crossed his ankles.

  “Tell him what you said to me, Gerry.” Ian sat down at the table.

  Kurt’s expression didn’t change the whole time that Gerald spoke. The only time he moved was to refill his cup, and then he returned to leaning on the counter. Gerald kept glancing at Ian for support and then back. Ian heard Kurt could be a hard ass cop, but it was the first time he’d actually seen it.

  “You expect us to believe that this, Lefty is the one that killed Luke and made it look like a suicide, killed your sister and her husband to keep you quiet?” Kurt’s voice was monotone, and even Ian couldn’t tell if he believed it or not.

  “Kurt, I’ve got a lot of evidence against him, but I don’t know what Colleen did with the USB I gave her.” Anyone could hear the desperation in Gerald’s voice.

  “You know I’ve got to take you in?” Kurt said.

  “I know.” Gerald stood up and held his hand out to Ian. “Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt.” Ian shook his hand and glanced at Kurt.

  “I’m drained and going into the station to deal with this at this hour is not going to make my mood any better.” Kurt placed his cup in the sink. “If you can give me your word you’ll be here when I come back first thing in the morning, we’ll do all this after you get a good night’s sleep.” Kurt stood directly in front of Gerald.

  “I’ll be here as long as it’s okay with Ian for me to stay for the night.” Gerald glanced at Ian, and he nodded.

  “Gerry, I’m only doing this because your parents were good friends of mine and I’ve watched you grow up. Don’t make me regret this.” Kurt held out his hand, and Gerald shook it.

  “May God strike me down dead, I’ll be here when you come back.” Gerald’s face relaxed as Kurt nodded and motioned for Ian to follow him. Ian told Gerald to ge
t something else to eat if he wanted and followed Kurt to the front door.

  “I got the feeling he’s genuine,” Ian said.

  “He is.” Kurt opened the front door. “I hate to put this responsibility on you, but please make sure he doesn’t run.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

  “What you need to know is the police aren’t looking for him because they think he killed Colleen and her husband.” Kurt lowered his voice.

  “What do you mean?” As far as Ian knew the police were looking for Gerald.

  “They think he’s in danger and it was a way to keep him safe if the one who did kill them thought they were blaming Gerry.” Kurt sighed.

  “I’m assuming you don’t want me to tell Gerry?” Ian figured since Kurt didn’t say anything in front of Gerry.

  “We’ll fill him in tomorrow,” Kurt said as he slid into his car.

  Ian closed and locked the door. His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out. It was a text from Keith.

  Sandy’s at her sister’s place. Had to change the flights for Evie and her aunt. Had a sighting of Scott in Moncton. I’ll keep you up to date... Ass.

  Thanks for letting me know…. Dick.

  At least he knew Sandy was safe. He hoped having the little girl with her made her happy.

  “From your girlfriend?” Ian looked up as Gerald came out of the kitchen.

  “No, it’s Keith,” Ian said.

  “I missed all you guys.” Gerald’s eyes glistened, and Ian had no doubt his old friend had been dealing with more in his life than he’d ever expected.

  “Maybe when we get all this cleared up we can have a beer and talk about old times,” Ian said.

  “I’d like that.” Gerald smiled.

  Ian knew he wasn’t going to sleep, so he gave Gerald his bed, and he lay on the couch. At least he’d be able to keep an eye on his guest this way. He actually believed the man, and he could tell Kurt did as well. Whoever this Lefty guy was, he was a heartless bastard. Maybe it was because Ian had dedicated his life to saving people’s lives, but he couldn’t ever see himself taking someone’s life.