Always Us (The Jade Series #8)

by Everhart, Allie

  “You think they were going to kill her? I thought they couldn’t hurt her now that they have that new rule.”

  “She lost her protection under that rule when she killed my grandfather. She knew she wasn’t safe. Let’s go downstairs. I told Lilly we’d have cookies with her and Charles.”

  My dad’s there when we get downstairs. He’s already changed into different clothes.

  “They dismissed us early because of everything that’s going on,” he says.

  “So you heard the news?” I ask him. “About Katherine?”

  “Yes. It was discussed at the meeting.”

  “She did it to save herself, didn’t she?”

  “I don’t know how far along her pregnancy is, so I can’t say for sure. She might’ve been pregnant before your grandfather’s death. But I do think the pregnancy was her way of making sure the senator would marry her. He has no choice in the matter. He wouldn’t be re-elected if he didn’t. But he’s out as VP. Katherine thought she was being clever. She thought getting pregnant would secure her both a husband and a place as the vice president’s wife. But the VP part isn’t going to happen. They’re going to find someone else. In fact, they’re not even going to support Tate when he’s up for re-election. Now that he’s forever tied to Katherine, the organization wants nothing to do with him.”

  “Speaking of Katherine,” I say, “Lilly’s really upset that Katherine just left without saying goodbye. She thinks her mom doesn’t want her anymore. Lilly wanted to call her, so she did, and Katherine told her about the baby.”

  He sighs. “What is wrong with her? That’s not something you tell a child over the phone.”

  “Daddy.” Lilly runs down the hall and up to him. “You want a cookie?”

  He picks her up. “I would love a cookie. How’s my favorite girl?”

  “Good.” She smiles really wide. “Where’d you go? This morning I woke up and you weren’t here.”

  “I had a meeting to go to.”

  “I missed you.” She hugs him.

  “I missed you, too.”

  She looks surprised. “You did?”

  “Yes, and I have the rest of the day off so I thought we could go do something. But let’s go have some cookies first.” He sets her down.

  She smiles. “Okay!”

  My dad’s so much better with her than he used to be. Thank God that he is, because it sounds like he’s going to be the only parent she has left.

  As we’re walking to the kitchen, my phone rings. “Go ahead,” I tell Jade. “I’ll be right there.”

  I go in the living room to answer it. I don’t recognize the number. “Hello?”

  “Garret?”

  “Yeah. Who is this?”

  “It’s Justin. Let’s just go with Carson since that’s how you know me.”

  “How did you get this number?”

  “It’s not that hard to get a phone number. I have resources, remember? Hanniford. The FBI.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I followed you this morning.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m here in Connecticut and I saw you and Jade leaving this morning with Pearce. I tried following you, but I lost track of the car when I got stopped at a light.”

  “You have nothing better to do than follow us around?”

  “You were going to a meeting, weren’t you? A meeting for the secret society.”

  “I’m done listening to your fucked-up conspiracy theories, Carson. I’m hanging up.”

  “We’ve been following your father for months now. We know he’s part of this. And he’s going to lead us to the others.”

  “There are no others. There’s no secret group. You need to stop obsessing over this.”

  “My sister’s dead, Garret. They killed her. You really think I’m going to just give up?”

  “Why are you calling me?”

  “I want you to convince your father to talk to Hanniford. Just talk. He’s not asking for names or to make any kind of deal. He just wants to talk to him.”

  “Then he can call him himself.”

  “He knows your father won’t answer the call. Besides, it’s impossible to get through to Pearce. His assistant won’t let anyone talk to him.”

  I smile. “You couldn’t find his cell number?”

  “No. Even the FBI guy we’re working with couldn’t get it.”

  “That should tell you he wants to be left alone. Tell Hanniford my dad’s not going to meet with him. That guy needs to get over the fact that he didn’t win the election and stop making up stories to explain why he lost. He’s just as crazy as you are.”

  “Garret, please. Just listen to me. You have a sister. I know she’s a half sister, but I’m sure you still care about her. If she were murdered simply for knowing something she shouldn’t, wouldn’t you want to find the people who did that to her? Take them down before they did that to someone else?”

  He’s right. I’d want to do exactly that, but I can’t help him. Besides, the man who murdered his sister is dead. Carson couldn’t get his revenge even if I told him who did it.

  “What are you saying, Carson? You want to find her killer and then kill that person? Doesn’t that make you just as bad as her killer?”

  “I didn’t say I was killing anyone. I’m just trying to expose them. Let their actions be known so they can’t keep doing these things.”

  “You really think that’s how this works?”

  “What do you mean?”

  I can’t say this over the phone. He’s probably recording this conversation.

  “Where are you right now?”

  “I’m sitting outside your house.”

  “You’re kidding me, right?”

  “I’m parked on the street.”

  I sigh. “Get out of your car and go stand at the gate. I’m going out there, and after this, we’re done talking. I don’t want to hear from you ever again.”

  I end the call and grab my coat from the closet, then go in the study and get the wand-like device that checks for listening devices. My dad left it in there after he checked our clothes.

  I go outside and down to the gate. Carson’s standing there, wearing jeans, a black coat, and a baseball cap. He does look young for his age. He’s a big guy, but his face looks young, which is why he could pass for a college freshman.

  “Where’s your phone?” I ask him.

  He holds it up.

  “Go put it in your car.”

  “I’m not recording you, Garret.”

  “Yeah, like I’m really going to trust you.”

  He goes back to his car and tosses the phone on the front seat, then comes back.

  “Now stand right next to the gate.”

  He does, and I run the wand over him. It doesn’t go off.

  “And you think I’m the one who’s paranoid?” he asks.

  “You’ve made it clear you have an agenda. I’m not letting you record me so you can twist my words to fit whatever story you plan to tell the media.”

  “So why did you come out here? Why are you even talking to me?”

  “Because I want this to end. My family doesn’t need this stress. My dad just got divorced and my sister, Lilly, isn’t handling it well. It’s a rough time for both of them and they don’t need you and Hanniford and whoever else you’re working with causing them even more stress.”

  “I’m sorry about your dad’s divorce but this issue is larger than that. I can’t give up on this, Garret. I need justice for my sister.”

  “You’re not getting justice. Harassing my family and following us around won’t bring your sister back.”

  “No, but I’ll feel good knowing I took down the people who did that to her.”

  “You don’t know who did it to her. You’re just guessing. Making up theories with no evidence to support them.”

  “It’s not just a theory. She had proof the last election was rigged. And I know it’s some type of secret society th
at’s behind it.”

  I pause, trying to figure out how to say this without giving too much away. “Let’s just say, hypothetically, that some secret group existed and that they were able to somehow control things.”

  “Like elections.”

  “Doesn’t matter what it is. Let’s just say they had enough power to make certain things happen. Do you really think exposing them would take them down?”

  “Why wouldn’t it?”

  I roll my eyes. “Seriously? You really think that would work? This is real life, Carson. This isn’t a movie where the bad guys get taken down at the end and the good guys walk off into the sunset. In real life, the bad guys get together with other bad guys and they usually win.”

  “And you’re saying your dad and this group are the bad guys.”

  I sigh. “No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m not talking about my dad. I’m talking about how bad people don’t just go away. And if you go after them, you could be putting yourself in danger. It’s like when you’re a kid and some bully starts bothering you on the playground. What happens when you go tell the teacher?”

  “She tells him to stop.”

  “Yeah, and then he gets pissed that you told on him and he beats you up even more. Do you get what I’m saying?”

  “This isn’t elementary school. And I’m not telling the teacher. I’m telling the FBI.”

  “And what if the bully had friends in the FBI?”

  He looks down, his eyes darting to the side. I don’t think he thought about that. Shit, he’s really naive. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into.

  He looks back at me. “Do they?”

  “This is hypothetical. There’s no secret group. What I’m saying is that bad guys almost always have people on the inside. That’s why they don’t get caught.”

  “If this group had people on the inside, the agent we’re working with would know.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. The point I’m trying to make is that if this was really going on, you wouldn’t be able to stop it. And if you keep making allegations against people, especially rich, important people, you’re going to piss them off. They could destroy your reputation. Prevent you from ever getting a job. Are you really willing to risk that?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “And you think if you got rid of these so-called bad guys, new ones wouldn’t show up in their place?”

  “Not if the government did their job and made sure groups like this couldn’t control the system.”

  “The government is run by politicians. People who get into office by lying, cheating, and making promises they have no intention of ever keeping. People who will do most anything to make sure they win, even if those things are illegal. And you’re trusting these people to keep the bad guys away?” I laugh. “Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, but I can’t believe you really think that way.”

  “So what’s your solution? Just let the bad guys win? Do nothing?”

  “I don’t have a solution. I just know that things aren’t always what they seem. Just because someone has a lot of money doesn’t mean they’re doing bad things or that they belong to some secret group. Sometimes the people you think are good are the ones you need to watch out for the most. Like this FBI guy you’re working with. Are you really sure you can trust him?”

  “He’s doing this on the side, not as part of his regular job. There’s no open case.”

  “And why would he do that? What’s he getting out of this?”

  “He wants justice. He wants to bring these people down.”

  “That’s it? He’s spending his free time helping Hanniford just because he wants justice? I don’t believe that.”

  “Why else would he be doing it?”

  “I’m not going to stand here all day and analyze his motives. You need to think this through yourself. I need to go inside. I want you to leave now and I want you to stop coming over and stop following my family around.”

  The speaker attached to the gate comes on. “Garret, do you need assistance down there?”

  It’s the security guy. I waved at him when I came out here so he’d know I didn’t need him. But he’s probably wondering why this is taking so long.

  “No, I don’t need any assistance.” I look at Carson as I say it. “Carson was just leaving.”

  The speaker clicks off.

  “You need to leave now, Carson. I’m not joking around here. I don’t want to see you again.”

  As he walks away, he says, “I’m not giving up on this, Garret.”

  He needs to give up. He’s wasting his time. The organization can’t be brought down. And even if they could, another group just like them would take their place.

  I tried to warn him but he wouldn’t listen. There isn’t anything else I can do. He’s determined to pursue this, and in doing so, he might get killed.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  37

  JADE

  Garret never came to the kitchen, so I went looking for him and found him coming in from outside. He’s holding that device that tests for hidden microphones.

  “Where were you?” I ask him.

  “Out talking to Carson.” He takes his coat off and hangs it in the closet.

  “Carson was here?”

  “He followed us this morning and he’s been sitting out there on the street for who knows how long.”

  “Why do you have that wand thing?”

  Garret sets it in the study, then comes back out into the foyer. “I had to make sure Carson wasn’t recording me.”

  “What did he say?”

  “That he’s not giving up. That he’s determined to find out who the other members are.”

  “So he still thinks your dad is one?”

  “Yeah. That’s why he’s following him. Carson’s convinced that my dad will lead him to the other members.”

  “You need to tell your dad this.”

  Pearce appears just as I say it. He’s talking to Lilly. “Go up and change and then we’ll go.” She runs up the stairs. “We’re going out for an early dinner,” he says to Garret. “I gave Charles the night off.”

  “Dad, Carson was just here.”

  “Who’s Carson?”

  “That guy, Justin. Jade and I know him as Carson. Anyway, he followed us this morning.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “And you’re okay with this?”

  “I wanted him following us. I was recording him. I have it all on video. And I told the driver to lose him before we got there so Justin wouldn’t find out our location.”

  “Why were you recording him?”

  “I’m collecting evidence to prove that Hanniford’s not giving up in his mission to expose the organization. Justin will keep following me until he finds what he’s looking for. If I’m able to show the members how determined he is, I might be able to distance myself from the organization.”

  “You think they’d let you out?” Garret asks.

  “Not completely, but they might be forced to release me from some of my commitments. If I’m constantly being followed, it puts the other members at risk. They don’t want to have to worry about their identities being revealed or the group being exposed. It would be easier if they kept me at a distance, meaning I would no longer attend the meetings or be involved in their activities. I’d continue to run the company and give them access to whatever they need there, but that would be it.”

  “How long have you been planning this?” I ask.

  “For several months now. I’ve already shared my concerns about Hanniford with the members, and at the meeting this afternoon, the topic came up again. I explained how I’m being followed everywhere I go and that there’s a good chance Hanniford will eventually discover the identities of some of the other members. Everyone agreed that it would be best if I step away for a while.”

  “But they could easily end this,” Garret says. “They could just kill Carson.”

  “He’s not the only one who’s been following me.
There are others, including that FBI agent. Getting rid of Carson, I mean, Justin, won’t make this end.”

  “So they’re not going to kill him, right?” I ask Pearce.

  “I can’t control what they do. What Justin is doing is dangerous and he’s putting himself at risk.”

  I get a sick feeling in my stomach. Carson annoys me, but I don’t want him getting hurt. Or killed.

  Pearce continues. “The members aren’t worried about Justin right now. He’s young and a nobody, so if he told his theories to the press, it’s unlikely they’d take it seriously. Hanniford is the one they’re concerned about. He’ll be the one they’ll go after. He’s been voicing his theories to anyone who will listen. So far, his theories haven’t gotten much traction. People aren’t taking him seriously. But if he was able to provide evidence to support his theories, it could cause problems.”

  “Problems, as in it could destroy the organization?” I ask.

  Pearce laughs a little. “No. That would never happen. And even if it did, nothing would change. Hanniford doesn’t understand that we aren’t the only group trying to manage how things are run in this country. If we weren’t in charge, one of those other groups would be. And as much as you don’t like the organization and what they do, those other groups are far worse. It’s better us than them. And at least now you’re on the inside. You’re protected.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

  Pearce puts his arm around me. “You and Garret need to go on with your lives and stop worrying about this.”

  “What are they going to do to Hanniford?”

  He smiles. “Jade, I just told you to stop worrying about this. Focus on school and your future with Garret.”

  “I just don’t like people getting hurt. I don’t want Carson to end up like his sister.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Pearce lets me go as Lilly comes back down the stairs.

  We leave for dinner, and when we get back we play a board game with Lilly. There’s no more talk about Carson or Hanniford or the organization. I ask Garret about it later when we’re in bed and he repeats what his dad says. I’m not to worry about it. We’re done with this. We’re not looking back. We’re staying out of it and focusing on the future. It’s exactly what I want to do, but I think it’ll take a while for me to put this behind me and accept that this is over. That the organization will finally leave us alone.