Illegal Contact

by Becky Harmon

  “We need another location where this guy might have messed with the explosives. Maybe a storage building?” Jamison suggested.

  “I already checked that. There’s nothing in his name. No house, rental or storage building. Oh wait…his mother has a storage rental at Big Kings on Capital Circle southwest. It’s their smallest available.”

  “I can call the judge and get him to do a verbal adjustment to the warrant based on the evidence already found.” Heather picked up the phone and dialed.

  Jamison took Todd off speaker while Heather talked with the judge. “Todd, have you found any connection between Hughes and Thomas?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Todd said clearly distracted. “They served in the same unit in Vietnam. I tried to get phone records coming out of the Militia’s compound but the Feds have that pretty sealed up. I couldn’t find a cell phone for George McGomery either.”

  “I think Heather’s going back in to talk with Mrs. McGomery so I’ll have her ask about a cell phone.”

  Heather nodded and climbed out of the car.

  Jamison disconnected her call and leaned her head against the seat. She thought about sending a text to Shea but didn’t want to wake her. She hoped Shea had gotten comfortable with Liam and had been able to relax.

  * * *

  “That was a great movie,” Shea said, standing. “I need to go to bed.”

  “Big game on Saturday, right?” Liam asked, the first hint that he knew who she was.

  Shea smiled. “Something like that.”

  “I haven’t lived in town long so I’m a Tennessee fan but since their season is already finished I was planning on rooting for the hometown team.”

  “That’s very kind of you. Thanks for the pizza and the movie,” Shea said over her shoulder as she entered the bedroom and closed the door.

  She leaned against the closed door and stared at Jamison’s room. The hunter green comforter made the small dark room feel more like a cave. The bathroom was larger than she expected with a walk-in shower and Jacuzzi tub. She pulled open every drawer and was pleased to find a brand-new toothbrush. She brushed her teeth and then took a shower, letting the hot water warm her body. She missed Jamison and realized this was the first time in four days they had been apart.

  Thoughts of Jamison morphed into thoughts of Jamison naked in the shower. She longed to kiss her again. She wondered where Jamison might be right now and if they had caught the guy. Could all of this be over tonight? And if it was would she ever see Jamison again? Her arousal dissipated as she thought about not having Jamison in her life. Could she turn pro and still have a relationship with Jamison? She climbed out of the shower and dried herself on a thick mint green towel. Hanging the towel on the rack beside Jamison’s she walked naked into the bedroom and began combing through the drawers in Jamison’s dresser. She found a soft T-shirt and tossed it on the bed in case she woke up cold in the night. Underwear was a different issue so she decided to sleep without any.

  She opened the bedroom door a crack, allowing a small amount of light to stream in. She hoped Jamison would return soon and maybe with the door open she would hear her. She smiled as she pulled Jamison’s sheets around her naked body. The soft sound from the television soothed her, making her feel less alone, and she drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Jamison’s reaction to finding her naked in her bed.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Heather slid back into the car. “She says we’re welcome to search the storage unit.” Heather shrugged. “Which wasn’t a necessity since the judge cleared it too but now we have the key.”

  Suddenly the back door opened and Agent Sheldon Barrett slid in leaving the door hanging open.

  “Where are we headed, ladies?” Sheldon asked with a smile.

  Jamison remained quiet allowing Heather to answer with whatever information she wanted to share.

  “Mrs. McGomery rents a storage unit on Capital Circle.” Heather turned in her seat to make eye contact with Barrett. “We thought we would check it out. What plans do you guys have?”

  “Nothing at the moment but if you don’t mind we’d like to tag along. No need to send the dog back so soon.” She started to slide out of the car and then paused. “What about his work office?”

  Heather frowned. “I’m not sure the judge will go for that unless we can make a connection.”

  Barrett nodded. “Okay. How’s this for a connection? The explosives found at Ms. Carter’s house last night were tied to the mail bombs outside Atlanta two years ago.”

  “The FBI suspected the Mountain Militia for those bombings, right?” Heather asked excitedly.

  Barrett nodded. “Suspected. Nothing solid.”

  Jamison shifted in her seat so she could see Barrett as well. “We were able to connect Charles Hughes and Clayton Thomas through their military service in Vietnam.”

  “I can work with this.” Heather picked up her phone. “Let’s see what the judge is willing to allow.”

  Jamison placed her hand on Heather’s arm to stop her. “Did you ask if George had a cell phone?”

  “Oh, right.” Heather pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and passed it to Jamison. “Can you have Todd trace that? You’ll probably be faster than the station would be.”

  Jamison called Todd and gave him the number while Heather contacted the judge.

  Barrett waited silently until both had completed their calls.

  “The judge says no right now but he said to call him back after we search the storage area and he might feel differently,” Heather said, turning in her seat to face them. “Do you want to work some magic on your end, Agent Barrett?”

  “I can see what I can do.” She slid from the car and walked away with her phone pressed to her ear.

  “I think the judge might be friends with Charles Hughes,” Heather said, glancing at Jamison.

  “That would explain his hesitancy.”

  “Yeah, he seemed surprised when I mentioned his connection to Clayton Thomas.”

  “Do you think she’s coming back or should we just head to the storage unit?” Jamison asked, watching Barrett pace the sidewalk.

  Heather shrugged. “She seems okay, right?”

  “Well.” Jamison laughed. “She seems nice enough but she’s not very talkative.”

  “Typical.”

  They watched Barrett as she pocketed her phone and crossed to talk with the two FBI guys before heading back toward them.

  “Let’s go, ladies,” Barrett said as she settled into the backseat of Heather’s car.

  Heather shrugged and put the car in gear. Heather radioed dispatch of their destination as well as who was accompanying her.

  Jamison’s cell rang and she placed Todd on speaker. “You’re on speaker. Officer Cannon and FBI Special Agent Barrett are with me.”

  “And the party continues to grow,” Todd said cheerily. “Good news. It was not a burn phone so I have call logs and text messages.”

  “That was quick,” Barrett mumbled from the backseat.

  “Yes, Special Agent Barrett, we are quick,” Todd said.

  Barrett raised her eyebrows and Jamison gave her shrug. “Tell us what you got, Todd.”

  “A lot of vague text messages that I’ll tie to times and dates of the attacks and a few calls from an unknown number in Georgia. I’m still tracing it.”

  Though Todd couldn’t see her Jamison narrowed her eyes. None of that information warranted an update. “Why did you call, Todd?”

  “I have the name of Mr. McGomery’s seat companion at the Atlanta game.” He hesitated. “Well, I have the name of the person who purchased the tickets anyway.”

  She glanced at Heather and Barrett. “Continue.”

  “They’re season tickets held by Clayton Thomas. I have it from a reliable source that Mr. Thomas doesn’t miss a game but I’m scanning the cameras in that area of the stadium. I’ll let you know when I confirm.”

  He disconnected and Barrett was the first to break the silence. “That�
�s connection number two to the Mountain Militia.”

  “Why would the Mountain Militia care about a football game?” Jamison asked.

  “They might not but season ticket holder, Clayton Thomas, might,” Heather explained.

  Jamison shook her head. “That seems crazy to me. Are people that crazy about a football game?”

  “Some are even crazier,” Heather said as she pulled up to the security punch pad in front of Big King’s Storage. She entered the code Mrs. McGomery had given her and then pulled through the open gate. She turned to the right following the rows of storage units. “Three zero one. Mrs. McGomery said it was an end unit.”

  “Did she mention what she was storing?” Jamison asked.

  “She said it had stuff left to her by her parents but she hadn’t been in it in years.”

  “There it is.” Jamison pointed and Heather stopped the car.

  She pulled her pistol and covered Heather as she unlocked the unit.

  Heather stepped inside and Jamison followed. After a quick scan with her flashlight, Jamison holstered her weapon and located the light switch.

  “I don’t think we need the bomb dog,” Jamison said as she scanned a table stacked with explosives.

  Barrett touched her arm. “Let Willie make sure nothing is wired and then we can look around.”

  Jamison and Heather followed her back outside while Willie and his dog entered the unit. Jamison dialed Todd.

  “Get camera footage for Big King’s Storage. Third row, end unit number three zero one. Find out who’s been in this unit. We have explosives and I’m not sure what else.”

  “Do you need Kinsey to come back out?” Todd asked.

  “No, we have an FBI bomb team with us.”

  “Okay. I’ll start checking the footage.”

  Heather and Barrett were watching her. “Todd’s going to check the camera footage here.” She pointed to a camera above them. “Should have a good view.”

  “I don’t think I’m needed here so I’m going to head back to the station and talk with Mr. McGomery.” Heather looked at Jamison. “Want a ride?”

  “Yep. I’m ready too.”

  From the car Jamison watched Heather exchange contact information with Barrett. She liked Heather’s intense focus on the case and Barrett was growing on her too. Both stood at the same height but Barrett’s dark features were a definitive contrast to Heather’s fair complexion and blond hair. To her, the way they stood relaxed and talking while still aware of their surroundings, both women were easily identifiable as law enforcement officers.

  Heather slid into the car and radioed dispatch she was turning the scene over to the FBI and heading back to the station. When she returned the microphone to its holder she glanced at Jamison. “Do you want me to drop you off?”

  Jamison sighed. “I guess so. I should pick up my truck at Shea’s so we aren’t stranded tomorrow.”

  Heather radioed dispatch of her detour and then turned toward campus. “There’s no doubt McGomery is our guy.”

  “I can’t argue with that.”

  “The FBI will be the rest of the night processing that scene at the storage unit. Who knows what all they’ll find.”

  Jamison rubbed her face. “Do you really think McGomery is smart enough to make a bomb?”

  “Maybe not since he didn’t really make one, did he?”

  “So you think he purchased all the pieces but didn’t know how to put it together?”

  “Why not? He wanted to stop the Tigers from playing, not necessarily hurt or kill anyone.” Heather pulled to a stop behind Jamison’s truck. “I’ll call you tomorrow morning and let you know what McGomery has to say. Maybe we’ll get a search warrant for his office by then too though it seems we already found his workshop.” She paused. “I think I’ll call the judge and get the warrant to cover McGomery’s entire house. I’d like to see that spare bedroom and since the rental unit was in his mother’s name I don’t think I’ll have a problem.”

  Jamison nodded and climbed out of the car. “Keep in touch.”

  Heather pulled away from the curb leaving Jamison standing in the glow from the streetlight. She glanced at Shea’s empty duplex. Why had McGomery taken his love of football to this level? Jamison was sure someone else had encouraged him or maybe even assisted him. She was eager to find out where McGomery had managed to get his explosives and supplies but for now she only wanted to tell Shea it was over.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Shea’s eyes flew open at the sound of the front door closing. She heard the murmur of voices coming from the living room and then the front door closed again. She was alone with Jamison. Her pulse raced as the lights in the apartment disappeared one at a time and then footsteps sounded outside the bedroom door. After a few moments of watching Jamison’s shadow in the doorway, she rolled onto her side and leaned on one elbow holding the comforter across her bare chest. “Are you coming in?”

  Jamison crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t think you were awake.”

  She took Jamison’s hand, running her fingers across her palm and up the inside of her arm. “I was waiting for you. What time is it?”

  “After midnight. I’m sorry it’s so late. We caught a lead and followed it.”

  “Did you catch him?”

  Jamison stroked her thumb across the back of Shea’s hand. “Yes. He’s in custody.”

  She could hear the hesitation in Jamison’s voice but she wasn’t going to pursue it tonight. All she heard was that it was over.

  Jamison’s fingertips stroked her naked shoulder. “Didn’t I mention there were clothes in the dresser?”

  “You might have.”

  Jamison’s fingers drifted down her arm and then back up to her neck playing with strands of hair.

  “I need a shower.” Jamison stood and pointed across the room. “That’s the only one in the apartment. Will it bother you?”

  “Will it bother you if I join you?”

  * * *

  Jamison’s breath caught. Yes, yes, yes. She wanted Shea’s body in her arms. She had been telling herself no for so long that her mind continued to taunt her. I can’t do this. She pushed the thoughts away. The case was over. She couldn’t fight against something she wanted so badly. She stared openly as Shea pushed the covers back exposing her naked body. She led her into the bathroom and turned on the water, undressing under Shea’s watchful gaze. Her body quivered at Shea’s touch and she pulled away, stepping into the shower.

  Under the spray, she groaned as the full length of Shea’s naked body pressed against her own. She kissed Shea’s neck and found her soft lips, deepening the kiss. Her hands and mouth explored Shea’s body and she lost herself in the fire raging inside her. She easily released her control and let Shea take the lead. Shea pulled their bodies hard together as her lips returned to Jamison’s mouth again and again. She wrapped her arms around Shea’s neck and held on to her shoulders. The pace Shea set was fast and Jamison surrendered quickly.

  Shea turned off the water and pulled two towels from the rack. Jamison wrapped the towel around her body and leaned against Shea.

  “We need to move to the bed.”

  “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

  She slid her hand into Shea’s and followed her into the bedroom.

  She had never shared her bed with anyone before. She purposely kept a single bed in her room for that reason. It was not an invitation for someone to spend the night. She lay sideways resting on her elbow with half her body stretched across Shea.

  Shea breathed softly into her ear. “Don’t look so tired. I’m not finished with you yet.”

  Jamison groaned. “Don’t you need your rest?”

  “Not yet. Right now I need more of you.”

  She stroked Shea’s face.

  With an arm around Shea’s waist, she savored the feel of Shea’s skin beneath her fingertips. She rolled onto her back and slid behind her. Moving her hand lightly across Shea’s
stomach, she traced a path down her thigh. She pulled Shea’s leg across her body and slowly followed the muscle up until her fingers found what they desired. Shea’s back lay flat against her chest and she slid her left arm around her neck, running her hand across Shea’s chest. She teased each nipple, making Shea moan and push her body tighter against hers. Shea lifted her arms above her head, giving her entire body to Jamison. They moved together as one and she whispered softly in Shea’s ear until she felt her body release.

  * * *

  Jamison awoke as the sun seeped in around the curtains. She lay on her back with Shea in her arms, one hand cupping Shea’s breast, the other across her hip. She didn’t remember falling asleep and hoped that she hadn’t been mid-stroke when it happened. She smiled. It didn’t matter. If she had, she would make it up to her. The muscles in her arms and legs ached but the rest of her screamed for more of Shea.

  She rolled Shea onto her side and left her curled in a ball, sleeping. In the shower she kept the water cool, trying to slow down her racing libido. She wanted to blame her reaction to Shea on her lack of sex but she knew deep down she had never felt passion like that with anyone before. Shea was an amazing woman. She was intelligent and interesting with a body sculpted from years of workouts. Jamison knew she would never be able to rid her memory of Shea’s long muscular legs wrapped around her body.

  Even now, hours later, she could close her eyes and feel Shea’s body moving beneath her. Soft skin over hard muscle. Jamison leaned against the shower wall smacking her head several times against the tile. For all the talk she had heard over the years about taking a cold shower, clearly they didn’t work as prescribed. Standing under the cold spray, she quickly realized not thinking about Shea was not going to be an option. Her mind and her body were both wrapped around her and she wanted to embrace the wonderful feeling instead of continuing to fight it. She was tired of fighting it. She wanted Shea in her life, and with the case over, her path was clear to do all the things she had resisted over the last week.

  In the light of the kitchen, her hazy dream state turned to the events of the night before she came home to Shea. Could McGomery really be working alone? If not, then who else was involved? And why? Picking up her cell phone, she hoped Heather wasn’t sleeping because she needed an update.