“Oh, I thought you liked her odd.”
“Yes, but you’re saying it in a derogatory manner.”
“I was not.”
“You were, too.”
“And what are we fighting about this morning?” Jake asked, swaggering into the office with a broad smile on his face.
All three Hardy brothers fixed him with identical looks.
“Wipe that smile off your face right now,” James ordered.
“What? Why?”
“Because we know it means you’ve been doing something dirty,” Grady explained. “And, since you’re dating our sister, we know you were doing it with her. Wait. You were doing it with her, right? If not, I’m going to have to beat the shit out of you.”
“Of course I was doing it with her,” Jake said. “I don’t cheat.”
“You’d better not.”
“Trust me, your sister is more than I can handle.”
“Hey!”
Jake rolled his eyes. “So, what’s going on?”
“I need to call the Bermuda cops,” James said, digging through his wallet and retrieving the business card Detective St. James had given him. “They need to know what we’ve found.”
“What do you think they’ll want to do with it?”
James shrugged. “I have no idea.” He punched in the number on the card into the desk phone, setting it so it was on the speaker before anyone picked up.
“Detective St. James.”
“Detective, this is James Hardy. I’m not sure if you remember me but … .”
“I remember you. You were the gentleman out at the Parson’s house on the main bluff.”
“That’s me.”
“And how is your lovely wife?”
“She’s fine,” James said, exchanging a dubious look with Jake. “She’s actually why I’m calling.”
St. James was silent on the other end of the phone.
“We actually found something in our baggage when we got back.”
“What?”
“Well, it wasn’t actually in the baggage,” James conceded. “It was in my wife’s purse.”
“What did you find?”
“It was a flash drive,” James said. “She thought it was mine at first. She didn’t notice until she tipped her purse over and everything fell out. Even then, she didn’t realize what she had.”
“You don’t have to give me an explanation, Mr. Hardy,” St. James said. “I’m not even sure what you have.”
“Well, as you know, I run a security business,” James explained. “So I plugged the flash drive in. I thought someone else might have dropped it in the house.”
“And what was on this flash drive?”
“Just some odd numbers, and a map.”
“What kind of map?” St. James asked.
“It’s a map of Bermuda.”
“I see,” St. James said. “And what were the numbers?”
James recited them back to the detective.
“That sounds like gibberish,” St. James said.
“That’s what I thought at first, too,” James said. “We had our computer guy look at the flash drive. We thought the file was corrupted or something. It turns out it wasn’t.”
“Did you figure out what the numbers mean?”
“I did,” James said. “Well, actually, a friend of ours did. She’s a reporter, and she has more experience in certain areas than we do.”
“Just spit it out, Mr. Hardy,” St. James said. “I have a feeling you’ve discovered something big, but you’re not sure how to broach the subject.”
“That’s an understatement,” James muttered. “The numbers represent dealer packs. Do you know what those are?”
“I’m … well, actually, I’m not sure,” St. James admitted.
“Don’t feel bad,” James said. “Two women figured it out before we did.”
St. James chuckled. “And what is a dealer pack?”
“It’s how people weigh money when there’s a lot of it.”
“Oh.” James couldn’t see the detective’s face, but he could almost imagine the thoughtful expression that must be residing there. “And how much money are we talking about?”
“Well, one million dollars weighs ten kilograms if it’s in hundreds,” James said.
“And, if the numbers you just gave me are to be believed, then that means we’re talking about eight-million dollars.”
“Exactly.”
“Does the map specify eight locations?”
“No, only four.”
“Still,” St. James said. “I guess that would explain why a dead body was found in your back yard.”
“And why the man who harassed my wife at the festival was there.”
“You think he slipped the flash drive into her purse that day?” St. James asked.
“It’s the only thing I can figure.”
“It actually helps us move some things into place,” St. James said. “We’ve identified the man from the house.”
“And?”
“His name is Manny Cortez,” St. James said. “He’s relatively well known down here. He’s better known as a gambler than anything else, but he’s one of those guys who has his fingers in about eight different pies at once.”
“I know the type,” James said. “Is there any indication who didn’t like their pie being fingered?”
Grady made a face, miming a dirty sexual act at James’ words. James shot him the finger.
“I have no idea,” St. James said. “I need to do some digging. What you’ve found changes a few of the assumptions we’ve been working on. We just assumed he got in deep with some bookie and they got sick of covering his losses. This seems to point to something else.”
“Yes,” James agreed.
“Can you email me the information you’ve found?”
“I’ve got my computer up right now,” James said. “Tell me where to email it.”
After a few seconds of working on the computer, James hit the “send” button. “It’s on the way.”
“Thank you.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I know I’m not a concern of yours at this point,” James said. “I am worried about my wife, though. A couple of days ago, someone accosted her outside of a furniture store and tried to steal her purse. I didn’t think much of it, and it was before we realized what was on the flash drive, but now I’m convinced that whoever tried to steal her purse was looking for the flash drive.”
“What makes you say that?”
“It was the same purse she was carrying in Bermuda,” James said. “She hadn’t switched it out yet. The area the man approached her in wasn’t exactly a smart place to try and mug someone. There were plenty of witnesses. It just … I think it would be too much of a coincidence.”
“I agree,” St. James said. “Even if we’re talking about one of the minor crime figures here in Bermuda, Mr. Hardy, whoever is looking for that flash drive should be considered dangerous. I think you should keep a close eye on your wife.”
“I always do.”
“I got that feeling when I met you,” St. James said. “Give me a few days to look into this. In the meantime, keep a close watch over your shoulder, and don’t let your wife wander down any dark alleys.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I’ll be in touch,” St. James said.
Once he’d disconnected, James glanced at the other faces in the room. “What do you think?”
“I think I’m worried for Mandy,” Grady said. “Again.”
“She does just stumble into this shit,” James muttered.
“What are you thinking?” Finn asked.
“I’m thinking I’m overhauling the security system at the house,” James said. “It seemed fine for what we needed when I had it installed. It doesn’t now.”
Jake nodded, getting to his feet. “Let’s do it. If you’re going to keep enjoying that hot tub, you’re going to want it done today.”
“And it needs to be
done before I pick Mandy up from work,” James said. “Put the monitors in my office.”
“You’re not going to tell her?” Grady asked.
“I’m … I’m going to tell her in a way that doesn’t freak her out,” James said. “Well, I hope. She’s the one who figured out the guy who tried to grab her purse was looking for the flash drive. She could already know.”
“Tell her,” Finn said. “She’s going to figure it out, and these things always backfire on you when you don’t tell her.”
James sighed, nodding. “First things first, let’s get the security system installed. I’ll worry about the angry blonde later. I need to keep her safe more than I need her to talk to me.”
“We’re on it.”
Fourteen
“I’m surprised that you came here with me,” Sophie admitted, shifting her attention to the Hardy brother sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. “I never thought I’d see this day.”
James frowned, leaning forward as he studied the extravagant mansion in front of him. “No one is more surprised than I am.”
“I could do this alone.”
“No,” James said, shaking his head emphatically. “It’s my job to keep my wife safe. I’m already pissed I have to ask someone else to help. I’m not too proud to do the asking on my own.”
Sophie’s smile was soft, but there was an edge to her eyes. “You’re a really good husband, James. I always knew you would be. You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I know you can’t help it, especially when stuff like this keeps happening, but … well … you should know that you and Mandy were the reason I decided to pull my wall down and give Grady a chance in the first place, so I’m taking this whole thing seriously.”
James stilled, shifting so he could give the brunette reporter his full attention. “What?”
“When I first met Grady, I thought he was just another ladies’ man out for a good time,” Sophie said. “I know that’s not true now, but I wasn’t so sure then. You’ve seen the way women act around him. They fall all over him. I did not want a man who expected me to fall all over him.
“Then I met you,” Sophie continued. “That’s when I figured your whole family was made up of ladies’ men who slept their way through entire cliques and left a trail of broken hearts in their wake.”
James didn’t know how to respond.
“When I met Mandy, things kind of … rearranged in my mind,” Sophie said. “I knew she was cool. I didn’t know she was so terrific until I saw her with you, and I saw how much you loved her.
“You guys hadn’t even been together that long, if you remember,” she continued. “You looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. You guys shared these looks that were hot enough to start the room on fire. Well, you still share those looks.
“I just remember this pain in my heart,” Sophie said. “I wanted what you guys had so badly that it literally hurt. I figured that if you could give your whole heart to someone, then maybe Grady could, too. And if he could, I could.”
“I don’t know what to say,” James said.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Sophie said. “I just don’t want you to worry that you’re somehow a bad husband to Mandy. I’ve never seen anyone look at a man the way she looks at you. You fill her with joy, and love, and laughter, she could never want anything but you.”
“It’s still my job to keep her safe.”
“Have you ever failed her?”
“I hope not.”
“You’re incapable of failing her, James,” Sophie said. “Your heart would never let you. Just try holding on to that, because your wife needs you to be more than just her protector. She needs you to be her partner, too. Don’t take all of this on yourself. When you do that, you tend to piss her off.”
James barked out a hoarse laugh. “You are a constant surprise, Sophie Lane.”
“So are you, James Hardy.”
James nodded, pulling himself together. “Okay. Let’s go and meet Peter Marconi.”
“I’ve already met him,” Sophie said, reaching for the door handle. “Just stick with me, kid. He’s putty in my hands.”
James reached out, grabbing Sophie’s arm so he could still her. “You’re a part of this family, Sophie,” he said. “You have been since you insulted Grady in front of the newspaper and stole his heart.
“You said you originally thought that Grady only wanted a woman who would fall all over him,” James continued. “Grady has never been that man. He’s always loved a challenge, and you’re the biggest and best challenge he’s ever found.
“You two found each other,” James said. “You’re going to be just as happy as Mandy and I are. You guys just need to stop getting in the way of yourselves.”
“We’re thinkers,” Sophie said. “All things happen in their own time. Grady and I just need to think longer about things. We need the time.”
“You have all the time in the world,” James said. “And you have all the support you’ll ever need.”
“Right back at you,” Sophie said. “Now, let’s stop being all dramatic and go and meet Peter. He’s going to love this story.”
“I CAN’T say that I’m not surprised to see you here, Mr. Hardy,” Peter said, sipping from his cup of tea as he regarded the eldest Hardy brother thoughtfully.
After a brief tour, Peter had led James and Sophie into the arboretum that Mandy had fallen in love with on her visit. Peter considered himself a student of the human condition. As such, he wanted to see if Mandy’s mate would love the room as much as she did.
He wasn’t disappointed by James’ reaction.
“This is a beautiful room,” James said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s one of my favorites.”
“The light is kind of … weird,” James said, lifting his hand. “It’s diffused or something.”
“It’s the glass,” Peter said. “I had it shipped in from Denmark. It helps keep the room warm in the winter without being too thick. I can give you the number to the shop if you’re interested in using it to build something for your delightful wife.”
James glanced at Peter, his face neutral. “Why would you assume that?”
“Because your wife fell in love with this room the minute she saw it,” Peter said. “The fact that you’re here, talking with a man you’re clearly not comfortable trusting, tells me that you’re willing to do anything to make your wife happy.”
“I’m willing to do anything for my wife period,” James said. “I want her happy, but I want her safe more. Well, that’s not exactly true. I guess … I always want her happy. Shit. Yeah, give me the glass guy’s name. I have a feeling the house is going to be getting an addition before it’s all said and done.”
Sophie smirked. “You’re such a softie.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” James quipped. “It will ruin my street cred.”
“No man’s cred is ever diminished by the love of a good woman,” Peter countered. “And I happen to believe that your wife is one of the best women I’ve ever met.”
“Well, we’ve got that in common.”
“Sophie told me you weren’t happy with your wife’s visit to my home,” Peter said.
Sophie blushed furiously. “Peter … I … .”
“I wasn’t,” James said, refusing to apologize for his feelings. “I love my wife more than anything in this world. You must understand that, no matter how nice and respectful you are toward her, I don’t want her in this world.”
“I understand,” Peter said. “I hope you understand that if your wife is ever in any trouble, I will move Heaven and Earth to save her. It’s not just because I find her delightful. I find many people delightful. However, Sophie is my family, and she considers your wife to be her family. That means I protect Sophie’s family. If your wife is in trouble again, I will do what it takes to protect her.”
“You could go broke trying,” James said. “My wife seems to find trouble every time she turns a
round.”
“She has been mired in a bit of bad luck,” Peter conceded. “What seems to be the problem now?”
James laid out everything. When he was done, he sat back on the couch and waited for Peter to process the situation.
Peter breaking out in throaty guffaws wasn’t what he expected.
“I don’t think it’s funny, Peter,” Sophie said, shifting a worried look in James’ direction.
“It’s not funny that way,” Peter said, wiping an errant tear from his eye. “Never in my entire life have I met a woman who manages to get herself in such ridiculous situations.”
Sophie inadvertently giggled. “She kind of does.”
Even James couldn’t tamp down his smile. “My wife has a knack. That doesn’t mean I want her dead.”
“No one wants her dead, son,” Peter said, sobering. “This situation in Bermuda has me worried. First, let me make a call. Then we have some things to discuss. It might take some time. I’ll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, have some tea and some sandwiches. I think it’s going to be a long afternoon.”
Once he was gone, James turned to Sophie. “I hate to say it, but I like him.”
“He likes you,” she replied. “If he didn’t, he would never leave you alone in his house.”
“Does he leave Grady alone?”
“Yes.”
“Does Grady like him?”
Sophie bit her bottom lip. “I … when Peter came through with information on Tony Anderson and promised to help Mandy, Grady hugged him. They’re never going to be best friends, but at least I can have the two men who mean the most to me in this world in the same room together. Grady has given me that.”
“Give him time, Sophie,” James said. “He’ll make it to where you want him to make it.”
“Oh, I know he will,” Sophie said. “I have faith. Now, have a sandwich. These little cucumber ones are divine.”
“THIS situation is even more confusing than I thought it would be,” Peter said when he returned to the arboretum.
“Oh, good,” James deadpanned. “That’s always what I want to hear when my wife’s life is in danger.”
Peter didn’t acknowledge the sarcasm. “You must understand that they do business differently in Bermuda,” Peter said. “No one in Detroit would ever leave dealer packs in four different locations and then supply someone with a map. That’s just … stupid.”
Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) Page 11