Strangers

by Crystal V. Rhodes

  Bev was posed with Darnell and a little girl. He knew that the toddler had to be Nia. The child was gorgeous. She looked out at him with eyes that strangely enough were carbon copies of Sinclair’s wife. The dimpled cheek smile was that of her father’s, but from the nose up she resembled Darnell.

  Hardman could feel the lump in his throat rising. He was about to lose it, and that was a certainty when he looked at the last of the photos. It was a candid snapshot of Darnell and Sinclair together walking along the beach. Their faces were filled with pleasure as they looked at each other, laughing at some shared experience that no one else would know. Perhaps it was the delight of having found each other—at least that was what Hardman wanted to think.

  With shaky hands he took the tiny video camera that he had purchased out of his pocket. Grateful for modern technology, he recorded the row of photographs and had just put the camera away, when Sinclair walked back into the office.

  “Sorry about that…”

  “I’ve got to go to the restroom.” Hardman hurried past him and exited the office.

  “Third door on the left,” Sin called after him.

  Hardman occupied the restroom alone as he stood waiting until the quivers in his body subsided. Wetting a paper towel, he wiped his face. Once he had gathered himself, he patted his pocket containing the camera to make sure that it was secure. After that he returned to Sinclair’s office.

  Sin had retrieved the package that Hardman had left on his desk and he unwrapped it. The gun was still in his coat pocket.

  He watched as Hardman returned to his seat. Neither man glanced at the coat, but they gave each other a knowing look.

  “I want to thank you, Mr. Hardman, for returning my property. I didn’t miss it until I was almost home, and by that time it was too late. I didn’t know how to get in touch with you, so I figured that I would never see it again.”

  “It’s a nice coat, and since I wanted to make sure that you got everything you owned, I thought it best to bring it directly to you.”

  Sin nodded, understanding his meaning. “I appreciate that, but I’m curious. How did you find me?”

  “You told me your name and I looked you up on the internet,” he told him truthfully. That’s where I found the name and address of your business. There’s not much that you can’t find on the internet these days.”

  “That’s true.”

  Sin flashed him a smile so much like Hardman’s grandfather’s that he had to divert his attention. He nodded toward the photos that he had been examining.

  “I was looking at the pictures over there. I assume that’s your family?”

  Warning bells went off in Sin’s head. If this man was astute enough to look him up, then he probably knew about the kidnapping and his part in the notoriety; however, he didn’t take Mr. Hardman to be a reporter. They usually didn’t wear suits worth thousands of dollars, but it was best to be cautious.

  “Yes, that’s my wife and kids.”

  “And the other ladies?”

  “Relatives.”

  Hardman liked Sinclair’s discretion. Under the right circumstance, what a team the two of them could have made. He tested him further.

  “The woman in that picture over there looks like the singer, Darnell Cameron.” He indicated the photo of Darnell with her mother and daughter.

  “Yes, she does.” Sin sensed that Hardman was aware that it was her.

  Hardman knew that he knew that the photo was of Darnell and was testing him as well. This man was savvy. Like himself, he played his cards close to his chest.

  Feeling his emotions threatening to get the best of him again, reluctantly Hardman rose to leave. “I’d better go, Mr. Reasoner.”

  “Call me Sinclair.”

  “All right, Sinclair. But I hope that you don’t mind if I ask you a question.”

  Sin was guarded. “Go ahead.”

  “Why would you need to carry a gun?”

  Sin didn’t flinch. “Why would you need to carry one?”

  Hardman was caught off guard and that didn’t happen often. Last night he had been carrying his gun in a back holster under his jacket. Only the most perceptive observer could have known that it was there.

  “You put your jacket on when I approached,” Sin told him, giving no further explanation. However, Hardman understood the significance of what was being said.

  He gave a low chuckle. “And despite that you took your jacket off anyway before changing the tire.”

  His son had been aware that the stranger on the road was concealing a weapon. Yet, he had helped him in spite of it. That took courage and confidence. Hell no, that took guts! Man, he really liked this guy. Not only that, but he respected him. His coming to see him had only confirmed the decision that he had been mulling over this morning about what to do about the last kidnapper.

  He held his hand out for a parting shake. “Sinclair, I can’t tell you how very good it was to meet you.”

  Sin noted the admiration in his voice. “Why thank you, Mr. Hardman. I’m glad that I could help and I really appreciate your returning my things.”

  Hardman gave a final nod and he left. Sin returned to his desk to finish going through some papers with nothing more than getting his family home on his mind.

  ****

  It was raining in the San Francisco Bay area when Hardman arrived. All the way from the Peninsula he had thought of nothing but the time that he had spent with Sinclair. He reviewed every detail, every word, and every nuance. He played scenarios in his head about what would have happened if he had broken the news to Sinclair about who he was. Would he have believed him? He was supposed to be dead. Would he have hated him? Liked him? He might have shot him. He was certain that the man could handle a gun.

  Everything he had learned about him during their two brief meetings he liked. Sinclair was cool, calm, collected and very bright. By displaying a picture of his sister without her husband, he could have her photo on display and still be discrete about her identity as he had been with him today. Hot damn! His son was smart.

  As he crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, Hardman realized he hadn’t felt this good in a long time. For once in his life he was about to do the right thing.

  He didn’t know who this guy Starr was that he had heard Sinclair talking about, but from what Hardman had discerned from the conversation this was the man who had been hired to pursue the kidnapping case.

  Since Sinclair had been coming from the direction of the house where Hardman had been headed before the flat stopped him, he strongly suspected that his son was doing some investigating of his own. If he and this Starr guy were working together—and he highly suspected that might be the case—it was his hope that what he was about to do should lead to some sort of resolution to the abduction, and soon.

  Taking the Tiburon exit, Hardman counted on his memory to get him to the house in which the man named Starr now resided. If anybody had asked him how he knew exactly where to go, he never would have confessed, but the truth was that he had spent time in this area when Thad Stewart owned the house.

  At the time Hardman was on a deadly mission. He hadn’t felt that the superstar actor was good enough for his daughter, and he had planned on solving the problem permanently.

  He was glad that plan had fallen through. Thad turned out to be perfect for Darnell, and Hardman wasn’t proud of how he could have altered their future. At least today he could take pride in what he was about to do. Finding the house he parked in front of it and got out.

  He had taken care not to leave fingerprints on the envelope that he held in his hand. He was a dead man and planned on staying that way. With gloved hands, he placed the envelope in the mail box and got back in the car.

  Making a u-turn, he drove out of the neighborhood undetected. From now on he was leaving the rest of what had to be done up to the man named Starr and to his son, Sinclair Reasoner.

  CHAPTER 23

  Dana didn’t know if she would ever get the smile off of he
r face as she lay in the large bed that she had shared with James last night. Incredible was the only word that she could think of to describe their experience. Never had she been made loved to so sensually, so sensationally, so sexually and without penetration.

  The day had started with the breakfast and the conversation that they had shared, both of which were thoroughly enjoyable. It wasn’t until later that she had broken the news to him that she would be leaving for L.A. shortly.

  “Despite the pestering media, I have to return to my office. Plus, I have a brand new condo that I was trying to settle into before all of this craziness happened. To say nothing of the fact that I’m still trying to sell the one that you moved out of.” She had a life to resume, but this time she hoped that it would include him.

  Her announcement had sparked a serious conversation between them about what it would take for them to build a long distance relationship. They had discussed the pros and cons and had reached the conclusion that trying was worth the effort. They were worth the effort.

  Since Dana was leaving the day after tomorrow, they wanted to spend as much time together as they could. The rest of the morning was spent running errands in an effort to turn James’ house into a home. On the spur of the moment, they had boarded the ferry to San Francisco.

  In the city they had dined on the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and then they rode the cable car downtown. Dana never would have guessed that the solemn giant that she had come to know would be so spontaneous, and it had gotten better.

  They had arrived back in Tiburon in the late evening, both wet and chilled from the steady rain that had fallen all day. James had asked if she would spend the night with him, and she had agreed. It was while she was downstairs accepting the delivery of the Chinese carryout that they had ordered for dinner that he had called to her from upstairs. Answering his call, she found him in the master bathroom where he had drawn a hot bath for her.

  “It’ll take away the chill,” he told.

  Scented candles lit both the bathroom and the bedroom. Romantic music was playing to help set the mood.

  James had bathed her with a slow and gentle hand. He took particular care to stroke all of the places that might need special attention.

  After she was bathed, he dried her with a bath sheet, carried her to his bed covered with thick, fluffy towels and proceeded to give an erotic massage.

  The jasmine scented oil that he used permeated the room, and when the heat from his hands mapped her body she burst into flames. His talented fingers had massaged the secret places within her heated cove and brought her to completion over and over again.

  Dana had fallen asleep in a stupor only to awaken later to find herself wrapped in James’ arms as he slept beside her. Her contentment had been complete.

  As she waited for him to return to the bedroom with yesterday’s reheated carryout, she thought of how he had made last night all about her pleasure. She would never forget how special he made her feel. James Starr was turning out to be an unexpected gift in her life, and she was enjoying every moment.

  Wrapped in a terry cloth robe, James walked through the door carrying a tray with two plates and the cartons filled with food.

  “Good morning sleepy head. Come join me on the balcony.” He motioned toward the closed French doors. “Will you do the honors?”

  “I most certainly will.” Dana scrambled from the bed and padded across the room to open the door for him.

  “You’re asking for trouble.” His glittering eyes swept her nude form.

  “Let’s hope.” Dana gave him a look as old as Eve in the Garden of Eden.

  James sniggered at her antics. “Please do me a favor and go put some clothes on.”

  Entering the bathroom, she showered quickly and then donned one of his oversized shirts, taking care to roll up the sleeves. She topped that off with a light jacket that she found hanging in his closet, which was also much too large.

  Stepping out onto the balcony she was pleased to find that the rain of the previous day had been replaced by bright sunshine. The fog had lifted and the blue sky was cloudless. The day was surprisingly mild.

  James was reading a letter when he looked up from where he was seated at the patio table waiting for her to join him. He gave a throaty laugh.

  “I like your outfit.” He wiggled his eyebrows at the oversized ensemble.

  “I’m glad that you do.” She gave him a quick kiss before sitting down across from him and started filling her plate. “What’s that?” She indicated the paper in his hand.

  He placed the letter on the table. “I found it in the mailbox.” He started to fill his own plate.

  She glanced at the open piece of paper. “You’re getting mail already?”

  “Well, my staff knows where I am, but this letter wasn’t mailed to me. The envelope just has Mr. Starr written across it.”

  Dana had speared a piece of sesame chicken when her eye caught the first few words on the page. Putting the fork down, she picked the paper up and continued reading. Typed on the sheet of paper beside a man’s name were the words: The third kidnapper.

  “What does this mean?” She glanced up at him. “I know that this can’t be true. This is too easy.”

  “Exactly!” James chewed and swallowed before continuing. “And if you’ll notice not only is a man’s name provided but an address as well. I say this is just a little too convenient.”

  “The address is in Salinas,” Dana observed. “That’s about fifty miles from the house where the girls were held!” She looked back up at James. “So, did one of your men put this in your mailbox or what?” She returned her attention to the letter more confused than ever.

  “No, none of my men would ever pull a stunt like that, not if they wanted to stay employed.”

  Dana sat back in her chair and folded her arms. “Then I’ve got a question. If it wasn’t put there by one of your people, then who else would put this in your mailbox? The only people who know that you’re working on this case are your employees, a few people in the FBI, and my family members. I know none of them put it in the box. As a matter of fact, who in the FBI would know where you’re living? You didn’t tell Agent Conway did you?”

  James shook his head in the negative. He looked thoughtful.

  “Maybe Carla brought it by. She knows that I’m here. It might be another one of those correspondences that she’s been getting.”

  They both knew how the last one had turned out. Andy Vegas was still in a coma.

  Abandoning his meal, James went into the house with Dana close on his heels. Retrieving his cell off of the nightstand, he placed a call to Carla. Meanwhile, Dana’s cell phone began to ring. She took it out of her purse. Sin answered her greeting.

  “How did it go in New York?”

  “It was difficult on James, but he made it through fairly well. How are things with you and yours?”

  “Everybody is anxious to get home. Nedra and I have decided to bring Gillian and Trevor back to Carmel. They’ve spent enough time away from their home. They need to get back to some semblance of normalcy.”

  “If you think that’s best.”

  “It is. Have you spoken to Darnell?”

  “No,” Dana felt guilty. Darnell and Thad had gone with Nia to Michigan to spend some time with his parents. She hadn’t spoken to her niece in a few days. “I’ll call her today.”

  “Well she’s wondering when Starr is going to get back to investigating the case, and so am I.”

  By the time that James had disconnected his telephone call, Dana had filled Sin in on the mysterious note. He wanted to know the name and the address that was on the note, but her glimpse had been a brief one and she couldn’t remember either.

  “Wait a minute Sin. He’s through talking to Carla. He can tell you what you want to know. Maybe Carla knows something about the note in the mailbox.”

  Having heard her comment, James answered in the negative before speaking to Sin. Relinquishing her cell phone to hi
m, she excused herself and went to the bathroom.

  “Hey man,” James said solemnly. He really didn’t want to have this conversation, but since Dana had spilled the beans about the note he knew that Sinclair wasn’t going to let it go. “I know that Dana told you about the little mystery that we have here, but since Carla didn’t know anything about it, I’m not taking it seriously.”

  “Not again.” Sin wasn’t happy about that decision. “I would think that you would follow up on every lead!”

  James was patient. “Every legitimate lead, yes, but again this might be some sort of hoax. It’s too cut and dry. Besides, I’ve got too much on my plate right now to go on another wild goose chase.”

  “It hasn’t been proven that the last note was a hoax.”

  “No, and it hasn’t been proved that it wasn’t.”

  “Andy Vega knew Jack Spencer’s name,” Sin reminded him. “There must be some connection.”

  “And the FBI will find it. They have more manpower. I’ll pass this on to them and they can check it out.”

  “If manpower is the problem, then give me the name and address. I can check it out for you.” Sin understood James’ position as a professional, but for him this was personal.

  James gave a frustrated sigh. “Sin, it’s a hoax.”

  “You don’t know that! Dana said that you both have questions about why the note was put in your mailbox. How in the hell would someone playing a hoax even know where you’re staying, let alone that you’re working for us! Obviously it wasn’t a coincidence that the note was put there. Somebody has found out that you’re working for us. They’re giving you a lead and its one that you’re being well paid to follow.”

  Sin’s voice had hardened. He was no longer annoyed he was angry. He wanted that name and address.

  James knew that he would have to handle this with finesse. The semblance of a relationship that Sin and he had established was tenuous at best. He didn’t want to fracture it.