Sins That Haunt

by Lucy Farago

  The home had been through some major changes and it was a little disconcerting. The old flowered sofa was gone and in its place a scarlet red sectional filled the now open-concept living room. On the plus side, Mr. P.’s old recliner no longer sat in the corner by the fireplace. But on the mantel were not one but two framed pictures of him. One she recognized. It had been taken the day of his daughter’s wedding. He wore a dark blue suit and a smile that could warm even the coldest of hearts. He’d been buried in the suit.

  “Sit, sit. I get cake.”

  Shannon took a seat, positioning her back to the picture. It was a coward’s move.

  Mrs. P returned to the living room, a cake in one hand, plates in the other.

  “I put coffee on stove. You drink coffee?”

  Shannon smiled. “Yes, thank you.”

  She sat beside her and, after setting the plates on a new-looking square coffee table, put a warm hand on Shannon’s knee. “I expected to see Noah with you,” she said with a devilish grin.

  “It’s not what you think. We aren’t together.”

  “No. You just come back after how many years to visit?”

  “No, really, it’s not like that. I’m going back to Vegas tonight and Noah is staying here.” How it was meant to be.

  “Vegas, bah. What kind of town to raise children?”

  “I’m not planning on raising children.”

  “Noah will make a good father,” she said, cutting the cake and setting a slice on a plate.

  Yes, she was sure he would, but not to her children. She wasn’t having any kids and certainly not with Noah. Shannon changed the subject. “I missed your cake.”

  “Visit more and I make all the time. I have fancy oven. Con-vet-chun. Top of the line. See?” She pointed to her new kitchen.

  The wall separating the rooms had been taken down and Shannon had a clear view of the new kitchen. “You bought a new oven? Very cool.” Mrs. P deserved nice things.

  “I redo entire kitchen. Top of line,” she said, puffing out her chest. “Only the best for my baking. Money from sweepstake. I win. Big,” she said, using her hands to show Shannon just how big.

  “Yes, I know. Maggie told me. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, but it a surprise. I do not remember buying ticket. Very strange.”

  Shannon smiled. “Karma, Mrs. P. Good things happen to good people.” And she was good people, the best people.

  “And bad things to bad,” the woman said. “Like your father. It is ill to speak of the dead, but that man …”

  Her father wasn’t the only bad people. “So, what else is new?”

  “Come,” she said. “I show you.”

  Mr. P had been busy. New bathrooms, new flooring and, except for her queen bed, new furniture. She said she’d shared that bed with her husband and no way would she give it up. She admitted Frederick wouldn’t approve of her spending, but she’d won the sweepstakes, a sign from God that she should buy nice things. She couldn’t argue. When Shannon finally left she promised they’d stay in touch and gave her one final embrace, praying she’d have the courage to keep that promise.

  Outside Noah sat on the back of his car, waiting.

  She’d chosen to walk and left her rental at the boardinghouse. “What are you doing here?”

  He jumped down and popped the trunk; inside was her luggage. “I figured we’d end this the way it started.”

  “With me wishing you dead?” she said, eyeing the luggage. “What’s with you and breaking into my room?” She’d seen him leave the B and B.

  “This time I was just being helpful, and I didn’t break in.”

  “Josh let you in?”

  “Yeah.” He closed the trunk.

  “What about the car you rented for me?”

  “Leave it to me.”

  She nodded, contemplating the long drive to Boston with Noah at the wheel. His failure to mention his marriage upset her more than she was willing to admit. The Noah she’d known wouldn’t have kept something that significant to himself. How else had he changed? But she was going home. Did it matter?

  “There’s news about JJ’s shooting. If you’re interested?”

  When she hadn’t argued with him, he’d come around and opened the door for her. She stared at the car seat, debating what to do.

  “Shannon?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were married?” Turns out she did want to know.

  “I’ll tell you all about it on the way to the airport. You don’t want to miss your flight, do you?” he asked a touch too hopefully.

  In answer, she got in the car and buckled her seat belt. Then waited for him to join her before asking, “So what’s the news? Got any more clues as to who shot him?”

  “Did I tell you they recovered tire tracks at the scene?”

  “I was a suspect. You didn’t tell me anything except that they found my gun,” she replied dryly.

  “You’re not a suspect anymore.”

  “I was never really a suspect. Can you at least be honest about that?” she said, giving him a pointed stare.

  “Was that a dig about my marriage?”

  Maybe, but she’d be damned if she’d admit it. “So they recovered tire tracks. And?”

  He wisely accepted her answer. “There are a few scenarios we’re working through. He bled out at the scene, which means the shot that killed him happened there. It’s possible he was taken by force or knew his assailant.”

  “Or he could’ve been walking alone and someone stopped and shot him.”

  Noah shook his head. “Doesn’t make sense. His car was at the bar where you and he met. Where was he going wounded?”

  Chilled, Shannon turned up the heat. “What do you mean, wounded?”

  “I told you: He was shot twice. The coroner determined roughly forty-five minutes apart. So it’s more likely he was brought there. The road where his body was recovered is fairly dark and secluded.”

  “You think someone shot him, then took him there, shot him again, and left him for dead? That’s a lot trouble. They recovered tire tracks and … ?”

  “We have the make of the car. It’s a ‘95 Buick.”

  “Well, that definitely rules out Santos. Can you see him driving around in a car that old?”

  “No, not his style.”

  “So still no suspects? What about his new wife?”

  “What new wife?”

  She explained what the Keyeses had said and tried to remember the name of the lawyer written on the paper they’d handed her, the paper she’d forgotten to take out of the trench coat Josh had lent her. She called the boys, but no one picked up.

  “Let’s try again later. We don’t have any men stationed in town or I’d send one over. Molly and Luther packed up and left this morning.”

  “They’re running?”

  “We were expecting it. It’s one of the reasons we needed you in there so fast.”

  “They were skipping town the moment they heard JJ was shot. So did you know they wanted to sell the house?”

  “Some cousin on Luther’s mother’s side is a real estate agent,” he said by way of answer.

  “They’re all cousins in Luther’s family. But you didn’t know about the lawyer or the will?”

  “No,” he said, sounding concerned.

  He should be. If they’d missed that, what else had they missed?

  “I’ll put someone on it. See if they can find out who she is.”

  Not that she cared, but something kept poking at her, and over the years she’d learned to listen to those pokes. “Can you let me know when you do?”

  “You want to meet her?”

  “Not necessarily.” Maybe it was nothing.

  “So how was your visit with Mrs. Polanski?”

  “Not too bad. I didn’t realize how much I missed her.”

  “Did you miss me?” he asked, catching her off guard.

  “Nah, your cake sucked.” Compared to Mrs. P’s, everyone’s did.
/>   “Did you like her new kitchen?”

  “I liked the old one.” It was homey, something unattainable in a trailer. Mrs. P could always be found in the kitchen, often with Mr. P sitting at the table reading the paper or pretending it was his first piece of cake when more than likely it was his third.

  “It was a stroke of luck, don’t you think? Her winning the sweepstakes?”

  Shannon shifted uncomfortably. “No kidding.”

  “Yeah, it’s one of those money-for-life things. I’ve never heard of it, but each month she gets money dropped into her account. It came in the nick of time too.”

  “Yes, I heard. She’d gone through the little bit of savings they had left.”

  “Right. She was on the brink of losing the house … oh … must be five years now. Then she goes and wins this sweepstakes that she doesn’t remember buying a ticket for. Right when she needed the money.”

  Sometimes the universe just needed a small shove in the right direction. “Funny, that.”

  Noah shouldn’t push his luck. He’d already fucked up by not telling Shannon about his marriage. He could say it hadn’t crossed his mind, but he’d be lying. Truth was, he’d been hesitant to admit to such a screwup. The divorce was mostly his fault. He’d spent more time in the office than with Cynthia. So it made sense that her social life hadn’t included him. By the time he’d decided to give his marriage a fair try, she’d moved on with someone else. A piece of paper didn’t mean he’d been willing to commit. And he never fully had. To his job maybe, but not his wife.

  “You should know that sweepstakes ticket saved that old woman her home.”

  “So I hear. Karma.”

  “You want me to believe karma is responsible?”

  “Good things happen to good people. You wanna know what my karma was? A lunatic punched me out, tied me to a chair, and put a gun to my head. And if not for Maggie, he’d have used it. And I have a sneaking suspicion the universe isn’t done with me. Now I’m happy Mrs. P has a good life, even if it’s without her Frederick. It will allow me to sleep easier at night, but neither you nor anyone else can cleanse my soul of my sins. There’s only one person who can do that. And I’m not sure He listens to me,” she said, “so quit fishing for answers that aren’t there. How about you tell me about your wife?”

  “Ex-wife,” he corrected. “And there isn’t much to tell. I got married because there was something missing in my life, and I thought Cynthia could fill it.” He’d been stupid. Puppies filled voids. Marriage was supposed to be forever. “I was wrong. It wasn’t her fault. It was mine. The marriage lasted three years before she got tired of being ignored and filed for divorce. By the time I realized what I was doing to her, it was too late. She’d found someone else.”

  “What exactly were you missing in your life?”

  The question was a good one. If only he had an answer. “I don’t know. My career had taken off. Most of the guys around me were getting married. Cynthia and I were good together.”

  “And then what? You got married and ignored her?”

  “Pretty much. It’s getting hot in here. Do you mind if I turn the heat down?”

  Shannon reached forward and tapped the fan button. “Sounds to me like you wanted it to fail.”

  “Damon said the same thing.” It had stung to think his friend thought that he had purposely screwed up his marriage. But in hindsight Damon might have been right.

  “Smart guy. Hey, can I have his number?”

  He turned his head to look at her. “Why?”

  She shrugged. “He’s cute. I mean, come on, why else would I want his number?”

  Why else indeed?

  “Do you have a problem giving it to me?”

  “No, no, of course not. But I should warn you, federal agents don’t make good boyfriends.”

  “Maybe, but I hear they make great lovers. Hey,” she said, grabbing the wheel and correcting the car after he’d veered too far right. “Better keep your eyes on the road. Think I can trust you not to kill us? I’d like to take a nap. Didn’t get much sleep last night.” She yawned and, tugging her wool cardigan closer, reclined her seat and closed her eyes, putting an end to any questions he might have.

  Was she interested in Damon or just trying to make him jealous? And if she was trying to get a rise out of him, did that mean anything? And, more importantly, did she want it to mean anything?

  *

  Noah got out of the car and popped the trunk to get her luggage. He had some time to think in the silence. And while there was the slight possibility he was wrong, he was going to bet she wasn’t interested in Damon. Because even if she were, she’d never rub his nose in it. At least he hoped not.

  “You could’ve just dropped me off at Departures.”

  “True, but then I wouldn’t have gotten to do this.” Pulling her tight against him, he kissed her with everything he had. She was going to remember him, remember what it felt like to be in his arms. He took her mouth, promising himself he’d take no prisoners. The kiss was so intense the ground beneath his feet rumbled, and it had nothing to do with the airplane taking off overhead.

  When Shannon wrapped her arms around his waist, he spun her around. He lifted her onto the trunk of the car, spread her legs, and stepped between them. It put her just at the right height to mold her body around his. Even through the fabric of their jeans, her heat scorched his hard-on. He wanted her naked and didn’t give a shit who could see them. This was Shannon, and right here right now, if only for this moment, she was his. He trailed his mouth over her jaw, thrilled by the kittenlike purrs she made. He nibbled on her neck, wishing like hell it were her nipples he had in his mouth.

  “Okay,” she said in a breathy gasp, her hands now molded to his chest. “We need to stop.”

  “No,” he groaned. “Not yet.”

  “I’ll miss my plane.”

  Grudgingly, he drew back. “Is that a bad thing?”

  “Noah.” She gave his shoulder a playful slap. “We need to stop thinking with our hormones and get real for a minute. Our lives are in two very different cities. I love my job, and from what I’ve seen, yours is important to you too. Starting something would be pointless and hurt too much when it ended. Picking up where we left off is for the movies. We’re not those kids. We shouldn’t forget that.”

  “Sounds like you gave this a lot of thought.”

  “I loved you, Noah. You were my life. I know you don’t believe it, but it killed me to leave you. I’m happy we had last night.”

  Reluctantly, he allowed Shannon to jump off his trunk.

  “I know.” She was right. “This would never work, but if you’re ever back in this part of the country …”

  “Same to you. Look me up if you come to Vegas.”

  He chose to walk her inside, a small part of him not ready to let her go. They were leaving checkin when he heard a name that made him stop cold.

  “Mr. Oates?”

  Noah turned.

  Miguel and Tomás Santos headed their way. “What a surprise to see you.” He extended his hand to Noah. “Ms. Lewis,” he said with a smile that made Noah want to punch him.

  “Mr. Santos.”

  “We should drop the formalities. After all, we are business associates. Please, call me Miguel.”

  Tomás said squat; from what they’d learned last night, he was the hired gun, there to make sure no one got close enough to whack his boss.

  “Are you flying out?” Shannon asked.

  “Actually, I’m going to Vegas for a business meeting. Perhaps we’re on the same flight. I assume you’re going home?”

  “Yes, home.”

  Beneath her smile, Noah knew her well enough to see she was working hard to maintain her cool.

  “And you?” he said to Noah. “You’re not returning to LA?”

  “I’m actually going to Vegas, spending some time at the dealership there. What luck. If you’re up for it, we could continue our business discussion. Maybe Ms. Lewis
will change seats with you and we can talk on the plane?”

  “Alas, Tomás has a fear of flying. It’s better I sit with him. But as I will be in town, I’m sure we can find a time to meet.” He grinned, his eyes darting to Shannon. “If you’ll excuse us, we have to check in.”

  Shannon waited until the pair was busy with the airlines before grabbing his arm. “What the hell? Noah, you’re not on my flight.”

  “No, but I will be. Come on, let’s get out of here so I can circle back after he passes security.”

  “What if it’s full?” she asked, running after him.

  “I’ll flash the badge.”

  “Okay, then why did you offer to change seats? I’m not sitting beside that guy. He scares me more than Miguel. Does he even speak?”

  He stopped jogging. “He’s a hired gun. Santos will keep him near.”

  She visibly relaxed. “What do you think he’s up to? He told me he’d see me again. Do you think he was flying to Vegas, or did he arrange it after last night?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Well, you’re a plethora of information,” she said, folding her arms. “You don’t have clothes with you.”

  “I’ll buy what I need.” He grabbed her hand and headed to the ticket counter. Then he’d call his team. Santos was going to Vegas. Why? And when had he booked the ticket?

  *

  Once they landed he considered shuffling Shannon out of the airport and arranging for her luggage to be picked up. As she’d pointed out, he didn’t have any, and it would look odd, his traveling without some kind of carry-on. But he wouldn’t chance Santos spotting hers and finding her address on the tag. So instead he flashed his identification and asked another traveler to loan him his, promising to have it delivered to his hotel. The man was more than eager to cooperate, citing his first Vegas adventure.

  He made sure to stay at the opposite end of the turnstile, and only after picking up the luggage and tucking away the tags did he approach Santos. “While you’re in town,” he said, “stop by the dealership. Let’s see if we can find you that car.”

  He’d told Shannon to keep her distance. She was right. It was possible Santos had just been fishing for information. So for now they were crossing their fingers and hoping Santos believed Shannon was a crooked accountant and clueless as to their true criminal activity.