by Ava Miles
“Stalling is a good plan. See what else you can find out.” Arthur unwrapped another candy, making Tanner wonder if his tongue held a permanent red tinge.
“Will do.”
Meredith reached for a piece of Dove from the crystal bowl. Funny, Sommerville hadn’t included chocolate as one of her likes in his file.
“We’ll have to wait until after Thanksgiving for Peggy to do the drug tests,” he added.
Meredith’s eyebrows slammed together.
“Problem?”
“I’m only here until Thanksgiving. Uh, maybe I can ask for more time.” She wrung her hands and frowned,
Arthur grinned.
Tanner grunted. If she left without finding Mr. Right, there couldn’t be a story, right?
“Your grandpa and I can finish this.”
She pressed her hands to her ribs. “No, I need to stay here. Finish…everything.”
He bit his cheek to stop from frowning. Damn, she wasn’t giving up.
Arthur tapped his cane. “I could always look into getting the sample tested by a closer lab.”
“No,” Tanner declared, his voice gruff. “I want someone I know.”
Arthur glanced over to Meredith. “Yes, you can always trust family to be straight with you.”
Her chin lifted, and they shared a look Tanner couldn’t decipher. Did Arthur suspect Meredith was in town for reasons other than those she’d told him? The man wasn’t stupid. Hadn’t he heard the wheels turning when she’d realized her time in town was almost up?
“Too bad you can’t ship it through the mail,” Meredith commented.
Tanner leaned down and straightened the end of the Persian carpet he’d kicked up with his pacing. “It’s too risky, and Thanksgiving’s only a little over a week away.”
Arthur put his arm around Meredith. “In the old days I could have gotten away with mailing drugs or getting on a plane with them.”
Meredith kissed his cheek. “Ah, the good old days.”
“Oh hush up, girlie.” He tugged on her hair. “Now, why don’t you run upstairs and get this old man a sweater? The gray one.”
“When have you ever cared about the color?”
“Since I started dating again. You might try it. Not the pretend kind.”
Suddenly, the black boots on Meredith’s feet fascinated her.
Tanner took the red hot Arthur offered him. “I keep telling her it can be more than a cover, but she’s stubborn.”
Meredith sauntered out of the room. “It’s a Hale trait. Besides, I’m not the one being stubborn.”
“Stop that muttering,” Arthur called as her boots pounded on the stairs. “You.” He pointed at Tanner. “Come with me.”
His radar went up immediately, but he followed Arthur into his study. Photos covered the wall, telling the remarkable tale of Arthur’s career. He forced his gaze away from a picture of Arthur and JFK when Arthur thrust a newspaper into his chest.
“Do you want to tell me why there’s a shitty article about your brother in Richard Sommerville’s paper today? Seems strange, since he’s a local councilman.”
Tanner’s heart rate doubled. Christ, hadn’t he said Arthur was as sharp as a tack?
He made himself shrug nonchalantly. “Everyone knows Sommerville’s a prick. This is shoddy, personal journalism. I can’t understand why your granddaughter married that asshole.”
Arthur adjusted his glasses. “And yet one of Sommerville’s best friends recommended you for your teaching position at Emmits Merriam.”
Tanner forced every emotion from his face, but the quiver went to his toes. Too damn smart by half. And he’d have to lie to him. Fuck.
“I didn’t know he knew Sommerville. Journalism’s a small world.”
Arthur smacked Tanner’s boot with his cane. “I certainly hope so. I don’t know you well, McBride. I had you figured out until today. Now, I’m not so sure. I intend to watch you closely.” He nodded to the closed door. “Especially since you’re cozying up to my granddaughter. Anyone with eyes can see there’s nothing pretend about it.”
“You should know I only have the highest respect for you and your family.”
Arthur grabbed the newspaper. “Doesn’t mean you haven’t gotten yourself tangled up in something. I don’t plan on telling Meredith about this article. At least not unless I have to.”
Tanner inclined his head, grateful for the reprieve.
“If you need help, the door’s open. Just make sure you don’t hurt my granddaughter, because I still believe in vigilante justice.”
He sauntered away, adjusting a photo of himself on a horse with a shotgun in his hand. Arthur looked like a teenager in the aged, grainy picture. “Another thing I miss from the old days.”
Tanner gestured to the paper Arthur had tossed on his desk. “I understand the feeling, sir.”
“I think you do,” Arthur said, studying him intently as the antique clock ticked in the silence.
Meredith sauntered into the room without knocking. “Grandpa, I couldn’t find your gray sweater, but here’s a black one instead. It’ll match your gray pants better anyway. Since you’re so worried.”
He pinched her cheek, and then pulled it over his head. “The other one must be in the laundry. You’re right. It does look better. Thanks, honey.”
“What were you two doing in here?”
Tanner stayed quiet, his insides still shaking like he had the flu.
Picking up the photo of him and the shotgun, Arthur said, “I was showing this picture to Tanner. Do you remember the story?”
She beamed. “Sure. You and Great-Grandpa Hale tracked some thieves up Sardine Canyon who’d stolen your horses right off the old ranch. I love that picture. You look so young.”
He puffed out his chest. “I was fifteen. I never did tell you the whole story, Mermaid.”
“You didn’t?”
Tanner leaned against the wall, hoping his best poker face was on.
“We got the horses back and turned two good-for-nothing horse thieves into the sheriff. Their partner didn’t make it though.”
“What happened?” Meredith asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
“He tried to shoot my dad in the back. I was coming out from behind the rock. Got my gun up in time. Killed him.”
Meredith put her hands to her ribs—something Tanner noticed she did a lot.
“Oh, my God. Grandpa!”
He sighed and put the photo down. “Think I’ll go to my grave remembering that moment, but it taught me one important lesson.” He lifted his hand to her cheek. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family.”
He wrapped his arms around Meredith, his gaze challenging.
Tanner didn’t look away.
Chapter 26
Ray,” Tanner called out as class broke up two days later. “Could you stay after?”
The boy immediately dropped a book. When he looked up, his red-rimmed eyes gleamed like a cornered rabbit’s. Poor kid.
“It’s about your last article,” Tanner added, putting a leading hand on Ray’s back. The muscles bunched under his green shirt. “It wasn’t up to your usual standard.” He lowered his voice but not enough to make sure they weren’t overhead. If they were going to have a cover, people had to believe it. “I figured you might be a bit distracted. A bunch of people have been upset about that young woman dying.”
The kid’s eyelid twitched. He rubbed it with ink-stained fingers.
“Did you know her?”
Ray choked like he’d inhaled a bug. “Yes.”
Tanner led him out. “Let’s go to my office. I want to walk you through some of my comments.”
The minute the door was shut, the kid lunged at him. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Creating a believable way for us to talk. You can’t come to my house again. Trouble with an assignment was the best I could do.”
Ray paced in the small windowless office. “Man, I almost had a heart attack. What the hell
were you asking about Jemma for? There were people out there!”
“Because if I said you were getting bad grades without a reason, people would begin to wonder what the hell was going on with you. Everyone knows you’re an honor student.” He kept his voice low and gentle. “Other students have been upset by Jemma’s death too. It was a good excuse. Plus, you won’t have to fake that.”
He thrust his hand in the air. “No, I won’t have to fake that. I’m freaking out here!”
“Settle down. We don’t have much time. I need you to get me that sample you mentioned. I’m going to have it tested by someone I trust. The autopsy report was a dead-end, Ray.” He almost winced at the pun. “Can you do that?”
The kid ran his hands over his face. “I have the drugs she took. I’ll give you something from that batch and another sample.”
“Good. Bring it to class next time. We can have another conference about your homework. Trust me, Ray.”
“I do, but you don’t know what it’s like. I feel like shit! Every day. A few people have wanted to buy from me to help them cruise through exams. I told them I was out right now, but I can’t keep that up for long.”
“Have you talked to your guy at the garage?”
Ray popped in a stick of gum, chewing hard and fast. “Yes, Kenny called. I told him I needed some time off. I was upset about Jemma. Got backed up at school. People weren’t buying as much. He started yelling at me to grow some balls…He wouldn’t listen.”
Tanner’s gut burned.
“Okay, don’t visit the garage. Call him. Tell him you understand, and you’ll man up.”
Sometimes that’s all the bad guys needed to hear. Bullies never questioned their power of intimidation. They’d expect Ray to fall like a house of cards. And it would buy them more time.
“Listen, I know it’s hard, but you need to keep acting like everything’s normal. Keep saying you forgot your stash at home.”
Ray popped his gum in loud bursts.
“Look, Thanksgiving is next week. I’ll have the drug results shortly after. You said people won’t be partying too much before they take off. You’re going home, right?”
“I don’t know if I can do this, Professor McBride. What if someone else dies?”
Ray’s gum-smacking grated on his nerves. “Jemma’s death was probably related to her heart murmur.”
Part of him hoped Ray was being paranoid about the drugs being laced. He expected shit like this in Afghanistan. He didn’t expect it here.
“So, what am I supposed to do until then? Ask people for their medical history? Fuck, man. You’ve got no idea how this works.”
“Ray, you know I’ve been in a lot of tough situations. You need to follow my advice here.”
When the kid looked up, his acne-pocked face crumpled. “I’ll try, but it’s so hard.”
He patted the kid’s back before he realized it. “Ray, you’ve got a real future ahead of you. Your latest article was incredible. You have everything it takes to make an incredible lawyer.”
His whole face lit up. “Really?”
“Give me a little more time to look into things. The only alternative is for you to leave school.”
Tanner heard voices outside. Tensed. They were taking too long.
“It’ll raise questions though. Staying here and acting normal is better. I know it’s hard, but you need to keep calm. Now, you need to go. We’ll talk after class next time.”
“Thanks. It helps knowing you’re on my side.”
“Thank me by getting through this. Call me if you need to.”
The kid programmed Tanner’s number into his cell, and then scurried out of the room and down the empty hallway. Walking back to his desk, Tanner was reminded of how much pressure he’d lived under while he was overseas.
It had found him again.
People’s lives were on the line. One had already died.
He was tired of it. Maybe he needed to finally consider the worst possibility. Was it time to give up journalism? How could he stand it anymore? Was anywhere safe?
Seeing this kind of death and danger in Dare might finally break him.
He picked up his tattered leather valise. He’d washed blood off it in too many countries to count. He couldn’t seem to throw it away and buy a new one. It had become a part of him.
Fingering the hole a stray bullet had left in the leather, he walked out of his office, listening to every sound—a habit he wasn’t sure he’d ever shake.
Fuck.
Chapter 27
Pretending to date Tanner made Meredith believe in karma for the first time in her life.
Being with him was driving her insane. He was always touching her—at the coffee shop, on the street. Tonight they were at Hairy’s, being blasted by a Denver-based Irish band appropriately named The Bangers.
Tanner was playing with her hair again. It wasn’t a friendly touch either. No siree.
His sneaky hand always reached up to rub her back when they were walking somewhere. He pressed his leg against hers whenever they were sitting close. And who could forget the absentminded kisses on her forehead, cheek, and neck? But he hadn’t kissed her on the mouth.
You want him to kiss you on the mouth again. Admit it.
The familiar voice made her grind her teeth. Did she need medication? Seriously, was she going crazy? Like Howard Hughes and his milk bottles crazy?
I won’t let up until you do what you really want to do.
They’d only been undercover for less than a week. What in the hell was she going to do? Explode probably. He had her hotter than a lead coffee cup, and she wasn’t cooling down any time soon.
“Something the matter?” Tanner murmured close to her ear as the band announced a break in their set. He wrapped his arm around her, of course, looking ridiculously hot in a simple white shirt and jeans.
Yes, she almost responded. My alter ego has gone rogue and won’t stop talking about you.
Oh, stop bitching.
“No. Why would it be?”
He tilted his head to the side. “You need to work on lying. You’re terrible.”
He placed a kiss on her cheek before she saw it coming.
“And stop frowning. You’re supposed to be crazy about me.”
“Believe me,” she replied, thinking of Divorcée Woman. “I am.” She pressed her hands to her ribs, visualizing the pink bustier under her powder blue shirt. She had to reassert her control.
Good luck with that.
She threw up her hands. “Okay, I give up.”
Tanner’s breath tickled her ear. “So you’re finally ready to have wild, exclusive sex with me?”
Her elbow ploughed into his side. She had to give him credit. He didn’t grunt. He had rock hard abs, which she saw every morning at the swimming pool. Damn him. Why couldn’t he have a paunch and that wrinkly skin some older men have?
He’s not that old.
“How much longer do we need to watch Kenny?”
“Until he does something that helps our case.”
They were following Ray’s supplier since they had bupkis otherwise. Gene had kept quiet in the autopsy about the marijuana to protect Jemma’s legacy and her parents, but he hadn’t found anything besides marijuana and alcohol in her system.
And the police hadn’t recovered any drugs from the scene—or so the report said.
They were all waiting for Thanksgiving to arrive. If Peggy didn’t find anything…
Then maybe Tanner’s source wasn’t reliable. Maybe her grandpa’s gut was off.
Maybe she needed to focus on her own problems.
Tanner caressed her palm with his thumb. She broke out in goosebumps. How he fought against his own desire mystified her. If she hadn’t seen the evidence of his arousal, she would have thought he played for the other team.
Oh, please. Now you’re just being bitchy.
Well, he only touches me in public, she fired back.
She was beginning to see a pattern.
Despite how he acted when they were in public, he didn’t want to be alone with her. If they had to be alone to discuss the case, he always invited her grandpa.
He lifted a strand of her hair again, his hot gaze liquefying her insides. “You need to practice your acting skills. You don’t make a convincing girlfriend.”
“You’re enjoying this way too much.”
He kissed her neck as slowly as honey sliding down a spoon. “You have no idea.”
She kept her eyes glued to Kenny. He was ex-military with a few tattoos on his huge biceps. His pretty blond wife sat next to him drinking a light beer. She’d bet a hundred bucks the wife didn’t have a clue her hubby was up to something.
The question was, was it more than marijuana?
The deputy sheriff had written and signed the brief police report, which showed all the investigational prowess of a kindergartner. Had he simply been satisfied with the coroner’s report? Or was marijuana such a small deal he hadn’t pursued it?
She jumped when Tanner’s fingers rubbed her neck. The urge to close her eyes and enjoy it was strong. That third beer hadn’t been a good idea. She was relaxing under his touch. Too bad she couldn’t make him suffer by responding to his attentions.
Why the hell not?
She turned her head and gave him the stink eye. His mouth lifted. He had no remorse.
Why couldn’t she make him suffer?
Because she didn’t believe in public displays of affection.
God, you are such a goody two-shoes.
True. It was sad really. She blamed her mother.
Why not try being bad for a change?
If that’s how Satan had sounded when he’d told Eve to eat the apple, Meredith could understand how mankind had gone to hell in a hand basket.
What would a Nora heroine do? That’s why she was here, right?
She thought of her favorite character. Hot-blooded social worker Anna Spinelli in Sea Swept would have tortured her race car driver turned reluctant guardian, Cameron Quinn, until he was eating out of her hand.
Could Meredith do the same?
She decided not to think about her lack of progress on the article. Her boss had granted another week post-Thanksgiving, but that was it. If it didn’t work out, she would have to settle for writing a more general piece about dating. Crikey.