Locked in Temptation

by Brenda Jackson

  Figures, Joy thought. “We don’t want to keep your husband here any longer than necessary. May we speak with him now?”

  “Certainly. Please follow me.”

  They did. With a graceful stride she led them through another plush lobby with several offices, including one that bore her name on a gold plate. It stated she was the office manager. “I bet that’s real gold,” Sanchez whispered to Joy.

  Probably, she thought. Sure as hell looked like it. But then, she couldn’t consider herself a gold expert when she thought of the few pieces she had in her possession.

  They finally reached the office door with Oliver Effington’s name on it and waited as Audrey gave what Joy thought was a delicate and cutesy knock. “Come in.”

  Audrey opened the door, and there sat a man who they presumed was Oliver Effington. He looked to be in his midsixties and was tall—over six feet. Bald-headed with a little fuzz around the sides and back. Unlike the friendly smile they’d gotten from his wife, his face indicated that although he’d agreed to meet with them, he was doing it grudgingly.

  He stood when they walked into the office. “Thanks, Audrey. We should be able to leave in ten minutes.” Joy wondered if that was her and Sanchez’s hint he intended for their interview to be short.

  “I hope so, sweetheart,” Audrey said. She then leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. After smiling at them again, Audrey gracefully walked out the door.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?” he asked, not taking his eyes off the door his wife had just exited through.

  “Yes,” Joy said when it appeared Sanchez didn’t intend to comment.

  Oliver Effington then looked at them. “Care to have a seat?”

  “No, we’ll stand for the next ten minutes,” Sanchez said sarcastically, which seemed to go over Effington’s head.

  “I hope you don’t mind if I sit,” Effington said. “I just got back from a taxing business trip.”

  Joy and Sanchez exchanged glances, reading each other’s mind. How friggin’ taxing could attending anything in the Bahamas be? “No, we don’t mind. Please sit down, Mr. Effington.”

  “Thanks. When Cathy called and told me you were here about that woman, I looked the newspaper article up on internet. If what you guys think happened to her is true, then that’s a shame. A doggone shame.”

  “So you saw her photo?” Joy asked, taking out her notepad and noticing Sanchez doing the same. He would get whatever information she might miss.

  “Yes.”

  “Did you recognize her?”

  He shook his head. “No, not at all. I personally interview all our surrogates, and she was not one of them.”

  “So where do you think she came from since all five agencies we talked with are saying the same thing? They’re all claiming she’s not one of theirs.”

  He tossed an ink pen on his desk. “And you’re sure Epinnine was in her system? You sure that possibly a mistake wasn’t made?”

  Joy thought of Dr. Lennox Roswell and how sharp she’d proved herself to be as a medical examiner. “We’re positive. It’s no mistake.”

  “Then like I said, that’s a shame.”

  “How many surrogates are associated with this agency, Mr. Effington?” Joy asked.

  “Hard to say,” he said, checking his watch, making them feel as if they were infringing on his time. “Probably close to two hundred. Not all active at the same time, of course, and many are only a surrogate once.”

  “That many? And you think you can remember each and every one of them?” Joy asked. She found that hard to believe.

  He glanced up at her. “Yes. Like I said. Each one is interviewed by me personally. Our clients expect the best, and I intend to make sure they get it.”

  “By giving each surrogate your stamp of approval?”

  “Yes.”

  Joy nodded. “And how does that work?”

  He frowned, confused. “How does what work?”

  “Your stamp of approval. What do you look for? What could make or break a surrogate...in your eyes?”

  Oliver Effington leaned back in his chair. “For one thing, we don’t use women who are only doing it for monetary gain.”

  Since Joy knew payment could be a powerful incentive, considering how much a surrogate could make, she asked, “Then why are most of them doing it? Specifically, the ones who are considered your regulars? Those who act as surrogates more than once?”

  He paused, clearly getting ready for a lecture. “Mainly because they want to help others who love children as much as they do, but who are unable to bring them into the world. They want to give couples unable to conceive beautiful creations.”

  “What else do you look for in a surrogate?” Sanchez asked.

  “Her health and lifestyle.” He looked at his watch again. “You wanted to know if I recognized the woman whose picture was in the paper. Well, I don’t.”

  “Did you study the photograph? Maybe you need to take a look at our photo in case the one you saw on the internet wasn’t as clear.” Not waiting for him to say yea or nay, Joy opened the folder in her hand.

  Instead of glancing at the folder, he looked at her with an annoyed expression on his face. “There’s no need, I saw it already in the newspaper. I didn’t miss a single detail.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “No. Not the mole on her face or her freckles, or even her golden-blond hair.”

  Joy didn’t say anything as she and Sanchez exchanged a quick look. Effington was too busy rechecking his watch to notice. He looked back at them expectantly. “Is there anything else? It is getting late.”

  “That’s all. We don’t want you to keep your wife waiting,” Sanchez said, closing his notepad. “We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us tonight.”

  “No problem.”

  Joy and Sanchez walked out of his office, saying good-night to Audrey, who was watering a few of the plants. They didn’t exchange any conversation on their ride down the elevator. Nor did they speak while walking through the parking garage back to the cruiser.

  Only when they got inside the car and closed the doors did Joy say, “So, Juan, what do you think?”

  Sanchez smiled as he turned the key in the ignition. “Golden-blond hair? That’s an interesting detail to get from a black-and-white police artist sketch we ran in the paper. Sounds like he knew Mandy Clay or had seen her before. What do you think?”

  Joy nodded. “I’m thinking the same thing. Definitely worth checking out.”

  “I agree.”

  Sanchez turned the corner to head back toward police headquarters. “Do you want to grab something to eat?” he asked her.

  “No, I’m fine. When we get back to headquarters, I plan on getting into my car and heading home. I’ll pick something up on the way. Glad it’s Friday. I am so ready for the weekend.”

  Joy wasn’t sure why when she didn’t have anything planned. When Stonewall had left her place this morning, other than kissing her goodbye, he hadn’t mentioned when they would be seeing each other again. But then, what did she expect? She’d made it clear she didn’t want him to think he could start invading her space.

  “I know what you mean,” Sanchez said. “I’m ready for the weekend, as well.”

  * * *

  “DAMN, WHIT, I know how you must feel. I can’t imagine Joy Ingram, or any woman for that matter, as my boss. I’m glad I took that job in Ohio when I did.” Darrin took a sip of his coffee, then added, “But then, I doubt she would have gotten that promotion over me.”

  “Probably not,” Whitman Snow said, shaking his head. “It’s a damn shame.”

  “I bet you her dad had something to do with it. Ever since the last president handpicked him for that special crime task force, she’s been moving up. Joy Ingram has been usin
g that to get ahead.”

  “I’ll admit she’s been doing a good job since she’s been hired, but that’s beside the point,” Whitman said.

  “Damn right. And I don’t think she’s done such a great job. Nothing any of us couldn’t do if given the opportunity. Harkins proved just how biased he was when he picked her to be on the Erickson case. That put her out there, front and center, so the mayor could see her.”

  “You think so?”

  “Hell yeah, I think so. And if I were you guys I wouldn’t stand for it. You gotta oust her.”

  “Oust her? I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “And why not? Just think about it. She doesn’t have a life since all she does is hang around headquarters all the time, working homicides and trying to make others look bad. I asked her out a couple of times, and she turned me down. What woman does that? Hell, I even asked her out yesterday when I dropped by to see you guys and she turned me down then, too. Said she had plans. Yeah. Right. No way she has a boyfriend, working the crazy hours she does. What intelligent man would put up with such foolishness? She’s gotten brownie points by working her ass off for show. Now she will expect all of you to do the same.”

  “You think so?”

  “Hell yeah, Whit. She doesn’t have a life. She doesn’t have a man. She has nothing but a promotion that she will use to drive all of you to become workaholics like her. If I were you, I would get with the other guys and put a stop to her.”

  “Oh, damn, don’t look now, Darrin, but Lieutenant Ingram just walked in. I even hate referring to her as a lieutenant.”

  “She’s here? Good. I intend to confront her about her promotion and what she did to get it.”

  “Hey, wait a minute, Darrin. You’ve relocated to Ohio. You don’t have to work with her. I do. Don’t do anything that might get me fired.”

  “Just sit there and don’t say a thing, and then there’s nothing she can do to you. There’s certainly not a damn thing she can do to me. Just let me handle this.”

  * * *

  IT TOOK ALL Stonewall’s will to hold his anger in check. He’d heard everything the two men, Whit and Darrin, had said about Joy. Every single word. And it had been uncalled for, unwarranted and asinine. And for this Darrin asshole to suggest that the people who would be reporting to Joy should make things difficult for her was just plain wrong and unethical.

  And what did they just say? Joy was here? She’d just walked into Shady Reds? He was sitting at a booth with his back to the entrance so he couldn’t see her. Nor would she be able to see him unless he stood up. He wondered what the two assholes planned to do. He intended to sit right there and find out.

  * * *

  JOY RELEASED A frustrated breath when she saw Whitman Snow. And he was sitting with Darrin, of all people. There was no doubt in her mind that Whit had told Darrin about her promotion. She would have pretended she hadn’t seen them if she hadn’t looked directly in Darrin’s face. She acknowledged both men with a nod but had no intention of engaging in conversation with them. She would place her to-go order and leave. But now Darrin was beckoning her over to where they sat, and it would be rude of her to ignore them now.

  Sighing deeply, she walked over to them. “Hi, guys.”

  “Hi, Lieutenant,” Whitman said with what Joy thought was a nervous smile. At least he’d given her respect as his superior.

  “I understand congratulations are in order,” Darrin said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Joy wasn’t surprised.

  “Thanks, Darrin.”

  “I just hope you begin chilling for a while and not expecting the people you’ll be over not to have a life just because you don’t.”

  Joy told herself to take what he’d said with a grain of salt. After all, this was Darrin Chadwick, who had gotten the Asshole of the Year Award many times over. But she was sick and tired of men like Darrin, and even Whit, for that matter, thinking they knew everything about her when they truly didn’t know a damn thing.

  “Sorry if you think I don’t have a life, Darrin, because I do.”

  “Could have fooled me.”

  She bit back saying, Fooling you wouldn’t be hard to do since you’re such a nitwit. Instead she said. “Sorry if you, or anyone—” she added for Whit’s benefit “—presumes to know everything there is to know about me.”

  “I know you don’t have a man in your life and probably won’t ever have one at the rate you’re going. I’ve even asked you out, and you were too busy for me.”

  Joy fought back a laugh. She could not believe they were having this conversation and in front of Whit. She decided to end it now before she said something she would regret later. Then she thought, what the hell, why not? Darrin had rubbed her the wrong way and unfortunately for him, it was on the wrong day.

  “Being busy had nothing to do with me not going out with you, Darrin. Now if you guys will excuse me, I—”

  “Too bad. I was the best you’ll ever be able to do,” Darrin interrupted snidely.

  The laugh Joy tried fighting back earlier came out in a derisive chuckle. “I don’t think so.”

  “And I just happen to know so.”

  Joy jerked around, recognizing that deep and husky voice. Stonewall.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  JOY COULDN’T BELIEVE Stonewall was standing right there beside her. Where had he come from? How much had he heard? For him to have said what he had, he must have heard enough of it.

  Before she could ask him anything, he leaned in, placed his hand around her waist, brushed a kiss across her lips and said, “I thought you would never get here, baby. I’ve been waiting patiently, but the wait was worth it.”

  And while her mind was reeling from his words, he looked at both Whit and Darrin and proceeded to introduce himself. “I’m Stonewall Courson. The man in Joy’s life.”

  “Uh, nice meeting you,” Whit said, extending his hand.

  Stonewall didn’t bother taking it. Instead he shifted his gaze back to her and said, “While sitting here waiting for you, I was amazed how conversations carry in this place. You’d be surprised what you can hear, and I’ve heard enough craziness for tonight. Let’s get out of here.”

  Joy couldn’t do anything but nod. Stonewall was playacting because of what he’d obviously heard Darrin say, but she was wondering why his last comments had made a remorseful look appear on Whit’s face. Darrin was glaring at Stonewall but otherwise remained tight-lipped. She couldn’t blame him too much. Stonewall was taller, more muscular and had a look on his face that all but dared Darrin to open his mouth. “Okay, Stonewall, let’s go somewhere else.”

  “Come on, then,” Stonewall said, taking her hand.

  She turned to Whit and Darrin, smiled brightly and said, “Have a nice weekend, guys.”

  Stonewall then led her out of the restaurant.

  * * *

  STONEWALL HELD TIGHT to Joy’s hand, loving the feel of it encompassed in his. She wasn’t saying anything, and neither was he. Was she upset by what he’d done back there in Shady Reds? If she was, then that was too damn bad. He’d heard enough. And then when that Darrin guy, who evidently thought his shit glistened in gold, had the damn audacity to say that his ass was the best Joy could do, Stonewall couldn’t help himself. He didn’t give a damn that both men were law enforcement. They were jerks. Bastards. Lowlifes. Any man who would plot someone else’s downfall, especially a woman’s, didn’t deserve to be called a man. He certainly didn’t deserve a fucking handshake. And that meant neither of them, although the one named Darrin had done all the talking. But since that Whit guy hadn’t put a stop to Darrin’s BS, he was just as guilty.

  He drew in a deep breath as they continued walking through the parking lot and he still held tight to Joy’s hand. It had gotten dark. The night smelled of rain, but it was
Joy’s scent that filled his nostrils. And why did it seem her steps were perfectly in sync with his?

  “Where are we going?” she finally asked, breaking into the night’s quietness. Their quietness.

  “I’m walking you to your car.”

  She stopped walking and so did he. He looked down at her and saw the small smile that touched her lips. “You don’t know my car, Stonewall. I got assigned a different one today. It came with the promotion. And you also don’t know where I’m parked.”

  He released a deep breath. She was right about both things. “Okay, show me where you’re parked, then.”

  She shook her head. “If you think you’re going to get rid of me that easily without telling me what happened back there, then—”

  “What happened back there was that those two men came close to getting their asses kicked.”

  She didn’t say anything for a moment, and he was glad. He needed to get his anger under control. When he thought of everything they’d said while he’d sat there and eavesdropped, he had a mind to—

  “Darrin is an ass,” she interrupted his thoughts to say.

  “You don’t think I’ve figured that out? Before you arrived they’d been there a good thirty minutes, plotting your downfall. At least, that Darrin guy was giving good ole Whit ideas. Whit didn’t agree to anything, but a real man would have told Darrin to shut the fuck up.”

  She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Darrin works in Ohio now, and I can handle Whit. He only becomes an ass around Darrin.”

  Stonewall’s nostrils flared. “Well, at least they think you have a man.”

  Joy chuckled. “Yes, they do.”

  The sound of her amusement deflated his anger somewhat. Not a lot but some. “I hope you didn’t mind my interference. But I couldn’t help myself.”

  She nodded as they began walking. He was still holding her hand, but he was letting her lead the way. “Considering what Darrin was saying at the time, I understand. He thinks a lot of himself,” she said.

  “Obviously. I don’t blame you for never going out with him.” But on the other hand, Stonewall could certainly understand the jerk wanting to go out with her.