Marisa eyed Jack suspiciously, but he didn’t flinch. Both of the things he’d said were technically true. Though one was much truer than the other. Sure, Hope Falls was a great place, but Jack knew that after one look at Marisa, any single guy would be crazy not to want her to show them around. He also knew that deep down, Pierce and Marisa were two beautiful but wounded people who together might find some healing.
“Well,” Marisa turned her head away from Jack and gave Pierce a smile. “I’ll have to check my schedule.”
“Okay,” Pierce said, looking relieved. “That would be great.” He flashed Jack a grin.
“Right now, I’m going back to my hotel to get some rest,” Marisa said. “I’ll see you both at the rehearsal dinner. It’s still on, right, Jack?”
“Oh yeah,” Jack said. “After all the effort she’s put in, Alice said she’d kill the first person who tried to cancel the wedding. Pierce, you’re welcome to try.”
“No thanks.” Pierce shook his head.
Jack caught Pierce’s eye and tipped his head toward Marisa.
Pierce widened his eyes, as if to say, What?
Jack had to hide his smile. Pierce might be a computer genius but the boy billionaire was clueless with women. “Thanks again for coming by, Pierce,” he said. Jack was the furthest thing from a hugger, but he pulled Pierce close, patted his back, and whispered, “Offer her a ride, idiot.”
“Do you need a ride?” Pierce almost shouted.
Marisa gave Jack a sidelong glance.
Jack smiled knowingly. “I can assure you that whatever he’s driving beats any taxi or limousine.”
Marisa nodded. “Thank you. I’ll take that ride.”
Pierce lit up. “Great, but I want to check on Alice first.”
“She’s good,” Jack said quickly. “Really, she needs sleep.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Jack gave him a thumbs-up with his good hand. He trusted Alice, but still, he’d feel much better about having the handsome billionaire around after Jack and Alice were married.
As Pierce and Marisa headed off together, Jack’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Hello, Sheriff.”
“Hi, Jack. How’s everyone doing?”
Jack knew the call was more than a friendly courtesy. Morrison wanted to schedule interviews. Although Detective Castillo and Special Agent Thomas had already done initial interviews, the sheriff would still need to conduct follow-ups.
“Marisa is heading back to her hotel, and they’re keeping Alice and Aunt Haddie overnight for observation. Would it be possible to reinterview them in the morning?”
“I can’t see why not. How are you holding up?”
“Fine.” It was an automatic response. Really, he felt like he’d been hit by a truck. “Did you find Lenora Soriano?”
“We’ve found her body. She shot herself. We also found a partially mummified body downstairs that looks to be that of her father. He’s been dead for years.”
“Alice said Lenora’s mother had been dead for a while too.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait for the ME before we can positively identify the mother’s body, since it was in the middle of the fire. But I don’t doubt it was really her. I’ve spoken with Lenora’s doctors—she’s been institutionalized several times. The last one was in New Hampshire. That’s when she stole Carson Murray’s ID.”
“Is there any evidence of an accomplice?”
“None. We turned up piles of sketchbooks and journals in her living area on the bottom floor. Ed’s going through them now. They’re manifestos, really. She felt that brides disrespected her father and mother by wearing their custom wedding gowns only one time, on their wedding day. After her parents died, she was making the dresses herself and posing as the great Lorenzo. She felt she could somehow right things by giving her parents a ‘forever bride.’ That was going to be Alice—the one bride who never took the dress off.”
Jack rubbed his eyes. He was dead on his feet and fading fast. “I appreciate the update, sir.”
“One more thing. I’m posting a guard outside Alice’s hospital room—just in case. Mostly so you’ll go home and get some sleep.”
“I’m fine, sir. I was planning on staying here anyway.”
“Under no circumstances. You need to rest, Jack. Do I need to remind you that you’re getting married the day after tomorrow?”
“No, sir. Thank you.”
“Go get some sleep, son.”
Morrison hung up, and Jack stopped by the nurses’ station en route to Alice’s room to check on her and Aunt Haddie. The nurses said they were both sleeping, and told him to go home and get some rest or they’d likely need to find a bed for him too. Jack didn’t stand a chance of sleeping without seeing them both. He nodded to his old work colleague posted outside their room and pushed the heavy door open as quietly as he could. There, side by side in adjacent hospital beds and in matching medical gowns, slept two of the dearest people in Jack’s world. Jack felt a tsunami of gratitude wash over his tired body. Thank you, God. He slipped out as quietly as he entered.
And with Officer Tom Darcy standing guard, Jack headed for the exit.
On the way to his car, he called the vet.
“Lady is fine, Jack,” Lacie answered.
“Hi, Lacie. I was going to stop by—”
“Please don’t.” Lacie exhaled. “Your landlady just left, and she wouldn’t stop sneaking Lady homemade dog treats. What Lady needs most is rest.”
“Thanks for watching out for her.”
“I’m also looking out for you. You sound exhausted.”
“I am,” he confessed, rubbing his eyes with his good hand, attempting to banish the impeding headache with sheer determination.
“Well, you’d better rest. You have a big day coming up.”
“Will we see you there?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Satisfied that all the women in his life were safe, Jack headed home, desperate for sleep. With the killer dead, what else could go wrong?
60
Jack snuck up the stairs to his apartment, unlocked the door, and quietly closed it behind him. He loved Mrs. Stevens, but if she heard him come in, she was sure to come up and want to know everything. And he could barely keep his eyes open.
He walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and took out a bottle of water. He drained the entire bottle as he pulled out his wallet, keys, and gun and put them on the counter. His hand throbbed. He grabbed a bottle of aspirin from the cabinet, took two, and opened the refrigerator to get another water.
When he turned around, an old man was strolling out of Alice’s bedroom. He’d seen a picture of Alice’s great-uncle on her phone but he didn’t expect him to be here now.
Jack slowly lowered the water bottle. “Hey… Alex, right? How’d you get in?”
“Alice gave me a key.” Alex walked over to the counter. “You must be Jack. I thought you were both still in the hospital.”
“They released me, but they wanted to keep Alice for observation. She should be home tomorrow. Did she call you?” Jack took a swig of water from his bottle.
How could she? She didn’t have her phone.
Alex didn’t answer Jack’s question. “You must be excited about the wedding. And Alice said you’re going to the Bahamas for your honeymoon. I’m surprised you can afford it on a bounty hunter’s salary.”
Jack stepped closer to the counter and his gun.
Alex shook his head as he took a .38 from his pocket and leveled it at Jack’s chest. “Toss the bottle in the sink and raise your hands.”
Jack thought about throwing the bottle at Alex, but the half-empty plastic bottle would hardly even be a distraction. He flipped the bottle into the sink and raised his hands. “What are you doing, Alex?” Jack’s tired mind couldn’t think of a reason for Alice’s great-uncle to do this sudden one-eighty.
Alex’s eyes hardened. “Tell me where my brot
her is.”
“Alice’s grandfather? I don’t have a clue.”
“You’re lying.” Alex aimed the gun at Jack’s head. “There’s no way you two could afford such a grand wedding on your own. My brother must be paying for it. Where is he?”
Jack rolled his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Look, we wanted a simple wedding. We have this friend named Pierce Weston and he—”
“Do you think I’m a fool? No mere ‘friend’ would spend that kind of money on someone else’s wedding.”
“Unless he’s a billionaire, which Pierce is. We saved his life and his company, so he feels indebted to us. I knew we should have turned him down, but he insisted. This whole—”
“Save your lies!” Alex waved his pistol toward the living room. “Move.”
Jack didn’t move. “I’m serious. Look Pierce up. I’ll get him on the phone if you want to talk to him.”
“I want to know where my brother is. Now move.” Alex stepped back, the pistol steady in his hand, a weapon he was clearly comfortable with. When Jack walked past him toward the living room, Alex pistol-whipped him and pain exploded through Jack’s already throbbing head. Groaning, he dropped to his knees, his right hand instinctively moving to the back of his head.
Alex yelled something, but because of the ringing in his ears, Jack couldn’t understand what he said. The cold barrel of the gun pressed against the base of Jack’s skull.
“Where is he?” Alex bellowed.
Jack gritted his teeth. Alex clearly wasn’t going to believe him that he truly had no idea where Alice’s grandfather was. And if he didn’t give Alex an answer, the old man seemed more than prepared to put a bullet in the back of Jack’s battered head.
Alex stood behind him on his left, the gun pressing against Jack’s skin. Jack exhaled slowly as he prepared to spin to the right and try to disarm Alex. It was a long shot that he could move before the old man pulled the trigger, but it was the only chance he had.
The front door opened.
Yana stood frozen in the doorway, a look of horror on her face. “What are you doing?”
“He knows where my brother is. He knows. Shut the door.”
“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Jack said.
“He’s lying!” Alex snapped. “There’s no way a bounty hunter could afford this extravagant wedding.”
“Pierce Weston is paying for it, Yana. Google him,” Jack said.
“Papa . . .” Yana stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind her. “Please put the gun down.”
“I need that money,” Alex growled. “He knows where it is.”
“There is no money, Papa. That story was just . . . a story.” A tear ran down Yana’s cheek. “Put the gun down. Think of Kaya Kukla. If you kill Jack, you’ll be killing her, too.”
Alex cocked the revolver, his breathing fast and heavy.
“Papa . . .” Yana’s voice was just above a whisper.
The sound of the gunshot filled the apartment.
61
Jack’s ears were ringing from both the gunshot and the blow to his head. Still on his knees, he wiped blood off the side of his face with the back of his hand.
The gun slipped from Yana’s hands and bounced off the floor. “I just wanted to scare him . . . so that he would stop.”
Any thought Jack had of giving Alex CPR was dismissed when he turned to look at the man lying on the floor. The bullet had struck Alex in the head. He was clearly dead. Yana covered her face with her hands.
Jack made it to his feet, stepped over the body, and draped an arm across her shoulders. She sobbed as he turned her around and led her out into the hallway.
Mrs. Stevens, her red hair jutting out in all directions, huffed and puffed her way to the top of the stairs. “Jack, are you all right?” she panted. “I heard a gunshot and called the police.”
Jack moved in front of Mrs. Stevens so she wouldn’t see the blood and the body. “Mrs. Stevens, please wait for the police at the front door. We’ll wait here. Tell the officers that I’m up here and the scene is under control.”
“Under control,” Mrs. Stevens repeated. “Under control.” Nodding, she turned and went back down the stairs.
“Yana . . .” Jack held both of her shoulders. “Where did you get that gun?”
“You should help my father,” Yana whispered.
“Yana?” Jack lifted her chin so she looked into his eyes. “The police are coming. Where did you get that gun?”
“Papa had it in the trunk. He took the one in the glove compartment when we got here. But I didn’t really think . . .”
“Yana, the police are coming. You need to tell them it was your father’s gun. It’s illegal for you to have one.”
Yana shrugged. “They can ask Papa. He’ll tell them the truth.” Her eyes widened. “Where’s the ambulance?”
Jack’s stomach turned. There was never an easy way to tell a person that someone they loved had died. “Your father is dead.”
Yana nodded, but from the glazed look in her eyes, he didn’t know if his words even registered. He had seen people react this way before, their body accepting the news before the mind.
Despite the tragedy that had just occurred, this woman had saved his life. Jack pictured Alex’s cold stare. He was certain the man would have killed him.
“Yana.” Jack gave her shoulders a shake. “Don’t say anything to the police. I’ll talk to them.”
Yana shook her head. “I’ll tell them the truth. It was an accident.”
“It was, but you’re shaken up. Tell them you want a lawyer and that’s all. I’ll explain what happened. You need to say that you want a lawyer. Yana, do you understand?”
Sirens grew louder as the first police cars approached the building.
Yana leaned against the wall and slowly slid down until she was sitting on the carpet.
Jack rubbed his eyes. There would be so many questions. The last thing he wanted was for this to become a double tragedy, and for Yana to lose her freedom. But no matter what Jack tried to do for her now, jail or no jail, how could anyone ever feel free again after killing their own father?
62
The nervous groom stood in the small room at the back of the church, peeking out the door. He couldn’t breathe. He felt as though he was going to pass out. As he scanned the packed pews, he saw the faces of everyone dear to him.
His father came up behind him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Well, Jack, it’s almost time. How are you holding up?”
“I think I’m going to throw up. Getting shot at is easier than this.”
Ted Stratton chuckled. “Trust me, if you’re still hiding in here after you see Alice, I’ll hold you back from running out that door.”
“Then I’ll go for the window,” Jack shot back.
“Relax. All you have to do is walk out there, say a few words, and put the ring on her finger.”
Jack’s mouth dropped open and he frantically felt his pockets. “I’m a dead man! The ring. I left it at the apartment!”
Ted closed his eyes. “I hate to say it, but maybe you really needed that wedding planner. You’re toast.”
Jack ran into the hall, heading for the nearest exit. But high heels in front of him brought him up short. Thankfully, it wasn’t Alice; she would kill him if his first glance of her in her dress was in the hallway and not the aisle. Instead, a familiar exotic beauty stood before him, accompanied by a handsome but stern-looking Asian man in an expensive custom suit.
“Hello, Detective.” Kiku smiled, her pearly but pointed eyeteeth in sharp contrast to her signature red lipstick.
“Stratton.” Takeo Nakumora curtly nodded. His raven hair was so black, the highlights were midnight-blue.
“It’s so good to see you.” Jack gave Kiku a quick hug. She smelled like cherry blossom and felt like silk. “Can I ask you for a huge favor?”
Takeo cleared his throat, and Jack quickly let go of Kiku. “I forgot
the rings in my apartment. Can you please break every traffic law and—”
Kiku held out her hand and opened her palm. Jack exhaled loudly when he saw the ring box.
“Alice knows you too well. You are a very fortunate man, Jack Stratton.”
Jack went to snatch the box out of her hand but Kiku easily moved her hand out of the way.
“Alice has a surprise for you. I have been instructed to bring them to her.”
“You still saved me.” Jack kissed her cheek, a wave of relief sweeping over him.
“I would stop pushing your luck,” Takeo said. His voice had a sharp bite. “Getting married on April fourth is already bad luck.”
Jack grinned roguishly. “Good thing I don’t believe in luck.”
Kiku smiled and reached for Takeo’s hand, which had balled into a fist. She gently stroked the back of it until he opened his fingers and clasped her porcelain hand.
The church organ started playing, and Jack swallowed.
Kiku’s smile faded and she whispered, “Jack, you should know Alice’s grandfather is alive, and men are looking for him.”
“I know. But do we have to do this now?”
Ted came up behind Jack. “Sorry to interrupt, but . . . did you hear the organ? That’s your cue.”
Jack’s eyes went wide and he stood perfectly still.
A Cheshire Cat grin appeared on Kiku’s face. “I watched you take on many armed men and your hand did not shake. But now, you are scared?”
Jack nodded. “Actually, I am.”
Takeo chuckled.
Kiku leaned close and whispered in Jack’s ear, “Do not be a fool. It is written that he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. And Alice is a priceless jewel. Go. We will talk after the ceremony.”
Ted placed both hands on his son’s shoulders, turned him around, and nudged him toward the door. “I’m proud of you, Jack. You’re going to make a wonderful husband.” He opened the door and gave Jack a little push.
Jack of Diamonds Page 26