by Darla Jones
She lied. LynAnn lied.
In his mind he tried to justify her lie. He guessed she was uncomfortable enough saying her husband died in an accident, but it would be devastating to announce he actually committed suicide.
Andrea buzzed him on the intercom. “Your nine o’clock appointment is here.”
“Give me a few minutes,” he told his secretary. He paced the floor and rubbed at his cheek. He had no idea what LynAnn must have gone through. No wonder she didn’t want to talk about her dead husband. After more pacing, he went to his bathroom sink and splashed cold water on his face and composed himself for his appointment.
Following his appointment, he went to the assistant DA’s office to speak with Trent Boyles. Through the years, Trent had been elected to various posts for the county and when he became his assistant he more than earned his salary. He was always there when he needed him. “Hey, Jeff, what can I do for you?” Perched behind his desk, the balding man was a definite asset to Delta County.
“I’m kinda on a wild goose chase here.” Jeff wanted to down play the information he had learned. “Does the name Todd Johnson mean anything to you?”
“Todd Johnson…Todd Johnson.” The man dipped his balding head and studied the beige floor tiles for a few seconds and then gave it a negative shake. “No, sorry. Can’t recall the name. Who is he?”
Jeff hunched his shoulders. “A name that’s come up recently. I thought you might remember him.”
He shook his head once more and changed the subject. “I’m almost ready to wrap up the Jennings’ extortion case. I’ll have it on your desk in a few days.”
“Fine, Trent. Good job. I appreciate it.” He gave the older man a friendly slap on the back before he left.
At eleven, Jeff had to attend a change of venue hearing at the courthouse. Everyone in attendance waited for Stu who was supposed to be at the hearing. His clients were upset and so was Judge Brown. “We’ve waited for twenty minutes for your attorney,” the judge spoke to Stu’s clients. “I suggest you find another attorney to represent you, and I’m going to reschedule this case to a later date.” The judge rapped his gavel with more gusto than necessary, stood, and stomped from the courtroom.
Wondering why Stu missed the hearing, Jeff went back to his office and rang him on his cell phone.
The other man answered with a groggy “H—allo.” His word was drawled as if he’d been sleeping.
“Stu, its Jeff. Did you know you had a hearing at eleven?”
“Too bad, dude…I’m not going to…make it.”
He hadn’t been sleeping. He was drunk. “How drunk are you?”
There was a clunk and then a pause as if he’d dropped the phone and picked it up again. “V-ery…V-ery dr-unk.” He slurred his words.
Jeff felt exasperated. The problem with the boys still weighed heavily on his mind, and for some reason Stu had decided to drink his troubles away. “You had better get yourself together, pal. You were needed at the courthouse. Your clients waited for you.” His voice was stern.
Stu laughed like a cackling hen as if he had told him the funniest joke he’d ever heard. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be back, dude.” Then the line went dead.
Jeff cursed a few choice words into the phone before he hung up.
Later, between appointments, he did phone the police captain, and Jim Anderson was concerned about the park incident. “Yes, I remember Mrs. Johnson.” He stressed her name. “Her home was ransacked and her computer stolen before she was assaulted by the drug addict.”
Jeff grimaced. Anderson’s voice inflected at LynAnn’s name. Was it sarcasm or was the police captain tired of hearing his problems?
The captain went on, “I’m sorry, Jeff, the boys weren’t actually abducted and no harm was done. There’s nothing I can do.”
“Someone’s tinkered with my computer and surveillance system at my home.”
“And you think it’s connected with Mrs. Johnson somehow?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Want me to send someone over to check for prints? Has anyone been behaving strangely around you?”
“No, and you know there won’t be any prints.”
“Better have your security equipment checked. If there’s anything else I can do, let me know.”
As Jeff put down the phone, a thought struck him. Jim Anderson asked if anyone around him had been acting strangely. Stu came to mind. The man definitely fit the bill, but then he quickly dismissed the idea. Stu’s behavior had to do with his relationship with Jean, nothing else.
He had calls to make, and after those were finished, he left his office to visit the editor of the Delta Daily. He hadn’t forgotten the incident with the Sunday newspaper nor the same man at the daycare. Jack Mason had been the editor at the Delta Daily for as long as he could remember.
“Hello, Jeff. How’re the judge and your mother?” Jack greeted him cordially fifteen minutes later. Jack had to be nearly as old as his father, and the tremors in his hands were noticeable, yet he wouldn’t give up his job. The entire building, including his office, smelled of newspaper and ink.
After the usual pleasantries, Jeff got right to the purpose of his visit. “Jack, do you know the name of the paper carrier who delivers on Locust Street?”
“No, but I can find out soon enough. Is there a problem?”
“No. I want to ask him something.”
After a quick call to another office, Jack relayed the information. “The delivery person’s name is Jason Ruff, and he’ll be picking up his papers on the corner of Locust and Beverly in about twenty minutes. He’s a teenager, but he does a fine job.”
“Thanks, Jack.” Jeff shook his hand and then checked his watch. If he left now he would be able to find the boy picking up his papers. He was about to leave when another thought came to mind. “Jack, would it be possible for someone to go through old obits on your microfilm and find one from about four years ago on a man named Todd Johnson?”
“Sure. No problem.”
Jeff jotted down his office email and handed it to the editor. “Thanks again, Jack.” He then hurried out, hoping to find the paper carrier.
When Jeff arrived at the street corner, he found Jason Ruff sitting at his post sorting out newspapers on the sidewalk. Jeff introduced himself. “I’m a friend of LynAnn Johnson. Did you deliver her Sunday edition?”
“Yes, sir. I delivered the Sunday edition to the Johnson’s every Sunday.”
“Where do you put it, Jason?”
Now the red haired teen became defensive. “I put it in the holder under the mailbox right by the door. Where I always put it. Hey, if they’re saying they didn’t get the paper, then they don’t have to pay for it.”
“It’s all right, Jason. Mrs. Johnson got the paper, but a man handed it to her little girl. Are you certain you delivered it? Perhaps your father or someone else delivered it for you. Maybe you had something else to do.”
“I deliver the Sunday edition myself. Sometimes my sister helps, but the Sunday editions are heavy and she can’t handle them.”
“Did you happen to notice a strange man around?
Jason thought for a few seconds and then shook his head.
Jeff pulled his wallet from his jacket and handed him a twenty dollar bill. “Thanks for your good work.”
“Thank you, sir.” The teen’s eyes widened at the sight of the money, and he smiled exposing a mouth full of silver braces.
Jeff drove back to his office pondering why someone would take the newspaper from the mailbox and hand it to Cassie and call her by name. It didn’t make sense. He dealt with so many sexual perverts in his job and hoped one of them hadn’t set their sights on pretty little Cassie. Or was the man who talked with her the same man who ransacked their house and then assaulted LynAnn? The man who assaulted her asked Where is it? Not “Where are the drugs?” or “Where is the oxy?” And what could there be on their computers he was so interested to find?
Chapter 13
/> The workday flew by quickly for LynAnn. A little before five o’clock, Paulette rang from the outer office. “There’s someone here to see you, LynAnn.” Crack. Crack. The woman had gum snapping down to a science.
“If it’s a pharmacy rep, tell him I’m busy.” She had no time for a salesman now.
“No, he’s not a pharmacy rep.” Paulette’s voice sounded playful. “He’s one handsome man though; maybe I could take him off your hands.”
Having no idea what Paulette went on about, she walked to the reception area.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Jeff grinned and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “I thought when you’re through here we’d gather up the munchkins and go somewhere for dinner. Dad’s going to bring Jon to wherever we decide to eat.”
By his big smile, she assumed everything was all right with the children, but she had to ask, “The kids…”
“They’re fine,” he assured her. “How soon will you be done?”
“In a few minutes.”
He tilted his head to the door. “I’ll wait outside.”
As she turned to go back to work she noticed Paulette staring, her mouth hanging open. “You can close your mouth now, Paulette.” LynAnn smiled and gave a little snort.
The other woman did shut her mouth but only to open it again. “What a hunk.” Then her mouth worked double time on her wad of gum.
LynAnn chuckled to herself as she finished her work and met Jeff outside a few minutes later. “How about I cook dinner for us?” she suggested. “I’ll need to stop at the supermarket though.”
“Sounds great.” He patted his flat abdomen. “I’m going to circle the block a couple of times, but I’ll be close behind and meet you at the supermarket.” He headed for his car parked at the far end of the lot and LynAnn plodded off in the opposite direction to hers.
She nearly reached her Subaru when, from out of nowhere, Dr. God’s Gift Samuels stepped in front of her. Startled, she jumped back. The ER doctor could only mean trouble. “What are you doing here?” Her lips curled with disgust. “I have nothing to say to you and I want you to leave me alone.” She raised her voice as she veered around him and quickened her pace.
“Wait, LynAnn.” He hurried to catch up with her and when she refused to stop he grabbed her shoulder and spun her body around so fast her head snapped back.
LynAnn’s body went into a fight mode. She stiffened her arms and shoved hard at his chest. “Stay away from me,” she yelled and his mouth dropped in shock. “I said stay away from me.”
In the next instant, Jeff’s broad body wedged between them. With his left hand, he reached out and grabbed the doctor by his shirtfront and hoisted him from the ground and in one smooth motion, whack, his right fist smashed into his jaw. He released his hold on his shirt, and Dr. Samuels crumbled to the pavement.
“Are you okay?” Jeff turned his attention to her. “Who the hell is this guy?”
Wide eyed and stunned, she needed a few seconds before she could respond. “He’s a doctor from St. Luke’s who thinks I’m out to destroy him.”
Grasping his jaw and moaning with pain, Samuels roused and tried to get to his feet.
Jeff reached down, grabbed his shirt again, and hauled him up until only a few inches separated their faces. “You stop following this woman around or you will be arrested for stalking. I can make sure your ass sits in jail for a long time.” He growled the words through gritted teeth. Then he released his grip from his shirt and once again Samuels collapsed, as if he were a heap of dirty laundry.
Samuels raised his arms over his face to guard himself. “I’m not stalking her.” He panted for breath. “I wanted to apologize. I found out who filed the grievance, and I’m sorry I accused her.”
“I don’t believe you.” Jeff towered over him.
Glancing up at LynAnn, his bruised swollen jaw hung open, and his face muscles sagged. “I’m sorry, LynAnn. I know it wasn’t you,” he sputtered, trying to catch his breath.
Jeff protectively looped his arm through hers. “Keep away from this woman, or you’ll answer to me, and I won’t be so kind the next time.” He spat the words at him.
“Jeff, wait…He wanted to apologize,” LynAnn tried to explain, but he didn’t want to listen. He turned her body around and led her to her car leaving the doctor spread over the pavement like a sack of lumpy potatoes.
Amazingly, by the time they reached her car, his anger was under control. “Go to the store, but don’t get out of your car until I get there.”
Stunned by the scene she’d witnessed, LynAnn wanted to explain. “Jeff, he wanted…”
“Forget about him.” He wouldn’t allow her to finish what she was saying. “He’s not going to bother you again.” His gaze went back to the doctor who had hoisted himself from the ground and staggered to his car. “I’m going to follow the punk for a bit.”
LynAnn’s brown eyes were wide with shock, and she opened her mouth to speak but then sensed it best not to argue. Firing up her Subaru, she drove off to the supermarket.
****
Fifteen minutes later, Jeff pulled his vehicle into the parking lot at Shop-A-Lot.
“How ’bout spaghetti for dinner?” she suggested, alighting from her car.
Falling into step beside her, he agreed, “Sounds good.”
Once they were inside the market, she pushed a cart down the fruit and vegetable aisle. The handsome man must not go to a supermarket often because he admired all the fruit as though he’d never seen fresh fruit before.
“Hum, passion fruit.” He picked up the yellow produce and examined it. “Let’s get a dozen of these.”
“Ha,” LynAnn scoffed, “I don’t think you need those.”
“Ah, but I was thinking of you,” he teased and gave her a wink. Then he snatched up two grapefruits, one in each hand, and began moving his hands up and down as though weighing them. His gaze narrowed as he peered at her breasts.
Embarrassed by his antics, she grabbed the grapefruits from his hands and tossed them back in the bin. “This may be our first and last trip to the grocery store together, mister.” She admonished him.
He threw back his head and roared with laughter, then his demeanor changed abruptly as his eyes darted to the door and a woman with a toddler in tow entered the store. Putting his arm around her, he turned her body so he could still watch the door. He tugged her close and put his mouth to her ear. “Did you see the black SUV behind you? You shop and stay among the customers. I’m going outside. Don’t check out until I get back.”
She didn’t see it. She felt safe with Jeff following her and didn’t notice. Frightened, she nuzzled his ear and whispered, “Oh God, Jeff, please be careful.”
They moved down to the end of the produce aisle and Jeff disappeared into the double doors marked Employees Only. Fearful and trying to appear calm, LynAnn continued to shop. As casually as she could manage, she went around the store and picked up items for their dinner. She didn’t care about their meal now, she was petrified for Jeff. She began her second round of the store before he returned.
“Did you see him?” she asked as Jeff draped his arms around her again and pulled her close.
“He’s still in the SUV waiting for you, but I got a picture of the vehicle and the license plate number,” he whispered.
“How did you manage to get so close to him?” she wanted to know.
Jeff avoided her question and instead said, “Check out now. The police are on their way.” He released his embrace and pushed the cart down the snack aisle and began piling junk food in the cart: salty nuts, potato chips, caramel popcorn, and chocolate bars. “For the kids,” he explained with a bashful grin.
She rolled her brown eyes upward.
When they reached a cashier, LynAnn pulled out her ATM card to pay, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Save your money for Matt’s schooling.” He retrieved his wallet from his jacket. “I’ll see you at home, sweetheart,” he raised his voice so everyone around them could hear.
Jeff arrived at her home about ten minutes later and she had dinner started. “The police traced the license plate, but it doesn’t match the SUV. It was for a green Dodge Charger. Have you seen the car around?”
“Hmmm.” She stalled while she added the pasta to a pot of boiling water on the stove. “Does it look anything like my Subaru?” she asked, pretending to be intelligent about cars.
He chuckled and gave his head a frustrated shake. “Never mind, sweetheart. The Dodge was stolen several weeks ago. I sent a picture of the SUV to the police and they’re also checking on your spineless doctor who likes to pick on women.”
“Someone at St. Luke’s filed sexual harassment charges against him, and he thought it was me. He was trying to apologize.”
A spark of anger flared in Jeff’s eyes and then quickly dissipated. “LynAnn, I saw the way he grabbed you. He likes to manhandle women.”
She nodded, unable to argue with his analysis of the doctor. She reached into the cupboard for a stack of plates.
They had just finished their dinner when Jim Anderson called from the police department. She only heard one side of their conversation, but Jeff was upset. “What?…You have to be kidding…I told them to send an unmarked car, not to blaze in with sirens blaring.” He clicked his phone off and muttered. Then he announced, “They lost the SUV. It got away.”
“Oh no.” She wanted to scream. It wasn’t over. “The police were so close and didn’t catch him. I can’t believe it. How long can this madness go on?”