by Sharon Wray
“I’ll handle the store,” Samantha said. “Bob is at the work site, and the only thing scheduled is a wedding consultation.”
“I have a job interview at two,” Pete said. “I’ll take Samantha with me.”
“Interview for what?” Nate asked.
“Self-defense teacher at your home away from home. Iron Rack’s Gym.”
“Why? The trials start Friday.”
Pete stood and held Samantha’s chair. “Still need food and ammo, bro. And I want to start before the new owner takes charge.”
“Excuse me?” Calum stood. “New owner?”
“Yeah,” Pete said. “Place is for sale.”
“Interesting.” Calum grabbed the bag he’d dropped earlier. A minute later, they all held new burner phones. “Our numbers are programmed with our aliases.”
Pete laughed. “I can guess who GhostGirl is.”
Samantha smirked. “No laughing, RezBoy.”
“I don’t know whether I’m offended or just annoyed.”
Calum clapped Pete on the back. “I’m sure you’ll learn to love it.”
“I’m Copper?” Garza said.
“It’s pronounced Coppa,” Calum said. “Very New York.”
“I’m from New Jersey.”
“Oh.” Calum scratched his chin. “Right.” He looked at Juliet. “You okay with yours?”
“Petals? Really?”
“Better than KiteMan,” Nate said, scowling. “What does that mean?”
“You’ll figure it out,” Calum said. “I’m SmartFox.”
“Good grief.” Juliet and Samantha shared a smile. “I think we know who LetsFight is.”
“I hit things too,” Nate said.
Rafe laughed. “Maybe Calum will let you change your name to FightsBack.”
“No.” Calum started texting. “I’m going to see Carina. Pops will move Philip into my mansion until he recovers.” Calum kissed Juliet on the cheek and opened the door to find Bob on the other side, his fist in the air, in the middle of a knock.
“Miss Juliet?” Bob took off his hat. “The windows.”
Rafe took Juliet’s hand and rushed out. The others followed until they stood in front of her store windows. Red paint covered her logo. But more worrying were the words scrawled below: A PLAGUE O’ BOTH YOUR HOUSES.
Chapter 33
Juliet sat in the hospital chair while the nurse checked Philip’s vitals and Pops and Rafe talked outside. She’d changed into a white eyelet sundress and sandals but now wished she’d brought her sweater. The AC was on full blast. As she waited, she checked her notes on her phone, trying to ignore the fact that she was freezing. She’d left Garza to handle the crime scene and Samantha to close the shop. Bob was overseeing the square, and Juliet had rescheduled the wedding consult.
She had almost everything under control. But she kept replaying her earlier argument with Rafe—the one about their non-relationship. She’d spoken out of fear and confusion, and he probably had too. She reminded herself that her feelings didn’t matter. The only important thing was Balthasar’s message.
Balthasar had bitten his thumb at Rafe, and Rafe had taken the bait. He’d reacted swiftly, giving orders and expecting everyone to meet back at Calum’s for dinner.
When the nurse left, she stood near Philip’s bed. “How’re you feeling?”
Philip grimaced. “Who knew twenty-two stitches in the abdomen would hurt so much?”
“I’m so relieved.” She smiled at the half-eaten applesauce cups on his bedside table. “Don’t get used to living in Calum’s mansion.”
Philip started to smile, and then stopped. “Are you and Rafe still working together?”
“Yes.”
Philip smoothed his blanket. “Were you afraid last night? You hate the dark.”
“Actually…” She poured water from his pitcher and handed him the cup. “I spent the night in the apartment where Rafe is staying. He was worried about looting.”
“I see.” Philip took a sip before saying, “I’ll be released soon. Pops is itching to get back to the Isle. He doesn’t like being in town.”
She nodded. Her daddy had hated coming to town as well.
“What about Carina?” Philip put the cup down, pressed his hand against his bandaged side, and winced. “Has she paid yet?”
“Nope.”
“Juliet.” He shifted his pillow and lowered his voice from a request to a plea. “Stay in town today. Irritate Carina’s campaign manager until he pays you. Work on your renditions—”
“I can’t.” She moved to the window. The view overlooked a busy street.
“I’ve seen the way Rafe stares at you. And I’m wondering if you’re not looking back at him the same way. Don’t let him pull you into his world.”
A nurse came in. “Bandage check.”
Grateful for the interruption, Juliet found her purse and said, “I’ll call you later.” After shutting the door, she leaned against it. What am I going to do about Rafe?
“I don’t care.” Carina’s voice across the hall sounded shrill. If she was awake and giving orders, she could handle a conversation about her unpaid bill.
Juliet drew up her shoulders and knocked on the open door.
“What is it?” Carina sat in her bed. The room’s blinds were closed, and the only light filtered in from the hallway. She wore a blue silk Chinese robe with gold embroidery. Her long blond hair was braided and thrown over one shoulder. Her campaign manager Henry sat nearby on a hospital chair with a laptop on his thighs.
Henry stood when he saw Juliet, placing the laptop on the rolling table. “I’m going for coffee. Would you like some, Miss Capel?”
“No, thank you.”
Once he left, Carina frowned. “What do you want?”
My money. Instead, she started with, “I checked on Philip. He’s being released this afternoon.”
“He’s lucky. Because of this stupid concussion, I can’t leave for another day. I can’t read, work on the computer, or be around light. How am I supposed to do my job?”
Seriously? Carina had a staff most CEOs would envy. “How are you feeling?”
“Horrible.”
“Sorry to hear it.”
“No, you’re not.” Carina waved her hand. “You just want my money.”
“I want you to pay your bill. That’s the expectation when someone’s signed a contract.”
“I didn’t sign it. Eugene did.”
“You approved the continuation of the project after his death. And when this is done, I’m never again entering into a working agreement with you.”
Carina sat up and adjusted her robe. “Aren’t you salty today.”
“Just tired.”
“You do look like hell.” Carina’s eyes narrowed, her eyelashes fluttering. “Tell me. Did the reunion with your ex go well last night?”
Juliet should’ve known better than to engage. “Have Henry text me.”
“Were you and Rafe screwing last night?” Carina tilted her head. “You have that certain glow.”
Juliet fisted her hands at her side. “None of your business.”
Carina crossed her arms. “Lies never protect people. They only cause more pain.”
“A politician lecturing about the truth. Is this a full moon thing?”
Carina shrugged. “Honesty is easier for everyone involved.”
Juliet was halfway through the doorway when Carina said, “I loved my husband.”
Juliet glanced back.
“With all my heart. But since I took over his Senate seat after his death, people assume I married him for political gain.”
“I thought you married him for money.”
Carina quirked an eyebrow. “He was a Wilkins. His fortune was half of mine.”
“Is
there a point?”
“A night of hard-core banging, and you’re running for Miss Sarcastic.” Carina straightened her blankets. “Eugene wasn’t the only man I’ve loved. He wasn’t the first.”
Good grief. “TMI, Carina.”
“Sometimes a first love is so powerful it eclipses all thought and reason. It draws you in even though you know it’s dangerous. I also know second loves can be just as powerful. That’s when you realize the light from the first wasn’t fireworks, it was immolation.”
“It’s not like that with Rafe.” Juliet hadn’t gotten burned. She’d just died inside.
“Then run to your lover. Let him leave your heart in bits by the side of the road for the rest of us to pick up. Just like last time.”
Juliet gripped the door handle. “I never asked for your help.”
“No. You never do. But you expected Calum’s. And Philip’s.”
“That’s not true. Neither Calum nor Philip were around when I returned.”
Carina stared at the window with the closed blinds. “Do you know what happened when I lobbied for Rafe’s release?”
“That’s obvious.”
“They said no.” Carina smiled as if waiting for that info to sink in. “I went to the DoD, the Justice Department, and anybody else I thought could help me. And they laughed in my face. As a widow in her deceased husband’s Senate seat, I didn’t have enough clout to get a parking space for my secretary, much less release an infamous traitor.”
Juliet came back into the room and held onto the end of the bed. “If you and Calum didn’t get Rafe released, who did?”
“No idea.”
“Does Calum know?”
“No. He believes I saved his best friend, and I want it to stay that way.” Carina blew a stray hair out of her eyes. “I don’t want him to worry.”
Was Carina daring her to keep the secret? It was obviously a setup for some payoff only Carina knew about. If Juliet played along, she’d solve one of her biggest problems. But how many others would she cause?
How could she demand honesty from Rafe if she was about to lie to him?
“It’s not like you can trust Rafe anyway.” Carina waved a hand. “I heard he has more than a hundred names on his arm. Do you think that’s true?”
Bitch be damned. “I want the money in the payroll account by three p.m.”
Carina’s almond-shaped eyes flattened. The only thing she didn’t do was lick cream off her lips. “I pay my bill, and you lie to Calum and Rafe.”
Juliet would save her business. Then find the vial. And when this was all over, she’d deal with the fallout. “Whoever signed Rafe’s release doesn’t matter.”
Carina laughed. “When Rafe leaves again, you’re going to have bigger problems.”
“Goodbye, Carina.” Juliet shut the door and headed toward the raised male voices that could only belong to Pops and Rafe. Her phone rang, and she stopped. “Hello, John.”
“Juliet, your deeds are ready for your ex-husband to sign. I’ll text you my secretary’s number. Remember, he’ll need a witness that’s not you.”
“He’ll bring Calum.”
“Any luck finding the grants?”
“No.” Juliet moved as a man pushed a gurney by. “I’m still looking. And the police investigations?”
“Sheriff Boudreaux said Tuesday’s tragedy shouldn’t hold up the sale. And the FBI dropped the investigation into Senator Wilkins’s death. If you can find those grants with the stipulations in order and get Rafe to sign the deeds, the sale should go quickly.”
“Thank you.” Juliet hung up. Two problems almost solved. But at what cost?
She found Pops and Rafe in a waiting room.
“I’m tellin’ you.” Pops stood with his hands on his hips. “Stay away from the Marigny boys. There’s bad blood there. Always has been. Always will be.”
“Eddie was trespassing. I—”
Pops held up one hand in front of Rafe’s face. “Your rights end here, boy.”
She tried not to smile. Although Pops had to look up at his son, Rafe yielded by running a hand over his head. “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” Pops shoved his hands in the front pocket of his clean overalls. “I’m taking your brother to Calum’s. Once he’s settled, I’m going home.”
Juliet took the soda out of Rafe’s hand. The ginger ale tasted sweet and cold. “Pops, Calum said you’re welcome to stay.”
Rafe kissed her on the cheek, and his hand found her lower back.
“Too many people there up in my business.” Pops’s nostrils flared, and he headed for the door.
Rafe finished the soda and tossed the can into the trash. “Ready to meet Sarah?”
Juliet placed her hands on his chest. He’d changed into a short-sleeved black T-shirt with his jacket. She had not asked him to hide his arms, but he’d insisted. “Earlier, when we were talking about relationships—”
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” One hand cupped her cheek, and the other rested on her waist. He pulled her in until their hips met. She gasped from his heat, and he smiled. “I’m confused and overwhelmed too.”
She traced the ribbon on his wrist near her face. The intensity in his gaze made her world unsteady, like any minute they’d fall down a rabbit hole. “You’re never afraid.”
His chest rumbled. “Not true. I’m afraid every hour of every day.”
She closed her hand around his wrist, covering the blue satin. “You’re the strongest man I know. What could you be afraid of?”
“Losing you.” His lips traced hers. “I want to say goodbye to Philip.”
After telling him about John’s call, she stood on her toes, needing to be closer to him. “I got a text from Bob. When you’re done, I need to check the Liberty Square work site before heading to the Isle.”
Rafe kissed her hard then disappeared, leaving her trembling and alone.
Chapter 34
Nate entered the SPO’s garden. Because of the power outage, the gym had closed for the day. But after meeting with Rafe, Nate needed to burn off this raging restlessness.
He bent over, hands on his thighs, and closed his eyes. He focused on the trickling of the fountain and the clip-clops of a horse-drawn carriage. What wouldn’t he give for a place to rest his mind and his body? He craved deep sleep in fresh air where he wasn’t woken by nightmares, that stabbing pain behind his eyes, or the remembered screams of his men as they’d been tortured in the POW camp.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
“Are you alright?” The feminine voice floated over him, cooling his heated body.
He opened his eyes and stood. He blinked until she came into focus. Sarah. “Hey.”
She wrapped her white lace sweater around herself, her arms inadvertently pushing up her breasts. “You look…tired.”
She wore a flowy blue skirt and white camisole, had pulled her brown hair into a high ponytail, and stared at him like she was about to call 911.
He forced himself to breathe. “Not enough sleep last night.”
“I hope they catch whoever set off that explosion.” She walked toward the SPO, and he followed. “I was thinking about you this morning.” She wrinkled her nose. “I mean your map.”
The map was better than nothing. “I’m here to do more research.”
“Your books are in my office. I’ll bring them to you in one of the reading rooms.” She smiled again. “The AC is working today.”
He followed her inside, and cold air swept over him. He hadn’t realized how hot his skin had gotten, and he’d been unsuccessfully ignoring the aching hard-on. “Thanks.”
She disappeared behind the staircase while he went right. The North Reading Room welcomed him with a large fireplace, library tables, and chairs. Dust motes floated as if knowing they weren’t allowed to land on the highly polished w
ood. It smelled like every other building in this city: wood oil laced with mildew.
Wooden crates lined the back wall, beneath a picture window overlooking the garden. File folders lay on top in perfect piles.
Sarah carried in a stack of books. “Those crates are filled with seventeenth-century pirate weapons I’m auctioning off in a few weeks on behalf of Calum Prioleau and the Habersham sisters. I just finished authenticating them.”
“Sounds interesting.” Not really, but he didn’t want to be rude. He took her books and placed them on the table. “May I stay for a while?”
“Yes.” She pressed a finger against her lower lip, and he wanted to kiss them both. “Did you bring your map?”
He sat and adjusted his jeans. While the pressure of his arousal against the zipper diverted him from the pain in his head, he needed to pull himself together. “No. Why?”
“I had an idea, but I can’t be sure without seeing it again.” Sarah sat and opened The Chronicle or Discourse of Virginia. “There’s a compilation that had similar maps in it.”
“I was wondering why that book was in the pile.” He hadn’t been, but wanted to appear interested in something other than her neckline.
She opened it to a section titled “White/Hariot Maps.” “This chapter is worth reading.”
“Are there SparkNotes?”
“Nope.” She tapped the page with her finger. “In 1582, Sir Walter Raleigh decided to map out the New World and hired Thomas Hariot and John White. Hariot was a famed mathematician and navigator, John White a renowned artist. Together, they compiled a book of navigational maps of the New World titled Arcticon.”
“You think my map is from that book?”
“I’m not sure your map is old enough.”
Okay. Now he was confused. “It’s not from the book.”
“No.” She found her glasses in her skirt pocket and put them on. “After White and Hariot died, their apprentices did the newer work. These new maps were added to the Arcticon as a supplement.”
Nate wanted to care but wasn’t sure why he needed to. “So?”
“That compass rose on your map reminded me of the White/Hariot supplemental maps I’ve seen.” She adjusted her sweater. “The Arcticon disappeared in the seventeenth century. I’ve only seen copies of the supplemental maps in the British Library in London.”