“It wasn’t Joel they wanted,” Lucas jumped in. “It was Dominic. Which is who they thought was in the photo they found at Sloan’s apartment.” He turned toward her. “Remember, when they ransacked the place?”
Sloan’s face turned white. She looked suddenly ill as she gazed down at the table, brows furrowed. Her mind was far, far away.
“Ah, I see now,” Joel said, watching her just as closely. “That’s why all of that went down?”
She looked up and the two shared another long, silent look. I glanced to Lucas, hoping for an explanation. He took another swig, calmly holding my gaze.
“Turns out,” Joel finally continued, “Vinny had never suspected I was working with the feds after all. They thought I was cheating them, working for someone else to skim. We’re pretty sure the large sums of money they were missing was taken by the guy behind the assassination attempt. And I—Dominic—was being set up for it.”
“So when they used you guys to bring ‘Dominic’ back out of hiding,” Lucas said, “they were just looking to get their stolen funds back.”
“And render some harsh punishment, no doubt,” Joel added.
“No doubt.” Lucas nodded. “They were pretty excited about that part. And all thanks to your girl here breaking the rules.”
Sloan groaned, eyes averted. The brothers shared an evil grin. Clearly they were trying to get under her skin.
“Will someone please fill me in?” I finally said, exasperated. I looked to Sloan. “What rules?”
She took a deep breath, still looking away. “I wasn’t supposed to have any personal photos, not out in our apartment. I had to keep them in the safe.”
“I warned her,” Lucas offered. “Until we had all the answers, she needed to keep her connection quiet from snoops. Nothing out in public view. Can’t be too careful.”
“It wasn’t public,” she retorted. “It was my home. And there was no real explanation for it, far as I knew. It made no sense.” Sloan shrugged. “So I got weak, sue me. You couldn’t really expect me to obey that rule all that time. Not after what happened.”
“Guess not.” Lucas leaned across the table toward me. “Bottom line, our culprits seem to have made the connection to Sloan—and decided that her boy Dominic must still be alive and behind much of their problems—when they broke into her apartment looking for dirt. And found their cute little framed engagement photo, out in plain sight. So, in fact, our bride-to-be here is behind her own kidnapping.” He grinned mockingly at Sloan.
“That’s enough,” she snapped back, only half-serious. “I will not be held responsible for the actions of those thugs.” She turned to Joel. “Besides, that mistake is also the reason you’re here right now. Without me you’d still be . . . actually, we haven’t heard that part yet, now have we?”
“Here, here,” Lucas jumped in quickly, raising his bottle in salute. “Glad to give credit where credit’s due. Our man is back.” He leaned forward a little, gazing curiously at both of us. “Actually, I have a feeling you two are going to end up the heroes of this whole thing. Putting all the bad guys in prison. How’s that feel?”
I stiffened. My breath caught as the truth of his words began to sink in. We may not have put in the years of investigating but, regardless of our intent, we were sort of the reason the entire case had finally come together. Including their most important catch of all. It was a delightful and unsettling realization.
I glanced to Sloan, wondering if she was having the same reaction. But her focus was locked on Joel, who was intently working on removing the last of the label on his bottle. He seemed to be purposefully avoiding her eyes.
“Seriously?” she said. “I know you, Joel. I know both of you.” She looked accusingly at the two men. “And I know you’re still keeping something from me. So where were you all that time? What’s the big secret?”
“What do you mean?” Joel shrugged, leaning back in his chair. His attempt to hide a grin failed. “I was around.”
“Do you see what I’m dealing with?” She huffed to me and took a sip of her drink. “They’re maddening.”
I watched as Joel and Lucas's eyes met across the table. Joel’s eyebrow shot up as he held the gaze, the brothers holding a detailed silent conversation. Lucas finally broke the stare by casually leaning back in his chair, mimicking his older brother.
“It’s okay, Joe-Joe.” Lucas flicked his eyes to me momentarily before continuing. “She’s been smack in the middle of everything, really. And you have to admit, she was pretty crucial in getting Sloan out of there. In fact, she’s part of the reason you’re even back with us now.” He grinned at his brother. “Whether that’s good or bad, now that’s a different story.”
Talking about me like I’m not here. I squirmed, uncomfortable.
Lucas turned to me, his gaze now direct. Searing. “I’d say she’s good as family now.”
My stomach flipped a little. I held his eyes for a moment, unsure what to make of his intensity. Then I averted my gaze, suddenly aware of the other occupants of the table watching us, curious.
Joel turned back to Sloan for confirmation of his words. She raised her eyebrows defiantly. “Got that right.”
He licked his lips as he studied her face a moment, considering. “Okay, fine. I’ll talk. But really, it’s not that big a deal.” He sat forward in his chair, cradling his beer. “They hooked me up with some new training, is all. Since I was out of commission for a while. Picked up a few new tricks here and there, you know how it is.”
“Okay.” Sloan did not look satisfied. “You were training. Where?”
Joel shrugged. “All over. Few different headquarters. And a little out in the field with some guys.”
Sloan nodded, pondering. “Okay.” She picked up her drink, lost in thought. “Still a little vague . . . ”
Joel smiled and raised his own drink. “The details are pretty boring, really. And if it makes you feel any better, I never went that far anyway. Just right up the road, couple towns over for most of it. Practically down the street.” He brought the beer to his lips. “Spent the bulk of it on a farm, actually,” he mumbled just before taking a sip.
Sloan’s glass paused on the way to her lips, hovering in the air a long moment. Then she carefully lowered it back to the table, watching Joel intently. “A farm?” she said calmly. “You’re telling me you spent time on a farm?”
Joel’s smile wavered. They locked eyes for a long moment, entire conversations passing between them without words. I tried to look away and make sense of it.
Finally Joel broke the standoff by shoving his chair back, the legs scraping the floor with a loud groan. Before standing, he tipped back the last of his beer and gulped. Bottle emptied, he stood and gazed down at the table. “Whelp, looks like we need another round. Any requests?”
I glanced to Sloan. Her eyes were fixed in the distance. She was far, far away again.
“I think we’re good,” I replied.
Lucas’s chair scraped even louder as he pushed it back, slowly and with purpose. “I’ll help,” he called out. “Let’s just leave the hens to gossip and giggle a minute.” He flashed me a quick wink before he turned away and caught up with his brother.
My face flamed at the word. He remembers.
I watched as they disappeared into the crowd, then leaned in to Sloan. “I don’t understand. A farm? What’s wrong with that?”
Her voice was monotone, robotic. “He wasn’t at a farm. He was at THE Farm.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “As in, the not-so-secret secret training facility, about 40 miles from here. Used for new recruits.” She looked up, the faraway look replaced with a mix of anger and disbelief. “To the CIA.”
FORTY
“The boys’ll be here in a bit,” Sloan began as we settled into our booth at Joe’s, facing each other. “So if you want any food they won’t devour, I sugges
t you go ahead and order.”
“Coffee’s fine,” I said. I was thrilled to be back in our own haunt, without the disguises or fear of mobsters chasing us around town. Life, getting back to normal. Sort of, anyway.
“Two hot ones, Dottie,” Sloan called out.
An unseen voice rasped back. “Roger that.”
Sloan sighed. “A little peace and quiet.” She sat back in her seat. “I wanted us to have a few minutes to ourselves, without all the chaos. Just us girls.”
“Uh huh.” I smirked. “And you’re sure wanting that has nothing to do with the revelation about your fiancé’s new career path?”
“Nah.” A reluctant grin broke through. “Well, maybe a little. Honestly, I probably should’ve always known that was coming. I’ll get over it. One day.” Her smile widened as she rolled her eyes. “It is a bit of an adjustment getting used to him back, though. Having them both around all the time. It’s a lot of energy when they’re together. You’ll see. And here I thought I was the exhausting one.”
I suppressed a smile, saying nothing. I could no longer imagine my life without my fun, adventurous . . . and incredibly exhausting friend. Not sure it could get much worse.
Dottie appeared with our coffee. We thanked her for the mugs and carafe. Only, instead of trudging away silently, as usual, she stayed put. Hands on hips, she stared down at us, a funny look on her face. She eyed us carefully.
Sloan and I exchanged a glance.
“Everything okay, Dottie?” I ventured.
“Oh, it’s fine alright,” she said. “Right fine indeed. Place is runnin’ like clockwork, now that I got my kitchen help back. No more callin’ out and strollin’ in looking like a crazy chicken, I’m happy to say.”
“Oh, so Sayid’s having an easier time with the fraternity?” I said. Sloan flashed me a look. “Guess he finished all that hazing stuff, huh?”
“Nope.” Dottie looked smug. “Quit. Turns out his silly frat was nothin’ but a buncha jerks, just like I told him.”
“Hardly shocking, you’re right,” Sloan said with a sigh. “But good to hear he walked away.”
“Yep,” Dottie continued. “Seems kinda relieved, too, now that he’s got loose. And apparently those guys are in a whole heap ‘a trouble. School’s shuttin’ the whole frat down for a while, on account of some investigations. Looks like he dodged a bullet there.” Her eyes narrowed. “You two haven’t heard anything about that?”
We shared a thoughtful look and turned back to Dottie, shrugging innocently.
“We’ve been pretty out of the loop,” I said.
“Uh huh,” Dottie grunted as she eyed us again. “Okay then. Well, glad you girls are back anyway. You and your troublemakin’ boy. We’ll leave that story for another day. I gotta get back to work.”
She trudged away, muttering to herself. We focused our attention on fixing our coffees, sharing only the briefest secret smile of acknowledgement.
Black coffee in hand, Sloan looked over my shoulder and perked up. “Oh, looks like my surprise is here. There’s someone that wants to see you.” She put her mug back down and slid from her seat. “Think I’ll just run to the restroom a sec.”
She headed for the back before I could respond. Confused, I turned to see a young man approaching. Out of his uniform, it took me a second to recognize. Levi wore ripped jeans, black Chucks, and a faded black band t-shirt. I didn’t recognize the name. Only his dark glasses gave him away.
My stomach dropped with guilt as I remembered the last time I saw him. And what I’d been informed of since. Poor guy.
He flashed an uncertain little wave, his eyes narrowing with curiosity as he moved closer. “Umm, Daisy?” he said.
“Actually . . . it’s Quinn.” I felt sheepish as I waved him into Sloan’s vacated spot. “No one told you?”
“Oh, right. They did, yes. You were . . . undercover, sort of.” He flinched. “But I wasn’t clear on just how much of it was an act?”
I took a deep breath. “Unfortunately, all of it. And I’m so sorry you got caught up in our mess. I hear you were clean. You were never working for the other side at all.” My gaze was sympathetic. “The mobsters somehow used you?”
He shrugged and sat back in his seat. “All I know is a neighbor . . . well, some guy anyway. He told me you were a part of some kind of investigation. Said it was an interesting story, and I should ask you about it. Now I know he was clearly just setting me up. I really had no idea what I was talking about when I asked. Honest.”
I felt my face heat with embarrassment. “I’m sure you were just being nice. And here I come along and send a SWAT team after you.” I shook my head, annoyed with myself. “I hope they didn’t hurt you.”
Levi bowed his head. “Just shook me up pretty good, is all. We eventually got it cleared up.” He spread his hands on the table.“But I hear it all turned out pretty good in the end?” He met my eyes and smirked good-naturedly. “Glad I could do my part to narrow down the suspects, anyway.”
I held his gaze and nodded my head sagely, smiling. “You definitely played a pivotal part.” I leaned in. “But I really am sorry.”
He shrugged again, playing nonchalant. “Gives me a nice story to tell, anyway.” He chuckled to himself. “Although I’ll definitely be watching my back the next time I try to ask someone out.”
Right. We had made a date. And I had ruined our plans with my misdirected panic. Should I help him out?
“You know, there’s no reason we couldn’t still hang out,” I offered. He still wasn’t really my type, but he seemed like a nice enough guy. “Wanna give it another shot?”
Levi froze a moment, just looking at me.
I leaned my chin into my hand and gazed at him with an encouraging smile. He studied my face a moment, thinking. Finally his eyes crinkled into a shy smile.
“This is kinda awkward,” he said.
“Doesn’t have to be.” Despite my lack of immediate attraction, I wanted to at least give it a chance. I could use some normal in my life. I smirked, trying to break his shyness. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of men jumping out of the shadows again. I promise you’re safe this time.”
“It’s not that,” he said, hesitating. “The thing is,” he trailed off a moment, then sighed and looked up at me, brow furrowed. “I was sort of asking out . . . Daisy. You know, the girl with the funky black hair and the nose ring, working on a movie set?”
I looked down at my conservative graduation dress, suddenly self-conscious. He was totally right. I had looked like someone else entirely. I had been pretending. And he had no idea who I really was when he asked. Why would he still want to go out with me?
“I mean, I’m sure you’re a cool girl and all,” he mumbled, “but you’re not really my type, you know?” He scrunched up his face awkwardly. “Does that make sense?”
I chuckled quietly to myself. “You wouldn’t believe how much.” I took a deep breath and faced him, ignoring my flushing face. “Well, I’m sorry there was no Daisy. I do hope you find her.” I extended my hand. “It was nice to meet you anyway, Levi.”
His sweaty hand grabbed mine for a brief moment before he flashed me a quick smile and rushed toward the door. I grinned as I watched him go, trying to hold back laughter.
Sloan was back in her seat in seconds. Clearly she had been monitoring the situation. Probably heard the whole thing from around the corner, knowing her.
“Everything’s all sorted out, I see,” she said, eyebrows raised. “And I like the looks of that smile. Guess you’ve got a hot date?”
“Nah,” I replied, shrugging. “Wasn’t feeling it. Not really my type.”
“Indeed.” Sloan flashed me a sly grin, enigmatic. “Good call. Besides, your ‘type’ will be here any minute.” She wiggled her eyebrows mockingly.
My face flamed brighter but I refused to acknowledge her s
tatement. I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I have news,” I said, trying to change the subject. “I heard from my boss. Or ex-boss, rather. Since I’ve graduated and all.” I grinned, happy to say the words out loud for the first time.
“And what did Dr. Me-Bore have to say?” Her eyes lit up. “Is she ruining Grant’s entire life, or just his career? I can’t wait to see him fry.”
I sighed. “Actually, they still don’t know about his evil plotting. Or any of his lies. I . . . haven’t told them.”
Sloan gaped. “You finished your last two weeks of internship. Why in the world didn’t you say anything while you were there? You have his taped confession. It clears you completely.”
“Not exactly,” I sighed. “If I play that, yes, they will know he faked the first kidnapping.” I cringed. “But then they will also learn that I was responsible for the second, real kidnapping. They don’t know there was more than one. And it’s better for me that we keep it that way.”
“So he just walks away scot-free?” Sloan’s face screwed up with disgust. “With everyone thinking he’s some kind of victim?”
I shrugged. “It’s mutually assured destruction. I can’t say anything. He knows it and I know it. So I guess his secret’s safe with me.” I groaned. “The little weasel.”
“Oh, no.” Sloan looked up, realization hitting her. “I’m pretty sure he also walked away with his parents’ ransom money. Half of it, anyway. Can we really let him get away with that?”
Disgusting. I spread my arms and touched my fingertips to my thumbs in a meditation pose, taking a dramatically deep breath. “I’m trying to focus on minding my own business for a while. And he is most definitely no longer my problem.”
“Hmmm.” Sloan’s face hardened. “We’ll see.”
“But anyway,” I said quickly, trying to redirect the beginnings of a plot forming behind her eyes. “There was something else interesting. She re-offered me a position at the clinic. Now that the truth is out—the truth they know, anyway—they have officially rescinded my rescinding. I can have my permanent job back.”
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