Forgiven Justice (Cowboy Justice Association Book 14)

by Olivia Jaymes

  “There are lives ruined because of this.”

  “Shit, you’re a pessimist today. Yes, there are lives ruined, but you didn’t do that. Bryson did. Look at the older daughter. She’s fine, and you saw that for yourself. From what we can see she lives a perfectly normal life. She has a boyfriend, friends, a good job. She seems happy. She didn’t let her father define her life, so for fuck’s sake don’t let him define yours.”

  Logan’s phone buzzed and he checked the screen. Eli.

  “It’s Eli. Maybe he has some good news.”

  Logan put the call on speaker so that Jared could listen as well.

  “I wanted to give you my update,” Eli said, his voice slightly muffled. “No new bodies. It’s all quiet here. We’re waiting on the reports from the forensic lab and it could be a little while. They’re hugely backed up.”

  “Sounds like not a lot has changed,” Logan observed.

  “Actually, I saved the best part for last,” Eli responded. “Tag made a deal with the prosecutor. He finally admitted where he got the wallets of the victims.”

  “Now you have our attention.”

  “Tag said he got the wallets and credit cards from a guy in the bar that night in exchange for some weed.”

  “He better have a name for that guy so we can check it out,” Jared replied.

  “That’s the thing, he does have the guy’s name. He’s met him a few times but that’s it. Said the guy introduced himself as…wait for it…Wade Bryson. And yes, he was there that night that Tag swears he was drugged.”

  Wade Bryson? What in the ever-loving fuck…?

  “Tag didn’t recognize the name,” Eli went on to say. “So it didn’t set off any alarm bells for him. He was genuinely shocked when the prosecutor told him who Wade Bryson was and that he was actually dead. Looks like we’ve got a Bryson follower here. We got a description from Tag and we’re trying to put together a sketch.”

  “I don’t suppose that bar has any security cameras?” Jared asked. “Can we get that lucky?”

  “The owner has one on the back door where he gets his deliveries. He’s more worried about his employees sneaking out with the booze than he is with his customers. He also only keeps the footage for a few days so even if they did have a camera on the door we’d be out of luck. I’m going to hit up some of the neighbors to see if they have cameras. I think it’s too late for any traffic light cameras. If Corville has any to begin with.”

  “They don’t,” Logan said, frustration in his tone. “So this whole clusterfuck keeps going back to Bryson. Are we monitoring the true crime and serial killer message boards?”

  “We are,” Eli confirmed. “Luke’s been on that but I admit that we could use some more manpower.”

  “Get Chris,” Jared said. “He’s working a cold case. It can wait. Get him on this full-time. Whatever you need, you get. This is now our priority number one. Clearly, we have a Bryson groupie out there killing people.”

  Why did it always come down to Wade Bryson?

  Logan took one last look at the house across the street as Jared pulled away from the curb. Sherry - no, Melissa - had found some happiness for herself. The last thing she needed was to be dragged into her old life again. The best thing that Logan could do was to put this asshole behind bars and away from society.

  And then maybe they’d all get some peace in their lives.

  18

  The restaurant that Ava had chosen with Presley was right on the beach, a pleasant walk from the condo. By request, they were seated at one of the outdoor tables under a large overhang with ceiling fans whirling above their heads. They were close enough that she could hear the ebb and flow of the water against the sand, a soothing sound that had her instantly relaxed.

  A glass of wine helped, too.

  Along with her drink, Logan ordered a craft beer for himself and an appetizer of some sort of lobster and cheese dip that was yummy on toasted bread. They didn’t talk much at first, content to nibble on their food and enjoy the ambiance. Logan hadn’t said much - or anything, actually - when he’d come back from his trip with Jared but she wasn’t surprised by that. He often needed time to sort through his thoughts and emotions. He’d talk when he was ready and not a moment before.

  “Brianna asked if one of her friends could come by tomorrow and spend some time with her. Apparently, this friend is also on vacation near here. I said yes because it seemed really important to her. I figured one more teenager wouldn’t make any difference.”

  Logan nodded and chuckled. “There are so many kids running around that beach I doubt we’d notice one more. Who is this friend? Have we met them?”

  “No, her name is Katie. She’s an online friend. I think this is the first time Brianna’s meeting her for real.”

  “I don’t think I’m ever going to understand online friendships. I know it’s a thing but I’m too old and set in my ways to get it.”

  “They play games together and they talk a lot. I know that she and Brianna are close so I didn’t feel like I could say no. Besides, I have to admit that I’m kind of curious to see her, too. And I want our daughter to know that we’re interested in her life.”

  Logan frowned. “She’s our daughter. Of course, we’re interested. Does she think we’re not?”

  That made Ava laugh. “We walk that fine line, husband. We have to be interested when she wants us to be, but not be too interested because then we’re invading her teenager sense of privacy. It’s a juggling act.”

  “So we should be okay with her friend visiting but not act too much like we care?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Good thing we only had the twins. By the time they’re grown and out of the house, I’m going to be exhausted.”

  “Let’s hope they don’t leave the house too soon, though. I’m not anxious for them to grow up too fast. They have some time yet.”

  It was another few minutes before Logan brought up his trip.

  “So I saw the older daughter.”

  “Sherry? How was she?”

  “Her name is Melissa now, and she seemed fine. Happy. I saw her boyfriend, too. We were there just as they returned from the grocery store.”

  “Did you see the others?”

  “No, once I saw her I didn’t feel compelled to do anything else. Besides, we received a phone call from Eli.”

  Logan explained what Eli had reported. There was a high probability that it was a Bryson follower that had killed those victims. Ava wasn’t all that surprised. Wade had somehow managed to find people that could be easily swayed and then won their loyalty. Even all this time later.

  “So did it work?”

  He didn’t pretend not to understand the question.

  “Maybe. Kind of. I do feel less guilty.”

  “You shouldn’t feel guilty at all.”

  “I know that up here.” Logan pointed to his head. “But when everyone around you blames you for years and tells you it’s all your fault…hell, sometimes you start to believe it. It becomes your truth.”

  “You can’t fix this for them. Just like I can’t fix this for Mary. She has to want to be happy and clearly that’s not what she wants. She wants to be a victim and I can’t stop that.” She reached across and placed her hand in his, his strong fingers wrapping around her own. “You have to truly believe in your heart that you didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Then believe that. Believe it with all that you are. At some point everyone has to take responsibility for their own lives. I know that life dealt those kids a crappy hand but that’s not your doing. You could have gone off the deep end after learning about your biological dad and what he did to your mother, but you didn’t. Because that’s not who you are. It sounds like that’s not who they are either. They’re making their way in the world, and they’re doing like we all do - the best we can.”

  “I do worry about them.” Logan paused for a moment before continuing. “I am their
uncle and one of the few surviving members of their family.”

  “You’re not a Bryson and you never were.”

  “True, but we do share blood. What’s that saying? Blood is thicker than water?”

  That made Ava laugh. “It’s a good thing you’re married to a writer. Everyone always gets that saying wrong. That’s not what it says. The saying is The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. It actually means that the blood shed in battle means more than the water of the womb. In other words, family ties. I can’t think of anyone more your brothers than these men we’re here with on vacation. You’ve fought together, shed blood together, and they are truly our family. Wade Bryson is no one. You accidentally share some DNA. It doesn’t mean anything.”

  Logan’s smile grew. He was so gosh darn sexy when he looked like that. She didn’t have to wonder how he got her in the sack so quickly all those years ago.

  “Damn, woman. You’re so smart and gorgeous. I kind of want to ravish you right here on this table.”

  She glanced around at the other diners, blissfully unaware of the heat beginning to simmer next to them.

  “I think we should probably wait until we get home. No need to give these people a show.”

  And what a show it would be, too. They’d make quite the impression on these strangers.

  “Ever had sex on the beach?”

  “The drink or the actual act?”

  “Either.”

  “Yes and no. Are you planning to change my answer to the latter?”

  “Yes, I am. Are you game?”

  “As long as we don’t get arrested. That would set a bad example for the kids.”

  “Then eat up. I’ve got plans, baby.”

  When Logan Wright had naughty, evil plans, it was all good. Very, very good.

  There were few things better in life than strolling down a moonlit beach with a beautiful woman. Seth was sure that tonight he was the luckiest man alive. The younger kids were in bed, the older teenagers were busy watching television or playing video games, most of his friends had turned in for the night, and he was holding Presley’s hand, letting the tide tickle their bare feet on the soft sand.

  They’d needed this vacation. Seth had been working crazy hours and so had Presley. Her coffee shop was the most popular in about five counties thanks to her excellent food and beverage, but mostly because people just adored her. She had a way about her that drew people in from all walks of life and it was truly a special thing. He didn’t know her secret sauce, and she constantly swore that she wasn’t doing it on purpose, but the coffeeshop was constantly busy from open to close. People would drive miles out of their way to come there. It was amazing and wonderful.

  He and Presley had learned small business management the hard way. Trial and error. They’d made a few mistakes in the early days but now it ran smoothly, bringing in a healthy income that was more than welcome now that they had three growing kids, two dogs, and a cat that ignored them for the most part.

  Sometimes he missed the toys and stuffed animals scattered around the house that he’d trip over almost every day. Now the kids were constantly on their phones or playing video games, although Ben was getting to the age where he wasn’t home much of the time. He had school, athletics, a part-time job, and a girlfriend. Ben was firmly out of the crazy teenage part of growing up and now he acted mostly normal and fun. Lulu, on the other hand, was just hitting the worst of it, and to make matters more dire, she appeared to have inherited Seth’s wild streak from when he was young. That young lady was going to give him a heart attack or a stroke before she graduated high school.

  If she ever graduated. It wasn’t a given.

  Her grades varied from awesome to abysmal, depending on whether she was interested in the subject. Presley said that was her contribution to Lulu - the ability to completely ignore classes she didn’t like much. Lulu was, however, a terrific employee which they were both shocked about. She loved helping her mom at the coffeeshop and damned if she didn’t have that same charming way with people. Everyone loved her.

  And there was the youngest, Chase. He had Presley’s charm as well but there was something more there. He had masses of friends and they all wanted to confide in him, get his opinion about their problems. Presley described him as an “old soul” and Seth couldn’t disagree. His youngest certainly seemed wise beyond his years.

  “What are you thinking about?” Presley asked, giving his hand a playful tug. “You aren’t paying any attention to me.”

  “Baby, you have all of my attention tonight. Every bit of it.”

  “Prove it.”

  Seth didn’t need a second invitation. He pulled his fabulous wife into his arms and kissed her right under that full moon. She tasted like chocolate and red wine. And love. Lots of love.

  This. This woman was his haven. His home. They’d gone through so much to be together, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. They appreciated each other; they were not only husband and wife. They were best friends. She still had him chasing her around the bedroom. He’d be doing it when they were seventy. Just a lot slower.

  When he lifted his head, he saw that she glanced over her shoulder. It wasn’t the first time tonight she’d done that.

  “What are you looking for?”

  Groaning, she rubbed at her temple. “It’s going to sound crazy.”

  “Okay. Tell me anyway.”

  “Ava was saying that she thought someone was watching her. And well…I’ve kind of felt it, too. This afternoon and tonight.”

  Seth scanned the mostly empty beach. Down the way, there was a group of people around a bonfire and in the other direction was another couple, but they were so far away that he could barely see them. From a distance, someone must have had their television turned too high but that was pretty much it.

  “I don’t see anyone.”

  “I don’t either,” she said with a loud sigh. “That’s why we both think we’re losing our minds. Maybe we’re just paranoid. I told Ava that it was looking at those crime scene photos that had her spooked, but I’m not sure what my excuse is.”

  “Women’s intuition?” he said, his gaze still roving around the area. “It’s not like you to bring something like this up for fun. Have you seen anyone unfamiliar around?”

  It was the cop in him. He might not have been born suspicious but he was now.

  “Just vacationers like us. I haven’t caught anyone staring except that creepy guy from another condo who was looking at Kaylee in her bikini.”

  Seth must not have been there when this happened. He would have remembered someone described as creepy.

  “Maybe I need to have a chat with him.”

  She pushed at his shoulder gently. “If anyone should have a talk with him, it’s Reed. Kaylee wasn’t bothered and Reed was there, so the guy just took a long look and walked off. No, I don’t think it’s him. This feels…different.”

  “Do you feel it right at this moment?”

  Presley twisted around, her gaze moving from side to side. “I don’t know anymore. Like I said, we’re probably just imagining it.”

  “Both of you? A mutual delusion?”

  “Ava started it.”

  Seth opened his mouth to reply but instead his attention was captured by a movement out of the corner of his eye, up near the parking lot and in between the cars.

  “Seth—“

  He shook his head, placing a finger gently over her lips without taking his eyes off the area. He was sure he’d seen something. He waited, his body tense. Was he getting paranoid, too?

  Just when he was about to give in and admit that he was imagining things, he saw it. A shadowy figure darting between cars. What reason did they have to hide? Was it a kid maybe who had wandered away from their parents?

  Seth wasn’t a person that spent much time pondering the questions of life. He preferred action and this case wasn’t the exception. Leaving Presley standing there, he sprinted up the beach to the par
king area, determined to figure out if they had a stalker or something far more innocent. If it was a child running about on their own, they needed to be returned to their parent before something bad could happen like falling into the water and drowning.

  Seeing someone come barreling toward them must have scared the person because he saw the shadow scampering away toward the road. Definitely not a child. Although dressed in dark clothes, Seth could see that it was a full-grown adult.

  He wasn’t as young as he used to be, but he tried to stay in shape as best he could. He had a physical job, and he couldn’t always depend on the other guys to do the tough stuff.

  The other person, however, clearly wasn’t a runner. Or a jogger. Seth had easily caught up to them, grabbing a handful of their hoodie, but he doubted they would have made it much farther. The man was gasping for air, doubled over, his hands on his knees with a backpack that dropped to the ground.

  “Who are you and why are you lurking around the parking lot?”

  The guy dragged in a loud and ragged breath while trying to straighten up. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

  “Then why are you hiding in between cars?”

  Rubbing at his side, the man grimaced. “I wasn’t hiding. I was...I was trying to find my car.”

  “Where are your keys?”

  The man frowned, still rubbing at his ribcage as if he had a stitch there. “What?”

  “Keys,” Seth repeated patiently. “Where are they?”

  The man pulled them out of his pants pocket, holding them up. “They’re right here. Why?”

  Seth plucked the key ring from the man’s hand and then pressed the alarm button on the fob. At the farthest end of the parking lot, a car’s lights and horn went on, breaking the silence.

  “You weren’t even close to it,” Seth said, hitting the alarm button again so that the vehicle fell silent.

  “I…I got confused.”

  Seth had been a cop a long time. Too long, probably. His gut was telling him that this guy wasn’t being truthful.

  “Confused about where you parked your car?”