Jadin looked up at him. “That almost makes me feel as if I wasn’t enough for you.”
“It wasn’t that at all. I knew you would never be happy away from your family. Eventually, you would’ve resented me, and I couldn’t live with that. I knew that I would have to come to Charleston if I wanted a real chance with you.”
“I used to think that you were too good to be true, Landon. I would tell myself that no man is this perfect. I was convinced when I left you—no man ever came close to the man that you are.”
Landon wanted to ask about her relationship with Michael but decided now was definitely not the right time for that. He did not want to bring him back into their lives—or the memory of him in her bed.
Jadin laid her head on his chest. “I hope the rest of our lives feel like it does in this very moment.”
“How is that?”
“It’s hard to explain. This just feels like home. Home is a refuge, a safe and loving place... It’s fun, happy...”
He kissed her. “Home to me is love, security and a connection.”
“Exactly, it isn’t as much a place as a feeling,” Jadin said. “When I’m with you, I feel like I’m home.”
Landon gazed into her eyes. “I feel the same way, sweetheart.” His heart turned in response to the tender smile on her face.
They had only been back together for a few weeks. Had she completely erased Michael from her heart? Landon wanted to believe that Jadin realized her feelings for the man were not what she thought they were, yet he could not forget that she had accepted Michael’s proposal. Her feelings ran deeply enough for her to consider marriage.
Landon refused to let doubt creep into his thoughts. He had never known Jadin to be flighty, so he had to trust that she knew who and what she wanted.
Chapter 10
“Why didn’t you tell me about your theory?” Landon asked when Jadin arrived home.
“You talked to Mike?”
“You think Herndon was set up? Sweetheart, you can’t be serious about this. It just makes sense that he murdered his wife.”
“I’m very serious,” Jadin responded. “Landon, you have no real evidence to support your theory other than the fact that Blaine was home when his wife was stabbed to death.”
“Okay, let’s say you’re right about the champagne. How do you know Herndon didn’t roofie his own wife?”
“He also drank from the same bottle. I’m sure if you test the champagne glasses, you’ll find the drug or whatever there, as well. Landon, there is so much more to this story than you, I or even Blaine knows. I’m sure of it.” Jadin already had urine samples taken from Blaine sent to an independent lab the firm had used in the past. She wanted to verify there were no traces of any drugs in his system.
He did not seem convinced.
“I guess we’ll both know I’m right when Mike gets the results back,” Jadin stated. “I’m gonna change clothes, then I have some work to do.”
He gave her a quick kiss, then picked up his keys. “I put your food in the microwave. I’ll be leaving in a few to go to the gym. Don’t work too late.”
Jadin stared with longing at Landon. “I’ll get what I can done while you’re working out. When you get back...all my attention belongs to you.”
He looked her over seductively. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
* * *
“You were right,” Landon said when Jadin picked up the phone the next day. “Traces of Rohypnol were found in the glasses and in the champagne bottle.”
She leaned back in her chair. “I knew it. I knew it.”
“This isn’t enough evidence to let Blaine off the hook for this murder.”
“It’s a start,” she responded.
“You really believe in his innocence, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“He loved Millicent. I could hear it in his voice. I could see it in his eyes. His grief is pure and sincere.”
“I have to go, but I’ll see you later.”
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know.”
When he ended the call, Landon picked up the Herndon file, rose to his feet and strode into his boss’s office.
“Herndon and his wife were drugged.”
“What?”
“Lab results came back positive for Rohypnol.” He sat down in a nearby chair. “When I observed Herndon’s initial interview, I thought he seemed a bit off. Now it makes sense.”
“Do you think he’s innocent?”
“I can’t say that,” Landon responded. “This could be an elaborate ruse on his part to cover up his tracks. I understand that this bottle of champagne was a gift. If so, it was from someone who knew that this brand was a favorite of the Herndons.”
“How did they get into the house?”
“He could’ve let them in. He was downstairs.” Landon paused, then said, “A side effect of Rohypnol is amnesia. That’s why it’s a favorite date-rape drug. Most victims don’t remember what happened. He could’ve had a visitor and not remembered.”
“You need to find out who sent the champagne.”
Landon rose to his feet. “I’m on it. I’ll give Mike a call now.”
* * *
The DuGrandpre party held in Jadin and Landon’s honor arrived the second Saturday in June. Rochelle had done a splendid job with the decor.
Landon looked so handsome in his tuxedo. Jadin could hardly take her eyes off him.
“I know maybe five or six of our guests outside of your family,” he whispered in her ear. “Do you know all these people?”
She laughed. “No, I don’t. Aunt Rochelle says it’s not a party if there aren’t at least a hundred people in attendance.”
“Aubrie outdid herself with the food.”
Jadin agreed. Everything had turned out perfectly. Even Jordin and Ethan came but did not stay long. The twins were four weeks old, so they did not want to be away for too long, although they were in the care of Ethan’s mother.
“This evening was perfect,” she said. “This is what we missed when we eloped.
Family, friends...”
“We can always do it again,” Landon suggested. He fingered the thin strap of the purple gown she was wearing. “You look so beautiful. I love this color on you.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” she said. “Yeah, I guess we could renew our vows one day. I think it would really make my mother happy. Maybe she’d finally forgive me for eloping.”
Landon pulled her off to the side. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
He pulled out a black velvet box. “I know that we said we didn’t need rings, but every time I look at your hand, it makes me realize just how much I want to see my ring on your finger.”
Jadin looked at the cushion-cut diamond wedding set. “Landon, it’s beautiful.”
He tenderly placed it on her left ring finger.
She broke into a grin. “You know your left hand looks a little bare. I know you’re mine, but like you, I want to see that same symbol of love on your finger.” She pulled a tiny box out of her clutch. “We are still very much in sync, Landon.”
He laughed.
Jadin placed his wedding band on his finger.
Applause interrupted this special moment between them.
“It’s about time y’all put a ring on it,” Ryker said.
Jadin and Landon burst into another round of laughter.
She had to admit that their wedding rings signified a deeper connection. She and Landon were becoming closer. Jadin knew without a doubt that he was her Mr. Right. He was her soul mate.
Chapter 11
Landon touched his mouth to hers. “Jadin.” He murmured it, giving her hand a tug until she rested more closely against his chin.
/> She shuddered as he leaned down, covering her mouth with his. Jadin moved her head, silently asking for more.
She turned her head toward his and he brushed light kisses against her jaw. When her weight shifted slightly, he let his hand slide to cradle her ribs intimately.
With his right arm, Landon pressed gently, until she turned into his body. His breath came out with a rush and he pulled her up, so she lay firmly atop him, his hand threading through her hair to hold her head in place while his tongue swept into her mouth.
Jadin felt her world suddenly spin out of control. Landon’s kiss was filled with burning passion, and she felt a tingling sensation run through her body. Heat spread through her whole body.
“I don’t want this night to ever end,” Landon whispered.
“There will be many more nights like this,” she assured him. “We have forever.”
* * *
“Jadin, I didn’t expect to see you,” Blaine said when he answered the door.
She entered the foyer. “There’s something...” Her voice died at the sight of the woman approaching them. Jadin initially thought she might be a relative, but the look the stranger had given her—she was pretty sure this woman did not share his DNA.
He looked at Jadin and said, “This is Sandra Davis. She was in town, heard about Millicent and came by to offer her condolences.”
She was at the funeral, Jadin thought silently.
“This is my attorney, Jadin DuGrandpre.”
Sandra blinked and then smiled but it did not reach her eyes. She extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jadin was not fooled at all by the gesture. Nevertheless, she shook Sandra’s hand. “Blaine, I have to get back to my office for a meeting. Can you come by around three o’clock? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“Sure, but we can talk now.”
She glanced over at Sandra. “It’s fine. I’ll see you at three.”
“I found the packaging the champagne came in,” Blaine said. “I’ll bring it with me.”
“I can take it now,” Jadin responded. “I can drop it off to the lab on the way back.”
Sandra suddenly appeared nervous. She shifted from one foot to the other. “What is she talking about?”
“Someone sent me a bottle of champagne the day my wife died.” He walked away, leaving the two women alone.
Jadin surveyed Sandra’s face. She thought she detected a flash of fear in her gaze.
“Why do you need that? What’s that got to do with his case?”
“It could be nothing, but I have to exhaust all avenues.”
Before Sandra could respond, Blaine returned. “Here you go.”
Reaching for the doorknob, Jadin said, “I’ll leave you with your guest.”
Sandra’s reaction became her focus as she drove back to her office. The woman looked as if she was trying to maintain her composure, but something had spooked Sandra.
Jadin found herself checking the clock often. She had believed Blaine when he told her that he ended his affair. Now she was not sure what to think. His wife had only been gone a little over a month, and now he had Sandra in her home.
There may be more to the story than what I saw, Jadin reminded herself. She knew better than to make snap judgments.
As soon as the receptionist notified her of Blaine’s arrival, she went out to get him.
The minute they were behind closed doors, Blaine said, “I know what you must be thinking, but I swear to you that I didn’t know Sandra was even in town, much less that she would come by my house, Jadin. I hadn’t seen her since we broke up.”
She stared him straight in the face. “Blaine, you don’t have to lie to me.”
“Lie...about what? What are you talking about?”
“I saw her at Millicent’s funeral.”
“You must be mistaken,” he responded. “Sandra was working a flight to Los Angeles.”
“Is that what she told you?”
“Yes. We were talking about the dream I had of her.”
“Dream?” Jadin had no idea what Blaine could possibly be talking about.
“I dreamed she came to the house and we had a terrible argument because Milli was upstairs. I kept telling her to leave... When I mentioned it to Sandra, she just laughed and said that there was no way it could have taken place because she was working the LA route at the time everything happened.” He shook his head. “It seemed real, but I know it can’t be.”
Jadin met his gaze. “How did she take it when you ended the relationship?”
“She wasn’t happy about it,” he said. “Sandra wanted me to leave Milli. I told her that would never happen. Why do you ask?”
“You’re a widower now.”
“I would never marry Sandra. I enjoyed her company, but I was never in love with her.”
“Did you tell her that?”
“No,” Blaine responded. “I care about Sandra. But I don’t want to hurt her.”
She might want to hurt you. Jadin left the thought unspoken. “The lab results came back, and traces of Rohypnol were found in the champagne you were sent.”
“The date-rape drug?”
Jadin nodded. “I called Jordan and Associates—Kevin Jordan denies ever sending anything to your home.”
“If he laced it with a drug, Kevin wouldn’t just come out and say he sent it.”
“We’re having it scanned for fingerprints. Is Pierre Pierot Cristal Brut the only brand you drink?”
“Pretty much.”
“Would Kevin know this?” Jadin inquired.
“Not really. He and I only see each other at business functions—not socially. I can’t see him sending me such an expensive gift, now that I think about it. In fact, he’s not especially fond of me.”
“I got the same impression when I spoke with him,” she said with a tiny smile.
“Milli and I had planned to attend the charity fund-raiser hosted by your family on Saturday,” Blaine said at the end of their meeting. “I don’t think I should come with everything that’s happened, but I still want to donate.”
He pulled an envelope out of his pocket. “Please give this to your mother.”
Jadin took the sealed envelope from Blaine. “Thank you.”
When he left, she went to Austin’s office.
“I need to run a scenario by you.” Jadin sank down in one of the visitor chairs.
“What is it?”
“Let’s say that Blaine was involved with someone...another woman. He ended the relationship because he never had any intentions of leaving his wife. The other woman is so upset that she comes up with a way to get rid of her competition.”
“Was he involved with someone else?”
Jadin nodded. “A woman named Sandra Davis. He ended it a couple of months before the murder.” Since Austin was working this case with her, she was free to discuss any pertinent information with him.
Arms folded, Austin asked, “Why do you think she’s got something to do with this?”
“She lied to Blaine. I saw her at Millicent’s funeral, but he believes she was working. Sandra told him that she was working the Savannah to Los Angeles route at that time.”
“We can easily check that out.”
“I know,” Jadin said. “The other thing is that I called the person who supposedly sent Blaine and Millicent the bottle of Pierre Pierot Cristal Brut. It was clear this man couldn’t stand Blaine. He said he wouldn’t send Blaine a bottle of water, much less an expensive bottle of champagne. Besides, he and Blaine don’t run in the same social circles—how would he know that this is a favorite brand of the Herndons? It’s not like they’re friends. But you know who would know? His girlfriend. I’d bet he stocked bottles of it at her home.”
“She does have everything
to gain,” Austin said. “The woman who was standing between them is now dead. He is free to marry her.”
“Exactly,” Jadin responded. “The other thing is this... Blaine said they were talking about a dream he had—in it she came to the house and they argued because his wife was upstairs. I’m beginning to think that dream is more of a memory from that night.”
“Do you really think this woman is capable of murder?”
“When I went to see him earlier at the house—she was there.”
“Really?”
Jadin nodded. “When I asked for the packaging the champagne came in, Sandra acted a bit strange. She wanted to know why I wanted it and what it had to do with the case. She looked a little scared.”
“Interesting.”
“Very,” Jadin responded. “We need to learn more about Sandra Davis.”
* * *
The open buffet near the pool was spectacular. The laughter of the patrons and the sound of reggae music playing softly in the background was enticing. The sound of the ocean nearby was inviting. But it was the delicious aroma of jerk chicken, curried goat and other delicious entrées that really got Jadin’s senses going. Her mother and aunt had done a wonderful job coordinating this charity event.
“Thank you,” Jadin said as Landon pulled out a chair for her at the table with her parents.
“No problem, mon,” he responded in a fake Jamaican accent.
She grinned and shook her head. “You’re still corny.”
Jadin couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this way or had so much fun. Her senses were heightened in his presence. Like the pool and the sea, Landon was like a breath of fresh air. There was just something about him that connected with her magnetically. It was almost surreal.
A waiter brought tall drinks to the table that Landon had ordered a minute ago.
Pineapple cola with a slice of lemon, topped off with an umbrella.
When they went to the buffet table, Jadin got a spoonful of rice, a dab of curried goat and some oxtail on the side with rice and peas to sample.
While she ate, Jadin swayed to Bob Marley’s “One Love” blaring through the speakers.
Another Chance with You Page 10