by Jen Talty
“Get to work, the both of you.” Jared turned, laughing as he disappeared into his office.
“Heard the fire wasn’t an accident.” Stacey put a cylindrical box on the desk.
“How did you know? I just found out.”
“I know people.”
“Of course you do.”
She pushed the cylinder closer to him.
“What’s that?”
“The final blueprints for The Heritage Inn. Doug said he filed them this morning. You’ll only need three variances to complete phase one.”
“Can your dad get me a list of things to ask the owner about now?”
“I’m sure he can.”
Reese opened the cylinder then slid out the papers. The blueprints were held together by a rubber band that also secured an envelope. He pulled it out, then read the handwritten note thanking him for giving them the project and assuring him they wouldn’t let him down.
“Seriously? How much money do you have?” Stacey asked.
Not a question he was used to being asked, much less answering. “Enough that I’m not going to tell you. Ever.”
“That’s fair,” she said. “Is that the report of the fire? Can I see it?”
“Yep,” he said and handed it to her.
She flipped open the file then started reading. He watched as she turned the pages, made a few faces, then folded it shut and leaned back. “What does Jared think?”
“He wants names of the people I put behind bars, or who might see me as an enemy.”
“I put my money on Holland.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Funny you should ask that.” She pulled out a piece of paper from her purse. “I got this from someone I know who works with Mary in the Albany office. Seems it was Holland who paid the legal fees for Terry.”
“Well that sort of sheds new light now doesn’t it.” He grabbed his phone, texting Patty one more time. While looking into other suspects was due diligence, he knew in his gut Holland was a dangerous man.
Stacey nodded. “Let me give this to Jared before we head out.”
He waited, grabbing his coat and his Stetson.
“It’s so weird to know you’re rich,” she said.
“I get the impression your dad is pretty well off.” Reese grabbed the mini-computer. “Let’s go, bony-assed little girl.”
She smiled coyly. “On your six, boss.”
“Don’t ever call me boss.”
“On your six, bossman.”
He laughed, but immediately turned his expression stone-cold when she went for the driver’s seat of the patrol car. “Listen, rookie,” he said. “I’m driving. Period. Got it, bony-assed little girl?”
“Should I let my father know you’ve been checking out my ass?”
“Should I let your boyfriend know you check out Doug’s ass every chance you get?”
“That is so not true.” Her cheeks turned five shades of red, so Reese knew he was on point, but decided it was best not to harass her anymore about it, or her total denial. Something he could relate to, since for months he’d been in denial about how he really felt about Patty.
The next half-hour or so was silence. They parked in one of the No U-Turn positions on the Northway. Reese held the radar gun while Stacey searched the portable computer and took notes. She’d been pulling Reese’s arrest records and also digging into his background, per Jared’s request. Reese knew she was doing it. He also understood why. He was too close to the problem himself, and often by profiling the victim of a crime, you came across the perp. “Maybe we should go after that guy,” Reese said, putting the radar gun down. “Clocked him at—”
“Well, that sucks,” Stacey said as she shoved her cell phone in front of his face. “Dad says there have been four different injunctions filed against the sale of the Heritage.”
Reese read the texts. “Patty said she overheard them talking about that at the office, but said it was bullshit.”
“It is,” Stacey said, “but effective to stall a sale.”
“So, essentially—” Reese’s thoughts were cut off by Jared barking over the radio.
“Locals were called, but I thought you might like to know Patty called in a 9-1-1. Seems someone broke into her house while she was gone. She’s fine, so don’t freak out.”
“On my way,” he said. “Buckle up, little girl.”
“Drive faster, old man.”
He grinned. You needed a dry sense of humor in this job. “I’m going to like working with you.”
“Jury is still out on if I’m going to like working with you,” Stacey said. “We really need to work on your driving skills and teach you a thing or two about sarcasm.”
11
Patty knew, the moment she went for her keys while juggling two bags of groceries, that the front door was ajar. At first, she thought Andy had forgotten to secure it again, but he hadn’t done that in months. After she kicked the door closed and looked up the stairs, she knew something wasn’t right. The door to her apartment was wide-open.
She stood there for half a minute before deciding she’d rather have the cops come than risk someone being up there, ready to point a gun at her. Again.
She got in her car, turned it on, locked the doors, then called 9-1-1 and waited, ready to drive away the moment in the intruder came out the door.
She was grateful when the local sheriff showed up within six minutes. The officer walked her through the apartment. Nothing was taken, but Patty noticed, with shock, a floral arrangement nearly identical to the first one Keith Holland had sent. This one had no card, instead it had a dead rat right in the middle of it.
The officer had the audacity to ask if the building had a rat infestation and wondered whether the plant was poisonous. Patty felt a surge of rage knot in the pit of her stomach, and was about to let the officer have it when a furry creature scurried across the kitchen floor. Then she heard the noises in the walls.
Rat issue aside, that plant wasn’t there when she’d left this morning, her door had been open, and someone had been in her house. She placed both hands over her belly.
Reese and Stacey showed up while the officer was still there. Reese made her feel safe. Secure. She knew she should have called him directly, but he probably would have told her to call 9-1-1, first, then call him. By the look of annoyance on his face, she realized she’d done what she’d been accusing him of doing: leaving her out of the loop.
Patty wrapped a blanket around herself while Reese talked with the officer. Stacey walked through her apartment, and then Frank’s. Frank, his wife, and Andy were away at a school function, so Patty let Stacey in.
It was hard not to stare at Reese. When they first got together, she couldn’t believe a man that looked like Reese would want to date a plain Jane like herself. She wasn’t sexy like Lacy or demure like Ryan, but Reese always made her feel beautiful. And, she thought as he glanced her way, he made her feel important.
“I’m going to call my dad,” Stacey said.
“Why?”
“To have him get one of his rodent buddies to check if this is really a problem that’s been here for a bit, or something else because if you’d had this problem you’d know it, so I gather it’s the former.”
“Thanks,” Patty said, understanding Reese’s frustration and amusement with the young trooper and her massive use of words and the speed at which they left her mouth. “I was beginning to feel crazy.”
“You’re not crazy, but we’ll need to get those rodents exterminated before you can move back in.”
“Frank is going to be pissed about that,” Patty said.
“It won’t take long, especially if what I suspect is true.”
“And what’s that?”
“Someone brought the rats in. And,” Stacey continued, “I think they cut a fresh hole in the back of the house, let them in through the walls, then tried to patch it. Did a shit job of that, too.”
“Why would someone do that?”
>
Stacey shrugged. “We also need to find out where those flowers came from. You said the first one was delivered?”
Patty nodded.
“Do you have any of the packaging? The plastic wrap? Where is the card? Do you remember who delivered them?”
“Geez, you really are the Energizer bunny.”
Stacey didn’t laugh. “Seriously. We need all this.”
“I don’t know. I threw it all away, including the plant, but the card was singed Keith.” Patty focused on Reese and the officer. It didn’t look like the conversation was pleasant, but they shook hands, and the officer got in his car and drove away just as a shiny black truck and a beat-up pickup pulled in next to Reese’s patrol car.
“Wonderful,” Stacey said. “He brought the bitch.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry,” Stacey said. “Very unprofessional of me.” She pointed to the handsome man getting out of the shiny truck. “That’s Doug, my father’s business partner. In the pickup, his wife. We don’t like each other.”
“Ah,” Patty said. “Mary Nesbitch. She has the quite the reputation.”
“You know her?”
“I’m a paralegal. I’ve met her. She’s a one tough nut. Highly driven and motivated.” Patty wanted to add that Mary was the kind of career-minded woman that gave women a bad rap in general.
“I can’t stand her.”
Stacey’s anger was palpable, so as Doug and Reese came toward them, Patty was glad Mary stayed in the truck, phone to her ear.
“What did the local say?” Stacey asked as Reese approached.
“Basically said to call an exterminator,” Reese said. “What did you find?”
“Well, I think the rat situation was planted,” Stacey said.
“How so?” Doug asked. He was much cuter up close and personal, but he had that deep distance in his dark eyes that Reese used to have in his blue eyes.
“Be easier if I just showed you and the rodent expert my findings.”
Patty couldn’t believe all that had transpired in the last few days. She felt dizzy and leaned into Reese.
“You okay?” Reese asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve been shot. Held at gunpoint. Lost my job. Pregnant. And now some wacko is putting rats in my apartment. How would you be?”
“Pretty shitty.”
Patty welcomed Reese’s dry sense of humor at a moment like this. She’d spilled enough tears over the last few days. Didn’t change that whatever was happening, scared the crap out of her, a moment of lightness held calm her trembling body. “What’s going on here? Because I’m going to fall apart at any minute. None of this makes any sense.”
“I wish I had a real answer,” Reese admitted. “I wish I didn’t think it was all connected. You being held at gunpoint. The weird threats from that Holland fellow. The fire. The Rats. Four separate injunctions filed against my offer for the hotel, by Holland. All roads lead back to that asshole.”
She shivered. “You really think it’s all connected. Some crazy plot? But why?”
“I don’t know.” Reese’s voice grew dark. “We need to take steps to make sure your safe.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared,” Reese said. “But I’m going to put and end to all this bullshit. I promise you. Stacey, Frank, everyone at the station is working on this. I’ve got Jim looking into the injunctions, but I’m going to need a good lawyer. What are your thoughts on Doug’s wife?”
Patty shook her head. “She’s ruthless and probably good at her job, but I wouldn’t hire her. She gives me a bad vibe.” Everybody right now gave Patty a bad vibe.
“She and Doug make an odd couple,” Reese said.
“I don’t think they’re happy.”
“I think Stacey has the hots for Doug.” Thankfully, Reese’s tone had leveled off, doing what he did best, redirecting.
This time, however, she was glad for the deflection, easing her rising panic. “Your best bet would be a land lawyer who understands contract law, and the best one I know is Andrew Taft of Taft and Associates.”
“Actually, I believe that’s who Jim uses,” Reese said. “I want you to stay with me tonight.”
He’d eased closer and looped his arm around her, pulling her close against his strong frame. She felt safe there. Before she could answer Stacey and Doug made their way around to the front of the house.
“What’s the verdict?” Reese said.
“I can’t be a hundred percent positive, but a piece of siding was cut off, and the wood behind it was also cut out, then nailed back in. Looks recent. It would be easy to put a small animal between the walls and trap them there. My guy says he can take care of the problem, but everyone will have to vacate for forty-eight hours.”
“Not a problem,” Reese said. “I’m renting the main house at the Heritage, so we’ll all stay there, but it’s a crime scene now, so I can’t have him doing that until we have a few other things taken care of.”
“I’ve called in forensics, so they will dust for prints,” Stacey said.
“On a more positive note, one of the injunctions has already been tossed,” Doug said. “I suspect another will be by the end of the week. The one that will give us trouble is that Holland Development is claiming they had a verbal agreement with Chris Riley, one of the owner’s daughters, before Reese’s offer came in and LuAnn Riley accepted it.”
“They countered the offer, and gave me until end of the day to accept. I accepted immediately, and the paperwork has been signed. What’s the issue?”
“Holland is saying that LuAnn had no idea of a verbal offer and acceptance by the other sister. Until that offer is accepted or rejected, the sale can’t go through.”
“That sounds nuts,” Reese said. “What do I do?”
“My wife is an attorney. I can ask her—”
“I suggested Andrew Taft,” Patty said. “He specializes in things like this.”
“I think he’d be better than Mary,” Stacey said. “I know Mary has been working fourteen-hour days, and her boss has her jumping through hoops to make partner, so why add more to her plate?” It was obvious Stacey added the latter just to keep the peace. “Besides, Taft is the lawyer you use for all your land and contract deals.”
Maybe it wasn’t to keep the peace, but to poke Doug. Patty wondered if these two had any idea the sparks that flew between them. She leaned into Reese.
“Let’s go!” Mary yelled. “I’ve got to get back to the office.”
“Guess your dinner plans just got canceled,” Stacey said.
“At least I had dinner plans,” Doug said. “Didn’t Todd the Toad make up some excuse not to come see you this weekend?” Doug turned his attention back to Reese. “Contact Taft. Tell him we sent you. I’ll fax him over all the information we have.”
“Thanks for your help.”
“No problem.” Doug turned and headed toward his truck.
“I can see why you like his ass. It’s pretty sexy,” Reese said.
“What?” Patty looked at Doug’s ass, which, she had to admit, was nice, but was totally confused by Reese’s comment.
“You’ve been hanging around Jared too long,” Stacey said. “And by the way, Patty, your boyfriend has been looking at my ass. Says it’s bony.”
Patty buried her face in Reese’s neck and started laughing. The entire conversation was absurd, but oddly, made total sense. More importantly, it eased her fear.
“Well, let’s get your bony ass back in the patrol car. We’re not off duty.” Reese tossed her the keys. “And you’re not driving. Just need a moment.”
“Men,” Stacey muttered.
“She’s interesting,” Patty said.
“She’s going to be a good cop, once we duct tape her mouth closed.” Reese rested his hands on Patty’s shoulders. “I want you to gather a few things and go right to the main house.” He pressed the keys into her hands. “You’ll be safe with me. I’m off at m
idnight. I’ll let Frank know what’s going on, and I’m going to ask him, Lacy, and Andy to stay, too. There’s plenty of room.”
“I bought sheets for the two beds that are there. But really, there’s almost no furniture.”
“It will be enough for now. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of this and end it.”
“I’m just tired of feeling on edge.” She considered staying with a relative, or a friend, or even at a real hotel, but she didn’t have the energy to fight him. Or her own desires.
“I know,” he said. “I’m sorry for my part in all of that.”
She allowed him a quick kiss on the lips before letting him go. “Don’t waste any time,” he said. “And text me when you’re at the house. I’ll be sending a patrol car to check in on you. Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1, and then me.” He arched a brow.
“I won’t hesitate,” she promised.
12
Patty felt comfortable in the residency, even though it was scantily furnished, and the fact she was alone. Reese texted her every thirty minutes. Frank called every hour and even Stacey had gotten in on the action.
The family room had one sofa and a coffee table with a lamp. The living room, dining room, and den were all empty. The master bedroom had a bed and a single dresser. The bedroom at the end of the hall had the same. She’d gone up to bed the same time Lacy and Frank had, around ten, but she couldn’t sleep until she heard Reese come home. She’d been so bone tired, she fell fast asleep as soon as she’d confirmed it was in deed Reese. She slept through the night, though she had a mixture of good and bad dreams. When she rolled over, she expected Reese to be by her side.
He wasn’t.
Panic rushed through her body as she bolted out of the room and down the stairs. She stopped at the entrance of the family room. Reese was sleeping on the sofa, his one leg bent, his knee peeking out from under the small blanket and one arm behind his head.
“Morning,” Reese said, breaking her from her thoughts. He rolled the side, stretching as the blanket dropped to the floor. “Sleep okay?”
“I did, thanks,” she said, staring at him in his boxers as if it were the first time she’d seen him nearly naked. “You could have slept upstairs. It’s a big bed.” She couldn’t hide the disappointment she felt in the tone of her voice.