Outfox

by Sandra Brown

  Drex shook his head. “This way, you can truthfully claim ignorance and innocence.”

  “Makes no difference what we claim. We could take a blood oath, and Rudkowski still wouldn’t believe us.”

  “Probably not. But, on the plus side, your consciences remain clear.” He shot Gif a grin, but Gif wasn’t in a jesting frame of mind.

  “This is serious, Drex.”

  He dropped the grin. “Yeah, I know.”

  “You don’t know the worst of it.”

  “There’s more?”

  “Rudkowski didn’t stop with the grilling. He alleged that Mike had tampered with evidence, stolen classified documents, breached secure email accounts. He reeled off a laundry list of offenses.”

  “Shit.”

  “Right. On and on.”

  “How did Mike respond?”

  “By bending over backward to cooperate. He surrendered his work computer for Rudkowski’s flunkies to tear into.”

  “There’s nothing on it relating to any of this.”

  “No, but Rudkowski threatened to get a search warrant for his apartment and to seize everything it in, from roof to basement.”

  Drex steepled his fingers and tapped them against his forehead. “He can’t get a warrant based on a hunch. A judge would ask for cause, and Rudkowski doesn’t have it.”

  “He would cite our history. Your obsession. Our loyalty to you. The—”

  “Okay, okay. It’s worrisome, but Mike will take care of it.”

  “He already has. When we first heard that the sleeping giant had been awakened by that deputy down in Florida, Mike took the precaution of emptying everything off his hard drives, then destroyed them.”

  “What about you?”

  “Rudkowski considers me less of a problem than Mike. I’m not the computer genius. But immediately after Mike tipped me, I got out of Dodge before Rudkowski could ambush me, too. I took a week’s worth of personal days.”

  “With what excuse?”

  “Hemorrhoidectomy.”

  “You have hemorrhoids?”

  “That’s why I used it. My superiors may be skeptical, but who’s going to ask to see proof of the necessity?”

  Drex chuckled again.

  “It’s still no laughing matter,” Gif said. “I left my workspace and apartment clean as a whistle. They can turn them inside out and won’t find anything. But as long as you and I are off the grid, Rudkowski is going to plow on.”

  “No doubt.”

  Gif hesitated, then said, “You could still put in a call to him—”

  “No.”

  “Okay then, skip Rudkowski and alert one of his higher-ups.”

  “Who would either throw it back to Rudkowski or send someone else down here to check it out, who would probably screw up, then we’d be blown, and Jasper would get away.”

  “If you explained the delicacy of the situation—”

  “Not doing it, Gif. Not yet.”

  Gif relented. “All right. But please stop pricking with Rudkowski. Because whether we succeed or fail at getting Ford, Rudkowski isn’t going to forget your making him look foolish. He doesn’t think your pranks are funny.” He paused for effect. “What really has Mike and me worried—”

  “We’re back to that?”

  “We’re afraid that one of these days, one of your inside jokes is going to blow up in your face.”

  Sobered by his friend’s tone, Drex thoughtfully scraped his thumb across his stubbled chin, repeating quietly, “One of these days.”

  “Or has one already backfired?”

  When Gif looked at someone the way he was looking at Drex now, it cut through bullshit like a cleaver. He was referring to Talia, of course. Drex answered as truthfully as he could. “I don’t know.”

  “I think you do.”

  Drex faced forward and laid his head against the headrest, inwardly cursing Gif and his damn uncanny ability to read people.

  A long silence ensued, then Gif said, “Why her? You could go back to Lexington tonight and, with a crook of your finger, have that pretty hotel receptionist at your beck and call.”

  Drex rolled his head to the side to look at Gif. “You think she’s pretty? And enchanting? Why don’t you go back to Lexington? When’s the last time you got laid? Oh, no, wait. You’ve been too busy keeping tabs on my sex life to have one of your own.”

  “Don’t do that. Don’t try to turn the tables here. Mike and I have stuck our necks out for you—”

  “You can quit at any time.”

  “That’s it on a nail’s head, Drex.” The uncharacteristic volume of his voice was indication of his anger. “We don’t want to quit. We’re all in. We made our choices, and they’ve cost us huge. But now, when we’re close to a payoff, it could all go to hell because of your hard-on for the suspect’s wife.”

  “We don’t know that she’s complicit.”

  “We don’t know that she isn’t.”

  Although he knew Gif was right, it was infuriating to be scolded like a kid caught with his hand inside his pants. “You can relax. Nothing has happened.” Gif didn’t back down. Hell, for all Drex knew, Gif had been standing within a yard of them when he’d kissed Talia. He amended his denial, muttering, “Nothing much.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Gif said. “If you only want something to happen, you’re compromised.”

  “Hell I am. There’s a gulf of difference between thinking on something and acting on it.”

  “Your dinner date—”

  “Was an attempt to learn more about her. Is she friend or foe? Guilty as hell or pure as the driven snow? Would she be appalled to learn of her husband’s crimes, or did she snicker from the sidelines while he was nailing shut that box on Marian Harris? I’ve asked myself those questions a thousand times.”

  “Mike and I get that.”

  “Then why’d you hustle down here to check on me?”

  “To make certain that you hadn’t lost perspective.”

  “I haven’t.”

  “No?”

  “No.”

  Gif looked at him and said nothing for a time, then, “What were you two talking about while hiding behind the ficus trees?”

  “If you were able to see us, we weren’t hiding, were we? But, as to what we were talking about, I tried to get out of her why she was upset.”

  “And?”

  “Something female.”

  “Oh. That narrows it down to about a million different things. Could you be more specific?”

  “I tried. She wasn’t having it.” Losing patience with the inquisition, he said, “Anything else? Did you save the best for last?”

  “In fact I did.” Gif’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “I have to ask. What was predominantly on your mind when you whisked her out of the coffee shop? Were you trying to determine if she’s Ford’s accomplice, or were you wishing she wasn’t his wife?”

  Damn him. Leave it to Gif to strike straight to the heart of the matter. It was a question Drex dared not answer. He didn’t know how he would answer even if he were inclined to. Gif was right: His attraction to Talia was a hazard. But knowing that didn’t stop him from wanting her. His better judgment, integrity, and resolve were tested every time he got near her.

  However, he wasn’t going to discuss this personal conflict with Gif. It was his problem to solve, and he would work through it alone, without Mike’s bullying or Gif’s counsel.

  He said, “Earlier, you mentioned a blood oath. Have you ever taken one?”

  Gif shook his head.

  “Well, I have.” He thrust his arm across the console and held his hand palm up where Gif could see the thin scar that spanned it.

  “I swore to my dad that I would get the son of a bitch who stole my mother from him and then killed her. He never recovered. He’d been dead on the inside for decades before he took his final breath.” He stabbed the console with his index finger. “I will—I am—going to get the fucker responsible for their mutual destruction.”
r />   “No matter if—”

  Drex cut him off. “I’ve said it, Gif. I’ve sworn it. No more questions.”

  Chapter 15

  Elaine bobbed her head to the waiter in thanks for the cosmopolitan he set in front of her, then smiled at her companion, who was seated opposite her at the low, round cocktail table. “I’m glad you called.”

  Jasper said, “I felt terrible about missing last night’s dinner. I know how much you had looked forward to it.”

  “It wasn’t the same without you.”

  “Come now.”

  She giggled. “It was a lovely evening, but you were missed.”

  “Thank you.” He raised his bourbon highball to her, then took a sip. “Since I couldn’t make lunch today, either, I didn’t want you to think I was avoiding you.”

  “It never occurred to me to think that. The important thing is that you’re feeling better. Was it ghastly?”

  “I’ll be avoiding oysters for a while.”

  “Poor baby.” She sipped from her martini glass. “What’s Talia up to this afternoon?”

  “Absolutely nothing. She had an appointment earlier today. When she got home, she excused herself and went upstairs to take a nap.”

  “Was she all right?”

  He leaned forward and whispered, “I think she might be a bit hung over from last night.”

  Elaine grinned knowingly. “It wouldn’t surprise me. She’s not a heavy drinker, or as conditioned as I am. We killed two bottles of wine over dinner, and, before that, Drex gave her a generous pour on a vodka martini.”

  Jasper’s teeth clenched, but he smiled. “Drex was tending bar?”

  “I hosted a happy hour.”

  “I thought Drex was going to meet you and Talia at the restaurant.”

  “That was the original plan, but he called and asked if he could come a bit early and bring his manuscript.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “He left it with me to read. Talia didn’t tell you?”

  “We didn’t talk much after she came in. I was up, but still queasy. She shooed me back to bed and slept in the guest room in case I had a virus and not food poisoning.” He took unnecessary care readjusting the coaster under his glass. “Odd that Drex asked you to read his book. He’s been so protective of it.”

  “I was flabbergasted! Delighted, but flabbergasted. I’m hardly qualified to critique it.”

  “I’m sure he asked because you showed such interest in the subject matter and writing process.”

  “I guess. But if he asked anyone among us to take a look at it, I’d have thought it would be Talia.”

  He sipped his bourbon, then asked with nonchalance, “Why’s that?”

  “She’s so much brainier. I’m not the intellectual that she is.”

  He tsked. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. Besides, I doubt Drex’s novel is that complex and literary.”

  “Between you and me, it isn’t. I read a few chapters before going to sleep last night, and a few more over my morning coffee. I’m surprised that it isn’t…hmm…what’s the word? Heftier?”

  “Heftier will do. But in what way isn’t it hefty?”

  “I don’t know how to explain it. He’s so…”

  Jasper tilted his head. “So…?”

  “Well, manly.”

  “The book doesn’t reflect his manliness?”

  “You’re goading me,” she said, pretending to slap his hand. “But the truth is, no, it doesn’t shout masculinity. I mean, it does, but not to the extent…Oh, I don’t know what I mean.”

  “You expected a book written by him to read differently.”

  “Yes. It’s not as meaty as I thought it would be.” She seemed embarrassed to have expressed her opinion and tried to laugh it off. “But who am I to say? It’s light fare. Fast paced. Overall, it’s enjoyable reading, and that’s what I’ll tell him when he asks for my feedback. As I said, I’m no critic. Far be it from me to dampen his ambitions, and I wouldn’t hurt his feelings for the world.”

  “Which may be why he asked you to read the novel instead of Talia. She would have been candid in pointing out its weaknesses.”

  “No doubt you’re right, and that would not have set well. Already they rub each other the wrong way.”

  As she drained her glass, she dribbled a bit on her chin and was now dabbing at it with her napkin. Otherwise she might have noticed that Jasper’s right eye ticked in reaction to her last statement.

  “Hold that thought,” he said and signaled the waiter for another round.

  Elaine demurred. “I really shouldn’t have two.”

  “I agree.” He gave her a sly wink. “Three minimum.”

  “You are bad.”

  “My dear,” he said silkily, “you have no idea.” Then he motioned for her to pick up where she had left off. “You were saying something about Talia and Drex rubbing each other the wrong way?”

  “It’s probably just me, but—”

  “No, I’ve also noticed it.”

  She sat forward, her bosom nearly knocking over her empty martini glass. “You have? I thought I was imagining it. The minute she arrived last night, I sensed the antagonism, and it only got thicker as the night wore on.”

  “He must have said or done something to offend her.”

  “I don’t think so. He was his charming self.”

  The waiter arrived with fresh drinks. As soon as he walked away, Jasper asked, “How do you explain this hostility between them?”

  “They weren’t hostile, exactly. Just not comfortable with each other like they’d been that day on the yacht. Remember, they talked for a long time out on the deck. I thought maybe something had happened that I was unaware of. A disagreement of some kind.”

  “Not to my knowledge. In fact, we hadn’t seen Drex for a couple of days leading up to last night.”

  “Hmm.” She gave an elaborate shrug. “Who can explain why we like some people and detest others? Although Talia’s aversion is understandable if you compare Drex to you. You’re polished and sophisticated. He’s—”

  “Manly.”

  She gave a gusty laugh. “That’s not at all what I meant to imply. If Talia weren’t in the picture, you’d have dozens of women lined up at your back door bearing casseroles, and I would be leading the charge. You know I adore you.”

  He placed his hand to his chest and humbly tipped his head.

  Smiling at him, she sipped her drink, but as she lowered her glass, her smile became a thoughtful frown. “It’s unlike Talia to be snippy. Even with someone she doesn’t particularly like.”

  “Talia? Snippy?”

  “I know, right? But on the drive from the restaurant back to my house, she got really short with Drex.”

  “What provoked it?”

  “I have no idea. We were talking about Key West.”

  With great care, Jasper set his highball glass on the table, then left his fingers cupping the rim and turned the glass idly. “How did that come up?”

  “Drex wants to visit Hemingway’s house. He asked if we’d been there. It was a casual conversation. And then it wasn’t. I’m not sure at what point it went downhill or why it did.” She sipped at the ice crystals floating on the surface of her drink. “I think his questions began to pester her.”

  “Questions?”

  “Basic ones that a prospective tourist would ask a travel agent. He kept at it even though she made it clear she didn’t want to talk business.”

  “She didn’t want to talk about Key West.”

  Noticing his shift in tone, Elaine’s gaze sharpened on him. “Oh? Why?”

  “It’s a private matter. Not something that Talia is comfortable talking about, even with me. All I’ll say is that she had a client who became a close friend. But the relationship ended abruptly.” He paused before adding, “And badly.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It was a while ago but remains a sensitive topic with her. I trust you’ll never bring it up a
gain.”

  “Of course, Jasper.” She picked up her glass and raised it to him. “On the subject of Key West, I’ll be as silent as a grave.”

  Jasper could barely contain an eruption of laughter.

  “Jasper?”

  Talia flipped on the kitchen light and was greeted by a startling sight. Dressed in pajamas, Jasper was crouched on the floor, running his hand along the baseboard beneath the cabinet. “What on earth are you doing?”

  He came to his feet, dusting his hands. “I dropped an ice cube.” He shaded his eyes against the overhead light. “Please switch that off. I think we’re being watched.”

  “Watched?”

  “Turn off the light, Talia.”

  She didn’t appreciate his imperious tone but did as asked, then waited for him to explain his bizarre behavior.

  He asked, “Have you been asleep all afternoon and evening?”

  “No, I woke up to an empty house. I found the note you left on my dressing table. You and Elaine must have been enjoying yourselves. Your get-together for drinks extended into the dinner hour.” She looked at the clock on the stove. “And beyond.”

  “I called to invite you to join us. Your phone went to voice mail.”

  “Oh. Right,” she said with chagrin. “I silenced it when I lay down and forgot to turn it back on.”

  “Assuming you were asleep, I left you in peace rather than call on the house phone.”

  She nodded absently. “How was Elaine?”

  “Enlightening. Did you skip dinner?”

  “No. After reading your note, I ate a peanut butter sandwich and went back to bed. When did you get home?”

  “An hour ago. Give or take.”

  “I didn’t hear you.”

  “You were virtually unconscious.”

  She must’ve been. She felt as though she were coming out of a coma and discovering that while she’d been out, everything had gone awry. Nothing felt right or familiar, in particular this disjointed conversation with Jasper. He was prowling the room, stopping at every window to look outside.

  She shook her head to try to clear the lingering cobwebs. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? What did you mean when you said we’re being watched? Watched by whom?”