Love Betrayed

by Celya Bowers

  Sean slid into the chair across from his brother at the Milo’s Brewhouse in downtown Arlington. “It’s barely one.” He glanced around the newest spot in town. “I can’t believe you picked this place. Look at this crowd.” he motioned to the very crowded place.

  “I know, but I couldn’t resist.”

  He also knew his brother wanted a very public place to reveal the information. Less chance of being overheard. “So, what did you find out?”

  Declan stared at him with green eyes. “That you’re in way over your head. This may have started as a favor, but now it’s a full fledge case. Your news anchor is into something her bosses don’t even know about. I got a contact at the DEA. She’s being investigated on the low.”

  “Say what?” Sean thought she wasn’t what she seemed. “Think she’s a mule? She does a lot of traveling for her assignments. The perfect cover.”

  “No, she doesn’t generally go out of the country. That’s where your boy DJ comes in. Did you know he has a passport?”

  “He doesn’t have a job. What’s he doing with a passport? I didn’t even think to check that avenue. Is he out of the country now?”

  “No, he’s still in town. My contact says he went to ground about a week ago. Can’t be sure about the date, since he wasn’t working anywhere, but went off the grid about then.”

  “His girlfriend was beaten up earlier this week. I think he witnessed it. I drop by the hospital to see her the other day, she was still unconscious. Today, I went by, she was alert,” Sean said. “She thought DJ might be into something illegal. She was getting ready to toss him out when he went missing.”

  “Sounds like she was finally seeing him for what he was. It was always sad when those blinders come off,” Declan said.

  “I think it’s more than that. Especially from Maddie has told me about Rachel. I feel sorry for her.”

  “Is this my divorced brother actually caring about a female that’s not a relative,” Declan joked. “I’m calling Mom and telling her your heart is finally thawing out. It only took one crazy case.”

  “Don’t you dare. The last thing I need is for that woman to invade my life. Again. You remember how she was when I got divorced?”

  Declan laughed. “Yes, I thought she was going to put out a contract on your ex.”

  Sean shook his head. Their mother meant well, and she cared for her adult children, but sometimes it was too much. “Yeah, me too. Between us, I think that’s the reason she moved to Boston.”

  “Why do you think I’m not married?” Declan signaled the waiter. “Every woman that has met Mom has ran away screaming.”

  “True.” Instantly, he thought of Maddie. It might be a battle of wills, he reasoned. He couldn’t see Maddie backing down from anyone.

  “So where were you last night? And don’t insult me by saying you were at home,” Declan said. “You know where I work.”

  “I had a date,” Sean admitted. “Things got a little heated and it ran into overtime.”

  “My brother spent the night!”

  “A little louder. I’m sure there’s some people who didn’t hear you,” Sean said.

  “I’m just so dang proud. How long has it been? Did you do the breakfast thing? When’s the next date?”

  “You’re worse than any woman. Yes, we had breakfast this morning. I’m not telling you how long it’s been, because it’s not your business. Our next date is Friday night. I guess. She has PR business and she must babysit a client on Saturday. I’m thinking about joining her.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s Hunter Brown.”

  His brother stopped eating. “Wait, the Hunter Brown. Author of the Blake Chronicles mystery series? The series that was adapted into a TV show for five seasons?”

  “Yes, that Hunter Brown. He relocated to Dallas to be near his grandchildren. He just landed some huge book contract, but it’s not like his other stuff. She’s helping him with rebranding, so he can get more fans. He’s speaking at some romance reader thing.”

  “And did she asked you to join her? Did she tell you she needed a bodyguard for this slightly older man?”

  “No. I don’t like the idea of her being alone with this old guy.”

  “So, you’re jealous already. You’ve only slept with her once and you’re acting like this. Oh, this is not going to end well.”

  “I’m not jealous,” Sean said. Okay, it was a lie, but his younger brother didn’t have to know that.

  “So why go?”

  “Maybe I’m interested in reading romance novels.”

  “Maybe you’re jealous and don’t want another man near your woman.”

  “Maybe.”

  “It’s not a sin to say you’re attracted to this woman and want to be with her,” Declan said. “Yes, it’s kind of complicated with her connection to the case, but you’re doing the judge a solid, not her.”

  “That’s what I love about you, Declan. You can always find a loophole. No matter how small.”

  12

  Maddie walked into office and stopped cold. There was a youngish African American man sitting in her lobby, obviously waiting for her. “Hello, Renay. Sorry, I’m late.”

  Renay smiled at her. “I’m sure you have an excellent reason for your tardiness. Mr. Smith,” she said, pointing to the impeccably dressed man sitting in on the leather couch,” has been waiting to see you. He didn’t have an appointment, but said it was urgent that he speak with you today.” She waited a beat. “It’s about DJ.”

  Great, she thought, more bad news about my brother. “Sure, come in, Mr. Smith.” She doubted that was his real name and hoped she lived long enough to tell someone about this visit.

  He rose and followed her into her office. Maddie hurried to her desk, put away her purse and briefcase, and pushing the button under her desk, to activate the tape recorder. She motioned for him to sit down. He closed the door, then walked to one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Nice office,” he said as he sat down.

  She didn’t want to waste valuable time on small talk. “You wanted to see me?”

  “Yes, I did, Ms. Bradford.”

  “Okay.”

  “My name is Allen Smith and I’m with the Drug Enforcement Agency and I’d like to discuss your brother David Bradford, Jr. commonly known as DJ.”

  “What about him?” She wished this man would just spit it out and get on with the bad news.

  “When was the last time you saw him in person? Not a phone call or a text, but physically?”

  She had to think about that. Their normal form of communication was text message. “Probably closer to a month. He stopped by my place for about ten minutes.”

  “Is that normal?”

  “For him, yes. DJ dropped in and out of our lives. He would call out of the blue and announced he was coming over.”

  “Were you aware that he has been out of the country eight times in the last six months.”

  She laughed. “How? He doesn’t have a passport. He doesn’t even have a job.”

  “Oh yes ma’am. According to our records, he has had a passport for the last eight years.”

  “How? Does your records show where he went?”

  “Yes, he’s been to Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua.”

  “Wow! He’s been to that many places.” So much about her brother didn’t make sense. Maybe it was a case of mistaken identity. “Are you sure it was him? Maybe it was someone who looked like him and took his identity.”

  “No, we have positive ID. And according to a witness, he was out of the country on the dates we have. It’s him.”

  “So, Agent Smith, what do you want from me?”

  “Tell me if you hear from him. It’s vitally important.”

  Maddie felt like he was leaving a whole lot out of the equation and she wanted to know just how much trouble her brother was in. “You want me to snitch on my brother?”

  “I want you to save your brother from certain death. Wh
ich is what will happen if we don’t locate him quickly.”

  “You can save all the dramatics. I don’t know where he is, if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. Not until I had a crack at him first.”

  Agent Smith laughed. “Wow! I like honesty. So, I’ll be honest with you. Well, as honest as I can. There’s a drug war and your brother is in the middle of it, or cause of it, depending on whom you ask. It seemed he was the middleman for the drug traffic, but then he got greedy.”

  “And that’s when he went missing,” Maddie said. “That’s why they beat up his girlfriend. She’s in the hospital with a litany of injuries.”

  “Yeah, I heard she’d been injured. She’s next on my list to visit.”

  “So how much money has DJ misplaced?”

  “Street value, probably about two million if the rumor is to be believed. Probably closer to four million.”

  Maddie gasped. DJ had really done it this time. “Are we in danger being part of his family?”

  The agent shrugged. “Normally, they generally go after the girlfriend, which they have, to show they mean business. Once your brother turns up and surrender the drugs or the money, they will back off. With your family being so public and your father a judge, I’m not sure what their next move will be. I’ll talk to your parents and other family members about police protection.”

  “So, you think DJ is going to lead you to the top person?”

  “That’s my hope.” He slid his business across the desk. “Call me if you hear anything.”

  “Actually, he called me this morning.” She looked up at him. “He didn’t give me a location, merely a warning.”

  “Did you talk to him?”

  “No, it was a voicemail. I’m not sure how I missed the call. It was from a weird number.” She produced her cell phone and played the message for the agent.

  “Sounds like he’s somewhere nearby. He probably witnessed the attack and is trying to protect you.”

  “Like he protected Rachel. No thanks.”

  The agent rose from his seat. “Like I said. If you hear from him again, please let me know.” He shook her hand. “Good day, Ms. Bradford.” He left the room without another word.

  After the agent had left the office, Renay entered and took a seat. “That man was all kinds of fine! It’s a good thing I’m married, and I love my husband,” she said. “Are you okay?”

  No, she wasn’t okay, but there was little anyone could do to right the situation. The only person who could fix this mess was the same person who had caused this mess. DJ. She thought of all the times she’d believed him when everyone else in the family had threw their hands up and moved on. Maybe it was time she did the same. “I’m fine, Renay. Just fine.”

  ***

  Maddie met her sister as planned for lunch. After catching up Maggie about the matter of their brother, Maddie finally took a deep breath. “So, what do you think?”

  Maggie took a sip of her cocktail. “I think that he’s up to his old tricks. This is not the first time a drug dealer has been looking for his sorry ass.”

  “Magnolia Chantel Bradford! How can you say that about DJ! Yeah, he’s really stepped in it this time, but still.”

  “Girl take those blinders off! You want to believe in DJ, even after the DEA was sitting up in your office! I mean I get it, I tried that too, until I had a drug dealer at my door looking for him. And to find out my lovely brother gave him my address to boot. Yeah, my attitude toward him changed really quick.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? When did this happened?” Maddie felt left out.

  “I didn’t tell you because I handled it,” Maggie said. “I told DJ if he involved me in some more of his foolishness, he wouldn’t have to worry about those idiots, I would take care of him personally. DJ don’t come anywhere near me. He did the same thing with Kaelyn. I think you’re the last one he hasn’t sold out to the drug dealers.”

  “I had no idea this was going on,” Maddie admitted. “I hate the idea of drug thugs approaching Mom or Dad. One of these times they are not going to take no for an answer. Like they did with Rachel. Did you know she was getting ready to throw DJ out when he went missing?” Maddie told her sister about the conversation she had with Rachel. “I feel like a first-class idiot after that hospital visit.”

  “What is it?” Her sister asked. “I know that look. What else happen at the hospital?”

  She shook her head. “You know me too well.” She took a deep breath, still reeling from what the doctor told her. “I’m thinking about letting Rachel recover at my house. She doesn’t have any family in the area. She really doesn’t want to go back to that apartment. She’s not well enough to go back to work.” She wanted to help Rachel since she had such a low opinion of her. She wanted a chance to right a wrong and felt like this was the best way to do it.

  Her sister reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I think it’s a great idea, Maddie. You both need someone right now. Wait until DJ figures out his lies are coming to the surface.”

  “Yes, I misjudged her for all those years and I’m sure she’s misjudged us as well. You know she’s graduating next semester. She’s debating on getting her master’s degree.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “I get mad all over again every time I think of the possibility that DJ set her up to get beat like that.”

  “You can’t think about that or the guilt will eat you up. You’re helping Rachel, which I think is great. Just leave it at that.” She released her hand and sat up straight. “What about the stuff at her apartment?”

  “She says she doesn’t want anything from there. She kept her books at school, never took them home. DJ tried to sell them one year,” she told her sister. “Apparently, she kept all her valuable stuff at some location at school. It was like she was living a double life.”

  “She probably had to,” Maggie said. “Why on earth did she stay with him?”

  Maddie shook her head. “No idea. I guess on some level she loved him, but finally even that fizzed out.”

  “Probably so. Now that we have all that horrible mess out of the way, how was the date? A little birdie told me you had an overnight guest,” her sister teased. “So, I guess there was more than information sharing going on. There was sharing of another kind. I hope protection was used. It’s been ages since you had sex.”

  Maddie shook her head. It was her own fault. Maggie was a speak now, think later, kind of woman. Especially if she wanted information. She had the enthusiasm of a small child at Christmas morning, when it came to romance. “Okay, okay, it was a nice date. We went to eat dinner, talked about the case, and then we went back to my place. He has some more investigating to do on the case, but he says its morphing into something he wasn’t expecting.”

  “Yeah, yeah, get to the good part,” Maggie begged. “How was he? Will there be a repeat performance? Are you going to see him again? Are you telling Daddy?”

  “He gets a four-star review,” Maddie said quietly. “We’re going out on Friday night, possibly Saturday night. I’m not sure I’ll be able to last, he’s about as stubborn as Daddy. He was already making mumblings about coming along with on Saturday to the romance reader group.”

  “Oh, too cute. He’s jealous of Hunter.”

  “Very bad sign,” Maddie said. “I’ll have to see how things go this week.”

  “Remember he’s helping you with the case.”

  “How could I forget.” Maddie also remembered how good it felt to be wrapped in his strong arms.

  “Please don’t let that be the reason you’re having sex with him. Gratitude is one thing. Pity is quite another.”

  Leave it to Maggie to bring practical sense into the equation. “Don’t worry, there’s no pity here. At least on my side. For the first time since I’ve opened my business, I’m thinking about taking a break.”

  “Are you kidding me? We had to make you take that cruise three years ago. Mom and I had to go with you. Now you get laid one time, you’re ready for a vacay?”
>
  Maddie smiled. “You got it. My business is doing great, as soon as I get this mess with DJ solved, and Hunter’s rebranding complete, I think I want to visit Europe. It’s time I started living.”

  13

  Sean entered his office and shook his head. “Shay, we had this discussion twice already. There will not be a third time.” He walked to the receptionist’s desk and sighed. He picked up Lord Meow and rubbed his dark chocolate fur. “You know I don’t mean it, don’t you boy.” He continued caressing the cat.

  Shay laughed at him. “You know I wouldn’t have brought him unless it was necessary. The vet just dropped him by at lunch time. And he’ll be so quiet, you won’t know he’s here.”

  “I told you that vet had a thing for you. He brought your animal to you. Does he know you’ve been married forever?” He placed the cat on the desk, Lord Meow stretch and took his traditional post of lying in a ball at the end of the desk.

  “And I told you that man is young enough to be my son.” She smiled. “Does my ego good though to have someone that handsome looking my way.”

  He couldn’t refute the older woman’s words. “Everyone needs to feel like that.”

  Shay’s brown eyes looked at him in surprise. “What? Not you? I thought that heart was too cold to feel anything.”

  “I didn’t say I felt it, I said everyone deserves the chance to be wanted.” He picked up the mail and quickly scanned it. “Just remember I’m not paying for cats to work here.”

  “Got it.”

  “Any calls?” He separated the mail that needed his attention.

  “Yes, you had four calls from Judge Bradford. He said call whenever you got to the office. Three calls for consultations, and one just plain weird call about a drug dealer.” She handed him a stack of phone messages. “Oh, and your mother called about twenty minutes ago. She said dinner is at seven.”

  He knew that meant she was cooking his favorite Irish dish of Dublin Coddle, which consisted of potatoes, sausage, and bacon. It was comfort food at its finest and he loved it. “Thanks, Shay.” He headed for his office. “Don’t forget to deposit those checks today,” he called over his shoulder.