I Blackmailed Her Brother

by Jessica Frances

  This sweet memory warms me. And, as it turns out, it needs to be enough to get me through the next couple days, since it doesn’t take long before shit hits the fan.

  Chapter 6

  I scan the road then glance back down at the photo of cars and license plates on my laptop screen that I got from the detective’s file. I see no vehicle close to the restaurant that matches any of them. Still, I begin to feel paranoid that I’m being watched.

  Is Scarlett right? Is she being watched? Or am I just picking up on her fear and solidifying it?

  An unexpected knock on my passenger window causes me to attempt jumping out of my skin while squealing.

  When Sasha leans down to gaze at me through my closed window, her eyebrow raised while her lips are turned down in a frown, I know I have been busted and have to think quickly.

  When she knocks again, this time more insistent, I reluctantly unlock my doors. But, since Sasha must fear I am going to change my mind and not let her in, she’s too quick to try to open it. So, she is locked out.

  Then my back door unexpectedly opens, and when I glance around, I discover Gemma letting herself in.

  “What are—”

  “I know why you’re really here, but Jennings doesn’t. You better think up a convincing lie if you don’t want her to know.”

  Before I can even process, Sasha has given up on her door and charges her way in with Gemma, shoving her over so she can get into the back seat with her.

  “What the hell are you doing out here?” she demands, leaning forward to stare at me.

  I quickly close my laptop, hoping she didn’t notice the information on Manuel Sanchez. I’m certain Declan and, in fact, everyone at work, would kill me if I got Sasha involved in all this.

  “I’m … I just …” I scramble, my brain blanking out when I need it the most.

  For months, Gemma has been teaching me to think fast on my feet, to lie convincingly when needed, and to charm anyone out of any conversation. But now, when I need that skill the most, I’m at a loss for words!

  “I already know, Cynthia. It wasn’t hard to figure out,” Sasha states, sounding disappointed in me.

  “Really?” I groan, wondering who will kill me first—Declan or Zander. Or maybe even Scarlett when she discovers everyone at work will soon know her predicament.

  “You had a private conversation with Scarlett earlier this week, leading you to suddenly take time off work, and now you’re camped outside her workplace like a creep. It’s obvious.”

  I panic, worried she is going to insist she help. Or worse, insist I not help.

  What if she wants me to leave Scarlett to her own devices? To not help because of how much of an emotional wreck I am sure to be by the end? I know doing this is going to trample what remains of my heart, but I can’t let this case go without seeing it through first.

  I need to be sure of Scarlett’s safety.

  “Sasha, I really need you to keep—”

  “What is obvious?” Gemma interrupts, giving me a look that I can only interpret as: keep my mouth shut.

  Sasha finally tears her eyes away from me to narrow them on Gemma. “It’s obvious what is obvious, and we shouldn’t waste time—”

  “What is obvious?” Gemma pushes.

  Not many people are willing to interrupt Sasha, but Gemma has balls of steel.

  “You have zero personal skills,” Sasha barks at her, switching her glare from Gemma to me, although it seems to soften a little for me. “You’re obviously trying to get Scarlett back. Whatever you guys talked about, it must have given you hope or something. You’ve been dodging your best friends because you’re trying to figure out a way to win her back. And no, coming to the gym with us in the morning doesn’t count. You didn’t say a word about this! I’m not sure why you’re outside the restaurant right now, but you have to know this looks creepy. If she sees you, she isn’t going to want you back, because you’re stalking her.”

  I skip past the fact that Sasha thinks I’m the type of person to ever do something like that and focus instead on something else. “But, you think she could be open to getting back together? Even after what happened?”

  Her glare completely dispels until she looks at me gently. “I didn’t think it was possible after she had her hissy fit at the office when she broke up with you, but I saw the way she kept looking at you at my wedding. And I saw you both in your car when she came to the office. And, while I couldn’t hear what was being said, it was clear that you guys were sharing a moment. Then I called Larissa this morning to see how she was doing, and she mentioned she had dinner with you and Scarlett. You guys have seen each other!”

  My mind latches on to her words. “I want us to get back together, and it’s true that I’m wishfully thinking up ways that could be possible. I guess I just hadn’t considered it a possibility before.”

  “Anything in this world is possible. I mean, Dec and I hated each other for almost twenty years! And we’re married now.”

  “But, what I did was unforgiveable.”

  “The human mind is an amazing thing, Cynthia,” she says softly, reaching between the seats to rest her hand warmly on my shoulder. “You might think you don’t deserve her forgiveness, but it’s up to her to decide that. Personally, I think you made the wrong decision at that hotel. But every circumstance paints things grey. You made a mistake, one you will never commit again. You never intended to harm anyone, least of all Scarlett. And you have regretted that decision since the moment you made it. You’ve been remorseful, apologetic, and the punishment you put yourself through is, in my opinion, beyond what you deserved.”

  I shake my head, not sure that the world works that way. Maybe Scarlett can learn to forgive, but can she ever forget? Can she ever trust me again?

  The best I can hope for is that she is willing to be my friend.

  “I can see your mind working away in there to dissuade you of what I just said, but trust me. Human lie detector right now.” She pats her belly with her free hand. “I know these things. You took enough time to lick your wounds, and if you’re saying you still miss and want Scarlett after all this time, then you have to realize that’s important. That means something, and you have to fight for it.”

  Her words stir something inside me, something that reminds me of what Scarlett only recently said to me.

  Is that what she expected me to do? To fight for her?

  “Look, whatever you decide, it isn’t healthy to sit outside Scarlett’s workplace, doing whatever it is you’re doing.” She nods down at my closed laptop. “Come back to work and distract yourself while we all come up with a plan to win Scarlett back for you.”

  “We?”

  “Yeah, the girls and Nix. We’re going to have a night out soon. And before you protest,” she hastily adds, likely seeing me ready to rebut, “this is nonnegotiable. I have already sent out the emergency messages warning that it’s coming. It’s happening, and you will come.”

  I smile, loving Sasha so much. Yet, at the same time, I find her incredibly annoying.

  “I can already tell you’re going to be the no-nonsense mother, while Declan will probably be the pushover,” I tell her, laughing when her face crinkles up in disagreement.

  She shakes her head at me, leaning back to cross her arms over her protruding tummy. “No way. I’m going to be the cool parent. Without me, Dec would have them never knowing the true wonders of dessert, and no kid of mine is growing up not knowing how amazing ice cream, cake, and chocolate are! Plus, he would have them thinking comedy is just a man having no idea how the handbrake works in his car, and then shooting said car when it drifts off, almost running innocent bystanders down,” she rants, disapproval back in her voice.

  I’m not sure I exactly follow her words, but I also don’t believe I have ever seen any of the movies that Declan loves, so I don’t think it’s a bad thing to not follow her outburst.

  “Right, weird example, but Jennings’ is right,” Gemma speaks up, sur
prising me for a second since I forgot she was here.

  I am seriously distracted these days. Things like that could put Scarlett in jeopardy.

  “Actually, it’s Lockwood now,” Sasha snaps, glaring at Gemma. “Pretty sure you were there when I said I do.”

  “I think I blocked that whole night out,” she retorts, earning herself another glare from Sasha.

  “Before you guys break into a fight, can I just say that I appreciate the reason you’re here, but I have this covered?”

  “Honey, you’re spiraling. You’ve taken a leave of absence from work, you’re obsessing over Scarlett, and you’re ignoring most of my calls and messages. You need help.”

  “You’re overreacting, Je—Lockwood,” Gemma quickly recovers. “She’s fine. Just needs to get her mind on work and off pussy. I have the perfect case. I need some help, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  Apart from being completely shocked that the word pussy just came out of Gemma’s mouth, I cannot possibly take on another case.

  Shaking my head at her, I begin to protest. “Gemma, I—”

  “Like I said, Park; I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “You know, we do have first names! I’m Sasha, and this is Cynthia,” Sasha snaps, pointing at us both while narrowing her eyes at Gemma.

  This is an argument I have heard many times, and I doubt it will be the last time I hear it, considering how stubborn both these women are.

  “I am aware. Now, Park and I have case details to go over, and you have a promised lunch to grab for Lockwood and Zander.”

  “Why does Zander get his first name out of your mouth? What did he do that warranted special treatment?” Sasha grumbles.

  After what happened with Shannon and the way Zander stepped in to help, I assume that means she is forever grateful. Teagan, who helped speed the case up, is also someone who gets the privilege of having her first name used. No one else, though. I think it’s a way to keep us at a distance.

  After months of working together, I thought we might have built up a friendship, but while I am more comfortable with her and know little facets about her, we are no closer to becoming friends. I am still Park and probably will be forever.

  “You’ve done what you came here to do,” Gemma tells Sasha before nodding my way. “Park is back to work, and she’ll be getting drunk at whatever night out you decide to have, and I’m sure hungover and zero help to me the next day. Got it?”

  Sasha rolls her eyes at me, but clearly decides this fight isn’t worth it.

  “You better answer my messages, and you better come to our drink night. I will track you down again if I have to.”

  “I promise,” I say, leaning toward her when Sasha indicates she wants me closer.

  We have an awkward hug between seats before she leaves, not sparing Gemma another glance.

  “Finally. I thought she would never leave,” Gemma grumbles, shifting into the middle of the back seat so she can see me better.

  “Listen, Gemma, I don’t have time to—”

  “I told Zander that I had a case I was working on off the books. I told him it was personal and, for now, he didn’t need to know about it. He’s given me leeway before, obviously, and so he gave me a few days for this. So, until he pulls me back, I have a few days to help you with Sanchez.”

  My mouth drops open in surprise. “How …? Huh?”

  “I still have access to your work cloud. When you added the info that you hacked on Sanchez, I was able to see it, too.”

  Shit, I forgot about that. While Gemma and I have been working together, I thought it would just be easier to pool our information into one place so we could both access it.

  “You can’t say anything to Scarlett! I promised her I wouldn’t involve you guys,” I rush out, already feeling panic taking hold.

  “I’ll try to restrain myself from telling her too much during our daily phone calls,” she quips. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  Doubting that I will get Gemma off my back even if I wanted to and knowing I could use all the help I can get, I tell her all about Wally and Manuel Sanchez. There’s no point in holding back now.

  “You think he is a viable threat?”

  I shrug, wishing for the millionth time I had a more definitive answer. “I haven’t seen any evidence that says she’s a target, but she feels like she’s being watched. I only just got on this a handful of days ago.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  I pause, mainly because I never expected this. “Why do you want to help? Why are you doing this for me?”

  “We’re coworkers,” Gemma answers like this explains everything. It totally doesn’t.

  “So? Are you saying that, if Joey came to you with an issue, you would take some personal time to help him out?”

  Her involuntary cringe says it all. “Depends on what he needed help with. The bloodier, the better.”

  I roll my eyes. “Okay, but you have no idea how bloody or tame this case is, yet here you are, offering to help.”

  She purses her lips as annoyance tinges her expression. “Are you hoping I’ll take back my offer, Park?”

  “No, of course not,” I rush out, desperate for her help. I know I need it. I probably could use more than just her helping me, but she is better than no one helping. “I was just curious.”

  “How about you be curious about Sanchez and leave me out of it?”

  “Fine,” I give in, not sure why I even bothered to push in the first place. “I haven’t had a chance to look properly into Sanchez’s men. I was able to clone a couple phones, and I’m scanning local traffic cams in the area for a match on the known plates, but I could use another set of eyes on that.”

  “Done. Give me some addresses, plus their headquarters, and I’ll set up surveillance.”

  Relief courses through me that I’m not alone, even if there is a tension rolling through me that Scarlett might not see things my way when or if she finds out.

  “I mean what I said earlier. Scarlett can’t know you know, so you can’t let anyone in on what is going on, especially Jerry. He’ll blab to Zander, and then Ava will know, which means Sasha will be about five minutes behind her. Then everyone will know, including Harvey and Nix.”

  “Great group of tight-lipped friends you have there.”

  “We’re not just friends, Gemma. We’re family. Secrets and family don’t mix well.”

  “I already have enough issues with my own family, so don’t even think about lugging me in with your created one,” she snaps, shuffling toward the door and resting her hand over the handle.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. How is Shannon doing, by the way?” I ask, preventing her from a hasty exit just yet.

  “You mean Lennox?” she drawls, momentarily pausing her retreat.

  I then recall her telling me that is the name her sister is going by now. That’s going to take some getting used to.

  “She’s okay, I suppose,” Gemma continues before I can correct myself. “She says she wants more independence, but I’m not sure she’s ready.”

  “If she’s asking for it, that must be a good thing. A step in the right direction?” I suggest, hoping things are improving for them. Both sisters have been through so much. They deserve a break.

  She shrugs, her eyes straying to the slow foot traffic moving past my car. “I guess. There is so much crap going on in the world. I don’t want her to get caught up in it again.”

  “She can’t live inside forever.”

  “Why not?” she counters defensively. “Jerry does.”

  I amend my earlier thoughts about Gemma only calling Zander and Teagan by their first names. She calls Jerry by his, but only because none of us have a clue what his real name is, let alone his last name.

  “Jerry has his own problems. You can’t protect Sh—Lennox forever. One day she is going to leave the nest. You’re not her mother, Gemma.”

  Gemma glares at me, clearly no longer appreciating this conversation
. “How about you focus on your girlfriend, who looks to be leaving the restaurant without your notice and less on me and my problems.” Gemma then rushes out onto the street, and I only spare a brief glance at her retreating back before shifting my eyes to Scarlett.

  I grab my phone and call her, hiding my laptop under my seat as I quickly get out of my car and start off in the direction Scarlett has disappeared.

  “Hey—”

  “Where are you going?” I snap, huffing as I race across the street.

  “I’m getting coffee for me and—”

  “You can’t just up and leave without at least informing me.”

  “It’s coffee,” she deadpans.

  “Do you feel watched and like you’re in danger or not? Because, how silly would you feel if you got hurt because you couldn’t resist getting some coffee?”

  She doesn’t answer me, though I can tell by the tense set of her shoulders as I approach from behind that she is frustrated.

  I click off the call before I can hear her verbally berate me for being insensitive, but before she can be too annoyed, I reach out and lightly touch her elbow.

  She jumps in surprise then quickly shifts from scared to annoyed once she sees it’s me.

  “You don’t have to be such a bitch about this,” she snaps.

  “I’d rather be a bitch and overcautious than try to be polite and potentially lose you.”

  She seems to take in my words. Since she doesn’t push back, I assume she must realize I’m right.

  “Have you found anything yet?” she asks in a much calmer tone.

  “Not yet,” I murmur as I wonder if I should mention Gemma is now involved.

  Secrets and lies are never a good thing. She might be angry and pissed to know Gemma is aware of what is going on, but wouldn’t she be hurt and untrusting if she found out later and not through me?

  We enter a coffee shop. Given the amount of people around, I decide I should wait for a better time to bring it up.

  I’m really not keen on having a fight with Scarlett in public, and while I would obviously rather not have a fight at all, I figure at least doing it in private will be less dangerous for her if someone is waiting for her to be distracted.