by Jenna Night
But what could she eat or drink to strengthen her for confronting her cousin? Maybe she’d expected too much from Jasmine too quickly. Maybe the truth was she and her cousin were both in serious danger.
* * *
“What was the man’s name?” Jasmine asked Harry. “The man who said he saw me having dinner with Darrin just a few days ago. Because that’s not true.” She shoved her fisted hands onto her hips.
They had only been in Jasmine’s condo for a minute or two, not even long enough for them to sit down, when Ramona confronted Jasmine about the man’s comment.
Harry reached for his phone. “His name is Karl. I’ve forgotten his last name. Let me look at my notes.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to. Tall guy with dark hair, right? Looks like he stepped out of a men’s cologne ad?”
The man had in fact been stylishly dressed in an expensive-looking suit. “Yes,” Harry said.
“Karl Bock.” Jasmine let out a scoff of irritation. “Figures. He was Darrin’s main rival. They run contests there and pay substantial bonuses based on hitting certain sales targets. Karl won nearly every contest until Darrin showed up and gave him some competition. Stole the limelight from old golden boy Karl.”
“I understand there being bad blood between them, but why would this guy lie about you?” Ramona interjected.
Jasmine shook her head and dropped onto the sofa in her living room, arms crossed tightly over her chest and her cheeks turning red. “I saw Karl a few times at the Earth Movers office and at work-related social events when I was still with Darrin. When Darrin wasn’t looking, Karl flirted with me. I could tell it wasn’t anything personal, it was just part of his attempt to compete with Darrin. He was trying to steal me away. He asked me out, more than once, and I turned him down each time. I could tell it bruised his ego.”
“Maybe Karl just misjudged the timing of how recently he’d seen you and Darrin together,” Harry said, trying to tone down the tension in the room. Ramona was stressed and frustrated with her cousin, and Jasmine was defensive. Letting things become confrontational was not going to get Harry the information he needed.
“I’m not lying,” Jasmine said defiantly to Ramona. Then she sniffed loudly and her eyes started to tear up. “This is all my fault.” She swiped her eyes. “Mom and I were so upset when we heard what happened to you yesterday. Did your parents tell you we wanted to come over to their house and see you? But they thought it was a bad idea.”
“Yes, they did tell me.” Ramona sat down on the sofa next to her cousin and took her hand.
Jasmine started crying all the harder. “I have something to tell you but I’m afraid you won’t believe me,” she said. “Especially now.”
Harry sat down in a chair across from her and watched her closely.
“What is it?” Ramona asked.
Jasmine gulped in a deep breath. Then she dug her phone out of her purse and showed them a text: No one will ever come between us.
“Did this come from Darrin’s number?” Harry asked.
“I’ve never seen this number before.”
“When did you get it?”
“Late last night.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when I called you this morning to tell you we were coming over?” Ramona asked, her tone indignant.
“Because I know what my track record is and I didn’t think you’d believe me if I told you I’m not doing anything at all to encourage him. I don’t want him back. Especially after what he’s done to you.” Jasmine’s head dropped down and she looked at the floor as she continued talking. “And I want you to know I’ve got meetings set up with a counselor. I haven’t been using any drugs at all for a while, now.” She lifted her head and looked Ramona in the eyes. “That’s the truth. But I’m scared. I’ve failed before. So, this time I’m doing things right. I’m checking in with the counselor every single day.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Ramona said, wrapping her arm around her cousin’s shoulder for a side hug. “And I believe that you broke up with Darrin for good a couple of weeks ago like you said you did.”
“You should let the cops know about that text,” Harry said. “They might be able to trace it. Or get a billing address attached to the account and find Darrin that way.”
“Okay.”
Ramona dug Sergeant Bergman’s card out of her wallet and handed it to her cousin. Jasmine punched in the number. Within a few seconds, she was nervously pacing back and forth between the living room and the kitchen while talking to Bergman.
After a few moments, Harry turned to Ramona. Seeing her this morning at the ranch, he’d thought about how vibrant and strong she looked, especially considering all she’d been through. Looking at her in that golden sunlight, he never would have thought she’d had health issues. Battling pneumonia, that was serious business.
But then Willa had looked vibrant and strong the last morning he’d seen her. An hour later, he’d received the call that she’d collapsed. And just before midnight, his wife was declared dead. The brain aneurysm and resultant complications had snatched away her life.
Harry forced his thoughts back to the situation at hand. He glanced at Jasmine, who was still on the phone. “Do you honestly believe what she just told us?” he asked Ramona. He wasn’t entirely convinced. Maybe Jasmine had seen Darrin more recently but she was embarrassed to admit it.
“I do,” Ramona answered. “And I believe Darrin knows she’s taking steps to heal. That’s why he’s pursuing me and tormenting her—because he knows that his chance to get her back is slipping away. She’s going back to church. Her faith is growing stronger. He can’t manipulate her or control her with drugs anymore. And he’s panicking.”
Faith. It had pulled Harry back from the edge of an emotional abyss more than once. First in the military, when he’d seen so many horrible things in combat. And then after Willa’s sudden death.
He hadn’t faced the exact same challenges that Jasmine was going through, but he’d dealt with his own version. And who was he to judge her? Recovery and healing were not straight-line kinds of things. They were typically zigzags. That was true whether you were talking about recovery from addiction, recovery from a bad relationship or recovery from a devastating loss.
Life could be harrowing. And Harry was grateful for the faith his parents had raised him with. What would he have done without it?
Jasmine came back from the kitchen. “The police are going to do what research they can with the phone number,” she said, setting her phone down onto a table.
“Do you think you’re in danger?” Ramona asked and then glanced over at Harry. “Do you think you need to move somewhere else until all this is over?”
Harry met the questioning look in Ramona’s eyes and gave a single nod. If Jasmine wanted to come out to the ranch, he would work that out with Cassie.
Jasmine shook her head. “I’m being careful. I have friends going with me to and from work. And Alex is coming by tomorrow with his work crew to finally put in a security system. He said he’s decided to put one in all of the condos he’s built. Just to be safe.”
Ramona nodded. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Jasmine sat back down on the couch beside Ramona. “You’re the one who’s in danger.” She patted Ramona’s hand. “I’m sorry to say it, but it’s true.”
Harry had come to the same, glaringly obvious conclusion. Based on the text message, it seemed Darrin thought Ramona was trying to come between him and Jasmine. And he would do whatever was necessary to keep that from happening.
Harry glanced over at Ramona. She gave him a brave, encouraging smile that made his heart ache just a little. And he realized he’d try just about anything anyone suggested to keep her safe.
Jasmine cleared her throat and turned to Harry. “So, I heard a few people at the office today talking about going over
to the lounge at the Water Grill after work for a couple of drinks. That reminded me of when Darrin used to go there to hang out with some of his friends. Maybe you could find someone there who knows something about him that can help you.”
Harry glanced at Ramona. “I’ll get you back to the ranch and then I’ll go check it out.”
“I don’t think you have time for that,” Jasmine said, shaking her head. “They have a free appetizer buffet and drink specials from five to seven. After that, most of the happy hour crowd clears out. I don’t know exactly where the ranch is, but it’s obviously out of town. It’s already after six, right now. By the time you drop her off and get to the lounge, the people you want to talk to would be gone.”
“I’ll go with you,” Ramona said to Harry. “It’ll be okay. I don’t imagine Darrin will actually be there. Whatever friends he used to have there must know he’s a wanted man. It’s a nice, upscale place. If any of the employees see him, they’ll call the police. He’s got to know that.”
Ramona’s reasoning was solid. The problem was, Harry wasn’t sure Darrin would behave in a reasonable way. Heading to the lounge with her was a risk. But letting things continue any longer was a risk, too.
Sometimes in order to make a capture, Harry had to take a chance. He just hated doing it when it was someone else’s safety he was putting on the line. But what other choice did he have?
SIX
“I came here to the Water Grill for dinner with colleagues a couple of times back when I was working my office job downtown,” Ramona said. “I’ve heard about their Thursday night happy hour, but I never checked it out for myself. It’s not exactly my scene.”
Harry pulled his truck into a slot in the restaurant’s parking lot. “So, what is your scene?” His tone had a slight edge of teasing to it.
Good question, Ramona thought. What was her scene? Did she even have one?
No, not really.
But admitting that would probably make her sound pitiful to him. He was a bounty hunter who was also a combat veteran. No doubt his scene involved doing something impressive, like wrestling steers or rescuing hostages. She decided to ignore his question and reach for the door handle.
He immediately threw his arm in front of her. Momentum had her pressing into it before she realized what was happening and once again there was no missing Harry Orlansky’s muscles. Wherever his scene was, the women who inhabited it probably flocked to him like flies on honey. There was no denying that he was a handsome man. And he could be charming when he wanted to be.
“Let’s just sit here for a minute,” he said after he dropped his arm back down, the earlier hint of playfulness in his voice replaced by a more serious tone. He glanced around at the other vehicles and people in the parking lot, and then checked the truck’s side and rearview mirrors.
“Do you really think we were followed?” Ramona asked, twisting in her seat and looking out the windows beside and behind her.
“I wouldn’t say it’s likely, but it is possible,” Harry answered. “I’d rather be cautious than take a chance when I don’t have to. So, let’s just sit here and watch the people and vehicles around us for a few minutes.”
“All right.” Ramona settled back into her seat.
“So, we were talking about your scene,” Harry said. “Tell me about it. What do you like to do for fun?”
Great, they were back to that. “What do you do?” she countered.
“When I’m not chasing bail jumpers, I’m usually working on my parents’ ranch. And I volunteer with an equine search-and-rescue group. That’s how I met Cassie and her dad. After my wife passed away, I was pretty lost and aimless.” His voice became husky with emotion. “After about six months of that, Adam offered to train me to work as a bounty hunter. He told me it would give me a sense of purpose and help take my mind off my sorrows. He was right. It might not be therapeutic for most people, but it was the perfect thing for me.”
Harry was a widower. Ramona felt a pang of heartache in sympathy for him. She couldn’t imagine the grief he had gone through.
“I’m not interested in bars or social scenes or anything like that,” he added. “Well-intentioned friends have tried to drag me to places where I could meet new people. I know they were trying to give me a push back into dating, but that’s not for me.” He shook his head. “I’m not looking to get married again.”
It was ridiculous that Ramona was stung with disappointment at his words. Hadn’t she already told herself that he wasn’t the stable, low-drama kind of guy she was looking for?
“Your turn,” Harry said, as he watched a trio of men get out of an SUV and walk toward the restaurant’s entrance. “Tell me about yourself.”
Why? was her initial thought.
It was possible he was open to being friends. Or maybe he was just bored. In any event, he’d been willing to open up a little bit so it seemed only fair that she should, too.
“When I was a teenager, I used to help my parents at the diner,” Ramona said. Just a few minutes ago, she’d been worried about her life seeming boring and pitiful to him considering the exciting life he must live. But now that she knew how deeply he was mourning, that concern just seemed childish and petty.
They weren’t on a date. It didn’t matter what he thought. Admittedly, she found him attractive, but he’d just told her he wasn’t looking for another special woman in his life. And rather than try to help him or fix his problems for him, she was going to believe him and move on. While she was battling pneumonia, she’d made a promise to herself that she was going to stop repeating the same unhealthy decisions she’d made in the past when it came her relationships. And she was going to keep that promise. No more trying to win over men with relationship issues. Of any sort. That was a dead end.
And since she was already way too drawn to Harry, it would probably be best for her peace of mind to keep her distance from him altogether, once it was safe for them to part ways. Even worse than a relationship that was going nowhere would be a relationship that was one-sided, with her pining over an unavailable man.
When the hunt for Darrin and his accomplices was over, that would have to be the end of any budding friendship between Ramona and Harry. So, that being the case, why shouldn’t she be honest with Harry right now? Why not tell him about her embarrassingly uneventful life?
“I put in a lot of hours working at Kitchen Table and I liked it,” she continued. “I enjoyed chatting with the regulars. I liked moving all the time instead of sitting at a desk even if it made me tired by the end of the day. My parents wanted me to pursue a professional career working in an office like my Aunt Valerie so I’d have a larger, more stable income than they did and maybe have an easier life. I tried that for a year and a half. I worked at a finance company and took business classes at night, until I came down with pneumonia and couldn’t work or attend school at all for three months. In some ways, it was actually a relief. I didn’t like the office job. I don’t want to sit at a desk and stare at a computer screen all day.” There, she’d finally said that out loud to someone. Maybe eventually she’d be able to say it to her parents.
“Our church has a ministry where we bring meals to people who are homebound and I spend time with them when I can. It’s not a big deal,” she continued, feeling a little self-conscious for mentioning it. But she wanted him to know that she did have a life. It just wasn’t one that would impress very many people. “I drop off some food from the diner and hang out for a half hour or so, chatting with people or sometimes just listening to someone who’s been home alone all day.”
“That’s a pretty cool scene,” Harry said.
“Yeah, right,” Ramona shot back. Obviously, the big bad bounty hunter was making fun of her.
“Sounds like you’ve found something you enjoy doing for a living. Not everybody can say that. And it sounds like you know how to talk to people, even strangers
, and give them an encouraging word. Maybe the only kind word they hear all day. Not everybody can do that. I know I can’t do that.” He shook his head. “Half the time what I say makes people feel worse instead of better. I’m the king of sticking my foot in my mouth. Just ask my family.”
Ramona couldn’t help laughing a little. At the same time, she felt a little sting of heartache. Because Harry got it. Without her explaining, he understood what it was about the things she liked to do that made them important to her and made her happy.
But her scene was so simple. Was it too simple? Was she doing enough with her life? Or by not being more ambitious, was she not fully using the talents she’d been given? Lord, I need Your guidance about so many things right now, she prayed silently.
“All right, let’s go,” Harry said.
They climbed out of his truck and headed into the main entrance. The Water Grill was built on the edge of Lake Bell, and as soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted with a view of the water through the floor-to-ceiling window on the far side of the building. There was still enough daylight to see slightly rippling water and the dusky shadows beneath the tall pines on the shoreline as dark clouds started rolling in. To the right of the foyer was the bar and lounge with its cozy furniture groupings and oversize fireplace. To the left was the entrance to the restaurant.
Harry held Ramona’s arm with a light touch and steered her toward the bar. “First stop is the bartender,” he said softly into her ear. “The good ones know all the regulars, all the gossip and everything that happens in their establishment.”
“Have you talked to this guy before?” Ramona asked, glancing toward the man with short red hair and sideburns behind the bar.
“Nope.”
As they approached the bar, the bartender smoothly moved toward them. “What’ll you have?”
“Just some information.” Harry held up his phone to show him a photo of Darrin Linder. “Have you seen this man?”
