“Where?” Jason heard the uniformed officer snicker, as if the question were beneath him.
The driver motioned to the khaki pants.
“Can you show me?” Jason gave the driver a hand and pulled him to his feet. Sure enough, there was a smudge on the back of the driver’s pants. “Do you remember what kind of shoes he was wearing?”
“Yeah, they were silver and black cross-trainer shoes. The expensive brand with the serrated sole.”
“With the distinctive tread pattern,” Jason said, taking a picture of the imprint on the driver’s pants. “Let me have a look around for any footprints matching the shoe. Thanks for your cooperation.”
“Hey, man, as long as you write up the report on how it wasn’t my fault the company’s car is busted up.” The man wiped the copious sweat from his forehead.
“We’ll take care of that,” Blade said. “Anything else you remember?”
“No, if I think of something, I’ll let you know.”
Both Jason and Blade exchanged contact information with the man whose name was Felix Santiago.
After taking leave of Felix, Jason walked underneath the fire escape where he’d seen the suspicious character. “I saw him. Dammit. I should have taken a picture of him. He was up there on that fire escape with a pair of binoculars. Let’s go up there and see if we can lift fingerprints. I have prints I lifted from Dr. Renzi’s apartment.”
“The therapist?” Blade asked. “Or is she now your girlfriend?”
“Therapist only.” Jason mock-punched his partner. “I’m going to schedule another appointment and get her to talk.”
What he didn’t tell Blade was that he wanted Avery to be his girlfriend.
Chapter Fifteen
Avery was glad she wore sunglasses large enough to cover the bruise over her right eye. She’d called Damon from the emergency room and was shocked to find her eldest brother, Chase, taking up two parking spots with his Hummer H2, the luxury version of the military SUV popularized by a former bodybuilder governor.
“Damon’s up at The Manor already,” Chase said, referring to her parents’ Westchester County home.
Avery supposed it was her home too, since she lived there growing up, but it never felt cozy and safe. Not that she’d ever let her family know the reason.
They loved her, and they worked hard to provide a protective cocoon for her without knowing that it wasn’t outsiders such as robbers or gang members who were the most dangerous.
“You didn’t have to come all this way,” Avery said, knowing Chase hated driving in the city. “I could have called a cab.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He took hold of her upper arm and lifted her onto the passenger seat. “You were attacked by an out of control taxicab. How would any of us feel letting you wander around looking for another one?”
“I’m sure I’ll be okay, and thanks for giving me a ride.” She long ago learned it was easier to defer to her eldest brother than argue with him.
“Mom and Dad want you to come home for a while.” Chase shut the heavy door and lumbered around the front of the Hummer. When he got into the driver’s seat, he said, “I’ll take you back to the apartment to pick up your things. We don’t want to alarm them too much, but when they heard you were attacked, Dad ordered me to come up with a protection plan for you.”
Avery fastened her seat belt and took a moment to catch her breath. Chase was an ex-Marine and a hunting guide. Lately, because their father was running for Congress, Chase moved in with them to set up his bodyguard detail.
“I appreciate what you guys are doing.” Avery fought to keep her voice from rising. “And I’m sure you have a bulletproof plan, but I’d rather not get the parents involved.”
“It’s easier to guard you up at The Manor than down here in Manhattan.” He put the giant SUV in gear and backed out of the spot.
“The Melbourne is secure,” Avery said. “We have a doorman, and you can’t get up the elevator unless you have a keycard.”
“It’s not just the building.” Chase paid for the parking and waited for the turnstile bar to raise. “You were attacked outside a coffee shop. At the Manor, we have a defensible zone three-hundred-sixty degrees around the main house, not to mention the electronic gates.”
“I have a fashion show to prepare for,” Avery said. “I’ve meetings with my model wrangler, fittings and adjustments, choreography, and publicity. I can’t be stuck upstate all week.”
“Do you want to be alive for your show?” Chase’s voice was deep and growly. “You know what happened last year.”
Avery clamped her jaw shut and crossed her arms, hugging herself despite the heat. Of course, she knew what happened to Brando. She’d been living and reliving the consequences every day.
“I’m still trying to get over my anxiety and panic over what happened, but I can’t hide out forever.”
“You won’t be hiding at The Manor. You can have your meetings in the conference center.”
“I could, but it would be inconvenient for my assistants.”
“We can work out the logistics,” Chase said. “I can move your sewing and design equipment up to The Manor, and we might be able to house your assistants close by.”
“Chase, I appreciate it,” she said, even though she could never out-argue her brothers, especially the oldest one. “But there are last-minute adjustments and design changes all the time. I’m always running to the garment district to get this or that.”
“You can order stuff online.”
“No, won’t work. Sometimes, I go for a particular piece of bling and I see something else that’ll work better. Fashion is an art, and I never know when inspiration strikes.”
He turned the corner and stopped the Hummer in front of her apartment building. “Avery, your life is more important than the fashion show. Pack your stuff, and we’ll work everything else out.”
Jason was dying to call Avery, but he couldn’t break away from reviewing the videos that were turned in, looking over witness statements, and filing the paperwork.
The doorman at her apartment said she left with her eldest brother in a Hummer, and Alida said she was spending the evening up at her parents’ place, so he knew she was safe.
After showering and changing, he buzzed Tatiana Renzi at her apartment.
“It’s you again?” she answered the intercom, having seen his face on the video feed. “Did you bring me a present?”
“I have new information on the man seen leaving your apartment,” he said. “I’d like to come up and ask you a few questions.”
“Only if you brought me flowers or chocolate.”
“Raincheck for coffee okay with you?”
Tatiana sighed and unlocked the door. “You’re so controlling, but yes. Come on up.”
Jason glanced at Mrs. Bonet’s door when he exited the elevator but decided not to disturb her in case she hadn’t heard about the attack.
Tatiana was standing at her doorway waiting for him. “I told you I’m not prosecuting. In fact, I don’t want word getting out that I’m helping you.”
“Are you?” He raised an eyebrow and gave her a twisted smirk as he stepped into her apartment.
“What do you have?” She eyed the video on his cell phone.
“Recognize this guy?” He watched her expression carefully.
“Could be anyone. Dark clothes, average height.”
“True, but what about the shoes?”
“Nope. I’ve never seen him wearing athletic shoes. That’s not his style.”
“But the figure, the way he walks and carries himself. Does that remind you of anyone?”
“He’s wearing the wrong type of sunglasses. The way he carries himself is similar.”
“You mean stiff and proud.”
“Like he always gets his way,” she finished his thought.
“Then you’d say we got our guy?”
She shrugged. “Can’t swear to it on a stack of Bibles.”
“Enough for me to
get a subpoena.”
“On me?” She backed away and her hand went to her bruised face.
“As a material witness.” He encroached on her personal space. “Dr. Renzi, you not only know who this man is, but you’re aware of his criminal behavior, and now I have proof he’s an attempted murderer. I could drag you in for questioning.”
“I’ll claim client privilege.” She jutted her chin up at him, defiant to the end.
“Give me his name, and I’ll keep you out of it.”
Her lips wobbled, but she shook her head.
“Then come down to the precinct with me.”
“On what grounds?” Her voice faltered, even though her facial expression remained fierce.
“I can make you an accomplice if I can tie this man to his appearance at your apartment with the attempted murder of Miss Cockburn. Don’t forget. I lifted prints, and you admitted he was inside your apartment. Did you two cook it up? Are you helping him stalk Miss Cockburn?”
“Of course not. You promised you’d keep me out of this.”
“Name.” His voice remained as firm as his aggressive stance.
She stared at him, but he wasn’t going to let her stare him down, so he returned a fierce glare. “Name.”
“Promise to keep me out of this?”
“Name.”
She blinked, and wiped her forehead, as if utterly exhausted. “You didn’t hear it from me. Larry Leach.”
“Seriously? Larry the leech? How cliché.” He crossed his arms. “With an E or an A?”
“L. E. A. C. H.” She stomped her foot. “Get out of here and don’t come back. And don’t bother calling for an anger management appointment either.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
Jason ran Larry the Leech, correction, Lawrence Leach through the database. He was an investment banker. No priors. A few traffic tickets. His address was listed in an upscale and expensive high-rise in the region known as Billionaire’s Row just southeast of Central Park.
There was no mug shot, but he was able to find photos on social media. The man was a prominent member of the Upper East Side society and not exactly the profile of a hitman.
He was about the same height and weight as the estimate for the man in the video, but Jason wasn’t sure about the walking gait. The man Jason chased was more flexible and agile than he expected. Something wasn’t quite right.
Jason wrote his suspicions in his notebook. He had enough information to question Avery and an excuse to invade her family compound—a huge colonial-style mansion up in the ritziest Westchester County neighborhood.
After almost an hour of driving, Jason exited the Saw Mill River Parkway and wound his way past bucolic hills to an estate hidden behind thickets of lush trees. He announced himself at the gate as Detective Burnett, NYPD.
“This is Chase Cockburn, head of security.” A growly voice replaced the smooth, female voice. “What is the nature of your business?”
“I’m here to interview the victim, Avery Cockburn.”
“She’s given enough interviews already. Do you have a search warrant?”
“No, but I can get one,” Jason replied. “I have reason to believe your sister knows the identity of her attacker.”
“Then you’ll have to get the warrant. She doesn’t have to speak to you.”
“Ask her if she’d like to speak to me.”
“I don’t have to ask. She’s had a rough day, and we want you to leave her alone. If you have information on her attacker, why don’t you arrest him?”
“Why don’t I arrest you for obstruction of justice?” Jason switched off the gate intercom and called Avery’s cell. “Hey, how’re you doing?”
“Jason, are you okay?” First words out of her mouth, and they showed concern for him.
“I’m fine. How about you?”
“A little banged up, but no injuries. I shudder to think what would have happened if you hadn’t tackled me. My parents saw the shocking video on the news.”
“Tell them I’m sorry I was so rough. But it was a reflex.”
“I know. Did you catch the guy driving the taxi?”
“Almost, but I got a good description of him. Unfortunately, he’s average height, weight, a fast runner, and wears expensive trainers. Know anyone like that?”
“Most of the guys who go running in the park fit that description. Think it was the guy who buzzed you on the mountain bike?”
“Not sure, but at least I have a shoeprint and sunglasses description.” He was stumped, for now, but he might as well cash in his chips. “Are you up for dinner? Didn’t we have a raincheck?”
“Did we?”
“I’m pretty sure I asked you to dinner.”
She responded with laughter. “You did, but I don’t remember what I said.”
“You said you’d love to, and there’s this little hole in the wall place you’d love to try, and yeah, I’m the man.”
“I’m pretty sure I didn’t say that, but you win, Detective. Only problem, I’m an hour upstate. My big brother put me under protective custody.”
“I’m at the gate of this humungous hideaway.”
“You’re here? Then come on up.”
“Can’t. Head of security has me blocked at the gate.”
“Oh, Chase. He’s serious about this. Probably watching you on camera right now. I’ve got an idea. Stay where you are, call him again, and keep him talking. Then in fifteen minutes, turn right at the end of the driveway and meet me in the apple orchard. It’s getting dark, so I don’t think he’ll see me sneak out if you keep him busy.”
“You’re a sneaky girl.” He laughed. “I’m going to have to keep that in mind.”
“Oh, I’m betting you always do.”
Chapter Sixteen
Avery had already spoken to her parents, assuring them she was okay and sharing with them her theory that Matt Swanson could have been the target. She wasn’t sure they fully believed her, but then again, they seemed to want to believe she was safe. They didn’t like the idea of her hanging around with the playboy football player, so she let them know it was only for publicity’s sake up to Manhattan Fashion Week.
She then begged off from watching TV with them and retired to her childhood room to rest. She’d been staring at her cell phone, itching to call Jason but stopping herself.
Was it only this morning when she and Jason had gone to the shooting range? He’d promised to teach her how to shoot, and then, oh goodness, he’d been so aggressive; it still gave her tingles at how fast and hot he was.
The kiss she didn’t want to think about came flooding back to her. It wasn’t unwanted. Not at all. But what kind of person would that make her? A woman who hadn’t truly loved her dead fiancé?
It was one thing to go out and have a little fun, but Jason didn’t feel like a fun guy. He was way too serious and intense. She could tell just by the way he stood, always on alert and combat ready. A guy like him wouldn’t be satisfied with catching a few baseball games, knocking back a couple of beers, or even quick, hot sex on a lazy afternoon.
There was something just over the edge of normalcy with Jason Burnett, and that made him dangerous. Like the way he’d stalked outside of the coffee shop and spied on her drinking a latte with Matt. Surveilled her! Like she was prey picked out of a herd.
Still, had he not been there, she would be on her way to being buried next to Brando. That car came way too close.
She put her phone down, deciding not to call Jason.
Maybe he’d been doing his job. A police detective kept information to himself. He’d been at the right place at the right time, but hadn’t Alida been the reason he was at the fashion show? And today’s publicity stunt had also been organized by Alida.
Could she be the link? She had multiple clients in business, entertainment, and politics. What if her publicity stunts were unwelcome or revealed something a client wanted to keep private?
Not my circus, not my monkey.
Av
ery wandered to her bureau and picked up the picture of her and Brando, taken on a cruise ship. The big man had such kind eyes. He’d seen terrible things, ran through burning buildings, and rescued victims, some of whom didn’t make it.
But Brando rose above the tragedies of life. Brando knew that what he did was right and good. He was secure in his role as hero and lifesaver. He was easy to get along with and lovable.
Even though Jason had never opened his heart, Avery was sure dark things lurked. A cagey, suspicious man who hunted criminals had things to hide. She wasn’t accusing him, per se, but it was the way of the world, especially in a city controlled by deep, dark forces. He wasn’t a small-town sheriff whose only problem was the town drunk and an occasional woman going into labor during a parade.
Avery paced back and forth in her room, feeling like a caged animal. Chase was probably in his room cleaning his guns and drawing up a security plan for her. Her parents watched TV. Damon was in the man cave testing a video game with his crew. Alex was out on an island in the Caribbean working on a resort he was developing, and Stone, who knew where he was?
Stone was the middle child and stone-cold crazy. He was the black sheep who turned his back on her parents. Stone was a UFC fighter and owned a boxing club. Stone had it rough and never forgave her for her role in the family drama that drove him away. He was closed to them, and he wouldn’t listen to her explanation. Then there was Harper …
Her phone rang, and Jason’s name flashed on the screen. Avery’s heart flooded with relief. “Jason, are you okay?”
He assured her he wasn’t hurt chasing the suspect but was upset he hadn’t caught him. And then, when he’d suggested dinner, she remembered she’d owed him one for not arresting Matt.
She’d played it off, of course. No sense making that man think he owed her, and then, something happened. Her heart lightened, and she’d actually caught herself smiling.
It would be fun to sneak out right under Chase’s nose. She’d be perfectly safe with Jason, so why not? Besides, she was a pro at sneaking out of her parents’ supposedly secure mansion.
Triggered by Love Page 12
