“I don’t like that you lied to me,” her father continued.
“Sorry about that, forgive me?”
He kissed her forehead. “Of course. I just want you to be happy. No matter what color the guy is.” He looked at Drake as if sizing him up for a coffin. “He makes you happy?” His tone said “no way.”
Faith swallowed but didn’t look at Drake. “Why’re you asking all these questions?”
“Because you’ll be leaving in a day or so, going…” He frowned. “I don’t know where you live.”
“We have a place in Denver,” Drake said before she spoke.
Faith’s eyes widened and then narrowed at him.
“Really? That’s a long way from here. Thank you kindly for bringing her to see her old man,” her father said.
“Don’t thank me, Faith wanted to see you, and nothing would stop her,” Drake said earning another glare.
“She’s always been stubborn like that. Got it from her mother. It’s a good trait to have in a woman, keeps things lively and interesting,” her father told Drake. “My son’s spending the night with some new girl he met. Maybe I’ll get some sleep without them making all that racket. Don’t understand what he’s eating, but he’s like a battery going all night long. Thinks I'm sleeping when they come in but who can stay sleep with all that moaning and yelling. I’m old, but I’m not deaf.” Her father pointed at Drake. “You’ll sleep in the living room on the sofa. One night apart won’t kill you. Might be good for you to have a little time apart to reflect on life.”
Drake smiled.
Faith closed her eyes and shook her head. “We wouldn’t do that here and Alex shouldn’t either. I’ll talk to him.”
“No. Leave the boy, be. He’s young, and that’s what they do. If he doesn’t get it out, he could get backed up, and that’ll make it worse. Can’t be going to the hospital behind no blocked balls.” Her father moved into the hall.
Drake’s eyes watered from suppressed laughter. “Blocked balls?” Why hadn’t he recorded the conversation for Moses and Asher? They would’ve gotten a kick out of it, too.
Faith re-entered the room and hissed. “What’s all that stuff Paul and Franco brought into the house?”
“Surveillance equipment.” He thought it was obvious.
“No. No. No. Please. I beg you. Have them put it up and just look out the window and stuff, I can’t tell my daddy about this case, and he’s not dumb.”
Drake raised his brow.
“I admit I miscalculated with the working together story, but I have to protect him. He won’t lie if anyone asks him questions,” she said.
“Tell him they’re here for me like you planned.”
She bit down on her lower lip, drawing his gaze to her mouth. “Why would you need security?”
“I’m an important man, but we can’t talk about it. Hush, hush, stuff,” he said.
She grunted.
Drake laughed. “You asked.”
“So I did, silly me. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything better. Come on Mr. Important. I’m hungry and hope to clean this place before we leave tomorrow,” she said marching him out front into the living room.
Franco had been on the front porch and entered when she and Drake returned. “I can fix that railing out front if you have the materials.” He pointed to the broken porch rails.
Faith moved quickly to the sofa and grabbed her purse.
Drake noticed Faith’s father watching them. Drake placed his hand on her arm while staring into her eyes spoke to Franco. “Go into town, buy whatever you need to make any repairs you can do while we’re here.”
She frowned at him, opened her mouth.
He squeezed her arm. “Your father wanted something to drink, too.”
Faith’s eyes widened remembering their ruse and then she nodded. “Daddy, can I get you something?”
Drake walked over to Franco and handed him several large bills. “What else can you fix?” he asked in a low voice.
“The Porch. I can replace those rotted boards, there may be more in the back. Inside appears solid. I haven’t checked the bathrooms or the kitchen. Want to me to look at them?”
Drake nodded. “Yes. Fix everything you can. After this is over, she may want to have the house painted inside and out.”
Franco nodded.
“I’ll look around the back and see what’s what,” Paul said before walking outside. Drake stepped out onto the porch and immediately saw the decay. The yard wasn’t much better either. The hedges needed trimming and the grass cut. They couldn’t do a whole lot, but they would do something. He sent Asher a text asking him to find a hotel for Paul and Franco, they couldn’t stay here tonight, there was no room. Besides if they did manual labor today and tomorrow, it would be a better cover than anything else.
Asher agreed and would send the hotel information later.
Paul returned. “There’s a lawnmower, looks almost new and other equipment. Tomorrow, I’ll take care of the yard while Franco handles the other repairs.”
Drake nodded in agreement. “Asher’s getting you rooms nearby for the night. Take most of the equipment, get some rest and be here by sunrise tomorrow.”
Paul nodded.
Franco stepped out. “I’ve written down the supplies I need to fix the plumbing in the bathrooms. Nothing big, won’t take long.”
“Good,” Drake explained about the hotel and what he wanted to be done.
“On the way to the hotel we’ll stop and buy the supplies so we can be here first thing,” Franco said pulling out his phone. “The big chains don’t close until late.”
“Grab the equipment and head out,” Drake said standing aside so Paul and Franco could re-enter.
Drake watched the street and wondered what it had been like growing up here. Where were the kids on bicycles or playing in the streets? Or the scent of back-yard cook-outs? Or late-model cars? The area seemed to be in mourning or grieving for its lost vitality or something. It seemed sad.
Minutes later, Paul and Franco left. Drake returned inside and heard Faith explaining why she wanted to clean the house which included getting rid of a lot of things.
“Why do you need to throw them away?” her father asked.
“Because the house stinks, Daddy.”
That was brutal and true. Drake turned and looked out the window in case they noticed him.
“Alright, do what you think best, just don’t mess with my bedroom…or the den…. or –”
“Daddy. I’m going to toss out those old newspapers and magazines in the den and get rid of a lot of clothes in your bedroom to make room for clothes you can wear. You’ve lost a lot of weight. We’ll give your old things to people who can wear them, bless them with those clothes you can’t wear.” She made it sound so reasonable, Drake wasn’t surprised her father agreed.
She was good. Drake could imagine her making a case in front of a jury, holding them in the palm of her hand, coaxing them to give the verdict she wanted.
“Perfect. Drake and I will get started tomorrow. Tonight, let’s order Chinese and have it delivered,” she said walking out of the kitchen and meeting his gaze with a cheesy smile.
What happened to him being Mr. Important, he wondered.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The meeting with Asher went down as Drake suspected. Faith refused to add more men to watch her home, office and her father’s house. She believed it would scare her father and brother and forbid Asher from sending security to watch them.
When Asher told her what he thought of her idea, she fired Asher.
“Fine,” Asher said and waved for his team to follow him.
Drake contacted Gavin to see if he could talk sense into Faith. She hadn’t fully comprehended what Asher meant when he shared that one of his men believed he was being watched.
Gavin called Faith.
Drake and Asher could hear her yelling through the door. Drake motioned Asher closer. “How are the wedding plans coming along?”
Asher’s glare eased a bit. “Mya’s mom’s going crazy with ideas. I think she and your mom are more excited than Mya. It’s just one day.”
Drake nodded in agreement. “For you but for Colin? He’s going to shine wearing his new suit standing next to you and Mya in front of everyone. He told me he was writing a poem to say during the ceremony. Don’t tell me he’s not excited.”
Asher’s grim mood broke, and he chuckled. “That one, he’s all over the place, bouncing around, telling me what to do. He’s got all kinds of opinions.” Asher laughed. “He wanted to have horses and a carriage like in some movie.”
Drake grinned.
Faith opened the door with a contrite expression. “You think they’re close to finding Francesca?” She shook her head. “I don’t remember you saying that.”
Asher’s forehead creased. “I told you one of my men believes he’s being watched.”
She held out her hand. “How does that translate into being close to finding her?”
“Why would they watch him? Why would they care if he’s searching for someone they know nothing about? He’s alerted an interested party that we’re looking for her,” Asher said.
Faith stared at Asher for a few moments. “Which means they’re trying to find out who’s searching for her? Who knows she’s missing? You and Gavin believe all roads will eventually lead to me?”
“Yes.” Asher stared at her. “But I’m not fighting you on this. I refuse to put the lives of my people on the line for you if you won’t follow instructions.”
“Instructions? Drake moving into my home? Why is that necessary?” She placed her hand on her hip.
“To keep you safe. Look, if you don’t want us here, say the word, and we’re out. As much as I respect and like Gavin, Drake’s my brother, and I won’t have him put his life on the line only to have you do something that’ll get him hurt. Believe me, you don’t want to do that,” Asher said, no longer smiling.
Faith opened her mouth and closed it. “Gavin says you’re the expert, the best when it comes to this and I should listen to your advice.” It sounded as if the words were torn from her throat and tasted bitter.
Drake wanted to be offended but realized he would feel the same if all of this was thrust on him. “I’ll stay out of your way, Faith. If Asher believes things are going to get crazy, they are. The extra staff is necessary, he wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.”
She inhaled deeply and released her breath slowly. “Alright, please accept my apology for flying off earlier. Obviously, I’m out of my depth here and need professional assistance. It’s been a long weekend, but that’s no excuse for being rude and unappreciative.” She looked at Asher. “Hold off on sending a team to my dad’s. It’s a small community and as much good as Paul and Franco did around the house, Daddy said people were talking about it at church. Give me a day to break the news to my dad and brother. I’ll call them tomorrow and tell them what’s going on and the need for security.”
Asher shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s not a good idea, they need immediate coverage.”
Faith’s face tightened, her gaze narrowed as she pointed at Asher. “Work with me on this. I know my father and brother. This will not go well, and I need to break this down to them in a way they understand while convincing my father not to come to my rescue, okay? It’s not one-sided. Once he learns I’m in danger either he’s going to want me to come home so he can protect me.” She used her fingers as quotation marks. “Or he’ll want to come here. As a father, you’d do the same thing.”
Asher stared at her for a few seconds and nodded. “Tell me when to send the team down to cover your father, and I’ll do it. I don’t agree with the delay, but I understand why you want it. Don’t take too long.”
Faith nodded and looked at Drake. “I hope you understand it’s not personal. Stuff is happening so fast.” She placed her hand on her forehead. “Daddy, the house. We worked non-stop to make things decent for him, and there’s so much more to do. Paul and Franco.” She looked at the two men who sat in chairs nearby. “Thanks again, the front of the house, the porch, yard, and bathrooms…” she shook her head. “I didn’t know they were leaking. Thanks for working so hard to make things nicer for my father. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Paul said, his cheeks reddening.
“Your old man is cool, glad we could help,” Franco said.
Drake had taken three carloads of clothes to the church and the Salvation Army. In addition to that, they took several bags of old newspapers and magazines to the dump. Faith completely de-cluttered her father’s house. Monday a new stove and refrigerator would be delivered and installed. It had been hard work, but the smile on Faith’s face and the hug she gave Drake when they finished had been worth it.
<<<<>>>>
Monday, Faith and Drake entered the office after nine. The night before she had pointed him in the direction of the guest room and fallen, fully-dressed, onto her bed asleep. This morning, her body reacted to the strenuous labor from the weekend. Her arms and back ached as she ignored Zelda’s sucking up smile for deserting her on Friday. Today would be the woman’s last day.
“Morning, Faith, Drake,” Zelda said handing Faith a cup of Starbucks.
Faith took the cup, gave Zelda an evil eye and walked into her office where she dumped her purse and bag on her desk as she made her way to the long sofa. Miserably tired, she ignored Drake and lay on the sofa with her arm covering her eyes.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Everything hurts.” Her muscles throbbed and ached.
He grunted. “Could be all those bags you were lifting Saturday and Sunday morning before we left. I can’t remember being worked that hard in a long time.”
“I bought pizza for everybody,” she mumbled while waiting for the pain medicine she took earlier to kick in.
“That makes it all better?”
She didn’t want to talk and ignored him. Her office line beeped. A moment later, Zelda tapped on the door and opened it. “Keith Hammers from Allso, Hammers, and Yearson is on the line. He says you worked with him a few years ago.”
“Tell him I’ll call him back, I’m in a meeting,” Faith said without looking up.
“Will do,” Zelda said.
“Your old boss is calling you?” Drake said. “When was the last time you talked to him?”
Faith didn’t want to think about anything right now. Not until the pain lessened.
“Faith?”
“I don’t know,” she snapped.
“Why do you think he’s calling you now?” Drake asked in that same low, pleasant tone.
“Please, leave me alone for a few moments until the meds kick in,” she said.
“Alright but if you haven’t heard from him or anyone from that company since you left, then this call is about Francesca.” He stood and went to her desk.
Faith dropped her arm and sat up. “Hammers is one of the partners, a much older guy. I rarely saw him, let alone talked to him.” She watched Drake add a device to her phone. “What’s that?” Standing she moved to get a better look.
“This will record your conversation with him and send it to Asher.”
She looked at him. “May not be admissible but okay.”
Drake looked at her and grinned. “Any bets that he’ll call you back today if you don’t call him?”
An uneasy feeling pressed against her. “You think they’re involved?”
“Not really. Someone’s asked them to talk to you. It’ll be interesting to learn what advice they have for you,” Drake said as he picked up her Starbucks and took a sip. “This is good.”
She frowned at him and took the cup. “Mine. Get your own.”
An hour and a half later, Faith went over her notes from a meeting she’d had when Zelda rang her again. “Keith Hammers on line one.”
Faith looked at Drake as he sat forward in the chair.
“Ready?” she ask
ed him.
He looked at the equipment and nodded.
“Hello Keith, sorry to keep you waiting, how are you?”
“Fine, how are you doing, Faith?”
“I’m good thanks. What can I do for you?” she asked not in the mood to prolong the conversation. Besides she wanted to know if Asher was right.
“Listen I had a call regarding one of our old clients, one you brought into the firm, and had a few questions.”
“Who?” Silently, she gave Asher and Gavin kudos for calling this one.
“Francesca Blake. Is she still your client?”
“Yes, she is. What kind of questions, Keith?” She injected a note of concern in her voice.
“They wanted to know how to get in touch with her,” he said.
“Who wants this information? Is it a friend of yours? Someone you can vouch for?” she asked.
He hesitated. “Not a friend exactly. An associate, someone I run into from time to time. They discovered Francesca had used the services of our firm at one time and asked if I’d reach out to help them contact her,” he said.
“I can’t give anyone her address if that’s what they want,” she said.
“No. I told them you couldn’t.” He paused, and she wondered which direction he would go now. “Just be aware people are looking for her and asking questions about you, Faith. You worked hard and was an excellent asset to our firm, I wish you nothing but the best,” he said.
Touched, she said. “Thank you, Keith.”
“Nothing but the truth. Watch yourself, be careful,” he said and disconnected.
When she hung up, she met Drake’s gaze. “He told me to be careful and watch myself. He sounded concerned and afraid. What the hell is going on?”
“What did he ask for?” Drake asked.
“How to get in touch with Francesca.”
“They’re fishing.” He tapped on his phone. “They want to know what you know. You handled it perfectly by the way.”
Drake (Men of Versteck Valley Book 3) Page 11
