Ben nodded. “Rachel is looking into his family. She’s got an interview on Monday with one of the female law students that may turn into something promising.” He looked at Sam. “You’ll be highest rank on duty Monday because I’m going with Rachel to Columbia. I’ve got a meeting with the first Mrs. Pickens.”
Sam nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
Ben shook his head. “Nothing yet. We’ve got to find some dirt to put the pressure on.”
Nathan leaned forward. “Do you two really think the two instances are related?”
Ben shrugged. “Don’t know yet.”
Evan stood. “Sam, do you have any other bombs to drop tonight?”
Sam chuckled. “Nah, I think those were enough.”
“Good.” Evan nodded. “Now I’m going home to my wife.”
11
The following day, Rachel sat at her desk trying to come up with an angle to call Sunnyland Retirement Home. Finally, with a story in mind, she placed the call…
“Sunnyland Retirement Home, how may I direct your call?”
“Resident services.”
“One moment, please.”
Easy listening music played through the phone as Rachel waited to be transferred, her knee bouncing uncontrollably.
“Resident Services. May I help you?”
“Hi. This is Rachel Davis. Is it possible for me to meet with Ms. Gloria Hightower? I’m helping with the planning of Matthew Hightower’s wedding, and I’d like to ask her some questions about her son so that we can make the reception memorable for both the bride and groom.”
“Oh, I didn’t know Mr. Hightower was getting married.”
“Yes, ma’am, but they haven’t had the official announcement party yet. Ms. Pickens, his fiancée, is planning a surprise for him at the reception, and she wants to find things from Mr. Hightower’s childhood to surprise him with. You know, pictures, items to be placed around the groom’s cake—that sort of thing.”
“Oh, that’s just the sweetest thing,” the woman gushed over the phone. “The thing is, Ms. Hightower isn’t having a good day today, and she doesn’t want to leave her room, so I don’t know when to tell you to come by.”
“I see.” Rachel couldn’t take no for an answer. She knew that people with dementia were more lucid in the mornings, so maybe stroke victims would be the same. “I’m going to be in that area seeing some of Mr. Hightower’s high school classmates on Monday and Tuesday. May I just stop by and see how she is then?”
“Mr. Hightower doesn’t have any restrictions on her visitors, so I’m sure that’ll be fine.”
“Thank you. Please help to keep Ms. Pickens surprise and not tell him if he calls.”
The woman giggled. “He’s going to be so surprised. I’ll keep the secret.”
“May I ask your name?”
“I’m Sharon.”
“Thank you, Sharon.”
Rachel disconnected the call and let out a heavy breath. She wiped the perspiration from her hands before picking up the receiver on her desk phone and buzzing Deborah.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please come to my office.” A few moments later, a knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
Deborah walked in. “You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin.”
Rachel walked around her desk with a bounce in her step. “I did it, Deborah. I called Sunnyland Retirement Home, and I’ve got permission to see Ms. Hightower next week.”
Deborah hugged her. “Rachel, that’s fantastic.”
“Other than my meeting on Monday, what else is on my schedule that’s not been uploaded to my calendar?”
Deborah opened her notebook. “It looks like you’re clear the rest of the week.” She looked at Rachel. “I’m having dinner with my friend from high school Tuesday night. I hope she’s in the mood to talk about Matthew. It’d be nice if we could have the rest of the week to compare notes.”
“I’ll talk to Ben tonight. I may need you to make a hotel reservation for me for Monday night in Rock Hill. If Matthew’s mother is in a talkative mood, there may be more people for me to visit before I come home.”
Deborah wiggled her eyebrows. “Am I making the reservation for one or two?”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “One.” She placed her hand on her cheek and felt the warmth. “How long before we get the birth certificate?”
“I ordered it this morning.” Deborah wrinkled her nose. “Two weeks, and that’s with expedited shipping.”
“Damn.” Rachel massaged her head.
“Let’s hope Ms. Hightower will be talkative and lucid.”
Rachel cocked an eyebrow. “Let’s hope.”
She worked through lunch so she could leave early. She sent Deborah a text before she left her office:
I’m working from home the rest of the afternoon. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
As she walked to her car, she mentally inventoried her refrigerator and pantry. A stop by the grocery store was a necessity. Once she was on her way, she called Ben.
“Rach? Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I just left the office. Are you still planning on coming down tonight?”
“Absolutely. I’m not waiting another day to see you. I should be out of here by four.”
“Anything special you want to eat?”
“You.”
She giggled. “I meant food. I’m going by the grocery store on my way home.”
“Whatever is fine with me.”
“See you in a few then.”
“Be careful. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
* * *
A tap sounded on Ben’s door, and he raised his head. “Come in.”
“Ben, sorry to disturb you,” Sam said as he walked in.
“I’m glad you stopped by. Listen, thanks for telling me everything last night.”
Sam nodded. “Yeah, you’re welcome. Just don’t make a big fucking deal about it, okay?”
“Deal. What can I do for you?”
“Have you or Rachel made any headway?”
Ben tilted his head. “I told you to stay out of this.” He raised his eyebrows in warning.
Sam sat in a chair across from Ben. “I haven’t stuck my nose into any of this, but I do have some information that may be helpful for Rachel and possibly even you.” Sam waved the papers in his hand.
“Whatcha got?”
“Campaign donations are public record, you know.”
“Dammit, Sam. You can’t be connected to this in any way.”
“I didn’t do it.” Sam winked. “I have a sister with political aspirations, who just so happens to be doing her thesis on campaign contribution reform.” He shrugged. “She has information from all fifty states for the last five years. I asked her to send me South Carolina’s information.” A smile formed on Sam’s face as he placed the papers on Ben’s desk. “Did you know that Senator Martin Pickens, Stephanie Pickens, and Mrs. Hailey Pickens all gave within a few dollars of the maximum to Matthew Hightower’s campaign?”
Ben snatched the papers from his desk. “Are you shitting me?”
“There was also a very large anonymous donation.” Sam cocked his head. “Thing is, there’s nothing from his mother.”
“She’s in an assisted living facility. Maybe she couldn’t.”
“Okay, I can buy that.” Sam leaned forward. “Guess who donated quite a large sum of money to Senator Pickens.”
“Matthew Hightower.”
“And a Theodore Nobles.”
The breath left Ben, and he felt as though he’d been punched in the gut. “Excuse me?”
“Do you know him?”
“Yes, he was the man sentenced for Maggie’s death.”
“What?”
Ben nodded. “When did he donate?”
“The last two elections.”
Ben narrowed his eyes. “How the hell could he do that from jail? I mean, four years ago he was still behind bars.” Ben cu
t his eyes to Sam. “How much are we talking?”
“Five hundred when he was inside, and a grand in the last election.”
“Who the hell would have had access to his accounts?”
“Wife? Kids?”
“I don’t remember anyone being in the courtroom with him. I’ll ask Rachel when I see her tonight.”
12
Rachel unpacked the groceries and changed out of her business suit. She’d just pulled her laptop out when her doorknob jiggled. It wasn’t time for Ben. She picked up her phone, poised to dial 9-1-1 as she made her way in that direction. Her umbrella sat next to the door, so she grabbed it and stood flush to the wall.
When the door opened, she heard, “I’ll be back around noon tomorrow. I’ve got some leads I need to discuss with Assistant DA Rachel Davis in Charleston.”
She knew that voice.
She lowered the umbrella, a relieved breath rushed from her body. She took hold of the doorknob and pulled it open further. Ben’s eyes widened in surprise, and he held a finger over his lips. “Thank you. Sam is aware that I’m away, but if you need me, I have my cell.” He disconnected the call and brought a huge bouquet of flowers from around his back. “You weren’t supposed to be home yet.” He leaned in and kissed her.
“You weren’t supposed to be here until later. I almost hit you on the head.”
He dropped his overnight bag and cupped her face. “I’m glad you didn’t. I wanted to get here and help with the groceries and have the flowers in a vase for you.” He lowered his lips to hers before she could say anything. “I know it’s only been a day, but I’ve missed you. I don’t like the way things were between us when you left.” He rested his forehead on hers and moved it back and forth. “We can’t do that again, Rach. We talk things out …always.”
Rachel fisted his shirt in her hands. “Agreed. I’ve missed you too.” She stepped back so he could move farther into her home and close the door. “The flowers are beautiful, thank you.”
“I didn’t just want roses. Everybody does roses. I wanted something that reminded me of you.” He shrugged. “That’s why all the bright colors.”
“Thank God there aren’t any carnations,” she said with a sheepish grin.
“You don’t like carnations?”
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Nah, they remind me of a funeral home.”
He chuckled. “I’ll remember that.”
“Let me put these in water. Do you want a drink?”
“Are you having one?”
“I opened a bottle of wine to let it breathe and was about to pour myself a glass.”
“That works for me.”
“Go put up your clothes and I’ll get the wine.”
Rachel walked into the kitchen while Ben headed toward her bedroom. After putting the flowers in a vase, she poured them each a glass of wine and met him in the living room. Two arms wrapped around her as she bent to place the glasses on the coffee table. Ben had never been overly affectionate, but today he didn’t seem to be able to keep his hands off her.
“Ben, are you all right?”
“Uh-huh.”
She giggled as his breath brushed the back of her neck. “You’ve never been like this before.”
He pulled back and turned her around. “That’s because I’m an idiot.” He laced his fingers at the small of her back as she gazed into his eyes. “You were ready to throw us away, Rach, and rightfully so, but seven years?” He shook his head. “How could you have walked away after seven years?”
She took a deep breath and motioned between them. “Ben, seven years ago we just happened, and I don’t think we’ve ever been intentional. We fell into a comfortable arrangement.” She shrugged. “It worked, but the longer we were together, the more I fell in love with you. And the elephant in the room was that we never discussed us. Who we were as a couple? Were we a couple? And God forbid we discussed our feelings.”
She pulled on his arms, silently requesting him to let her loose, but he shook his head. “I know I love you, but yesterday morning, I wasn’t sure if that was enough anymore. I want someone I can build a future with, Ben. I’m thirty-five years old. I want what I grew up dreaming about: a husband, children, the white picket fence, dammit.”
Ben kissed her forehead. “I get that. And up until the other night, I didn’t think I could be that person. I was still so caught up in Maggie’s tragedy that I didn’t think I could be free of it. But once I knew I wasn’t crazy for the last ten years, I thought I could breathe.” He squeezed her. “God, Rach, then that dream … the fear and grief sucked me right back in, but for a different reason. It was you I was afraid of losing. At that moment, losing you was more important than catching Maggie’s actual killer.”
Rachel blinked in disbelief. “What are you saying? You’re not going after Senator Pickens anymore?”
“I am, but not at the price of losing you. If I have to choose, I’ll let Sam go after him. I’ve got years of loving you to make up for.”
Her hands cupped his face. “He needs to be exposed. It makes the most sense for you to go after him. I just need to know I’m important too.”
“You’re the most important.”
She raised to her tiptoes and kissed him. “Let’s sit.” They moved to her sofa. “You said you went in the room yesterday.”
He nodded. “After you left.” He took a deep breath. “I told her that I love you, that my heart was big enough for both of you, but you had to come first.” He lifted Rachel’s hand and kissed the back. “I told her good-bye.”
Rachel gasped. “Ben … are you sure?”
“Yes, positive.” Tears streaked down Rachel’s face, and Ben wiped them away. “Like I told her, it’s time for me to be among the living again. I can’t believe I was so blind that I couldn’t see the love right in front of me until it was almost gone. I’ll make it up to you, sweetheart. I promise I will.”
“I believe you.” He pulled her in for a hug and just held her. She could hear his heartbeat racing. He was nervous. His arms were strong and solid around her, and she knew this was where she wanted to be … wrapped in his arms. After several minutes, she said, “Ben, I don’t expect you to just forget her … just love me too.”
“I do, sweetheart, I do.”
13
What did I do to deserve her?
Rachel stood up and reached for his hand. “Come on, you’re on vegetable duty.”
He grinned. “While I’m putting olive oil on the balls, what will you be doing?”
Rachel wiggled her eyebrows. “Pounding the meat.” She shook her head and laughed. “You know I won’t ever look at Brussel sprouts the same way again, right?”
He grabbed her ass. “I know, but now you’ll always think of me when you do.”
“Yes, and my face will turn bright red.”
He kissed her cheek. “Just like now.” Rachel shook her head as she stepped away from him. She pulled out the cutting board and laid the chicken on top before she took the meat mallet and slammed it down on the meat.
“Don’t wear yourself out. I want you pounding my meat later.”
“Oh my God, you’re on a roll tonight.”
“Just letting you know where my expectations lie.”
“And what about my expectations?”
Ben stepped behind her and pulled her hips against his cock. “I’ll fulfill every expectation you have, just tell me what you want.”
Her eyes closed, and a moan slipped out of her mouth. “I don’t know where this new side of you came from, but I like him and want him to stick around.”
He leaned over and nipped her earlobe. “Do you now?”
“Yeah, I do.”
He walked to the pantry and pulled out the olive oil. “It’s always been inside me, but I’ve been too afraid to let it out.”
She flipped the chicken, not turning toward him. “Why would you be afraid with me?”
“Not you, per se. Like you, I didn’t want to r
ock the status quo. As long as everything was casual…”
“You were able to keep everything in its box.”
“Exactly, but now I’m ready to step out of that box. Do you really think we could have something real?”
She turned toward him. “It’s been real for me for a long time, Ben. I’m just waiting for you to catch up.”
“I’m trying, sweetheart. I hope tonight will show you just how much I’m trying.”
She winked and turned. “You’re making good strides.”
Ben wiped his hands on a towel and turned Rachel toward him. One hand cupped the side of her face as he stared into her eyes. “Wait for me, Rach … please.”
She blinked back the tears and swallowed. “Yes … always.”
He gently placed his lips on hers, and it didn’t take long before he deepened the kiss. His tongue requested entrance that she granted. As much as he wanted her now, he wanted them to get all the work details out of the way, so he pulled back just far enough for their lips to separate. “You won’t have to wait long, Rach. I’m so close…”
Her hand moved to cover his heart as he laid his hand over her heart. Her gaze locked with his, and she swallowed. “You always make my heart race.”
“And I hope I always will.” They stood motionless, taking in this moment. Rachel took a breath, and the movement of her chest brought Ben back to the here and now. He cleared his throat. “Let’s eat and get the business portion of the night out of the way because I want to spend the rest of it tangled in the sheets.”
A flush ran down her face to her chest. “I’d like that too.”
* * *
They finished cleaning the kitchen and took their wine to the sofa in the living room. Ben dug in his computer bag while Rachel settled on the sofa.
“What did you bring me?”
“Campaign contribution lists.”
Her brows wrinkled. “What?”
“Seems like Sam took an angle I didn’t think of. Maybe he’s found our connection … or at least part of it.”
Uncovered Secrets: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book 7 Page 6
