One Step Away (Hazel Green Book 2)

by Cindy Kirk

“You realize what happened between us was a lifetime ago.” Nell lifted the tumbler to her lips and took a sip. “Ever hear the saying, ‘Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die’?”

  “You might not die, but you’re going to pay. I’ll make sure of it.”

  “I’m sorry to hear you feel that way.” She kept her tone even and her expression merely curious.

  “You acted like you were my friend, when all you wanted was the combination to the safe.” A flush stained his cheeks, and a muscle in his jaw jumped. “You made a fool out of me.”

  “I liked you, Stan. The boy that you were back then anyway.” Nell kept her tone matter-of-fact. “We had so many common interests, like Harry Potter. Remember when we spent a whole weekend sorting ourselves and our classmates into appropriate Hogwarts houses?”

  Stan’s eyes narrowed. “You thought I was a Slytherin.”

  “You told me I was crazy.” Nell recalled the conversation vividly. “But even back then, you were ambitious and achievement-oriented.”

  “Slytherins are also shrewd and cunning.” His eyes glittered. “And goal-oriented. I’ve never stopped looking for you.”

  Accepting that the trip down memory lane had been a bust, Nell tried to redirect the conversation. “You’ve done really well for yourself despite the events back then.”

  She saw no reason to bring up that insurance had covered his parents’ losses.

  It was one of the arguments Gloria had often used as Nell got older and began to question her actions. According to Gloria, the people they stole from could afford it. Insurance reimbursed them for their losses. No harm.

  The explanation had made a certain amount of sense to a teenager. Until people started getting hurt. Until Nell realized that sentimental things couldn’t be replaced.

  “I was glad Daisy made it out okay.”

  “I don’t care about the stupid dog.” Stan clenched his glass so tightly his knuckles went white. “My parents were furious. It didn’t take them long to figure out who’d given out the combination. Especially when the police started sniffing around your mother. I had to feign a suicide attempt to get my parents off my back.”

  Relief flooded her at the knowledge he hadn’t been suicidal, after all. A heavy weight that she’d been carrying all these years slipped off her shoulders to pool at her feet.

  Nell said nothing, merely took a sip of Scotch. Stan reminded her of a runaway locomotive, picking up steam as he continued down the track.

  “They made me go to counseling for a year. I played that psychologist like a violin.” Stan sneered. “Twelve months of my life messed up, all because of you. I tried to tell them you forced it out of me. My father got this pitying look on his face and said something about ‘being fooled by a pretty face.’”

  Nell studied Stan for a long moment and, for the first time, saw what she had somehow failed to see all those years ago. This man possessed many of the same characteristics as Gloria.

  While he appeared to have it all—a loving mother and father, a quick and agile mind and now a successful career, the perfect façade held cracks.

  How had she missed the signs?

  She thought back and remembered how he’d never take the blame for his actions. If he didn’t do well on a test, it was the teacher’s fault for not pointing out the important content. He’d once smashed the robot he’d spent weeks building when another kid had taken first in a science competition.

  Nell had chalked up his actions to immaturity. Just like his snide comments that someone Nell considered a casual friend had absolutely nothing going for her.

  And he’d spent much of the time they were together talking about himself. At the time, she’d appreciated that fact, knowing it was through conversation that she’d learn his secrets.

  Which was why Nell knew that today wasn’t about the theft, the fire or even Daisy nearly dying. This was about him losing face with his family and having what he saw as his imperfections exposed.

  For that, he was determined to make her pay. If he could take down people she cared about in the process, all the better.

  Nell had to know what he had planned. Which meant she needed to respond to him as she would her mother. “You’re a smart man, Stanley. And a successful one.”

  He studied her through hooded eyes. “You fooled me once with that act. It won’t work again.”

  “What is it exactly you want?”

  “To make you bleed.”

  The comment took her by such surprise, Nell flinched.

  He laughed. “Oh, not literally. You’re not worth going to prison over. Though I should have screwed you back in high school when I had the chance. You’d have done anything for that combination. We both know it.”

  He was wrong about that, Nell thought. Even back then, she’d had limits on how far she’d go to please her mother.

  “I wonder what you would do now to ensure that I keep my mouth shut about your criminal past?”

  “I don’t have a criminal past.” Nell sipped her Scotch. “I’ve never been charged with a crime. If you’d done your research, you’d know that.”

  “I have done my research, you stupid bitch. I’m sitting here, aren’t I? And when I snapped my fingers, you came running.” Stan gave a harsh laugh, his eyes taking on that crazy gleam she’d seen all too often in her mother’s. “You changed your name and did an okay job of covering your tracks. Yet, I still found you.”

  Stan leaned forward across the table, his eyes glowing with malevolent glee. “I’m going to make you suffer. I’m going to make your friends, including the mayor and his family, wish they’d never met you.”

  Nell thought about how weak she’d been back then and how scared she’d been of what Gloria might do to her. That’s why she’d done as she was told until she’d eventually run away. But she wasn’t scared anymore, not of Gloria nor of Stan.

  She now had friends who loved her and who would be there for her. Knowing that gave her a strength she hadn’t had back then.

  Today, she wasn’t going to run. She was going to stay and fight for those she loved to her dying breath.

  She’d been a girl when she left home, wise far beyond her years in many ways, but still a child. She was a woman now, strong and capable of dealing with anything life threw at her. If the police wanted to question her, bring ’em on.

  If the bar association decided to yank her license for not divulging those episodes as a minor, she’d find some other way to support herself. What she wouldn’t tolerate was letting this man harm the Pomeroy family or her friends.

  She would find a way to stop Stanley. She just had to figure out how.

  “I might be persuaded to be merciful.” The lascivious look in his eyes wasn’t lust as much as it was the need to control. “You spread your legs for me and I might go easy on your friends.”

  Nell lifted a mocking brow. Common sense said you didn’t poke a bear. In Stan’s case, she’d make an exception. “If you think I’m going to sleep with you, Stan, you’re not as smart as I thought. I would never have slept with you then, and I won’t now.”

  Stan’s eyes took on an even more menacing gleam. “You still think you’re better than me? You’re not prepared to handle what I’m going to do to you, you bi—”

  “Nell is capable of handling anything. She’s smart, she’s strong and she’s surrounded by friends who love her.”

  Nell glanced up, and Leo kissed her lightly on the mouth, then took a seat at the table and pinned Stan with his blue eyes. “I’m Leo Pomeroy, and I’m going to tell you exactly how this is going to go down.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It took every ounce of Leo’s self-control not to haul the guy up by the lapels of his hand-tailored suit. He’d dealt with people of this ilk before and knew how they operated. Instead, he smiled and allowed several beats of silence to descend over the table.

  “I know who you are,” Stan began, “and before I’m done, your reputati
on will be as trashed as Senator Pomeroy’s.”

  “Did I hear someone mention my name?” Tim crossed the room with the confident strides of a man who knew his place in the world.

  A smile, or rather the semblance of a smile, lifted Stan’s lips. In the light streaming through the lace curtains, his eyes held a feral gleam.

  Nell glanced at Leo.

  Leo lifted a shoulder in a barely perceptible shrug. He was as surprised as she was by his father’s appearance.

  Tim took a seat at the table. “Britten. It’s fortuitous that I’ve run into you here. I was thinking about Franklin this morning. How’s he doing?”

  “Franklin?” Leo asked before Stan could respond.

  “Franklin Kunz. He’s head of the lobbying group Stan works for.” Tim lifted a staying hand as Matilda approached the table. “Franklin and I were fraternity brothers. I don’t know if you realized we had that connection, Stan.”

  “I didn’t know, but it doesn’t matter.”

  “It could matter.” Tim’s hand hovered above Nell’s water glass. “Mind?”

  Nell shook her head. “Not at all.”

  Tim lifted the crystal tumbler and took a drink.

  Stan sneered. “If you think I’m going to back down just because you threaten me—”

  Tim’s eyes were cool, even as the easy smile remained on his lips. “I didn’t threaten you.” Tim glanced at Leo and Nell. “Did you hear me threaten Stan?”

  “Of course, your son and his whore would side with you.”

  “I didn’t hear the senator threaten you.” Matilda, Leo realized, had stayed on this side of the room. “I heard him ask how your boss is doing.”

  Leo knew with absolute certainty that his father had requested she stay close. Smart move.

  “Do you know Cornelia Ambrose isn’t her real name?” Stan jerked his head toward Nell. “Are you aware her mother is a con artist being held without bond in Palm Springs?”

  “Old news.” Tim took another sip of water. “But I have some new information for you that you might find interesting. You remember Steve, my legislative director.”

  “I always knew he was dirty.”

  “Really? You were aware illegal activities were going on, but you didn’t report them?”

  “I suspected,” Stan backpedaled. “I didn’t know.”

  “Anyway, I was visiting with Steve this morning by phone. He says to tell you hello.”

  Leo fought to hide his surprise. His father speaking to his former friend was news to him, too. He wondered if the FBI had been in on the call.

  While Nell’s expression remained impassive, she was likely wondering where this strange conversation was heading. For now, she appeared content to let his father take the lead.

  “I don’t communicate with criminals.” Stan looked at Nell and added, “The last time I did left a bad taste.”

  Stan’s sanctimonious smugness scraped against Leo’s last nerve.

  “Next time I speak with him, I’ll mention that.” Tim’s pleasant expression never wavered. “He had some interesting things to say about you.”

  Tiny beads of perspiration sprouted on Stan’s forehead. “What kind of things?”

  “Well,” Tim took another long drink of water, “he mentioned that you offered him money in exchange for securing my vote on certain bills of interest to you.”

  “That’s a lie,” Stan shouted and jerked up from the table, nearly upending it.

  “Sit down.” The command in Tim’s voice had Stan stiffening. Then the senator’s voice turned conversational again. “I feel certain you’ll want to know everything Steve said. I know I would if he was talking about me to the FBI.”

  Clearly stunned, Stan sat. “I admit I am curious about the lies he’s spreading.”

  “A paper trail is difficult to dispute.” Tim slanted a glance at Nell. “As an attorney, I’m sure you agree with that statement.”

  “Evidence, especially in written form, is very difficult to fight.”

  Nell, Leo saw, was trying not to smile.

  “What kind of evidence does Steve have against Stan?” Leo asked, relaxing against the back of his chair.

  “He doesn’t have anything, because there isn’t any evidence.” Stan’s tone reminded Leo of a belligerent child.

  As his father had raised three strong-willed boys, Tim Pomeroy knew just how to deal with a belligerent child.

  “What were you thinking, Stan, putting offers of bribes in an email?” Tim shook his head. “Granted, you were smart enough to not send the emails to his work account, but still, you should have been more careful.”

  “That was a huge error,” Leo agreed.

  Stan’s face had gone bone-white.

  “Did Steve have any other evidence?” Nell asked, her tone conversational.

  “Actually, yes. Steve was meticulous about record-keeping. Each time he met with Stan, he not only wrote down the date and time they met, he noted what they discussed and included actual quotes of what Stan said. The FBI does the same when they meet with someone they don’t quite trust.”

  Stan leaned forward. “He gave these notes to the FBI?”

  “As well as the emails. He wanted to be thorough.”

  Stan’s hands balled into fists. His face reddened. “So, what are you saying? If I leave you alone, you can make this go away? You’re fooling yourself if you think this is going to stop me.”

  “I’ve said no such thing nor made any such claim, Stan. I’ve been cooperating with the authorities fully in every aspect of their investigation. Steve was one of my oldest friends, and even for him, I didn’t try to escape the law. I certainly wouldn’t do so for a man like you.”

  Stan made a broad sweep with one hand, encompassing everyone at the table. A smug little smile lifted his lips. “I’m going to bury you all.”

  “You might try,” Tim said. “But I doubt you’ll succeed. I seem to recall you’re quite a history buff. If so, you might remember that a two-front war was Germany’s downfall in World War II. I’d say you’ve got more than enough of a fight on your hands with the FBI.”

  “Steve didn’t take the money I offered,” Stan insisted. “There was no crime.”

  “Look up the statutes, Stan.” Nell gave him a pitying glance. “You’ll find the corrupt gift, the offer and the promise all are defined as acts of bribery and provide the same punishment.”

  Leo leaned back in his chair and studied Stan. “It makes me wonder that since you attempted to bribe Steve, maybe you targeted others as well.”

  Tim nodded approvingly. “You’re thinking like an FBI agent now, son.”

  Stan shoved back his chair and jerked to his feet. “You haven’t seen the last of me.”

  “Three words, Stan.” Tim held up a hand and counted off. “Two. Front. War.”

  Several seconds later, the front door of the inn slammed shut.

  “Do you think we’ll hear from him again?” Leo asked.

  Tim shot Nell a wink. “I think the FBI is going to be keeping him plenty busy.”

  Nell was still trying to process everything that had just occurred when Tim rose.

  “I’m sure the two of you have a lot to talk about, so I’m heading home.” Tim’s lips curved. “This ended up being quite enjoyable.”

  “Why did you do this?” Nell asked before Tim could step away. “Why did you help me?”

  “You’ve built a life you can be proud of here in Hazel Green. You were forced into situations beyond your control as a child. You didn’t choose any of that for yourself. And once you could make your own choices, you’ve made good ones.” Tim’s tone gentled. “Besides, Leo loves you. That makes you part of the family.”

  “I may have made something of myself, but along the way, I made some mistakes.”

  Understanding flickered deep in Tim’s eyes, along with another emotion—regret, maybe—that she couldn’t quite identify. “Life is one game you cannot play without making mistakes.”

  “T
hanks, Dad.” Leo was on his feet now and holding out his hand.

  Instead of taking it, Tim gave his son a one-armed hug. “You’ve got a good woman there. The fact that you came to be with her for this meeting tells me I raised you right.”

  Nell’s gaze fell on Leo. “I told you to stay away.”

  Tim chuckled. “He wouldn’t be the man I admire if he’d let the woman he loves face that maniac alone.”

  “Did you really speak with Steve?” Leo asked. “Or was that all a bluff?”

  “I did speak with him. It isn’t easy reaching someone in federal custody, but I pulled a few strings.” Tim’s voice wavered for just a second. “Steve was glad to hear from me. Your mom will be dropping by to see Karen when we get back to DC.”

  Leo’s gaze turned speculative. “What happened to the need to keep your distance?”

  “It’s still a good political and legal strategy, but I’ve come to realize that there are more important things than retaining a Senate seat.”

  Leo and Nell exchanged a glance.

  “Steve sincerely apologized and admitted to his gambling and money issues. He acknowledged that’s no excuse, but he never would have betrayed our friendship if he’d been thinking clearly.” Tim cleared his throat. “He’s cooperating fully with the feds and has made it perfectly clear to everyone who’ll listen that it was all him and I knew nothing.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Leo murmured.

  Well, that about sums it up.” Tim clapped Leo on the back and nodded to Nell. “I’ll see you both later.”

  Leo moved to her side as Tim strode out of the restaurant.

  “He doesn’t have anything to worry about.”

  Nell turned and realized Matilda still stood in the same spot she was in when they’d all been at the table.

  “Worry about?” Nell asked.

  “About being reelected.” Matilda smiled widely. “Illinois voters love an honest man who stands by his friends.”

  “It’s so lovely.” Nell gazed out over Spring Lake, which appeared to be the same blue as the sky. The land surrounding it had been recently mowed and now looked like an endless carpet of green. Flowers and strategically planted bushes only added to the beauty of the vista.