“Me, too.”
“You do? That surprises me.”
He stared at her. His eyes unwavering. “Why? Because all along you thought I was holding something back? Like I was part of his gang or something?”
She held her breath.
“I thought as much.”
“Trent suspected that. It crossed my mind, but I couldn’t go there. It’s not you.”
“No. You’re right, Violet. It’s not me. I’d hoped you knew enough about me to realize that much.”
“But there is something you know. I feel it,” she said. “I kept hoping you’d tell me.”
“I have told you just about everything.”
“‘Just about’ doesn’t count when it comes to the law, Josh. And if you’re holding something back to protect your image and your celebrity status...”
“Stop! It’s not about that, I swear.” He held up his hands. He had his reasons, and they weren’t about fame. As much as he loved Violet and cared about his friends in Indian Lake, he believed he was the only one who could ultimately get through to Miguel. Turn him. Halt him. But Violet wouldn’t understand that. She was still seeing life in black and white. He turned. “I better go.”
“Josh, please—”
“What?”
“I’ve made a decision. I’m going to present your information on your behalf to the Chief and Trent. I’ll try to get them to drop their suspicions. That way you won’t have to worry about bad publicity or go in for questioning.”
“That’s what they want? To bring me in for questioning?”
“Yes.”
“I figured that. In fact, I’ve anticipated it. Why didn’t Trent bring me in before now?”
“Because he was convinced Miguel would take you to another hideout. Another meth lab or drop-off point. He wanted more evidence against Miguel.”
“So I was bait?”
“Yes, but once I intervene, it’ll be fine.”
“I trust you, Violet,” he said and pulled her close, his chin resting on the top of her head.
* * *
DAISY HANDED JOSH a mug of morning coffee. “You want sugar to lighten up that sour face of yours?”
He took the mug. “Thanks. Where is everybody today?”
“Katia’s at the lake for a run with her friends Sophie and Jack Carter. Austin left at dawn for the plant.”
Josh whistled. “He really is overworked these days, isn’t he?”
“And quite happy you’re takin’ over the museum business.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘taking over.’ I’m helping out for a short time while I’m in town. Which won’t be much longer.”
Daisy rested her hand on her hip. “Yesterday you didn’t look like you were plannin’ to move anytime soon. But something happened, and I think I know her name.”
He lifted the blue-and-white china mug. “Well, you’d be wrong.”
She took an English muffin from the toaster and slid a crystal honey pot toward him. She placed the plate on the yellow-and-white-daisy-print place mat on the island. “Sit yourself down and eat. Nourishment helps heal broken hearts.”
“I never heard that before. And who said my heart is broken?”
“Two days ago you were moonin’ around here worse than Austin when Katia came back to town.”
“Is that right?” He took a bite of scrambled eggs and mango salsa.
The front doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation.
“I’ll get it,” Daisy said, placing the mug on the counter. “You eat. I have strawberries—”
“No, this is fine,” he replied as she left the kitchen.
Josh heard voices at the front door. At first he paid no attention to the conversation. He sipped his coffee and just as he placed the mug on the counter, he heard what he thought was Violet’s voice.
He threw down his napkin and shouted down the main hallway, “Violet? Is that you? This is a surprise...”
He halted.
Daisy’s face was filled with dread as her eyes tracked from Violet to the taller man standing next to her. Violet wore her perfectly pressed uniform with its straight blue tie and gleaming badge. The man behind her was in plain clothes. Khaki pants, pale blue shirt and a tan summer sports jacket. He was holding a badge toward Daisy.
“Violet?” Tingles of dread shot up his spine. He didn’t have to ask what was going on.
Her face was implacable, but the morning sun through the open front door struck her eyes, and he saw what looked like a shimmer of tears. “We’re here to ask you some questions, Mr. Stevens.”
“Mr....” At this moment Josh wasn’t so sure they weren’t prepared to arrest him.
“In regard to one Diego Lopez aka Miguel Garcia,” the man next to Violet said.
“I would assume that’s why you’re here.” Josh stared at the woman he loved even now.
“If you’ll come to the station willingly...” Violet began but she hesitated.
Josh detected a croak in her voice as if the words were difficult for her to say. Or maybe it was simply that she was a rookie and hadn’t rehearsed her lines well enough. He ground his jaws, hoping to bite back the acidic taste. Last night she’d told him he was more important than her job. But now... “So, you chose your career after all, huh?”
She stared at him.
“And if I don’t come with you?”
“We can get a warrant,” the taller man said.
“And you are...?” Josh asked, stalling for time. His feet had surely melted into the floor.
“Detective Sal Paluzzi,” the man said. “I’m on the Indian Lake Drug Task Force with Officer Hawks.”
“I want to call my attorney.”
“Absolutely,” Violet rushed to say.
For the better part of his career, he’d had plenty of moments of feeling used. Corporate sponsors needed his name to sell everything from tires to potato chips. Harry needed his winning record to garner more clients who thought Harry could create for them a “Josh Stevens” level of fame. Women had wanted him to fulfill their needs ever since his first race. No one had ever wanted the real Josh. Not until Violet.
Or so I thought. Guess I was wrong.
He felt his heart close up. With Violet, he thought he’d found the family he’d been chasing since his parents died. He’d felt accepted by her, especially after they’d opened up to each other in the Daimler and again in the gazebo. She was the first woman he’d considered spending a lifetime with. In Josh Stevens’s book, that was a miracle. He respected her dedication to her job. He’d suspected she was investigating him, but he’d ignored those thoughts until she blurted out the truth last night in the gazebo. He’d hoped she would have sway with her boss and this questioning would not come to pass.
The reality was sobering.
Violet thought he was choosing Miguel over her. He knew in the end, they’d question him, even if she went to bat for him. He just hadn’t thought she’d be the one to bring him in.
He turned to Daisy. “Would you be so kind as to get my wallet and cell phone from the nightstand in the guest room, Daisy? I need to call my attorney.”
“Yes, sir.” Daisy scurried away.
Josh looked at Detective Paluzzi. “I don’t suppose you could conduct the questioning here at the house?”
“No, sir,” Sal replied. “We’ll be recording.”
“I see.”
Daisy returned with his wallet and phone. “What do you want me to do?” She slid her eyes to Violet with a quelling look.
“Call Austin, and let Katia know that I’m not sure when I’ll return.”
“I will,” Daisy said, and went to the front door. She held the knob.
Josh glared at Violet. “I guess one arrest wasn’t enough for you, Officer Hawks?”
“This isn’t an arrest,
Jo... Mr. Stevens. We simply have some questions.”
“Trust me, Officer Hawks. There’s nothing ‘simple’ about any of this.”
She narrowed her eyes as she returned his glare. “Of that, I’m quite certain.”
Surprisingly, Josh was able to walk out of the house and up to the squad car. At least they hadn’t turned on the lights and alerted the neighbors to the “event” taking place at his best friends’ house. He’d have to apologize to Austin and Katia for dragging them into his drama.
And drama it was. Miguel had always been about chaos.
Now Josh was in the middle of it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
THE LOSS OF love in Josh’s eyes shredded Violet’s heart. All her life, she’d made her career priority. And it had been.
Until Josh Stevens walked into my life.
Every tenet she’d held since childhood and all through the police academy was now under scrutiny. Her view of life had always been black and white; now everything was gray. She saw two and even three sides to situations.
She’d always thought of herself as the good guy, the protector of the innocent and weak. The one who knew right from wrong, and anyone in the wrong was guilty. She could recite state laws and articles without looking for affirmation. She’d thought herself noble.
She followed her superior officer’s orders, sure. But she’d volunteered to stay close to Josh, and she hadn’t removed herself when she realized she was developing feelings for him. She’d known his feelings for her were real, and she’d allowed her heart to open to him. If anyone had been entrapped, it was her.
She might have been the bait for her task force to gather intel and possibly arrest Miguel Garcia in the process, but she’d known what she was doing. She’d known right from wrong.
In the end, she’d betrayed the man she loved.
Violet followed Sal Paluzzi and Josh into the interrogation room at the police station. She was aware of eyes on her as Trent Davis walked out of his office toward them. She saw Trey give her a thumbs-up. She didn’t feel victorious in the least.
“Thank you for coming in, Mr. Stevens,” Trent said, holding out his hand.
Shockingly, Josh shook the detective’s hand. “I’m happy to help.”
“This way.” Trent gestured with his left hand.
Violet noticed that Josh’s eyes slid to her and then back again to Trent.
Bob Paxton was already in the room, setting up the video camera. He shot to his feet as Josh entered the room. Trent, Sal and Violet followed him in.
Bob nodded toward Josh. “Mr. Stevens. If you’ll sit right here.” The detective scurried around to the chair and pulled it out. He pointed to the chair and then went back to his camera.
Violet stood against the wall next to the closed door. She was present only as a witness. She was not one of the investigators due to her relationship with Josh. All she could do was listen.
Sal walked around to the other side of the room. This was done so that each investigator could view different angles of the witness’s face. They were looking for ticks and gestures indicative of lying. They looked for subtleties in voice, eye movements. Hand gestures.
What the camera didn’t recognize, one of the team members would.
Violet didn’t know how much of this Josh picked up on, but she also knew he was very comfortable in front of a camera. Any camera.
Trent sat across the table from Josh. “Would you like some coffee?”
“I was just having breakfast when your—” he looked directly at Violet with eyes so scathing, she felt seared “—er, team arrived. Maybe later.”
“Fine. Then let’s get started,” Trent began, and lifted a pen to take notes.
Josh splayed his palms on the metal table. “How about we cut to the chase, huh? You want to know about Miguel.”
“I do,” Trent answered.
Violet’s hands were shaking. At this moment she wanted to be away from here. She wished none of this was happening.
Josh didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on Trent as he spoke.
“It’s my guess you know just about all there is to know about Diego and me. Maybe more, considering how effective and thorough Officer Hawks and the fine members of your team are at intelligence gathering and discovery.”
Trent put his pen down and leaned back in his chair. “We do. We also know that Diego Lopez, now Miguel Garcia, has made a formal bid to take over the remnants of the Le Grand gang that we busted up two years ago.”
Josh pursed his lips and blew out a deep breath. “I didn’t know that part.”
“Garcia is smart. He’s managed to elude us at just about every turn. He faked a meth lab on the outskirts of town, close to where Officer Hawks arrested you for speeding.”
Violet would have cringed if she hadn’t assumed a stiff-shouldered stance.
Trent continued. “We’ve been on stakeout around that farmhouse for weeks. We executed a surprise bust at that location recently and arrested three of Garcia’s gang.”
“But you don’t have Miguel,” Josh surmised.
“We don’t. And that’s why we need your help. Officer Hawks reported following you to an area near Indian Lake—”
Josh interrupted. “The stone bridge.”
“Yes,” Trent said.
Josh looked into the camera lens. “Miguel and I have been estranged for years. Two years ago he got busted in Chicago for minor possession. He called me out of the blue and asked for bail money and the name of my attorney to help him. I wired the bail money and even arranged for my attorney to defend him. Paid Paul’s fees as well. I knew that Miguel was a user and an all-around liar, but I didn’t know until that time his level of, er, interest in the drug scene. Of course, your information astounds me. I figured he was small-time and he could get out. I drove to Chicago in my new Maserati...”
“Your Maserati?” Violet burst out.
Josh’s eyes met hers. “Yes, Violet. Mine.” He turned back to the camera. “I took him to lunch. I gave him a couple thousand dollars in cash. I begged him to go straight. I told him I’d pay for rehab. Miguel claimed he wasn’t using. That’s when I realized the marijuana he had wasn’t his to use, but to sell. We had a couple drinks. We talked about the old days. As we reminisced, I discovered how jealous he was of me. Not just now, my accomplishments and fame, but even then. I had no idea. He said I got off easy. I felt terrible. I told him that if he’d go straight, no more drug deals, and get a real job, an apartment of his own and show me that he was trying, I’d give him the Maserati.”
“And did he?” Trent asked.
Violet noticed that everyone in the room was hanging on Josh’s every word.
“Yes. He did exactly as I’d asked, so I gifted him the Maserati. I paid for the insurance for two years so he wouldn’t have to worry. I no sooner handed him the keys than I stopped hearing from him. He didn’t answer my calls. He changed his cell phone number. He moved. I didn’t know where he’d gone. Frankly, I was busy working overseas so much of the past eighteen months, I didn’t think anything of it. Then, he showed up here in Indian Lake. He texted me and asked to talk. Said he’d seen an article about me and the foster child center. I mean, the guy texted me from Austin’s front curb! I couldn’t believe it.”
Violet moved a step forward. “But why did you take him to the stone bridge?”
Josh didn’t look at her. “Officer Hawks had shown me that area a few days prior. I knew no one would see us there. I thought I had a chance to get through to him. Get him to turn over a new leaf. I suggested he turn himself in, but he refused. He said he needed this base in Indian Lake. That he intended to expand to Kentucky and to Cookeville, Tennessee. I was hoping to get more information from him. I know he’s connected to a Mexican cartel now.”
“Not just Le Grand’s gang?” Trent asked.
“Right. I hoped to get the name of the Mexican drug lord from him, but didn’t.”
Trent said, “And turning himself in?”
“He refused. He said that in a year he’d have more money than I’d ever make. He told me he still wanted the Maserati. In time, he said he’d pay for it, but it was important to him. He felt he was entitled to it. When he drove me back to town, I told him to drop me off and I’d walk home.”
“And that was the end of it?” Violet asked.
“Yes.”
Trent drew a deep breath. “Frankly, Mr. Stevens, we were hoping you knew his exact location. His arrest now would break up the Le Grand gang for good. Stop any expansion. And...we’d arrest the remaining gang members, as well.”
Josh leaned back in his chair. “That’s what you need?”
“Yes.”
“Believe me, if I had Miguel’s address I’d give it to you.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “What I do have is his new cell number. The one he used to text me on.”
This time he turned and looked directly at Violet. “What if I were the bait for you to trap Miguel?”
“You would do that?” Trent asked.
“I would.”
“It could be dangerous.”
Josh’s eyes didn’t waver.
Violet felt her heart drop to her stomach. She knew she’d hurt Josh, but she didn’t know how deeply or if her sin was irreparable.
“Danger? Nah.” His eyes were piercing as he looked at her. “Not much can hurt me anymore.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
VIOLET DIDN’T BLAME Josh for not returning her calls or texts. She’d tried to tell him she was sorry and that she didn’t blame him for being furious with her. Twice during the following four days since his interrogation, she’d started to walk to Austin’s house to see him and explain, but the truth was there was no excuse for her. No forgiveness would be forthcoming.
His silence told her that his anger was best left restrained. She didn’t blame him if he never spoke to her again.
That was why she was stunned when he walked into the station a week later with both Trent and Sal. He breezed past her desk with a “Hi, Violet,” and then just as calmly went into Trent’s office and shut the door.
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