by Caila Jaynes
“Is this Regina?”
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
“Rob. I’m having trouble reaching Deck.”
“What do you want him for?”
“I’m supposed to do a job for him. He gave me your number in case I wasn’t able to reach him.”
There was a pause. “Who did you say you were?”
“Rob, a friend of Deck’s.”
“Deck doesn’t have his phone anymore. That’s why you can’t reach him.”
“Did he tell you what the job is?”
“Yeah, he did.”
“He tell you I’ll need a deposit?”
“How much will you need?”
“Ten thousand now. Another ten after.”
When Regina didn’t answer, Rob said, “That going to be a problem?”
“No. It’s not a problem.”
“When can you get me the money?”
“Tomorrow. Where do you want to meet?”
After a short discussion, they agreed to meet inside a sporting goods store in a shopping mall in Falls Church, Virginia.
“What time?” Rob asked.
“In the afternoon. I live in New York and it’ll take me a while to get down to Virginia.”
“Bring me a picture of the target with the address written on back.”
“I will.”
At the sound of the call disconnecting, Eli pressed another button, shutting down the audio. “Take a look at the video I sent you. The meet went down at two o’clock this afternoon.”
Grayson frowned, thinking through the possibilities. “We’re sure Deck Wallace hasn’t had any more contact with Rex Gibson?”
“Very. We’ve been monitoring both men’s calls. Wallace hasn’t been in touch with anyone but Regina. Gibson’s only spoken to his lawyer.”
“Okay. Hang on a minute while I pull up the video.”
Grayson sat on the bed and clicked on the app his team had developed to block any Wi-Fi signals within a short distance, then opened the secure Wi-Fi only he and Jeremy had access to.
Once the signal was open, he pulled up the video.
The video opened with a point of view from the surveillance van where Eli waited with two other members of the team. The camera followed an Explorer that pulled into the parking lot, zooming in as a woman got out of the car. Regina. Wearing a formfitting dress, she teetered on high heels as she started for the store.
Audio overlaid the images as Eli radioed Rob. “She’s on her way in.”
“Copy that. I’m in place.”
At this point, the video’s point of view changed to Rob’s body cam, probably hidden in the collar of his jacket, based on the perspective. He had been pacing the shoe department and walked over to the weights, the place where he and Regina had agreed to meet.
“Are you Regina?”
“Yes.” As the woman neared, her face filled most of the screen. She appeared to be in her early forties. “Here’s the picture. Address is on the back.” Her voice came through muffled on the audio as she handed Rob a photo.
“Why do you want them killed?”
Regina pointed at the picture. “That scum sent my boyfriend to prison, and he wants him dead.”
“He wants the woman killed too?”
“Yeah. She betrayed a friend.”
“Brought the money?” Rob asked.
Regina pulled an envelope from her purse and handed it over.
“You know this is only the deposit,” he said as he thumbed through it. “I’ll need another ten after it’s done.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Rob tucked the envelope inside his pocket. “I can make it look like a robbery gone bad.”
“Fine.” Regina brushed her long bleached-blond hair over her shoulder. “So? Are we good here?”
“One last question. When do you want it done?”
She let out an unladylike snort. “How about yesterday?”
“I’d better get on it then.”
The camera Rob was wearing turned from Regina, providing bouncing images of the store’s merchandise as he headed toward the exit. The video ended there.
Grayson pressed a hand to his stomach, which was churning like crazy at the sight of the woman calmly ordering the death of his best friend and his new bride. He took a deep breath, hoping the dinner he’d eaten earlier would stay down.
When he went back to the phone, Eli said, “It went down perfectly. She incriminated both of them.”
“Think we still need pictures?”
Eli seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “We’re banking on Wallace incriminating himself when he sees the photos of the finished job. Having video of that will only strengthen our case against him. Otherwise it’s a he said/she said scenario, and we’ll only have solid evidence against Regina.”
Hopes of sparing Camden and Autumn the stress of a photo shoot of their own faked deaths evaporated. Eli was right.
“Has Cam seen this?” Grayson asked.
“I met with him today. He said you’d offered up your place—which was a good idea, by the way—and he and Autumn had just arrived. They came into the office to meet with me. He was pretty upset, especially after seeing the video.”
No shit. I feel like I’m going to puke, and it wasn’t even me they were talking about.
“I’m glad they came down so quickly. Is Autumn okay with doing the photos? I haven’t talked to Cam since yesterday.”
Eli sighed. “It’s unavoidable, and they both get that. But they’re not happy about it.”
“Understandable.” Thinking for a moment, Grayson added, “The shoot’s tomorrow afternoon, right? I want to be there for it.”
“Yeah, but aren’t you supposed to be visiting your mother?”
“I’ll head up to Pennsylvania afterward.”
“No, Gray. Go be with your mother. We’ve got this.”
Eli was right. Once again, Grayson had to admit he was probably subconsciously looking for excuses to delay seeing his mother’s decline. It was time to step up and be a man about it, rather than avoid the situation like a scared little boy.
Changing the subject, he asked, “How’s the case against Claire’s boyfriend going?”
“Progressing. The SEC is going to make its move soon. They’ll be arresting Gabe Rogers in the next few days.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Want some coffee?” Jeremy held up the carafe as Claire walked into the kitchen Wednesday morning.
“Please.”
He poured a mug and handed it over. “Our boss, Eli, will be here sometime today to talk with you.”
Finally. Now maybe I can get some answers.
“Thanks for arranging that,” she said as she took a seat at the kitchen table.
“He’ll stay until dinnertime to give me a chance to sleep, and then our teammate Alex will be here tomorrow morning to cover Gray’s shift. He’ll be staying for a day or two.” When Claire gave Jeremy a quizzical look, he explained. “Grayson’s going to be taking a day or two off.”
“Because of me?” Claire voiced the question before she could even think about it.
Jeremy shook his head. “No, not because of you. He’s just visiting his mother.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he wanted off protection duty. It’s not like we’re getting along.”
“He doesn’t want off this case. Trust me.” Jeremy leaned against the counter, studying her for a moment. “Grayson’s mother is sick. That’s why he needs the time off.”
Based on Jeremy’s tone, the illness was serious. When her brows lifted in question, he explained, “It’s leukemia.”
“Oh no.” Claire pressed a hand to her mouth as a wave of sympathy filled her. “Where does she live?”
“Pennsylvania. He’s at the store now, restocking the fridge for us, and then he’ll get on the road.”
Claire nodded. She’d heard the garage door open a little while ago and had seen Grayson drive away. It was the reason she’d come d
own here. But if he was coming back, she’d have a chance to speak with him before he left.
Jeremy finished his coffee and set his mug in the sink. “I need to make a call.”
Claire rubbed at her temples as he walked out of the kitchen, embarrassed by the memory of the look on Grayson’s face after she’d insulted him last night. She was going to need to apologize again—this time for real.
The garage door engaged and the chain chattered as it stuttered open. Grayson was already back.
He entered the kitchen a moment later, the handles of several plastic grocery bags looped in one hand and a tray with two Starbucks cups in the other. When he spotted her, his eyes narrowed. Without a word, he set what he was carrying onto the kitchen counter and began unpacking the groceries.
Claire bit down hard on her lip. She hadn’t had time to think about what she wanted to say. How should she word it? One thing was clear; she needed to hurry. He was already halfway through unpacking the bags, and then he’d be gone.
“Jeremy said your mother’s sick,” she said quickly, then winced at her bluntness. At the look of annoyance that crossed Grayson’s face, Claire took in a breath. “I hope she feels better.”
Grayson froze. Scowling at her, he said, “What is this, Claire?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“This act of yours.” He slammed down the milk carton he’d taken out of the bag. “I don’t appreciate it.”
Claire frowned in confusion at his unexpected anger. “It’s no act.”
He didn’t acknowledge her words. Instead, he brushed past her to the refrigerator and shoved the carton of milk inside.
Claire watched in shock for several seconds before turning to leave the room. There was no hope for Grayson. He just wasn’t rational.
Tears pricked at her eyes as she hurried up the stairs to escape to her room, but she refused to let them fall. There was no way she’d allow Grayson Matthews to make her cry.
About an hour after Grayson left, Claire extended a hand to the tall dark-skinned man Jeremy introduced as Eli. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Eli took her hand in a firm grip and pumped it. “Nice to meet you too.”
“Would you like something to drink,” she asked, accustomed to playing hostess, and when Eli asked for water, she retrieved a bottle from the refrigerator and handed it to him before they sat down.
Claire, Eli, and Jeremy sat in the living room and engaged in small talk for several minutes before Jeremy excused himself, saying he needed to get some rest before his next shift.
“You’re a law student?” Eli asked once he and Claire were alone.
She nodded. “It’s my last year at Georgetown.”
“That’s where my wife went.”
“Really? What type of law does she practice?”
“Intellectual property. She works for a DC firm.”
“Does she enjoy it?”
“Overall, but that’s not to say the stress doesn’t get to her from time to time.” Eli’s smile faded as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, then gave her a pointed look. “How is everything going here?”
Claire debated saying something about Grayson and decided she needed to. While she felt sorry about his family situation, she couldn’t let his rudeness go. It made a difficult situation unbearable, and that wasn’t right.
“Grayson and I got off on the wrong foot.” She explained what had happened over the past few days.
Eli nodded, his expression neutral. “He can be rough around the edges, but I’ll talk to him.”
Claire bit at her lip. No doubt Grayson would be pissed off about her complaint, but what else was new? Things couldn’t get much worse between them.
She watched as Eli uncapped his water and took a sip. She’d been hoping to get some answers. Here was her opportunity.
“You and your team know who wants to kidnap me, don’t you?”
Eli studied the plastic bottle in his hand but didn’t answer.
“I need to know who it is.”
He lowered his bottle to the coffee table and met her gaze, his expression sympathetic. “I can’t share anything right now. I’m very sorry about that, Claire. I promise you, I would if I could.”
It wasn’t exactly the response she’d been hoping for, and she swallowed hard. Grayson had apparently been telling the truth.
Meeting Eli’s intense gaze, she revealed her biggest fear. “My parents are due back from Massachusetts at the end of the week. I’m afraid for them.”
“The threat was directed at you specifically,” Eli said. “They’re in no danger. But I’ve spoken with the agent in charge of your father’s protective detail, and he’s increased security.”
Claire scanned his face, searching for signs of deception, and when she found none, relief flooded through her. “Will you contact them to let them know I’m safe?”
“Of course. But if it makes you feel better, I’ve been talking to your father’s chief of staff on a daily basis. Mr. Cooley is very concerned about you and wants to be sure you’re kept safe, and insists that your parents want to know exactly where you are.” Eli chuckled. “You shouldn’t have to be here too much longer, Claire. Several days at the most, and then you’ll be able to see your parents. Until then, we have to keep your location a secret.”
That news brought on some relief. At least she had a timeline now. And whoever the kidnappers were, it sounded like their days of freedom were numbered.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Grayson’s spirits sank that night as he sat as his mother’s bedside. Once again, in the four days he’d been gone, her appearance had changed dramatically. She now looked even more frail.
“Is the medicine helping, Mom?”
Eleanor shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about that, honey.”
Struggling to keep his voice even, he asked, “What would you like to talk about?”
“You.” His mother gave him a wan smile. “What can you tell me about this assignment you’re working on?”
“I’m guarding someone.” When her brows rose in question, he said, “There was a kidnapping threat.”
“Man or a woman?”
“A woman.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened. “How old is she?”
“Twenty-four.”
“What’s she like?”
Grayson resisted the urge to roll his eyes, knowing exactly where his mother was going with these questions. “She’s driving me crazy. That’s what she’s like.”
Eleanor’s pale lips twitched. “You like her?”
“I don’t. She’s difficult, like I just said.”
“She’s got spirit.” When Grayson didn’t immediately respond, Eleanor prompted him. “Well?”
Grayson let out a resigned huff. “Yes, she’s got spirit.”
His mother shifted herself higher on her pillows, studying him as she gave him a small smile. “You need someone with spirit.”
“I’m not going to date someone I’m protecting. That’s just not going to happen.”
But his mother didn’t seem to hear. “You also need someone who’ll stand up to you. You can be pretty stubborn, you know.”
Grayson forced an image of Claire doing just that—standing up to him—out of his mind. Even away from her, he was having more thoughts about her than he cared to.
Why had he been so rude? Why had he assumed Claire was trying to needle him when she’d asked about his mother?
He’d just stared at Claire that morning in the kitchen, wondering if she was trying to manipulate him to get her way, or if she was being sincere. Based on everything he knew about her, logic told him the former had to be true, but could he be wrong? Could she be as genuine as Jeremy thought?
Trust your gut, he’d told himself. Keep your distance.
Too late, he’d realized Claire’s question had been heartfelt. He’d seen the hint of tears in her eyes when she fled from the room, and they’d made him feel like shit. Fo
r the entire drive to Scranton, he’d replayed their conversation over and over.
It wasn’t just the arguments with Claire that he couldn’t get out of his mind. It was the fantasies. Yes, there had been that kind of fantasy, but what was mostly going through his head was a redo of their interactions. And in his fantasies, he and Claire got along. She was polite to him and sweet, like she was with Jeremy.
Pathetic? No doubt about it. But the fantasies were a diversion, something to help him deal with the stress he was under. They didn’t mean anything.
“I want you to be happy, Gray.”
Grayson returned his attention to his mother. “I am happy.”
She shook her head. “You need more in your life than just your career.”
He was about to object, to tell her that he had more. But as he thought about it, he realized she was right. He hadn’t been in a relationship in quite a while. And he’d buried himself so deep into his career, he didn’t have much in the way of hobbies or outside interests to blow off steam. Camden was his best friend, but once he’d married Autumn and moved from DC, he’d left a big void in Grayson’s life.
He knew what he was doing, though. The married guys on the team always ran into trouble in their relationships. All that time away from home—the assignments and resulting travel—was never easy on a relationship, and the strain sometimes showed on his teammates’ faces.
“I want you to have what your father and I had.” His mother gave him a wistful smile. “It was wonderful. There’s no better feeling than being with someone who makes the world brighter just by being in it . . . someone who loves you, even when you’re at your worst, and makes you want to be a better person.” She turned her head and caught his eye. “And laughter . . . it’s so important to be with someone who can make you laugh. Your father was stubborn, just like you, and he used to make me so mad sometimes. But then he’d tease me until I couldn’t help but laugh. I never could stay mad at him for long.”
Grayson clenched his jaw. He didn’t want to think about his dad right now. Not with everything else going on. It was never a good thing when he thought of his father. Decades later, he still felt cheated that his dad had been taken from him so soon, and in such an awful way.
