The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1)

by Johansen, Rita

  “It was a team effort.”

  “And you’re humble. I keep seeing new sides to you, each appealing in its own way.”He encircled her in his arms.

  “I don’t know how to do this. Us. I know how to take down this bastard. Let’s focus on that and figure this out later. Deal?”

  He released her with a quick kiss.“As you wish. Let’s have a simple evening, then, of capturing a murderer. Tell me how you met our dear mutual friend.”

  Her smile added warmth to her eyes.“His shop was between my law school and my job at the county attorney’s office. I’d pop in to look at antiques. It took my mind off the law. Alfred delighted in telling me each piece’s story. He took more care with his antiques than some parents do with their children.”Pain cooled her eyes.

  “Rubina, I—”

  “No, it’s fine.”Her hardened gaze said otherwise.“It’s fact. Anyway, I liked that about him. How did you meet him?”

  “When my mother and I came over from Spain, we had very little. What we had, we sold. I started making money as a teen, and went to Alfred to find a gift for my mother. He’d secreted away everything. He said he knew I’d be back someday for them—these pieces of our family history.”

  “That sounds like something he’d do. I wonder what he did with my Sherlock Holmes set.”

  “How did you come upon it?”he asked.

  “It’s all my grandmother left me. She’d read to me from it, and tell me to never mind my mother. I was destined to do great work, important work. I’m sure Alfred found a good home for it.”

  “Was this set leather-bound with gold inscriptions?”

  “Yes, why do you ask?”

  “I admired it in Alfred’s shop, and made him a generous offer.”

  “You have it?”

  “No, he refused to sell.”

  Ruby gave a hearty laugh.“I love Alfred.”

  “Well, you’ve given your heart to a worthy gentleman.”He turned to drizzle olive oil on thick fillets of pink salmon before topping them with garlic and lemon slices.

  “I have, Milo.”She finished the place settings, and peered over at him.“And he’s insane if he thinks I’m eating that. I thought you were making us real food.”

  “Try one bite. If you’re not hooked, then move onto dessert.”

  “What’s for dessert?”

  “Flan. It’s a decadent custard topped with soft caramel.”

  “Is it a Gabi recipe?”

  “Yes.”

  “I suppose one bite won’t kill me. Want a hand?”

  “There’s wine in that bag.”He gestured with his head, and slid their entrée into the oven.

  “That I can manage.”

  Kottke’s voice came over the two-way audio bugs planted around the kitchen.“Target spotted, heading north toward the front entrance.”

  “Yeah, lovebirds,”Colin said.“We’ve enjoyed the show. I’m sure Jerry did, too. We’ll listen and record on this end as soon as Jerry crosses the threshold.”

  “Dinner will have to wait.”Emilio turned off the oven.

  “Disarm only. Think you can handle that?”

  He shot her an impatient glance.

  “Hey, brain and brawn don’t always co-exist.”

  “I can handle myself.”

  She reached up and stroked his hair.“Good. I don’t want any injuries.”She gave him a wicked grin.“It’d put a damper on my sex life.”Turning serious, she said,“I get the take down.”

  “I could disable him with one jolt.”

  “No, nothing fancy this time. He wanted Susan to do everything the old-fashioned way. Her stand-in is going to kick his ass, no-tech.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Target is gaining access,”Justin said.

  With a last look, Emilio moved into the shadows of the living room.

  “Not that it’ll prevent you from standing at the ready armed with God-knows-what gadgets,”she muttered at his back.

  I knew the dumb bitch wouldn’t change the locks. He smiled as he stepped into the darkness. Facing the lit dining area, he reached into his leather bag to decide how the fun would begin. He didn’t see the shadows take shape. His legs flew out from underneath him, and he landed flat on his back. When he shoved to his feet, he saw his woman standing across the room, smiling. The brainless brute stood at her side, holding Jerald’s black bag.

  Thinking fast, Jerald said,“It’s me, Susan. Don’t be alarmed by my appearance. I’ll explain everything.”

  “Oh my God, Jerry! It’s you! I thought it was an intruder. I thought you were dead!”Ruby gestured to the bag.“That my birthday present?”

  “Yes, it’s for you, Susan. Don’t open it yet.”He turned to Emilio.“Did she tell you she’s married? She’s my wife. Mine. Get the fuck out of my house.”

  “He’s right, Antonio. You heard him. Get your sexy Spanish ass out of here,”Ruby said, enjoying herself.“We had our fun. The real man of the house is home now. Leave us alone so I can welcome my husband home properly.”

  “That’s more like it. You heard the woman. Get out of my house.”

  “And set my gift on the table on your way out. No hard feelings, Antonio.”She waited for Emilio to slam the garage door.

  She strode across the living room, smile in place.“Now things can go back to the way they were, Jerry. I know you didn’t mean for me to end up in that terrible place. Everything’s going to go back to normal now. We’ll be happy. Won’t we, Jerry?”

  He waited until she was within arm’s length before grabbing her and spinning her into a chokehold.

  Ruby gripped his arm with both hands and struggled to pull it far enough away to breathe.

  “You were supposed to go to Mardova. But I have a new plan. I’ll get my things back sooner than I thought, and I’ll never have to worry about you wrecking my plans again. You’re done being a pain in my ass, woman.”

  “Not quite yet, Jerry.”She yanked his arm away from her neck. Dropping her hips and sinking her base, she tripped and flipped Jerald to the side. She jammed her knee into his throat and produced a gleaming knife.“Recognize this? I take care of what’s mine. It’s nice and sharp. I want you out of my life, Jerry. I mean it. It’s over. I’m not yours. I never was.”

  “You have no idea, you stupid bitch. No idea what’s been going on under your nose.”

  “What? Are you a drug addict? Is that it? Maybe if we get you into treatment, we can go back to being happy. Maybe you didn’t know what you were doing.”Ruby pressed, taking away his defenses one by one.

  “I knew exactly what I was doing. I’m a fucking chemist. The best Tycon has ever seen. I knew I could make the best. I deserve the best, like the women I’ve been fucking. Not like you, you fat cow. Real women. Your nosey bitch of a lawyer should’ve let you get shipped to Mardova where you belong. You’re nothing without me.”

  Ruby patted her hair as she dug the knife tip into Jerald’s neck.“I forgot to ask if you like my new look. It’s okay if you don’t. It’s not permanent.”She peeled off her face clay.“Not like yours. Now that’s a real pro job. The key, though, is what lies in here.”She tapped his hairline.“Time to clean up,”she called out.

  Agent Mitzu barreled through the front door followed by his team.

  “Who the hell are you?”Jerald asked Mitzu when he appeared in his line of sight.

  Ruby answered.“What? One minute you’re a brilliant chemist and the next you’re illiterate? Says right on his vest—federal agent. I called in the big guns for you, Jer-Bear.”

  “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the man who’s not going to rest until you’re locked away on Mardova. Ruby’s made my job a whole lot easier.”

  “I can’t take all the credit. Wait until you see what Jerry’s surgeon left us. He’ll have to undergo another procedure.”

  “You can’t do that,”Jerald said.

  “No, I can’t, but Agent Mitzu here has the power of the federal government behind him. They’ll find eve
rybody that you made disappear. Mardova or dead—right, Jerry? I can see the appeal. If you weren’t going to a manmade hell, I’d be tempted to send you to the real deal myself.”

  Eyes wild, he said,“I, I didn’t know what I was doing.”

  “It’s too late for that, Jerry. On behalf of Susan, thanks for that generous birthday present. You made all of this possible.”

  “Need anything from me before I take him in?”Agent Mitzu asked.

  “Did he drive a rattletrap here?”

  “You could call it that.”

  “Perfect. I believe it’s Anthony Priestley’s car. If there’s a green package in it, I’d like it when possible. Yes, it’s evidence, and a good link to Priestley. You’ll have better evidence once you extract that chip. It’s a necklace meant for Priestley’s mother. After delivering the tragic news, I want to give her something good.”

  “Consider it done.”He gave the orders to a nearby agent. She disappeared out the front door.“You know, it’d make my job a whole lot easier if every defense lawyer was like you.”

  “Mine too, although I’d have to work harder to get business.”She watched Agent Mitzu haul Jerald out the door.

  Emilio saw Ruby’s shoulders droop as adrenaline dissipated and exhaustion took hold, and went to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tight, and said,“It’s over, Querida.”

  She closed her eyes and sank into his strength.“We have to get these electronics out of here. I want Susan to have a home.”

  He kissed her head.“I’ll take care of it.”

  “God, if she would’ve been here.”

  “She wasn’t, because you discovered the truth. She’s safe, and will remain so. He’s not Eric, and she’s not Tara. Susan will return here, when she’s ready. You’ve given her a home.”

  “It was a team effort. I need to check in with the others.”

  “I’ve already sent them home. They’ve had a very long weekend.”

  “You dismissed my team?”

  “Yes.”

  “Remind me to tell you why that’s unacceptable when I’ve had some fuel.”

  “I suggest we swing by the Castle.”

  “I’m not up to a crowd.”

  “I’ve called ahead. We’ll have Spanish food to-go.”

  “Yes, and let’s toss out that fish,”she said.“Stinky seafood would be a terrible welcome home present.”

  He laughed.“That worked out well for you.”

  “Do I still get caramel custard?”

  “Yes, you can still have your flan, Querida.”

  ✧

  Ruby didn’t rouse until the sun had been up for hours. When she did, she looked at her clock in alarm, and at Emilio in outrage.

  “You rat! You drugged my flan, didn’t you? I should call Agent Mitzu to arrest you.”

  “I gave you a mild herbal sleep aid. It worked so well because you were exhausted.”He went into the kitchen, and emerged with a tray piled high with waffles and steaming mugs. He handed her one and took the other.“You can say it.”His eyes danced.

  “What?”She feigned obliviousness.

  “You’re glad I stayed.”

  “Of course I am.”

  “Now that’s progress.”

  “You brought me this spread. Who wouldn’t want you around?”

  He groaned.

  “And you’re an exceptional view.”She said, and dug into the waffles.

  Lines creased his brow.

  “It makes me realize something.”

  “What? You’d like me to program an automaton to bring you breakfast each morning?”

  “No, but you’d do that for me, wouldn’t you?”She took a generous bite and made a happy hum.“I realized I could get used to this.”

  “Which part?”he asked, suspicious.

  “The you-and-me part. The waking-up-to-you part. To you slipping me health food disguised as waffles.”She dipped her next bite in syrup, and stopped.“Not that I’d object to the breakfast-in-bed part.”She chewed with a sated smile.

  “Yes, we’re figuring this out, aren’t we?”He smiled at her.

  She took in his appearance.“I’m not going to ask how you got those fancy duds to my apartment. But don’t let me keep you. You’ve spent much more time at my office than yours lately. Go be a global tycoon, whatever that involves. I’m fine, Milo. I have a busy day ahead, too.”She scooted out from under her tray and wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing him back to the door as she gave him an enthusiastic kiss.“Thanks for breakfast,”she said when she broke the contact. She opened the door and gave him a playful swat.“Now scoot.”

  He scanned her face. Color bloomed in her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled.“Very well. I’ve done all I can here. Unless . . .”

  She laughed.“Later, Milo.”

  He left, satisfied he’d distracted her from her hard day ahead.

  She sang her way into her shower in an off-key soprano.

  ✧

  Ruby parked in front of a rambling house. The porch engulfed the exterior as far as the eye could see. An old chair rocked itself in the breeze. The seasons had given it character.

  She got out and leaned against her car, eyes closed to enhance her other senses. As the sun warmed her face, her smile bloomed and she gave into the urge to reach up in a luxurious stretch. Bringing her arms down, she inhaled the familiar mix of scents—wildflowers, hay, and summer. When she eased open her eyes, she laughed.

  A stream of chestnut and bright yellow dashed to embrace her.

  “Hey, Ari.”

  “Hey yourself. You look pretty damn good for having been through the ringer. A certain Spaniard didn’t have anything to do with it, did he?”

  “It’s not over yet, Ari. And yeah, I may have had waffles in bed.”

  “Is that code?”

  “No.”

  “He knows the way to your heart. Come in, let’s get you coffee. I made it strong, knowing you’d turn up at some point.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “She’s in rough shape, but I’ve seen worse. We began yesterday afternoon. She’s as skittish as a foal. Trenton didn’t know what to make of her, at first, and neither did she.”

  “It’s a start.”

  “Yes, it’s a start. A good one. He ended by giving her a horse hug, and prancing around for her.”

  “Ever the showoff.”

  Arianna held her by the shoulders, and took a good look at her. Satisfied by what she saw, she said,“I’m so happy you’re here. You missed a delicious breakfast. Justin has been spoiling us rotten.”

  “Isn’t he supposed to be on protection duty?”

  Arianna beamed.

  “You look happy.”

  “I am happy.”

  “I see you, and have hope for Susan.”

  “You should. She’s a survivor, and stronger than she knows.”

  “You’re the expert. Any chance there are leftovers?”

  “Didn’t you say Emilio fed you?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re a bottomless pit. Ask Justin.”

  “I think I’d have better luck if you asked him.”

  “Ruby, stop.”

  “Are you blushing? What went on with you two last night? Did you two have waffles in bed?”

  “Stop it!”She nudged Ruby with her shoulder.“Your turn. What about the e-hunk?”She bent to pick a daisy, and held it to her nose.

  “I can’t get enough of his waffles.”

  Arianna swatted her with the flower.“You know what I mean.”

  “I can’t figure him out.”

  “I bet that drives you crazy.”

  “He’s full of surprises.”She caught Arianna’s look, and asked,“What?”

  “You’ve fallen for him.”She grabbed Ruby, and squeezed.

  “Stop bouncing me around. I’m not happy about this.”

  “Oh, but I am. You’re a walking contradiction, Roo.”

  “Real supportive, Ari. How’s that helpful?�
�

  “In your professional life, you relish investigating—brainstorming the novel, testing the uncertain. There’s no guarantee of success, and it doesn’t stop you from committing to a path. You go with your gut, because it’s worth the attempt, even if you’re wrong.”

  “And you think he’s Mr. Right?”

  “Let’s see, brilliant, handsome, rich—he’s the most eligible bachelor for good reasons. But that’s not why he could be right for you. I’m saying it’s worth finding out. Go for it in your personal life.”

  “Those must have been damn good espresso beans. He really won you over, didn’t he?

  “I really like him, Roo.”

  “What if—”

  “Get out of your own head. I know how to distract you.”

  “How?”

  “Cinnamon rolls. Gooey frosting.”

  “Lead the way.”

  She linked arms with Ruby, and led her up the steps and into the kitchen.

  “Look what I found, wasting away in the front yard.”Arianna walked over to Kottke, and gave him a long kiss.

  “Okay, this is too weird without nourishment. Maybe even with. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you guys, but hold off for a minute. Set me up with the goods, and I’ll be on my way.”

  Justin pulled rolls from the oven.“I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up.”He filled a plate, and poured coffee.“Now scram.”He served her, and waved her away, grinning.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice. Where’s Susan?”

  “In the stables or out for a walk. She hasn’t been going far.”

  Ruby sat in the mudroom, a safe distance from whatever sounds might come from the kitchen. She devoured her rolls, and washed them down with coffee. Fortified, she rose and went out the back door empty-handed, feeling lighter than she had in days. The ranch had spun its magic around and through her.

  She walked down the path, and waved when Susan sighted her.

  Susan ran to wrap Ruby in an embrace.“Thank you, thank you. I can’t say it enough. I don’t know what else to say.”

  Ruby patted her back, fingers sticking to fabric.“You’re very welcome, Susan. How are you doing here?”

  “I love it. There’s so much space. And Justin and Arianna have been wonderful.”