by Cara Putman
“It’s possible, but unlikely. Someone would have noticed.”
“Maybe. Anyway, there’s no way to prove it.”
“That’s what discovery is for.”
“Yeah.” Hayden turned the conversation to the fair, and while eating, they knocked out most of the prep that could be completed before the weekend.
“This was great.” Andrew glanced over Emilie’s careful notes again. “The remaining details are perfect for Emilie to work on when she’s not resting.”
“If you don’t give them to her, she’ll drive us both crazy.”
He collected his trash into the bag. “One last quick thing.”
Hayden brushed some crumbs off her desk and then looked at him with an open expression. “Yes?”
“I took your advice, and Dad and I talked before Saturday’s article.” He still couldn’t believe his dad had let him keep his secret all those years. “He’s known all along I was Roger Walters.”
A big grin spread across Hayden’s face, and in that moment Andrew wanted to lean across the desk and kiss those lips. “Really? That’s incredible.”
“It wasn’t the way I expected the conversation to go. I was sure he’d be furious, but he even mentioned it at the fundraiser. I’m still questioning whether I heard him say he was proud of me.” He glanced at his phone again. “The best part is no more messages or threats, though I still want to find the person behind them.”
Hayden’s grin slipped a bit as if she’d thought of something disturbing. “Have you considered it was someone who knows you who wanted to expose you?”
“Yeah, though I don’t like it. No one I’ve thought about so far could have been involved.” Maybe he’d never know for sure who lobbed the threats, but he’d keep looking.
Hayden wiped her hands down her pant legs, then grabbed the pad of paper on her desk. “Let’s list everyone who knew. I bet your dad’s staff knew, if he did.”
“What?” Andrew settled back in the chair and crossed his feet at the ankles. “I hadn’t thought of that.” Though as he thought about the relationship Dad had with his key staff, the idea didn’t seem so crazy.
“Maybe he was giving you the space to tell him when you were ready.”
“Maybe.”
Hayden glanced up at him. “I’m just glad he knows and you don’t have to worry anymore.”
“I’m glad it’s behind me. The stress of the reveal was real.”
Hayden’s smile said more than words could. Was a promise buried in it? Then she turned back to the notepad. Andrew leaned closer for a look. Her list consisted of interlocking rings with data in each. He pointed to the list, grateful to move on from his alter identity. “Maybe the attack on Maricel is tied to your case.”
“Maybe.” She tapped her pen against another bubble. “Look at how the attack on Jorge’s mom intersects potentially with the break-in at your apartment.” Hayden filled in information on another ring.
Andrew leaned closer and frowned as he read. “Gerard?”
“His death might be tied to the case. He was the one who assigned me and kept the partners motivated to keep the case. The car in Texas is tied to the case.”
“What about Emilie?”
“Maybe the attack was connected to the story she wrote on Miguel’s murder.” Hayden paused and looked up at him with a concerned expression. “Andrew, she learned more about the murder than I did. I’ll have to prod her for details, because she kicked over a hornets’ nest with her digging. She’s so bulldogged when she’s on the trail of a story.”
Hayden’s heart hiccoughed in her chest as she stared at the interconnecting circles. “It’s all connected. The girls and I talked about it late Thursday night, and we were right.”
“So what kicked this whole thing off?”
“Jorge must know. Do you think he’ll talk to me?”
Andrew shook his head. “He’ll barely talk to me. Whoever he saw at the burglary scared him to the core. I’ll try again today or tomorrow at New Beginnings. Wish the guy had still been there when the police arrived. We’ll probably never know who he is.”
“Something followed Miguel here. Do you have any kind of information in a file about him? Some kind of paperwork on Jorge when he joined the New Beginnings program?”
“Sure. It’s pretty basic, but I can forward it.”
“I’m most curious about relatives and where he was from in Mexico. Rodriguez is a common name, but I believe there are ties to the cartel. El jefe means the boss, but I wonder if it also means his father.”
Andrew frowned. “Why would his father terrorize Jorge that much?”
“I don’t know, but he is paying for the lawsuit. What if he’s the one who needs the information?”
“I suppose it’s possible.” Andrew tapped the paper. “And the government still won’t confirm Miguel was murdered.”
“Despite the photos I have showing his body. Somebody took those and sent them to his mother. What if the photos weren’t to let her know he died, but to make sure she stayed quiet?”
“Or cooperated.”
“Exactly.” This line of thought felt right. If she could find that thread, she could trace it through the connecting circles of cascading events. As she looked at the events, she felt the certainty someone would do whatever was necessary. Someone like a drug kingpin. “Two people are already dead.”
Andrew’s mouth pressed into a grim line. “That number could grow. And our accident in Texas and Emilie’s accident could have been fatalities.”
“We were lucky.” She’d known it, but to articulate it left the thought in stark relief, the words painful as they played to a logical conclusion. “If we get in this person’s way, we could be next.” She looked at Miguel’s name and then Gerard’s. “Miguel brought something with him, or sent it, and that’s why my office and Gerard’s were searched. This person didn’t find what they wanted, so they searched my home.”
“Whoever is searching is a soldier. The real person stayed behind the scenes, unless you’re right and it’s Daniel Rodriguez. But if it’s him, why not stay in the safety of Mexico?”
“I don’t know.” Hayden felt a chill roll over her as if a monster had just breathed down her neck, leaving a trail of goose bumps and fear behind. “Rodriguez was the last client who saw Gerard. If he’s the drug lord, it would make sense that he’s directing everything.”
“It does.” Andrew’s phone buzzed. “A reminder to get to Dad’s swearing-in.” Andrew shook his head. “He’s really a US senator.”
“Congratulations.” Hayden crumpled up the sandwich wrapper and then pitched it in her trash can. “Thanks for lunch.”
“No problem. I’ll let you know if I get anything out of Jorge.”
“Thanks.” Hayden stood and walked Andrew to the reception area.
He gazed down at her, and the look in his eyes dragged her a step closer. He ran a finger down the profile of her cheek and she froze, wanting to lean in to the motion. “When this is all over, I’m taking you on a proper date, Hayden McCarthy.”
“I . . .” She cleared her throat and started again. “I would like that very much.”
“You pick the day, I’ll pick the place. We’d better get this figured out, so we can talk about something other than accidents and injuries.”
“Yes sir, Mr. Most Eligible Bachelor, sir.”
Andrew tweaked her cheek. “Stay safe.”
“You too.” She watched him through the front window until she couldn’t see him, then turned and followed the sound of her ringing phone to her office. “Yes?”
“Hayden McCarthy? This is Art Blanchard with the Department of Justice. You’ve got quite a legal theory.”
“It’s a strong one.”
“Maybe. My boss has instructed me to find a time for us to get in court as quickly as possible. Let’s not waste the court’s time arguing. If you’ll agree, we can ask the court for a preliminary hearing on a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction in the
next couple weeks.”
“The court might see things our way. I think most people would agree there’s a contract between the government and its detainees. That contract would certainly include the health and safety of the detainees, a duty the government breached.”
The man snorted, his northeastern accent becoming stronger as he spoke. “Look. We can make this case drag on and die an extremely slow death, or we can agree to schedule the hearing and get this over with. You don’t need discovery on jurisdiction. Either you have it or you don’t.”
His superior attitude was beginning to annoy Hayden, and she wanted to push back on each of his self-righteous points. Instead, she gritted her teeth and forced a calm into her words she wasn’t feeling. “Let’s get the judge on the phone and see what she says.”
The court calendars were packed. There was no way this case was going anywhere any time soon, even if she loved the idea of fast-tracking it.
“Just a minute.” After only a couple minutes of silence, his arrogant voice returned. “Ms. McCarthy, I have the judge’s secretary on the phone. We’d like to schedule a preliminary hearing to address a motion to dismiss.”
“When would you like to schedule this?” The woman’s voice was familiar. Guess that meant the judge hadn’t changed core staff in the years since Hayden’s clerkship.
“As soon as possible,” Blanchard replied. “We’d like the court’s read on how this case will proceed.”
“Ms. McCarthy?”
“That’s fine.” It would be nice to get an initial read, but an adverse decision would kill the case before she had the chance to do anything.
“Next Monday at nine. I can schedule it for an hour.”
And just like that, Hayden had one week to formulate the argument that would keep the case alive or force the government to settle.
CHAPTER 49
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
The aroma of peppermint tea brought Hayden’s head up from her desk where she was reviewing her legal arguments for Monday’s hearing.
“All work and no play makes Hayden a very grouchy woman.” Andrew’s rich voice had her smiling in spite of herself. He held the venti cup in front of her. “I thought you might need this, since I haven’t seen you in a few days. Emilie mentioned you’re working a lot.”
“Thank you.” Hayden reached for the tall cup. “Monday I panicked I wouldn’t have enough to keep me busy, and now I’m on the other side. So much is riding on this hearing I can hardly breathe.”
“So skip Saturday’s fair. I think between the board and interns we’ll keep everything moving. A local church’s college group will run the games, which helps.” He sank into a chair.
She liked the way he looked there—like he belonged. The thought caught her breath and made her smile. Could this man really fit into her life? Could she fit into his? She studied his relaxed nonchalance, a persona he’d adopted that hid a man with a sharp intelligence and keen wit. A man who cared deeply about those around him and would do anything to help them. A man she would trust with her life.
Something of her thoughts must have flickered across her face, because he straightened a bit and studied her. “What? Do I have cookie crumbs on my chin?”
She shook her head and tucked her thoughts back where she could examine them later. “No. And don’t think you can get rid of me so easily. The opportunity to help Saturday has kept me motivated. Still setting up at ten?”
“What isn’t finished tomorrow night will be at ten Saturday morning. Shouldn’t take long.” He took a sip of his coffee and then grinned at her. “You can’t stay away.”
When he looked at her like that with those come-hither eyes, she couldn’t imagine why she’d want to.
“Jorge asked me yesterday if I’d found anything he left at my condo, but he didn’t say what he’d left.”
“You should ask what he meant.”
“I will.” Andrew pushed to his feet. “I’m off to check on Maricel and Jorge. I’ll ask again when I see him. Maybe he’ll tell me more.”
“Please let me know if he does. Thanks for the tea.” Hayden watched him walk out of her office, then reluctantly forced her attention back to hearing prep. If she didn’t find the right hook, the judge could kill the case.
She simply had to invest the hours to find that one past case decision that would work best.
By Saturday morning Hayden was ready to be anywhere but her borrowed office. Only a few clouds hovered in an otherwise blue sky as she finished dressing in denim capris topped with a colorful paisley top. She added an extra T-shirt to her bag in case she got sweaty or spilled something.
Emilie eased into the room as she tossed in a pair of shoes. “Expecting to give shoes away?”
Hayden chuckled as she leaned into Emilie’s tentative hug. It was so good to have her friend back. “Just trying to make sure I don’t forget anything. You and Andrew have worked hard, and I want to help with anything you need.”
An evil twinkle appeared in Emilie’s eyes. “Did I mention your shift in the dunking tank?”
“Ha-ha.” Hayden rolled her eyes as she picked up her bag. “It’s not warm enough for one of those. Are you sure you should come?”
“Leave me behind, and I’ll drive there myself.”
“Not on your pain meds. The moment you get tired . . .”
It was Emilie’s turn to roll her eyes. “I’m a big girl, Hayden. I can get to Andrew’s if I need a break. Or maybe I’ll let a hunky fireman take pity on me.” Her grin returned. “That might be my best idea yet.”
“Let’s get the doughnuts for the volunteers and head over.”
Soon Hayden was pulling into a parking slot near the community center. “We’ll have to walk from here.”
“I’ll be fine.”
As she watched Emilie climb from the car, she knew her friend was right. Emilie would be fine. Other than her ginger movement, an unknowing observer wouldn’t look at her and think she’d been in a serious car accident a week earlier. But Hayden knew, and until the police caught whoever had hurt her, she wasn’t sure she’d take a full breath.
Andrew was easy to spot, the center of a melee of volunteers. His voice carried over the group as he gave final instructions, then turned with a grin toward Hayden and Emilie.
“You arrived just in time. I’ve got a bag of balloons with your names on them.”
Hayden grimaced as visions of passing out from a lack of oxygen filled her mind. “No thanks. You don’t need the distraction of me keeling over.”
“A few balloons won’t do that to you.”
Emilie put a hand on Andrew’s arm. “This is Hayden. It absolutely will put her flat on her back.” She shooed them off to work with the group setting up games.
Before the fair opened at noon, Andrew’s clients began to arrive. The kids all ran up to him on arrival, as if they were answering the cry of the Pied Piper. Hayden watched him interact with them, giving each an affectionate tug on a ball cap or a side-armed hug. His love for them was evident.
When Maricel and Jorge arrived, Hayden hardly recognized her client. Her face was gaunt, as if she hadn’t eaten all week, and her eyes had a haunted look. Hayden hurried to her.
“Maricel, I’m so glad you came. We have a chair where you can watch everything and be off your feet.”
“Thank you.” Her client’s wan smile almost broke Hayden’s heart. “I do not want to burden.”
“You aren’t.” Hayden led her to the chair while chatting with Jorge about his week. The young man was reserved, saying only what he needed to be polite. Concern rose in Hayden as she looked back and forth between the two. “Jorge, are you ready for an American hot dog? Andrew is over by the grills and can give you food for you and your mom.”
Jorge glanced at his mom as if to ask for her approval. This was not the same outgoing and exuberant boy she had met only weeks earlier. “Okay.”
“We’ll be right back, Maricel.”
Her client waved a manicured
hand as if shooing them away. “I will be here.”
The crowd was building, with some children playing games or jumping in bounce houses while others munched cotton candy or deep-fried pickles. The area smelled like a county fair food aisle. To her surprise, Jorge ignored it all, his attention focused on the people swirling around them.
“Are you looking for someone, Jorge?”
He startled. “No. I am trying to see it all.”
She put a hand on his shoulder and waited until he looked at her. “Jorge, you are safe here. You are in the United States, and we won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Miguel was too.” His quiet words, spoken with a thrust-out chin, cut through her.
“You’re right. We failed Miguel.” She searched for the right words to convey that what happened to Miguel wouldn’t happen to him. “Miguel took a path to get here that put him in danger. You didn’t.”
“Yo sé.” I know.
But as a man with his small son sitting on his shoulders jostled into Hayden, she got the distinct impression Jorge knew something he wouldn’t volunteer. She glanced around the growing crowd. This wasn’t the place to force conversation. The cacophony of voices and laughter would make it hard for anyone to overhear, but it would also be hard to keep Jorge’s attention.
A woman breezed past, her hair pulled into a chic chignon. Lilith? What was Senator Wesley’s legislative director doing here? It wasn’t the type of high power event she favored.
Then Jorge stiffened. His gaze was locked on a man standing across the cordoned-off street, watching them from a vantage point that placed him in shadow, hiding his features. He turned to the side, and as Hayden squinted to get a better look she saw a tattoo crawling around his neck.
“Let’s get back to your mom, Jorge.” She turned on her heel and gripped the boy’s elbow as she power walked back to his mom. But when they reached Maricel’s chair, it was empty.
