by Jen Talty
“I’ll ask.” She kissed his temple, saying a little prayer to the man upstairs that Andy would come out on top. That he’d end up being able to rise above it all and have a good and decent life. That everything happening to him wouldn’t destroy him as a man.
Taylor is going to pay.
Chapter Thirteen
FRANK TOSSED HIS TOWEL on the dock and let out a long breath. He felt dirty. In one day, he’d applied pressure on two teenage boys in hopes of frightening the crap out of them. Billy looked as if he might crack, except Frank didn’t really think he knew much about the specifics of what the Carlton family was holding over Andy’s head. To be fair, Billy had admitted to selling drugs for Ricky, but when Ricky expected him to break into people’s homes, Billy had backed away.
Since then he’d had the shit kicked out of him. Stupid kid should have told Frank that Ricky did it, but no, Billy decided to say he had been in a jet ski accident. Hell, there was at least one report on the lake every day, and who knew how many went unreported.
Ricky, on the other hand, was a smart-mouthed little shit. He even threatened Frank with a harassment charge. Unfortunately, the kid wasn’t that far off the mark, and if Jared found out some of the things Frank had said…well, Frank would probably be fired.
He checked his oxygen tank and tapped at the mouthpiece. The lake was dead calm. Bad thought. He should think of the ripple-less water as glass. Had the sun been casting a glow across the top of the water, he supposed he’d feel differently.
He wasn’t so much afraid of swimming during the day. That test would be easy. He could see everything around him. It would be crystal clear. There wouldn’t be any murky waters or distortions of the world around him like there was at night. Or at least this is what he told himself.
He sat down on the dock and fiddled with his flippers, trying to force the acid in his throat to settle down. He’d eaten close to an entire bottle of antacids today and at this rate, he’d have an ulcer before his thirtieth birthday.
The water felt cool against his skin as he let his legs fall over the edge. Thanks to Jared pulling a few extra strings, Frank and Lacy would be married tomorrow morning at ten. Typically, one would have to wait twenty-four hours after the marriage license was issued, but Jared got the judge to allow for special circumstances. Frank couldn’t help but wonder what Jared had told the guy.
“Hey,” Lacy called, startling him.
He didn’t flinch, but he did suck in a breath, which annoyed him. Not so much because she sneaked up on him, although that should bother him on many levels, but because of what her voice did to his sensibilities.
“How’s Andy?” he questioned, knowing that the kid had been having a tough day. He wished he could know everything right now, but without the protection marriage offered them, he couldn’t risk pushing. The point was to be husband and wife so that he couldn’t be forced to testify if Lacy was arrested. Tomorrow they both could tell him anything. Everything.
“He’s asleep in Jake’s room.” Lacy sat down next to him, but tucked her legs under her butt instead of dangling them in the water.
“The water’s nice.”
“I’m sure it is,” she replied, rolling the engagement ring around her finger. “Andy told me—”
He covered her mouth with his hand. “I told you, after we’re married.”
“I don’t want to wait. I can’t hold on to all this information. You need to know. The police need to know.”
“Andy will need to tell it to Jared tomorrow. I’ve already set up a time with him, Ms. Lazzery, and Andy’s attorney. I think they’re trying to get the shrink there, too. There is too much at stake here not to go by the book. You have to trust me.”
“I resent that I trust you so much.” She shifted to face him. Her hair looked more blonde than brown in the pale light of the moon. Her skin glowed. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.
“Why?” he questioned, trying to stifle his physical reaction to her. His emotional state was too shaky. Being with her right now would be a mistake for both of them.
She shrugged. “I don’t usually trust so easily. You’re a cop and you’re a man. I guess I’m not used to the feeling.”
“Me neither,” he said, wondering if he could let his guard down completely with her. Let her know exactly who he was. All of it, including his dirty little secret.
No, he couldn’t do that right now. Everything was so fucked up. It was hard to tell how much of what he felt for her was about her or was about Andy and Hannah. “You must know I care a lot about you.”
She nodded. “I kind of like you, too.”
Hesitantly, he reached for the clump of hair dangling over her shoulder. It was soft against his skin as he twirled it through his fingers. “I think under different circumstances we’d still end up in each other’s arms. Maybe not so quickly, but you can’t deny there has always been this attraction between us.”
“Attraction? Yeah, that’s always been there, but this whole marriage thing scares the shit out of me.”
He dropped his hand to her leg, wishing she had shorts on instead of jeans. He liked the jeans. They showed her curves, but weren’t tight. Her long sleeved shirt clung to her like a second skin. “I’m scared, too,” he admitted. “I care about you, but I don’t…” his breath caught in his throat. “I don’t…you know.” He couldn’t say the words. He didn’t want to hurt her. “Understand I’m not just doing this for you. I want to make sure Taylor gets what’s coming to him. I want to make sure you and Andy are taken care of.”
She reached out and cupped his face. “You’re a good guy.” But she didn’t smile when she said it.
“What?” he questioned. Her eyes were distant, almost looking past him, not at him.
“Tell me about this cop who saw my sister last. I need to know.”
“No, you don’t,” he said unable to hide the edge to his voice.
With a furrowed brow she turned, dropping her hands. “Why won’t you tell me who this guy is? Is he a friend? Are you covering for him?”
“He did everything he could within the limits of the law and the information he’d been given.” His heart pounded in pain against his chest. He wasn’t lying. He knew deep down he did what he was supposed to do under the circumstances. “Lacy, look at me.”
He could see a single tear roll down her beautiful face. His lungs burned and he felt as though he couldn’t catch a breath. He blinked a few times trying to collect his thoughts. Organize them. Make her understand he wasn’t keeping this information from her because he was protecting someone else.
He was protecting her.
Andy.
“What he did--or didn’t do--at this point isn’t something we can change. We have to focus on keeping you out of jail, and proving that Taylor is orchestrating this whole thing.” Frank believed his own words, to a certain extent. He could understand her need to find closure with her sister’s death, but he truly believed that would come with seeing Taylor rot in hell. Not in going five rounds with a cop, that when she found out who he was, she’d probably kick in the balls.
“Just tell me one thing, okay?”
“I’ll try.” Taking a chance, he looped his arm around her waist. She scooted closer, but he noticed she never allowed her feet to touch the water.
“Do you really believe this man did everything he was supposed to do?”
How did he answer that? Hindsight told him no, he didn’t. But at the time, given the situation and information presented…well, still no. He should have stuck around for a few minutes. Talked to her just a little longer. Maybe asked to go inside or have Taylor come outside. He could have asked Hannah to step outside and speak with him alone for a moment.
“Supposed to do? Yes. Yes he did.”
She slid her hand across his thigh and squeezed. “But you might have done more.”
He closed his eyes, fanning his thumb across her hip enjoying the sensation. A fresh flowery scent filled his no
strils as he took in a deep breath, leaning closer to her. “I don’t know. Maybe not,” he whispered struggling with his guilt.
What was she going to think of him when she found out he didn’t deserve her trust? He knew the marriage was a sham, but he couldn’t help wonder what it would be like to love her. Forever. What if things had been different?
“I know you. You’re a good man,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
He watched the moon dance across the calm lake, but he didn’t feel calm. He felt reckless. “I have my faults.”
Her fingers danced across his leg, stroking down by his knee and then back up the inside of his thigh, dangerously close to his crotch. Long moments passed. Neither one said anything. He toyed with the skin under her shirt and she continued to massage his leg, but neither one took it a step farther. It was a game new lovers played, seeing who could last the longest before making the second move.
But he couldn’t.
Not now.
“Want to go swimming with me?”
“No,” she said a little too quickly.
“Why not?”
“I haven’t been able to go in the water since Hannah died. It’s too weird knowing she died out there in the cold, dark water.”
He coughed as the bile from his stomach lurched up his throat. He knew all too well what she was going through.
She patted his back and looked at him with concern in her eyes. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just choked on my own breath.”
“I hate when that happens,” she said, seemingly oblivious to the sweat now pouring from his hairline and the shudder creeping up his spine.
“Were you going scuba diving?” she questioned, leaning across him and reaching for the flippers that he had put beside him. “By yourself? At night? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Want to stay and watch?” Last night Patty had been there. Tonight, he had banged on Patty’s door but she wasn’t home. He knew he shouldn’t be alone, because of the so-called danger, but he really didn’t think Lacy was the right person to watch over him. Then again, he wouldn’t be able to show her any emotions. He couldn’t let her in on anything he was feeling because that would risk giving up his dirty little secret.
Might be the most brilliant plan he’d come up with yet.
“I’ll stay, but only because I don’t think you shouldn’t be here alone.”
“Aw, shucks. My bride is worried about me.” He teased, hoping to lighten the mood. She wouldn’t forgive him for lying to her about seeing Hannah. She’d probably kill him if she knew he’d been the guy to pull her body from the water.
Then she smiled.
Nothing like being sucker punched by a lady. He forced the corners of his own lips to tip upward. “You are good for the soul.” He planted a quick kiss on her adorable lips. She tasted like sugar and smelled like a meadow. Mix that with the rawness of the outdoors and any man could be lost to her forever.
But it wouldn’t be him.
* * * * *
Lacy watched as Frank slowly disappeared into the cold water. Why would anyone want to go swimming in the dark, much less scuba dive?
She focused on the bubbles and watched them move across the lake. Frank was a good man, and she sure as hell didn’t deserve someone like him. Someone who gave so much of himself and didn’t really expect much in return.
She didn’t understand that about him. She didn’t understand why he’d be so committed to her and Andy. Him getting caught with his pants down really didn’t affect him one way or another, so to come up with this plan, just for her, didn’t make much sense.
She had to take care of Andy. Well, she didn’t have to. She wanted to, and he was family. Her sister’s son; the only family Lacy had left. It wasn’t so much obligation she felt toward him, but that was certainly the driving force.
What was driving Frank?
All sorts of wild thoughts crashed into her brain, but she dismissed them all. Why did his actions have to be explained? Maybe he was just a nice guy.
“Who are you kidding?” she said, shaking her head. He had to have a motive. No one did anything without a motive. Marriage was huge and would change his life forever. He all but told her he didn’t love her.
She didn’t love him, did she?
No. That would be impossible.
A few bubbles floated about thirty feet away or so. She smiled and let out a little chuckle. She liked him an awful lot. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she could fall for a guy like Frank. And weirder still was that he liked her back. She truly believed he liked her for who she was, not what she looked like. This was a new sensation for her.
Maybe things were looking up.
Just then, she heard footsteps. She whipped her head around and then stifled the scream coming from her mouth with her hand.
“Hi, Lacy,” Paul Carlton said with an eerie smile. “How are you this fine evening?”
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Nice mouth.” He smiled. “A buddy of mine lives on the next drive over. I saw you sitting on the dock from his boathouse.” Paul had the nerve to step onto Frank’s dock.
She swallowed, trying not to let her fear show. “What do you want?” Come on, Frank. You’ve been under long enough. Taking in a deep breath, she forced herself to stand up. She stared up at Paul. She remembered him being big in high school, but the man standing before her was huge.
“Just being neighborly,” he responded, as his eyes roamed her body. “You were always something special, you know that?”
Lacy felt her stomach roll. Her pulse increased, as did her breathing. Frank couldn’t surface soon enough. She wanted to ask how his sister was, but figured that could set him off. “I think you should leave.”
He inched forward.
If she stepped away, she’d fall into the lake. Frank’s in the lake. Scooting herself to the very edge of the dock she held her hand out. “Please leave.”
He shook his head, and before she knew what hit her, he had her hair in one hand and the other was raised high as if to hit her. “Consider this a warning.”
She breathed in and out of her nose slowly. “A warning about what?”
“Look behind you.”
“Why?” She didn’t want to take her eyes off of him in fear of what he’d do to her.
“Just do it, you bitch.” He yanked at her hair, forcing her to turn.
She looked out over the water and saw two sets of bubbles. You didn’t have to be a genius to figure out someone had joined Frank. “What’s going on?”
“My buddy’s under the water with your dear boyfriend.” He twisted her head again and cupped her chin with his other hand. “He’s fine, don’t worry. Like I said, a warning.”
“I don’t know what you want.”
“Don’t play stupid. Hannah told you everything, and I’m sure she told you what she took. You’ve got two days to find it or someone is going to die.” He released her.
When her feet hit the dock, she thought for sure her legs would crumble. After she steadied herself, she looked at Paul, who now pointed a gun at her. “Oh, God. I don’t have what you’re looking for. I don’t even know what it is. Hannah didn’t tell me,” she pleaded with him.
“Liar,” he said with a smirk. “And even if you’re not, it won’t change anything. We need what Hannah took, and you and the kid are going to get it back.” He held his free hand out with two fingers showing. “Two days. Now get in the fucking lake.”
“What?” She didn’t dare look over her shoulder. “Why?”
“Because I want you to know what it’s going to feel like.”
Oh, God. I can’t. I can’t do it. “No.”
“Stupid bitch,” he said stepping closer, the gun still pointed at her face. “Two days,” he repeated before shoving her backward.
She blinked a few times, staring at the gun until she felt her back hit the water. It stung and it was cold.
She couldn�
�t move.
Her heart raced as she forced her mouth closed and tried not to breathe. She wanted to breathe. Her hair floated all around her as she felt herself slowly fall beneath the water’s surface; the air in her lungs leaving through her nose. She couldn’t stop it, no matter how hard she tried.
A faint pop startled her as something whizzed by her head. Then another one and still another one.
He’s shooting at me?
For a few moments, everything went still. She felt her lungs beg for air, but she still couldn’t move.
Just then, something grabbed her.
Oh, God. No!
As soon as she started to struggle, Frank’s face appeared before her. With his strong arms around her, he started taking her to the surface.
She gasped the moment her face felt the cool air. “Frank?”
“Right here, baby,” he said helping her onto the dock. “You hurt?”
“I don’t think so.” She crawled as fast as she could to the ground.
“Hey, slow down there. I want to check you over.”
She threw herself onto her back and took in heaving breaths of the wonderful cold air. “I hate the water.”
“I understand,” he said, smoothing his hands all over her body. “Who was it?”
“Paul,” she whispered.
“Did he hurt you?”
He cupped her chin and stared into her eyes. “No, not really. Just scared me.”
“What did he want?”
“Something he swears Hannah had before she died. Said we have two days to find it or else.” She shivered at the thought.
Frank continued to move his hands across her body as if searching for something.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking to see if you got hit by one of those stray bullets,” his voice was tight, but his hands soft and caring.
“Oh, my God!” She bolted upright smacking Frank in the face with her head.
“Shit.” He brought his hands to his face, falling over onto his butt.
“Sorry, but I’ve got to go check on Andy. We’ve got to make sure he’s safe.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.” He let out a sigh and helped her to her feet. “But I’ve got to call this in anyway.”
