“You’re setting yourself up as bait.” That was the craziest thing she’d ever heard.
“That’s the plan. I’m going to the police when we leave here. I called them last night and this is the first step of the plan.”
Dread filled her. So much could go wrong. She’d lived a sheltered life, gaining her adventure from within the pages of books.
When Cade had returned to town, he’d turned her world upside down and re-ignited desire in her heart. What she’d given him in return was suspicion. Now, she was involved in something dangerous, with corrupt men who would most likely kill to save themselves.
She glanced at Cade’s face. She wanted more than anything to tell him she wanted no part of it. But, that decision had been taken away from her the night those men broke into her store.
She swallowed past the cotton in my mouth. “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to throw that shindig you’ve been planning. It will be the best opportunity for Larson’s men to approach me.”
“I haven’t given you an invitation.”
“Then, I suggest you do.” He tapped her nose and drove from the parking lot.
~
Susan would never forgive him when this was all over. Skipping town with his parents was one thing, but walking headlong into danger, possibly dragging her along, was another. It was the only thing he could think of that would allow them to have a future without him running again. She’d promised to help. Which meant, she’d run with him, and that was no life for a woman like Susan.
“I’m sorry.” He reached for her hand.
“For what? I volunteered to help.”
“Yeah, but neither one of us were prepared for what that would entail. I’ve put you in danger by coming back here.”
She sighed and started to say something, then, changing her mind, stared out the window. A few seconds later, she replied, “You didn’t know that when you returned here, did you?” She faced him.
“No, not until two men approached me at the lake. I would’ve left town, Susan, but they threatened to harm you if I didn’t give them what they wanted. Then, they broke into your store—”
“It’s okay. I’ll plan my big Elvis party and pray the police nab these guys when they show up.”
“They will.” He’d make sure of it.
They rode in silence the rest of the way to the station, choosing a parking spot close to the front doors. For all his bluster and bravery, Cade expected deception on Larson’s part and was going to keep his wits about him.
They stepped inside the station, Cade, keeping a death grip on the suitcase he’d taken from his car, and were immediately met by Officer Barley. “Mr. Akin, if you wouldn’t mind.” He motioned for them to join him in a room with an oval table. “Please have a seat.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I’ve brought Miss Turner along. She’s been helping me uncover information.” Cade held a chair out for Susan to sit down in before taking his seat.
“We would have preferred less people involved, but what’s done is done. Miss Turner, are you aware that Mr. Akin is planning on using a party you’ll be hosting as the meeting place to hand over the ledger?”
She nodded. “Yes. It will be at my bookstore.”
“Are you aware of the danger involved?”
Her gaze drifted to Cade’s. “Yes.” She drew out the word, then punctuated it with a sigh.
“A small risk,” Cade added. “You’ll be busy with your guests. I’ll be there as a guest and will hang on the outskirts. Larson is interested in me, not you.”
She lifted her chin. “Don’t patronize me, Cade. He’s aware that I know of the ledger. I’m in as much danger as you are.”
She was right. No matter how much Cade tried to convince himself it wasn’t true, it was very much the truth. “If those men hadn’t broken into your shop, I would never have told you any of this.”
“And I still wouldn’t trust you.”
Officer Barley cleared his throat. “Let’s stay on track here, alright? We aren’t here to solve relationship problems.”
Cade grimaced. “My apologies.” He pulled photo copied papers from his briefcase and slid them across the table. “As agreed, copies. The original is to use as leverage with Larson.”
“You’ve told him there are copies, correct?”
“Yes.“ It’s probably what kept Larson from killing him and Susan in his office.
“What is the date of your party, Miss Turner? We’ll be sure and have a couple of undercover cops attend.”
“This Saturday. You wouldn’t happen to have an officer who could impersonate Elvis, do you?”
Officer Barley smiled for the first time since they’d sat down. “I sure do. He’s a rookie, but he’ll do the trick. We’ll see you on Saturday.”
Dismissed, Cade steered Susan from the room and out to the parking lot. Only one other car waited for its driver. The blue sedan was parked two spots down. The sun was just beginning to set over the mountains and cast a glow on the sedan’s tinted windows.
“How about I buy a pizza and we head back to your shop to set things up so you’re back in business tomorrow?” Cade asked.
“Don’t you ever have to work?” She shook her head. “Pizza sounds good to me.”
“I work when I have to, but hiring good employees provides me with plenty of time to do other things.”
She stopped, her hand on the door handle of the car. “Is your store because of illegal money your parents left you?”
“Of course not. I made this money investing. My grandfather left me honest money, Susan.” But what if the money had been left by his father and come from illegal laundering? Would he have closed down Books and More? Would it have mattered? There was no way to return anything.
“I’m pretty sure my parents used any gambling money to put a roof over my head.” Which wasn’t a lot. Now he had a better understanding of why money had been so tight during his childhood.
“I’m sorry. That was rude of me to ask.”
“You can ask me anything, Susan. If I can relieve any suspicion in your mind in regards to me, I will. Do you mind calling and ordering the pizza?” He helped her into the car and closed her door.
As he walked to the driver’s side, he thought he caught a glimpse of a man watching from the trees across the road. When he looked again, no one was there.
He gave himself a mental shake. Paranoia was his problem.
The pizza was ready when they arrived and soon the car filled with the aroma of marinara sauce and cheese. Cade’s stomach growled. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until that moment. Lunch seemed a long time ago.
They were almost to Susan’s shop when he glanced in his rearview mirror and noticed the same car had been following them since leaving the police station.
Larson wasn’t taking any chances on Cade skipping town, it seemed.
9
Today was the day.
Susan tied the pink blouse’s tails around her waist and stepped back from the mirror. With the blouse, white ankle-length pants and white canvas shoes, she was ready to step back in time to 1956 when Elvis was King. Today was the day she hoped to increase traffic to her store.
It was also the day Cade’s life was in grave danger. She sighed and tied a blue ribbon around her ponytail. Satisfied with her appearance, she headed downstairs to finalize preparations before the door opened at ten.
Everything that could be moved to the perimeter of the room was moved. The counter was filled with snacks and drinks. A record player sat on a table in the corner with a stack of Elvis vinyls nearby. A life-size cut out of Elvis singing Jailhouse Rock stood near the door to greet guests.
“We’re as ready as we’ll ever be,” Lynette said, brushing her hands down her blue poodle skirt. “Here’s to good business.” She toasted an invisible glass.
“From your mouth to God’s ears. Ah, here’s the impersonator.” Susan opened the door for rookie Officer Davis. “Wo
w. You do look like Elvis.”
He shuddered. “Don’t remind me. I’ve had to dress like him more times than I’d like.” His gaze landed on Lynette and he smiled. “The day might not be a total waste of my time.”
Susan laughed. “Go get acquainted.” She turned to greet Cade. “Are you ready?”
“Yep.” He ran a comb through his slicked back hair. “Let’s end ten years of lies and deceit today.”
She peered up into the face she realized she’d never stopped loving. “I’m scared for you.” For herself, too, if she were honest, but Cade was putting himself right out there.
He put his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll be fine. God looks out for the just, right? We’ve done nothing wrong. Instead, we’re trying to stop a wrong.”
She nodded, desperately wanting to believe his words. “Okay.”
When guests began arriving and the store filled to capacity, the party spilled onto the sidewalk, taking Cade with it.
Officer Davis flirted with Lynette and other young women. How could he protect Cade if he wasn’t near him?
“Elvis, I think the fans outside would like to see you,” she said, interrupting his conversation with Lynette.
He glanced up. “Where’s Mr. Akin?”
“Outside. If you were paying attention, you’d know that.” She crossed her arms. Eyes wide, Officer Davis slash Elvis raced from the building.
“What’s all that about?” Lynette frowned. “I think he was getting ready to ask me out on a date.”
“I’ll explain everything tomorrow. If you need his phone number then, I can get it for you.” Susan pasted on a smile and went to check the snacks.
She refilled the tray of cookies, made more coffee, and restacked cups and napkins. Then, she went looking for Cade. Yes, Officer Davis was in charge of his protection, but the rookie was nothing more than a flirt and didn’t have the same investment in Cade’s welfare as Susan did.
Her heart stopped for a second when she didn’t immediately spot him. When his laugh rang out at something Officer Davis said, she relaxed. No one would try anything while Cade was surrounded by people.
Two men wearing dark sunglasses, crisp jeans and stark white tee-shirts crossed from the other side of the street. They may have been dressed in fifties garb, but their clothes were too new and their postures too stiff for them to blend in.
Squeezing through the crowd, Susan made her way to Cade’s side. “Are those the men that have been harassing you?”
Cade glanced over her shoulder. “Yep. Keep an eye on them, Elvis.” He turned to walk away.
Susan stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Where are you going?”
“I need to give them an opportunity to approach me, remember? We can’t deviate from the plan. Don’t worry. There are enough eyes on me to keep anything bad from happening.” He gently pushed her glasses into place. “I’ll be fine.” He gave a crooked grin and stepped away from the crowd.
As if drawn with a magnet, the two men changed direction and moved toward him. They said a few words, Cade spoke something back, and they headed in the opposite direction.
Susan released the breath she hadn’t known she was holding. “Disaster averted.”
“At least for now,” Officer Davis said. Gone was the lopsided Elvis grin. In its place was an undercover cop who was suddenly all business. “You need to stay in the safety of your shop, ma’am.”
“I can’t watch Cade from in there.”
“That’s my job.” He took her by the arm and practically dragged her into the store. “I can’t effectively watch him, if I have to worry about you. You’re safer in here.” He tossed a quick smile to Lynette, then rushed back outside.
Susan pressed against the window, keeping her gaze locked on Cade standing on the outskirts of the crowd. She couldn’t do anything but watch, to worry.
What would she do if he disappeared from her sight, if he was taken by the men or harmed, she had no idea. All she knew was that she needed to keep her eyes on him.
“This party is your baby,” Lynette said, joining her at the window. “You should be smiling and having a good time. Look at all the people who showed up. Most of them have browsed the bookshelves. At least half of them have bought a book. What in the world is wrong?”
“I’m not sure how much information I’m allowed to share, but Cade is in trouble because of something his parents were involved in. Elvis is an undercover cop here to protect Cade as they attempt a sting operation.” Tears filled her eyes as she turned to her friend. “I’ve never been more frightened in my life.”
“You love him?” Lynette smiled.
“I’ve loved him for ten years.” She turned back to the window. “If God allows, I’ll love him for fifty more.”
She plastered her hands flat on the glass as the two men returned and marched to where Cade stood.
~
“Gentlemen.” Cade squared his shoulders.
“Mr. Larson wants the ledger. Now.” One of the men stepped forward. “If not, we pay your pretty little friend a visit.”
Cade glanced to where Susan watched from the store window. “Sure, I’ll be happy to hand it over. What do I need it for? I have one condition, though. Larson has to come to me in order to receive it.”
“That’s not the deal.”
“That’s the only way he’s going to get it.” Cade crossed his arms. “How do I know you two will hand it over? No, it’s my way or nothing.”
The man stepped away and pulled out his cell phone. He cupped his hand around his mouth and murmured into the receiving end, then hung up. “He’s on his way. He’ll meet us down the street.”
Cade shook his head. “He’ll meet us across the street at that café.”
Did these two think Cade was stupid? There was no way he was leaving a public place to go somewhere private with these goons. He glanced over and caught Elvis’s gaze, then motioned his head toward the café.
Officer Davis nodded. Then, as lyrics to Suspicious Minds blasted from the bookstore, struck a pose for a woman with a camera.
At the far edge of the crowd, Cade caught sight of Officer Barley and relaxed. He was covered. With another glance to where Susan watched from the window, he stepped into the street.
A black limousine skid to a halt in front of him. The back door opened. The next thing Cade knew, he was shoved in, the door slammed, and the limo sped off, causing people to jump onto the sidewalk to keep from getting hit.
He glanced at Turn A Page as they sped by. Susan’s mouth was open, her hands on the glass.
He turned to Larson. “This isn’t what we agreed on. You harm me or Susan and you’ll never get your hands on the ledger. If something happens to me, it goes straight to the police.”
“Oh, I think once we bring your friend along, you’ll change your tune.” Larson settled back in his seat. “Or you can spare her the fright of being taken and tell us where it is right now.”
“I don’t carry it with me.” Cade rubbed his chin, trying to think of a way out of the situation he was in. If they left town, he might never be found. “It’s at my store.”
Larson knocked on the window between them and the driver. “Head to Books and More.” Then, he turned back to Cade. “You’d better not be lying to me, Mr. Akin. Things won’t turn out well for you if you do.”
They’d find out soon enough that he was, indeed, lying. Hopefully, he’d provide enough time for Susan to be kept safe and for the authorities to come to Cade’s rescue. One way or the other, he intended to finish this ten-year battle today. How could he have a future with Susan if the past hung over his head?
The driver parked the limo behind the building, then opened Cade’s door. He led the way to the back door of his store, unlocked it, and led the men to his office. When Mellie, his office helper glanced toward them, Cade flashed the peace symbol. On day one he’d established it as a code to warn there was trouble afoot.
Her eyes widened and she gave a curt nod before du
cking back into her office.
Cade smiled. Help would arrive. Now to stall Larson long enough.
“Have a seat, Mr. Larson.” Cade motioned to the only chair in the room other than his. “I’ll need to open the safe.”
“Just make it quick.” Larson stood in front of the bookcase, his hands behind his back. “You like to read.”
“Very much.”
“And you’re an Elvis fan.” The man shrugged. “Silly nonsense, books and music. They take time away from work, and work is money.”
“Work is important, yes,” Cade squatted in front of the safe, “but time away is important, too. It clears the mind and rejuvenates the spirit.” The door to the safe fell open and he retrieved the photo copies. “Here you go.”
“That is not the ledger.” Larson’s eyes hardened.
“No, sir, it isn’t. This is a copy. The original is locked away forever unless something happens to me. No one needs it other than you. You’re quite safe, I assure you.”
“I have contacts you can’t believe, Mr. Akin.” Larson slipped the papers into the shredder next to Cade’s desk. “I can’t risk them being seen by anyone other than myself or those I trust implicitly.” He shook his head and reached into the breast pocket of his suit jacket.
When he withdrew a small handgun, Cade realized time was up. “I guess it really doesn’t matter where the original ledger is, does it? You’re still laundering money, and you’re prepared to commit murder.” He spotted Officer Davis and Barley over Larson’s shoulder.
“I’ve committed murder plenty of times, Mr. Akin. I won’t mourn your death.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Officer Barley said, stepping into the room. “Drop the gun. It’s over. We have the ledger and we’re in the process of shutting down your holdings. You’ll be going to jail for a very long time, Mr. Larson.”
Cade smiled. “I’d suggest you take up reading. It will help pass the time.” He was going to give Mellie a raise.
As the officers escorted Larson from his office, Susan rushed in and threw her arms around Cade’s neck. “I thought I’d never see you again. I’m sorry, Cade. I’m sorry for my suspicions regarding your motive for coming back here, for wanting my forgiveness.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
Love Draws Near Page 29
