by Dani Pettrey
Landon looked over at her with a sigh when they finally pulled into the hotel parking lot an hour and a half later. “I know it must be killing you, so go ahead and ask.”
“Is that why Cole was shushing Bailey on the ride to the hotel from the airport? About having a criminal in the family?”
Landon nodded as he cut the ignition.
“Bailey doesn’t know?”
“No—at least not then. Cole may have explained by now.”
“How is it possible that I didn’t know?” She shifted to face him, propping her back against the car door. “You lived with us.”
He shifted as well, draping one arm over the steering wheel as he reclined. “Your folks were so kind. They never brought it up. When I first moved in, you asked where my parents were. You were curious even then. But your folks simply said—”
“That your parents had chosen other places, but that we had chosen you.” She smiled at the memory.
“Everyone in town was used to Dad being gone. He traveled a lot for work and he’d been in Fairbanks for nine months, working a temporary reassignment, when everything happened. He was arrested and tried up there. Mom acted like they’d simply split up and told everyone Dad was remaining permanently in Fairbanks. She never talked about what he’d done. But there were those who knew, of course. Thelma Jenkins, for one.”
“Is that why your mom left Yancey?”
“She wanted a fresh start with Phil.”
“And your dad?”
“Served twelve years for fraud and embezzlement up in Fairbanks. And you want to know the crazy part?”
“If you want to tell me.”
“My dad swore he was innocent from the time they arrested him, all through the trial, and even after he was behind bars. And I believed him. It’s why I decided to become a cop, so I could rework his case and prove his innocence.”
“Is that why you joined the force in Fairbanks? So you could be close to your dad?”
He nodded.
“And did you rework his case?”
“I did and . . .” He looked down. “Turns out he was guilty after all.”
“Oh, Landon.” She rested her hand on his, her heart going out to him. “I’m so sorry.”
“So was I. I went to see him, confronted him with what I found, and you know what he said?”
She shook her head.
“‘You got me.’ No explanation, no remorse. Just ‘You got me.’”
Her hand closed over his.
“Of course he changed his tune a few years ago—claimed he found God. But I don’t know if it’s true or just another one of his lies.” Shame filled him. “So now you know the truth. I’m the son of a thief and a liar, and I was foolish enough to believe in him.”
“It’s not foolishness to have faith in those you love.”
“Even if they aren’t worthy of your faith?”
All of Landon’s comments about those closest to a person having the ability to harm them the most suddenly made perfect sense. He knew the disappointment and disillusionment firsthand. He’d lived through the betrayal of someone he loved letting him down in the worst possible way, of someone he loved injuring him.
It all made so much sense—Landon’s rigid adherence to the law and his reluctance to go by his gut rather than hard evidence. He’d done that once and it had backfired. He was bearing the burden of his father’s guilt, carrying the shame of a crime he didn’t commit. “Your father’s mistakes and failures are his own. They aren’t yours. You,” she said, sliding close, “are worthy of the faith I have.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because . . .” She ran her hand through his hair, settling her palm on the nape of his neck. “I know you, and . . .” She leaned in to him.
“And?” He swallowed.
“You’re the man I love.”
“Piper.” Her name came out a breathy choke as his lips descended on hers.
A heavy rap sounded on the windshield.
Piper started, and Landon jolted upright.
She looked out the window and winced. “Cole.”
Landon exhaled, exchanging a knowing glance with her that said he was about as thrilled to see her brother as she was.
She smoothed her hair as Landon opened the car door.
“What is going on here?” Cole didn’t bother suppressing his outrage.
“I . . . we . . .” Landon stumbled.
“We,” Piper said, clasping Landon’s hand, “have to figure that out together before we can explain it to you.”
Cole’s brows shot up. “It? Are you two . . . ?”
“Are those two what?” Gage asked, walking up beside Cole.
“Nothing.” Piper sighed.
“I’d hardly say kissing is nothing.”
“Kissing?” Gage’s voice dropped. “These two? You’ve got to be kidding!”
Cole’s grim expression was answer enough.
“Pipsqueak and Landon?” Gage choked out.
“Don’t call me that, Horatio.”
Gage held up a stern finger. “There’s no need to go there.”
“Horatio?” Darcy said, joining their little party in the parking lot, along with Bailey and Jake.
“Great.” Landon offered a sarcastic smile. “We’re all here.”
Piper held Cole’s gaze, imploring him to realize this wasn’t the time for discussion.
“What’s going on?” Bailey asked at Cole’s distressed expression.
“Something about someone named Horatio.” Darcy shrugged.
A smile broke on Bailey’s lips as her gaze flitted to Gage.
“You told her?” Gage’s voice upped a pitch.
“It may have slipped out in conversation,” Cole said sheepishly.
“Wait . . .” Darcy’s gaze swung to Gage. “You’re Horatio?”
“It is the middle name my mother gave me. I had no choice in the matter.”
“Oh.” Darcy pursed her lips, her cheeks reddening in an obvious attempt not to laugh. “That is unfortunate.”
“Our mother gave us middle names after all her favorite literary characters. At least they weren’t our first.”
“Oh, so Horatio Hornblower.”
Gage grimaced. “Just Horatio, thank you.”
“And the rest of yours?” Her brightened gaze shifted to Cole next.
“His is Huckleberry,” Gage blurted out.
“Thanks, bro,” Cole said with zero enthusiasm.
“No problem.” Gage smirked. “Piper’s is Lucy.”
“Lucy?” Darcy frowned.
“From The Chronicles of Narnia. They were my mother’s favorite books as a child,” Piper explained. “I rather fancy mine.”
“Of course, because you got a normal name,” Gage groaned.
“And Reef’s?” Darcy asked.
“Sherlock,” Piper supplied.
“And Kayden’s?” Jake asked.
“Beatrice,” Piper said, trying to contain a laugh of her own. “From Much Ado About Nothing. But if you tell her I was the one that blabbed, I’ll kill you.”
Jake held up his hands, amusement dancing across his handsome face. “Got it.” He rocked back on his heels. “Kayden Beatrice McKenna.” Clearly he realized the ammo he’d just been given.
“Now that we’ve had our fun,” Gage said, “let’s get back to the matter at hand.”
“Right,” Cole said, gazing at Piper.
Piper held her breath. There was no reason to have this discussion in front of everyone before she and Landon had even discussed what was happening amongst themselves. She was an adult, and Cole was treating her like a child. She braced herself to take on her brother as Landon stepped forward to protect her.
“The matter at hand is that we need to change locations,” Cole said. “It’s no longer safe at this hotel.”
“What?” she asked, thankful he’d shifted the conversation but surprised at the direction it’d taken. Had something happened?
“Are you sure that’s the most pressing matter?” Gage asked, tilting his head in Piper’s direction.
“What’s most important right now,” Cole said, “is our safety.”
“Right,” Gage said, his demeanor shifting to a more serious one. “Since the Mongols know exactly where we are staying, down to the room numbers, we need to move.”
“How is that possible?” Piper asked.
Gage looked at Landon. “Didn’t you tell her? Or were you too busy with other things?”
“I didn’t want her to worry.” He looked apologetically at Piper. “I was going to tell you as soon as we got back.”
“Okay, so where do we go now?” Darcy asked.
“We find another hotel a good distance from here,” Cole said.
“Do you really think that’ll help?” Gage asked.
“It’s our only option,” Landon said grimly. “At least until our investigation here is concluded.”
43
The ride to their new hotel in Santa Barbara was gorgeous and agonizing at the same time. Having pared down to two rental cars, Jake joined Piper and Landon for the journey, giving them no time alone to discuss what had just happened.
After hearing the words he’d never dreamed possible from Piper—that she loved him—Landon couldn’t believe he had to wait to tell her he loved her too. Couldn’t hold her hand or caress her face. Not without Jake seeing.
And what he and Piper needed to share was very, very private. Once they agreed where they were at, then they could share the good news. If it was good news. But what else could it be? She loved him—that’s all that mattered. Right?
“How did it go with Karli’s dad?” Jake asked.
“I don’t believe he had any part in her death,” Landon said.
“He seemed truly changed,” Piper added. “Sorrowful over his past and his choices.”
Jake leaned forward, resting his hands on the back of their seats. “Regret is all well and good, but it doesn’t bring back the dead.”
Landon glanced at Jake in the rearview mirror. It was the most profound and personal statement he’d ever heard him make.
Jake straightened at Landon’s appraisal. “So . . .” He tapped the seat back. “Does he believe the Mongols are responsible for Karli’s death?”
Landon looked back at the road. “No.”
“I was afraid you were going to say that.”
“Why?” Piper asked.
“Gage and Darcy got similar feedback. And us too.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Everyone we spoke to said there was no use in killing Karli. Michelle was the problem and she’d been dealt with.”
Just as Detective Robertson had said.
“How do we know the Mongols aren’t lying to us?” Desperation clawed at Piper’s voice. If the Mongols didn’t kill Karli, they were back at the start.
“We don’t,” Jake said. “At least not until their alibi checks out.”
“Don’t you mean alibis? Surely they don’t all have the same one?”
“They’re claiming they do.”
She shook her head. “No. They can’t seriously be each other’s alibi.”
“They aren’t.”
“Then who are they claiming is?” Landon asked.
“The Long Beach Police Department.”
Piper swung around. “What?”
“They claim they were all arrested that night for a brawl they had with a rival gang. Spent the night in lockup at the 16th Precinct.”
“Have you verified?” Landon asked, his worried gaze flashing to Piper.
“Darcy’s running it down now. We should hear back tonight.”
“I’ll put in a call to Detective Robertson over at the 9th. Ask him to follow up on it as well.”
“And if their alibi holds?” Piper asked.
“I’m sorry, darling,” Jake said, “but it’ll mean we’re at a dead end.”
The Oceanview Inn sat perched at the edge of Requino Canyon, nestled idyllically between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. White fences, freshly painted, lined the winding drive leading to the Spanish Ranchero style inn. If the Mongols decided to come after them, Landon wanted to see them coming, and that meant getting out of the city and finding a good vantage point. It’d taken a little searching on the Internet, but Oceanview Inn appeared to be the perfect hiding spot. All their investigative work complete, they could spend the night away from it all while they awaited word on the Mongols’ supposed alibi.
Landon couldn’t help noticing the group’s atypical silence as they followed their host to their rooms.
“It’s gorgeous,” Bailey said as Patti Miller, co-owner of the inn, opened the girls’ cottage. Set about a hundred yards from the main building, the cottage offered the added layer of seclusion Landon was looking for.
They followed Patty inside. A living room, open kitchen, bath, and two bedrooms—all with whitewashed paneling and thick Berber carpet. A small Christmas tree sat atop the island separating the kitchen from the main room. Its ornaments were a collection of seashells and miniature horseshoes. It was certainly unique.
Cole set Bailey’s and Piper’s bags in the first bedroom, while Gage set Darcy’s in the second.
“There are extra linens and towels in the armoire.” Patti pointed to the antique piece at the end of the hall.
“Thank you,” Bailey said.
Piper had remained surprisingly silent since they’d departed Los Angeles. Jake’s presence had kept them from talking about their relationship, but even so, it was clear Piper had other things on her mind. Landon was convinced the Mongols had not been involved in Karli’s murder, but he couldn’t blame Piper for holding on. Without the Mongols, they had nothing.
“I’ll show the men to their place,” Patti said. “You ladies holler if you need anything. Supper is served at six on the patio.”
After another round of thank-yous, Patti led the men to their cottage and left with the same reminder about supper.
“I think I’ll grab a shower,” Jake said, excusing himself.
“I’m going to take a walk.” Gage grabbed a water bottle and ducked out the door.
Great. Just him and Cole.
Cole didn’t waste any time. “What’s going on?”
“I love your sister,” Landon said, surprised at his own boldness.
“Love, love her?” Cole nearly stumbled.
“I’m afraid so.”
“And does she love you too?”
“I think so.” She’d said it, but he couldn’t say anything about that—not until he heard the answer to the question burning in his mind.
“You think so?”
“We were about to discuss it when you arrived.” It seemed a nicer way to say barged in.
“Sorry about that. She’s my baby sister. She’s my responsibility. I know she views that as an intrusion.”
“I think she views it as none of us treating her like the adult she is.”
Cole rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re probably right.”
“I’m just as guilty of it.”
Cole swallowed. “So when did all this happen?”
“For me, it started last summer. Seeing Piper nearly die made me realize how much she meant to me.”
“Then why Becky Malone?”
Landon exhaled. “You heard about that?” Had he also heard that nothing happened? If not, he needed to set that record straight.
“Kayden mentioned it and the drinking.”
Landon nodded, shame suffocating him. “Kayden knows too?”
Cole shook his head. “After Piper saw you, she told Kayden. Kayden didn’t know what was going on but told me. Figured you might need a friend. You headed out before I could ask about it.”
“You’re always there for me.”
“That’s right.”
“It isn’t like last time.”
“No?”
“No. It was a small blip, comparative
ly.”
Cole slid his hands in his pocket. “So you’re excusing it?”
“No. Quite the opposite.” Landon needed to lay it all on the line. “When I realized how I felt about Piper and that she’d probably never reciprocate those feelings, I fell back into old patterns. I turned to the wrong places for comfort.” He sat beside his friend on the sofa, his friend who had rescued him from the pit both times before. “I know now that’s not where the answers are to be found.”
“Oh?”
“I asked Jesus into my life.”
Cole’s eyes widened, more in happiness than surprise. “You did?”
Landon nodded, looking down, still ashamed of how weak he’d been, how dependent on wicked things when he’d thought he was being so strong.
Cole clasped his shoulder. “That’s great, man. I’ve been praying for you.”
“I know you have, and I can’t thank you enough.”
“Have you told Piper?”
“Not outright.”
Cole looked at him, confused.
“We haven’t had time to really talk.”
“But you’ve had time to kiss.”
Landon exhaled. “There’s that . . .”
“What are your intentions?”
“I love her.”
“I got that part. What I want to know is what you intend to do about it?”
“I want to be with her, if she’ll have me.”
“As in . . . ?”
“Marry her.” He hadn’t fully grasped it until he’d just said it. Piper wasn’t someone he’d date. She was the woman he’d marry.
“Marry?” Cole said.
Landon nodded.
“You know I think the world of you . . .”
“But . . .”
“This is my baby sister, Landon. Marriage is huge. You need to be sure you are in the right place, that the urge to self-destruct when things go bad isn’t your default setting anymore, that God is the one steering your life. As a friend, I’m asking you to take time to be certain before you make the next step.”
Hours later, Landon lay in bed, Cole’s words still ringing in his ears.
Please, Father, help me to honor Cole’s wishes. Help me to honor yours.
Taking things slow felt like the worst possible idea. All he wanted to do was rush to Piper, pull her in his arms, and tell her he loved her too. But Piper deserved the best. His best. If taking time, as Cole suggested, ensured she received the best, then he’d gladly endure the torture waiting would inflict.
