Wicked Warning (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 5)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Her quick conversational shift caused Jack to chuckle. “I’m not angry,” he said. “Anything that keeps you safe is a good thing. I’m here now, though, and I need you to get off of him.”

  “But … I haven’t questioned him yet,” Ivy protested.

  “I’m going to question him,” Jack countered. “I’m the police officer.”

  “I believe I’m going to question him,” Sebastian clarified. “This is my jurisdiction, after all. Detective Harker is merely here as a courtesy.”

  Jack refused to rise to the bait. “We’re going to question him,” he said. “You need to take care of Jessica.”

  Ivy glanced over her shoulder, her eyes cloudy. “Yeah, I didn’t do a very good job of taking care of her, did I?”

  “I think you did a fine job,” Jack said, stepping forward and grabbing her hand to help her up. “She needs you to take care of her now, though. All of these men are making her uncomfortable.”

  Ivy shot one more dubious expression at the teenager. “Are you going to rough him up for me?”

  “I’ll consider it,” Jack replied, grinning. “Now … take care of Jessica.”

  Jack shifted his dark eyes to the boy on the pavement as Ivy scurried in Jessica’s direction. He was having a hard time hiding his smile. If he didn’t think the Bellaire police force would balk, he would’ve snapped a photograph of Ivy on top of her prey before releasing the teenager. That was probably bad form in front of officers he didn’t know, though.

  “Get up,” Jack ordered.

  The boy remained prone on the ground and Jack couldn’t see his face. “Is she gone?”

  “Yes, the terrifying woman is gone,” Jack said. “Get up. I want to talk to you.”

  The teenager made a big show of pushing himself to his feet and dusting off his jeans and T-shirt. He spent thirty seconds putting every blond hair in place and his expression was murderous when he glared in Ivy’s direction. Jack briefly worried he would go after Ivy, who was busy murmuring soothing words to Jessica in an attempt to calm her, so he snapped his fingers in the kid’s face to get his attention.

  “Don’t even think about going after her,” Jack warned, his voice low and menacing. “You won’t like what happens if you do.”

  “She’s crazy,” the boy hissed. “She attacked me out of nowhere.”

  “She says you approached her,” Jack argued. “Did you?”

  “I … .” The boy looked caught and Sebastian and Jack exchanged a knowing look.

  “What’s your name?” Sebastian asked.

  “It doesn’t matter.” The boy crossed his arms over his chest and glanced down the street.

  “It matters to me,” Jack said. “What is your name?”

  “None of your business.”

  Jack tamped down the overwhelming urge to grab the boy around the neck and shake him. “You’re either going to tell me your name or this police officer is going to take you into custody,” he said. “Those are your two options.”

  “Wait a second,” Sebastian protested. “What makes you think I’m going to take him into custody?”

  Jack leaned closer to Sebastian, his eyes defiant. “Because that girl is Jessica Stamper,” he said, making sure only Sebastian could hear him. “She’s been missing for years and we still don’t know who had her. She’s big news … and she’s traumatized.

  “She came over here to get some space,” he continued. “She doesn’t trust men and is frightened around them … for obvious reasons. If that boy was approaching Ivy and Jessica – and it’s obvious he was – he might know who kidnapped her.”

  “Holy crap,” Sebastian intoned, his eyes darting toward Jessica. “I guess that explains her reaction. The crazy chick kept trying to calm her down while she sat on the kid but … I didn’t get it.”

  “That crazy chick happens to be my girlfriend, so I would watch yourself,” Jack said, running his tongue over his teeth as he turned his attention back to the teenager. “What is your name?”

  “Answer him,” Sebastian prodded. “If you don’t we’ll take you into custody and put you in a cell. Then you’ll be stuck there until you tell us who you are.”

  The boy let loose with a low growl. “Fine. I’m Douglas Dorsey.”

  Jack knit his eyebrows together. “Dorsey?” He glanced at Ivy for an explanation.

  Ivy was intrigued as she stepped forward, keeping an arm around Jessica’s shoulders as she locked gazes with Jack. “He’s Dan Dorsey’s son,” she supplied. “Dan knocked up a girl in high school. He was older than me. He was a little older than Max, too, but I think they were in high school for about a year together. Dan and the girl never got married or anything. I believe the mother moved over here not long after the baby was born. It was big news because … well … all gossip in Shadow Lake is big news. Dan never did anything for the kid. I forgot about him until just now.”

  “Okay,” Jack said, turning back to Douglas. “How old are you?”

  “Fifteen.”

  “Are you Dan Dorsey’s son?” Jack asked.

  “Not that he ever sees me, but yeah.” Douglas had his petulant teen act down to a science.

  “What are you doing here?” Jack pressed. “Why did you go after Ivy and Jessica?”

  “I just wanted to talk to them,” Douglas replied, rubbing his cheek. “I didn’t want to hurt them. I recognized the chick with pink hair from television. She’s been filmed going in and out of the hospital. They haven’t filmed the other chick – the one who was taken – but I figured that was her because I saw the photos of her when she was a kid.”

  “And what were you trying to prove?” Jack asked, his expression unreadable.

  “My father is a crappy parent and he’s kind of crazy,” Douglas said. “He’s not crazy like that chick who punched me in the nose and kicked me in the nuts, but he’s crazy in a different way. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. He wouldn’t do what that liar over there says he did.”

  Jessica balked as Douglas pointed in her direction.

  “Your father has issues of his own,” Jack said. “Jessica didn’t identify your father. The reasons behind that aren’t important. He’s being held because we found independent evidence tying him to Jessica’s kidnapping. She’s not the one who put him away.”

  “But … everyone on television is saying he’s guilty,” Douglas protested. “I don’t ever really see him, but I know he’s not guilty.”

  Jack licked his lips. In truth, he wasn’t sure he believed Dan Dorsey was guilty either. “Well, regardless, we’re going to go down to the station to talk about this. I think there are some things we need to discuss.”

  “What about her?” Douglas asked, glaring at Ivy. “Is she coming?”

  “No,” Jack said, holding up his hand when Ivy opened her mouth to protest. “She’s getting Jessica back to the hospital where she belongs and we’re going to talk alone.”

  “Good,” Douglas said, blowing out a sigh as resignation washed over him. “Is she really your girlfriend?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you wear a cup when you sleep at night?”

  Jack chuckled as Ivy scorched the teenager with a harsh look. “I sleep pretty well,” he said. “I guess I just like them crazy.”

  Sixteen

  “Hi.”

  Ivy found Jack sitting on one of the reclining loungers on the back patio when she got done with her bath later that night. He was later than expected when getting home from work.

  “Hi, honey,” Jack said, taking a long swig before resting his beer bottle on the table next to him. “Come here.” Jack opened his arms and Ivy happily climbed on the chair with him. “How are you?”

  “I’m good,” Ivy said, snuggling closer. “How are you?”

  “Are you trying to figure out if I’m mad because you kicked a teenager in the nuts and then sat on him even though police ordered you to get off?”

  “You have no reason to be angry about that,” Ivy sniffed. “I made a citizen’
s arrest. I was doing my civic duty.”

  Jack grinned as he kissed her cheek. “I’m not angry,” he said, his voice low as he tightened his arms around her. “You did the right thing. You didn’t have a lot of time to think and it turns out Douglas knew exactly who you were. You protected Jessica and yourself, and for that I’m happy.”

  “It was hard to see his face in the reflection,” Ivy admitted. “I’m not sure I would’ve hit him like I did if I realized how young he was.”

  “And kicking him in the nuts?”

  “Well, by then I realized how young he was, but I’d already punched him in the nose and kicked his knee,” Ivy replied. “I figured if he got up he was going to be ticked, so young or not, I had to incapacitate him.”

  Jack barked out a laugh, her pragmatic tone delighting him. “You’re so stinking cute,” he said, rubbing his cheek against hers. “I wanted to take a photograph of you so badly I almost couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t think the other police officers would appreciate my enthusiasm, though.”

  Ivy giggled. “What about Douglas? Did he tell you anything after we left?”

  “He’s a sad kid,” Jack said, lightly rubbing his fingers over the back of Ivy’s neck. “It was like you said. Dan got a girl pregnant in high school. She couldn’t take the stigma and moved to Bellaire. She showed up at the station, by the way. She was not happy when she heard what happened to her kid.”

  “Do you think she can take me?”

  Jack’s chest shook with silent laughter. “I think you’re safe,” he said. “I explained the situation and when she realized Jessica was the reason you acted the way you did she grudgingly gave in. She said she doesn’t blame you.”

  “Was she mad at Douglas?”

  “She certainly wasn’t happy with him,” Jack replied. “She cuffed him a couple times, although I didn’t get the feeling she was violent or anything. It was more like she felt sorry for her kid but was resigned to him learning some hard truths on his own.”

  “Did she tell you anything about Dan?”

  “Just that he didn’t want anything to do with Douglas when he was a kid,” Jack answered. “He didn’t want to pay child support, but she took him to court. He threatened her when the judge ruled against him, but her brothers stepped in and beat the tar out of Dorsey.

  “After that Dan paid his child support but didn’t see the kid,” he continued. “That continued up until about a year ago.”

  “What happened a year ago?”

  Jack shrugged. “The mother wasn’t entirely sure,” he replied. “Dan showed up and wanted to spend time with the kid. He wanted to take him hunting. The kid was a normal teenager who wanted his father’s approval but was happier playing video games than tromping around in the woods.

  “It didn’t end well and Dan called the kid some … derogatory … names before cutting ties again,” he continued. “The mother thinks the kid is acting out because he believes the charges against his father, but he doesn’t want to face the truth.”

  “What does the mother believe?”

  “She believes he’s capable of true violence and she says he never wanted to take no for an answer when it came to sex when they were dating in high school,” Jack said. “Those are both damning statements against Dorsey, and yet … .”

  “The sweatshirt,” Ivy supplied. “Leaving the sweatshirt out in the open like that after Jessica disappeared makes absolutely no sense.”

  “It doesn’t,” Jack agreed. “I don’t know what to think about the situation. It’s frustrating. Dorsey got a lawyer today and he spent the entire afternoon sitting in a room with him. The lawyer said he couldn’t get five words out of Dorsey. We’re all beating our heads against the wall there.”

  “What about at Dorsey’s place?” Ivy asked. “Did you find anything else that ties him to Jessica?”

  “No,” Jack replied. “We have the backpack, the sweatshirt, and the shoes. That’s it. We have taken some hair samples, but they’re not back from the lab yet.”

  “The thing is, the sweatshirt, backpack, and shoes could’ve been left by anyone,” Ivy said. “I’m not sure how anyone could know Dan would become a suspect – unless they figured you guys would check every person with the land to hide Jessica and then got lucky. As for DNA evidence, even if you find hair or something, that could’ve been planted.”

  “You think it’s someone else, don’t you?” Jack cupped the back of Ivy’s head and tilted her chin up. “Do you have a feeling who it is?”

  “I thought you didn’t want to base your investigative instincts on my feelings?”

  “I don’t.” Jack opted to answer truthfully. “I also don’t want to be so stubborn I overlook my best weapon. And honey, you are my best weapon. I want to know what you think.”

  “I’m not sure what to think,” Ivy admitted. “I know it’s someone in Shadow Lake. Jessica was too frail to run a long distance. She has no idea how long she ran, but I’m guessing it wasn’t more than five miles or so.”

  “She said she took breaks to hide behind trees, but I think you’re right,” Jack said. “We really need to get her to talk. We are neutralized as long as she hides what she knows.”

  “Well, I’m going to get working on that tomorrow.” It was a calculated risk. Ivy knew Jack was going to be angry about her decision regarding Jessica, but she couldn’t turn her back on the girl. She figured the faster she got Jessica to trust her, the faster they could solve the case and move forward.

  “What are you going to be working on tomorrow?” Jack asked, suspicious.

  “Jessica is tired of being cooped up in the hospital,” Ivy replied, refusing to make eye contact. “I talked to Dr. Nesbitt and her parents and they all agree that Jessica, despite how shaken up she was upon returning to the hospital, needs to get out more.”

  “Yes, but with the media camped out everywhere that’s not really an option,” Jack argued. It was as if he could sense a brewing fight, although he had no idea what would tip him over the edge.

  “That’s true,” Ivy hedged. “Of course, when I brought up the fact that I owned a nursery and that customers aren’t allowed in the greenhouses so Jessica could get the best of both worlds – privacy and fresh air – everyone thought it was a great idea to take her to the nursery with me. I pick her up first thing in the morning.”

  “Son of a … .” Jack grabbed Ivy’s hips and held her steady when she moved to hop off the lounger and make a break for it. “Oh, there’s nowhere to run, honey.”

  “I know you’re ticked off that I didn’t talk to you about it first, Jack, but Jessica needs fresh air and I felt as if I was caught and had no choice but to figure out a way for her to get out of the hospital,” Ivy said. “If you want to fight, I’m ready to do it. I’m not backing down. I hope you’re not in the mood to fight, though, because I wanted to do something else tonight.”

  Jack bit the inside of his cheek as he considered how to respond. Ivy couldn’t take the silence so she filled the gap.

  “It’s really a great idea,” she said, practically tripping over her tongue because she was talking so fast. “I can sneak her out of the hospital like I did before and the nursery is private property. We can park at the cottage, which is set back from the road and also private property, and make the quick walk to the nursery. No one will ever see her.”

  “Crud,” Jack muttered, shaking his head. “I can’t think of a reason it won’t work.”

  Ivy brightened. “Does that mean I win?”

  “Oh, we’re both going to win,” Jack said, playfully swatting her rear end and pushing her toward the sliding glass door. “Get moving. We’re getting to those other plans of yours right now. I reserve the right to be angry in the morning if I can think of a reason this is a bad idea, though.”

  Ivy giggled as she hopped toward the door. “Thank you, Jack.”

  “Oh, don’t even …. .” Jack shook his head. “Douglas Dorsey told me how you were explaining to Jessica that I was wrapped
around your finger and would work something out when he approached. I guess that he was talking about this.”

  “I didn’t say you were wrapped around my finger,” Ivy clarified.

  Jack narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”

  “That I had ways of persuading you to do things.”

  “That’s the same thing,” Jack said, shaking his head.

  “Not really.”

  “Run, Ivy,” Jack ordered, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “It’s going to be a long night for both of us. You’ve got a lot of persuading to do, and you’re lucky I’m in the mood to let you do it.”

  “I STILL think this is a terrible idea,” Jack muttered the next morning, holding open the hospital door and ushering Ivy inside ahead of him.

  “You said you couldn’t think of a reason why it was a terrible idea,” Ivy argued.

  “That’s because you persuaded me and I lose all reason when that happens,” Jack shot back, although he dropped a quick kiss on the tip of Ivy’s nose. “I want to talk to Mitchell and Courtney before this happens to make sure they’re really okay with it.”

  “And if they aren’t?”

  “Then you’ll probably still get your own way,” Jack said. “I know you. You’ll figure something out. You always do.”

  “I do, don’t I?”

  “You’re feeling pretty full of yourself this morning,” Jack muttered, although he couldn’t hide his smile as Ivy swung her hips in an enticing manner in front of him. “I’m starting to think we should go home and take a nap before we do anything else.”

  “You are not funny,” Ivy said, wagging her finger as she pushed open Jessica’s door. She pulled up short when she saw Brian standing at the foot of the bed. “What’s going on?”

  “I came to have a discussion with Jessica,” Brian replied, refusing to move his gaze from the girl as she sat in her bed. “We need her to make a positive identification on Dorsey. We don’t have a choice.”

  Ivy was furious. “You said you weren’t going to push her,” she hissed.