“I did! I just wanted to make sure … I mean, it’s so sudden and all, and I―”
“I love you, Aleta. I said it, and I meant it. If it comes from my lips, you can count it as true. Unless, of course, it pertains to a Christmas gift or a surprise vacation, and then I’m going to lie like a rug.” Jack steeled himself. He knew what had to happen. “But you’re mine. I love you. What’s mine, I cherish. I honor. I trust. I protect.” Here we go, he told himself. “And since I said that, there’s something we’ve got to talk about right now. I’ve put it off, and it can’t wait.”
Aleta propped herself up on an elbow and glared down at him. “You’re married.”
Jack laughed heartily. “God, no, woman! I’m not married! I’ve never been married. I’m not opposed to it; it’s just never happened because of the situation with … But it could. I’m not ruling that out. No, I need to talk to you about something that’s a lot more serious than that.”
“More serious than marriage?”
Jack scooted up and leaned back into the pillow bank against the head of the bed. “Listen to me. Are you listening?”
“Yes! What?”
“Aleta,” he began, then stopped. God, he didn’t want to do it! “Babe, some things have happened, and everything’s changed. It’s serious, extremely serious. I’m not trying to scare you, but I’m not going to keep the truth from you.”
“What? Jack, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” He could see she was totally confused as he worked to gather the right words.
“There are two drug cartels in Texas. One is well-established and has a strong leader. The other isn’t much of anything, pretty much a wannabe cartel, and it has a crazy guy who thinks he’s a mob boss. That guy you saw at the accident? That was a hit man hired by the crazy guy.”
“Why?”
“Because he killed the man in the red car. That was his job. The wreck killed him, which made it easier for the hit man to do what he came to do, which was kidnap somebody from that car.” She waited, her brow furrowed. “The passenger in the car was what we call a chemist, somebody who cooks methamphetamine.”
“You mean like on that TV show?” Aleta asked in a gasp.
“Yeah. The man in the red car was taking the chemist to the big cartel, but the guy from the little cartel found out somehow and had his hit man effectively steal the chemist.”
“And where is the chemist now?”
“We don’t know. We’re looking for the hit man and the chemist. So is the big cartel. It’s a crap shoot who’ll find them first. But it gets worse. The chemist?” Aleta nodded. “She’s a seventeen-year-old high school student from Pike County.”
“Oh my god,” Aleta whispered out. “You’re not serious. A teenage girl?”
“Yeah. The cartel found her on the internet. They sent emails back and forth. I’m guessing they had no idea how young she was because, trust me, she looks older. Her parents seem more pissed than upset, and I don’t think they had a clue what kind of danger their daughter is in, but they do now. By now, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department has talked to them and they know what she’s done. The guy in the red car was one of the cartel’s drug runners, going to Texas, picking up meth, and bringing it back to the Bardstown area. They found out he was dead and the girl was missing when the rental company called their man who rented the car. It’s a mess, Aleta, but there’s one thing we know for sure.” She’d stayed pretty calm so far, but he knew that was about to change. “That big cartel? They don’t know what this hit man looks like or who he is. They’re looking for him, and he knows it. And there’s only one person who can put him at the accident scene as the person who took out their driver and snatched their chemist.”
He watched as her face paled and her jaw dropped. “Oh my gosh, that’s me. Oh, Jack, what do I do? What will he do if he finds me?”
“He’s going to try to get to you before you can tell anyone who’d pass information to the cartel. And I expect somebody from their organization is going to try to contact you once they realize you lived through that.”
Panic was setting in. He could see it in her eyes. Jack had wanted to spare her that, but he knew he couldn’t. “The Texas Rangers and FBI have men on the inside pretending to be cartel members. Undercover guys. We’re hoping one of the undercovers takes the initiative to call you and we can stage something. Until that happens, I’ve got to keep you close and keep an eye on you all the time. That means you can’t go to work, and you can’t leave this apartment without me.”
“But your boss―”
“You are my assignment for now. We all agreed on that. But we’re trying to keep this out of the hands of Kentucky Department of Criminal Investigations so we can manage it ourselves. May not be possible, but that’s the goal. And if it goes to them, my brother works for KDCI, so we’ll have a leg up there.”
“Oh my gosh, what do I do? Jack, how do I … Should I … I don’t know―”
“Let’s just take it a day at a time and do what we know to do, okay? I’m in touch with the Texas guys, and they’ll let me know if there’s any movement. My updates to the post will be via video messaging with my captain. We’re playing this close to the vest. The less anybody knows about this, the better.”
“Yeah. Yeah, okay. I, um,” she mumbled, then stopped. “What do I do now?”
“You stick to me like glue. You don’t leave my sight. We’re hypervigilant, watching everyone and everything around us. Any member of KSP will help us if we need it. We’re a brotherhood. And there’s something else I’d like for you to do.” She nodded, her eyes blinking rapidly. “I want you to move to my place. It’s more secure, and I’m more familiar with the surroundings. It would be easier for me to detect something out of place or amiss out there. And it’s easier to guard too. Will you at least consider―”
“I’ll start packing now.” Without another word, she hopped out of the bed, slipped on her panties, grabbed a tee shirt and pulled it over her head, and started yanking drawers open.
“Sugar, don’t get carried away. Just take the things you need. We can get the rest later.”
“Oh, gosh, I’ve got to let my family know where I am and―”
“No!” She jumped at the volume of Jack’s voice. “You can’t do that. Everything has to seem as normal as possible, except for work. We can make up a story about you being set back in your recovery or sick or something. We’re hoping to have this wrapped up in a couple of weeks, so until then, we keep it all on the down low. If it goes longer than that, yeah―we’ll have to consider how to handle family and friends.”
She plopped down on the side of the bed and dropped her face into her hands. “Oh, Jack, I’ve worked so hard. I’ve tried so hard. I just wanted to have a new life, to be my own person and do things on my own, to show everybody that I can, and now I can’t even―”
“Shhhh, little one.” He’d scooted up behind her on the bed and his arms wrapped around her waist. “It’s okay. You’re doing great. This isn’t the end of all that. It’s just a little hiccup. We’ll take care of it and you can go right back to the life you’re building. Of course,” he said and kissed the side of her neck, “I hope when you go right back to it, you take me with you.”
She spun in his arms, dropped to her knees in front of him on the floor, and gazed up at him, her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, please, I don’t want to lose you! I just found you! I love you, Jack. I’ll love you no matter what. I don’t want to be apart from you for one single minute. Please, don’t get tired of me and all this mess and walk away, and don’t let them get me. Don’t I deserve some happiness? Just a little?” Throwing her arms around his waist, she pressed her face against his belly and wept.
He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but she had to know. That reaction was what he’d dreaded and, even though he’d known it was coming, his heart still broke. Aleta deserved every good and precious thing she could eek out of life, and he wanted to be there, to give it to her. More than that, he
wanted to keep her safe so she could enjoy it. There was some selfishness there too. He wanted her to enjoy it with him.
“Listen to me,” he said, gripping her upper arms and lifting her to sit beside him. “There’s one thing you should know. It’s my responsibility to keep you safe, and if need be, I’ll die doing it. If anything happens to you, it won’t be because I slacked off. I’m right here, and I’ll take a bullet before I’ll let you take one.”
“That,” Aleta sobbed, wiping her eyes, “is exactly what I’m most afraid of.”
Chapter 6
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Have you got a better one? Because I’m thinking nobody does, and I’ve got to keep her safe. Forget the fact that she’s with me. She’s the only hope we have of finding this madman and bringing him in, not to mention saving a teenage girl.” Jack was pacing and listening to Cappy yell at him while Aleta threw things in her bag. “I can’t watch her if she’s in protective custody, and I want to know she’s safe.”
“This is fast getting out of control, Fletcher. We may have to involve KDCI so they―”
“NO! I don’t want that! We can handle this, we and the Texas crew. They’ve got it under control down there.”
He heard Cappy sigh. “I don’t like this, but okay. We can play it this way for a little while, but we’ve got to watch our step. If KDCI needs to be called in, we make the wrong decision, and somebody gets hurt, we’re all in trouble.”
“There’s nobody to arrest at this time because we don’t know where he is.”
“Yeah, yeah. And you’re right about one thing. Your place will be a whole lot more secure. Let me know when you’re there and settled and we’ll get some people out there as extra eyes.”
“Got it. Thanks, sir. I appreciate it.” He turned to Aleta. “We’re all set. You’re going to my place, and we’re going to have backup.”
“Okay. Gosh, Jack, I’m scared.” She threw a pair of socks in her little bag, then headed to the bathroom. “I’ve got shampoo and conditioner, and my face scrub and lotion, and makeup towelettes, and, oh my gosh, I don’t think I can remember everything.”
“Slow down!” Jack grabbed her by the arm as she passed him once again and pulled her up against him. “Babe. It’s okay. What you don’t remember, we can get somebody to pick up. It’s all right. I promise.”
“But I don’t want anybody to have to do that. They shouldn’t have to do my shopping. Lord have mercy, what have I gotten myself into?” Heaving out a big sigh, she sat back down on the bed. “How long will it take to get to your place?”
“About twenty minutes.”
“You have a house?” It was the first time she’d even questioned where she was going, and that worried Jack. Her resolve to be independent and strong was dissolving. That wasn’t what he wanted at all.
“Yeah. It’s not a big house, but it’s a house. It’s nice enough. We’ll be comfortable there.”
“Okay. Let me make one more pass through the bathroom. I won’t take much jewelry. I’m guessing we won’t be going out, huh?” Her voice was sad, and he caught the air of total exasperation on her face.
“Nope. ‘Fraid not. But look on the bright side. We can spend all day in bed if we want. We won’t have anywhere we have to be!”
“True.” She disappeared back into the bathroom, then reappeared and threw a few things in the bag. “Okay. I guess that’s it.”
“Good. Let’s go.” When he opened the front door, Jack stepped out and looked around. Nobody seemed to be moving, so he led her to the car, carrying her bag as they went. Once she was settled in the passenger side, he rounded the Camaro’s hood and they took off.
The drive was pleasant enough. She asked questions about this and that along the way, wondering why that house had that weird concrete chicken in the yard, how long that barn had been leaning that way, and what kind of cows those were in the field. They were within a mile of his house when he remembered something.
The huge engagement picture was hanging above the fireplace. He’d never taken it down. Now he wished he had. He couldn’t imagine how awkward that was going to be for Aleta. Sure, she had some pics of Joshua and Jorie around, but they were small and in little frames. This was enormous. Some days he stood and stared at it, trying to remember the sound of her voice or the touch of her skin, and feeling a deep sense of alarm when he sometimes couldn’t. He knew as time went by the memories would become thinner and lighter until they eventually almost disappeared, and that saddened him beyond belief.
They turned down the gravel drive and in seconds, he pulled up to the front of the house. “This is your house?” Aleta whispered.
“Yeah. Home sweet home. Come on.” He got out, came around, and helped her out of the car, then grabbed her bag as she walked slowly, jaw dragging, to the front door.
The key turned easily in the lock, and as soon as the door opened, Jack wheeled around behind it and shut off the alarm system. “Oh. My. Gosh,” Aleta breathed. “This is beautiful, Jack. Beautiful! I just … I don’t know what to say.”
Hardwood floors gleamed in the low light, and the sage green walls were warm and inviting. On one wall was a long, comfy sofa in a dark cinnamon color. The chairs adjacent to it were brown, cream, and cinnamon stripe, and each had its own brown throw. He loved the big floral area rug in the middle of the room covered in stylized flowers the same colors as the furniture with the addition of a robin’s egg blue. Blue toss pillows that matched it sat in the chairs and on the sofa, some patterned with cream and some solid. The coffee and occasional tables were dark wood with black iron bands and rivets, and the chairs had trunks for ottomans made in the same style, with cushioned tops in brown. Accessories sat here and there, and black iron, bronze lamps and light fixtures, and dark wood were everywhere.
She turned to look at the giant fireplace, its dark wood and stone sweeping from floor to ceiling, and there it was―the portrait. “Oh! Is this your fiancée?”
“Yes. Heather.”
“Leukemia, right?” Jack nodded. “How long ago?”
“Four years.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That was taken after she’d gone in remission. We waited until then to get engaged. I wanted to go ahead and get married, but she said no. She wanted to make sure she was cancer free. And before that happened, it was back. It took her and we never got the chance to say our vows. I’ll regret that to my dying day.” His voice was coarse with emotion as he finished, and he knew it, but he couldn’t help it. Just talking about her made him feel raw and vulnerable. It had only been four months for Aleta. How must she feel?
“I’m sure. She was beautiful.”
“She didn’t want to have her picture made with the turban on, but I insisted. She was so strong and determined.” He reached for Aleta’s hand and drew it to his lips. As soon as he’d placed a kiss on her knuckles, he added, “Just like you. And I’m sorry that’s still hanging there.”
“Why? She was someone you loved.”
“You shouldn’t have to see that, that’s all. I mean, I’m sure it makes you feel―”
“Like you know what it’s like to love someone. That’s how it makes me feel. I’m not jealous of her, Jack. She’s gone. Just like you’re not jealous of the pictures I have around of Joshua and Jorie.”
“Yeah, but this is … massive. I mean, look at this thing. I can’t believe I left it hanging here so long. Maybe when this is all over you can help me find something to hang up here that’ll be a little more … cheerful.” It occurred to him in the moment that the portrait made him feel worse when he looked at it. He needed to find something else, something that would make him feel like he was moving forward instead of stuck. Aleta made him feel that way, like he had a future and it was bright and promising. Well, it would be after they got all the mess behind them.
“Where do I need to put my things?”
“Come on. I’ll show you. Do you want your own room?”
&
nbsp; Her eyes went wide. “Do you want me to have my own room?”
“No. I want you in my bed.”
“That’s where I want to be too.”
“Then I guess that’s settled!” he said with a laugh and tousled her hair. “I think you’ll like my bedroom.”
That was an understatement. When he flipped the light on, Aleta gasped. The walls were a dark sueded blue, with slate gray and copper bedding. There was more dark wood there, in the headboard, the chest, the dresser, even the frame of the mirror, and dark iron fittings. Not waiting for her to gape, he stepped across the room and flipped on the bathroom light. “Two sinks. Two commodes. A walk-in shower, and a glass-enclosed tub with a shower. We can both shower at the same time.”
“Unless we run out of hot water,” she offered.
“Nope. Tankless water heater. All the hot water you could possibly want.”
“So will you get mad if I stay in the shower for like an hour, until my skin is all pruney and I slosh when I walk?” There was a cheesy grin on her face, and he found it adorable.
“Sugar, you can stay in there as long as you like. I don’t care one bit.”
Aleta wandered back through the bedroom again, looking at the walls, the art hanging there, and opening the doors on the huge, walk-in closet. “Did you build this house?”
“I did. My brother Amos and I did most of the work. I’d helped him build his, so he helped me build mine. I had the foundation work contracted, most of the plumbing, the electrical, and the roof, but everything else, yeah. I did all the work in the kitchen.”
“I want to see it!” He knew what kind of reaction he was going to get when she walked through the kitchen door, and he could barely wait.
As soon as his feet hit the tile, he flipped on the light switch and listened to her gasp. He had to admit, it was impressive. Slate gray barn wood cabinets lined the walls, topped by black granite countertops. Huge side-by-side refrigerator with water and ice in the door. Double oven. Five-burner gas cooktop with an enormous range hood over it that swept toward the ceiling.
Justice for Aleta Page 9
