James smirked. “From your point of view, I guess it is.”
“I’ve got some preliminary information on this Manny Cortez,” Peter said. “We’re trying to get more, don’t worry, but what we’ve found so far is alarming. You said this Detective St. James said that Cortez was a gambler, and that they were looking at bookies for the crime?”
James nodded, grabbing another cucumber sandwich and stuffing it into his mouth. Sophie had been right. They were divine. They were also tiny, and James felt the need to do something with his hands as he waited for someone else to supply the information necessary to keep his wife safe.
“Mr. Cortez was indeed a gambler,” Peter said. “A very poor one. He was such a bad gambler, one would have to wonder why anyone would ever give him a line of credit. As far as I can tell, he owed money to every bookie on the island.”
“How is that confusing?” Sophie asked. “That’s just what the detective said.”
Peter glanced at Sophie. “When you get documents that feel too clean, what do you think when you look at them?”
“That someone doctored them,” Sophie replied.
“That’s how I feel when I look at Mr. Cortez’s record,” Peter said. “It doesn’t feel real to me.”
“Meaning?”
“I can’t be sure of this,” Peter cautioned. “It’s just a gut feeling.”
“I understand,” James said.
“It feels fabricated,” Peter said. “Like … sometimes men apply for positions in my security team. We don’t take references in this line of work. Your references are your police rap sheet. As you can imagine, I get a lot of individuals from various police forces who are trying to infiltrate my organization. Those individuals are often easy to spot because their rap sheets often look like they were generated by a computer algorithm.”
“How so?”
“A lot of these rap sheets include sex crimes because they think it makes them look tougher,” Peter said. “First off, I would never hire anyone with a sex crime on their record. I find it tacky. That’s beside the point, but I just thought you should know. Anyway, when you look at the timeline of someone’s sexual deviancy, it rarely starts with rape and then moves on to peeping or panty theft.”
Realization dawned on James. “Right, because sexual predators start small and then work their way to the bigger crimes. So, wait, you’re saying that Cortez’s record reads wrong?”
“Exactly,” Peter said. “He was allegedly convicted of armed robbery at sixteen and went to juvie. His next crime was arson when he was nineteen, followed by car theft at twenty-one. He then got nabbed for shoplifting when he was twenty-two, and the rest of his convictions are all gambling related after that. That progression feels false.”
“Yeah,” James said, rubbing his neck as he considered what Peter was telling him. “Are you saying that Cortez was an undercover cop?”
“Not necessarily,” Peter said. “I’m not ruling out that he was undercover law enforcement. And, keep in mind, he could’ve been undercover in any number of departments, including American ones with foreign national interests.”
“Right.”
“He also could’ve been a garden-variety snitch, a mercenary, or even a spy,” Peter said. “I have no idea what Cortez really was. I just don’t think he was the man his record said he was. Finding out who Cortez really was is going to take time.”
“Thank you,” James said. “That helps. Maybe? I seriously don’t know if that helps. Any information is helpful, I guess. I just feel more confused now than I did when we came here.”
“I will keep the information coming when I get it,” Peter said. “I will email it to your office, so be on the lookout. I would … .”
James waited, watching as Peter gathered himself together to continue.
“I would like to make another suggestion,” Peter said. “I’m just not sure how open you are going to be to it.”
“Hit me.”
“Even if Cortez was an agent, whoever killed him was not,” Peter said. “Men in this line of work are often thrown off by other men in this line of work.”
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at.”
“I would like to put a detail on Mandy,” Peter said, immediately holding up his hand to stave off the argument on James’ lips. “Just hear me out before you shoot me down, please.”
James snapped his mouth shut, nodding.
“I’m not asking to put men in your home. I’m asking to put men in a car on the street in front of your house. Their mere presence will deter people,” Peter said. “I would also like to put men in front of the courthouse. I would never let them go into the building unless they ascertained your wife was in real danger. If people see them there and recognize what they are, they will be less likely to approach your wife.
“I will never let my men approach her,” Peter continued. “I would not put her in that situation. It merely offers another layer of protection, and until we figure out what’s going on here, I think it would be wise to do everything we can.”
James slid back further on the couch, staring at his hands as he considered Peter’s offer. As much as the idea of utilizing mob enforcers sickened him, he would do anything to keep Mandy safe.
“Let’s do it.”
Fifteen
“Why are you so distracted?”
“Huh?” Mandy glanced up from her sandwich, focusing on Heidi for the first time in what felt like forever.
“You’re distracted,” Heidi said. “Why?”
The two women were sitting on the cement patio that surrounded the courthouse eating lunch. Since Mandy had promised not to leave the building, their lunch options were limited to the cart in front of the building.
The sandwiches were fine – but bland. Mandy was starting to chafe under James’ watchfulness, and she was having trouble hiding that fact.
“I’m just … there’s a lot going on,” Mandy said. There was no way she could explain what was really going on to her friend. Heidi was many things, but levelheaded and low-key wasn’t one of them.
“You keep staring at that guy,” Heidi said, pointing to the blond man standing on the lawn.
“I was not,” Mandy protested, hating that she had to lie to her good friend. She’d recognized Sven – one of Peter’s bodyguards – from her visit to his house six weeks before. Seeing him standing in front of the courthouse was jarring – even though James had reluctantly informed her that Peter’s men were going to be providing rotating security.
“You were,” Heidi said. “You might not have realized you were doing it, but you were doing it.”
“I was just lost in thought,” Mandy said. “I certainly wasn’t staring at that guy.”
“It’s okay to look,” Heidi said. “You’re married, you’re not dead. Still … he’s not as handsome as your husband.”
“I never said he was.” Mandy’s irritation with James was starting to bubble up and scald Heidi. She tried to rein herself in. “I was just thinking.”
“Is something wrong?” Heidi asked. “You’re very taciturn.”
“Taciturn?”
“I have word-of-the-day toilet paper,” Heidi said, shrugging. “That was one of the words last week. It stuck in my head.”
“It’s a good word.”
“It is.”
The duo lapsed into silence for a few moments, but it didn’t last long. Heidi was never comfortable with silence.
“You and James aren’t having problems, are you?” Heidi looked worried.
“No,” Mandy said. “We’re not having problems. We’re still happily married.”
“Good,” Heidi said. “I would hate for my dream couple to ruin all of the fantasies I have for my future.”
Mandy bit into her sandwich as she considered Heidi’s statement, chewing on the saturated tuna and dry bread as she did. “What kind of man are you looking for? I mean, when you see your future, what do you envision?”
“That’s
a weird question.”
“I know,” Mandy acknowledged. “I’m just curious. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that,” Heidi said. “You’ve just never asked me anything like that before. I’m usually the one probing into your personal life. You never ask about mine.”
Mandy frowned. Was that true? Was she so self-absorbed that she never asked about Heidi’s love life? If so, that was terrible. “I ask,” Mandy said, not entirely sure she was telling the truth. “I’m asking now. What kind of man do you want?”
“Well,” Heidi said, her eyes sparkling. “I want a man who understands me. I don’t want to change who I am to please someone.”
“That’s a good thing,” Mandy said. “You should never change who you are. Not only are you fabulous, but if you try to change yourself it always backfires, and you just end up being bitter when you realize you want to go back to the person you really are.”
“James never tries to change you, does he?”
“No,” Mandy said, her belligerent edge softening. “James is happy with who I am. He not only understands who I am, but he encourages it. Do you know another man who would pretend to be both the shark and the shark hunter in a sexual fantasy?”
Heidi pressed her hand to her heart. “That is so romantic. He gets you. He goes out of his way to get you and make you happy at the same time. I want a man like that.”
“Can we not put him on a pedestal?”
Heidi was taken aback. “Okay, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” Mandy said. “I love my husband more than I’ve ever loved anything in this world. Nothing is wrong.”
“He’s romantic,” Heidi said. “He’s head-over-heels in love with you. Every word you say he hangs on. Every look you give him he returns. Every time you cry his heart breaks. Every time you smile he smiles back. He’s perfect.”
“No one is perfect, Heidi,” Mandy said. “James is as close at it comes, but he’s also bossy and irrational. Whenever he decides I’m in danger, I have to agree to absolutely ridiculous rules and babysitters. Whenever he thinks he knows what’s best, it’s time for his wife to bow down and tell him how great he is. Whenever I want to drive, he just refuses to get in the passenger seat.”
Heidi arched an eyebrow. “Wow.”
“Sorry. He’s being all … Jamesish.”
“So, you’re in danger again, huh? How did that happen?”
“What? I’m not in danger,” Mandy lied.
“You obviously are,” Heidi said. “You can’t leave the courthouse at lunch, and we’ve eaten here for three days straight. You hate the sandwiches, and yet you keep saying you want them. You take three bites and then dump them in the garbage.
“You’ve been watching that guy, even though you pretend you’re not,” Heidi continued. “He’s been watching you, and not in a creepy way. He just making sure you’re covered. So, what’s going on?”
Mandy sighed. The jig was up. She told Heidi everything. When she was done, Heidi was flabbergasted.
“How does this keep happening to you?”
“I have no idea,” Mandy replied. “I think I’m cursed.”
“You’re not cursed,” Heidi said. “You have an absolutely beautiful husband who dotes on you and who would die for you. You live in an amazing house with a great view. You have a pool, and a hot tub. You have a studio so you can follow your ultimate dream. You’re not cursed.”
Mandy nodded, guilt washing over her. She was so ungrateful sometimes.
“I just don’t know how this stuff keeps happening to you.”
“Join the club.”
Heidi reached across the table, patting Mandy’s hand. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.”
“You have a man who loves you,” Heidi said.
“You could have that, too.”
“No one will ever love me like James loves you.”
“That’s not true!”
“It is,” Heidi said. “You’re thin and beautiful. No, don’t bother arguing. I know I need to lose some weight. I know I’m kind of obnoxious and loud. It takes people time to get to know me. There’s never going to be some romantic love-at-first-sight scene in my future. I just have to adjust my expectations.”
“Never adjust your expectations,” Mandy argued. “If I had adjusted my expectations, I might have married one of those idiots I dated in college even though I always wanted James. Where would I be then?”
“But you’re thin and beautiful,” Heidi said. “I’m not.”
“You’re the most beautiful person I know, Heidi,” Mandy said. “You’re giving, and you have a huge heart. You have a great sense of style, and you’re always fun. You’re going to find your happily ever after. I promise you that.”
Heidi pursed her lips, shrugging. “I wish I would. I’m getting tired of waiting.” Heidi shook off her brief bout of melancholy. “Anyway, I’m going to go back in. I have a few things to do before the afternoon session.”
Mandy watched her go, regret coursing through her. Why would she possibly complain about her life when it was so good?
“Hey, Mandy.”
Mandy glanced up, gracing the familiar security guard who appeared at the edge of the table with a smile. “Hey, Clint. How are things?”
“They’re good,” Clint said. “I got promoted. Did you hear?”
“I did,” Mandy said. “You’re second in command now. That’s got to be pretty exciting.”
“It is.” Clint gestured to Heidi’s recently vacated chair. “Do you care if I sit down?”
“Of course not,” Mandy said. “I still have a half hour before I have to be upstairs.”
Clint settled in the chair. “So, how was your honeymoon? We really haven’t had a chance to chat since you got back.”
“It was good,” Mandy said. “James rented a house with a private beach in Bermuda. It was beautiful.”
“That’s cool,” Clint said. “So you could walk out your back door and swim in the ocean?”
“I don’t really swim in the ocean,” Mandy admitted. “I’m scared of sharks. I sat in the ocean while James swam, though. He took me on this really cool shark tour. It was on a boat, so I didn’t have to get wet, but it was amazing.”
“I thought you were scared of sharks.”
“I am. I’m also obsessed with them. I treat Shark Week like a holiday.”
Clint smiled. “It’s nice that he knows you well enough to surprise you with stuff like that.”
“It is,” Mandy agreed.”
“You know,” Clint said, shifting uncomfortably. “I always had a crush on you.”
Of course she knew. Clint had been obsessed with her for a long time, following her around the courthouse like he was a lost puppy dog and her pants were made of bacon. Since Clint had been injured in an effort to protect her, Mandy saw no sense in embarrassing him further. “I had no idea.”
“Yeah, I was scared to tell you,” Clint said. “I played it really cool.”
Mandy fought the mad urge to laugh. “You certainly did.”
“I just … you’re very beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re always so sweet, too.”
“I’m not sure my husband would agree.”
“Oh, no, he does,” Clint said. “When he first showed up, I was really jealous. Now I know that you guys are soul mates. He always puts your needs in front of his own. That’s what a real man does. You’re his whole life. He would die for you. I want to be a man like him. He’s … well … he’s amazing.”
Mandy’s heart swelled. “He is amazing.”
“I think you guys are going to be happy forever.”
“I hope so.”
“You will.” Clint was guileless. “I want to find someone of my own to be happy with forever.”
An idea nudged at Mandy’s brain. She’d considered it before, but now seemed like the perfect time to embark on her plan. “You kno
w, Clint, I have someone who would be perfect for you.”
“You do?”
“I do.”
“Can I meet her?” Clint wasn’t wasting any time.
“Sure,” Mandy said, thinking on her feet. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Oh, well, tonight,” Clint said, his face flushing. “I don’t know. That’s so fast.”
“What if James and I went on a double-date with you,” Mandy offered. “Then all the pressure wouldn’t be on you. If I see you struggling, I can help.”
Clint beamed. “That sounds great.”
“Good,” Mandy said. “How about we meet at Luigi’s at seven?”
“I’ll be there,” Clint said, getting to his feet. “I’ll totally be there. This is going to be great!”
Sixteen
“I cannot believe I let you talk me into this.”
“You’ll have fun,” Mandy said, sliding a nervous glance in James’ direction. They were parked in the lot behind Luigi’s, and James hadn’t stopped complaining since she’d announced their evening’s activities.
“I will not have fun.”
“You will. I promise.”
“Clint makes me uncomfortable,” James said, trying a different tactic. “He fawns all over you. I can see him undressing you with his eyes. I don’t like it.”
“He also almost died for me,” Mandy said. “If he hadn’t been there the night Troy went after me … .”
James sighed, reaching over and gripping Mandy’s hand. The memory of the night his wife’s stepbrother stalked her through the courthouse and tried to kill her for an inheritance that could never be his was never far from his mind. “I know that. Why do you think he’s still alive?”
“James … .”
“He’s still obsessed with you, baby,” James said. “I keep seeing it every time I’m in that courthouse. He even told me.”
“He’s over it,” Mandy said. “He wants to find someone to love for himself.”
“And you think that’s Heidi?” James didn’t look convinced.
“What’s wrong with Heidi?” Mandy was on the defensive now. She jerked her hand away. “I’ll have you know that Heidi is a wonderful person. She’s warm, and giving. She’s your biggest fan, so you should be bowing down and buying her flowers every week.”
Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) Page 12
