Strangers

by Crystal V. Rhodes

  There was plenty that he already knew about Darnell Cameron. For years he had devoured every tidbit of information he could get about her, and there had been plenty. Finding information about her so-called half brother proved to be more of a challenge.

  The press had identified Bayland Imports as the company owned by Sinclair Reasoner. The business website was informative, but there was little about its founder. He seemed to have kept a low profile. Other than the scandal of years ago involving his relationship with his future wife, there was nothing else on Sinclair, not even a clear photo. Except for the brief glimpse of him that he had seen on TV, Hardman didn’t have any real semblance of the man about whom he was so curious.

  Who was this man? What did he look like? Where did he come from? Most importantly, who was his mother? What was her name?

  With each visit he left the library feeling disappointed. He still didn’t have any of the answers for which he had risked everything to come here and find. He harbored doubts about this man’s claim of kinship to Darnell. The article he had read on the island had said something about DNA having verified the relationship, but damn that! He wanted absolute proof that what was being claimed was true.

  Arriving back at the hotel on this particular day, Hardman’s spirits were lifted by the headline that a person of interest in the kidnapping case had been detained for questioning. The photo of the man confirmed that it wasn’t the partner of the man that he was following. Hardman wondered if the man in custody was connected to the other two.

  Normally he was a patient man, but not in this case. If he was on the wrong track, he needed to know it. Yet, too many things added up for this joker not to be involved in this kidnapping case,

  After assessing the situation he considered several options. One particular one was especially appealing to him and became even more so with each passing day.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Man, this is major,” James told his partner as they spoke to each other on his cell phone. Standing in the garden outside of the house in Tiburon, he was enjoying the view of the San Francisco Bay. It was as perfect here as it had been earlier on the balcony.

  On the other end of the line, Nathan Webb gave a deep sigh. “Well, this is what we do, that is if we get a chance to do our job. What do you know about the guy that the FBI has in custody?”

  “He’s one of the security guards that patrols the street where the families live.”

  “That shouldn’t have come as a surprise. I’m sure he was privy to schedules and personal telephone numbers for emergencies. Do any of the family members know the man?”

  “No, not personally.”

  Nate snorted. “It doesn’t sound like professionals planned this one. I would think that even amateurs would know that the security firm would be one of the first places the authorities would look for suspects. I don’t know how many people were involved, but the FBI is probably hot on their trail as we speak.” Pausing, James could hear him thinking even over the telephone. “I don’t want to step on any toes. What else can we do to enhance their investigation?”

  “The Stewarts and the Reasoners seem to think that we can do something. None of the families want this to turn into a cold case.”

  “I doubt that the Feds will let that happen. What other inside information do you have about the perp?”

  James could hear a note of uncertainty in Nathan’s voice. Neither one of them wanted to take on an assignment that might not offer their client the best results. This was a high profile endeavor and if they faltered in any way it could damage their business reputation.

  “The families were told that the man’s name is Jack Spencer. Other than that they didn’t provide any more information about him. Agent Conway said they’ll be releasing his name to the public soon.”

  “All right, and you’re sure they still want to hire us despite the arrest?”

  “According to Dana Mansfield. She was the one who drew up the contract that I sent to you.”

  Nathan sighed again. “I looked it over, and I also heard that statement that Darnell Cameron made. She didn’t pull any punches, and there was subtext in what she had to say. I know what the contract says, but you did re-emphasize to their attorney that if we do find more suspects that all information will be turned over to the proper authorities, right?”

  “I did, and I also told her that if our actions interfere with the Fed’s investigation that we might have to re-evaluate our efforts.”

  “Well put. What did she say to that?”

  “She said that she wouldn’t expect any less from highly skilled professionals.” James smiled as he remembered how much the compliment had pleased him. “They just want them caught ASAP.”

  “They pay well, that’s for sure.”

  Nate was right. Their agency had been offered a small fortune for services. The reward being offered to the public for information leading to the abductors’ arrest was staggering.

  “We wanted to grow the business,” his partner reminded him. “Ask and ye shall receive. I’m coming out there personally to help you with this one. When will the families be back on the Peninsula?”

  “Not soon. Wherever they are both families plan to stay there until the press dies down. They said that they’ll make the kids available for an interview with us if it’s needed. I doubt if the FBI will be happy that we’re on the case. They weren’t thrilled with the statement that Darnell issued.”

  “She doesn’t seem to be the type that would care.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  Before disconnecting, the two men talked strategy and made plans for Nate to fly to California. They would have a lot of work to do. Neither man had any doubt that they were up to the task.

  Merging his business with that of his friend’s had been a good move. Nathan Webb had been one of the best detectives on the New York Police force. He was also James’ mentor.

  James had been a street hardened kid headed for jail or hell when the crime hardened cop had taken an interest in him. Nathan Webb had been a father figure when he needed one. He loved and respected him. He felt fortunate to have him in his life.

  James was deep in thought about the job ahead of them when he felt a presence nearby. He turned. It was Dana.

  “Did you talk to your partner?” She sat down on the redwood bench beside him.

  “Yes.”

  Dana smiled. “Great! I bet you’re quite a gum shoe.”

  “Gum shoe?” James laughed. “Where did you get that from, an old movie?”

  “Sure, and from what I see on television being a private investigator is exciting and full of adventure.”

  James shook his head. “No, it’s mostly tedious research and lots of interviewing. Nate is a master at both. He’s the lead P.I., and I assist him as needed. My real expertise is security. He’ll be flying out here soon and you’ll get to meet him. I told him we have permission to interview the girls. By the way, how are they?”

  Dana’s smile widened. She liked James’ concern for others. He really seemed to care about others.

  “One of our cousins is a psychologist and she’s having sessions with them. Nia is having nightmares, and Gillian is suspicious of everybody. She’s quite a kid, but I’m afraid this ordeal has really been traumatic. Believe it or not, her best friend, Trent Plaine, was kidnapped when he was younger. Nedra says that they’re in constant contact comparing notes, and as strange as it might seem, she says it appears to be therapeutic.”

  “Sounds good.”

  James was glad that the children were getting help, but presently something else was on his mind. From the moment that the sexy attorney sat down beside him, his body temperature had been rising.

  Dana pretended not to notice the effect their closeness was having on James. She kept talking.

  “Family members came from all over to celebrate the girls’ return. We combined Gillian’s twelfth birthday party with a welcome back celebration for them both. There was a huge cake with
both of their names written across it, topped with twelve lit candles for Gillian. The girls went wild. They were so delighted. I mean we partied long and hard.”

  “You Stillwaters sound like a gang to me,” James chuckled.

  “I guess we do.” Dana hadn’t thought of her family in those terms, but maybe he was right. “We are loyal to each other and we protect our own.”

  “And how about you, Mrs. Mansfield, are you in need of personal protection?” Flashing a sultry smile, he placed an arm across the back of the bench and stretched his long legs out in front of him.

  Leaning back, Dana cocked her head. “Mr. Starr, are you flirting with me?”

  James grinned. “That was my intention. I’m attracted to you.”

  Searching his compelling eyes Dana noticed how they had darkened. She also sensed in him the same uncertainty that she was feeling, but she couldn’t deny the truth.

  “I’m attracted to you too.”

  “So what are we going to do about it?”

  Dana shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

  “Then let’s see if we can start with this.”

  Slowly he lowered his lips to hers, offering Dana the chance to pull away. She didn’t. Instead she lifted her face to meet his. The kiss they shared was as gentle as it was thorough as their tongues explored and tantalized.

  Dana gave a contented moan. This man knew what he was doing. She drew closer. His tongue delved deeper.

  “Hey, Dana! Are you…”

  Ray stopped short. Startled, Dana and James jumped apart.

  “Oh! Sorry.” Ray turned abruptly and headed back toward the house.

  “Wait,” Dana called after him. She was embarrassed by having been caught by her brother-in-law necking with a man that she barely knew, especially since James was a friend of his, but she still stood to face him. “Did you need me for something?”

  Turning back to her, Ray looked at her steadily, noting her discomfort. He didn’t understand why. Hell! She was an adult and so was James.

  “I’m going to head over to the boat now. Are you going with me? You’re kind of stranded. Sin took off to take care of some business.”

  Dana had planned on staying on the boat overnight. Her Uncle Gerald had flown them to Marin County and would return tomorrow to take them back to Stillwaters.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  Ray went back into the house. Dana turned to James.

  “I guess we’re busted,” she said lightly. She stood to leave.

  James stood and faced her. “I guess so.” But he didn’t care. As he looked at this lovely woman, he wasn’t sure that whatever there was between them could work, but he was drawn to her and that was that.

  “What would you say if we went on a date tonight?” Dana asked. “My treat. They have some great restaurants in Sausalito.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  Giving him a quick peck on the lips to seal the deal, Dana started walking backward toward the house. “Alright then, 7:00. I’ll come and get you.”

  James nodded. “Okay.”

  Waving goodbye, she turned and went inside the house, leaving James standing in the colorful flower garden with the taste of her still on his lips.

  ****

  Later that evening, it was a knock at the door that startled James awake. After Dana and Ray left he had settled on the sofa in the family room and drifted off to sleep. It had been an exhausting day. A glance at the clock over the fireplace read a quarter to six.

  Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he knew that whoever was on the other side of the door had to belong there. The wooden gate at the end of the sloped yard leading down to the street was locked. A key was needed to enter it. Figuring that it must be Dana coming early to pick him up for dinner, he padded barefoot across the room to answer the knock.

  Looking through the peep hole he was shocked to see Sinclair Reasoner standing on the other side of the door. Excitement turned to anger. Hustling back to the family room he retrieved the gun from its holster, tucked it in the back of his belt, covered it with his shirt and returned to the door.

  Prior to this, distance and the presence of others had stood between him and Sinclair. James had been grateful for that, because if the two of them had been alone he wasn’t sure if he would have been responsible for his actions. It appeared that his resolve would now be tested as he opened the door to the man that years ago he had vowed to kill.

  CHAPTER 12

  James Starr stepped back from the door and admitted Sin into the house without a word. Sin’s heartbeat quickened, not with fear but with the thought of the years of animosity he had built up toward this man. He thought those feelings might have lessened, but the moment Starr’s face had appeared on the screen from Dana’s office every emotion he’d had resurfaced.

  “It was quite a surprise when I saw you on Skype,” he told his old nemesis as he faced him, not daring to turn his back. “I thought you would be dead by now.”

  “I thought the same about you.” James closed the door, positioning himself so that his back would not be turned to Sin. The lack of trust was mutual.

  The two men studied each other. Physically, the years had been good to them both. They were each in their forties, still handsome and still fit. Of the two, Sin was more polished. The sharply creased slacks, the stylish jacket over a silk blend tee shirt and the soft, leather shoes on his feet all labeled him as fashion conscious. James was still dressed in the cotton tee-shirt and faded blue jeans that he had worn since arriving in Tiburon this morning. His worn sneakers lay next to the sofa where he had discarded them.

  James and Sin were a study in contrast, but their demeanors were exactly the same—hostile.

  “My wife suggested that while I’m here that I talk to you.” Sin hadn’t been happy that she had made him promise to follow-up on that suggestion, but he was a man of his word.

  A picture that James had seen of Sin’s wife flashed through his mind. “Aw, yes, Nedra. I hear she’s an ordained minister.”

  “Yes she is,” Sin verified. “She said that whatever is wrong between us is obvious. It makes everyone uncomfortable and we need to fix it.”

  “So that’s why you’re here.” Still aware of Sin’s every movement, James backed into the family room, sat down on the sofa and began to put on his sneakers. “To fix things.” Tying his shoe laces, he gave Sin a hard look. “As if they can be fixed.”

  Sin shrugged. “What can I say? She’s an optimist.” He went to stand behind a chair located across from James.

  “If she married you, she must be.” James snorted derisively. “I can’t believe it. You, married to a preacher. To say nothing about your claim to be Darnell Cameron’s half brother. Are you kidding? What kind of scam are you pulling?” His voiced dripped with sarcasm.

  Sin wasn’t offended. He could understand James’ skepticism, given the infamous past that they shared. Deception had been a part of life then. Honesty had been for suckers.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s no scam. Darnell and I have the same father and there’s a blood test to prove it, but that’s neither here nor there. I came here to talk about us.”

  “What about us? I take it that your preacher wife knows about your past?”

  “She does. I told her everything, even about our connection. I also told the authorities, but I found out that you had already told them.”

  “They would have found out anyway.” Rising, James walked to the fireplace mantel and leaned against it. He couldn’t trust himself to be too close to this man. “Besides, the lives of two little girls were at stake. I didn’t want them wasting their time on me.”

  “That was good of you, and might I say that recording that guy’s voice was quick thinking.” Sin figured that he deserved credit for that at least.

  There was an awkward silence as the seconds ticked by. Despite the off-handed compliment, the tension in the room hadn’t lessened.

  The resentment that James fe
lt toward Sin was eating him alive. He wasn’t capable of having an intelligent conversation with him feeling like this. Seeing him standing there looking so prosperous galled him. He couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice.

  “I see that you’ve done well over the years, lots of money, a beautiful home, a classy wife and three good-looking kids.”

  “The last two things on the list are the most important.”

  “You don’t say.” James spat contemptuously. He wanted to whip his gun out and shoot him right on the spot. Sin had gone on with his life while his own life had been nearly destroyed.

  Sin’s jaw tightened at the scorn being directed his way. James made a sudden move toward him and Sin tensed, poised and ready to draw the gun concealed in its holster at the small of his back. Was this the moment their long running feud would boil over into physical conflict? He hadn’t come here to fight, but he was prepared if it came to that. Undoubtedly, James was too.

  Sin let out a breath that he hadn’t realized that he had been holding when James’ movements took him back to the sofa where he sat perched on the arm, but he continued to bait him

  “I heard your children are adopted, but when I was at your house I saw a picture of your little girl. She looks a lot like you with that dimpled chin.”

  “Yes, I’ve been told,” Sin answered calmly, aware of what James was insinuating.

  He wouldn’t be the first person to wonder if Gillian was his biological child. She wasn’t, but the love that he felt for his daughter and sons was no less powerful. Because of this, he chose to ignore the veiled insult behind James’ comment. Instead, he changed the subject. “How are Pookie and Regina?” He asked referring to James’ son and the boy’s mother.

  James’ jaws tightened. His nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed as he gave Sin a look that could kill. His hand slid to where his weapon lay nestled, ready to be pulled as he answered Sin’s question in one harsh word. “Dead.”

  Sin blinked. “What?”