Crimes of the Heart (Heart Romance #2)

by Laurie LeClair

  The shrill ring of the phone had his heart leaping to his throat. He lunged for it, the cat jumping from his path as he snatched it up. “Marshall here.”

  “Devon, this is Bree, I’ve got Nick and some of his police buddies on the lookout for her car. If it broke down somewhere they’ll find it.” She paused and he clamped his eyes shut. “Ah…I hate to bring this up, but we’re going to need a current photo of her to get copies made, then pass around.” Her voice cracked and his chest contracted.

  Her hidden meaning didn’t go unnoticed: Just in case there’s been foul play. “Sure thing,” he choked out. A minute later, after the details had been worked out, Devon hung up.

  “Dad, was that her?”

  At the sound of Sean’s shaky question, Devon turned around and shook his head sadly. “Sorry, that was your Aunt Bree, offering her help.”

  The crestfallen look that swept across his son’s face nearly killed him. He held out his hand, saying, “Come here, son.”

  Sean raced to him, flinging himself in Devon’s arms. The small body shook with a mixture of fear and tears, dampness seeping into his shirt. “She’s all right, isn’t she? I mean nothing bad happened to her, right?”

  With everything he had in him, Devon wished he could lie to protect his child. But he knew how much worse it would be in the end if he did. Hadn’t his mother tried to buffer the blow of his father’s death and it had backfired? Whispering hoarsely, he managed the best he could, “I don’t know. I keep praying she’s fine.” His voice gained strength. “Just remember your mom is one tough lady. She’s got more courage than I’ve ever seen in anyone. And boy, is she smart.”

  Pulling away, Sean scrubbed the moisture from his face. He chuckled. It came out raw and strangled. “Man, is she.”

  “Hey, listen, Bree, Sydney, and Tessa, too, are coming over to stay with you while I go out and try to find her.” He held up a hand when he noticed Sean getting ready to protest. “Wait, I know what you’re going to say. But I can’t let you come along. I need you here so when your mom shows up she’ll have you to welcome her home, understand?”

  He nodded. “Okay, but can I stay up until she does?”

  Relenting, he said, “Yeah, sure.”

  The piercing ring of the phone startled Devon. In one swift motion, he plucked it up, feeling Sean’s small hand on his arm, grabbing tightly. “Marshall,” he barked out.

  “Devon, its Gil. What’s this I hear about Jewel? I just got in and played back your message. She was fine when I saw her first thing this morning.”

  “This morning?”

  “Dad, is that her?” Sean begged.

  Shaking his head to his son, he witnessed the dejection creep into his Sean’s expression and it seemed as if a mule kicked Devon in the gut.

  Gil’s voice yanked him back to their conversation. “…she picked up the letter her mother had left attached to her will to be opened after Jewel married. Well, since I had no idea about the first ceremony years ago, it stayed packed away…”

  As he rambled on, Devon’s knees buckled and he leaned against the solid support of his desk. Sean scooted closer.

  The horrible thought that somewhere out there Jewel was obviously going through a devastating reaction to the truth haunted him. He longed to be there for her. But the stark reality of the situation reared: Why would she seek him out; he was the enemy now and always had been. For he could, and, to her mind, would most certainly, expose her mother to the world.

  ***

  Numb with the shocking knowledge, Jewel drove aimlessly. By pure habit she bent to turn on her lights when dusk had descended. Now, she couldn’t even tell what time it was as the twin arch of the beams sliced the dark night.

  She blinked as a brilliant light beckoned ahead. Drawing near the service station, she turned in, exhaustion seeping into every muscle in her body. With what little energy she had left, she shut down the car, grabbed her purse, and then got out. The pumps remained empty and the parking area strangely the same.

  Making her way to the tiny office where a buttery light shone, she wondered if she’d find anyone there. Thankfully, when she opened the door, the attached bell jingled, alerting the sole person reading a book behind the counter.

  “How are you doing?” the young, broad-shouldered woman asked, flipping her dark hair out of her eyes. The wide smile came and went, fading as she got a closer look at Jewel.

  Trying, Jewel failed to get anything out of her parched lips.

  The woman was out of her seat in an instant, coming around to gently lead Jewel to a nearby chair. Sitting now, the burden of her bundle weighed on her just as heavily as her mother’s confession and what she must do.

  “I’ve got a pack of hot chocolate I’ll fix for you in a jiffy. In the meantime, is there anyone I can call for you?”

  Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Devon,” she whispered hoarsely, knowing he was the only one she wanted, yet unable to fathom how she’d ever be able to face him once he arrived. Slowly, she gave the kind young woman the number.

  In a daze, she recognized the timber of his deep voice on the other end of the line. He sounded worried at first, and then relieved. Dread took up residence in her middle, knowing by the next morning their lives would never be the same again.

  Chapter 25

  Two hours later, Devon, having followed the woman’s directions, pulled into the station. The sight of Jewel’s beat up blue bomber eased his anxiety a notch; it appeared she hadn’t been in any type of accident. Over the phone, he’d gotten little information, only that Jewel had asked for him. On the drive he’d conjured up his worst fears, now at least some had been put to rest.

  Getting out of the vehicle, Devon adjusted the collar of his leather jacket to ward off the chilly night air. A rustling in his inside pocket drew his attention. Pressing a hand against it, he wondered why, at the last minute, he’d stuffed the pack of homemade cards in there.

  In a few short strides, he made it to the door, and then entered. Instantly, he sought Jewel. His heart stilled when he spied her trembling form, holding onto a bulging pocketbook. Going to her, he kneeled in front of her. Quickly shucking his jacket, he wrapped it around her quivering shoulders, hoping the warmth would comfort her. Her eyes were wide and unfocused, staring through him. “It’s me, dollface, can you hear me?”

  “She’s been like that since right after I called you. I did get her to take a couple of sips of hot cocoa, but that’s it.”

  Devon turned his head to the sturdy, dark-haired woman. Rising, he said, “I can’t thank you enough for staying open and taking care of her until I got here. What do I owe you?”

  Waving a hand in dismissal, she said, “Nothing. I’m glad to help. I just hope she’s going to be all right.”

  Me, too. Aloud, he said, “She’s had quite a shock, but I’m sure once I get her home she’ll be fine.” Briefly, he made the arrangements to have Jewel’s car towed to the house, and then he led Jewel to the SUV.

  Once he had her settled and buckled up, he went around the other side and did the same for himself. Starting the car, he turned the heat to high, and then twisted in his seat. He rubbed his knuckles over her cold cheek. “Jewel, honey, I’ve got to ask you a favor, well, it’s for Sean. I told him we’d call him the minute I picked you up to let him know you’re okay.”

  Blinking, she whispered, “Sean?”

  Gently, he cupped her chin and turned her face to him. A little of the dazed look had softened. “All you have to do is say a couple of words to him that’s all. Then he can rest easy. Tessa’s staying the night, so by the time we get back they’ll both be sound asleep. I wouldn’t ask you if it were for anybody but Sean. He needs to hear your voice first. Do you understand?”

  She nodded, and then gulped hard.

  Jabbing the numbers on his cell phone, Devon sent up a silent prayer that both his son and his wife would benefit from hearing each other’s voice. Sean picked up on the first ring. “Dad, is that you?”
/>   “Yes. I’ve got someone here who wants to say hello.”

  Holding the phone to her ear, he waited for her to get the words out. But all she could say was, “Sean?”

  He could just make out his son’s words. “Man, am I glad you’re all right, Mom. You had us so worried.”

  Devon felt the hot plop of tears on the backs of his fingers. Something inside him twisted at her heartache. Thinking he should halt this now, he went to pull the phone away, but she grasped his, holding both his hand and the phone near. Her icy touch should have been unpleasant, but he welcomed the soft, silky feel of her, the fragile connection.

  “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” she choked out between sobs.

  It was Devon who had to pry her hand free so he could explain to his son why his mother wasn’t herself. Resting the damp phone against his face, Devon said, “Sean, she’s cold, tired, and probably hungry, but she’s safe. That’s what matters the most now.”

  The long, drawn out sigh in his ear told him a great deal. “Gee, Dad, I’m really glad you’re there to make everything all right.”

  After Devon said his good-byes and hung up, he gazed at his wife, now silently huddled in her seat, still clutching that overstuffed bag. A frisson of unease snaked down his spine as he wondered if he could ever fix this mess.

  ***

  Lulled by the false sense of security with the motion of the car, the welcome heat, and surrounded by Devon’s clean scent in the leather folds of his jacket, Jewel jerked back to the present when he stopped the vehicle in front of the house.

  Gingerly, she exited, still grasping the heavy bag to her. While she waited for him to join her, she gazed up at the massive stone structure, now shrouded in eerie darkness, she’d had no right to call home as a child or now. Because of her, so many lives had been ruined, especially her husband’s.

  In a few short minutes, she’d try to eradicate the damage by first telling him the truth, next giving back the money, and then releasing him from his sense of duty of the burden she’d become.

  The light touch of his hand on her elbow almost had her flinging herself into his arms one last time, but she halted the urgent need. She realized that in order to be able to hold her head up high after this, she’d be wise not to break down now.

  Once inside, the unusual quiet closed in on her. The soft glow of a light in his study beckoned to her.

  What better place than to see this to the end. The very same place where my father had cast him out years ago.

  Blindly, she walked down the hall, with Devon close on her heels. The cat jumped down from the desk, padded to her, and then wound his way around and between her legs. The welcome should have brought a giggle to her lips, but she failed to muster more than a cursory forced smile.

  With leaden feet, she made her way to the huge desk, dropping the heavy pocketbook onto the surface. It landed with a dull thud. She took a deep, unsteady breath and gripped the edge of the solid wood. Keeping her back to him, she choked out, “There’s something you should know.”

  “Don’t do this to yourself, Jewel.”

  His tender tone ripped off a chunk of her heart. Squeezing her eyes tight, she said, “I have to get through this, so please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” She paused as her body shook. “Your father never stole a penny from the business.”

  “I know that,” he said softly.

  “You always did. What incredible faith you had. I should have listened. I know who did take the money. It’s-It’s—”

  “Your mother,” he finished for her.

  With her mouth agape, Jewel whipped around. The leather jacket flipped open. She gathered it close to her, sheltered in its warmth and link to Devon. He stood staring at her with his hands jammed in his pockets. His pained expression tore at her, penetrating her shock.

  “How? When?” she asked, unable to form anything more coherent.

  Waving a hand to the stack of ledger books, he said, “I’ve suspected for some time now. But earlier today the pieces fell into place.”

  Reaching out a shaky hand, she grasped the arm of his visitor’s chair, slowly eased herself to it, and then sank gratefully onto the plush cushion, still holding his gaze. “But you don’t know why she did it, do you?”

  Shrugging, he said, “It doesn’t really matter any more.”

  She frowned. “What are you saying? Of course it does.” Pointing to the bag on his desk, she said, “It’s all there. The letter she left me can serve as her signed confession, and the money’s there. It’s all yours now.”

  At that, he jerked his head back. “Christ, Jewel, do you think I want a dime of that? It’s as bad as blood money to me.”

  Briefly, she closed her eyes and nodded, knowing she felt the same way from the moment she’d learned the whole truth. When she focused on him once again, a tear slid from the corner of her eye. “She did if for me, you know. Her life with my father had turned her into a prisoner. She didn’t want the same for me, either still being dependent on daddy or with the man I married.”

  Silently, he moved near her, sitting on the edge of the desk. Twisting to him, she caught his softly spoken words, “She loved you very much, remember that.”

  Jumping from her seat, she cried, “She has some way of showing it, first by being nothing more than a clever thief by using your father, next letting him take the fall, then in essence killing him.”

  Devon grabbed her to him. Encircled in his warm embrace, she buried her face in his neck and wept. All of her illusions shattered into sharp slivers of dagger-like pain, slicing open her soul. “How could she, Devon? How could she do that to anyone? She’s not the woman I thought she was.” She sniffed, and then pointed out, “Maybe I never knew the real her. She could have lied to me all along, too.”

  He pressed his lips to her hair. “Shhh, now. Don’t do this to yourself. You don’t deserve it.”

  Pulling away from him, she swiped at the dampness on her cheeks, asking, “Why not? Why don’t I deserve this? You had to endure years of scandal because of the embezzlement. So, why not me, then or now?”

  “None of us deserved it, all right? But it’s over and done with. We just move on from here.”

  The room began to spin and she felt the color seep from her face. “Wh-what are you saying, Devon? What about your revenge?”

  Dragging a hand across his jaw, he blew out a hot breath. “I can’t,” he said simply. “I can’t do that to you or Sean, dollface. You were right about how this will affect him. Why dig up something that’s been buried for so long?”

  A sudden wave of nausea threatened to bubble up into her throat. “But,” she swallowed hard, “this is what you’ve lived so long for, Devon.” She pressed a hand to her middle, willing the contents inside to remain just where they were.

  His gaze dropped to her hand, and he frowned. “Is it the baby?”

  Shock reverberated through her, roaring in her ears. She’d been so careful to hide it from him. Now, his willingness to drop the years old vengeance made so much more sense. He clearly didn’t want to taint the baby’s world. “How did you know? Did Bree tell you?”

  A slash of pain came and went from his features. “I figured it out myself.”

  “Well, don’t worry, you won’t have to forego your plans because of the baby.” She jerked her chin to the bulging bag, and then said, “Go ahead and take it to Gil or whoever. All I ask is that you let Sean and me get out of town before it hits the papers. I’ll have us packed and gone by tomorrow.”

  If she had slammed a sledgehammer through his chest, Devon wouldn’t have felt more pain than her words had created. “No! You can’t leave me.”

  Her tear-streaked face contorted for a moment, and then she seemed to recover. “I refuse to be a burden to you or anyone else ever again.”

  “A burden? What the hell are you talking about? I never once said you were.”

  Jewel sniffed and gathered his jacket around her. “You didn’t have to,” she whispere
d. “I’ve always been one to everyone I ever loved. Don’t you see? If it hadn’t been for me, my mother would never have stayed with my father, living a miserable existence and she wouldn’t have had to steal.”

  “She made that choice because she was too weak physically and emotionally,” he countered, hoping she saw the truth.

  Rearing back, she shook her head. “Don’t try to confuse me. What about my father, I was a nuisance, a pest? And, with you, I just slowed up your plans. I couldn’t bring myself to ruin them entirely when I found out about Sean and I won’t with this baby.”

  Curling his hands into fist, he fought for his life, his wife. “With everything in me, I love you, Jewel, can’t you see that?” he choked out.

  Gasping, she stared hard at him. Tears welled in her eyes, and then fell silently down her cheeks. His middle clenched. “I could never be sure about us, Devon, whether you stayed or wanted me to stay because of that or out of duty. You always felt you had to save the people in your life, well, how can I ever be sure this isn’t what you’re doing now?”

  Cold, stark dawning hit him. There wasn’t a damn thing he could do or say that would convince her otherwise. And why should it? For he’d never acted as if he wanted anything more than his bloodthirsty revenge. In the end, he realized, even though his goal was within his grasp, he’d lost everything that was near and dear to him. A hollow ache behind his rib cage pulsed to life as he said quietly, “I guess you could never be sure of me.”

  ***

  In the glow of the lantern, and the accompanying snorts and whinnies of the stables horses, Devon, shirtless, stuck the pitchfork under a soiled clump of hay, and then easily tossed it into the awaiting wheelbarrow. Sweat dripped down his forehead and into his eyes, but he refused to stop in order to swipe it away. He had to keep moving or surely his heart would explode from the excruciating pain of losing the woman he loved.