His cell rang when he was about a minute from town. The ID told him it was the bodyguard.
“So where is she?”
“Katie headed straight into the supermarket. Just went inside. Do you want me to take off when you get here?”
“Not at all. I just want to see her for myself, you know, so that I can be sure she’s okay. And then I have a meeting with your boss.”
“Bray’s in town?”
“He will be shortly. You keep an eye on my girl. Don’t let anything happen to her.”
“Check.”
Simon drove past the bodyguard’s car on the street across from Jenkins Cove Market and pulled into the parking lot. His pulse ticked faster as he left the car and went inside, still wearing the dark glasses and hat so that he wouldn’t be recognized…if anyone still remembered him after all these years.
Christmas music blasted him as he grabbed a cart and raced down the aisles, looking for Katie. He found her in the aisle with baking goods. She was just putting a bag of sugar in her cart. Slowing, he pretended to be looking for something when he really was checking out his daughter. She was beautiful, a young Lexie. He couldn’t stop looking at her.
She was tall for twelve—maybe five-six—and slender. Her short, dark hair was fashionably spiked, but her face was free of makeup, leaving her with a clear complexion and natural color in her cheeks. She looked up and even from a distance, he could see the clear green of her large round eyes.
His eyes.
Apparently sensing that he’d been watching her, Katie froze and gave him a weird look. Not wanting to freak her out, he picked something off the shelf, threw it in his cart and headed for the checkout.
As he passed her, from the corner of his eye, Simon saw Katie move away slightly. Damn! He hadn’t meant to scare her. He’d just wanted a close-up look at his daughter without her having to know who he was, and now he’d ruined it. He fought the urge to look back at her.
“Will that be all, sir?” The kid at the register raised his voice to be heard over the piped-in Christmas music.
Simon grunted and looked down to see what he’d thrown in his cart. Cherry pie filling. “Yeah,” he muttered, placing the can on the counter and pulling out his wallet.
As much as he wanted to glance back, to see what Katie was doing, he kept his focus where it belonged.
His heart hurt for the years they’d missed. Surely there was some way he could be in his daughter’s life. He was already regretting severing his relationship with his own father. He should have tried to help the old man get over his alcoholism instead of running out on him.
If he had, he would never have been forced to fight in a war he’d wanted no part of, would have a totally different life now.
On the way out of the market, Simon spotted a Christmas food drop for needy families and added the cherry pie filling to the cans and boxes already there. And then he kept going, to the lot, to his truck, never once looking back just in case Katie was there.
He headed straight for the diner at the east end of town in hopes that there would be fewer people who might recognize him. The place wasn’t fancy, though there were Christmas lights in the window and a small tree near the register. Bray was in a back booth waiting for him. Simon waved, but stopped at the counter where a redheaded waitress with a big name tag identifying her as Wanda was giving one of the customers his check.
He got her attention. “Morning, Wanda. I could use coffee and breakfast if you’re still serving it.”
“We’re still serving it, sugar. What’s your pleasure?”
“The works. Surprise me. I’m about hungry enough to eat a snake.”
“We serve snakes here, but we don’t feed snakes to our customers.” She laughed at her own joke and poked her head through the window to the kitchen to order a breakfast. “Hey, Sam, one Lumberjack!”
His stomach already growling, Simon moved to the table and gave the big man there the once-over. His dark hair was spiked, his gray eyes seemingly free of the nightmares they’d once reflected, his body muscular.
“Bray.” He held out his hand and the other man stood to take it. They were of equal height and strength. “It’s been a long time.”
“A lot of years,” Bray agreed.
They both sat as Wanda arrived with Simon’s coffee. “Brought you boys a pot,” she said, setting it in the middle of the table and a mug in front of Simon. “That breakfast will be up in a few minutes.”
“My stomach’s already growling,” Simon told her. Then, when she left, he turned to Bray. Before he’d left Afghanistan, Bray had been a mess. His eyes had held that look identifying him as a man on the verge of a breakdown. Not anymore. Simon would bet Bray’s wife, Claire, had everything to do with that. “Good to see you.”
“If only the circumstances were better,” Bray said, keeping his voice low.
“Hopefully, when I’m done with this town, they will be.” But did he want to be done with the town if that meant he was done with Lexie and Katie? Did he want to take the kind of revenge that would push them away forever? Not wanting to complicate things right at the moment, Simon focused on the reason for the meeting. “So what do you have for me?”
“Claire got a response to her ad. A Hans Zanko claims to be one of the survivors. He’s in Annapolis, not too far from the Five Star Security offices.” Bray handed Simon a folder. “Do you want Claire to follow up and interview him about what happened? He wants to be paid $10,000 for the information. He checks out as far as we can tell, but of course there aren’t any records to prove his claim that he was brought over for his kidney. He could be in it for the money.”
“That what you think?” When Bray shrugged, Simon opened the folder to find a photo and contact info for a man who looked to be in his forties.
“He didn’t send that photo, by the way. Claire got it off the Internet.”
Which seemed to legitimize Hans Zanko, though Simon was still uncertain. “I would have guessed they would pick someone younger to be a donor. Like in his twenties, not forties.”
“Except we don’t know how long ago the operation started. Some of those bodies they’ve dug up from the mass grave go way back. This guy has been in the country for a dozen years at least.”
“I’ll check it out myself. If this Zanko is legit, I may be able to get more out of him, since I do have something in common with him. You just get me the cash from the account as soon as you get back to the office.” Simon had put $25,000 at Bray’s disposal for expenses and could move money into the account electronically. “And thank your wife for this.”
“I’ll do that. I know you’re in an odd situation, what with everyone thinking you’re dead and all. You might need some backup other than from me. Someone in the system.”
“A lawyer?”
“A cop. A detective for the state police. The detective, actually.”
“You mean the one investigating the victims…the mass grave site?” When Bray nodded, Simon asked, “How do you know him?”
“He’s my brother-in-law, Rand McClellan. He’s good. He’s fair. And he knows that things aren’t always what they seem,” Bray said, his tone odd enough that Simon took notice. “He can keep things under wraps until the time is right.”
“I’ll think about it. So why did you really want to see me?” Simon asked. “You could have sent me Zanko’s photo and contact information. You could have told me about your brother-in-law in a phone conversation.”
“Well, uh…”
“C’mon, Bray, what gives?”
“I only hesitate because you might find this hard to believe,” Bray began. “My former partner at Five Star Security and I had a contract with a scientific company working for DARPA. There was a lab accident—an experiment that was aimed at developing a new biochemical warfare weapon. It left me without my memory for a while…” Bray looked around as if making sure no one could overhear. “…and gave me an ability I didn’t have before.”
“What kin
d of ability?”
“I can, uh…when I touch something, I can see something that happened to the object in the past. If I touch something connected to the murders—that key you told me about—maybe I can give you a lead that’ll help.”
Simon didn’t immediately respond. He was wondering if his old acquaintance was in as good a condition as he’d first believed. Bray spoke up again. “Let me show you how it works. Give me something of yours and I’ll tell you what I see.”
Simon thought about it for a moment and pulled out his wallet. From it, he took a flat piece of metal with a picture of a crab. It had once been a pin, but cheaply put together, it had come apart. Still, Simon hadn’t been able to get rid of the souvenir.
He handed it to Bray and watched the other man’s forehead pull into a frown of concentration.
“A carnival of some sort…food…corn on the cob…crabs…”
“You could get that from the picture.”
“A ring tossing game…a young woman…long bare legs…dark hair in a ponytail…big smile. She’s determined to win…”
Suddenly Simon saw it all again—him and Lexie at the Eastern Shore Crabfest, the day he’d fallen head over heels for her. He’d loved her ever since they were kids, but this one perfect day in August with her had made him see what life could be like if they could spend it together. It had made him want something he’d never had.
The day had been magic. Lexie had been magic. She’d cast a spell on him. So when she’d won the ring toss and had insisted on giving him her prize, the pin had taken on a value far above its true worth.
I’ll keep this forever, Lexie. No matter where I am, it’ll remind me of you.
Simon still remembered his exact words. And he’d been true to his vow. He’d kept the pin, had taken it out to feel closer to home—to her—even in war.
“She won the game and gave you the pin,” Bray said, seeming as if he were coming out of a trance. “And you said you would keep it forever.”
Simon cursed under his breath, but before he could say anything, a platter landed on the table before him.
“Hope it’ll do you,” Wanda said.
A glance at the plate of pancakes and eggs and potatoes and bacon and sausage and toast was enough to make Simon’s stomach growl.
But when Simon looked at Bray and said, “I hope it’ll do me, too,” he wasn’t talking about the food.
Chapter Nine
“We’re done for the day,” Lexie told Marie late in the afternoon just after her crew had cleared out.
“You’ve really done a fabulous job on this place,” Marie said. “Better than I even imagined.”Lexie glanced back into the ballroom and admitted that it did look pretty good, definitely the holiday wonderland her friend had requested. The scent of pine wafted from the room that now was unrecognizable in gold and red and green splendor. The lights weren’t even on, nor the special snow effect, and still it was transformed into a fairy-tale setting.
In two days her mood had shifted as greatly as the ballroom had. The Grinch was hiding somewhere, chased away by a sense of expectancy.
But it wasn’t the holiday that had gotten to her.
Being with Simon again had lifted her spirits, if only for the moment.
Knowing she couldn’t share her secret with Marie without betraying Simon’s wishes, Lexie decided she’d better leave fast before she folded and gave it up.
“I’m glad you’re pleased.”
“I hope it lightens Brandon’s mood,” Marie said. “Something’s been bothering him and he won’t talk about it. Says it’s business and he wants to forget about business when he’s with me.”
A curl of anxiety tightened Lexie’s stomach. “That’s good. Isn’t it?”
“I guess.” Marie shrugged. “Although I hate being shut out when I might be able to help him.”
Lexie prayed that Brandon didn’t know anything about the human trafficking operation. “I’m sure his mood will even out. Give him time to get used to your being around and believing he can share things with you.”
“You’re right.”
Hoping she was, Lexie gave Marie a big hug. “See you tomorrow.”
Lexie left and hurried out to the car. Brandon had to be innocent. Surely his mood had shifted because of some business pressures that had nothing to do with the horrific acts that had been going on in Jenkins Cove. If he was guilty or even knew something about the operation that he hadn’t revealed to the authorities, Marie would be devastated.
Having gotten a call from Simon just as she was wrapping up for the afternoon, Lexie took off and headed for town to meet him at the diner. When she’d asked him what was up, however, he’d been all mysterious. She expected there was more than a fast dinner together involved. He must have gotten some information.
Halfway there, Lexie realized that the same vehicle had been behind her since she left the estate.
From a distance, it looked like it could be the same silver sedan that she’d seen that morning. Surely not. Surely her imagination was working overtime. Wanting to know for certain, Lexie slowed her SUV to let the other vehicle catch up. It slowed, as well.
Her pulse fluttered. What if someone really was following her? Her assailant?
She stepped on the gas, now wanting to get away from the car, but the other driver did the same, keeping the same distance between them, just far enough back so that she couldn’t be sure of anything. If only it would get closer, she could use her cell to take a photo, maybe get a shot of the plates that could be blown up.
When she entered Jenkins Cove, she made a couple of unnecessary turns. The other vehicle did, as well. The car was close enough now that she could see that it was a silver sedan. Still too far away to get a good shot on her cell phone.
When she turned back on Main Street, Lexie stepped on the gas and headed straight for the diner where Simon was waiting for her. Parking the car right out front, she ran into the diner, pulling her cell from her pocket, then stared out the window, waiting for the car to pass.
It didn’t.
“Lexie, over here.”
Simon’s voice pulled her attention from the window. She turned to see him sitting with another man at a back booth. How weird, considering he didn’t want his presence known. After glancing back through the window, she joined them.
As she approached the booth, Simon frowned at her. “What’s wrong, Lexie?”
“I think I’m being followed.”
Simon and the stranger locked gazes, and getting a sick feeling in her stomach, Lexie sank down into the booth. “Why do I get the feeling you know something about this?”
“Because he’s my man,” the stranger said. “I’m Bray Sloane.”
Lexie turned to Simon and couldn’t keep the accusing tone out of her voice. “You decided to have me followed and didn’t tell me?”
“He’s a bodyguard,” Simon told her, “doing what you wouldn’t let me do. You agreed it would be a good idea to keep Katie safe.”
“But you didn’t say anything about hiring a bodyguard for me!”
“You need protection, but I know you would have refused if I’d mentioned it.”
“Apparently you know me well.” She turned to Bray who sat in silence, but with a knowing expression.
“Tell your man his services won’t be needed anymore.”
“Don’t tell him any such thing,” Simon countered. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“You agree to let me protect you until the situation is resolved.”
“You mean move in?” Lexie’s pulse quickened but she said, “I don’t want to confuse Katie.”
As if Katie were the only one who would be confused by Simon’s presence…
“You told me she was staying at her grandmother’s for a few days.”
“Yes, but then what?” Lexie asked. “What happens when she comes back home?”
“We can renegotiate…if the situation isn’t resolved before then.”
Not even a ghost.
Sighing, she finally said, “Fine. You can move in.”
“Fine?” Simon’s brows shot up, showing his surprise at her easy capitulation.
“But you sleep on the couch.”
“Fine,” Simon said again, then turned to Bray. “Take the bodyguard off Lexie, but not off Katie.”
“Will do.”
Not liking being manipulated, Lexie took a big breath before asking, “So what did you want to see me about?”
Simon gave a quick look around the room before asking in a low voice, “The key. You have it on you, right?”
“What about it?”
“Bray would like to see it.”
Lexie looked from Simon, to Bray, back to Simon again. “Why?” Did he think Bray would recognize it?
“Trust me. Just hand it over.”
Lexie fished the key out of her back pocket and held it out to Bray. He took it from her and his head jerked slightly. His gaze locked on the key, he sat frozen.
“What—”
Simon’s kick under the table stopped her from finishing. Bray was obviously in some kind of trance. His pale gray eyes had gone kind of weird, like they were in some other place. Her pulse sped up and she held her breath until he seemed to snap out of it enough to speak.
“The key fits an old file drawer,” Bray said, his expression intent. “The drawer is part of a wood cabinet with leaves embossed in the trim.”
Lexie started. He was describing the cabinet she’d found in Brandon’s office.
“Someone is unlocking it…a man, from the hands. He’s sorting through the files…Wait, he’s stopping, pulling one out…Lala Falat.”
Lexie started. Seeing Bray’s eyes come back into focus as if he’d just come out of a trance, she said, “Lala Falat is one of the women whose kidney was taken. She died later, of complications.” And her fiancé had plotted revenge against Brandon. “Did you see any of the other names?”
Christmas Delivery Page 9
