Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One)

by Huffert, Barbara

  “Stole your money?”

  “No, sir,” Jordan spoke. “I merely had his funds frozen to prevent him from leaving before we had a chance to talk.”

  “Hmm, interesting.” Samuels considered them. “Winslow, I believe Mr. McKade did the appropriate thing. I believe you tried to ruin an innocent woman, perhaps because she favored Mr. McKade over you or perhaps to get back at him for turning you away. I suspect, had you accessed your account this afternoon, you would have run in order to escape the debt we all know you owe me. You also would have done the same with Bo, who I know did not appreciate the way you involved him in your despicable ploy. In my opinion, any of these things individually would be too serious to overlook. The fact that you are guilty of the lot makes certain consequences unavoidable. However, I feel I must take into consideration the wishes of the lady in question. Mr. McKade, what does your Miss Fisher see as the ideal outcome today?”

  “Mr. Samuels, Kiley would prefer for Winslow to leave the area. She also wished for a way to ensure he’ll never try anything similar again. I should add that Kiley doesn’t know the extent to which he has taken advantage of many of the female patrons at Mr. Paul’s, the restaurant where she works.”

  “Winslow, you are certainly the luckiest bastard I ever met.” Samuels was quiet. “Detective, is there any chance of you being corruptible?”

  “No, sir, absolutely none.”

  “Mr. McKade, I won’t bother asking you. Since I’m not one of your clients, I already know the answer to that. Does this trash have enough to cover his debts?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Would he have anything left?”

  “About ten thousand dollars.”

  “All right, Winslow here’s the deal. You pay up, both Bo and myself. You give my wife five thousand dollars to donate to the rape crisis center where she volunteers. You use the rest to leave town. You have three days. If you’re still here or if you ever come back, I assure you I will deal with you. I have many friends and I will use them to keep an eye on you. If I hear of you pulling another stunt like you attempted here, I will take it personally and I will deal with you. As I will if I ever have any indication that you have returned to the same method of enhancing your cash flow. Do you understand the gift you’ve been given by Miss Fisher?”

  “Yes, Mr. Samuels.”

  “Have I made myself clear? I’d hate to find there’s been a misunderstanding about something I said.”

  “I understand.”

  “Any objections, Mr. McKade?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to discuss this with Miss Fisher?”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure she’ll be pleased.”

  “Detective?”

  “You’re being more generous than he deserves. Thank you, sir.”

  “Good. Mr. McKade, how much time will you require to restore his account?”

  “I can arrange it instantly if you’ll permit me to make a call.”

  Samuels nodded.

  “It’s me. Do you know where I am? That’s right. Go ahead and release it. Great thanks. It’s done.”

  Samuels raised an eyebrow. “Vincent, accompany Winslow to the bank. If there’s any trouble… Let’s just say there better not be any trouble.” Vincent motioned for Malcolm to leave but Samuels stopped him. “Three days, Winslow.”

  When he was alone with the brothers, he said, “Such a shame. What I wouldn’t give to have you two in my pocket. The loyalty you’ve shown here is hard to come by. Unfortunately, that same loyalty prevents me from using this visit to my advantage. Your credibility will not be compromised by me or anyone in my employ.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Samuels but that was never a consideration,” Jordan stated sincerely.

  “I suppose not. You wouldn’t be willing to share your account controller?”

  “No, I couldn’t possibly do that.” Jordan grinned.

  “As I expected. Mr. McKade, it’s been a treat meeting you even in such unfortunate circumstances. I am glad you were there for your lady but I assure you, Vincent would have kept her from further harm. Give her my regards and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness as I’ve had with my wife. Detective, it is a rare privilege, having you in my home.”

  “The privilege is mine, Mr. Samuels. I wish you were in a different line of work. I’d like to know you better.”

  “I share your opinion. Perhaps after I retire? For now, I’ll guarantee you that if Winslow returns, you won’t know about it.”

  “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” Shane found himself grinning along with Jordan. “We’ve taken up enough of your time. Jordan?”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Kiley, it’s over. Everything’s fine now.”

  “That’s good, Jordan. You just missed Brett.”

  “Hey, are you okay?” Jordan didn’t like the sound of her voice.

  “Yes, thanks. You’d better hurry so you make your meeting.”

  “Brett can handle it. I’d rather see you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You worked very hard to organize whatever this is. I told you, I’m fine. Besides, I’m still working so you just go on with Brett.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” When he didn’t respond, she said, “Just go, okay? I want you to.”

  “All right but I’ll see you as soon as we conclude our business.”

  “Fine. Goodbye, Jordan.” She hung up before he could say more.

  “Something’s wrong,” Jordan told Shane.

  “She’ll be fine once she sees you. She was pretty quiet earlier after she and Brett saw you and Winslow get in the car with Vincent. She’s probably still stressed.”

  “Maybe but it feels bigger than that. She said goodbye like it was final.”

  “Come off it, Jordan. You’re imagining things. You have to be a little stressed yourself, between Winslow and this big meeting of yours.”

  “I guess.” They were back at Jordan’s car. “Shane, thanks for coming. You know I would have been fine on my own but thanks anyway.”

  “Don’t mention it, kid. That’s what brothers are for. You were very impressive, by the way. Is that what you’re like when you’re doing business?”

  “Nope, that was me bluffing and hoping it worked out okay. I have much more confidence in business settings.”

  “No wonder I’ve heard that you’re frightening with the way you’re so far beyond cool. If that was you without confidence, you must be extremely intimidating with it.”

  “It’s just a job. I’ve heard you’re very impressive when you’re in action too. Jesse says you’re something to see.”

  “I’d like to meet that guy. Brian told us about your altercation with Winslow and Brett explained how you’ve been working out with Jesse.”

  “Yeah, every now and then when we have some time. I’ll see what he says. He and the others like to stay low-key. They can be hard to find when they want to be.”

  “You’re sure they’re the good guys?”

  “Yes, Shane. What happened to you trusting my judgment?”

  “I do but, as your big brother, I reserve the right to question it too.”

  “Fine. I guess that means that, as your little brother, I reserve the right to make you wonder sometimes. I’ll give you a call tomorrow to set something up so I can tell you about this meeting.”

  “I’m still not sure if I’m ready to know but I’ll see you then.”

  * * * * *

  “Mrs. Brown, gentlemen, thank you for coming.” Jordan arrived just as Brett ushered the others into his conference room.

  Two and a half hours later, everyone except Brett, Sadie and Jordan left.

  “Well boys, it seems that we’re in business.”

  “Was there any doubt, Sadie?” Brett asked. “You know Jordan was determined and when he is, there’s no stopping him.”

  “Another month or so and all the paperwork will be filed. Then we can get things headed
in the right direction,” Jordan commented. “Shall we go celebrate?”

  “Look at him, Miss Sadie, trying so hard to seem like he really wants to,” Brett teased. “Jordan, why don’t you just take off? I can fill Sadie in on everything that’s been going on.”

  “But this is a big day for us,” Jordan protested.

  “It’s a bigger day for you. I think Kiley needs you more right now than we do. She was pretty freaked by all of that earlier.”

  “Shane mentioned that she was withdrawn when he left you.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s how she was dealing with it. In the car on the way to the station, she was panicked and worried. I had to restrain her when we pulled up. When she saw you with Vincent, I tried to tell her you weren’t as cool and collected as you seemed. Then, when Shane’s buddy kept going on about you and Winslow, it was like she flipped a switch. She got very distant and polite. All afternoon, it seemed like she was on autopilot or something.”

  “That’s how she sounded when I called. She said she was working and would prefer that I come here instead of going to her.”

  “Boys, it’s very rude to carry on a conversation and deliberately exclude others present. What’s going on?” Sadie scowled at them.

  “Sorry, Miss Sadie. I—” Jordan began to explain but Brett interrupted.

  “Jordan here had a very busy few days, which I will tell you all about over dinner. But our friend needs to go now because he has some pressing personal business. We’ll get together this weekend with Kiley and Shane to celebrate. Maybe Dee and Will too if you agree, Miss Sadie but we’ll discuss that later. Jordan, would you just get out of here already?”

  “Miss Sadie?”

  “Go on, boy. The playboy will take good care of me.” She waved him away. “Brett, you’d better tell me everything.”

  “I will but let’s wait until we get to the restaurant. It’s quite a story and not a short one. I promise you’ll love it.”

  * * * * *

  Kiley’s body was very stiff when Jordan embraced her. She avoided meeting his eyes when he greeted her. When he kissed her, she was unresponsive and pulled away as quickly as possible.

  “What’s wrong, Kiley? Everything with Winslow is really over. It’s fine. We can put it behind us now.” Jordan didn’t understand why she was keeping her distance.

  “Was your meeting successful?” She ignored his question.

  “Very.” He stared as she moved so the table was between them. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She still refused to look at him. “Want some coffee?”

  “No.” Jordan took a step toward her, which Kiley countered with another step around the table. “Why won’t you look at me? You tried to avoid kissing me and you barely tolerated my touch.”

  Kiley stalled by sitting. “Well, I’ve been thinking.” She fiddled nervously with the placemat.

  “And?”

  “Well…um…we really don’t know each other all that well.”

  “I know you.”

  “Oh. Okay but I don’t think I know you. Not really. Not at all.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I don’t think we’re right for each other.”

  Jordan let the silence stretch. “Look at me, Kiley.” Finally, she did. “Would you please explain what’s changed since this morning? You do remember this morning? We were both in your bed, naked, in each other’s arms. You said you were falling in love with me.”

  “I was wrong. You’re a handsome man who paid some attention to me. I’m not used to that. It was lust. That’s all.”

  “You think what we shared was just sex? I don’t believe you. It was more than that and we both know it.”

  “No, I don’t. It was great sex but that’s it.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “What’s to understand? You have an incredibly sexy voice and I wanted your body. I’ve had it and I’m done now. It’s time to move on. Don’t make more out of this than it was. I do appreciate your help and everything. I mean, I’m grateful…” She shrugged.

  “You’re grateful? You appreciated my help? It’s time to move on? Kiley, why are you doing this?” Jordan felt his emotions spiraling out of control. “If you honestly believe you don’t know me well enough, then spend more time with me. I told you I’d back off and give you space if you need it. I told you I’d wait until you are ready.”

  “You’re not listening to me, Jordan. I don’t need time. I don’t want to know you any better. I know all I need to in order to realize that you’re not someone I want to be around.”

  “Why? What did I do? When I left this morning you sounded like you couldn’t wait to see me at lunch. You seemed happy me when I got there. I don’t believe you were acting.”

  “Do I need to spell this out to you?” She sounded annoyed.

  “Frankly, yes. I wish you would because I can’t accept this.”

  “Fine. You’re not who I thought you were.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “I saw you. Outside the police station. You were enjoying yourself. Malcolm was beaten to a pulp and you were happy-go-lucky, just chattering away. It seemed like a game to you, like you were getting a kick out of it. I bet you actually had fun while you were hitting him.”

  “I don’t believe this!”

  “Well neither did I. I was so wrong about you and now I’d like you to leave.”

  Jordan sat, staring at her. Did she really believe what she had just said? She couldn’t honestly be tossing him out of her life without letting him explain what happened. She couldn’t possibly mean it when she said she didn’t want to spend more time with him. It hadn’t been just about sex and lust. “Kiley…” He searched for something to say but suddenly his mind was only capable of screaming “No”. No other words would come out.

  “I want you to go now, Jordan. I don’t want you here.” Kiley stood and walked to the door. She opened it and waited. “Now. Get out.”

  Jordan’s heart was breaking as he rose. For a moment, he just looked at her helplessly. “Please,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Can’t we talk about this?”

  “I have nothing more to say to you.”

  Jordan was next to her, searching her face for any indication that she would change her mind. “I love you, Kiley.”

  “That’s unfortunate, Jordan.”

  “That’s all you have to say?”

  “There’s nothing else. Goodbye, Jordan.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Brett was pleased. After dinner with Sadie, he put the finishing touches on the sketch of Jordan and Kiley. Occasionally, he felt he captured exactly what he was trying for and this was one of those rare instances. The expressions in his drawing looked just as they had when the pair sat in his kitchen. While he was framing it, he decided to give it to both of them as a joint present to show his acceptance of their togetherness. Brett realized as he wrapped the picture that he had started thinking of Kiley as part of their group. She had been right. All he’d needed to do was give her a chance. She hadn’t been with Jordan all that long but his friend had never been happier in his life. It was a different kind of happy, calm and settled, peaceful even. And yet, at the same time, he was also ecstatic beyond belief. Being in love definitely suited Jordan. And now that the whole mess with Winslow was resolved it was only a matter of time before Kiley accepted Jordan’s belief in a grand cosmic scheme in which they were destined to be together forever now that they’d finally found each other.

  Brett made sure he arrived at Mr. Paul’s before Jordan. He took off his jacket and draped it over the picture just outside. Kiley would probably guess what it was but he saw he was in luck. She was busy across the room so he could hide it under the table before she noticed him.

  Kiley turned just as Brett sat down. She froze like a deer caught in headlights. Dee was watching and came to her rescue. “Hey, Brett. I’m a little surprised to see you today.”

  “Where else
would I be?” He saw her tense. “What’s up, Dee? You really look shocked.”

  “Honestly I am, what with Kiley ending it with Jordan last night.”

  “What?” Brett jumped to his feet.

  “Didn’t he tell you?”

  “Oh my God, she didn’t…she couldn’t…” He yanked on his coat. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. She won’t say anything other than it was a mistake and it’s over.”

  “Son of a bitch! Damn her!” Brett stormed away from Dee. At the door, he paused and fixed a glare on Kiley before stomping out.

  Kiley was still frozen. Jordan hadn’t called his best friend? What did that mean? She thought they shared everything. She’d been positive he’d go to Brett’s after she made him leave. Why hadn’t he? What had he done instead? Once Brett finally released her eyes, she didn’t know which was worse, the shock and disbelief she’d seen on his face or the hatred. His expression was so cold and hard. She knew he was thinking that he’d been right. He hadn’t trusted her with his friend’s heart. He’d been so sure she was out to hurt him and that’s exactly what had happened.

  For the zillionth time, Kiley asked herself what she’d done. She loved Jordan. She knew it even when she’d been telling him to go. Somehow the ridiculous doubts that had started outside the police station had mushroomed until she lost touch with her heart, not to mention her mind. She’d heard herself accusing Jordan of enjoying the way he’d hurt Malcolm and hadn’t been able to stop herself.

  Now, seeing Brett only made Kiley more certain of how wrong she’d been. Jordan hit Malcolm to defend himself. He’d gotten into that car to protect her, not because he’d wanted to. Jordan wasn’t the monster her fears had twisted him into. If anything, she was the monster. She took the selfless love offered by a truly good man and turned it into something sordid and ugly. She threw it back in his face and refused to talk to him. She hadn’t even shown him any common courtesy or decency to listen when he tried to explain what had happened with Malcolm. Instead, she’d made it sound like she’d had sex with him just so he’d help her out of that situation and once he had, she considered the return favor complete. How he must hate her!