Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1)
Page 26
The thought of him not paying for his crimes caused an uncontrollable shiver. She pressed a hand to her churning stomach. Josh took the tablet and skimmed over the addresses. “Do you recognize any of these addresses?”
After a quick glance at the scribbles, she replied, “The first one was once an old produce warehouse. It’s been empty for years.” Beth and her sisters had gone to the warehouse many times with her father when she was a little girl to sell produce. It closed after the farmers’ market was started. “It will be easy enough to check out if they are meth labs. We’ll know by the end of the day if he is lying.”
“I’m not lying. Go to the locations, see for yourself.” A spark of fear in his eyes, he continued, “I don’t guess I have to tell you how important it is you only divulge where you got this information to your Uncle Tate. If the man at the top discovers I have talked to the FBI, my life won’t be worth a hill of beans.” With a wary glance at the two-way mirror, he continued, “I don’t feel safe. I don’t know who I can trust.”
“You should have trust issues. Your son had two of your own deputies on his payroll. If you can’t trust your own men, who can you trust?”
“If word gets out that I’m even talking to you, I’ll end up with a shank in my back.” Sweat pearled on his forehead. “Most of the men on my cell block are in for life. If given the order, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill me. They have nothing to lose.”
Beth and Josh exchanged a look as they both stood. She could see the worry on his face knowing Collins could be killed before they got the name of the man responsible for the so called meth labs. “I’ll make arrangements for you to be moved to the jail while we check out your information. You’ll be safe there.”
She let Josh keep the tablet. There wasn’t anything she could do for Matthew. Only Josh would be able to get the information to his Uncle Tate who was a director for the FBI. He tucked his arm into hers and led her from the room. The guard stood at the door waiting for them. “Please keep Mr. Collins company while I make arrangements for him to be transferred to the jail.”
Josh cocked his head to the side. “I’m going to drop off these addresses at my uncle’s office and then how about having lunch with me?”
She met his gaze and felt that unwanted heat again. “You saw that stack of files on my desk. I don’t have time for lunch.”
“Nonsense, you need to eat.” He took her arm and propelled her down the narrow hall.
****
The diner was a cozy structure with bare beams crisscrossing a high ceiling. A couple of waitresses bustled from table to table waiting on the lunch crowd. Four, loud young men sat at the counter flirting outrageously with one of the waitresses. Tight jeans, revealing shirt, she enjoyed the attention. The laughter and talking faded into the background as she focused on Josh.
He took off his jacket, tossed it over the back of the chair next to him. Sitting across from him, Beth was struck not only by how handsome he was but also by his confidence. “Do you come here often?”
“When I’m in the area. The burgers are spectacular. It’s kind of a meeting place for FBI agents and members of law enforcement.” His eyes zeroed in on her jacket. “I love that suit. Peach is your color.”
“Thank you.” She had to bite her tongue to keep from giggling. Just the word peach sounded humorous coming from a tough, rugged man. For him to even know her suit’s color was peach was surprising. He seemed so macho.
The waitress handed them menus. With a quick toss of her hair she raked her eyes over him. “What can I get you to drink, Josh?” Without even looking in Beth’s direction, the waitress kept her eyes on him.
“Sweet tea, Kim.”
“I’ll also have sweet tea. We’re in a hurry. Can you please take our entrée order? I’ll have the chef salad with light dressing.”
Josh handed Kim his menu. “I’ll have a cheeseburger with the works.”
She smiled as she wrote on her pad. “The usual.” She dropped her hands by her side. “I haven’t seen you lately.”
“I’ve been busy.”
Feeling a little jealous, Beth tapped her fingers on the table. She wondered if he had been intimate with Kim. The moment she left, he peered at her. “Congratulations on your new job.”
“You too, Special FBI Agent Josh Wilson. I guess your help in taking down Randal’s crew opened a lot of doors. I’m sure you’re a great agent.”
Then the conversation changed. “Heard you’re going to be working on the Chase Powers’ case. I can’t believe you are going to be defending that low life.”
“I just got the file today. Who told you I was sitting second chair?”She began to look uncomfortable and cleared her throat several times. “How can you possibly know?”
“I’m assisting with Kathy Lassiter’s case. She is scared to death of Powers. She’s afraid he’s going to discover the location of the safe house where we are keeping her and her fiancé and have them killed. With their testimonies he’s sure to get the needle.”
Kim returned and neither said a word as she placed their drinks on the table. She propped the tray on her hip. “Your entrees will be out in a few minutes. I told the cook to put a rush on them.” She twirled a lock of blond hair around her finger as she gave Josh a long look.
“Thanks, honey.” When he said no more, she rushed off toward the kitchen.
Josh took a sip of tea. The glass looked fragile in his strong hand as he tipped it to his sensual lips. “Not even close. No one can brew sweet tea as well as Maria.”
Beth lifted the glass and took a sip. “You’re right, not even close.”
“Nina has a big heart. I fear to think what might have happened to Maria and Juan if she hadn’t taken them in.”
Maria Rodriguez was Grant and Nina’s housekeeper and cook. Maria and her son Juan had come to live with Nina after her husband was killed in a home invasion. “I don’t know what Nina would have done without them after our parents’ deaths. They needed each other. Maria and Juan are family.”
His face shifted to a more serious look. “Now back to Powers. The man did it. We have him left to right. How can you defend him?”
“In this country everyone is entitled to a defense, doesn’t matter if they are good or bad. I’ll give Powers the best defense I’m capable of.” She took a deep fortifying breath. She didn’t care to hear his opinion on the subject.
“The man’s a murderer. Deep down I know he has committed multiple murders. I am checking into other crime scenes where the killer used a knife. I hope to prove he is a professional hit man.”
Before Josh had time to continue his conversation, Beth interrupted, “I shouldn’t be discussing the case with you. I haven’t even had time to study the file. Besides I think you’ve heard of something called client confidentiality. Let’s talk about something else, something more pleasant.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “Why don’t we talk about us?”
She jerked her hand away. “There is no us.” She took a long swallow of tea.
“I beg to differ. I know you feel the electricity between us. I don’t know why you pretend you don’t feel it.”
On several occasions Josh had made passes at her, but she never took him serious. Had always considered it harmless flirting. Now she wasn’t so sure. She tried to keep her voice cool and careless. “Maybe because I don’t feel there is anything between us.”
“Come on, Beth. Admit you feel the sexual tension. Let me come over tonight and we’ll just let nature take its course.”
Her eyes searched his face wondering if he was just toying with her. “As compelling as that sounds, no. Is this the line you use to pick-up dates? You sound like a horny teenager.” She fluttered her lashes as if flirting with him. “Surely, you can do better than that. Give me another Josh Wilson line that makes women melt in your arms.” Beneath her calm exterior she was fantasizing what it would be like if she took him up on his offer.
Josh laughed. “That
’s my best one. I guess I’m not as suave as you think.”
Thankfully Kim brought their plates and Beth hoped that would be the end of their conversation about sex. Beth acknowledged her. “Everything looks lovely. Thank you.”
“Let me know if I can get you anything else.”
Josh leaned back in his chair and never took his eyes off Beth. A little nervous she began to squirm. The moment Kim disappeared into the kitchen, he asked, “You don’t have casual sex?”
She spread her napkin in her lap. “I have had my share of casual sex. That’s about all I had time for in law school. Now I am looking for something more permanent. I don’t mean I’m looking for a husband, far from it. I’m just looking for someone to share my life. I crave a relationship that will last longer than two weeks.” She speared some lettuce and pointed her fork at him. “I don’t think you fit the bill. You’re a man for enjoying and then moving on.” Again she tried to read his face but couldn’t.
“What makes you think I can’t be serious?” He popped a french-fry into his mouth and she watched his sensual mouth as he chewed. She became warm all over as memories of the dream she had that very morning surfaced.
“How many relationships have you had that lasted longer than a month?”
He started counting on his fingers. With a humorous look he stated, “None.”
“I rest my case. Besides, if we become intimate, it would be awkward at the family functions. Especially if the affair continued for a while and then ended ugly.”
His smile turned sultry. “That’s the difference between us. I never let it end ugly. Most of my dates end up being long time friends.”
“Sorry, but I don’t believe you. You are much too handsome and debonair for the ladies not to fall head over heels for you. I bet you have broken many a heart but you won’t break mine. I know better than to sleep with tigers in sheep’s clothing.”
A smile all but exploded across his face. He reached across the table, pulled her hand to his lips, and kissed the palm. She let out a deep breath. Desire showed in his eyes. “Think about it, Beth. I feel it’d be spectacular.” She looked into his eyes, stunned by the powerful chemistry that burned between them. Yes, it would be spectacular, but also heartbreaking.
Other Books by Teresa Greene:
Sutton and McDonald Series:
Love Me Again
Wildflowers
The Painted Rock
Savage Secret
Harris Family Trilogy:
Desperate
The Shadow
Sultry Texas Nights
Twelve Oaks Farm Series:
Whispers of the Falls
Shadows of the Falls
Secrets of the Falls
Blood of the Falls
About The Author:
When Teresa Greene is not writing, she loves to spend time with her family. She loves to ride her ATV through the trails near her country home with her husband and three beautiful granddaughters Lilly, Kara, and Sadie. Pets are also a big part of her life. She has a dog named Scrub, a cat named Slick, and a horse, Jake which she adores.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Other Books by Teresa Greene
About The Author: