Ties That Bind

by Anne Patrick

  He searched the room for somewhere to sit. The place was a mess. Field reports, autopsy notes, and crime scene photos were scattered across the beds, on the table, and in the chairs.

  "My guess is he has someone on the inside," Jo spoke into the phone. "This guy isn't smart enough to pull these jobs by himself. He has minimal education and he's very insecure…I will…Yeah, but I can handle it. Okay, I'll see you Monday. You too."

  "Everything okay?" Austin asked the moment she hung up.

  "Uh huh." She cleared a spot on the bed for him to sit.

  "You're not leaving are you?" he asked, surprised by the panic in his voice.

  "Just for a couple of days. We're wrapping up another case back in Virginia. I leave on Monday, but should be back by Wednesday."

  "Is that what all this is?" Austin glanced around the room.

  "No, this is your case. What can I say? I'm a terrible housekeeper."

  Her mood seemed lighter now. He was glad Pendergrass hadn't totally screwed up her day.

  Deputy Pendergrass had returned to the station just as Austin was leaving and judging from his expression, and the shape of his uniform, he hadn't had a good time. As it turned out, all the tarps purchased in the county were being used on farms, anything from a cover for a lawn mower to lining the dog pen for a pair of Border Collies. Hopefully, Pendergrass would think twice before opening his big mouth next time.

  "So, what brings you by?" Jo cleared a spot to sit on the other bed.

  "First off, I want to apologize for my deputy. He can be a jerk sometimes…well, actually most of the time."

  She smiled but didn't offer a response.

  "I hope you're not going to let him run you off."

  "I don't run off that easily."

  "Good, because I think we've ID'd another victim." He handed her the information Detective Kramer had faxed him.

  "Great." She began to look through the file.

  The thought of Jo leaving bothered Austin more than he expected. He was just getting to know her. He thought of her phone call again. Whoever she'd been talking to, he sensed it was as much a personal call as professional.

  "The case you're wrapping up back home, is that the one you were discussing on the phone?" he asked, and when she shot him a curious look, he grinned. "Yeah, I was eavesdropping."

  "The case I was discussing on the phone is actually my supervisory agent's case. He wanted a second opinion on a series of holdups of armed transport trucks. I think he does it to keep me on my toes. He knows I love the challenge."

  "You seem to have a close relationship with him? How long have the two of you worked together?"

  "Since the beginning of my career. Isaac is the one who recruited me. And, yes, we have a good working relationship."

  He was surprised at the relief he felt as she stressed the working part. No doubt she knew where his questions were leading. He recalled the conversation he'd had with Agent Washington. "He's African-American, isn't he?"

  She nodded. "That may be why we connected so well professionally. We both know the effects of discrimination. It hasn't been easy for either of us."

  "No, I don't imagine." He glanced around at the messy room. "So, have you been able to come up with anything else for me?"

  "I hadn't until you brought me this file. This woman was a plastic surgeon with her own practice. Are you starting to notice a pattern forming here?"

  "They're all businesswomen."

  "With strong personalities," Jo added.

  "Seems our man has a problem with strong women."

  "At this point, it's only speculation. We haven't positively identified any of the victims yet."

  "So what you're telling me is that I'm leaving here empty-handed?"

  She shot him a brilliant smile. "I'm not risking my reputation on an incomplete profile, Austin, not even for you. Remember what I told you about being patient?"

  He gave a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I remember."

  "So, are you going to give me a lift to Slim's cookout tomorrow afternoon, or am I going to have to drive the green bomb?"

  "You realize, if we show up together, people are liable to talk?"

  "I'm willing to risk it if you are?"

  "Okay. We'll be by around four o'clock."

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Jo was dressed in khaki shorts and a purple sleeveless blouse when Austin and Bailey arrived to pick her up the following afternoon. Bailey jumped out of the passenger side of the Jeep Cherokee to climb into the back seat before Jo could even think of protesting.

  "Please tell me that isn't your car," Bailey teased, once Jo climbed in beside Austin.

  Jo followed her gaze to the green sedan parked in front of her motel room. "No, that's what I got stuck with when your father failed to pick me up at the airport the day I arrived."

  They all laughed.

  When they got to Slim's, Jo was momentarily alarmed by the crowd of more than twenty people.

  Austin immediately picked up on her apprehension. "You okay?"

  She blew out a long sigh. "I was hoping it was going to be a small gathering of co-workers. I'd forgotten how much Slim likes to throw a party." Her anxiety grew at the sight of her brother and his family arriving right behind them. "And he didn't mention that my brother was going to be here."

  As if on cue, her brother Billy turned and glanced her way, his smile fading at the sight of her. It wasn't but a few seconds until his two children tore loose of his wife's hand and came running toward them hollering Bailey's name. Jo watched in amusement as Bailey knelt and greeted the kids with hugs. "Bailey babysits afterschool and on weekends sometimes," Austin explained.

  Jo's smile lingered as she watched her young niece and nephew steal Bailey away from them, prodding her in the direction of a game of tag going on with the other small children. She couldn't help the sense of jealousy that came over her at the sight. Then she realized they probably didn't even know who she was.

  If it hadn't been for the photos Billy had sent off his family over the years, she wouldn't have even recognized them, and she doubted they knew much, if anything, about their aunt from Virginia.

  Jo continued to watch her niece and nephew with Bailey. The little girl was eight and the boy four, she concluded after doing the math from the last letter and photo she'd received two years ago. Ashley was a tomboy and just like Jo had been, a daddy's girl. Bryce had been a sickly baby, but judging from the looks of him now, had the energy and spunk of any normal kid his age.

  Austin leaned towards her. "We can leave if you want."

  Jo smiled at his offer and considered it only briefly. "Claremont's a small town, we're bound to run into one another while I'm here. Surely we can get through a couple of hours of being civil."

  Two hours into the cookout Jo was glad she'd stayed. She had managed to keep her distance from her brother and his family and visited with people she hadn't seen since she left Claremont ten years ago. Many, friends of her parents, had mentioned her mother and asked if she'd had a chance to visit with her yet. Jo had conveniently used the excuse that she'd been too busy as of yet, but that she planned to soon.

  Austin, her knight in shining armor, had refused to leave her side, either out of fear she might duck out without him or worse, start something with her brother. It wasn't until after they'd eaten that she finally managed to convince him that she was fine and he should feel free to mingle with his friends and co-workers. Jo was careful not to lose sight of him, though, just in case the need arose when she felt an escape was imminent.

  Jo had been quick to notice the nice physique the town sheriff boasted in the absence of his usual khaki uniform. The blue muscle shirt exposed his broad shoulders and bulging biceps while his jean shorts gave a nice view of his muscular legs. All in all, he was a fine specimen of the opposite sex. As she glanced around at the other women present, whose eyes roamed his way off and on, she realized she wasn't the only woman who'd come to that conclusion.

  Austin's behavio
r this week had both surprised and amused her, and a few times angered her. The curious interest in her supernatural talent seemed to be evolving into something a little more personal, and the more time they spent in one another's company the more Jo found herself drawn to him. With similar personalities and interests they were seldom at a loss for words.

  It wasn't until yesterday when he'd showed up at her motel room, that she got the feeling it was more than professional courtesy at work between them. His interest in the relationship she had with her boss had been almost comical, his attraction never more obvious. His behavior had come as a relief. There'd been more than one occasion since her arrival that she'd found herself fantasizing what it might be like to have this man kiss her.

  'Keep focused, Jo,' she chastised, reminding herself of the reason she'd come to Claremont.

  It was with that thought she glanced up, and through a small gathering of people, met Austin's gaze.

  *****

  A smile formed on Austin's lips at the sight of Jo glancing away, seemingly embarrassed at having been caught watching him. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed her attention and he found himself relieved the attraction wasn't one-sided.

  He'd been watching her as well the past two hours, glad she hadn't taken him up on his offer to leave. He could only imagine the discomfort she felt at her brother's presence and found himself wishing there was something he could do to mend the relationship with her family. With his own parents and siblings being scattered throughout the country, he understood the loneliness she must feel at times.

  Throughout the day he'd paid keen attention to the way she interacted with long lost friends and acquaintances, and found himself envious of her outgoing personality. Though he was far from being shy, he'd often found it hard to make new friends outside of church, and found himself wondering if he was just being too cynical. Either way, it seemed she was having a good time and he was glad.

  "Good evening, Sheriff."

  He turned at the familiar voice to see Billy McDaniels heading toward him. "Hi, Billy. Enjoying the cookout?"

  "One thing about Slim, he knows how to throw a party."

  Austin glanced around and noticed everyone seemed to be having a good time. "That he does," he agreed. "Your sister even seems to be enjoying herself."

  "Yeah, she always was the life of the party."

  He figured Billy was referring to the half-dozen men gathered around her. "She's an interesting woman to talk to," Austin said in her defense. "Not to mention attractive." He doubted her personality wasn't all that had attracted them to her.

  "She shouldn't have come back here."

  Austin turned at his words. "That's not a kind thing to say about your own sister."

  "You don't know her as well as I do, Sheriff. She manipulates people to get what she wants. She always has."

  "Don't you think you're being a little hard on her? I mean, she did come here to help us."

  "She came here because she had to because it's her job."

  "You don't believe that anymore than I do." Austin suspected the reason she hadn't declined the case had more to do with her family than the need to solve the murders.

  "You seem to be getting to know my sister pretty well, Sheriff."

  Austin met his curious gaze. "Not as well as I'd like to," he admitted. "She's a remarkable woman, your sister. She's saved a lot of lives with what she does, with little thought to her own well being. Whether you realize it or not, the method she uses, the process she must go through to do what she does, it's very taxing, both mentally and physically."

  "Well, let me give you fair warning, Sheriff. Exceptional talent aside, my sister is a no-nonsense kinda gal. So if you want to save yourself some heartache, I'd advise against getting too involved with her because she will break your heart."

  "Have you ever stopped to think that maybe the reason she stays away is because she doesn't feel welcomed here, that her own family doesn't understand or support her? Granted. I haven't known your sister as long as you have. I have seen what she goes through in the course of her work, and how dedicated she is to it. Maybe if you'd take the time to get to know the real Jo McDaniels, she wouldn't feel the need to alienate herself from you."

  "I understand Jo a lot better than you think. She's just like my father was so consumed by her job that nothing else matters. Ask her sometime how many school plays or sports events her dad came to see her in, or how many meals she actually shared with him. Not that it ever bothered her any, she always took up for him, made excuses for him."

  Austin didn't bother to reply. He knew it'd be useless to continue to argue with him. It was obvious Jo wasn't the only problem. Apparently their father had been a contributing factor in her brother's resentment.

  Billy shrugged his shoulders. "If you don't believe me, ask her if she's taken the time to go see her own mother."

  *****

  Jo, having her fill at reminiscing the good old days, contemplated hunting down Austin, to beg him to get her out of there. But before she could act on that notion she was approached by her niece. Her beautiful locks of dark auburn hair reminded Jo of herself when she was younger.

  "My daddy says you're my aunt, but that you're a little crazy so we shouldn't bother you. Is that true?"

  Jo glanced through the crowd and saw her brother engaged in conversation with Austin. She knelt down to where she was eye level with the child. "It's true, I am your aunt. As far as my sanity, well, the jury is still out on that one."

  "Sorry about that."

  Jo turned on her heels and smiled in recognition of the pretty brunette. From the looks of her bulging stomach her sister-in-law could deliver at any time.

  "Joanna, isn't it?" Mariah extended her hand.

  Jo stood and shook it. "Everyone calls me Jo." Though she'd seen many photographs and they'd visited often on the phone through the years, this was the first time they'd met in person. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face, Mariah, and the inquisitive one here must be Ashley?" She peered down at the little girl. "You're as pretty in person as in the photos your daddy sent."

  "What do you say, Ashley?"

  "Thank you, and thanks for the cards and money you send at Christmas and on my birthday. I put it in my piggy bank. Daddy says when I get enough; maybe we can come and visit you. He says you live far away though, on the other side of the country."

  "Yes, I do live pretty far away."

  "Daddy says you have an important job with the government. Is that what makes you crazy?"

  "Ashley!" Mariah scolded. But when Jo laughed, she joined in. "I'm afraid she's at that age where she has to repeat everything she hears. She got her mouth washed out twice last week for repeating curse words she'd heard at school."

  "Been there and done that." Jo knelt and took the young girl's hand in hers. "I bet your grandma Liz went through a case of soap on me alone by the time I was thirteen."

  "She uses Ivory, though. It doesn't taste as bad as some of the others," Ashley replied, and the women laughed.

  "Why don't you go and rescue Bailey from your brother," Mariah suggested. "Lord knows he's probably recited every story he's heard since he last saw her."

  "Okay." Ashley then gave Jo an unexpected hug. "I don't think you're crazy, Aunt Jo," she whispered.

  Jo smiled after the little girl, the child's actions prompting tears. "She's a bright kid," she said upon rising.

  "Billy says she's the spitting image of you when you were little."

  "I bet that scares you."

  Mariah smiled. "Not at all. We're all very proud of you, Jo."

  "Oh really? Somehow I doubt that, seeing as how my brother has been telling his kids I'm crazy."

  "Maybe it's because he doesn't want them to be hurt the way he was."

  "My absence wasn't entirely my fault. My father practically disowned me, what was I supposed to do?"

  "You're father made a foolish mistake, one he regretted till the day he died. Billy never did anythi
ng to you, but try and love you."

  "If you want to believe his version of the story that's your prerogative, but I've done nothing to be ashamed of and I sure don't deserve being treated like the family psycho."

  "Come on, Mariah, we're leaving."

  Jo turned to see her brother coming towards them, and he didn't look happy. His glare settled on her. "You know you two deserve one another."

  Jo glanced up to see Austin in the background. As she met his gaze, he shrugged his shoulders.

  "Billy, it's still early and the kids are having fun," Mariah protested.

  "They can have fun at home, now come on."

  "No, Billy. You're being childish. She's your sister for goodness sake."

  "This woman isn't my sister," he yelled, his voice hard and unsteady. "This woman is nothing but a cold-hearted—"

  "Billy, please, you're making a scene." Mariah's face took on a red tint as she glanced around the yard.

  Jo fought off the urge to slap her brother, to inflict as much pain as his words had caused her. Instead she stepped forward calmly and took Mariah's hand, "Maybe you better take him home."

  "I'm sorry, Jo."

  "Don't you dare apologize to her."

  "Stop it, Billy." Mariah turned loose from Jo's hand and took her husband's. "That's enough! The children can hear you."

  "Are you coming with me or not?"

  "Yes, Billy, I'm coming with you. Just let me get the kids. Wait for us in the car." Then turning to Jo, she said, "I'll talk to you later."

  "Oh no you won't, I don't want my kids anywhere near her. She's crazy."

  "Yeah, well right now, you're the one who's acting crazy."

  "Do what you want, I'm leaving."

  Jo stared after her brother, watching as he made his way toward the front of the house.

  Austin walked over, smiling. "I thought you said your family wasn't dysfunctional?"

  "Things change." Jo barely managed a smile, pretending the scene had little effect on her. She glanced over at her sister-in-law. "Is it just me, or is he always this belligerent?"

  "I don't know what's gotten into him lately. He's under a lot of stress at work, maybe that's it. This time of the year, business is slow and money is tight."