Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “She likes to read,” James answered. “She’s quiet a lot of the time. She often likes to go to her studio and paint by herself, too. Sometimes she allows me to go with her, but most of the time she prefers to work alone and then show me the finished product.”

  “I thought you guys painted naked sometimes,” Jake interjected.

  James smiled. “We do, but those aren’t serious projects. When she’s working on something serious she likes quiet. She can’t even listen to music.”

  “That surprises me,” Sven said. “I thought for sure she was loud and chatty all of the time.”

  “Only during the really good times,” James said, opening the glove compartment and wrinkling his nose. “It’s empty.”

  “The car is new,” Sven pointed out. “Did you really expect to find something inside?”

  “No. I just … this is so weird.”

  “It is definitely weird,” Jake said. “Still, we found it and we can return it to Vince. Once we do that there’s no reason for him to show his stupid face again.”

  “I think you’re just annoyed because he’s sniffing around Ally,” James said, feeling underneath the dash. “I don’t blame you, though. He’s an asshole and I don’t like the way he’s looking at her either.”

  “I’m sure we can fit him with some cement boots if you’re that worried,” Sven drawled, causing James to do a double take. Sven’s sense of humor was rarely on display, and when it did come out to play it took a little bit of time to adjust.

  “I think I’ll just deliver the car and threaten him the old-fashioned way,” James said. “I do want to dust for prints first. Let’s see if we can get video from this area, too. I doubt anyone saw anything, but it doesn’t hurt to look.”

  “What about the video from the festival?” Jake asked. “Did Maverick find anything?”

  Maverick was Hardy Brothers Security’s technical guru. He was an immature social moron, but also a computer genius.

  “I called him, but he was taking part in some World of Warcraft tournament and couldn’t look at the footage until today,” James answered. “Since he sleeps until noon, I don’t expect him to start working for another two hours.”

  “Well, task him with finding video here, too,” Jake said. “If we could figure out when this car was dumped we might have a better idea of why any of this happened.”

  “I’m not sure I can think of any scenario that makes sense,” James said. “Still, you’re right. Let’s dust for prints, run them, see what we can find on the video, and then get this car back to Vince. The sooner he’s out of our lives, the better.”

  “Amen,” Jake intoned.

  “I still think we should fit him for boots,” Sven said. “If we can’t gag your women, we could at least gag him. It’s been a boring two weeks and I’m itching to have some fun.”

  “You’re a really weird dude,” James said. “Like … really weird.”

  “From the man who plays shark with his wife as part of a sex game, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  15

  Fifteen

  The worst thing about returning to work after a four-day weekend was the paperwork. Mandy stared at the pile on her desk Tuesday morning and swallowed the petulant groan that threatened to erupt. She really was ready to leave this place. If she didn’t think it would be akin to stabbing Judge MacIntosh in the back, she would walk out now and never look back.

  Instead, Mandy grabbed the top file and flipped it open, making a face when she realized today’s docket would include a woman beater and child abuser. She hated those cases most of all, although the majority of the cases that passed across her desk were dark and depressing.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat at her open door forced her to lift her eyes. She wasn’t surprised to see the court stenographer Heidi standing there. However, she was surprised by the wild look in the woman’s eyes as she took a bold step over the threshold.

  “What’s wrong?” Mandy asked, immediately on alert. “If you tell me there’s another bomb threat I’m going to have an absolute meltdown. I’ll never catch up on this paperwork as it is.”

  “It’s not a bomb threat,” Heidi said, her eyes shiny as she locked gazes with her friend. “Or at least I don’t think it’s a bomb threat. I haven’t heard that there’s a bomb threat. It is the first day back after a holiday weekend, though, and if someone called in a bomb threat it would make sense to do it today.”

  Mandy loved Heidi. She adored the woman’s boisterous attitude and huge heart. She hated it when she babbled, though, especially when legitimate work needed to be done. “So … what’s going on?”

  Heidi’s smile was so wide it almost swallowed her entire face. She took two more huge steps, stopping in front of Mandy’s desk, and extended her left hand. “I’m engaged!” She shrieked the words so loudly that it took Mandy a moment to register what she said. It was only when she caught sight of the simple diamond glittering on Heidi’s ring finger that she absorbed it.

  “Omigod!” Mandy jumped out of her chair and raced around the desk, opening her arms so she could hug Heidi. The women squealed in delight, earning a few curious stares from the hallway as they celebrated. “When?”

  “It happened Saturday,” Heidi gushed, a tear leaking out of the corner of her eye as she pulled away and stared at her ring. “Clint took me out to a nice dinner on the lake and then we went for a walk and … um … he got down on one knee. I swear I almost passed out when I realized what he was doing. I couldn’t even find my voice.”

  “Obviously you found it,” Mandy said, her heart expanding thanks to Heidi’s happiness. She had a pile of work to do, but she would never cut short Heidi’s moment. She deserved every second of her euphoria. “How come you didn’t call me?”

  “I thought about it,” Heidi said. “I didn’t want to interrupt your weekend, though.”

  “I wouldn’t have minded.”

  “I also wanted to see your face when I told you,” Heidi admitted sheepishly. “I just … I knew you would be almost as excited as I am.”

  “I totally am,” Mandy said.

  The woman eyed each other silently for a beat and then squealed as they embraced again. They were so loud they drew the attention of Judge MacIntosh, who just happened to be walking by Mandy’s office.

  “Ladies, is it Bring Your Flask to Work Day and no one told me?” The judge’s eyes were lit with mirth as they bounced from one excited face to the other.

  “Not last time I checked, but that’s a fabulous idea,” Mandy said, poking Heidi’s hip. “Tell him your big news.”

  “Oh, he doesn’t care,” Heidi said, her cheeks flushing with color. “He’ll think I’m being silly.”

  “You don’t know that,” MacIntosh chided. “I often find you silly and lovely at the same time. I have a feeling this is slightly bigger than the time you told me the custodian was having sex with the downstairs clerk during session breaks and we were in the midst of a cleaning emergency, though.”

  “That was true,” Heidi protested.

  “Tell me,” MacIntosh prodded, shooting a curious look in Mandy’s direction. “If you don’t, I have every intention of making Mandy do the dirty deed.”

  Heidi heaved out a sigh and then held up her hand. “I’m engaged.”

  MacIntosh broke into a wide grin as he grabbed her hand and studied the ring. “Congratulations, my dear,” he said. “I had a feeling it was something like that.”

  “You did?” Heidi was amazed. “I didn’t think it would ever happen for me.”

  “You didn’t think what would ever happen?” James appeared in the doorway, a quizzical look on his face as he glanced around his wife’s busy office. “Is something going on?”

  Mandy bobbed her head and beamed. “Tell him, Heidi.”

  “I’m engaged.” Heidi blurted out the news much quicker this time, and when James offered her a bright smile and warm hug she couldn’t contain her glee. “I’m so excited!”

>   “I can tell,” James said, taking a step back and chuckling. “I heard squealing when I got off the elevator. I was almost certain it was my wife, and that gave me pause to wonder who she was squealing with and what smarmy lawyer I was going to have to kill, but now I see why she was so excited.”

  “You’re a pig,” Mandy said, slapping his arm. “You didn’t hear me squealing.”

  “I did so,” James argued. “A bunch of people turned and stared. I told them not to worry because that was your happy voice.”

  “You’re definitely a pig.” Despite the admonishment, Mandy rested her head on James’ chest as he slipped his arm around her waist. “Clint took Heidi out to dinner on Saturday and proposed.”

  “Oh, yeah? How did he do it?” James asked. “Did he make a big deal out of it?”

  Heidi bobbed her head up and down. “He took me to a romantic seafood dinner and a walk on the beach. Then he got down on one knee.”

  “Heidi almost passed out,” Mandy supplied.

  James smiled. He loved seeing Heidi so excited, and his wife by extension. “When is the big day?”

  “When is what big day?” Even though her office was tiny, everyone scooted around to make room for the arrival of Heidi’s fiancé. For his part, Clint looked confused as everyone smiled and James clapped him on the back. “What’s going on?”

  “Congratulations,” James said. “I think you’re going to love married life.”

  Instead of reacting in a positive manner, Clint shook his head and gave Heidi a dirty look. “I thought you said we were going to tell everyone together?”

  “I’m sorry,” Heidi sputtered. “It’s just … I had to tell Mandy. I’ve been dying to tell her for days.”

  “I told her she should’ve called me,” Mandy said.

  “I wanted to see your face,” Heidi protested.

  “You could’ve stopped by the house,” Mandy said. “James’ parents are staying with us anyway. We had a barbecue every day this weekend. You would’ve been more than welcome.”

  “Well, next time,” Heidi said.

  Clint cocked an eyebrow. “Next time? Are you planning on announcing another engagement I don’t know about?”

  “No,” Heidi said, giggling as she fanned her face. “I’m sorry. I’m just so flustered.”

  “You’re excited,” Mandy said. “I remember when James proposed to me. I couldn’t wait to tell you, too.”

  “I remember that,” Heidi said. “You started crying before you got the words out.”

  James’ smile slipped. “You cried? Why?”

  “They weren’t sad tears,” Mandy replied. “I just … got overwhelmed.”

  “See, I don’t get that about women,” James said. “When you said yes I called my brothers and they congratulated me. We celebrated by going to the bar and getting drunk. You and Ally spent hours crying over a bottle of wine. It’s odd.”

  “I think it’s a woman thing,” Clint said, giving James a knowing look. They weren’t exactly the best of friends – mostly because James was convinced Clint had a crush on Mandy when he first hooked up with his future wife – but they were much closer now than two years before. James even encouraged Clinton on rare occasions when he agreed to double date with the couple.

  “Yes, women are definitely strange and mysterious creatures,” James agreed, giving his wife an affectionate squeeze. “Even though I don’t always understand them, I couldn’t imagine living without this one.”

  “I know the feeling,” Clint said, slinging an arm around Heidi’s shoulders. “We’re all going to be married soon.”

  “Thankfully not to each other,” MacIntosh said, smiling as he glanced at James. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, Mr. Hardy, but I’m curious why you’re here.”

  “Actually I was in the area because I had to do a work chore and I thought I would give Mandy an update on a case she’s monitoring with me before she goes into the morning session,” James said. Mandy knew right away it was only a half-truth but she didn’t call him on it because they had an audience. “Then I heard squealing when I got off the elevator and had to know what that was about.”

  “Just think,” Heidi said. “In a few months you won’t ever stop in here again because Mandy will be gone. Won’t that make you sad?”

  James pursed his lips. “No.”

  Heidi widened her eyes. “How come?”

  “I think he just wants Mandy home so he can keep her safe,” Clint supplied. “She seems to attract trouble, and a lot of that trouble stems from here. Personally, though, I was sad to hear she was leaving.”

  “Yes, we’re all sad,” MacIntosh said, resting his hand on Mandy’s shoulder to bolster her. “I’m happy as well, though.”

  “You are?”

  MacIntosh nodded. “I knew Mandy wasn’t built for the long haul in this profession years ago,” he said. “She takes things to heart and it hurts her to see the terrible cases that cross her desk. Her heart is in art, and she found a man who not only bolsters her spirit but also allows her to follow her dreams.”

  “As long as I’m still in her dreams, I’m happy,” James said. “I would actually be happier if she’d quit right now, but she refuses to leave you in the lurch.”

  MacIntosh’s expression was thoughtful as he regarded Mandy. “If you want to leave now it will be okay. Things will work out the way they’re meant to.”

  “You can’t leave yet,” Clint said, taking everyone by surprise with his vehemence. “That’s not the plan you told me the other day.”

  “It’s okay, honey,” Heidi said, laughing as she patted Clint’s arm. “It’s not like we won’t see her. Mandy promised we’ll get together for lunch all of the time even after she leaves.”

  “That’s right,” Mandy confirmed. “I won’t be in my studio eight hours straight. I’ll be down here for lunch all of the time.”

  “So … you’re leaving early?” Clint almost looked more disappointed than Heidi did the day Mandy admitted to her friend that she wasn’t long for the courthouse world.

  “No,” Mandy answered, shaking her head. “I’m staying until September. That was our deal.” She cast James a pointed look. “You agreed to it.”

  “And I still agree,” James said. “I’m not going to stop trying to get you to quit, though. The idea of sleeping in with you every morning holds a lot of appeal.”

  “You will still have a job,” Mandy reminded him.

  “Yes, but I’m the boss,” James said. “As the boss I can order others to work while I play with my wife.”

  Mandy’s cheeks colored as the double meaning of his words hung heavy in the room.

  “Er, that might’ve come out wrong,” James said.

  “I think we all know what you meant,” MacIntosh said. “And now, as much as I don’t want to admit it, I think everyone needs to return to work. We have a very busy docket today.”

  “Spoilsport,” Heidi teased, but she added a little extra bounce to her walk as she headed toward the hallway. “You’ll come to the wedding, right?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” MacIntosh replied, pausing in the doorway to stare at James and Mandy. “You aren’t going to … force my employee to be late for court, are you?”

  It was a tactful way of asking a personal question. Mandy and James’ office exploits were notorious throughout the courthouse.

  “Sadly, I’m not here to romance my wife,” James said. “I honestly just need two minutes to talk to her and then I’ll be out of here.”

  “Okay,” MacIntosh said. “It was nice seeing you.”

  “You, too.”

  James remained rooted to his spot until he was sure the judge was gone and then he moved to shut the door.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Mandy warned, extending a finger. “The last thing I need is people talking … especially after the squealing.”

  “I thought the squealing was cute,” James said, leaving the door propped open before moving closer to Mandy’s desk. “H
ave I told you lately how much I love you?”

  Mandy released a long-suffering sigh. “What do you want?”

  “I’m wounded, wife.”

  “James, I’m honestly swamped with work.” She gestured toward the heaping pile of files for emphasis. “Tell me what you want or get out.”

  “Fine,” James said, resigned. “I need you to run a background search for me. I could do it myself but I don’t have a lot of time and I thought you could do it between cases this morning and really help your overworked-and-yet-still-sexy husband out a little bit.”

  “Wow. That was impressive. You made yourself pitiful and a sex god in the same sentence. I’ll never doubt you again.”

  James smiled. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

  “I guess,” Mandy replied. “Who do you want me to do a search on?”

  “Vince Dawkins.”

  Mandy stilled. “Seriously?”

  “Something weird is going on here, baby,” James said. “We found the car. There’s nothing wrong with it. Someone abandoned it in the middle of a garage that’s due to be demolished in a few days. The whole thing stinks.”

  “And you think Vince has something to do with it?”

  James shrugged. “I think I don’t like him so I need you to look at the information and tell me what you think because I can’t be objective.”

  “You trust me that much, huh?”

  “I trust you with my heart, baby. That means I trust you more than anyone.”

  “Okay, I’ll do it,” Mandy said, accepting James’ hasty kiss before he moved away from her desk. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going back to high school,” James replied, taking her by surprise.

  “Meaning?”

  “I was going to take the car right back to Vince, but something is bugging me about it so instead we’re taking it apart. We’re starting our own auto shop club in the garage at home.”

  Mandy snorted, earning a derisive look from James. “You can’t take a car apart. You pay to have your oil changed.”

  “Yes, well, we’re not doing it ourselves,” James said. “Sven and Rodrigo are helping.”

  “By choice?”

  “Sven is bored.”