The door swung open, and Detective Gil and another man about twenty years Gil’s senior entered the cramped space. The second detective also had golden brown skin, but he wasn’t Latino. Not that it mattered what race they were; clearly, neither man wanted a confession, or anything else from her. Maybe they had bet on the losing woman in her last fight. Nora hadn’t been favored to win; so many gamblers had lost their shirt … or house.
Detective Gil pulled out a chair and plopped down while the other man stood, arms crossed. Gil waved a hand. “This is Detective Thompson.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nora said as politely as possible, given the cold welcome.
Thompson ran his hand through his thinning salt-and-pepper hair. “Detective Gil says you witnessed a murder seven months ago, and yet you’re just now stepping forward.”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry. I was scared.”
The older man leaned back, crossing his legs at his ankles. “And why aren’t you scared now?”
“Oh, I’m still scared, but now I have support.”
The man snorted his disapproval. “So I heard. Detective Gil said that you continued to live with your fiancé, Sergio Reyna, for six months after you witnessed the murder, but now you’re living with” — he uncrossed his arms, and stared down at a notepad tucked in his palm —”Sam Belgarde.”
Nora’s chest burned, noticing the man had to look up Sam’s name, but not Sergio’s. “That’s because —”
“Ms. Molina,” Thompson interrupted, “according to Mr. Reyna, the man you’re living with and another man named Abe tried to blackmail Sergio for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He realized only afterward that you were in on it.”
Nora jumped up. “That’s not true! I don’t even know that guy who tried to kill me. I never saw him before, and I didn’t meet Sam until after I went to Alaska, so how could I have planned a kidnapping?”
The detectives smirked, happy to get a rise out of her, it seemed.
“You were seen with this Sam Belgarde by multiple witnesses the evening prior to your supposed disappearance. You were only in Alaska one day according to our records, and yet, several people are willing to testify that you were shooting pool and dancing with Sam Belgarde.” The older detective leaned over the table, resting his knuckles against the Formica. “The next day you supposedly disappear, Sergio receives a ransom demand, and then pays your new boyfriend to find you.”
Nora blinked, then sat back down. Sam had been right. Sergio had planned everything … watched her every step from the moment she’d landed in Anchorage. She stared back up at the two detectives. “I’m not here to talk about my near-death experience in Alaska because of Sergio Reyna; I’m here to talk about his order to kill a man here in Vegas seven months ago. Do you want to hear my statement or not?”
Detective Gil shrugged. “Sure, Ms. Molina, we’ll take your statement, but the D.A. will throw it out when Mr. Reyna tells him how devastated he was when he wrote a check for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars only to watch you fly off with the man he paid to bring you home safely. From what you told me on the phone, you didn’t actually see Mr. Reyna kill anyone. You heard someone order, ‘Do it!’ from the other side of a concrete wall. Did I forget anything, Ms. Molina?”
Nora stood again. “No, sounds like you have all the facts … from the wrong person. Thank you, detectives. It’s clear you don’t want to solve a murder of a nobody.”
The older detective backed away from the door, and she walked out.
Well, at least she was wrong about one thing: they didn’t intend to arrest her. How could they? How could they arrest her for a crime that was never committed?
Nora made her way back to the lobby, back to Sam. Now what? Was Sam right? Would Sergio be content that no charges would be filed? Probably not. Not now that he obviously knew she came to Vegas to turn him in. If the body were ever found, she’d be a witness, and he knew it. As long as she was alive, he’d always wonder.
She opened the door, and Sam jumped up. “That was fast. Did they just record your statement and let you go? See, I told you they wouldn’t go after you for reporting a crime.”
Nora stopped, looking over her shoulder at the glass window. Detective Gil stood watching her, phone pressed to his ear. Nora grabbed Sam’s hand and dragged him to the door.
“What’s going on, Nora?”
Outside, she whirled on him. “What’s going on is that I was right!” She ran her hands down her face. “Dammit! Why did I believe you?”
Sam reached for her hands. “What happened in there?”
Nora chewed on her lip. “What happened is exactly what I said would happen. They apparently called Sergio before I arrived, and he told them his version of the events. I have to admit, if I was on a jury, it’d sound pretty damn convincing.”
“What do you mean?”
Nora sighed. “Sam, he followed me — or had someone follow me from the moment I landed in Alaska. He has witnesses who will say they saw us at the bar together. He concocted that same story that he paid a ransom to get me home safely, only to watch me fly off with the man to whom he made the payment. Now his story is that I was part of it.”
“But we didn’t even know each other.”
“Tell that to the jury when people talk about us shooting pool and dirty dancing, Sam.” She threw up her hands. “It doesn’t matter. I knew how this would go. Knew that the only way I’d be safe was if Sergio thought I was dead.”
Sam rested his hand on her arm. “Oh, Nora. I swear … you’ll be safe with me.”
“What about my mother and grandmother, Sam? How safe do you think they’ll be? It would be just like him to threaten them.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Nora.”
Nora sighed and headed to the car.
Halfway across the parking lot, Sergio stepped out from behind a truck. “Darling, oh my darling. Are you okay?”
She pulled back from his reach, and then felt herself yanked backward.
Sam pulled her behind him, the way he’d done on the riverbank. “Stay away from her,” Sam growled. “And I swear to you, if you ever set foot on my property again, I’ll blow your head off.”
Sergio cocked his head to the side, smirking. He glanced over Sam’s shoulder, making eye contact with her. “Did he tell you he was broke, Nora?”
Nora narrowed her eyes.
“Thought not. Your lover here is in the red. In the last ten years, he’s run his father’s company into the ground. He won’t be able to keep afloat for a few months, let alone a year.”
Sam moved her beside him as he directed her to the rental car.
“Ask Sam what happened to the first hundred grand I paid Abe. That’s why Sam drowned him. He wanted all of the ransom.”
“Nora, you know it isn’t true,” Sam whispered. “You were there.”
Sam closed Nora inside the car, then hustled to the driver’s door. “I’m a man of my word, Sergio. Don’t set foot within fifty feet of Nora or me.”
Sergio ignored Sam, focusing his gaze on her. He just smiled. Sergio was the king of psyching out his opponent. Is that what he’d been doing, or was he right? Had Sam known from the beginning who she was and concocted a scheme to save his business?
~ Sam ~
Nora hadn’t spoken a word since they’d left the station. For that matter, she’d done nothing but nod a yes or shake her head for a no answer since they’d boarded the plane.
In the air, Sam turned to her. “Nora, you know he’s lying, right? I don’t have one cent of that man’s money.”
Nora peered up at his brother, and Sam followed her gaze until Alex turned his attention to the sky, not them.
She lowered her head. “Is it true? Is your company struggling … is that why you accepted the job in the first place?”
Sam dropped his head and sighed. “Yes, our company has suffered ever since my father passed. It’s a non-profit, so we count on donations. But, no, Nora … How many times do I have t
o tell you that I decided to go look for you on my own?”
She licked her lips. “Did you know who I was, Sam? That first day?”
“No!” He slammed his head into the headrest. “God, how many times are you going to ask me these same questions?”
Nora turned away and stared out the window.
He reached for her, but she jerked her hand away.
Frustrated, Sam unbuckled and joined Alex in the cockpit. He plopped down in the co-pilot seat. “Want me to fly a bit?”
Alex cast Sam a sideways glance. “Nah … the way you look right now, you might fly us into the Pacific.”
“Never that desperate, Alex. Besides, what would my death resolve?” His brother shrugged, and Sam narrowed his eyes. “Alex, what’s up? Has something else happened that I’m unaware of?”
Alex released a breath through his nose and continued to stare out the window. “Nothing new under the sun, brother. Same old crap, day in and day out. Why aren’t we getting donations?”
“It’ll be all right. That man was talking smack to Nora. We’re not going under, Alex.”
Alex harrumphed. “You wouldn’t tell me if we were. Big brother Sam always has to save the day.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Sam demanded. He figured he might not catch crap from Alex, but between Nora and his brother, he might spend the rest of the trip in the lavatory.
“Nothing, Sam. I just wish you’d bring the rest of us in on everything.”
Sam resisted reminding Alex that the last time the family business needed help, Alex had taken off for three months. Instead, he decided to try to mend fences. “I asked you for your help today. Thank you, by the way.”
Alex nodded.
“Hey,” Sam said, trying to change the subject, “any news on a job? Are you giving up the SAR team and going to work for one of the big airlines?”
Alex shook his head. “I was just mad, Sam. I wouldn’t do that to the team. What would you do without a pilot?”
Sam knew Alex was fishing for more accolades, and truly, he was right. What would he do? They’d never find a full-time pilot for the peanuts they paid him. “Thank you, Alex. I’m not sure what we would do. But I don’t want to hold you back, brother. If you want to leave, leave … we’ll survive.”
“Are you leaving, Sam? Last I recall, you wanted to travel the world.”
“Pipe dream … You know I wouldn’t be happy anywhere but Alaska. But …” He turned and looked for Nora, happy to see that her focus was on him. He smiled, hoping she’d realize everything he’d told her was the truth. “I would like to go to Argentina. I’m long overdue for a vacation.”
“Then go,” Alex said, pulling Sam’s attention back to him. “Now that Vince is back, we’ll be fine for a few weeks without you.”
Sam rested his noggin against the backrest, battling his desire to head back to Nora. She just needed time to think. No way would she believe Sergio’s ruse. At least he hoped she wouldn’t. She hadn’t fought him about returning to Alaska, but then again, everything she owned was there. Would she leave as soon as they landed? Take off and disappear into the wilderness, never to be seen again? He certainly hoped not because he couldn’t imagine living without Nora. He wouldn’t chase her if leaving was what she wanted. Just like Daire’s mother, he’d let Nora go without a fight.
Chapter 22
~ Nora ~
Nora wanted to believe Sam, but she’d misjudged too many times. Maybe he did love her, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t started off wanting to kill her.
She thought back to Abe’s words on the shoreline. He’d said he’d give Sam a chance to live. Maybe that had been the plan all along … to make it look like Sam hadn’t been involved.
Nora shook her head. If that had been the case, he wouldn’t have given Arwen the command to attack. Ugh! She whipped her head back and forth, then stared at her reflection in the mirror. “What are you going to do?”
The intercom above her crackled. “We’ll be landing soon. Please take your seats.”
Nora stared up at the speaker. There were only two passengers. Couldn’t he have just yelled, “Hey, sit down!” But Sam had said that his brother longed to be a commercial pilot, so she sort of understood his professional approach.
She washed her hands and exited the tiny washroom, making her way back to her seat. Sam hadn’t returned to the seat next to her. It was better this way, she supposed. She had tried to eavesdrop on his conversation with his brother, but she’d only caught a few words. Nothing that indicated whether Sergio was right about Sam’s original intent with her.
The plane dipped and she released a gasp, swiftly buckling her seatbelt. She hated flying. No matter whether she was in a gigantic aircraft or a private jet, she was never at ease.
“It’s okay, Nora,” Alex offered. “I fly in this weather all the time, usually worse, since if I’m called, it’s typically because someone is lost in a storm. I know these waters like the back of my hand. Even if I had to land, I’d know where and how.”
“Thank you,” she forced out. “That’s … umm … comforting. I think.”
Alex peeked over his shoulder, offering her a wink and a smile. “I won’t let anything happen to you, ma’am.” He dipped his head as if he were wearing a hat.
Nora motioned with her finger that he should keep his eyes forward. He turned with a chuckle. She understood what Sam meant. The man was definitely good-looking, and he oozed charm. But she’d always preferred laid-back country boys. Like Sam, she realized.
As if on cue, Sam peeked around his seat. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just … ummm … I’m not big on flying.”
“Really, a world-traveler such as yourself. I’d think flying would be natural.”
She closed her eyes and turned back to the window. Once again, Sam was showing that he was still upset with her.
A click sounded, but since it didn’t sound like the plane was coming apart, she kept her eyes closed.
Seconds later, his hand touched hers. “Nora …”
She squeezed her eyes harder.
He moved his hand to her shoulder. “Please, honey, talk to me. I’m sorry if I overreacted. It’s just … we talked about this … there can’t be love without trust. You knew what that man was capable of, and yet, you’re shocked at his accusation.”
Nora licked her lips, then adjusted herself in her seat, effectively moving her shoulder from beneath Sam’s hand. She sighed as she took in his face. He looked worn … as if he hadn’t slept in days. She wanted to trust … to love … Sam.
He leaned forward without a word, touching his forehead to hers. “Whatever you want, Nora. Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
She shook her head, wanting to cry at the feel of Sam’s touch, but she didn’t cry. Her mother had never cried, and she’d had a hard life since Nora’s father had passed. What had Nora dealt with, truly? A lying and cheating cold-blooded murderer, yes. But she’d never been hurt … not really. She’d never gone hungry. She didn’t have to work her fingers to the bone every day for pennies.
Nora leaned away from Sam’s touch, but held his gaze. “I don’t know what I want, Sam. I just want to be safe … and for my mother and grandmother to be safe. I’m worried about them. If he can’t get to me, he’ll go after them, I’m sure of it.”
“Will they come here?”
“Oh, Sam …” She attempted to laugh, but the words nearly came out as a sob. “You can’t save the world, Sam. You can’t watch everyone 24/7.”
His lips turned up. “I can try. Plus, I have a lot of friends. It’s a small town. We’ll see an army coming, Nora.”
She nodded, forcing a return smile, but wasn’t sure what to believe.
Sam scooped up her hand and brought it to his lips. “All I’m asking for is a chance, so thank you for not saying no just yet. I’d rather ‘I don’t know’ over a ‘no’ any day.”
The engine noise changed and Nora squeezed his hand.
&nb
sp; Ten minutes later, they were on the ground. Sam tossed all her belongings in the back of his pickup, then opened the passenger door for her.
Nora scanned the small airport. No signs of the reporters or Sergio and his goons. Her gaze connected with Alex, and he gave her a thumbs-up. His face wasn’t cocky; he just looked like he wanted to convince her that Sam had told the truth … that he and his family had her back.
If only …
Nora stepped into the cab, and once again she scrutinized her surroundings. If she stayed in Alaska — or anywhere where Sergio knew she was — this would be her life. Always on guard. Always waiting for Sergio or someone he sent to step out from behind a car or tree.
Back on his property, Sam passed the main house and drove back to the cabins by the lake.
Confused, Nora cocked her head. “I don’t understand.”
Sam hopped out of the truck and made his way to her side. “I spoke with Mom, asked her if you could stay. I won’t bother you. You’ll have as long as you need to think. The good thing is … since these are hidden from the driveway, no one will think to look for you here.” Sam opened the back door and pulled out his rifle.
“Sam,” she held up her hand, “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“We’re in the wild, Nora. There’re a lot more dangers out there than just your ex.”
Nora accepted the rifle and allowed Sam to unlock the cabin door.
He handed her the key. “It’s yours … as long as you need. Supper’s at seven.” He carried the rest of her things — what little there was — into the cabin, and then backed out the door.
“Sam …”
“It’s okay, Nora. I’ll be here when you decide what to do. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. This is all about you … what you need.”
Nora stepped forward and touched her lips to his for just a second. As much as she didn’t know what she would do with her life tomorrow, she knew what she wanted at this moment. For him to hold her. For him to carry her upstairs and make love to her all night. But that wouldn’t be fair to Sam. Sam had said his piece.
Sam's Folly (Midnight Sons Book 1) Page 21
