“But I still don’t know if Larry—”
“Stop defending him. I don’t care what kind of bond you formed in juvie or what you think you know about him. He sat in front of a packed courtroom and lied, knowing full well it would likely send you to prison for the rest of your life. Any man willing do to that has no loyalty. You need to pick a side, your own damn side, and fight. Melissa is doing everything she can for you. And I am. Now you need to forget the idea that Larry needs protection of any kind and start protecting yourself.”
“That’s what it is,” Tim smirked, a little light returning to his tired eyes. “Loyalty. That’s what keeps you here. That’s what keeps you coming back. That’s what has you protecting Emmitt’s sister right now. That’s every move you make, every day of your life.”
“Then the choice should be easy,” Dallas said, leaning in. “Help me find out who actually committed this murder. It’s your best shot of getting out of here.”
“Only if you promise me something,” Tim said, looking serious again. “Your life is bigger than just these debts you pay and these jobs you do. I get that you’re the hero. You’re dependable and solid. People count on you because you’ve shown them time and again they can. But one thing I’ve learned from being in here is that life is all about the small moments in between. It’s everything you aren’t paying attention to until it’s gone.”
“It’s not gone for you, Tim; it’s just on hold.”
“Promise me even while you do this, you won’t miss the life that’s happening right in front of you,” Tim implored him with a serious glare. “I’m serious.”
“Fine,” Dallas acquiesced. “Fine. I promise. But you have to give me everything. Tell me everything you remember. I’ve been leaving all of this up to the courts; that ends now. I know you are innocent. As of right now we’re done trying to prove that. We’re going to catch a killer.”
Chapter 12
Harlan laid her phone on the kitchen table and hit the speaker button. “Emmitt, for the last time we are fine. It was a mix-up with the new security guy last night. The idiot jumped the fence to get in. It’s really no big deal. We can go back to our house now.”
“You’re far more secure at Mom’s,” Emmitt snapped. “Your place is too small, on too much property. It’s a security nightmare. It doesn’t even have a gate. Let me talk to Dallas.”
“He’s not here,” she groaned, blaming her frustrated feelings on the intrusion of her brothers into her life. In actuality, it was the time spent away from Dallas that was driving her mad. He’d been gone all day and the sun was starting to set. It had been a long time since she’d had room in her mind for fantasies. But with Dallas, the daydreams were vivid and endless.
“What the hell am I paying him for if he’s not even on site?” Emmitt’s voice boomed.
“He told me you weren’t paying him at all. That instead he owed you his life, and he was paying back that debt. What exactly did you do that saved his life?” Harlan probed.
“I’d hire him either way. Friends or not, history or not. I trust Dallas, but it would be nice if he was on the job.” Emmitt was a pro at avoiding a question.
“He sent three guys in his place, and we’re basically on lockdown here. I’d like to get back to my own place. I have a life, you know.”
“The girls love being at Mom’s, and you’re safer there. Just stay.” Emmitt had a finality in his voice that drove Harlan up a wall.
“You’re finding a competent replacement for Dallas though, right? Like soon.” Harlan peeked out the window again, expecting him to appear out of thin air the way he kept doing in her mind. The start of a very vivid fantasy.
“Why?” Emmitt asked, sounding concerned. “He’s not giving you a problem, is he?”
“No,” she answered too quickly to sound natural. “He’s great, but he’s not looking to keep this job forever. I’m just wondering if you have a replacement in the works. Better than the guy who jumped the gate last night to get in.”
“Suddenly you want security?” Emmitt asked skeptically. “You’ve been fighting me every step of the way. Did something else happen? Is it Rylie? Dallas told me about him acting up at the club and following you.”
“Forget Rylie,” Harlan said with a huff. “Never mind. Just pretend I didn’t say anything and when you find someone to replace Dallas let me know.”
“She likes him,” a far-off voice said from Emmitt’s end of the line. His sweet girlfriend, Evie, was about to out her. Damn.
“What?” Emmitt asked, sounding like he was playing catch-up.
“Yeah, she probably only wants a replacement for him because he takes his job too seriously for them to get together while he’s supposed to be protecting her.”
Double Damn.
The only thing that would have saved Harlan from her brother’s merciless teasing about this would have been a swift disagreement of Evie’s assessment. But she hesitated. Just a beat. But it was long enough for her brother to detect.
“Really?” Emmitt laughed hardily. “That’s great. I’ll hurry up and find someone else for your protection detail. You’ve burned through most of the guys at the top of my list, and I think you were enough of a pain in the ass that they wouldn’t consider being rehired. I’ve got some other options. The Barringtons owe me a couple favors. That’s a family I enjoy having on speed dial. I’m networking with some people who could help.”
“Oh yeah, like you would want me dating Dallas,” Harlan scoffed, knowing exactly how Emmitt felt about men in her life over the years.
“I hated Rylie,” he said flatly. “My biggest worry was you’d get back with him. Dallas is a good guy. If you have to be with someone, I can live with it being him. But he’s right. Messing around while you’re on the job is dangerous.”
“I’m not going to be with anyone,” Harlan corrected, now annoyed. “I’m perfectly happy alone. Just do me a favor and for once stay out of this. I’ll take the damn security now if I have to, but don’t interject yourself into the rest of my personal business.”
“I’m so excited for you,” Evie sang, completely ignoring Harlan’s pleas. “I’ve seen a picture of him in Emmitt’s office. He’s gorgeous.”
“Down girl,” Emmitt scolded teasingly. “I’ll stay out of your personal life as long as you stay out of trouble. Do what Dallas says. Keep yourself safe. Even if that’s at Mom’s place for now. I’ve got my hands full with some consulting stuff, but I’ll be around to see the girls soon.”
“Hey,” Harlan said, her voice falling low and sad, “they know what happened that night. I thought we all played it so cool, but they know that Azeela’s men took us and you came to get us. I’ve been pretty pissed at you lately for trying to control everything. I don’t think I’ve said thank you. The girls and I,” she paused, the images of her angelic children appearing in her mind, “I’m not sure where we would be if it weren’t for what you did that night. What you’ve done for Dad ever since. This family is lucky to have you.”
“Cut it out,” Emmitt barked, clearing his throat and with it any emotions that were creeping up. “It’s what big brothers do. Don’t get all mushy.”
“Seriously,” she laughed, “we’ve made it all these years without emotions, let’s not start now.”
“Call me if you need me,” Emmitt said, Evie chirping a cheerful goodbye in the background.
Emmitt was hardheaded, stubborn, and a pain in the ass to argue with. They agreed on almost nothing. Debates spiraled into full-fledged screaming matches until their voices were hoarse and their heads were pounding. She didn’t understand his views but she always knew what made him tick.
Something occurred to her as she held her phone to her chest and thought of both her brothers. The people who broke down every boundary you had were the same ones who’d walk through fire for you. The ones who wouldn’t listen when you begged them to leave you alone would never leave you alone when you needed them. The best people in life were the ones who lov
ed you intrusively and relentlessly.
Knowing that wouldn’t stop Harlan from complaining, but maybe every now and then she’d remember to thank them.
Chapter 13
“I think I’ve got something,” Dallas said, his voice quieting as Harlan shushed him.
“The girls fell asleep on the couch. I have to take them upstairs.” Harlan gestured over to the two tiny lumps under a large comforter on the couch. “Mom wasn’t feeling well tonight, so they camped out here with me while I was working.”
“Working on Tim’s case?” Dallas asked, peeking at the girls to make sure they weren’t stirring.
“Yes, and I found something too,” Harlan said, silently clapping her hands together in excitement. “Let me take them up to bed, then I’ll come back and tell you.”
“I’ll carry them up,” Dallas said, wondering how Harlan would navigate the stairs with even one of the girls in her arms.
“I’ve been lugging these two around for all these years. Usually with groceries at the same time.”
“But right now you don’t have to,” Dallas said, gingerly lifting Anna up and resting her head on one shoulder then doing the same to Logan. He moved up the stairs, trailing behind Harlan, not able to tell if she felt he was overstepping his position.
When both girls were tucked in, Harlan’s sweet kisses planted on their foreheads, they backed out of the room and went downstairs.
“What did you find?” Harlan asked as she clutched a folder she’d just lifted from the desk.
“You first,” he said, gesturing at the folder. “You look anxious to tell me.”
“I am,” she divulged, flipping it open and spinning a photograph toward him to see. “I spent time today looking through archived newspaper articles. At first I was just looking at everything relevant to the case. Then I realized I should look farther back at the victim, Angus. He was a business owner in the community and lived there his whole life.”
“That’s him,” Dallas praised her with a wide smile. “It’s the opening of his newest restaurant on Church Street.”
“And that is Larry Monroe,” Harlan explained, pointing to the man positioned to Angus’s left. “I checked the testimony on the court records that Melissa shared, and Larry testified he’d never met Angus. Yet here they are at the opening of a restaurant three months before Angus is murdered. They’re just inches from each other.”
“He knew him?” Dallas noted, the wheels in his head speeding into action. “So at a minimum he perjured himself.”
“Well,” Harlan cautioned, “he could easily still claim just because they were in close proximity to each other while the picture was snapped, they didn’t really know each other.”
“But you think he’s lying about that?” Dallas asked, scanning every inch of the photograph as if something new would appear out of thin air.
“I think this is a lead. If Larry did know Angus, how well did he know him? Did they have some kind of business relationship? Was there a dispute of some kind?”
“Tim finally opened up to me more about Larry today. Maybe what I’ve got will help us answer your questions. I already had a look at Larry’s rap sheet. It reads like a criminal who sucks at his job. He’s been picked up for mugging people, stealing cars, and breaking and entering.”
“Do people like that normally leap to murder?” Harlan asked, flipping through the stack of papers to find a laundry list of arrests for Larry.
“All of his crimes were nonviolent, even the muggings. He didn’t have a weapon, just his hand jammed in his pocket to look like a gun. But more than that, none of the crimes were necessary either.”
“Are any crimes necessary?” Harlan challenged.
“If your children were starving to death, would you steal a loaf of bread?” Dallas knew the answer to the question. Harlan would do anything for her children.
“No,” Harlan asserted. “I wouldn’t steal any bread. I’d get them something far better than plain old bread. I’d be cramming milk and meat in my shirt and running as fast as I could out of the store. I’d hit an old lady with my car if she got in my way.”
“You’re making my point,” Dallas laughed. “Some people commit crimes out of need. Some things, in my eyes, may not be justifiable, but they are understandable.”
“That’s interesting to hear from a former police officer,” Harlan hummed. “I thought you all toed the line.”
“That’s likely why I’m not a cop anymore. I prefer to have my own opinions. Even the unpopular ones.”
“But Larry’s crimes weren’t justified?” Harlan asked.
“Forget justified. They were all crimes driven by one thing.”
“Money?”
“Exactly, but Larry was from a well-off family. According to Tim, Larry never stole things he needed. He had a trust fund and access to whatever he wanted.”
“So why do it? Why get yourself into trouble this many times?”
“With his family’s clout, I’m sure there were more arrests than are recorded, and he avoided prosecution. Tim says Larry’s family had cut him off. Larry would have been desperate to get out of trouble, so he turned Tim in.”
Harlan was scanning the documents quickly, shaking her head in disbelief, pointing down at each arrest. “Then why steal this car? Why rob the bakery by his house? Maybe there is something wrong with him, some kind of mental illness.”
“Larry wanted to be something he wasn’t. He was running with people from completely different backgrounds, ones who committed crimes out of need. He was just a wannabe.”
“What does that tell us?” Harlan tucked her falling hair behind her ears and tapped her chin thoughtfully. “We know he had some level of familiarity with the murder victim, and he spent most of his youth and young adulthood committing crimes in an effort to fit in. We certainly don’t have enough here for Melissa to work with. We’ll need a hell of a lot more.”
“It’s something,” Dallas countered. “We know more about Larry today than we did yesterday. If we can find a link between Larry and the murder victim, we might have more leads to follow.”
“Can I say something?” Harlan asked tentatively.
“Do you normally ask permission? I thought you just said the first thing that came to your mind, no matter the situation.”
“I’m afraid this might hurt your feelings, or ego, or whatever.” She raised her finger to her mouth and nibbled nervously. “I might be overstepping.”
“Only one way to find out.” Dallas shrugged, gesturing for her to just spit it out. “I’m a big boy.”
“What if you are getting your hopes up?” She averted her eyes, unable to keep the stare. “Let’s say you chase and chase but never find what you’re looking for. Do you just do all of this until you die? Is that the plan?”
“I love that you think I’ve got a plan,” Dallas joked. “Are you asking me if my hopes are too high? By nature, I’m usually a pretty practical guy who tends to focus on facts and reality. Most guys like me, they don’t do hope.”
“But you do?” Harlan questioned warmly, knowing his sweet smile had more to say.
“I do,” Dallas agreed. “And my hopes are high. Unrealistically so. I want my friend home. I want to be able to grab a beer with him any time and complain about the small simple things we’ve been missing. Anything short of that and you’re damn right: I’ll be disappointed.”
“But when . . .” She shook her head, silently chastising herself. “If you don’t get that, will you be able to move on?”
“No,” Dallas admitted flatly.
“The law is pretty finite. There are steps, and only so many of them, after a conviction. There is an end of the road.”
“Legally.” Dallas sighed. “Legally we could exhaust all of Tim’s options. But there is more to this than just the law. There is justice. There is settling the score.”
“I want to be helpful,” Harlan stammered, clearly searching for the right words. “I’m worried I won’t know w
hat to do to help you. What if you get to a dark place?”
“You won’t be able to fix what’s wrong. I suggest you find a way to make peace with that, because if I do end up in that dark place, you’ve got too many things in your life to follow me.”
“One day at a time,” Harlan said. “Today we have something.”
“I’ll take this picture to Tim next time I visit.” Dallas thought of how Tim squirmed in his chair, uncomfortable to have to even speculate about why his friend Larry might have sold him out and destroyed his life. That’s how Tim was, he was perfectly comfortable being the punching bag, but throwing any jabs didn’t sit right with him.
“It’ll work out,” Harlan announced, grabbing some Scotch from a crystal decanter and pouring a small glass for both of them. Handing it over, she lingered close, tapping her glass to his. “To everything working out exactly how it was meant to.”
“Cheers,” he smiled, running his thumb along her chin. Dropping his hand abruptly he downed the liquid in one swig.
“Want to get dirty?” Harlan asked, a sparkle in her eyes that sent shockwaves through his body.
“I thought we agreed,” he said as he slipped one hand down her back and closed the little space between them. “We know better. We’re grown-ups.”
“We do, and we are,” Harlan cooed, licking at her lips and placing one hand on his rock hard chest. “I was talking about the attic.”
“The attic . . . that might be fun.” His hand cupped her ass and squeezed.
“There’s a box of old legal books up there,” she said, but didn’t pull away. “It’s dirty up there.”
“You should be punished for being so cruel,” Dallas hissed into her ear as he let her go. “Lead me to the attic.”
“Just remember when your replacement gets here how badly I need to be punished.” A fire blazed in her eyes.
Dallas’s phone chirped with a message, and he reluctantly grabbed it from his pocket.
Guard: Disturbance at the gate.
The Barrington Billionaires Collection 1 Page 62
