Chasing Justice (18 page)

Piper smirked as she tried to wrap her mind around that odd statement. Were dead pigs happiest when sitting in the sun, she wondered?

“Betty, I can’t have you smacking a diner patron over the head with a frying pan because you think he’s involved in this,” Bobby said, raising an eyebrow at her. “I know it’s frustrating that I’m not sharing more of the details with you, but I promise the people involved in Stan’s death will pay for it.” Bobby stood up and headed for the door of the sitting room. “Betty, why don’t you take Jules upstairs and relax for a while? The best thing you can do is lay low, be alert, and try to keep your emotions in check.”

Bobby nodded toward Piper, indicating she should follow him out. They headed for the porch, one of her favorite places to be with Bobby. Tonight, however, it felt different. “That didn’t go like I planned,” he said, rubbing at the stress that had gathered in his temples. He flopped down onto the swing, and Piper took her seat beside him. In spite of all of this, there was still something comforting about swinging with Bobby.

“I know. I was probably out of line back there. Maybe I over shared, but it felt like the right thing to do. Without her buy-in, Jules never would have taken the conversation seriously. I thought that was most important.” Piper had hoped Bobby would agree. She knew she had taken a big risk.

“You’re right, we were losing her, and she needs to understand how serious this is. I wanted to keep them clear of everything until the wheels were in motion, but I think you made the right choice. I’m glad you were here. We make a great team.” He sent Piper a half-hearted smile, he wanted to be happy but what lay before them seemed too daunting. “I do, however, think that we need some more help. We can’t possibly focus our efforts on your plan and protect Jules and Betty at the same time. We’d be stretched too thin, and both of those tasks are going to require an enormous amount of coordination and time. We need a third person.” Bobby crossed his legs and lounged back on the swing. Being back in this peaceful moment with Piper wasn’t enough to remove the stress of the things to come, but it certainly took the rough edges off it. He figured if he had to be knee-deep in a shitty situation at least he was there with a beautiful woman.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We have no clue who we can trust on the force, and the more people we involve the more likely we are to expose ourselves. The whole key to this is complete anonymity. I’m just a girl working for the cable company with no ties to any of these players. When all this goes down and people start digging, they won’t even know I exist, let alone that I’d have a motive or means by which to play a part. That means I should be doing all the leg work, and you should be focused on Jules and Betty.” Piper knew she was overestimating her abilities and oversimplifying the risk, but if she didn’t believe she could do it, then who would?

“What about Michael? Is he someone you think we can trust?” Bobby left the question hanging there between them. He didn’t try to argue why he thought Michael could be trusted; he wanted to hear Piper’s opinion.

“I trust Michael. He’s a good friend and through his work I’ve come to believe he’s a principled and reliable man. The problem is he thinks this type of thing is a disservice to the greater good. He’s had ample opportunity to take on situations like this in his career, and I think he’s turned a blind eye because he believes doing his job is his best bet for holding people accountable. I don’t think he’d be interested even if we talked to him, but I don’t doubt he could be trusted,” Piper said, pulling her sweater closed as a small chill overtook her body. The nights had finally started to cool. That didn’t matter though, because even if it were snowing, which it rarely did in North Carolina, she’d still stay out as long as she could, swinging with Bobby.

There was something sexy in the rhythm of his legs while rocking them both along. She rarely let her own feet hit the ground while they sat. She would kick off her shoes and curl her legs up close to her body. She liked that he did all the work, that he didn’t mind keeping them both moving. It reminded her that Bobby was the kind of man who would gladly carry the heavier load when you needed him. You could fall—eyes closed, arms open—and know he’d be there every time to catch you. He’d keep the swing moving, he’d drive the truck, and he’d agree to help you carry out the most outrageous plan even though it went against his instincts. Piper recalled Jules’s wise words from months earlier. Bobby was the kind of man you make room for in your life.

“Here,” Bobby said, standing up and shaking himself out of his uniform jacket. “My adrenaline is pumping so much I don’t need it.” Piper leaned forward and Bobby wrapped his coat around her shoulders. The way the jacket completely enveloped her made her feel instantly warm and comfortable and seemed like the perfect metaphor for how this house and everyone in it was making her feel. She had no idea how this would play out, but she knew for certain when it was all over she wanted to be sitting right here with all of them.

Bobby smiled at the sight of Piper cuddled under his coat. He let his mind wander for a moment to the idea of her wearing only his coat, or maybe one of his shirts, waking up at his place. But he cleared his mind and throat as he continued on. “I think Michael would help if we asked him. I had a good read on him that night outside the bar, and I know you’re not going to like this, but I’ve had a few conversations with him since. He actually called me on Wednesday. I was pulling in here for dinner, and he caught me off guard. I thought something may have happened to you. He wanted to let me know you seemed to be cooling off a little bit and you hadn’t been on a date with a single Donavan since I had seen you last. He told me that if I really cared about you it was time to get over myself and call you. He warned me if I didn’t make my move he couldn’t continue to keep you from falling in love with him. He said it was a lot of work and he was getting tired of your constant advances.” Bobby couldn’t hold back his laugh as he recounted the conversation with Michael. “I think if we ask him, he’ll help. I think it’s the kind of guy he is. I also may have done a background check on him after I met him that first time.” Bobby saw Piper’s eyes narrow. “Don’t give me that look. If you had access, you’d be running checks on everyone.”

Bobby knew Piper didn’t particularly like the idea of vetting everyone he met to ensure untainted reputations, but it was one of the very few perks of his job, and he found it necessary at times.

“He spent four years in the Marines. He was a sniper and had some time deployed. That’s how he paid for law school, the G.I. Bill. He was honorably discharged and has a spotless record. His parents live back in Maryland, and his sister attends college at Ohio State. He doesn’t have any extended family that he talks with regularly. It seems like all he does is work and go to the gym. We should reach out to him and give him a chance to meet Jules and Betty. I think we should have him over for dinner tomorrow night.”

Piper laughed and rolled her eyes. “You mean you think he should have a chance to see Jules prior to asking him to play hero because he’ll be blinded by her charm and beauty. He’ll have no choice but to agree once he knows there is an actual damsel in distress. You are a wise but manipulative man, Bobby. I find your conniving side very attractive.” Piper winked at him playfully and dug her elbow into his side.

“I only use my powers for good. I think this is the right move, but even if we get Michael on-board we still have a lot to work on. Our framework is solid, but there is going to be no shortage of details to be figured out. First, we need to make sure Jules and Betty are safe.” Bobby put his arm around Piper and pulled her close to him. She felt so good under his arm, up against his body. He wanted her badly, but it wasn’t blind lust pulsing between them. Piper already felt like a part of him, as vital as his lungs, as familiar as his own hands. It scared him to realize how deeply connected to her he felt. He rested his chin on the top of her head and spoke quietly, “This isn’t at all what I pictured making up with you would be like. I hoped we’d be sitting here, and I hoped you’d be pressed up against me wearing my coat, but…” Bobby stopped and Piper worried that he was overwhelmed by what lay before them.

“But what?” she asked, afraid to hear the answer. She thought maybe Bobby was feeling that reuniting with her was more trouble than it was worth.

“I guess when I pictured this I didn’t expect it to be so…” he paused again, and Piper tried to prepare herself for his words, mentally filling in the blank. Convoluted? Problematic? She held her breath bracing herself. Then finally he spoke. “Cold,” he said, squeezing her tightly. “Shit it’s freezing out here, give me back my coat.” The two wrestled for a moment as Bobby pretended to struggle for his coat and instead tickled her relentlessly.

She quietly squealed and pleaded for him to stop, not wanting to disturb the others. When he finally let up, Piper was out of breath and her hair was tousled and unruly. Bobby effortlessly pulled her onto his lap as she tried to get her wild hair away from her face. He had never had to work so hard to not kiss someone before. “We’re going to get through this, and when we do I intend to ask you some serious questions about us.”

“Let’s get through the next couple weeks alive, and then we’ll see.” Piper rested her head against Bobby’s shoulder, letting her face come dangerously close to his neck. He felt her breath dancing on his skin and although his body was screaming to kiss her, his mind quieted the desires. There would be a moment, not long in the future, when becoming clouded and completely overtaken with passion would be the most important thing on his to-do list. Right now he knew it would have to wait.

“Let me get this right,” Jules said, standing in front of the mirror in Betty’s upstairs bathroom and adjusting the curlers in her hair. To Piper, she looked a little like a space alien, but Jules assured her the time she spent putting the curlers in would amount to loads of extra volume in her hair, which was apparently a big deal. “I’m supposed to hit on this guy so he decides he wants to help our cause here. We’re whoring me out?”

“No, don’t think of it like that,” Bobby said, as he sat on the edge of the tub, flashing his most charming smile. “I’m saying that it would help tremendously if you and Michael hit it off. If he decides to help, then you’ll be spending a bit of time together, so making a good impression tonight would be to your advantage. I would hardly call that whoring you out. But out of curiosity, how far are you willing to go? You know, for the good of our cause. A little late night make-out session? Third base?” Piper leaned over from her seat on a small bench by the sink and smacked Bobby’s arm.

“Very funny. Fine, I’ll be nice, but I’m not making any promises. For goodness sake the ink on my annulment papers is barely dry.” Jules applied her ruby red lipstick and pressed her silky lips together. Piper was still adjusting to the fact Jules and Bobby had the type of relationship that would have them all sitting around the bathroom, Jules fresh from the shower and wrapped only in a towel.

“Hurry up then. He’ll be here any minute. We’re going downstairs to make sure Betty doesn’t scare him off before we have a chance to get him in the door,” Bobby said, grabbing Piper’s hand and pulling her off the bench and out of the bathroom. “So what did you say to Michael when you invited him over?” he asked Piper.

I said that I was having dinner with some friends of mine, and I’d like it if he could come. I told him you’d be here, and that it would be nice if the two of you to got to know each other better. I also told him there was this incredibly beautiful redhead I wanted him to meet. I think he might be under the impression we’re going to a restaurant, or out for drinks. It might be a bit of a shock to know we’re having pot roast and then plan on hanging out on a porch. The good news, however, is there was a motion for an extension by the defense in the case he was working on. He’s got at least two weeks with very little to do now. This case is a big one, so he’s been focusing on it almost exclusively. He has all his legwork for the trial finished. He’ll just be in a holding pattern until the defense is ready or the judge gets tired of their stalling. He’s going to have some time on his hands.”

Piper watched as Bobby hopped down the stairs and tapped the wooden beam above his head with his hand. It was something he seemed to do without any thought, a comforting habit formed out of hundreds of times up and down those stairs.

“That’s good news as long as the idea of an ‘at home country dinner’ doesn’t send him running for the hills. I hope we can pull this off. Without him I’m not sure how we move forward.” Bobby headed for the porch as Michael’s sleek black car pulled into the dirt driveway. “He’s here,” he called into the house, letting Jules know to hurry up.

As Michael stepped out of his car, Piper cringed at the sight of his tailored dress shirt and black slacks. His shoes, probably worth hundreds of dollars, were instantly covered with dust as he walked up the dry, overgrown walkway to the porch. Perhaps dinner out, in the environment to which Michael was more accustomed, would have been a better choice.

Jules came thudding with heavy feet down the stairs and pressed herself against the screen door speaking only loud enough for Piper and Bobby to hear.

“I changed my mind. Put me down for at least third base. How exactly did you fail to mention he could pass for a Swedish model and had buckets of money? Don’t those seem like things I would have wanted to know? I can’t wear this stupid sweater. I’m going to go change.” Jules jumped back from the door and ran to her room for a more presentable outfit.

“Hey Michael,” Piper said, waving guiltily at him. “Thanks for making the drive out. I know this is a little off the beaten path.”

“That’s no problem. It’s beautiful out here,” said Michael, stepping onto the porch and extending a hand to Bobby.

Just then, Betty burst from the screen door in her apron, a whisk still in one of her flour-covered hands. “Welcome to my home. I’m Betty, and you must be Michael. I’m so happy to have you over for dinner tonight.” Piper winced. The plan they had arranged was already going off course. Piper and Bobby had hoped to meet Michael on the porch and apologetically ask him if he minded having dinner here at Betty’s house. Then they would tell him briefly about Betty and Jules, and ease him into the introduction. Instead, Betty was in her normal position on the porch to greet any guest.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Betty, and thank you for having me. Is that pot roast I smell?” Michael was one of the smoothest people Piper had ever met, able to morph himself into any crowd and act perfectly comfortable.

“You have a keen nose, my boy. Actually, by the looks of you, your nose probably isn’t the only impressive thing you’ve got.” Betty eyed Michael and shook her head approvingly. “It is pot roast with all the fixins and it’s almost done. Why don’t you come on in and you kids relax in the sitting room while I finish up.” She shooed them all through the screen door, and Piper could feel sweat beginning to gather on the back of her neck.

As the three took a seat, Piper hoped someone would break the awkward silence that was beginning to choke her.

“Well, she’s not a redhead and a bit older than I usually like my dates but she seems lovely. This should shape up to be an interesting night,” Michael said, forcing Bobby to laugh, even though he knew it would anger Piper, who was obviously tense. “It might be a nice change actually. The girl I just broke it off with was a little intense. She didn’t agree with my theory that when two people go for a long romantic walk together but only one of them knows about it, it’s actually called stalking. I guess my point is, beggars can’t be choosers. At least Betty doesn’t seem the clingy type.”

“No, Jules is upstairs still getting ready. That’s her mom. Bobby grew up next door and they’re all practically family. We were thinking of going out to dinner but decided a nice meal here would be better. If you’re not comfortable though, I completely understand, and maybe the four of us can go for drinks somewhere instead.” Piper could feel her face glowing with hot embarrassment. If Bobby didn’t stop laughing he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone else killing him because she’d do it right now.

“Are you nuts? Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a home cooked meal? I hate eating out, sitting at the bar with a bunch of morons from work. This is going to be perfect. I figure if Jules isn’t my type, at least I know I’ve got Betty to fall back on.” Michael shrugged his shoulders and grinned at the sight of Bobby once again losing his composure and infuriating Piper.

“Hi,” squeaked Jules as she entered the sitting room. “I’m Jules, you must be Michael.” She extended her hand and Michael stood up to take it. “We’re sure glad you could join us tonight.” Piper took note of the softer southern drawl Jules had seemed to switch on. The girl certainly knew how to be sexy, from her low-cut plum sweater to the soft flutter of her perfectly shadowed eyelids.

“I was just telling Piper and Bobby how happy I am to be here. It’s been far too long since I’ve had a home-cooked meal around a real table with such beautiful women.” Michael indicated for Jules to join him on the loveseat and waited, in true gentleman fashion, for her to sit first.

“So Michael, you’re a lawyer. Are you a bleeding heart or an ambulance chaser?” Jules asked matter-of-factly, shocking everyone in the room. “What?” she asked, responding to the stunned looks she was receiving. “I see lawyers every day and to me, they all fall into one of those two categories. They’re either out for money at any cost, or they’re in it because they think they can change the world.”

“I guess that’s actually pretty right on,” responded Michael. “I’d prefer to think I’m in the bleeding-heart category. I take some pro bono cases. Can I ask where you get this large sampling of lawyers?”

“I work at the town hall, and I set them all up in the records department. Mostly I point them in the right direction and then cleanup after them,” she said, rolling her eyes at the thought of the inconsiderateness of most people she dealt with on a day-to-day basis.

“Oh, you’re the town hall girl?” Michael asked slapping his knee and lighting up with recognition. “My clerks literally arm wrestle to see which of them will be going to the records department just so they can drool over you. I have to admit I can see why.”

“They call me the town hall girl? That’s pretty condescending don’t you think?” Jules let her southern self-righteousness start to flare, and Piper cleared her throat in an effort to remind Jules of the purpose of this meeting.

“You’ve been called much worse,” Bobby chimed in with a victorious smile. “Remember what they used to call you in middle school?”

“Shut your ugly mouth, Bobby Wright, or I’ll tell Piper some of the most embarrassing things I know about you. Don’t think I’m above it, you know I’m not.” Jules pointed her finger at Bobby threateningly.

“Truce,” Bobby shouted, not quite ready for Piper to hear about how he got stuck in a compromising position while trying to climb the Larson’s chain-link fence, or how he burped accidently while playing spin the bottle with Stacy Parmer from down the road.

“It’s ready,” called Betty in her singsong voice as she carried a large tray of food past them and into the dining room.

As they all took their seats, Betty smiled with delight at the group gathered around her table. “Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful company. Thank you for bringing Piper back to our table and for Michael joining us tonight.”

“Amen to that,” Bobby said, squeezing Piper’s leg below the table. “Now pass the potatoes, I’m starving.” By the look on Michael’s face, if he wasn’t completely won over by Jules’s beauty then he might agree to help in order to get more of Betty’s food.

The dinner was full of cordial conversation. Jules seemed to refocus her energy back on wooing Michael, and by all accounts, it seemed to be working. It was all going smoothly until, once again, Betty went off-script after dessert.

“Michael, I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to be a part of all this. When I lost my husband, Stan, I thought I’d never be able to go on with my life. It devastated Jules and me beyond belief. These last ten years have been brimming over with regret and questions. When Piper and Bobby told me what they were going to do, it renewed my soul. I feel like Stan is sitting right here with us. I’d have to make you a thousand meals to ever come close to thanking you for your part in it.” Betty folded her hands together and put them over her heart, looking sincerely around the table.

“It’s my pleasure, Betty. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, and I’m so glad to hear that you’re in the process of finding some peace,” Michael said, smiling back at Betty and, much to Piper’s amazement, not skipping a beat.

“Well I’m going to clear these dishes. Why don’t ya’ll go sit on the porch and enjoy this beautiful night. Bobby, put some logs on the fire pit out there so ya’ll don’t freeze.” Betty stood and filled her hands with dishes before disappearing into the next room.

“Jules, will you do me a favor and help your mom clear? I’m going to chat with Piper and Michael outside for a bit.” Bobby spoke through his teeth and glared at Jules indicating she had better do what he asked.

“It does sound like we have a bit to chat about, now doesn’t it?” Michael quipped, standing up with an awkward smile on his face.

The three moved onto the porch, all searching for an appropriate starting point for the conversation. Since Piper felt the most amount of responsibility for the three of them being there, she worked up the courage to speak first. “That wasn’t exactly how we planned to ask you for your help. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, and I appreciate your not venting any frustration in front of Betty. She means well.”

“I guess I’m wondering what all that was about. I think both Betty and Jules are lovely, and being here tonight was great. Right up until the speech about the endless gratitude, I thought things were going pretty well.” Michael scratched at his head and looked perplexed.

Bobby thought he’d take a crack at an explanation. “I think you had a good idea of what Piper was doing when she was digging for information on Judge Lions and the Donavans. I know that when you and I spoke we decided that the best thing to do was try to talk her out of pushing it any further. Unfortunately, we didn’t do a great job, and at some point information came to light that made all of this very personal for me, for everyone in this house actually. The judge is far more corrupt than we could have imagined, and Piper discovered that he and a cop currently on the force were responsible for Stan’s death. Stan was like a father to me, and I watched his death destroy Betty and Jules. We have an opportunity to step in and seek some justice. The problem is, while Piper and I are out doing that, we have an enormous amount of liability here, and we need another person ensuring Jules and Betty are safe.” Bobby had his back to Michael as he stuffed two more logs into the clay firepit that sat on the corner of the porch. It seemed easier than looking him in the eye and explaining their plan.

Michael looked back and forth between Piper and Bobby. He half expected them both to start laughing and reveal this all to be an after-dinner joke they had orchestrated for the newest guest at the table.