Deadly Arrival (Hardy Brothers Security Book 16) (19 page)

“Well, this has been a great afternoon,” Grady said, rolling over to his back and staring at the blackening sky. “You really do take me to the nicest places. You’re the best big brother ever!”

“The house blew up,” James muttered.

“I was there. I saw it.”

“Do you think Marcus really sat there and blew himself up?” James asked, the far-off wailing sirens causing him to cringe.

“I think he wasn’t going back to prison for anything,” Grady replied. “I can’t say I blame him.”

“We’re about to get ourselves into a whole lot of trouble,” James pointed out, resigned. “You need to call Sheriff Morgan before they get here and I’ll call Jake. We need to get out to that cabin on Lake St. Clair – and we need to make sure Sophie and Mandy know we’re okay before they hear about this secondhand.”

“That’s a good idea,” Grady said, digging for his phone. “We’re probably going to be arrested.”

“I’ll make sure Jake brings bail money.”

“Oh, the fun we Hardys have,” Grady sang as he pressed his phone to his ear.

“ALLY,
put all that stuff in the refrigerator and come with me,” Jake ordered, walking into the kitchen. “We have to go over to Oakland County.”

Mandy and Ally jolted at the sound of his voice. They knew something serious had happened without voicing a single question.

“What’s going on?” Finn asked, walking into the kitchen with Emma.

“We have big updates,” Jake said, glancing around. “Some of what I’m about to tell you is very good. Some of what I’m about to tell you is going to freak you out.”

“I think I’d better sit down,” Emma said, sliding onto one of the dining room chairs and raising her dark eyes expectantly. “Please tell me the good news is that they’ve either captured my father or that he’s dead.”

“I can’t tell you that yet,” Jake cautioned. “We know where he’s holed up, though. We’re getting people together to move, but before that happens we have to go to Oakland County and bail James and Grady out of jail.”

Mandy frowned. “What?”

“Before I explain what happened, James wanted me to tell you that he’s absolutely fine and not to freak out,” Jake said.

“That’s not helping,” Mandy said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Okay, Sheriff Morgan called Grady and James into his office to talk this morning,” Jake launched into his tale. “You already know that.”

“Yes, that’s how I got stuck listening to you and Ally argue for an hour in the grocery store,” Mandy said.

“I’m going to make a roast for you and the baby tonight,” Ally announced to Emma.

“That sounds nice,” Emma said, although she didn’t look thrilled with the prospect. Apparently Ally had forgotten she was a vegetarian.

“Go back to James,” Mandy ordered.

“Morgan gave them some crap about being in the middle of all this prisoner escape stuff,” Jake said. “He also admitted to watching the house and security business because they’re desperate to be the ones to catch Pritchard. Morgan needs the boost for his political aspirations.”

“I am this close to killing you if you don’t tell me what happened to James,” Mandy warned, holding her fingers in front of Jake’s face for emphasis.

“Morgan said that all the local law enforcement heads are in the middle of a pissing contest,” Jake said. “He gave Grady and James a tip on where to find Marcus Gibson. It happened to be in Oakland County. He wanted them to grab Marcus and bring him back to Macomb County, and he said they could ask him any questions they liked during the trip back.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Finn said, excited. “Did they find him?”

“They did,” Jake confirmed. “They didn’t have a lot of time to talk, but James gave me the basics. The warden is the one who facilitated the escape. He’s in the middle of a divorce and he wanted DeAngelo to kill his wife.”

“What?” Mandy was dumbfounded. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“I wish I was,” Jake said. “Lassiter allowed Pritchard to be part of it because he thought everyone would be focusing on him instead of the other convicts. Apparently Lupo wasn’t even supposed to be there.

“DeAngelo was supposed to incapacitate the guard, not kill him, and when he screwed up DeAngelo opted not to kill Lassiter’s wife and instead took off on his own,” he continued. “Lassiter got Marcus on the phone and ordered him to kill his wife. Apparently he didn’t want to, but he also didn’t want to go back to prison because he’s everyone’s favorite toy behind bars.”

Ally made a face. “Oh, gross. Did you have to tell me that?”

“Marcus gave James and Grady a lot of information, including the location of the cabin where Pritchard has been hiding out,” Jake said. “Then he pressed a button on his computer and told James and Grady to run. They did … and the house blew up.”

“Omigod!” Mandy moved closer. “Is he okay?”

“I told you at the beginning that he was fine,” Jake said, resting his hand on Mandy’s shoulder. “They were outside when the house exploded. Police arrived on the scene shortly after and they’re hopping mad.

“Grady called Sheriff Morgan and he’s on the way to the jail, but we’re not sure how much he’s going to be able to do,” he continued. “We need to go to Oakland County with bail money to get them out. Because they’re trying to be jackasses, we need a different family member to supply bail for each one of your brothers and act as a guardian if we do manage to get them arraigned – which is still up in the air.”

“That’s Finn and me, right?” Ally asked.

Jake nodded. “That leaves Mandy to stay with Emma even though I know she’s about to pitch a righteous fit,” he said. “We don’t have a choice and you have to stay.”

Emma’s face colored. “I can stay alone.”

“Absolutely not,” Finn said. “You heard the doctor today. You could go into labor any second. Someone has to stay with you.”

“Why can’t I serve as James’ family member and Ally as Grady’s?” Mandy asked, refusing to give in.

“That was going to be my original plan until Finn showed up,” Jake admitted. “Once we spring James and Grady, we’re immediately going with Morgan’s men to the cabin to get Pritchard. This saves time.”

“But … .”

“I know you want to see him, Mandy, but I promise he’s fine,” Jake said. “Think about it. In three hours this could all be over.”

Mandy sighed, resigned. “Okay.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” Emma said. “I’m perfectly fine. I’m not going into labor right this second.”

“Peter’s men are positioned all around this house,” Jake said. “You’re safe in that regard. You still need someone in this house with you in case the unthinkable happens.”

“He’s right,” Mandy said, tugging on her resolve. Peter’s words from the previous afternoon echoed throughout her mind. She had to do what was right for her family. “Emma and I will be fine. Go and get Pritchard.”

“Thank you,” Jake said, squeezing Mandy’s hand. “I will make sure James calls you during the drive.”

“You do that,” Mandy said. “I … tell him I love him.”

“He already knows that,” Jake said.

Finn pressed a quick kiss to Emma’s forehead and smiled. “It’s going to be safe again very soon, sweetie,” he said. “Hold my son in for a few more hours and then everything is going to be fine.”

“I can’t wait,” Emma said, her eyes shining with tears. “This has been a nightmare, but it’s finally almost over.”

“THIS
is such bullshit,” Grady intoned, shooting the Oakland County sheriff’s deputy a dark look as Ally signed his paperwork.

“It says here I’m responsible for your actions,” Ally said. “That means you have to do what I say.”

Grady made a face. “Over my dead body.”

“I can arrange that,” Ally said.

“I want to switch,” Grady said. “Finn needs to sign my paperwork.”

“Then we’ll have to start over at the beginning,” James snapped. “Suck it up.”

“We’re lucky they arraigned you right away,” Jake supplied. “They could’ve kept you overnight.”

“Not if they didn’t want to incur a media firestorm,” Sophie said, walking into the lobby. She threw her arms around Grady’s neck and gave him a long hug. “I’m really mad at you.”

“I love you, too, sugar,” Grady said. “I’m fine.”

“You could’ve died in that house,” Sophie pointed out.

“Are you the reason they rushed us to arraignment?” James asked, collecting his gun from the smug deputy. “I don’t know why you’re smiling,” he said to the deputy. “These charges are going to be dropped and then who are you going to laugh at?”

“I’m pretty sure it will still be you,” the deputy deadpanned.

James rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Let’s get out of here.”

“How did you help us?” Grady asked, slinging an arm over Sophie’s shoulder.

“I merely made sure the sheriff knew that I was going to call the whole media circus over here and report on you guys being locked up for trying to protect your family,” Sophie replied. “I told him I was prepared to trot a crying pregnant woman out for good measure and he agreed to push through the arraignments.”

“Too bad he wouldn’t drop the charges,” Jake said.

“He’s going to,” James said. “We owe you for getting us out, Sophie.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” Sophie said. “I can’t live without my love muffin.” She pinched Grady’s cheek for good measure, causing him to blush.

“Technically I’m his boss until they drop the charges,” Ally offered. “If you want him to do something, just tell me.”

“Why are you his boss?”

“A family member had to take responsibility for them,” Finn explained. “The sheriff insisted on it because he’s a jerk. I got James and Ally got Grady.”

Sophie snorted. “Where is Mandy? I’m surprised she didn’t jump at the chance to be James’ boss.”

“She’s already my boss,” James said, reaching for his phone. “Speaking of that … .”

“Mandy had to stay with Emma,” Finn explained. “The doctor said the baby will be here soon. We couldn’t risk Emma being in the house alone even though Peter’s men are watching over things.”

“Hey, if we’re lucky this is going to be over before Emma goes into labor,” Sophie said. “That’s the best baby gift any of us could give her.”

“We need to end this today,” Finn said. “I want my baby.”

“HI,”
Mandy said, smiling when she heard James’ voice on the other end of the phone. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, baby,” James said. “We were outside when the house blew up.”

“Is Marcus dead?”

“He never moved from his chair,” James answered. “We’re going to meet Morgan and his men out at the cabin right now. Hopefully we’ll have Pritchard in custody within the hour. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Mandy said. “We’re a little antsy waiting for word on all of this, but I’m going to take Emma out to the guesthouse and show her what I’ve been working on in my studio for the baby’s room.”

“You won’t show me what you’ve been working on for the baby,” James argued. “How come Emma gets to see it?”

“We need something to do,” Mandy admitted. “I’ll let you paint me later if you get this taken care of today. I’ll be naked.”

“Sold,” James said. “Stay safe and call an ambulance first and then Peter if Emma goes into labor. Peter’s men should be at the front door to make sure you guys get inside the vehicle safely. Once you’re in the hospital, you’re untouchable.”

“Hopefully that won’t be an issue,” Mandy said. “Call me as soon as it’s over.”

“I will.”

“Don’t put yourself at risk, James,” Mandy said. “I can’t live without you.”

“Don’t worry about that, baby,” James said. “It’s you and me forever. I told you that.”

“I love you.”

“I love you more than anything,” James said. “Have fun in your studio and be careful. We’re almost done with this.”

Mandy disconnected, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth until she realized Emma was staring at her. “James said they’re on their way and they’ll call us as soon as it’s over,” she said. “Do you want to go out to the studio?”

“Anything to get out of here for a little bit,” Emma said. “No offense, and I love your house when we visit, but I’m starting to feel closed in.”

“Join the club,” Mandy said, pocketing her phone and opening the back door. The air was crisp and cool, but the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day to get their lives back in order. “I’m so glad spring is finally here. I hate winter.”

“Do you think you and James will spend your winters in a warmer climate once you’re done with your job at the courthouse?” Emma asked, falling into step next to Mandy.

“I honestly don’t know,” Mandy said. “I can’t see us ever being gone for Christmas. I can see us taking off every February to get out of here, though. I love Michigan for three seasons, but that fourth season can be a real pain in the ass.”

“I hear you,” Emma said, walking into the guesthouse in front of Mandy.

“I mean, look at this,” Mandy said, bending over in front of the open door and picking up a huge clump of sidewalk salt. “This can’t be healthy for anything or anyone.”