Deadly Memories (Hardy Brothers Security Book 18) (11 page)

“Well, that’s sad,” Grady said. “She made sure you were safe in the end, though. That’s the most important thing.”

“I haven’t thought about this in a long time, Grady. It hurts.”

“I know, sugar,” Grady said. “You need some sleep. I’m going to be right here protecting you while you do. In the morning, I’ll get you a big breakfast because you have to be starving. Then I’ll start working on my penance. How does that sound?”

“Sleep sounds good,” Sophie said, her voice weary. “I’m going to make a list for your penance, though.”

Grady chuckled, the unexpected release enough to chase some of his pent-up worries away. “I’m looking forward to it.”

G
rady and Sophie
woke at the same time, both shifting and locking gazes as the early morning sunshine filtered through the blinds. Sophie rubbed her eyes, which felt raw and crusty, and Grady reached over to help.

“It’s okay, sugar,” he said, his voice low. “You just need a shower and breakfast. You’ll be okay.”

He cupped the back of Sophie’s head and kissed her, the exchange soft. He didn’t expect it to lead anywhere, but when Sophie deepened the kiss, Grady realized she needed human contact and wanted to embrace a return to normalcy before leaving their bed.

He ran his hands up her back, helping her strip off the simple tank top she slept in, and rubbed his thumbs over her nipples as she happily sighed into his mouth. Grady was tender as he rolled her over and rested on top of her, pushing her hair away from her face and meeting her emotional eyes.

“I love you, Sophie.” It was barely a whisper and he didn’t give her a chance to respond, instead covering her mouth with his.

Sophie moaned as Grady moved his hips to the side and shifted his boxer shorts and her panties off before pressing his body flush against hers. He nudged her thighs apart and pressed a trail of soft kisses down her neck as he slid inside of her.

A normal morning would involve giggles and playful positions. Grady didn’t go flashy this time, instead showing her nothing but love as he moved inside of her. He repeatedly whispered how much he loved her as he brought her to orgasm, making sure she was done before joining her.

He collapsed on top of her moments later, both of them breathing heavy as he rubbed his face in the soft hollow between her neck and chest. They drifted off again, their hearts beating in tandem, and this time the sleep was restful.

“
O
KAY
,
sugar, I made you pancakes, bacon, and cut up some fruit,” Grady said two hours later, sliding a huge plate of food in front of Sophie. “I’ve got coffee and juice. What else do you need?”

Sophie’s eyes widened as she stared at her breakfast. “Is this part of your punishment?”

“This is making sure you have a full stomach before work,” Grady replied. “You didn’t get dinner last night and I think everything took a lot of out of both of us. You can’t leave this house until you clean your plate.”

Sophie felt markedly better after her shower, and in the bright light of day she felt ridiculous for her meltdown and embarrassed by her inherent neediness. “Grady, about last night … .”

Grady shook his head to cut her off, grabbing her hand as he sat next to her. “Please don’t shut me out now. I know you don’t want to talk about it. I have no intention of pressuring you. If you ever change your mind, I’ll always be here.”

“I was going to apologize for crying and blowing my nose on your shirt.”

Grady snickered. “Well, I can live with that,” he said. “The shirt will wash. The crying was natural. I don’t want you apologizing for anything. I’m the one who is sorry.”

“I’m not happy about what you did, Grady, but I realize my part in it,” Sophie said. “I knew curiosity would get the better of you. You can’t seem to help yourself sometimes. I just wish you would’ve asked me before you did what you did.”

“You have no idea how much I wish I would’ve asked you, too,” Grady said, his smile sheepish. “Sometimes I look at you and I swear my heart stops because I love you so much. The idea of someone hurting you made me do something very stupid. I won’t do it again.”

“You mean you’ll try not to do it again,” Sophie corrected. “I love you more than I ever thought possible, Grady Hardy, but we both know your imagination runs away from you sometimes. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you for doing something stupid.”

“Really?”

“You’re far too handsome,” Sophie teased. “Your looks make putting up with stupid stuff all the easier.”

“And that’s why you’re my favorite person in the world,” Grady said, reaching for his fork. “You get me.”

“I really do,” Sophie said, digging into her breakfast. Her stomach picked that moment to rumble, causing the couple to laugh. “I guess I was hungrier than I realized.”

“Eat up, sugar. You need your fuel. What do you have going on today?”

“I have another press conference down at the courthouse,” Sophie replied. “There was a text from Conrad on my phone when I got out of the shower. I’m guessing they’re going to announce charges against Nate Foley.”

“Are they still not releasing his condition?”

“I haven’t heard a thing,” Sophie said. “I guess I’ll find out today. The good news for you is that the press conference is at ten, so that means I should get my story done early and can get home at a reasonable hour.”

“Why is that good news for me … other than the obvious, I mean?”

“Because I plan on being responsible for dinner tonight, and I’m going to serve it to you naked.”

“I thought I was supposed to be on punishment,” Grady said, his eyes twinkling. “That doesn’t sound like something that’s going to make me regret my actions.”

“You will when I make you massage me for an hour.”

Grady’s grin was sly. “Oh, Sophie, I have so much to teach you about doling out punishments. I’m looking forward to it, though.”

“I’m sure you are.”

D
ESPITE
the upheaval
of the previous evening, Sophie was in a good mood when she arrived at the courthouse. She was early, but she took the opportunity to buy a coffee from the stand in front of the building and almost jumped out of her skin when Mandy appeared at her elbow.

“Hey.”

“You scared the crap out of me,” Sophie said, smacking Mandy’s arm as she recovered. “Don’t sneak up on someone like that.”

“I’m sorry,” Mandy said. “I saw you through the window when I was heading upstairs and I wanted to see if you were okay. I … um … did Grady talk to you?”

“Are you asking if Grady told me about the invasive thing you guys did yesterday?” Sophie glanced around to make sure no one could overhear them. If someone knew Mandy illegally accessed the courthouse records she could lose her job. “If so, then the answer is yes.”

“I’m sorry,” Mandy said, her blue eyes earnest. “I shouldn’t have let them talk me into it. It was wrong and … if you want to turn me into the judge I’m ready to go upstairs with you right now.”

“Most of the time when James says you’re dramatic I ignore him because he’s dramatic, too,” Sophie said dryly. “I have no intention of turning you in. I’m not happy about it, but it’s done and out in the open. I’m not angry … and I’m not looking to tattle on you.”

“I might tattle on you if we were in opposite positions.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” Sophie said, smirking. “It’s okay. Grady and I had a rough night, but we worked everything out. He promised to never do something stupid again and I told him if that sticks for a week I’ll be happy.”

Mandy’s face split with a wide grin. “At least tell me you’re going to force him to do some heavy groveling tonight to make up for it.”

“Yes. I’m going to make a list of things he has to do.”

“Good girl,” Mandy said, shifting her gaze to the assembled media as they got in place at the bottom of the stairs. “I take it you’re here for another press conference on Nate Foley.”

“I am,” Sophie said, nodding. “I’m guessing they’re going to announce charges. They’ve been getting a lot of flak in the media. They can’t put it off much longer. Why are you down here, though? Shouldn’t you be up in the courtroom?”

“We’re on a break and it’s expected to last for hours,” Mandy answered. “That’s one thing television programs don’t show you. The lawyers are maneuvering on evidence declarations and the judge doesn’t expect for us to start the trial until after lunch.”

“I guess that means you can entertain me until the press conference starts,” Sophie said, wrinkling her nose. “After all, it’s the least you can do after the horrible thing you did to me yesterday.”

“You’re learning well,” Mandy said. “I can hang around for a little bit. I’m not doing anything in my office but staring at the wall. I don’t even have busy work to do.”

“You can tell me about your fight with James,” Sophie prodded. “Grady said you made him pay last night, too.”

“I did make him pay,” Mandy confirmed. “He’s a pervert and I’m sick of him making me look like a fool at the office.”

“Are you really sick of it, or are you just pretending so he’ll give you hours upon hours of massages while watching
Jaws
in the hot tub?”

Mandy pursed her lips. “Well … .”

“That’s what I thought,” Sophie said, shaking her head. “You’re evil.”

“I really don’t like the court personnel talking about me behind my back,” Mandy clarified. “I hear the whispers. James thinks he’s a big man because everyone looks at him like a stud. It’s not as easy for me because they think I’m a slut.”

“I get that,” Sophie said. “It’s always harder for women.”

“On something like this, it definitely is,” Mandy agreed. “That being said, I’m already mentally checked out of this place. I don’t care what anyone thinks … except for Judge MacIntosh. He gave me a job when I was fresh out of college and I don’t want to disappoint him.”

“He loves you, Mandy,” Sophie said. “I’m sure he understands James’ penchant for telling everyone in the free world how virile he is. That’s a man thing. If anyone would grasp the situation, it’s another man.”

“I know that,” Mandy said. “I didn’t punish him for very long. I made him massage me … and buy Greek food … and pretend to be a shark in the hot tub. He’s fine. In fact, he was all proud of himself this morning because he’s convinced he made me forgive him when I wasn’t completely angry in the first place.”

“Men are funny creatures,” Sophie said, smirking. “Grady was just the opposite this morning. He couldn’t have been sweeter or more attentive. He gave me a huge plate of food and insisted I eat it all.”

“That’s because you were going through something real,” Mandy said. “James and I were going through something only kind of real, and on the scale of things that matter, it didn’t even rate.”

“If it upsets you, it rates.”

“Not really,” Mandy said, biting the inside of her cheek as she scanned the crowd. She obviously had something on her mind, and Sophie knew what it was.

“Do you want to ask about it?”

“No,” Mandy answered, shaking her head. “You wouldn’t believe the horror stories I’ve heard during my time in the criminal justice system. You don’t need to go into excruciating detail. Just know I’m here if you ever need to talk.”

“I could never forget that,” Sophie said, impulsively reaching over to give the blonde a hug. “Do you want to grab lunch when this is over with and help me with Grady’s punishment list?”

Mandy’s eyes brightened. “Always.”

“That’s what I thought,” Sophie chortled. “You don’t have to stay for the press conference if you don’t want to. I expect it will be technical and boring.”

“Oh, no, I want to stay,” Mandy countered. “I’m actually interested in this case. Whenever politics and police work overlap, something invariably goes bad.”

“I’m not sure it can in this case,” Sophie said. “The prosecutor and sheriff are both on the record saying they’re going to pursue harsh justice.”

“Yes, but they also have a bunch of politicians working them behind the scenes,” Mandy pointed out. “I wouldn’t count on serious charges until they announce them if I were you.”

Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Do you know something?”

“Only that people are whispering about Chuck Foley calling in every favor he can think of to put pressure on Morgan and Humphrey. Whether it works is anyone’s guess.”

“I guess we’re about to find out,” Sophie said, inclining her chin in the direction of the street where Morgan and Humphrey got out of a sheriff’s department vehicle together. “The moment of truth is here.”

“
I
want
to thank everyone for coming.”

Sheriff Morgan took the primary position in front of the assembled media representatives as Humphrey stood to his left. Morgan’s body language suggested a heavy heart, while Humphrey merely clasped his hands and smiled for the cameras.

“He’s kind of a toad,” Sophie whispered.

“Who? Humphrey?” Mandy shifted her gaze to the prosecutor. “Everyone in the building hates him beyond reason. He’s got a worse reputation than I do.”

“You’re married and fooling around with your husband,” Sophie pointed out. “He’s married and trying to fool around with any woman who will look in his direction. I don’t like him.”

“Well, you’re not alone,” Mandy said. “I hear the stenographic pool is considering having T-shirts made up that say the same thing.”

“I have an update on the Stony Creek accident case,” Morgan said, licking his lips. “It’s been a long process, and we’ve spent hours poring through evidence. I’ve barely slept over the last few days because of this tragedy, but I’m hopeful after today’s announcement people will be able to put this behind them and move on.

“After careful consideration, Prosecutor Humphrey and I have come to the same conclusion,” he continued. “While there is compelling inference that Nate Foley was in the wrong, we don’t have enough evidence to prosecute him.”

A hush fell over the crowd for a moment, and then pandemonium broke out.

“How can you possibly say that?”

Sophie wasn’t sure who asked the question because the second Morgan made his announcement the media throng drew closer together. This press conference had gone from the expected to the unexpected, and things would now get ugly.

“The evidence in this case isn’t as cut and dried as we initially thought,” Morgan said. “While the vehicle did belong to Mr. Foley, we have conflicting reports from two witnesses who say they don’t believe he was the one behind the wheel.”

“This is unbelievable,” Sophie muttered. “You were right.”

“Politics,” Mandy said simply, shaking her head. “I feel sick to my stomach.”

“You’re not the only one,” Sophie said.

“Wasn’t Nate Foley strapped into the driver’s seat at the time of the accident?” the Channel 2 reporter, a well-dressed man with salt-and-pepper hair asked. “How was he not driving at the time of the accident if he was belted in when the car went over the railing?”

“Because the vehicle landed in the water, some well-meaning onlookers ran over to help,” Morgan replied. “They removed the two occupants still in the car and questions have been raised about who was in the driver’s seat.

“Mr. Foley is certainly a possibility,” he continued. “One of the deceased, a Daniel Jackson, was also in the car and we can’t be sure given the chain of evidence that he was not the one behind the wheel.”

Sophie was flabbergasted. It was one thing for Morgan and Humphrey to bow to political pressure and let Nate Foley off the hook. It was quite another to scapegoat a dead boy. “Well, I can’t put up with this,” she muttered.

“Go get them,” Mandy said. “Make it hurt.”

Sophie took a step forward, meeting Morgan’s gaze as it drifted in her direction. “Are you honestly going to blame this on a dead boy who can’t mount a defense?”

“I didn’t say that, Ms. Lane,” Morgan shot back, a muscle in his jaw ticking. “I said that we couldn’t be entirely sure that Nate Foley was behind the wheel. Enough evidence has arisen that even I’m uncertain.”

“Did that evidence come in the form of Commissioner Chuck Foley?” Sophie pressed. “I hear tell he’s been calling in favors from one end of this county to the other. Exactly how many politicians have been hounding you to let three teenagers die without anyone being held responsible?”

As a politician, Morgan had to keep his temper in check in public situations. Sophie had no doubt that if they were alone, he would be screaming instead of struggling to maintain a professional façade.

“My hands are tied, Ms. Lane,” Morgan said. “We can only bring charges if there’s a preponderance of guilt. We don’t seem to have that.”

“I can’t help but wonder if the constituents will feel the same way when your promise of justice from a few days ago is shown on a split screen with footage of you backpedaling today during ads for the next election cycle,” Sophie said.

“I’m not here as a politician,” Morgan gritted out. “I’m here as a law enforcement representative.”

“And what about the families of the dead boys?”

Sophie swiveled, surprised to find Mandy was the one asking the question.

“Excuse me?” Morgan asked, bewildered. “Why are you asking questions, Mrs. Hardy? I didn’t realize you’d taken on a new job.”

Humphrey chuckled appreciatively, but no one else in attendance found the joke funny.

“I’m here as a concerned citizen,” Mandy replied. “I think like everyone else, when I heard about this tragedy, I was upset. I felt bad for the boy in the hospital, but I also feel that everyone has to learn about repercussions at some point in their life.

“This wasn’t some prank gone awry,” she continued. “This was a poor decision that resulted in three deaths. Where’s the justice for the other boys?”

“Mrs. Hardy, I’m sure you feel passionately about this case,” Humphrey said, pasting a patronizing smile on his face. “As a court worker, I would assume you know about pesky things like proof. Sometimes we simply don’t have enough evidence to prosecute.”

Mandy wasn’t about to be dissuaded. “It’s funny that mostly happens in cases where people with influence are involved, isn’t it?”

“Mrs. Hardy, I believe you’re supposed to be at work if I’m not mistaken,” Humphrey said. “I’m pretty sure that means you’re supposed to be a few floors above us, not riling up people on the street.”

“I’m on a break.”

“Well, I’m happy to see you decided to get some fresh air on this break and not play games with your husband on county property.”

A murmur went through reporters, and when Sophie risked a glance in Mandy’s direction she found the blonde’s cheeks flushed with color. Sophie was done pussyfooting around.

“So, let me get this straight, you’ve bowed to political pressure and are going to let a murderer walk free and your way of hiding what you’re doing is attacking a court worker?” Sophie asked. “Have I got that right?”

Mandy shot Sophie a grateful look.

“I’m doing nothing of the sort, Ms. Lane,” Humphrey snapped. “I’m merely suggesting Mrs. Hardy shouldn’t get involved in things that are above her pay grade.”

“I think we can all say the same thing about you,” Sophie said, immediately regretting taking things to a personal level when Humphrey’s eyes flashed with rage. “Do you have anything else to say? If not, I have three families to find and I’m sure everyone else does, too. I can’t believe they’ll be happy about this.”

“You should leave those families to grieve in private,” Humphrey said. “They’ve already lost their children. Keeping this in the news for one second longer than necessary will do nothing but compound their pain.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Sophie said. “I think they’ll probably want to mount a joint campaign to get justice for their dead children. It’s a compelling story. I’ll bet it even gets national news coverage.”

Sophie didn’t miss the worried look Morgan shot in Humphrey’s direction. If she had to guess, it looked as if Morgan didn’t want to back down on prosecuting Nate Foley but had no choice. Humphrey was calling the shots. Sophie was happy to make him the focus when she started down her new path.

“This press conference is over,” Humphrey said. “I believe I can speak for everyone – victims and law enforcement alike – when I ask that everyone let this be the end of the story.”

“Not bloody likely,” Sophie muttered, sliding her eyes to Mandy. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this. I’m going to have to postpone lunch.”

“I figured,” Mandy said. “What are you going to do?”

“Go hunting,” Sophie said. “If you’re really bored up in your office, by the way, you can email me your suggestions for Grady’s punishment. I’ll make sure you’re well represented.”

“I might just do that,” Mandy said, waving to Sophie as she moved toward the building and glaring at Humphrey as she huffily stomped past him.

Sophie remained in her spot a moment, locking gazes with Humphrey and engaging in a stare down. She was mildly triumphant when he broke first. She took the opportunity to leave, running through a mental checklist of the things she needed to do before filing her story as she trudged down the street. She was so lost in thought she didn’t notice a pair of hands shooting out from the nearby alley before it was too late. She was already being dragged out of sight by the time her wits came to the forefront.

“
W
HAT THE
hell
?”

Sophie slapped at the hands on her shoulders, practically tripping over her feet as she tried to get away from the man who grabbed her. She didn’t recognize him. He was short, his blond hair thinning on the top, and he was almost rounder than he was tall.

Sophie instinctively lashed out, elbowing the man in the stomach as she scrambled to get away. While the blow didn’t land as solidly as she hoped, the fight was already over because Sophie was shoved into the wall by a charging figure as he raced down the alleyway and grabbed Sophie’s assailant by the throat. Sophie recognized the interloper.

“Sven?”

Sven ignored Sophie and focused on his prey. “Who are you?”

“Let me go,” the man sputtered, his face turning red as he struggled for oxygen.

“Let him go, Sven,” Sophie instructed, jerking on the bodyguard’s arm. “I don’t think he’s a threat.”

“He had his hands on you,” Sven argued.

“And now he doesn’t,” Sophie said. “Let him go.”

Sven gave the man a vicious push, making sure to keep himself between Sophie and her stalker. He narrowed his eyes as he looked the man up and down. He didn’t look like a threat, but then again, neither did half of history’s serial killers.

“Who are you?” Sophie asked.

The man rubbed his neck as he regrouped, his gasps subsiding as he narrowed his eyes and focused on Sven. “Who is he?”

“He’s my … bodyguard,” Sophie answered. “Although, to be fair, I had no idea my body needed guarding today. What are you doing here, Sven?”

“What do you think?” Sven was in no mood to be tangled with.

“I think Peter sent you to watch me because he was worried about my car being vandalized,” Sophie answered. “He probably also wanted to make sure I was okay after our talk last night, and he figured you were the only one I might confide in if I was upset.”

“You’ve always been a smart one,” Sven said, shaking his head. “It wasn’t smart to lose track of your surroundings and let a stranger grab you, though. Pay better attention.”

“Apparently I don’t have to because I have you hanging around,” Sophie said, rolling her eyes until they landed on the stranger. “Who are you?”

“Kevin Jackson.”

Sophie stilled, running the name through her head. She didn’t recognize it, and yet … . “You’re Daniel Jackson’s father, aren’t you?”

The man nodded.

“Who is Daniel Jackson?” Sven asked.

“He’s the dead boy from the accident at Stony Creek who wasn’t ejected from the car,” Sophie explained.

“No, he was my son and now the cops are blaming him for his own death when he wasn’t even driving,” Jackson spat.

Sophie’s heart went out to the man. She didn’t blame him for being angry. “Why did you approach me?”

“He didn’t approach you,” Sven interjected. “He kidnapped you.”

“I didn’t kidnap her,” Jackson protested. “I just wanted to talk to her where no one could see. I heard what you said at the press conference, by the way. I appreciate it. You and your blonde friend seemed to be the only ones who care.”

“Yes, I heard it, too,” Sven said. “If I were that prosecutor I would start running now. When James Hardy hears what he said to his wife, there’s going to be blood.”

“I’m actually looking forward to that,” Sophie said, pursing her lips as she regarded Kevin Jackson. “Do you want to talk? How about I buy you a cup of coffee and we get to know one another?”

“Will he be coming?” Jackson asked, inclining his head in Sven’s direction.

“No.”

Sven snorted. “Yes.”

“I guess I can live with that,” Jackson said. “Just … don’t kill me.”

“I’ll try to hold back,” Sven deadpanned.