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

“I certainly hope so,” the woman said. “I need you to stop my son from killing someone.”

S
OPHIE WAS
frustrated
as she walked out of the sheriff’s department. She didn’t expect Morgan to own up to his part in everything, but she didn’t expect him to dig his heels in and pretend she was in the wrong either.

Aaron Morgan was taking a stand, but it was one Sophie was certain would end his career.

She dug in her purse for her keys, jerking her head up when a figure sidled in beside her and cast a shadow over her bag. A man – one Sophie vaguely recognized – stepped into the space to her right. “I know you,” Sophie said, searching her memory.

The man’s smile was congenial, but the icy hatred emanating from the depths of his eyes gave off an entirely different vibe. “You do.”

“You were the guy I ran into on the street by the courthouse the other day,” Sophie said, confused. “Are you following me?”

“I am.”

Sophie wasn’t prone to dramatic fits, but her heart rate increased as she studied the man. There was something so familiar about him, and yet she couldn’t quite put her finger on where she could’ve possibly met him. “Do you have a news tip? Do you have information on Chuck Foley, Sheriff Morgan, or Prosecutor Humphrey?”

“I do have a news tip for you,” the man said, causing Sophie’s heart to lodge in her throat as he withdrew a knife and held it to her abdomen. Given their proximity to the car, and angle of the building behind them, no one could see what he was doing unless they were directly upon them, and the parking lot was empty.

“W-what … ?”

“Get in the car, Sophie,” the man said. “We have some things to discuss.”

J
ames watched
the three judges pore over financial documents, interested in their serious and sober reactions. If this happened at Hardy Brothers Security, zingers would be flying left and right. These guys meant business, though.

James absentmindedly moved up behind Mandy, who watched from a spot to the right of the judges, and rested his hands on her hips before leaning in to kiss the sensitive slope of her ear. It was already too late when he realized what he’d done and he took an immediate step back.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Mandy said quietly, offering him a rueful smile. “It’s … fine.”

“What are you two talking about?” MacIntosh asked, his gaze locking with Mandy’s. “Is this about those ridiculous rumors Humphrey has been spreading? If so, knock it off. The only one who cares is you, Mandy.”

Mandy’s cheeks colored. “He’s not the only one saying stuff. I … don’t want anyone casting aspersions on your leadership because of me.”

“Is that what you think is happening?” MacIntosh asked. “I’ll have you know that my colleagues think your relationship with James is hilarious. Isn’t that so, gentleman?”

Walter Nimoy and George Kirk, both longtime circuit court judges, lifted their eyes and smiled.

“I particularly liked the day James brought you coffee and a lollipop shaped like a shark. You two giggled inside for twenty minutes straight,” Nimoy said. “We took bets that day.”

Mandy pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes, causing James’ heart to roll. “It’s unprofessional. It won’t happen again.”

“No, it won’t,” James agreed.

“That’s too bad,” Kirk said. “I was sure I would win the pool for when the next incident would be. I had Wednesday of next week because James likes to come in Wednesdays and surprise you sometimes.”

“I had Friday,” Nimoy said.

Mandy rubbed the side of her cheek, flustered.

“Mandy, do you think you’re the first person to … kiss your husband … in this courthouse?” MacIntosh asked. “Do you remember David Nevin? He was the judge on the seventh floor when you started.”

Mandy nodded.

“He didn’t wear clothes under his robe and was having an affair with his secretary and everyone knew it,” MacIntosh said. “The woman was very … vocal … when they spent time together.”

“Sometimes he didn’t wear underwear under his robe and I saw it,” Nimoy added.

“Don’t forget Bill Dorsey,” Kirk said. “He had sex on his desk and didn’t bother to shut the door.”

Mandy was mortified. “I want to die.”

James rested his hand on her back. “I think they’re telling you that … you shouldn’t be embarrassed, baby.”

“We’re telling her that we need entertainment in this building and she’s been providing it,” Nimoy corrected. “You two are happy and in love. It’s a nice change of pace for a building that sees nothing but sadness and cheating spouses.”

MacIntosh shot his friends a thankful smile. “While I would agree some … discretion … is in order, your husband shouldn’t be afraid to touch you in the courthouse,” he said. “Let it go. You’re adults. There’s no rule about fornicating in the building. Why do you think that is?”

“I don’t know,” Mandy admitted.

“Because that would be no fun for us,” Nimoy said. “Now, suck it up. Your poor husband looks as if he’s about to cry he’s so worried about you.”

Mandy risked a glanced at James and shook her head. “Even they’re members of your fan club. Are you happy?”

James shrugged. “Since you’re the president, I
am
happy.”

Mandy blew out a sigh, but she reached over and linked her fingers with James’ to make him aware everything was fine and then turned her attention back to the judges. “Did you find anything?”

“We did,” MacIntosh said. “The funding for the sheriff’s deputies shows a lot of activity it shouldn’t.”

“Who oversees that?” James asked.

“Technically, we’re supposed to have a rotating panel, but it’s a boring job and Humphrey volunteered to take over when he got into office,” Nimoy answered. “He said he wanted to help and learn the ins and outs of the courthouse system. We should’ve known better. That’s on us, and we should probably face some sanctions for it.”

“I agree,” MacIntosh said.

“Wait, I don’t want you getting in trouble because of us,” Mandy protested.

“The difference between Humphrey and us is that we believe in checks and balances,” MacIntosh said. “We messed this one up. We will not hold ourselves above everyone else.”

“We need to take this to the state police,” Kirk said. “We can’t take it to Morgan for obvious reasons and Humphrey is out of the question.”

“I’ll place a call,” MacIntosh said.

“Can you determine where that money was going?” James asked.

“We’re going to need a forensic accountant for that,” MacIntosh replied. “The suggestion of impropriety alone will be enough to get Humphrey suspended from his position.”

“Were the discrepancies in the form of ten-thousand-dollar increments?” Mandy asked.

MacIntosh nodded. “While it’s not exact proof, it would seem the money being funneled from Jenna Barone to the sheriff’s department is making its way into prosecutorial funds. We’ll need someone else to verify it, but we have enough to suspend Humphrey and Morgan from their jobs. We technically still don’t have anything on Foley, just his wife.”

“It’s more than enough for Sophie to put together a story, though,” James said. “Can you guys talk on the record, or not?”

“I think that’s a fine idea,” MacIntosh said. “We’re going to have to postpone our afternoon sessions, gentleman. Get Ms. Lane here as soon as you can while we call the state police. If we sit on this, I have a bad feeling something worse will happen as the parties involved scramble to cover their tracks.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” James said.

“
I
’M SORRY
,
did you just say you needed me to stop your son from killing someone?”

Grady was convinced he was dreaming. He’d heard a lot of things since going to work for his brother, but this was a new one.

“Yes,” the woman said. “I know he’s in the area. I’ve been trying to track him down for two days and I can’t find him. I need you to track him down and stop him from killing a woman.”

Jake must’ve overheard the conversation because he joined Grady in the lobby. “Ma’am, did you consider calling the police? They should be made aware if your son is intent on killing someone.”

“Do you think I’m an idiot?” The woman asked, making a face that would’ve been comical under different circumstances. Sadly, Grady believed she was telling the truth. “I can’t call the police because they’ll arrest him. I came to you because you’re involved and I just figured you would know where to look.”

“How are we involved?” Jake asked, confused.

“Because he’s going to kill Sophie Lane,” the woman replied, unruffled. “Not that she doesn’t deserve it, mind you, but I don’t want my son going to prison because of that harlot.”

Grady’s heart painfully squeezed as he exchanged a worried look with Jake. “Why would your son want to kill Sophie?”

“Because he hates her.”

“But … why?” Grady pressed. “Did she write a story about your family? Does he have ties to Chuck Foley?”

“I don’t know who Chuck Foley is,” the woman said, scratching the side of her nose with a dirty fingernail. “Oh, wait. Is he that commissioner whose son killed those kids when he drove off the bridge?”

Grady nodded.

“Then, yes, he’s involved,” the woman said. “He hired my son to kill Sophie.”

“I need to get Sophie on the phone right now,” Grady said, taking a tentative step back toward the office. “Can you … ?”

“I’ve got it,” Jake said, motioning toward one of the chairs next to the front desk. “Ma’am, would you like to have a seat?”

“I would like you to find my son and stop him from doing something stupid,” the woman replied. “I don’t see how sitting is going to help.”

“We need some information first,” Jake said. “What’s your name?”

“Bree Jordan.”

Grady was halfway back to the chair where his cell phone rested when he swiveled around. “Bree Jordan? Son of a … !”

“
I
’M NOT
getting
in my car,” Sophie said, inhaling and exhaling evenly. Being the daughter of a career criminal gave her a unique skill set when it came to dealing with tense situations. Peter ran her through drills as a child in case one of his enemies should grab her. This situation was different, but the mechanics of survival were the same.

“Get in the car, Sophie,” the man snapped. “Don’t make me kill you.”

“You’re going to kill me regardless,” Sophie replied, externally calm despite the hike in her blood pressure. “I will not get in a car and drive out of this parking lot so you can kill me in private. If you’re going to kill me, do it now.”

“Do you think I won’t?” The man’s dark eyes flashed as he nudged the tip of the knife into Sophie’s skin. She didn’t flinch. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Do you think I’ll just walk away if you pretend this isn’t happening?”

It was then that things clicked into place for Sophie, and despite all of the training and scenarios Peter put her through, she reacted with outright fear for the first time. “You’re Daryl Jordan.”

“It’s good to see you again,” Daryl said, grinning evilly. “Now get in the car!”

“
W
HO IS
Bree Jordan
?” Jake asked, alarmed by the flush climbing Grady’s cheeks. “What’s going on?”

“Bree Jordan is Sophie’s former foster mother,” Grady said, clenching his fists as he tried to control his breathing. “Her piece of filth son almost killed Sophie when she was younger. He put her in the hospital.”

“Oh,” Jake said. He wasn’t familiar with the story, but he wasn’t about to argue with Grady given the situation.

“Why would your son possibly want to kill Sophie?” Grady asked, his fury getting the better of him. “Didn’t you people do enough to her? She was a helpless child, for crying out loud.”

“Oh, don’t have some sort of freakout,” Bree said, rolling her eyes. “Sophie wasn’t some helpless child. She was manipulative and she tried to have my son arrested for a youthful indiscretion. She’s the one at fault here, not my Daryl.”

Grady didn’t hit women. He’d never even considered it. He wanted to hit Bree Jordan, though. “A youthful indiscretion? Your son punched Sophie so many times she almost lost consciousness. He put a belt around her neck and dragged her down the stairs. He then proceeded to tighten the belt until she passed out, and then he would let her have enough oxygen to wake up, and then do it all over again.”

Jake felt sick to his stomach. “Oh, my … .”

“That’s the story Sophie tells,” Bree countered. “That’s not what really happened. They were playing a game and it got out of hand. Sophie is responsible for getting my husband arrested. He died in prison. Did you know that? Did Sophie?”

“I hope it hurt,” Grady said, meaning every word. “Your husband watched your son torture Sophie. You watched him do it, too. You’re just as culpable as that monster you created.”

“Hold on,” Jake said, putting a hand on Grady’s chest to still him in case he tried to put his hands on Bree Jordan. “Why would your son go after Sophie now? You said Chuck Foley hired him. When?”

“A few days ago,” Bree said, meeting Grady’s challenging gaze. “Your precious Sophie ended up in the lap of luxury while I did two years in prison before being paroled early and my husband died there. How is that fair?”

“I will kill you,” Grady seethed, fighting against Jake’s efforts to hold him back.

“Stop it, Grady!” Jake bellowed, taking Grady by surprise. Jake rarely raised his voice. “We need information. Go and … call Sophie. Tell her to stay wherever she is until we can get to her.”

Grady looked as if he was going to argue but instead stormed back into the office, leaving Jake with Bree – and a boatload of anger.

“I have absolutely no sympathy for you or your son,” Jake said, keeping his voice even. “I had no idea Sophie went through something so horrible. Your husband got what he deserved. I need to know about Chuck Foley. Why would he hire your son?”

“Because my son hates Sophie,” Bree replied. “He has every right to hate her. I don’t personally care if he kills her, but he’s bound to get caught if he does.”

“How would Foley even know to go after your son to hire him?” Jake asked. “I’ve known Sophie for well over a year and I’ve never heard this story.”

“He went through Sophie’s background or something,” Bree said. “She had a sealed file and he had someone unseal it. I think he said it was a prosecutor. That’s how he knew to approach Daryl.”

“She’s not answering her phone,” Grady said, striding toward the front door. “I’m going to the sheriff’s department. That’s where she was headed.”

“I’ll call James,” Jake said. “He’ll meet you there.”

“Great,” Grady said, taking a moment to stare down Bree Jordan. “I know the whole story of what happened to Sophie, and if your son puts one hand on her, I will kill him. You’d better hope I get to him first, too, because if one of Peter Marconi’s men finds him before I can track him down, his death is going to be something terrible and you won’t even have a body when they’re done.”

Bree visibly gulped. “This is all Sophie’s fault. If she had done what I told her to do in the first place, none of this would’ve happened. I gave her a gift to shut her up, for crying out loud.”

“If I were you, I’d shut your mouth right now,” Jake hissed, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “After I call James, I’ll call Peter. Maybe we’ll luck out and find he had men following Sophie. He’s done it before.”

“Hurry,” Grady said, beside himself. “Hurry. I can’t lose her.”

“You won’t lose her,” Jake said. “Bree here is probably going to lose her son, though.”

“Don’t you dare bring Peter Marconi in on this,” Bree snapped. “I know he’s the one responsible for my husband dying in prison. He was two days away from being released and then he got mysteriously shanked. Do you think that was a coincidence?”