Deadly Prospects (15 page)

“I’m sorry about dinner,” Jake said, rubbing the back of Ally’s neck as he looked around her busy kitchen table ruefully.

“It’s not your fault,” Ally said. “Besides, we had a great lunch.”

Jake tugged her head over so he could kiss her forehead, not caring in the least that Grady and James were watching him. He was past the point where he was going to take their feelings into consideration.

“Still, I promised you a fancy dinner,” Jake said. “I never would have brought you back here to change if I thought we were going to be invaded like this.”

“They just would have tracked us down,” Ally said.

“Still, I wanted you to be able to get dressed up like you wanted,” Jake said.

Ally wrapped an arm around Jake’s narrow waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. “When this is all over, we’ll have our dinner,” she said. “Well, at least I hope we will.”

“I’ll take you out to a whole week’s worth of dinners,” Jake promised, smiling tightly as Finn ambled over.

Finn poked his fingers into Ally’s hair, pulling a twig from her wild curls. “What did you two do today?”

Ally stuck her tongue out, snatching the twig out of his hand. “None of your business.”

“What is that?” James asked curiously, squinting his eyes.

“It’s a twig,” Finn said. “I have a feeling Ally was rolling around in nature today.”

“Mind your own business,” Ally said.

“Yes, mind your own business,” James agreed.

“I don’t have to mind my own business,” Mandy said, pushing Finn out of the way so she could get a better look at Ally. “Oh, let’s see, you have some color to your cheeks and you look all … flushed. Is that new tan an all-over body tan?”

“Mandy,” James warned. “Mind your own business.”

Mandy made an exaggerated face. “Yes, sir.”

Ally shuffled nervously. “I think I’m going to go and change my clothes really quickly before dinner.”

Jake nodded, releasing the back of her neck.

“I’ll go with you,” Mandy said.

Ally nodded. “Good idea.”

“Wait, what are you two doing?” James asked, his brown eyes clouding with suspicion. “We want to eat. We have some things to talk about.”

“We’ll just be a few minutes,” Mandy protested.

“Fine,” James growled, giving in. He knew arguing with her would take longer than whatever they were going to do in the bedroom.

“I’ll go with them and make sure they hurry,” Sophie offered, slipping out from under the arm Grady had slung over her shoulders. “You know, just to act as a chaperone.”

“And I’ll be Sophie’s chaperone,” Emma said, getting up from the couch.

James scowled. “I’m hungry.”

“So eat,” Mandy said, shooting him a look. “We’ll just be a few minutes.”

James watched the four women walk down the hallway and disappear inside of Ally’s bedroom. Once the door was shut, he released an exasperated sigh. “Well, we’ll never see them again.”

“Yeah, what did you do with my sister this afternoon?” Finn asked. “Because if it’s going to be a long story, we’re never going to eat again.”

Jake flushed. “I took her for a ride on my motorcycle.”

“Stop right there,” James said, raising his hand. “The girls may want all of the dirty details, but I do not.”

“I wasn’t going to share details,” Jake said, fighting the urge to smile as the memory of Ally’s face from this afternoon nudged into the front of his mind.

“Ugh,” James said. “And wipe that look off your face. That is my sister you’re rolling through your filthy mind.”

“I’M
starving,” Ally said, settling into the seat next to Jake.

“Didn’t you get lunch?” Grady asked, dishing some sesame chicken onto Sophie’s plate.

“She got lunch,” Mandy said, giggling. “She got one heck of an outstanding lunch.”

The back of Jake’s neck was burning as he shot Ally a look.

“What?” Her voice was dripping with faux innocence.

“You guys were in there a long time,” Jake said. “What were you talking about?”

“Stuff,” Ally said, biting into an egg roll enthusiastically.

“What stuff?” Jake pressed.

Ally shrugged. “Just stuff.”

Mandy shifted in her spot next to James. “How come you never take me for picnics?”

James rolled his tongue across his bottom teeth. “You hate bugs.”

“So?”

“You hate dirt,” James said.

“So?”

“You … fine,” he said, rubbing his jaw. “I’ll take you on a picnic.” He shot Jake a hateful look. “I’m going to beat your ass for this.”

“Picnics are great,” Jake said. “Why wouldn’t you like a picnic?”

“Because we’re not picnic people,” James said. “I’m going to take her out for a picnic and then have to listen to her complain for two hours.”

“Not if you do it right,” Ally teased.

“Eat your dinner, Ally,” James grumbled.

Jake felt a desperate urge to change the subject. “So, what did you guys find out today?”

“Sophie and I tried to track down this Raymond Thredson,” Grady said. “We didn’t have a heck of a lot of luck.”

“He seems to have fallen off the map,” Sophie said. “I think he might be dead.”

“Wouldn’t there be a death certificate?” James asked.

“That’s my next task,” Ally said. “I was hoping Mandy could point me to someone at the county who can get me information from the registrar’s office first thing Monday morning.”

“Sarah Whitman,” Mandy said around a mouthful of food. “She’s great. I’ll give her a call.”

“Classy, baby,” James said.

Mandy ignored him and swallowed. “Can’t you just check the obits at the newspaper?”

“I did,” Sophie said. “I found a Ray Thredson, and that’s probably him, but I want to make sure.”

“How long ago did he die?” James asked.

“About fifteen years ago.”

“Well, that’s one name almost off our list,” James said.

“What about you?” Grady asked.

“I had Bernie Archer,” James said. “I think I can say, without any hesitation, that he didn’t kill anyone.”

“How can you be sure of that?”

“Because he’s housebound,” James said. “He’s got to cart one of those oxygen tanks around with him. He’s got advanced emphysema.”

“That doesn’t mean he didn’t hire someone,” Grady said.

“He lives in a hole,” James said. “I don’t think we can officially rule him out, but he seemed surprised to find me on his doorstep. He was pretty open about the armored-car heist. He says he knows he’s a suspect, but he claims he’s innocent.”

“Do you believe him?”

“That he’s innocent? No,” James said. “Do I think he killed Sawyer? I’m leaning toward no.”

“That leaves Finn,” Jake said, shifting his attention to the youngest Hardy brother. “What did you find?”

“I have a mystery to add to our other mystery,” Finn said. “It seems that Donald Lawson disappeared ten years ago.”

“What do you mean he disappeared?”

“I mean that he’s gone,” Finn said. “I tracked down his wife, Bertha. She’s a lovely woman. She only told me to go fuck myself three times during a twenty-minute conversation. I can’t see why anyone would flee from the warmth of her bosom.”

Emma made a face. “Did you just say bosom?”

Finn shrugged. “The woman is evil. Anyway, she said that Donnie Lawson went out for a pack of smokes ten years ago and never came back.”

“Are they divorced?”

“No,” Finn said. “She said it was too much work, and she didn’t want to have to sell the house. I can see why. It’s a particularly lovely shack that could double as a crack den on the weekends in Eastpointe.”

“So, we probably have a dead man in Thredson,” James said. “We have a missing man in Lawson. And we have a guy shackled to his house by an oxygen tank. I’m not particularly fond of any of those suspects.”

“So, what do we do now?” Ally asked.

“We dig deeper,” James said. “Just because Mrs. Lawson says that her husband left her, it might not be the truth. He could still be in town, just living someplace else.”

“If I was married to Bertha, I’d hide, too,” Finn said.

“Maybe she’s just bitter because the only man she’s ever loved abandoned her,” Emma suggested, empathy washing over her face. “Sometimes, when people leave, you hold on to the memory out of blind hope and it makes you bitter.”

Finn squeezed Emma’s knee under the table. As the daughter of a notorious child molester, Emma had gone through more than her fair share of turmoil. That included a mother who abandoned her own children when the media scrutiny became too much to bear.

“Maybe, sweetie,” Finn said. “You’re right. I shouldn’t make fun of Bertha.”

Jake’s eyes flashed with curiosity, but he didn’t ask the question on the tip of his tongue. He didn’t feel that Emma’s private business was something he should be privy to.

“So, what are we doing tomorrow?” Ally asked.

“More research,” James said. “There’s not a heck of a lot we can do until we can confirm that Thredson is dead.”

“And hopefully find an alternative address for Lawson,” Grady added.

“So, for now, we have to wait,” Jake finished.

“Pretty much,” James agreed.

“Oh, well good,” Mandy said. “I guess that means you can take me on a picnic tomorrow.”

James ground his molars together. “I have to try and track down Lawson tomorrow,” he said. “We’ll do the picnic thing next weekend.”

Mandy narrowed her eyes. “I think you’re lying.”

“Well, I’m not,” James said. “I’m really looking forward to the picnic.”

“Lies,” Mandy said, laughing.

James leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers. “I’m going to picnic your brains out next weekend,” he said. “I need some time to prepare.”

“You’d better,” Mandy said. “I have a long memory.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” James said.

“Well, I guess that means I’m on my own tomorrow,” Mandy lamented.

“I’m sure you’ll find something to do,” James said.

“Oh, I plan on it,” she said. “I’m going to the mall.”

James groaned. “Great. I’m going to have to build you a closet in the new house just to hold your shoes.”

“I’m not asking you to go to the mall,” Mandy said. “Just be glad for that.”

“I have to work,” James said. “I would totally go to the mall with you if I could.”

“Whatever.” Mandy shifted her gaze to Sophie. “Do you want to go to the mall tomorrow?”

“Absolutely.”

Emma shook her head when Mandy’s gaze landed on her. “Sorry. I have a job. I’d totally be there otherwise.”

Mandy finally turned to Ally. “I’m guessing you’re going to be busy.”

“I’m not sure,” Ally said, biting her lower lip.

“She’s sticking with me,” Jake said. “And, no, I’m not going to the mall with you.”

“Are you going to take her on another picnic?” Mandy asked, her blue eyes probing.

Jake shrugged, his eyes flashing. “You never know.”

“Everyone eat their dinner,” James ordered. “This conversation is taking an … ugly turn.”

Mandy poked him in the side. “I’ll take your mind off of it later.”

“How?”

“Maybe I’ll model some shoes for you,” Mandy said, grinning.

“I’ve seen your shoes.”

Mandy lowered her mouth to James’ ear so only he could hear. “Yeah, but I won’t be wearing anything else.”

James straightened. “Okay, everyone eat quickly. I think we’ve had enough together time for one night.”

“I thought we were going to the mall,” Mandy complained.

She was sitting in the passenger seat of Sophie’s car, but the brunette had the vehicle pointed in the opposite direction from shopping nirvana.

“We are,” Sophie said. “I just need to make a stop first. I thought you might want to come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’re going to Peter’s house.”

Mandy, suddenly interested in their destination, leaned forward. “We’re going to your foster father’s house? I’ve heard he lives in a mansion.”

“The house is nice,” Sophie agreed.

“And I get to meet Peter finally?” Mandy pressed.

“He wants to meet you,” Sophie replied. “He still doesn’t believe I have any female friends.”

“How come?”

“I’ve never really gotten along well with other women,” Sophie admitted. “I’m not really sure why.”

“It’s the competition thing,” Mandy said. “I get it.”

“What’s the competition thing?”

“Women compete with other women when they think they’re fighting in the same arena,” Mandy explained.

“I don’t compete with you,” Sophie said.

“That’s because we were never fighting in the same arena,” Mandy said. “When you came along, I was already in James’ arena and you were in Grady’s. It was the same with Emma when we met her. She was only interested in Finn’s arena.”

“And Ally obviously isn’t interested in any of their arenas,” Sophie mused, her expression thoughtful. “You know, that makes a lot of sense. How did you and Ally become friends, though? You weren’t always in James’ arena, and you and Ally had to be competing for guys as teens.”

“Not really,” Mandy said. “I don’t ever remember us fighting over a guy.”

“Is that because you had a crush on James even then?”

“Maybe,” Mandy conceded. “Ooh, is this his house?”

Sophie didn’t miss the look of excitement that flashed over the effervescent blonde’s face as she pulled beyond Peter’s wrought-iron gates. “This is it.”

“This is awesome,” Mandy said. “I’m so excited.”

For a second, Sophie worried that she’d made a mistake. While she knew Peter would never hurt Mandy, James and Grady might not see things the same way. She pushed the thought out of her mind.

“Who are those guys?” Mandy asked, pointing to Peter’s armed bodyguards.

“That’s Gustav and Sven,” Sophie said.

“Are they hired guns?”

Sophie giggled. “You watch too many movies.”

Mandy shrugged. “Come on. Introduce me.”

Peter met Sophie at the door, giving her a welcoming hug. “Two visits in one week? I feel like it’s Christmas.”

“I have more questions,” Sophie admitted.

“Of course you do,” Peter said, smiling. He fixed Mandy with a curious look. “And, who is this?”

“This is Mandy,” Sophie said. “We were going to go shopping, but I wanted to stop and see you first.”

“Ah, the infamous Ms. Avery,” Peter said, clasping Mandy’s hand warmly. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” Mandy said. “I’ve been trying to get Sophie to introduce us for months.”

Peter led the two young women into his house, ultimately settling in the arboretum when he saw Mandy’s eyes light up during their brief tour. Once they were seated, cups of tea on their laps, Peter focused on Mandy.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you looking so well,” he said. “I heard about the explosion, and the difficulties your recovery entailed. It seems you’re back on your feet now.”

“I am,” Mandy said. “It was a rough couple of weeks. I’m better now.”

“I was sorry to hear about your stepmother,” Peter said. “That business was … undignified. Blaming you for what her son did is just uncalled for.”

Mandy’s smiled wavered, but only slightly. “I feel bad for her. She lost everything, including her mind. She just wasn’t herself at the end.”

“You’re very forgiving, and you have a big heart,” Peter said. “I can see why my Sophie has taken to you so.”

“Well, I’ve taken to her, too.”

“Of course you have,” Peter said. “She’s the best person in this world.”

Mandy didn’t care that Peter was a reputed mobster. His devotion to Sophie was obvious, and heartwarming. She immediately liked him. “Well, you had a hand in shaping her, you deserve part of the credit.”

Peter smiled widely, his eyes crinkling. “She came to me fully formed. I was content to let her be her own person.”

“Maybe that’s what she needed.”

“Maybe,” Peter agreed.

“Okay, I’m sitting right here,” Sophie said, her cheeks coloring. “You’re going to make my head swell.”

“Your head never swells,” Mandy said. “That’s one of the reasons I like you.”

“It’s swelling now,” Sophie said, embarrassment coursing through her.

Peter chuckled, enjoying the sight of his foster daughter bonding with the easygoing blonde. “So, tell me why you’re here.”

“I think I found Raymond Thredson,” Sophie said. “I found a Ray Thredson who died about fifteen years ago. Now, I can’t be a hundred-percent sure until I check the death records with the county tomorrow, but I think it’s him.”

“What did he die of?”

“The obit doesn’t say,” Sophie said. “They pulled the whole ‘died unexpectedly’ thing. That could mean an accident – or it could mean a surprise heart attack. We just don’t know.”

Peter rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “Well, that’s interesting.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just interesting,” Peter said. “I thought for sure that he would come into play in this story. Finding out he’s dead is a surprise.”

“I have more,” Sophie said. “Bernie Archer is on an oxygen tank. James went and questioned him. Bernie claims he wasn’t part of the heist, and James doesn’t believe that, but he says there’s no way he could have killed Michael Sawyer himself.”

“That doesn’t mean he didn’t hire someone,” Peter prodded.

“No,” Sophie agreed. “But James says he lives in a hovel, and he can’t figure out where he would get the money to hire a hitman.”

“Unless he promised the hitman a chunk of the recovered money,” Peter suggested.

“That’s a possibility,” Sophie agreed. “We can’t prove that until we find a hitman, though, so he’s a dead end right now.”

“That leaves Donald Lawson,” Peter said. “What’s his status?”

“He’s missing,” Sophie said.

“Define missing.”

“His wife says that he went out for a pack of cigarettes ten years ago and never came back,” Sophie said.

“Finn says that the wife is awful and he can see why Donnie would leave,” Mandy supplied.

“And Finn is the youngest brother, right?” Peter asked. “The one dating the model.”

“Right,” Sophie said.

“Where do you think Lawson is?” Peter asked.

“He’s got to be our best suspect right now,” Sophie said. “I’m guessing he just dumped the evil wife and he’s probably still in the area. We just have to find him.”

“And how will you do that?”

“I can find him,” Sophie said, puffing her chest out. “People can’t hide from me.”

“No, they can’t,” Peter agreed. “You have a certain knack. There’s only one problem with your hypothesis.”

“What’s that?” Sophie asked, furrowing her brow.

“Well, after your initial visit, I did some asking around,” Peter said.

“What did you find?”

“No one has seen Donnie Lawson in ten years,” Peter said. “If I had to guess, he’s dead, too.”

“Are you sure?” Sophie asked, hope draining from her.

“I’m fairly sure,” Peter said. “If he’s hiding, he’s discovered a new way to do it. And, from what I understand, Lawson could never be mistaken for one of the great criminal thinkers of our time.”

“Maybe someone killed Thredson and Lawson,” Mandy suggested.

“That’s a pretty interesting guess,” Peter said, smiling. “Sophie said you were clever.”

“I don’t know how clever I am,” Mandy said. “It just makes sense. If Thredson was the inside man, then someone killed him. Then someone went after Lawson. Now Sawyer is dead.”

“That only leaves Archer,” Sophie finished.

“And James doesn’t seem to think he’s capable,” Mandy said.

“So, there’s someone else out there,” Sophie mused. “We’re missing someone.”

“I can ask around some more,” Peter said. “If someone else was involved, though, that rumor has never surfaced.”

“Which could be why three men are dead,” Mandy said. “If I were Archer, I’d be looking over my shoulder. Someone’s probably going to drop a match in front of his oxygen tank any day now. He’s going to be nothing but splatter if he isn’t careful.”

Peter laughed, the sound deep and throaty. “You are an absolute delight.”

“YOU
took her where?”

Grady stepped between Sophie and James, holding his hands up. “Just calm down.”

Mandy and Sophie had returned to the apartment above Hardy Brothers Security, and James glommed on to the fact that they were parcel free the second he saw them. After a few pointed questions, Mandy admitted where she’d spent her afternoon.

James wasn’t thrilled – to say the least.

“I am calm,” James said. “I just found out my girlfriend spent the afternoon having tea with a mobster. I’m thrilled.”

“Don’t spazz,” Mandy said. “He was a perfect gentleman.”

James extended a finger in warning. “Don’t.”

“I would never have taken Mandy to Peter’s if I thought she’d be in danger,” Sophie said. “Peter loves me. He would never hurt me or anyone I care about.”

“Sophie, the man kills people for a living,” James said.

“No, he doesn’t,” Sophie said, crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly. “Peter is not perfect, but he has never been anything but kind and protective. Don’t you dare say anything bad about him. He’s my family.”

James ran his hand through his hair, fixing Grady with a serious look. “Are you okay with this?”

“I’ve met him,” Grady said. “He’s … fine.”

“Fine?”

“He loves Sophie,” Grady said. “He would never hurt her, and he has no reason to hurt Mandy. Even if he did, he wouldn’t. Since Sophie likes Mandy, Peter would protect her for that reason alone.”

James made a noise in the back of his throat. “I still don’t like it.”

“I’m sorry,” Sophie said, lowering her eyes. “I didn’t realize that it would upset you this much. It was just a whim. I won’t take her again.”

“Wait a second,” Mandy said. “I liked him.”

“Of course you did,” James grumbled.

“He called me delightful,” Mandy said. “I like any man who recognizes the wonder that is me.”

James shook his head, finally letting a smile move across his face. “Well then, you must absolutely love me.”

“You have your moments,” Mandy conceded.

James glanced at Sophie. “I’m sorry I yelled.”

“I understand why you did,” she said. “I just don’t happen to agree with you.”

“I know,” James said. “I’m still sorry. Sometimes my temper gets the better of me, especially where Mandy is concerned.”

“You have that in common with your brother,” Sophie said. “I guess you’re lucky I’m used to crazy men.”

“Hey,” Grady said. “How did this become my fault?”

“It’s not,” Sophie said, tugging on his hand. “I don’t suppose you’re ready to go, are you? I’ve got a long week ahead of me, and I was hoping we could celebrate with a long night consisting of just the two of us.”

“You had me at long night,” Grady said, smiling. He glanced at his brother. “We’re okay, right?”

James nodded. “We’re fine. Just no more visits with mobsters without telling me first.”

Sophie saluted. “Yes, sir.”

James scowled. “You have an odd sense of humor.”

“I try.”

“Well, we’re going,” Grady said, wrapping his arm around Sophie’s waist. “There’s a Sunday to salvage.”

James waved them off, fixing his eyes on his blonde. “Go. I’ve got my own
delightful
evening in front of me.”

Grady and Sophie let themselves out of the apartment, the sound of Mandy’s emphatic squeals filling their ears the minute the door snapped shut.

“Do you really think he’s okay with this?” Sophie asked, her eyes reflecting worry.

“He’s fine,” Grady said. “Now, get your delightful ass moving. I’m ready to become a shut-in for the rest of the night.”

Sophie smiled, giving Grady a quick kiss. “Your wish is my command.”

“Oh, it’s going to be, sugar,” Grady said. “I get to be the boss tonight.”